WITH BROWN PREDOMINATING 237 



his secret to the intruder. His song is a clear, monot- 

 onous twitter, not unmusical and full of enthusiasm. 

 Only early in the breeding season does he attempt as 

 much as this, usually preferring to flit silently through 

 the thick foliage. His food consists of both insects and 

 seeds, the latter predominating. 



574.1. SAGE SPARROW. — Amphispiza nevadensis. 

 Family : The Finches, Span-ows, etc. 



Length: 6.00-7.00. 



Adults: Upper parts light ashy brown, tinged with ash-gray, the back 

 usually distinctly streaked with dusky ; sides of throat marked with 

 a series of narrow blackish streaks ; under parts whitish, with black 

 spot on chest ; sides and flanks faintly tinged with light brown ; 

 outer web of lateral tail-feather white. 



Young : Similar to adults, but upper parts and chest streaked ; wings 

 with two buffy bands. 



Geographical Distribution : Sagebrush region of Western United States, 

 north to Southern Idaho and Montana, east to Colorado and New 

 Mexico, south to interior of Southern California and Western Mexico, 

 west to Los Angeles. 



California Breeding Range : In arid upper Sonoran and Transition zones, 

 east of the Sierra Nevada. Arid desert region of Southeastern Cali- 

 fornia. 



Breeding Season: April and May. 



Nest : Of shredded sagebrush bark, dry grasses, etc. ; in a hollow in the 

 ground, or lower branches of the sage or other bushes. 



Eggs : 3 or 4 ; light greenish or dull grayish white, speckled all over 

 with reddish brown and a few blotches of darker brown at the larger 

 end. Size 0.80 X 0.60. 



Truly well named is the little gray bird called the 

 Sage Sparrow. Everywhere in the sagebrush district 

 his metallic call may be heard ; and during the sunny 

 spring days when the enthusiasm of nesting time in- 

 spires him to music, his sweet, ringing song is a delight 

 to the ear. Little cares he for that. Swinging care- 



