830 NOTES ON THE 



Their nests are remarkably well constructed and variously- 

 situated, generally on the ground under some bush or clump 

 of weeds; it is occasionally built in a low bush, and rarely on 

 an old log or stump. The number of eggs rarely exceeds four, 

 that vary in color from nearly pure white with reddish spots, 

 to grayish- white with reddish- brown spots, and bluish- white 

 with a roseate tint and spots of umber, reddish-brown and 

 lilac. 



As to varieties of this species as observed within my province 

 I can only say if such are well founded they are all here. A 

 single excursion of a few hours has put them all into our 

 basket too many times to leave any question of doubt. But for 

 the special benefit of those who are seeking for evidence that 

 this omnipresent species is, in fact, not a species, but a long 

 drawn out series of varieties in rapid process of evolution into 

 many species, I will transcribe a report of T. S. Roberts, R. S. 

 Williams and C. L. Herrick concerning these birds. T. S. 

 Roberts, a very careful and conscientious observer, has the 

 credit of writing it. Amongst a list of others he says, "We 

 mention the Snowbird only to call attention, briefly, to the 

 forms or species noticed in this locality. Sufficient material is 

 not at hand to do the matter justice, but from the nine skins 

 before us we select the three most decidedly marked birds. 

 First is hyemalis proper, showing nothing but the characters 

 of this form. Second is a specimen of oregonus (Towns ) Scl. 

 The colors are bright, sharply defined, and just as decided as 

 oregonus. It was taken in the spring of 1876, by R. S. Will- 

 iams, and is apparently a typical specimen of this western 

 form. The third is a very stronghly marked specimen of 

 what is called annectus, Bd. This bird was taken October 5, 

 1877, by T. S. Roberts, from a straggling flock of Snowbirds, 

 among which it immediately attracted attention by its peculiar 

 colors. R. S. Williams has a partly albino Junco taken in the 

 fall, which is also plainly this form." 



I am gratified at the growing indications of a general halt 

 along the line of evolutional varieties in the avi-ological march. 

 More will be known of the Juncos a thousand years hence. 

 Perhaps then some typical embodiment of accumulated knowl- 

 edge, from underneath this No. 11 Sombrero, shielding 

 him from the rays of a tropical March sun, will be sitting upon 

 a jutting rock overhanging what was once the renowned Falls 

 of St. Anthony, his two eyes merged into one now composed of 

 a series of compound lenzes with which he alternately looks 



