1913 BIRDS OF THE FRESNO DISTRICT 81 



Date 



1908 



I9I0 



I9II 



Intermediate Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli (Nuttall). 



Without the slightest doubt this form of the White-crowned Sparrow is the 

 commonest member of the sparrow family occurring in the valley during the 

 winter months. Every brush pile, hedge row, orchard or weed grown fence 

 corner has its flock varying in size from a half dozen to literally hundreds of 

 birds according to the amount of protecting cover near at hand. 



The startled squeak of one of these sparrows as it rises from the grass is 

 far from musical, but the subdued caroling of a half hundred birds m concert, 

 as they dry their plumage on a brush pile, after a shower, is one of the most pleas- 

 ing efforts that could greet the ear of a bird student. 



The Intermediate Sparrow, by which name this species is most commonly 

 known though it is also called Gambel Sparrow, usually arrives in the vicinity of 

 Fresno during the latter part of September. In 1905 the first birds were seen 

 on the 17th of that month; in 191 1 they appeared on the 24th. The last few- 

 days in April, as a rule, witness the departure of the great majority ot these 

 sparrows, but occasionally one or two individuals remain for several days after 

 that date. Although the late April weather in 1904 was quite warm, it did not 

 hasten the departure of these sparrows and they were still very numerous on May 

 2. The weeds along fences near Lane's Bridge had a full quota of sparrows April 

 9, 191 1, but a subsequent visit, on the 29th, revealed only a few scattered birds. 



It would probably not be too high an estimate to state that these sparrows 

 comprise fifty percent of the food of all the Sharp-shinned Hawks that frequent 

 the lowlands in midwinter. This fact alone is sufficient grounds for condemning 

 that little tyrant, for it seems that an enormous quantity of weed seeds must be 

 consumed each day by this army of ground feeding sparrows. 



Many a gloomy day has been enlivened for the author by the presence of 

 a flock of these white-crowned little creatures about the vard or in the garden. 



