It's not one of those spectacles like Sandhill Cranes along the Platte River, or warblers along the Gulf Coast in the spring.  But fall migration of sparrows is something we can witness here in Iowa, when plants are turning brown and the weather turning cool.  Many of our breeding sparrows have already left, but northern populations of species like Vesper and Song Sparrows are moving through.  Species like Nelson's and LeConte's Sparrows migrate through Iowa between the northern prairies and their wintering grounds in the southern U.S.  American Tree Sparrows nest in the Arctic, and return to the Midwest to winter.  Swamp, Harris's, White-throated, White-crowned, Clay-colored, and Savanna Sparrows are some of the other species that can be found here in the fall.  Observing all these sparrows involves a little more effort than watching ducks.  Most skulk among grasses or shrubs.  Finding them requires patience and luck.  Skill may be involved in "pishing" or making noises that attract some birds to come out for a look.  Lapland and Smith's Longspurs, which are related to sparrows, prefer short vegetation and use camouflage to hide among the dry grasses.  They are most easily found by having several people spread out and walk across fields of short, sparse grass to flush out the birds.  To those who haven't tried it, this may not sound like a lot of work to see little brown birds.  But the subtle beauty of these birds can be appreciated by those who get good looks at sparrows.