WESTERN BIRDS Towhee 



not usually feed young birds other than their own, even 

 though they be the same species. 



About a week later we noticed that the old birds were 

 again trying to get into the porch where the young bird 

 was kept. When the box containing the nestling was 

 placed outside, one of them at once jumped upon it and 

 tried to get in. Upon removing the screen-top one old 

 bird went in with its mouth full of worms and fed the 

 baby, which responded with loud crys and quivering 

 wings, showing that it was quite ready to be adopted. 

 Finding that these Towhees were sincere in their desire 

 to care for the nestling, we released him, and, fed faith- 

 fully by both adults, he grew to maturity. 



Striving to find a reason for the changed attitude of 

 these old birds, I went to their nest only to find it empty. 

 Some prowling cat had, undoubtedly, found them. In 

 this empty nest seemed to be the solution of the actions 

 of the Towhees. So strong was the parent love within 

 them that, bereft of their own nestlings, they were glad 

 to adopt this strange bird. 



From west central Arizona and southeastern Colorado 

 south to northeastern Sonora and western Texas is found 

 a similar bird which is known as the Canyon Towhee 

 (Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus). 



It builds its bulky nest in the low mesquite or between 

 the leaves of the yucca palm, and sometimes even in the 

 cholla cactus. Their call note is a similar thin chip 

 which they often repeat rapidly several times, as do, also, 

 the other members of this group. They have, also, the 

 same way of raising the crown feathers which gives the 

 head a full, crest-like appearance. 



The Albert's Towhee breed from Colorado to south- 

 eastern California; in southern Nevada, southwestern 

 Utah, southern Arizona, and southwestern New Mexico. 



This bird differs from the others chiefly in having 

 black lores and chin. Mrs. Bailey says of it: "The cinna- 



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