BIRDS OF COLORADO. 
lOI 
539 - Rhyncophancs mccownii. McCown’s IvOngspur. 
Winter resident; common. One of the commonest winter 
birds on the whole plains region of Colorado east of the mount- 
ains. Found by Allen and Brewster at Colorado Springs as late 
as May 9. Reaches southern Colorado in the fall about the 
first of October. McCown’s Longspur has been several times 
given as breeding in Colorado. This is very likely true, but 
the present writer has been unable to find a single authentic 
record of its occurrence in the State during the summer. Allen 
found it breeding abundantly at Cheyenne, Wyo., only a few 
miles north of Colorado. 
540a. Poocaetes gramineus confinis. Western Vesper 
Sparrow. 
Summer resident; abundant. During migration one of 
the most abundant of birds on the plains and in the foothills. 
It breeds sparingly on the plains of eastern Colorado, more com- 
monly on the plains nearer the foothills, and abundantly at the 
base of the mountains. It is still a common breeder to 9,000 
feet, and occasionally to 12,000. Arrives in southern Colorado 
the middle of April, and reaches the mountain parks early in 
May. 
542b. Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus. Western 
Savanna Sparrow. 
Summer resident; common. In migration it is very 
abundant and many remain to breed. On the plains they can 
hardly be called other than a migrant, but from the base of the 
foothills through the mountains it is not an uncommon breeder 
up to nearly 12,000 feet. Arrives early in April and remains 
until the middle of October. All the specimens taken by Capt. 
P. M. Thorne at Fort Lyon were typical alaudhius. 
545. Ammodramus bairdii. Baird’s Sparrow. 
Migratory; not common. Has been taken at various 
places along the eastern edge of the mountains and on the 
plains during spring and fall migration. The only record west 
of the Front Range is the one taken by Aiken in the San 
Luis Valley August 22, 1874. But since it is common in Ari- 
zona during the fall and winter, it undoubtedly crosses western 
Colorado during its migrations. Not known to breed in the 
State. 
546a. Ammodramus savannarum perpallidus. Western 
Grasshopper Sparrow. 
Summer resident; not uncommon, but seldom noticed. 
Breeds mostly on the plains or in the lower foothills. Arrives 
the middle of April. 
