Birds of Nebraska: Newspaper Accounts, 1854-1923

Editor [possibly Miles Greenleaf]. December 26, 1920. Omaha Sunday World-Herald 56(12=13): 6-E. A bird editorial.

The Junco.

Wherever you may roam along the roadsides in the winter, the colder the better, you are pretty sure to hear the wiry twang of the call of the Slate-colored Junco, and to see the flash of his white tail feathers as he dives from one patch of underbrush to another.

Generally Mr. Junco is not alone, but grouped with a large number of his pals, liberally sprinkled with Tree Sparrows.

The Junco, as his full name would suggest is a darby. He eats weed seeds until his little tummy is almost popping, and has positively no bad habits, as far as ornithologists have ascertained to date.

In the zero periods of our winters the Junco is the most active, and a study of this bird is well worth while. He is one of the busiest of the winter tribe, and many folk call him a "Snowbird," which is a misnomer inasmuch as many other birds seem to have secured the same title.

The Junco, in the spring, has a very beautiful little song, which he saves for that occasion, but in winter, as has been remarked, his wiry twang or a sharp chip are all that he can do to help you in his identification.

A grand little bird, this Slate Colored Junco, and well worth becoming acquainted with.

Try that acquaintanceship today.