[Illustration: LECONTE’S SPARROW.
(Ammodramus leconteii.)
About Life-size.
FROM COL. CHI. ACAD. SCIENCES.]
THE LECONTE’S SPARROW.
(_Ammodramus leconteii._)
The Leconte’s Sparrow has an interesting history. It was first
discovered and named by Audubon in 1843. Later, his account seemed
almost a myth, for no more individuals were taken, and even the specimen
on which he based his published report of the new species was lost. It
was not seen again until Dr. Coues rediscovered it in 1873, obtaining
his specimens on the Turtle Mountain, near the border of Dakota.
Of their habits, Dr. Coues says: “In their mode of flight the birds
resemble wrens; a simile which suggested itself to me at the time was
that of a bee returning home laden with pollen; they flew straight and
steady enough, but rather feebly, as if heavily freighted for their very
short wings.”
Its range is quite extensive, for it is found from the Great Plains
eastward through Illinois and Indiana and from Manitoba southward.
During the winter months it frequents the States bordering the Gulf of
Mexico. This Sparrow is often seen in the stubble of grain fields which
have become covered with grass and low weeds, to the cover of which it
will retreat when frightened. In this respect it resembles the
grasshopper sparrow, and like it is easily overlooked. Mr. Nelson found
it on moist prairies that were covered with a growth of coarse grass. It
is also frequently seen in the swampy prairies of the Mississippi bottom
lands.
Mr. Oliver Davie quotes the following description of the bird’s habits
from an observer who studied their habits in Manitoba, where they nest
extensively: “Leconte’s Sparrows are fairly numerous in Manitoba. Their
peculiar note can be heard both day and night in fine weather; the only
sound I can compare it to is the note of the grasshopper. It is one of
the most difficult of all the small birds to collect that I know of.
They are great skulkers. I have often followed them, guided by their
chirping, in the grass until I was sure the bird was not more than a few
yards away; then he would suddenly ‘crowd on all sail’ and dart away at
a high rate of speed, gyrating from side to side in a manner that would
test the skill of any collector.”
The nests are described as concealed in a thick tuft of grass and are
rather deep and cup shaped. They are constructed of fine grass and
fibers.
Though this elegant little Sparrow baffled bird lovers for so many
years, it is now known to be abundant in many localities, and it is only
because of its peculiar and retiring habits, living as it does in grassy
places not easily accessible, that it is not more often observed.