THE OREGON TOWHEE. 163 



No. 66. 



OREGON TOWHEE. 



A. O. U. No. 3XS 1). Pipilo maculatiis oresonus (Bell). 



Synonyms. — "Cati'.ikh." Cuewink. 



Description. — Adult male: Similar to P. iii. tiiontaiins 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, 

 etc., richer and deeper. .Idiilt 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 i.io (27.9); hind claw 

 .43 (10.9). Female a little smaller. 



Recognition Marks. — "Chewink" size; black (with white sjiotting 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 (26.4 X 18.8). 



General Range. — Pacific coast district from P^ritish Cnhimbia (including 

 \'ancouver Id.) south to central California; chiefly resident thrunut its range. 



Range in Washington. — Of general occurrence, save at higher levels, west 

 of the Cascades ; resident. 



Authorities. — ? Fringilla arctica. Aud. Orn. Biog. \. 1839, 49; pi. 394. 

 P. oreqonus. Bell, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 18^8, pp. SM. SU- (T)- 

 C&S. I>. Rh. Kb. Ra. Kk. 1!. E. 



Specimens.— U. of W. P. I'rov. B. BN. E. 



PFJvITAFvS no bird is better known by voice and less by ])luniagc than 

 this siiy 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, inc-ay ? ineay itli ? rising from the depths of the brush-lot 

 opposite. He re])orts the sound under the name of "Catbird." and asks 

 the bird-man's opinion. Or, if the newcomer lias 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 wdiite below. The bird would only show 

 himself fi>r a moment at a time, and then he flitted and flirted restlessly 

 before he dived into co\-cr again, so that the fine points of while spotting 

 on the wing and while tips on the outer tail feathers were lost out of account. 



Of course it is tiic Oregon Towhee, and the half ]jleasant, half coni- 

 ])laining notes will insure him notice forever after. The bird is strictly 

 resident wherever found, and the unmistakable blackness of his ])lumage is 

 due rather to the age-long endurance of rain than to any chance association 

 \vith blackened logs and stumps, as nu'ght be supposed. Towhee is prince 



