Rosy Finch Research Articles

РЕВИЗИЯ ФАУНЫ ПТИЦ ДОЛИНЫ ГЕЙЗЕРОВ НА КАМЧАТКЕ: ВИДОВОЙ СОСТАВ, ОСОБЕННОСТИ ЭКОЛОГИИ

In this paper, the author presents revision of the investigations of birds from the Valley of Geysers in Kamchatka, which summarizes data obtained for the past 50 years. According to the latest revision, the avifauna of this region includes 91 species (53 nesting species). There are no region-specific species. The discovery and status of the Grey crowned Rosy finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis) requires a reliable verification. The high species diversity of birds in a small area (31.5 km2) may be explained by the biotope diversity in the area, which is associated with the geothermal activity at the border of forest and subalpine vegetation. The weighted average bird population density is 211.8 pairs/km2. Its appearance is subalpine with a small proportion of forest species. Twelve (12) species are listed in the Red Data Books of Russia and (or) Kamchatka. The most significant findings are the regular wintering of the Solitary Snipe (Gallinago solitaria), the possible reproduction of the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), the background status of the Rustic Bunting (Ocyris rusticus). The mudflow that passed through the Geysernaya Valley on June 7, 2007 had a catastrophic impact on the natural appearance of the central part of the Valley of Geysers. Variants of its effects on birds are discussed. Geothermal activity determines the possibility of wintering of a number of species in subalpine harsh conditions, a shift in the timing of periodic events in the life of birds, including earlier reproduction, the possibility of nesting on extremely warm ground, behavioral characteristics during incubation and other features of bird ecology.

Evaluation of Compact Tomato Cultivars for Container Gardening Indoors and under Sunlight

Numerous compact tomato cultivars are available for home gardening. However, evaluations under different environmental conditions are limited. The aim of this study was to characterize the growth and productivity of 20 compact tomato cultivars grown indoors under environmental conditions that resembled a residential space (11 mol·m−2·d−1 of white light, constant 22 °C, and moderate relative humidity) or in a greenhouse with sunlight only. Plants in the greenhouse were generally larger and yielded more fruit than those grown indoors, likely due to the various differences in environmental conditions and corresponding effects of water and nutrient availability. Considering growth and yield variables, all cultivars evaluated in this study are recommended for outdoor gardening. However, ‘Little Bing’, ‘Sweet SturdyTM F1—Grace’, ‘Sweet SturdyTM F1—Jimmy’, ‘Sweet SturdyTM F1—Jo’, and ‘Tarzan F1′ are likely too large to be grown in most space-limited indoor environments. Furthermore, ‘Little Bing’, ‘Rosy Finch’, ‘Sweet ‘n’ Neat Yellow’, and ‘Yellow Canary’ were affected by intumescence when grown indoors, which could negatively affect gardening experiences until recommendations to mitigate this disorder become available. Results from this study provide baseline information for the use of compact tomato cultivars for container gardening indoors and under sunlight.

Quantifying thinning and extrusion associated with an oblique subduction zone: An example from the Rosy Finch Shear Zone

The Rosy Finch Shear Zone (RFSZ) is a NNW trending transpressional zone along the eastern margin of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and the southernmost shear zone within the Sierra Crest Shear Zone. Dextral shear, resulting from oblique subduction along the western margin of the North American Plate (ca. 90Ma), combined with subduction zone orthogonal shortening is concentrated within the RFSZ. Highly deformed metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks within the zone have a prominent foliation with a mean dip, dip direction of 79°, 236° and a steeply plunging, penetrative, stretching lineation with a trend, plunge of 178°, 73°. Here, we present both three-dimensional strain analysis and crystallographic texture data in order to determine the mean kinematic vorticity number (Wm) and the relative amounts of pure and simple shear within the RFSZ. These two independent methods, using data collected from samples along two E-W transects, both indicate that there is a significant component of pure shear within the zone, with a mean of approximately 75% pure shear. Using the vorticity data, we calculated the amount of across-the-zone thinning. Samples collected from the 0.65km zone of interest have yielded a mean shortening of nearly 20.3%, or approximately 166m. In addition, three-dimensional strain analysis yields a mean Lode's ratio of 0.202, and a mean Flinn's k-value of 0.585, indicate a general flattening deformation, and a mean octahedral shear strain (εs) of 0.407. Assuming no volume change, these data suggest that there was approximately 174m of vertical extrusion within this segment of the RFSZ in response to this obliquely convergent plate margin.

