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Genus Ammodramus. Grasshopper Sparrow. 



546. Grasshopper Sparrow. YELLOW-WINGED SPARROW. FR. LE PINSON DBS 

 SAUTERELLEa Ammodramus savannarum. L, 5-38. A small, grass-haunting Sparrow. 

 Back marked with fine, short streaks of brown, ashy, and light buff in indefinite pattern; 

 dull white below, with a light buffy wash across the breast fading away on the sides of 

 the throat. A yellow spot in front of the eye; upper wing-coverts and the bend of the 

 wing yellow or yellowish. 



Distinctions. The yellowish upper wing-coverts are distinctive of the species. The 

 unstriped and unspotted breast will separate it from most of the other small grass Sparrows. 



Field Marks. This species can be distinguished from most of the other small Sparrows 

 by its unstreaked, faintly buff-coloured breast. Its song is like the last part of the song of 

 the Savannah Sparrow, without the final syllable, and dies gradually away like " Bz-bz- 

 bzz-z-z-z". 



Nesting. On the ground, in nest of grasses, arched over. 



Distribution. United States to South America; regularly crosses the eastern Canadian 

 border only in the vicinity of lake Erie. 



SUBSPECIES. The Eastern Grasshopper Sparrow is a subspecies A. 8. australis 

 The type form is extralimital. Another subspecies occurs in the west. 



This Sparrow is to be looked for in grassy fields along with the Bobo- 

 link and Meadowlark, but is very local in its distribution. 



Economic Status. A rare Sparrow of little economic importance, 

 but, at any rate, harmless. 



Genus Passerherbulus. Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 



547. Henslow's Sparrow. FR. LE PINSON DE HENSLOW. Passerherbulus henslowi. 

 L, 5. A very small grass Sparrow. Back of head and lower neck yellowish olive, and 

 back vinaceous; both colours streaked with short strokes of brown. Below, white, 

 finely streaked across breast and on flanks with dark brown. Bill large for the size of 

 the bird and tail feathers pointed. 



Distinctions. Olive and vinaceous ground colour of upperparts and fine streaking 

 of breast. 



Field Marks. A small bird that runs in the grass and is very difficult to flush. Rises 

 with a quick, low, zig-zag flight and drops back into the grass with unexpected suddenness. 

 The best identification character in life is its note, a fine penetrating Se-slick " of such 

 light volume as to be almost inaudible close at hand, yet decided enough to have con- 

 siderable carrying power. 



Nesting. On the ground, in nest of grass exceptionally well hidden. 



Distribution. The Eastern Henslow's Sparrow occurs in eastern Canada only in 

 southern Ontario. Another subspecies is found in the west. 



SUBSPECIES. The eastern form of Henslow's Sparrow is the Eastern Henslow's 

 Sparrow, the type subspecies of the race. 



One may be in the midst of quite a colony of Henslow's Sparrows 

 without knowing it, as they are rarely seen unless attention is directed to 

 them by their notes. Waste grass-grown meadows are their favourite 

 habitats. 



548. Leconte's Sparrow. FR. LE PINSON DE LECONTE. Passerherbulus lecontei. 

 L, 5. A very small and elusive grass Sparrow. Above, crown dark brown with light 

 buff median stripe, nape vinaceous with buff-grey stripes, back dark brown with sharp 

 light buff stripes. Below, white suffused with ochre on breast, throat, and cheeks. 



Distinctions. The contrasting light buff median stripe, vinaceous nape, and dark 

 brown back. 



Nesting. On the ground, in nest of fine grass. 



Distribution. Central North America. A prairie form of only accidental occurrence 

 within the limits covered by this work. 



