26 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 
I give the comparative measurements of the two specimens, remarking that 
Professor Baird’s was made from the dried skin, while mine was taken from the 
fresh bird.! 
The Ipswich Sand-hills, where the specimen was procured, is a most peculiar 
place. I never have met with its equalanywhere. Years ago these Sand-hills, which 
are three miles long by three fourths of a mile across, and contain about one thousand 
acres, were covered with a thick growth of pine-trees. Protected by these trees, and 
among them, dwelt a tribe of Indians, whose earlier presence is indicated, not only 
by tradition, but by numerous shell heaps scattered over the Sand-hills at irregular 
intervals. Indeed, even now the ashes of camp-fires may be seen, apparently fresh. 
Upon the advent of the white man, the usual event transpired, namely, the disappear- 
ance of the trees; and today, with the exception of a few scattering ones at the 
southeasterly corner, near the house of the proprietor of the Sand-hills, Mr. George 
Woodbury, not a tree is to be seen. All is bleak and barren. The surface of the 
ground, once covered with a slight deposit of soil, has become a mass of shifting 
sands. Many times has the present owner had cause to regret the want of foresight 
in his ancestors in removing the trees, as the several acres of arable land around the 
house are now covered with sand, including a valuable apple-orchard. Upon this 
orchard the sand has drifted to the depth of thirty feet. Some of the trees present 
the curious phenomenon of apples growing upon limbs that protrude a few feet only 
above the sand, while the trunk and lower branches are buried! The Sand-hills, in 
places, are covered with a sparse growth of coarse grass, upon the seeds of which, as 
I have remarked elsewhere, thousands of Snow Buntings feed. There are, in some 
places, sinks or depressions with the level of the sea. In these sinks, which, except 
during the summer months, are filled with fresh water, a more luxuriant growth of 
grass appears. Walking, on December 4, 1868, near one of these places, in search 
of Lapland Longspurs, I started a Sparrow from out the tall grass, which flew wildly 
and alighted again a few rods away. I approached the spot, surprised at seeing a 
Sparrow at this late day so far north, especially in so bleak a place. After some 
trouble I again started it. It flew wildly as before, when I fired, and was fortunate 
enough to secure it. It proved to be Baird’s Sparrow. When I found I had taken a 
specimen which I had never seen before, — although at that time I did not know its 
name or the interest attached to it, —I instantly went in search of more. After a 
time I succeeded in starting another. This one, however, rose too far off for 
gunshot, and I did not secure it. It flew away to a great distance, when I lost sight 
of it. After this I thought that among the myriads of Snow Buntings that continually 
rose a short distance from me I again detected it, but I was perhaps mistaken. I am 
confident of having seen it in previous years at this place, earlier in the season. 
* * * * * * * * * * 
1The comparative measurements (in inches) of the two birds are given as follows by Mr. 
Maynard : — 
Length Wing Tail Billabove Billalong gape Tarsus Middletoe Hind toe 
and claw and claw 
2.10 0.49 0.50 0.84 0.91 0.72 
Nebraska bird, 4.64 7 
5 2.60 0.45 0.52 0.95 1.05 0.72 
Massachusetts bird, 6.30 3. 
