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New SPECIES AND SupsPE-
cies oF NorRTH AMERICAN Birps. By Jj. A. Allen . :
GENERAL NOTES.
The Black Tern (Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis) in New York
Harbor, 351; Capture of the Brown Pelican in Wyoming, 351;
The Little Blue Heron (Ardea cerulea) in Connecticut, 351;
The Green Heron Breeding in Ontario, 351; White-tailed Hawk
in Arizona, 352; A Phenomenal Flight of Hawks, 352; A Musi-
cal Woodpecker, 353; Note on the name Drymophila, 353; New
Song of the Baltimore Oriole, 354; Song of the White-crowned
Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), 355; Ammodramus henslowtt
—a Correction, 356; Leconte’s Sparrow (Ammodramus lecontett)
in Kentucky, 356; Nesting of Nelson’s Sparrow (Ammodramus
nelsont) in North Dakota, 356; Hirondelles de Guanajuato, Mex-
ico, 357; Very Early Record of the Cliff Swallow, 359; Philadel-
phia Vireo in West Virginia, 359; A Note on Kirtland’s Warbler
(Dendroica kirtland?), 359; The Hooded Warbler at Montville,
Conn., 360; Odd Nesting of Maryland Yellow-throat, 360;
vil
395
308
313
318
323
325
330
338
Viil Contents of Volume XVI.
Puerto Rico Honey Creeper, 361; Notes on Marian’s Marsh
Wren, Cistothorus mariane, and Worthington’s Marsh Wren,
Cistothorus palustris griseus, 361; Birds Feeding on Hairy
Caterpillars, 362.
RECENT LITERATURE.
Pycraft on the Osteology of the Impennes, 363; Montgomery on the
Food of Owls, 363; Lantz’s Review of Kansas Ornithology, 364;
The Goss Collection of Mexican and Central American Birds,
365: Cory’s ‘ The Birds of Eastern North America, Water Birds,
Part I,’ 366; Knobel’s ‘ Field Key to the Land Birds,’ 367; Mrs.
Miller’s ‘The First Book of Birds,’ 368; Stone on Birds from
Bogota, 369; Chapman on New Birds from Venezuela, 369;
Oberholser on Untenable Names in Ornithology, 370; Farring-
ton on a Fossil Egg from South Dakota, 370; Gurney and Gill
on the Age to which Birds Live, 370; Kellogg and others on
Mallophaga, 372; Huntington’s ‘In Brush, Sedge, and Stubble,’
372; Publications Received, 373.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Proper Function of ‘ Binomials’ and ‘ Trinomials,’ 374.
NOTES AND NEWS.
Seventeenth Annual Congress of the A. O. U.,. 3773 Obituary,
Major Joshua L. Fowler, 377: John Cordeaux, 378; Ornithologi-
cal Publications, 379; The Harriman Expedition, 380; Meeting
of Hungarian and Austrian Ornithologists, 381; Third Interna-
tional Ornithological Congress, 381; Erratum, 382.
THE AUK, VOL. XVI. PLATE I.
i i
e | f
LOUISIANA SEASIDE SPARROW.
AMMODRAMUS MARITIMUS FISHERI CHAPM.
TEXAS SEASIDE SPARROW.
AMMODRAMUS SENNETTI ALLEN,
34 NATURAL SIZE.
THE: AMR
AOU ART ER YnpOwEeN A L, .OF
ORNITHOLOGY
VOI. XVI. JANUARY, 1899. NG t:
THE DISTRIBUTION AND RELATIONSHIPS OF A’Z10-
DRAMUS MARITIMUS AND ITS ALLIES.
BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN.
Pirate I.
A FIELD experience with four of our five recognized Seaside
Sparrows has been the means of calling my attention to certain
apparent anomalies in their distribution and relationships which
in the following pages I have attempted to make clear.
The material at my command while not wholly satisfactory, is
nevertheless, I trust, sufficient to warrant a provisional explana-
tion of the facts it presents. It numbers some 160 specimens,
including series loaned me by Mr. Robert Ridgway from the col-
lections under his charge, by Mr. William Brewster and Dr. A. K.
Fisher, and also the examples in the American Museum of Nat-
ural History. The specimens loaned me by the gentlemen named
constitute so important a part of the material studied that I feel
under more than usual obligation to them.
From Mr. Ridgway I have received a series of May birds col-
lected by Mr. E. A. MclIlhenny on the coast of Louisiana, and of
breeding birds collected by Lieut. Wirt Robinson near St. Augus-
tine, Florida; Mr. Brewster sends specimens from the west coast
of Florida, breeding birds collected by himself at St. Mary’s,
Georgia, and a most puzzling series from the vicinity of Charles-
Auk
2, CHAPMAN, The Seaside Sparrows. Waa
ton, South Carolina, while Dr. Fisher forwards breeding birds and
young in first plumage from Grand Isle, Louisiana.
The questions involved in a study of these birds may be
best presented by a brief consideration of our recorded knowl-
edge of the distribution and relationships of the five described
forms, namely: Ammodramus maritimus, A. m. peninsula, A. m.
sennetti, A. m. macgillivrait, and A. nigrescens, Of these five forms,
which are here given under their current names, the status of 4.
nigrescens and A. m. sennetti is apparently clear and these two birds
may be considered before taking up the perplexing questions
presented by the remaining three forms.
Ammodramus nigrescens (/7dgw.).
Ammodramus maritimus var. nigrescens RipGw. Bull. Essex Inst. V,
1873, 198; B. B. & R. N. A. Birds, III, 1875, App. 513 (descr. only)
ibid. I, pl. facing p. 560.
Ammodramus melanoleucus MAYNARD, Am. Sportsman, V, 1875, 248;
Birds of E. N. A. 1881, 119, pl. V (descr., habits, dist.)
Ammodramus nigrescens RipGw. Proc. U.S, Nat. Mus. III, 1880, 178;
CHapman, Auk, XV, 1898, 270 (habits).
This strongly marked species was discovered by Mr. C. J.
Maynard at Salt Lake, near Titusville, Florida, in March, ae
Only a single specimen was secured at this locality, but he after-
wards found it to be ‘quite common” on the marshes bordering
the east shore of the Indian River, opposite Titusville, as recorded
in the ‘American Sportsman’ and ‘ Birds of Eastern North
America.’ The information contained in these publications con-
stituted all our published knowledge of the life history and dis-
tribution of this species until the appearance of my note on its
abundance in the marshes about the mouth of Dummitt’s Creek
(Auk, |. c.), but Mr. Maynard has furnished me with the follow-
ing valuable data in regard to its distribution, which, with his
kind permission, I print in full: “The Black and White Shore
Finch, of which I have, so far as I know, taken all of the speci-
mens in collections, excepting two, that were shot by a friend who
was with me in Florida, but who took the two in question after I
left, occurs rarely about Salt Lake, Upper St. Johns, Florida,
commonly on the northern end of Merritt’s Island, on the marshy
Vol. XVI
hos CHAPMAN, The Seaside Sparrows. z
islands of Banana River, on the marshes north of this lagoon,
west to the Indian River, north along this body of water to the
Haulover Canal. It never occurs out of the marsh grass or low
water bush. Thus the bird is confined to a belt of country not
over a quarter of a mile wide and about ten miles long, if fol-
lowed through its extent.” ‘
When one considers the abundance of this Sparrow and that
the region it inhabits is in no sense insolated, but that both to the
north and south of the area outlined above there are marshes appar-
ently similar to those it occupies, its restriction to a habitat only
a few square miles in extent makes its distribution unique among
American birds. In color it is the most strongly characterized
form of the group, the black which prevails on the upper parts and
so heavily streaks almost the entire under parts, not being equalled
in intensity or extent in any of its congeners. Seventeen speci-
mens taken in March, 1898, at the mouth of Dummitt’s Creek,
are in comparatively unworn plumage and present little variation
in color. Their average measurements are: wing, 2.60: tail
2.043 bill from nostril, .43 inches.
The nearest point at which another representative of this group
has been secured is Matanzas Inlet, Florida.
Ammodramus sennetti (4//en).
Ammodramus maritimus sennetti ALLEN, Auk, V, 1888, 286 (orig.
descr.); CHAPMAN, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. III, 1891, 323 (habits)
Ruoaps, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1892, 109.
.
>
As the second most distinct form in thé group and the only
one, except 4. nigrescens, which apparently does not intergrade
with its allies, we may next treat of the Seaside Finch resident
at Corpus Christi, Texas.
In April, 1891, I found the bird abundant and breeding in
the marshes of Nueces Bay. A series of thirteen specimens
shows that it more nearly resembles true maritimus than it does
any other member of the group. It is, however, quite distinct
from that form, being distinguished chiefly by its greener color
and the black centers to the feathers of the upper parts. To the
form geographically nearest to it, the dark Seaside Sparrow
Auk
4 CHAPMAN, The Seaside Sparrows. Fei,
breeding on the coast of Louisiana, the Corpus Christi bird is
less closely related than to any other form of the group, except
A. nigrescens. There is no evidence whatever of its intergradation
with any of its congeners and consequently no reason for deny-
ing it specific rank.
Ammodramus maritimus et subsp.
Having disposed of the two forms whose status is clearest we
may now approach those whose relationships and distribution
present certain apparent anomalies. Before discussing the
questions involved ina study of these birds it will be well to
first give briefly our recorded information concerning their
distribution and the accepted views in regard to their relation-
ships.
Ammodramus maritimus (W7s.).
In the second edition of the A. O. U. ‘ Check-List’ the range
of this species is given as “Salt marshes of the Atlantic Coast,
from Connecticut southward to Georgia. Accidental in Massa-
chusetts.” Recent records show the bird to be a regular summer
resident in Rhode Island and as far east as Westport, Mass.,
just beyond the Rhode Island State line.!| The locality ‘‘ Geor-
gia,” given in the ‘ Check-List,’ is evidently based on Mr. William
Brewster’s identification of the series of twelve dveeding birds
taken by himself, in some instances with nests and eggs, at St.
Mary’s, Georgia.”
In the second edition of his ‘ Manual,’ Appendix, page 602,
Mr. Ridgway gives the range of marvitimus as “ Massachusetts
to northern Florida,” the latter locality being doubtless based on
Lieut. Robinson’s breeding birds from St. Augustine and Matan-
zas Inlet, which I have previously mentioned as included in the
series loaned me by Mr. Ridgway.
1See Howe, Auk XIV, 1897, 219; Sturtevant, zbid. 322; Farley, zbzd. 322.
2 Auk, XII, 1890; 212. «
Vol. XVI
!
aos CHAPMAN, The Seaside Sparrows. 5
Ammodramus maritimus peninsule 4//en.
This race was described by Dr. J. A. Allen from specimens col-
lected by W. E. D. Scott at Tarpon Springs, on the west coast of
Florida, in February, 1888.1 With the Florida birds Dr. Allen
identified a series of ten adult and six immature birds collected
by Dr. A. K. Fisher at Grand Isle, Louisiana, in June, 1886.
Shortly afterward Dr. Allen recorded a specimen of peninsule,
in the collection of G. S. Miller, Jr., which had been collected on
Sapelo Island, off the coast of Georgia, Dec. 14, 1887." Mr.
Brewster also referred to feninsuie two specimens taken on this
same island in December, 1887, and Dr. Allen identified with the
same form a specimen from near Charleston, S. C.8
Mr. W. E. D. Scott records peninsu/e as a very common winter
resident near Tarpon Springs,‘ the type locality, where, however,
it does not breed. In fact the breeding grounds of this Sparrow
on the Gulf coast appear to be as yet unknown. Mr. C. i
Maynard? states that he found Seaside Sparrows, doubtless this
form, about to breed at Cedar Keys, Florida, in February. The
date is surprisingly early but it is quite probable that peninsule
may breed in the marshes at Cedar Keys.
Ammodramus maritimus macgillivraii Ridew. (not of
Audubon).
March 25, 1891, I collected at Corpus Christi, Texas, two
specimens of a dark Seaside Sparrow which were provisionally
referred to feninsuie, with the statement that they were darker
than that form and had gray instead of olivaceous edgings to the
feathers.° They were evidently winter visitants and their breed-
ing ground remained unknown until Mr. E. A. MclIlhenny col-
lected a large series of breeding birds on and near Avery’s Island,
1 Auk,V, 1888, 284. ? Tbid., V, 1888, 426.
3 Tbid., VII, 1890, 212. 4 Auk, VI, 1889, 322.
a Birds baN. A.) T20. 6 Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., III, 1891, 324.
x 5 arse) Auk
6 CHAPMAN, The Seaside Sparrows. ol
Louisiana. Then it appeared that the birds collected by Dr.
Fisher at Grand Isle were also referable to this form. These
birds, with the Corpus Christi specimens just mentioned, were
considered by Mr. Ridgway" to represent Fringilla macgillivrai
’ described by Audubon? from Charleston, South Carolina, and
said later by the same writer to also occur on the coast of Louisi-
ana and Texas.?. This name had previously been synonymized
with that of Ammodramus maritimus under the belief that it was
based on a specimen of that bird in first plumage.
The following year Dr. Walter Faxon called attention to the
fact? that Audubon’s description of macgillivraw having been
based on specimens from Charleston, South Carolina, a locality in
which pexinsule was known to occur, the name macgi/livrait was
obviously applicable to the bird known as feninsule and not to
the quite different bird of Louisiana.
In attempting now to explain the peculiar conditions which
this brief summary of current views has set forth, one is at once
confronted with the difficulty which has beset all students of
these birds, that is, the unusually worn plumage of breeding
birds. So greatly does this abrasion affect a bird’s appearance
that almost the entire range of color variation between mariti-
mus and the Louisiana bird, respectively the lightest and darkest
members of this restricted group, is shown in Dr. Fisher’s series
of breeding birds from Grand Isle. Specimens in worn plumage,
therefore, must be examined with great care and identified only
after the closest comparison. Hence in order to clearly grasp
the characters separating these three forms it will be necessary
to use non-breeding examples. Thus I have selected a series of
fall and early spring® birds from Long Island, N. Y., Tarpon
1 Manual N. A. Birds, 2nd Ed., 1896, App. 602.
Ber Hiog, 11/1844, 285.1 a
3 Tbid., VV, 1838, 394.
4 Auk, XIV, 1897, 321.
5It is remarkable, in view of the rapid and extreme abrasion of the plumage
of breeding birds, how little the plumage shows the effects of wear and tear
during the winter. There is practically no difference between the plumage
of:September specimens and those taken early in the following spring.
ita CHAPMAN, The Seaside Sparrows. |
Springs, Florida,— the type locality of penimsule,—and Texas.
From the last named State I have only three specimens repre-
senting the dark, west Gulf coast form, but the characters they
present are shown, by comparison with Mr. MclIlhenny’s series
of breeding birds from and near Avery’s Island, La., to be
typical. From a careful study of this material it appears that
in fresh and unworn plumage the three forms are to be distin-
guished from one another chiefly by the characters set forth in
the appended tabular synopsis. Here it may be briefly said that
maritimus is greenish olive margined with bluish gray above,
with the breast and flanks streaked with bluish gray and mar-
gined with buff. In feninsule the upper parts are dull black
margined with greenish olive, the breast and flanks being streaked
with dusky black margined with buff or bluish gray, while the
dark west Gulf coast form has the upper parts deep black bor-
dered by mummy brown and margined with bluish gray, the
breast and flanks being distinctly streaked with black and heavily
margined with pale ochraceous.
Bearing these differences in mind we may approach the puzzling
series of non-breeding birds from South Carolina and Georgia.
It contains thirty-one adults and two immature (first plumage)
specimens. Fifteen of the adults are perfectly typical, in color, of
Long Island maritimus. Only one has the wing under 2.40 in.,
their average measurements being: wing, 2.46; tail, 2.18; bill
from nostril, 45 in. ‘They thus ciosely approach Long Isiand
birds in size (see table of measurements beyond), evidence that
they were winter residents from the north.
