394 
PASSERIFORMES 
The Aleutian Savannah Sparrow (le Pinson des savanes des Aleoutiennes) Passer- 
culus sandwichensis sandwichensis breeds on the western Alaskan Islands and migrates 
along the British Columbia coast. This is a large bird, somewhat rufous in colour and 
with bright yellow lores and eyebrow stripes. 
A bird of damp meadows and waste land, where the grass grows in 
rank and coarse bunches and water lies close to the surface; or of sandy 
barrens where the grass and weeds grow in scattered clumps. It runs in 
the grass like a mouse and rises with a low quick flight, often before a 
good view of it can be obtained. It is an interesting little bird, but is so 
inconspicuous as easily to pass unnoticed by the casual observer. 
Economic Status. Ilesides great quantities of weed seed, the Savannah 
Sparrow consumes more insects than do most sparrows, and more beetles 
than any other. These beetles include a great number of weevils and other 
harmful forms. Although inhabiting waste places it frequents cultivated 
land often enough to make it an efficient helper to the agriculturist. 
546. Grasshopper Sparrow, yellow-wing sparrow, le pinson sauterelle. 
Ammodramus savannarum. L, 5-38. A small grass-haunting sparrow. Back marked 
with fine, short streaks of brown, ashy, and light buff in indefinite pattern; dull white 
below, with a light huffy wash across the breast fading away on the sides of the throat. 
A yellow spot in front of the eye; upperwing-coverts and the bend of the wing yellow or 
yellowish. In fresh, unworn plumage, a condition of specimen that is but rarely secured, 
the back shows many light semicircles that give a scaly appearance. There is a decided 
vinaceous general cast owing to considerable red or bay that later wears or fades away. 
Tail of sharply pointed feathers like Figure 476. 
Distinctions. The yellowish upperwing-coverts are distinctive of the species. The 
unstriped and unspotted breast will separate it from most of the other small grass sparrows. 
Field Marks. This species can be distinguished from most of the other small sparrows 
by its unstreaked, faintly buff-coloured breast. Its song is like the last part of the song of 
the Savannah Sparrow, without the opening phrase and final syllable, and dies gradually 
away like ‘ ‘Bz-hz-bz-z-z-z-z. ’ ’ 
Nesting. On the ground, in nest of grasses, arched over. 
Distribution. United States, to South America. Occurring in Canada only in limited 
localities in southern parts of Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia. See discussion 
under Carolina Wren, page 320. 
A most inconspicuous little ground sparrow, inhabiting dry, grassy 
meadows and to be sought for by ear rather than eye. It gets its common 
name from its insect-like little song. It may be expected in southeastern 
Saskatchewan. 
545. Baird’s Sparrow, le pinson de baird. Ammodramus bairdi. L, 5-25. Like 
a pale Savannah Sparrow (See Plate LXXXI B), but all markings sharper, shorter, and 
sparser. The face and hindneck suffused 
with light ochre, warming to burnt orange 
in the broken, median crown-stripe. No 
lemon-yellow on lores or bend of wing 
(Figure 475). 
Distinctions. The ochre and dull 
orange background of face and crown 
separates it from all other species. 
Field Marks. A Savannah Sparrow- 
like bird with warm ochre suffusion over 
face and head. Markings clearer and 
sharper, white more general, are the best 
recognition marks for the eye. The best 
identification, however, is by the voice. 
Figure 475 
Baird’s Sparrow; natural size. 
Instead of the insipid, insect-like little trill of the Savannah Sparrow, it utters quite a 
little warble, ‘ ‘ Zip-zip- zip-zre-e-eeeeeee, ’ ’ the opening “zips” being very plain and char- 
acteristic. 
