204 TOWHEE. 



find it difficult to helieve tliat, unknown to me, this beau- 

 tiful creature could long have been an inhabitant of my 

 woods. 



The Grosbeak prefers young second growths, with a 

 liberal proportion of oaks. In one of these trees he ^vill 

 doubtless build his nest, a structure so lightly made that 

 one can almost see the blue, spotted eggs from below. 

 The male is not only an ardent lover but an admirable 

 husband, and, unlike most brightly attired birds, shares 

 with his mate the task of incubation, and, it is said, 

 sings while on the nest. His mate is so unlike him in 

 color that few would suspect their relationship. She 

 suggests an overgrown female Purple Finch, with the 

 eye-stripe especially prominent ; but if you should chance 

 to see the under surface of her T^dngs, you would find 

 that they were lined with gold. However, the call-notes 

 of l)oth sexes are alike — a sharp, characteristic jpeeJ^^ which 

 you will have no difficulty in recognizing after you ha^'e 

 learned it. 



The Grosbeak's song will remind you of a Robin's, 

 but it is in truth a nmch higher type of bird music. 

 It is a joyous carol, expressive of a happy disposition 

 and a clear conscience. 



The Towhee, or Chewink, is an important member of 



any bird community. He comes early — x\pril 20 may 



„ ^ find him with us — and he stavs late, 



Towhee, , . . -i ^- " i ^ 



Pi^,ii,, sometimes remaining until JN ovember 1. 



erythropUhalmus. During tliis period there is not an hour 



^'^^® ■ of the day when you can not find a 



Chewink if you know how to look for him. At midday 



you will perhaps have to summon him by a whistled to- 



icJiee from the depths of his bushy home on the border of 



a wood or thicket ; but he will soon respond, and with a 



fluff-fluff of his short, rounded Avings, fiy jerkily up to 



inquire what's wanted. 



