Towhee WESTERN BIRDS 



GENUS PIPILO: SPURRED OR SAN 

 DIEGO TOWHEE. 



Spurred Towhee: Pipilo maculatus tnegalonyx. 

 FAMILY— FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



While the Towhee of the east is not found on the 

 western coast we have in the northwest a similar bird, 

 several subspecies of which are found along the Pacific 

 and farther east. The Arctic Towhee (P.m. arcticus) 

 breeds as far south as west central Montana and north- 

 western Nebraska, occurs in migration in western Wyo- 

 ming and northeastern Utah, wintering from eastern 

 Colorado and southern Nebraska to southern Texas; be- 

 ing casual in Illinois and Wisconsin. 



The chief difference in this bird and the eastern lies 

 in the white markings of the wings which are much more 

 plentiful in the western bird. This increased white on 

 upper wings applies to all the western species. 



Probably the most common, best known member of 

 this group is the Spurred Towhee, which is listed in the 

 A. 0. U. Check List as the San Diego Towhee. It is, 

 however, best known by the former name, which it re- 

 ceived because of its long hind claw, rather than a spur, 

 as we understand it. 



This bird occurs in California, except the coast strip 

 north of San Francisco Bay, being a resident. 



Though it is a frequenter of wooded canyons, brush- 

 covered hillsides, and thickets, it is a friendly bird, and 

 if, perchance, you live near its chosen haunts, it will 

 come into your yard to scratch under your shrubs and 

 trees, visit your chicken yard, your bird table, and some- 

 times even venture into your house. 



Not only does their loud scratching proclaim their 

 presence, but as they work they keep up their nasal call 



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