FOX SPAEEOWS 473 



When the summer traveler in the Yosemite region reaches the Canadian 

 Zone, with its thickets of huckleberry oak, chinquapin, and snow bush, 

 he encounters the conspicuously distinctive inhabitant of this zone, the 

 Fox Sparrow. It is true that the Green-tailed Towhee inhabits practically 

 the same territory, but here the Fox Sparrow is the predominant species, 

 outnumbering this towhee fully three to one. 



The Fox Sparrow is a sprightly bird of trim and pleasing appearance, 

 easily recognized by its distinctive coloration, as described above. Its upper 

 surface entirely lacks any contrasted markings, but the under surface of 

 its body is white, strikingly patterned with large triangular spots of dark 

 brown. (See pi. 48o.) These spots have their apexes pointed upward, 

 and on the lower part of the throat they are massed together forming a 

 more or less distinct patch. No other sparrow in the region possesses this 

 combination of uniform upper surface and patterned under parts. The 

 Song Sparrows have streaked upper surfaces and are also considerably 

 smaller in size. The Hermit Thrush is similar in general coloration to 

 the Fox Sparrow, but differs in its slender bill, big-eyed expression of face, 

 and, most emphatically, in mannerisms and voice. 



The fox sparrows are essentially birds of the brush, and they rarely 

 venture far into the open. In late spring and summer the males, when 

 giving voice to their clear melodious songs, perch on the uppermost twig- 

 tips of their favorite thickets, and occasionally even mount 30 or more 

 feet to some bare branch in an adjacent coniferous tree. But at other 



Valdez Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca sinuosa Grinnell, winter visitant to west 

 slope, from Lagrange (300 feet) to Aspen Valley (6400 feet). Earliest record, October 

 14, 1915, from latter locality. Summers in vicinity of Prince William Sound, Alaska. 



Alberta Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca altivagans Eiley, late winter visitant: near 

 El Portal (at 3800 feet), December 15, 1914; Pleasant Valley, December 4, 1915; 

 six miles east of Coulterville, December 25, 1918, and January 20 and 27, 1919; Aspen 

 Valley (6400 feet), October 14, 1915. Summers on Canadian Eockies along boundary 

 between Alberta and British Columbia. 



Slate-colored Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca schistacea Baird, winter visitant to 

 both slopes of Sierra Nevada, from Pleasant Valley (600 feet) to Warren Fork of 

 Leevining Creek (at 9200 feet). Earliest record, September 13, 1915, at Gem Lake 

 (9036 feet). Only migrant species observed on east slope. Summers in Great Basin 

 and included mountain ranges from British Columbia south to Colorado. 



Mariposa Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca mariposae Swarth, summers in Canadian 

 Zone on west slope of Sierra Nevada, from Hazel Green (5000 feet) to near Porcupine 

 Flat (at 8100 feet) and Washburn Lake (at 7800 feet). The majority depart about 

 October 1. One apparently wintering individual captured six miles east of Coulterville, 

 January 20, 1919. Winters chiefly in southern California. 



Mono Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca monoensis Grinnell and Storer, summers in 

 Canadian Zone on east slope of Sierra Nevada, as at Mono Lake Post Office (6500 feet). 

 Walker Lake (8000 feet), and on Parker Creek (at 7500 and 8600 feet). Earliest spring 

 record May 9, 1916, at Walker Lake; last fall occurrence recorded, September 11, 1915, 

 at same station. A specimen taken on the Tuolumne Eiver at 6300 feet, October 1, 1915, 

 was probably a transient. Found in winter six miles east of Coulterville, December 25, 

 1918, and January 20 and 27, 1919. 



Thick-billed Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca megarhyncha Baird, rare winter visitant 

 to west slope of Sierra Nevada. One instance of occurrence: El Portal (2000 feet), 

 November 28, 1914. Summer range not yet known. 



