brown largely replaced with blackish. They breed quite abundantly in
Manitoba and Minnesota, placing their nests on or near the ground, and
making them of fine grasses. The eggs cannot be distinguished with
certainty from those of the preceding but average a trifle smaller. Size
.65 × .50. Data.--Barnsley, Manitoba, May 24, 1900. Nest of grass stalks
lined with fine grass, one foot above ground in tuft of grass.
562. BREWER'S SPARROW. _Spizella breweri._
Range.--Western United States from Mexico to British Columbia rarely and
chiefly between the Rockies and the Sierras; most abundant in New Mexico
and Arizona.
This bird is similar to the last but is paler and more finely streaked.
Their nesting habits are like those of pallida and the eggs are
indistinguishable.
[Illustration 348: Bluish white.]
[Illustration: 559a--560a.]
[Illustration: Bluish white.]
[Illustration: Bluish white.]
[Illustration: 561--562--564.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 347
[Illustration 349: CHIPPING SPARROWS (The whole family).]
Page 348
563. Field Sparrow. _Spizella pusilla pusilla._
Range.--North America east of the Plains, breeding from the Gulf to
southern Manitoba and Quebec; winters in the Gulf States.
These are abundant birds along roadsides, in thickets, or on dry
sidehills, where they nest indifferently on the ground or in bushes,
making their nests of grass and weed stems. They are the birds, whose
high piping song is most frequently heard on hot sultry days in summer.
Their eggs are laid in May or June; they are pale bluish white, speckled
and blotched with yellowish brown and grayish purple. Size .65 × .50.
563a. WESTERN FIELD SPARROW. _Spizella pusilla arenacea._
Range.--Great Plains from Mexico to Montana, breeding in the northern
half of its range and wintering in the southern.
A paler form of the last, whose general habits and eggs are the same as
those of the eastern bird.
564. WORTHEN'S SPARROW. _Spizella wortheni._
Range.--Southern New Mexico southward through central Mexico.
This pale colored species is the size of the Field Sparrow but has no
decided markings anywhere. It is a rare bird within our borders and
uncommon anywhere. I am not able to find any material in regard to their
eggs.
565. BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW. _Spizella atrogularis._
Range.--Mexican border of the United States and southward.
This slim-bodied, long-tailed species is grayish with a dusky streaked,
reddish brown patch on the back and a black face, chin and throat. Their
habits are similar to those of the Field Sparrow and their nests are
made near the ground in bushes, but the eggs are plain bluish green,
about like unmarked Chipping Sparrows' eggs. Size .65 × .50.
566. WHITE-WINGED JUNCO. _Junco aikeni._
Range.--Breeds in the Black Hills of Dakota and Wyoming; winters in
Colorado and casually to Kansas.
This species is like the next but larger and with the wings crossed by
two white bars. Its habits are like those of the common Juncos, the
nests are placed on the ground, concealed under overhanging rocks or
tufts of grass, and the eggs are like those often seen of the
Slate-colored Junco; 3 or 4 in number, pinkish white specked and spotted
with light reddish brown. Size .75 × .55.
[Illustration 350: Field Sparrow.]
[Illustration: Bluish white.]
[Illustration: Greenish white.]
[Illustration: White-winged Junco.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 349
567. SLATE-COLORED JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis hyemalis._
Range.--North America east of the Plains, breeding in the northern tier
of states and northward; winters in southern United States.
This species is slaty gray on the head, neck, breast, flanks, back,
wings and central tail feathers; the rest of the underparts are white,
sharply defined against the gray. They migrate through the United States
in large flocks, usually accompanied by White-throated or Fox Sparrows.
They breed very abundantly in the northern parts of their range,
frequently in the immediate vicinity of houses but generally on the
edges of clearings, etc., placing their nests on the ground and
generally partially concealed by rocks, stumps, sods or logs; the nests
are made of grasses, lined with hair, and the four or five eggs are
white or greenish white, variously speckled with reddish brown either
over the entire surface or in a wreath about the large end. Size .80 ×
.55.
567a. OREGON JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis oreganus._
Range.--Pacific coast from California to Alaska, breeding north of the
United States.
This sub-species is entirely unlike the preceding, having a black head,
neck, throat, breast, wings and tail, and brown back; the remainder of
the underparts are white, washed with pinkish brown on the sides. The
habits and nesting habits of this western Junco are the same as those of
the eastern, the birds building in similar localities and making the
nests of the same material. There appears to be little, if any,
difference between the eggs of the two varieties.
