Birds of Oregon and Washington 77 



be identical. But it is irregular, without distinct 

 articulation, and can be translated into no defi- 

 nite language. The differences in plumage may 

 be gathered from the description of the two 

 given in Ridgway's Manual. They seem to be 

 these the white, ashy or buffy median-stripe 

 on the crown is, in the Gambel's, at least as 

 broad, usually broader, than the other lateral 

 stripes, while in the Nuttall's the same stripe is 

 narrower than the other lateral stripes. Again, 

 the back of the Nuttall's is a more smoky-brown 

 than the back of the Gambel's, and the breast a 

 darker gray. But the most decidedly definite 

 distinguishing mark is this : the inner edge of 

 the wing of the Nuttall's Sparrow is pale yellow, 

 while the edge of the wing of the Gambel's is 

 ashy. Both have light ashy or buffy lores, which 

 join the superciliary stripe, instead of distinct 

 black lores, as in the White-crowned Sparrow 

 proper. The full particular description of the 

 Nuttall's White-crowned Sparrow is as follows : 

 " Edge of wing, pale yellow ; white, ashy or buffy me- 

 dian crown-stripe, usually narrower than black or brown 

 lateral stripes ; adult back with smoky brown or olive- 

 brown, striped with dark sepia-brown or sooty blackish ; 

 and chest, brownish-gray," Ridgway. 



