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Economic Status. This is one of the most beneficial of the Sparrows. 

 It feeds farther afield than most of the common summer Sparrows and 

 takes a greater percentage of insects than they, and large quantities of 

 weed seeds. Some grain is found in its stomach, but in circumstances 

 that point to its being waste from the stubble or roadways. The Vesper 

 Sparrow, therefore, should receive every possible protection. 



Genus — Passerculus. Savannah Sparrows. 



541. Ipswich Sparrow, fr. — le pinson d'ipswich. Passerculus princeps. L, 6-25, 

 Like a large and very pale Savannah Sparrow (See next species). 



Distinctions. Distinguished from the Savannah Sparrow by larger size, light 

 coloration and absence of yellow spot in front of eye. In autumn there is an almost 

 complete lack of yellow on the bend of the wing and in front of the eye. Distinguished 

 from the Vesper Sparrow by light coloration, lack of red on shoulders, and, in spring, 

 by yellow on the bend of the wing and in front of the eye. Distinguished from the 

 Song Sparrow by its lighter colour and, in spring, by the yellow as above. 



Field Marks. A very pale Sparrow about the size of a Vesper Sparrow. 



This bird has a limited and isolated distribution. Its only known 

 breeding place is Sable island, about 60 miles south of Cape Breton. In 

 winter it migrates down the Atlantic coast never wandering far inland. 

 It is of small economic importance. 



542. Savannah Sparrow, fr. — le pinson des pres. Passerculus sandwchensis. 

 L, 5-68. A rather small Sparrow striped above with brown, ashy, and intermediate shades. 

 Below, white with sharp brown streaks on the breast, flanks, and in some cases on the 

 throat. Yellow on the bend of the wing and a spot in front of the eye. Autumn birds 

 are generally overwashed with buffy and the markings are softer and more diffused. 



Distinctions. The Savannah Sparrow can be distinguished from the Song Sparrow by 

 the yellow spots in front of the eye and on the bend of the wing and by the lack of the 

 aggregated streaks which form a spot in the middle of the breast of the Song Sparrow. 

 From other allied Sparrows of the Grasshopper and Passerherbulus groups it can be told 

 by the sharply defined streaks on white ground beneath. 



Field Marks. The Savannah Sparrow can be recognized in the field by the yellow line 

 over the eye and by its notes. Its song is a fine, insect-like "Tsip-tsip-you-ve-e-e-e-e-e-you," 

 the first notes often too faint to be heard and the whole with a peculiar far-carrying 

 intensity and high pitch that leave one in doubt whether it is close at hand or very far 

 away. It resembles a similar song of the Grasshopper Sparrow but the latter omits the 

 final syllable. 



Nesting. On the ground, in nest of grasses lined with finer material. 



Distribution. America, north to the Arctic coast. The Eastern Savannah Sparrow 

 P. s. savanna occupies eastern North America west to the prairies, where it is displaced 

 by a western form. 



SUBSPECIES. Our form, the Eastern Savannah Sparrow P. s. savanna, is a 

 subspecies of which the type form occurs in the Aleutian islands. There are several other 

 geographical races but the differences between them are too slight for popular recognition. 



A bird of damp meadows and waste land, where the grass grows in 

 rank and coarse bunches and water lies close to the surface; or of sandy 

 barrens where the grass and weeds grow in scattered clumps. It runs in 

 the grass like a mouse and rises with a low quick flight, often before a 

 good view of it can be obtained. It is an interesting little bird, but is so 

 inconspicuous as easily to pass unnoticed by the casual observer. 



Economic Status. Besides great quantities of weed seeds the Savannah 

 Sparrow consumes more insects than most Sparrows and more beetles 

 than any other Sparrow. The insects taken include a great number of 

 weevils and other harmful forms. Although usually inhabiting waste 

 places it also frequents cultivated land often enough to make it a most 

 efficient helper to the agriculturist. 



