Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy Thickets 



567. Snowbird; Junco: Junco hyemalis (Linn.) 



Adult S — Dark slate colour with slight brownish tinge, except the 

 lower part of breast and belly, which, together with the outer 

 tail feathers, is white. 



Adult 5 — Is less decided and lighter in colour. Length — 6.27. 

 "Young in first plumage resemble the adults, but have the 

 upper parts, throat, and breast streaked with black." (Chap- 

 man.) 



Breeding Range — The more northern parts of New England, New 

 York, and Pennsylvania, southward along the Alleghanies to 

 Virginia. 



The nest may be found among the roots of a fallen tree, in 

 crevices of banks, or in bushes, but usually it is on the ground in 

 a tangle of undergrowth. It is built of dry grass and moss, well 

 lined with tine grass and hair. The eggs are greenish or bluish 

 white with fine spots and sometimes blotches of reddish purple- 

 brown and lilac, chiefly in a wreath round the larger end. Size 

 — .76 X .56. See Fig. 14, Plate C. 



Most of us have met this quiet-coloured bird, but only when 

 nearly all of our summer birds ha\'e gone to warmer climes ; he 

 then frequents the vicinity of dwellings, spending most of his 

 time either on the roadside or in places where he can find the 

 seeds that form his winter food. During the breeding season few 

 of us are fortunate enough to see him, as he betakes himself to 

 higher altitudes or to the more northern parts of New England. 

 In Ontario the Snowbird is said to begin nesting "the first week 

 of May, and nests with eggs are found as late as August." Minot 

 says that in the White Mountains they lay their eggs in June. 



567e. Carolina Snowbird or Junco: J. h. carolinensis 



Brewst. 



Resembles the common snowbird, but is slightly larger and 

 is without the brownish tinge to the slate colour of the head, 

 breast, and back. 



Breeding Range — The southern part of the Alleghanies, in Virginia 

 and the Carolinas. 



The nest is described as being similar to that of the common 



61 



