GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE. 



592.1. Oreospiza chlorura. 7 inches. 



These are characteristic birds of the Western moun- 

 tains. They are typical brush birds, satisfied in living 

 a life of security in their own way, and rarely appear 

 above the surface of the thick shrubbery except to 

 mount to a conspicuous twig, pour forth their sweet 

 melodies and then retreat again. 



Notes. — A loud chip; a soft, mewing note; song, 

 finch-like, musical but rather simple. 



Nest. — Either on the ground or in bushes near the 

 ground. Made of grasses the same as that of any of the 

 sparrows. Eggs pale bliiish gray, thickly speckled with 

 reddish brown. The nests are built in very thickly 

 tangled underbrush and are difficult to locate. 



Range. — Western United States, from the eastern 

 base of the Rockies west to the eastern slope of the 

 Sierra Nevadas. 



