>
> Steve writes:

<cut>
> >A few weeks ago I saw a sparrow at Reifel that was quite
> >nondescript (from my point of view) except that the base of its bill was
> >yellow. Nowhere in any of my guidebooks is this trait listed as a feature of
> >any particular sparrow species. <cut>

American Tree Sparrow is a rare winter frequenter of Reifel, although a
touch on the early side to see them there now. However, they do have a
two-tone bill: dark on top and yellowish below, trending to lighter yellow
at the base of the bill. Sparrows are nondescript compared to almost
any other family of birds. But once you take the time to study them, the
differences become apparent and the "LBJs" start to sort themselves out.

- Jack


Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca