The Birds of El Paso County, Colorado 565 



June 2, 1913, and Aiken saw 6, collecting one, at Ramah, 

 June 4, 1898. 



This species breeds exclusively in the mountains, prob- 

 ably few breeding below 9,000 feet, and from that elevation to 

 above timberline. The nest is placed in low bushes of various 

 kinds, often evergreens, and never very far above ground. 

 Drew stated that in the San Juan Mountains it raised two 

 broods, the first at the lower part of its range, and then a 

 vertical migration was made to above timberline where the 

 second brood was raised. 



On a trip to Strickler Tunnel July 9-10, 1899, Aiken 

 found White-crowned Sparrows "'abundant in willows above 

 timberline, and in the caiion below Seven Lakes, where birds 

 were seen skulking among the low bushes, where they 

 evidently had nests though they could not be found. The 

 males mount to a top twig and watch the intruder quietly from 

 a distance or utter a chirp of alarm on close approach. The 

 song from near by may be represented by the syllables 

 oo-dree-e-e, tix'ee-ty too. Inhale the "oo" through the teeth 

 and exhale the "dree" in higher key. Some times a low inhaling 

 sound follows the effort. Birds above timberline were in full 

 song. Those lower down where nesting was probably further 

 advanced were more quiet and skulking." 



Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli. Gambel's Sparrow. 



Migrant; common in spring and autumn; a few winter. 

 Arrives usualh- about the middle of March, February 27, 

 1899, being the earliest date, and remains until the first week 

 in May. May 11, 1898 is the latest spring date we have. The 

 fall migration begins about the first of October, September 

 28, 1907, being the earliest date, and tthe majority have gone 

 on by the early part of November. 



While with us these birds frequent the brush along the 

 streams and in the ravines, feeding on weed seeds and anything 

 else they may find to their taste. Just before they leave in the 



