BIRDS OF FIELD AND GARDEN. 301 
southeastern portion of the State, where 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 
chiefly 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 about 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 sing much 
like the Chipping Sparrow. They now converse together 
with a musical twittering, and about the first of May they 
leave for their northern breeding ground. 
~ oo SS SSS 
Fig. 132.—Slate-colored Junco, one-half natural size. 
Field Sparrow. Bush Sparrow. 
Spizella pusilla. 
Length. — About five and one-half inches. 
Adult. — Crown and back reddish-brown; back feathers showing pale edgings 
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. 
£ggs.— Small, white, with rather fine brown spots. 
Season. — April to October. 
The Field Sparrow is a common summer resident of Mas- 
sachusetts. It arrives in southeastern Massachusetts some- 
