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 THE CONDOI A Bi-Monthly M&$&zine of Western Ornithology Volume July-August. 1919 [Issued July 31, 1919] Number A FAVORITE NESTING HAUNT OF THE MERRILL SONG SPARROW By HENRY J. RUST WITH EIGHT PHOTOS BY THE AUTHOR F the various song birds that nest in this loeality, none seem to derive so many advantages from its preferred nesting site as does the Merrill Song Sparrow (MeIospiza meIodia merrilIi). While this does not apply to every pair, it does seem applieable to the four or five pairs whieh have seleeted in elose proximity what may be eonsidcred the most typieal haunt. Nearness to water seems to be the dominating faetor in the needs of this speeies, though 1 have found the birds in moderate numbers breeding and remaining throughout the season on low brushy hillsides bordering the eity limits, and in thickets on used and vaeant property at a eonsiderable distanee from open water. The Merrill Song Sparrow is partially resident in this loeality, and I be- lieve from long eontinued observations many if not all the remaining birds are adult males, the females and young of the season migrating to a milder elimate where more abundant food ean be obtained during the winter months. The presenee of the remaining birds from November until February would seareely be noted if they were not oeeasionally routed out of their winter quarters, namely, old wood and brush piles, tangles of vines, and thiekets about old out- buildings. The bird disturbed then will mount ,any low eonvenient pereh and greet the intruder with a number of seolding ehirps, and if not molested fur- ther will soon retire into seelusion--in striking eontrast to the joyful melodious eharaeter of this little songster during the summer days. On sunny days in mild winters, during the month of February, the Merrill Song Sparrow will as- eend to the top of a deeiduous tree, bush or housetop and relieve his pent-up feelings in short outbursts of song. By the middle of Mareh the males are joined by their mates, and after a few more days' of sunshine and song, the wil- low eatkins having burst their bonds and inseet life begun to stir, the Song Sparrows retire to their preferred nesting plaees for the summer season. In deseribing a favorite haunt of this speeies, I have seleeted one that I have vis- ited often, not very far from my home, and one that seems to meet well all the requirements in the home life of the Merrill Song Sparrow.