BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. 273 



The unusually late date, May 2d, was in 1878, of a bird seen at Swamp- 

 scott by J. A. Jeffries. In the spring of 1904, they were particularly abundant 

 and in full song. 



The clear, deep, melodious song of this bird makes even that of the 

 beloved Song Sparrow seem thin and trivial. At times, however, when a dis- 

 tant flock is singing imperfectly and confusedly it reminds one of the piping of 

 frogs. 



Why they do not pitch forward on their heads when they spring back with 

 both feet at once in scratching seems a mystery. The dead leaves and twigs 

 sometimes fly back to the distance of a foot or more. 



240 [587] Pipilo erythrophthalmus (Linn.). 

 Towhee ; Chewink. 



Common summer resident ; May 3 to October 1 (December 4). 

 Eggs : May 17 to June 1. 



The winter record is of a bird seen on December 4th, 1904, at Smith's 

 Point, Manchester, by Mr. W. R. Peabody. 



Like the famous Capercaillie, which is murderously stalked when he is utter- 

 ing his love-song, the Towhee can be closely approached when he is pouring 

 forth his song from some high branch, if the listener advances two or three 

 paces at a time during the song, and stands motionless during the intervals. 



241 [593] Cardinalis cardinalis (Linn.). 

 Cardinal. 



Accidental visitor from the south. 



Nuttall x says : " And a few stragglers even proceed as far to the north as 

 Salem in Massachusetts." 



One was seen frequently at Marblehead Neck by Mr. H. C. Farwell in 

 1901, and again in April, 1902. 2 Mr. H. F. Chase of Amesbury writes me 



1 Thomas Nuttall: A Manual of the Ornithology of the United States and of Canada, vol. 1, p. 

 520, 1832. 



* Card Catalogue, Peabody Academy. 