Passive recovery of an island bird community after rodent eradication

The number and scale of island invasive species eradications is growing, but quantitative evidence of the conservation efficacy of passive recovery is limited. We compare relative abundances of breeding birds on Hawadax Island (formerly named Rat island), Aleutian Archipelago, Alaska, pre- and post- rat eradication to examine short-term (<1 year post-eradication) changes due to rodenticide application, and medium-term (5 years post-eradication) changes due to the absence of invasive rats. In the short term, Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) numbers decreased from 24 individuals pre-eradication to two individuals <1 year post-eradication, but recovered to 10 individuals (42 % of pre-eradication) 5 years post-eradication, with all individuals nesting (63 % of the pre-eradication nesting). Five years post-eradication relative abundances of most terrestrial birds surveyed using point counts either significantly increased [Gray-crowned Rosy Finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis), Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus), Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis), Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)] or did not differ [Pacific Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)]. Shorebirds also increased 5 years post-eradication with Black Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliates) increasing fivefold, and Rock Sandpiper (Calidris ptilocnemis) nesting increasing from one to five nests. We confirmed two species of ground nesting seabirds [Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) and Leach’s Storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucohoa)] as nesting (puffin) or engaged in courtship behavior (Storm-petrel) 5 years post-eradication. Our results indicate that despite the short-term impact on Bald Eagles, and without further human intervention, most terrestrial and marine birds have newly-colonized, re-colonized, or increased in abundance following the eradication of invasive rats.

An unforgettable experience

As a young girl growing up on a farm in Franklin, New Jersey, I was intrigued by the natural world around me and used to regularly feed and watch the birds in our yard. After taking a birding course at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (CLO), my sister, Janet, inspired me to really learn about the birds visiting my yard. At the time, I had no idea that watching and learning about birds would also be of interest to others. The concept of “citizen science” was foreign to me. That changed, however, after I joined Project FeederWatch (PFW; www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/) and made an exciting discovery. On Sunday March 4, 2012, while doing my regular PFW count, an unusual bird caught my eye. It was like no other bird that had visited my feeders or that I had observed while out birding. The gray crown, the pink on the wings, and the pink tinge on its body attracted my attention. I quickly took its photograph, and Janet suggested that I post the picture on CLO's Facebook page. Within 15 minutes it was identified as a gray-crowned rosy finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis) that was clearly out of its typical range. Normally found in the mountainous Pacific Northwest and up into Alaska, I was very surprised to find this bird at my feeder in Boonville, New York. Once birders found out about my discovery, we were inundated with requests from dedicated enthusiasts who wanted to come and see “Rosy”, and we did our best to accommodate them. Each day, Rosy would show up around 6:30 in the morning and was gone by 4:30 in the afternoon; he was last seen around 9:30 am on March 9th. Watching him during those 5 days was the birding experience of a lifetime. Participating in PFW has expanded my knowledge of the natural world; for example, I have learned about the importance of plants as food sources and nesting spots for birds. Becoming a citizen scientist has encouraged me to be even more vigilant while making observations of my surroundings, but spotting Rosy in my yard was a fantastic experience that I will never forget.

High temperature fracturing and ductile deformation during cooling of a pluton: The Lake Edison granodiorite (Sierra Nevada batholith, California)

In the Bear Creek area of the Sierra Nevada batholith, California, the high temperature postmagmatic deformation structures of the Lake Edison granodiorite include steeply-dipping orthogneiss foliations, joints, and ductile shear zones that nucleated on joints and leucocratic dykes. Exploitation of segmented joints resulted in sharply bounded, thin shear zones and in large slip gradients near the shear zone tips causing the deformation of the host rock at contractional domains. The orthogneiss foliation intensifies towards the contact with the younger Mono Creek granite and locally defines the dextral Rosy Finch Shear Zone (RFSZ), a major kilometre-wide zone crosscutting the pluton contacts. Joints predominantly strike at N70–90°E over most of the Lake Edison pluton and are exploited as sinistral shear zones, both within and outside the RFSZ. In a narrow (∼250 m thick) zone at the contact with the younger Mono Creek granite, within the RFSZ, the Lake Edison granodiorite includes different sets of dextral and sinistral shear zones/joints (the latter corresponding to the set that dominates over the rest of the Lake Edison pluton). These shear zones/joints potentially fit with a composite Y–R–R′ shear fracture pattern associated with the RFSZ, or with a pattern consisting of Y–R-shear fractures and rotated T′ mode I extensional fractures. The mineral assemblage of shear zones, and the microstructure and texture of quartz mylonites indicate that ductile deformation occurred above 500 °C. Joints and ductile shearing alternated and developed coevally. The existing kinematic models do not fully capture the structural complexity of the area or the spatial distribution of the deformation and magmatic structures. Future models should account more completely for the character of ductile and brittle deformation as these plutons were emplaced and cooled.

