\ 



24 \OUTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



precision of style uiid method oi' utterance are miitc distinct and constant 

 peculiai'ities. The song, though as pleasing, is not so loud as that of the 

 eastern Song Sparrow, while the measure is very different. He noted the 

 syllables of its song, and found them quite uniform. He expresses the song 

 thus: Glta-cha-cha-cha-cha-wit' -tur'-r-r-r-r-r - tut. The first six syllables as 

 to accent are exactly alike, but with a consideraV)le interval or pause between 

 the first and second notes. The second to the fifth follow in rapid succes- 

 sion, each being uttered w illi deliberation and distinctness. Then conies a 

 pause between the last '" clia " and the " wit," which is pronounced in a fine 

 metallic tone; with a rising infiection, then another pause, and a liquid trill 

 with a falling inllection, the whole terminating abruptly with a very peculiar 

 " tut," in an entirely different key from tlie other notes. 



The nests and eggs were found in the AVahsatcli Mountains, June 23. 

 The nests were generally among bushes, in willow thickets, along the streams, 

 about a foot from the ground. One of these nests found in a clumi) of 

 willows, about two feet from the ground and near a stream, is a compact, 

 firmly built nest, in the shape of an inverted dome. It is two and a half 

 inches in height, and about the same in diameter. Externally it is com- 

 posed of a coarse framework of strips of willow bark firmly bound around. 

 Within is a com})actly woven inner nest, composed of straws, mingled 

 and interwoven with horse-hairs. The cavity has a depth and diameter of 

 two inches. The eggs, four in number, measure .85 by .63 of an inch. Their 

 form is a rounded oval, distinctly pointeil at one end. They have a greenish- 

 white ground, marked and blotched with splashes of purplish and reddish 

 brown. 



Melospiza melodia, var. heermanni, Baird. 



HEERMANN'S SONG SPARROW. 



Melospiza heermanni, Haiku, Binls N. Am, 1858, 478, pi. 70, f. 1. — CooPER, Orn. C'al. I, 

 212. 



Sp. Char. Somewhat like melodia. but darker. The streaks on the back and under 

 parts blacker, broader, more distinct, and scarcely margined vvith reddish, except in 

 winter plumage. The median stripe on vertex indistinct. General shade of coloration 

 olivaceous-gray rather than rusty. Length, C.40; wing, 2.56; tail, 3. Bill and legs in 

 size and color most like melodia. 



Hab. Southern California; eastern slope of Sierra Nevada (Carson City), and West 

 Humboldt Mountains, Nev. ; Eidgway. 



Of the various races of JA mdodia. this one ajiproachcs nearest the 

 tyiJical style of the Atlantic region; agreeing with it in tiiickcr bill and 

 shorter tail, as compared with the var. fallax, which occurs between them. 

 It differs from the var. melodia, however, in a more grayish cast to the 

 ground-color of the upper jilumage, being olivaceous-gray, rather than 

 reddish ; the black dorsal streaks are very much broader than the rusty ones, 



