178 



Distribution. As a species the Fox Sparrow ranges over all of North America north 

 to the tree limits. The Canadian form, the Eastern Fox Sparrow, the type, extends west 

 to the foot of the Rockies, where its place is taken by a number of other subspecies. 



SUBSPECIES. The Fox Sparrow is a highly variable and plastic species and 

 numerous well marked subspecific forms can be distinguished. The one occupying eastern 

 Canada is the Eastern Fox Sparrow P. i. iliaca, the typical race. 



This sparrow remains within the limits of civilization only for a few 

 days spring and autumn. Occasionally in spring it greets us with a song 

 of full clear tone that is equalled by few other birds and hardly surpassed 

 by any. 



Economic Status. It is with us hardly long enough or in sufficient 

 numbers to be of great importance to the agriculturist. It eats a little more 

 fruit than the majority of the sparrows, but at the seasons of its visits 

 little cultivated fruit is available and the insect and weed seed portions 

 of its food are such that it need cause no anxiety. 



587. Towhee. fr. — le pinson aux yeux rouges. Pipilo erythrophthalmus. L, 8'35. 

 Male, all above pure black including tail, head, throat, and breast where it cuts in a 

 sharp line against the clear white of the underparts . Broad reddish or bay flanks. A 

 few white feather edges on the flight feathers and considerable white in tail margins. 

 Female, similar but with the black replaced by reddish brown . 



Distinctions. Owing to its large size, long tail, and striking coloration the Towhee 

 can hardly be mistaken for any other bird. Young birds do not have much indication of 

 these distinctive coloui"s, being a vague, generally rusty colour, faintly and brokenly 

 striped; but the long tail, size, and general outline are usually sufficient for recognition. 



Field Marks. With a good view of the black or brown head and back, and the red 

 flanks, the species can hardly be mistaken. As it dashes away into the underbrush the 

 strongly accentuated black and white of the wings and tail of the male, or the reddish 

 brown and white on the tail of the female are easily recognizable. 



Nesting. On or near ground, in nest of dead leaves and strips of bark, lined 

 with fine grasses. 



Distribution. Eastern North America, from southern Canada to the gulf. Occurs in 

 Canada only along the southern border and is common only in the lower Great Lakes 

 region. 



SUBSPECIES. The Towhee of eastern Canada, P. e. erythrophthalmus, is the 

 Eastern Towhee, the type race of the species. 



The Towhee is a bird of brushy wastes or wood edges, where its dis- 

 tinctive note "Chewee" or " Te-wee" is a familiar sound. It delights to 

 perch on the top of a sapling standing alone in the underbrush and sing its 

 clear "dick-yoo, chiddU-chiddle-chiddle" . On being disturbed it drops 

 straight down into the underbrush, its black and white uniform flashing an 

 instant, then vanishes in the tangle, whence it peers about uttering its 

 usual ^'chi-tvee^' in inquisitive accents. In feeding it scratches over the 

 surface like a hen, making the dead leaves fly in all directions. 



593. Cardinal, red-bird, cardinal grosbeak. Cardinalis cardinalis. L, 8 25. 

 A large sparrow and a typical Grosbeak. The male is bright cardinal red with a black 

 splash about the base of the bill and throat. Both sexes have a decided crest as promi- 

 nent as that of the Blue Jay. The female is warm buff in colour, almost white below 

 and olive-buff on the back, the wings, tail, and crest approaching the rosy colour of the 

 male. The black face and throat of the male are faintly indicated. 



Distinctions. Absolutely unmistakable for anything else. The Pine Grosbeak may 

 suggest the Cardinal, but the red is never as solid and brilliant and it is without the crest 

 or the striking black face mark. The Scarlet Tanager is as brilliantly red, but is without 

 crest or face mark and the wings and tail are black. 



Field Marks. The brilliant all red coloration of the male, the flash of warm reddish 

 on the wings and tail of the female, and the prominent crest and large red bill in both 

 sexes. 



Nesting. In bushes, in nest of twigs, rootlets, and strips of bark, lined with grasses 

 and rootlets. 



