The Fox Sparrows 



in the statement that all 

 known geographical races 

 of this highly plastic 

 species winter, at least cas- 

 ually, in California. This 

 includes (by seven ex- 

 amples and many 

 intermediates) the 

 most highly differenti- 

 ated type, iliaca iliaca, 

 normally restricted in 

 winter to the eastern 

 United States east of 

 the Rocky Mountains. 

 The problem is also of 

 peculiar interest to the 

 Calif ornian, not alone 

 because of the present 

 hospitality enjoyed by 

 this widely distributed 

 species, but because of 

 ancient tenure. The 



Fox Sparrow not improbably originated here; or if not, it is at least 

 certain that the species found in California its chief asylum before the 

 oncoming of the great Ice Age. When the crisis was past, the birds 

 pressed close upon the ice monster's retreating heels. But they did 

 not forget California. Every winter they steal back like jolly gray 

 ghosts, and occupy the fastnesses of riverside thickets, of young ever- 

 greens, and of hillside chaparral, in such numbers that the mind is stag- 

 gered with the realization. 



Let us pause a moment upon the last thought. Of the total area 

 of California let us say that one-tenth is exactly suited to the require- 

 ments of the Fox Sparrows in winter. Upon any acre of this area one 

 may call up, by "screeping" diligently, from one to ten birds which 

 may be counted. Fully half the birds fail to answer, or, responding, 

 are yet too shy to enroll themselves, their presence being indicated 

 by distant tsooks, or movement of bushes. Very vague, of course, 

 this method; but from it I gather that there are present on a winter's 

 day in California anywhere from twenty million to two hundred million 

 Fox Sparrows. We are each of us, man, woman and child, entitled 

 to the exclusive care of, or reciprocal interest in, from five to fifty Fox 

 Sparrows ! 



Taken in Washington Photo by the Author 



CARROLL ISLET: A SUMMER HOME OF THE SOOTY FOX SPARROW 



37* 



