128 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [1891 



The usual notes are " Tow-hee," uttered sharp and distinct, 

 and with the second syllable accented. Besides this note, the 

 bird gives forth another quite pleasant little strain, which may 

 be imitated by the syllables, " Dya-dee-didrr." 



fe 



During the latter part of October the Towhee leaves for a 

 more pleasant temperature, so that by the first of November the 

 writer has always failed to discover it. It seems doubtful that 

 this species ever winters in this latitude, as has been asserted by 

 several observers. 



Cardinalis cardinalis (Linn.). Cardinal. 



This dignified and brilliant colored bird stays in this region 

 throughout the year, and it is just as common during the winter 

 as in the summer. While being one of our most conspicuous in 

 summer, it is even more so in winter, when the leaves no longer 

 cover the trees. It is distributed almost everywhere, excepting 

 in the fields and higher woods, but it also ventures to appear 

 around the farm-house, and is quite familiar to the country 

 people, who call it by the name of " Red Bird " in preference to 

 that of Cardinal. The bird is usually found in pairs, and even 

 iu winter the writer has rarely seen one flying into a bush or 

 thicket that has not been followed by a second individual. At 

 such times it utters a peculiar call which sounds like " zeett," 

 and this call may be heard at all seasons of the year. Besides 

 the above cry, it gives forth a fine song, which may be heard 

 from early in March until the close of summer, and during all 

 this time it is a most indefatigable songster, repeating its strains 

 at frequent intervals. 



The nest is placed in small trees, besides hushes and brambles. 

 It is made of fine rootlets, bits of weeds and strips of the bark 

 of grape-vine. Its eggs are whitish, and marked with various 

 shades of brownish. 



