The Brown Towhees 



dried, grass or leaves of a single sort. A nest which I hold in my hand is 

 based on abundant leafage of a very prickly plant, and the lining is of 

 macerated weed-bark. Indeed, the unfailing variety of material used by 

 these birds gives zest to continued inspections, burglarious or otherwise, 

 conducted in the equally unfailing absence of the owners. By their works 

 ye shall know them. 



No. 69 



Brown Towhee 



No. 69 California Brown Towhee. 



A. O. U. No. 591. i. Pipilo crissalis crissalis (Vigors). 



Synonyms. — Brown-bird. Drab. Bush-bird. Backyard-bird. 



Description. — Adult (sexes alike): Above olive-brown, shading through drab 

 on sides and flanks and across chest; ruddier on head and neck all around, darkest 

 (bister) on crown; throat roughly bounded by a series of dusky spots, sayal brown 

 to ochraceous tawny, or else spotted throughout with dusky; breast paling centrally 

 to buffy; sides and flanks increasingly tawny-tinged; crissum and lower tail-coverts 

 abruptly pure tawny or amber-brown. Bill browner above, lighter below; tarsi light 

 brown; feet darker. Young birds resemble parents, but show less contrast and are 

 finely streaked with dusky on throat, breast, and sides. Length 228.6-254 (9.00- 

 10.00); wing 99 (3.90); tail no (4.33); bill 15.8 (.62); tarsus 27.7 (1.09). Female a 

 little smaller. 



Recognition Marks. — Towhee size; drab coloration; throat and crissum red- 

 dish brown. The only bird with which it could be confused even by the novice is the 

 California Thrasher, which is larger, longer, and has a long, curved bill. 



Nesting. — Nest: A bulky but well-made cup of weed-stems, grasses, and dried 

 vegetable miscellany; carefully lined with fine grasses or horsehair; placed at moderate 

 heights in bushes or trees. Diameter inside 76.2-88.9 (3.00-3.50); depth 38-50.8 

 (1.50-2.00). Eggs: 3 or 4; much as in preceding species and not distinguishable 

 from them, although perhaps with a stronger tendency toward subdued shell-markings, 

 and the release of the concealed red of the "black" pigment. Av. of 10 eggs from 

 Boonville (Mendocino County): 24 x 18.3 (.95 x .72). Av. of 17 eggs from Santa Bar- 

 bara: 24.9 x l8(.98x.7l). Extremes: 22-26.7 by 16. 8-19 (.87-1.05 by .66-. 75). Season: 

 April-July; two broods. 



Range of Pipilo crissalis. — Pacific Coast district from southern Oregon to 

 northern Lower California. 



Range of P. c. crissalis (Wholly within California). — Resident in the humid 

 coast strip, narrowly defined, from Humboldt Count)- to northern San Luis Obispo 

 County (Paso Robles). 



4OI 



