252 BirjDs of ]!^orth Caeolina 



species durius the niif!,r:iti()iis. This seems to be the case as far west as Greens- 

 boro; still farther west, in Stokes and Rockingham counties, it must be a resident, 

 as the species was observed commonly in this territory by Sherman in February 

 and also in July. Near the coast again it is resident, and we have sunuuer records 

 from Craven, Pitt, Lenoir, Bladen, and Carteret counties. Whether these eastern 

 breeders show any api^roach to the resident white-eyed Towhee of Florida, we have 

 not had enough specimens to decide; but a male taken at Lake Ellis in Craven 

 County by C. B. Brimley on IVIay 28, 1907, had the iris yellowish brown instead of 

 red; otherwise it was indistinguishable from Raleigh specimens. Pearson found 

 a nest with four newly hatched young in Brunswick County, .June 14, 1898. 



The Towhee builds its nest on the ground or in a low bu.sh, constructing it of 

 grapevine bark, twigs, weed stems, leavers and grass, lined wth fine grass and root- 

 lets. The eggs are three to five in number, of a whitish ground-color, thickly 

 speckled with light redtlish brown. Size .do x .72. As to the date at which it nests, 

 C. S. Brimley found a nest with five eggs on Satula Mountain, near Highlands, 

 on May 9, 1908, at an elevation of 4,000 feet; and Cairns states that in Buncombe 

 County the Towhees nest from the middle of April until June. 



The Towhee derives its various names from its different call-notes, or, rather, 

 from different interpretations of these notes. It is essentially a thicket-loving bird, 

 and is a mo-st energetic scratcher, a small baml of them making almost as much 

 noise among the dead leaves as a hen with chickens. In the mountains it is accused 

 of pulling young corn, but from the other parts of the State we hear no complaint 

 on the subject. 



247. Pipilo erythrophthalmus alleni iCoucs). White-eyed Towiiek. 



Description. — Similar to c'dniinon TowIk'o, l)ut wliito on wiiig.s and tail more rcstriotnl (on 

 tail confined to two outer tail-feathers only, or else represented on third liy small .spots only; 

 while in the Towhee proper tli<' white is jiresent on tliree outer t ail-feat liers, and often as small 

 spots on the fourth). Iris white in adult male. 



Range. — Florida to North Carolina, alon;; the eoa.st only. 



Kanyc in Sorlh Carolina. — Probably coastal region from Beaufort south; at present only tcuown 

 from Beaufort. 



This southern coastal form of the Towhee was taken by Bruuer at Beaufort, 

 July 18, 1912 (adult male with white iris), and July 22, 1912 (immature male). 



Genus Cardinalis (Bonap.) 



248. Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis (Linn.). Caui)i.\.\l. 



Description: Ad. <f. — Throat and region about the biuse of the bill black; rest of the plumage 

 bright rosy red, tlie upperparts tipjied with grayish; a conspicuous crest; bill red. .1'/. 9- — 

 Throat and region about the liase of liill grayish black; crest, wings, and tail dull red; upperparts 

 olive brownish iish; underparts butfv ochraceous, lighter on the bellv, and sometmies tinged with 

 red on the breast. 1,., S.2.-); \V., 3.75; T., 4.00; B., .64. (Chap., Bi'rds ofE. N. A.) 



Range. — Kiustern United States. 



Range in North Carolina. — Resident throughout the wliole State. 



The Cardinal, commonly called in this State "Rcdbird" or "Winter Redbird," 

 is a common resident everywhere. The nest is made of weed stems, leaves, and 

 grass. Usually it is lined with grass, and is built in a low bush, small tree, or 



