PIPILO LEUC0P1S. 
113 
HABITS. 
When one is wandering along the hummock edges of Florida, he will frequently he 
greeted by a sudden, explosive chirp which is given so loudly as to be almost startling. 
The author of this sound is concealed by the dense thicket and the most that can be seen 
of it is the quick flirt of a white-tipped tail as the bird beats a hasty retreat deeper into the 
bushes. If the spectator remain quiet for a few moments, however, he will see a pair of 
bright red eyes watching him from among the foliage and will be saluted by an inquiring 
tow-hee, for the Red-eyed Bunting is exceedingly inquisitive, but upon perceiving the 
slightest motion it is off, loudly and petulantly repeating its tow-hee , tow-hee. This is the 
only note I ever heard from this species in Florida, neither did I ever find them elsewhere 
than along the margins of the thick woods, but when in the north their habits are quite 
different. 
The rocky sides of the Alleghany mountains are covered with small trees while the 
intervals between them are occupied by low bushes. This shrubbery forms a favorite resort 
for the Towhees, and the males may be seen any morning in May perched on the topmost 
boughs of the highest trees, busily engaged in pouring forth their somewhat disconnected 
song. This lay is not fine but yet enlivening for it rings out loud and clear and, as it echoes 
along the steep sides of the valleys, produces an effect which is quite pleasing. In Massa¬ 
chusetts the Towhees are found in open fields grown up to bushes, or along fence rows. 
Here they are quite familiar, following the pedestrian about when he invades their domains, 
occasionally uttering their peculiar cry. 
They breed in the localites which I have described, about the middle of May, almost 
always building on the ground but on one occasion I found the nest on a small limb about 
afoot above the surface. The females, when setting, are quite tame and I have frequently 
nearly placed my hand on them before they would fly. 
In August the newly fledged young are found in pastures feeding upon berries, in com¬ 
pany with their parents. In this stage of plumage the streaked breast and whitish eyes 
give tfiem a singular appearance quite at variance from the adults. They do not keep this 
dress long, however, but gradually assume one more like that of the mature birds. The 
Towhees spend the greater portion of their time on th.e ground, frequently scratching 
among the fallen leaves after insects. This habit is especially noticeable in autumn when 
the birds gather in straggling flocks on their southward migration. 
PIPILO LEUCOPIS. 
White-eyed Towhee. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Plate IV. Adult male and female in spring. 
Sp. Ch. Form, robust. Size, medium. Tongue, not very fleshy, provided with a bifid tuft of coarse, terminal, hair¬ 
like fibers. Sternum, similar to that of erythrophthalmus, but not as stout. The feathers of the head are elongated. 
Color. Adult male. Upper portion of body, including wings and tail, throat, sides of head and neck, and upper 
breast, black. Edge of wing, outer webs of basal portion of all the primaries, and elongated spot on the outer four, forming 
an oblique bar, spots on outer webs of secondaries, narrow line on outer webs of outer tail feathers, spots on terminal por¬ 
tion of three pairs, not, however, extending to the shaft, middle of breast, and abdomen, white. Sides and flanks, chestnut 
BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 15 
