ZOOLOGY. 199 



Sub-Family SPIZELLINAE. The Field Sparrows. 



PASSERCULUS SANDWICHENSIS, Baird. 



liOrge Savaiiuali Spail-oiv. 



Emheriza sandwkhensh, Gm. I, 1788, 875. 



Emheriza arctica, Latham, Ind. Orn. I, 1790, 414. 



FringiUa arclica, Vigors, Zool. of Blossom, 1839, 20, (perhaps one of the smaller species.) — "Brandt. Icon. Ross. 



2, 6." 

 Euspiza arctica, Bp. Conspectus, 185-t, 60. 



Emberiza ckrysops, Pallas, Zoog. Kosso-As. II, 1811, 45; tab. xlviii ; fig. 1, (Unalaschka.) 

 Passerculus sandmchmsis, Baird, Gen. Kep. Birds, p. 444. 



Sp. Ch. — Feathers of the upper parts generally with a central streak of blackish brown ; the streaks of the back witli 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 elbow, 

 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 side 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. Outer tail feathers and primary edged with white. Almost exactly like P. savanna, but half an inch larger, with 

 much larger bill. Length, 6.12 inches ; extent, 9.38 ; wing, 3 00 ; tail, 2,55. Iris brown, upper mandible dusky ; lower, 

 pale. 



Hab. — Northwestern coast from the Columbia river to Russian America. 



This sparrow seems to be only a passenger through the Territory, migrating northward in the 

 end of April in pairs, and not returning until the end of September, when in flocks they fre- 

 quent the shores and prairies along the sea-coast. Their plumage seems to be the same at all 

 seasons, and I have never heard them utter any note but a chirp. — C. 



Rather abundant as a spring visitor at Fort Steilacoom. 



No. 308. April 17, 1856. Fort Steilacoom. Yellow band over the eyes distinct. Middle 

 line on top of head well marked. Iris dark brown. Upper mandible dusky, lower pale. Meas- 

 ured 6i, 9|.— S. 



PASSERCULUS ALAUDINUS, Bonap. 



Gray Savaniiall Sparrow. 



Passerculus alaudinus, Bp. Comptes Rendus, XXXVII, Dec. 1853, 918, California. — Ib. Notes Ornithologiqueg 

 Delattre, 18.i4, 18. (Reprint of preceding.) — Baird, Gen. Rep. Birds, p. 446. 



Sp. Ch. — Similar to P. savanna, but smaller ; the bill rather slenderer and elongated. Little of yellow in the superciliary 

 stripe, (most distinct anteriorly ;) the rest of the head without any tinge of the same. General color much paler and grayer 

 than in P. savanna. Breast with only a few spots. Length, 5. 25 to 5. 50 ; extent, 8. 50 ; wing, 2. 75 ; tail, 2. 30. 



Bab. —Coast of California and Lower Eio Grande of Testis and Mexico. 



This meadow sparrow, so closely resembling the preceding in general aj^pearance, frequents 

 the same low meadows and prairies along the coast. I have never seen it in the interior. They 

 arrived at the Straits of De Fuca in March and remained until late in October. They are 

 always among the grass, and rarely leave it except to sing their faint and lisping trill from a 

 low weed or bush. When fresh the iris is brown, the bill and feet brownish flesh-color. — C. 



Note. — A finch strongly resembling the Passerculus alaudinus, Bonap., was obtained by me 

 at Fort Steilacoom, July 18, 1856. It measured in length 5.75 inches ; extent, 8.75. Bill 

 purplish dusky ; legs and feet flesh-colored and rather stout. It did not agree with any descrip- 