Of the remaining sixteen adults ten are intermediate between
maritimus and peninsule, most of them approaching the latter
much more closely than the former. Their average measure-
ments are: wing, 2.40; tail, 2.153; bill from nostril, 45. Nine
of these birds are in Mr. Brewster’s collection, seven of them
being labeled by him “ peninsule.”
I believe these birds to be resident, raciai representatives of
maritimus, marking a stage in the geographical variation in this
species, which, on the west coast of Florida, appears as peninsule.
A specimen, evidently breeding, collected by Dr. Coues at Fort
Macon, N. C., April 15, 1869 (U. S. N. M. No. 55523) is appre-
8 CHAPMAN, The Seaside Sparrows. or
ciably darker than comparable Long Island birds and apparently
indicates an approach to the feninsule type, as it is represented
on the Atlantic coast by birds similar to the ten specimens first
mentioned. To this intermediate, South Atlantic form of mavriti-
mus I refer with some confidence Brewster’s breeding birds from St.
Mary’s, Georgia, and Robinson’s breeding birds from the vicinity
of St. Augustine and Matanzas Inlet, Florida. These birds, I am
aware, have been referred to true maritimus and their plumage is
in such worn condition that it is true they closely resemble, at
first sight, Long Island specimens of that species. Carefully
compared, however, with equally worn Long Island birds, they
are grayer and more streaked below, while the lateral stripes of
the crown, areas which seem least to show abrasion, are darker
than in maritimus, being raw-umber as in feninsule, agreeing in
fact, considering their abrasion, very closely in the color of this
region with the ten specimens which I have spoken of as inter-
mediate between maritimus and peninsule.
Accepting this identification, what shall we call this dark
representative of Ammodramus maritimus which apparently is a
permanent resident on the Atlantic coast from at least St. Augus-
tine to Charleston? Individually they have for the most part
been identified as penznsude, and while they have longer bills and
are less green above and less heavily streaked below than true
peninsule, they are so much nearer to this form than to maritimus,
that I should prefer to refer them to the former rather than to
the latter, or rather than to accept the alternative of giving them
a name of their own.
This leaves us with six specimens of the South Carolina and
Georgia series which can be referred to neither maritimus nor
peninsula. Three of these birds are in the collection of the
United States National Museum (Nos. 159387, 2, Oct. 24, 1893 ;
No. 159388, 2, Oct. 27, 98935 Won 150657; 0), Oct...23, ago,
all taken at Mount Pleasant, So. Car.), and three are in Mr.
Brewster’s collection (No. 19047, 2, Dec. 3, 1887, Sapelo Is.,
Ga No.°45753, dj. Nov. 27; 1894 and) Non 47656, 7, Apriln7,
1897, Mount Pleasant, So. Car.). In the coloration of the upper
parts they resemble the dark, west Gulf coast bird, but the
black of the feathers of the upper parts is margined with olive
Vol. XVI
oR CHAPMAN, The Seaside Sparrows. 9
instead of mummy brown, the nape is more olive, and, with the
exception of No. 159388, the breast and flanks are much less
strongly streaked and less heavily washed with buffy ochraceous,
the coloration of these parts agreeing with that of peninsule.
Apparently these two forms of Seaside Sparrow, represented by
my series of ten and six birds respectively, are found breeding
in the same area, a fact which is evidently proven by two birds
in first or nestling plumage. One of these (U. S. Nat. Mus.
No. 159389, ¢) was taken by Mr. A. T. Wayne at Mount Pleas-
ant, So. Car., Aug. 10, 1893, and is obviously the offspring of a
very dark Seaside Sparrow, being much blacker than any of a
dozen New York examples in similar plumage, and in fact agree-
ing very well with six young birds collected by Dr. A. K. Fisher
on Grand Isle, La., June 6-9, 1896. .This is evidently the
progeny of the dark bird just described.
The other young bird (No. 12437, Coll. Wm. Brewster) was
collected by Mr. Walter Hoxie, near Frogmore, So. Car., Aug.
10, 1886. It is much lighter than the Mount Pleasant specimen,
with which it agrees in age, and approaches young maritimus
from New York, differing from it to just about the same extent
and in much the same manner as do the peninsule—maritimus
adults of this region from adult true maritimus. This bird is
apparently the offspring of peninsule-maritimus parents. Hence
the breeding of these birds and of the dark type in the same
region is shown both by the presence of adults and_ their
respective offspring. What their interrelationships may be, and
whether they occupy different breeding areas, are questions
which can be settled only by observation in the field. Speci-
mens before me apparently show their intergradation but my
material does not admit of satisfactory conclusions.
However, admitting that we have two forms, we are now con-
fronted by the question of nomenclature. What names shall we
apply to them? The feninsule-maritimus specimens, as I have
previously said, should, in my opinion, be identified with Aenn-
sule rather than with maritimus, but what shall we call the black
and gray birds? Unquestionably, it seems to me, they represent
macgillivrait of Audubon, and while he also placed the Louisiana
and Texas birds under this name, there can be no doubt that, as
Auk
IO CHAPMAN, The Seaside Sparrows. Fan.
Dr. Faxon had shown, he figured and described specimens col-
lected near Charleston by Dr. Bavhman. In support of this
statement see Volume II, page 285 of the Ornithological Biog- -
raphy, on which Audubon states that Bachman presented him with
a dozen specimens of this Sparrow collected near Charleston, where
J. W. Audubon made the drawing which was afterward published
in the fourth volume of the ‘ Birds of America.’ No mention is
made in Volume II of Texas and Louisiana, where the bird was
evidently not discovered until several years later, being first
recorded from these States in Volume IV, page 394, of the
‘Ornithological Biography,’ published in 1838, or four years
after the description of ‘ A7ingilla macgillivrai’ from Charleston.
The specimen upon which this description was probably based
is now in the U. S. Nat. Mus. (No. 2894) but is without date or
locality. It is a young bird in first plumage, of the same age as
the specimen taken at Mt. Pleasant, S. C., Aug. 10, 1893, from
which it differs no more than do immature specimens of maviti-
mus from one another.
If this view of the case be accepted it will permit us to give
the Louisiana bird a name of its own, a course which the speci-
mens involved seem to warrant. And I therefore propose to
name it in honor of Dr. A. K. Fisher who, after Audubon, was
the first ornithologist to secure specimens of the Louisiana bird.
Hence we have
Ammodramus maritimus fisheri, subsp. nov.
Ammodramus macgillivraii Aup. (in part) Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 394.
Ammodramus maritimus macgillivrayt RipGw. Manual N. A. Birds,
2d Ed., 1896, App. 602.
Ammodramus maritimus peninsule ALLEN (in part), Auk, V, 1888, 284.
Ammodramus marittimus peninsule? CHAPM. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat.
Fist. Ul, Leon 324.
Char. Subsp.— Upper parts deep black, in fresh plumage the feathers
bordered by mummy brown and margined with bluish gray, the breast
and flanks streaked with black and more or less heavily washed by pale
ochraceous.
Type, No. 163,722, U. S. Nat. Mus. Collected by A. K. Fisher, M. D.
Collector’s number No. 2622, @ ad., egg in oviduct, Grand Isle, Louisiana,
June g, 1886.
i
Vol. XVI
1899 CHAPMAN, The Seaside Sparrows. II
Range.— Coast of Gulf States, breeding from Grand Isle, La., west-
ward, probably to northeastern Texas, southward in winter to Corpus
Christi, Texas, and Tarpon Springs, Florida.!
In the appended table a comparison of the diagnostic charac-
ters of all the forms of the restricted marztimus group in fresh
plumage is given. As before remarked, abrasion so alters a
breeding bird’s appearance that in some cases badly worn speci-
mens are practically unidentifiable. Of the 17 breeding birds
collected by Dr. Fisher on Grand Isle and by Mr. MclIlhenny on
and near Averys Island, all but four are-more or less suffused
with pale ochraceous on the breast and flanks, the most diagnos-
tic character presented by /sherz, and about half the series are
still more or less distinctly streaked with black below. It is in
unworn plumage, however, that the differential characters of
these birds are most evident, and it is on specimens in this con-
dition that the appended table comparing the four forms of the
restricted maritimus group is based.
TABLE OF DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS OF SEASIDE SPARROWS OF THE
Ammodramus maritimus GROUP.
Crown.
Marttimus.— Sides olive with occasionally black shaft-streaks, median
line well defined, bluish gray.
Pentnsule.— Sides dull black, margined with raw umber, median line
ill defined, bluish gray.
Macgillivrai.— Sides deep black, margined with mummy brown, median
line ill defined, bluish gray.
Fishert.— Sides deep black, margined with mummy brown, median line
ill defined, bluish gray.”
Nahe.
Maritimus.— Pale greenish olive.
Pentnsule. — Greenish olive.
Macgillivrait.— Tawny olive.
Fishert.— Mummy brown.
1No. 43472, 9, Tarpon Springs, Nov. 2, 1891. Coll. Wm. Brewster, is
clearly referable to fisher?.
?Ridgway’s ‘ Nomenclature of Colors’ is used throughout this paper.
2 WARREN, Zhe Canada Jay. re
Back.
Maritimus. — Olive, margined by bluish gray.
Peninsule.— Dull black, margined by greenish olive.
Macgillivraii.— Deep black, bordered by greenish olive and margined
with bluish gray.
Fisheri.— Deep black, bordered by mummy brown and margined by
bluish gray.
Breast.
Maritimus.— Streaked with bluish gray, margined with buff.
Peninsule.— Streaked with dusky, margined with buff or bluish gray.’
Macgillivrat.— Streaked with dusky, margined with buff.
Fisheri. —Streaked with black, widely margined with pale ochraceous.
Flanks.
Maritimus.—Obscurely streaked with bluish gray and faintly washed
with butt.
Peninsule.— Streaked with dusky, margined with grayish or olive buff.
Macgillivrati.—Streaked with dusky, margined with buff.
Fisherii.— Streaked with black, widely margined with pale ochraceous.
A verage measu rements.
Wing. Tail. Bill from nostril.
Maritimus : - : PS 2.25 46.5 in.
Pentnsule - ; : 2.32 2.09 AD Wr
Macgillivrad . ; é 2.36 2.18 NOs 3
Fisheri . 4 : : 2.29 Pt) AGO
Gah Seba
A CHAPTER IN THE LIFE OFFRHRE CANADA JAY.
BY OSCAR BIRD WARREN,
On THE 22d of February of this year (1898), while returning
from a walk to a lumber camp near Mahoning, Mich., I dis-
covered a pair of Canada Jays (ferisoreus canadensis) building a
nest.
1 Eight of sixteen specimens have the breast more or less washed with buff..
Vol. XVI
1869 WARREN, Zhe Canada Jay. 13
Though on the lookout for the nest of the ‘ Meat Hawk’ ever
since its acquaintance was first formed, never before had it by
any sign or action revealed its nesting place to me. Many a
long walk through almost impenetrable spruce swamps, flounder-
ing in several feet of soft snow too light for snowshoeing, had
been unrewarded. ‘These birds had often been abundant around
the lumber camps and in company with the Blue Jay, were com-
mon about the houses during the fall and winter months; but
their breeding habits remained a secret. Therefore this dis-
covery coming so unexpectedly after many fruitless searches was
all the more joyfully received.
I was walking down the Wright-Davis railroad through a spruce
swamp at the time, and had come to a place known as the ‘ Sink,’
where a few years ago a large stretch of roadbed had suddenly
-disappeared in the seemingly bottomless ‘Muskey’ swamp, and
where the track is now laid on a mass of pine and tamarac logs,
the only means of support; when my attention was attracted by
a flock of noisy Chickadees chasing through the trees. Looking
up, what should I see but a pair of Canada Jays pulling beard
moss and spider nests from some dead trees and making short
trips to a neighboring live spruce about 150 feet from the rail-
road track, where they were evidently building a nest.
Taking a short circuit I reached a position where I could
watch their movements better without attracting attention.
‘They brought small sticks, beard moss, spider nests and strips of
bark from the trees and sphagnum moss from about the base of
the trees where not covered with snow, and deposited all of this
in a bunch of branches at the end of a limb,—a peculiar reversed
umbrella-shaped formation commonly seen in the small spruce
trees, probably caused by some diseased condition of growth.
The female arranged the material, pressing it into the proper
-shape and weaving it about the small twigs to form a safe sup-
port. Though the birds obtained the material so near, where it
was abundant, yet they carefully picked up any which accidentally
fell from the nest, and there were no signs of sticks or any frag-
ments of nesting material at any time during the construction of
-the nest.
My first observation was short, owing to the cold weather. A
Auk
Jan.
14 WARREN, Zhe Canada /ay.
sharp wind was blowing, accompanied by a light fall of snow,
and the temperature was hovering near the zero mark. Return-
ing in a few days, I found the birds still adding to their nest and
working in a manner which meant business. From this time on
my visits were as frequent as opportunity permitted.
After the bulk of the nest was built the work went on more
leisurely, very little being accomplished on stormy days. ‘The
birds were away feeding at the lumber camps in the morning
until about 10 o’clock and went back soon after 4 p.m. They
also gathered grubs from the floating logs at the ‘Sink,’ and I
have often seen them chasing a Woodpecker away from the trees.
just when he had uncovered the worm he had worked so hard to
dig out. '
The notes of the Canada Jay are varied and pleasing, and they
are as hard to identify as those of his cousin, the Blue Jay. On
pleasant days the male trilled from a spruce top a song of sweetly
modulated notes wholly new to my ears. He always sang in
sotto voce, and it required an acquaintance with the songster to
realize that he, though so near, was the origin of those notes
which seemed to come from somewhere up in the towering pines
which surrounded this strip of swamp, so lost was the melody in
the whispering, murmuring voices of the pines.
By the 3d of March the nest was well formed and smoothly
lined with fine grass and thin strips of bark. On the 12th it was
completed, being’ beautifully and warmly lined with feathers
picked up in the forest and representing several species of birds.
Those of the Ruffed and Canada Grouse were in greatest evi-
dence, a feather of the latter being stuck in the edge of the nest
where it showed quite conspicuously. These birds had spent
nearly a month building their nest, and as a result the finished
abode was perfectly constructed. It was large and substantial
and yet not bulky, being a model of neatness and symmetry.
The bulk of the nest was composed of strips of bark, small sticks,
an abundance of dry sphagnum moss, some beard moss and grass,
the whole being fastened securely together by small bunches of
spider nests and cocoons. The first lining was made of thin
strips of bark and fine grass, and this received a heavy coating
of feathers, making a nest so warm that a temperature far below
sige eg WARREN, The Canada Jay. 15
the zero mark would have no effect on the eggs it was to receive,
as long as the mother brooded over them. The small twigs grow-
ing from the cluster of branches in which the nest was built gave
it a rough appearance from below, but they served the purpose of
secure supports and as a screen for concealment. As there were
dozens of similar masses of limbs in the trees all about, a good
observer might pass underneath this tree a score of times, and
never see the nest, though but a few feet above his head.
The four eggs were laid between the 14th and 18th inclusive,
and incubation fairly started on the 19th. The measurements,
carefully taken, were as follows: .83 1.18, 82 X1.16, .84X 1.16,
and .83x1.17. They were placed with the small ends all point-
ing in and made a pretty sight on a background of feathers of
various colors. The eggs were very uniform in color, having a
ground of greenish gray when fresh, the whole finely dotted and
spotted with slate and brown with obscure blotches of light lav-
ender. The bulk of the markings were grouped about the large
end, forming a distinct circle of larger markings than on the
balance of the egg, the lavender being more obscure and tending
to run together.
From the time the nest was first discovered plans were being
formulated to obtain the most good from my rare fortune. When
I climbed the slender swaying tree and looked at the completed
set of beautiful eggs in the deep feather lined pouch whose edges
nearly met striving to protect the treasures from the frigid
weather and yet colder human avarice, I will confess the evil
spirit possessed me for a moment and I longed to secure these
gems for my hoard, yet better judgment soon dispelled these evil
thoughts. Pity for the poor birds who had begun to trust me, and
a desire to allow Nature to further reveal her hidden secrets to
me, overcame the narrow cravings of the egg hunter and opened
the way to experiences never to be told in any language I can
hope to command. Were it not that my camera caught these
pictures, the scenes would have remained undescribed.
