THE WHITE-EYED TOWHEE. 



{Pifiilo erythrofihthalmus alleni.) 



The White-eyed Towhee is a geograph- from its wooded retreats. It is so fre- 

 ical variety of the northern towhee or quently seen among the saw-palmettos 

 chewink. Its range is very limited and that it is often called the Palmetto Che- 

 includes only the southeastern United wink or Towhee. 



States, where it is the most common in The call note of the White-eyed Tow- 

 Florida. In Georgia and South Carolina hee sounds much like the syllables jo-ree 

 it grades into the common towhee, which with the accentuation on the last sylla- 

 it closely resembles, though it is some- ble. Regarding its song, Mr. J. C. May- 

 what smaller; has less white on the pin- nard says that it does not sing in winter, 

 mage of the wings and tail, and the iris "but by the first of March the males may 

 is brownish yellow or yellowish white be seen on the highest boughs of the 

 instead of red. small live oaks, pouring forth their son~ 



The Florida Towhee, as the White-eye which is lower and sweeter than that of 



is frequently called, spends much of its the red-eye. This outburst of song is the 



time on the ground under the shade of prelude to the breeding season, and soon 



the dwarf palm, where it scratches among the birds are busily engaged in construct- 



the leaves. It is said that it is so active ing their nests." 



and the individuals so numerous that the Mr. Oliver Davie says that the White- 

 sound of the scratching may be heard at eyed Towhee has been found breeding 

 quite a distance. One observer of this as far north as South Carolina. Its nest 

 Towhee's habits says : "These birds are consists of coarse weeds, pine needles 

 exceedingly inquisitive and will follow and grass and is lined with finer grasses, 

 one for a long distance through the It seems to nest both in pine trees, at 

 bushes. They are also sympathetic, for heights from three to fifteen feet above 

 they will gather in large numbers around the ground, and in the dense clumps of 

 a wounded comrade, when they hear its saw-palmettos. It has also been stated 

 cries, evincing the utmost compassion for that the nest is sometimes built on the 

 its misfortune." In general it is a shv ground, 

 and retiring bird and is seldom seen far 



SEEDS. 



Greenwinged pods upon the poppies wave, 



The hollyhocks are gothic with slim spires, 

 The balsam's rose and snow have passed away 



To little sacks of gold on silver wires. 



— Illyrta Turner. 



no 



