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which also have red caps, by its much smaller size. Juveniles closely resemble Clay- 
coloured Sparrows, but the streakings of the breast are more pronounced and numerous, 
and the breast is not suffused with light buffy. Very juvenile specimens are difficult to 
separate from that species, and from Brewer’s Sparrow, although adults are quite distinct. 
Field Marks. Small size. For adults: red cap, grey face with narrow, black eye-bar 
and white eyebrow line, and spotless light greyish breast. Its song, a long drawn out 
series of unaccented cheeps, forming a sustained trill, is very characteristic. On the prairies, 
where the Clay-coloured Sparrow occurs, juveniles may be difficult to separate from that 
species. 
Nesting. In trees or bushes, in nest of grasses, rootlets, and fibres, plentifully inter- 
mixed with long hairs. The amount of horsehair used in the nest is the origin of one of 
this bird’s popular names. 
Distribution. North America, north throughout the northern Bpruce woods to Great 
Bear lake and central Yukon. In Canada, breeding wherever found. Scarce on the 
opm prairies. 
SUBSPECIES. The Chipping Sparrow of western Canada, east to western Manitoba, 
is generally referred to the Western Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina arizonae } char- 
acterized from the eastern form by slightly larger average size and paler coloration. The 
distinction, however, is too fine for general recognition and requires a large series of speci- 
mens for its demonstration. 
The Chipping Sparrow, except in the open prairie regions, is rarely 
absent from the vicinity of suburban or village homes, coming close to 
nouses and frequenting the orchard and shade-trees, the front yard, and 
even the doorstep. It does not fear man, but, though not avoiding him, 
often it escapes notice through its quiet and unobtrusive habits. 
Economic Status. The Chipping Sparrow is a greater insect eater 
than most of the family. In fact, through June, 93 per cent of its food is 
composed of insects, only 1 per cent of which are beneficial species, such as 
predacious beetles and parasitic wasps. The average for the year is 38 
per cent of insects, and for the months spent by the bird in Canada, the 
average must be considerably higher. The vegetable matter consumed 
consists of small weed seeds in which those of crab-grass, lamb's quarters, 
and ragweed predominate. A bird having these desirable qualities and 
coming into the immediate vicinity of the garden is most useful and one 
to be encouraged in every manner possible. 
561. Clay-coloured Sparrow. Spizella pallida. L, 5 -20. Plate LVIII A. A 
small Sparrow with uppeiparts streaked in light buff and dark brown to crown, where a 
whitish median stripe is indicated or uggested. A faint collar of slaty suffusion about 
back of neck. White below, slightly buffy, on flanks. 
Distinctions. Like a Chipping Sparrow in size, but crown sharply streaked like back. 
No black bar through eye, but a brown one back from it, and conspicuously brownish, 
dusky ear-coverts. Juvenile birds, lately from nest, are very similar to young Chipping 
Sparrows of the same age, but the breast is usually suffused with the buffy of flanks and the 
dark breast streaks are less sharp, fewer, or even absent. The only other species the Clay- 
coloured is likely to be mistaken for in Canada is Brewer’s Sparrow, which see. 
Field Marks. An inconspicuous, pale, earthy-coloured little Sparrow like a Chipping 
Sparrow, but without the strongly characterized face and crown-marks of that species. 
Instead, the ear-coverts are brownish and are more conspicuous for being lightly lined 
with darker above and below. It may be best recognized by its song, a low, flat “ buz-buz - 
buz” that can be confused with no other bird song on our prairies. 
Nesting. On the ground or in low bushes, in nest of grasses lined with hairs. 
Distribution. The interior of North America. In Canada, the Prairie Provinces 
eastward to north of lake Superior, and northward to Great Slave lake, breeding wherever 
found. 
A very typical prairie bird, found wherever a little tangle of rose 
canes, sage brush, or wolf willow furnishes a suggestion of shelter. It is 
characterless in colour. Its song, though very distinctive, is flat and 
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