250 LAND BIRDS 



happy description of some characteristics of the Eastern 

 variety is applicable also to that called the Californian. 

 He says: 



"There is a vigorousness about the Towhee's notes 

 and actions which suggests both a bursting, energetic 

 disposition and a good constitution. He entirely dom- 

 inates the thicket or bushy undergrowth in which he 

 makes his home. The dead leaves fly before his attack ; 

 his white-tipped tail-feathers flash in the gloom of his 

 haunts. He greets all passers with a brisk, inquiring 

 chewink, towhee ; and, if you pause to reply, with a 

 flifff, fluff of his short, rounded wings he flies to a 

 near-by limb better to inspect you. 



" It is only when singing that the Towhee is fully at 

 rest. Then a change comes over him ; he is in love, 

 and, mounting a low branch, he gives voice to his passion 

 in song. I have long tried to express the Towhee song 

 in words, but never succeeded as well as Ernest Thomp- 

 son when he wrote it chuck-hurr, pill-a-willa-will-a.^^ 



591 c. ANTHONY TOWHEE. — Horhdanusfuscus senicida. 

 Family : The Finches, Sparrows, etc. 



Length: 8.20-8.30. 



Adults : Similar to Californian towhee, but smaller, darker, and grayer. 



Geographical Distrihutioii : Southern California. 



California Breeding Range: Below Transition zone in the San Diegan 



district. 

 Breeding Season : March, April, and May. 

 Nest and Eggs: Similar to those of the Californian towhee. 



The Anthony Towhee chooses more southern breed- 

 ing grounds than any of its Californian kinsfolk. This is 



