220 LAND BIRDS 



marked with reddish brown ; edge of wings yellow ; under parts 



plain bnffy on throat and sides ; belly white. 

 Young: Similar to adults, but with little or no reddish brown on upper 



parts, feathers being more conspicuously bordered with pale buffy 



and whitish ; median crown-stripe more ashy ; under parts dull buffy- 



whitish ; chest distinctly streaked with dusky. 

 Geographical Distribution : Western United States east to Great Plains, 



from British Columbia to Southern California and Arizona. 

 California Breeding Range : West of the Sierra Nevada, in valleys north 



to Sacramento, south to San Diego. 

 Breeding Season: April, May, and June. 

 Nest : On ground ; rather bulky and deep ; sometimes partially arched 



over ; made of dried grasses. 

 Eggs: 3 to 5 ; white, spotted with reddish brown, mixed with a few 



markings of black and lilac, mostly at the larger end. Size 0.75 X 



0.57. 



As its name implies, this tiny brown bird hides away 

 in the grass and low shrubbery, like a wee brown mouse 

 or a big brown grasshopper. Its weak, shrill "zee- 

 ee-ee," so like the song of an insect, is readily passed by 

 as belonging to such in the medley of meadow music, 

 unless the listener is close to the little musician. It is 

 even better known as the " Yellow-winged Sparrow " on 

 account of the bright lemon-color at the bend of the 

 wing. It is so shy that one seldom catches a glimpse of 

 it, and "none but the grazing cattle know how many 

 nests and birds are hidden in their pastures." Instead 

 of flying up when alarmed, it runs deeper into the grass, 

 and is seldom flushed. If driven to desperation by close 

 quarters it may dart out in a short zigzag flight of a few 

 yards and seek the first concealment that offers. Unlike 

 most sparrows, it feeds mostly upon insects, and is of 

 incalculable benefit to the farmer. Its nest is hidden in 

 the meadow grass, and differs from that of most other 

 ground birds in being deep and arched over. 



