iS^ Bird -Lore 



nest, especially after the eggs have hatched, the parents will immediately 

 appear and, flitting about on the ground or from bush to bush, will anxiously 

 voice their alarm. This will be kept up without intermission until the intruder 

 has departed. 



The Towhee has one unfortunate weakness — it allows itself to be imposed 

 upon by the Cowbird. The happiness and prosperity of many a Towhee 



home is ruined by this dark destroyer of wild-bird domestic 

 The Parasite life. The Cowbird, which makes no nest of its own, often lays 



one or more of its eggs in the Towhee's nest, where they are 

 allowed to remain. The young Cowbird grows rapidly, and often crowds 

 some of the young Towhees from the nest. Later, when the young leave the 

 nest together, we may sometimes see a mother-Towhee engaged in the care of a 



TOWHEE FEEDING TWO YOUNG COWBIRDS 



young Cowbird-imposter while giving attention to her own young, as may be 

 seen in the picture on this page, which was made from a photograph. 



Some birds in the world seem to feed entirely on fish. In winter, spring 

 or summer, it matters not, they must have fish. Should the ice form over their 

 usual fishing-places they fly away to where the water is open 

 Its Food and fish may be obtained. There are other birds that eat only 



insects. Often they are not choice in the kind of insects they 

 have, but almost any kind that has wings and can fly these air-feeding birds 

 seize and devour. Our Towhee, however is nearly omnivorous. Edward For- 

 bush, who has spent a great deal of time finding out just what birds eat, tells 

 us that Towhees are fond of ants and of a great variety of beetles. They also 

 eat hairy caterpillars in great numbers. Those found in the neighborhood of 

 gardens, or of fields under cultivation, frequently flit along the ground among 

 the vegetables or grain in search of cabbage-worms, potato-bugs, and such other 

 small creatures, many of which are destructive to crops. 



It will thus be seen that the Towhee is a very useful bird to mankind, 

 and should receive the most careful protection by everyone. In fact, in most 



