CHAPTER FIFTEEN 



OTHER BIRDS OF THE SPARROW FAMILY 



FIG. 202. 



Pinky & Bohlman 

 Female willow goldfinch. 



THE birds described in this chapter belong to the spar- 

 row family. Some of them for example, the female 

 indigo bunting or the goldfinches in winter plumage 

 may indeed be taken for sparrows ; but the adult males 

 are not streaked. In several of the species the males 

 are brightly colored. All of them have stout beaks fitted 

 for cracking seeds. 



The junco. The junco belongs to the sparrow family. 

 Its plumage is not streaked, but is grayish slate-colored 

 on the breast as well as on the upper parts. The belly 

 is white, and the sides of the tail show much white when 

 the bird is in flight. Juncos are often called " snow 

 birds " and in winter may be seen over much of the 

 United States. How late in the spring do they remain 

 in your locality ? How many have you seen in a flock ? 

 What do they eat ? Do you know the junco's note ? 



The snow bunting. This snow bird or snowflake is 



326 



