400 University of California Puhlications in Zoologi). [Vol. 7 



On June 2 a nest was discovered in a clump of willows near 

 Virgin Creek. It was close to the ground and contained three 

 young birds. Both parents were noted in the vicinity. On 

 June 15 a third nest was found at Big Creek Ranch. This one 

 was noteworthy for the fact that it contained a cowbird's egg 

 besides two fresh eggs of its rightful owner. The eggs were cold 

 and the nest had probably been deserted. It was located 253 

 mm. (10 inches) above the ground in a willow-clump. Stalks 

 of some species of grass growing at the base of the willow were 

 woven into the nest. The cavity was 54 mm. (2% inches) in 

 diameter by 49 mm. (I^^g inches) deep. 



Juvenals were observed on May 29 and thereafter. A female 

 with bare breast and an egg in the oviduct was collected on 

 June 11. 



Passerella iliaca schistacea Baird 

 Slate-colored Fox Sparrow 



Distribution. — A solitary specimen taken at Quinn River 

 Crossing on May 18. Rather commonly observed in the early 

 summer at Big Creek Ranch, and one of the more numerous 

 birds of the higher parts of the mountains. Their habitat was 

 typically Transition life zone. 



Habits. — The birds were noted to 9000 feet altitude, one being 

 heard singing from a perch on a quaking aspen above a snow- 

 bank. The species was perhaps more common on the west slope 

 of the main ridge of the mountains around and above Alder 

 Creek Lake and southward from there toward Duffer Peak than 

 at any other locality visited. The rocky slopes, covered with 

 chinquapin and quaking-aspen thickets, with a sparse inter- 

 sprinkling of mountain mahogany and limber pine, seemed to 

 be particularly well liked by the fox sparrows. 



When a squeaking sound was made with the lips any Pas- 

 serella that happened to be within hearing emerged from his 

 thicket and, "chipping" excitedly, looked the intruder over. 



It is one of the most tuneful of all the birds of the Great 

 Basin and, furthermore, its song is one of the most beautiful. 

 One fox sparrow was observed singing from an aspen tree in 

 which, at the same time, a couple of black-headed grosbeaks were 

 also singing. 



