82 
THE RELATION OF SPAKKOWS To AGRICULTURE. 
sedge, sheathed rush-grass, pigeon-grass, crab-grass, and other pani- 
cums, paspalum, and a small quantity of grain; the second com- 
prises ragweed and polygonums; and the third includes the seeds of 
various plants the majority of which are such weeds as amaranth, 
Lamb's-quarters, chickweed, purslane, tick-trefoil, vetch, gromwell, 
wood sorrel, sedge, sheep-sorrel, wild sunflower, and Russian this- 
tle. The seeds of amaranth and lamb's-quarters are by far the most 
important in the diet. Few other sparrows eat as many of these 
seeds as the junco, which feeds on them chiefly in March when, 
doubtless, other and more palatable seeds are too scarce to be easily 
obtained. 
The effect of the junco during its stay on agricultural land is that 
of an unmixed benefit, because the good done by its extensive con- 
sumption of weed seeds is not counterbalanced by any real harm; 
even the slight tendency toward grain eating is practically harmless, 
since most of the grail) eaten consists of waste kernels. 
SONG SPARROW. 
Melospiza melodia and subspecies.) 
The song sparrow (see fig. 17), unlike the junco, occupies agricultu- 
ral areas in summer. It breeds throughout the United States, includ- 
ing Alaska south of 
Una la ska, and is 
found also in Can- 
ada and Mexico. In 
winter there is a 
shifting southward, 
bui the species is 
still to be found in 
most of the Slates 
excepl the northern 
tier. 
The bird honestly 
merits its title of 
song sparrow, for 
its bright, canary- 
like lay is one of 
the most attractive 
voices of the spring, and is familiar to many that do not know the 
identity of its author. In habitat it differs slightly from both field 
and chipping sparrows: it is not so often met with in t lie open country 
as the one. or in the orchard as the Other, but is most Likely to be 
found inhabiting bushes along water courses. Sometimes, however, 
it frequents the shrubbery near buildings, in which case it may often 
be seen, in company with worthless English sparrows, hunting about 
PlO. 17.— Song sparrow. 
