THE



45



Avicultural Magazine,


BEING THE JOURNAL OF

THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY.


Third Series .— Vol. VII.—No. 2.— All rights reserved. DECEMBER, 1915.


THE TOWHEE.


By T. Gilbert Pearson.


[Reproduced by the kind permission of the Editor of “ BIRD-LORE:”]


Not all birds possess strong personalities. Just as among

persons there are many who are neither particularly good nor bad,

handsome nor homely, brilliant nor stupid. They play an important

part in life, to be sure, but they do not attract any great attention

nor arouse, on the part of the observer, any special interest or

enthusiasm. We all know such people, and I dare say most of us

have made the acquaintance of such birds now and then.


A Strong Character.


The above statement, however, does not serve to describe the

towhee, except in a negative manner, by calling attention to the

fact that it does not belong to the mediocre class, for it is a bird of

distinct personality, being endowed, in a very large way, with what

we may call “character.” The male is especially striking in appear¬

ance, and both he and his mate are filled at all times with an energy

and bounding activity that challenge the attention and admiration

of everyone who is so fortunate as to meet them.


One cannot watch the towhee long without imbibing some of

the purposeful energy which the bird imparts in its every move¬

ment. The ambitious and slothful alike may receive inspiration

and wisdom by considering its ways. I am particularly fond of the

towhee, and have long counted his friendship among my most

cherished possessions.


It is about the tenth of April when this bird is usually first



