The LeCOnte's Sparrow (Passerherbulus Ucontei) 

 By Edward B. Clark 



Length: 5 inches. 



The Leconte's Sparrow has an interesting history. It was first discovered 

 and named by Audubon in 1843. Later, his account seemed almost a myth, for 

 no more individuals were taken, and even the specimen on which he based his 

 pubHshed report of the new species was lost. It was not seen again until Dr. 

 Coues rediscovered it in 1873, obtaining his specimens on the Turtle Mountain, 

 near the border of Dakota. 



Of their habits, Dr. Coues says : *Tn their mode of flight the birds resemble 

 wrens ; a simile which suggested itself to me at the time was that of a bee return- 

 ing home laden with pollen; they flew straight and steady enough, but rather 

 feebly, as if heavily freighted for their very short wings." 



Its range is quite extensive, for it is found from the Great Plains eastward 

 through Illinois and Indiana and from Manitoba southward. During the winter 

 months it frequents the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico. This Sparrow is 

 often seen in the stubble of grain fields which have become covered with grass 

 and low weeds, to the cover of which it will retreat when frightened. In this 

 respect it resembles the grasshopper sparrow, and like it is easily overlooked. 

 Mr. Nelson found it on moist prairies that were covered with a growth of coarse 

 grass. It is also frequently seen in the swampy prairies of the Mississippi bot- 

 tom lands. 



Mr. Oliver Davie quotes the following description of the bird's habits from 

 an observer who studied their habits in Manitoba, where they nest extensively: 

 "Leconte's Sparrows are fairly numerous in Manitoba. Their peculiar note can 

 be heard both day and night in fine weather ; the only sound I can compare it to 

 is the note of the grasshopper. It is one of the most difficult of all the small birds 

 to collect that I know of. They are great skulkers. I have often followed them, 

 guided by their chirping, in the grass until I was sure the bird was not more than 

 a few yards away; then he would suddenly *crowd on all sail' and dart away at 

 a high rate of speed, gyrating from side to side in a manner that would test the 

 skill of any collector." 



The nests are described as concealed in a thick tuft of grass and are rather 

 deep and cup shaped. They are constructed of fine grass and fibers. 



Though this elegenat little Sparrow baffled bird lovers for so many years, 

 it is now known to be abundant in many localities, and it is only because of its 

 peculiar and retiring habits, living as it does in grassy places not easily accessible, 

 that it is not more often observed. 



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