168 University of California Publications in Zoology [Vol.12 



taken April 18, eight miles east of Picacho. Another (female, no. 

 13132) taken on the same date and at the same place, and one (male, 

 no. 13134) secured April 21, on the Arizona side five miles north of 

 Lagnna, have nearly or quite completed the prenuptial molt (whether 

 first or later, I am not able to judge) . 



From April 16 to 26 many crown sparrows of this form were, 

 observed closely enough to make identity certain. They sometimes 

 formed scattering companies in brush along desert washes ; or, in 

 company with Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli, they invaded the mes- 

 quite and arrowweed associations nearer the river. None were seen 

 after April 26. It would appear that molting and migration occur 

 simultaneously. Still there is nothing inconsistent with utility in this. 

 For the prenuptial (or spring) molt in this sparrow, as with gambeli, 

 is only partial; the flight feathers (primaries, secondaries and rec- 

 trices) are not involved, save that, in case any have been lost by 

 accident, new ones "row in at this time. 



Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli (Nuttall) 

 Intermediate Sparrow 



A winter visitant to the region in large numbers, occurring in 

 scattered flocks with greatest frequency along the river, in the mesquite, 

 quail-brush and salt-bush associations. Thence they were to be found 

 up the brushy margins of desert washes at least as far as two miles 

 from the river. Although often found foraging over open ground, 

 these sparrows appeared never to venture so far from dense bushes 

 but that they could on alarm find quick shelter. 



In the vicinity of the railroad station at Needles many intermediate 

 sparrows were to be observed at all times of the day foraging over 

 the tracks, often beneath trains, where they appeared to find plenty 

 to eat in the grain and refuse sifting from the cars. These birds had 

 evidently been in the neighborhood all winter, for those shot February 

 15 and 16 had their plumage begrimed by coal dust to such an extent 

 in some cases that the birds at a distance appeared to be of a uniform 

 deep plumbeous color. No birds of such extraneous peculiarity were 

 observed farther than two miles from the station, perhaps showing 

 habitual close adherence to a local feeding ground selected upon arrival 

 in the fall. 



