SPARROWS 
393 
the stripes on breast, or those of dull-coloured Purple Finches, but are earthy in tone 
rather than olive. From all comparable species they may be known by the white, in 
young birds cream, upperwing-coveris. 
Field Marks. Spring male like a small blackbird with white patches on wings. 
Females are likely to look like female Flnglish Sparrows with a striped breast and white 
spots on the end of the tail feathers. Being an open-field bird, it is not often to be confused 
with the Purple Finch, which is essentially a tree-inhabiting species. 
Nesting. On the ground; nest of grasses and fine roots. 
Distribution. The plains of central North America. In Canada, southern Saskatche- 
wan and probably adjoining parts of Alberta. There are occasional records for southern 
British Columbia and southwestern Manitoba. 
A bird of our most southern and open prairies. It is shy and difficult 
to approach, but the male is recognizable at long range by its striking 
colour. It has a delightful flight song that has suggested the name of 
“Lark” Bunting. 
541. Ipswich Sparrow, le pinson d’ ipswich. Passercules princeps. L, b-25. 
Like a large and very pale Savannah Sparrow (See next species). 
Distinctions. Distinguished from the Savannah Sparrow by larger size and light 
coloration; in autumn, also, by an almost complete lack of yellow on the bend of the wing 
and in front of the eye. Distinguished from the Vesper Sparrow by light coloration, 
lack of red on shoulders, and, in spring, by yellow on the bend of the wing and in front 
of the eye. Distinguished from the Song Sparrow by its lighter colour and, in spring, 
by the yellow as above. 
Field Marks. A very pale sparrow about the size of a Vesper Sparrow. 
This bird has a limited and isolated distribution. Its only known 
breeding place is Sable Island, off the Nova Scotia coast, about 60 miles 
south of Cape Breton. In winter it migrates down the Atlantic coast 
never wandering far inland. It is of small economic importance. 
542. Savannah Sparrow, le pinson des savanes. Passerculns sandwichensis. 
L, 5-G8. Plate LXXXI B. A rather small sparrow striped above with brown, ashy, and 
intermediate shades. Below, white with sharp brown streaks on the breast, flanks, and 
in some cases on the throat. Yellow on the bend of the wing and a spot in front of the eye. 
Autumn birds are generally overwashed with buffy and the markings are softer and more 
diffused. 
Distinctions. The Savannah Sparrow may be distinguished from the Song Sparrow by 
the yellow spots in front of the eye and on the bend of the wing and by the lack of the 
aggregated streaks which form a spot in the middle of the breast of the Song Sparrow. 
Field Marks. The Savannah Sparrow may be recognized in the field by striped breast, 
yellow line over the eye, and by its notes. Its song is a fine, insect-like “ Tsip-tsip-you-re - 
e-e-e-e-e-you,” the first notes often too faint to be heard and the whole with a peculiar far- 
carrying intensity and high pitch that leave one in doubt whether it is close at hand or very 
far away. 
Nesting. On the ground, in nest of grasses lined with finer material. 
Distribution. North America, north to the Arctic coast. Breeds practically every- 
■ where in Canada except on the Arctic Islands. 
SUBSPECIES. Divided into a number of subspecies, of which the following are 
recognized as occurring in Canada. The Eastern Savannah Sparrow (le Pinson des savanes 
de l’Est) Passerculus sarulwichensis savanna is the bird of the east and may extend west to 
eastern Manitoba and northwestward probably to interior Alaska. There is a dark, 
northeastern form, the Labrador Savannah Sparrow (le Pinson des savanes du Labrador) 
Passerculus sandwichensis labradorius, the extent of whose range is as yet uncertain. The 
Savannah Sparrow of the prairies, long lumped with the next form, alaudinus, has lately 
been separated as the Prairie Savannah Sparrow (le Pinson des savanes des Prairies) 
Passerculus sandwichensis campestris which by some is regarded as a synonym of the 
Nevada Savannah Sparrow (le Pinson des savanes du Nevada) Passerculus sandwichensis 
nevadensis. The southern interior of British Columbia is occupied by the Western 
Savannah Sparrow (le Pinson des savanes de l'Ouest) Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus 
and the southwest coastal region by the small, dull Dwarf Savannah Sparrow (Le petit 
Pinson des savanes) Passerculus sandwichensis brooksi, not recognized in the current 
Check-list but undoubtedly a distinct race. 
