Jon A. wrote -

> I, like Russell Rogers, have handled a number of juncos - up close and =
> in the hand. I long ago=20
> quit trying to determine junco subspecies here in Cascadia. I've picked
=
> up one 'slate-colored'=20
> junco (presumably J.h. cismontanus or J.h. hyemalis? hyemalis is =
> supposed to breed in west-
> central B.C., and cismontanus is supposed to nest in central interior =
> B.C., according to my=20
> Byers et al.; both have been recorded as appearing in "Western North =
> America" in the winter).

If there have been any _J. h. hyemalis_ nesting anywhere west of the
Rockies in BC, I would like to know where. These nominate birds breed only
east of the Divide as far as I know. However, they are just as likely to be
seen in winter in c. BC as our summer "pink-sideds" _J. h. cismontanus_
(whose summer range actually covers most of interior BC, north of the s.
interior and likely up to at least 58N latitude). But I would agree with
everyone who despairs at telling apart the various "pink-sided" races.

- Jack



Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca