56 the american midland naturalist 



White-Crowned Sparrow. 



Zonotrichia leucophrys. 



This handsome sparrow is thought by some bird lovers to be 

 as beautiful as the White -Throated Sparrow. The erect posture 

 the White-Crowned Sparrow takes when perched in some low tree 

 or in a hedge gives an observer an excellent opportunity to admire 

 the striking appearance of the bird. Its arrival in spring occurs in 

 the early part of May, and in autumn about the middle of October. 



Some years I have failed to make any records in autumn, and even 

 in spring this species is never common. I have known one good 

 observer who never made a record of the White-crowned Sparrow 

 in this locality (northern Indiana). The song of this sparrow is 

 seldom heard; and while somewhat similar in quality to that of 

 the White-throated vSparrow, I think it is fuller and stronger. 



Fox Sparrow. 



Passerella iliac a. 



This is the largest of our sparrows. It arrives early in April, 

 and remains two or three weeks before finally disappearing. 

 Autumn records of the species are usually rare. I have found the 

 Fox Sparrow quite locally distributed; and when its habitat is 

 found, the birds may be seen frequently during their stay with us. 

 The song may not be heard at all during some springs; but usually 

 a regular observer will some cool morning be cheered by the strong, 

 musical notes of the Fox Sparrow. 



Grasshopper Sparrow. 



Amniodramus savannarum passerinus. 



This small and somewhat elusive sparrow is an inhabitant of 

 clover or alfalfa fields. Here it becomes quite abundant, but 

 strange to say is usually over-looked even by keen observers. 

 I daresay that rarely will any but the most painstaking persons 

 find this species without the help of some one who knows the bird 

 well. Its appearance is not remarkable, and a clear view of its 

 markings will be necessary to be sure of its identification. I have 

 never found the Grasshopper Sparrow before May, but I believe it 

 must arrive in April. The note of this sparrow is another difficulty 

 to the beginner, for hardly will the uninitiated take the feeble 

 utterance of the Grsshopper Sparrow for the song of a bird. 



