THE TOWHEE. 



93 



No. 43. 



TOWHEE. 



A. O. U. No. 587. Pipilo erythrophthalmus (Linn.). 



Synonyms. — Chew'ink; Ground Robin; Red-eyed Towhee. 



Description. — Adult male: Glossy black; belly abruptly white; sides chest- 

 nut to yellowish brown ; flanks and crissum tawny ; whitish marks on inner quills ; 

 outer primaries edged with white at base on outer web, and at an interval along 

 margin increasing inwards, forming a white spot with a "tail" ; three outer pairs 

 of tail-feathers broadly tipped with white, the outermost pair for half its length ; 

 black feathers of throat with concealed white bases ; bill black ; feet pale brown. 

 Adult female : Like the male except black replaced by warm brown, brightest 

 on breast, darkening behind ; somewhat smaller. Adult male, length, 7.50-9.00 

 (190.5-228.6) ; av. of five Columbus males: wing 3.44 (87.4); tail 3.66 (93.); 

 bill .52 (13.2). 





Taken near Circleville. 



Photo by the Author. 



WHERE TOWHEE HIDES. 



Recognition Marks. — Chewink size ; black, white, and chestnut in masses ; 

 "Chezvink" cry ; semi-skulking, terrestrial habits. 



Nest, on the ground, of dead leaves, strips of bark, etc., lined with fine 

 grasses. Eggs, 4 or 5, white, thickly and evenly speckled with reddish brown. 

 Av. size, .95 X .71 (24.1 X 18.). 



