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AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY; 


OR, 


THE NATURAL HISTORY 


OF THE 


BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 


ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES 


Engraved and Colored from Original Drawings taken from Nature. 


BY ALEXANDER WILSON. 


VOL. V.- 


PHILADELPHIA: 


PUBLISHED BY BRADFORD AND INSKEEP. 


PRINTED BY ROBERT AND WILLIAM CARR. 


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PREFACE. 


THE fifth volume of this extensive work is submitted to the 
public with all due deference and respect; and the author having 
now, as he conjectures, reached the middle stage of his journey, or, 
in traveller’s phrase, the ‘half-way house,” may be permitted to in- 
dulge himself with a slight retrospect of the ground he has already 
traversed, and a glimpse of that which still lies before him. 

The whole of our Land Birds (those of the sixth volume in- 
cluded, which are nearly ready for the press) have now been figured 
and described, probably a very few excepted, which, it is hoped, 
will also shortly be obtained. ‘These have been gleaned up from 
an extensive territory of woods and fields, unfrequented forests, so- 
litary ranges of mountains, swamps and morasses, by successive 
journies and excursions of more than ten thousand miles. With 
all the industry which a single individual could possibly exert, se- 
veral species have doubtless escaped him. These, future expedi- 
tions may enable him to procure; or the kindness of his distant 
literary friends obligingly supply him with. 

In endeavouring to collect materials for describing truly and 
fully our feathered tribes, he has frequently had recourse to the 


works of those European naturalists who have written on the sub- 
VOL, V. | B 


V1 PREFACE. | 


ject; he has examined their pages with an eager and inquisitive 
eye; but his researches in that quarter have been but too frequently 
repaid with disappointment, and often with disgust. On the sub- 
ject of the manners and migrations of our birds, which in fact con- 
stitute almost the only instructive and interesting parts of their his- 
tory, all is a barren and a dreary waste. A few vague and formal 
particulars of their size, specific marks, &c. accompanied some- 
times with figured representations that would seem rather intended 
to caricature than to illustrate their originals, is all that the greater 
part of them can boast of. Nor are these the most exceptionable 
parts of their performances; the novelty of fable, and the wildness 
of fanciful theory, are frequently substituted for realities; and con- 
jectures instead of facts called up for their support. Prejudice, as 
usual, has in numerous instances united with its parent, ignorance, 
to depreciate and treat with contempt what neither of them under- 
stood; and the whole interesting assemblage of the feathered tribes 
of this vast continent, which in richness of plumage, and in strength 
sweetness and variety of song, will be found to exceed those of any 
other quarter of the globe, are little known save in the stuffed cabi- 
nets of the curious, and among the abstruse pages and technical 
catalogues of dry systematic writers. 

From these barren and musty records, the author of the pre- 
sent work has a thousand times turned, with a delight bordering on 
adoration, to the magnificent repository of the woods and fields— 
the Grand Aviary of Nature. In this divine school he has studied 
from no vulgar copy; but from the works of the Great Master 


oF CreaTion himself; and has read with rapture the lessons of 


PREFACE. vii 


his wisdom, his goodness and his love, in the conformation, the ha- 
bitudes, melody and migrations of this beautiful portion of the work 
of his hands. ‘To communicate as correct ideas of these as his 
feeble powers were capable of, and thus, from objects, that, in our 
rural walks almost every where present themselves, to deduce not 
only amusement and instruction, but the highest incitements to vir- 
tue and piety, have been the author’s most anxious and ardent wish. 
On many of his subjects, indeed, it has not been in his power to 
say much. The recent discovery of some, and the solitary and se- 
cluded habits of others, have opposed great obstacles to his endea- 
vours in this respect. But a time is approaching when these ob- 
stacles will no longer exist. When the population of this immense 
western Republic will have diffused itself over every acre of ground 
fit for the comfortable habitation of man—when farms, villages, 
towns and glittering cities, thick as the stars in a winter’s evening, 
overspread the face of our beloved country, and every hill, valley 
and stream has its favorite name, its native flocks and rural inha- 
bitants; then, not a warbler shall flit through our thickets but its 
name, its notes and habits will be familiar to all; repeated in their 
sayings, and celebrated in their village songs. At that happy pe- 
riod, should any vestige or memory of the present publication exist, 
be it known to our more enlightened posterity, as some apology for 
the deficiencies of its author, that in the period in which he wrote 
three-fourths of our feathered tribes were altogether unknown even 
to the proprietors of the woods which they frequented—that with- 
out patron, fortune or recompence, he brought the greater part of 


these from the obscurity of ages, gave to each “a local habitation 


Vill PREFACE. 


and a name”—collected from personal observation whatever of 
their characters and manners seemed deserving of attention; and 
delineated their forms and features, in their native colors, as faith- 
fully as he could, as records, at least, of their existence. 

In treating of those birds more generally known, I have en- 
deavoured to do impartial justice to their respective characters. 
Ignorance and stubborn-rooted opinions, even in this country, have 
rendered some odious that are eminently useful; and involved the 
manners of others in fable and mystery, which in themselves are 
plain and open as day. ‘To remove prejudices when they oppose 
themselves to the influence of humanity is a difficult, but when ef- 
fected, a most pleasing employment. If therefore, in divesting this 
part of the natural history of our country of many of its fables and 
most forbidding features, and thus enabling our youth to become 
more intimately acquainted with this charming portion of the fea- 
thered creation, I should have succeeded in multiplying their vir- 
tuous enjoyments, and in rendering them more humane to those 
little choristers, how gratifying to my heart would be the reflection! 
For to me it appears, that of all inferior creatures Heaven seems 
to have intended birds as the most cheerful associates of man; to 
soothe and exhilarate him in his labours by their varied melody, of 
which no other creature, but man, is capable; to prevent the in- 
crease of those supernumerary hosts of insects that would soon con- 
sume the products of his industry; to glean up the refuse of his 
fields “that nothing be lost,’ and, what is of much more interest, 
to be to him the most endearing examples of the tenderest connu- 


bial love and parental affection. 


PREFACE. 1x 


As to what still remains to be done, let the following slight 
sketch suffice. The number of plates for each volume being fixed, 
the size of the volume will depend, as heretofore, on the characters 
of the birds being more or less interesting. ‘The present is more 
so than the preceding, and contains a number of noted birds whose 
histories will be found to be fully detailed. A wish to reduce as 
few of the drawings from the full size as possible, may sometimes 
lessen the number of figures; but the value of those given will al- 
ig in this case, be increased, by the greater pains and expense 
bestowed on their execution. | 

In the sixth volume the Woodcock, Snipe, Partridge, Ruffed 
Grous or Pheasant, the Rail, the beautiful Ground Dove of the 
southern states, numbers of Hawks, some of them very rare, Owls, 
Buzzards, Vultures, &c. &c. will make their appearance. ‘The en- 
gravers being already considerably advanced with these, it is con- 
fidently hoped that no delay will be experienced beyond the regu- 
lar time of publication. | 

The seventh volume will introduce the Gralle or Waders, a 
numerous order of birds in the United States. The greater part 
of these being too large to be represented in full size, will be re- 
duced from the original drawings by the author himself, with as 
much precision as he is capable of, and in such manner that all tlie 
figures exhibited on the same plate will be reduced by the same 
scale; thereby preserving a correct idea of their relative as well 
as apparent natural magnitude. Some of these are new; and pe- — 
culiarities will be pointed out in many of them which are truly 


singular and interesting. The tenth volume, with a complete in- 
VOL. Vi. C 


x PREFACE. 


dex, and some other requisite matters, with perhaps an appendix 
comprehending stragglers of various classes, will probably com- 
- plete the whole. 

The publication of an original work of this kind in this coun- 
try has been attended with difficulties, great, and, it must be con- 
fessed, sometimes discouraging to the author, whose only reward 
hitherto has been the favourable opinion of his fellow citizens, and 
the pleasure of the pursuit. The support, however, which he has 
uniformly received from the artists and others engaged in the work 
has fully equalled his expectations, and demands his public and 
grateful acknowlédeinents. The engravings will be a lasting mo- 
-nhument to the merits of Messrs. Lawson, Murray and Warnicke; 
and the elegance of the letter press, which even in Europe has ex: 
cited admiration, does the highest honor to the taste of the foun- 
ders, Messrs. Binney & Ronaldson, as well as to the professional 
talents and constant attention of the printers, Messrs. R. & W. 
Carr; while the unrivalled excellence of the paper, from the ma- 
nufactory of Mr. Amies, proves what American ingenuity is ca- 
pable of producing when properly encouraged. | 

Let but the generous hand of patriotism be stretched forth to 
assist and cherish the rising arts and literature of our country, and 
both will most assuredly, and that at no remote period, shoot forth, 
increase and flourish with a vigor, a splendor and usefulness infe- 


rior to no other on earth. 
ALEXANDER WILSON. 


Philadelphia, Feb. 12th, 1812. 


INDEX 


TO THE FIFTH VOLUME. 


BANK Swallow, or Sand Martin Mrundo riparia 


Barn Swallow (male and female) 


Blue-mountain Warbler . 


Brown Lark . 


Carolina Pigeon, or Turtle Dove 


Chimney Swallow 

Connecticut Warbler 

Fish Crow 

Fish Hawk, or Osprey 

Green-blue, or 
White-bellied Swallow 

Hemlock Warbler 

Hermit Thrush 

Little Sandpiper 


Night Hawk (male and female) . 


Passenger Pigeon 
Pine-swamp Warbler 


Purple Finch . 


Hirundo Americana 
Sylvia montana 


Alauda rufa 


Columba Carolinensis 


. Mirundo pelasgia 


Sylvia agilis 
Corvus ossifragus . 
Falco halatus 


Mirundo viridis 


Sylvia parus 


Turdus solitarius 


. Tringa pusilla 
Caprimulgus Americanus . 


. Columba migratoria . 


Sylvia pusilla 
Fringilla purpurea 


114 


17 £02 


100 


Xi INDEX. 


Purple Martin (male and female) Eirundo purpurea . 


Red Owl 2 ee ese 
Redstart. 900). 3s a A a esccoparimenian 
Ringed Plover . . . . . Charadrius hiaticula 


Sharp-shinned Hawk. . . . Falco velox . 
Tawny Thrush . . . . . . Turdus mustelhnus 
Warbling Flycatcher . . . Sylvia melodia . 
Whip-poor-will 
Caprimulgus vociferus 
(male, female and young) 


Yellow-rump Warbler . . . Sylvia coronata 


PAGE 


SANS 


83 
AS 
30 
116 
98 


Od 


ae 


ia 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 
FALCO HALLETUS. 
[Plate XXXVII.—Fig. 1.] 


Carolina Osprey, Laru. Syn. I, p. 46—26. A.—Falco piscator, Briss. I, p. 361. 14. 362. 
15.—faucon pécheur de la Caroline, Burr. 1, p. 142.—Fishing Hawk, Caress. Car. I, 
p.2.—Tourr. Syst. I, 149.—Pzaxx’s Museum, No. 144. 


THIS formidable, vigorous-winged, and well known bird, sub- 
sists altogether on the finny tribes that swarm in our bays, creeks, 
and rivers; procuring his prey by his own active skill and indus- 
try; and seeming no farther dependant on the land than as a mere 
resting place, or, in the usual season, a spot of deposit for his nest, 
eggs and young. The figure here given is reduced to one-third the 
size of life, to correspond with that of the Bald Eagle, his common 
attendant, and constant plunderer. 

The Fish-Hawk is migratory; arriving on the coasts of New 
York and New Jersey about the twenty-first of March, and re- 
tiring to the south about the twenty-second of September. Heavy 
equinoctial storms may vary these periods of arrival and departure 
a few days; but long observation has ascertained, that they are 
kept with remarkable regularity. On the arrival of these birds in 
the northern parts of the United States, in March, they sometimes 
find the bays and ponds frozen, and experience a difficulty in pro- 
curing fish for many days. Yet there is no instance on record of 
their attacking birds, or inferior land animals, with intent to feed 

COE ene | D 


14 FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 


on them; tho their great strength of flight, as well of feet and claws, 
would seem to render this no difficult matter. But they no sooner 
arrive than they wage war on the Bald Eagles as against a horde 
of robbers and banditti; sometimes succeeding, by force of num- 
bers and perseverance, in driving them from their haunts; but sel- 
dom or never attacking them in single combat. 

The-first appearance of the Fish-Hawk in spring is welcomed 
by the fishermen, as the happy signal of the approach of those vast 
shoals of herring, shad, &c. &c. that regularly arrive on our coasts, 
and enter our rivers in such prodigious multitudes. Two of a trade, 
it is said, seldom agree; the adage, however, will not hold good in 
the present case, for such is the respect paid the Fish-Hawk not 
only by this class of men, but, generally, by the whole neighbour- 
hood where it resides, that a person who should attempt to shoot 
one of them, would stand a fair chance of being insulted. This 
prepossession in favour of the Fish-Hawk is honorable to their feel- 
ings. ‘They associate with its first appearance ideas of plenty, and 
all the gaiety of business; they see it active and industrious like 
themselves; inoffensive to the productions of their farms; building 
with confidence, and without the least disposition to concealment, 
in the middle of their fields, and along their fences; and returning 
year after year regularly to its former abode. | 

The nest of the Fish-Hawk is usually built on the top of a 
dead or decaying tree, sometimes not more than fifteen, often up- 
wards of fifty feet, from the ground. It has been remarked by the 
people of the sea-coasts that the most thriving tree will die in a 
few years after being taken possession of by the Fish-Hawk. This 
is attributed to the fish-oil, and to the excrements of the bird; but 
is more probably occasioned by the large heap of wet, salt ma- 
terials of which it is usually composed. In my late excursions to 
the sea-shore I ascended to several of these nests that had been 
built in from year to year, and found them constructed as follows: 
externally large sticks, from half an inch to an inch and a half 


rd “=p, a 
eae Cod 


FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 15 


in diameter, and two or three feet in length, piled to the height of 
four or five feet, and from two to three feet in breadth; these were 
intermixed with corn-stalks, sea-weed, pieces of wet turf in large 
quantities, mullein-stalks, and lined with dry sea-grass; the whole 
forming a mass very observable at half a mile’s distance, and large 
enough to fill a cart, and form no inconsiderable load for a horse. 
These materials are so well put together, as often to adhere in large 
fragments after being blown down by the wind. My learned and 
obliging correspondent of New York, Dr. Samuel L. Mitchill, ob- 
serves, that “A sort of superstition is entertained in regard to the 
Fish-Hawk. It has been considered a fortunate incident to have a 
nest, and a pair of these birds, on one’s farm. They have therefore 
been generally respected; and neither the axe nor the gun has been 
lifted against them. ‘Their nest continues from year to year. ‘The 
same couple, or another as the case may be, occupies it season after 
season. Repairs are duly made, or when demolished by storms it is 
industriously rebuilt. There was one of these nests, formerly, upon 
the leafless summit of a venerable chesnut-tree on our farm, direct- 
ly in front of the house, at the distance of less than half a mile. 
The withered trunk and boughs, surmounted by the coarse wrought 
and capacious nest, was a more picturesque object than an obelisk. 
And the flights of the Hawks as they went forth to hunt—returned 
with their game—exercised themselves in wheeling round and round 
and circling about it, were amusing to the beholder almost from 
morning to night. The family of these Hawks, old and young, was 
killed by the Hessian Jagers. A succeeding pair took possession 
of the nest; but in the course of time, the prongs of the trunk so 
rotted away, that the nest could no longer be supported. ‘The 
Hawks have been obliged to seek new quarters. We have lost this 
part of our prospect; and our trees have not afforded a convenient 
site for one of their habitations since.” 

- About the first of May the female Fish-Hawk begins to lay her 


eggs, which are commonly three in number, sometimes only two, 


16 FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 


and rarely four. They are somewhat larger than those of the com- 
mon hen, and nearly of the same shape. The ground color varies, 
in different eggs, from a reddish cream, to nearly a white, splash- 
ed and daubed all over with dark Spanish brown, as if done by 
art.” During the time the female is sitting, the male frequently 
supplies her with fish; tho she occasionally takes a short circuit 
to sea herself, but quickly returns again. The attention of the 
male, on such occasions, is regulated by the circumstances of the 
case. A pair of these birds, on the south side of Great Egg-Har- 
bour river, and near its mouth, were noted for several years. The 
female having but ‘one leg was regularly furnished, while sitting, 
with fish in such abundance, that she seldom left the nest, and 
never to seek for food. This kindness*was continued both before 
and after incubation. Some animals who claim the name and ra- 
tionality of man might blush at the recital of this fact. 

On the appearance of the young, which is usually about the 
last of June, the zeal and watchfulness of the parents are extreme. 
They stand guard, and go off to fish, alternately; one parent being 
always within a short distance of the nest. On the near approach 
of any person the Hawk utters a plaintive whistling note, which be- 
comes shriller as she takes to wing, and sails around, sometimes 
making a rapid descent, as if aiming directly for you; but check- 
ing her course and sweeping past at a short distance over head, her 
wings making a loud whizzing in the air. My worthy friend Mr. 


* Of the palatableness of these eggs I cannot speak from personal experience ; but the 
following incident will shew that the experiment has actually been made. A country fellow, 
near Cape May, on his way to a neighbouring tavern, passing a tree on which was a Fish- 
Hawk’s nest, immediately mounted and robbed it of the only egg it contained, which he car- 
ried with him to the tavern, and desired the landlord to make it into egg-noggs. The tavern- 
keeper, after a few wry faces, complied with his request, and the fellow swallowed the cordial; 
but, whether from its effects on the olfactory nerves (for he said it smelt abominably) the ima- 
gination, or on the stomach alone, is uncertain, it operated as a most outrageous emetic, and 
cured the man, for that time at least, of his thirst for egg-noge. What is rather extraordinary, 
the landlord (Mr. Beasley) assured me, that to all appearance the egg was perfectly fresh. 


FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 17 


Gardiner informs me, that they have even been known to fix their 
claws in a negro’s head who was attempting to climb to their nest; 
and I had lately a proof of their daring spirit in this way, through 
the kindness of a friend, resident for a few weeks at Great Egg- 
Harbour. I had requested of him the favor to transmit me, if pos- 
sible, a live Fish-Hawk, for the purpose of making a drawing of it, 
which commission he very faithfully executed; and I think I can- 
not better illustrate this part of the bird’s character than by quoting 
his letter at large. 


« Beasley's, Great Egg-Harbour, June 30th, 1811. 
“ SIR, 

“Mr. Beasley and I went to reconnoitre a Fish-Hawk’s nest 
on ‘Thursday afternoon. When I was at the nest I was struck with 
so great violence, on the crown of the hat, that I thought a hole 
was made in it. I had ascended fearlessly, and never dreamt of 
being attacked. I came down quickly. There were in the nest 
three young ones about the size of pullets, which, though full fea- 
thered, were unable to fly. On Friday morning I went again to 
the nest to get a young one, which I thought I could nurse toa 
considerable growth, sufficient to answer your purpose, if I should 
fail to procure an old one, which was represented to me as almost 
impossible, on account of his shyness, and the danger from his 
dreadful claws. On taking a young one I intended to lay a couple 
of snares in the nest, for which purpose I had a strong cord in my 
pocket. The old birds were on the tree when captain H. and I ap- 
proached it. As a defence, profiting by the experience of yester- 
day, I took a walking stick with me. When I was about half up 
the tree, the bird I send you struck at me repeatedly with violence; 
he flew round, in a small circle, darting at me at every circuit, and 
I striking at him. Observing that he always described a circle in 
the air, before he came at me, I kept a hawk’s eye upon him, and 
the moment he passed me, I availed myself of the opportunity te 

Ne | FE | 


18 FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 


ascend. When immediately under the nest, I hesitated at the for- 
midable opposition I met, as his rage appeared to increase with my 
presumption in invading his premises. But I mounted to the nest. 
At that moment he darted directly at me with all his force, whiz- 
zing through the air, his choler apparently redoubled. Fortunate- 
ly for me, I struck him on the extreme joint of the right wing with 
my stick, which brought him to the ground. During this contest 
the female was flying round and round at a respectful distance. 
Captain H. held him till I tied my handkerchief about his legs; _ 
the captain felt the effect of his claws. I brought away a young 
one to keep the old one in a good humour. I put them in a very 
large coop; the young one ate some fish, when broken and put into 
its throat; but the old one would not eat for two days. He con- 
tinued sullen and obstinate, hardly changing his position. He 
walks about now, and is approached without danger; he takes very 
little notice of the young one. A Joseph Smith, working in the 
field where this nest is, had the curiosity to go up to look at the 
_ eggs; the bird clawed his face in a shocking manner; his eye had 
a narrow escape. I am told that it has never been considered dan- 
gerous to approach a Hawk’s nest. If this be so, this bird’s cha- 
racter is peculiar; his affection for his young, and his valiant op- 
position to an invasion of his nest, entitle him to conspicuous no- 
tice. He is the Prince of Fish-Hawks; his character and his por- 
trait seem worthy of being handed to the historic muse. A Hawk 
more worthy of the honor which awaits him could not have been 
found. I hope no accident will happen to him, and that he may 
fully answer your purpose. | 
“ Yours, 


“THOMAS SMITH. 


“his morning the female was flying to and fro, making a 


mournful noise.” 


FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 19 


The young of the Fish-Hawk are remarkable for remaining 
long in the nest before they attempt to fly. Mr. Smith’s letter is 
dated June 30th, at which time, he observes, they were as large 
as pullets, and full feathered. Seventeen days after, I myself as- 
cended to this same Hawk’s nest, where I found the two remaining 
young ones seemingly full grown. ‘They made no attempts to fly, 
though they both placed themselves in a stern posture of defence 
as | examined them at my leisure. The female had procured a 
second helpmate; but he did not seem to inherit the spirit of his 
predecessor, for like a true step-father, he left the nest at my ap- 
proach, and sailed about at a safe distance with his mate, who shew- 
ed great anxiety and distress during the whole of my visit. It is 
universally asserted by the people of the neighbourhood where these 
birds breed, that the young remain so long, before they fly, that the 
parents are obliged at last to compel them to shift for themselves, 
beating them with their wings, and driving them from the nest. 
But that they continue to assist them even after this, I know to be 
a fact from my own observation, as I have seen the young bird 
meet its parent in the air, and receive from him the fish he carried 
in his claws. 

