THE SHUFELDT JUNCO. 121 



to Greenland and the high North, once covered half the continent. In our 

 own mountains we see the vestigial traces of glaciers which were once of noble 

 proportions. We know that the southward advance of the continental ice- 

 sheet must have dri\-en all animal life before it : and, likewise, that the territory 

 since relinc[uished l:)_v the ice has been regained bv the animals. \\'hat more 

 natural than that we should witness thru close observation the northward 

 advance of those varieties of birds which are best suited tO' withstand cold, 

 and the ci irresponding occupation of abandoned territ(lr^■ on the jjart of those 

 next south? 



Juncoes, moreover, are erratic in their migrations, and in the West, at 

 least, tend to become non-migratory. While Oregon Juncoes are the common 

 winter birds of Puget Sound, Shufeldt's are not entireh- aljsent at this season, 

 and we may even look to see them hold their own thruout the year. The 

 problem is further complicated by what we call vertical migration, by which 

 is meant that nmuntain liirds descend to the valle^-s in winter instead of flving 

 southward. Our winter Shufeklts, therefore, may or may not be strictly 

 resident on. sa\-, J^teilacoom Prairie. The summer birds may retire to Cali- 

 fornia : the winter l)irds may ha\-e descended imm the Olvmpics or Mount 

 Rainier. 



No. 48. 



SHUFELDT'S JUNCO. 



A. O. U. No. 567b. Junco oreganus shufeldti (Coale). 



Synonyms. — Washington Junco. Hybrid Snow-bird (Coues). Rocky 

 ]\IouNT-\iN Juxco (Coues). 



Description. — Adults: Similar to J. oreganus but back (in males) grayish, 

 or grayish-brown to sepia; in females sepia to drab; black of head and throat 

 more slaty; also averaging larger. Length: 6.00-6.50 (152.4-165); wing 3.15 

 (80) ; tail 2.72 (69) ; bill .43 (11) ; tarsus .83 (21). 



Recognition Marks. — Sparrow size ; black of head and throat contrasting 

 with brownish-gray of back and with white of breast ; grayer on back than 

 preceding. 



Nesting. — Nest: much as in preceding, occasionally placed at moderate 

 heights in trees. Eggs: 4 or 5, pale bluish white, spotted and blotched with light 

 reddish brown and lavender, usually in light ring, occasionally in confluent mass 

 about larger end ; size larger than preceding. Av. 80 x .60 (20.3 x 15.2). Season: 

 fourth week in April to August according to altitude ; two broods. 



General Range. — Breeding from northern Oregon north into British Co- 

 lumbia east to mountains of Alberta and Idaho ; south in winter over Rocky 

 Mountain plateau region to Mexico, — northern California. 



