WITH BROWN PREDOMINATING 239 



580. RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW. — Aimophila 

 nificeps. 



Family : The Finches, Sparrows, etc. 



Length: 5.50-5.75. 



Adults: Upper parts .grayish or grayish brown; back broadly streaked 



with reddush brown ; crown reddish brown ;. under parts light brown, 



palest on throat and belly ; a distinct black stripe on each side of 



throat ; a, rusty streak extending back from eye ; edge of wing dull 



white or grayish. 

 Young: Similar to adults, but upper parts dull brownish ; streaked 



with deeper ; under parts dull buffy, chest and sides streaked with 



dusky. 

 Geographical Distribution: California coast from about latitude 40°, 



south to Cape St. Lucas. 

 California Breeding Range : In upper Sonoran zone west of the Sierra 



Nevada from San Diego to Marin County. 

 Breeding Season : April to August. 

 Nest : Of coarse grass and weed stalks ; liued with a few hairs ; placed 



on the ground in a hollow. 

 Eggs: 3 to 5 ; plain white or bluish white. Size 0.89 X 0.65. 



Brush-covebed hillsides are the favorite haunts of 

 the Rufous-crowned Sparrow. Here, on the ground 

 under thick low bushes, its nest is hidden so securely 

 that only accidental discovery is possible. 



The only way possible to observe these birds is to sit 

 motionless among the sparse growth of bushes on the 

 side of a hill and wait their coming with endless patience. 

 Their bright chestnut upper parts will serve to identify 

 them. A short, rather sweet song is sung morning and 

 evening during the nesting season, and occasionally in 

 their winter haunts in the interior valleys. Their food 

 is mainly seeds and fleshy seed-pods, such as haws. 



