392 V)nvcrsitij of California Publications in Zoology. [Vol. 7 



came less abundant. A few days later they were found to be 

 common at Big Creek Ranch and in the canons and on the lower 

 ridges nearby. 



Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys (J. R. Forster) 

 White-crowned Sparrow 



Distribution. — Occurred quite generally. Noted at Winne- 

 mucca on ]\Iay 11 ; seen near the stage road between Tregaskis 

 Well and Quinn River on May 15 ; rarely observed at the latter 

 locality ; one heard singing in a low, dry canon at the mouth of 

 Wheeler Creek, several miles to the eastward. After May 26 

 none were seen at the lower altitudes. The birds retreated about 

 this time to the highest parts of the mountains to breed. Here 

 they were often seen in the sagebrush, in willow tangles over 

 springs, in the low chinquapin patches, and in gnarled quaking- 

 aspen thickets. 



Habits. — The birds were in full song and probably nesting 

 commonly June 23 to August 4. The first nest (with young birds 

 which had already assumed juvenal plumage) was found on 

 July 3 near the head of Big Creek. (See account of garter 

 snake, p. 354). The nest was located a foot and a half above 

 the ground in a sagebush. It was securely fastened, and fairly 

 well concealed. The cavity was approximately 88 mm. (3i/2 

 inches) across, and 63 mm. (2i/2 inches) deep. The nest was 

 a substantial structure built of dry grass stems, light sage twigs, 

 sage bark, and dry blades of grass. A pair of white-crowns 

 seen July 13 on Alder Creek appeared to be very much agitated, 

 and probably had a nest somewhere in the near vicinity. It 

 seemed characteristic of the birds to display the extremest solici- 

 tude for the welfare of the young. 



One of the most attractive of Zonotrichia's habits is that of 

 singing in the twilight. The advent of the season of rest seems 

 to put the birds into the l)est possible spirits. Perhaps a song 

 is heard close at hand in the thicket. Presently it is answered 

 by another which sounds cheerily from another part of the tangle. 

 As it grows darker there comes a chorus of soft twitterings until 

 finally all is enveloped in the stillness of the desert night. 



m 



