SPARROWS 



(549) Passerherbulus cau- 



daCUtUS iCmd.) a-at., tail, sharp). 



SHARP-TAILED SPARROW. 

 Plumage as shown. Crown, nape 

 and sides of head dull olive-green; 

 superciliary and maxillary stripes 

 buff; under parts streaked on the 

 breast and flanks; tail feathers 

 sharply pointed. L., 5.75; W., 2.30. 



Range — Salt marshes from Mass. 

 to Va. 



(549.1) Passerherbulus nelsoni 

 nelsoni {Allm) 



NELSON'S SPARROW. Slightly 

 smaller; throat, breast and sides 

 washed with buffy, very slightly 

 streaked, if at all. L., 5.50. 



Range — Breeds from Alberta south 

 to S. Dak. (549. la) ACADIAN 

 SHARP-TAILED SPARROW (P. n. 

 subvirgatus). Salt marshes from 

 Quebec to Me. 



SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS live in the haunts of 

 rails, which may account for their copying some of the rail 

 habits. These birds may best be recognized because they 

 are seldom found except in marshes, they are exceedingly 

 secretive and their narrow tail feathers are very sharply 

 pointed. The present species is distinctly streaked on the 

 breast and sides with black, while Nelson's Sparrow, found in 

 the interior, and the Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrows, on the 

 north Atlantic coast, are more buffy and very indistinctly 

 or not at all streaked. 



If we walk through salt marshes along the Atlantic coast 

 we may occasionally see a Sharp-tailed Sparrow, momen- 

 tarily, as he runs across an open space to enter the grasses 

 beyond, or if we walk rapidly we may possibly flush one, but 

 he will go but a few feet over the tops of marsh grass before 

 suddenly diving into its shelter. If we stand still we are more 

 apt to get a look at them than if we try to search them out, 

 for they often mount to the tops of the taller grasses and 



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