244 University of California Publications in Zoology [Vol.24 



The outstanding characteristics of the Cassiar junco are as follows : 

 Most nearly related to Junco hyemalis hyemalis. Males of the two 

 subspecies are very closely similar, differing in minor particulars as 

 detailed beyond. The average female of Junca h. connectens is quite 

 unlike female hyemalis. It has ordinarily more or less pink on the 

 sides and brown on the back; the head is of a darker color and is 

 sharply cut off from the brownish back above and from the pink sides 

 and white belly below. The general appearance of the female is like 

 that of the female Junco oreganus shufeldti, from which it differs in 

 having usually less brown on the back and less pink on the sides. 



Now, as regards the name to be used for this form. My first im- 

 pression was that here was an undescribed subspecies, a "new" race 

 that required a new name. It was evident, however, that this was a 

 migratory form, and that individuals must have been collected in their 

 more southern winter home, even though the summer habitat had not 

 heretofore been explored. There was at least a chance that a winter- 

 taken specimen had served as the basis of a description at some time. 

 A search through junco synonymy disclosed one name that seemed to 

 require investigation, Junco hiemalis connectens Coues (1884, p. 378), 

 which has been applied in various ways. Two specimens, the one upon 

 which this name was based, together with another like it, females col- 

 lected at Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 26 and 27, were described 

 in some detail by Allen and Brewster (1883, p. 189) under the name 

 Junco hiemaUs oreganus. They are there considered as ' ' intermediates 

 between hiemalis and oregonus." Ridgway (1901, p. 276) lists Coues' 

 connectens as a probable hybrid under the heading "Junco hyemalis 

 X Junco oreganus shufeldti. "• In a footnote (loc. cit.) he makes the 

 following comment: 



This type specimen, which I have carefully examined and compared, is No. 7046 

 of Mr. Brewster's collection, and was taken by Mr. Brewster at Colorado Springs 

 April 26, 1882. It is very nearly typical of J. hyemalis, with sides only slightly 

 tinged with cinnamomeous and the back slightly brownish. It may be a young 

 female, of the preceding year, of J. hyemalis; at any rate it has nothing to do 

 with the form of J. oreganus (J. o. shufeldti), to which the name connectens was 

 unadvisedly applied by action of the A. O. U. Committee in 1896. 



Dwight (1918, p. 289) remarks as follows: 



This is perhaps an appropriate place to discuss briefly and to dispose of the 

 "Junco hyemalis connectens" of Coues. The original description (1884, Key 

 North Amer. Birds, 2d ed., p. 378) is a curious mixture of fact and fancy but, 

 fortunately, the type is extant in the collection of Mr. Wm. Brewster (No. 7046, 



