Birds of N.E. coast of Labrador 
by Henry B . Bigelow. 
68. Passerculus sandwichensis labradorius. Labrador Savanna 
Sparrow. — The new subspecies of Passerculus sandwichensis recently 
separated by R. H. Howe, Jr., seems to rest on good foundation, but ranges 
much farther north than he supposed (Lance and Loup), for I found it 
fairly common at Port Manvers (Lat. 57 °) during last half of August and 
the first week of September. 
Auk, XIX, Jan., 1902, p.30. 
The Labrador Savanna Sparrow. — I have, since describing Passercu- 
lus savanna labradorius , learned more from various sources of its range, 
habits, and migrations which seem of interest to present. 
The species inhabits Labrador as far north certainly as Port Manvers, 
and probably further — though the bird is apparently most common on 
the southern Labrador. It is known as the 1 Chipbird,’ as are most of 
the small sparrows in the north, and is mentioned by all, I think, of the 
writers on the Labrador avifauna. I have examined nearly a hundred or 
more specimens of Passerculus s. savanna from Newfoundland and south- 
ward since describing the race, with the result that I find Newfoundland 
and Cape Breton birds approach most closely the Labrador race in measure- 
ments, as would be expected, one bird in particular from Cape Breton 
measuring, wing 2.87, bill .39 X .24, which slightly overlaps the smallest 
Labrador bird measured. Two other specimens from Labrador have also 
been sent me from Bowdoin College, taken on the expedition to Labrador 
in 1891. Both birds, one a male, and one unsexed, were taken at Cha- 
teau Bay on July 14 and are in very worn breeding plumage. The male 
measures, wing 2.86, tail 1.83, tarsus .83, bill .42 X .25. The other, wing 
2.75, tail 1.87, tarsus .80, bill .41 X .24. On the migrations an occasion- 
ally very large Savanna Sparrow has been noticed by observers and 
collectors, which are referable to this form, and I have in my collection 
five such birds, two from Massachusetts ($, Brookline, April 26, 1895, 
wing 2.88 ; , April 28, 1894, wing 2.90), evidently late northern migrants ; 
two from Rhode Island, wintering birds ($, Middletown, Dec. 22, 1900, 
wing 2.89, , wing 2.86) , and one from Florida (J, Kissimmee, Dec. 5, 
1892, wing 2.88). 
In the collections there will probably be found many specimens referable 
to this race, which, though I am adverse to naming slight natural and to 
be expected differences, are widely different enough to deserve a name, if 
the present accepted races of sandwichensis are to be recognized. — 
Reginald Heber Howe, Jr., Mass. „ 
Auk, XIX, Jan., 1902, p/a. 
