The Rufous-crowned Sparrow 



coverts appearing as skirting, or bordering, with increase posteriorly; the rufous ele- 

 ment (between chestnut and mars brown) nearly pure on top of head (or faintly parted 

 by median line of olive-gray), elsewhere appearing as broad centers of feathers, on 

 hind-neck, back, and scapulars, in decreasing ratio posteriorly; wings and tail rufous- 

 dusky, the secondaries edged with rufous, and the tail chiefly dull rufous on upper 

 exposed surface, which is also obscurely barred with darker; edge of wing pale buffy; 

 a post-ocular streak of rufous; a narrow line over eye, and a distinct malar stripe black. 

 Bill dark horn-color above, lighter below; feet and legs very pale brownish. Young 

 birds are duller and grayer above, and very finely streaked with brownish dusky below, 

 with slight increase of the tawny element posteriorly. Length of adult male: 146- 

 153 (5-75-6-00); wing 59 (2.32); tail 63.5 (2.50); bill 11.4 (.448); tarsus 20 (.78). Fe- 

 male doubtfully smaller. 



Recognition Marks. — Small Sparrow size; rufous color nearly pure on crown 

 and spread decreasingly over remaining upperparts, distinctive; a denizen of brushy 

 or half-open hillsides and fallow fields near heavy cover. 



Nesting. — Nest: On the ground, a rather bulky affair of weed-stems, grasses, 

 and trash, lined with fine grasses or horsehair, and placed in shelter of bush or weed 

 clump, usually on rocky hillside. Eggs: 4 or 5; short-ovate, or almost oval; pure 

 white or pale bluish white. Av. size, 18.8 x 15 (.74 x .59). Season: May to July, 

 but chiefiv Mav; one or two broods. 



Taken in San Diego Photo by Donald R. Dickey 



XEST AND EGGS OF RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW 



26g 