The flight of the Fish-Hawk, his manceuvres while in search 
of fish, and his manner of seizing his prey, are deserving of parti- 
cular notice. In leaving the nest he usually flies direct till he comes 
to the sea, then sails around, in easy curving lines, turning some- 
umes in the air as on a pivot, apparently without the least exertion, 
rarely moving the wings, his legs extended in a straight line behind, 
and his remarkable length and curvature or bend of wing, distin- 
guishing him from all other Hawks. The height at which he thus 
elegantly glides is various, from one hundred to one hundred and 
fifty, and two hundred feet, sometimes much higher, all the while 
calmly reconnoitring the face of the deep below. Suddenly he 
is seen to check his course, as if struck by a particular object, 


which he seems to survey for a few moments with such steadiness 


20 FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 


that he appears fixed in air, flapping his wings. ‘This object how- 
ever he abandons, or rather the fish he had in his eye has disap- 
peared, and he is again seen sailing around as before. Now his 
attention is again arrested, and he descends with great rapidity; 
but ere he reaches the surface, shoots off on another course, as if 
ashamed that a second victim had escaped him. He now sails at 
a short height above the surface, and by a zig-zag descent and with- 
out seeming to dip his feet in the water, seizes a fish, which after 
carrying a short distance, he probably drops, or yields up to the 
Bald Eagle, and again ascends, by easy spiral circles, to the higher 
regions of the air, where he glides about in all the ease and majesty 
of his species. At once from this sublime aerial height he descends 
like a perpendicular torrent, plunging into the sea with a loud rush- 
ing sound, and with the certainty of a rifle. In a few moments 
he emerges, bearing in his claws his struggling prey, which he al- 
ways carries head foremost, and having risen a few feet above the 
surface, shakes himself as a water spaniel would do, and directs his 
heavy and laborious course directly for the land. If the wind blow 
hard, and his nest lie in the quarter from whence it comes, it is 
amusing to observe with what judgment and exertion he beats to 
windward, not in a direct line, that.is, in the wind’s eye, but making 
several successive tacks to gain his purpose. This will appear the 
more striking when we consider the size of the fish which he some- 
times bears along. A shad was taken from a Fish-Hawk near Great 
Egg-Harbour, on which he had begun to regale himself, and had. 
already ate a considerable portion of it, the remainder weighed six 
pounds. Another Fish-Hawk was passing Mr. Beasley’s, at the same 
place, with a large flounder in his grasp, which struggled and shook 
him so, that he dropt it on the shore. The flounder was picked up, 
and served the whole family for dinner. It is singular that the 
Hawk never descends to pick up a fish which he happens to drop, 
either on the land or on the water. ‘There is a kind of abstemious 


dignity in this habit of the Hawk, superior to the gluttonous vo- 


FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. O4 


racity displayed by most other birds of prey, particularly by the 
Bald Eagle, whose piratical robberies committed on the present — 
species have been already fully detailed in treating of his history. 
The Hawk, however, in his fishing pursuits, sometimes mistakes 
his mark, or overrates his strength, by striking fish too large and 
powerful for him to manage, by whom he is suddenly dragged un- 
der; and tho he sometimes succeeds in extricating himself, after 
being taken three or four times down, yet oftener both parties 
perish. The bodies of sturgeon, and several other large fish, with 
that of the Fish-Hawk fast grappled in them, have at different times 
been found dead on the shore cast up by the waves. 

The Fish-Hawk is doubtless the most numerous of all its ge- 
nus within the United States. It penetrates far into the interior of. 
the country up our large rivers, and their head waters. It may be 
said to line the sea-coast from Georgia to Canada. In some parts 
I have counted at one view, more than twenty of their nests within 
half a mile. Mr. Gardiner informs me, that on the small island 
on which he resides there are at least “three hundred nests of Fish- 
Hawks that have young, which, on an average, consume probably 
not less than six hundred fish daily.” Before they depart in the 
autumn they regularly repair their nests, carrying up sticks, sods, 
&c. fortifying them against the violence of the winter storms, which, 
from this circumstance, they would seem to foresee and expect. But, 
notwithstanding all their precautions, they frequently on their re- 
turn in spring find them lying in ruins around the roots of the tree; 
and sometimes the tree itself has shared the same fate. When a 
number of Hawks, to the amount of twenty or upwards, collect to- 
gether on one tree, making a loud squeeling noise, there is gene- 
rally a nest built soon after on the same tree. Probably this con- 
eressional assembly were settling the right of the new pair to the 
premises; or it might be a kind of wedding, or joyous festive meet- 
ing on the occasion. ‘They are naturally of a mild and peaceable 
disposition, living together in great peace and harmony; for tho 


VOL. V. F 


22 FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 


with them, as in the best regulated communities, instances of at- 
tack and robbery occur among themselves, yet these instances are 
extremely rare. Mr. Gardiner observes that they are sometimes 
seen high in the air, sailing and cutting strange gambols with loud 
vociferations, darting down several hundred feet perpendicular, fre- 
quently with part of a fish in one claw, which they seem proud of, 
and to claim high hook as the fishermen call him who takes the 
greatest number. On these occasions they serve as a barometer 
to foretel the changes of the atmosphere; for when the Fish-Hawks 
are seen thus, sailing high in air, in circles, it is universally be- 
lieved to prognosticate a change of weather, often a thunder storm, 
in a few hours. On the faith of the certainty of these signs, the 
experienced coaster wisely prepares for the expected storm, and is 
rarely mistaken. | 

There is one singular trait in the character of this bird, which 
was mentioned in treating of the Purple Grakle, and which I have 
since had many opportunities of witnessing. The Grakles, or Crow 
Blackbirds, are permitted by the Fish-Hawk to build their nests 
among the interstices of the sticks of which his own is constructed. 
Several pair of Grakles taking up their abode there, like humble 
vassals around the castle of their chief, laying, hatching their young, 
and living together in mutual harmony. I have found no less than 
four of these nests clustered around the sides of the former, and a 
fifth fixed on the nearest branch of the adjoining tree; as if the pro- 
prietor of this last, unable to find an unoccupied corner on the pre- 
mises, had been anxious to share as much as possible the company 
and protection of this generous bird. 

The Fish-Hawk is twenty-two inches in length, and five feet 
three inches in extent; the bill is deep black, the upper as well as 
lower cere (for the base of the lower’ mandible has a loose move- 
able skin) and also the sides of the mouth, from the nostrils back- © 
wards, are light blue; crown and hind head pure white, front streak- 
ed with brown; through the eye a bar of dark blackish brown passes 


FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 23 


to the neck behind, which, as well as the whole upper parts is deep 
brown, the edges of the feathers lighter; shafts of the wing quills 
brownish white; tail slightly rounded, of rather a paler brown than 
the body, crossed with eight bars of very dark brown; the wings 
when shut extend about an inch beyond the tail, and are nearly 
black towards the tips; the inner vanes of both quill and tail fea- 
thers are whitish, barred with brown; whole lower parts pure white 
except the thighs, which are covered with short plumage and streak- 
ed down the fore part with pale brown; the legs and feet are a very 
pale light blue, prodigiously strong and disproportionably large, they 
are covered with flat scales of remarkable strength and thickness, 
resembling when dry the teeth of a large rasp, particularly on the 
soles, intended no doubt to enable the bird to seize with more secu- 
rity his slippery prey; the thighs are long, the legs short, feathered 
a little below the knee, and as well as the feet and claws large; the 
latter hooked into semicircles, black, and very sharp pointed ; the 
iris of the eye a fiery yellow orange. 

The female is full two inches longer; the upper part of the 
head of a less pure white, and the brown streaks on the front spread- 
ing more over the crown; thethroat and upper part of the breast are 
also dashed with large blotches of a pale brown, and the bar pass- 
ing through the eye, not of so dark a brown. The toes of both are 
exceedingly strong and warty, and the hind claw a full inch and a 
quarter in diameter. The feathers on the neck and hind head are 
_ long and narrow, and generally erected when the bird is irritated, 
resembling those of the Eagle. The eye is destitute of the project- 
ing bone common to most of the Falcon tribe, the nostril large, and 
of a curving triangular shape. On dissection the two glands on the 
rump which supply the bird with oil for lubricating its feathers to 
protect them from the wet, were found to be remarkably large, ca- 
pable when opened of admitting the end of the finger and contain- 
ed.a large quantity of white greasy matter, and some pure yellow 
oil; the gall was in small quantity; the numerous convolutions and 


24: FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 


length of the intestines surprised me; when carefully extended they 
measured within an inch or two of nine feet, and were no thicker 
than those of a Robin! The crop, or craw, was middle sized, and 
contained a nearly dissolved fish; the stomach was a large oblong 
pouch, capable of considerable distension, and was also filled with 
half digested fish; no appearance of a muscular gizzard. 

By the descriptions of European naturalists it would appear, 
that this bird, or one near a-kin to it, is a native of the Eastern 
continent in summer, as far north as Siberia; the Bald Buzzard of 
Turton almost exactly agreeing with the present species in size, 
color, and manners, with the exception of its breeding or making 
its nest among the reeds, instead of on trees. Mr. Bewick, who has 
figured and described the female of this bird under the appellation 
of the “ Osprey,” says, “that it builds on the ground, among reeds, 
and lays three or four eggs of an elliptical form, rather less than 
those of a hen.” ‘This difference of habit may be owing to parti- 
cular local circumstances, such deviations being usual among many 
of our native birds. The Italians are said to compare its descent 
upon the water to a piece of lead falling upon that element; and 
distinguish it by the name of Aquila piumbina, or the Leaden Eagle. 
In the United States it is every where denominated the Fish-Hawk, 
or Fishing-Hawk, a name truly expressive of its habits. 

The regular arrival of this noted bird at the vernal equinox, 
when the busy season of fishing commences, adds peculiar interest 
to its first appearance, and procures it many a benediction from 
the fishermen. With the following lines, illustrative of these cir- 


cumstances, I shall conclude its history. 


Soon as the Sun, great ruler of the year! 
Bends to our northern climes his bright career, 
And from the caves of ocean calls from sleep. 
The finny shoals and myriads of the deep; ey 


FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 


When freezing tempests back to Greenland ride; 
And day and night the equal hours divide; 

True to the season, o’er our sea-beat shore, 

The sailing Osprey high is seen to soar 

With broad unmoving wing; and, circling slow, 
Marks each loose straggler in the deep below: 
Sweeps down like lightning! plunges with a roar! 
And bears his struggling victim to the shore. 


The long-hous’d fisherman beholds with joy, 
The well known signals of his rough employ; 
And, as he bears his nets and oars along, 
Thus hails the welcome season with a song. 


THE FISHERMAN’S HYMN. 


The Osprey sails above the sound; 
The geese are gone—the gulls are flying; 
The herring shoals swarm thick around, 
The nets are launch’d—the boats are plying; 
Yo ho, my hearts! let’s seek the deep, 
Raise high the song, and cheerly wish her, 
Still as the bending net we sweep, 
«‘ God bless the Fish-Hawk and the fisher!” 


She brings us fish—she brings us spring, 
Good times, fair weather, warmth and plenty, 
Fine store of shad, trout, herring, ling, 
Sheepshead and drum, and old-wives dainty. 
Yo ho, my hearts! let’s seek the deep, 
Ply every oar, and cheerly wish her, 
Still as the bending net we sweep, 
“ God bless the Fish-Hawk and the fisher!” 


VOL. V. G 


25 


26 FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 


She rears her young on yonder tree, 
She leaves her faithful mate to mind ’em; 
Like us, for fish, she sails to sea, 
And, plunging, shews us where to find ’em. 
Yo ho, my hearts! let’s seek the deep, 
Ply evry oar and cheerly wish her, 
While the slow bending net we sweep, 
“God bless the Fish-Hawk and the fisher!” 


27 


FISH CROW. 
CORVUS OSSIFRAGUS. 
[Plate XXXVII.—Fig. 2. | 
Peae’s mia. No. 1369. 


THIS is another roving inhabitant of our sea-coasts, ponds, 
and river shores; tho a much less distinguished one than the pre- 
ceding, this being the first time, as far as I can learn, that he has 
ever been introduced to the notice of the world. — 

I first met with this species on the sea-coast of Georgia, and 
observed that they regularly retired to the interior as evening ap- 
proached, and came down to the shores of the river Savannah by 
the first appearance of day. Their voice first attracted my notice, 
being very different from that of the common Crow, more hoarse 
and guttural, uttered as if something stuck in their throat, and va- 
ried into several modulations as they flew along. Their manner 
of flying was also unlike the others, as they frequently sailed about, 
without flapping the wings, something in the manner of the Raven; 
and I soon perceived that their food, and their mode of procuring 
it, were also both different; their favorite haunts being about the 

banks of the river, along which they usually sailed, dextrously 
~ snatching up, with their claws, dead fish or other garbage that float- 
ed on the surface. At the country seat of Stephen Elliot, esq. near 
the Ogechee river, I took notice of these Crows frequently perching 
on the backs of the cattle, like the Magpie and Jackdaw of Britain; 
but never mingling with the common Crows, and differing from 
them in this particular, that the latter generally retire to the shore, 
the reeds and marshes to roost, while the Fish-Crow always a little 


before sun-set seeks the interior high woods to repose in. 


28 FISH CROW. 


On my journey through the Mississippi terri ory, last year, I 
resided for some time at the seat of my hospitable friend Dr. Sa- 
muel Brown, a few mile from Fort Adams on the Mississippi. In 
my various excursions there among the lofty fragrance-breathing 
magnolia woods, and magnificent scenery that adorn the luxuriant 
face of nature in those southern regions, this species of Crow fre- 
quently made its appearance, distinguished by the same voice and 
habits it had in Georgia. ‘There is in many of the ponds there, a 
singular kind of lizard, that swims about with its head above the 
surface, making a loud sound, not unlike the harsh jarring of a door. 
These the Crow now before us would frequently seize with his 
claws, as he flew along the surface, and retire to the summit of a 
dead tree to enjoy his repast. Here I also observed him a pretty 
constant attendant at the pens where the cows were usually milked, 
and much less shy, less suspicious, and more solitary than the com- 
mon Crow. In the county of Cape May, New Jersey, I again met 
with these Crows, particularly along Egg-Harbour river; and lat- 
terly on the Schuylkill and Delaware, near Philadelphia, during the 
season of shad and herring fishing, viz. from the middle of March 
till the beginning of June. A small party of these Crows, during 
this period, regularly passed Mr. Bartram’s gardens to the high 
woods to roost, every evening a little before sun-set, and as regu- 
larly returned at or before sun-rise every morning, directing their 
course towards the river. ‘The fishermen along these rivers also 
inform me, that they have particularly remarked this Crow, by his 
croaking voice, and his fondness for fish; almost always hovering 
about their fishing places to glean up the refuse. Of their manner 
of breeding I can only say, that they separate into pairs, and build 
in tall trees near the sea or river shore; one of their nests having 
been built this season in a piece of tall woods near Mr. Beasley’s, at 
Great Egg-Harbour. The male of this nest furnished me with the 
figure in the plate, which was drawn of full size, and afterwards re- 
duced to one-third the size of life, to correspond with the rest of 


FISH CROW. 29 


the figures on the same plate. From the circumstance of six or 
seven being usually seen here together, in the month of July, it is 
probable that they have at least four or five young at a time. 

I can find no description of this species by any former writer. 
Mr. Bartram mentions a bird of this tribe which he calls the Great 
Sea-side Crow; but the present species is considerably inferior in 
size to the common Crow, and having myself seen and examined 
it in so many and remotely situated parts of the country, and found 
it in all these places alike, I have no hesitation in pronouncing it 
to be a new and hitherto undescribed species. 

The Fish-Crow is sixteen inches long, and thirty-three in ex- 
tent; black all over, with reflections of steel-blue and purple; the 
chin is bare of feathers around the base of the lower mandible; up- 
per mandible notched near the tip, the edges of both turned inwards 
about the middle; eye very small, placed near the corner of the 
mouth, and of a dark hazel color; recumbent hairs or bristles large 
and long, ear feathers prominent, first primary little more than half 
the length, fourth the longest; wings when shut reach within two 
inches of the tip of the tail; tail rounded, and seven inches long 
from its insertion; thighs very long; legs stout; claws sharp, long 
and hooked, hind one the largest, all jet black. Male and female 
much alike. 

I would beg leave to recommend to the watchful farmers of 
the United States, that in their honest indignation against the com- 
mon Crow, they would spare the present species, and not shower 
destruction indiscriminately on their black friends and enemies ; 
at least on those who sometimes plunder them, and those who never 
molest or injure their property. 


VOL. ¥. | H 


30 


RINGED PLOVER. 
CHARADRIUS HIATICULA. 
[Plate XXXVII.—Fig. 3.] 


Latu. Syn. V, p. 201. 8.—Aret. Zool. II, No. 401.—Petit Pluvier, a collier, Burr. VII, 
p. 90—6. Pl. enl. 921.—Pluviahs Torquata minor, Briss. V, p. 63.8. t.5. ff 2.—Turr. 
Syst. p. 411. 2.—PEAueE’s Museum, No. 4150. 


IT was not altogether consistent with my original plan to in- 
troduce any of the Gralla or Waders, until I had advanced nearer | 
to a close with the Land Birds; but as the scenery here seemed 
somewhat appropriate, I have taken the liberty of placing in it two 
birds, reduced to one-third of their natural size, both being varie- 
ties of their respective species, each of which will appear in their 
proper places, in some future volume of this work, in full size and 
in their complete plumage. | 

The Ringed Plover is very abundant on the low sandy shores 
of our whole sea-coast, during summer. They run, or rather seem 
to glide, rapidly along the surface of the flat sands; frequently 
spreading out their wings and tail like a fan, and fluttering along, 
to draw or entice one away from their nests. These are formed 
with little art; being merely shallow concavities dug in the sand, 
in which the eggs are laid, and, during the day at least, left to the 
influence of the sun to hatch them. The parents, however, always 
remain near the spot to protect them from injury, and probably 
in cold rainy or stormy weather, to shelter them with their bodies. 
The eggs are three, sometimes four, large for the bird, of a dun clay 
color, and marked with numerous small spots of reddish purple. 

The voice of these little birds, as they move along the sand, 
is soft and musical, consisting of a single plaintive note occasionally 


RINGED PLOVER. 31 


repeated. As you approach near their nests, they seem to court 
your attention, and the moment they think you observe them, they 
spread out their wings and tail, dragging themselves along, and 
imitating the squeaking of young birds; if you turn from them they 
immediately resume their proper posture until they have again 
caught your eye, when they display the same attempts at decep- 
tion as before. A flat dry sandy beach, just beyond the reach of 
the summer tides, is their favorite place for breeding. 

This species is subject to great variety of change in its plumage. 
In the month of July I found most of those that were breeding on 
Summers’s Beach, at the mouth of Great Egg-Harbour, such as | 
have here figured; but about the beginning or middle of October 
they had become much darker above, and their plumage otherwise 
varied. ‘They were then collected in flocks; their former theatri- 
cal and deceptive manceuvres seemed all forgotten. ‘They appear- 
ed more active than before, as well as more silent; alighting within 
a short distance of one, and feeding about without the least appear- 
ance of suspicion. At the commencement of winter they all go off 
towards the south. — | 

This variety of the Ringed Plover is seven inches long, and 
fourteen in extent; the bill is reddish yellow for half its length, 
and black at the extremity; the front and whole lower parts pure 
white, except the side of the breast, which is marked with a curv- 
ing streak of black, another spot of black bounding the front above; 
back and upper parts very pale brown, inclining to ashy white, and 
- intermixed with white; wings pale brown, greater coverts broadly 
tipt with white; interior edges of the secondaries, and outer edges 
of the primaries white, and tipt with brown; tail nearly even, the 
lower half white, brown towards the extremity, the outer feather 
pure white, the next white with a single spot of black; eye black, 
and full, surrounded by a narrow ring of yellow; legs reddish yel- 
low; claws black; lower side of the wings pure white. 


32 


LITTLE SANDPIPER. 
LRINGA PUSILLA. 
[Plate XXXVII.—Fig. 4. ] 


Lat. Syn. V, p. 184—32.—Aret. Zool. I, No. 397.—Cinelus dominicensis minor, Briss. 
V, p. 222, 13. t. 25. f. 2.—Tourr. Syst. p. 410.—Prare’s Museum, No. 4138. 


THIS is the least of its tribe in this part of the world, and in 
its mode of flight has much more resemblance to the Snipe than to 
the Sandpiper. It is migratory, departing early in October for the 
south. It resides chiefly among the sea marshes, and feeds among 

‘the mud at low water; springs with a zig-zag irregular flight, and 

a feeble twit. It is not altogether confined to the neighbourhood 
of the sea, for I have found several of them on the shores of the 
Schuylkill, in the month of August. In October, immediately be- 
fore they go away, they are usually very fat. Their nests or parti- | 
cular breeding places I have not been able to discover. 

This minute species is found in Europe, and also at Nootka 
sound on the western coast of America. Length five inches and a 
half; extent eleven inches; bill and legs brownish black; upper 
part of the breast grey brown, mixed with white; back and upper 
parts black; the whole plumage above broadly edged with bright 
bay and yellow ochre; primaries black; greater coverts the same, 
tipt with white; eye small, dark hazel; tail rounded, the four ex- 
terior feathers on each side dull white, the rest dark brown ; tertials 
as long as the primaries; head above dark brown with paler edges; 
over the eye a streak of whitish; belly and vent white; the bill is 
thick at the base, and very slender towards the point; the hind toe 
small. In some specimens the legs were of a dirty yellowish color. 


LITTLE SANDPIPER. 33 


Sides of the rump white; just below the greater coverts the prima- 
ries are crossed with white. _ 

Very little difference could be perceived between the plumage 
of the males and females. ‘The bay on the edges of the back and 


scapulars was rather brighter in the male, and the brown deeper. 


VOL. V. I 


BARN SWALLOW. 
HIRUNDO AMERICANA. 
[ Plate XXXVIII.—Fig. 1, Male.—Fig. 2, Pande | 
Peare’s Museum, No. 7609. 


THERE are but few persons in the United States unacquaint- 
ed with this gay, innocent, and active little bird. Indeed the whole 
tribe are so distinguished from the rest of small birds by their 
sweeping rapidity of flight, their peculiar aerial evolutions of wing 
over our fields and rivers, and through our very streets, from morn- 
ing to night, that the light of heaven itself, the sky, the trees, or any 
other common objects of nature, are not better known than the 
Swallows. We welcome their first appearance with delight, as the 
faithful harbingers and companions of flowery spring, and ruddy 
summer; and when, after a long, frost-bound and boisterous win- 
ter, we hear it announced, that “ The Swallows are come,” what a 
train of charming ideas are associated with the simple tidings! 

