220 LAND BIRDS 
marked with reddish brown; edge of wings yellow; under parts 
plain buffy on throat and sides ; belly white. 
Young: Similar to adults, but with little or no reddish brown on upper 
parts, feathers being more conspicuously bordered with pale buffy 
and whitish ; median crown-stripe more ashy ; under parts dull buffy- 
whitish ; chest distinctly streaked with dusky. 
Geographical Distribution : Western United States east to Great Plains, 
from British Columbia to Southern California and Arizona. 
California Breeding Range: West of the Sierra Nevada, in valleys north 
to Sacramento, south to San Diego. 
Breeding Season: April, May, and June. 
Nest: On ground ; rather bulky and deep; sometimes partially arched 
over ; made of dried grasses. 
Eggs: 3to5; white, spotted with reddish brown, mixed with a few 
markings of black and lilac, mostly at the larger end. Size 0.75 X 
0.57. 
As its name implies, this tiny brown bird hides away 
in the grass and low shrubbery, like a wee brown mouse 
or a big brown grasshopper. Its weak, shrill ‘ zee- 
ee-ee,” so like the song of an insect, is readily passed by 
as belonging to such in the medley of meadow music, 
unless the listener is close to the little musician. It is 
even better known as the “ Yellow-winged Sparrow ” on 
account of the bright lemon-color at the ‘bend of the 
wing. It is so shy that one seldom catches a glimpse of 
it, and “none but the grazing cattle know how many 
nests and birds are hidden in their pastures.” Instead 
of flying up when alarmed, it runs deeper into the grass, 
and is seldom flushed. If driven to desperation by close 
quarters it may dart out in a short zigzag flight of a few 
yards and seek the first concealment that offers. Unlike 
most sparrows, it feeds mostly upon insects, and is of 
incalculable benefit to the farmer. Its nest is hidden in 
the meadow grass, and differs from that of most other 
ground birds in being deep and arched over. ; 
