NO. 2 BIRDS OF ALASKA AND SIBERIA — HERSEY 3I 



ZONOTRICHIA CORONATA 



Golden-crowned Sparrow 



In the clumps of willows and alders about Golovin Bay a single 

 specimen of this sparrow was obtained on July 13. 



SPIZELLA MONTICOLA OCHRACEA 



Western Tree Sparrow 



Wherever patches of willow bushes occur on the tundra or hill- 

 sides about St. Michael and the Yukon Delta the sweet notes of this 

 species may be heard. They are rather shy and slip away through the 

 shrubbery at the approach of a stranger, but if the observer sits 

 quietly down and partially conceals himself, the singer will soon 

 return to its perch on the topmost twig of a nearby bush and resume 

 its simple song. 



Where song birds are in the minority, and the air is filled with the 

 harsh cries of gulls and terns, the quacking of ducks, and the weird 

 call notes of loons, even the simplest of melodies is appreciated. 

 While the vocal efiForts of the Tree Sparrow probably would attract 

 but scant notice in a locaHty frequented by more brilliant songsters, 

 they would be sadly missed were the species to forsake its accus- 

 tomed haunts in these cheerless regions. 



MELOSPIZA MELODIA SANAKA 



Aleutian Song Sparrow 



This bird was seen at Unalaska but was not common. It was 

 most often seen about the dock where it hopped about like a catbird 

 or thrasher, which it strongly reminded me of. Its song was like 

 our eastern bird, but in other respects it seemed to me to resemble 

 it but little. 



PASSERELLA ILIACA ILIACA 



Fox Sparrow 



The Fox Sparrow is rather common as far north as Golovin Bay. 

 They are very shy when on their breeding grounds — much more so 

 than during their migrations. At the mouth of the Yukon I have seen 

 them, at times, come close up to the house and feed beneath our 

 windows, but only when everyone was in the house. At such times 

 the sound of a movement within doors or an attempt to watch the 

 bird from the window always resulted in a hasty retreat to the nearest 

 thicket. 



