SLATE-COLORED JUNCO. 
567. Junco hyemalis. 6% inches. 
These are one of our most common winter birds, easily 
recognized, while perching or on the ground, by the 
white or pinkish bill, and when flying by the white outer 
tail feathers and the gray and white plumage. They are 
very common about houses as well as on the edges of 
woods and in pine groves, being very tame and coming 
into the dooryard to feed upon crumbs or chaff which is 
often thrown out for them. 
Song.—A sweet simple trill, which has a beautiful 
effect when given by a whole flock in unison. 
Nest.—Of grasses, on the ground, usually beside 
a stone, in a bunch of weeds or under a small shrub, 
where it is well concealed. ‘The three or four eggs are 
whitish, sprinkled with reddish brown (.75 x .55). 
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from the northern 
parts of the northern tier of states northward; winters 
south to the Gulf. 
Sub-species.—567e. Carolina Junco (carolinensis) , 
found in the Alleghanies from Virginia to Georgia; 
there are several races found west of the Rockies. 