The circumference of the tree in which the nest was placed,
112 ft. from the base, a point just opposite the nest, was nine
inches, and but four inches five feet above this point. Less than
three feet from this tree was a dead spruce, slightly smaller, on
16 * WaRREN, Zhe Canada Jay. Sy
which I nailed a few cleats to assist in climbing and as resting
places while watching the birds feed their young. I fastened
these trees together with heavy twine to give them mutual sup-
port. Seven feet from the nesting tree was a larger spruce which
I fitted up as an observatory and camera stand and from which
all my successful exposures were made.
The first picture (Fig. 1) was taken on the morning of March
25, after incubation had advanced at least six days, and the
mother bird had begun to sit quite closely. The front of the
camera was a little over five feet from the nest and I stood just be-
hind the camera barely seven feet from the bird. It required the
greatest amount of patience to secure this picture as the day, though
fairly clear, was windy and cloudy at times. The bird seemed
to leave the nest just when the light was most favorable, return-
ing to warm the eggs, then away again for a moment, until I
almost despaired of obtaining a good picture; but finally a short
timed exposure was made under favorable conditions. Having
a picture of the nest I next attempted to photograph the nest and
eggs mm situ, but I was unable to, as I had no means of fastening
my camera in so slender a tree in a position to secure a properly
focused picture, without rigging up an elaborate stand, which
would have attracted the attention of passersby and resulted in
the destruction of the nest. In my efforts to secure this picture
I had nearly demolished the beautiful canopy which protected
the nest from above and which it was necessary to remove in
order to get a clear view of the nest and contents. I had also
caused the poor birds much discomfort. The female was always
on the nest when I came but left as soon as I had climbed the
tree, uttering a loud clear alarm note, which soon brought the
male soaring from over the trees to her side. Never did either
give voice to a harsh, scolding note, but showed their excitement
by hopping restlessly about in the tree just out of reach, raising
and lowering the feathers of the head, twitching their tails and
uttering in low tones several notes, among which were some
which could be expressed by the syllables koke, koke-ke-keer, keer,
keer. Koke-ke-keer (uttered quickly) is a favorite cry of this bird,
and when given loudly can be heard very plainly for over a quar-
ter of a mile.
————————
hs
o, i aesth
YOUNG
NEST.
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Jay
CANADA |]
DA JAY
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Fic. 1. CANADA JAY AND NEST
Fic. 2. CANADA JAys FEEDING » YOUNG.
Vol. XVI
<9 WARREN, Zhe Canada Jay. |
The mother bird often tried to enter the nest, but was unable
to, as I kept the eggs warmly covered while trying to get my
‘camera into position. The expression of anxiety in her dark
eyes will never be forgotten, nor could I longer endure the sight
of discomfort I was giving these helpless creatures. Repairing
what damage I had done as well as I was able, I gave up this
part of my plans and waited with great eagerness for the appear-
ance of the young birds. The last egg was hatched at 5 p..
April 4, and fortunately being on hand to assist in freeing the
bird from the shell, I pocketed the two pieces and afterwards
rudely fastened them together. Before descending, I noticed
that there were but three young birds in the nest, the other hav-
ing fallen from the nest, perhaps when the mother bird had
hurriedly flown away. I found the naked youngster in the ice
and snow at the foot of the tree; tenderly picking it up, it was
replaced with its fellows and was alive and seemingly well on my
visit two days later. The period of incubation had been between
sevénteen and eighteen days.
After the young were a few days old the camera was again
brought into play and two negatives taken. These were made
from a point further up in the tree and looking down into the nest,
which gave it a flattened appearance. In the first picture the
hardy young birds were dozing in the sunshine, while the mother
bird watched my movements, half suspiciously, and finally left the
nest after the exposure was made, returning from the opposite
side, where she was joined by the male who had come with food
for the nestlings. [I made a snap shot (Fig. 2) when the sun was
slightly obscured by a cloud, as I wished to get the two birds
feeding the young together, and chances were few. On the 1sth
four more exposures were made, but at this time I had fastened
the camera on a projecting support at a point a little higher than
the nest and so close that the front was scarcely four feet from
the birds. The results were much better on account of the in-
‘crease in size. ‘The weather at this time in the spring was so
unfavorable that no more pictures could be taken; otherwise a
few very interesting scenes could have been added.
The food given to the young was always in a soft, partially
digested state, and was placed deep in the mouths of the young
2
Auk
Jan.
ibe} WARREN, Zhe Canada Jay.
by the old birds. I often watched them feeding the young when
my eyes were not three feet from the birds, thus giving a chance
for the closest possible observation (Fig. 3). I have held my
hand on the side of the nest while the mother unconcernedly fed
her babies, but I was never able to take as great liberties with
the male.
During the first few days after the nestlings were born, the
male brought most of the food, the female remaining at the nest
and, when the male returned, assisting in giving the food to the
young by putting her bill into their mouths and forcing down any
troublesome morsels. As the birds grew older the female took a
more active part in carrying the food. I have timed them during
the feeding hours and found that they came and went about
every fifteen minutes with great regularity until the young were
satisfied. When the male had discharged his burden he left
immediately without waiting for the return of the female, but the
mother always staid until the male had returned or was in sight.
The male was never seen on the nest during the period of incu-
bation, nor afterwards, and as his color is much darker than the
female’s there was never any trouble in distinguishing between
them, even at a distance.
The female cleaned the nest often and very carefully, keeping
it perfectly free from any filth. It seems this was done both for
cleanliness and for the purpose of keeping the nest dry and
warm. A picture was taken of this nest cleaning operation but
was unfortunately light struck (Fig. 4). It shows the four young
to good advantage as they were all-pushed up to the edge of the
nest to allow the mother plenty of room for her work. ‘The male
always picked up any droppings which were cast over the nest
and had clung to the branches, carrying all away almost every
time he left the nest. By this constant care no trace of the pres-
ence of the nest was allowed at any time. It should also be
added here that the young never made any noise excepting a
weak chirp while with open mouths they waited their turn to
be fed. :
When the nestlings had their hunger appeased they took a
nap, either seeking a covering under their mother’s wing or
basking in the sunshine. The mother finally became so accus-
ee WARREN, Zhe Canada Jay. 1g
tomed to my company that she also dozed perfectly at ease.
The reason for this trustfulness was perhaps the natural quiet
temperament of the bird, added to which was my good deportment,
I being always careful to avoid frightening her by any sudden
noise or movement, and I had never handled the eggs except
when the measurements were taken, nor had ever touched the
young birds except to save the life of the newly born infant as
before referred to.
It had been my intention to secure a pair of the young when
they were about large enough to leave the nest, and rear them
in captivity. There was quite a heavy fall of snow on the 18th
and rgth, and thinking the young would not leave the nest until
the weather was pleasanter, I neglected visiting the nest until the
afternoon of the 2oth, and then found the side of the nest roughly
torn out, by what agency I know not. ‘The old birds were flying
about and I soon found a youngster lying on the ground in the
frozen mass. Picking it up I discovered that, though perfectly
feathered, it was a cripple, having a twisted neck. It then oc-
curred to me that this bird must have been the one which fell
from the nest on April 4th and though in perfect condition,
according to appearances, while in the nest, it was now in a help-
less state. Not being able to raise this deformed bird it was
killed and sent to Dr. T. S. Roberts of Minneapolis who made an
examination of it and described its injury as follows: ‘‘ The deform-
ity of which you speak seemed to consist in the stiffening or
partial ankylosis of the middle third of the neck. The injury
sustained must have caused an inflammation between the bones of
that part of the neck, this resulting in their being more or less
firmly united by adhesion. Other than this no injury was de-
fected.”
Thus ended a most interesting and instructive acquaintance
with this family of Jays. Though my plans had not been wholly
accomplished yet I felt very thankful to Nature for her kindness
in showing me one of her closest kept secrets and await an op-
portunity to renew my acquaintance with Perisoreus canadensis.
Auk
20 GiLL, Pedtocetes and Poocetes. Tate
THE GENERIC NAMES PEDIJOCZTES AND
POOCAETES.
BY THEODORE GILL.
THE two generic names,. Pediocetes and Poocetes, have been
much animadverted upon, but have nevertheless been adopted in
the A. O. U. Check-List of North American Birds. ‘These names
were adopted because it was supposed that they were the first
ones published for the genera involved. That such was not the
case will be made evident. Not only were they not first pub-
lished, but before publication Baird himself substituted for them
names of entirely different etymology and only resembling them
in superficial appearance. The substitute names were of later
formation — “happy afterthoughts ’’ — though published first in
the same volume. The substitute names were also adopted gen-
erally, and not until long afterwards were the abandoned names
taken up again and generally adopted.
In 1858 Baird published his great work on the ‘ Birds of North
America,’ under cover of the ‘ Reports of Explorations and Sur-
veys’ for a Pacific railroad, ‘volume IX.’ In the descriptive
portion he introduced, as new genera /oocetes (p. 447) and Pedi-
ocetes (p. 625), but in the table of the higher groups, preceding
the descriptive portion, he used the names /ooecetes and Pedive-
cetes, referring to the pages on which the genera were on following
pages described.
It is known that Baird submitted partial proofs of his work to a
correspondent and had been informed that -cae/es was not a legiti-
mate component, and that -oecefes should replace it. The assump-
tion that Baird thus submitted to has been maintained ever since.
For example, Mr. Elliot, in the October (1898) number of ‘ The
Auk,’ has remarked (p. 295) that “neither could zedov and
okxérns be correctly compounded into Pediocetes, two blunders in
one word.”
eave GiL1, Pediocetes and Poocetes. 21
True, if the assumption were true! but wedvov and xoirns could
be compounded into Pedzocwfes and the resultant would be a word
abundantly sanctioned by classical usage. Put in italics, the dif-
ference between /ediocetes and Pediocetes is small indeed, and as
Baird may never have seen the pattern name otherwise than in
italics, it is no wonder that at first sight he might have mistaken
the w for @ and carried over his impressions into other fields.
Ti:
Baird unquestionably modelled the names Pedzocaetes and
Poocaetes after Ammocaetes. He suffered from obliquity of vision
or mind respecting the last name and rendered it Ammocetes in-
stead of Ammocetes: the name was so spelled in the ‘ Icono-
graphic Cyclopedia’ (II, 207, 208, 1851). He later (1854) based
a generic name for a true frog (/e/ocaetes) on the same model.
Finally (1858) he coined the bird names WVephocaetes, Poocaetes and
Pediocaetes after the same patterns. Baird was not acquainted
with Greek, and when he was informed that the bird names
should have been written Wephoecetes, Pooecetes, and Pedivecetes, he
not unnaturally assumed that his critic was correct and altered
the names correspondingly in the table of contents. But his
critic was not correct, and was probably ignorant of the model
Baird had used. That model was justified by a number of
ancient Greek names. Two of the best known names of ichthy-
ology were classical Greek names used for genera which are the
types of distinct families — Avocoetus and Hemerocoetes: Exo-
coetus, misapplied by Linnzus to the flying fishes, appears in the
works of Theophrastus, Aelianus and Oppianus, and was a com-
ponent of é& and xoity —a fish sleeping out of the water;
Hemerocetes, misapplied by Cuvier and Valenciennes, to a New
Zealand genus of fishes, occurs as the name of an undetermined
fish in Oppian, and was a compound of ypuypa, day and xoirn-
Another well-known zoological name is that of a genus of Cystig-
nathoid batrachians — Aordborocoetes : this was literally reproduced
from a designation in the ‘ Batrachomyomachia’ translated in Lid-
dell and Scott’s Greek-English Lexicon as *“ mudcoucher.” Still
further, by a notable coincidence the name /ediocetes is closely
Auk
22 Git, Pediocetes and Poocetes. Tae
approximated by a medieval Greek name used by Maximus
Planudes in his ‘ Anthology’— Pedocoetes —the only difference
being that the first component of Pedocoetes was wédov, the ground,
while that of Pediocoetes was wediov, a plain.
These examples amply justified Baird in the coining of the
names in question, and the only mistake he made was in the
substitution of a for a.
LEE
It will be thus seen that Pedvocaetes and Poocaetes, by a very
slight alteration, might have been corrected into Pedzocoetes and
Poocoetes. As it is, through misunderstanding, names of entirely
different etymology were suggested in place of them, and those
very different names must be accepted. They must be accepted.
for the following reasons : —
1. The substitute names vvecetes and -Pedioecetes were delib-
erate corrections of Poocaetes and Pediocaetes.
2. They were published not only simultaneously with the
incorrect names, but “stand first in the book.”
3. They were adopted in the quarto edition of the “ Catalogue
of North American Birds” (Oct. 1858) and the octavo edition
(1859).
4. They were in part at least accepted before the incorrectly
formed names, Povecetes having been adopted by Sclater in 1859
(P. Z.S., 379) and Pediwcetes' by Hayden in 1861 (Trans. Am.
Phil! ‘Soc., Ne S. Xia 72)):
5. They were generally adopted at first and only replaced later
by the incorrect names.
IV.
The data respecting the species in question given in the A. O. U.
code and Check-List of N. A. Birds should be replaced by the
following : —
1 Suckley also in 1861, retained the text name Pedzocaetes.
a OBERHOLSER, A New Hylocichla. 22
Pedioecetes Baird.
Pedioecetes BAIRD, B. N. A. 1858, xxi. (= fediocaetes, p. 625).
308. Pedioecetes phasianellus (LINN.).
Pedioecetes phasianellus (part.) Barrp, B. N. A. 1858, xliv.
308a. Pedioecetes phasianellus columbianus (Orp).
Pediewcetes phastanellus var. columbianus COuUES, Key, 1872,
234.
3084, Pedioecetes phasianellus campestris Ripcw.
Pediecetes phasianellus campestris Ripcw. Proc. Biol. Soe.
Wash. II, 1884, 93.
Pooecetes Aaird.
Pooaeies BAIRD, BON. A. 1853, xx. (== Feotaerss, p) Aan).
540. Pooecetes gramineus (GMEL.).
Pooecetes gramineus BatrD, B. N. Am. 1858, xxxix.
54oa. Pooecetes gramineus confinis (Barrp).
[ Poocaetes gramineus| variety confinis Batrp, B. N. Am.
1858, 448.
[ Povecetes gramineus| var. confinis COUES, Key, 1872, 136.
540d. Pooecetes gramineus affinis (MILLER).
Poocetes gramineus affinis MILLER, Auk, V, 1888, 404.
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW HYLOCICHLA.
BY HARRY C. OBERHOLSER.
True Hylocichla ustulata appears to be divisible into two fairly
well defined geographical races, one of which is without a name.
The type of Ay/ocichla ustulata came from the Columbia River,
and examination shows it to belong to the form characteristic of
the Northwest Coast region. The bird inhabiting interior and
southern California may therefore be called
Hylocichla ustulata cedica, subsp. nov.
Cuars. sussp.— Hylocichla H. u. ustulatae similis, sed hypochondrtis
et partibus supertoribus pallidioribus ac minus rufescentibus.
Auk.
Jan.
24 OBERHOLSER, A New Hylocichla.
Geographic Distribution.— California, excepting the northern coast;
north in the interior to southern Oregon; south, in winter, to Arizona
and southern Mexico.
Description.— Type, male, adult, No. 79462, U. S. Nat. Mus.; Santa
Barbara, California, June 25, 1875; H. W. Henshaw. Upper surface
olive, the wing-quills and tail-feathers more brownish, the latter having
their outer webs somewhat more grayish than the inner ones; lesser
coverts and outer webs of all the other wing-feathers nearly like the
back; bases of inner webs of secondaries and innermost primaries buff.
Lores and eye-ring buff, the former mixed with brownish; sides of neck
and head buffy, much mixed with the color of the head; sub-malar streak
olive; throat and upper breast pale buff, the chin and center of throat
almost immaculate; sides of throat streaked with olive; jugulum with
triangular spots of the same color; remainder of under surface dull
white, sparingly spotted anteriorly, the sides and flanks heavily washed
with brownish gray; axillars dull brown, edged with buff. Wing, 98
mm.; tail, 78 mm.; exposed culmen, 13 mm.; tarsus, 30 mm.
