SPARROWS 
391 
often seen. Like several other birds of similar irregular habits, especially 
their close relative the White-winged Crossbill, they are most uncertain in 
their breeding, both as to time and place, and their presence at any given 
season or locality can not be depended upon. 
Economic Status. The species feeds very largely upon the seeds of 
coniferous trees, and the speed with which they husk off the scales of 
various cones for the seed beneath causes one to think that the crossed bill 
is particularly adapted for the purpose. Almost any dried fruit hanging 
on the winter trees is acceptable to them. They seem specially fond of the 
little woolly aphis. It was very interesting to watch a captive specimen 
open galls on poplar leaves. Seizing the fleshy tissue with the bill tips so 
that the points crossed within the mass, it gave a little twist of the head 
that split the gall wide open and the aphides within were removed with 
the tongue. 
522. White-winged Crossbill. LE REC-CROISE A AXLES BLANCHES. Loxid leUCOpiem. 
L, 6-05. Similar to preceding species, but with white bars on wings (See Figure 474). 
Distinctions. Perhaps brighter in coloration and a rosier red than the Red Crossbill, 
but showing considerable variation in tint and shade. The white wing-bars and crossed 
bill are always diagnostic. 
Field Marks. Similar to those of the Red Crossbill, but with a white bar on the 
wing. 
Nesting. Usually in coniferous trees; in nest of twigs and grasses, lined with moss 
and rootlets. May nest almost any month of the year from January to September. 
Distribution. Northern North America. In Canada, across the continent, through 
the northern coniferous forest and south in the mountains to southern British Columbia. 
Migrates irregularly south in winter. 
So similar to the preceding in habits and occurrence, that no special 
discussion is necessary. As a rule it is a bird of the spruces as the Red 
Crossbill is of the pines. 
592. 1. Green-tailed Towhee. le towiiee a queue vbrte. Oberholseria chlorura. 
Entirely different from the other more common towhees of Canada. Olive-green above, 
white below and on throat. A grey breast-band and 
a bright brick-red cap (Figure 474). Females duller 
than males. 
Distinctions. A rather large, greenish backed 
sparrow’ with striking red cap and white throat. 
Distribution. Central Oregon and Montana 
southward. There is a single record for southern 
Saskatchewan. 
587. Eastern Towhee. red-eyed towhee. 
GROUND ROBIN. CHEWTNK. LE TOWHEE DE L’EST. 
Pipilo erythrophthalmus. L, 8-35. Male: almost 
exactly like the male Spotted Towiiee (Plate LXXX 
B), but without the white spotting on the wing- 
coverts and scapulars; the outer vanes of the prim- 
aries, 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 
this 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 Towffiee in the few areas where the two species may occasionally overlap in range. 
Green-tailed Towhee; 
natural size. 
