38 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA. 



Geog. Dist. Eastern North America and as far north as Labra- 

 dor. 



W. Va. Dist. Rarely seen in this state. Reported from the 

 eastern pan-handle by Mr. Eifrig. Mr. Brewster saw a few in- 

 dividuals of this species in Ritchie Co., in May, 1874. The writer 

 has seen the Swamp Sparrow but two or three times within this, 

 state. 



Nest Ori the ground. 



Food Insects and seeds. 



585. Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) . Male and female. Note- 

 the thrush-like appearance of this large sparrow. One of the 

 most beautiful members of the sparrow family. A good songster. 



Geog. Dist. Eastern North America, from the Gulf States 

 northward to the Arctic coast. Found in the Yukon Valle}', Alaska. 

 This species, like the Song Sparrow, seems to be particularly 

 susceptible to climatic influence. Consequently, there are several 

 geographic races of this species. 



W. Va. Dist. Spends the winter in this section of country. 

 Quite common in West Virginia in the colder part of the year.. 

 To be found in brushy thickets. 



Nest In low trees and bushes. Breeds in the far north. 



Food Great seed-eaters while spending the winter in this lat- 

 itude. 



587. Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus} . Male and female- 

 adults. Often called "Jo-ee" or "Ground Robin". 



Geog. Dist. Eastern United States and Southern Canada. 



W. Va. Dist. Very common all over the state. This species 

 is abundant in the mountains. Wherever there are old fields or- 

 thickets the Towhees may be found at any time in the year, though 

 they are not nearly so common in the winter as in the summer. 



Nest On or near the ground. The nest is usually found about 

 blackberry bushes or other tangles of shrubbery. Four to five 

 spotted eggs. 



Food "While scratching and digging among the leaves in early 

 spring it unearths many dormant insects, and disposes of them ero 

 they have an opportunity to propagate their kind'' (Forbush). 



593. Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). Male and female. Knowni 

 to most persons as "Red Bird". 



