prs@lanl.ARPA (08/09/85)
regarding the question of territorial redwings: Yes, the redwing is very territorial (as much so as mockingbirds or hummingbirds). It will chase even hawks or. as observed, herons-or humans. In the west we have even more fun: House finches in the valleys, Cassin's finches in the mountains, rosy finches high on the mountain peaks, and in California, the purple finch again. The house finch, a native of the West, has been introduced in the East, much as the house sparrow was, and is spreading from that introduction. So the Eastern groups are not natural. They do not compete as heavily with native species in the West, so should not do so in the East. They certainly are preferable for color and song. Patricia R. Snider 90 Royal Crest Los Alamos, N.M. 87544 August 9,1985