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150 THE CONDOR Vol. XXI trusts mostly to the loose brovrn culms matching up with the numerous stems supporting the nest and to the dry clumps of sedge lodged here and there in the surrounding bushes. The female when brooding will usually permit an approach of four or five feet; any further intrusion--just a flash of brown and she is gone, passing through the bushes as low as possible for some distance before ascending to a Fig. 30. NEST AND TWO DIVERSELY COLORED EGGS OF MERRILL SONG SPAR- ROW, SITUATED IN CLUMP OF SEDGE; PHOTOGRAPHED JUNE 15, 1918. higher perch in the willows and beginning her scollJing chirp. If the female happens to be away from the nest when strangers are about she will meet you half way and on drawing closer to the nest will often emit a continued harsh scolding note differing from that of any other species of' song bird I have heard. Should there be young in the nest the male soon puts in his appearance and tog.ether they keep up a constant scolding as long as danger is near.