THE SOOTY SONG SPARROW. 145 
No. 58. 
SOOTY SONG SPARROW. 
A. O. U. No. 581 f. Melospiza melodia rufina (Bonap.). 
Description.—Similar to M. m. morphna but larger and with coloration 
darker, more blended; general color of upperparts deep sooty brown or bister, 
brightening on greater wing-coyerts and tertials; back obscurely streaked with 
darker; median crown-stripe obsolete or at least indistinct; streaking of under- 
parts dark brown. Length 6.50 (165) or over; wing 2.75 (70); tail 2.64 (67); 
bill .48 (12.3); tarsus .92 (23.5). 
Recognition Marks.—Sparrow size; dark brown coloration; plumage of 
upperparts blended, almost uniform. Requires careful distinction from Passerella 
but is smaller and variegation of head still traceable. 
Nesting.—As in preceding. Does not breed in Washington. 
General Range.—‘Southern Alaska (islands and coast); north to Cross 
Sound, Glacier Bay, Lynn Canal, etc.; south to north side of Dixon Entrance, 
in winter to coast of British Columbia, Vancouver Island, and northwestern 
Washington (Olympic Mountains)” (Ridgway). 
Range in Washington.—Winter resident in northwestern portion of State— 
not common. 
Authorities.—M. cinerea rufina (Brandt), Ridgway, Birds of North and 
Middle America, Vol I. p. 374. E. 
Specimens.—Prov. E. 
THESE larger and darker birds reach our northern borders in winter 
only, having retired thus far from their home in southern Alaska. Their 
demeanor while with us is even more modest than that of the local Silver- 
tongue; and when one is stalking the dank woods of Whatcom County on 
the qui vive for varieties, it requires a second glance to distinguish this Song 
Sparrow, with its softly blended plumage, from a winter Fox Sparrow. 
No. 59. 
LINCOLN’S SPARROW. 
A. O. U. No. 583. Melospiza lincolnii (Aud.). 
Synonyms.—Lincoin’s Sonc Sparrow. Lincoun Finca. 
Description Adults: Above, much like 1. melodia montana, but crown 
brighter rufous, and with more decided black markings; back browner and more 
broadly and smartly streaked with black; the gray of back sometimes with a 
bluish and sometimes with an olivaceous tinge; below, throat and belly white, the 
former never quite immaculate, but with small arrow-shaped black marks; sides 
