BIEDS OF KANSAS 69 



XIII. SLATE-COLORED JUNCO. 



Junco liy emails (LmN.). 



Winter sojourner; abundant. The bulk leave in 

 March ; begin to return about the middle of October. 



HABITAT. Northern North America; south in winter 

 throughout the eastern United States, and straggling west- 

 ward to the Pacific coast. Breeds from Nova Scotia and 

 Maine to Alaska. 



Iris blackish brown; bill white, with a pinkish, some- 

 times bluish tinge, dark at tips ; legs brown ; feet dark 

 brown ; claws black. 



These hardy little birds are at home in the winter 

 storms. They frequent the edges of the woods and bor- 

 ders of fields and open lowlands. A rather timid bird, 

 that only seeks the abode of man when the ground is 

 covered with snow. Hunger then overcomes fear, and 

 they become a familiar bird about the yards and stables, 

 hopping nimbly about among the cattle and poultry, and 

 ciigci'ly picking up the crumbs and seeds scattered in the 

 dooryards; returning to their haunts as the snow melts 

 away, if not as wild, as timid as-ever, darting into cover 

 at the slightest disturbance, but quickly returning, as if 

 forgetful of the scare. They associate together in small 

 flocks, except during the mated season, but are of rather a 

 quarrelsome nature, and not a real social, happy group. 

 When at rest, they perch in the bushes and trees near the 

 ground, rarely ever flying into the tall tree tops. Their 

 usual chip call note sounds much like that of the Chipping 

 Sparrow. In the early spring, as the warm weather 

 awakens the passions of love, the males begin to think 



