FINCHES 



^^, Oregon towhee, Pipilo macidafus 

 Oregon us. 7.35 



Distribution: Coast districts of southern 

 British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and 

 California, soutli to San Francisco Bay. 



The Oregon towhee, or catbird, as it is 

 commonly called, is common everywhere in 

 its range from the mountains to the sea. It is 

 a ground bird, living in the underbrush where 

 it may be often heard, when not seen, through 

 its habit of vigorously kicking in the dead 

 leaves in search of food. Its love of the cover 

 afforded by brushy fence rows and the tangle 

 of brush and vines along woods roads, it 

 shares with the song sparrow with w hich it is 

 alw^ays closely associated. It is one of our 

 permanent birds, braving the cold and snow 

 with seeming indifference, its strong feet and 

 bill enabling it to find a living where other 

 weaker birds would perish. 



It may be easily identified by its black head 

 and neck, reddish brown sides, white belly 

 and long black tail bordered with conspicuous 

 white thumb marks. A near view will also 

 disclose its red eye. 



When disturbed it utters a mewing call 



note not unlike that of the catbird of the 



eastern states. It has a pleasing, though 



monotonous variety of other call notes and 



73 



