io6 Land Birds of New England 



until May. He is stated to be common in winter 

 only with the snow or just before storms; I have 

 been more fortunate, however, in finding him in 

 comparatively mild weather. He spends his time 

 chiefly on the ground, and should be sought in stub- 

 ble fields, edges of woodland, and especially on 

 roadsides. He can readily be attracted to the door- 

 yard by grain or crumbs, although he is easily star- 

 tled, and ready to* fly to the protection of shrubbery. 

 Snowbirds usually come in small flocks, often ac- 

 companied by sparrows ; when on the ground they 

 have a characteristic habit of constantly opening 

 and shutting the tail. They are said to be quarrel- 

 some, but my observation does not lead me to agree 

 with this statement. 



Breeding takes place in the higher parts of west- 

 ern Massachusetts, in the White Mountains, and 

 farther north. The nest is usually placed upon the 

 ground, rarely in a bush. Eggs are laid about the 

 first of June. 



The snowbirds have in spring " a great variety of 

 twitters, trills, and even tinkling sounds, which are 

 often so combined as to form a lively song." Their 

 chirp tjiey utter particularly as they take to flight. 

 There are two distinct songs ; a simple trill some- 

 what like that of the chipping sparrow, and a faint 

 whispering warble, usually much broken but not 



