Towhee. 127 



about the first of November. The white-throated aud 

 the fox sparrow remain in our latitude, though the latter 

 is seldom seen in the mid-winter and evidently journeys 

 farther south to avoid the severest weather. In 1894 I 

 saw the last song sparrow of the season on the 10th of 

 November, a solitary individual sitting in the top of a 

 brush heap. When the familiar " plee " was wafted to 

 my ears, I eagerly yet quietly pushed through the bushes 

 to catch a glimpse of the belated traveler, and soon espied 

 him, chanting as blithely as in early spring. He had no 

 desire to have an auditor, however, singing apparently for 

 his own pleasure, and, becoming aware of my interest in 

 his actions, he flitted into an adjacent hedge and again 

 sang as before. Upon a further interruption, he dropped 

 into the weeds bordering the hedge, and became lost to 

 my observation. 



Those who do not know the song sparrow can readily 

 identify it by the streaks on the throat and sides ot the 

 body, the streaks on the breast often forming a distinct 

 spot, which Florence A. Merriam prettily describes as a 

 dark breastpin. Its upper parts are reddish brown, 

 streaked with darker brown and gray, while the lower 

 parts, except those mentioned, are dingy white. 



TOWHEE. 



One of the showy birds of the bushes, not so well known 

 as his attractive qualities deserve, is the handsome towhee. 

 His shy disposition and lowly home have caused him to 

 be overlooked, except by interested observers, and most 

 people are ignorant both of his name and existence. He 

 merits a wider circle of acquaintance, however; for he 

 comes to us early in the spring, usually preceding both 

 the brown thrasher and the catbird, and remains until 

 late in the autumn, and his manners are above reproach. 

 He is no lover of city or town life, nor does he aspire to 

 occupy a high position in the world. Fitted by dress and 

 manners to mingle with the best classes of avian society, 

 he modestly chooses to pass his time near the bosom of 

 mother earth. Now and then, however, he ascends to the 



