The Western Robin 
contiguous to them, especially along their eastern base, even down to recognized Lower 
Sonoran areas (as at Lone Pine, Inyo County, June 16 and 19, 1911; George Creek, 
Inyo County, May 19, 1919). Also in the Sierra Madre and San Bernardino Mountains, 
Mt. Pinos, the Warner Mountains, the Trinity Mountains, and throughout the north¬ 
western humid coastal strip, south (at least) to San Geronimo in Marin County. 
Birds destined to nest at the higher mountain levels often linger through April, or even 
May, at the lower levels, and so establish a false presumption of breeding (e. g., Sacra¬ 
mento, May 30, 1912). In winter irregularly abundant at lower levels, even upon the 
deserts,—range at this season evidently being determined by supply of berries or 
edible fruits. Casual (?) on the Channel Islands. 
Authorities.—Vigors ( Turdus migratorius) , Zool. Beechey's Voy., 1839, p. 17 
(Monterey); Beal, U. S. Dept. Agric., Biol. Surv. Bull., no. 30, 1907, p. 93 (food); 
Grinnell, Univ. Calif. Pub. Zool., vol. v., 1908, p. 132 (San Bernardino Mts.; nest and 
eggs, habits, etc.); H. E. Hansen , Condor, vol. xviii., 1916, p. 170, fig. (nesting in 
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco); Howell , Pac. Coast Avifauna, no. 12, 1917, p. 101 
(occurrence on s. Calif, islands). 
No. 150b Northwest Robin 
A. O. U. No. 761a, part. Planesticus migratorius caurinus Grinnell. 
Description. —Similar to P. m. migratorius, but with white on tips of outer 
rectrices reduced or wanting (when present, often pale slaty); the rufous of underparts 
(in males) less variable and averaging darker (Sanford’s brown or amber-brown). 
Young birds especially averaging darker, both as to extent of black in upperparts and 
the strength of cinnamon-rufous of underparts (nearest mars yellow or raw sienna, but 
a little grayer and darker); the throat usually tinged with ochraceous. Likewise, 
similar to P. m. propinquus, but richer and darker and averaging a little smaller. 
Remark. —The inclusion of this form as a bird of California is largely presump¬ 
tive, and is based on the fact that many winter birds and early spring migrants are 
much darker-breasted than are the breeding birds of our own mountains. Specifically, 
a specimen, a male #19709 of the Mus. Vert. Zool. series, taken by Dr. Grinnell at 
Tracy, March 9, 1911, is as dark as any specimen from Vancouver Island. On the 
other hand, Robins are known to winter irregularly north to British Columbia, and 
only successful banding can establish the fact of their California range beyond a doubt. 
Presumptive Range. —The Pacific Northwest, breeding in the Sitka district of 
Alaska, south at least to Vancouver Island and northwestern Washington. Winters 
from southern British Columbia south irregularly (?) to California. 
“JIP, jip — Dzip, dzip — Drick, jick — dink, dink.” However that 
earnestly protesting note of the Robin may vocalize itself to your ears, 
you know what I mean. And you know, within one, of what it means— 
either a cat skulking under the lilac bush, or else a small boy toiling 
painfully up the stem of an apple tree to see what that mud cup has got 
in it. Dear, familiar sound, homely expletive, none the less sweet because 
it is meant to be upbraiding. Dear because familiar, and because its 
shrill staccato calls up the vernal scenes of childhood. We will hasten 
to the rescue, of course, but we will chuckle as we go. “S-cat, Pussy; 
don't you know better than to scare our Robins? If you didn’t belong 
760 
