2ni TOWHBE. 



find it difficult to 1)elieve that, unknown to me, this beau- 

 tiful creature could long have been an inhal>itant of my 

 woods. 



The Grosbeak prefers young second growths, with a 

 liberal proportion of oaks. In one of these trees he will 

 doubtless build his nest, a structure so lightly made that 

 one can almost see the blue, spotted eggs from below. 

 The male is not only an ardent lover but an admirable 

 husband, and, unlike most brightly attired birds, shares 

 witli his n:ate the task of incubation, and, it is said, 

 sings while on the nest. His mate is so unlike him in 

 color that few would suspect their relationshij). She 

 suggests an overgro^ni female Purple Finch, with the 

 eye-stripe especially prominent ; but if you should chance 

 to see the under surface of her wings, you would find 

 that they were lined with gold. However, the call-notes 

 of both sexes are alike — a sharp, characteristic 2_)eek, which 

 you ^vill have no difficulty in recognizing after you ha\'e 

 learned it. 



The Grosljeak's song will i-eniind you of a Robin's, 

 but it is in truth a much higher tj-pe of l)ird music. 

 It is a joyous carol, expressive of a happy disposition 

 and a clear conscience. 



The Towliee, or Chewink, is an important member of 

 any bird community. He comes early — April 2(.) may 



Towhee "'^'^'^ ^'"^^ ^^\i\\ US — and he stays late, 



I'qnjo sometimes remaining until Novemlier 1. 



eri/tJirvj,Mhiim„s. During this period there is not an hour 

 of the day when you can not find a 

 Chewink if you know how to look for him. At midday 

 you will perhaps have to summon him by a whistled to- 

 wJiee from the depths of his bushy home on the border of 

 a wood or thicket; but he will soon respond, and with a 

 f'if:fi',f of his short, rounded wings, lly jerkily up to 

 in(piire what's wanted. 



