150 THE CONDOR Vol. XXI 
trusts mostly to the loose brown culms matching up with the numerous stems 
supporting the nest and to the dry clumps of sedge lodged here and there in 
the surrounding bushes. 
The female when brooding will usually permit an approach of four or five 
feet; any further intrusion—just a flash of brown and she is gone, passing 
through the bushes as low as possible for some distance before ascending to a 
A 
Fig. 30. NEST AND TWO DIVERSELY COLORED EGGS OF MERRILL SONG SPAR- 
ROW, SITUATED IN CLUMP OF SEDGE; PHOTOGRAPHED JUNE 15, 1918. 
higher perch in the willows and beginning her scolding chirp. If the female 
happens to be away from the nest when strangers are about she will meet you 
half way and on drawing closer to the nest will often emit a continued harsh 
scolding note differing from that of any other species of song bird I have 
heard. Should there be young in the nest the male soon. puts in his appearance 
and together they keep up a constant scolding as long as danger is near. 
