Ill 



2, 1901 (W. L. M.). During the mating season English Sparrows often 

 engage in such earnest fighting that one or the other of the contestants is 

 left dead upon the field. Their pugnacious encounters are by no means 

 confined to that season, however. On October 1G, 1902, two males were 

 so deeply interested in their battle that they were both easily picked up 

 in the hand. 



Flycatchers are found in the Sparrow family and the House Sparrow 

 is one of these. They have been observed catching insects on the wing, 

 swooping and returning to the same perch like Flycatchers. Some seem 

 more adept than others; one seen, made two darts in the air before 

 returning to the tree which was his headquarters. Other Sparrows which 

 have been observed at this pursuit are: Junco, Chewink, Chippy, Field 

 and White-throated Sparrow's. 



Quite a tendency to albinism is noticeable in this bird and it seems to 

 be of recent development. A perfect albino was taken September 28, 

 1885 (C. H. B.). In the single spring of 1903, a perfect albino was cap- 

 tured by hand while on a nest containing four young (McCracken) ; a par' 

 tial albino with the head and flecks everywhere snowy white was taken 

 and three similar ones seen. Many specimens with one or two rectrices 

 or remiges white were observed. In two months in the summer at another 

 locality, three partial albinos were seen and two complete ones reported. 

 A peculiarity in the coloration is that the light color in the partial 

 albinos is pure snowy white, while the entirely albinistic specimens are 

 deep buffy white. 

 117. [542a] Passerculm samlirichfitxfs mninna (Wils. ). Savanna Sparrow. 



Common migrant and probably rare summer resident. The majority 

 of migration records do not show this bird in Avhat is probably its true 

 position. There are several rather early spring and late fall reports, but 

 the greater number of dates given nearly coincide with those for the next 

 species as if they were inseparably connected in time of migration as 

 they have been, heretofore, generically united. This bird breeds farther 

 north and winters farther north; the fact that it winters in the lower 

 Wabash valley in our own State makes it seem probable that it should 

 be seen earlier all over the S'tate and that it has probably been over- 

 looked during many seasons until its more conspicuous cousin, with the 

 brighter colors and startling insect-like trill, arrived. It is true that the 

 two birds are generally found together, but it is probable that the obscure 



