Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy Thickets 
587. Towhee; Chewink: Pipilo erythrophthalmus (Linn, 
Adult 6 —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 2—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. alleni 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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