5 8 



THE GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. 



My two Columbus dates are April 24, 1902, and March 19, 1903, the 

 latter being the earliest of which I have information, a typical example of that 

 wonderful warm wave which amazed the oldest ornithological inhabitants. 

 Prof. A. W. Butler, in his "Birds of Indiana", records it as a rare resident in 

 the lower Wabash Valley and gives a few instances of its breeding in that state. 

 The instance recorded by Dr. Wheaton on the anthority of Mr. H. C. Benson 

 of Gambier is the only positive breeding record of this state of which I am 

 aware. 



The Savanna Sparrow is found during migrations along the bushy banks 

 of streams, in weedy fields and bottom-land meadows, together with their 

 interrupting fence-rows and hedges. In habits and appearance it most nearly 

 resembles the Vesper Sparrow, but may be instantly distinguished by the con- 

 spicuous way in which it "parts its hair". Like the other bird, it pitches 

 suddenly off its perch when disturbed and flies rapidly above the surface of the 

 ground, following every inequality with bewildering precision. Its song is 

 described as a "curious, squeaky affair", as inconspicuous as the bird. 



No. 27. 



GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. 



A. O. U. No. 546. Coturniculus savannarum passerinus (Wils.). 



Description. Adults in spring : Crown blackish brown, parted by a me- 

 dian stripe of buffy gray; nape gray, spotted with chestnut; remaining upper 

 parts black and fuscous, feathers edged with gray and tipped with rufous in 

 varying proportions (a single feather, as from the greater wing-coverts, will 

 exhibit the four colors) ; below, buffy gray, brightest on the breast; the sides 

 and flanks washed with rufous ; an elongated spot over the eye, bend of the wing, 

 and edge of wing near alula, yellow ; bill horn-color above, yellow below ; feet 

 yellow. In winter: Brighter colored, with less of black and more of chestnut. 

 Length 4.85-5.20 (123.2-132.1) ; av. of five Columbus specimens: wing 2.48 (63.) ; 

 tail 174.6 (44.2) ; bill .43 (10.9). Female slightly smaller. 



Recognition Marks. Warbler size; unmarked below; bright yellow edge 

 of wing ; grasshopper notes ; an obscure, close-hiding, terrestrial species. Young 

 birds of this species are streaked below, while those of the Henslow Sparrow 

 are unmarked below (Jones). 



Nest, on the ground', well concealed by grass tussock ; made of grasses, and 

 sometimes lined with hair. Eggs, 4-6, clear white, speckled and spotted with 

 reddish brown, chiefly about larger end. Av. size, .73 x .55 (18.5 x 14.). 



General Range. Eastern United States and southern Canada, west to the 

 Plains; south in winter to Florida, Cuba, etc. 



Range in Ohio. Common summer resident. Of local occurrence. 



