The cry of Red-tail is unlike that of any other of the hawks, and may 

 become a certain mark of identification during the late winter and early spring 

 weeks. It is a long-drawn screarn of warning and defiance, given on a descend- 

 ing scale. It is harsh and piercing, and commanding, uttered when danger 

 threatens, when a rival for his lady's affections appears, and often when the 

 mating season begins. Its character is unmistakable. Blue Jay cannot success- 

 fully imitate it, because his lungs lack the capacity. 



The White-eyed Towhee (PipUo erythrophthalmus) 



By 1. N. Mitchell 



Length: 7^ inches. 



The White-eyed Towhee is a geographical variety of the northern towhee or 

 chewink. Its range is very limited and includes only the southeastern United 

 States, where it is the most common in Florida. In Georgia and South Carolina 

 it grades into the common towhee, which it closely resembles, though it is some- 

 what smaller; has less white on the plumage of the wings and tail, and the iris 

 is brownish yellow or yellowish white instead of red. 



The Florida Towhee, as the White-eye is frequently called, spends much of 

 its time on the ground under the shade of the dwarf palm, where it scratches 

 among the leaves. It is said that it is so active and the individuals so numerous 

 that the sound of the scratching may be heard at quite a distance. One observer 

 of this Towhee's habits says : ''These birds are exceedingly inquisitive and will 

 follow one for a long distance through the bushes. They 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." In general it 

 is a shy and retiring bird and is seldom seen far from its wooded retreats. It is 

 so frequently seen among the saw-palmettos that it is often called the Palmetto 

 Chewink or Towhee. 



The call note of the White-eyed Towhee sounds much like the syllables jo-ree 

 with the accentuation on the last syllable. Regarding its song, Mr. J. C. May- 

 nard says that it does not sing in winter, "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 nests." 



Mr. Oliver Davie says that the White-eyed Towhee has been found breeding 

 as far north as South Carolina. Its nest consists of coarse weeds, pine needles 

 and grass and is lined with finer grasses. It seems to nest both in pine trees, at 

 heights from three to fifteen feet above the ground, and in the dense clumps of 

 saw-palmettos. It has also been stated that the nest is sometimes built on the 

 ground. 



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