Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

544c. Passerculus r. sanctorum. 5½ inches.

Breeds on San Benito Islands, winters in southern Lower California. Nesting habits are identical (not illustrated).

BAIRD SPARROW.

545. Ammodramus bairdi. 5¼ inches.

These sparrows breed abundantly in parts of the Dakotas on the plains, and winter in eastern Colorado, through Arizona to New Mexico. The tail-feathers of this species are much more pointed than on any of the preceding.

Nest.—This is placed on the ground in clumps of grass, and is made of fine dried grass. Usually four eggs are laid of a dull white, blotched and spotted with shades of brown and lilac (.80 × .60).

WESTERN GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.

546a. Ammodramus s. bimaculatus. 5 inches.

These birds are common in dry fields and pastures, where their faint lisping song is heard throughout the day. Nest is usually a deep structure in a hollow in some dry field, and usually placed near some rock or suitable place where they can watch the locality for danger. Four eggs are laid; white, finely dotted with chestnut (.72 × .55).