18 Bird - Lore 
new tertials, but the change to summer plumage is affected chiefly by wear and 
fading. 
Grasshopper Sparrow (Fig. 1). Small size, a short tail, the absence of 
black streaks, the yellow above the eye (in the adult), and the quail-like appear- 
ance of the plumage of the back, are the principal distinguishing marks of this 
species. The sexes are alike. The nestling has the breast conspicuously streaked 
and the upper parts paler than in the adult. This plumage, as Dr. Dwight has 
shown, is worn until August, and, by a complete molt, which involves the wings 
and tail as well as the body, is replaced by the winter plumage. This resembles 
that of the adult but lacks the yellow mark above the eye, and is deeper and 
richer than the adult summer plumage. The spring molt is limited chiefly to the 
head, the young bird now acquiring the yellow superciliary mark. Fading and 
wear further create the difference between the winter and breeding plumage. 
The Western Grasshopper Sparrow is a paler form with more chestnut and 
less black above. 
Henslow’s Sparrow (Figs. 2 and 3). This species may be known by the 
buffy greenish markings of the head and neck (mot buff enough in the plate) 
rufous-chestnut, finely margined back, streaked breast and small size. The sexes 
are alike. The winter plumages of both adults and young resemble each other and 
differ from the summer plumage in being richer and more intense in tone. The 
nestling (Fig. 3), reversing the condition which prevails with the Grasshopper 
Sparrow, is wholly or almost unstreaked below. Material is lacking to follow 
the molts of this species, which, however, probably resemble those of the Grass- 
hopper Sparrow. 
The Western Henslow’s Sparrow resembles the eastern race but is paler. 
Baird’s Sparrow (Fig. 4). In the fresh fall plumage, shown in the plate, 
the back of Baird’s Sparrow has the rounded markings characteristic of the 
Grasshopper and Henslow’s Sparrows; but in worn, breeding plumage, when 
the feathers are bordered only laterally, the back more closely resembles that of 
the Savannah Sparrow. In either plumage, however, the bird may be known by 
its buff head. The nestling is streaked below, but apparently resembles the adult 
after the fall molt; material, however, is lacking from which to describe the molts 
of this species, but the difference between winter and breeding plumage is ob- 
viously occasioned chiefly by fading and wear. 
Leconte’s Sparrow (Figs. 5 and 6). The long, slender tail, reddish nape 
and buffy line over the eye, in connection with the streaks on the sides (and more 
rarely on the center of the breast), are the principal distinguishing characters 
of this species. The sexes are alike, and there are no marked seasonal changes 
in plumage. The nestling (Fig. 6) has the nape buffy and the feathers of the upper 
parts are widely bordered by this color. The change to winter plumage (which 
is like that of the adults) is accomplished by molt of the entire body feathers and 
at least the wing-coverts, but whether of the rest of the wing- and tail-feathers, 
Iam unable to say. The spring molt is confined to the head and breast. 