Young in first plumage, male, No. 153944, U. S. Nat. Mus.; Santa Cruz,
California, July 27, 1891; R. C. McGregor. Upper parts brownish olive,
the superior tail-coverts tipped with rufous; wings fuscous, the inner-
most secondaries, together with outer webs of all other of the wing-
feathers practically like the back; tail similar, the inner webs somewhat
darker; head, neck, back, scapulars, lesser and median wing-coverts with
tear-shaped spots of deep buff; sides of head and neck deep buff, mixed
with the color of upper parts; sub-malar streak dull brown; chin buffy
white, unspotted; jugulum and upper breast deep buff, heavily marked.
with brownish olive; remaining lower parts dull white, marked trans-
versely on anterior portion with buff and pale brownish olive; sides and
flanks washed with brownish olive; crissum dull buffy white; lining of
wing buffy, mixed with brownish.
This new race most closely resembles Mylocichla ustulata
swainsonii, from the eastern part of North America; so closely,
in fact, that it has not infrequently been identified as such; but
all records of ‘szwaénsonii’ from California belong undoubtedly
under the present form. It differs from szaénsonii in more rufes-
cent coloration on the flanks, sides and upper surface, this being
often most noticeable on the tail and superior tail-coverts. The.
same characters, though much more pronounced, distinguish it
from fylocichla u. alme. It is usually paler than wstulata, and
has very much less of rufous tinge to the upper surface, includ-
ing both wings and tail; the sides and flanks are more grayish;
the buff of jugulum somewhat paler. Although most of these.
ey NELSON, New Birds from Mexico. 25
characters are not entirely constant, typical specimens may be
without difficulty discriminated. There seems to be no material
difference in size between any of the forms of Aylocichla ustulata.
Breeding specimens from Fort Klamath, Oregon, are not typi-
cal edica, but are nearer this form than to wstwv/ata. Birds from
the northern part of the Californian coast, at least as far south as
Nicasio, are intermediate and rather difficult satisfactorily to
place, but they seem to be, on the whole, nearer wstw/ata than
to edica.
Specimens of ylocichla u. edica from the following localities
have been examined, breeding records being designated by an
asterisk :
Calitornia.— Santa Barbara*; SantaCruz*; Panamint Mts.; San Fran-
cisco; Sacramento; Milpitas; Marysville*; Tuolumne County*; San
Jose; Tehama; Laguna Station, San Diego County; Mountain:Spring,
San Diego County; Summit of Coast Range, Mex. Bound. Line, San
Diego County; Jacumba, Mex. Bound. Line.
Oregon.— Fort Klamath *.
Lower California.— Gardiners Laguna, Salton River, Mex. Bound.
Line.
Arizona.— Fort Huachuca.
Mexico.— Chicharras, Chiapas.
The writer is indebted to Mr. Ridgway and to Dr. C. Hart
Merriam for the use of material in the collections of the National
Museum and Biological Survey, respectively.
DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW BIRDS FROM MEXICO.
BY E. W. NELSON.
The birds described below are from the collection of the Bio-
logical Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
I am indebted to Mr. Robert Ridgway, Curator, and Dr. C. W.
Richmond, Assistant Curator, of Birds, U. S. National Museum,
for various courtesies while preparing the present paper.
All measurements are in millimeters.
26 NELSON, Mew Birds from Mexico. “Auk
Jan.
Colinus virginianus maculatus, subsp. nov.
SPOTTED-BELLIED BoB-WHITE.
Type, No. 158471, g ad., U.S. National Mus., Biol. Survey Coll. Alta
Mira, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Collected May 16, 1898, by E. W. Nelson and
E. A. Goldman.
Distribution.— From Tancanhuitz, San Luis Potosi, north to Victoria
and Jaumave Valley, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Subspectfic characters. —- Similar to C. v. texanus from which it differs
in darker and grayer colors ot dorsal surface and chestnut and spotted
lower surface.
Color of Male.— Chin, throat and broad stripe from lores back over
eye to nape white. Crown and nape black, with gray and brown edges
to feathers on back of crown and nape. A well defined band of black
extends from bill back below eyes and across neck, bordering white
throat area. Feathers on back and sides of neck black, edged near tips
with white and dull rutous. Feathers of shoulders dull rufous heavily
marked with irregular black and gray cross bars andedgings. Rest of
back and tertials blackish with gray and brown mottling and indistinct
barring. Wing-coverts dull rufous with black bars and gray edges.
Lower neck and fore part of breast usually plain dull rufous, rest of
lower parts, including lower tail-coverts, of the same color heavily marked
on borders of teathers, with black and white spots on sides of feathers
near tips.
Dimensions of tyfe.— Wing, 106; tail, 60; culmen, 13; tarsus, 31.
Remarks. — Compared with C. fexanus the female is decidedly
darker and grayer above with a better defined pectoral band
of black, dull rufous and white markings just below buffy
throat patch. The series at hand shows conclusively that C. vz.
texanus grades through the present bird directly into O. graysonz,
thus reducing the latter to a subspecies of O. virginianzs.
Callipepla gambeli fulvipectus, subsp. nov.
BUFF-BREASTED PARTRIDGE.
Type, No. 164093, d ad., U. S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Survey Coll. Camoa,
Rio Mayo, Sonora, Mexico. Collected Nov. 7, 1898, by E. A. Goldman.
Distribution. — Southwestern Sonora, Mexico.
Subspecific characters. — Ditters mainly from typical C. gambdel? in its
generally darker or more intense colors and larger bill.
Color. — Crown patch rich burnt umber; neck olive washed; breast
Vol. XVI
1899 NELSON, Wew Birds from Mexico. ; ay
patch dark buffy; abdomen dark buffy and feathers on posterior part of
flanks and under tail-coverts, bordered with same.
Dimensions of type. — Wing, 110; tail, 96; culmen, 11; tarsus, 30.
Remarks. — Dr. A. K. Fisher has traced Gambel’s route and
finds that the type of Cal/ipepla gambeli, which is recorded as
having been taken November 18, ‘“‘some distance West [error for
East] of California,” must have been secured in southern Nevada
or immediately adjacent part of eastern California. My compari-
sons, establishing the form described above, have been with
specimens from the region of the type locality. Birds from
southern Arizona also are typical gambe/i.
Aphelocoma sieberi colime, subsp. nov.
CoLIMA JAY.
Type, No. 156052, Q ad., U. S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Survey Coll. From
Jacala, Jalisco, Mexico. Collected March 6, 1897 by E. W. Nelson and
E. A. Goldman.
Distribution. — Pine and oak forests from the Sierra Nevada de Colima
north to the Santiago River in Jalisco, western Mexico.
Subspecific characters.— Similar to A. steber? but smaller, with a lighter
shade of blue on dorsal surface, grayer back and paler lower surface on
which there is a dingy brownish wash as in A. couch.
Color.— Top and sides of head and neck, with upper surface of wings,
rump and tail, azure blue; chin and throat dingy grayish white with fine
black shaft streaks and shading into dingy gray on breast and thence to
dingy whitish on abdomen; under tail-coverts dingy whitish with faint
gloss of blue.
Dimensions of type. — Wing, 173; tail, 156; culmen, 25; tarsus, 43.
Aphelocoma sieberi potosina, subsp. nov.
San Luis Poros! Jay.
Type, No. 144642, & ad., U.S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Survey Coll. Mountains
near Jesus Maria, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Collected by E. W. Nelson,
Sept. 3, 1892.
Distribution.—Scrubby pine and oak forest on arid mountains of the
tableland in northern Queretaro, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi, eastern
Zacatecas, Coahuila and southern border of Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
Subspecific characters. — Similar to A. sezberé but smaller, with larger
28 NELSon, New Birds from Mexico. oe
bill, paler or lighter shade of blue on dorsal surface and grayer on throat
and breast.
Color.— Top and sides of head, neck and rump azure blue; upper
surface of wings and tail a duller shade of same, back azure blue washed
with ashy. Lower surface from chin to crissum dull ashy thinly washed
with blue and shading into white of entire crissum.
Dimensions of type. — Wing, 170; tail, 148; culmen, 29; tarsus, 46.
Remarks.—In western-central Zacatecas this form is found
intergrading with A. gracilis Miller, and the latter therefore
becomes a race of A. seber7. Compared with A. couchi the
form described above is larger, more bluish on middle of back,
and the lower surface is grayer.
Pachyrhamphus major uropygialis, subsp. nov.
SINALOA PACHYRHAMPHUS.!
Type, No. 157150, @ ad., U. S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Survey Coll. Plomosas,
Sinaloa, Mexico. Collected July 14,1897 by E. W. Nelson and E. A.
Goldman.
Distribution—Western slope of Sierra Madre in Sinaloa and Tepic,
Mexico.
Subspectfic characters. — Similar to Pachyramphus major from which
it may be distinguished by the distinctly paler rump (lateral upper tail-
coverts are nearly white); the paler lower surface of body and larger size.
Dimensions of type.— Wing, 86; tail, 65; culmen, 15; tarsus, 22.
Average of 3 ad. gs of P. major (topotypes from Jalapa, Vera Cruz,.
Mexico): Wing, 81; tail, 62.7; culmen, 15; tarsus, 21.
Melospiza adusta, sp. nov.
MIcHOACAN SONG SPARROW.
Type, No. 144046, g ad., U. S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Survey Coll. Patzcuaro,
Michoacan, Mexico. Collected July 27, 1892 by E. W. Nelson and E. A.
Goldman.
Distribution. — Known only from vicinity of Patzcuaro, Michoacan,
Mexico.
Subspecific characters. — Similar to but a little smaller than Melospiza
1T am indebted to Dr. J. A. Allen, Curator of Mammals and Birds in the
Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York, for the loan of five topotypes of P. major.
collected by Mr. F. M. Chapman at Jalapa, Vera Cruz, Mex.
——
Vol“ XVI
1899
NELSON, New Birds from Mexico. 29
mexicana trom which it differs also in being decidedly lighter and
more rusty rufous on borders of feathers on entire dorsal surface,
including wings. On sides of head the dark markings are suffused with
rusty brown and the white markings have a slight wash of pale bufty.
Dimensions of tyfe.— Wing, 67; tail, 64; culmen, 11; tarsus, 2
S> <4:
Remarks.— The young in first plumage are readily distin-
guished from those of mexicana by being more rufous above,
more buffy below and by the restriction of black shaft markings
below, mainly to breast and sides of neck, leaving the rest of under
surface almost unmarked buffy whitish. This form is based on
two adults and one young of the year.
Melospiza goldmani, sp. nov.
GOLDMAN’sS SONG SPARROW.
Type, No. 159182, 9 ad., U.S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Survey Coll. El Salto,
Durango, Mexico. Collected July 17, 1898 by E. W. Nelson and E. A.
Goldman.
Distribution. — Sierra Madre Mts., western Durango, Mexico.
Specific characters. — This species is considerably larger and grayer
than either AZ. mexzcana or M. adusta.
Color.— Feathers on top of head and nape dull vandyke brown with
narrow shaft lines of black, and dull grayish edges on crown; feathers
on shoulders and fore part of back brighter vandyke brown with narrow
black shaft streaks and grayish edges ; rump and upper tail-coverts dingy
vandyke brown, slightly more rufous on coverts. Wing-coverts like mid-
dle of back without gray edges to teathers ; rufous On secondary coverts
brighter than on back; quills clove brown edged with dull vandyke
brown; tail clove brown washed externally with dull rufous brown.
Superciliary stripe ashy white; postocular and malar stripes, and streaks
on ashy whitish cheeks and ear coverts, dark rufous brown. Throat and
middle of abdomen whitish; sides of breast and sides of neck with small
shaft spots of blackish, washed with dark rufous brown. Feathers on
flanks dingy rufous brown edged with dull grayish brown.
Dimensions of type.— Wing, 75; tail, 77; culmen, 12; tarsus, 23.
Remarks. — The young are paler or grayer on dorsal surface
than JZ. mexicana and much lighter and less heavily streaked
below. This form is based on 2 adults and one young compared
with a series of over 20 specimens of JZ. mexicana.
30 NELSON, New Birds from Mexico. ree
Spizella socialis mexicana, subsp. nov.
MEXICAN CHIPPING SPARROW.
Type, No. 143975, & ad., U.S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Survey Coll. From San
Cristobal, Chiapas, Mexico. Collected Sept. 24, 1895, by E. W. Nelson
and E. A. Goldman.
Distribution.— Highlands of southern Mexico from Sierra Madre of
Jalisco and Cofre de Perote, Vera Cruz, Mexico, south through Chiapas to
border of Guatemala.
Subspecific characters. — Differs from S. socéalzs in generally larger size
and darker and more rufous color on back.
Color of type (in winter plumage).— Crown dark, almost chestnut,
rufous overlaid with black shaft lines and dull buffy brown edge to
feathers near tips; back heavily streaked with black, chestnut brown and
dull buffy brown; rump plumbeous ashy indistinctly streaked with dit-
fused blackish shaft lines; ear coverts dingy brown; chin dingy whitish;
throat, neck and breast dark ashy; crissum white; flanks ashy thinly
washed with brown.
Dimensions of type. — Wing, 72; tail, 59 ; culmen, 10; tarsus, 17.
Remarks. — Mr. Ridgway has examined the type of Sfzze//a
pinetorum and refers to that form a specimen from Honduras.
which is decidedly darker colored and smaller than the form
described above. 5S. pinveforum appears to be a race of S. soctalis
ranging through the parts of Guatemala lying east of the central
highlands and thence into similar country in Honduras. From
SS. s. arizone the form described above may be distinguished by
its much darker colors, slightly smaller size and larger bill.
Vireo noveboracensis micrus, subsp. nov.
SMALL WHITE-EYED VIREO.
Type, No. 158930, ¢ ad., U. S. National Mus., Biol. Survey Coll. Vic-
toria, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Collected May 23, 1898 by E. W. Nelson
and E. A. Goldman.
Distribution. — Lowlands of Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Subspecific characters. —Similar to V. noveboracensis but smaller and_
duller colored with a paler wash of yellow on flanks.
Dimensions of type. — Wing, 58; tail, 50; culmen, 10; tarsus, 20.
Vol. XVI
1899 OBERHOLSER, The Blue Honey-Creepers. 21
Geothlypis flaviceps, sp. nov.
YELLOW-HEADED WARBLER.
Type, No. 158741, d ad., U. S. National Mus., Biological Survey Coll.
From Alta Mira, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Collected April 20, 1898 by
E. W. Nelson and E. A. Goldman.
Distribution.—Tulé marshes along coast lagoons near Tampico in
southern Tamaulipas and northern Vera Cruz, Mexico.
Description of tyfe.— Color: A broad black mask from bill to line
back of orbits on crown and thence down over cheeks and ear coverts.
to sides of neck; rest of top and sides of head and nape distinctly yellow,
slightly washed with olive green posteriorly. Back, including upper
surface of wings and tail olive green. Entire lower surface almost uni-
form gamboge yellow, only a little duller on flanks.
Dimensions of type. — Wing, 60; tail, 56; culmen, 15; tarsus, 21.
Remarks. — This species is closely related to Mr. Ridgway’s.
G. flavovelatus, also described from Alta Mira, but may be distin-
guished at once from that species by its larger bill, greater
extent of yellow on top of head and deeper yellow under surface.
The type of G. flavovelatus was taken in December and was
probably a migrant from farther north while my specimens were
taken in April and May and were undoubtedly resident birds.
Dimensions of G. flavovelatus: Wing, 53; tail, 54; culmen, 12;
tarsus, 21.
A SYNOPSIS OF THE BLUE HONEY-CREEPERS OF
TROPICAL AMERICA.
BY HARRY C. OBERHOLSER.
THis very homogeneous group of Ccerebida has by some
authors been called Cewreba, by some Caereba, by others Arbelo-
rhina, but unfortunately none of these names is properly appli-
cable to the genus. As Mr. Ridgway has already shown! the
‘Manual of N. Amer. Birds, 1887, 590.
