[578] BIRDS OF OREGON 



The earlier records of these three forms are so confused that it is diffi- 

 cult properly to segregate them. Bendire's (1877) breeding records of 

 Gambel's Sparrow at Camp Harney undoubtedly apply to the present 

 form, and perhaps Suckley's (Cooper and Suckley 1860) records from The 

 Dalles likewise belong in this race. Mearns (1879) found that birds from 

 Fort Klamath were typical leucophrys, and Shelton (1917) reported the 

 breeding birds at Crescent Lake and Diamond Peak as this form. Wood- 

 cock's (1902.) records received from correspondents show that there was 

 much confusion at that time among those having ornithological interest 

 as to the exact status of these three forms. The only way to interpret 

 his records now is by arbitrary geographical designation, and such deter- 

 mination cannot be considered accurate. We feel that the only wise 

 course is to ignore them entirely so far as making subspecific determina- 

 tions is concerned. Gabrielson (i92_4a) recorded the birds as breeding 

 about Stanley Ranger Station and the higher lakes of the Wallowas. 

 We have numerous summer specimens in breeding plumages from the 

 Steens, Hart Mountain, and the Wallowas and find the species to be at 

 present a common breeding one in these ranges. It is much less common 

 in the Cascades. In migration it may be looked for in the migrating 

 hordes of Gambel's Sparrows that are found in every weed patch in 

 eastern Oregon in April and again in early September. 



Gambel's Sparrow: 



Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli (Nuttall) 



DESCRIPTION. "Similar to leucopbrys, but lores not black, white superciliary stripe 

 reaching to bill. Male.- length (skins) 5.85-6.48, wing 3 .00-3 .2.8 , tail 1.58-1.92., bill 

 .39-. 44. Female: length (skins) 5.73-6.43, wing 1.90-3.15, tail 1.64-1.93, bill .39- 

 .43." (Bailey) Nest and eggs: Similar to those of Z. /. leucophrys. 

 DISTRIBUTION. General: Breeds from limit of trees in northwestern Alaska and 

 northern Mackenzie south to central Montana and west to coast of southwestern 

 Alaska and southeastern British Columbia. Winters south into Mexico. In 

 Oregon: Abundant spring and fall migrant east of Cascades and much less common in 

 western Oregon. Regular but not common winter resident in lower valleys. 

 Arrives in September and remains until late April. 



GAMBEL'S SPARROW is most abundant in September and October (earliest 

 date, September 13, Wheeler County) and again in April (latest date, 

 May 2.0, Lake County) when the great migratory movements are under 

 way. During migration it forms a dominant element everywhere in the 

 sparrow swarms that infest the fence rows and weed patches. It remains 

 regularly in much smaller numbers through the winter, being most 

 abundant at this season in Malheur, Umatilla, Wasco, and Klamath 

 Counties. It is much less common in western Oregon but may be looked 

 for in April. Braly took specimens at Portland, April 2.9, 192.8, and at 

 other dates. 



