Sp. Char. Precisely similar to Z. leucophrys, but rather smaller; the lores are gray throughout, this color continuous with a white superciliary stripe along the side of the head. Length, 6.25; wing, 2.83; tail, 3.08.
Hab. Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast, north to Nulato and Fort Kenai, east through the valley of the Mackenzie River, and south to Jalisco and Mazatlan, Mexico.
As stated in the previous article, the only appreciable and constant difference between this race and Z. leucophrys is found in the character of the black stripe on the side of the crown. In leucophrys the black passes down
over the upper half of the lores, and in front of the eye, to a line continuous with the cutting edge of the bill, and sends back a short branch to the eye, which cuts off the white superciliary stripe. In gambeli the superciliary stripe passes continuously forward to the ashy lores, cutting off the black from the eye. The lower edge of the black anteriorly is much higher than in leucophrys, and nearly on a line with the nostrils.
We cannot give any positive character by which immature specimens of leucophrys and gambeli may be distinguished, unless that the short dark line from forehead to eye of the former is indicated by a greater amount of dusky at the base of the feathers of that region.
The young of this species, like that of leucophrys, is streaked with blackish on side of the throat, across the breast, and on the sides of body, instead of being entirely unmarked beneath, as in the adult.
One specimen, collected in the West Humboldt Mountains, connects this form with leucophrys, and may possibly be a hybrid. In this there is a black spot in front of the eye, but separated from the black of the crown by the usual light superciliary stripe of gambeli.
Some specimens from the coast region of California have the ash of head and breast duller, and with a brownish cast, and the spots on the back black instead of deep dark brown.
Habits. The Western White-crowned Sparrow is found in great abundance, from Mexico to the Arctic Ocean, between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific. Dr. Suckley found this bird very abundant at Fort Dalles and at Puget Sound, at both of which places it is a constant summer resident. It was always found in excellent condition. He states that it makes its nest in low bushes, among the stalks of lupins and other shrub-like weeds. Dr. Cooper also mentions that this bird is very abundant in all the prairie districts of Washington Territory, especially where there are low bushes. Unlike most of the Sparrows, it was also common on the coast prairies, where he found it breeding. They arrive at the Straits of Fuca at the end of March in large numbers, and leave for the South in October. He afterwards found them at Fort Mohave, in the Colorado Valley, quite common throughout the winter, some remaining until the 15th of May, but he does not think that any remain there to breed. They are also abundant, in winter, from San Francisco south, through all the inhabitable country. In summer they are found in the Sierra Nevada, to their summits, and are also plentiful in the regions north of the Columbia. A few remain, during the summer, in the cool district about San Francisco. In June, 1854, Dr. Cooper met with its nest near the mouth of the Columbia. It was built in a bush, about a foot from the ground, formed of neatly interwoven grasses, and lined with softer materials. He describes its song as loud, but short and melancholy, heard at intervals during the whole year, and frequently at night.
The Western White-crowned Sparrow was first met with by Mr. Ridgway,