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barrens where the grass and weeds grow in scattered clumps. It runs in 

 the grass like a mouse and rises with a low quick flight, often before a good 

 view of it can be obtained. It is an interesting little bird, but is so incon- 

 spicuous as to readily pass unnoticed by the casual observer. 



Economic Status. Besides great quantities of weed seeds the Savannah 

 Sparrow consumes more insects than most sparrows and more beetles than 

 any other sparrow. The insects taken include a great number of weevils 

 and other harmful forms. Although usually inhabiting waste places it 

 also frequents cultivated land often enough to make it a most efficient 

 helper to the agriculturist. 



546. Grasshopper Sparrow. YELLOW-WINGED SPAKROW. Ammodramus savanna- 

 rum. 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-bz- 

 z-z-z-z. 



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



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

 border only in the vicinity of lake Erie. 



SUBSPECIES. The Eastern Grasshopper Sparrow is a subspecies A.s. australit. 

 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 least, harmless. 



547. Henslow's Sparrow. 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 upper parts 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 considerable carrying 

 power. 



Nesting. On 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. 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. 



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