Anticoagulant Residual Concentration and Poisoning in Birds Following a Large-Scale Aerial Application of 25 ppm Brodifacoum Bait for Rat Eradication on Rat Island, Alaska

Author(s): Ebbert, Steve; Burek-Huntington, Kathy | Abstract: To eradicate invasive Norway rats, an aerial broadcast of the rodenticide Brodifacoum-25W Conservation was conducted on 2,777-ha Rat Island, within the Aleutian Islands Unit of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, between 29 September and 5 October 2008. During subsequent visits to Rat Island (in spring and fall 2009) to check for evidence of remaining rats and to look for evidence of nontarget mortality, personnel found an unexpectedly high number of dead birds: more than 420 carcasses, mostly glaucous-winged gulls and bald eagles, but also included 24 other species. Some carcasses had tissue suitable for analysis and were collected. Seventy bird carcasses were necropsied and cause of death was determined for 50 birds; 45 died of brodifacoum toxicosis. Necropsy determined almost all gulls and eagles had extensive hemorrhaging, consistent with brodifacoum poisoning. All eagles and all but 1 gull tested positive for brodifacoum residues. Positive tests for brodifacoum also were recorded for single specimens of emperor goose, northern fulmar, pelagic cormorant, peregrine falcon, rock sandpiper, and gray-crowned rosy finch. Two Lapland longspurs tested positive for exposure to brodifacoum. Nontarget bird mortality from brodifacoum exposure at Rat Island was higher than predicted in the Environmental Assessment.

Geologic and geophysical investigation of two fine-grained granites, Sierra Nevada Batholith, California: Evidence for structural controls on emplacement and volcanism

The Johnson Granite Porphyry and the Silver Pass Porphyry are two late-stage porphyritic intrusions in the Cretaceous Sierra Nevada Batholith, California. Both intrusions are characterized by fine-grained textures, miarolitic cavities, pegmatite veins, and abundant xenoliths. Microstructures in the Johnson Granite Porphyry record magmatic flow. Magnetic fabrics in the Johnson Granite Porphyry, determined by anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility, show that the poles to magnetic foliations define a NNE-SSW girdle and magnetic lineations plunge shallowly to moderately to the WNW and ESE. A gravity survey and three-dimensional inversion indicate that the Johnson Granite Porphyry is shallow and tabular, extending to 1.5 km depth beneath the southwestern margin. A second gravity anomaly was delineated southeast of the Johnson Granite Porphyry, suggesting the intrusion continues to depth. The Silver Pass Porphyry is deformed by the dextral Rosy Finch shear zone and records a gradient of high- to low-temperature, solid-state fabrics. Field and magnetic foliations in the Silver Pass Porphyry are subvertical and lineations are shallowly plunging. We propose that regional shear zones controlled the emplacement of these intrusions. The Johnson Granite Porphyry was emplaced in a three-dimensional tension gash associated with the termination of the Bench Canyon shear zone. The Rosy Finch shear zone facilitated the emplacement of the Silver Pass Porphyry, probably as a tension fracture associated with the shear zone. The field observations and magnetic fabrics suggest that the Johnson Granite Porphyry may record an extrusive event, suggesting that volcanism may be related to deformation along active shear zones.

Kilometer-scale kinking of crystalline rocks in a transpressive convergent setting, Central Sierra Nevada, California

Structural analyses in the Lake Edison area of the central Sierra Nevada, California, show that prominent north-northeast–trending lineaments represent traces of joints and faults that have accommodated slip within a 4.8-km-wide right-lateral north-northwest–trending monoclinal kink band. The kilometer-scale kink band formed in Cretaceous granitic rocks, and the closely spaced, mineralized joints and faults formed at 79 Ma. Joints and faults strike ∼070° within the kink band and 020°–030° outside the kink band. A kink-band kinematic model indicates that ∼3.7 (+2.1,−1.9) km of right-lateral displacement was accommodated across the kink band and that as much as 148 m of left-lateral slip on faults within the kink band occurred. A sensitivity study on four model parameters varied the angle made by the inner and outer limbs of the kink band, the number of faults within the kink band, and the kink-band width and length. This analysis yields estimates for right-lateral displacement across the kink band and left-lateral slip on faults within the kink band that fall into the range constrained by geologic relationships. Kinking may have been the last stage of right-lateral deformation, which started with development of the Rosy Finch shear zone. The presence of curved lineaments in the southern Sierra Nevada indicates that kilometer-scale kink bands may exist elsewhere in the Sierra Nevada batholith. Such arc-parallel kinking has been described in several other transpressive settings, and kilometer-scale kink bands may be a process by which late-stage, arc-parallel deformation is accommodated in convergent margins.