Auk
Jan.
32 OBERHOLSER, The Blue Honey-Creepers.
name Cereba Vieillot’ can not be used for this group, since the
only recognized” species mentioned in the original diagnosis is
Certhia flaveola Linn., which must therefore necessarily be the
type; the term Cereba thus supplanting the more recent Certhiola
Sundevall. Caereba of Vigors® is merely an emendation, acci-
dental or otherwise, of Vieillot’s Coereba, and therefore identical
in application. Arbelorhina was proposed by Cabanis# simply to
replace Cereba,—“ Den regelwidrigen Namen Caereba haben wir
in Arbelorhina umgeindert.” That the same author subsequently
sought® to restrict Arbelorhina to the group at present under
consideration can, of course, not in the least alter the case, and
Arbelorhina must be considered a strict synonym of Cwereba.
As this disposition leaves the Blue Creepers without a generic
name *, it is proposed that they be called
Cyanerpes,’ gen. nov.
Careba AuCT., nec VIEILLOT, 1807.
Cereba Auct., nec Vicors, 1825.
Arbelorhina Auct., nec CABANIS, 1847.
Arbelorhina CABANIS, 1850.
Type, Certhia cyanea Linneus.
CHARS. GEN.— Genus generi ‘Chlorophanes’ dicto similis, sed rostro
multo graciliore et magis incurvato dignoscendum.
Geographic Distribution. — Neotropical Region, from Cuba and south-
ern Mexico to southern Brazil.
Cyanerpes cyaneus (Linneus).
Certhia cyanea LINN&XUS, Syst. Nat. ed. 12, 1766, I, 188.
? Certhia flavipes GMELIN, Syst. Nat., 1788, I, i, 472.
? Certhia cyanogastra LATHAM, Ind. Orn. 1799, I, 295.
1 Ois. Amer. Sept., 1807, II, 70.
* C. bananivora (Gmel.) is also noticed but is referred to flaveola.
3 Zool. Journ., Oct., 1825, 401.
‘ Archiv fiir Naturg., 1847, I, pt. 1,'325.
° Mus. Hein., 1850, I, 96.
® Guitus Rafinesque, Analyse, 1815, 68, is a nomen nudum.
* kY¥avos = cyaneus, + prs.
Vol. XVI
Beas OBERHOLSER, The Blue Honey-Creepers. ae
Coereba cyanea Vi1EILLOT, Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., 1817, XIV, 44.
Arbelorhina cyanea CABANIS, in Schomb. Reise in Brit. Guiana, 1848,
III, 675.
Geog. Dist.— South America, from southern Brazil and Bolivia to
‘Trinidad and central Colombia.
Cyanerpes cyaneus carneipes (Sciater).
Cereba carnetfes SCLATER, P. Z. S., 1859, 376.
Geog. Dist. — Central America, from southern Mexico to Panama.
This race differs from typical cyaneus in the color of the femades,
which are noticeably darker and more yellowish green below.
Cyanerpes cyaneus brevipes (Cadanis).
Arbelorhina brevipes CABANIS, Mus. Hein., 1850, I, 96.
Arbelorhina extmia CABANIS, Mus. Hein., 1850, I, 96.
Coereba brevipes REICHENBACH, Handb. Spec. Orn., 1851, 2
Coereba eximia REICHENBACH, Handb. Spec. Orn., 1851, 23
Arbelorhina cyanea eximia ROBINSON, Proc. U. S. Nat.
XVIII, 679.
Geog. Dist.— Caribbean coast of Colombia and Venezuela; islands of
Cuba and Tobago.
Sith
Whe
Mus., 1895,
This form, whenever recognized, has usually been called eximza ;
but the name érevifes undoubtedly applies to the same bird,
being from the same locality; and, as it stands first on the page,
should be adopted. Although Cabanis states his Arbelorhina
brevipes to be smaller than cyaneus, whereas his Arbelorhina
eximia is larger, this discrepancy can apparently be accounted for
by individual variation,— in fact, to the difference in length of
bill among specimens from the mainland of Venezuela, Dr. C. W.
Richmond has already called attention !.
From cyaneus proper the present race may be distinguished by
the darker, more yellowish color of the lower surface in the
females; and from both cyaneus and carneipes by the considerably
greater length of bill.
1 Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1895, XVIII, 680.
3
Auk
Jan.
34 OBERHOLSER, The Blue Honey-Creepers.
Cyanerpes ceruleus (Zineus).
Certhia cerulea LINN&US, Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 1758, I, 118. \
Certhia ochrochlora GMELIN, Syst. Nat., 1788, I, i, 472.
Certhia surinamensts LATHAM, Ind. Orn., 1790, I, 295.
Coereba cerulea VieEILLoT, Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., 1817, XIV, 45.
Arbelorhina caerulea CABANIS, in Schomb. Reise-in Brit. Guiana, 1848,
III, 675.
Arbelorhina brevirostris CABANIS, Mus. Hein., 1850, I, 96.
Cereba brevirostris SCLATER, Cat. Coll. Amer. Birds, 1861, 53.
Coereba coerulea microrhyncha BERLEPSCH, Journ. f. Orn., 1884, 287.
Arbelorhina cerulea microrhyncha BANGS, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash.,
1898, XII, 143.
Geog. Dist.—South America, from Bolivia to Colombia, Venezuela
and British Guiana.
Material now at hand does not seem to warrant the recognition
of a subspecies microrhyncha; but should this form eventuaily
prove distinct it ought probably to bear the name $érevtrostris
Cabanis.
Cyanerpes czruleus longirostris, (Cadvanis) .
Arbelorhina longtrostristris (err. typ.) CABANIS, Mus. Hein., 1850, I,
96.
Coereba longirostris Finscu, P. Z. S., 1870, 561.
Geog. Dist.— Trinidad and the coast of Venezuela from Caracas
eastward.
There seems to be little doubt that the birds from Trinidad
are identical with those from Caracas, whence came the type of
Arbelorhina longirostris Cabanis; but should this prove not to be
the case the Trinidad form will require to be named. The pres-
ent subspecific distinction is based on Trinidad specimens, which
differ from true cerudeus of Guiana chiefly in the conspicuously
greater length of bill.
Cyanerpes lucidus (Sclater & Salvin).
Cereba lucida SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 14.
Arbelorhina lucida HEINE & REICHENOW, Nom. Mus. Hein. Orn., 1882,
60.
Geog. Dist. — Central America, from Guatemala to Panama.
Se Ae RipGway, New Sfectes of American Birds. 35
Closely allied to ceru/eus, but apparently a distinct species.
Cyanerpes nitidus (Hardlaub).
Coereba nitida HARTLAUB, Rey. Zool., 1847, 84.
Arbelorhina nitida CABANIS, Mus. Hein., 1850, I, 96.
Geog. Dist.— Province of Amazonas, in Brazil; northeastern Peru,
eastern Ecuador, and southeastern Colombia to Bogota.
The writer is under obligations to the authorities of the National
Museum and of the American Museum of Natural History, for
the use of the specimens upon which this paper has been based.
NEW (SPECIES, ETC, OF AMERICAN BIRDS:
FRINGILLID (Continued)!.
BY ROBERT RIDGWAY.
Curator of the Division of Birds, U. S. National Museum.
(By permission of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. )
Melospiza fasciata cooperi. San DirGo Sonc Sparrow.
Similar to WZ. f. heermannz but slightly smaller and coloration much
lighter and grayer; prevailing color of back, etc., grayish olive, the back
breadly streaked with black, these streaks with little if any rusty edging.
Adult male: wing, 2.30-2.66 (2.48); tail, 2.19-2.68 (2.49); exposed cul-
men, 0.44-0.52 (0.48); depth of bill at base, 0.29-0.31 (0.29); tarsus, 0.80—
0.89 (0.86). 2
Type, No: A1895, U.S. Nat. Mus., adult, San Diego, California, April
18, 1862; Df. J. G. Cooper.
Range.— Southern coast district of California (north to Monterey
Bay, east to Ft. Tejon, San Bernardino, etc.) and northern Pacific coast
of Lower California (south to San Quentin Bay).
Melospiza fasciata pusillula. Sait MarsH SonG SpARROw.
Similar to M. f. samuelzs but still smaller, the wings and tail especially ;
coloration much less rusty (more olivaceous) above, with superciliary
stripe and under parts more or less tinged with yellowish, the latter
! Part II was published in ‘The Auk’ for October, 1898 (pp. 319-324).
26 RipGway, Mew Species of American Birds.
never (?) pure white. Adult male: wing, 2.24-2.37 (2.29); tail, 2.11-2.26
(2.16); exposed culmen, 0.46-0.48 (0.47); depth of bill at base, 0.24-0.26
(0.25); tarsus, 0.80-0 83 (0.82). ;
Type, No. 105324, U. S. Nat. Mus.,- g ad., Alameda Co., California,
April 18, 1885 ; W. O. Emerson.
Salt marshes of San Francisco Bay (Alameda, Santa Clara,
Range.
and San Mateo counties ).
Melospiza fasciata caurina, YAKUTAT SONG SPARROW.
Similar to Mf f. rufina but with decidedly longer bill and grayer
coloration; the superciliary stripe, middle portion of auricular region,
sides of neck, hindneck, and edges of interscapulars decidedly gray, in
more or less strong contrast with the brown markings; streaks on chest,
etc., dark seal brown, and ground color of flanks olive-grayish. Adult
male: Wing, 2.90-3.15 (3.03) ; tail, 2-81-2.86 (2.84); exposed culmen, 0.56 ;
depth of bill at base, 0.30; tarsus, 0.92-1.02 (0.97).
Type, No. 138367, U. S. Nat. Mus. (Biol. Surv. Coll.), 6 ad., Yakutat,
Alaska, July 6, 1895; C. P. Streator.
Reange.— Coast of middle Alaska, from Cook’s Inlet (Port Graham,
Ft. Alexander, etc.) to Cross Sound; in winter to southern Alaska (How-
can, Prince of Wales Island, one specimen).
Passerella iliaca fuliginosa. Soory Fox Sparrow.
Similar to P. ¢. townsend but darker and less rufescent, the upper parts,
sides of head and neck and lateral under parts sepia or sooty brown, the
upper tail-coverts and tail slightly more castaneous; spots on under
parts dark sooty brown, larger and more confluent than in other forms.
Type, No. 157611, U. S. Nat. Mus. (Biol. Surv. Coll.), &@ ad., Neah Bay,
Washington, June 10, 1897; E. A. Preble. }
Range. — Breeding in coast district of southwestern British Columbia,
including Vancouver Island, and northwestern Washington; south in
winter to coast of northern California (to San Francisco, etc.). (P. a
Zownsendt breeds in the Sitka district; P. ¢. wnxalaschensis breeds on
Kadiak Island and adjacent mainland of Alaska, but migrates much
farther south than the other two forms, being the only one occurring
commonly over the greater part of California.)
Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli. NurraLL’s Sparrow.
Zonotrichia gambeli and Z. leucophrys gambeli, Aucy. nec Fringilla
gambeltt NUTTALL.
When, in 1873, I separated the lighter colored form of this
species of the more northern and interior districts from the darker
coast form, under the name of Zonotrichia leucophrys var. inter-
.anedia, I erred in restricting the name gambelii to the coast form.
Pas Rmeway, New Species of American Birds. By)
A recent examination of extensive material, including specimens
from the type locality of -ringilla gambelii (Walla Walla, Wash-
ington), has convinced me that Nuttall’s bird was really the
interior form, although his description, mainly ambiguous, alone
would lead one, as it did me, to suppose that he had the darker of
the two forms in hand. His type was a fall bird, in the plumage
of the young in first winter, his reason for considering it a new
species being, apparently, that the corresponding plumage of Z.
leucophrys was unknown to him. It seems necessary, therefore,
to use the name Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii, Gambel’s Sparrow,
for the form which we have been calling Z. 7. ¢ntermedia, Inter-
mediate Sparrow, and to give a new name to the coast form,
which may be called Z. 7. nu¢talli, Nuttall’s Sparrow, as above.
Sicalis chapmani. CHAPMAN’s GOLDEN BUNTING.
Sycalis minor (nec CABANIS) CHAPMAN, Auk, VII, 1890, 268 (Santarem
ELCs Cig.)
Somewhat like S. arvenszs but bill much larger, with more strongly
curved culmen, under parts much brighter yellow (bright lemon yellow)
and upper parts much more yellowish, even the back, in adult males,
being olive-yellow broadly streaked with blackish. Adu/t male: Wing,
2.62—2.72; tail, 1.80-1.90; exposed culmen, 0.41; tarsus, 0.65-0.70.
Type, No, 120835, U. S. Nat. Mus., @ ad., Diamantina, Lower Amazon,
June 25, 1887; C. B. Riker.
Range.— Lower Amazon Valley (Santarem, Diamantina, etc.).
Spinus alleni. ALLEN’s GOLDFINCH.
Spinus yarrelli (nec Carduelis yarrell? AUDUBON) ALLEN, Bull. Am,
Mus. Nat. Hist. III, 1891, 375 (Chapada). i
Similar to S. capitalts (Cab.) but adult male with lower rump clear
yellow, under parts purer yellow, femoral region yellow (instead of white),
edges of tertials olive-yellow (instead of grayish), and size somewhat
less. Differing from S. ¢cferzcus (Licht.) in much smaller size, narrower
wing-bands, and relatively less extent of yellowish on basal portion of tail,
the latter quite concealed by the coverts. Adult male: Wing, 2.58-2.65
(2.61); tail, 1.56-1.58 (1.57); exposed culmen, 0.40-0.41; depth of bill
at base, 0.30-0.31; tarsus, 0.51-0.53 (0.52); middle toe, 0.40-0.45 (0.42).
Type, No. 32618, g ad., Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., Chapada, Matto Grosso,
Brazil, May 21, 1883; H. H. Smith.
Range.— Southwestern Brazil (Province of Matto Grosso).
38 Evuior, Truth versus Error.
TRUTH VERSUS ERROR. :
BY D. G. ELLIOT F. R. S. E.
In Hts defence of Canon XL of the A. O. U. Code, my friend
Dr. Allen has accused me, half heartedly it must be confessed,
and as if he was not quite sure of his premises, of misrepresenting
the beauties and advantages of that wonderful production, and
also the beneficial results, which in his opinon, the enlightened
doctrine it preaches has achieved. If I was capable of com-
mitting the crime so. delicately mentioned (and I hardly deem it
necessary to defend myself from the charge), in this instance, it
would be as profitless and unnecessary as an attempt to blacken
coal, for it would be quite impossible with all the skill possessed
by the most adroit manipulator to make the Gospel of Error this
Canon advocates appear ina more unlovely aspect than it has itself
so successfully accomplished. The charge made of misrepresen-
tation, however, is the familiar plea of all those who try to defend
an indefensible cause,.and is synonymous with the legal maxim
‘‘when you have no case, abuse the opposing Counsel.” Stability
and uniformity of nomenclature is the goal which all naturalists
are striving to attain, and after fifteen years, during which this
Canon has been permitted to instill its pernicious counsel in the
minds of ornithologists entirely unopposed, yet all the success
that Dr. Allen can claim it has achieved is, that ‘it has practically
thus far rendered fixed and permanent the nomenclature of
North American ornithology, 7 North America at least,” and
thereupon he qualifies this by adding “in so far as the emenda-
tion or rejection of names upon purely philological grounds is
concerned.” The after-thought, italicised by me above, was most
happily grasped by its author, and thus he saved himself from
a disastrous overthrow. It is also stated that “so nearly all
the leading authorities in vertebrate zodlogy in this country”
are among its supporters and advocates. “So nearly all” while
a very safe way of enumerating, is not any more definite as
regards numbers than is the expression “few” applied to those
“leading authorities” whom Dr. Allen kindly permits to join
Dr. Coues and myself in rejecting this Canon.
Vol. XVI
ei “us Vror.
