WITH BROWN PREDOMINATING 239 
580. RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW. — dAimophila 
ruficeps. 
Famity: The Finches, Sparrows, ete. 
Length : 5.50-5.75. 
Adults: Upper parts grayish or grayish brown; back broadly streaked 
with reddish brown ; crown reddish brown ; under parts light brown, 
palest on throat and belly; a distinct black stripe on each side of 
throat ; a rusty streak extending back from eye ; edge of wing dull 
white or grayish. 
Young: Similar to aduits, but upper parts dull brownish ;_ streaked 
with deeper; under parts dull buffy, chest and sides streaked with 
dusky. 
Geographical Distribution: California coast from about latitude 40°, 
south to Cape St. Lucas. 
California Breeding Range: In upper Sonoran zone west of the Sierra 
Nevada from San Diego to Marin County. 
Breeding Season: April to August. 
Nest : Of coarse grass and weed stalks ; lined with a few hairs ; placed 
on the ground in a hollow. 
Eggs: 3 to 5; plain white or bluish white. Size 0.89 X 0.65. 
BrusH-COVERED hillsides are the favorite haunts of 
the Rufous-crowned Sparrow. Here, on the ground 
under thick low bushes, its nest is hidden so securely 
that only accidental discovery is possible. 
The only way possible to observe these birds is to sit 
motionless among the sparse growth of bushes on the 
side of a hill and wait their coming with endless patience. 
Their bright chestnut upper parts will serve to identify 
them. <A short, rather sweet song is sung morning and 
evening during the nesting season, and occasionally in 
their winter haunts in the interior valleys. Their food 
is mainly seeds and fleshy seed-pods, such as haws. 
