358 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 
58Id. M. m. samuelis [Baird). Samuels Song Sparrow. 1 
Like heermanni , but smaller, with slenderer 
bill. Male: length (skins) 4.99-5.90, wing-,2.21- 
2.51, tail 2.09-2.43, bill .43-.50. Female : length 
(skins) 5.05-5.61, wing 2.21-2.38, tail 2.10-2.35, 
Fig. 446. bin 45_ 49# 
Distribution. — Breeds in the coast region of California from Santa Cruz 
to Humboldt County. 
58le. M. m. morphna ( Oberh .) Rusty Song Sparrow. 2 
Adults. — Upper parts rusty olive, the rusty brown and black streaks 
obscured; chest widely marked with heavy 
dark rufous streaks ; flanks olivaceous instead 
of tawny. Young : back dark brown streaked 
with blackish ; under parts whitish or buffy 
grayish; chest and sides buffy or brownish 
streaked with sooty brown. Male : length (skins) 5.69-6.46, wing 2.55- 
2.81, tail 2.39-2.87, bill .47-.54. Female : length (skins) 5.58-6.19, wing 
2.45-2.70, tail 2.28-2.67, bill .45-.52. 
Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian zone in the Pacific coast region from 
southern Alaska to Oregon ; migrates to southern California. 
Nest. — As described by Kobb4, on horizontal branch of a small spruce, 
about 5 feet from the ground, made of coarse grass stems lined with fine 
grass. 
The rusty song sparrow is said to be an especially water-loving 
subspecies, being found in swamps, brush patches along streams, 
and coast waters. 
581f. M. m. rufina (Bonap .). Sooty Song Sparrow. 3 
Like morphna , but decidedly larger (except bill), darker, and more uni¬ 
form sooty rather than rusty ; back obsoletely streaked. Male : length 
(skins) 5.85-6.85, wing 2.63-3.02, tail 2.60-2.90, bill .48-.50. Female: 
length (skins) 5.50-6.00, wing 2.52-2.77, tail 2.30-2.76, bill .42-.50. 
Distribution. — Southern Alaska; in winter to coast of British Colum¬ 
bia, Vancouver Island, and Olympic Mountains, Washington ; accidental in 
California. 
58lh. M. m. graminea (Towns.). Santa Barbara Song Sparrow. 
Similar to samuelis , but decidedly grayish above, the streaks both above 
1 Melospiza fasciatapusillulaRidgxv. Salt Marsh Song Sparrow. 
Like M. m. samuelis, but smaller, especially wings and tail; less rusty above, super¬ 
ciliary and under parts tinged with yellowish. 
Distribution. — Salt marshes of San Francisco Bay. {The Auk, xvi. 35.) 
Melospiza melodia cleonensis McGregor. Mendocino Song Sparrow. 
Size of samuelis, but lighter and more rusty. 
Distribution. — Coast of Mendocino County, California. {Bull. Cooper Om. Club, 
i. 87.) 
2 Melospiza fasciata ingersolli McGregor. Tehama Song Sparrow. 
Similar to morphna, but darker and without rusty wash. 
Distribution. — Northern Sacramento Valley, south in winter to San Francisco Bay. 
( Bull. Cooper Orn. Club, i. 35.) 
3 Melospiza cinerea phsea Fisher. Oregon Song Sparrow. 
Almost identical with rufina in color and markings, but between cleonensis and 
morphna in size. 
Distribution. — Immediate vicinity of coast from Rogue River to Yaquima, Oregon. 
{The Condor, iv. 36.) 
Fig. 447. 
