Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) | Affiliated Manuscripts | Further Data

Occurrence in Amherst & Connecticut Valley, Mass.
C19

Very common summer resident

April - November

C20

Common summer resident

March - November

C21

Uncommon and declining summer resident and a scarce migrant between early April and late November

March - November

Habitat
Meadows, fields, prairies, roadsides.
Nest Materials
coarse and fine grasses, weeds, rootlets, animal hair
19th-20th Century Field Notes
BAY - WINGED BUNTING . GRASS FINCH . Above , ashy - brown ; beneath , white ; streaked above and below with dusky - brown ; bend of wing , bright bay . Length , about 6 inches . Abundant summer resident . Earliest arrival , April 2nd ; departs in November . Raises 3 broods . Eggs 4 - 5 , grayish - white , spotted and streaked with brown . Nest of fine grass on the ground . Eggs laid from April to July . Feeds on seeds . Not injurious . A weak singer .

—H.L. Clark, 1887

21st Century Conservation Notes

Has declined seriously in numbers in some parts of the East, probably owing to loss of habitat. In the West, still widespread and common.*