24 NOUTll AMEUICAN lilUDS. 



})i'ociwiiin of stylu and method of utterance are iiuite distinct and constant 

 peculiarities. Tiie song, lliuugh as ])leasiiig, is not so loiul as tiiat of the 

 eastern Song S^iarrow, wiiiki the measure is very did'erent. lie ncjted the 

 syllables oi its song, and found tliem ([uite uniform. He expresses the song 

 thus: Clia-iIi((-(h<(-(lt((-ih(i-wU'—lar'-r-r-r-i'-r- tut. The lirst six syllables as 

 to accent iiro exactly alike, but with a consideral)lu interval or jiause between 

 the lirst and second notes. The second to the fifth follow in ra|)id succes- 

 sion, each being uttered with deliberation and distinctness. Then conies a 

 pause between the; last " cha " and the " wit," which is [)ronounced in a fine 

 metallic tone with a rising intlection, then another pause, and a li(iuid trill 

 with a falling inilection, the whole terminating abru])tly with a very peculiar 

 " tut," in an entirely different key from the other notes. 



The nests and eggs were found in the Wahsatch ^Mountains, June 23. 

 The nests were generally among bushes, in willow thickets, along the streams, 

 about a foot from the ground. One of these nests found in a clump of 

 willows, about two feet from the ground and near a stream, is a compact, 

 firndy built nest, in the shape of an inverted dome. It is two and a half 

 inches in height, and about the same in diameter. Externally it is com- 

 posed of a coarse framework of stri})s of willow bark firndy bound around. 

 AVitliin is a compactly woven inner nest, composed of straws, mingled 

 and interwoven with horse-hairs. The ciivity has a depth and diameter of 

 two inches. The eggs, four in number, measure .80 by .(13 of an inch. Their 

 form is a rounded oval, distinctly ])ointed at one end. They have a greenish- 

 white ground, marked and blotched with splashes of purplish and reddish 

 brown. 



Melospiza melodia, \ar. heermanni, Baird. 



HEEBHANN'S SONO SFASBOW. 



Mclo.i/iiza heermiiiini, !5aii!|), Mints N. Am, 1858, 478, pi. 70, f. 1. — Cooper, Oni. C'al. I, 

 212. 



Sp. Char. Soiiicwliat liki' mrhx/ia, l)iit iliiikcr. The streaks on tlie back ami under 

 parts blacker, broader, more ilislinct, and siarcely niar.iriiied with reddish, except in 

 winter plumage. Th<^ median stripe on vertex indistinct. General shade of coloration 

 olivaceons-griiy rather than rusty. Leufith, (j.tO; winir, 2. ")0 ; tail, 3. Bill and legs in 

 si/.(! and color most like melodia. 



IIab. Southern California; eastern slope of Sierra Nevada (Carson City), and West 

 Ilunilioldt Mountains, Nev.; liuxjwAV. 



Of the various races of 3f. melodia, this one iipproaches nearest the 

 ty])ical style of the Atlantic region; agreeing with it in tlucker bill and 

 shorter tail, its compared with the var. J'allar, which occurs between them. 

 It differs from the var. melodia, however, in a more grayisli cast to the 

 ground-color of the upper i)lumage, being olivaceous-gray, rather than 

 reddish ; the black dorsal sti'caks are very mutjh broader than the nisty ones. 



