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Field Marks. With a good view of the black or brown head and back, and the red 

 flanks, the species can hardly be mistaken. As it dashes away into the underbrush the 

 strongly accentuated black and white of the wings and tail of the male, or the reddish 

 brown and white on the tail of the female are easily recognizable. 



Nesting. On or near the ground, in nest of dead leaves and strips of bark, lined 

 with fine grasses. 



Distribution. Eastern North America, from southern Canada to the gulf of Mexico. 

 Occurs in Canada only along the southern border and is common only in the lower Great 

 Lakes region. 



SUBSPECIES. The Towhee of eastern Canada P. e. erythrophthalmus is the 

 Eastern Towhee, the type race of the species. 



The Towhee is a bird of brushy wastes or wood-edges, where its dis- 

 tinctive note "Chewee" or "To-wee" is a familiar sound. It delights to 

 perch on the top of a sapling standing alone in the underbrush and sing its 

 clear "Dick-yoo, chiddle-chiddle-chiddle" . On being disturbed it drops 

 straight down into the underbrush, its black and white uniform flashing 

 an instant, then vanishes in the tangle, whence it peers about uttering its 

 usual "Che-wee" in inquisitive accents. In feeding it scratches over the 

 surface like a hen, making the dead leaves fly in all directions. 



Genus Cardinalis. Cardinals. 



593. Cardinal. RED-BIRD. CARDINAL GROSBEAK. PR. LE CARDINAL GROS-BEC. 

 Cardinalis cardinalis. L, 8-25. A large Sparrow and a typical Grosbeak. The male is 

 bright cardinal red with a black splash about the base of the bill and throat. Both sexes 

 have a decided crest as prominent as that of the Blue Jay. The female is warm buff in 

 colour, almost white below and olive-buff on the back; the wings, tail, and crest approach- 

 ing the rosy colour of the male. The black face and throat of the male are faintly 

 indicated. 



Distinctions. Absolutely unmistakable for anything else. The Pine Grosbeak may 

 suggest the Cardinal, but the red is never as solid and brilliant and it is without the crest 

 or the striking black face mark. The Scarlet Tanager is as brilliantly red, but is without 

 crest or face mark and the wings and tail are black. 



Field Marks. The brilliant all-red coloration of the male, the flash of warm reddish 

 on the wings and tail of the female, and the prominent crest and large red bill in both 



Nesting. In bushes, in nest of twigs, rootlets, and strips of bark, lined with 

 and rootlets. 



Distribution. The Cardinal in its various subspecies has a wide distribution in the 

 United States and the type form crosses the Canadian border commonly along the western 

 end of lake Erie, occurring as scattered individuals and in isolated communities there and 

 in adjoining localities. The Eastern Cardinal, the one here considered, is the type form 

 of the species. 



The Cardinal Grosbeak is not generally distributed in Canada, but is 

 a permanent resident wherever it is found and its gorgeous colouring and 

 brilliant whistling give it an added interest. It may surprise many that 

 this southern bird ever occurs in Canada, but in some sections along the 

 Lake Erie shore it is not only regular but common. It should be rigorously 

 protected for its beauty as well as for more material reasons. 



Economic Status. The Cardinal feeds largely upon locusts, cicadas, 

 potato-bugs, rose-chafers, plum and cherry scales, cutworms, weevils, and 

 other destructive pests. In addition, it takes weed seeds in considerable 

 amount and some wild fruit. There is no evidence that it damages culti- 

 vated varieties. 

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