256 Taverner, Birds of Red Deer River, Alta. \J^ 



123.* Pooecetes gramineus. Vesper Sparrow. — Rare along the 

 river valley but common whenever we visited the upper levels. Young 

 reports it common up on the prairie and along the creek beds at Camp 11, 

 Little Sandhill Creek. Nine specimens from Camps 1, 6, 8 and 11. They 

 are obviously referable to P. g. con finis. 



124.* Passerculus sandwichensis. Savannah Sparrow. — Quite 

 common in the more cultivated sections but scarce or absent over much 

 of the river valley. At Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, very scarce at 

 first, only two seen in August, but began to be numerous late in September. 

 13 specimens, Camps 1 and 11. Two types of coloration are exhibited in 

 these specimens. Those from Camp 1 are all yellow eyeb rowed birds, 

 while amongst those from Camp 11 occur yellow and white eyebrows. 

 Until a detailed study is made of Canadian Savannah Sparrows I do not 

 care to make subspecific determination. P. s. alaudinus is the generally 

 accepted form in Canada west of Ontario. 



125.* Passerherbulus lecontei. Leconte's Sparrow. — But one 

 recognized near Camp 1, in a dry slough. Young found occasional scat- 

 ered individuals at Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, two of which were 

 in marshes on the upper levels, the remainder being in the desert lowlands. 

 It is evident from the specimens obtained that the species has a distinct 

 juvenile plumage composed of soft golden stripings quite different from 

 the first winter plumage which is similar to that of the adult spring colora- 

 tion. Specimens from Camp 1 and 11. Farley knows the species and 

 does not regard it as rare. 



126. Passerherbulus nelsoni. Nelson's Sharp-tail. — Farley re- 

 ports shooting this species for identification and finding it quite common 

 in the open country around large flat sloughs. 



127.* Chondestes grammacus. Lark Sparrow. — Fairly common 

 at Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, not seen elsewhere or after August 17. 

 Specimens from Camp 11. I am not prepared with eastern specimens to 

 differentiate between the two races grammacus and strigatus. Neither 

 Farley nor Horsbrough mentions this species at Red Deer and it probably 

 does not occur there regularly. 



128.* Zonotrichia leucophrys. White-crowned Sparrow. — Not 

 noted until September 3, Camp 11 on the Little Sandhill Creek. Young 

 reports them quite common then along the river feeding on dogwood 

 seeds and Buffalo berries. Four specimens Camp 11, September 3 to 12. 

 Only one of these is in high plumage. It is obviously Z. I. gambeli and all 

 are inferentially included under the same subspecies. Listed as a common 

 migrant by Farley. 



129.* Zonotrichia albicollis. White-throated Sparrow. — Quite 

 common and evidently breeding on the upper part of the river, but not 

 noted below Camp 4 near Nevis, until they put in an appearance at Camp 

 11, on the Little Sandhill Creek, August 22, when Young met limited 

 numbers with fair regularity. Specimens from Camp 1 and 11. 



130. Spizella monticola. Tree Sparrow. — Listed as a common 



