WITH BROWN PREDOMINATING 223 



rador ; in winter migrates stragglingly over the whole of the United 



States and south into Mexico. 

 California Breeding Baiige : In the higher Sierra Nevada as far south 



as Mt. Whitney. 

 Breeding Season : June and July. 

 Nest : Composed of fine twigs, weed stalks, and coarse material ; lined 



with fine grasses and hair ; placed on the ground or in low bushes. 

 Eggs : 3 to 5 ; pale greenish blue, speckled with light reddish brown, 



more thickly at the large end. Size 0.89 X 0.63. 



As the snow disappears from the sides of the Sierra 

 Nevada, the White-crowned Sparrow follows in its wake, 

 higher and higher, until it reaches the extreme limit of 

 the willows. Among the dense thickets that border the 

 upper edge of the timber line it is most abundant, and 

 during June, July, and August its song rings constantly, 

 fine and clear. During the breeding season it haunts the 

 willows along the mountain meadows, placing its nest 

 on the ground, or, more commonly, in the lower branches. 

 Its nest and young can with difficulty be told from those 

 of the song sparrow ; and as it scratches among the dry 

 leaves of the underbrush for insects with which to feed 

 the nestlings, its manner distinctly suggests the latter. 

 But here the resemblance ends ; the White-crowned 

 Sparrow is distinguished by its white crown and plain 

 gray breast, as well as by its large handsome form. 



When there are eggs or young in the nest, the male 

 sings early and late, often piping his clear whistle when 

 all the world is silent. I have heard him at intervals 

 until long past midnight, as if the joy of parenthood 

 forced him to waken and give to his sleepy mate and 

 little brood below the assurance that " All 's well." Evi- 

 dently the singer needs little rest, for with the earliest 



