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



bilities are that they occur generally over the northern Great 

 Basin. They were noted July 18 at Little High Kock Canon, 

 Washoe County. 



Habits. — One is immediately impressed with the similarity 

 in habits between Amphispiza nevadensis and Spizella breweri. 

 Both were paired and nesting at the same time, both could often 

 be heard singing simultaneously, both were strict dwellers in 

 the sagebrush association, as noted by Ridgway (1877), and both 

 had similar modes of flight. As regards the latter point, it may 

 be said that the flights of the sage sparrow are longer and more 

 direct than those of the Brewer. 



The sage sparrows are lovers of the sparse vegetation of the 

 open desert. Very often their cheery song was the only sound 

 to be heard in such localities. This observation also is somewhat 

 contrary to Ridgway's notes (1877, p. 476), which state the 

 bird's preference for the thicker sage. Although for the most 

 part the birds were paired, individuals and occasionally three 

 or four together in a flock were several times seen. They are 

 very difficult birds to follow, as they take advantage of every 

 sagebush, and usually fly low and run along on the ground. 

 Each time they are flushed they follow a new course, so that one 

 cannot be sure even of their general direction. 



They frequently remain quietly on one prominent twig of 

 an Artemisia bush, singing at short intervals. One was observed 

 singing as usual, with no noticeable variation in the quality of 

 its song, even though three insects were held in its beak. 



Seven nests of this species were found, the first at Winne- 

 mucca on May 11, the last June 16 at Big Creek Ranch. Nests 

 were also found at Amos and Quinn River Crossing. 



Of the seven nests three contained three eggs each, and the 

 remainder four eggs each. Young in natal down were contained 

 in nests found May 26 and 29 respectively at Quinn River Cross- 

 ing, and on June 2 at the same locality a nest containing eggs 

 in an advanced stage of incubation was found. The nest found 

 May 26 was in a depression on the grovmd under a sagebush. 

 The others ranged in height above the ground from 152 to 456 

 mm. (6 to 18 inches). The finding of the nests so commonly in 

 bushes above the ground is contrary to the experience of Ridg- 



