264 ZOOLOGY BIKDS. 



Genus JUNCO, Wagler. 



Synopsis of the genus. 



COMMON CHARACTERS. Prevailing color plumbeous; the abclouieu, crissum, and 

 lateral tail -feathers white: 



A. Ash of the jugulmn with its posterior surface concave, and abruptly defined 

 against the white of abdomen ; sides tinged with ash ; upper parts pure asli : 



1. Ityemalis. 

 12. var. aikeni. 



B. Jugulum abruptly defined against the white of abdomen, but convex ; sides 

 pinkish ; dorsal region dark rufous brown : 



1. oregonus. 



'2. var. anncctens. 



C. Back bright rufous. 



1. cinereus. 



2. var. nlticola. 



3. var. dorsalis. 



4. var. caniceps. 



By the above arrangement, the group is divided into three distinct 

 species, each having a single variety in the United States, while to caniceps 

 as varieties are referred, though somewhat doubtfully,* the extreme southern 

 forms cinereus and alticola. 



Hyemalis of the Eastern Province is represented in the high northern 

 Rocky Mountains (!) by the variety aikeni, distinguished by its larger size, the 

 white bands of the wings, the greater amount of white on the tail feathers, 

 and the generally paler coloration ; features all readily traceable to the effects 

 of its cold alpine habitat. Annectens, also inhabiting the northern Rocky 

 Mountains, is referable to oregonus of the Pacific coast, which it resembles in 

 the fulvous sides and in the dark rufous-brown of the dorsal region ; features 

 peculiar to these two forms. From it, it is separable, as a variety, by much 

 the same differences, though less in degree, that exist between Ityemalis and 

 aikeni; differences assignable, too, to the same causes. It is larger, with paler 

 colors throughout, having the plumbeous black of oregonus replaced by a 



* The close relationship between cinereus and the varieties caniceps and dorsalis is made ap- 

 parent by alarge MK'/C of I In- former, taken in the Hot-Icy Mountains (see under Juiicu ciuereim). This 

 arrangement is precisely tin- Kami- as published in Report of 1874 ; the additional material since gathered 

 seivingonly to confirm the views as to the correctness of this arrangement. Juneo ciiiereus, however, 

 being the older name, is here taken as the type of the species instead of caniceps. 



