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 branch ;s 
of low trees, in holes in apple-trees, etc. 
Note. — E.xamples of the Oregon Junco (/. kyemalis oregonus), 
which was discovered by Nuttall and Richardson in the forests of 
Oregon, have wandered into Michigan and Massachusetts. 
Another species, the Carolina Junco {Junco carolinensis), 
was first described by Mr. William Brewster from specimens ob- 
tained by him on the mountains of North Carolina in June, 1885. 
It is much larger and lighter colored than kyemalis, and has a 
horn-colored bill. 
