526 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 
561. Clay-coloured Sparrow. 
Spizella pallida (SWAINS.) BONaAP. 1838. 
On May gth, 1894, while hunting in a field of small shrubs about 
15 miles west of London, Ont., I saw a small sparrow sitting on 
the, top twig of a shrub, after the manner of the field sparrow and 
heard him give a note whose author I was looking for. It proved 
to be a Spzzella pallida, the first recorded, I believe, in our prov- 
ince, though they may yet be found inhabiting the northwestern 
extremity, next to Manitoba. (W. E. Saunders.) The western 
meadow lark, Brewer’s blackbird and the present species were the 
chief birds I observed at Pembina to indicate an avi-fauna in any 
wise different from that of the eastern province at large, and two 
of these cannot be considered very strong marks since they both 
occur some distance further eastward. (Cowes.) Very abundant 
summer resident in Manitoba on scrubby prairies and half open 
lowlands. This small sparrow arrives in flocks about the 12th 
May. Its small size and pale-ashy hue will generally identify it as 
it rambles over the scrubby part of the prairie. (E. T. Seton.) 
This species was first seen at Indian Head, Sask., on May 2oth, 
1892. Ina few days after they were quite common, and on June 
7th I found a nest in a low bush lined with dried grass and horse 
hair. This species is found everywhere on the prairie wherever 
there is brush from Manitoba to the foothills of the Rocky moun- 
tains. It nests chiefly in rose bushes, but I have found them on 
the ground at Frenchman river, under sage brush (Artemzsia cana). 
Nests were found at Spur creek in the sage brush as late as July 7th 
with fresh eggs; common at Canmore in the Bow valley, but 
scarce at Banff in the Rocky mountains in June, 1891 ; first seen 
at Edmonton, Alta., May 31st; found a number of nests, all on the 
ground at the roots of a little clump of willows; none of the nests 
were more than four inches above the ground, and were made of 
dried grass lined with horse hair; eggs from two to five in a set; 
common in the foothills, 40 miles southwest of Calgary; common 
in all the open country from Lesser Slave lake to Peace River Land- 
ing, lat. 56° 15’ in June, 1903; common from Edmonton to Pem- 
bina river in June, 1898. (Spreadborough.) Three specimens 
secured at Grand rapids of the Saskatchewan. (Nutting.) Com- 
monly seen in company with the tree sparrow and probably breed- 
