Song: The notes that are more frequently heard are sharp little “tsips” given rather as a call note than as a song. The true music or regular song of the Junco is a decidedly musical trill. Sometimes, when disturbed, the birds will utter a short “smack!” and fly to some other place where they may be uninterrupted in their hunting.
Markings: The Junco is a very trim little bird, with a somewhat stylish appearance. He is quite plump and has a covering of neat slate color above and upon the throat in a “bib” formation. The belly is white. Two very conspicuous white outer tail feathers are the most striking identification marks.
Bill: This bird is a member of the Sparrow family. He has a thick, pointed little bill that is of great service in crushing seeds. When the sun shines directly through this bill, a flesh-colored pink is shown.
Nest: The Junco nests from northern New York and New England, northward. The nest is made of fine rootlets, grasses, and moss, interwoven and built upon the ground or just above in small bushes, and lined with hairs.
Remarks: The sociability of the Junco is mainly responsible for his traveling in small flocks during the winter time. Crumbs and similar foods are greatly welcomed by this bird, who will often come quite near to human homes if sufficiently invited. The flash of white and gray is a welcome sight as a small band of these birds comes flying into the garden when the clouds above are heavy and gray with oncoming snow. It is at this time that we most appreciate their company.
The Junco—6¾ inches
THE ENGLISH SPARROW
The English Sparrow is most often referred to as a pest. It is a permanent resident in more senses than one. It was in 1851 and 1852 at Brooklyn, New York, that the small bird was first introduced. During the first 20 years or so it was mostly confined to the larger cities in the east. However, due to the bird’s rapid increase it has spread throughout every State in the Union and has proved itself to be truly a great nuisance. Native birds have been driven from their homes and have been robbed of much of their food and many of their nesting sites.
Song: The English Sparrow has no true song, but rather is content to call Chirp—Chirp—Chirp—Chirp! over and over again. Sometimes, in the larger cities such as New York, far from the parks where no other birds would probably be, the hardy little Sparrow is welcomed by the children to whom, without him, bird life would be entirely a closed book. Thus it is that the chirp-chirp-chirp! is not unwelcome everywhere.