567b. SHUFELDT'S JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis counectens._
Range.--Pacific coast breeding from Oregon to British Columbia and
wintering south to the Mexican boundary.
Said to be slightly larger and duller colored than the Oregon Junco;
eggs the same.
567c. THURBER'S JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis thurberi._
Range.--The Sierra Nevadas from Oregon to southern California.
Similar to _oreganus_ but paler and back more pinkish; eggs will not
differ.
567d. POINT PINOS JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis pinosus._
Range.--A very locally confined variety breeding in pine woods of
southwestern California, about Monterey and Santa Cruz.
Similar to _thurberi_ with the head and neck slaty instead of black.
[Illustration 351: Slate-Colored Junco.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: 567a--567g--567c.]
[Illustration: right hend margin.]
Page 350
567e. CAROLINA JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis carolinensis._
Range.--Alleghanies in Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia.
A slightly larger bird than the Slate-colored Junco and with the bill
horn color instead of pinkish white. They have been found to breed very
abundantly in the higher ranges of the Carolinas, nesting under banks,
in tufts of grass, or occasionally in small bushes, in fact in such
locations as are used by hyemalis. Their eggs which are laid during May,
June or July (probably two broods being raised) are similar to those of
the Slate-colored species but slightly larger.
567f. MONTANA JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis montanus._
Range.--From northern Idaho and Montana north to Alberta; winters south
to Mexico.
This variety is like _mearnsi_ but darker on the head and throat and
with less pink on the sides. Its nesting habits and eggs do not differ
from those of the Pink-sided Junco.
567g. PINK-SIDED JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis mearnsi._
Range.--Breeds in mountains of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana and winters
south to Mexico.
This species has the head and breast gray, the back brownish and the
sides pinkish brown. They breed at high altitudes in the ranges, placing
their nests of grasses under sods or overhanging rocks; their eggs are
pinkish white before being blown and are spotted over the whole surface
but more heavily at the large end with pale reddish brown and gray. Size
.80 × .60.
570. ARIZONA JUNCO. _Junco phæonotus palliatus._
Range.--Mountains of western Mexico north to southern Arizona.
Similar to the preceding species but upper mandible blackish and the
gray on throat shading insensibly into the grayish white underparts.
They are quite abundant in the higher ranges of southern Arizona, where
they breed, placing their nests on the ground in similar locations to
those chosen by other Juncos; the three or four eggs are greenish white,
finely speckled chiefly about the large end with reddish brown. Size .76
× .60.
570a. RED-BACKED JUNCO. _Junco phæonotus dorsalis._
Range.--Breeds in the mountains of New Mexico and Arizona and southward.
This variety is like the last but the reddish brown on the back does not
extend to the coverts or wings. The nesting habits are like those of the
last but the eggs are only minutely specked about the large end.
570b. GRAY-HEADED JUNCO. _Junco phæonotus caniceps._
Range.--Rocky Mountain region from Wyoming south to Mexico.
This species is similar to the Slate-colored Junco but has a reddish
brown patch on the back. They nest on the ground in mountainous regions,
concealing the nests in tufts of grass or under logs, stones, etc. The
eggs are creamy or bluish white, specked over the whole surface, but
most numerously about the larger end with reddish brown. Size .75 × .60.
Data.--Custer Co., Colo., June 4, 1897. Slight nest of small rootlets
and fine grass placed under a tuft of grass. Altitude over 8,000 feet.
[Illustration 352: White.]
[Illustration: 570b--571--572.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 351
571. BAIRD'S JUNCO. _Junco bairdi._
Range.--Southern Lower California.
This gray headed species with rusty back and sides is locally confined
to the southern parts of the California peninsula where it is resident.
Its eggs are not likely to differ from those of the Pink-sided Junco
which it most nearly resembles.
567i. TOWNSEND'S JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis townsendi._
Range.--Mountains of northern Lower California; resident and breeding.
Similar to the Pink-sided Junco but duller colored; eggs probably the
same.
