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Breeding Range. (Fig. 179). Largely restricted to the southern portion of the Little Missouri Slope where it is common in the western third of Bowman County, fairly common in the western fourth of Slope County, uncommon in extreme southwestern Golden Valley County and in north-central Slope County, and rare and local in Billings County and in the central portion of Bowman County.

The first record of the Brewer's Sparrow in North Dakota occurred on May 28, 1928 when Reid (1928) collected a specimen about 18 miles south of Marmarth.

Breeding Habitat. Especially characteristic of the semi-arid scrub or sage prairie of southwestern North Dakota. This habitat could be described as short-grass prairie with a partially-open canopy of northern desert shrubs. The principal herbaceous plants are blue grama, buffalo grass, needleleaf sedge and threadleaf sedge. Black sage is the chief shrub dominant, and it is frequently associated with silver sage and prickly pear cactus. Other species of breeding birds that are commonly associated with the Brewer's Sparrow include the Sage Grouse and Lark Bunting.

Nesting. On June 6, 1964, two nests were found in Bowman County in an area about 17 1/2 miles south and 2 miles east of Rhame (RES). One nest contained three Brewer's Sparrow eggs and one egg of the Brown-headed Cowbird, and the other nest contained two Brewer's Sparrow eggs. Both nests were situated in thickets of silver sage that averaged about 2 feet in height. The rims of both nests were about 5 inches above the ground.

Figure 179. Breeding Range of Brewer's Sparow.