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. 



Pig. 132. — Slate-colored J unco, one-half natural size. 



Field Sparrow. Bush Sparrow. 



Spizella pusilla. 



Length. — About five and one-half inches. 



Adult. — Crown and hack reddish-hrown ; hack 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. 



Eggs. — 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- 



