One of the most charming and conspicuous birds of the dreamy autumn days is 

 the Slate-colored Junco, or Snowbird. During this brilUant season we may observe 

 it from the coniferous forests of British America to the magnolia and live-oak woods of 

 the Gulf region. Departing from its summer home when the leaves of the forest trees 

 assume their gorgeous coloring, it follows this transformation of the green into crimson 

 and orange hues, until it has arrived in its winter-quarters in the States bordering the 

 Gulf of Mexico. As soon as the nights get cool and frosty, the Snowbird arrives from 

 its more northern home, usually in company of Myrtle and Palm Warblers. They come 

 suddenly during the night, and we get the first glance of them early in the morning, 

 while they are skipping about among the shrubbery and on the ground, picking up 

 seeds and insects. On the outskirts of the woodlands they are also very abundant, and 

 in the bushes on the road-side they are noticeable everywhere. During the day the air 

 is very quiet, soft, breezy, and dreamy, and new-comers from higher northern latitudes 

 arrive daily. The most delicate species, especially the hosts of Warblers, Tanagers, Swal- 

 lows, etc., have left w^eeks ago, though stragglers of some species may still linger. 

 Among the autumn migrants none is more common and familiar than this dainty little 

 Junco. The evergreens and ornamental shrubs in the garden as well as the thickets in 

 fields, meadows, and on the forest border swarm with flocks of these lovely birds. They 

 are chasing each other through the thickets, are running nimbly over the ground or 

 smoothing their plumage. They enter fearlessly the large gardens and the parks of our 

 crowded cities, hopping and flying around as unconcernedly and with as much familiar- 

 ity as in the country districts. When flying or when chasing each other through the 

 air, or sometimes when running over the ground, the tail is spread in a fan-like manner, 

 the pure white exterior tail-feathers contrasting sharply with the black ones. The white 

 tail-feathers, the dark ashy of the back, head, and breast, and the pure white under- 

 parts 'identify our little Snowbird at the first glance. 



In the tangled thickets and in the ornamental shrubbery as well as in the weeds 

 of the kitchen garden and among the firs, pines, spruces, and cedars the Junco is equally 

 well at home, cheering up every spot by its lively ways and charming gladness. In 

 flocks they fearlessly approach the dwelling houses, appearing under the windows and 

 near the kitchen door to pick up seeds and crumbs. They become so tame and confident 

 that they return every day to the same spot, picking up millet and hay seeds pro- 

 vided for them. Exposed places they do not frequent, unless the weeds are dense, the 

 grass high, and bushy coverts not far away. Being much attacked by the smaller 

 Hawks, which follow the migrating swarms of birds from the North to their winter- 

 quarters, they are always on the lookout for these enemies, and the "apparent timidity 

 they evince at certain times and places is due to their apprehensions of this danger." 

 A strange sound, the cry of a Blue Jay, the sudden rustle of the wings of a hen will 

 cause the whole flock to hurry to the nearest thicket as soon as possible. Having con- 

 vinced themselves that all is safe, they fly down to the ground, one after another, only 

 to return to the thickets in the same terrified way when the dreaded sound is again heard. 



In Texas these and other northern birds are usually the forerunners of one of the 

 icy "northers," appearing suddenly in large swarms. As by magic the outskirts of 

 woodlands, the thickets in the ravines, the dense underwood in the bottom lands, the 



