PiriLO LF.UCOP1S. 113 



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HABITS. 



When one is wandering along <the htunmook edges of Florida, ho will frequently be 

 greeted hy a sudden, explosive chirp which is given so loudly as to be almost startling. 

 The author of this sound is concealed by the dense thicket and the most that can be seen 

 of it is the quick flirt of a white-tipped tail as the bird beats a hasty retreat deeper into the 

 bushes. If the spectator remain quiet for a few moments, however, he will see a pair of 

 bright red eyes watching him from among the foliage and will be saluted by an inquiring 

 tow-hee, for the Red-eyed Bunting is exceedingly inquisitive, but upon perceiving the 

 slightest motion it is off, loudly and petulantly repeating its tow-hee, tow-hee. This is the 

 only note I ever heard from this species in Florida, neither did I ever find them elsewhere 

 than along the margins of the thick woods, but when in the north their habits are quite 

 different. 



The rocky sides of the Alleghany mountains are covered with small trees while the 

 intervals between them are occupied by low bushes. This shrubbery forms a favorite resort 

 for the Towhecs, and the males may be seen any morning in May perched on the topmost 

 boughs of the highest trees, busily engaged in pouring forth their somewhat disconnected 

 song. This lay is not fine but yet enlivening for it rings out loud and clear and, as it echoes 

 along the steep sides of the valleys, produces an effect which is quite pleasing. In Massa- 

 chusetts the Towhees are found in open fields grown up to bushes, or along fence rows. 

 Here they are quite familiar, following the pedestrian about when he invades their domains, 

 occasionally uttering their peculiar cry. 



They breed in the localitcs which I have described, about the middle of May, almost 

 always building on the ground but on one occasion I found the nest on a small limb about 

 a loot above the surface. The females, when setting, are quite tame and I have frequently 

 nearly placed my hand on them before they would fly. 



In August the newly fledged young are found in pastures feeding upon berries, in com- 

 pany with their parents. In this stage of plumage the streaked breast and whitish eyes 

 give them a singular appearance quite at variance from the adults. They do not keep this 

 dress long, however, but gradually assume one more like that of the mature birds. The 

 Towhees spend the greater portion of their time on the ground, frequently scratching 

 among the fallen leaves after insects. This habit is especially noticeable in autumn when 

 the birds gather in straggling flocks on their southward migration. 



PIPILO LEUCOPIS. 

 White-eyed Towhee. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Plate IV. Adult uinlj and female in spring. 



Si'. <'u. Form, robust. Si/e. medium. Tongue, not very fleshy, provided with a bifid tuft of coarse, terminal, hair- 

 like lihi-rs. Sternum, similur to that of eri/t/irnji/it/in/mia, but nut as stout. The I'.-nthcr- of the head an- elongated. 



COI.OK. Ailult ninli. I "]>|MT portion of body, including wings anil tail, throat, sidi-s of head and neck, and upper 

 breast, blai k. Kd^eof win.^. miter welis of ba*al purl inn of all the primaries, and i-lnii.ua ted spot "ii the outer four, forming 

 an (il>lii|ue liar. -|>ts un outer webs of secondaries, narrow line on outer webs of outer tail feathers, s|M>t.s on terminal por- 

 tion of thre;.- |iairs, n >t, however, extending to the shaft, middle of breast, and tilxlomen, white. Sides and flunks, chestnut 



BIRO.- OK i I.OKIDA. 15 



