262 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



564. Worthen 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 

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



565. Black-chinned Sparrow. Spizella atrogularis. 



Range. Mexican border of the United States and southward. 

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

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

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

 jjr Sparrow and their nests are made near the ground in bushes, 

 but the eggs are plain bluish green, about like unmarked 

 [Greenish white] Chipping Sparrows' eggs. Size .65 x .50. Data.-Colton, 

 California, May 10, 1885. Nest made of weed stems, lined with fine grasses and 

 horse hair; placed in low bush. Collector, R. B. Herron. 



566. White-winged Junco. Junco aikeni. 



Range. Breeds in the Black Hills of Dakota 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 common 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. 



[White.] 



[White] 



567. Slate-colored Junco. Junco hyemalis. 



Range. North America east of the Plains, breeding in the northern tier of 

 states and northward; winters in southern United States. 



This species is slaty gray on the head, neck, breast, flanks, 

 back, wings and central tail feathers; the rest of the under- 

 parts are white, sharply defined against the gray. They 

 migrate through the United States in large flocks, usually 

 accompanied by White-throated or Fox Sparrows. They breed 

 very abundantly in the northern parts of their range, 

 frequently in the immediate vicinity of houses but generally 

 on the edges of clearings etc., placing their nests on the 

 ground and generally partially concealed by rocks, stumps, 

 sods or logs; the nests are made of grasses, lined with hair, and the four or five 

 eggs are white or greenish white, variously speckled with reddish brown either 

 over the entire surface or in a wreath about the large end. Size .80 x .55. . 



567a. Oregon Junco. Junco hyemalis oreganus. 



Range. Pacific coast from California to Alaska, breeding north of the 

 United States. 



This sub-species is entirely unlike the preceding, having a black head, neck, 

 throat, breast, wings and tail, and brown back; the remainder of the underparts 

 are white, washed with pinkish brown on the sides. The habits and nesting 

 habits of this western Junco are the same as those of the eastern, the birds 

 building in similar localities and making the nests of the same material. 

 There appears to be little, if any, difference between the eggs of the two 

 varieties. 



