234 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



and other plants. During the summer they feed to a considerable ex- 

 tent on beetles, flies, spiders, earth-worms and various larvae ; they like- 

 wise eat strawberries, mulberries, blackberries, and, according to Mr. 

 Gentry, the fruit of the wild choke-cherry. The buds of apple, beech 

 and maple trees are also occasionally fed upon. 



GENUS AMMODRAMUS SWAINSON. 

 Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna (WiLS.)- 



S avail ii it Sparrow. 



DESCRIPTION. 



" Feathers of the upper parts generally with a central streak of blackish-brown ; 

 the streaks of the back with a slight rufous suffusion laterally ; the feathers edged 

 with gray, which is lightest on the scapulars ; crown with a broad median stripe of 

 yellowish-gray ; a superciliary streak from the bill to the back of the head, eyelids, 

 and edge of the wing yellow ; a yellowish -white maxillary stripe curving behind 

 the ear-coverts, and margined above and below- by brown ; the lower margin is a 

 series of thickly crowded spots on the sides of the throat, which are also found on the 

 sides of the neck, across the upper part of the breast, and on the sides of the body ; a 

 few spots on the throat and chin ; rest of under parts white ; tarsus flesh color ; feet 

 brown ; iris dark brown. Length about 5.25 inches ; extent about 8.75." .B. B. of 

 N.A. 



Habitat. Eastern province of North America, breeding from the northern United 

 States to Labrador and Hudson's Bay territory. 



The Savanna Sparrow is a moderately abundant spring and fall mi- 

 grant in eastern Pennsylvania. During mild winters it is not unusual 

 to find this species in the southern portions of this state ; ordinarily, 

 however, these birds arrive in Pennsylvania ajbout April 1, and, in pairs 

 or parties of five or six, may be found frequenting chiefly low damp 

 ground in open fields (along fences), meadows and the borders of grassy 

 ponds and pools. I have never observed this sparrow, in the spring, 

 later than April 25. Dr. John W. Detwiller, of Bethlehem, has found 

 the Savanna Sparrow nesting in Pennsylvania ; Mr. Sennett also informs 

 me that it breeds sparingly in Crawford and Erie counties, arid Dr. Yan 

 Fleet has observed it as a rare native in Clinton county. Never having 

 been fortunate enough to find the nest or eggs of this bird, I quote the 

 following concerning them from Dr. Coues' Key : " Nest sunken in ground 

 flush with surface, of a few grasses and weed-stalks ; eggs, four to six, .70 

 by .50, varying interminably in their motley coloring ; usually heavily 

 clouded and blotched with dark brown ; most like those of Pooccetes, but 

 smaller." This bird is seldom seen to perch on trees or bushes, some- 

 times, though not often, he may be observed to alight on the lowermost 

 rails of fences ; but, occasionally, usually when frightened, I have ob- 

 served them fly into trees and crouch close to the limbs as if endeavor- 

 ing to hide. When passing southward the Savanna Sparrows make then- 

 appearance in this locality about the middle of September. Their food 



