BIRDS OF KANSAS. 481 



about half as long as that of the first; of the third half that of the second. The 

 chestnut of the sides reaches forward to the back of the neck, and is visible 

 when the wings are closed. A young bird has the prevailing color reddish olive 

 above, spotted with lighter; beneath brownish white, streaked thickly with 

 brown." 



stretch of 

 Length. iving. 



Male 8.50 11.00 



Female . . . 8.20 10.60 



Iris bright red; bill black; legs, feet and claws light brown 

 to flesh color. 



These peculiarly marked, characteristic birds inhabit, during 

 the winter months, the low bottom timber lands along the 

 streams; in summer, the groves, higher lands, and tangled thick- 

 ets bordering the woodlands and streams. They are not as a rule 

 as shy and retiring as most birds that make their homes in retired, 

 secluded places. I have often watched them in their haunts, and 

 by sitting down or standing motionless had them come almost 

 to my feet, in their search for worms, insect life and seeds that 

 lie chiefly beneath the old, dead leaves, which they remove by 

 scratching with their feet, often making the leaves fly in every 

 direction. Busy bodies ! and as they move about on the 

 ground, or hop from bush to bush, often raise their crests, 

 spread and jerk their tails, not in a nervous manner, but rather 

 as if proud of their good looks and display. They occasionally 

 utter their call note, "Tow-hee, tow-reet," or "Chewink, "and 

 when startled, in a sharp and distinct manner. 



Their song, heard from the top of a bush or low tree, con- 

 sists of a few monotonous notes, uttered in a clear, plaintive 

 tone, but not musical enough to rank with our sweet songsters. 

 They are usually met with in pairs or family groups, and I 

 think they remain mated during the year. 



Their nests are usually placed in a depression on the ground, 

 under a log or at the foot of a tree, in a brush heap, or most 

 any concealed spot they may fancy, and occasionally in low 

 bushes. I found one at least ten feet from the ground. It 

 was hidden in the sprouts growing from a gnarl on the body of 

 a hackberry tree. They are bulky structures, composed of 

 leaves, twigs, and strippings from grapevines, and lined with 



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