236 UiKDs OK XoKTii Carolina 



reported it as very abundant everywhere outside of tlie marsh (hiring the same 

 period of the year. At Pea IsUmd Bishop rejiorted it the most abundant bird in 

 February, 1901. At Weavervilie, in Huncombe County, Cairns called it a common 

 winter visitor, and in his migration schedule reports it from August 20 to April 24, 

 adding the remark that it breeds on the higher mountains. The earliest fall record 

 for Raleigh is Se])tember 16, 1887; but this is unusually early, for the time of 

 arrival is generally in October. 



Flo. 185. Sav.\x.saii Sparrow. 



Tlie nest is said to be sunkru in tiir ground, and well concealed among weeds 

 and grass, being nothing more than an arrangement of grasses in concentric rings, 

 the rim being flush with the ground. The eggs are four or five in number. They 

 are of a greenish or grayish-white ground-color, speckled antl blotchetl with light 

 lirown and lilac, particuhulx' about the larger end, the markings being often so 

 numerous that they almost conceal the groinid-c'otor. Size .75 x .35. 



The Savannah Sparrow is a shy bird, hiding close in the grass until flushed by 

 a near approach. In the sjjring it is often found on wet meadows, but during the 

 rest of the winter is confined mainly to dry uplands. 



The Western .S:iv;inii:ili SpMrrow. l'(i.ss{ rnihis snniiirichcn.sis nliiiiiliniis (Bonap.), is more p-ay 

 in color than the eastern form. 11. I,. ( 'o(;gins (.see Auk, Oct., 1!)()1, p. 397) .states tliat 11 .'Savan- 

 nah Sparrows eollecteil liy 11. 11. and ('. S. Brimley at RaleiRli, and farming p.art of the Iloopes 

 eolleelion in the Aeademy of Natural Seiences in I'liil.-ideliiliia, l)elong to this form. He al.so 

 thinks that they may be merely transients, as none of the s[)eeiinens were taken in February or 

 March; but this is a mistake, as Savannah Sparrows occur here every month from October to 

 May, both inclusive. Possibly, if Mr. Coggins is correct, all our Kaleigli specimens belong to this 

 form. Bishop records taking a yomig male of this form on Pea Island, December 14, 191)8. Ilidg- 

 way and Oberholser, however, upon examining the specimen, both pronounced it the ea.stem 

 form. The 1910 edition of the Aincricdu Oniilliologids Union Check Lisl does not give this bird 

 as ever having occurred ea.st of the Mississipi)i River. 



Genus Ammodraxnus Swains.) 

 225. Ammodramus savannarum australis (Moj/n.). CiRAssHOPPEit Spau- 



KOW. 



Dcarriptuin. — Much streaked above: brea-st ImfTy, usually, l)ut not always, un.streakcd; edge 

 and liend of wing and line over eve vellow. Measurements of 40 specimens from Ualeigh: L., 

 4.9()-.-).8.-); \V., 2.18-2..5.-); T., 1. ■)(")- 1. 'J.'). 



Range. — Eastern North America, wintering in extreme southern portion. 



liantje in North Carolina. — Central and western i)orlions in summer. 