572. GUADALUPE JUNCO. _Junco insularis._
Range.--Guadalupe Island off Lower California
Resembles the Pink-sided Junco but is smaller, darker and duller
colored. They are common on the island where they nest in the pine
groves, laying their first sets in February or March. The nests are like
those of the genus and the eggs are greenish white, finely dotted with
reddish brown at the large end. Size .77 × .60.
573. BLACK-THROATED SPARROW. _Amphispiza bilineata bilineata._
Range.--Breeds from central Texas to Kansas; winters in southern Texas
and Mexico.
This species is grayish brown above, with black throat, white
superciliary and line on side of throat. This is a common species that
nests on the ground or at low elevations in bushes, making their nests
of weed stems and grasses. The three to five eggs are bluish white,
unmarked and similar to those of the Bluebird but smaller.
Size .72 × .55.
573a. DESERT SPARROW. _Amphispiza bilineata deserticola._
Range.--Southwestern United States from western Texas to southern
California, and north to Colorado and Nevada; winters in Mexico.
Like the last but paler above. An abundant bird among the foothills and
on plains throughout its range. Found generally in sage brush and
thickets where it nests in bushes or on the ground laying three or four
bluish white eggs like those of the last.
574. BELL'S SPARROW. _Amphispiza belli._
Range.--Southern half of California and southward.
These grayish, black and white birds are abundant in sage brush and
thickets, nesting on the ground or at low elevations in bushes, and
during May or June, laying from three to four eggs of a pale greenish
white color, spotted and blotched with reddish brown and purplish. Size
.75 × .60.
[Illustration 353: Black-throated Sparrow.]
[Illustration: Bluish white.]
[Illustration: 573a--574.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 352
574.1. Sage Sparrow. _Amphispiza nevadensis nevadensis._
Range.--Sage deserts of the Great Basin from Oregon and Montana, south
to Mexico.
This sub-species is abundant throughout its range where it nests near or
on the ground, in or under bushes and generally concealed from view. The
nests are made of grass and sage bark lined with fine grass; the eggs
are like those of the last species, greenish white, spotted and blotched
with shades of brown and purplish.
574.1a. GRAY SAGE SPARROW. _Amphispiza nevadensis cinerea._
Range.--A smaller and paler variety found in Lower California.
The nests and eggs of this pale variety probably do not differ in any
respect from those of the better known varieties.
575. PINE-WOODS SPARROW. _Peucæa æstivalis æstivalis._
Range.--Florida and southern Georgia.
These birds are common in restricted localities in their range, nesting
on the ground under bushes or shrubs; the nests are made of grasses and
the four or five eggs are pure white with a slight gloss. Size .75 ×
.60. The birds are said to be fine singers and to frequent, almost
exclusively, pine barrens.
475a. BACHMAN'S SPARROW. _Peucæa æstivalis bachmani._
Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States; north to Indiana and Illinois.
This variety is common in most localities in its range, frequenting pine
woods and barrens chiefly, and nesting on the ground in May or June.
Their nests are made of grasses and lined with very fine grass, and have
the tops completely arched over leaving a small entrance on the side.
The eggs are pure white with a slight gloss and measure .75 × .60.
576. BOTTERI'S SPARROW. _Peucæa botterii._
Range.--Mexican plateau north to southern Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
They nest in abundance in tall grass in the lowlands of their range, the
nests being difficult to find because the bird flushes with great
difficulty. The nests are on the ground, made of grass, and the three to
five eggs are pure white, measuring .75 × .60.
[Illustration 354: 574.1--576.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 353
578. CASSIN'S SPARROWS. _Peucæa cassini._
Range.--Plains and valleys from Texas and Arizona north to Kansas and
Nevada.
These birds breed in numbers on the arid plains, placing their grass
nests on the ground at the foot of small bushes or concealed in tufts of
grass, and during May lay four pure white eggs which are of the same
size and indistinguishable from those of others of the genus.
579. RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW. _Aimophila carpalis._
Range.--Plains of western Mexico and north to southern Arizona.
This pale colored bird bears a remote resemblance to the Tree Sparrow.
They nest commonly in dry arid regions, placing their nests at low
elevations in bushes or cacti, preferably young mesquites, and making
them of coarse grass lined with finer. Two broods are raised a season
and from May to August sets of four or five plain bluish white eggs may
be found. Size .75 × .60.
580. RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW. _Aimophila ruficeps ruficeps._
Range.--Local in southern half of California and in Lower California.