Transpressional shearing and strike‐slip partitioning in the Late Cretaceous Sierra Nevada magmatic arc, California

The Rosy Finch shear zone (RFSZ) represents an example of synmagmatic, strike‐slip tectonics in the east central Sierra Nevada and provides information on transpressional tectonics within magmatic arcs. The RFSZ (1–4 km wide and 80 km long) is contained in Late Cretaceous granitoids (92–83 Ma) of the Mono Pass Intrusive Suite. Dextral strike‐slip deformation is indicated by a continuous band of orthogneiss, mylonitic, and cataclastic deformation, characterized by subvertical foliations with subhorizontal lineations. The style of dextral shearing in the Rosy Finch shear varies along strike, from wide zones of ductile deformation in the youngest plutons to narrow zones of cataclastic deformation in the older plutons. Deformation of the youngest granitoids is synmagmatic, as constrained by both field observations and isotopic studies. Dextral shearing occurs concurrently in contemporaneous Intrusive Suites to the north and south (Tuolumne and Mount Whitney) suggesting strike‐slip movement along the axis of active plutonism. Field studies also suggest that contraction across the arc acted concurrently with strike‐slip movement, consistent with a transpressional setting for the Late Cretaceous Sierra Nevada magmatic arc. Comparison of the field data with strain models of oblique plate convergence suggests that the RFSZ is a preserved ductile signature of transcurrent motion of strike‐slip partitioning within a transpressional orogenic system. Recent plate reconstructions indicate a switch from sinistral to dextral oblique convergence at ∼95 Ma, which is consistent with the timing constraints on the dextral movement on the RFSZ.

Trans-Beringia Comparisons of Mitochondrial DNA Differentiation in Birds

We compared mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction fragment profiles from samples of 13 bird species that occur on both sides of Beringia. All but two species, Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) and Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca), exhibited evidence of genetic differentiation, albeit at varying degrees. Several species exhibited mtDNA differentiation consistent with species-level distinctness: Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus), Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), Mew Gull (Larus canus), Black-billed Magpie (Pica pica), American Pipit (Anthus rubescens), and Rosy Finch (Leucosticte arctoa). Other species exhibited levels of mtDNA differentiation intermediate between populations and species: Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago), and Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus). Because of small sample sizes, we do not recommend formal taxonomic changes, although our data could be combined with other data to raise several taxa to species level. Our data do not indicate a consistent level of mtDNA differentiation between putatively conspecific populations on different sides of Beringia, suggesting different times of colonization or cessation of gene exchange. Most comparisons of birds within continents exhibit less mtDNA differentiation than our trans-Beringia comparisons, suggesting limited gene flow between continents.

