which to sing. In flight, which is usually near the 

 ground, the white outer tail feathers constitute a 

 good field-mark. 



Slate-colored Junco 



567. Slate-colored Junco — Junco hyemalis 

 hyemalis. 



Sparrow-size. Length 6^4 inches. 



Male — Upperparts, throat and breast grayish 

 slate; belly white; sides grayish; no wing-bars; 

 tail blackish, with outer feathers white; bill flesh- 

 color. Female — Similar, paler; upper parts more 

 brownish. 



The white outer tail feathers in strong contrast 

 to the other blackish feathers, and the dark slaty 

 parts sharply separated from the white of the belly 

 are unmistakable. The common call note is a dis- 

 tinctive sharp chip. 



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