THE OREGON TOWHEE. __ es 
No. 66. 
OREGON TOWHEE. 
A. O. U. No. 588 b. Pipilo maculatus oregonus (Bell). 
Synonyms.—‘Carsrrp.” CHEWINK. 
Description.—Adult male: Similar to P. m. montanus but darker, the white 
spotting of wing and blotches on tail much reduced; two outer pairs of rectrices 
blotched and the third touched with white near tip; cinnamon-rufous of sides, 
ete., richer and deeper. Adult female: Like male but black veiled by deep reddish 
brown (clove brown) skirtings of feathers. Length about 8.50 (216); wing 
3.33 (84.6); tail 3.69 (93.7); bill .57 (14.5); tarsus 1.10 (27.9); hind claw 
.43 (10.9). Female a little smaller. 
Recognition Marks.—‘Chewink” size; black (with white spotting on wings) 
above; white of breast; deep reddish brown of sides; mewing cry. 
Nesting.—Like that of preceding species. Eggs a little larger: Av. size, 
1.04 x .74 (26.4x 18.8). 
General Range.—Pacific coast district from British Columbia (including 
Vancouver Id.) south to central California; chiefly resident thruout its range. 
Range in Washington.—Of general occurrence, save at higher levels, west 
of the Cascades ; resident. 
Authorities.—? Fringilla arctica, Aud. Orn. Biog. V. 1839, 49; pl. 394. 
P. oregonus, Bell, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 1858, pp. 513, 514. (T). 
Ci Sulawh. KibsRa, Kis B. ,. 
Specimens.—U. of W. P. Proy. B. BN. E. 
PERHAPS no bird is better known by voice and less by plumage than 
this shy recluse of the under forest. Swampy thickets, brush-piles, log- 
heaps, and the edges of clearings are his special delight. Hence it is that 
the newcomer, taking up quarters at the edge of town, hears this mysterious, 
questioning voice, me-ay ? meay uh ? rising from the depths of the brush-lot 
opposite. He reports the sound under the name of “Catbird,” and asks 
the bird-man’s opinion. Or, if the newcomer has been persistent enough, 
he has a glowing account to give of a handsome black bird with red on its 
sides, “like a Robin,” and some white below. The bird would only show 
himself for a moment at a time, and then he flitted and flirted restlessly 
before he dived into cover again, so that the fine points of white spotting 
on the wing and white tips on the outer tail feathers were lost out of account. 
Of course it is the Oregon Towhee, and the half pleasant, half com- 
plaining notes will insure him notice forever after. The bird is strictly 
resident wherever found, and the unmistakable blackness of his plumage is 
due rather to the age-long endurance of rain than to any chance association 
with blackened logs and stumps, as might be supposed. Towhee is prince 
