FINCHES, SPAllUOWS, ETC 343 



THE ARCTIC TOWHEE* 



The Arctic, or Northern, Towhee is a bird of high 

 altitudes and latitudes. Its breeding range is somewhat 

 restricted, including the plains of the Platte, upper Mis- 

 souri, Yellowstone and Saskatchewan rivers and the regions 

 westward to the eastern slope of the Rocky INIountains. In 

 the winter it passes southward, finally reaching the state of 

 Texas. Throughout its range it frequents streams and 

 shores that are bordered with bushy underbrush. In some 

 localities, as in the valley of the Great Slave Lake, this 

 species is very abundant. 



"The Arctic towhee appears in the vicinity of Idaho 

 Springs about the middle of ^lay and in the course of a 

 week or tw^o becomes rather common, though never very 

 abundant. It becomes rare above 8,500 feet, and above 

 9,000 feet disappears altogether, being most numerous from 

 7,500 feet down to the plains. In habits and appearance it 

 is quite similar to the eastern towhee, but is much shyer and 

 is easily frightened, when it hides in the bushes until all 

 appearance of danger has passed by. It utters the 'che- 

 wink ' of the eastern towhee, or a note almost exactly like it, 

 though a little lower and more wiiy." 



The towhees obtain a large share of their food by 

 scratching among the fallen leaves that lie upon the ground 

 under the underbrush that they frequent. The Arctic 

 towhee w^ill respond to a whistled call, though it is not as 

 inquisitive as the eastern species. 



Its nest is placed on the ground, in a slight depression 



