SCOTT'S RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW 923 



northeastern New Mexico, however, some movement is suspected. 

 On the plains 5 kilometers north of Estancia, Gloria Jean Penwell 

 (MS.) saw a flock of about four to six birds in or about September 

 1954; and her cat brought in another bird about the same time, as 

 well as one on May 6, 1954. Unfortunately, unaware of the problems, 

 she failed to preserve the specimens. The subspecies would in any 

 case be doubtful here. 



There is, to be sure, a published report of the rufous-crowned 

 sparrow's presence in "an invasion of western birds" at Corpus 

 Christi, on the Gulf coast of Texas, on Apr. 30, 1946 (Williams, 1950), 

 but as no specimens are mentioned of any of the species Usted, most 

 of which are hard to identify, these records cannot be considered 

 unquestionably reUable. Curiously, all the records to date for the 

 species in Utah (Zion National Park) are for the winter. 



Distribution 



Range. — Southeastern Colorado and central Oklahoma south to 

 Puebla and northern Veracruz. 



Breeding range. — The rock rufous-crowned sparrow breeds from 

 southeastern Colorado (Regnier, Baca County; probably Trinidad) 

 and northwestern and central Oklahoma (Cimarron County, Arnett, 

 Arbuckle Mountains) south through eastern New Mexico (Carlsbad) 

 and western Texas (Frijole) to central Coahuila (50 miles south of 

 Monclova) and southern Texas (San Antonio) . 



Winter range. — 'Winters north to northern Texas (Palo Duro 

 Canyon) and central southern Oklahoma (Arbuckle Mountains), 

 south to Puebla (Chachapa) and central western Veracruz (Maltrata). 



Casual record. — Casual in southwestern Kansas (Comanche County). 



Migration. — Data on migration are sadly lacking. Late dates of 

 spring departure are: Hidalgo — Jacala, April 11. Texas — Taylor 

 County, May 1. 



Egg dates. — Texas: 28 records, April 4 to June 19; 14 records, May 1 

 to May 31. 



AIMOPHILA RUFICEPS SCOTTII (Sennett) 



Scott's Rufous -crowned Sparrow 

 Contributed by Allan R. PmLLiPS 



Habits 



The rufous-crowned is an unobtrusive sparrow. Squeak or imitate 

 an owl and it may fly up onto a rock to inspect you, but soon it will 

 retire to the grass, low Agave masses, or behind a bush again, for this 

 is its home — rocky, open slopes in the oak belt or just below it in or 



