SPARROWS 
409 
SUBSPECIES. Two subspecies are recognized in Canada. The form common to 
Europe and eastern America is the type one, the Common Longspur (le Bruant lapon 
coramun) Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus. The Alaska Longspur (le Bruant de FAlaska) 
Calcarius lapponicus alascensis breeds in Alaska and east towards the Mackenzie. The 
subspecific distinction is slight and the boundaries of the ranges are not well defined. On 
the western prairies and in British Columbia, both forms may occur during migration. 
In the autumn, when most of the other longspurs, the Chestnut-collared 
and McCown’s, have departed for the south, the sere-frosted prairies are 
visited by flocks of innumerable ground sparrows. They rise from the 
ground ahead of the observer in small groups and large flocks with happy 
undulating flight, lilting a merry chorus of little “ chirs Most of these 
are Lapland Longspurs, though occasional flocks of Smith’s occur. 
Economic Status. Coming as they do in early spring and autumn, 
weed seed is about all that they can attack. Their myriad numbers and 
the closeness with which they search the ground must be responsible for 
an enormous consumption of weed seed. 
537, Smith’s Longspur. painted longspur. le bruant elegant. Calcarius 
piclus. L, 6-50. A brownish buffy bird, striped with brown above. Adult male with 
black crown; a white superciliary line; cheek black with white 
spot in centre and with narrow white line below, separating the 
black from the pale warm buff throat, which latter colour extends 
evenly over all low T er parts, but is ruddiest on breast (Figure 487). 
Lesser wing-coverts black with a large white spot. Females are 
similar, but have the black and white head marks replaced by buffy 
stripes on crown and a dark spot at tip of ear-coverts, like the 
autumn juvenile Lapland Longspur. Autumn juveniles are like the 
female, but with less white on wing-coverts. 
Distinctions. A generally buffy bird. The spring male, with 
its striking black and white head-marking, is unmistakable. 
Females and juveniles very like juvenile Lapland Longspurs, but 
huffier and with the abdomen almost concolour with breast instead of being nearly or 
quite white. At a glance, somewhat like the female or autumn Bobolink, but more even 
and of a ruddier buff, and the crown without a well-marked median line. One of the 
largest of the longspurs. 
Field Marks. Spring male a buffy bird, with strikingly patterned black and white 
head, buff throat, and breast. The most buffy of the longspurs. 
Nesting. On the ground, on the northern barren grounds. 
Distribution. The interior of North America. Breeds from Mackenzie River to 
Hudson Bay, migrates through the Prairie Provinces, and has occurred in British Columbia. 
Only a migrant in cultivated Canada, passing through quickly in 
spring and autumn. Not nearly so common nor so generally distributed 
as the Lapland Longspur, but appearing in flocks of considerable size 
when it does occur. 
Figure 487 
Smith’s Longspur; 
scale, \. 
538. Chestnut- collared Longspur. le bruant a collier chatain. Calcarius 
ornatus. L, 5-85. Plate LXXXVI B. A smaller longspur than the preceding two. Spring 
j male: breast and most of underparts, black, often more or less 
tipped with grey feather-edges and sometimes with chestnut. 
Throat and face cream; crown and tips of ear-coverts, black. A 
strong, wliite, superciliary line. A distinct chestnut collar about 
nape and base of neck. Back streaked in shades of brown and 
ashy ochre. Female: dull ashy brown, striped above, but often 
the streaks are nearly worn away. Throat generally light to 
white, and usually more or less black feather bases showing 
vaguely through the light of the breast and underparts. Autumn 
juveniles show very little distinctive character, mostly ashy 
ochre, softly streaked with brown above. 
Figure 488 
Tail of Chestnut-collared 
Longspur; scale, R 
