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

by Charles K. Reed

CASSIN SPARROW.

578. Peucæa cassini. 5½ inches.

Found on the arid plains from Texas to Kansas, where it breeds much the same as does the Sage Sparrow.

RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW.

579. Aimophila carpalis. 5¼ inches.

This small and paler sparrow is found on the plains of Mexico and north to Arizona. In appearance and habits it is similar to the [Chipping Sparrow], and the two are frequently found in the same locality. They nest in low bushes, making them of coarse grass and lined with down and hair, in which they place four sunmarked, bluish white eggs (.70 × .60).

RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW.

580. Aimophila ruficeps. 5½ inches.

Slightly larger than the former, and the color more of a brown streaked with darker, and still more of a reddish brown on the crown. It is found throughout California along the coast to Lower California. They build on the ground, concealing their nest in a clump of grass or under some bush. They lay from three to five pale bluish white, unmarked eggs (.80 × .60).