MODOC SONG SPARROW 1531 



Plumage. — Ridgway (1901) states that merrilli is "very similar 

 to * * * montana but slightly darker and more uniform above, with 

 the grayish edgings to the interscapulars and scapulars less strongly 

 contrasted with the darker mesial streaks, the latter usually with 

 more brown than black." 



Food. — Jewett et al., (1953) tell of the methodical dismemberment, 

 limb by limb, of a moth by a merrilli song sparrow. 



Enemies.- — Both Merrill (1S9S) and Rust (1919) regard nest losses 

 to flooding as very numerous. As enemies Dawson and Bowles 

 (1909) list the usual nest predators of small passerines, i.e., mammals, 

 snakes, and corvids. 



Fall and winter. — Individuals wintering in the breeding range 

 resort to tule beds, thickets, brush piles, and the vicinity of out- 

 buildings. Outside the breeding range in California, Grinnell and 

 Miller (1944) report the habitat as "weed thickets, old rice fields, 

 tule beds and willow tangles. In general favors riparian growth 

 and damp places." 



Distribution 



Range. — Southern interior British Columbia and southwestern 

 Alberta south to southern California, southern Utah, and northern 

 New Mexico. 



Breeding range. — The Merrill's song sparrow breeds from southern 

 interior British Columbia (south of lat. 51° N.; Alta Lake, Shuswap 

 Falls) and southwestern Alberta (Waterton Lakes Park) south to 

 eastern Washington, east of the Cascade Range (Yakima, Wallula; 

 intergrades with M. m. fisher ella), northern Idaho (South Fork Clear- 

 water River), and northwestern Montana (Flathead Lake). 



Winter range. — Winters from southern interior British Columbia 

 (Okanagan Landing) and northwestern Montana (Fortine) west to 

 western Washington (Destruction and Orcas islands) and south to 

 southern California (Altadena, Victorville), southern Nevada (Charles- 

 ton Mountains), southern Utah (Santa Clara), and northern New 

 Mexico (Las Vegas, Hot Springs); casually to southern Arizona 

 (Qmtobaquito) and northern Sonora (Upper Bavispe River). 



MELOSPIZA MELODIA FISHERELLA Oberholser 



Modoc Song Sparrow 



Contributed by Val Nolan Jr. 



Habits 



A song sparrow of the interior of the northwestern United States 

 (as far south as Nevada), M. m.fisherella appears in its life history to 



