Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

DESERT SPARROW.

573a. Amphispiza bilineata deserticola. 5¼ inches.

This is an abundant bird among the foothills of southwestern United States, in Texas, New Mexico and southern California. It is found in the hot desert plains, where it builds its nest in low bushes, of the sagebrush or cactus, within two or three feet of the ground. It is made up of twigs, roots and fine grass, and lined with feathers and horsehair. They lay three or four bluish white eggs (.72 × .55).