THE SHUFELDT JUNCO. 



tO' (jreenland and the liit^ii Xnrtli. once covered lialt the cnntinent. In our 

 own mountains \vc see tlie vestigial traces of glaciers which were once of noble 

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

 sheet must ha\-e driven all animal life before it ; and, likewise, that the territory 

 since relinquished by the ice has been regained by the animals. What more 

 natural than that we should witness thru close observation the north ward 

 "advance of those varieties of birds which are best suited to withstand cold, 

 and the corresponding occupation of abandoned territorv on the part of those 

 next south? 



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

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

 winter birds of Puget Sound, Shufeldt's are not entirely absent at this season, 

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

 problem is further complicated 1>\- what we call vertical migration, by which 

 is meant that mountain birds descend to the valleys in winter instead of flying 

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

 resident on, say, Steilacoom Prairie. The summer birds may retire to Cali- 

 fornia: the winter birds may have descended from the Olympics or Mount 

 Rainier. 



No. 48. 



SHUFELDT'S JUNCO. 



A. O. U. Xo. 567h. Junco oreganiis shiifeldti (Coale). 



Synonyms. — -W.\shingto.n Juxco. IIvi'.kid Sxow-bird (Coues). Rocky 

 MoiwT.Mx Juxco (Coiies). 



Description. — .Idiilts: 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 (i 52.4-1 65 ) ; 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 l)riiwnish-gray of l)ack and with white of breast; grayer on back than 

 preceding. 



Nesting. — Kcst: nnich as in preceding, occasionally placed at moderate 

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

 reddisii 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 .\pril to .\ugust according to altitude; two broods. 



General Range. — I'.reeding from nortliern Oregon north into British Co- 

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

 Moimtain plateau region to Mexico, — northern California. 



