FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 339 
mountains. Along the willow bordered streams that run through 
the mountain meadows in the Sierra its thin, sharp chip of parental 
anxiety is often heard, and its song dominates the bird chorus. The 
song is composed of two long whistled notes, the first sliding up to 
the second with grace notes, the second followed by a lower note 
repeated rapidly three times. The two long whistled notes are rich 
and plaintive in tone, suggesting the whistle of the pine woods 
sparrow, and as they ring through the cool, pure air day after day 
seem to give expression to the deep pervading peace and serenity of 
the mountains. 
554a. Z. 1. gambelii (Nutt.). Gambel Sparrow: Intermediate 
Sparrow. 
Similar to leucophrys but lores not black, white superciliary stripe reach¬ 
ing to bill. Male: length (skins) 
5.85-6.48, wing 3.00-3.28, tail 2.58- 
2.92, bill ,39-.44. Female: length 
(skins) 5.73-6.43, wing 2.90-3.25, tail 
2.64-2.93, bill .39-.43. 
Distribution. — Breeds from Alaska 
to Montana and eastern Oregon; mi¬ 
grates south through the western 
United States to Lower California 
and Central Mexico; straggling east 
to Iowa. 
Eggs. — Similar to those of the 
white-crowned, but cinnamon colored 
or rusty style prevailing. 
Food. — Cutworms, caterpillars, and 
other insects as well as weed seed. 
Fig. 427. 
554b. Z. 1. nuttalli Ridgw. Nuttall Sparrow. 
Adults. — Like leucophrys , but lores not black and superciliary stripe 
extending to bill; median crown stripe usually narrower than lateral 
stripes, edge of wing yellow, and adults with upper parts brown instead of 
gray, streakings dark brown or blackish, and under parts brownish gray. 
Young : ground color of upper parts light bulfy olive ; under parts pale 
yellowish. Male: length (skins) 5.86-6.67, wing 2.83-2.96, tail 2.68-2.96, 
bill .41-47. Female: length (skins) 5.37-6.40, wing 2.66-2.79, tail 2.50- 
2.73, bill .39-.47. 
Remarks. — Of the three sparrows, the white-crown, the Nuttall, and the 
Gambel, the white-crown may be distinguished by its black or dark brown 
lores; the adult Nuttall sparrow by brownish instead of grayish coloration; 
and usually a median crown stripe that is narrower than the lateral 
stripes; and the adult Gambel by the combination of white lores, gray 
coloration, and broad median crown stripe. 
Distribution. — Breeds from British Columbia to Monterey, California; 
migrates to Lower California. 
Food. — Insects, grain, and weed seed. 
567. Zonotrichia coronata (Pall.). Golden-crowned Sparrow. 
Adults. — Crown inclosed by black stripes, with median stripe yellow in 