The wonderful activity displayed by these birds forms a striking 
contrast to the slow habits of most other animals. It may be fairly 
questioned whether among the whole feathered tribes which heaven 
has formed to adorn this part of creation, there be any that, in the 
same space of time, pass over an equal extent of surface with the 
Swallow. Leta person take his stand on a fine summer evening 
by a new mown field, meadow or river shore for a short time, and 
among the numerous individuals of this tribe that flit before him 
fix his eye on a particular one, and follow, for a while, all its cir- 
cuitous labyrinths—its extensive sweeps—its sudden, rapidly reite- 
rated zig-zag excursions, little inferior to the lightning itself, and 


then attempt by the powers of mathematics to calculate the length 


4 id een 


ace 


2Z#zzzzAAZZZ 


AANA 
NYS 
fi UN NM iy 


- s 7 


Smee hie bed Mid . 5 , ei 
Pract from Aratare Ue + Milson-. tigated) ty Ge Mie Bastion 
“ Py 


J 


{J ; = 
tuintlow 2 Seovru 


C 


BARN SWALLOW, | 35 


of the various lines it describes. Alas! even his omnipotent fluxions 
would avail him little here, and he would soon abandon the task in 
despair. Yet, that some definite conception may be formed of this 
extent, let us suppose, that this little bird flies, in his usual way, at 
the rate of one mile in a minute, which, from the many experiments 
I have made, I believe to be within the truth; and that he is so en- 
gaged for ten hours every day; and further, that this active life is 
extended to ten years (many of our small birds being known to live 
much longer even in a state of domestication), the amount of all 
these, allowing three hundred and sixty-five days to a year, would | 
give us two million one hundred and ninety thousand miles; up- 
wards of eighty-seven times the circumference of the globe! Yet 
this little wenged seraph, if I may so speak, who, in a few days, and 
at will, can pass from the borders of the arctic regions to the tor- 
rid zone, is forced when winter approaches to descend to the bot- 
toms of lakes, rivers, and mill ponds to bury itself in the mud with 
eels and snapping turtles; or to creep ingloriously into a cavern, 
a rat hole,-or a hollow tree, there to doze with snakes, toads, and 
other reptiles until the return ef spring! Is not this true ye wise 
men of Europe and America, who have published so many credible 
narratives on this subject? The Geese, the Ducks, the Catbird, and 
even the Wren which creeps about our outhouses in summer like 
a mouse, are all acknowledged to be migratory, and to pass to 
southern regions at the approach of winter;—the Swallow alone, 
on whom heaven has conferred superior powers of wing, must sink 
in torpidity at the bottom of our rivers, or doze all winter in the 
caverns of the earth. J am myself something of a traveller, and 
foreign countries afford many novel sights: should I assert, that in 
some of my peregrinations I had met with a nation of Indians, all 
of whom, old and young, at the commencement of cold weather, 
descend to the bottom of their lakes and rivers, and there remain 
until the breaking up of frost; nay, should I affirm, that thousands 
of people in the neighbourhood of this city, regularly undergo the 


36 BARN SWALLOW. 


same semi-annual submersion—that I myself had fished up a whole 
family of these from the bottom of Schuylkill, where they had lain 
torjid all winter, carried them home, and brought them all comfor- 
tably to themselves again. Should I even publish this in the learn- 
ed pages of the Transactions of our Philosophical Society, who 
would believe me? Is then the organization of a Swallow less de- 
licate than that of a man? Can a bird, whose vital functions are 
destroyed by a short privation of pure air and its usual food, sus- 
tain, for six months, a situation where the most robust man would 
perish in a few hours or minutes? Away with such absurdities !— 
They are unworthy of a serious refutation. I should be pleased 
to meet with a man who has been personally more conversant with 
birds than myself, who has followed them in their wide and devious 
routes—studied their various manners—mingled with and marked 
their peculiarities more than I have done; yet the miracle of a re- 
suscitated swallow, in the depth of winter, from the bottom of a 
mill pond, is, I confess, a phenomenon in ornithology that I have 
never met with. 

What better evidence have we that these fleet-winged tribes, 
instead of following the natural and acknowledged migrations of 
many other birds, lie torpid all winter in hollow trees, caves and 
other subterraneous recesses? ‘hat the Chimney Swallow, in the 
early part of summer, may have been found in a hollow tree, and 
in great numbers too, is not denied; such being in some places of 
the country (as will be shewn in the history of that species,) their 
actual places of rendezvous, on their first arrival, and their com- 
mon roosting place long after; or that the Bank Swallows, also, 
soon after their arrival, in the early part of spring, may be chilled 
by the cold mornings which we frequently experience at that sea- 
son, and be found in this state in their holes, I would as little dis- 
pute; but that either the one or the other has ever been found, an 
the midst of winter in a state of torpidity, 1 do not, cannot believe. 
Millions of trees of all dimensions are cut down every fall and win- 


BARN SWALLOW. | 37 


ter of this country, where, in their proper season, Swallows swarm 
around us. Is it therefore in the least probable that we should, only 
once or twice in an age, have no other evidence than one or two 
solitary and very suspicious reports of a Mr. Somebody having 
made a discovery of this kind? If caves were their places of win- 
ter retreat, perhaps no country on earth could supply them with a 
greater choice. I have myself explored many of these in various 
parts of the United States both in winter and in spring, particularly 
in that singular tract of country in Kentucky, called the Barrens, 
where some of these subterraneous caverns are several miles in 
length, lofty and capacious, and pass under a large and deep river 
—have conversed with the saltpetre workers by whom they are te- 
nanted; but never heard or met with one instance of a Swallow 
having been found there in winter. ‘These people treated such re- 
ports with ridicule. 

It is to be regretted that a greater number of experiments 
have not been made, by keeping live Swallows through the winter, 
to convince these believers in the torpidity of birds, of their mis- 
take. That class of cold-blooded animals which are known to be- 
come torpid during winter, and of which hundreds and thousands 
are found every season, are subject to the same when kept in a 
suitable room for experiment. How is it with the Swallows in this 
respect? Much powerful testimony might be produced on this point; 
the following experiments recently made by Mr. James Pearson of 
_ London, and communicated by Sir John Trevelyn, bart. to Mr. 
Bewick, the celebrated engraver in wood, will be sufficient for our 
present purpose, and throw great light on this part of the subject.* 

“ Five or six of these birds were taken about the latter end of 
August, 1784, in a bat fowling net at night; they were put sepa- 
rately into small cages, and fed with nightingale’s food: in about a 
week or ten days they took food of themselves; they were then put 


* See Bewick’s British Birds, vol.i, p. 254. 


VOL. V. . K 


38 BARN SWALLOW. 


altogether into a deep cage, four feet long, with gravel at the bot- 
tom; a broad shallow pan with water was placed in it, in which 
they sometimes washed themselves, and seemed much strengthened 
by it. One day Mr. Pearson observed that they went into the water 
with unusual eagerness, hurrying in and out again repeatedly with 
such swiftness as if they had been suddenly seized with a frenzy. 
Being anxious to see the result, he left them to themselves about 
half an hour, and going to the cage again found them all huddled 
together in a corner apparently dead; the cage was then placed at 
a proper distance from the fire, when only two of them recovered 
and were as healthy as before—the rest died. The two remaining 
“ones were allowed to wash themselves occasionally for a short time 
only; but their feet soon after became swelled and inflamed, which 
Mr. P. attributed to their perching, and they died about Christmas. 
Thus the first year’s experiment was in some measure lost. Not 
discouraged by the failure of this, Mr. P. determined to make a se- 
cond trial the succeeding year, from a strong desire of being con- 
vinced of the truth of their going into a state of torpidity. Accord- 
ingly the next season having taken some more birds he put them 
into the cage, and in every respect pursued the same methods as 
with the last; but to guard their feet from the bad effects of the 
damp and cold he covered the perches with flannel, and had the 
pleasure to observe that the birds throve extremely well; they sung 
their song during the winter, and soon after Christmas began to 
moult, which they got through without any difficulty, and lived 
three or four years, regularly moulting every year at the usual time. 
On the renewal of their feathers it appeared that their tails were 
forked exactly the same as in those birds which return hither in 
the spring, and in every respect their appearance was the same. 
These birds, says Mr. Pearson, were exhibited to the Society for 
promoting Natural History, on the fourteenth day of February, 
1786, at the time they were in a deep moult, during a severe frost, 
when the snow was on the ground. Minutes of this circumstance 


BARN SWALLOW. 39 


were entered in the books of the society. These birds died at last 
from neglect, during a long illness which Mr. Pearson had: they 
died in the summer. Mr. P. concludes his very interesting account 
in these words: January 20th, 1797, I have now in my house, No. 
21, Great Newport street, Long Acre, four Swallows in moult, in 
as perfect health as any birds ever appeared to be when moulting.” 

The Barn Swallow of the United States has hitherto been con- 
sidered by many writers as the same with the common Chimney 
Swallow of Europe. ‘They differ however considerably, in color, 
as well as in habits; the European species having the belly and 
vent white, the American species those parts of a bright chesnut; 
the former building in the corners of chimneys, near the top, the 
latter never in such places; but usually in barns, sheds, and other 
outhouses, on beams, braces, rafters, &c. It is difficult to recon- 
cile these constant differences of manners and markings in one and 
the same bird; I shall therefore take the liberty of considering the 
present as a separate and distinct species. 

The Barn Swallow arrives in this part of Pennsylvania from 
the south on the last week in March, or the first week in April, and 
passes on to the north as far, at least, as the river St. Lawrence. 
On the east side of the great range of the Alleghany, they are dis- 
persed very generally over the country, wherever there are habita- 
tions, even to the summit of high mountains; but, on account of 
the greater coldness of such situations, are usually a week or two 
_ later in making their appearance there. On the sixteenth of May, 
being on a shooting expedition on the top of Pocano mountain, 
Northampton, when the ice on that and on several successive morn- 
ings was more than a quarter of an inch thick, I observed with sur- 
prise a pair of these Swallows which had taken up their abode on 
a miserable cabin there. It was then about sun-rise, the ground 
white with hoar frost, and the male was twittering on the roof by 
the side of his mate with great sprightliness. The man of the 
house told me that a single pair came regularly there every sea- 


40 BARN SWALLOW. 


son, and built their nest ona projecting beam under the eaves, 
about six or seven feet from the ground. At the bottom of the 
mountain, in a large barn belonging to the tavern there, I counted 
upwards of twenty nests, all seemingly occupied. In the woods 
they are never met with; but as you approach a farm they soon 
catch the eye, cutting their gambols in the air. Scarcely a barn, 
to which these birds can find access, is without them; and as pub- 
lic feeling is universally in their favour, they are seldom or never 
disturbed. The proprietor of the barn last mentioned, a German, 
assured me, that if a man permitted the Swallows to be shot his 
cows would give bloody milk, and also that no barn where Swallows 
frequented would ever be struck with lightning; and I nodded as- 
sent. When the tenets of superstition “lean to the side of huma- 
nity” one can readily respect them. On the west side of the Al- 
leghany these birds become more rare. In travelling through the 
states of Kentucky and Tennesee, from Lexington to the Tennesee 
river, in the months of April and May, I did not see a single indi- 
vidual of this species; tho the Purple Martin, and, in some places, 
the Bank Swallow was numerous. | 

Early in May they begin to build. From the size and struc- 
ture of the nest it is nearly a week before it is completely finished. 
One of these nests, taken on the twenty-first of June from the rafter 
to which it was closely attached, is now lying before me. It is in 
the form of an inverted cone with a perpendicular section cut off 
on that side by which it adhered to the wood. At the top it has 
an extension of the edge, or offset, for the male or female to sit on 
occasionally, as appeared by the dung; the upper diameter was 
about six inches by five, the height externally seven inches. This 
shell is formed of mud, mixed with fine hay as plaisterers do their 
mortar with hair, to make it adhere the better; the mud seems to 
have been placed in regular strata, or layers, from side to side; the 
hollow of this cone (the shell of which is about an inch in thick- 
ness) is filled with fine hay, well stuffed in; above that is laid a 


BARN SWALLOW. AA 


handful of very large downy geese feathers; the eggs are five, 
white, specked and spotted all over with reddish brown. Owing 
to the semi-transparency of the shell the eggs have a slight tinge of 
flesh color. The whole weighs about two pounds. 

They have generally two brood in the season. The first make 
their appearance about the second week in June; and the last brood 
leave the nest about the tenth of August. Tho it is not uncommon 
for twenty, and even thirty pair, to build in the same barn, yet 
every thing seems to be conducted with great order and affection; 
all seems harmony among them, as if the interest of each were that 
of all. Several nests are often within a few inches of each other; 
yet no appearance of discord or quarrelling takes place in this 
peaceful and affectionate community. 

When the young are fit to leave the nest, the old ones entice 
them out by fluttering backwards and forwards, twittering and call- 
ing to them every time they pass; and the young exercise them- 
selves, for several days, in short essays of this kind, within doors, 
before they first venture abroad. As soon as they leave the barn 
they are conducted by their parents to the trees, or bushes, by the 
pond, ereek, or river shore, or other suitable situation, where their 
proper food is most abundant, and where they can be fed with the 
greatest convenience to both parties. Now and then they take a 
short excursion themselves, and are also frequently fed while on 
wing by an almost instantaneous motion of both parties, rising per- 
_ pendicularly in air and meeting each other. About the middle of 
' August they seem to begin to prepare for their departure. They 
assemble on the roof in great numbers, dressing and arranging 
their plumage, and making occasional essays, twittering with great 
cheerfulness. Their song is a kind of sprightly warble, sometimes 
continued for a considerable time. From this period to the eighth 
of September they are seen near the Schuylkill and Delaware, every 
afternoon, for two or three hours before sun-set, passing along to 
the south in great numbers, feeding as they skim along. I have 

VOL. ¥. 7 


42 BARN SWALLOW. 


counted several hundreds pass within sight in less than a quarter 
of an hour, all directing their course towards the south. The reeds 
are now their regular roosting places; and about the middle of 
September there is scarcely an individual of them to be seen. How 
far south they continue their route is uncertain; none of them re- 
main in the United States. Mr. Bartram informs me, that during 
his residence in Florida, he often saw vast flocks of this and our 
other Swallows, passing from the peninsula towards the south in 
September and October; and also on their return to the north 
about the middle of March. It is highly probable, that were the 
countries to the south of the gulf of Mexico, and as far south as the 
sreat river Maranon, visited and explored by a competent natu- 
ralist, these regions would be found to be the winter rendezvous 
of the very birds now before us, and most of our other migratory 
tribes. 

In a small volume which I have lately met with, entitled “An 
Account of the British settlement of Honduras,” by captain George 
Henderson, of the 5th West India regiment, published in London 
in 1809, the writer, in treating of that part of its natural history 
which relates to birds, gives the following particulars. “Myriads 
of Swallows,” says he, “are also the occasional inhabitants of Hon- 
duras. ‘The time of their residence is generally confined to the 
period of the rains, | that is from October to February | after which 
they totally disappear. ‘There is something remarkably curious 
and deserving of notice in the ascent of these birds. As soon as 
the dawn appears they quit their place of rest, which is usually 
chosen amid the rushes of some watery savanna; and invariably 
rise to a certain height, in a compact spiral form, and which at a 
distance often occasions them to be taken for an immense column 
of smoke. This attained, they are then seen separately to disperse 
in search of food, the occupation of their day. To those who may 
have had the opportunity of observing the phenomenon of a water 
spout, the similarity of evolution, in the ascent of these birds, will 


BARN SWALLOW. AS 


be thought surprisingly striking. The descent, which regularly 
takes place at sun-set, is conducted much in the same way; but with 
inconceivable rapidity. And the noise which accompanies this can 
only be compared to the falling of an immense torrent; or the rush- 
ing of a violent gust of wind. Indeed, to an observer it seems won- 
derful, that thousands of these birds are not destroyed, in being 
thus propelled to the earth with such irresistible force.” 

How devoutly it is to be wished that the natural history of 
those regions were more precisely known! So absolutely necessary 
as it is to the perfect understanding of this department of our own! 

The Barn Swallow is seven inches long, and thirteen inches 
in extent; bill black; upper part of the head, neck, back, rump 
and tail coverts, steel blue, which descends rounding on the breast; 
front and chin deep chesnut; belly, vent, and lining of the wing, 
light chesnut; wings and tail brown black, slightly glossed with 
reflexions of green; tail greatly forked, the exterior feather on each 
side an inch and a half longer than the next, and tapering towards 
the extremity, each feather, except the two middle ones, marked 
on its inner vane with an oblong spot of white; lores black; eye 
dark hazel; sides of the mouth yellow; legs dark purple. 

The female differs from the male in having the belly and vent 
rufous white, instead of light chesnut; these parts are also slightly 
clouded with rufous; and the exterior tail feathers are shorter. 

_ These birds are easily tamed, and soon become exceedingly 
gentle and familiar. I have frequently kept them in my room for 
several days at a time, where they employed themselves in catch- 
ing flies, picking them from my clothes, hair, &c. calling out occa- . 
sionally as they observed some of their old companions passing the 
windows. | 


* Henderson’s Honduras, p. 119. 


AA 


GREEN-BLUE, OR WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW. 
HIRUNDO VIRIDIS. 
(Plate XXXVIIIL—Fig. 3.] 
PEALE’s Museum, No. 7707. 


THIS 1s the species hitherto supposed by Europeans to be the 
same with their common Martin, Hirundo urbica, a bird no where 
to be found within the United States. The English Martin is blue 
black above; the present species greenish blue; the former has the 
whole rump white, and the legs and feet are covered with short 
white downy feathers; the latter has nothing of either. That ridi- 
culous propensity in foreign writers, to consider most of our birds 
as varieties of their own, has led them into many mistakes, which 
it shall be the business of the author of the present work to point 
out, decisively, wherever he may meet with them. | 

The White-bellied Swallow arrives in Pennsylvania a few days 
later than the preceding species. It often takes possession of an 
apartment in the boxes appropriated to the Purple Martin; and 
also frequently builds and hatches in a hollow tree. ‘The nest con- 
sists of fine loose dry grass, lined with large downy feathers, rising 
above its surface, and so placed as to curl inwards and completely 
conceal the eggs. These last are usually four or five in number, 
and pure white. They also have two brood in the season. 

The voice of this species is low and guttural: they are more 
disposed to quarrel than the Barn Swallows, frequently fighting in 
the air for a quarter of an hour at a time, particularly in spring, all 
the while keeping up a low rapid chatter. They also sail more in 
flying; but during the breeding season frequent the same situations 
in quest of similar food. They inhabit the northern Atlantic states 


WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW. AR 


as far as the District of Maine, where I have myself seen them; and 
my friend Mr. Gardiner informs me, that they are found on the 
coast of Long Island and its neighbourhood. About the middle of 
July I observed many hundreds of these birds sitting on the flat 
sandy beach near the entrance of Great Egg-Harbour. They were 
also very numerous among the myrtles of these low islands, com- 
pletely covering some of the bushes. One. man told me, that he 
saw one hundred and two shot at a single discharge. _ For some 
time before their departure they ‘subsist principally onthe myrtle 
berries (myrica cerifera) and become extremely fat. They leave 
us early in September. pod. hte aes ela 

This species appears to have remained hitherto undescribed, 
owing to. the misapprehension. before mentioned... It is not per- 
haps quite so numerous as the. preceding, and rarely associates — 
with it to breed, never using mud of any kind in ‘the construction 
Ofsitsanester A lays. uy. 5 Peay Oy SLT e Tt ee) NEEL ER EE ft Rete ec sar EgtS 

The White-bellied Swallow is five inches and three quarters 
long, and twelve inches in extent; bill and eye black; upper parts 
a light glossy greenish blue; wings brown black, with slight re- 
flexions of green; tail forked, the two exterior feathers being about 
a quarter of an inch longer than the middle ones, and all of a uni- 
form brown black; lores black; whole lower parts pure white; 
wings when shut extend about a quarter of an inch beyond the tail; 
legs naked, short and strong, and, as well as the feet, of a dark 
purplish flesh color; claws stout. 

The female has much less of the greenish gloss than the male, 
the colors being less brilliant; otherwise alike. 


Om, Vi | | M 


A6 


BANK SWALLOW, OR SAND MARTIN. 
HIRUNDO RIPARTA. 
[Plate XXXVIII.—Fig. 4. | 


Latu. Syn. IV, p. 568—10.—Aret. Zool. II, No. 332.—L’ Mirondelle de rivage, Burr. VI, 
632. Pl. enl, 543. ff 2.—Turt. Syst. 629.—PrEAe’s Museum, No. 7637. 


THIS appears to be the most sociable with its kind and the 
least intimate with man, of all our Swallows; living together in 
large communities of sometimes three or four hundred. On the 
high sandy bank of a river, quarry, or gravel pit, at a foot or two 
from the surface, they commonly scratch out holes for their nests, 
running them in a horizontal direction to the depth of two and 
sometimes three feet. Several of these holes are often within a 
few inches of each other, and extend in various strata along the 
front of the precipice, sometimes for eighty or one hundred yards. 
At the extremity of this hole a little fine dry grass with a few large 
downy feathers form the bed on which their eggs, generally five in 
number, and pure white, are deposited. ‘The young are hatched 
late in May; and here I have taken notice of the common Crow, 
in parties of four or five, watching at the entrance of these holes, 
to seize the first straggling young that should make its appearance. 
From the clouds of Swallows that usually play round these breed- 
ing places, they remind one at a distance of a swarm of bees. 

The Bank Swallow arrives here earlier than either of the pre- 
ceding; begins to build in April, and has commonly two brood in 
the season. ‘Their voice is a low mutter. They are particularly 
fond of the shores of rivers, and, in several places along the Ohio, 
they congregate in immense multitudes. We have sometimes se- 


veral days of cold rain and severe weather after their arrival in 


BANK SWALLOW. 4,7 


spring, from which they take refuge in their holes, clustering toge- 
ther for warmth, and have been frequently found at such times in 
almost a lifeless state with the cold; which circumstance has con- 
tributed to the belief that they lie torpid all winter in these recesses. 
I have searched hundreds of these holes in the months of Decem- 
ber and January, but never found a single Swallow, dead, living, 
or torpid. I met with this bird in considerable numbers on the 
shores of the Kentucky river, between Lexington and Danville. 
They likewise visit the sea shore, in great numbers, previous to 
their departure, which continues from the last of September to the 
middle of October. j 

The Bank Swallow is five inches long, and ten inches in ex- 
tent; upper parts mouse colored, lower white, with a band of dusky 
brownish across the upper part of the breast; tail forked, the ex- 
_ terior feather slightly edged with whitish; lores and bill black; 
legs with a few tufts of downy feathers behind; claws fine pointed 
and very sharp; over the eye a streak of whitish; lower side of 
the shafts white; wings and tail darker than the body. The fe- 
male differs very little from the male. 
_ This bird appears to be in nothing different from the Eu- 
ropean species; from which circumstance, and its early arrival 
here, I would conjecture that it passes to a high northern latitude 


on both continents. 


A8 


CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 
HIRUNDO PELASGIA. 
[Plate XXXIX.—Fig. 1. ] 


Latu. Syn. V, p. 583—32.—Caress. Car. App. t. 8.—Hirondelle de la Caroline, Burr. 
VI, p. 700.—Hirundo Carolinensts, Briss. II, p. 501. 9.—Aculeated Swallow, Arct. Zool. 
II, No. 335—18.—Turt. Syst. p. 630.—PEALE’s Museum, No. 7663. 


