io6 Land Birds of New England 



until May. He is stated to be common in winter 

 only with the snow or just before storms; I have 

 been more fortunate, however, in finding him in 

 comparatively mild weather. He spends his time 

 chiefly on the ground, and should be sought in stub- 

 ble fields, edges of woodland, and especially on 

 roadsides. He can readily be attracted to the door- 

 yard by grain or crumbs, although he is easily star- 

 tled, and ready td fly to the protection of shrubbery. 

 Snowbirds usually come in small flocks, often ac- 

 companied by sparrows ; when on the ground they 

 have a characteristic habit of constantly opening 

 and shutting the tail. They are said to be quarrel- 

 some, but my observation does not lead me to agree 

 with this statement. 



Breeding takes place in the higher parts of west- 

 ern Massachusetts, in the \Yhite Mountains, and 

 farther north. The nest is usually placed upon the 

 ground, rarely in a bush. Eggs are laid about the 

 first of June. 



The snowbirds have in spring "a great variety of 

 twitters, trills, and even tinkling sounds, which are 

 often so combined as to form a lively song." Their 

 chirp they utter particularly as they take to flight. 

 There are two distinct songs ; a simple trill some- 

 what like that of the chipping sparrow, and a faint 

 whispering warble, usually much broken but not 



