I address this question to those of you who are regular sparrow watchers.

Although I spend the majority of my time observing waterbirds at Hart-Miller
Island, sparrows of various species are routinely encountered during the
weekly surveys.  The usual behavior for sparrows when flushed from the grass
is to head for the closest shrub, bush, or elevated plant and then to perch
in the open or to disappear from view.

Yesterday (10/16/04) while walking through the recently mowed warm-season
grasses and forbs surrounding the new South Cell impoundment, I encountered
a different behavior.  At approximately 0845, I was walking  through the
12-inch high stubble when a sparrow flushed up approximately 8 feet in front
of me.  It flushed up about 18 inches above the ground and then landed again
about 24 inches away from where it flushed up.  When it landed, it began
running away with its head and tail down, scurrying and weaving between the
stubble.  If I had not seen the bird in flight, I would have thought that I
might be seeing a mouse.  I attempted to keep the bird in view, but it ran
away too quickly.  I criss-crossed the stubble in the vicinity for 45
minutes but never relocated the bird.

I am aware that this behavior occurs in certain sparrow species that occur
in Maryland .  My question is which Maryland sparrow species are known for
this behavior?  Thanks.

Gene

Gene Scarpulla
Millers Island, Maryland