FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 353 
Fig. 440. Cassin Sparrow. 
Young: chest and 
sandy brown with black shaft streak and black cross bar near tip, the edges 
gray; upper tail coverts with transverse, round¬ 
ish, or crescentic dusky streaks ; middle tail 
feathers with indication of transverse bars 
from median black shaft streakedge of wing 
yellow, and shoulder tinged with yellow; under 
parts grayish, tinged with brown on chest and sides, 
upper parts distinctly streaked. Male: length (skins) 5.15-5.80, wing 2.35- 
2.65, tail 2.40—2.82, bill .40-.46. Female: length (skins) 5.30-5.80, wine' 
2.40-2.53, tail 2.50-2.75, bill .40-.47. 
Remarks . — In the field the sandy brown streaking of the gray upper 
parts is characteristic. 
Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone from Kansas south to 
Arizona and northern Mexico, and from Texas northwest to Nevada. 
Nest. — On ground, in low bushes, or tufts of grass. Eggs: 3 to 5, white 
or bluish white. 
When going quietly through the stunted bushes that make up a 
large part of the mesquite plains you often find yourself in the midst 
of a chorus of Cassin sparrows. Scattered through the bushes around 
you the little brown choristers one by one spring up several feet 
above the brush and with heads high and wings outspread in a rap¬ 
ture of song give themselves to the air, floating slowly down as 
they sing. The song is always melodious and pleasing, but at its 
best has something of the uplift and fine spiritual quality of that of 
the pine woods sparrow, gaining impressiveness from the abandon 
with which it is uttered. 
The birds sing in spring and early summer, and through the breed¬ 
ing season at least keep it up all day, closing with a blithe sunset 
concert. 
GENUS AIMOPHXLA. 
General Characters. — Wing short, much rounded or truncate at tip, 
primaries exceeding secondaries usually by less than length of bill; ter- 
tials not elongated ; tail graduated; feathers narrow, but with rounded 
tips ; tarsus longer than middle toe with claw. 
KEY TO SPECIES. 
1. Wing with bright rufous patch ....... carpalis, p. 353. 
1'. Wing without bright rufous patch. 
2. Upper parts mainly gray. In southwestern Texas. 
eremceca, p. 355. 
2'. Upper parts mainly rufotis. 
3. Smaller. In California . .. ruficeps, p. 354. 
3'. Larger. Western Texas to Arizona ..... scottii, p. 354. 
579. Aimophila carpalis (Coues). Rufous-winged Sparrow: 
Bendire Sparrow. 
Adults. — Wings with conspicuous bright rufous patch; crown heavily 
streaked with rufous , mixed with gray, and divided by narrow gray line; 
rusty streak behind eye, and two blackish stripes from bill down side of 
