>
> 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?

    I believe that any species will run on the ground if no cover is
available- however I find the most common species to do the mouse imitation
are Savannah, Grasshopper, Nelson's ST and LeConte's. (with the latter my
experience is limited). I would assume that Henslow's would too.
    Savannahs generally do one of 2 things. They will flush and do a short
flight at low level and zip back onto the ground and run. They also will
flush up and with zippy flight head for the tallest trees and perch. They
also run on the ground for very extended periods of time and never re-flush.
    Grasshoppers tend to flush low and straight and have fairly stiff
wingbeats (like little meadowlarks). I have never seen one flush high.
    Nelson's seem to have a weak low flight and sink back into the ground or
if sedges are available disappear into them.
    The couple LeConte's I've seen and flushed in MD are very low flushers.
They seem very small and light on the back. They also sit "tight" and you
can almost step on them and they will not flush.


    Bonnie

    Bonnie Ott
Howard County Field Trip Chair
Ellicott City, MD