124 University of California Publications in Zoology [Vol. 30 



assertions are all rather vague. In this museum there are approxi- 

 mately 200 specimens of leucophrys, 270 of gambelii, and 200 of 

 nuttalli. There is not one equivocal specimen in this series, not one 

 that can be said to illustrate in even the slightest degree intergradation 

 between any of the forms. Nor have I seen intermediates in other 

 collections. If any such do sporadically occur it seems to me that 

 they should be regarded as hybrids rather than geographic intergrades. 

 Eiley (1912, pp. 66-67) has given conclusive evidence as to conditions 

 at the one place where the ranges of leucophrys and gambelii are 

 known to abut. Each retains its specific identity. As far as I know, 

 the breeding range of nuttalli is widely separated both from that of 

 l&wcophrys and of gambelii. 



The different songs of these three birds also is something that can- 

 not fail to impress one. When in addition to the consistently uniform 

 external characters found in each form, there are also such differences 

 of song and breeding ranges as are seen, it seems to me that every 

 condition is met whereby they should be accorded specific rank. 



LIST OF FOBMS OF THE WHITE-CEOWNED SPABEOWS OF THE GENUS 



ZONOTEICHIA 



1. Zonotrichia leucophrys (J. E. Forster). Eastern White-crowned Sparrow. 



2. Zonotrichia gambelii (Nuttall). Gambel White-crowned Sparrow. 



3. Zonotrichia nuttalli Eidgway. Nuttall White-crowned Sparrow., 



Zonotrichia coronata (Pallas). Golden-crowned Sparrow 



There is a small and j^early diminishing list of North American 

 birds, the breeding habits of which are almost or quite unknown, and 

 the golden-crowned sparrow has been one of the few passerine species 

 included in that category. It is true that many years ago detailed 

 accounts were published professing to give particulars of the nesting 

 of this bird, but those were cases of mistaken identification and so far 

 as I know there has not yet been printed any unquestioned account 

 of the breeding of the golden-crowned sparrow. I was, indeed, under 

 the impression for a time that nests and eggs taken by Major Brooks 

 and myself in the Atlin region were the first authentic sets to be col- 

 lected, but, as I learned, there are sets in the collection of Colonel 

 John E. Thayer, Lancaster, Massachusetts, that were taken some years 

 ago. Through the courtesy of Colonel Thayer details regarding these 

 sets are given below. 



