44 



AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



SLATE-COLORED JUNCO, (SNOW BIRDS.) 



Closely connected with the Song Sparrow, and often feeding in com- 

 pany with it, may be mentioned the Junco or Snow Bird. These wel- 

 come little visitors return to us from their northern haunts in the latter 

 part of Autumn and remain with us until about the middle of ApriL 

 They usually associate in small flocks and are readily distinguished, 

 especially in flight, when the white tail feathers show in sharp contrast 

 to the dark slate color of the upper portions of the body. During 

 severe winters little groups of Snow Birds and Song Sparrows may be 

 seen hopping around our porches looking for food, and occasionally the 

 little band is joined by one or two Chickadees. What a pretty sight,, 

 with the pure whiteness of the snow for a back-ground. Chickadees 

 are also quite common during the winter, and their cheery "Chick-a- 

 dee-dee" may be heard in the tree-tops on many a dreary day. They 

 are somewhat like the Wrens as far as restless activity is concerned. 

 Their plumage is a pretty mixture of blue, black and ashy grey. Close- 

 ly allied with the Chickadees are the Nuthatches and Sapsuckers, and 

 their pleasant notes do one good when there are so few of our feathered 

 friends to be met with. These three species confine themselves more' 

 closely to the woods in summer and are not so frequently seen, partly 

 on account of the thick foliage and their alertness during the nesting 

 season. Occasionally we are favored with a visit from the Cardinal 



