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THE TOW HE GROUND-FINCH 
PlPILO ERYTHROPHTHALMUS, Linn. 
PLATE CXOY. — 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 no wand then uttering the 
notes tow-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 off apparently in great agony, but with more celerity than most 
other birds, by which means she generally prevents her nest being dis- 
covered. 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 concealed, 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 sea- 
son 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. 
They perform these journeys almost singly. The females set out before 