A brownish colored species both above and below, which is found on
mountains and hillsides in restricted localities. They nest on the
ground placing their grass structures in hollows, usually at the foot of
a small bush or shrub and well concealed. They lay from three to five
pale bluish white eggs. Size .80 × .60.
580a. SCOTT'S SPARROW. _Aimophila ruficeps scotti._
Range.--Western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona south in Mexico.
A paler species, above, than the last, and whitish below. It is quite a
common species on the mountain ranges where it nests on the ground, in
clumps of grass or beneath shrubs or overhanging rocks; the nests are
made of grasses and weeds scantily put together. The eggs are white,
untinted. Size .80 × .60.
580b. ROCK SPARROW. _Aimophila ruficeps eremæca._
Range.--Middle and southern Texas and south in Mexico.
This variety frequents rocky mountain sides where it nests abundantly
under rocks or at the foot of shrubs, the nests being made of coarse
grasses loosely twisted together and lined with finer grass. The birds
are shy and skulk off through the underbrush upon the approach of anyone
so that the nests are quite difficult to find. The three to five eggs
are pure white and of the same size as those of the last.
580c. LAGUNA SPARROW. _Aimophila ruficeps sororia._
Range.--Mountains of southern Lower California.
The nests and eggs of this very similar variety to _ruficeps_ proper are
not likely to differ in any particular from those of that species.
[Illustration 355: White.]
[Illustration: Bluish white.]
[Illustration: 579--580.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 354
581. SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia melodia_.
Range.--North America, east of the Plains, breeding from Virginia to
Manitoba and New Brunswick, and wintering chiefly in the southern half
of the United States.
A favorite and one of the most abundant in all sections of the east.
They are sweet and persistent songsters and frequent side hills,
pastures, roadsides, gardens and dooryards if English Sparrows be not
present. They nest indifferently upon the ground or in bushes, generally
artfully concealing the nest by drooping leaves; it is made of grass and
weed stems, lined with fine grass or, occasionally, horse hair. As is
usual in the case of birds that abound about habitations they frequently
choose odd nesting sites. They lay two and sometimes three sets of eggs
a season, from May to August, the eggs being three to five in number and
white or greenish white, marked, spotted, blotched or splashed in
endless variety of pattern and intensity, with many shades of brown;
some eggs are very heavily blotched so as to wholly obscure the ground
color while others are specked very sparingly. They measure .80 × .60
with great variations.
581a. DESERT SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia fallax_.
Range.--Desert regions of southern Nevada, Arizona and southeastern
California. The eggs of this very pale form are the same as those of the
last.
581b. MOUNTAIN SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia montana_.
Range.--Rockies and the Great Basin from Oregon and Montana southward.
This variety is paler than the Song Sparrow but darker than _fallax_.
Eggs the same.
581c. HEERMAN'S SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia heermanni_.
Range.--California, west of the Sierra Nevadas.
Similar to _melodia_ but with less brown and the markings blacker and
more distinct. The nesting habits are the same and the eggs similar to
large dark specimens of the eastern Song Sparrow. Size .85 × .62.
581d. SAMUELS SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia samuelis_.
Range.--Coast regions of California, chiefly in the marshes.
Similar to the last but smaller. They nest on the ground in marsh grass,
usually in sandy districts along the shore. The eggs average smaller
than those of _melodia_. Size .78 × .58.
581e. RUSTY SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia morphna_.
Range.--Pacific coast of Oregon and British Columbia.
A dark species with the upper parts dark reddish brown and heavily
streaked with the same below. The nesting habits and eggs are like those
of _melodia_.
[Illustration 356: Song Sparrow.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: 581a--581c--581e.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 355
581f. SOOTY SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia rufina._
Range.--Pacific coast from British Columbia to Alaska.
A darker bird, both above and below, even than the last. Eggs like the
last but averaging a trifle larger. Size .82 × .62.
581g. BROWN'S SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia rivularis._
Range.--Southern Lower California.
A light colored form like the Desert Song Sparrow; said to build in cat
tails above water as well as on the ground; eggs not different from
others of the genus.
581h. SANTA BARBARA SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia graminea._
Range.--Breeds on Santa Barbara Islands; winters on adjacent coast of
California.
A variety of the same size but paler than _samuelis_. Nesting or eggs
not peculiar.
