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



the experience of Ridgway (1877, p. 480), who records it as one 

 of the commonest birds of the open wastes. Throughout the 

 sagebrush country, individuals, pairs, and later, flocks, of Brewer 

 sparrows were observed. Even at high altitudes in the moun- 

 tains (below 9000 feet, however), as has already been implied, 

 the only seeming requisite for the occurrence of the birds was 

 the presence of Artemisia. The thicker the sage the more in 

 evidence was Spizella breweri. This is, in our experience, in 

 contrast to a degree with the relation existing between the sage 

 sparrow and the sagebrush. The latter bird inhabits the open 

 sage-covered deserts, where vegetation is sparse, although there 

 is apparently variation in this respect in different parts of its 

 range (see the account, p. 397, and Ridgway, 1877, p. 476). 



During the latter part of May and the first of June Spizella 

 breiveri was a most enthusiastic songster, and was heard earlier 

 than 3 o'clock in the morning and later than 8 in the evening. 

 Nor had the tuneful spirit entirely left the bird even by August 

 10, though its singing was certainly not so much in evidence at 

 that date as earlier in the season. 



The birds made rather nervous movements, often flying irreg- 

 ularly into the air to a height of fifteen feet or more and then 

 shooting straight down and coming to rest in a sagebush. Cer- 

 tain variations in flight were observed. For instance, at times 

 a manner of movement resembling that of a vesper sparrow was 

 noted, the Brewer flying in a zigzag manner towards a bush at 

 some distance and sinking to the ground behind it, repeating 

 the operation on being flushed again. 



Nests were found by our party, at Quinn River Crossing, and 

 at Thousand Creek flats. One found June 4 near a meadow of 

 the Quinn River Ranch contained three eggs and may be re- 

 garded as fairly typical. It was well built of light dead twigs, 

 being lined with fine materials, including plant fibers and horse- 

 hair. The nest was 685 mm. (27 inches) above the ground, the 

 cavity 50 mm. (2 inches) in diameter and 40 mm. (1%6 inches) 

 deep. Three main branches of the Artemisia bush in which the 

 nest was found helped to support it. Another nest (found May 

 28) was placed on a small branch of sage and supported on the 

 sides by upright twigs which formed a canopy over it. Struc- 



