VESPER SPARROWS 441 



Several species of ground-dwelling sparrows with dull streaked pattern 

 of coloration and of quiet or retiring disposition are found during certain 

 seasons of the year at the lower altitudes on either side of the Sierra 

 Nevada. At first glance they seem confusingly alike, but as the observer 

 studies them closely and learns their peculiarities, each species is found 

 to exhibit quite definite characteristics as to structure, coloration, and 

 habits. The vesper sparrow is a member of this group. 



The vesper sparrow in coloration combines streaking, both above and 

 below, and a distinctly white-margined tail (fig. 54&), with the general 

 features of a sparrow. In gross appearance it recalls the pipit, but it has 

 none of the nervous 'wagtail' mannerism of that bird; indeed, the vesper 

 sparrow gives one the impression of being unusually phlegmatic in dis- 

 position. 



From the Savannah sparrow, which often occurs in company with, or 

 on practically the same ground as, the vesper sparrow, the latter may be 

 known by its larger size, relatively longer and white-bordered tail, and 

 patch of bay color at the bend of the wing. The vesper sparrow frequents 

 as a rule drier and more open situations where grass or other terrestrial 

 vegetation is scantier ; and it is somewhat less retiring in its behavior than 

 is the Savannah sparrow. 



The habitat of the Western Vesper Sparrow during the summer months, 

 in the Mono Lake country, is flat ground sparsely clothed with grass, and 

 with scattered sagebrush or other small .shrubs. On December 19, 1915, 

 a far-scattered aggregation of about 50 Oregon Vesper Sparrows was 

 found by Mr. Dixon on an open grassy area of about ten acres extent 

 near Lagrange, exactly the same sort of country as that which was inhabited 

 at that season by Western Savannah Sparrows. Mr. Donald D. McLean 

 found this race once in the fall at Dudley (see footnote 25). The Western 

 Vesper Sparrow, also, is to be expected at the west base of the Sierras 

 in winter, but we ourselves failed to find it there. 



The vesper sparrow gains its name from the supposition that the male 

 bird sings at his best at early evening. During the spring months in the 

 Mono country the males perch in the tops of sagebushes to sing, and from 

 these vantage points, in our experience, they give voice to their rather 

 stereotyped song quite as vigorously at one time of the day as another. 



No nests of the Western Vesper Sparrow came to our attention, although 

 near Rush Creek, on May 10, 1916, the males seen acted as though they 

 had nests in the vicinity. 



In the flock of Oregon Vesper Sparrows seen near Lagrange there was 

 one individual much paler than the rest. This bird was shot and upon 



