The Bird Book / Illustrating in natural colors more than seven hundred North American birds; also several hundred photographs of their nests and eggs.

by Chester A. Reed

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CHIPPING SPARROWS (The whole family).

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Field Sparrow. 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. Bluish white. 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. Greenish white. Range.--Mexican border of the United States and southward. White-winged Junco. 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. White. 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.

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Slate-Colored Junco. 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. White. 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. 567a--567g--567c. 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.

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570b--571--572. 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. White. 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. White. 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.

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Black-throated Sparrow. 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. Bluish white. 573a--574. 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.

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574.1--576. 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. [Illustration z354: 574.1--576.] 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. White. 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.

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579--580. 578. Cassin's Sparrows. Peucæa cassini. Range.--Plains and valleys from Texas and Arizona north to Kansas and Nevada. White. 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. Bluish white. 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. White. 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.

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Song Sparrow. 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. White. 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. 581a--581c--581e. 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.

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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. Greenish white. 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.

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Lincoln's Sparrow. 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. Greenish white. 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. Greenish white. 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. Swamp Sparrow. 585. Fox Sparrow. Passerella iliaca iliaca. Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from southern Canada northward, and northwest to Alaska; winters in southern United States. Greenish white. 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.