WESTERN CHIPPrNG SPARROW 1185 



vary greatly according to area within the extensive and diversified 

 range." Of its habitat they add: 



Of great variety, but in summer seemingly always includes the following 

 elements: trees, scattered or in open stands through which much light penetrates 

 to the ground; ground forage area essentially bare or covered with sparse or dense 

 grass, but usually not m ith continuous, tall grass; the ground usually is not heavily 

 shaded or extensively bush covered. Preference for the more expose<l sunny 

 parts of forest and woodland is shown in the high mountains and near the coast. 

 Habitat requirements are met by orchards and oak woodland at lower elevations 

 and in coniferous forests of all zones up to the timber line. The trees seem to be 

 essential as retreats, for song posts and for nest sites, although bushes may also 

 be used for nesting. Foraging is carried on principally on the ground, but also 

 in spring in the foliage of the trees when insect food and buds are there readily 

 available. 



In Idaho, M. D, Arv^ey (1947) calls it a "very common resident in 

 the Transition Life-zone." In Montana according to A. A. Saunders 

 (1921) it is "A common summer resident throughout the state. 

 Breeds commonly in mountains, in mountain valleys, and in the prairie 

 region, in pine hills and cottonwood groves of the Transition zone, 

 and in Douglas fir or lodgepole pine forests of the Canadian. * * * 

 Less common in cottonwood groves of the prairie region than elsewhere, 

 but still very numerous; often abundant in the mountains." He 

 adds that "migrations take place mainly in May and September" 

 and that "nesting takes place mainly in June and July, and there are 

 usually two broods." 



J. M. Linsdale (19.36a) WTites that in Nevada it is a "Suninier 

 resident; common on middle slopes of most of the mountains ranges 

 in the state. Present in winter in the Colorado Valley. * * * The 

 species is especially numerous on tinil)ered portions of tlie mountains 

 in July and August when the young are concentrated in flocks. The 

 mountain mahogany makes up the main portion of the vegetation 

 where chipping sparrows live on the Nevada mountains. However, 

 the birds are often found also in yellow pines, limber pines, aspens and 

 even in sagebrush." 



A. C. Twomey (1942) remarks that in the Uinta Basin in Utah the 

 birds follow the water courses into the mountains in spring and nest 

 from the belt of yellow pines to timberline. A. M. V/oodbury and 

 H. N. Russell, Jr., (1945) state this race is a common breeder in the 

 Navajo country of Utah, principally between 5,000 and 9,000 feet 

 and especially in the pine and pygmy forests and sagebrush, but it also 

 extends sparingly into the spruce-fir forests above and into the stream- 

 side trees below. 



In Arizona it "is one of the tamest, most familiar, and also one of 

 the commonest sparrows" according to Phillips, Marshall, and 

 Monson (1964), who specify: "Abundant summer resident in open 