THIS species is peculiarly our own; and strongly distinguish- 
ed from all the rest of our Swallows by its figure, flight, and man- 
ners. Of the first of these the representation in the plate will give 
a correct idea; its other peculiarities shall be detailed as fully as 
the nature of the subject requires. 

This Swallow, like all the rest of its tribe in the United States, 
is migratory, arriving in Pennsylvania late in April or early in May, 
and dispersing themselves over the whole country wherever there 
are vacant chimneys in summer sufficiently high and convenient 
for their accommodation. In no other situation with us are they 
observed at present to build. This circumstance naturally suggests 
_ the query, Where did these birds construct their nests before the 
arrival of Europeans in this country, when there were no such 
places for their accommodation? I would answer probably in the 

same situations in which they still continue to build in the remote 
regions of our western forests, where European improvements of 
this kind are scarcely to be found, namely in the hollow of a tree, 
which in some cases has the nearest resemblance to their present 
choice of any other. One of the first settlers in the state of Kentucky 
informed me, that he cut down a large hollow beech tree which con- 
tained forty or fifty nests of the Chimney Swallow, most of which 
by the fall of the tree,.or by the weather, were lying at the bottom 


oe 
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CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 49 


of the hollow, but sufficient fragments remained adhering to the 
sides of the tree to enable him to number them. They appear- 
ed, he said, to be of many years standing. The present site which 
they have chosen must however hold out many more advantages 
than the former, since we see that in the whole thickly settled parts 
of the United States these birds have uniformly adopted this new 
convenience; not a single pair being observed to prefer the woods. 
Security from birds of prey and other animals—from storms that 
frequently overthrow the timber, and the numerous ready conve- 
niences which these new situations afford are doubtless some of 
the advantages. ‘The choice they have made certainly bespeaks 
something more than mere unreasoning instinct, and does honour 
to their discernment. 

The nest of this bird is of singular construction, being formed 
of very small twigs, fastened together with a strong adhesive glue or 
gum, which is secreted by two glands, one on each side of the hind 
head, and mixes with the saliva. With this glue, which becomes 
hard as the twigs themselves, the whole nest is thickly besmeared. 
The nest itself is small and shallow, and attached by one side or 
edge to the wall, and is totally destitute of the soft lining with which 
the others are so plentifully supplied. The eggs are generally four, 
and white. They generally have two brood in the season. The 
young are fed at intervals during the greater part of the night, a fact 
which I have had frequent opportunities of remarking both here 
and in the Mississippi territory. The noise which the old ones 
make in passing up and down the funnel has some resemblance to 
distant thunder. When heavy and long continued rains occur, the 
nest, losing its hold, is precipitated to the bottom. This disaster 
frequently happens. ‘The eggs are destroyed; but the young, tho 
blind, (which they are for a considerable time) sometimes scram- 
ble up along the vent, to which they cling like squirrels, the mus- 
cularity of their feet and the sharpness of their claws at this tender 
age being remarkable. In this situtation they continue to be fed 

ViOlie Ws N | 


ae 


50 CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 


for perhaps a week or more. Nay it is not uncommon for them 
voluntarily to leave the nest long before they are able to fly, and 
to fix themselves on the wall, where they are fed until able to hunt 
for themselves. 

When these birds first arrive in spring, and for a considerable 
time after, they associate together every evening in one general ren- 
dezvous; those of a whole district roosting together. ‘This place 
of repose, in the more unsettled parts of the country, is usually a 
large hollow tree open at top, trees of that kind, or Swallow trees, 
as they are usually called, having been noticed in various parts of 
the country and generally believed to be the winter quarters of 
these birds, where, heaps upon heaps, they dozed away the winter 
in a state of torpidity. Here they have been seen on their resur- 
rection in spring, and here they have again been remarked de- 
scending to their death-like sleep in autumn. 

Among various accounts of these trees that might be quoted, 
the following are selected as bearing the marks of authenticity. “At 
Middlebury, in this state,” says Mr. Williams, Hist. of Vermont, 
p- 16, “there was a large hollow elm, called by the people in the 
vicinity, the Swallow tree. From a man who for several years lived 
within twenty rods of it, I procured this information. He always 
thought the Swallows tarried in the tree through the winter, and 
avoided cutting it down on that account. About the first of May the 
Swallows came out of it in large numbers, about the middle of the 
day, and soon returned. As the weather grew warmer they came out 
in the morning with a loud noise, or roar, and were soon dispersed. 
About half an hour before sun-down they returned in millions, cir- 
culating two or three times round the tree, and then descending 
like a stream into a hole about sixty feet from the ground. It was 
customary for persons in the vicinity to visit this tree to observe 
the motions of these birds: and when any persons disturbed their 
operations by striking violently against the tree with their axes, the 
Swallows would rush out in millions and with a great noise. In No- 


CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 51 


vember, 1791, the top of this tree was blown down twenty feet 
below where the Swallows entered. There has been no appear- 
ance of the Swallows since. Upon cutting down the remainder an 
immense quantity of excrements, quills and feathers, were found, 
but no appearance or relics of any nests. 

“« Another of these Swallow trees was at Bridport. The man 
who lived the nearest to it gave this account. The Swallows were 
first observed to come out of the tree in the spring about the time 
that the leaves first began to appear on the trees; from that season 
they came out in the morning about half an hour after sun-rise. 
They rushed out like a stream, as big as the hole in the tree would 
admit, and ascended in a perpendicular line until they were above 
the height of the adjacent trees; then assumed a circular motion, 
performing their evolutions two or three times, but always in a 
larger circle, and then dispersed in every direction. A little be- 
fore sun-down they returned in immense numbers, forming several 
circular motions, and then descended like a stream into the hole, 
from whence they came out in the morning. About the middle 
of September they were seen entering the tree for the last time. 
These birds were all of the species called the House or Chimney 
Swallow. ‘Uhe tree was a large hollow elm; the hole at which they 
entered was about forty feet above the ground, and about nine 
inches in diameter. ‘The Swallows made their first appearance in 
the spring and their last appearance in the fall in the vicinity of 
_ this tree; and the neighbouring inhabitants had no doubt but that 
the Swallows continued in it during the winter. A few years ago 
a hole was cut at the bottom of the tree; from that time the Swal- 
lows have been gradually forsaking the tree and have now almost 
deserted it.” 

Tho Mr. Williams himself, as he informs us, is led to believe 
from these and some other particulars which he details, “that the 
House Swallow in this part of America generally resides during the 
winter in the hollow of trees; and the Ground Swallows [Bank 


52 CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 


Swallows | find security in the mud at the bottom of lakes, rivers, 
and ponds,” yet I cannot in the cases just cited see any sufficient 
cause for such a belief. ‘The birds were seen to pass out on the 
first of May or in the spring when the leaves began to appear on 
the trees, and about the middle of September they were seen en- 
tering the tree for the last time; but there is no information here 
of their being seen at any time during winter either within or 
around the tree. This most important part of the matter is taken 
for granted without the least examination, and as will be presently 
shewn, without foundation. I shall, I think, also prove that if these 
trees had been cut down in the depth of winter not a single Swal- 
low would have been found either in a living or a torpid state! And 
that this was merely a place of rendezvous for active living birds is 
evident from the “immense quantity of excrements” found within 
it, which birds in a state of torpidity are not supposed to produce. 
The total absence of the relics of nests is a proof that it was not 
a breeding place, and that the whole was nothing more. than one of 
those places to which this singular bird resorts, immediately on 
its arrival in May, in which also many of the males continue to 
roost during the whole summer, and from which they regularly de- 
part about the middle of September. From other circumstances 
it appears probable that some of these trees have been for ages the 
summer rendezvous or general roosting place of the whole Chim- 
ney Swallows of an extensive district. Of this sort I conceive the 
following to be one which is thus described by a late traveller to 
the westward. 

Speaking of the curiosities of the state of Ohio the writer ob- 
serves, “In connection with this I may mention a large collection 
of feathers found within a hollow tree which I examined with the 
Rev. Mr. Story, May 18th, 1803. It is in the upper part of Water- 
ford, about two miles distant from the Muskingum. <A very large 
sycamore, which through age had decayed and fallen down, con- 


tained in its hollow trunk, five and a half feet in diameter, and for 


CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 53 


nearly fifteen feet upwards, a mass of decayed feathers with a small 
admixture of brownish dust and the exuvize of various insects. The 
feathers were so rotten that it was impossible to determine to what 
kind of birds they belonged. They were less than those of the 
pigeon; and the largest of them were like the pinion and tail fea- 
thers of the Swallow. I examined carefully this astonishing col- 
lection in the hope of finding the bones and bills, but could not 
distinguish any. ‘The tree with some remains of its ancient com- 
panions lying around was of a growth preceding that of the neigh- 
| bouring forest. Near it and even out of its mouldering ruins grow 
thrifty trees of a size which indicate two or three hundred years 
of age.”’* i | 
Such are the usual roosting places of the Chimney Swallow in 
the more thinly settled parts of the country. In towns, however, 
they are differently situated, and it is matter of curiosity to observe 
that they frequently select the court-house chimney for their gene- 
ral place of rendezvous, as being usually more central, and less 
liable to interruption during the night. I might enumerate many 
places where this is their practice. Being in the town of Reading, 
Pennsylvania, in the month of August, I took notice of sixty or 
eighty of these birds, a little before evening, amusing themselves 
by ascending and descending the chimney of the court-house there. 
I was told that in the early part of summer they were far more 
numerous at that particular spot. On the twentieth of May in re- 
turning from an excursion to the Great Pine swamp, I spent part 
of the day in the town of Easton, where I was informed by my 
respected friend Mordecai Churchman, cashier of the bank there, 
and one of the people called Quakers, that the Chimney Swallows 
of Easton had selected the like situation; and that from the win- 
dows of his house, which stands nearly opposite to the court-house, 


I might in an hour or two witness their whole manceuvres. 


* Hlarris’s Journal, p. 180. 


VOL. WWE O 


54 CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 


I accepted the invitation with pleasure. Accordingly a short 
time after sun-set the Chimney Swallows, which were generally dis- 
persed about town, began to collect around the court-house, their 
numbers every moment increasing, till, like motes in the sunbeams, 
the air seemed full of them. These while they mingled amongst 
each other seemingly in every direction, uttering their peculiar note 
with great sprightliness, kept a regular circuitous sweep around the 
top of the court-house, and about fourteen or fifteen feet above it, 
revolving with great rapidity for the space of at least ten minutes. 
There could not be less than four or five hundred of them. ‘They 
now gradually varied their line of motion until one part of its cir- 
cumference passed immediately over the chimney and about five or 
six feet above it. Some as they passed made a slight feint of en- 
tering, which was repeated by those immediately after, and by the 
whole circling multitude in succession; in this feint they approach- 
ed nearer and nearer at every revoltition, dropping perpendicu- 
larly, but still passing over; the circle meantime becoming more 
and more contracted, and the rapidity of its revolution greater as 
the dusk of evening increased, until at length one, and then ano- 
ther, dropped in, another and another followed, the circle still re- 
volving until the whole multitude had descended except one or two. 
These flew off as if to collect the stragglers, and in a few seconds 
returned with six or eight more, which, after one or two rounds, 
dropped in one by one, and all was silence for the night. It seemed 
to me hardly possible that the internal surface of the vent could 
accommodate them all, without clustering on one another, which I 
am informed they never do; and I was very desirous of observing 
their ascension in the morning, but having to set off before day, I 
had not that gratification. Mr. Churchman however, to whom I 
have since transmitted a few queries, has been so obliging as to in- 
form me, that towards the beginning of June the number of those 
that regularly retired to the court-house to roost, was not more than 
one-fourth of the former; that on the morning of the twenty-third 


CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 55 


of June he particularly observed their reascension, which took place 
at a quarter past four, or twenty minutes before sun-rise, and that 
they passed out in less than three minutes. That at my request the 
chimney had been examined from above; but that as far down at 
least as nine feet, it contained no nests; tho at a former period it 
is certain that their nests were very numerous there, so that the 
chimney was almost choked, and a sweep could with difliculty get. 
up it. But then it was observed that their place of nocturnal retire- 
ment was in another quarter of the town. “On the whole,” con- 
tinues Mr. Churchman, “I am of opinion, that those who continue 
to roost at the court-house are male birds, or such as are not en- 
gaged in the business of incubation, as that operation is going on 
in almost every unoccupied chimney in town. It is reasonable to 
suppose if they made use of that at the court-house for this pur- 
pose, at least some of their nests would appear towards the top, as 
we find such is the case where but few nests are in a place.” 

In a subsequent letter Mr. Churchman writes as follows:— 
« After the young brood produced in the different chimneys in Eas- 
ton had taken wing, and a week or ten days previous to their total 
disappearance, they entirely forsook the court house chimney, and 
rendezvoused in accumulated numbers in the southernmost chim- 
ney of John Ross’s mansion, situated perhaps one hundred feet 
northeastward of the court house. In this last retreat I several 
times counted more than two hundred go in of an evening, when I 
- could not perceive a single bird enter the court-house chimney. I 
was much diverted one evening on seeing a cat, which came upon 
the roof of the house, and placed herself near the chimney, where 
she strove to arrest the birds as they entered, without success; she 
at length ascended to the chimney top and took her station, and 
the birds descended in gyrations without seeming to regard grimal- 
kin, who made frequent attempts to grab them. I was pleased to 
see that they all escaped her fangs. About the first week in the 
_ ninth month [September | the birds quite disappeared; since which 


56 CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 


I have not observed a single individual. Though I was not so for- 
tunate as to be present at their general assembly and council when 
they concluded to take their departure, nor did I see them com- 
mence their flight; yet I am fully persuaded that none of them re- 
main in any of our chimneys here. I have had access to Ross’s 
chimrey where they last resorted, and could see the lights out from 
bottom to top, without the least vestige or appearance of any birds. 
Mary Ross also informed me, that they have had their chimneys 
swept previous to their making fires, and though late in autumn no 
birds have been found there. Chimneys also which have not been 
used have been ascended by sweeps in the winter without discover- 
ing any. Indeed all of them are swept every fall and winter, and 
I have never heard of the Swallows being found in either a dead, 
living or torpid state. As to the court-house it has been occupied 
as a place of worship two or three times a week for several weeks 
past, and at those times there has been fire in the stoves, the pipes 
of them both going into the chimney, which is shut up at bottom by 
brick work: and as the birds had forsaken that place, it remains 
pretty certain that they did not return there; and if they did the 
smoke I think would be deleterious to their existence; especially 
as I never knew them to resort to kitchen chimneys where fire was 
kept in the summer. I think I have noticed them enter such chim- 
neys for the purpose of exploring; but I have also noticed that they 
immediately ascended, and went off, on finding fire and smoke.” 
The Chimney Swallow is easily distinguished in air from the 
rest of its tribe here, by its long wings, its short body, the quick 
and slight vibrations of its wings, and its wide, unexpected diving 
rapidity of flight; shooting swiftly in various directions without any 
apparent motion of the wings, and uttering the sounds tsip tsip tsip 
tsee tsee in a hurried manner. In roosting, the thorny extremities 
of its tail are thrown in for its support. It is never seen to alight 
but in hollow trees or chimneys; is always most gay and active in 


wet and gloomy weather, and is the earliest abroad in morning, and 


CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 57 


latest out in evening of all our Swallows. About the first or se- 
cond week in September, they move off to the south, being often | 
observed on their route accompanied by the Purple Martins. 

When we compare the manners of these birds while here with 
the account given by capt. Henderson of those that winter in such 
multitudes at Honduras, it is impossible not to be struck with the 
resemblance; or to suppress our strong suspicions that they may 
probably be the very same. | 

This species is four inches and a half in length, and twelve 
inches in extent! altogether of a deep sooty brown, except the chin 
and line over the eye, which are of a dull white; the lores, as in 
all the rest, are black; bill extremely short, hard and black, nos- 
trils placed in a slightly elevated membrane; legs covered with a 
loose purplish skin; thighs naked and of the same tint; feet ex- 
tremely muscular; the three fore toes nearly of a length; claws 
very sharp; the wing when closed extends an inch and a half be- 
yond the tip of the tail, which is rounded, and consists of ten fea- 
thers scarcely longer than their coverts; their shafts extend beyond 
the vanes, are sharp pointed, strong, and very elastic, and of a 
deep black color; the shafts of the wing quills are also remarkably 
strong; eye black, surrounded by a bare blackish skin or orbit. 

The female can scarcely be distinguished from the male by 


her plumage. 


VOL. V. P 


58 


PURPLE MARTIN. 
HIRUNDO PURPUREA. 
[Plate XXXIX.—Fig. 1, Male.—Fig. 2, Female. | 


Latu. Syn. IV, p. 574. 21. Ibid. IV, p. 575. 23.—Caress. Car. 1, 51.—Aret. Zool. I, 
No. 383.—Hirondelle bleue de la Caroline, Burr. VI, p. 674. Pl. enl. 722.—Le Martinet 
couleur de poupre, Burr. VI, p. 676.—Turt. Syst. 629.—Epw. 120.—Hirundo subis, 
Laru. IV, p. 575—24.—PEALE’s Museum, No. 7645, 7646. 


THIS well known bird is a general inhabitant of the United 
States, and a particular favorite wherever he takes up his abode. I 
never met with more than one man who disliked the Martins and 
would not permit them to settle about his house. This was a penu- 
rious close-fisted German, who hated them because as he said “they 


5) 


eat his peas.” I told him he must certainly be mistaken, as I never 
knew an instance of Martins eating peas; but he replied with cool- 
ness that he had many times seen them himself “ blaying near the 
hife, and going schap, schnap,” by which I understood that it was 
his dees that had been the sufferers; and the charge could not be 
denied. 
This sociable and half domesticated bird arrives in the south- 
ern frontiers of the United States late in February or early in 
March; reaches Pennsylvania about the first of April, and extends 
his migrations as far north as the country round Hudson’s Bay, 
where he is first seen in May, and disappears in August; so, ac- 
cording to the doctrine of torpidity, has consequently a pretty long 
annual nap in those frozen regions, of eight or nine months, under 
the ice! We, however, choose to consider him as advancing north- 


erly with the gradual approach of spring, and retiring with his 


PURPLE MARTIN. 59 


young family, on the first decline of summer, to a more congenial 
climate. 

The summer residence of this agreeable bird is universally 
among the habitations of man; who, having no interest in his de- 
struction, and deriving considerable advantage as well as amuse- 
ment from his company, is generally his friend and protector. 
Wherever he comes, he finds some hospitable retreat fitted up for 
his accommodation and that of his young, either in the projecting 
wooden cornice—on the top of the roof, or sign post—in the box 
appropriated to the Blue-bird; or, if all these be wanting, in the 
dove-house among the pigeons. In this last case, he sometimes 
takes possession of one quarter or tier of the premises, in which not 
a pigeon dare for a moment set its foot. Some people have large 
conveniences formed for the Martins, with many apartments, which 
are usually fully tenanted, and occupied regularly every spring; 
and in such places, particular individuals have been noted to re- 
turn to the same box for several successive years. Even the soli- 
tary Indian seems to have a particular respect for this bird. ‘The 
Chactaws and Chickasaws cut off all the top branches from a sap- 
ling near their cabins, leaving the prongs a foot or two in length, 
on each of which they hang a gourd, or calabash, properly hollow- 
ed out for their convenience. On the banks of the Mississippi the 
negroes stick up long canes, with the same species of apartment 
fixed to their tops, in which the Martins regularly breed. Wherever 
_[ have travelled in this country I have seen with pleasure the hos- 
pitality of the inhabitants to this favorite bird. 

As superseding the necessity of many of my own observations 
on this species, I beg leave to introduce in this place an extract of 
a letter from the late learned and venerable John Joseph Henry, 
esq. judge of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, a man of most 
amiable manners, which was written to me but a few months be- 
fore his death, and with which I am happy to honor my periorm- 
ance.“ The history of the Purple Martin of America,” says he, 


60 PURPLE MARTIN. 


“which is indigenous in Pennsylvania and countries very far north 
of our latitude, will, under your control, become extremely inte- 
resting. We know its manners, habitudes, and useful qualities 
here; but we are not generally acquainted with some traits in its 
character, which in my mind rank it in the class of the most re- 
markable birds of passage. Somewhere (I cannot now refer to 
book and page) in Anson’s Voyage, or in Dampier, or some other 
southern voyager, I recollect that the Martin is named as an inha- 
bitant of the regions of southern America, particularly of Chili; 
and in consequence from the knowledge we have of its immense 
emigration northward in our own country, we may fairly presume 
that its flight extends to the south as far.as Terra del Fuego. If 
the conjecture be well founded, we may with some certainty place 
this useful and delightful companion and friend of the human race 
as the first in the order of birds of passage. Nature has furnished 
it with a lengthy, strong, and nervous pinion; its legs are short 
too, as not to impede its passage; the head and body are flattish; 
in short, it has every indication from bodily formation that Provi- 
dence intended it as a bird of the longest flight. Belknap speaks of 
it as a visitant of New Hampshire. I have seen it in great num- 
bers at Quebec. Hearne speaks of it in lat. 60° North. To ascer- 
tain the times of the coming of the Martin to New Orleans; and 
its migration to and from Mexico, Quito and Chili, are desirable 
data in the history of this bird; but it is probable that the state of 
science in those countries render this wish hopeless. 