Nesting Biology of the Rosy Finch on the Aleutian Islands, Alaska

The nesting biology of the Aleutian Rosy Finch (Leucosticte griseonucha (arctoa) griseonucha) was studied on the maritime tundra of Amchitka Island in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Fifty active nests were found, all in buildings or other man-made structures. Nests were re-used with new material added each year. Their densities were not limited by the availability of buildings or good nest sites. The maximum density was 13.9 nests/100 ha. Unlike their alpine relatives, these birds were double-brooded, with eggs in the nest from late April to early June and again in late June through at least mid-July. Mean hatch date for the first brood was 26 May. Mean clutch size was 4.5 eggs (range = 3-6). Incubation lasted 12-14 days, the nestling period 15-22 days (. = 18 days). Egg survival during incubation was 73.9%, hatching success 93.9%, and nestling survival 79.1%, for an overall nest success of 54.9%. These high values are attributed to the near absence of predators on the island and to protected nest sites. Rosy finches (Leucosticte spp.) breed in two disjunct habitats: above timberline in the alpine zone of the major mountain ranges of Asia and western North America, and at sea level on maritime tundra on the islands of the Bering Sea. The breeding biology of populations in alpine habitat has been studied by several workers (Twining 1938a, b, 1940; French 1959; Johnson 1965), but less information is available concerning maritime populations (Hanna 1922, Shreeve 1980). Rosy finches in both habitats share many common life history traits including cliff nesting, unbalanced sex ratios, and floating territories centered on the female. On the other hand, they differ morphologically, the maritime birds having nearly twice the body weight of any alpine member of the genus and a bill that is distinctly more slender than all but one of them (Johnson 1972, 1977). The slender bill and lowland tundra and beach habitat suggest a differing feeding ecology, while the longer season associated with the low elevation and maritime climate implies major adjustments in breeding schedule and perhaps productivity. In this paper, I describe the nesting biology of the Aleutian Rosy Finch (L. g. griseonucha, nomenclature follows Johnson 1977 [The American Ornithologists' Union Committee on Classification and Nomenclature (1982) now places all North American species of Leucosticte in arctoa.-Ed.]), and especially its breeding chronology and output, and compare these data with those for alpine populations at the same latitude. Also, I will present data on nest densities and nesting success for the Aleutian birds, information previously unavailable for any member of the genus. STUDY AREA AND METHODS All data were collected from 14 May to 16 July 1968 on Amchitka Island (5 1030'N) in the Rat Island group of the Aleutian Islands, about 2,200 km WSW of Anchorage, Alaska. Amchitka is about 65 km long and 2-7 km wide, and is oriented SE-to-NW. The southeastern two-thirds of the island is mostly below 100 m elevation and is covered by wet maritime tundra containing many ephemeral ponds and underlain by peat. By contrast, the northwestern third is relatively barren and mountainous (maximum elevation 354 m) with alpine meadows, fell-fields, scree, and talus. The physiography and vegetation were described by Shacklette et al. (1969). During the breeding season, Amchitka is cool, windy, and blanketed by fog. Between May and July the sky is cloudy or overcast over 90% of the time and rain falls about 35% of the time (Armstrong 1977). Temperatures during May, June, and July average 3.90, 5.60, and 7.80C, respectively, with a mean daily range of about 3.50C. Wind speeds during the summer average about 26 km/h. Kenyon (1961) and White et al. (1977) have described the avifauna. Land mammals are absent except for the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), which probably became established d ring World War II (Murie 1959). Rats apparently caused the decline and near extinction of the Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) and Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) on the island, but seem to have had little effect on the rosy finch. The study was centered on the southeastern end of the island, where about 2,000 aban-

