390 University of California Publications in Zoology. [Vol. 7 



distances before making the characteristic flirt downward into 

 the sage and to the ground. As the birds dropped to the ground 

 they dodged either to the right or to the left behind a sagebrush. 

 Sometimes they remained motionless after alighting, but usually 

 they ran along for some distance. In either ease they were 

 generally highly successful in eluding pursuit. When followed 

 persistently the flights became longer. 



One female secured July 9 had a bare breast, indicating that 

 she was brooding. This, together with the taking of a juvenal 

 bird on July 28, gives a clue to the time of nesting. The young 

 bird was noted in company with a sage thrasher and several 

 Brewer sparrows in a sagebrush flat at the head of Big Creek 

 (8500 feet). 



By the first week in August the post-natal aggregation had 

 begun to be apparent, and flocks of from three to seven birds 

 were seen. 



Five examples of the species (nos. 4677-4680) were preserved. 



Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus Bonaparte 

 Western Savannah Sparrow 

 Three specimens (nos. 8780, 9277, 9278) were obtained. These 

 birds, which were evidently migrating, were taken at Quinn 

 River Crossing and Virgin Valley, May 14, 15, and 22, respec- 

 tively. 



Passerculus sandwichensis nevadensis Grinnell 

 Nevada Savannah Sparrow 



Distriiution. — Noted at three localities only: Quinn River 

 Crossing, Big Creek Ranch, and Leonard Creek flats. These 

 stations are in Upper Sonoran zone. 



Eabits. — This species was a very common one in the grassy 

 marshes, in the wild-hay meadows and in the willows along the 

 Quinn River, and also in the alfalfa fields of Big Creek Ranch. 



At long intervals the birds ventured out from the grass of the 

 meadows into nearby sagebrush. A single juvenal was secured 

 at an altitude of 6500 feet on Leonard Creek. It had evidently 

 followed up the stream. The only meadows in the vicinity were 



