288 
Figure 268 
Lark Sparrow; 
scale, 
552. Lark Sparrow (Including Western Lark Sparrow). Chondestes grammacus. 
L, 6-25. A very striking and conspicuously marked Sparrow. Above, striped with brown 
and buffy brown; below, white with buffy flanks. Crown, chestnut- 
brown with conspicuous white median line; ear-coverts chestnut- 
brown in strong contrast with the white face: and three sharp, black 
lines, one through eye, one from lower mandible to ear-coverts, and 
one along sides of throat (Figure 268). Outer tail feathers and ends 
of all except the middle ones, white. 
Distinctions. The bright reddish-brown ear-coverts contrasting 
with black and white face are certain distinguishing characters of 
the species. 
Field, Marks. The strongly marked head and face and the 
large amount of white in the tail make easily recognized field marks. 
Nesting. In low trees or bushes, in nest of grasses lined with 
fine grass, rootlets, and hairs. 
Distribution. Mississippi valley to the Pacific coast. In 
western Canada, along the southern border of the Prairie Provinces 
and the interior warm valleys of southern British Columbia. 
SUBSPECIES. The subspecies of western Canada is the Western Lark Sparrow 
Chondestes grammacus strigatus, a slightly lighter bird than the Eastern race. 
In the open brushy wastes of the bad lands, where the creek beds, 
between raw, eroded banks, are lined with occasional poplars, backed by 
dry sagebrush benches, the Lark Sparrow is most common. It is not 
entirely confined to such places, for an open, park-like area with scattered 
tree growth is another favourite haunt. It has a pleasing little song, and 
its bright, happy ways gladden many an otherwise monotonous landscape. 
553. Harris’s Sparrow. Zonotrichia querula. L, 7-50. A large Sparrow. Above, 
striped in shades of brown and brownish ash with a black crown, throat, and upper breast; 
cheeks ashy-grey, and underparts pure white. Adults of both 
sexes, spring and autumn, practically alike. Juveniles similar, but 
the black crown broken, the face ochraceous to base of bill; throat 
white, the black being confined to a conspicuous breast-spot. 
Distinctions. A large Sparrow; white below, with black cap, 
face, and throat, or with a large black spot across breast. 
Field Marks. A large, black and white Sparrow, with black 
face and throat or large black spot across centre of breast. 
Nesting. On the ground under bushes; nest of grass. Nest 
rarely discovered. 
Distribution. Central North America; north to edges of Barren- 
grounds. Nesting area little known. In Canada, migrating through- 
out all the prairie sections. Occurring rarely, but with increasing 
frequency, in winter, in southern British Columbia. 
A very handsome Sparrow, frequenting brushy places during migration. 
554. White- crowned Sparrow (Including Gambel’s or Intermediate and 
Nuttall’s Sparrows). Zonotrichia leucovhrys. L, 6*88. Plate LVI A. Adult: back 
stripea in rich seal brown and light grey; below, white. 
Face, neck, and breast light ash-grey. Crown, black 
with conspicuous white median stripe. The im- 
mature plumage has back striped with brown and 
brownish-cream and the clear grey of face, neck, and 
breast replaced with dull ashy; the crown is rusty- 
brown with a lighter median centre. 
Distinctions. Only to be mistaken for the Golden- 
crowned and White-throated Sparrows. Brighter 
coloured than the first, with white instead of golden 
yellow median stripe, and without the white throat 
and yellow loral spot of the second. Juveniles are 
difficult to separate from the Golden-crowned, but the latter almost always have some 
suggestion of yellow on the crown and are duller and darker in general tone. 
Figure 269 
Harris’s Sparrow; 
scale, L 
Figure 270 
Subspecies of White-crowned 
Sparrow. 
а, Eastern White-crowned; 
б, Gambel’s Sparrow. 