“Relative to the domestic history, if it may be so called, of 
the Blue-bird (of which you have given so correct and charming a 
description) and the Martin, permit me to give you an anecdote. 
In 1800 I removed from Lancaster to a farm a few miles above 
Harrisburgh. Knowing the benefit derivable to a farmer from the 
neighbourhood of the Martin in preventing the depredations of the 
Bald Eagle, the Hawks and even the Crows, my carpenter was em- 


ployed to form a large box with a number of apartments for the 


PURPLE MARTIN. ee 


Martin. The box was put up in the autumn. Near and around 
the house were a number of well grown apple trees and much shrub- 
bery, a very fit haunt for the feathered race. About the middle of 
February the Blue-birds came; in a short time they were very fa- 
miliar, and took possession of the box: these consisted of two or 
three pairs. By the fifteenth of May the Blue-birds had eggs, if 
not young. Now the Martins arrived in numbers, visited the box, 
and a severe conflict ensued. The Blue-birds seemingly animated 
by their right of possession, or for the protection of their young, were 
victorious. The Martins regularly arrived about the middle of May 
for the eight following years, examined the apartments of the box 
in the absence of the Blue-birds, but were uniformly compelled to 
fly upon the return of the latter. | 
“The trouble caused you by reading this. note you will be 
pleased to charge to the Martin. A box replete with that beauti- 
ful traveller, is not very distant from my bed head. Their notes 
seem discordant because of their numbers; yet to me they are 
pleasing. The industrious farmer and mechanic would do well to 
have a box fixed near the apartments of their drowsy labourers. 
Just as the dawn approaches, the Martin begins its notes, which 
last half a minute or more; and then subside until the twilight is 
fairly broken. An animated and incessant musical chattering now 
ensues, sufficient to arouse the most sleepy person. Perhaps chan- 
ticleer is not their superior in this beneficial qualification; and he 
is far beneath the Martin in his powers of annoying birds of prey.” 
: I shall add a few particulars to this faithful and interesting 
sketch by my deceased friend. About the middle or twentieth of 
April the Martins first begin to prepare their nest. The last of 
these which I examined was formed of dry leaves of the weeping 
willow, slender straws, hay and feathers, in considerable quantity. 
The eggs were four, very small for the size of the bird, and pure 
white without any spots. The first brood appears in May, the se- 
cond late in July. During the period in which the female is lay- 
VOL. Vs | Qo 


62 PURPLE MARTIN. 


ing, and before she commences incubation, they are both from 
home the greater part of the day. When the female is sitting she 
is frequently visited by the male, who also occupies her place while 
she takes a short recreation abroad. He also often passes a quar- 
ter of an hour in the apartment beside her, and has become quite 
domesticated since her confinement. He sits on the outside dress- 
ing and arranging his plumage, occasionally passing to the door of 
the apartment as if to enquire how she does. His notes at this time 
seem to have assumed a peculiar softness, and his gratulations are 
expressive of much tenderness. Conjugal fidelity, even where there 
is a number together, seems to be faithfully preserved by these 
birds. On the twenty-fifth of May a male and female Martin took 
possession of a box in Mr. Bartram’s garden. A day or two after, 
a second female made her appearance, and staid for several days; 
but from the cold reception she met with, being frequently beat off 
by the male, she finally abandoned the place, and set off, no doubt 
to seek for a more sociable companion. 

The Purple Martin, like his half-cousin the King-bird, is the 
terror of Crows, Hawks, and Eagles. These he attacks whenever 
they make their appearance, and with such vigor and rapidity, that 
they instantly have recourse to flight. So well known is this to the 
lesser birds and to the domestic poultry, that as soon as they hear 
the Martin’s voice, engaged in fight, all is alarm and consternation. 
To observe with what spirit and audacity this bird dives and sweeps 
upon and around the Hawk or the Eagle is astonishing. He also 
‘bestows an occasional bastinading on the King-bird when he finds 
him too near his premises; tho he will at any time instantly co- 
operate with him in attacking the common enemy. 

The Martin differs from all the rest of our Swallows in the 
particular prey which he selects. Wasps, bees, large beetles, parti- 
cularly those called by the boys goldsmiths, seem his favorite game. 
_ [have taken four of these large beetles from the stomach of a Pur- 
ple Martin, each of which seemed entire and even unbruised. 


PURPLE MARTIN. 63 


The flight of the Purple Martin unites in it all the swiftness, 
ease, rapidity of turning and gracefulness of motion of its tribe. 
Like the Swift of Europe, he sails much with little action of the 
wings. He passes through the most crowded parts of our streets, 
eluding the passengers with the quickness of thought; or plays 
among the clouds, gliding about at a vast height, like an aerial 
being. His usual note peuo peuo peuo, is loud and musical; but is 
frequently succeeded by others more low and guttural. Soon after 
the twentieth of August he leaves Pennsylvania for the south. 

This bird has been described three or four different times by 
European writers, as so many different species. ‘The Canadian 
Swallow of Turton, and the Great American Martin of Edwards, 
being evidently the female of the present species. ‘The Violet 
Swallow of the former author, said to inhabit Louisiana, differs in 
no respect from the present. Deceived by the appearance of the 
flight of this bird, and its similarity to that of the Swift of Europe, 
strangers from that country have also asserted that the Swift is 
common to North America and the United States. No such bird, 
however, inhabits any part of this continent that I have as yet 
visited. 

The Purple Martin is eight inches in length, and sixteen | 
inches in extent; except the lores which are black, and the wings 
and tail, which are of a brownish black, he is of a rich and deep 
purplish blue, with strong violet reflections; the bill is strong, the 
gap very large; the legs also short, stout, and of a dark dirty pur- 
ple; the tail consists of twelve feathers, is considerably forked and 
edged with purple blue; the eye full and dark. 

The female (fig. 2.) measures nearly as large as the male; the 
upper parts are blackish brown, with blue and violet reflections 
thinly scattered; chin and breast greyish brown; sides under the 
wings darker; belly and vent whitish, not pure, with stains of dus- 
ky and yellow ochre; wings and tail blackish brown. 


64. 


CONNECTICUT WARBLER. 
SYLVIA AGILIS. 
[Plate XXXIX.—Fig. 4. ] 


THIS is a new species, first discovered in the state of Connec- 
ticut, and twice since met with in the neighbourhood of Philadel- 
phia. As to its notes or nest, I am altogether unacquainted with 
them. The different specimens I have shot corresponded very 
nearly in their markings; two of these were males, and the other 
undetermined, but conjectured also to be a male. It was found in 
every case among low thickets, but seemed more than commonly 
active, not remaining for a moment in the same position. In some 
of my future rambles I may learn more of this solitary species. 

Length five inches and three quarters, extent eight inches; 
whole upper parts a rich yellow olive; wings dusky brown, edged 
with olive; throat dirty white, or pale ash; upper part of the breast 
dull greenish yellow; rest of the lower parts a pure rich yellow; 
legs long, slender, and of a pale flesh color; round the eye a nar- 
row ring of yellowish white; upper mandible pale brown, lower 
whitish; eye dark hazel. 

Since writing the above I have shot two specimens of a bird 
which in every particular agrees with the above, except in having — 
the throat of a dull buff color instead of pale ash; both of these 
were females, and I have little doubt but they are of the same spe- 
cies with the present, as their peculiar activity seemed exactly simi- 
lar to the males above described. 

These birds do not breed in the lower parts of Pennsylvania, 
tho they probably may be found in summer in the alpine swamps 
and northern regions, In company with a numerous class of the 
same tribe that breed in these unfrequented solitudes. 


Sudha 
\ mi , 


‘NTA } 
i) a YW 


mn 


(fG be parutcke, 
2 eSopele 


65 


NIGHT-HAWK. 
CAPRIMULGUS AMERICANUS. 
[Plate XL.—F ig. 1, Male.—Fig. 2, Female. | 


Long-winged Goatsucker, Arct. Zool. No. 337.—PxEALE’s Museum, No. 7723, male, 7724, 
Jemale. 


THIS bird, in Virginia and some of the southern districts, is 
called a bat; the name Night-hawk is usually given it in the middle 
and northern states, probably on account of its appearance when 
on wing very much resembling some of our small Hawks, and from 
its habit of flying chiefly in the evening. Tho it is a bird univer- 
sally known in the United States, and inhabits North America, in 
summer, from Florida to Hudson’s Bay, yet its history has been in- 
volved in considerable obscurity by foreign writers, as well as by 
some of our own country. Of this I shall endeavour to divest it in 
the present account. 

Three species only, of this genus, are found within the United 
States; the Chuck-will’s-widow, the Whip-poor-will, and the Night- 
hawk. The first of these is confined to those states lying south of 
Maryland; the other two are found generally over the union, but 
are frequently confounded one with the other, and by some sup- 
posed to be one and the same bird. A comparison of this with the 
succeeding plate, which contains the figure of the Whip-poor-will, 
will satisfy those who still have their doubts on this subject; and 
the great difference of manners which distinguishes each will ren- 
der this still more striking and satisfactory. 

On the last week in April, the Night-Hawk commonly makes 
its first appearance in this part of Pennsylvania. At what parti- 
cular period they enter Georgia I am unable to say; but I find by 

VOL. V. R 


66 NIGHT-HAWK. 


my notes, that in passing to New Orleans by land, I first observed 
this bird in Kentucky on the twenty-first of April. ‘They soon after 
disperse generally over the country, from the sea shore to the 
mountains, even to the heights of the Alleghany; and are seen, 
towards evening, in pairs, playing about, high in air, pursuing their 
prey, wasps, flies, beetles, and various other winged insects of the 
larger sort. About the middle of May the female begins to lay. 
No previous preparation or construction of nest is made; though 
doubtless the particular spot has been reconnoitred and deter- 
mined on. ‘This is sometimes in an open space in the woods, fre- 
quently in a ploughed field, or in the corner of a corn-field. The 
eggs are placed on the bare ground; in all cases on a dry situa- 
tion, where the color of the leaves, ground, stones or other circum- 
jacent parts of the surface may resemble the general tint of the 
eggs, and thereby render them less easy to be discovered. ‘The 
eggs are most commonly two, rather oblong, equally thick at both 
ends, of a dirty bluish white, and marked with innumerable touches 
of dark olive brown. To the immediate neighbourhood of this 
spot the male and female confine themselves, roosting on the high 
trees adjoining, during the greater part of the day, seldom how- 
ever together, and almost always on separate trees. ‘They also 
sit lengthwise on the branch, fence or limb on which they roost, 
and never across, like most other birds; this seems occasioned by 
the shortness and slender form of their legs and feet, which are not 
at all calculated to grasp the branch with sufficient firmness to ba- 
lance their bodies. 

As soon as incubation commences, the male keeps a most vi- 
gilant watch around. He is then more frequently seen playing 
about in the air over the place, even during the day, mounting by 
several quick vibrations of the wings, then a few slower, uttering 
all the while a sharp harsh squeak, till having gained the highest 
point, he suddenly precipitates himself, head foremost, and with 
great rapidity, down sixty or eighty feet, wheeling up again as sud- 


NIGHT-HAWK. 67 
denly; at which instant is heard a loud booming sound, very much 
resembling that produced by blowing strongly into the bung hole 
of an empty hogshead; and which is doubtless produced by the 
sudden expansion of his capacious mouth, while he passes through 
the air, as exhibited in the figure on the plate. He again mounts 
by alternate quick and leisurely motions of the wings, playing about 
as he ascends, uttering his usual hoarse squeak, till in a few minutes 
he again dives with the same impetuosity and violent sound as 
before. Some are of opinion that this is done to intimidate man 
or beast from approaching his nest, and he is particularly observed 
to repeat these divings most frequently around those who come 
near the spot, sweeping down past them, sometimes so near, and 
so suddenly, as to startle and alarm them. ‘Tehe same individual 
is, however, often seen performing these manceuvres over the river, 
the hill, the meadow and the marsh in the space of a quarter of an 
hour, and also towards the Fall, when he has no nest. This singu- 
lar habit belongs peculiarly to the male. ‘The female has, indeed, 
the common hoarse note, and much the same mode of flight; but 
hever precipitates herself in the manner of the male. During the 
time she is sitting, she will suffer you to approach within a foot or 
two before she attempts to stir, and when she does, it is in such a 
fluttering, tumbling manner, and with such appearance of a lame 
and wounded bird, as nine times in ten to deceive the person, and 
induce him to pursue her. This “ pious fraud,” as the poet TThomp- 
son calls it, is kept up until the person is sufficiently removed from 
the nest, when she immediately mounts and disappears. When 
the young are first hatched it is difficult to distinguish them from 
the surface of the ground, their down being of a pale brownish co- 
lor, and they are altogether destitute of the common shape of birds, 
sitting so fixed and so squat as to be easily mistaken for a slight 
prominent mouldiness lying on the ground. I cannot say whether 
they have two brood in the season; I rather conjecture that they 
have generally but one. 


68 wih NIGHT-HAWK. 


The Night-hawk is a bird of strong and vigorous flight, and of 
large volume of wing. It often visits the city, darting and squeak- 
ing over the streets at a great height, diving perpendicularly with 
the same hollow sound as before described. I have also seen them 
sitting on chimney tops in some of the most busy parts of the city, 
occasionally uttering their common note. 

When the weather happens to be wet and gloomy, the Night- 
hawks are seen abroad at all times of the day, generally at a con- 
siderable height; their favorite time, however, is from two hours 
before sun-set until dusk. At such times they seem all vivacity, 
darting about in the air in every direction, making frequent short 
sudden turnings, as if busily engaged in catching insects. Even in 
the hottest, clearest weather, they are occasionally seen abroad, 
squeaking at short intervals. ‘They are also often found sitting 
along the fences, basking themselves in the sun. Near the sea- 
shore, in the vicinity of extensive salt marshes, they are likewise 
very numerous, skimming over the meadows, in the manner of 
Swallows, until it is so dark that the eye can no longer follow 
them. 

When wounded and taken, they attempt to intimidate you by 
opening their mouth to its utmost stretch, throwing the head for- 
wards, and uttering a kind of guttural whizzing sound, striking 
also violently with their wings, which seem to be their only of- 
fensive weapons; for they never attempt to strike with the bill or 
claws. 

About the middle of August they begin to move off towards 
the south; at which season they may be seen almost every evening, 
from five o’clock until after sun-set, passing along the Schuylkill 
and the adjacent shores, in widely scattered multitudes, all steer- 
ing towards the south. I have counted several hundreds within 
sight at the same time, dispersed through the air, and darting after 
insects as they advanced. These occasional processions continue 


for two or three weeks; none are seen travelling in the opposite 


NIGHT-HAWK. 69 


direction. Sometimes they are accompanied by at least twice as 
many Barn Swallows, some Chimney Swallows and Purple Mar- 
tins. They are also most numerous immediately preceding a north- 
east storm. At this time also they abound in the extensive mea- 
dows on the Schuylkill and Delaware, where I have counted fifteen 
skimming over a single field in an evening. On shooting some of 
these, on the fourteenth of August, their stomachs were almost ex- 
clusively filled with crickets. From one of them I took nearly a 
common snuff-box full of these insects, all seemingly fresh swal- 
lowed. 

By the middle or twentieth of September very few of these 
birds are to be seen in Pennsylvania; how far south they go, or 
at what particular time they pass the southern boundaries of the 
United States I am unable to say. None of them winter in Georgia. 

The ridiculous name Goatsucker, which was first bestowed on 
the European species from a foolish notion that it sucked the teats 
of the goats, because probably it inhabited the solitary heights 
where they fed, which nickname has been since applied to the whole 
genus, I have thought proper to omit. There is something worse 
than absurd in continuing to brand a whole family of birds with a 
knavish name, after they are universally known to be innocent of 
the charge. It is not only unjust, but tends to encourage the be- 
lief in an idle fable that is totally destitute of all foundation. 

The Night-Hawk is nine inches and a half in length, and 
twenty-three inches in extent; the upper parts are of a very deep 
blackish brown, unmixed on the primaries, but thickly sprinkled 
or powdered on the back scapulars and head with innumerable mi- 
nute spots and streaks of a pale cream color, interspersed with 
specks of reddish; the scapulars are barred with the same, also 
the tail coverts and tail, the inner edges of which are barred with 
_white and deep brownish black for an inch and a half from the 
tip, where they are crossed broadly with a band of white, the two 
middle ones excepted, which are plain deep brown, barred and 

VOL, Ve S 


70 NIGHT-HAWK. 


sprinkled with light clay; a spot of pure white extends over the 
five first primaries, the outer edge of the exterior feather excepted, 
and about the middle of the wing; a triangular spot of white also 
marks the throat, bending up on each side of the neck; the bill is 
exceeding small, scarcely one eighth of an inch in length, and of 
a black color; the nostrils circular, and surrounded with a promi- 
nent rim; eye large and full, of a deep bluish black; the legs are 
short, feathered a little below the knees, and, as well as the toes, 
of a purplish flesh color, seamed with white; the middle claw is 
pectinated on its inner edge, to serve as a comb to clear the bird 
of vermin; the whole lower parts of the body are marked with 
transverse lines of dusky and yellowish. ‘The tail is somewhat 
shorter than the wings when shut, is handsomely forked, and con- 
sists of ten broad feathers; the mouth is extremely large, and of a 
~ yeddish flesh color within; there are no bristles about the bill; the 
tongue is very small, and attached to the inner surface of the 
mouth. 

The female measures about nine inches in length and twenty- 
two in breadth; differs in having no white band on the tail, but has 
the spot of white on the wing; wants the triangular spot of white on 
the throat, instead of which there is a dully defined mark of a red- 
dish cream color; the wings are nearly black, all the quills being 
slightly tipt with white; the tail is as in the male, and minutely 
tipt with white; all the scapulars and whole upper parts are pow- 
dered with a much lighter grey. 

There is no description of the present species in Turton’s 
translation of Linnzeus. The characters of the genus given in the 
same work are also in this case incorrect, viz. “mouth furmshed 
with a series of bristles—tail not forked,” the Night-hawk having 
nothing of the former, and its tail being largely forked. 


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71 


WHIP-POOR-WILL. 
CAPRIMULGUS VOCIFERUS. 
[ Plate MUL Fig. 1, Male.—Fig. 2, Female.—Fig. 3, Young. | 
Prae’s Museum, No. 7721, male, 7722, female. 


THIS is a singular and very celebrated species, universally 
noted over the greater part of the United States for the loud reite- 
rations of his favorite call in spring; and yet personally he is but 
little known, most people being unable to distinguish this from the 
preceding species, when both are placed before them; and some 
insisting that they are the same. ‘This being the case, it becomes 
the duty of his historian to give a full and faithful delineation of his 
character and peculiarity of manners, that his existence as a dis- 
tinct and independent species may no longer be doubted, nor his 
story mingled confusedly with that of another. I trust that those 
best acquainted with him will bear witness to the fidelity of the 
portrait. | 

On or about the twenty-fifth of April, if the season be not un- 
commonly cold, the Whip-poor-will is first heard in this part of 
Pennsylvania, in the evening, as the dusk of twilight commences, 
or in the morning as soon as dawn has broke. In the state of 
Kentucky I first heard this bird on the fourteenth of April, near 
the town of Danville. The notes of this solitary bird, from the 
ideas which are naturally associated with them, seem like the voice 
_of an old friend, and are listened to by almost all with great inte- 
rest. At first they issue from some retired part of the woods, the 
glen or mountain; in a few evenings perhaps we hear them from 
the adjoining coppice —the garden fence—the road before the door, 
and even from the roof of the dwelling house, long after the family 


72 W HIP-POOR-WILL. 


have retired to rest. Some of the more ignorant and superstitious 
consider this near approach as foreboding no good to the family, 
nothing less than sickness, misfortune or death to some of its mem- 
bers; these visits, however, so often occur without any bad conse- 
quences, that this superstitious dread seems on the decline. 

He is nowa regular acquaintance. Every morning and even- 
ing his shrill and rapid repetitions are heard from the adjoining 
woods, and when two or more are calling out at the same time, as 
is often the case in the pairing season, and at no great distance 
from each other, the noise, mingling with the echoes from the 
mountains, is really surprising. Strangers, in parts of the coun- 
try where these birds are numerous, find it almost impossible for 
some time to sleep; while to those long acquainted with them, the 
sound often serves as a lullaby to assist their repose. 

‘T’hese notes seem pretty plainly to articulate the words which 
have been generally applied to them, Whip-poor-will, the first and 
last syllables being uttered with great emphasis, and the whole in 
about a second to each repetition; but when two or more males 
meet, their whip-poor-will altercations become much more rapid 
and incessant, as if each were straining to overpower or silence the 
other. When near, you often hear an introductory cluck between 
the notes. At these times, as well as at almost all others, they fly 
low, not more than a few feet from the surface, skimming about 
the house and before the door, alighting on the wood pile, or set- 
tling on the roof. Towards midnight they generally become silent, 
unless in clear moonlight, when they are heard with little intermis- 
sion till morning. If there be a creek near, with high precipitous 
bushy banks, they are sure to be found in such situations. During 
the day they sit in the most retired, solitary and deep shaded parts 
of the woods, generally on high ground, where they repose in si- 
lence. When disturbed they rise within a few feet, sail low and 
slowly through the woods for thirty or forty yards, and generally 
settle on a low branch or on the ground. Their sight appears de- 


WHIP-POOR-WILL. 73 


ficient during the day, as, like Owls, they seem then to want that vi- 
vacity for which they are distinguished in the morning and evening 
twilight. ‘They are rarely shot at, or molested; and from being 
thus transiently seen in the obscurity of dusk, or in the deep um- 
brage of the woods, no wonder their particular markings of plumage 
should be so little known, or that they should be confounded with 
the Night-hawk, whom in general appearance they so much re- 
semble. ‘The female begins to lay about the second week in May, 
selecting for this purpose the most unfrequented part of the wood, 
often where some brush, old logs, heaps of leaves, &c. had been 
lying, and always on a dry situation. The eggs are deposited on 
the ground, or on the leaves, not the slightest appearance of a nest 
being visible. These are usually two in number, in shape much 
resembling those of the Night-hawk, but having the ground color 
much darker, and more thickly marbled with dark olive. The pre- 
cise period of incubation I am unable to say. 

In traversing the woods one day, in the early part of June, 
along the brow of a rocky declivity, a Whip-poor-will rose from my 
feet and fluttered along, sometimes prostrating herself and beating 
the ground with her wings, as if just expiring. Aware of her pur- 
pose, I stood still and began to examine the space immediately 
around me for the eggs or young, one or other of which I was cer- 
tain must be near. After a long search to my mortification I could 
find neither; and was just going to abandon the spot, when I per- 
ceived somewhat like a slight mouldiness among the withered 
leaves, and on stooping down discovered it to be a young Whip- 
poor-will, seemingly asleep, as its eye-lids were nearly closed; or 
perhaps this might only be to protect its tender eyes from the glare 
of day. I sat down by it on the leaves, and drew it as it then ap- 
peared (see fig. 5.). It was probably not a week old. All the while 
I was thus engaged it neither moved its body, nor opened its eyes 
more than half; and I left it as I found it. After I had walked 
about a quarter of a mile from the spot, recollecting that I had left 

VOL. V. T 


74: : WHIP-POOR-WILL. 


a pencil behind, I returned and found my pencil, but the young bird 
was gone. : 

Early in June, as soon as the young appear, the notes of the 
male usually cease, or are heard but rarely. Towards the latter 
part of summer, a short time before these birds leave us, they are 
again occasionally heard; but their call is then not so loud—much 
less emphatical, and more interrupted than in spring. Early in 
September they move off towards the south. 

The favorite places of resort for these birds are on high dry 
situations; in low marshy tracts of country they are seldom heard. 
It is probably on this account that they are scarce on the sea coast 
and its immediate neighbourhood; while towards the mountains 
they are very numerous. The Night-Hawks, on the contrary, de- 
light in these extensive sea marshes ; and are much more numerous 
there than in the interior and higher parts of the country. But no- 
where in the United States have I found the Whip-poor-will in such 
numbers as in that tract of country in the state of Kentucky called 
the Barrens. This appears to be their most congenial climate and 
place of residence. There, from the middle of April to the first of 
June, as soon as the evening twilight draws on, the shrill and con- 
fused clamours of these birds are incessant, and very surprising to 
a stranger. They soon, however, become extremely agreeable, the 
inhabitants lie down at night lulled by their whistlings; and the 
first approaches of dawn is announced by a general and lively 
chorus of the same music; while the full-toned tooting as it is call- 
ed of the Pinnated Grous, forms a very pleasing bass to the whole. 

