22S NORTH A.\IKl;lUAN JilKlJS. 



Habits. Tlie AAHiite-throated or Cape Towliee of Cape St. Lucas wiis first 

 met with by Mr. Xantus in tlie southern extremity of the peninsula of 

 Lower California, and described by Professor Baird in 1859. Its close re- 

 semblance to F. mcsohucus suggests an equal similarity as to its habits, iu 

 regard to which we possess no actual kno-\\'ledge. Mr. Xantus has fur- 

 nislied us with no memoranda as to the manners of the bird. AVe have only 

 the brief mention among his notes to the effect that No. 4,855 is the nest 

 witli four eggs of this Pipilo, founil in a wild Ilmnidiis thicket ; and that No. 

 5,076 is a nest with eggs of tlie same, found in a thicket of wild roses in 

 the garden fence. 



Judging from the laige number of the nests and eggs of this species 

 collected by that gentleman at Cape St. Lucas, it would seem to be very 

 abundant in that locality. 



The eggs of this variety measure .95 ol' an inch in length and .72 in 

 breadth. They bear a strong resemblance to those of the P. fuscus, but the 

 markings are darker and more distinctly defined, standing out with a clear 

 and striking effect, in marked contrast \\'\\\\ the light background. The 

 ground-color of the ei>£r is a liuht tint of iobin-l)lue. The markings of dots, 

 dashes, and lines are all about the larger end, and are of a deep dark shade 

 of purplish-brown, so dark as, except in a strong light, to be imdistinguish- 

 able from black. 



SECTION III. 



Brown ; throat iritlwat I hjiit initch. 



Pipilo aberti, I'.Aitin. / o «-' 



ABERT'S TOWHEE. 



Pipilo abcrli, B.\IRD, Stonsbuiy's IJcp. (ireat Salt Lake, Zoology, .June, 1852, 325 CNew 

 Mexico). — hi. Birds K. Am. 1858, 516, pi. xxx. — Kexnerly, P. R. R. X, b, pi. 

 x.x.x. — Heekmaxx, X, 0, 15. — Cooper, Orn. t'al. I, 24i. Kieiieria aberli, Bonap. 

 Compte.s Rendus, XL, 1855, 356. 



Sp. Char General color of upper part,? pale brownish yellowish-rod ; beneath brighter, 



and more ocliraceoiis, especially on the under 

 coverts, palest on the middle of the belly. 

 Sides of head anterior to eyes, and chin dark 

 brown. Bill and legs yellowish. Length, 9 

 inches; wing, 3.70; tail, 4.8.5. 



Hah, Base of rtoc-kv Mountains in New 

 Mexico, Valley of Gila and Colorado. 



This plainly colored bird is perhaps the largest of the North American 

 Finches, and is w-ithout any blotches, spots, or variations of importance from 

 one color, except on the chin and sides of the head. The bill is similar to 

 that of P. crjithrophthalmus, but the cutting edge is less couca\-e and more 



