SPARROWS 



(545) Ammodramus bairdi 



{Audubon) (Gr., sand runner). 



BAIRD'S SPARROW. Tail 



feathers narrow and pointed. Head 

 olive-brown, streaked with black; 

 under parts dull white, streaked on 

 the breast and sides with black. L., 

 5.20; W., 2.80; T., 2.05; B., .40. 



Range — Great Plains; breeds 

 from Sask. south to JNIont. and Minn. 

 (546) Ammodramus savan= 

 narum australis Maynard 



GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. 

 Shown by the lower bird. Crown 

 blackish, with light median line; 

 lores dull orange; nape brownish; 

 sides of head grayish; bend of wing 

 yellow; no streaks on under parts. 

 L., 5.00; W., 2.35; T., 2.00. 



Rang! Breeds from Mass., Ont. 



and Wis. southward. 



but washed with buff across the breast, and the edge of the 

 wing at the bend is yellow, will readily identify this species 

 provided it is seen at close enough range. However, they 

 are rather shy about allowing a close approach. Beginners 

 in bird study often fail to notice Grasshopper Sparrows, 

 although they may be about in abundance, for the reason 

 that if they notice the song at all it will be considered as that 

 of some insect and not be followed up. They arrive in the 

 Northern States about the middle of May, and from then on 

 throughout the summer we can see or hear them in almost 

 any dry field. When singing, they always perch on some 

 commanding location such as a post, a stone wall, or a rock 

 in mid-field. 



Their nests are located in the middle of fields and are quite 

 difficult to discover, as the birds are quite clever. The male 

 always gives warning of the approach of any one and, unless 

 incubation of the eggs is far advanced, the female will sneak 

 away from the vicinity of the nest at once. Although the 

 eggs are pure white, with a few spots of brown about the 



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