328 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



5910. Pipilo fuseus albigula (BAIRD) [2400.] 



Saint Lucas Towhee. 



Hab. Lower California. 



The White-throated Brown Towhee is a common species at Cape 

 St. I/ucas where it breeds abundantly, placing the nest usually in 

 thickets, a few feet from the ground and often on the ground, in a 

 slight hollow. It is composed of wiry grasses, a few leaves, and fine, 

 slender roots. 



The eggs are usually four in number, pale greenish-white or very 

 pale greenish-blue, with markings, dots, dashes and lines about the 

 larger end, of a deep dark shade of purplish-brown, so dark as some- 

 times to be undistinguishable from black ; average size .91 x .65. 



591. Pipilo fuseus crissalis (Vic.) [240/5.] 



Californian Towhee. 



Hab. California. 



An abundant bird in California and known as the California 

 Brown Towhee, Crissal Towhee Bunting and Canon Finch. Mr. A. 

 M. Shields states that in Southern California this species is a constant 

 companion of the Californian Thrasher, frequenting the dense beds of 

 chapparal and the scrub bushes which line the mountain canons. The 

 bird nests early in April, and fresh eggs may be found until the middle 

 of May. The nest complement is generally four, often five, sometimes 

 only three. The situation of the nest according to Mr. Shields is 

 quite variable, sometimes it is placed on the ground, occasionally in 

 crevices of vine-covered rocks, in hollow trunks of trees, etc., but the 

 favorite nesting place is a thick, scrubby bush from three to five feet 

 above the ground. Prof. Bvermann found young birds as early as 

 April 3 in Ventura county. The nest in that region is usually built 

 in a sage, greasewood, or cactus, one to five feet from the ground. 

 Occasionally, however, it is placed in live oaks, ten to fifteen feet up, 

 and composed of twigs, bark and grass, lined with rootlets. 



A large series of the eggs of this species is before me. In their 

 general appearance they resemble the eggs of the Red-winged Black- 

 bird, being of a blue, spotted and blotched with varying shades of dark 

 and light purple, in some the color is not distinguishable from black, 

 except in a strong light. The markings are chiefly or wholly at the 

 larger ends and sometimes in the shape of scrawls and daubs. Ten 

 eggs measure .87X.72, .90x73, .92*. 71, .92 x .73, .94 x -74> -95 x -7) 

 95 x -73> -97 x -73> 99 X -7 I > -99 x -73- 



592. Pipilo aberti BAIRD [241.] 



Abort's Towhee. 



Hab. Arizona and New Mexico north into Southern Utah and Colorado. 



This very large and long-tailed species, known as the Gray Tow- 



