SAVANNAH SPARROWS. Passerculus sandwichensis (Gmelin)²⁶

Field characters.—Smaller than Junco; tail shorter than body. No prominent white markings on tail or wings. Upper surface streaked with black and various tones of brown; lower surface of body white, with narrow streaks of dark brown on sides of throat and on breast; a narrow stripe of light color runs backward over crown and another over each eye, the latter stripe being bright yellow in some individuals (pl. 8j). Usually stays on ground, at most perching on weed stems or fence wires but a few inches above the ground. Voice: Song of male 'dry,' two or three sharp notes followed by a buzzing sound; both sexes utter a weak seet.

Occurrence.—Common winter visitant along west base of Sierra Nevada (race alaudinus common, race sandwichensis rare); also common summer visitant in vicinity of Mono Lake (race nevadensis).²⁶ Inhabits open grasslands at all seasons. Sociable but not definitely flocking in habit.

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²⁶Three subspecies of the Savannah Sparrow are found in the Yosemite region: (1) ALEUTIAN SAVANNAH SPARROW, Passerculus sandwichensis sandwichensis (Gmelin), which nests on the Aleutian Islands and which is distinguished by its relatively large size, is a rare winter visitant, and was found only at Snelling, on January 6 and 8, 1915; (2) WESTERN SAVANNAH SPARROW, Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus Bonaparte, which summers in western North America (west and north of the Great Basin), and which is characterized by intermediate size and coloration, is a common winter visitant at Snelling and near Lagrange and Pleasant Valley and was once taken at Smith Creek, 6 miles east of Coulterville; (3) NEVADA SAVANNAH SPARROW, Passerculus sandchensis nevadensis Grinnell, is a Great Basin race notable for its small size and grayish coloration, and is found as a common summer visitant in the vicinity of Mono Lake. One individual of this race was obtained by us at 9700 feet altitude above Ten Lakes on October 11, 1915, and another was obtained by Mr. Joseph Mailliard (1918, p. 17) in willows along Merced River in Yosemite Valley, September 27, 1917.

Sandwichensis is enough larger and slower in movement than alaudinus to render the two distinguishable when seen together in the field. Nevadensis is not likely to be found west of the Sierras in numbers at any time of year. By far the most plentiful race west of the Sierras in winter is alaudius.

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The Savannah Sparrow finds the most congenial conditions both as to shelter and food upon open meadow lands; here the birds are likely to be found, either summer or winter, or during their migrations. Since grassland of one variety or another is found over much of North America, so are Savannah sparrows, represented by several geographic races. In the Yosemite region two races or subspecies of the Savannah sparrow occur in the winter months on the grass covered hillslopes and plains west of the mountains, and a third is found about Mono Lake in the summertime.

Savannah sparrows during most of the year are of a retiring disposition and if undisturbed will rarely come into prominent view. They do not expose themselves as do brush or tree-dwelling species. If started up from their favorite retreats they fly off quickly, in a jerky, hesitating manner, and after proceeding a short distance in zigzag course, drop down abruptly into the shelter of the grass again. Their notes are rather faint and almost ventriloquial in quality, hence one cannot upon hearing them always readily locate the producers.

The Nevada Savannah Sparrow is present about Mono Lake at least from late April until mid-September (latest, September 20, 1915), but is not believed to winter in the region. In May representatives of the species are common there in the low wet meadows. Some of these are doubtless transients, resting temporarily from their migration flights. By early June the migrants have passed on and only the birds which are to spend the summer in the region remain, and these are then busy with nesting duties. A young bird, out of the nest and able to fly, was seen on June 22, 1916.