WITH BROWN PREDOMINATING 993 
rador ; in winter migrates stragglingly over the whole of the United 
States and south into Mexico. 
California Breeding Range: In the higher Sierra Nevada as far south 
as Mt. Whitney. 
Breeding Season: June and July. 
Nest : Composed of fine twigs, weed stalks, and coarse material ; lined 
with fine grasses and hair; placed on the ground or in low bushes. 
Eggs: 3 to 5; pale greenish blue, speckled with light reddish brown, 
more thickly at the large end. Size 0.89 X 0.63. 
As the snow disappears from the sides of the Sierra 
Nevada, the White-crowned Sparrow follows in its wake, 
higher and higher, until it reaches the extreme limit of 
the willows. Among the dense thickets that border the 
upper edge of the timber line it is most abundant, and 
during June, July, and August its song rings constantly, 
fine and clear. During the breeding season it haunts the 
willows along the mountain meadows, placing its nest 
on the ground, or, more commonly, in the lower branches. 
Its nest and young can with difficulty be told from those 
of the song sparrow; and as it scratches among the dry 
leaves of the underbrush for insects with which to feed 
the nestlings, its manner distinctly suggests the latter. 
But here the resemblance ends; the White-crowned 
Sparrow is distinguished by its white crown and_ plain 
gray breast, as well as by its large handsome form. 
When there are eggs or young in the nest, the male 
sings early and late, often piping his clear whistle when 
all the world is silent. I have heard him at intervals 
until long past midnight, as if the joy of parenthood 
forced him to waken and give to his sleepy mate and 
little brood below the assurance that ‘“ All’s well.” Evi- 
dently the singer needs little rest, for with the earliest 
