THE OREGON TOWHEE. 163 



No. 66. 



OREGON TOWHEE. 



A. O. U. No. 588b. Pipilo maculatus oregonus (Rell). 



Synonyms. — "Catbird." Chi;Wink, 



Description. — Adult male: Similar to P. in. iiioiitainis but darker, the white 

 spotting of wing and blotches on tail much reduced; two outer pairs of rectrices 

 blotched and the third touched with white near tip ; cinnamon-rufous of sides, 

 etc.. richer and deeper. . Idiilt female: Like male but black veiled bv deep reddish 

 brown (clove brown) skirtings of feathers. Length about 8.50 (216); wing 

 3.33 (84.6); tail 3.69 {93.7); bill .S7 (14.5): tarsus i.io (27.9): hind claw 

 .43 (10.91. Female a little smaller. 



Recognition Marks. — "Chewink" size : black ( with white spotting on wings) 

 above; white of breast; deep reddish brown of sides; mewing cry. 



Nesting. — Like that of preceding species. Eggs a little larger : Av. size, 

 1.04 .\ .74 ( 26.4 X 18.8). 



General Range. — Pacitic coast district from British Columbia (including 

 \'ancouvcr Id. ) south to central California; chiefly resident thruout its range. 



Range in Washington. — ()f general occurrence, save at higher levels, west 

 of the Cascades ; resident. 



Authorities. — ? Frmgilla arctica, And. C)rn. Biog. V. 1839, 49; pi. 394. 

 P. oregonus. Bell. Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. i8=;8, pp. si 3. S14. (T). 

 C&S. L-'. Rh. Kb. Ra. Kk. B. E. 



Specimens.— U. of W. P. Prov. B. BN. E. 



PERHAPS no bird is better known liy \-oice and less by ])lumage than 

 this sliv recluse of the under forest. Swampv thickets, brush-piles, log- 

 heaps, and the edges of clearings are his special delight. Hence it is that 

 the newcomer, taking up quarters at the edge of town, hears this mysterious, 

 questioning voice, lue-ay .' ineay uli ? rising from the depths of the brusii-lot 

 opposite. He reports the sound under the name of "Catbird," and asks 

 the bird -man's opinion. Or, if the newcomer has been persistent enough, 

 he has a glowing account to give of a handsome black bird with red on its 

 sides, "like a Robin," and some white below. The bird would only show 

 himself for a moment at a time, and then he flitted and flirted restlessly 

 before he dived into cover again, so that the fine points of white spotting 

 on the wing and white tips on the outer tail feathers were lost out of account. 



Of course it is the Oregon Towhee, and the half pleasant, half com- 

 plaining notes will instu'e him notice forever after. The bird is strictly 

 resident wherever found, and the unmistakable blackness of his plumage is 

 due rather to the age-long endurance of rain than to any chance association 

 with blackened logs and stumps, as might be supposed. Towhee is prince 



