Remsen, J.V. 1974 White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys Jan.5 Coyote Hills Reg. Park, Alameda Co., Calif.: 10 Mar.19 El Toyonal x Wildcat Cyn.Rd., Orinda, Contra Costa Co., Calif.: 2159: one bird gave full song after I had begun to imitate Saw-whet Owl. Mar.20 Why does this species sing so much more than Golden-crowned Sparrow? Although the latter outnumber - the former at our Orinda house by at least 2x1, it's the white-crowned that are constantly singing. I don't think this has to do with differences in timing of breeding (white-crowned may breed sooner, but not necessarily - who knows how far north this wintering population breeds) - maybe its relative differences in flock cohesion - white-crowned flocks may be more closely knit - thus song is a reinforcer of this cohesion. But why would they be more closely knit. The solitary feeding Fox Sparrow sings even less often than the Golden-crowned. Why should it sing at all on wintering ground unless to "practice" or defend winter territories Apr.10 301 Camino Pablo, Orinda, Contra Costa Co., Calif - singing has really subsided and now the Golden-crowned Sparrows are really bursting into song. Apr.13 301 Camino Pablo: last observation of winter May9 Kelso, San Bernardino Co., Calif.: 1 dd- late May13 Montezuma Well, Yavapai Co., Ariz.: 2 May24 Deep Springs Ranch, Inyo Co., Calif.: 3 Jun2 Scottys Castle, Death Valley NM, Inyo Co.: 1 - very late. Jun3 Deep Springs Ranch - 1 gambeli - very late