167 



THE TOW HE GROUND-FINCH. 



"I PlPILO ERYTHROPHTHALMUS, Linil. 



PLATE CXCV Male and Female. 



The flight of the Towhe Bunting is short, low, and performed from one 

 bush or spot to another, in a hurried manner, with repeated strong jerks of 

 the tail, and such quick motions of the wings, that one may hear their sound, 

 although the bird should happen to be out of sight. On the ground, where 

 it is more usually to be seen, it hops lightly, without moving the tail more 

 than the Common Sparrow of Europe. It is a diligent bird, spending its 

 days in searching for food and gravel, amongst the dried leaves and in the 

 earth, scratching with great assiduity, and every now and then uttering the 

 notes toiv-hee, from which it has obtained its name. At other times, it 

 ascends to the top of a small tree, or its favourite low bushes and briars, on 

 which it sings very sweetly a few continued mellow notes. 



This species constructs a larger nest than birds of its size usually do, and 

 scoops out a place for its foundation in the earth, sometimes in an open spot, 

 more commonly at the foot of a small sapling or large bunch of tall grass. 

 The nest is sunk into the ground, so as to be level with it at top, and is com- 

 posed of dried leaves and the bark of vines, lined with grasses of fine texture, 

 as well as fibrous roots. The female lays from four to six eggs, and rears 

 two, sometimes three, broods each season. If disturbed while sitting, she 

 moves ofi* apparently in great agony, but with more celerity than most other 

 birds, by which means she generally prevents her nest being discovered. 

 Snakes, however, suck the eggs, as does the Crow. The young leave the 

 nest long before they are able to fly, and follow the mother about on the 

 ground for several days. Some of the nests of this species are so well con- 

 cealed, that in order to discover them, one requires to stand quite still on the 

 first appearance of the mother. I have myself several times had to regret 

 not taking this precaution. 



The favourite haunts of the Towhe Buntings are dry barren tracts, but 

 not, as others have said, low and swampy grounds, at least during the season 

 of incubation. In the Barrens of Kentucky they are found in the greatest 

 abundance. 



Their migrations are performed by day, from bush to bush, and they seem 

 to be much at a loss when a large extent of forest is to be traversed by them. 



