BIRD NOTES.
By: R. A. Johnson.

JUNCO NESTS LATE.

A nest of half grown juncos or snow birds were found in Paradise Valley, elevation 5,500 feet, on August 8th. This is an interesting nesting record showing something of the length of the nesting season for the junco. Immature specimens were noted in the fields of heather more than a month ago and nests were found at 2,300 feet elevations late in May. The junco commonly builds it's nest on the ground near a trail or stream, under a broad leafed helebore, or thick bed of heathers.

YOUNG SOOTY GROUSE.

Two broods of young sooty grouse have been noted during the past week by the writer. One brood of vie young, and one of three young, all of which are about one third grown. The youngsters were still carrying the immature plumage. However the adult tail feathers, with subterminal light colored bands, were well started, and showed distinctly from a few yards distance.

WATER OUZEL.

While making a study of the Water Ouzel - evidently a young bird - on the upper Paradise River, the bird was observed to approach another of it's species, which appeared to be one of the parent birds. Although the Ouzel in question had been active in collecting insects along the surf water, it never, during the period under observation, made a characteristic dive into the water. The old bird did not offer any food to the youngster, neither did she attempt to repell it in any way. No doubt, this young Ouzel has been flying for the past six weeks, yet it still recognizes the parent bird.

PTARMIGAN CHANGES COLOR.

Recent observations on the White Railed Ptarmigan indicate that the bird has now completed its seasonal color change, and is now found with an entire coat of gray - the summer plumage. A month ago, in early July, one of these birds was photographed by the writer. The bird at that time was carrying more than half of its white winter plumage. However, female birds with very young chicks were noted at that time that were entirely grey in color. Perhaps the physiological condition affected by the bird brooding the eggs affects the bird's molting, and thus causes and earlier color change.