312 



OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION. 



GENUS JUNCO WAGLER. 



120. Junco hyemalis (LINN.). 

 Slate-colored Junco; Black Snowbird. 



An abundant winter resident. It makes its appearance generally during the lat- 

 ter half of October, although it was in 1892 seen on October 2. It remains until late 

 in April ; latest in 1893, when it was noted on April 26. 



It moves much in companies of from twenty to fifty individuals, seldom more, 

 though a flock of eighty was encountered March 25, 1894. I* * s often found with 

 other Sparrows, particularly Tree and Song Sparrows. Among its favorite haunts are 

 the borders of the woods and the thickets on the bottom-lands, where during fall and 

 winter the species may nearly always be found. 



It usually sings to some extent during March and April, and its song has been 

 heard even as early as February 25 (1892). 



An albino specimen of this species, taken by Mr. W. E. Henderson, M^arch 9, 

 1892, was, with the exception of a few isolated patches of color, entirely white. 



GENUS MELOSPIZA BAIRD 



121. Melospiza fasciata (GMEL.). 

 Song Sparrow. 



A permanent resident; very abundant except in December and January. In 

 late fall and winter it retires principally to the bottom-lands, where often in small 

 flocks it seeks the shelter of the dense thickets. At this time it feeds more or less ex- 

 tensively on the seeds of the ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiivfolia}. 



Nesting is begun in April, full complements of eggs having been taken on the 

 third of May (1891). Nests with eggs have not been noted after June 14, but the 

 species of course breeds considerably later than this date. Most of the nests observed 

 have been in moist situations on the bottom-lands. A low bush is not infrequently 

 utilized as a nesting place. The nest is usually very carefully concealed, sometimes 

 being completely roofed over by growing grass. One found May 14, 1893, was 

 located on the slope of a railroad embankment only a few inches beyond the ends of 

 the ties and where the sitting bird was apparently disturbed by every passing train. 



The measurements of six nests are as follows : 



The Song Sparrow has been heard singing in every month of the year excepting 

 December, but the season of its best song is from about the first of March until the 

 first of August, and from late in September to the latter part of October. The music 



