WHITE-EYED TOWHEB. 177 



WRITE-EYED TOWHEE. 



Pipilo erytbrophtbalmus alleni CouES. 



White-eyep Towhee, Florida Towhee, Allen's Towhee, Charee, Joreet, Joree, Pal- 

 metto Chewink are the names of a variety of the common Ground Robin with a white, 

 instead of a red, iris, and which differs also very much in its notes and song. This bird 

 is distributed from the southern part of South Carolina and eastern Georgia to southern 

 Florida. 



Prof. Wm. Brewster found it quite a common resident at St. Mary's, Georgia. 

 According to his observations it "was chiefly a bird of the oak scrub, although it 

 was also to be found in open pine-woods where it haunted the beds of saw-palmetto. 

 Its note differed widely from that of the Red-eyed Towhee; the chewink was shorter 

 and harsher, and in addition to its cry, both sexes occasionally uttered a sharp clear 

 whistle that sounded like a sportman's call to his dog. I am not sure that I heard 

 the song, or at least identified it. These Towhees .... were shy and retiring, rarely 

 venturing far from their secure retreats." 



I met with the Joreets frequently in Orange Co., Fla., were I found them in- 

 variably inhabiting the oak scrub and the dense palmetto thickets, especially the latter, 

 whence they announce themselves unmistakably by sharp whistles. When hearing these 

 notes for the first time I did not know by what bird they were uttered, so different are 

 they from the call-note of the northern Towhee. They are usually searching for food or 

 running around under the overhanging dwarf palms. Now and then one mounts a 

 palmetto leaf, uttering its loud jo-ree, and allowing the observer to see its pale yellow 

 or whitish iris. Except for this mark, which can only be seen in close proximity, this 

 Towhee looks exactly like the type, It is also a little smaller. 



"This bird," says Mr. J. C. Maynard, "frequents the scrub, never being found else- 

 where. Like the Red-eye they spend the greater portion of their time on the ground, 

 and on still mornings may be heard scratching among the leaves in all directions, for 

 they are very numerous wherever they occur. These birds are exceedingly inquisitive 

 and will follow one for a long distance through the bushes. The "White-eyed Towhees 

 are also sympathetic, for they will gather in large numbers around a wounded comrade 

 when they hear its cries, evincing the utmost compassion for its misfortune. Although 

 they possess similar habits to those of the more northern species, yet they are not as 

 restless, neither is the ordinary call given as loudly or with as much energy. This note 

 also has a different sound, like the syllables jo-ree with a very decided accent on the 

 latter, the first being frequently given so quickly and so low, that it is not very notice- 

 able. I have often heard the two varieties together and could always distinguish them 

 by this utterance alone. 



"Througlrout the winter the White-eyed Towhees do not sing, but by the first of 

 March the males may be seen on the highest boughs of the small live oaks, pouring 

 forth their song which is lower and sweeter than that of the Red-eye. This outburst 

 of song is the prelude to the breeding season, and soon the birds are busily engaged in 

 constructing their domiciles. Although I have searched long and carefully for the nest 

 yet, on account of the thickness of the bushes among which they build, never found one. 



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