In message <9503170219.AA01668 at mx5.u.washington.edu> writes:
> Now this is what a list is supposed to accomplish; great stuff!
>
> Re several statements:
>
> The question still remains whether there are more of these birds in city or
> country. We probably see more odd birds in the city entirely because there
> are more birders watching feeders in the city, but perhaps there *are* more
> anomalies in the city (anyone can pick up on this statement.....).
>
Just to shed some light on our junco populations...
We live in a rural area, about 14 miles north of Blewett/Swauk Pass near
Peshastin Creek. We have lived in this area for over 5 years and last fall after
the fires was our first observation of these plumage anomalies. The fires came
within 1.5 miles of our home and burnt thousands of acres. We have healthy
populations of sharp-shinned hawks, northern pygmy owls, and other predators
including many cats. The sharpies wreak havoc on the junco populations on a
regular basis.
Great comments on an interesting subject!

********************************************************************************
Roger Peffer- rpeffer at ctc.ctc.edu / 509-662-1651 X2017
Wenatchee Valley College /
Biology/Chemistry Depts. / I have met the enemy,
1300 Fifth Street / and they is us.
Wenatchee, WA 98801 / Pogo
********************************************************************************