242 LAND BIRDS 



ground he hops from twig to twig and seldom, if ever, 

 flies in any direction but downward or straight ahead. 



Unlike some of the sparrow family, these birds do not 

 travel in compact flocks. If several individuals are to- 

 gether, they are usually part of a scattered band that is 

 working its way to or from the nesting ground. 



The nests and nesting habits of all the various sub- 

 species are so alike that one description will apply to 

 all. The structure is usually near the ground, and often 

 on it, with very little effort at concealment. Incubation 

 lasts twelve days, and is shared by the male to a limited 

 extent ; but as soon as the little ones emerge from the 

 shell the greater part of the labor of caring for them falls 

 upon him. In ten days they are fully feathered and 

 ready to leave the home shelter and follow him. As soon 

 as this family are launched into the green forest, the 

 busy mother prepares a new nest for a second brood. 

 The male soon leaves the first to shift for themselves, 

 and returns valiantly to his post of duty, guarding and 

 feeding the next instalment with the same zealous care 

 he had given the first. 



S81b. MOUNTAIN SONG SPARROW. — Melospiza 



melodia montana. 



Family : The Finches, Sparrows, etc. 



Length: 6.25-7.00. 



Adults : Upper parts grayish, with narrow streaks of black and brown ; 



wings and tail brown ; under parts white ; chest and sides streaked 



with brown. 

 Toung ; Similar to adults, but upper parts paler and less tawny ; under 



parts whitish and streaks narrower. 



