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BIRDS OF NEW MEXICO 
On the return in spring, the species appeared, April 9, at Silver City 
(Hunn); April 12, 1915, at State College (Merrill); April 14, 1901, at Albuquerque 
(Birtwell); [several were seen, April 19, 1919, on the G. O. S. Ranch about 35 miles 
northeast of Silver City at about 7,500 feet (Ligon, 1924)1; one at Mesilla, April 
30, 1903 (Ford); and it was noted at Las Vegas, May 2, 1902 (Atkins.)—W. W. 
Cooke. 
Map 60. Western Lark Sparrow 
Shaded area shows general breeding range in Upper and Lower Sonoran Zones 
Nest. —Usually on the ground, but sometimes in bushes, mesquite, or mistletoe; 
a thick outer cup of dry weed stems, grass, and rootlets, or bark fibers, lined with 
leaves or horsehair. Eggs: 3 to 6, white, sometimes with a faint bluish or brownish 
tinge, speckled and lined chiefly on larger end with black and brown. 
Food. —Insects 27 per cent and seeds 73 per cent. The Lark Sparrow, with the 
exception of the Grasshopper Sparrow and one other bird, is the most valuable 
grasshopper destroyer of our native sparrows. More than half its animal food is 
