Identifier: birdlifeguidetos00chapman (find matches)
Title: Bird-life; a guide to the study of our common birds
Year: 1897 (1890s)
Authors: Chapman, Frank M. (Frank Michler), 1864-1945 Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: New York : D. Appleton and company
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
er surface of her wings, you wonld findthat they were lined with gold. However, the call-notesof both sexes are alike—a sharp, characteristic peel^^ whichyou will have no difficulty in recognizing after you liaAelearned it. The Grosbeaks song will remind you of a Rolnns,but it is in truth a much higher type of bird music.It is a joyous carol, expressive of a happy dispositionand a clear conscience. The Towhee, or Chewink, is an important member of any bird community. He comes early—April 20 may _ , find him with us-—and he stays late, Towhee, _ _ , J i p;^,;i,, sometimes remaining until November 1. eri/throphthaimus. During tliis period there is not an hourof the day when you can not find aChewink if you know how to look for him. At middayyou will perhaps have to summon him by a whistled to-whee from the depths of his bushy home on the border ofa wood or thicket; but he w^ill soon respond, and with afl^ff-ffiff of his short, rounded wings, fiy jerkily up toinquire whats wanted.
Text Appearing After Image:
TOWHEE. Length, 8 35 inches. Adult male, upper parts, throat, and breast black ;bell)- white ; sides reddish brown. Adult female, similar, but black replacedhv brownish. • OAK 206 INDIGO BUNTING. Some birds, such as the Red-eyed Vireo, can sing justas well while hunting food as at any other time ; in fact,I do not remember ever seeing a Red-eye pause longin its search for insects—song and search go on together.But with the Chewink singing is a serious matter, not tobe associated with the material question of food ; so, whensinging, he abandons the dead leaves he has been tossingabout so vigorously, and, mounting a perch, becomes aninspired if not gifted musician. Sweet hird^ *^^^, a friendwrites it, the sing being higher, sustained, and vibrant.To this there is often a refrain which suggests an an-swering, tremulous /7Z try. Matins or vespers over, the Chewink returns to the ground and resumes his occupation of scratchingamong the leaves for breakfast or supper, as the casemay be.

Note About Images