THE JUNCO OR SLATE-COLORED SNOWBIRD 

 Finch Family — Fringillidce 



hength: About 6^4 inches; slightly smaller than the English 

 sparrow. 



General Appearance: Trim, dainty little birds, all gray and 

 white, except for a pinkish or flesh-colored bill. 

 White outer tail-feathers, showing in flight, are dis- 

 tinguishing marks. 



Male: Dark slate-gray above and white below. The gray ex- 

 tends to the center of the breast in a nearly horizon- 

 tal line, and with the white under parts, gives the 

 effect of the birds' having waded breast-deep in the 

 snow, or having been sliced in two, like the "sliced 

 animals" of our childhood. Sides grayish; wings 

 slightly darker; tail dark brown, with two outer 

 feathers white; third feather, partly white; bill heavy, 

 adapted to a diet of seeds. 



Female: Similar to male, only brownish-gray. Winter plu- 

 mage of all juncos browner than summer plumage. 



Young: Light brownish, streaked with black. 



Note: A gentle tseep, tseep, and a smack, smack, of alarm or 

 distress. 



Song: A tender, sweet trill in the spring. Though monotonous, 

 the song is very pleasing. 



Habitat: Groves of conifers; thickets of bushes or vines, or 

 clumps of weeds. 



Nest: Juncos' nests are built of mosses or grasses on or near 

 the ground. The speckled eggs and the streaked 

 babies are excellent examples of protective coloring. 

 The nests are sometimes placed very near houses, if 

 the surroundings are to the liking of the birds. 



Range: Eastern and northern North America. Breeds from 



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