204 
ZOOLOGY. 
MELOSPIZA RUFINA, Baird. 
WesterM Song SpaiTow. 
" Emhenza rxifina, Beandt, Desc. Av. Rossic. 1836, tab. ii, 5, Sitka." Bonaparte. 
Passerella rvjina, Bonap. Conspectus, 1850, 477. 
Fringilla cinerea, (Gm.) Aud. Orn. Biog. V, 1839,22; pi. 390.— Ib. Syn. 1839, 119.— Ib. Birds America, III, 1841, 
145 ; pi. 187. 
?? Fringilla cinerea, Gmelin, 1, 1788, 922. 
Iringilla {Passerella) guttata, Nuttall, Man. I, 2d ed. 1840, 581. 
Zonotrichia guttata, Gambel, J. A. N. Sc. I, Dec. 1847,50. 
Melospiza rufina, Baird, Gen. Kep. Birds, p. 480. 
Sp. Ch. — Bill slender. Similar in general appearance to M. melodia, but darker and much more rufous, the colors more 
blended. General appearance above light rufous brown, the interscapular region streaked very obsoletely with dark brownish 
rufous, the feathers of the crown similar, with still darker obsolete central streaks. A superciliary and very obscure median 
crown stripe, ash 3'. Under parts brownish whitish ; the breast and sides of throat and body broadly streaked with dark 
brownish rufous ; darker in the centre. A light maxillary stripe. Sides of the body tinged strongly with the colors of the 
rump, and leaving only a narrow space of the belly white. Under coverts brown. Length, 6. 75 ; extent, 8. 75 ; wing, 2. 70 ; 
tail, 3. 00. Bill, dusky ; iris and feet, brown. 
The western song sparrow is another instance of the closely analogous species found on this 
side of the continent, which, though constantly distinct in essential characters, are evidently 
made to fill the same place here as their relatives do on the Atlantic side. This species is a 
constant resident in the Avild western portions of the Territory, never ranging far from the 
thicket which contains its nest, or the house where it has found food and protection. Almost 
every winter morning, as Avell as during summer, its cheerful song is heard from the garden or 
fence, as if to repay those who have shown it kindness or have even unconsciously protected 
it by their presence from rapacious animals. When unmolested it becomes very familiar, and 
the old birds will bring their young to the door to feed as soon as they leave the nest. Its 
song so nearly resembles that of the eastern bird in melody and variety that I cannot tell which 
is superior or point out the differences. In wild districts it is always to be found near brook- 
sides and thickets, where it seems to consider itself the proprietor, and jealously drives off 
other birds, either of the same or other species. Its nest is built on the ground or in a low 
bush. I have seen fledged young as early as May 6, at Olympia, although the rainy season 
was then scarcely finished. — C. 
This is quite a common bird in the vicinity of Puget Sound, where it is resident throughout 
the year. I have found them in very different situations; in thickets at the edges of prairies, 
among stranded drift logs on open salt marshes, as well as in swamps and in the dense forests 
of Douglas fir, peculiar to the northwest coast. The voice of this species during the breeding 
season is singularly sweet and melodious, surpassing, I think, that of the meadow lark in 
melody and tone, but unequal to it in force. — S. 
Sub-Family PASSERELLINAE.— F ox Sparrows. 
PASSERELLA TOWNSENDII, Nuttall. 
Townscnd's Fox Sparrow. 
Fringilla townsendii, Aud. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 236 ; pi. 424, f. 7.— Ib. Syn. 1839.— Ib. Birds Amer. Ill, 1841, 43 ; 
pi. 187. 
Fringilla (Passerella) townsendii, Nutt. Man. I, 2d ed. 1840, 533. 
