Nest.—This is placed on the ground in a clump of grass, and is made of fine grasses; four to six eggs of a pale greenish blue color, spotted and splashed with shades of brown (.90 × .65).
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW.
557. Zonotrichia coronata. 7 inches.
The crown of white in the above is replaced with a golden color. These are common birds about the cities of California during the winter months. Habits the same as above, and also their eggs.
WESTERN TREE SPARROW.
559a. Spizella monticola ochracea. 6 inches.
Somewhat resembling the “[Chippy Sparrow],” but is larger and has a dark spot on the breast as an identification mark. It breeds in the far north, above the northern borders of the United States, and in winter is common through Oregon, California, into Arizona and Texas.
Nest.—This is usually placed in low trees or bushes or on the ground made of grasses and lined with feathers. They lay three to five greenish white eggs, spotted with different shades of brown (.80 × .55).