FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 357 



and tail perked up ; guarding his family with watchful care, and 

 between times, as at all times, singing his glad little lay. 



581a. M. m. fallax (Baird). Desert Sokg Spakkow. 



General color light rufous ; upper parts light gray, streaked ou back with 

 rusty, usually without blackish shaft streaks ; 

 streaks ou chest clear rusty or rufous. Youny : 

 dull brown or huffy above, back streaked with 

 brown ; buffy white below, chest streaked. 

 Male: length (skins) ;j.o6-G.12, wing 2.50- I''ig. 444. 



2.71, tad 2.:j9-2.81, bill .44-50. Female: length (.skins) 5.10-5.82, wing- 

 2.47-2.(32, tail 2.:]9-2.78, bill .45-.48. 



Remarks. — The light color and rusty streaking distinguish this from 

 all other song sparrows. 



Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone from southern Nevada 

 and southeastern California to Lower California and Sonoi-a. Mexico. 



Nest. — In tufts of grass, low bushes, or on the ground. Eggs : 4, lig-ht 

 greenish or dull bluish white, more or less spotted with brown. 



581b. M. m. montana {Hensh.). Mountain Song Sparrow. 



Upper parts grayish streaked Avith black and brown ; wings and tail 

 brown ; under parts Avhite, chest and sides 

 streaked with brown, streaks more or less 

 confluent on breast. Male : length (skins) 

 5.58-6.49. wing- 2.58-2.91, tad 2.50-3.02, bill 

 .44-.55. Female : length (skins) 5.35-0.o4, 

 wing 2.4()-2.75, tad 2.4()-2.8(), bill .41-..50. 



Hemarhs. — Montana is like melodia. but wings, tail, and tarsus average 

 longer, bill smaller and relatively more slender ; coloration grayer ; the 

 young paler, whitish instead of buffy below, less tawny above than in 

 young of melodia. 



Distribution. — Breeds in Transition zone in the Kocky Mountain and 

 Sierra Nevada region of the United States ; migrates to western Texas 

 and northern Mexico. 



581c. M. m. heermanni (Baird). Heerman Song Sparrow. ^ 



(iround color Itrown or olive, streaked both above and below with blackish ; 

 spots on chest distinct instead of massed in a pectoral blotch. Male : length 

 (skins) 5.10-ti.;;i, wing 2.42-2.S0. tail 2.85-2.79, bill .45-..'):;. Female: 

 length (skins) 5.4(i-5.C4,-wing 2.40-2.51. tail 2.25-2.58, bill .48-.50. 



liemarks. — The seasonal changes in plumage are marked, the summer 

 birds being much nun-e sharply and narrowly streaked than winter ones. 

 Heermanni is like melodia. but smaller and browner, streaks on back 

 averaging broader, tliose on chest darker; young like that of melodia. but 

 deeper tawny above, streaks broader ; under parts tinged with brownish 

 buff, chest streaks broader. 



Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone in central valleys of Cali- 

 fornia : nngrates southward ; casually to Nevada. 



' Miln.<<piza Jii.sciiitn cfKipni Y{.u\^w. San Dieoo Sono Sparrow. 



Like hirriiininti, but sliKlitly .siiialler and luiicli lipliter iin<l f^iayer. 



Dislriliiilinn. — Soutlieni coast district of California (north to Monterey Bay, east to 

 Fort Tcjon. San ISeriiardino, etc.). and Pacific coast of iiortlu-ni Lower California {Thf 

 Auk, xvi. 35.) 



Mt'lo.tpiza mrlodia .'^antifcruri.t Grinnell. Santa Cruz Sono Sparrow. 



Like cnoperi, but smaller, with weaker bill, and brown markings deeper and more 

 extensive. • 



Dintriliutiim. — Along fresh water streams lieading in the Santa Cruz mouiitaiu region, 

 Iroin San F'raucisco south to Monterey Bay. ( Thi fDuilor, i. yi.) 



