ALIS 
THE CONDOR | |. 
A Bi-Monthly Magazine of 1 al Muse? © 
Western Ornithology = qeane 
Volume XXI July-August, 1919 Number 4 
[Issued July 31, 1919] 
A FAVORITE NESTING HAUNT OF THE MERRILL SONG SPARROW 
By HENRY J. RUST 
WITH BIGHT PHOTOS BY THE AUTHOR 
many advantages from its preferred nesting site as does the Merrill Song 
é Sparrow (Melosyiza melodia merrill). While this does not apply to 
every pair, it does seem applicable to the four or five pairs which have selected 
in close proximity what may be considered the most typical haunt. Nearness 
to water seems to be the dominating factor in the needs of this species, though | 
have found the birds in moderate numbers breeding and remaining throughout 
the season on low brushy hillsides bordering the city limits, and in thickets on 
used and vacant property at a considerable distance from open water. 
The Merrill Song Sparrow is partially resident in this locality, and I be- 
heve from long continued observations many if not all the remaining birds are 
adult males, the females and young of the season migrating to a milder climate 
where more abundant food can be obtained during the winter months. The 
presence of the remaining birds from November until February would scareely 
be noted if they were not occasionally routed out of their winter quarters, 
namely, old wood and brush piles, tangles of vines, and thickets about old out- 
buildings. The bird disturbed then will mount any low convenient perch and 
greet the intruder with a number of scolding chirps, and if not molested fur- 
ther will soon retire into seclusion—in striking contrast to the joyful melodious 
character of this little songster during the summer days. On sunny days in 
mild winters, during the month of February, the Merrill Song Sparrow will as- 
cend to the top of a deciduous tree, bush or housetop and relieve his pent-up 
feelings in short outbursts of song. By the middle of March the males are 
joined by their mates, and after a few more days of sunshine and song, the wil- 
low catkins having burst their bonds and insect life begun to stir, the Song 
Sparrows retire to their preferred nesting places for the summer season. In 
describing a favorite haunt of this species, I have selected one that I have vis- 
ited often, not very far from my home, and one that seems to meet well all the 
requirements in the home life of the Merrill Song Sparrow. 
FE): the various song birds that nest in this locality, none seem to derive so 
