The White-crowned Sparrow 



PURE QUALITY pertains to the White-crowned Sparrow. He is 

 chieftain of his gens, or clan. His central crown-stripe is purest white, 

 and the bordering bands of black are, if possible, a little blacker, certainly 

 a little silkier, than those which adorn the lesser members of his race. 

 Moreover, the black invades the lores, and this mark is accepted, in this 

 instance at least, as conclusive evidence of superiority. 



Two special circumstances conspire to raise leucophrys to preemi- 



Taken in Inyo County 



"SNOW-BOUND MEADOWS" 



A NESTING HAUNT OF THE WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW 



Photo by the Author 



nence in our regard. In the first place, we do not see him in winter. 

 Winter is at best a time of let-down, a time of vulgar flocking, a time 

 of sordid scrambling for food. It is, therefore, a time of disillusionment 

 for bird-lovers. Picture a company of our favorite film stars crowded 

 together in a restaurant, a cafeteria perhaps, with only ten minutes in 

 which to bolt a cup of coffee, sandwich, and a piece of pie, before the 

 stage starts for Caesar's Camp in Francisquita Canyon, L. A. ! Ah, well 



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