The Oregon Juncoes 



herbage, instead of the customary deep shade of the forest. In order, 

 if possible, to catch the female brooding in full light, I cut away or tied 

 down all the surrounding foliage which would cast a shadow. The sun 

 was warm but not to say hot. The result, however, was that the mother 

 bird flushed at the earliest provocation, and the babies, not nearly half 

 grown, were left momentarily to suffer. Finally, the most forward of the 

 brood (of three) made a determined effort to better his condition, and, to 

 my amazement, scrambled up the side of the nest and boldly over. I 



Taken in Modoc County 



A NESTING SITE IN THE WARNER MOUNTAINS 



CONTAINS NEST SHOWN IN SUCCEEDING CUT 



Pholo by the Author 



replaced him and stood back to photograph a possible repetition of the 

 act. This was promptly forthcoming. The youngster scrambled up 

 again and tumbled over the brim of the nest, and lay helplessly kicking, 

 for it was unusually high above the ground. Of course I promptly took 

 pity on them and provided shade. But these youngsters were still almost 

 naked, and this precocious determination to attain shade or liberty, or 

 both, was, I insist, most amazing. 



The variety and interest of J unco's nesting habits are scarcely 

 exceeded by those of any other bird. In general, the birds appear to be 



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