Youngsters
get to know the young hero and the adventures
that carry him toward manhood. As they come to know Jeremiah as a friend who would
understand their own growing pains, they look forward to each book in the
series.
Teachers
will Achieve..
Teachers will appreciate the ways
that Jeremiah Stokely novels, kits, and activities make literature
meaningful to children. Teachers can download free classroom idea
packets to hold a hand-on workshop based on each book.
Click the >Play button
to listen to the bird's song!
Length 8½ in., wingspan 10½ in., Family Emberizidae
The Towhee is distinctive in both appearance and call.
Its dapper “tuxedo” markings are hard to miss, especially when a Towhee
ventures out in the snow. Its black “coat” is complemented by bright
rust-orange (rufous) sides, like an unbuttoned vest, and a white belly like
a shirt. The black of its head and throat end in a V, like the neckline of
the vest, on its breast. The Towhee has a long tail that it holds high as if
to balance itself.
The female is less spectacular, but beautiful as well.
Where the male is black, she is chocolate brown, with rufous sides and white
belly.
This bird has one of the most recognizable songs. If
you hear a repeated high-pitched call that sounds like “Drink your
tea, drink your tea,” it’s a Towhee.
Another identification clue is feeding behavior. The
Towhee searches for seeds and insects on the ground, doing a Bunny Hop
dance, jumping forward and scratching leaves and grass backwards to uncover
tasty morsels. (Song Sparrows and Fox Sparrows do this, too.)
The Eastern Towhee resides year-round in the eastern
states, but is shy and difficult to see. It usually hops about in low brush,
looking for a meal. It blends well with its surroundings. In winter, it can
be drawn out of cover by spreading birdseed on the ground.
A
close relative is the Spotted Towhee that lives in the western U.S. These
two species were once thought to be one, but it was discovered that they do
not overlap or interbreed. Spotted has white wing bars and white spots on
its back.
