570 



NORTH AMEIMCAX lUIlDa 



over the n\)\>eT half of the lores, and in front of the eye, to a line oontinnous 

 with the cutting edge of tiic hill, and sends back a short ]>ranch to the eye, 

 which cn^s off the white superciliary stripe. In (jamhili \\\v superciliary 

 stripe passes continuously forward to the ashy lores, cutting oil" the hlack from 

 the eye. The lower edge of the hlack anterioily is much higher than in 

 Ifucophi'i/s, and nearly on a line with the nostrils. 



We cannot give any positive character by which immature specimens of 

 leurophrys and (/(unhrli may Ix* distinguished, unless that the short dark line 

 from forehead to eye of the former is indicated by a greater amount of dusky 

 at the base of the feathers of that region. 



The young of this species, like that of limoithriis, is streaked with black- 

 ish on side of the throat, across the breast, and on the sides of body, instead 

 of being entirely unmarked beneath, as hi the adult. 



One specimen, collected in the AVest Humboldt Mountains, connects this 

 form with kucophnjHy and may possibly be a hybrid. In this there is a 

 black spot in front of the eye, but sejiarated from the black of the crown by 

 the usual light superciliary stripe o( yiimhU. 



Some specimens from the coast region of ( 'alifornia have the ash of head 

 and breast duller, and with a brownish cast, and the spots on the back black 

 instead of deep dark brown. 



Habits. The Western White-crowned Sj>arrow is found in great abun- 

 dance, from Mexico to the Arctic Ocean, between the Iioeky ^lountains and 

 the Pacific. Dr. Suckley found this l)ird very abundant at Fort Dalles 

 and at Puget Sound, at both of which places it is a constant sununer resi- 

 dent. It was always found in excellent condition. He states that it makes 

 its nest in low bushes, among the stalks of lupins and other shrub-like 

 weeds. Dr. Cooj)er also mentions that this bird is very abundant in all the 

 prairie districts of Washington Territory, especially where there are low 

 bushes. Unlike most of the Sparrows, it was also common on the coast 

 prairies, where he found it breeding. They arrive at the Straits of Fuca at 

 the end of March in large nund^ers, and leave for the South in October. He 

 afterwards found them at Fort Mohave, in the Colorado Valley, ([uite com- 

 mon throughout the winter, some remaining until the loth of May, but he 

 does not think that any remain there to breed. They are also abundant, in 

 winter, from San Francisco south, through all the inhabitable country. In 

 summer they are found in the Sierra Nevada, to their summits, and are also 

 plentiful in the regions north of the Columljia. A few remain, during the 

 summer, in the cool district al)out San Francisco. In June, 1854, Dr. Cooper 

 met with its nest near the mouth of the Columbia. It was built in a bush, 

 about a foot from the ground, formed of neatly interwoven grasses, and 

 lined with softer materials. He describes its song as loud, but short and 

 melancholy, heard at intervals during the whole year, and frequently at 

 night. 



The Western White-crowned Sparrow was first met with by Mr. Ridgway, 