581i. SAN CLEMENTE SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia clementæ._
Range.--San Clemente and Santa Rosa Island of the Santa Barbara group.
Slightly larger than the last; habits and eggs the same.
581j. DAKOTA SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia juddi._
Range.--North Dakota, breeding in the Turtle Mountains.
Practically indistinguishable from the common Song Sparrow; the eggs
will not differ.
581k. MERRILL'S SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia merrilli._
Range.--Northwestern United States; eastern Oregon and Washington to
Idaho.
Very similar to, but lighter than the Rusty Song Sparrow.
581l. ALAMEDA SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia pusillula_.
Range.--Salt marshes of San Francisco Bay, California.
Similar to, but still smaller than Samuel Song Sparrow. Eggs will not
differ.
581m. SAN DIEGO SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia cooperi._
Range.--Southern coast of California; north to Monterey Bay.
Similar to, but smaller and lighter than _heermanni_.
581n. YAKUTAT SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia caurina._
Range.--Coast of Alaska from Cross Sound to Prince Williams Sound.
Similar to the Sooty Song Sparrow but larger and grayer. Eggs probably
average larger.
581o. KENAI SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza Melodia kenaiensis._
Range.--Kenai Peninsula on the coasts.
Like the last but still larger; length about 7 inches.
581q. BISCHOFF'S SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia insignis._
Range.--Kadiak Island, Alaska.
Similar to and nearly as large as the next species, but browner.
581r. ALEUTIAN SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia sanaka._
Range.--Found on nearly all the islands of the Aleutian group, excluding
Kadiak.
This is the largest of the Song Sparrows being nearly 8 inches in
length; it is similar in appearance to the Sooty Song Sparrow but
grayer. It nests either on the ground or at low elevations in bushes,
the nest usually being concealed in a tuft of grass or often placed
under rocks or, sometimes, driftwood along the shores. The nests are
made of grasses and weed stems, and the eggs are similar to those of the
Song Sparrow but much larger and more elongate. Size .90 × .65.
[Illustration 357: Greenish white.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 356
583. LINCOLN'S SPARROW. _Melospiza lincolni lincolni._
Range.--North America, breeding from northern United States north to the
Arctic regions; most abundant in the interior and the west; rare in New
England.
This bird is shy and retiring and skulks off through the underbrush of
thickets and swamps that it frequents upon the approach of anyone;
consequently it is often little known in localities where it is quite
abundant. They nest on the ground like Song Sparrows, and rarely in
bushes. Their eggs are very similar to those of the Song Sparrow, three
or four in number, greenish white in color, heavily spotted and blotched
with chestnut and gray. Size .80 × .58.
583a. FORBUSH'S SPARROW. _Melospiza lincolni striata._
Range.--Pacific coast of Oregon and British Columbia.
Similar to the preceding but darker and browner. Eggs probably like
those of the last.
584. SWAMP SPARROW. _Melospiza georgiana._
Range.--North America, east of the Plains, breeding from middle United
States north to Labrador and Hudson Bay.
This common and dark colored Sparrow frequents swampy places where it
breeds; owing to its sly habits it is not commonly seen during the
breeding season. Its nests are made of grasses and located on the ground
usually in places where the walking is extremely treacherous. The eggs
are similar to those of the Song Sparrow but are generally darker and
more clouded and average smaller. Size .75 × .55.
585. FOX SPARROW. _Passerella iliaca iliaca._
Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from southern Canada northward,
and northwest to Alaska; winters in southern United States.
This large handsome species, with its mottled grayish and reddish brown
plumage and bright rufous tail, is very common in eastern United States
during migrations, being found in open woods and hedges in company with
Juncos and White-throated Sparrows, with which species their song vies
in sweetness. They nest usually on the ground, but sometimes in low
bushes; the nests are made of grasses and are concealed beneath the
overhanging branches of bushes or evergreens. The three or four eggs are
greenish-white, spotted and blotched with brown. Size .94 × .68.
[Illustration 358: Lincoln's Sparrow.]
[Illustration: Greenish white.]
[Illustration: Greenish white.]
[Illustration: Greenish white.]
[Illustration: Swamp Sparrow.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 357
585a. SHUMAGIN FOX SPARROW. _Passerella iliaca unalaschensis._
Range.--Shumagin Islands and the Alaska coast to Cook Inlet.