BIRDS OF FIELD AND GARDEN. 



301 



southeastern portion of the State, ^vhere the ground is bare 

 in sheltered places through much of the winter, or where 

 weed seed, chaff, and other food can be secured, this bird is 

 common in the colder months. Its notes at this season are 

 chietiy Sparrow-like chirps. 



It is useful here mainly because of its consumption of 

 weed seeds in spring, fall, and winter. Juncos come from 

 the north with the 

 first hard frost, 

 and are among the 

 most abundant of 

 our fall migrants. 

 They feed very 

 largely on the 

 seeds of amaranth, 

 lamb's quarters, 

 sorrel, wild sun- 

 flower, and other 

 pernicious weeds. 



A flock of these 

 dark birds on the 

 new-fallen snow is an interesting sight on a cold winter's 

 day, as they come familiarly al)out the house or barnyard. 

 Audubon says that in winter they burrow in stacks of corn 

 or hay for shelter at night during the continuance of inclem- 

 ent weather. As spring comes they begin to practise a 

 metallic song. They now converse together with a musical 

 twittering, and about the first of May most of them leave 

 for their northern breeding iiround. 



Fig. 132. — Slate-colored Junco, one-half natural size. 



Field Sparrow. Bush Sparrow. 



SpizcUa iJUsiUa jncsilla. 



Length. — About five and one-half inclies. 



Adult. — Crown and back reddish-brown ; back feathers showing pale ed.ijings 

 and lightly streaked with blackish : whitish wing bars : cheeks and sides 

 of head, to crown, gray; a reddish-brown streak behind the eye; below, 

 gray; breast washed with pale buff; bill pale reddish. 



Nest. — On ground or in low bush. 



Eggs. — Small, white, with rather tine brown spots. 



Season. — April to October. 



The Field Sparrow is a common summer resident of INIas- 

 sachusetts. It arrives in southeastern Massachusetts some- 



