TOWHEE 



153 



Fig. 37. Towhee 



similar. Im. — Head and back brown; breast streaked with black; 

 wings brown and white; tail as in ad. 



Nest, on the ground, often under a heap of brush. Eggs, white, 

 evenly speckled with brown. 



The Chewink is a common summer resident of southern 

 and central New England and of the Hudson Valley. In 

 the northern parts of New York and 

 New England it is confined to the more 

 settled portions, and frequents pastures 

 that are becoming overgrown with 

 bushes. It arrives late in April, and 

 stays into October. It is abundant in 

 scrubby oak, such as is common on 

 Cape Cod and on Martha's Vineyard. 

 When undisturbed, it scratches ener- 

 getically in the dry leaves under the bushes, or mounts some 

 low tree to sing. 



The song varies considerably, but as a rule resembles the 

 syllables dick-yoo, chiddle-chiddle-chiddle. The Chewink 

 has two broods, and therefore 

 sings well „into July. The 

 alarm-note, chi-icee 1 , has given 

 the bird its name ; often the 

 southern name, Joree, 'seems 

 to suggest the note better. 

 During the breeding season 

 it has a sharp, sibilant call- 

 note which suggests the sst 

 of certain of the sparrows. 



When startled, the Chewink 

 flies with jerks of its widespread tail, so that the large 

 white spots on the outer tail-feathers show clearly. When 

 seen from below, the angle made where the black breast 

 meets the white belly is an excellent field-mark. At close 

 range the bright red iris is conspicuous. 



Fig. 38. Tail of Towhee 



