than I did. Nests of this species with perfectly fresh eggs were found by me as late as 

 Sept. 11, and it is reasonable to presume that as many as three broods are raised by 

 some of these birds at least. 



"The ground-color of the eggs of the Canon Towhee is a very pale bluish- white, 

 or very light pearl-gray, scarcely an egg in a series of one hundred and three specimens 

 can be called pure white. As far as markings are concerned, these eggs can be divided 

 into two types. In one the spots are sharp, well defined, occasionally connected with 

 each other by lines and scrawls, and principally concentrated about the larger end. 

 Their color is a very deep brown, almost a black. This pattern includes the less heavily 

 marked specimens. In the second type, the markings are less clearly defined, more irre- 

 gular in shape, mere blotches, and much more profuse. The color is less deep, more of 

 a claret-brown or vinaceous rufous. In addition fine sh^ll markings of lavender and 

 heliotrope-purple are scattered more or less profusely over the entire egg in both types. 

 The eggs bear a certain resemblance to those of the Meadow Lark, especially to heavily 

 marked specimens of the western race, Western Meadow Lark 



"In its habits and its call-notes the Canon Towhee does not differ materially from 

 Abert's Towhee. Neither can be called a songster. It is more or less terrestrial at all 

 times, rather shy, sticking close to the underbrush, but not nearly as much so as Abert's 

 Towhee. It is much more easily observed, as the localities frequented by it during the 

 breeding season are much more open and free from undergrowth and creeping vines 

 than the bottoms where the former lives. During winter I have noticed it frequently 

 associated with other ground-feeding species like Zonottichia leucopbrys and intermedia, 

 Melospiza fasciata fallax, Calamospiza tnelanocorys, Peucsea carpalis and arizonae, and 

 Ampbispiza bilineata, as well as others. Large flocks composed principally of the species 

 mentioned would frequently alight on the open ground about my camp, especially about 

 the picket line where the cavalry horses were tied up at night and fed, and at such 

 times they would allow themselves to be aproached rather closely, and it was generally 

 an easy matter to select such specimens as one -wanted while they were searching for 

 food." 



According to Mr. A. W. Anthony, who found the Canon Towhee a numerous bird 

 in south-western Mexico, the favorite nesting sites are thick bunches of cholla cactus 

 and between the leaves of yuccas. 



DESCRIPTION: Above, very dull grayish-brown; top of head, conspicuously rufous; sides, paler grayish- 

 brown. The loral region, chin, throat, and upper part of breast, pale yellowish-rufous, finely spotted 

 on the sides and more coarsely across the breast with brown ; an obscure spot on middle of breast ; 

 lower portion of breast and the upper part of belly almost pure white. 

 Length, 8.50 inches; wing, 3.80; tail, 4.70 inches. 



California Towhee, Pipilo fascas crissalis CpUES, also known as the Crissal 

 Towhee, and Brown Towhee, inhabits the State of California, where it is said to be a 

 constant companion of the California Thrasher, frequenting the dense chaparral and the 

 thickets which line the mountain canons. Its favorite abode is found in the vicinity of 

 water courses, where it is generally seen in pairs. "It is at all times a familiar bird, 

 boldly coming into the roads to feed and permitting a close approach. If compelled to 

 retreat, it darts suddenly into the thicket, but returns as soon as the cause of alarm 



