THE BIRD BOOK 



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563. Field Sparrow. 



Spisella pusilla pusilla. 



Range. — North America east of the Plains, 

 breeding from the Gulf to southern Manitoba 

 and Quebec; winters in the Gulf States. 



These are abundant birds 

 along roadsides, in thickets, or 

 on dry sidehills, where they nest 

 indifferently on the ground or in 

 bushes, making their nests of 

 grass and weed stems. They are 

 the birds, whose high piping 

 song is most frequently heard 

 on hot sultry days in summer. Their eggs are 

 laid in May or June; they are pale bluish 

 white, speckled and blotched with yellowish 

 brown and grayish purple. Size .65 x .50. 



Bluish white 



563a. Western Field Sparrow. Spizella 



Field Sparrow pusilla arenacea. 



Range. — Great Plains from Mexico to Montana, breeding in the northern half 

 of its range and wintering in the southern. 



A paler form of the last, whose general habits and eggs are the same as those 

 of the eastern bird. 



564. Worthen's Sparrow. Spizella wortheni. 



Range.^ — Southern New Mexico southward through central Mexico. 



This pale colored species is the size of the Field Sparrow but has no decided 

 markings anywhere. It is a rare bird within our borders and uncommon any- 

 where. I am not able to find any material in regard to their eggs. 



565. Black-chinned Sparrow. Spizella atrogidaris. 



Range. — Mexican border of the United States and southward. 



This slim-bodied, long-tailed species is grayish with a dusky 



^ streaked, reddish brown patch on the back and a black face, chin 



M and throat. Their habits are similar to those of the Field 



.^0^ Sparrow and their nests are made near the ground in bushes, 



but the eggs are plain bluish green, about like unmarked 



Chipping Sparrows' eggs. Size 



Greenish 

 "white 



.65 X .50. 



566. White-winged Junco. Junco aiJceni. 



Range. — Breeds in the Black Hills of Da- 

 kota and Wyoming; winters in Colorado and 

 casually to Kansas. 



This species is like the next 

 but larger and with the wings 

 crossed by two white bars. Its 

 habits are like those of the com- 

 mon Juncos, the nests are placed 

 on the ground, concealed under 

 overhanging rocks or tufts of 

 grass, and the eggs are like 

 those often seen of the Slate-colored Junco; 

 3 or 4 in number, pinkish white specked and 

 spotted with light reddish brown. Size .75 x .55. 



348 



White- winged Junco 



