CLASS II. AYES: ORDER -. RASSERES. 



161 



THE CHEWIXK. 



soil ; in tbo dry season they eat a portion of a species of cactus. Two or three other similar 

 genera are found in these islands — all resembling the grosbeaks. 



Genus PIPILO : Pipilo. — This includes the Chewixk, or GRorxT)-RoBix, or GRor^^)-Fr^^cH, 

 P. cnjthrophthaJma — the Toichfc Buntina of Pennant — seven and a half inches long; above 

 black; wings with one or two white bars; breast white; abdomen pale red; sides reddish- 

 brown. It is a common, humble, and unsuspicious bird, li\-ing in thickets along the borders of 

 woods, where it may often be seen scratching up the withered leaves for worms and their larv^. 

 as well as seeds and gravel, frequently crying at the same time iaio-tree, tatc-iree, tair-ireet. It 

 tiies with a jerking motion, and a frequent flirt of the tail. It conceals its nest on the ground, 

 lays four or five eggs, and is a general inhabitant of Canada and the United States, migrating to 

 the north in the spring and retiring in the autumn. 



The Casox-Fixch. P.fusca^ is nine inches long ; olive-brown above ; middle of the abdomen 

 white ; other lower parts cinereous ; makes its nest in the thick branches of a cedar or dwarf 

 oak; haunts shady gorges in mountainous districts; spends much of its time on the ground; its 

 note a simple chirp ; found in California and New Mexico. The P. airtica builds its nest on 

 the crrouud ; found in Utah. The P. Aberti is found in the same reiriou. 



'"^^ THE TAXAGRIX-E OR TAXAGERS. 



This is a very extensive sub-family of splendidly 

 colored birds, peculiar to America, and mostly con- 

 fined to the southern portion of it. Of about two 

 hundred and twenty species, one hundred and ninety- 

 three belong to South America, the remainder to 

 Mexico and Central America ; three or four are well- 

 known summer visitors to the United States. They 

 have a curved bill, slightly arched at the tip ; their 

 wino^ and flight are short ; they usually collect m 

 troops; feed on insects and fruits; and build their 

 nests on the bninches of trees. Most of them have 

 a pleasing song, and some are remarkable for their 

 vocal powers. 



Genus EITHOXIA: Euphotua.—Thh com- 

 nri<A< iho Orit \^\i-*T Tav^okr, ^. musica^ four 



THE SCARLET TAXaGER. prices UlC V IxUA-MSl aa-^au^ik, , 



Vol. IT.- -21 