84 Exxiot, 7ruth versus Error 39
In not including among his sympathizers the experts in inver-
tebrate zoélogy, I suppose Dr. Allen attributes their defection
entirely to a lack of backbone, which would not permit them a
sufficient rigidity to be wrong when they could be right! My
friendly critic did not care, in his assertion of the success Canon
XL has achieved, to go beyond the boundaries of the United
States, save to make a faint claim of having converted some
«Naturalists abroad being well aware that the doctrine that
advocates adopting not only every blunder that is in sight, but
also every one that shall be made hereafter, is not one likely
to find favor with those who have been taught from their child-
hood to write grammatically and spell correctly. Excepting in
the case of “so nearly all the leading authorities, at least in
North America,” how has this educational Canon succeeded in
other lands? The authors of the Great Catalogue of Birds, which
for many years to come will be the standard work in Ornithology,
have throughout the long series of volumes already issued, with
an unanimity that was to be expected, completely ignored and
repudiated this Canon XL, and have not permitted the blunders
of other writers to disfigure their productions. These gentlemen
are the recognized “leading authorities ” in ornithological science
in the Old World, both on account of their scientific as well as
their literary attainments, and as “educated men” versed in
classical knowledge and grammatical construction, it can never
be expected that even a conformity of nomenclature can be
established if it depends upoa their endorsement of the doctrine
embodied in Canon XL. Where then is stability of nomencla-
ture to be looked for? Is it to be confined “at least to North
America?” Is the avifauna of this country so great and _ para-
mount that we can build a Chinese wall along our borders and
have a nomenclature all our very own and be quite independent
of those who are not so happy as to live among us? The Birds
of North America, numerous and splendid as they are, constitute
only a fraction of those of the world, and a stable nomenclature
for our feathered inhabitants can only be assured by codéperating
with ornithologists of other lands. And it requires no prophet
to foretell that some other basis will be necessary than the tenets
offered by Canon XL before any agreement will be reached.
Auk
40 Evxuiot, Truth versus Error. fan
“In North America at least ” everything is not lovely,and serene.
There are a “few!” even Dr. Allen admits that much, who with
Dr. Coues and myself refuse to bow the knee to Baal. We may
be of little repute, but so long as we insist upon writing grammat-
ically and spelling correctly there can be no uniformity in the
nomenclature of North American ornithology, in spite of the fact
that ‘“‘so nearly all” of the “ leading authorities,” will hereafter
do their best to perpetuate blunders. If, as is claimed, the
‘leading authorities ”” among American ornithologists have nearly
all become advocates of the doctrine of error preached in Canon
XL we must not forget that some of them were members of the
Committee that formulated its provisions, and it was to be expect-
ed that they would do their utmost, like my friendly critic, to
induce others to adopt these and enjoy the manifold blessings.
they shower on thankful hearts. Only one of the Committee
has publicly expressed his disapproval of this rule. Possibly
there are others of his opinion but who have not yet spoken. If
among those who as yet have not attained the dignity of being
”
a ‘leading authority,” there are some who have accepted this.
Canon as their mentor and guide, it is probable that they have
been influenced in a large degree so to do from a mistaken loy-
alty to the Union. This same mistaken loyalty to the works of
the Committee caused the adoption of our Check-List, when it
was known to contain many, even grievous errors, certain of
which have lately been corrected, but the end is not yet. A sim-
ilar exhibition of courage in removing blunders and which should
eliminate Canon XL, would be advantageous to the Union and
Ornithological Science. Dr. Allen seems considerably elated
because other Naturalists as he claims besides ornithologists
have in some degree adopted this Gospel of Error. While we
may all be gratified to witness the A. O. U. Code accepted by
other zodlogists in all its provisions, excepting Canon XL, and
believe it the best guide they can have, we must not lose sight of
the fact that the Code was written primarily for ornithologists,
and one of its chief aims was the attainment of a stable nomen-
clature for birds. ‘Therefore, if one of its Canons proves to have
been unfortunately drawn, and contains precepts that will effec
tually defeat the very object desired, it is poor comfort to learn
Vol. XVI
7899 Evxriot, Truth versus Error. 41
that we have only succeeded in leading our brethren astray.
Moreover it was Ornithological nomenclature we desired to
render stable before all else, and what zodlogists, devoted to
other branches, may do, neither helps nor harms us. If we are
right, it matters not to ornithology if those in other branches go
wrong, nor does it help us when we go wrong if they all follow
our example, save on the principle that ‘‘ misery loves company.”
The Code is not so sacred an instrument as I fear Dr. Allen
regards it, that it may not be emended, even by the unhallowed
‘efforts of Purists and Classicists. The pity of it is that any of
its Canons so urgently require correction. Dr. Allen appears
greatly disturbed at some of my remarks upon faulty construction
and bad spelling, and assures us that there have been many
authors who have endorsed Canon XL who know how to spell
in as many languages as I and my“few” sympathizers do.
While delighted to be informed that this knowledge is so wide-
spread that even some “eminent authors” have acquired it, I
would however beg to state that I am not aware that in anything
I have said I have made claim to a special knowledge of any
language, or of being unusually proficient in orthography or
etymology, nor has anything that I have written been directed
against any particular individual, be he a “leading authority”
or of more humble station. My article in the October number
of this journal had but one object in view, to call the attention
of the members of the Union to the Gospel of Error taught in
Canon XL, which in my opinion (and according to Dr. Allen,
a ‘few others,’ but I only speak for myself), is thoroughly bad,
and in some respects calculated to lead many astray by its
teachings. Thoroughly bad, because it strives to elevate Error
over Truth and Wrong over Right, and gives to the law of prior-
ity an interpretation that was never intended, for while this law
protects an author in his discoveries, there is no clause that
provides a safeguard for his blunders. And the teachings of
this Canon are evil because they misdirect those, who, whatever
may be the reason that actuates them, prefer to follow some
leader depending on his knowledge or experience, and there are
many such, little heeding where their guide may take them,
rather than investigate for themselves.
Auk
42 Exvvuiotr, Truth versus Error. fen
Dr. Allen thinks it “too absurd for serious consideration,” the
charge that this Canon XL places a premium upon illiteracy,
and yet what are the facts? It provides for the retention of
names no matter how ridiculous they may be, nor how grossly
they may violate all rules of orthography and etymology, and then
assures all those who may commit such blunders that they shall
be perpetuated. That is clearly offering a premium on illiteracy,
for a writer would doubtless feel that even though he tried
earnestly to have his production free from blunders, yet it would
not matter, if he was not up in his Greek and Latin, for his errors
if he made any, would stand in the place of honor side by side
with those words that were correct in construction. It is true
that the rule ends with some good advice such as, “ word coiners
will pay the closest attention to philological proprieties,” but if
any are ignorant of these proprieties, attention to them, no matter
how densely concentrated, would be of little avail. And Dr.
Allen in his glorification of this rule says that the rising genera-
tion of naturalist have not ‘perceptibly deteriorated” in their
spelling. The “ rising generation” will no doubt return thanks
for so much praise. If, however, they have not “ perceptibly
deteriorated” it is not the fault of Canon XL which tells them
they can be careless with impunity, but because the facilities for
instruction afforded by this Age enables every one to acquire an
education, therefore, the blunders in nomenclature become more
and more obnoxious, and the precepts of this Canon more and
more distasteful.
One of the principal objections to amending Canon XL urged
by Dr. Allen in his ‘ Defense,’ as I gather from reading it, is the
great number of blunders that exists in ornithological nomencla-
ture, and he fears that I do not appreciate what a task it would
be to overcome them. It is a poor soldier who throws down his
weapons because the enemy appears formidable, and in spite of
multitudes it is quite unnecessary to follow the example of the
Advocates of Error and take refuge in the opposing ranks. Run
over to the enemy in fact! ‘The difficulties of the task are
more fictitious than real, and would speedily vanish together
with the blunders themselves before a competent tribunal sum-
moned to substitute a sensible Canon XL, for the one that now
Vol. XVI
1899 Exyiot, Truth versus Error. 43
burdens the Code. ‘There is no doubt in my mind that a Canon
could be drawn that would be acceptable to all Naturalists and
offend none in any of its provisions, and produce a nomenclature
that would be stable.
Those who have no sympathy with Canon XL and its doctrines
are characterized in the ‘ Defense’ as extremists. I leave it to
my colleagues, the overwhelming majority of whom I am per-
suaded prefer Truth to Error, to decide which is the better, to be
extremely right or extremely wrong, and of those who comprise
the two classes thus designated which are the reprehensible
extremists? In Dr. Allen’s wrestling with the spelling lesson that
worries him so greatly, on page 300 he complains because trans-
literation from other languages in Latin is so difficult, but on
page 303 he speaks of it as a “simple matter.” Evidently as he
investigates his eyes become open, and eventually he will be able
to see clearly in their true light the evils he now so strenuously
defends and that they can, by a little mental activity, be made to
disappear like an uneasy dream. One more point, my friend
states that purists or classicists and all other bad people who
sympathize with them, though happily they are “few,” vacillate
and do not even spell alike, and there can never be a uniformity
of nomenclature with such persons, and he enumerates quite a
list of reasons why this must be so.— Man is fallible, and even
those who strive with all their strength to do right, at times may
wander by the way, but if they hold to the direct path an occa-
sional slip, though it may retard their progress and that of others,
yet will not prevent them from reaching the light at last. But
the Advocates of Error never slip nor vacillate, nor with them is
there a shadow of turning. Having determined to go wrong,
’ and that once taken “facile
decensus Averni,” and they speedily reach their goal and settle
themselves comfortably amid the congenial darkness that can be
“¢c’est le premier pas qui coite,’
felt. In the ‘Defense’ of Canon XL it is quite refreshing to
observe the complacency with which it is taken for granted that
its clauses can only be interpreted in one way, zv7z.: that in which
the authors wish to have them regarded. ‘Thus, take ‘obvious ”’
or “known” typographical errors. By ‘ obvious” is meant
‘transposition of letters ” or their ‘‘ inversion overlooked in proof-
44 EvuiotT, Zruth versus Error. as
.
reading”; by “known,” where the “error has been corrected by
the author.” There are instances of utterly nonsensical words
now in use, where the change of one letter would cause them to
have an important meaning. How are we to “know” whether
such words are misprints, “obvious transposition of letters,” or
misspelling ‘‘ overlooked by the author?” ‘There is no possible
way of ascertaining, yet Canon XL insists in maintaining them in
all their deformity. Among the instances available of this fact
that may be cited is Have/da, which means nothing, is a nonsense
word, but which is evidently a misprint or a misspelling for
Havelde (Latinized Havelda), Scandinavian for Sea Duck. It is
impossible to prove whether Stephens intended to write Hare/da
or overlooked the error in the proof, and so there is nothing
“ obvious ” or “ known” in the case, save the fact that Havelda is
right and Harelda is wrong, but if the backward tenets of Canon
XL are to be adopted we must as usual accept the wrong and
reject the right. Place Error always before Truth! Of course
there are other nonsense words employed, even by those who
have no sympathy for Canon XL, such as ‘“ Dafila,” also by the
author of ‘“ Harelda.’”’ But such words have no derivation, they
just ‘‘ growed ” like Topsy in the temporarily disordered brains of
those who originated them, consequently cannot be corrected and
are protected by the law of priority. They remain, however, as
monuments to the frivolousness and extremely bad taste of their
authors. And here, we may suppose, the Advocates of Error
would come forward and with ill-concealed exultation, exclaim :
‘“ Well, if these nonsense words answer the purpose, why not
accept those, that, derived from well known Greek or Latin
sources, have, through the ignorance or carelessness of their
authors, also become nonsense words?’’ Simply for two reasons.
-— First, because a word properly spelled has a definite meaning
and often gives the clue to the habits of the animal it represents,
its general appearance, or its relationship to others ; and second,
because, to employ it in its debased condition, is repugnant to an
educated man and is a source of offense whenever met with, and
what is of even more importance, because it prevents the very
information its author desired to convey from being known.
There is no question that any epithet applied to a species would.
Vol. ial
1859 EvyiotT, 7ruth versus Error. 45
serve to distinguish it after it becomes known, and the more non-
sensical and outrageous the spelling might be the more it would
probably be remembered, and the most bizarre words have been
coined to prove that this is a fact. But this method is neither
sensible nor scientific, and the evils of such a procedure are fully
appreciated even by the Authors of Canon XL, who urgently
advise naturalists with the same breath they promise to perpetuate
their blunders, to observe when forming words all the philological
proprieties. Surely this advice was entirely unnecessary, if names
have no importance but are merely handles to swing species on.
If that which is the most easy is to be adopted in place of that
which is most correct, if knowledge is to be considered of little
worth, and blunders, no matter what may have been the cause
that produced them, are to be preferred because first born, to that
which is well shapen and correct ; if, through mere force of num-
bers, erroneous and faulty productions are to be placed on an
equality with those words grammatically correct, achieved only
through their Author’s intimate, possibly profound, knowledge of
classical literature, and if there shall be no uniform nomenclature
unless it be that one debased by all the errors that ever have
been or ever shall be committed, then it is easy to perceive that
we shall have no Augustan Age of ornithological literature, but
that its swift decadence will surely follow. In this ‘ Defense’ of
a Cult that can have no possible attractions for any educated
person and which is a debasement of all literary effort, the Advo-
cates of Error have spoken, and with the voice of their strongest
man, and when the arguments advanced are subjected to a criti-
cal analysis, what do we receive? Only this— ‘‘It is exceedingly
difficult to do right, and superlatively easy to do wrong, therefore,
my brothers, do wrong.’’ How simple! And now in conclusion.
It is quite evident from Dr. Allen’s attitude that if he can prevail
upon the majority of the Committee to adopt his views, there can
be little hope of improving by that Body the present illiterate con-
dition existing in the nomenclature of North American ornithol-
ogy ; the remedy must come from without. Therefore, and I do
not now address myself to the “ authorities,’ but to those who, if
they have not attained that glorious distinction, yet who will be
the future leaders in North American ornithology, I would repeat
Auk
46 ALLEN, “ Truth versus Error.” iene
what I said in my former paper, and urge my younger colleagues.
not to be beguiled by the voice of the charmer, but to repudiate
this Canon XL and all its mischievous doctrines. Have nothing
to do with precepts that would advise you to choose Error before
Truth, and elevate Wrong over Right, but stand firmly for gram-
matical purity and orthographical correctness, a position which, if
stoutly held, will not cause you in after years to look back upon
your writings with regret, that you knowingly permitted them to
be disfigured by the blunders of others. Use your influence to
overthrow the Doctrine of Error, that with siren voice has been
sung in your ears so long, and the ‘few’ adherents that are now
unwillingly accorded to the ranks of the opponents of this gospel
will become a mighty force to battle for the Truth. Sometimes,
however, it requires but a little leaven to permeate a large lump
and cause it to change its aspect, and the conflict may not be so
severe as the Advocates of Error would like to have us believe.
As for my friend, who has honored my paper with his criticism,
and whose eminent services to Natural Science have been so
widely and deservedly acknowledged, and whose long and suc-
cessful labors in declaring nature’s truths makes his position on
this subject the more incongruous, of him, in this instance, I am
obliged mournfully to say, as did the old prophet of his illustrious.
but wilful nation, “‘ Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone.”
“TRUTH VEARSCOS ERROR.”
BY Jz Ay sAnEREN:
Ir 1s seldom that a title for an essay is more unhappily chosen
than in the case of Mr. Elliot’s “ Truth versus Error.” In this
long effusion on the subject of Canon XL of the A. O. U. code
he betrays ‘‘ the weakness of his cause,” to borrow the phrase-
ology of my esteemed disputant, by beautifully illustrating the
maxim he has himself quoted, namely, ‘‘ When you have a bad
cause, abuse the opposing counsel.’’ With this feature removed
Vol. XVI 6c pies r 2D
BEG ALLEN, “ Truth versus Error. 44
we have no points not covered and much better stated in his
former comparatively short paper in the October number of ‘ The
Auk.’ As the real points in the case have already been sufficiently
met in my paper following Mr. Elliot’s in the October ‘ Auk,’ all
I would ask of any interested reader would be to reread that
article in the present connection. Mr. Elliot himself is doubtless
well aware that satire is not argument. The last half of his
‘Truth versus Error’ is mainly a plea for the plaintiff, while the
first part is an attempt to mislead in respect to the real point at
issue ; neither calls for special comment. To show the character
of Mr. Elliot’s defense, one or two points may be noted. First,
the kind of “stability in nomenclature”’ here involved is simply
that relating to the emendation or rejection of names on purely
philological grounds. Hence, it was not “a happily grasped
afterthought,” by which I saved myself from “a disastrous over-
throw,” as Mr. Elliot knowingly (it would be discrediting his
intelligence to think otherwise) misrepresents the situation.
