The recent snowfall concentrated Fox Sparrows at many bird feeders in the 
area, judging from the many reports on MDOsprey.   Of the four at my feeder, one 
is a bit different.   It has a gray, not rusty, rump and the head is grayer 
with reduced rusty crown streaks.   This plumage is not described in Pyle (1997, 
ID Guide to NA Birds) or in Rising (1996, Sparrows of the US and Canada).   
My question: is anybody else seeing gray-rumped birds at their feeders?   
Alternatively, is this a known plumage variant of the eastern (iliaca) subspecies 
of Fox Sparrow?   And have I never really looked that closely and just missed 
it?

Paul O'Brien
Rockville, Mont. Co.


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