164 THE LAZULI BUNTING. 
of the underworld, not, of course, in the Mephistophelian sense, but as the 
undoubted aristocrat among those humble folk who skulk under dark ferns, 
thread marvelous mazes of interlacing sticks and stalks, explore cavernous 
recesses of moss-covered roots, and understand the foundations of things 
generally. 
The handsome bird is a little impatient of the company of his own kind, 
his faithful spouse always excepted; but he quite appreciates the mild defer- 
ence of Rusty Song Sparrows, the bustling sociability of Western Winter 
Wrens, or even the intermittent homage of Seattle Wrens. In winter the 
Fox Sparrows attach themselves to this humble itinerant court, but they are 
a dozen times more bashful than their chief even. 
Only at mating time does Towhee throw caution to the winds. Then 
he mounts a sapling and drones away by the hour. The damps of ten thou- 
sand winters have reduced his song to a pitiful wheeze, but he holds forth 
as bravely as any of his kin, whééééé whéééée, and again, whééééé. In winter 
the birds employ a peculiar hissing sound, pssst or beszt, not I believe, as a 
warning—rather as a keep-in-touch call. It was rather heartening tho to 
hear the full song of Towhee on the 29th of December at Blaine. Compari- 
sons were unnecessary, and the homely trill stood out like a benediction 
against the dripping silence. 
In feeding, Towhees resort chiefly to the ground. They are not careful 
to observe quiet, and one may follow their movements by the attendant rus- 
tling of leaves. Scratching for food is a favorite employment, and this they 
pursue not by the methodical clutch and scrape of the old hen, but by a suc- 
cession of spirited backward kicks executed by both feet at once, and assisted 
by the wings. By this method, not only fallen seeds are laid bare but lurking 
insects of many sorts, which the bird swiftly devours. 
No. 67. 
LAZULI BUNTING. 
A. O. U. No. 599. Passerina ameoena (Say). 
Synonyms.—LAzuLt FINcH. 
Description.—Adult male: Head and neck all around cerulean blue; this 
color carried over upperparts but pure only on rump, elsewhere appearing as 
skirting of feathers; middle coverts broadly and greater coverts narrowly tipped 
with white; wings and tail otherwise black; some skirting of ochraceous on back, 
scapulars and tertials; lores black; chest ochraceous sharply defined from blue 
above but shading gradually into white of remaining underparts; sides and flanks 
with outcropping bluish dusky. Bill black above, pale bluish below ; feet brownish 
dusky; iris brown. Adult female: Above grayish brown, the color of male 