I shali not, in the manner of some, attempt to amuse the rea- 
der with a repetition of the unintelligible names given to this bird 
by the Indians; or the superstitious notions generally entertained 
of it by the same people. These seem as various as the tribes, or 
even families with which you converse; scarcely two of them will 
tell you the same story. It is easy however to observe, that this, 
like the Owl and other nocturnal birds, is held by them in a kind 


WHIP-POOR-WILL. 15 


of suspicious awe, as a bird with which they wish to have as little 
to do as possible. The superstition of the Indian differs very little 
from that of an illiterate German, a Scots Highlander, or the less 
informed of any other nation. It suggests ten thousand fantastic 
notions to each, and these, instead of being recorded with all the 
punctilio of the most important truths, seem only fit to be forgot- 
ten. Whatever, among either of these people, is strange and not 
comprehended, is usually attributed to supernatural agency; and 
an unexpected sight, or uncommon incident, is often ominous of 
good, but more generally of bad fortune, to the parties. Night, to 
minds of this complexion, brings with it its kindred horrors, its ap- 
paritions, strange sounds and awful sights; and this solitary and 
inoffensive bird being a frequent wanderer in these hours of ghosts 
and hobgoblins, is considered by the Indians as being by habit and 
repute little better than one of them. All those people, however, 
are not so credulous: I have conversed with Indians who treated 
these silly notions with contempt. 

The Whip-poor-will is never seen during the day, unless in 
circumstances such as have been described. Their food appears 
to be large moths, grasshoppers, pismires, and such insects as fre- 
quent the bark of old rotten and decaying timber. ‘They are also 
expert in darting after winged insects. ‘They will sometimes skim 
in the dusk, within a few feet of a person, uttering a kind of low 
chatter as they pass. In their migrations north, and on their re- 
turn, they probably stop a day or two at some of their former 
stages, and do not advance in one continued flight. The Whip- 
poor-will was first heard this season on the second day of May in 
a corner of Mr. Bartram’s woods, not far from the house, and for 
two or three mornings after in the same place, where I also saw 
it. From this time until the beginning of September there were 
none of these birds to be found, within at least one mile of the 
place; tho I frequently made search for them. On the fourth of 
September the Whip-poor-will was again heard for two evenings, 


76 | WHIP-POOR-WILL. 


successively, in the same part of the woods. I also heard several — 
of them passing, within the same week, between dusk and nine 
o’clock at night, it being then clear moonlight. These repeated 
their notes three or four times, and were heard no more. It is 
highly probable that they migrate during the evening and night. 

The Whip-poor-will is nine inches and a half long, and nine- 
teen inches in extent; the bill is blackish, a full quarter of an inch 
long, much stronger than that of the Night-hawk, and bent a little 
at the point, the under mandible arched a little upwards, following 
the curvature of the upper; the nostrils are prominent and tubular, 
their openings directed forward; the mouth is extravagantly large, 
of a pale flesh color within, and beset along the sides with a num- 
ber of long thick elastic bristles, the longest of which extends more 
than half an inch beyond the point of the bill, end in fine hair, and 
curve inwards; these seem to serve as feelers; and prevent the es- 
cape of winged insects: the eyes are very large, full, and bluish 
black; the plumage above is so variegated with black, pale cream, 
brown, and rust color, sprinkled and powdered in such minute 
streaks and spots, as to defy description; the upper part of the 
head is of a light brownish grey, marked with a longitudinal streak 
of black, with others radiating from it; the back is darker, finely 
streaked with a less deep black; the scapulars are very light whitish 
ochre, beautifully variegated with two or three oblique streaks of 
very deep black; the tail is rounded, consisting of ten feathers, the 
exterior one an inch and a quarter shorter than the middle ones, 
the three outer feathers on each side are blackish brown for half 
their length, thence pure white to the tips, the exterior one is edged 
with deep brown nearly to the tip; the deep brown of these feathers 
is regularly studded with light brown spots; the four middle ones 
are without the white at the ends, but beautifully marked with her- 
-ving-bone figures of black and light ochre finely powdered; cheeks 
and sides of the head of a brown orange or burnt color; the wings, 
when shut, reach scarcely to the middle of the tail, and are elegantly 


WHIP-POOR-WILL. a7 


spotted with very light and dark brown, but are entirely without 
the large spot of white which distinguishes those of the Night-hawk ; 
chin black, streaked with brown; a narrow semicircle of white 
passes across the throat; breast and belly irregularly mottled and 
streaked with black and yellow ochre; the legs and feet are of a 
light purplish flesh color, seamed with white; the former feathered 
before, nearly to the feet; the two exterior toes are joined to the 
middle one as far as the first joint by a broad membrane; the inner 
edge of the middle claw is pectinated, and from the circumstance 
of its being frequently found with small portions of down adhering 
to the teeth, is probably employed as a comb to rid the plumage 
of its head of vermin, this being the principal and almost only part 
so infested in all birds. 

The female is about an inch less in length and in extent; the 
bill, mustaches, nostrils, &c. as in the male. She differs in being 
much lighter on the upper parts, seeming as if powdered with grains 
of meal; and instead of the white on the three lateral tail feathers, 
has them tipt for about three quarters of an inch with a cream co- 
lor; the bar across the throat is also of a brownish ochre; the 
cheeks and region of the eyes are brighter brownish orange, which 
passes also to the neck, and is sprinkled with black and specks of 
white; the streak over the eye is also lighter. 

The young was altogether covered with fine down of a pale 
brown color; the shafts or rather sheaths of the quills bluish; the 
point of the bill just perceptible. ‘ 

Twenty species of this singular genus are now known to na- 
turalists; of these one only belongs to Europe, one to Africa, one 
to New Holland, two to India, and fifteen to America. _ 

The present species, tho it approaches nearer in its plumage 
to that of Europe than any other of the tribe, differs from it in 
being entirely without the large spot of white on the wing; and in 
being considerably less. Its voice, and particular call, are also en- 
tirely different. 

VON Vs U 


78 WHIP-POOR-WILL. 


Farther to illustrate the history of this bird, the following 
notes are added, made at the time of dissection. Body, when stript 
of the skin, less than that of the Wood Thrush; breast bone one 
inch in length; second stomach strongly muscular, filled with frag- 
ments of pismires and grasshoppers; skin of the bird loose, wrinkly 
and scarcely attached to the flesh; flesh also loose, extremely ten- 
der; bones thin and slender; sinews and muscles of the wing feeble; 
distance between the tips of both mandibles, when expanded, full 
two inches, length of the opening one inch and a half, breadth one 
inch and a quarter; tongue very short, attached to the skin of the 
mouth, its internal part or os hyoides pass up the hind head, and 
reach to the front, like those of the Woodpecker; which enables 
the bird to revert the lower part of the mouth in the act of seizing 
insects and in calling; skull extremely light and thin, being semi- 
transparent, its cavity nearly half occupied by the eyes; aperture 
for the brain very small, the quantity not exceeding that of a Spar- 
row; an Owl of the same extent of wing has at least ten times as 
much. 

Tho this noted bird has been so frequently mentioned by 
name, and its manners taken notice of by almost every naturalist 
who has written on our birds, yet personally it has never yet been 
described by any writer with whose works I am acquainted. Ex- 
traordinary as this may seem, it is nevertheless true; and in proof 
I offer the following facts. 

Three species only of this genus are found within the United 
States, the Chuck-will’s-widow, the Night-hawk, and the Whip-poor- 
will. Catesby, in the eighth plate of his Natural History of Caro- 
lina, has figured the first, and in the sixteenth of his Appendix the 
second; to this he has added particulars of the Whip-poor-will, be- 
lieving it to be that bird, and has ornamented his figure of the 
Night-hawk with a large bearded appendage, of which in nature it 
is entirely destitute. After him Mr. Edwards, in his sixty-third 
plate, has in like manner figured the Night-hawk, also adding the. 


WHIP-POOR-WILL. C 79 


bristles, and calling his figure the Whip-poor-will, accompanying it 
with particulars of the notes, &c. of that bird, chiefly copied from 
Catesby. The next writer of eminence who has spoken of the 
Whip-poor-will is Mr. Pennant, justly considered as one of the most 
judicious and discriminating of English naturalists; but, deceived 
by “ the lights he had,” he has in his account of the Short-winged 
Goatsucker,* (Arct. Zool. p. 434.) given the size, markings of 
plumage, &c. of the Chuck-will’s-widow; and in the succeeding ac- 
count of his Long-winged Goatsucker, describes pretty accurately 
the Night-hawk. Both of these birds he considers to be the Whip- 
poor-will, and as having the same notes and manners. 

After such authorities it was less to be wondered at that many 
of our own citizens and some of our naturalists and writers should 
fall into the like mistake; as copies of the works of those English 
naturalists are to be found in several of our colleges, and in some 
of our public as well as private libraries. ‘The means which the 
author of American Ornithology took to satisfy his own mind, and 
those of his friends, on this subject, were detailed at large, in a 
paper published about two years age, in a periodical work of this 
city, with which extract I shall close my account of the present 
species. 

“On the question is the Whip-poor-will and the Night-hawk 
one and the same bird, or are they really two distinct species, there 
has long been an opposition of sentiment, and many fruitless dis- 
putes. Numbers of sensible and observing people, whose intelli- 
gence and long residence in the country entitle their opinion to 
respect, positively assert that the Night-hawk and the Whip-poor- 
will are very different birds, and do not even associate together. 
The naturalists of Europe, however, have generally considered the 
two names as applicable to one and the same species; and this 


* The figure is by mistake called the Long-winged Goatsucker. See Arctic Zoology, 
vol. II, pl. 18. 


80 W HIP-POOR-WILL. 


opinion has also been adopted by two of our most distinguished 
naturalists, Mr. William Bartram, of Kingsessing,* and Professor 
Barton, of Philadelphia.t The writer of this, being determined 
to ascertain the truth by examining for himself, took the following 
effectual mode of settling this disputed point, the particulars of 
which he now submits to those interested in the question. 

«Thirteen of those birds usually called Night-hawks, which 
dart about in the air like Swallows, and sometimes descend with 
rapidity from a great height, making a hollow sounding noise like 
that produced by blowing into the bung-hole of an empty hogshead, ~ 
were shot at different times, and in different places, and accurately 
examined both outwardly and by dissection. Nine of these were 
found to be males, and four females. The former all corresponded 
in the markings and tints of their plumage; the latter also agreed 
in their marks, differing slightly from the males, tho evidently of 
the same species. ‘Two others were shot as they rose from the 
nests, or rather from the eggs, which in both cases were two in 
number, lying on the open ground. These also agreed in the 
markings of their plumage with the four preceding; and on dissec- 
tion were found to be females. ‘The eggs were also secured. <A 
Whip-poor-will was shot in the evening, while in the act of repeat- 
ing his usual and well known notes. This bird was found to be a 
male, differing in many remarkable particulars from all the former. 
Three others were shot at different times during the day, in soli- 
tary and dark shaded parts of the woods. Two of these were found 
to be females, one of which had been sitting on two eggs. The 
two females resembled each other almost exactly; the male also 
corresponded in its markings with the one first found; and all four 
were evidently of one species. The eggs differed from the former 
both in color and markings. | 

* Caprimulgus Americanus, Night-hawk or Whip-poor-will. Travels, p. 292. 


+ Caprimulgus Virginianus, Whip-poor-will or Night-hawk. Fragments of the Natural 
History of Pennsylvania, p. 3. See also Amer. Phil. Trans. vol. IV, p. 208, 209, note. 


WHIP-POOR-WILL. 81 


“The differences between these two birds were as follow: the 
sides of the mouth in both sexes of the Whip-poor-will were beset 
with ranges of long and very strong bristles, extending more than 
half an inch beyond the point of the bill; both sexes of the Night- 
hawk were entirely destitute of bristles. ‘The bill of the Whip- 
poor-will was also more than twice the length of that of the Night- 
hawk. The long wing quills, of both sexes of the Night-hawk, 
were of a deep brownish black, with a large spot of white nearly in 
their middle; and when shut the tips of the wings extended a little 
beyond the tail. The wing quills of the Whip-poor-will, of both 
sexes, were beautifully spotted with light brown, had no spot of 
white on them, and when shut the tips of the wings did not reach 
to the tip of the tail by at least two inches. The tail of the Night- 
hawk was handsomely forked, the exterior feathers being the longest, 
shortening gradually to the middle ones; the tail of the Whip-poor- 
will was rounded, the exterior feathers being the shortest, lengthen- 
ing gradually to the middle ones. 

« After a careful examination of these and several other re- 
markable differences, it was impossible to withstand the convic- 
tion that these birds belonged to two distinct species of the same 
genus, differing in size, color, and conformation of parts. 

«‘ A statement of the principal of these facts having been laid 
before Mr. Bartram, together with a male and female of each of 
the above mentioned species, and also a male of the Great Virgi- 
nian Bat, or Chuck-will’s-widow, after a particular examination that 
venerable naturalist was pleased to declare himself fully satisfied; 
adding that he had now no doubt of the Night-hawk and the Whip- 
poor-will being two very distinct species of Caprimulgus. 

“ It is not the intention of the writer of this to enter at pre- 
sent into a description of either the plumage, manners, migra- 
tions, or economy of these birds, the range of country they in- 
habit, or the superstitious notions entertained of them; his only 

NOE aN “Ek 


82 WHIP-POOR-WILL. 


object at present is the correction of an error, which, from the 
respectability of those by whom it was unwarily adopted, has been 
but too extensively disseminated, and received by too many as a 
truth.” 


“ 


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83 


RED OWL. 
STRIX ASIO. 
[Plate XLII.—Fig. 1, Female. | 


Little Owl, Caress. I, 7.—Latuam, I, 123.—Linn. Syst. 132.—Arct. Zool. I, No. 117. 
Tur. Syst. I, p. 166.—Pzaxe’s Museum, No. 428. 


THIS is another of our nocturnal wanderers, well known by 
its common name, the Little Screech Owl; and noted for its melan- 
choly quivering kind of wailing in the evenings, particularly to- 
wards the latter part of summer and autumn, near the farm house. 
On clear moonlight nights they answer each other from various 
parts of the fields or orchard; roost during the day in thick ever- 
greens, such as cedar, pine, or juniper trees, and are rarely seen 
abroad in sunshine. In May they construct their nest in the hol- 
low of a tree, often in the orchard in an old apple tree; the nest is 
composed of some hay and a few feathers; the eggs are four, pure 
white and nearly round. The young are at first covered with a 
whitish down. 

The bird represented on the plate I kept for several weeks in 
the room beside me. It was caught in a barn, where it had taken 
up its lodging, probably for the greater convenience of mousing; 
and being unhurt, I had an opportunity of remarking its manners. 
At first it struck itself so forcibly against the window as frequently 
to deprive it, seemingly, of all sensation for several minutes; this 
was done so repeatedly that I began to fear that either the glass or 
the Owl’s skull must give way. In a few days, however, it either 
began to comprehend something of the matter, or to take disgust 
at the glass, for it never repeated its attempts; and soon became 
quite tame and familiar. ‘Those who have seen this bird only in 


84 RED OWL. 


the day, can form but an imperfect idea of its activity and even 
sprightliness in its proper season of exercise. Throughout the day 
it was all stillness and gravity; its eyelids half shut, its neck con- 
tracted, and its head shrunk seemingly into its body; but scarcely 
was the sun set, and twilight began to approach, when its eyes be- 
came full and sparkling, like two living globes of fire; it crouched 
on its perch, reconnoitred every object around with looks of eager 
fierceness; alighted and fed; stood on the meat with clenched ta- 
lons, while it tore it in morsels with its bill; flew round the room 
with the silence of thought, and perching, moaned out its melan- 
choly notes with many lively gesticulations, not. at all accordant 
with the pitiful tone of its ditty, which reminded one of the shiver- 
ing moanings of a half frozen puppy. 

This species is found generally over the United States, and is 
not migratory. 

The Red Owl is eight inches and a half long, and twenty-one ~ 
inches in extent; general color of the plumage above a bright nut 
brown or tawny red; the shafts black; exterior edges of the outer 
row of scapulars white; bastard wing, the five first primaries, and 
three or four of the first greater coverts also spotted with white; 
whole wing quills spotted with dusky on their exterior webs; tail 
rounded, transversely barred with dusky and pale brown; chin, 
breast, and sides bright reddish brown, streaked laterally with 
black, intermixed with white; belly and vent white, spotted with 
bright brown; legs covered to the claws with pale brown hairy 
down; extremities of the toes and claws pale bluish, ending in 
black; bill a pale bluish horn color; eyes vivid yellow; inner an- 
gles of the eyes, eye-brows, and space surrounding the bill whitish; 
rest of the face nut brown; head horned or eared, each consisting 
of nine or ten feathers of a tawny red, shafted with black. 


85 


WARBLING FLYCATCHER. 
MUSCICAPA MELODIA. 
[Plate XLII.—Fig. 2. | 


THIS sweet little warbler is for the first time figured and de- 
scribed. In its general appearance it resembles the Red-eyed Fly- 
catcher; but on a close comparison differs from that bird in many 
particulars. It arrives in Pennsylvania about the middle of April, 
and inhabits the thick foliage of orchards and high trees; its voice 
is soft, tender and soothing, and its notes flow in an easy continued 
strain that is extremely pleasing. It is often heard among the 
weeping willows and Lombardy poplars of the city; is rarely ob- 
served in the woods; but seems particularly attached to the society 
of man. It gleans among the leaves, occasionally darting after 
winged insects, and searching for caterpillars; and seems by its 
manners to partake considerably of the nature of the genus Sylvia. 
It is late in departing, and I have frequently heard its notes among 
the fading leaves of the poplar in October. 

This little bird may be distinguished from all the rest of our 
songsters by the soft tender easy flow of its notes, while hid among 
the foliage. In these there is nothing harsh, sudden or emphati- 
cal; they glide along in a kind of meandring strain that is pecu- 
liarly its own. In May and June it may be generally heard in the 
orchards, the borders of the city, and around the farm house. 

This species is five inches and a half long, and eight inches 
and a half in extent; bill dull lead color above, and notched near 
the point, lower a pale flesh color; eye dark hazel; line over the 
eye and whole lower parts white, the latter tinged with very pale 
greenish yellow near the breast; upper parts a pale green olive; 

VOL. V. a 


Be WARBLING FLYCATCHER. 


wings brown, broadly edged with pale olive green; tail slightly 
forked, edged with olive; the legs and feet pale lead; the head 
inclines a little to ash; no white on the wings or tail. Male and 


female nearly alike. 


87 


PURPLE FINCH. 
FRINGILLA PURPUREA. 
[Plate XLII.—Fig. 3. ] 


THIS bird is represented as he appears previous to receiving 
his crimson plumage, and also when moulting. By recurring to 
the figure in vol. I, pl. 7, fig. 4, of this work, which exhibits him 
in his full dress, the great difference of color will be observed to 
which this species is annually subject. 

It is matter of doubt with me whether this species ought not 
to be classed with the Loxia; the great thickness of the bill, and 
similarity that prevails between this and the Pine Grosbeak almost 
induced me to adopt it into that class. But respect for other autho- 
rities has prevented me from making this alteration. 

When these birds are taken in their crimson dress, and kept 
in a cage till they moult their feathers, they uniformly change to 
their present appearance and sometimes never after receive their 
red color. They are also subject, if well fed, to become so fat as 
literally to die of corpulency, of which I have seen several in- 
stances; being at these times subject to something resembling apo- 
plexy, from which they sometimes recover in a few minutes, but 
oftener expire in the same space of time. 

The female is entirely without the red, and differs from the 
present only in having less yellow about her. 

These birds regularly arrive from the north, where they breed, 
in September; and visit us from the south again early in April, 
feeding on the cherry blossoms as soon as they appear. Of the par- 
ticulars relative to this species the reader is referred to the account 
in vol. I, already mentioned. 


$8 PURPLE FINCH. 


The individual figured in the plate measured six inches and 
a quarter in length, and ten inches in extent; the bill was horn 
colored; upper parts of the plumage brown olive strongly tinged 
with yellow, particularly on the rump, where it was brownish yel- 
low; from above the eye, backwards, passed a streak of white, and 
another more irregular one from the lower mandible; feathers of 
the crown narrow, rather long, and generally erected, but not so 
as to form a crest; nostrils and base of the bill covered with re- 
flected brownish hairs; eye dark hazel; wings and tail dark black- 
ish brown, edged with olive; first and second row of coverts tipt 
with pale yellow; chin white; breast pale cream, marked with 
pointed spots of deep olive brown; belly and vent white; legs 
brown. ‘This bird, with several others marked nearly in the same 
manner, was shot April twenty-fifth, while engaged in eating the 
buds from the beech tree. 


89 


BROWN LARK. 
ALAUDA RUFA. 
[Plate XLIL.—Fig. 4. | 


Red Lark, Enw. 297.—Arct. Zool. No. 279.—Latuam, I, 376.—L’ Alouette aux joues 
brunes de Pensylvanie, Burr. V, 58.—PrEauz’s Museum, No. 5138. 


IN what particular district of the northern regions this bird 
breeds, J am unable to say. In Pennsylvania it first arrives from 
the north about the middle of October; flies in loose scattered 
flocks; is strongly attached to flat, newly-ploughed fields, com- 
mons, and such like situations; has a feeble note characteristic of 
its tribe; runs rapidly along the ground; and when the flock takes 
to wing they fly high, and generally to a considerable distance be- 
fore they alight. Many of them continue in the neighbourhood of 
Philadelphia all winter, if the season be moderate. In the southern 
states, particularly in the lower parts of North and South Carolina, 
I found these Larks in great abundance in the middle of February. 
Loose flocks of many hundreds were driving about from one corn 
field to another; and in the low rice grounds they were in great 
abundance. On opening numbers of these, they appeared to have 
been feeding on various small seeds with a large quantity of gravel. 
On the eighth of April I shot several of these birds in the neigh- 
bourhood of Lexington, Kentucky. In Pennsylvania they gene- 
rally disappear, on their way to the north, about the beginning of 
May, or earlier. At Portland, in the District of Maine, I met with 
a flock of these birds in October. I do not know that they breed 
within the United States. Of their song, nest, eggs, &c. we have 
no account. 

