246 



BiKDS OF XoRTH CaROLIXA 



The Slate-colored Juuco, better known as the Snowbird or Black Snowbird, is 

 an abundant winter resident throughout the State, arriving from the north in late 

 Octoljcr or early November, and leaving us again about the middle of A]iril or a 

 little later. 



It is foimd in open woods, along roadsides, or in fields where a few bushes afford 

 ready retreat when alarmed. Its food consists mainly of weeil and grass seeds. It 

 is easily distinguished from other sparrows by the dark head, neck, and breast, and 

 the white outer tail-feathers. 



240. Junco hyemalis carolinensis [Brcwst.). Carolina .kxco. 



Description. — Similar to preceding, but the head is the same color as back, and in the few 

 sppcimons in our possession the dark color of the breast and sides encroaches more on the white 

 of tlu- belly. 



Jiiinyc. — Southern .Alleghanies, wintering in the mountain valleys. 



Rfiiipe in Nnrlh C'lirnlina. — Wlioh' mountain region in summer, everywhere above 3,700 feet 

 elevation. Winters in the mountain ^-alleys. 



Fig, 195. Slatecolorei) .Ti'sco. 



The Carolina Snowbird is known as a summer resident at Highlands, Macon 

 County; Blowing Rock, Watauga County; the Black ]\Iountains, Buncombe 

 County; Wayah Bald and Tuskwitty Range, Macon County; Big and Little Snow- 

 bird Mountains in Cherokee ami Craham counties; the mountains along the State 

 line in the two counties just named; Ww high mountains in ami around Haywood 

 County, and at Roan Mountain and Cranberry in Mitchell County. At Blowing 

 Rock and Highlands it is a connnon and characteristic liird in the streets and gar- 

 dens. 



