FINCHES, SPARROWS 



(592.1) Oreospiza chlorura 



(Audubon) (Gr., a finch; green tail). 



GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE. A 

 bird that by its structure, form and 

 character of markings suggests the 

 White-throated Sparrow. Ad. (f — 

 Plumage as shown. Crov/n chest- 

 nut; throat white, strongly defined 

 against the deep gray of sides on 

 head and breast; upper parts more 

 or less oHve-green. Ad. 9 — Similar 

 but duller colored. /?;;. — Olive-gray 

 abo\'e, streaked with dusky; wings and 

 tail like adults; below dingy white; 

 breast and sides streaked with dusky. 

 L., 7.00; W., 3.00; T., 3.50. Nest — 

 Of grass; on or near the ground; eggs 

 whitish, specked with reddish-brown, 

 .90 X .65. 



Range — Western U. S.; east to 

 western Tex. 



in plumage but the male Towhee is much more attractively 

 gowned than his mate. Country boys usually know these 

 birds as Cherinks or Chewinks for their note of protest when 

 their nest is approached is a very emphatic and oft-repeated 

 "cherink. " When in pleasanter moods, as they generally 

 are when not disturbed, they delight in perching in the tops 

 of bushes or small trees and cherrily calling to one another 

 with a thrilling "pill, tow, will-a-wUl-a. " 



The Towhee nest is a rather shallow affair of rootlets 

 sunken in a hollow on the ground. Rarely they build a more 

 pretentious one a few feet above in bushes. The white eggs 

 are very finely dotted with pinkish-brown. If you under- 

 take to examine them, the owners will protest most 

 noisUy and sometimes dash at you with wide spread 

 tail and blazing red eyes. The Towhee in the Southern 

 States has much less white on the tail and the eyes are white 

 instead of red. 



GREEN-TAILED TOWHEES are handsome, white- 



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