444: HISTORY OF THE 



Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus (BONAP.). 



WESTERN SAVANNA SPARROW. 

 PLATE XXVII. 



Migratory (may possibly breed); not uncommon in western 

 Kansas; east to the middle portion of the State. 



B. 335. E. 193J. C. 229. G. , 217. U. 5426. 



HABITAT. Western North America, in general, except where 

 replaced on the Pacific coast by varieties folding* and bryanti; 

 found breeding from Dakota north to the Arctic coast, and east 

 to western Manitoba. 



Mr. William Lloyd, on "Birds of Western Texas," says: 

 "Resident; tolerably common; no nest identified with certainty; 

 found near cultivated fields, and in marshy or boggy lands." 

 South in winter to Mexico. 



SP. CHAR. "Similar to A. sandwichensis savanna, but smaller; the bills 

 slenderer and more elongated. Little of yellow in the superciliary stripe (most 

 distinct anteriorly); the rest of the head without a tinge of the same; general 

 color much paler and grayer than in A. sandwichensis savanna. Breast with 

 only a few spots. 



"This western race of A. sandwichensis savanna is smaller, considerably 

 paler in general colors, the superciliary stripe with little yellow in it, and the 

 bill more slender and longer; in coloration, some Atlantic coast specimens often 

 exhibit an approximation, especially in the paler tint of the superciliary stripe; 

 but the bill is always decidedly more attenuated in alaudinus." 



Stretch of 

 Length. -wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. 



Male 5.25 8.90 2.60 1.95 .78 .37 



Female... 5.20 8.65 2.50 1.90 .78 .37 



Iris dark brown; bill upper dusky, under pale at base; legs 

 and feet flesh color; claws pale brown. 



This bleached race of the plains does not essentially differ 

 in any of its habits and actions from the Savanna Sparrow, 

 which it replaces in the West. 



Its nest and eggs (.75x.55) are also similar. 



SCBGEIOJS COTURNICULUS BONAPARTE. 



Outer pair of tail feathers shorter than middle pair; difference between 

 length of tail and wing not greater than length of bill from nostril, or else tail 

 longer than wing and much graduated ("Coturniculus" leconteii], or depth of 

 bill at base equal to its length from nostril ("Coturniculus" savannarum). Crown 

 divided by a very distinct lighter median stripe between two lateral blackish 

 ones. (Ridgway.) 



