A Catalogue of Birds obtained in Navarro County, Texas. 205 



Spizella pallida (Swains.) Clay-coloured Sparrow.— A rare 

 spring migrant to this district, passing nortli wards in small strag- 

 gling bands early in May. I generally found them in low-lying 

 mesquite flats, along the borders of the timber, and associating 

 with Passerculus alaudinus and Chondestes grammica. 



Spizella pusilla (Wils.) Field Sparrow.— Very abundant 

 wherever there is sufficient covert to shelter them, from the 

 last week of October to March, beyond which none remain. 

 During the winter months they are most frequently to be 

 found on the ground among the scrubby bushes and copse- 

 wood, along the edges of the wooded creeks and timbered dis- 

 tricts, into which latter, however, they never penetrate to any 

 great distauce, but as the season advances, they come much more 

 up into the prairie farms, frequenting old corn and cotton fields, 

 especially those which support a moderate growth of weeds, upon 

 the seeds of which they principally feed, though grasshoppers and 

 beetles are also to be found in their stomachs. They are very 

 sociable, always feeding in flocks, and not being averse to the 

 company of other finches. 



JuNCO HYEMALis (Linn.) Blach Snowbird.— This form is an 

 abundant winter visitor to the district, arriving in the beginning 

 of November, and frequenting the borders of the woodland 

 creeks and outlying copses, where, the ground being bare, they 

 can the more easily seek their food of small seeds and insects 

 among the withered leaves. Though naturally unsuspicious, 

 they are, nevertheless, timid birds, easily frightened by an 

 unusual noise, especially when its origin is not visible, but even 

 when so alarmed, they never fly to a greater distance than the 

 lower branches of the neighbouring trees and bushes, and if 

 unmolested further, very soon return to their feeding place. 

 They are very social, always going in flocks, and often in com- 

 pany with other species of similar habits. Though, as a rule, found 

 on or near the ground, a warm, sunny winter day often entices 

 them into the upper branches of the trees, where they hop merrily 

 about from bough to bough, and even imitate the Dendrcecm 

 by pursuing passing insects though not always with great success. 

 During hard weather a few may sometimes be found about 

 the doors of prairie farms along with Passerculus alaudinus, 

 but these are always young birds. They remain here until the 



