BIRDS OF NEW YORK 287 



in this latitude. The first nestful of fresh eggs may be found from the 

 28th of April to the 20th of May. Later sets are frequently observed 

 from the 20th of June to the 25th of July. 



This sparrow in the summer time destroys many insects, especially 

 young grasshoppers, leafhoppers and the larvae of insects found among 

 the grass. In the fall, winter and early spring he feeds almost entirely 

 upon weed seeds, thus rendering efficient service to the agriculturist. 



Passerculus princeps Maynard 

 Ipswich Sparrow 



Plate 81 



Passerculus princeps Maynard. Amer. Nat. 1872. 6:637 



A. O. U. Check List. Ed. 3. 1910. p. 254. No. 541 

 passerculus, Lat., diminutive of passer, sparrow; princeps, Lat., first, chief 



Description. In general appearance this bird resembles a large 

 Savannah sparrow, having almost exactly the same pattern of coloration, 

 but paler. The yellowish superciliary line is mostly confined to a spot 

 of yellow in front of the eye or entirely wanting; the same yellow on the 

 bend of the wing as in the Savannah sparrow, but the breast and sides 

 are less heavily streaked. 



Length 6.25-6.75 inches; extent 11; wing 2.9-3.2; tail 2.25-2.50; 

 tarsus .93. 



Distribution. This sparrow is confined to the north Atlantic coast of 

 America, breeds on Sable island, Nova Scotia, and winters from Sable 

 island southward as far as Georgia. In this State it is confined to the 

 bleak, wind-swept hillocks of the southern shores of Long Island, and 

 the barren beaches. The earliest fall records are October 12 to October 

 26. The latest spring records in Mr Dutcher's Long Island notes are 

 found between the 7th of March and the 3d of April. It is evident that 

 this bird is not so rare on the coast of Long Island as was formerly sup- 

 posed. Mr Dutcher concluded years ago that it would hereafter be 

 relegated to the commonplace (Auk, 3:42), and his judgment has been 

 confirmed by subsequent investigation. 



Haunts and habits. Anyone who is willing to scour the barren beaches 



