332 
FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 
its song as a “short, weak succession of notes, somewhat similar to 
those of alaudinus.” 
542b. A. s. alaudinus ( Bonap .). Western Savanna Sparrow. 
Similar to sandwichensis, but smaller and averaging grayer, superciliary 
stripe often white. Male : length (skins) 4.50-5.58, wing 2.56-3.06, tail 
1.80-2.25, bill .3S-.43. Female: length (skins) 4.50-5.20, wing 2.56-2.87, 
tail 1.76-2.10, bill .3S-.45. 
Distribution. — Breeds from the Plains to the Pacific coast, and from the 
arctic coast to southern end of Mexican tablelands; in winter south to 
highlands of Guatemala. 
Among the many inconspicuous, plain, little striped-backed spar¬ 
rows of the western United States, alaudinus is one of the common¬ 
est, plainest, and most inconspicuous. Anywhere in the meadows, 
prairie grass, or weed patches, one may dart out from under your 
feet, zigzag over the grass-tops for a little way, and drop into the 
grass, hopelessly lost until he is again forced to take wing. At a 
distance you see and hear the birds giving their plain little song 
from the top of a tall weed or fence stake, but on nearer approach 
they drop into the grass and are lost. While really abundant they 
often escape notice until you tramp * cross lots ’ through the meadows. 
Vernon Bailey. 
542c. A. s. bryanti Rid gw. Bryant Marsh Sparrow. 
Like sandwichensis , but darker and browner, with under parts more 
heavily streaked with black, and in winter plumage, chest, and sides 
strongly tinged with brownish buff. Male : length (skins) 4.53-5.00, wing 
2.51-2.80, tail 1.74-2.00, bill .40-.45. Female: length (skins) 4.40-4.65, 
wing 2.47-2.69, tail 1.70-1.92, bill .40-.43. 
Distribution. — Breeds in salt marshes about San Francisco and Monte¬ 
rey Bays; south in winter along the coast to southern California; occa¬ 
sional in winter in Valley of Mexico. 
543. Ammodramus beldingi Ridgw. Belding Marsh Spar¬ 
row. 
Adults. — Median crown stripe and superciliary usually very indistinct 
or wanting; ground color of upper parts olivaceous, streaked with black 
very broadly on back; lower parts thickly and broadly streaked with 
black ; fore part of superciliary stripe olivaceous yellow ; under tail coverts 
with concealed streaks. Young: similar, but upper parts with more huffy; 
dusky streaks of lower parts less sharply defined, and superciliary finely 
streaked and usually without yellow. Male: length (skins) 4.54-5.50, 
wing 2.52-2.82, tail 1.85-2.00, bill .41-.50. Female: length (skins) 4.35- 
5.50, wing 2.40-2.66, tail 1.67-1.83, bill .40-.45. 
Remarks. — The Belding sparrow may be distinguished from the sand¬ 
wichensis group by the absence of distinct superciliary and crown stripes, 
and darker general coloration. 
Distribution. — Salt marshes along coast of southern and Lower Califor¬ 
nia from Santa Barbara to San Quentin Bay and Todos Santos Island. 
Nest. — In salt grass about 6 inches from the ground ; made of straws 
and horsehair or feathers. Eggs : usually 3, light blue, irregularly marked 
with lilac and reddish brown at larger end or over entire surface. 
