204 ZOOLOGY. 



MELOSPIZA RUFINA, Baird. 



'n^estem Song SporrOTr. 



" Emberiza rvjina, Brandt, Desc. Av. Rossic. 1836, tab. ii, 5, Sitka." Bonaparte. 



Passerella rufina, Bonap. Conspectus, 1850, 477. 



Fnngilla cinerea, (Gm.) Add. Cm. Biog. V, 1839,22; pi. 390.— 1b. Syn. 1839, 119.— Ib. Birds America, III, 



1841, 145; pi. 187. 

 ?? Fringilla cinerea, Gmelin, I, 1788, 932. 



Frinsilla {Passerella) guttata, Ndttall, Man. I, 2d ed. 1840, 581. 

 Zonotrichia guttata, Gambel, J. A. N. Sc. I, Dec. 1847, 50. 

 Melospiza rufaia, Baird, Gen. Rep. Birds, p. 480. 



Sp. Ch. — Bill slender. Similar in general appearance to .1/. melodia, but darker and much more rufous, the colors more 

 blended. General appearance above light rufous brown, the interscapular region streaked very obsoletely with dark brownish 

 rufous, the feathers of tHe crown similar, with still darker obsolete central streaks. A superciliary and very obscure median 

 crown stripe, ashy. Under parts brownish whitish ; the breast and sides of throat and body broadly streaked with dark 

 brownish rufous ; darker in the centre. A light maxillary stripe. Sides of the body tinged strongly with the colors of the 

 rump, and leaving only a narrow space of the belly white. Under coverts brown. Length, 6.75 ; e.\tent, 8.75 : wing, 2.70 ; 

 tail, 3.00. Bill, dusky ; iris and feet, brown. 



The western song sparrow is another instance of the closely analogous species found on this 

 side of the continent, which, though constantly distinct in essential characters, are evidently 

 made to fill the same place here as their relatives do on the Atlantic side. This species is a 

 constant resident in the wild western portions of the Territory, never ranging far from the 

 thicket which contains its nest, or the house where it has found food and protection. Almost 

 every winter morning, as well as during summer, its cheerful song is heard from the garden or 

 fence, as if to repay those who have shown it kindness, or have even unconsciously protected 

 it by their presence from rapacious animals. When unmolested it becomes very familiar, and 

 the old birds will bring their young to the door to feed as soon as they leave the nest. Its 

 song so nearly resembles that of the eastern bird in melody and variety that I cannot tell which 

 is superior or point out the differences. In wild districts it is always to be found near brook- 

 sides and thickets, where it seems to consider itself the proprietor, and jealously drives off 

 other birds, either of the same or other species. Its nest is built on the ground or in a low 

 bush. I have seen fledged young as early as May 6, at Olympia, although the rainy season was 

 then scarcely finished. — C. 



This is quite a common bird in the vicinity of Puget Sound, where it is resident throughout 

 the 3'ear. I have found them in very difi'erent situations ; in thickets at the edges of prairies, 

 among stranded drift logs on open salt marshes, as well as in swamps and in the dense forests 

 of Douglas fir, peculiar to the northwest coast. The voice of this species during the breeding 

 season is singularly sweet and melodious, surpassing, I think, that of the meadow lark in 

 melody and tone, but unequal to it in force. — S. 



Sub-Family PASSERELLINAE.— F o x Sparrows. 



PASSERELLA TOWNSENDII, Nuttall. 



To'wusentd's Fox Sparrovi', 



Fringilla townsendii, AuD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 236; pi. 424, f. 7.— Ib. Syn. 1839.— Ib. Birds Amer. Ill, 1841 



43; pi. 187. 

 Fringilla {Passerella) townsendii, Nutt. Man. I, 2d ed. 1840, 533. 



