236 LAND BIRDS 
housekeeping ; but both male and female responded to 
the call, leaving the nest unguarded. 
All these Juncos found at Del Monte or Monterey 
and vicinity are of the variety known as Point Pinos, 
a subspecies of the gray-headed or common junco of the 
Eastern States. In habits and song the species are 
closely identified. 
574. BELL SPARROW. — Amphispiza bell. 
Famity: The Finches, Sparrows, ete. 
Length: 5.50-5.75. 
Adults: Upper parts brownish gray, grayer on head and neck ; the back 
generally without distinct streaks ; orbital ring, spot over the eye, 
broad malar stripe, chin, throat, and under parts white ; black spot 
on middle of chest ; throat marked on sides with a continuous stripe 
of blackish ; wing-coverts edged with buffy ; edge of wing yellowish ; 
tail-feathers black, indistinctly marked with lighter. 
Young: Upper parts light grayish brown, streaked with dusky ; under 
parts buffy ; chest distinctly streaked with dark gray ; wings with 
two rather distinct pale buff bands. 
Geographical Distribution: West of the Sierra Nevada and San Bernar- 
dino mountains from Marin County to Lower California. 
California Breeding Range: In upper Sonoran zone locally, west of the 
Sierra Nevada from latitude 38° southward. 
Breeding Season: May and June. 
Nest: Of grass stems and vegetable fibre ; lined with hair ; placed in 
low bushes. 
Eggs: 3 or 4; pale greenish blue, finely dotted and speckled with dark 
reddish brown. Size 0.74 X 0.60. 
THe Bell Sparrow is abundant on the bush-covered 
plains of Southern California as well as in the foot-hills. 
It is a thicket-dweller, darting from the cover of one 
clump to another with rapid flight as if uneasy in the 
open. Its nest is in the thickest of the bushes, but 
the anxious chirp of the male sparrow is sure to reveal 
