THE WESTERN LARK SPARROW. _ 103 
behind; upper parts buffish gray brown, clearest on sides of neck, streaked by 
blackish brown centers of feathers on middle back and scapulars, persisting as 
edging on the fuscous wings and tail; tail-feathers, except middle pair, broadly 
tipped with white; below white, purest on throat and belly, washed with grayish 
buff on sides and crissum, also obscurely across fore-breast, in which is situated 
a central black spot. Length 6.25 (158.8); wing 3.35 (85); tail 2.68 (68); 
bill .47 (12); tarsus .80 (20.3). 
Recognition Marks.—Sparrow size; head variegated black, white, and chest- 
nut; fan-shaped tail broadly tipped with white and conspicuous in flight (thus 
WESTERN LARK SPARROW. 
easily distinguished from the Western Vesper Sparrow with square tail and lateral 
white feathers). 
Nesting.—Nest: of grasses, lined with finer grass, rootlets and occasionally 
horse-hair, on the ground or, rarely, in low bushes or trees. Eggs: 5, white, 
pinkish or bluish white, spotted and scrawled in zigzags and scrolls with dark 
