398 
PASSERIFORMES 
Distribution. Southeastern United States. There is a single record for southern 
Ontario. 
SUBSPECIES. There are several subspecies of this species. The type form is 
called the Pine-woods Sparrow. The only Canadian specimen has been referred to Bach- 
man's Sparrow (le Pinson d’6te de Bachman) Aimophila aestivalis bachmani, the more 
northern race occurring regularly to southern Indiana and southern Ohio. 
574. Sage Sparrow, le pinson des sauges. A mphispiza nevadensis. L, 6. A 
rather small sparrow. Crown and face soft, light grey, clay coloured and lightly streaked 
on back and sides, throat and below white. White spots in front of, and behind, eye and 
black streaks from base of bill down sides of throat. Black centre-breast spot more or 
less evident. 
Distinctions. Probably soft greyness of crown and nape and white face marks. 
Field Marks. Too obscurely coloured and too rare in Canada to be identified unless 
in hand. 
Distribution. Sage-brush plains of western United States north to Washington and 
Montana. There is a single record for Canada, Lulu Island, British Columbia coast, 
October, 1930. Its presence has been suspected in the Okanagan Valley, but never demon- 
strated. 
SUBSPECIES. The single Canadian specimen seems referable to the Northern 
Sage Sparrow (le Pinson des sauges du Nord) Amphispiza nevadensis nevadensis. 
567. Slate-coloured Junco. black snowbird. le junco ardoise. Junco 
hy emails. L, 6*27. Plate LX XXII B. About the size of a Song Sparrow. Mostly dark 
or slate-grey; white below, cutting in a straight line sharply across the breast; outer tail 
feathers white. Bill, flesh coloured. Juveniles and females are less decided in colour and 
often show noticeable amounts of rusty on back and flanks suggesting the next species. 
Distinctions. Easily recognized as a junco by its grey or black head and breast, 
ending sharply against the white underparts; flesh-coloured bill, anti dark tail, with con- 
trasting white outer feathers. 
Field Marks. Dark or grey head, and breast sharply defined against white under- 
parts, flesh-coloured bill, and contrasting white outer tail feathers, conspicuous in flight. 
The Vesper Sparrow has somewhat similarly coloured outer tail feathers, but is a buffy 
appearing bird, instead of a dark grey or reddish one. 
Nesting. On or near the ground. Nest of grasses, moss, and rootlets, lined with finer 
grasses and long hairs. 
Distribution. North America, from tree limits, southward. Breeding throughout 
Canada, except in the more southern parts and most of British Columbia. 
SUBSPECIES. The Slate-coloured Junco for a long time was classed as subspecific- 
ally allied to a number of forms that are now given full specific status. A late decision, 
with which the present author is inclined to agree, has given this eastern dark grey race 
full specific distinction from the red-backed oreganus of the western mountains and the 
pale grey meamsi of the southern Canadian prairies and southward. Puzzling inter- 
grades between these races occur, but they seem more of the nature of hybrids than of 
blending subspecies, and a clearer view of the complicated relationship of these forms is 
presented by this concept. At present but one race of hyemalis is recognized in Canada, 
the Northern Slate-coloured Junco (le Junco a dos roux) Junco hyemalis hyemalis. 
The Junco, with its black breast, light-coloured bill, and white-bor- 
dered tail, is conspicuous amongst the large Hocks of sparrows passing 
through or tarrying in the spring and autumn. 
Economic Status. The effect of t he junco on agriculture is almost 
wholly beneficial. During its stay in the more settled sections it consumes 
large quantities of weed seeds. The insects it takes are mostly harmful. 
Little or no exception can be taken to it, as it does no perceptible damage 
to crops or fruit. 
