297 
more fruit than the majority of the Sparrows, but at the seasons of its 
visits to agricultural sections little cultivated fruit is available, and the 
insect and weed-seed parts of its food are such that it need seldom 
cause anxiety. 
587. Eastern Towfaee. ground robin, chewink, Pipilo erythrophthalmus . L, 
8-35. Male; almost exactly like the male Spotted Towhee (Plate LIX B), but without 
the white spotting on the wing-coverts and scapulars; the outer vanes of the primaries, 
near the base, are white, making a white spot on the closed wing. The female is like the 
male, but has the black replaced with rusty wood-brown. 
Distinctions. Requiring separation only from the Spotted Towhee as above. 
Field Marks. A mere glimpse of the black or brown head and back, red flanks, and 
white underparts cutting in a sharp band across the breast, is sufficient whereby to recognize 
the Towhee. As it dashes away into the underbrush, the flash of black and white in the 
male, or the brown and white in the female, is unmistakable. The rich brown of the female 
and the lack of small spotting on the shoulders and wings will separate from the Spotted 
Towhee in the few areas where the two species may occasionally overlap in range. 
Nesting. On or near the ground, in nest of dead leaves and strips of bark, lined with 
fine grasses. 
Distribution. Eastern North America. In Canada, the more southern parts west to 
include southern Manitoba. 
SUBSPECIES. The only subspecies represented in Canada is the Eastern Towhee 
or Chewink PipUo erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus. 
The Towhee is a bird of brushy wastes or wood-edge3, where its dis- 
tinctive note “Chewee” or “TV wee” is a familiar sound. It delights to 
perch on the top of a sapling standing alone in the underbrush and sing its 
clear “Dick-yoo, chiddie-chiddle-chiddle” . On being disturbed it drops 
straight down into the underbrush, its black and white uniform flashing 
an instant, then vanishes in the tangle, whence it peers about uttering its 
usual “Che^wee” in inquisitive accents. In feeding it scratches over the 
surface like a hen, making the dead leaves fly in all directions. 
588. Spotted Towhee (Including Arctic, Spurred, and Oregon Towliees). 
Pipilo maculatus. L, 8*35. Plate LIX B. Male: jet black above, including head, neck, 
and upper breast, cutting sharply across chest against pure white underparts. A broad 
bar of reddish-brown or bay along flanks. Wing-coverts and outer scapulars conspicuously 
spotted with white. Female similar, but the black greyish. 
Distinctions. Only to be confused with the preceding Eastern Towhee, but easily 
distinguished by the liberal white spotting of the wing-coverts and scapulars. The back, 
head, and upper breast of the female are greyish black instead of light wood-brown, as in 
that species. 
Field Marks. The large amount of contrasting black and white, and the reddish 
flanks are enough to identify this species at a glance. The amount of spotting on the wings 
and the grey-black, instead of wood-brown, of the female will separate it from the Eastern 
Towhee in the few localities where their ranges may occasionally overlap. 
Nesting. On or near the ground in brush; nest of dead leaves and strips of bark, 
lined with fine grasses. 
Distribution. Western North America. In Canada, from central south Saskatchewan 
westward through southern British Columbia to the coast. 
SUBSPECIES. The Towhee of the prairie regions is the Arctic Towhee Pipilo 
maculatus arcticus. That of the interior of British Columbia, the Spurred Towhee Pipilo 
maculatus montanus (shown in Plate LIX B), is very slightly different from it. On the 
coast, however, the Oregon Towhee Pipilo maculatus oregonus shows quite distinct char- 
acters, the white spotting of the wings and back is very much less, and the red of the flanks 
is deeper and richer in colour. 
Like the Eastern Towhee, the Spotted is a bird of the brush and almost 
identical with it in general habits. To those familiar with the former, 
the latter presents nothing strikingly new. t The notes are similar enough 