Mr. Elliot refers triumphantly to the “Great Catalogue of
Birds,” meaning probably the British Museum Catalogue of Birds,
as an example of where Canon XL has been “ completely ignored
-and repudiated” by eminent authorities. But he has failed to
tell his readers how many and what other Canons of the A. O. U.
Code were equally “completely ignored and repudiated” by
these same eminent authorities, as, for example, that fixing the
date of the beginning of binomial nomenclature at 1758 instead of
1766, and that providing atrinomial nomenclature for subspecies.
This was done, too, in the face of the fact that these two prin-
ciples have come to be accepted by so large a number of other
‘eminent authorities’ as to have been incorporated into the recent
international codes of nomenclature, and have been otherwise
quite generally adopted.
Mr. Elliot refers to the fact that one member of the A. O. U.
Committee agrees with him on the subject of Canon XL, and
rather intimates that if we knew the whole truth in the case there
might be others on his side also. Hecan be assured that such
is not the case; and if he had been present at a discussion of this
matter at the last meeting of the A. O. U. he would have been
much enlightened, and possibly surprised, by the unanimity with
Auk
48 ALLEN, “ Truth versus Error.” jee
which Canon XL was sustained by the participants in the dis-
cussion, one only speaking in opposition. Mr. Elliot would cer-
tainly have derived small encouragement for any hope he may be
entertaining that Canon XL may be changed to accord with his
wishes by either the present A. O. U. Committee or any other
A. O. U. Committee before whom, for some years at least, the
matter is likely to come.
Mr. Elliot has given at length his reasons for standing ‘ firmly
for grammatical purity and orthographical correctness.” I here
add the views of a few ‘ leading authorities’ who have equal right
to an opinion in the case, and who are not members of the
A. O. U. Committee, nor, with one exception, even American
ornithologists.
In 1883, the great French botanist, Alphonse de Candolle, in
his article 60 of his revised ‘ Lois de la Nomenclature Botanique,’
originally published in 1867, says: ‘‘A generic name should
subsist just as it was made, though a purely typographical error
may be corrected. The termination of a Latin specific name
may be changed to bring it into agreement with its generic
name.” He even accepts bybrid names, which he formerly
suppressed, showing the tendency of his mind on this point
under the influence of long experience.
The late eminent American botanist, Prof. Asa Gray, stated in
one of his later publications that “ the tendency among working
naturalists is to retain names in spite of faults.’ This statement
of fact, it may be noted, was made long before the promulgation
of Canon XL.
Dr. David S. Jordan, President of Leland Stanford University,
and the leading ichthyologist of America, in reviewing the A. O.
U. Code and Check-List in 1886 (Auk, III, p. 394), in comment-
ing indirectly on Canon XL, said: “ An illustration of this may
be taken from the last Check-List of Dr. Coues [1882]. This
work is in many respects most valuable. In it, however, so much
learning and labor has been expended in the mending and
remodelling of scientific names, as fairly to bring purism in that
regard to reductio ad absurdum. Hence the Committee on the
new Code, with Dr. Coues at its head, now declare that ‘a name
is only a name, and has no necessary meaning’ and therefore no
Vol. evn / may 66 “Pas » 5 oy 3s
Seip ALLEN, “ Truth versus Error. 49
necessarily correct orthography. After this experience, the work
of strengthening the lame and halting words is hardly likely to
be continued in other fields of science.”
Perhaps it would not be unfair to history to say that the
maxim, “ A name is only a name, and has no necessary meaning,’
when adopted in 1885 received the unanimous approval of the
Committee. But with the lapse of time, alas! Y
Mr. Oldfield Thomas, curator of mammals in the British Muse-
um, not only discountenances the emendation of names, but in
a recent paper ‘On the Genera of Rodents’ (Proc. Zool. Soc.,
1896, p. 1015, footnote) makes the following pertinent comment
on a question which has greatly agitated Mr. Elliot, namely, the
insertion or omission of the Greek aspirate. Apropos of that
much emended name Af/odontia, he says: ‘‘ With regard to the
insertion of the aspirate into the spelling of this and similar
words, inquiry among pure classicists (other than zodlogists)
elicits the opinion that the Latins were so careless and irregular
themselves in this respect, that it is impossible to make a hard-
and-fast rule about it, and that we should therefore accept the
original aspiration or non-aspiration of scientific names. Person-
ally I look with loathing on these /-less names, but I feel
bound to recognize that it is not right to alter words formed
by authors who Latinized their Greek in the very way that the
Latins themselves sometimes did.”
Mr. F. A. Lucas, in commenting in ‘Science’ (Nov. 4, 1808,
p. 626) on Mr. Elliot’s paper in the October Auk, makes the
following timely remarks: “ ZoGlogical names are not literature,
but simply handles by which species may be grasped, and they
serve their purpose equally well if rough hewn or grammatically
polished. LeConte used Gyascutus as a generic name simply
to illustrate the point that a name need not of necessity have any
meaning, and Dr. Leidy coined names with the express statement
that they were not etymologically correct, but used because they
were shorter than if correctly formed.” This, it may be added. has
often been the case with many scholarly naturalists, as stated in
my reply to Mr. Elliot in the Oct. Auk.
Ni Lhoemas KR. Stebbins, M. A. Fo Resi ete. a leading
English authority in Carcinology, in the ‘ Zodlogist’ for Oct., 1898,
4
30 ALLEN, “ Truth versus Error.” xs a
(p. 424), in commenting on the proposed new International Code
of Nomenclature, says: “It should surely be the object of an
International Code to interfere with individual liberty as little as
possible, and to protect accepted names from any change that can
be avoided. But in correcting names which may be considered
to offend against grammar or philology, more inconvenience than
advantage is likely to arise. A longer name .... will often have
to be substituted for a shorter one. The practical nuisance of
this will be understood by those who have to write labels for small
bottles and glass slips. It is also contrary to the tendency of
language, which is constantly condensing instead of expanding
FORMS 5/04 + By correction a name will sometimes secure a different
imitial,.... which is apt to be very confusing when an index has
to be consulted. The principle of priority is weakened when the
original form of a name is relinquished not in the interest of
science, but of scholarship. On the other hand, it is so easy to
let names alone, carrying with them their small but interesting
touches of autobiography, and no possible harm is done if we do
leave to the polished scholar some occasion for chuckling over us
untutored sons of science.”
I will conclude these extracts— which might be indefinitely
extended — by the testimony of a philologist, Mr. Walter Miller,
Professor of Classical Philology in the Leland Stanford Univer-
sity, who in a paper on ‘Scientific Names of Latin and Greek
Derivation,’ published recently in the Proceedings of the Cali-
fornia Academy of Sciences (3d Ser., I, No. 3, 1897, p. 143) says:
“We may recognize the law of priority as absolute, and retain the
many monstrous and misspelled names to be found on the records
of natural history, just as their makers left them. They are his-
toric facts and serve to mark the group of animals or plants to
which they apply, but these misshapen forms of words are not
ornamental and they are unworthy of scholars. It is to be hoped
that, in future, greater care may be taken to make words that give
correctly the idea the author may have intended.”
This paper may fittingly close with the following extract from
the ‘ Introduction’ (p. 12) to the A. O. U. Code:
“Thus, in seeking to attain a basis of uniformity and stability,
it is always necessary to go back to the original forms of names,
bie le Sixteenth Congress of the A. O. U. 51
and consistently adhere to them, in entire disregard of the verbal
innovations of purists or grammarians, who, aiming at classical
correctness in names, have too often brought about instability and
confusion.”
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE AMERICAN
ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION.
THE SIXTEENTH CONGRESS of the American Ornithologists’
Union convened in Washington, D. C., Monday evening, Novem-
ber 14, 1898, the business meeting being held at the Army
Medical Museum. The public sessions, commencing Tuesday,
November 15, and lasting three days, were held at the U. S.
National Museum, the Central High School, and at the Cosmos
Club.
Business Sessron. — The meeting was called to order by
Vice-President Dr. C. Hart Merriam, in the absence of the Presi-
dent, Mr. William Brewster. Seventeen active members were
present. The Secretary’s report gave the membership of the
Union at the opening of the present Congress as 695, constituted
as follows: Active, 47; Honorary, 17; Corresponding, 66 ;
Associate, 565.
During the year the Union lost sixty-four members — six by
death, twenty-one by resignation, and thirty-seven were dropped
for non-payment of dues. The members lost by death were
Osbert Salvin,! an Honorary Member, who died at Hawksfold,
near Haslemere, England, June 1, 1898, aged 63 years; Dr.
Anders Johan Malmgren,” a Corresponding Member, who died in
Helsingfors, Finland, April 12, 1897, at the age of 63; and Dr.
Felix Georg Herman August Mojsisovics von Mojsvar,? also a
1 For an obituary notice, see Auk, XV, pp. 343-345.
2 For an obituary notice, see /ézd, pp. 214-215.
3 For an obituary notice, see /d7d, p. 215.
Auk
Jan.
52 Sixteenth Congress of the A. O. U.
‘Corresponding Member, who died in Gratz, Austria, August 27,
1897, aged 48. Also the following Associates: J. Maurice Hatch,
who died May 1, 1898, at Colton, Calif., aged 19 years; Dr.
George Baur,’ who died in Munich, Germany, June 24, 1898;
and Joseph Carleton Ingersoll, who died October 2, 1898.
The report of the Treasurer showed the finances of the Union
to be in good condition.
The officers elected were: Robert Ridgway, President; Dr. C.
Hart Merriam and Charles B. Cory, Vice-Presidents; John H.
Sage, Secretary; William Dutcher, Treasurer. The vacancy in
the Council, occasioned by the election of Mr. Cory as one of the
Vice-Presidents, was filled by the selection of Witmer Stone.
Mr. William Palmer, of the U. S. National Museum,.was elected
an Active Member, and the Hon. Walter Rothschild, of the Tring
Museum, England, a Corresponding Member. One hundred and
one Associate Members were elected, the largest number in any
one year, with one exception, since the foundation of the Union.
As in the previous year many of the new Associates were women,
a result of the Audubon Society movement, and of the present
interest taken in the study of birds by teachers in the public and
private schools of the country. The usual reports of Standing
Committees were received.
Pusiic Session. first Day. — The meeting was called to
order by Vice-President Merriam. After the transaction of the
usual routine business, President-elect Robert Ridgway took the
Chair.
The reading of scientific papers began with a paper by Mr.
Harry C. Oberholser, entitled ‘ Among the Birds in Nevada.’
Next came ‘ The Moult of Passerine Species in the vicinity of
New York City,’ by Dr. Jonathan Dwight, Jr. Remarks followed
by Dr. Coues, Messrs. H. C. Oberholser and William Palmer,
and the author.
The graphophone demonstration of a Brown Thrasher’s song,
given by Dr. Sylvester D. Judd, at the opening of the afternoon
session, was a new and unique feature of the Congress. Dr.
Judd’s experiments were made with a cage bird, but the results
1 For an obituary notice, see Auk, XV, p. 287.
ae Sixteenth Congress of the A. O. U. ny.
obtained were enough to show that great possibilities in this field
may be looked for in the future.
The second title was ‘The Distribution and Relationships of
Ammodramus maritimus and its Allies,’ by Mr. Frank M. Chap-
man.
The next paper was ‘The Geographical Distribution of the
Wrens of the dewzckiz Group,’ by Harry C. Oberholser.
The fourth title was ‘ Polygamy among Oscines,’ by Prof. F. E,
L. Beal. Remarks followed by Messrs. Baskett, Chapman,
Fuertes, and Nelson.
The fifth paper was ‘The Prothonotary Warbler, Protonotaria
citrea, a common summer resident of Southeastern Minnesota,’ by
Dr. Thos. S. Roberts. Remarks followed by the Chairman (Dr.
Merriam), and Mr. Stone.
The sixth title was ‘Some early Philadelphia Collectors and
Collections,’ by Mr. Witmer Stone. Remarks followed by Drs.
Coues and Merriam, and the author.
The concluding paper of the afternoon was by Mr. William
Palmer, entitled ‘Chadbourne on Individual Dichromatism in
Megascops asio, with some evidence in the question.’ Discussion
followed by Drs. Allen and Coues, Messrs. Oberholser, Judd,
Wood, Dutcher, Baskett, and the author.
Second Day.—The meeting was called to order by Vice-
President Merriam.
Mr. William Palmer gave, as the first paper of the morning,
‘Some Characteristics of Neossoptiles.’ Remarks followed by
the Chair and Dr. Gill.
Mr. Witmer Stone, Chairman of the ‘Committee on Protection
of North American Birds,’ then read the report of his committee
for the past year. The report is published in this number of ‘ The
Auk,’ and will be issued as a pamphlet to be sold at a very low
price for general distribution.
The afternoon session was held at the Central High School,
the large hall in the building having been placed at the disposal
of the Union and its friends, by Prof. W. B. Powell. Vice-Presi-
dent C. B. Cory in the Chair. All of the papers read there were
illustrated with lantern slides.
The first title was ‘The Bird Rocks of the Gulf of St. Law-
54 Sixteenth Congress of the A. O. Us ea:
rence,’ by Frank M. Chapman. Remarks followed by the Chair,
Messrs. William Palmer and F. A. Lucas.
Next came an ‘ Exhibition of lantern slides of birds, birds’ nests
and nesting haunts, from Nature,’ by Dr. Thos. S. Roberts.
Then followed exhibitions of lantern slides by Messrs. Wil-
liam Dutcher and William L. Baily.
The evening session was held in the Assembly Hall of the
‘Cosmos Club, by courtesy of the Club, the meeting being called
to order by Vice-President Merriam. As in the afternoon all
papers read were illustrated with lantern slides.
The opening paper was by Mr. Frank M. Chapman, entitled
‘On the Nesting Habits of the Brown Pelican, on Pelican Island,
Florida.’ Remarks followed by Messrs. Fuertes, Bangs, Wood,
Evermann, Oberholser, and the author.
The second title was ‘ A Chapter in the Life of the Canada
Jay,’ by Oscar Bird Warren. In the absence of the author it was
read by Dr. Thos. S. Roberts. Remarks followed by the Chair.
The concluding paper, ‘ Clarke’s Crows and Oregon Jays on
Mt. Hood,’ by Miss Florence A. Merriam, was read by Mr.
Dutcher, in the absence of the author. Remarks followed by the
Chair, and Messrs. Baskett and Osgood.
Third Day. — The meeting was called to order by Vice-Presi-
dent Merriam. Before proceeding to the reading of papers reso-
lutions were adopted thanking the Board of Regents of the
Smithsonian Institution for the use of a hall in the U. S. National
Museum fora place of meeting, and for other courtesies extended ;
to the Washington members of the Union for the cordial welcome
and generous hospitality shown visiting members; and to Dr. J.
C. Merrill, U. S. A., of the Army Medical Museum, Professor W.
B. Powell, Superintendent of Schools, and to the Cosmos Club,
for the use of halls under their control for places of meeting.
The first paper of the morning was by Witmer Stone on ‘ Crow
Roosts in Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.’ Remarks fol-
lowed by Messrs. Fuertes, Dutcher, S. N. Rhoads, William Palmer
and the author.
The second title was ‘The Generic Names edzocetes and Poo-
cates, by Dr. Theo. Gill. Discussed by Drs. Coues, Allen, Palmer
and Merriam, Messrs. Oberholser, Rhoads, and the author.
Vol. XVI
oe Report of Committee on Bird Protection. 55
The opening paper of the afternoon was by Mr. Harry C.
