Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

CALIFORNIA TOWHEE.

591.1. Pipilo crissalis. 9½ inches.

A larger and still darker variety, with but very little white if any. It is found in California, from Shasta County to the southern part of the state. They are not as shy as the Towhee family generally are, and frequently come about habitations, where they will scratch about barnyards like chickens. They nest within a few feet of the ground, building much the same as other members of this family. The eggs are also very similar to the others.

ABERT TOWHEE.

592. Pipilo aberti. 9 inches.

More of a reddish brown. Found in Arizona, New Mexico and southern California, where it breeds on the coast range.

GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE.

592.1. Oreospiza chlorura. 7 inches.

This member of the family has characteristics of his own entirely different from any of the others. They are birds of the brush, and rarely appear above the shrubbery in which they nest.