The Gray-Crowned Rosy Finch in Manitoba &amp; Vicinity

The Gray-Crowned Rosy Finch in Manitoba &amp; Vicinity

Differential Mortality in the Sexes of the Aleutian Gray-crowned Rosy Finch

Differential Mortality in the Sexes of the Aleutian Gray-crowned Rosy Finch

Brown-Capped Rosy Finch Nesting in New Mexico

Brown-Capped Rosy Finch Nesting in New Mexico

Noteworthy Bird Records from Korea

Several specimens recently added to the bird collection of the Institute of Ornithology, Kyung Hee University, and some live birds obtained from bird shops in Seoul constitute new and noteworthy records. White-winged Crossbill. Loxia leucoptera bifasciata. The first record of this species for Korea is a pair caught from a large flock of Red Crossbills by Lee, Chung-Woo, in a pine forest at Yangsan, Kyongsangnamdo, on 15 February 1969. They are still captive in Seoul. Measurements: bill, 17.9 ( & ) and 17.9 ( 9 ) mm; wing, 90 and 85 mm; tarsus, 15.9 and 15.5 mm; tail, 59 ( & ) mm. Rufous-bellied Pied Woodpecker. Dendrocopos hyperythrus subrufinus. A mounted male specimen, reported to have been collected at Kwang-nung, Kyonggi-do, during 1968-1969, was purchased in a bird shop in Seoul on 20 August 1969. Previously Yamashina (1941:539) reported two males and one female collected at Yong'an'po, Pyongan-pukdo, between 12 May and 3 June 1929. Austin (1948:165) listed the one known Kyonggi-do specimen taken on 18 October 1918. Apparently this is the second specimen of this rare species for South Korea. Measurements: bill, 24.4 mm; wing, 128 mm. Arctic Rosy Finch. Leucosticte arctoa brunneonucha. One netted at Tae'gaewon, Yangju-gun, Kyonggi-do, on 15 November 1968 was kept in a bird shop in Seoul until 30 August 1969. Previously this species was known from North Korea only on the basis of two pairs collected at Man'po, Hamgyongpukdo, on 15 November 1929, and three males and one female collected at Changjin, Hamgyong-namdo in March 1957; in addition, several sightings were reported in the same area during the winter of 1956 and 1957 (Won 1965:370). Red-billed Thrush. Turdus chrysolaus chrysolaus. A single bird in captivity is now in a live bird shop in Seoul. This species is a rare passage migrant through Korea, known previously from four old records. Japanese Grosbeak. Eophona personata magnirostris. Two birds now in a live bird shop in Seoul were captured at Kal'mae Yangju-gun, Kyonggi-do, on 21 April 1968 and in early May 1968, respectively. Measurements: bill, 26.1 and 25.9 mm; wing, 121 and 121 mm; tarsus, 24.6 and 26.9 mm. Though Austin (1948:252) regarded it as a straggler, this species is an uncommon summer resident in northeastern Korea and a rare transient in South Korea. When I was at Tok'chun, North Korea, in August 1945, I saw several dozen birds kept in captivity by local farmers and fed on hemp seed. Several other specimens have been collected recently in Kyonggi-do and near Tong'nae, Pusan (Won 1969:144). Bluethroat. Erithacus svecica weigoldi. A male taken at Po'chun, Kyonggi-do, on 15 May 1969 is apparently the third specimen collected in Korea, although there are several sightings. The first record is of a pair from Suh'sang, Kyonggi-do, on 18 October 1919 (Mori 1920). Recently Fennell and King (1964:243) reported collecting an immature male and a female near Seoul on 24 October 1962 and 10 November 1962, respectively. Between 24 October and 10 November 1962 they also observed a total of six birds on different occasions. Apparently the species is a rare passage migrant through Korea rather than the straggler Austin (1948:212) regarded it.

Some Additional Records of Birds in California

Some Additional Records of Birds in California

Reproductive Activities of Rosy Finches, with Special Reference to Montana

THE Gray-crowned Rosy Finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis) is found throughout the higher mountains of western North America and is one of the few species of birds which breed in the alpine (Arctic) zone. Few detailed nesting records of the species exist because most of this high, rugged country is inaccessible by road and all of it has a short summer season. However, Logan Pass in Glacier National Park, Montana, offers a unique opportunity to reach this alpine habitat via a paved road. The Park's one million acres are characterized by large U-shaped glaciated valleys and high aretes and horns. Peaks run from 8,000 feet to 10,500 feet in elevation. Many glaciers and permanent snow fields occupy cirques in the higher portions of the mountains. Logan Pass was the focal point of a four-year study (1958-1961) of the breeding activities of the race L. t. tephrocotis, while I was employed as a ranger-naturalist. Unless otherwise indicated, all comments refer to this race and this area. Although this race of rosy finch inhabits an extensive range extending from the Brooks Range of northern Alaska southward through the higher mountains to northwestern Montana (A.O.U. Checklist, fifth edit., pp. 564-565, 1957), only one nest has previously been reported in the literature (Macoun and Macoun, 1909: 466) and no detailed nesting observations have been published. The present observations supplement recent studies of L. atrata by French (1959b) and earlier studies of L. t. dawsoni by Twining (1938, 1940). References made to these authors throughout the paper refer to the respective forms indicated here unless otherwise stated. The A.O.U. Check-list (1957) separates the genus Leucosticte into three species: L. atrata (Black Rosy Finch), L. australis (Brown-capped Rosy Finch), and L. tephrocotis. The last includes six races: L. t. umbrina, griseanucha, littoralis, tephrocotis, wallowa, and dawsoni. French (1959a: 21) considers all American forms of Leucosticte to be included in the species Leucosticte tephrocotis and Vaurie (1959: 623) further states that the American forms are conspecific with the Asian L. arctoa. The A.O.U. nomenclature has been adopted here since the taxonomic arrangement may not be fully resolved.

An Observation of the Western Race of the Gray-Crowned Rosy Finch

An Observation of the Western Race of the Gray-Crowned Rosy Finch

From Field and Study

Brown-capped Rosy Finch Nesting in Buildings Get access Donald G. Davis Donald G. Davis Timnath, Colorado Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The Condor, Volume 62, Issue 3, 1 May 1960, Page 220, https://doi.org/10.2307/1365605 Published: 01 May 1960