VOL. V. Z 


90 BROWN LARK. 


The Brown Lark is six inches long, and ten inches and a half 
in extent; the upper parts brown olive touched with dusky; greater 
coverts and next superior row lighter; bill black, slender; nostril 
prominent; chin and line over the eye pale rufous; breast and belly 
brownish ochre, the former spotted with black; tertials black, the 
secondaries brown, edged with lighter; tail slightly forked, black; 
the two exterior feathers marked largely with white; legs dark 
purplish brown; hind heel long, and nearly straight; eye dark 
hazel. Male and female nearly alike. Mr. Pennant says that one 
of these birds was shot near London. 


———— 


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Liitle OPone mea HMervviul 253 Pinon Atritich . 4: Tine smcamp ig Abe 

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91 


CAROLINA PIGEON, OR TURTLE DOVE. | 
COLUMBA CAROLINENSIS. 
[Plate XLIT.—Fig. 1. | 


Linn. Syst. 286.—Cartess. Car. I, 24.—Burr. Il, 557. Pl. enl. 175.—La Tourterelle de 
la Caroline, Brisson, I, 110.—Pkrate’s Museum, No. 5088.—Turtron, 479.—Aret. 


Zool. Il, No. 188. 


THIS “is a favorite bird with all those who love to wander 
among our woods in spring, and listen to their varied harmony. 
They will there hear many a singular and sprightly performer; 
but none so mournful as this. The hopeless woe of settled sorrow 
swelling the heart of female innocence itself, could not assume 
tones more sad, more tender and affecting. Its notes are four; the 
first is somewhat the highest, and preparatory, seeming to be ut- 
tered with an inspiration of the breath, as if the afflicted creature 
were just recovering its voice from the last convulsive sobs of dis- 
tress; this is followed by three long, deep and mournful moanings, 
that no person of sensibility can listen to without sympathy. <A 
pause of a few minutes ensues; and again the solemn voice of sor- 
row is renewed as before. ‘This is generally heard in the deepest 
shaded parts of the woods, frequently about noon and towards the 
evening. 

There is, however, nothing of real distress in all this; quite 
the reverse. The bird who utters it wantons by the side of his 
beloved partner, or invites her by his call to some favorite retired 
and shady retreat. It is the voice of love, of faithful connubial af- 
fection, for which the whole family of Doves are so celebrated; and 
among them all none more deservingly so than the species now 


before us. 


92 TURTLE DOVE. 


The Turtle Dove is a general inhabitant, in summer, of the 
United States, from Canada to Florida, and from the sea coast to 
the Mississippi and far to the westward. They are, however, par- 
tially migratory in the northern and middle states; and collect 
together in North and South Carolina and their corresponding pa- 
rallels, in great numbers, during the winter. On the second of Fe- 
bruary, in the neighbourhood of Newbern, North Carolina, I saw 
a flock of Turtle Doves of many hundreds; in other places, as I 
advanced farther south, particularly near the Savannah river, in 
Georgia, the woods were swarming with them, and the whistling 
of their wings were heard in every direction. 

On their return to the north in March, and early in April, 
they disperse so generally over the country that there are rarely 
more than three or four seen together, most frequently only two. 
Here they commonly fly in pairs, resort constantly to the public 
roads to dust themselves and procure gravel; are often seen in the 
farmer’s yard before the door, the stable, barn and other outhouses, 
in search of food, seeming little inferior in familiarity at such times 
to the domestic Pigeon. ‘They often mix with the poultry while 
they are fed in the morning, visit the yard and adjoining road 
many times a day, and the pump, creek, horse trough and rills 
for water. | 

Their flight is quick, vigorous, and always accompanied by a 
peculiar whistling of the wings, by which they can easily be dis- 
tinguished from the Wild Pigeon. They fly with great swiitness, 
alight on trees, fences, or on the ground indiscriminately; are ex- 
ceedingly fond of buckwheat, hemp seed, and Indian corn; feed 
on the berries of the holly, the dogwood and poke, huckle berries, 
partridge berries, and the small acorns of the live oak and shrub 
oak. They devour large quantities of gravel, and sometimes pay a 
visit to the kitchen garden for peas, for which they have a parti- 


cular regard. 


TURTLE DOVE. | 93 


In this part of Pennsylvania they commence building about 
the beginning of May. The nest is very rudely constructed, ge- 
nerally in an evergreen—among the thick foliage of a vine—in 
an orchard, on the horizontal branches of an apple tree, and in 
some cases on the ground. It is composed of a handful of small 
twigs, laid with little art, on which are scattered dry fibrous roots 
of plants, and in this almost flat bed are deposited two eggs of a 
snowy whiteness. The male and female unite in feeding the young, 
and they have rarely more than two brood in the same season. 

The flesh of this bird is considered much superior to that of 
the Wild Pigeon; but its seeming confidence in man, the tenderness 
of its notes, and the innocency attached to its character, are with 
many its security and protection; with others, however, the ten- 
derness of its flesh, and the sport of shooting, overcome all other 
considerations. About the commencement of frost they begin to 
move off to the south; numbers, however, remain in Pennsylvania 
during the whole winter. 

The Turtle Dove is twelve inches long, and seventeen inches 
in extent; bill black; eye of a glossy blackness, surrounded with 
a pale greenish blue skin; crown, upper part of the neck and wings 
a fine silky slate blue; back, scapulars and lesser wing coverts ashy 
brown; tertials spotted with black: primaries edged and tipt with 
white; forehead, sides of the neck and breast, a pale brown vinous 
orange; under the ear feathers a spot or drop of deep black; im- 
mediately below which the plumage reflects the most vivid tints of 
green, gold and crimson; chin pale yellow ochre; belly and vent 
whitish; legs and feet coral red, seamed with white; the tail is long 
and cuneiform, consisting of fourteen feathers; the four exterior 
ones on each side are marked with black about an inch from the 
tips, and white thence to the extremity; the next has less of the 
white at the tip; these gradually lengthen to the four middle ones, 
which are wholly dark slate; all of them taper towards the points, 
the two middle ones most so. 


VOL. V. Aa 


94 TURTLE DOVE. 


The female is an inch shorter, and is otherwise only distin- 
guished by the less brilliancy of her color; she also wants the rich 
silky blue on the crown, and much of the splendor of the neck; the 
tail is also somewhat shorter, and the white with which it is marked 
less pure. 


95 


HERMIT THRUSH. 
TURDUS SOLITARIUS. 
[Plate XLIII.—Fig. 2. | 


Little Thrush, Catessy, I, 31.—Epwarps, 296.—Brown Thrush, Arct. Zool. 337, 
No. 199.—Prare’s Museum, No. 3542. 


THE dark solitary cane and myrtle swamps of the southern 
states are the favorite native haunts of this silent and recluse spe- 
cies, and the more deep and gloomy these are, the more certain we 
are to meet with this bird flitting among them. ‘This is the spe- 
cies mentioned in the first volume of this work, while treating of 
the Wood Thrush, as having been figured and described more than 
fifty years ago by Edwards, from a dried specimen sent him by my 
friend Mr. Wiliam Bartram, under the supposition that it was the 
Wood Thrush (Turdus melodus). It is however considerably less, 
very differently marked, and altogether destitute of the clear voice 
and musical powers of that charming minstrel. It also differs in 
remaining in the southern states during the whole year; whereas 
the Wood ‘Thrush does not winter even in Georgia; nor arrives 
within the southern boundary of that state until some time in April. 

The Hermit Thrush is rarely seen in Pennsylvania, unless for 
a few weeks in spring and late in the Fall, long after the Wood 
Thrush has left us, and when scarcely a summer bird remains in 
the woods. In both seasons it is mute, having only, in spring, an 
occasional squeak like that of a young stray chicken. Along the 
Atlantic coast in New Jersey they remain longer and later, as I 
have observed them there late in November. In the cane swamps 
of the Chactaw nation they were frequent in the month of May, 
on the twelfth of which I examined one of their nests on a horizon- 


96 HERMIT THRUSH. 


tal branch immediately over the path. The female was sitting, 
and left it with great reluctance, so that I had nearly laid my hand 
on her before she flew. The nest was fixed on the upper part of 
the body of the branch, and constructed with great neatness; but 
without mud or plaister, contrary to the custom of the Wood 
Thrush. The outside was composed of a considerable quantity of 
coarse rooty grass, intermixed with horse hair, and lined with a 
fine green colored, thread-like grass, perfectly dry, laid circularly 
with particular neatness. ‘The eggs were four, of a pale greenish 
blue, marked with specks and blotches of olive, particularly at the 
great end. I also observed this bird on the banks of the Cumber- 
land river in April. Its food consists chiefly of berries, of which 
these low swamps furnish a perpetual abundance, such as those of 
the holly, myrtle, gall bush, (a species of vaccinium,) yapon shrub, 
and many others. | 

A superficial observer would instantly pronounce this to be 
only a variety of the Wood Thrush; but taking into consideration 
its difference of size, color, manners, want of song, secluded habits, 
differently formed nest, and spotted eggs, all unlike those of the 
former, with which it never associates, it is impossible not to con- 
clude it to be a distinct and separate species, however near it may 
approach to that of the former. Its food, and the country it in- 
habits for half the year being the same, neither could have pro- 
duced those differences; and we must believe it to be now, what it 
ever has and ever will be, a distinct connecting link in the great 
chain of this part of animated nature; all the sublime reasoning 
of certain theoretical closet philosophers to the contrary notwith- 
standing. 

Length of the Hermit Thrush seven inches, extent ten inches 
and a half; upper parts plain deep olive brown, lower dull white; 
upper part of the breast and throat dull cream color, deepest where 
the plumage falls over the shoulders of the wing, and marked with 
large dark brown pointed spots; ear feathers and line over the eye 


HERMIT THRUSH. 97 


cream, the former mottled with olive; edges of the wings lighter, 
tips dusky; tail coverts and tail inclining to a reddish fox color. 
In the Wood Thrush these parts incline to greenish olive. Tail 
slightly forked; legs dusky; bill black above and at the tip, whitish 
below; iris black and very full; chin whitish. : 

The female differs very little, chiefly in being generally darker 
in the tints, and having the spots on the breast larger and more 


dusky. 


wOlsV. | Bb 


98 


TAWNY THRUSH. 
TURDUS MUSTELINUS. 
[Plate XLIM.—Fig. 3.] 
PEae’s Museum, No. 5570. 


THIS species makes its appearance in Pennsylvania from the 
south regularly about the beginning of May, stays with us a week 
or two, and passes on to the north and to the high mountainous dis- 
tricts to breed. It has no song, but a sharp chuck. About the 
twentieth of May I met with numbers of them in the Great Pine 
swamp, near Pocano; and on the twenty-fifth of September, in the 
same year, I shot several of them in the neighbourhood of Mr. Bar- 
tram’s place. I have examined many of these birds in spring, and 
also on their return in Fall, and found very little difference among 
them between the male and female. In some specimens the wing 
coverts were brownish yellow; these appeared to be young birds. 
I have no doubt but they breed in the northern high districts of the 
United States; but I have not yet been able to discover their nests. 

The Tawny Thrush is ten inches long, and twelve inches in 
extent; the whole upper parts are a uniform tawny brown; the 
lower parts white; sides of the breast and under the wings slightly 
tinged with ash; chin white; throat and upper parts of the breast 
cream colored, and marked with pointed spots of brown; lores 
pale ash, or bluish white; cheeks dusky brown; tail nearly even 
at the end, the shafts of all, as well as those of the wing quills, 
continued a little beyond their webs; bill black above and at the 
point, below at the base flesh colored; corners of the mouth yel- 
low; eye large and dark, surrounded with a white ring; legs long, 


slender and pale brown. 


TAWNY THRUSH. 99 


Tho I have given this bird the same name that Mr. Pennant 
has applied to one of our Thrushes, it must not be considered as 
the same; the bird which he has denominated the Tawny Thrush 
being evidently from its size, markings, &c. the Wood Thrush, de- 
scribed in the first volume of the present book. | 

No description of the bird here figured, has, to my knowledge, 
appeared in any former publication. 


100 


PINE-SWAMP WARBLER. 
SYLVIA PUSILLA. 
[Plate XLITI.—Fig. 4. | 


THIS little bird is for the first time figured or described. Its. 
favorite haunts are in the deepest and gloomiest pine and hemlock 
swamps of our mountainous regions, where every tree, trunk, and 
fallen log is covered with a luxuriant coat of moss, that even man- 
tles over the surface of the ground, and prevents the sportsman 
from avoiding a thousand holes, springs and swamps, into which 
he is incessantly plunged. Of the nest of this bird I am unable to 
speak. I found it associated with the Blackburnian Warbler, the 
Golden-crested Wren, Ruby-crowned Wren, Yellow Rump, and 
others of that description, in such places as I have described, about 
the middle of May. It seemed as active in flycatching as in search- 
ing for other insects, darting nimbly about among the branches, . 
and flirting its wings; but I could not perceive that it had either 
note or song. I shot three, one male and two females. I have no 
doubt that they breed in those solitary swamps, as well as many 
other of their associates. 

The Pine-swamp Warbler is four inches and a quarter long, 
and seven inches and a quarter in extent; bill black, not notched, 
but furnished with bristles; upper parts a deep green olive, with 
slight bluish reflections, particularly on the edges of the tail and 
on the head; wings dusky, but so broadly edged with olive green 
as to appear wholly of that tint; immediately below the primary 
coverts there is a single triangular spot of yellowish white; no 
other part of the wings is white; the three exterior tail feathers 
with a spot of white on their inner vanes; the tail is slightly fork- 
ed; from the nostrils over the eye extends a fine line of white, and 


PINE-SWAMP WARBLER. 101 


the lower eye-lid is touched with the same tint; lores blackish ; 
sides of the neck and auriculars green olive; whole lower parts 
pale yellow ochre, with a tinge of greenish, duskiest on the throat; 
legs long and flesh colored. 

The plumage of the female differs in nothing from that of 
the male. 


VOL. V. cc 


PASSENGER PIGEON. 
COLUMBA MIGRATORIA. 
[Plate XLIV.—Fig. 1. | 


Caress. I, 23.—Linn. Syst. 285.—Turron, 479.—Arct. Zool. p. 322, No. 187.— 
Brisson, I, 100.—Burr. II, 527.—Prare’s Museum, No. 5084. 


THIS remarkable bird merits a distinguished place in the an- 
nals of our feathered tribes; a claim to which I shall endeavour to 
do justice; and tho it would be impossible, in the bounds allotted 
to this account, to relate all I have seen and heard of this species, 
yet no circumstance shall be omitted with which I am acquainted, 
(however extraordinary some of these may appear) that may tend 
to illustrate its history. | 

The Wild Pigeon of the United States inhabits a wide and 
extensive region of North America, on this side of the Great Stony 
mountains, beyond which to the westward, I have not heard of their 
being seen. According to Mr. Hutchins they abound in the coun- 
try round Hudson’s Bay, where they usually remain as late as De- 
cember, feeding, when the ground is covered with snow, on the 
buds of juniper. ‘They spread over the whole of Canada—were 
seen by captain Lewis and his party near the Great Falls of the 
Missouri, upwards of two thousand five hundred miles from its 
mouth, reckoning the meanderings of the river—were also met with 
in the interior of Louisiana by colonel Pike; and extend their range 
as far south as the gulf of Mexico; occasionally visiting or breed- 
ing in almost every quarter of the United States. 

But the most remarkable characteristic of these birds is their 
associating together, both in their migrations and also during the 


period of incubation, in such prodigious numbers as almost to sur- 


4 


rhe oh 
a an: 


ae a: 
tas 


Re 


PASSENGER PIGEON. 103 


pass belief; and which has no parallel among any other of the fea- 
thered tribes, on the face of the earth, with which naturalists are 
acquainted. 

These migrations appear to be undertaken rather in quest of 
food, than merely to avoid the cold of the climate; since we find 
them lingering in the northern regions around Hudson’s Bay so late 
as December; and since their appearance is so casual and irregu- 
lar; sometimes not visiting certain districts for several years in 
any considerable numbers, while at other times they are innume- 
rable. I have witnessed these migrations in the Genessee country 
—often in Pennsylvania, and also in various parts of Virginia, with 
amazement; but all that I had then seen of them were mere strag- 
sling parties, when compared with the congregated millions which 
I have since beheld in our western forests, in the states of Ohio, 
Kentucky, and the Indiana territory. ‘These fertile and extensive 
regions abound with the nutritious beech nut, which constitutes the 
chief food of the Wild Pigeon. In seasons when these nuts are 
abundant, corresponding multitudes of Pigeons may be confidently 
expected. It sometimes happens that having consumed the whole 
produce of the beech trees in an extensive district, they discover 
another at the distance perhaps of sixty or eighty miles, to which 
they regularly repair every morning, and return as regularly in the 
course of the day, or in the evening, to their place of general ren- 
dezvous, or as it is usually called, the roosting place. ‘These roost- 
ing places are always in the woods, and sometimes occupy a large 
extent of forest. When they have frequented one of these places 
for some time the appearance it exhibits is surprising. ‘The ground 
is covered to the depth of several inches with their dung; all the 
tender grass and underwood destroyed; the surface strewed with 
large limbs of trees broken down by the weight of the birds clus- 
tering one above another; and the trees themselves, for thousands 
of acres, killed as completely as if girdled with an axe. ‘The marks 


of this desolation remain for many years on the spot; and nume- 


104. PASSENGER PIGEON. 


rous places could be pointed out where for several years after 
scarce a single vegetable made its appearance. 

When these roosts are first discovered, the inhabitants from 
considerable distances visit them in the night, with guns, clubs, 
long poles, pots of sulphur, and various other engines of destruc- 
tion. In a few hours they fill many sacks, and load their horses 
with them. By the Indians a Pigeon roost, or breeding place, is 
considered an important source of national profit and dependance 
for that season; and all their active ingenuity is exercised on the 
occasion. ‘The breeding place differs from the former in its greater 
extent. In the western countries above mentioned, these are ge 
nerally in beech woods, and often extend in nearly a straight line 
across the country for a great way. Not far from Shelbyville in 
the state of Kentucky, about five years ago, there was one of these 
breeding places, which stretched through the woods in nearly a 
north and south direction; was several miles in breadth, and was 
said to be upwards of forty miles in extent! In this tract almost 
every tree was furnished with nests, wherever the branches could 
accommodate them. ‘The Pigeons made their first appearance 
there about the tenth of April, and left it altogether, with their 
young, before the twenty-fifth of May. 

As soon as the young were fully grown, and before they left 
the nests, numerous parties of the inhabitants, from all parts of the 


adjacent country, came with waggons, axes, beds, cooking utensils, 


many of them accompanied by the greater part of their families, 


and encamped for several days at this immense nursery. Several 
of them informed me, that the noise in the woods was so great as 
to terrify their horses, and that it was difficult for one person to 
hear another speak without bawling in his ear. The ground was 
strewed with broken limbs of trees, eggs, and young squab Pigeons, 
which had been precipitated from above, and on which herds of 
hogs were fattening. Hawks, Buzzards and Eagles were sailing 


about in great numbers, and seizing the squabs from their nests at 


PASSENGER PIGEON. 105 


pleasure; while from twenty feet upwards to the tops of the trees 
the view through the woods presented a perpetual tumult of crowd- 
ing and fluttering multitudes of pigeons, their wings roaring like 
thunder; mingled with the frequent crash of falling timber; for 
now the axe-men were at work cutting down those trees that seem- 
ed to be most crowded with nests, and contrived to fell them in 
such a manner, that in their descent they might bring down seve- 
ral others; by which means the falling of one large tree sometimes 
produced two hundred squabs, little inferior in size to the old ones, 
and almost one mass of fat. On some single trees upwards of one 
hundred nests were found, each containing one young only, a cir- 
cumstance in the history of this bird not generally known to natu- 
ralists. It was dangerous to walk under these flying and fluttering 
millions, from the frequent fall of large branches, broken down by 
the weight of the multitudes above, and which in their descent often 
destroyed numbers of the birds themselves; while the clothes of 
those engaged in traversing the woods were completely covered 
with the excrements of the Pigeons. 

These circumstances were related to me by many of the most 
respectable part of the community in that quarter; and were con- 
firmed in part by what I myself witnessed. I passed for several 
miles through this same breeding place, where every tree was spot- 
ted with nests, the remains of those above described. In many in- 
stances I counted upwards of ninety nests on a single tree; but the 
Pigeons had abandoned this place for another, sixty or eighty miles 
off towards Green river, where they were said at that time to be 
equally numerous. From the great numbers that were constantly 
passing over head to or from that quarter, I had no doubt of the 
truth of this statement. The mast had been chiefly consumed in 
Kentucky, and the Pigeons, every morning a little before sun-rise, 
set out for the Indiana territory, the nearest part of which was about 
sixty miles distant. Many of these returned before ten o’clock, and 
the great body generally appeared on their return a little after noon. 

VOL. V. | pd 


106 | PASSENGER PIGEON. 


I had left the public road to visit the remains of the breeding 
place near Shelbyville, and was traversing the woods with my gun, 
on my way to Frankfort, when about one o’clock the Pigeons, which 
I had observed flying the greater part of the morning northerly, 
began to return in such immense numbers as I never before had 
witnessed. Coming to an opening by the side of a creek called the 
Benson, where I had a more uninterrupted view, I was astonished 
at their appearance. ‘They were flying with great steadiness and 
rapidity, at a height beyond gun shot, in several strata deep, and 
so close together that could shot have reached them, one discharge 
could not have failed of bringing down several individuals. From 
right to left far as the eye could reach, the breadth of this vast pro- 
cession extended; seeming every where equally crowded. Curious 
to determine how long this appearance would continue, I took out 
my watch to note the time, and sat down to observe them. It was 
then half past one. I sat for more than an hour, but instead of a 
diminution of this prodigious procession, it seemed rather to in- 
crease both in numbers and rapidity; and, anxious to reach Frank- 
fort before night, I rose and went on. About four o’clock in the 
afternoon I crossed the Kentucky river, at the town of Frankfort, 
at which time the living torrent above my head seemed as nume- 
rous and as extensive as ever. Long after this I observed them, 
in large bodies that continued to pass for six or eight minutes, and 
these again were followed by other detached bodies, all moving in 
the same south-east direction till after six in the evening. The 
great breadth of front which this mighty multitude preserved would 
seem to intimate a corresponding breadth of their breeding place, 
which by several gentlemen who had lately passed through part of 
it, was stated to meat several miles. It was said to be in Green 
county, and that the young began to fly about the middle of March. 
On the seventeenth of April forty-nine miles beyond Danville, and 
not far from Green river, I crossed this same breeding place, where 


the nests for more than three miles spotted every tree; the leaves 


PASSENGER PIGEON. 107 


not being yet out I had a fair prospect of them, and was really 
astonished at their numbers. A few bodies of Pigeons lingered 
yet in different parts of the woods, the roaring of whose wings were 
heard in various quarters around me. 

All accounts agree in stating, that each nest contains only one 
young squab. ‘These are so extremely fat, that the Indians, and 
many of the whites, are accustomed to melt down the fat for do- 
mestic purposes as a substitute for butter and lard. At the time 
they leave the nest they are nearly as heavy as the old ones; but 
become much leaner after they are turned out to shift for them- 
selves. 

