330 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 alist 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.” 
Tam 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 
