September, and retiring thither to breed late in April or early in May. During its stay 

 here the Junco usually forages in flocks of considerable size, and is seen oftenest by the 

 road-sides. In severe weather, however, and compelled by hunger, it approaches barns 

 and dwellings, and, laying aside its customary timidity, becomes quite fearless. 



Its song is not much more than a high-pitched trill and is not often heard. 



Probably the bird is more voluble in its northern nesting-places, for only in Spring, 

 just upon the eve of its departure, do we detect the song, and we may reasonably suppose 

 that what we catch is but the preparatory tuning up, so to say, a sort of making ready 

 for the real nuptial chant. It has a call, while with us, which Dr. Coues terms "its 

 snapping note." 



PLATE XXXIII. SONG SPARROW. 



Melospi^a fasciata. 



1 



Above streaked with black and brown ; crown chestnut with small 

 black stripes : under-parts white streaked with black and brown ; a 

 brown stripe behind the eye ; wing feathers edged with dull red ; tail 



