186 

 Genus Junco. Snowbirds. 



567. Junco. QRAYBIRD. BLACK SNOWBIRD. FR. LE PINSON NIVEROLLE. Junco 

 hyemalis. L, 6-27. Plate XXXIII B. 



Distinctions. Solid dark slate-grey above and on breast, cutting sharply against the 

 white underparts. 



Field Marks. Sharp line of the dark breast against the white below, and white outer 

 tail feathers which show in flight. 



Nesting. On or near the ground in nest of grasses, moss, and rootlets lined with finer 

 grasses and long hairs. 



Distribution. As a species, all America to the tree limits. The Slate-coloured 

 Junco extends west to Alberta. 



SUBSPECIES. The Juncos are divided into a number of subspecies, only one of 

 which, the Slate-coloured Junco, the type form, occurs in eastern Canada. 



The Junco, with its black breast, light coloured bill, and white bor- 

 dered tail, is conspicuous amongst the large flocks of Sparrows passing 

 through or tarrying in the spring and autumn. 



Economic Status. The effect of the Junco on agriculture is almost 

 wholly beneficial. During its stay in the more settled sections it consumes 

 large quantities of weed seeds. The insects it takes are mostly harmful. 

 Little or no exception can be taken to it, as it does no perceptible damage 

 to crops or fruit. 



Genus Melospiza. Song Sparrows. 



581. Song Sparrow. FR. LE PINSON CHANTEUR. LE ROSSIGNOL. Melospiza melodia. 

 L, 6-30. Plate XXXIV A. 



Distinctions. Rather like the Vesper Sparrow in size and general coloration, but 

 darker and more decided in tone; lacks the white outer tail feathers. The breast streaks 

 are also sharper and darker brown and aggregated in the middle into a well-defined spot. 

 The lack of the yellow stripe over the eye separates the Song from the Savannah Sparrow 

 and the sharply streaked breast from any of the other Sparrows of comparable size and 

 habit. 



Field Marks. Sharply striped breast and central spot. The absence of the white 

 outer tail feathers will guard against confusion with the Vesper Sparrow, and longer tail, 

 lack of yellow lores, voice, and general attitude distinguish the Song Sparrow from the 

 Savannah. 



Nesting. On the ground, more rarely in bushes, in nest of coarse grasses, rootlets, 

 dead leaves, strips of bark, etc., lined with finer grasses and sometimes long hairs. 



Distribution. As a species, the Song Sparrow inhabits all America to the tree limits. 

 Our eastern form extends west to the central prairie provinces. 



SUBSPECIES. The Song Sparrow is a wide-ranging species and has been divided 

 into many subspecies, twenty being recognized in North America and a number more 

 proposed. Most of these are western forms originating in the broken land of the Pacific 

 coast where isolated colonies and varied conditions have favoured numerous departures 

 from type. In eastern Canada the form recognized is the Eastern Song Sparrow M. m. 

 melodia, the type race. 



It is difficult to form a just and unprejudiced estimate of the standing 

 of the Song Sparrow in the avian chorus. Its little medley of chirps and 

 trills makes a sustained song of some duration and to those who listen 

 to it sympathetically it has a gladness, brightness, and sweetness of tone 

 that are difficult to surpass. The bird is almost omnipresent. It lives in 

 the shrubbery close about the house and is one of the familiar birds of the 

 garden. It haunts the thickets on the edge of the wood-lot or bordering 



