WESTERN BIRDS J'^co 



GENUS JUNCO: SHUFELDT'S OR 

 INTERMEDIATE JUNCO. 



Intermediate Junco: J unco hyemalis connectens. 

 FAMILY— FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



The Shufeldt Junco differs from the Oregon chiefly 

 in being somewhat larger (six or six and one-half inches), 

 and in the males in having a more grayish back; in the 

 females it is sepia to drab; the back of the head and 

 throat are also more slaty. 



These Juncos breed from British Columbia to north- 

 ern Oregon, and winter over the entire Rocky Moun- 

 tain tableland to eastern Colorado, Arizona, New Mex- 

 ico, and western Texas, and are also known as the 

 Washington Junco, Hybrid Snow-bird, and Rocky 

 Mountain Juncos. 



While the Oregon Junco is a winter visitor in Wash- 

 ington, Dawson tells us that with the coming of spring 

 these birds appear from the south and become common 

 residents throughout the State, in or near coniferous 

 timber, from sea level to limit of trees. Banded to- 

 gether they are jolly, rollicking birds, full of good cheer, 

 which is expressed in happy twitters. According to 

 Dawson, the birds gather in March for a grand concert, 

 the song being a "sweet little tinkling trill, not very pre- 

 tentious, but tender and winsome. Interspersed with 

 this is a variety of sipping and suckling notes, whose 

 uses are hard to discern. Now and then, also, a forcible 

 kissing sound may be heard, evidently a note of repulsion 

 instead of attraction, for it is employed in the breeding 

 season to frighten enemies." 



At the end of the brief song period, Juncos deploy 

 throughout the half open woods or prairie borders of 

 the entire State, the variety and interest of their nesting 



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