Plate VI. Eggs of the Rufous Crowned Sparrow 



(Aimophila ruficeps) 



THIS plate shows three eggs of a set of four of the Rufous-crowned 

 Sparrow which together with the nest are in our collection. The size 

 is exact, and the color as nearly exact as it is possible to reproduce it — white 

 with a very delicate tinge of greenish blue, a shade extremely rare and 

 beautiful. We know of but one other North American egg that has this 

 peculiar tint — that of the Arizona Junco {Junco phaeonotus palliatus.) 



This set of Rufous-crowned Sparrow is one of the last, if not the very 

 last set collected by the late lamented Chester Barlow of Santa Clara, Cal., 

 and is the fourth or fifth set of this species known to science. It was taken 

 April 27th, 1902, at Laguna, Cal. Incubation slight; nest composed outwardly 

 of grasses, grass stems, etc., well woven, and lined with horsehair; placed on a 

 hillside beneath a small sage, the nest being sunk flush with the ground and 

 well concealed. Bird flushed and was very secretive, not nearing the nest 

 for a considerable time, when she was collected. 



The four eggs measure, respectively, .81 x .60 — .79 x .59 — .jj x .59 — 

 .76X.57. [Ed.] 



Hide And Keep Quiet 



WHILE wandering through the woods in Maine on June 10th I came 

 suddenly upon a young Hermit Thrush just out of the nest and able to 

 fly a few feet. His cry brought the parent bird which flew almost into my v face 

 in a vain endeavor to turn me from the pursuit of her offspring. Failing 

 in this, and after the young bird had made several short flights over the 

 ground to get away, the old bird flew down to him and assisted him in con- 

 cealing himself among the dry leaves. As I advanced to this spot the young 

 did not again flush until I fairly touched him with my foot. It was interest- 

 ing to see the old bird after failing to drive me away make the youngster 

 hide and keep quiet. [Ed.] 



Hawk Eat Hawk 



AT a taxidermist's establishment in Portland, Maine, last June I was shown 

 a very fine specimen of the Duck Hawk mounted with the remnants 

 of a Sharp-shinned Hawk in his talons which he was feeding upon when 

 shot. This is the first instance of hawk eat hawk that ever came to my 

 attention, and I would be glad to know if others have met with similar 

 instances. [Ed.] 



