SLATE-COLORED JUNCO. 341 



caution is not unnecessary, for on the skirts of the larger flocks 

 the famished Hawk prowls for his fated prey, and descending 

 with a sudden and successful sweep, carries terror through all 

 the wandering and retreating ranks. 



In the latter end of March or beginning of April, as the 

 weather begins to be mild, they re-appear in flocks from the 

 South, frequenting the orchard trees, or retreating to the shel- 

 ter of the woods, and seem now to prefer the shade of thickets 

 or the sides of hills, and frequently utter a few sweet, clear, and 

 tender notes, almost similar to the touching warble of the 

 European Robin Redbreast. The jealous contest for the 

 selection of mates already also takes place, soon after which 

 they retire to the northern regions to breed ; though, accord- 

 ing to Wilson, many remove only to the high ranges of the 

 Alleghany Mountains, where, in the interior of Virginia, and 

 towards the western sources of the Susquehanna, they also 

 breed in great numbers, fixing their nests on the ground or 

 among the grass, the pairs still associating in near communion 

 with each, other. In the fur countries they were not observed 

 by Richardson beyond the 5 7th parallel. 



The Junco breeds from northern New England northward, and 

 on the higher hills south to North Carolina. It is an abundant 

 summer resident of the Maritime Provinces, and winters there in 

 small numbers. It also winters sparsely in northern New England, 

 and from Massachusetts southward it is a common winter bird. 



The song is very similar to that of the Chipping Sparrow. 

 Though usually building its nest on the ground, a few have been 

 found in other situations. Sheriff Bishop, of Kentville, N, S., re- 

 corded in the O. & O. for September, 1888, finding nests on branches 

 of low trees, in holes in apple-trees, etc. 



Note. — Examples of Shufeldt's Junco (/. hyemalis shu- 

 feldti), a western form, has been reported from several Eastern 

 States. 



Another species, the Carolina Junco (y. h. carolinensis), was 

 first described by Mr. William Brewster from specimens obtained 

 by him on the mountains of North Carolina in June, 1885. It is 

 larger and lighter colored than hyemalis, and has a horn-colored 

 bill. 



