178 PASSERES: Perching Birds 



PINE SISKIN 



(533. Spinus pinus) 4f in. 



A streaky bird of the Goldfinch type, with inconspicuous 

 yellow bases of tail and secondaries, observable in flight at 

 close range. Grayish brown above, whitish below, everywhere 

 dusky-streaked; a whitish wing-bar; tail short, noticeably 

 forked. 



Feeds largely on cone-seeds of various species, in the absence 

 of which any sort of seed is acceptable. In late winter eats 

 catkins of alder and cottonwood. 



WESTERN VESPER SPARROW 



(540a. Pooecetes gramineus confinis) 6 in. 



Gray-brown above, darker-streaked; dull white below, sides 

 and fore-breast streaked with dusky. Outer tail-feather white 

 a distinctive mark, conspicuously displayed as the bird takes 

 flight. 



A ground-dweller and -feeder. Named from its habit of sing- 

 ing at evening, in nesting-season. 



OREGON VESPER SPARROW 



(540b. Pooecetes gramineus affinis) 6 in. 

 Like the preceding, but slightly smaller and with more buffy 

 and brown above; not distinguishable from it in the field. 



WESTERN SAVANNAH SPARROW 



(542b. Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus) 5| in. 



Upper parts a streaky mixture of brown and gray, darkest 

 and strongest on back; white below, dusky-streaked except 

 throat and belly; a whitish superciliary line. 



In fall and winter buffy below, streaking browner. 



Characterized by absence of markings that permit absolute 

 identification under all conditions. 



Call note: A weak "tsip." Song: A grasshopper-like "tsip- 

 tsip-see-e-e-r," sung from the ground. 



(Compare Belding Sparrow, an exclusive salt-marsh resident.) 



