SPARROWS 
399 
567a. Red-backed Junco. le junco be l’ooest. J unco oreganus. L, 6-27. Plate 
LXXXII B. Like the above, but the head and breast blacker and the back rusty red. 
Distinctions. Easily recognized as a Junco by its black head and breast cutting 
sharply against white underparts, flesh-coloured bill, and dark tail with contrasting white 
outer feathers. As this species by its strongly rusty back. 
Field Marks. Black or grey head and breast sharply defined against white under- 
parts, flesh-coloured bill, and contrasting white outer tail feathers conspicuous in flight 
will mark it. as a Junco; perceptible or marked rusty on the back, and far western occur- 
rence will assist in recognizing this species. 
Nesting. The same as the Slate-coloured Junco. 
Distribution. Western north America. In Canada the west coast, and most of 
central and southern British Columbia. 
SUBSPECIES. This species and its races hitherto have generally been regarded 
as subspecies of the Slate-coloured Junco above. It is now given full specific status. It 
probably hybridizes rather freely with that species and puzzling specimens occur, especially 
on the borders where the two are in contact. There is a good deal of uncertainty as to the 
recognizable geographical races of the species. The following seem to be the most evident. 
The Oregon Junco (le Junco de 1’ Oregon) Junco oreganus oreganus, with the strongest 
reds on back and flanks and the blackest heads and breasts, west of the coast range. 
Shufeldt's Junco (le Junco de Shufeldt) Junco oreganus shufeldti, with these colours 
reduced but still evident, occupies most of the interior of British Columbia. The Montana 
Junco (le Junco du Montana) Junco oreganus montanus, with the oreganus colours still 
further reduced towards hyemalis, has been accredited to the mountain regions of western 
Alberta, but to the present author does not seem worthy of systematic recognition. 
Economic Status. Same as in the previous species, though the species 
appears in unusual numbers during migration when, as sometimes occurs, 
its partiality for small seeds makes gardening a little difficult. 
567g. Pink-sided Junco. le junco a flancs hoses. Junco mearnsi. L, 6-27. 
Like the Slate-sided Junco ( See Plate LXXXIII B), but much paler, the head and breast 
colouring being no darker than light slate, the back slightly rusty, and the flanks washed 
with vinaceous pink. 
Distinctions. Like a pale-coloured Slate-coloured Junco. 
Field Marks, As above. Only likely to be met with in Canada in southwestern 
Saskatchewan. 
Nesting. Like the two previous Juncos. 
Distribution. In Canada it has so far been found only on the north slopes of Cypress 
Hills in southwestern Saskatchewan. It occurs south to Mexico. 
Economic Status. Probably similar to the other juncos. 
559. Tree Sparrow, le pinson hudsonien. Spizella arborea. L, 6-36. Plate 
LXXXIII A. About the size of a Song Sparrow, but redder above, a brownish red cap, 
the breast greyish with a single suffused brown spot in the centre. Bill, upper mandible, 
dark, lower one mostly yellow. 
Distinctions. Size of Song Sparrow; red-brown cap; prominent white wing-bars; 
ashy grey throat with serni-concealed dark blot in centre of unspotted breast. 
Field Marks. Red-brown cap, prominent white wing-bars, ashy grey throat, and 
dark spot in middle of the evenly coloured, unspotted breast. 
Nesting. On or near ground, in nest of grasses, rootlets, and hair. 
Distribution. Northern North America, breeding in the spruce woods to the barren 
grounds of the far north. Migrating throughout southern Canada. 
SUBSPECIES. The Western Tree Sparrow (le Pinson hudsonien de l’Ouest) Spizella 
arborea ochracea differs from the Eastern (le Pinson hudsonien de l’Est) Spizella arborea 
arborea, in having slightly longer tail and wing, and a somewhat paler coloration. Breeds 
from Alaska east to Mackenzie Valley. Migrants through British Columbia and the 
western Prairie Provinces are this form, but its distinctions are too slight to be easily 
recognized and the geographic limits of the two races have not been well defined. 
76916 — 26 $ 
