308 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



Central Iowa northward. Mr. J. W. Preston found it breeding in 

 Winnebago county, Iowa, in June, 1885, ^^^ i^ ^^^ summers of 1885 

 and 1886 in Becker county, Minnesota. The bird is an abundant 

 breeder in Western Manitoba. The nesting season is usually in May 

 and June. Mr. Preston found the bird frequenting the edges of brush 

 and the borders of timber. The neats were placed on the ground ; one, 

 however, was built in the branches of a low hazel. The materials used 

 in the construction of the nests were fine, round grasses and blades, 

 with a lining 'of horse hairs. The eggs were three to five in number, 

 commonly three or four, the latter number predominating. They are 

 similar in color to those of the Chipping Sparrow, 6^. socialis, and 

 average about the same in size, .65 x .50. Mr. Norris has a set of four 

 taken near Detroit, Minnesota, June 4, 1886; their sizes are: .64X.47, 

 .64X.47, .62X.47, .64X.48; in these specimens the markings are 

 fainter than are those of S. socialis. As many as six eggs are said to 

 be laid by this species. 



562. Splzella breweri Cass [213.] 



Breiirer's Sparroiv. 



Hab. Western United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, south in winter to North- 

 western Mexico. 



This bird has very much the appearance of the Clay-colored 

 Sparrow, but is paler and duller, all the markings being indistinct. 

 It is found from the Pacific coast to the Rocky Mountains, and from 

 the northern portion of California to the Rio Grande and Mexico, and 

 is especially abundant in Arizona and New Mexico. It inhabits almost 

 exclusively open fields and bushy plains. The nests are placed in 

 bushes, usually the sage, a few feet from the ground. It is composed 

 of dry grasses, rootlets, and lined with hair. The eggs are generally 

 four in number. A series of the eggs of this species in Mr. Norris' 

 cabinet, collected near Fort Klamath, Oregon, resemble in size and 

 coloration the eggs of the Chipping Sparrow, but as a rule the markings 

 are larger, and of a more reddish tint than in those of the former 

 species. A set of three containing the smallest eggs exhibit the 

 following sizes : .62 x .48, .63 x .48, .63 x .49 ; one of four with larger 

 eggs, .69X.53, .64X.52, .67X.53, .64X.52 



563. Spizella pusilla (Wils.) [214.] 



Field Sparrotr- 



Hab. Eastern United States and Southern Canada, west to the edge of the Great Plains. 



The Field Sparrow is an abundant species in Eastern United States 

 where it may be seen during the summer months frequenting the 

 borders of upland woods, fields and edges of thickets. It sings 

 during the whole day, especially at mid-day when most birds are silent, 



I 



