1 70 PASSERES: Perching Birds 



WESTERN MEADOWLARK 



(501.1. Sturnella neglecta) 10 in. 



Bright yellow below, with black crescent on chest; upper parts 

 brown, gray, and white. In fall the black crescent is largely 

 obscured by gray tips; these are lost by wear, disclosing the 

 characteristic markings. 



A hardy, vigorous species, of great value to agriculture, as its 

 food is almost entirely insects. 



FAMILY SPARROWS, etc. 



A large family, mostly of small birds, distinguished by short, 

 strong bills, more or less conical in shape (except the Crossbill), 

 and adapted to crush the seeds that form most of their diet. 



WESTERN EVENING GROSBEAK 



(514a. Hesperiphona vespertina montana) 8 in. 



Male: Wings black and white; tail and crown black; forehead 

 and superciliary bright yellow; remaining parts olive greenish, 

 darker above, lightening to yellow below and on rump. Bill 

 very large, yellow. 



Female: Less white on wings; dirty gray replaces olive and 

 yellowish tints of male; throat whitish, dusky-lined on sides. 



A bird of unique colors and pattern, identified in any plumage 

 by its great yellow bill. 



HOUSE SPARROW: ENGLISH SPARROW 

 (520.2. Passer domesticus) 6 in. 



Male: Characterized by black throat and chest, chestnut nape, 

 white wing-bar, a harsh, unmusical chirp, often repeated, and 

 generally pestiferous disposition. 



Female: Dull, light brownish above, buff y -streaked; grayish 

 below. 



A scavenger in habit, and a pest everywhere with not a re- 

 deeming quality. 



