Henslow's Sparrow - Dickinson's Birds

Occurrence in Amherst & Connecticut Valley, Mass.

C19

Not rare summer resident

May - October

C20

Uncommon summer resident in the valley floor and eastward; almost unknown in the western hills

April - October

C21

Summer resident

Habitat

Moist or dry grasslands with scattered weeds and small scrubs. (National Audubon Society)

Nest Materials

Nest of loosely woven dried grasses on the ground.

19th-20th Century Field Notes

HENSLOW ' S BUNTING . Above , varied with brown , gray , black and chestnut ; edge of wing , yellow ; beneath , whitish , tinged , strongly , except on throat and belly , with buff ; all the buff parts thickly streaked . Length , 5 inches . First discovered here by Mr . Arthur Fiske , May 20 , 1882 . Since then a number have been taken , among which was a young bird taken by Mr . H . H . Brock , in July , 1884 . The nest and eggs will proba bly be found here , yet .

—H.L. Clark, 1887

21st Century Conservation Notes

Has declined seriously in much of its former range, should be considered threatened. Loss of proper habitat is likely cause; habitat requirements are still not thoroughly understood.*