182. Rufous-sided Towhee ( Pipilo 
erythrophthalmus (Linnaeus)) 
The towhee visits Isle Royale only 
on rare occasions. A single specimen 
was taken on June 1, 1930 (21) . 
**183. Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus 
sandwichensis (Gmelin)) 
This sparrow is a common migrant 
and is usually found in clearings and 
partial clearings. In 1904 and 1905 
flocks were observed and specimens 
collected QA, 22). Observations were 
made again in 1924, 1937, and 1938 ("7, 
21). During the 1940's they were re¬ 
ported in 1943, 1946, and 1948 (27, 
29, 30, 36). Shelton noted John Weber 
saw a single bird at Windigo, May 22, 
1963 (39). 
*184. Vesper Sparrow ( Pooecetes 
gramineus (Gmelin)) 
This sparrow is an uncommon sum¬ 
mer resident and a common migrant. The 
habitats most preferred are the clear¬ 
ings and partial clearings. In 1905 
one specimen was collected (14, 15 ). 
This sparrow was observed again in 
1930 and 1937 (21) . Shelton made four 
observations: June 3, September 28, 
and October 1, 1962, and May 24, 1963 
(39). 
**185. Slate-colored Junco ( Junco 
hyemalis (Linnaeus)) 
This junco is an uncommon perma¬ 
nent resident and a common migrant. 
Preferred habitats include the birch- 
conifer type, the aspen-birch-conifer 
type, and 1936 burn area, and the 
clearings and partial clearings. In 
1904 and 1905 the species was common 
all over the island (14, 15 ). Single 
specimens or small flocks were re¬ 
ported in 1937, 1945, 1946, and 1948 
(25, 29, 30, 36). Gilbert in 1946 was 
of the opinion the species was pres¬ 
ent occasionally in winter and com¬ 
mon throughout most of the year (30). 
Shelton regarded the junco as an 
abundant migrant, especially in the 
fall, and an occasional summer resi¬ 
dent. On July 22, 1960, he saw young 
birds and on May 29, 1963, flushed a 
female from a nest with four eggs 
(3J?) . Krefting and Lee in 1963 found 
one dead in the lighthouse on Menag¬ 
erie Island in August ( 34) . 
186. Tree Sparrow ( Spizella arborea 
(Wilson)) 
This uncommon migrant has been 
observed in spring and fall clearings 
and partial clearings. Observations 
were made by Wood (21), Gilbert ( 30) , 
Lee and Krefting (36) , and Shelton (39). 
**187. Chipping Sparrow ( Spizella 
passerina (Bechstein) 
The chipping sparrow is very 
numerous during spring and fall mi¬ 
grations, when it may be seen around 
clearings in the aspen-birch-conifer 
forest types. Gilbert in 1946 re¬ 
garded it as a fairly common resident 
(30), while Shelton considered it to 
be an occasional summer resident in 
the early 1960's. Other observations 
have been made by Peet (14), Wood, 
Peet, and McCreary (22) , Wood (21), 
Cahalane (27) , Aldous and Krefting 
( 25) , Gensch ( 29) , Lee and Krefting 
(36), and Krefting and Lee (34). 
Peet (14) reported finding a nest 
in a beech tree near the lighthouse 
on Rock Harbor, July 20, 1904. 
188. Clay-colored Sparrow ( Spizella 
pallida (Swainson)) 
This sparrow has been seen during 
spring and fall migration periods, but 
it appears to be rather uncommon on 
the island. It seems to prefer the 
clearings and partial clearings. Ob¬ 
servations have been reported by 
Wood, Peet, and McCreary (22) , and 
Wood (20) . 
51 
