IS87.J 



SCOTT on the Birds of Arizona. 



203 



162. Amphispiza belli nevadensis. Bell's Sparrow. — This species 

 is only mentioned once in my notes as occurring in the Catalina Moun- 

 tains. This at an altitude of 5^00 feet.in late September, 1SS4. Mr. Her- 

 bert Brown considers it as not a common bird about Tucson in winter, 

 where he obtained a male, November 2, 1SS4, and a female, December 28, 

 1SS4. I noticed quite a number on the low mesas near the San Pedro, 

 November 22, 18S4. 



163. Peucsea carpalis. Rufous-winged Sparrow. — In the foothills 

 of the Catalinas this is at times, particularly in late fall and early spring, 

 a common species. During the warmer months, though met with now 

 and then, I cannot consider it as being common, and have been unable to 

 find its nest. In this region, which is the only point where I have met 

 it, it occurs from about 3000 up to 4500 feet, in flocks of from four to 

 twenty individuals, and is not infrequently associated with 5. socialis 

 arizonce, having very similar habits. 



164. Peucaea ruficeps boucardi. — The bird is present in the Catalina 

 region all the year, ranging more or less commonly down as low as 3000 

 feet in winter, and up into the pine woods during the warmer months. I 

 met with it casually at Mineral Creek, where it was apparently rare. Mr. 

 Brown has no records of it from about Tucson. The song is very pleas- 

 ing, and the bird is quite tame and familiar, coming to feed on grain and 

 crumbs daily about my house. 



This species has been discussed quite fully in former papers of this 

 journal (Auk, Vol. II, p. 354, and Vol. Ill, p. S3), to which the reader is 

 referred for further details. 



[Mr. Scott's series of 46 specimens, 40 of them adult, shows that among 

 the latter there is much seasonal variation in color. In autumnal and 

 winter specimens the yellowish brown wash of the lower surface is much 

 stronger than in spring (April) specimens, this color becoming still paler 

 in specimens taken in June. The browish chestnut in fall and winter 

 birds loses later its vinaceous or purplish tinge, becoming deep reddish 

 brown in the breeding season, with the ashy bordering of the feathers 

 more restricted. The bill also becomes darker. It is thus quite easy to 

 recognize approximately the date of collecting, without reference to the 

 label, from an inspection of either the dorsal or ventral surface of the 

 specimen. 



The young in first plumage have the feathers of the breast and flanks 

 narrowly streaked with dusky, the streaks being most distinct on the 

 breast. The general color of the lower parts differs little from that of the 

 adult. Above the head, neck, and interscapular region are ashy brown, 

 each feather broadly centered with dusky. The wings and tail are nearly 

 as in the adult. — J. A. A.] 



165. Melospiza fasciata fallax. Desert-song Sparrow. — The 

 only point where I have observed this species is in the immediate vicinity 

 of Tucson, where it is apparently resident, though most common during 

 the spring months, and where it breeds. Mr. Brown's observations coin- 

 cide, I believe, with the above statement. I have no definite data in regard 

 to time of nesting, but have heard the birds singing in late January. So 



