Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy Thickets 



587. Towhee; Chewink: Pipilo erythrophthalmus (Linn.) 



Adult 5 — Head, throat, breast, and back black ; tail black with 

 white tips to the three outer feathers ; side bright chestnut ; 

 belly white ; the eye has the iris red. 



Adult ? — The parts that in the male are black are replaced by 

 brown. Length — 8.35. " Young in first plumage have the 

 back and under parts streaked with black." (Chapman.) 



Breeding Range — Georgia, northward to Canada, westward as far 

 as eastern Dakota. 



The nest is rather large and roughly made of dead leaves, fine 

 roots, grass, twigs, grape-vine bark and tendrils, and lined with 

 fine grass and roots. It is placed on the ground or in exceptional 

 cases in bushes. Damp or dry woods, sunny slopes, thickets, or 

 thick grassy clearings may be chosen for the nesting place. 4 and 

 sometimes 5 eggs are laid ; they are white, or white tinged with 

 pink or blue, speckled and rarely blotched with brown, chestnut, 

 and lilac, chiefly at the larger end. Size — ,95 x .72. See Fig. 8, 

 Plate C. 



These birds, so spick and span in their fine plumage, are 

 conspicuous only by their peculiar note, which sounds something 

 like the word "chewink," pronounced with a rising inflection. 

 They may be seen in the thickets or scrubby woods or in brush 

 heaps, ever alert and on the move, jumping from twig to twig, 

 or scratching vigorously among the dead leaves, creating as much 

 bustle and disturbance as would a barn-yard hen. Their nest is 

 so arranged that it is exceedingly difficult to find, the materials 

 used in its construction corresponding both in colour and texture 

 with the immediate surroundings. When near their home the 

 birds are silent, unless you happen to find and disturb the nest, 

 when both male and female join together in making the most 

 piteous cries. The eggs are laid about the second week in May ; 

 probably but one brood is reared. Chewinks are also known as 

 Ground Robins and Jorees. 



587a. White-eyed Chewink: P. e. alien! Coues 



Breeding Range — Florida and southeastern part of South Carolina. 



The White-eyed Towhee differs from the northern bird in 

 being somewhat smaller, in having only two instead of three of 



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