1914] GrinnfU: Mammals and Birds of tlir Colorado Vallcn 173 



Amphispi^a bilineata deserticola Ridgway 

 Desert Sparrow 



This is a bird of the upland deserts; not one was seen in the 

 riparian belt. Around the base of Riverside Mountain. March 21. 

 several were noted. On the de.sert back of Ehrenberfr. Arizona, ^lareh 

 27, a few were seen: on the California side, opposite Cibola, April 3, a 

 pair was located in a ravine, where they appeared to have establi.shed 

 a nesting site; and on the Arizona side ten mile-s south of Cibola. April 

 9, two birds were noted in full song. Three .skins were obtained, nos. 

 13324-13326. 



There are also in the ^Museum two skins (nos. 4135. 4136) taken 

 by J. G. Cooper at Fort :\lohave. :\lareh 18 and April 4. 1861. 



Amphispiza nevadensis nevadensis Ridgway) 

 Nevada Sage Sparrow 



Common early in the season on the desert, especially in the salt- 

 bush and sandy creosote associations. On the California side five 

 miles south of Needles, and on the Arizona side above Jlellen, Febru- 

 ary 20 to 28, many were observed. Their habit of skulking along the 

 ground among the close-set buslies doubtless often resulted in their 

 eluding obser^'ation. 



Although intermediate sparrows occupied the same sort of ground 

 and were present in much larger numbers, the two species kept in 

 separate companies. The sage sparrows were prone to space themselves 

 out much farther apart than Zonotrichia. and flushed singly rather 

 than nearly simultaneously. 



]\Iany sage sparrows were observed on both sides of the river at 

 The Needles. March 1 to 5. Nine specimens preserved, nos. 13227- 

 13235. 



There is also in the Maseum a skin (no. 4137) taken by J. G. 

 Cooper at Fort Mohave. January 26. 1861. That the species winters 

 in the region is therefore practically established. 



Melospiza melodia fallax (Baird) 



Rook,\- ^r<mntHiii Siiiil"- Sparrow 



Common as a winter visitant to the riparian associations. Five 



miles below Needles on the California side, on both sides of the river 



at The Needles, on the Arizona side above Bill Williams River, and 