It is universally asserted in the western countries that the 
Pigeons, tho they have only one young at a time, breed thrice 
and sometimes four times in the same season; the circumstances 
already mentioned render this highly probable. It is also worthy 
of observation, that this takes place during that period when acorns, 
beech nuts, &c. are scattered about in the greatest abundance and 
mellowed by the frost. But they are not confined to these alone; 
buckwheat, hempseed, Indian corn, holly berries, hack berries, 
huckle berries, and many others furnish them with abundance at 
almost all seasons. The acorns of the live oak are also eagerly 
sought after by these birds, and rice has been frequently found in in- 
dividuals killed many hundred miles to the northward of the nearest 
rice plantation. ‘The vast quantity of mast which these multitudes 
consume is a serious loss to the bears, pigs, squirrels and other de- 
pendants on the fruits of the forest. I have taken from the crop 
of a single Wild Pigeon, a good handful of the kernels of beech 
nuts, intermixed with acorns and chesnuts. ‘To form a rough es- 
timate of the daily consumption of one of these immense flocks, let 
us first attempt to calculate the numbers of that above mentioned 
as seen in passing between Frankfort and the Indiana territory. If 
we suppose this column to have been one mile in breadth (and I 


believe it to have been much more) and that it moved at the rate 


108 PASSENGER PIGEON. 


of one mile in a minute; four hours, the time it continued passing, 
would make its whole length two hundred and forty miles. Again, 
supposing that each square yard of this moving body comprehended 
three Pigeons; the square yards in the whole space multiplied by 
three, would give two thousand two hundred and thirty millions, two 
hundred and seventy-two thousand pigeons! An almost inconceiva- 
ble multitude, and yet probably far below the actual amount. Com- 
puting each of these to consume half a pint of mast daily, the whole 
quantity at this rate would equal seventeen millions, four hundred 
and twenty-four thousand bushels per day! Heaven has wisely and 
graciously given to these birds rapidity of flight and a disposition 
to range over vast uncultivated tracts of the earth; otherwise they 
must have perished in the districts where they resided, or devour- 
ed up the whole productions of agriculture as well as those of the 
forests. 

A few observations on the mode of flight of these birds must 
not be omitted. The appearance of large detached bodies of them 
in the air, and the various evolutions they display, are strikingly 
picturesque and interesting. In descending the Ohio by myself in 
the month of February, I often rested on my oars to contemplate 
their aerial manceuvres. A column, eight or ten miles in length, 
would appear from Kentucky, high in air, steering across to In- 
diana. The leaders of this great body would sometimes gradually 
vary their course, until it formed a large bend of more than a mile 
in diameter, those behind tracing the exact route of their predeces- 
sors. This would continue sometimes long after both extremities 
were beyond the reach of sight, so that the whole with its glittery 
undulations, marked a space on the face of the heavens resembling 
the windings of a vast and majestic river. When this bend became 
very great, the birds, as if sensible of the unnecessary circuitous 
course they were taking, suddenly changed their direction, so that 
what was in column before became an immense front, straighten- 


ing all its indentures, until it swept the heavens in one vast and in- 


PASSENGER PIGEON. 109 


finitely extended line.. Other lesser bodies also united with each 
other, as they happened to approach, with such ease and elegance 
of evolution, forming new figures, and varying these as they united 
or separated, that I was never tired of contemplating them. Some- 
times a Hawk would make a sweep on a particular part of the co- 
lumn, from a great height, when, almost as quick as lightning, that 
part shot downwards out of the common track; but soon rising 
again, continued advancing at the same height as before; this in- 
flection was continued by those behind, who on arriving at this 
point dived down, almost perpendicularly, to a great depth, and 
rising followed the exact path of those that went before. As these 
vast bodies passed over the river near me, the surface of the water, 
which was before smooth as glass, appeared marked with innume- 
rable dimples, occasioned by the dropping of their dung, resem- 
bling the commencement of a shower of large drops of rain or hail. 

Happening to go ashore one charming afternoon, to purchase 
some milk at a house that stood near the river, and while talking 
with the people within doors, I was suddenly struck with astonish- 
ment at a loud rushing roar, succeeded by instant darkness, which, 
on the first moment, I took for a tornado about to overwhelm the 
house and every thing around in destruction. The people obsery- 
ing my surprise, coolly said “It is only the Pigeons;” and on run- 
ning out I beheld a flock, thirty or forty yards in width, sweeping 
along very low, between the house and the mountain or height that 
formed the second bank of the river. These continued passing for 
more than a quarter of an hour, and at length varied their bearing 
so as to pass over the mountain, behind which they disappeared 
before the rear came up. 

In the Atlantic states, tho they never appear in such unparal- 
leled multitudes, they are sometimes very numerous; and great 
havoc is then made amongst them with the gun, the clap net, and 
various other implements of destruction. As soon as it is ascer- 
tained in a town that the Pigeons are flying numerously in the 

WOE. We Ee 


110 PASSENGER PIGEON. 


neighbourhood, the gunners rise en masse; the clap nets are spread 
out on suitable situations, commonly on an open height in an old 
buckwheat field; four or five live Pigeons, with their eyelids sewed 
up, are fastened on a moveable stick—a small hut of branches is 
fitted up for the fowler at the distance of forty or fifty yards; by 
the pulling of a string, the stick on which the Pigeons rest is alter- 
nately elevated and depressed, which produces a fluttering of their 
wings similar to that of birds just alighting; this being perceived 
by the passing flocks, they descend with great rapidity, and finding 
corn, buckwheat, &c. strewed about, begin to feed, and are instant- 
ly, by the pulling of a cord, covered by the net. In this manner 
ten, twenty, and even thirty dozen have been caught at one sweep. 
Meantime the air is darkened with large bodies of them moving in 
various directions; the woods also swarm with them in search of 
acorns; and the thundering of musquetry is perpetual on all sides 
from morning to night. Waggon loads of them are poured into 
market, where they sell from fifty to twenty-five and even twelve 
cents per dozen; and Pigeons become the order of the day at din- 
ner, breakfast and supper, until the very name becomes sickening. 
When they have been kept alive, and fed for some time on corn 
and buckwheat, their flesh acquires great superiority; but in their 
common state they are dry and blackish, and far inferior to the full 
grown young ones, or squabs. 

The nest of the Wild Pigeon is formed of a few dry slender 
twigs, carelessly put together, and with so little concavity, that the 
young one when half grown can easily be seen from below. The 
eggs are pure white. Great numbers of Hawks, and sometimes 
the Bald Eagle himself, hover about those breeding places, and 
seize the old or the young from the nest amidst the rising multi- 
tudes, and with the most daring effrontery. The young when be- 
ginning to fly confine themselves to the under part of the tall woods 
where there is no brush, and where nuts and acorns are abundant, 


searching among the leaves for mast, and appear like a prodigious 


PASSENGER PIGEON. "iid 


torrent rolling along through the woods, every one striving to be 
in the front. Vast numbers of them are shot while in this situa- 
tion. A person told me, that he once rode furiously into one of 
these rolling multitudes, and picked up thirteen Pigeons which had 
been trampled to death by his horse’s feet. In a few minutes they 
will beat the whole nuts from a tree with their wings, while all is 
a scramble, both above and below, for the same. They have the 
same cooing notes common to domestic Pigeons; but much less of 
their gesticulations. In some flocks you will find nothing but young 
ones, which are easily distinguishable by their motley dress. In | 
others they will be mostly females; and again great multitudes of 
males, with few or no females. I cannot account for this in any 
other way than that during the time of incubation the males are 
exclusively engaged in procuring food, both for themselves and 
their mates; and the young being unable yet to undertake these 
extensive excursions, associate together accordingly. But even in 
winter I know of several species of birds who separate in this man- 
ner, particularly the Red-winged Starling, among whom thousands 
of old males may be found with few or no young or females along 
with them. 

Stragglers from these immense armies settle in almost every 
part of the country, particularly among the beech woods, and in 
the pine and hemlock woods of the eastern and northern parts of 
the continent. Mr. Pennant informs us, that they breed near Moose 
fort at Hudson’s Bay, in N. lat. 51°, and I myself have seen the re- 
mains of a large breeding place as far south as the country of the 
Chactaws, in lat. 32°. In the former of these places they are said 
to remain until December; from which circumstance it is evident 
that they are not regular in their migrations like many other spe- 
cies, but rove about, as scarcity of food urges them. Every spring, 
however, as well as Fall, more or less of them are seen in the neigh- 
bourhood of Philadelphia; but it is only once in several years that 
they appear in such formidable bodies; and this commonly when 


112 PASSENGER PIGEON. 


the snows are heavy to the north, the winter here more than usually 
mild, and acorns, &c. abundant. | 

The Passenger Pigeon is sixteen inches long, and twenty-four 
inches in extent; bill black; nostril covered by a high rounding 
protuberance; eye brilliant fiery orange; orbit, or space surround- 
ing it, purplish flesh colored skin; head, upper part of the neck, 
and chin, a fine slate blue, lightest on the chin; throat, breast and 
sides, as far as the thighs, a reddish hazel; lower part of the neck 
and sides of the same resplendent changeable gold, green and pur- 
plish crimson, the latter most predominant; the ground color slate; 
the plumage of this part is of a peculiar structure, ragged at the 
ends; belly and vent white; lower part of the breast fading into a 
pale vinaceous red; thighs the same; legs and feet lake, seamed 
with white; back, rump and tail coverts dark slate, spotted on the | 
shoulders with a few scattered marks of black; the scapulars tinged 
with brown; greater coverts light slate; primaries and secondaries 
dull black, the former tipt and edged with brownish white; tail 
long, and greatly cuneiform, all the feathers tapering towards the 
point, the two middle ones plain deep black, the other five, on 
each side, hoary white, lightest near the tips, deepening into bluish 
near the bases, where each is crossed on the inner vane with a 
broad spot of black, and nearer the root with another of ferrugi- 
nous; primaries edged with white; bastard wing black. 

The female is about half an inch shorter, and an inch less in 
extent; breast cinereous brown; upper part of the neck inclining 
to ash; the spot of changeable gold green and carmine much less, 
and not so brilliant; tail coverts brownish slate; naked orbits 
slate colored; in all other respects like the male in color, but less 
vivid, and more tinged with brown; the eye not so brilliant an 
orange. In both the tail has only twelve feathers. 


BLUE-MOUNTAIN WARBLER. 
SYLVIA MONTANA. 
[Plate XLIV.-—Fig. 2. | 


THIS new species was first discovered near that celebrated 
ridge, or range of mountains, with whose name I have honored it. 
Several of these solitary Warblers remain yet to be gleaned up 
from the airy heights of our alpine scenery, as well as from the re- 
cesses of our swamps and morasses, whither it is my design to pur- 
sue them by every opportunity. Some of these I believe rarely or 
never visit the lower cultivated parts of the country; but seem only 
at home among the glooms and silence of those dreary solitudes. 
The present species seems of that family, or subdivision of the 
Warblers, that approach the Flycatcher, darting after flies wherever 
they see them, and also searching with great activity among the 
leaves. Its song was a feeble screep, three or four times repeated. 

This species is four inches and three quarters in length; the 
upper parts a rich yellow olive; front, cheeks and chin yellow, also 
the sides of the neck; breast and belly pale yellow, streaked with 
black or dusky; vent plain pale yellow; wings black, first and se- 
cond row of coverts broadly tipt with pale yellowish white; tertials 
the same; the rest of the quills edged with whitish; tail black, 
handsomely rounded, edged with pale olive; the two exterior fea- 
thers, on each side, white on the inner vanes from the middle to 
the tips, and edged on the outer side with white; bill dark brown; 
legs and feet purple brown; soles yellow; eye dark hazel. 

This was a male. The female I have never seen. 

VOL. V. Ff 


114 


HEMLOCK WARBLER. 
SYLVIA PARUS. 
[Plate XLIV.—Fig. 3. | 


THIS is another nondescript, first met with in the Great Pine 
swamp, Pennsylvania. From observing it almost always among 
the branches of the hemlock trees, I have designated it by that ap- 
pellation, the markings of its plumage not affording me a peculia- 
rity sufficient for a specific name. It is a most lively and active 
little bird, climbing among the twigs, and hanging like a Titmouse 
on the branches; but possessing all the external characters of the 
Warblers. It has a few low and very sweet notes, at which times 
_ it stops and repeats them for a short time, then darts about as be- 
fore. It shoots after flies to a considerable distance; often begins 
at the lower branches, and hunts with great regularity and admi- 
rable dexterity, upwards to the top, then flies off to the next tree, 


at the lower branches of which it commences hunting upwards as 


before. 

This species is five inches and a half long, and eight inches 
in extent; bill black above, pale below; upper parts of the plumage 
black, thinly streaked with yellow olive; head above yellow, dot- 
ted with black; line from the nostril over the eye, sides of the neck 
and whole breast rich yellow; belly paler, streaked with dusky; 
round the breast some small streaks of blackish; wing black, the 
greater coverts and next superior row broadly tipt with white, 
forming two broad bars across the wing; primaries edged with 
olive, tertials with white; tail coverts black, tipt with olive; tail 
slightly forked, black, and edged with olive; the three exterior fea- 
thers altogether white on their inner vanes; legs and feet dirty 


HEMLOCK WARBLER. 115 


yellow; eye dark hazel; a few bristles at the mouth; bill not 
notched. 


This was a male. Of the female I can at present give no 


account. 


116 


SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. 
FALCO VELOX. 
[Plate XLV.—Fig. 1. | 


THIS is a bold and daring species, hitherto unknown to na- 
turalists. The only Hawk we have which approaches near it in 
color is the Pigeon Hawk, figured in the second volume of this 
work, plate 15. But there are such striking differences in the pre- 
sent, not only in color, but in other respects, as to point out de- 
cisively its claims to rank as a distinct species. Its long and slen- 
der legs and toes; its red fiery eye, feathered to the eye-lids; its 
triangular grooved nostril, and length of tail, are all different from 
the Pigeon Hawk, whose legs are short, its eyes dark hazel, sur- 
rounded with a broad bare yellow skin, and its nostrils small and 
circular, centered with a slender point that rises in it like the 
pistil of a flower. There is no Hawk mentioned by Mr. Pennant 
either as inhabiting Europe or America, agreeing with this. | 
may therefore with confidence pronounce it a nondescript; and 
have chosen a very singular peculiarity which it possesses for its 
specific appellation. | 

This Hawk was shot on the banks of the Schuylkill, near Mr. 
Bartram’s. Its singularity of flight surprised me long before 1 
succeeded in procuring it. It seemed to throw itself from one 
quarter of the heavens to the other, with prodigious velocity, in- 
clining to the earth, swept suddenly down into a thicket, and in- 
stantly re-appeared with a small bird in its talons. This feat I 
saw it twice perform, so that it was not merely an accidental ma- 
noeuvre. The rapidity and seeming violence of these zig-zag 


excursions were really remarkable, and appeared to me to be for 


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the purpose of seizing his prey by sudden surprise and main force 
of flight. I kept this Hawk alive for several days, and was hope- 
ful I might be able to cure him; but he died of his wound. 

On the fifteenth of September two young men whom I had 
dispatched on a shooting expedition, met with this species on one 
of the ranges of the Alleghany. It was driving around in the same 
furious headlong manner, and had made a sweep at a red squirrel, 
which eluded its grasp, and itself became the victim. These are 
the only individuals of this bird I have been able to procure, and 
fortunately they were male and female. 

The female of this species (represented in the plate) is thir- 
teen inches long, and twenty-five inches in extent; the bill is black 
towards the point on both mandibles, but light blue at its base; 
cere a fine pea green; sides of the mouth the same; lores pale 
whitish blue, beset with hairs; crown and whole upper parts very 
dark brown, every feather narrowly skirted with a bright rust co- 
lor; over the eye a stripe of yellowish white, streaked with deep 
brown; primaries spotted on their inner vanes with black; secon- 
daries crossed on both vanes with three bars of dusky, below the 
coverts; inner vanes of both primaries and secondaries brownish 
white; all the scapulars marked with large round spots of white, 
not seen unless the plumage be parted with the hand; tail long, 
nearly even, crossed with four bars of black and as many of brown 
ash, and tipt with white; throat and whole lower parts pale yel- 
lowish white; the former marked with fine long pointed spots of 
dark brown, the latter with large oblong spots of reddish brown; 
femorals thickly marked with spade-formed spots, on a pale rufous 
ground; legs long and feathered a little below the knee, of a green- 
ish yellow color, most: yellow at the joints; edges of the inside of 
the shins, below the knee, projecting like the edge of a knife, hard 
and sharp, as if intended to enable the bird to hold its prey with 
more security between them; eye brilliant yellow, sunk below a 
projecting cartilage. 

VOL. V. Gg 


118 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. 


‘The male was nearly two inches shorter; the upper parts dark 
brown; the feathers skirted with pale reddish, the front also streak- 
ed with the same; cere greenish yellow; lores bluish; bill black, 
as in the female; streak over the eye lighter than in the former; 
chin white; breast the same, streaked with brown; bars on the 
tail rather narrower, but in tint and number the same; belly and 
vent white; feet and shins exactly as in the female; the toes have 
the same pendulous lobes which mark those of the female, and of 
which the representation in the plate will give a correct idea; the 
wings barred with black, very noticeable on the lower side. 

Since writing the above I have shot another specimen of this 
Hawk, corresponding in almost every particular with the male last 
mentioned; and which on dissection also proves to be a male. 
This last had within the grasp of his sharp talons a small lizard, 
just killed, on which he was about to feed. How he contrived to 
get possession of it appeared to me matter of surprise, as lightning 
itself seems scarcely more fleet than this little reptile. So rapid 
are its motions, that in passing from one place to another it va- 
nishes, and actually eludes the eye in running a distance of twelve 
or fifteen feet. It is frequently seen on fences that are covered 
with grey moss and lichen, which in color it very much resembles; 
it seeks shelter in hollow trees, and also in the ground about their 
decayed roots. They are most numerous in hilly parts of the coun- 
try, particularly on the declivities of the Blue mountain, among the 
crevices of rocks and stones. When they are disposed to run, it 
is almost impossible to shoot them, as they disappear at the first 
touch of the trigger. For the satisfaction of the curious I have in- 
troduced a full sized figure of this lizard, which is known in many 
parts of the country by the name of the Swit. 


119 


REDSTART. 
MUSCICAPA RUTICILLA. 
[Plate XLV.—Fig. 2. | 
Epwarps, as t-—Vellni tail, Arct. Zool. Ul, p. 466, No. 301. 


BY recurring to vol. I, plate 6, of this work, the male of this 
species may be seen in his perfect dress; the present figure repre- 
sents the young bird as he appears for the first two seasons; the 
female differs very little from this, chiefly in the green olive being 
more inclined to ash. 

This is one of our summer birds, and from the circumstance 
of being found off Hispaniola in November, is supposed to winter 
in the islands. ‘They leave Pennsylvania about the twentieth of 
September; are dexterous flycatchers, tho ranked by European na- 
turalists among the warblers, having the bill notched and beset 
with long bristles. 

In its present dress the Redstart makes its appearance in 
Pennsylvania about the middle or twentieth of April; and from 
being heard chanting its few sprightly notes has been supposed by 
some of our own naturalists to be a different species. I have, how- 
ever, found both parents of the same nest in the same dress nearly ; 
the female, eggs and nest, as well as the notes of the male, agree- 
ing exactly with those of the Redstart; evidence sufficiently satis- 
factory to me. | 

Head above dull slate; throat pale buff; sides of the breast 
and four exterior tail feathers fine yellow, tipt with dark brown; 
wings and back greenish olive; tail coverts blackish, tipt with ash; 
belly dull white; no white or yellow on the wings; legs dirty pur- 
plish brown; bill black. 


120 REDSTART. 


The Redstart extends very generally over the United States; 
having myself seen it on the borders of Canada, and also in the 
Mississippi territory. | 

This species has the constant habit of flirting its expanded 
tail from side to side as it runs along the branches, with its head 
levelled almost in a line with its body; occasionally shooting off 
after winged insects, in a downward zig-zag direction, and with 
admirable dexterity, snapping its bill as it descends. Its notes are 
few and feeble, repeated at short intervals as it darts among the 
foliage; having at some times a resemblance to the sounds sic sic 
saic; at others of weesy weesy weesy ; which last seems to be its call 
for the female, while the former appears to be its most common 
note. 


171 


YELLOW RUMP. 
SYLVIA CORONATA. 
[Plate XLV.—Fig. 3. | 

Epwarps, 255.—Arct. Zool. Il, p. 400, No. 288, 


I MUST again refer the reader to the second volume of Ame- 
rican Ornithology, plate 17, fig. 4, for this bird in his perfect co- 
lors; the present figure exhibits him in his winter dress, as he ar- 
rives to us from the north early in September; the former shews 
him in his spring and summer dress, as he visits us from the south 
about the twentieth of March. These birds remain with us in Penn- 
sylvania from September until the season becomes severely cold, 
feeding on the berries of the red cedar; and as December’s snows 
come on they retreat to the lower countries of the southern states, 
where in February I found them in great numbers among the myr- 
tles, feeding on the berries of that shrub; from which circumstance 
they are usually called in that quarter Myrtle birds. Their breed- 
ing place I suspect to be in our northern districts, among the 
swamps and evergreens so abundant there, having myself shot 
them in the Great Pine swamp about the middle of May. 

They range along our whole Atlantic coast in winter, seem- 
ing particularly fond of the red cedar and the myrtle; and I have 
found them numerous, in October, on the low islands along the 
coast of New Jersey in the same pursuit. They also dart after 
flies wherever they can see them, generally skipping about with 
the wings loose. 

Length five inches and a quarter, extent eight inches; upper 
parts and sides of the neck a dark mouse brown, obscurely streak- 


VOL. V. Hh 


129 YELLOW RUMP. 


ed on the back with dusky black; lower parts pale dull yellowish 
white; breast marked with faint streaks of brown; chin and vent 
white; rump vivid yellow; at each side of the breast, and also on 
the crown, a spot of fainter yellow; this last not observable with- 
out separating the plumage; bill, legs and wings black; lesser co- 
verts tipt with brownish white; tail coverts slate; the three exterior 
tail feathers marked on their inner vanes with white; a touch of 
the same on the upper and lower eye-lid. Male and female at this 
season nearly alike. They begin to change about the middle of 
February, and in four or five weeks are in their slate colored dress, 


as represented in the figure referred to. 


END OF THE FIFTH VOLUME. 


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: z 
ee 


ler 
Vile 
4 Hae 


o 


=T. 


ca ee oe 


1 
ear 


hie 


4 


aS 3 
- 
? 


SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES 


IMAC AAA 


3 9088 00443 9089