252 BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



species during the migrations. This seems to be the case as far west as Greens- 

 boro; still farther west, in Stokes and Rockingham counties, it must be a resident, 

 as the species was observed commonly in this territory by Sherman in February 

 and also in July. Near the coast again it is resident, and we have summer records 

 from Craven, Pitt, Lenoir, Bladen, and Carteret counties. Whether these eastern 

 breeders show any approach to the resident white-eyed Towhee of Florida, we have 

 not had enough specimens to decide; but a male taken at Lake Ellis in Craven 

 County by C. S. Brimley on May 28, 1907, had the iris yellowish brown instead of 

 red; otherwise it was indistinguishable from Raleigh specimens. Pearson found 

 a nest with four newly hatched young in Brunswick County, June 14, 1898. 



The Towhee builds its nest on the ground or in a low bush, constructing it of 

 grapevine bark, twigs, weed stems, leaves and grass, lined with fine grass and root- 

 lets. The eggs are three to five in number, of a whitish ground-color, thickly 

 speckled with light reddish brown. Size .95 x .72. As to the date at which it nests, 

 C. S. Brimley found a nest with five eggs on Satula Mountain, near Highlands, 

 on May 9, 1908, at an elevation of 4,000 feet; and Cairns states that in Buncombe 

 County the Towhees nest from the middle of April until June. 



The Towhee derives its various names from its different call-notes, or, rather, 

 from different interpretations of these notes. It is essentially a thicket-loving bird, 

 and is a most energetic scratcher, a small band of them making almost as much 

 noise among the dead leaves as a hen with chickens. In the mountains it is accused 

 of pulling young corn, but from the other parts of the State we hear no complaint 

 on the subject. 



247. Pipilo erythrophthalmus alleni (Coues). WHITE-EYED TOWHEE. 



Description. Similar to common Towhee, but white on wings and tail more restricted (on 

 tail confined to two outer tail-feathers only, or else represented on third by small spots only; 

 while in the Towhee proper the white is present on three outer tail-feathers, and often as small 

 spots on the fourth). Iris white in adult male. 



Range. Florida to North Carolina, along the coast only. 



Range in North Carolina. Probably coastal region from Beaufort south; at present only known 

 from Beaufort. 



This southern coastal form of the Towhee was taken by Bruner at Beaufort, 

 July 18, 1912 (adult male with white iris), and July 22, 1912 (immature male). 



Genus Cardinalis (Bonap.) 



248. Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis (Linn.}. CARDINAL. 



Description: Ad. cf . Throat and region about the base of the bill black; rest of the plumage 

 bright rosy red, the upperparts tipped with grayish; a conspicuous crest; bill red. Ad. 9 . 

 Throat and region about the base of bill grayish black; crest, wings, and tail dull red; upperparts 

 olive brownish ash; underparts buffy ochraceous, lighter on the belly, and sometimes tinged with 

 red on the breast. L., 8.25; W., 3.75; T., 4.00; B., .64. (Chap., Birds of E. N. A.) 



Range. Eastern United States. 



Range in North Carolina. Resident throughout the whole State. 



The Cardinal, commonly called in this State "Redbird" or "Winter Redbird," 

 is a common resident everywhere. The nest is made of weed stems, leaves, and 

 grass. Usually it is lined with grass, and is built in a low bush, small tree, or 



