270 



ZOOLOGY— BIRDS. 



JUNCO CINEREUS (Swaius.), var. DORSALIS, Henry. 

 Plate IX. 



Junco dorsalis, Henry, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Pliila., x, May, 1858, 117.— Bd., Birds K 

 A., 18r)8, 4G7.— Henry, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pliila., 1S.J9, 107 (New Mexico). 



Junco caniceps var. dorsalis, Hensuaw, Rep. Oru. Specs., 1873, Wheeler's Exped., 

 1874, 115. 



This variety appears to take the place entirely of caniceps in the mount- 

 ains of New Mexico and Arizona, extending southward in summer at leasst 

 as far as the White Mountains, in the pine woods of whicli it is very abun- 

 dant. I detected nothing peculiar in its habits that is not equally character- 

 istic of the other members of the genus. The song is indistinguishable from 

 that of caniceps. In the mountains near Camp Apache, I found many young 

 birds Jidy 13, though many individuals were apparently still engaged in 

 the duties of incubation. A nest found here was very cunningly placed in 

 a slight hollow, beneath a tussock of grass, and so arranged that the merest 

 accident alone could have led to its discovery. As it was, I came near tread- 

 ing upon it, and thus startled the female, who was setting at the time. She 

 glided off through the grass, fluttering about and feigning lameness, but, find- 

 ing it of no avail, and that her home was being invaded, flew into a tree 

 close by, and her angry notes and plaintive cries soon called her mate to 

 her side, who showed an equal anxiety, and approached almost within ju'm's 

 length, and expressed his indignation at my high handed proceedings in the 



