274 University of California Publications in Zoology [Vol. 10 



They were particularly numerous in Hemet Valley, where the 

 characteristic song of the male bird was to be heard on all sides, 

 from Kenworthy to Vandeventer Flat, and beyond as far as 

 Omstott Creek and the lower parts of Santa Rosa Mountain. As 

 a rule they frequented the chaparral-covered hills, rather than 

 the sage-brush of the valley, but were found in the latter also 

 where the growth was particularly dense, as between Vande- 

 venter Flat and Santa Rosa Mountain, 



On the northern slopes of the range, in May and June, many 

 were seen at Cabezon. Banning and Schain's Ranch; as small 

 juvenals were taken they were evidently nesting at these points. 



Two nests were found, one at Kenworthy, May 21, the other 

 between Vandeventer Flat and Santa Rosa Mountain, June 25. 

 The two, ver\' similar in construction, were both in sagebrush 

 about two feet from the ground, well concealed, and discovered 

 (inly by the sudden flight of the female. The first contained four 

 eggs, far incubated; the second, three eggs, one infertile, the 

 others incubated. Of the first found, the nest and broken egg 

 shells were saved (no. 78) ; the second nest was preserved with 

 the eggs intact (no. 73). The shells of no. 78 are clear nile blue 

 without a trace of maculation; those of no. 73 are nile blue with 

 sparse dotting of sepia, cinnamon, and fawn color, these mark- 

 ings being agglomerated around the large ends of the eggs. The 

 latter set measures in millimeters: 17.9x14.3, 17.8x14.2, 17.6 x 

 14.1. 



The parent birds were extremely shy, the male singing at a 

 safe distance, the female hovering about uttering excited "chips," 

 but not permitting a near approach. 



During May and June the male birds uttered their brief song 

 at frequent intervals throughout the day. The song of the black- 

 chinned sparrow is absolutely distinct from that of any other 

 bird of southern California. A description may be attempted as 

 follows: The male bird selects the tip of the tallest shrub in 

 the chaparral in the vicinity of its nest. This perch is seldom 

 more than six feet above the ground, usually on the rising slope 

 above the nest. In one instance a singing bird was at the tip 

 of a scrub oak at least fifteen feet above the ground; in another 

 a male was observed at the extreme top of a dead pine, about 