Oberholser entitled ‘The Blue Honey-creepers of Tropical
America.’ Remarks followed by Frank M. Chapman, E. W.
Nelson, and the author.
The next title was ‘The Water Ouzel on Mt. Shasta,’ by Miss
Florence A. Merriam. As the author was not present the paper
was read by Mr. Dutcher.
Messrs. Nelson R. Wood and Louis Agassiz Fuertes, two
members of the Union, then gave, by special request, imitations
of the notes of birds.
The third and concluding paper, ‘The Nocturnal Flight of
Migrating Birds,’ by O. G. Libby, was read in the absence of the
author by Dr. T. S. Palmer.
The Union then adjourned to meet in Philadelphia, November
13, 1899.
This Congress was a most successful one, both from the high
character of the papers read, and from the large attendance of
members and visitors.
JNO. H. SAGE,
Secretary.
|
|
REEORI OF THE, A.-O: U.. ‘COMMITTEE, ON | PRO=
TECTION OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.
THE COMMITTEE ON PrRoTEcTION oF NorTH AMERICAN BIRDS
is pleased to report a constantly increasing interest in the work
in which it is engaged. During the year it has been in corre-
spondence with representatives of thirty-six States and Territo-
ries and the mass of data submitted to the chairman is so large
that it is possible only to present a small portion of it in this
report.
As heretofore the Committee has acted mainly as a bureau of
information, placing correspondents in communication with active
workers in their respective States, and furnishing literature and
advice whenever possible. Beside this general work some special
Auk
Jan.
56 Report of Committee on Bird Protection.
work has been undertaken by the Committee, especially in rela-
tion to State Bird Laws.
Following the suggestions of the last annual report, the Com-
mittee prepared a ‘Model Bird Law’ to serve as a guide for
those who should undertake reform in their State laws. ‘This
is accompanied by suggestions for modifying the law in cases
where its adoption ¢w ‘oto was deemed impossible. Copies of
this Model Law are furnished to those who are willing to inter-
est themselves in bringing it before their State Legislatures.
Early in the year a meeting of Game Wardens of Wisconsin,
Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and North Dakota was
held in Chicago for the purpose of drafting uniform game laws
for these States. Mr. Deane of our Committee appeared before
this meeting, in the interest of the uniform bird law, and with
the assistance of Mr. L. Whitney Watkins succeeded in securing
its adoption for presentation to the respective legislatures, along
with the game law.
Effort has also been made to secure recognition of this Com-
mittee by the various Audubon and other bird-protective Societies
of America, as their representative in international matters.
This was deemed. desirable in consequence of correspondence
with the Oesterreichisch Bund der Vogelfreunde of Griitz, Austria,
which has undertaken to establish an International League for
the protection of birds, to be represented in each country by some
organized body or society. Such organization will doubtless be
of much service in securing more uniform bird laws in widely
separated countries.
Much important work has been accomplished during the year
which has originated outside of your Committee, but which
deserves mention in this connection, such as (1) the establish-
ment of the League of American Sportsmen ; (2) Mr. Hornaday’s
report to the New York ZoGlogical Society on ‘The Destruction
of Our Birds and Mammals’; and (3) Senator Hoar’s labors in
behalf of his bill in Congress to prohibit the importation of wild
birds’ plumage for purposes of ornamentation.
Senator Hoar’s bill strikes at the root of the whole question of
bird millinery ; for so long as it is permissible to import ‘ aigrettes’
and similar feathers it is almost impossible to prove that dealers
Ree | Report of Committee on Bird Protection. ‘Si
are violating the law and selling American plumes; as they
insist that they are all imported. With the importation stopped
the traffic would be practically at an end.
Senator Hoar writes that his bill passed the Senate at the last
session with but one dissenting voice and now awaits the action
of the House. ‘In the short session, with so many important
subjects strug
but if you can enlist the vigorous support of one man of influ-
ence (in the House) it will be easy, I think, to get it through.”
Many have already used their influence to secure support for
gling for attention,” he says, “its fate is uncertain ;
this bill, and your Committee cannot too strongly urge further
action on this line. Even should Senator Hoar’s bill fail of pas-
sage, his agitation in Congress of the question of bird- protection
and the resultant publicity given to it has done an immense
amount of good.
The establishment of the League of American Sportsmen is a
matter for congratulation among all lovers of nature, and too
much praise cannot be given to Mr. G. O. Shields and his asso-
ciates for their tireless efforts in exposing ‘game hogs’ and bird
destroyers. Though its work is primarily directed towards the
protection of game, the birds also come in for their share of
attention, and we look for most satisfactory results from codpera-
tion between this organization and the bird protective societies.
In consideration of the widespread agitation in favor of bird
protection and popular bird study during the past year it may
prove desirable, before considering the reports from the several
- States, to take a hasty view of the present status of Bird Protec-
tion in the country at large. As regards the killing of birds for the
millinery trade, there is apparently little done within the limits of
the United States, though in Florida the slaughter of the remain-
ing Egrets seems to go on in spite of.laws and all that has been
written against the practice. Mr. Geo. W. Kinnison, of Lake
City, Fla., writes: ‘‘ This last season more plumes were shipped
than usual, as, owing to the very dry season hunters penetrated
the everglades farther to find the rookeries than usual. Our laws
are such that a heavy penalty is provided for any one engaged in
buying, shipping, or dealing in any way in plumes, but the bulk
of the Egret plumes being so small, men will collect them and
58 Report of Committee on Bird Protection. ae
with a couple of hand satchels go North and dispose of them.
When your northern dealers are punished to the fullest extent of
the law for buying them then, and only then, will the killing of
plume birds stop in Florida.”
The killing of small insectivorous birds for game or ‘sport’
seems to be largely restricted to the Southern States, but is there
practised to such an extent as to warrant the most serious con-
sideration. Miss Florence A. Merriam writes: ‘“ The protection
we give birds during the nesting season in the North is not wholly
satisfactory if they are shot on migrating South, and, as is well
known, many of our most valuable insectivorous birds are used.
for food in the South, and as soon as they begin migrating are
subjected to a persistent fusillade. During one week in the spring
of 1897, 2600 Robins, shot in North Carolina, were exposed for
sale in one market stall in Washington, and in Summerville, S. C.,
the shooting was so constant that I came to feel that no
northern bird could ever reach home alive.’ Prof. Nehrling
and Mr. Allison report the same practice in New Orleans where
vast numbers of song birds of all sorts are sold in the markets.
As regards Laws, nearly every State has laws intended to
protect the birds, though many are so badly framed as to be
absolutely useless. But even good laws are usually dead letters
unless there is some one whose business it is to enforce them.
In only a few States do the game wardens make it their business
to arrest violators of the bird laws, and the greatest need in bird-
protective legislation is the provision of salaried game wardens
to enforce the laws. It is in this connection, however, that we
look for good results by codperation with the League of Ameri-
can Sportsmen, some of whose wardens are already taking deep
interest in the welfare of the song birds.
In the lack of regular wardens much good can be done by
posting copies of laws and penalties in prominent places through
the country, which experience has shown will deter many would-
be slaughterers. It is also well worth while to instruct country
constables as to the laws and the profits resulting from the arrest
of offenders. One case has come to the notice of the Committee
of a country constable who, to use his own words, “netted $35
in fines from people shootin’ birds as Mrs. calls valuable.”
Vol. XVI
ae Report of Committee on Bird Protection. 59
That the widespread agitation for bird protection in the North
has caused a much stricter regard for the laws is also shown by
the decrease in the number of small birds brought to taxidermists’
shops to be mounted. A bird stuffer in one of our large cities, in
reply to an inquiry as to his business, said: ‘It is simply dead.
If it warn’t for rugs and deer heads we couldn’t live. Those —,
—, — Audubon Societies and bird books and newfangled laws are
just crowding us out. I haven’t sold a bird in three years. The
men are afraid to shoot them or handle them in any shape.
What’s the birds for if they ain’t to be used ?”
This is very gratifying, but it seems much more difficult to
obtain like results in the South, owing to the fact that small birds
have there been regarded as legitimate game for generations, and
it will only be by educating the rising generation that satisfactory
results will be obtained.
As bearing directly upon this point a quotation from Miss
Merriam’s report is of interest : “ Some valuable hints were given
me last winter by the bad Loys of a Summerville, S. C., school.
It was reported that they robbed every nest in the neighborhood
and used sling shots right and left, and I was asked to labor with
them. Believing that the only way to prevent killing is to create
an interest in the live bird, I preached merely by telling tales of
my bird friends, drawing out the boys to tell in turn what they
knew. I soon felt that I had fallen not among robbers and sling
shooters but among ornithologists. Nevertheless there was work
to be done among them ; their knowledge was mainly of nests and
eggs; they knew little of the general habits of the birds. The
sportsman’s instinct was strong within them. One lad confessed
quite frankly that he had killed a Great Blue Heron ‘just to pass
the time,’ and two boys whom I was cherishing as future Audu-
bons one day announced with cheerful pride that they had just
shot 13 Robins. ‘This sporting instinct was, however, offset by a
strong love for natural history, and it was easy to stimulate their
interest in the habits of the birds by picturing the delights of
observing. This plan quickly bore fruit. A Chickadee was
building near the house of one of the boys and one day the child
came to me full of enthusiasm —he had spent half a day watch-
ing it. Graphically he explained the way it had worked and with
Auk
Jan.
60 Report of Committee on Bird Protection.
eyes aglow he exclaimed, ‘ I declare it was delightful to watch that
little bird build.’ I felt the child had given me the answer to the
bad boy problem. Prove to him that the live bird is more interest-
ing than the dead one, or rather enable him to prove it to himself.”
It is on the educational side of the question that the members
of the Committee have exerted themselves especially during the
past year, and the results are very encouraging. Several new
Audubon Societies have been established in 1898 and there are
now 14 States societies, with a combined membership of over
16,000, while some go,ooo leaflets, pamphlets, etc., have been °
distributed through. their agency.
Lectures and bird talks have been given in greater numbers
than ever before, under the auspices of schools, women’s clubs
and literary societies; and the observation of bird day in schools,
although not authorized by iaw to the extent that it should be, is
being more generally considered as the teachers become aware of
its importance. And the most admirable plan of joining its obser-
vation with that of Arbor Day is meeting with much favor.
The status of bird millinery remains practically as it has been,
no arguments being able to prevail against the fashion leaders of
to-day, and the increase and decrease of birds for ornament seems
mainly a question of variation in fashion and of the character of
material available for use. ‘Though the traffic in American birds
is reduced to a minimum, the use of imported species goes on
practically unabated.
The milliners in many of our large cities have joined gladly
with the Audubon Societies in exhibiting ‘ birdless hats,’ and some,
notably Gimbel Bros. of Milwaukee and Philadelphia, have advo-
cated in circulars and advertisements the abandonment of wild
birds, while they made a special department of Audubon millinery
in their stores; but the present generation of fashionable women,
as a class, seems not to be open to argument on this subject.
The only possible way to reach them will be by the passage of
Senator Hoar’s bill. The effect of the widespread appeal for the
birds cannot, however, fail to be felt, and it will become more and
more apparent as years go by and the younger generation,
brought up under its teaching, begins to exert an influence in the
community.
Vol. XVI
‘S35 Report of Committee on Bird Protection. 61
One more point remains to be considered in reviewing the
present status of bird protection; that is the sacrifice of birds to
science. This cannot be conscientiously ignored.
It has been abundantly proven that the birds killed for real
scientific use are a factor so small as not to require serious atten-
tion in this connection; and it is only necessary to add that the
practice of loaning the specimens in large collections to ornithol-
ogists engaged in special work obviates to a great extent the neces-
sity of obtaining additional specimens for every new investigation.
The day is past, too, when every ornithologist needs a collec-
tion. The collections of our large museums, placed cordially at
the convenience of students, answer the needs of many who
would otherwise have to possess a cabinet of their own, and
many an ornithologist to-day — well deserving of the title— has
pursued his studies without a gun.
So much for science: but there is collecting done which science
does not sanction; too often permits are granted for scientific
collecting to those who collect merely for natural history dealers.
The strict enforcement of the law would prohibit this, and it is
a matter for serious consideration.
Far worse than the collecting of dzrds for the trade is the
‘scourge of egg collecting,’ against which Mr. Hornaday has
entered such an earnest protest.
Egg-collecting has become a fad which is encouraged and
fostered by the dealers until it is one of the most potent causes
of the decrease in our birds. The vast majority of egg-collectors
contribute nothing to the science of ornithology and the issuing
of licenses promiscuously to this class makes any law for bird
protection practically useless.
There can be no objection to a student collecting a series of
two or three sets of eggs of a species selected to show variation,
but when a man numbers in his cabinet ‘210 sets or g17 eggs
of the Kentucky Warbler,’’ and other species in proportion, it
becomes an outrage.
Permits should of course be allowed in all States for sczentific
collecting, but the granting power should be in the hands of
those who are capable of knowing a true ornithologist or odlogist
from an ‘ egg-hog.’
.
Auk
62 Report of Committee on Bird Protection. ce
It is not desirable to prevent a beginner from collecting,
as is done in some States where no permits are given to those
under 18 years of age. But nothing need be feared from young
students if our active ornithologists will take pains to give them
a few words of advice.
Too often boys regard the formation of a /arge collection
of eggs or birds as necessarily the first step towards becoming
an ornithologist of note: but if those who have already won their
spurs, will take the trouble to point out to the beginners, the lines
of work which yield results of real benefit to science they will be
led to see exactly how much collecting and what sort of specimens
are really needed for scientific research and not needlessly dupli-
cate what has already been procured. Further, they will in all
probability become known as original contributors to ornithological
science, while as mere collectors they would bid fair to remain
in obscurity.
As bearing directly upon egg collecting by boys, a letter dic-
tated by the late Prof. Spencer F. Baird, shortly before his death
and kindly placed at my disposal by his daughter, Miss Lucy
H. Baird, is so pertinent that I make the following quotation
from it, to show the feelings of one of America’s greatest ornithol-
ogists upon this subject.
“When I was in the [egg] ‘business,’ I was collecting mate-
rial for an exhaustive work on the natural history of the birds
of North America, and a set of nests and eggs of each species,
in all variations, was a necessity. I consequently needed to
have as large a variety as possible, so as to complete the ground.
The ordinary bird-egging boy, however, whose enterprise is
not to be frowned at, is not such an individual, he simply wants
to make a collection of eggs without an ulterior scientific object.
A single egg will answer the same purpose in his case as the one
hundred required in the one first mentioned. . . . I am inclined to
ascribe the reduction in the number of our home birds as much
to the taking of eggs for various purposes and driving away the
parents as to actual extermination of the birds themselves.
However, the most effectual way of preventing the difficulty is.
by prohibiting the taking of eggs entirely, which I would earnestly
recommend.”
ee Report of Committee on Bird Protection. 6 2
With this brief outline of the present status of Bird Protection
I turn to the reports furnished to the chairman by members of
the Committee and others in the various States of the Union.
Only an abstract of these can be given in the present paper
but even from this it will be readily seen how extensive and how
sincere is the interest in Bird Protection and Bird Study.
The more important reports received by the Chairman from
members of the Committee are considered in the following pages,
that of Mr. Mackay being given in full, as it is of particular inter-
est in connection with his work of previous years in the protection
of the Gulls and Terns of the New England coast.
It is with sincere regret that we are compelled to announce
Mr. Mackay’s retirement from the Committee, as he feels him-
self unable to longer continue his valuable work in its behalf.
MASSACHUSETTS.
Mr. Mackay reports as follows: “I herewith submit my report
for the year ending Nov. 14, 1898. I was instrumental in hav-
ing inserted a protective clause in the ‘ Muskeget Act,’ approved
June 1, 1895. Acting under this clause the town of Nantucket
this year appropriated one hundred dollars for a special police
officer, whose duty should be to remain on Muskeget Island from
May 1 to August 15, to protect certain birds living in and about
that island. Mr. John R. Sandsbury of Nantucket, my candidate,
was considerately appointed to the position, and on my applica-
tion to the Commissioners of Inland Fisheries and Game, was
made a Deputy Fish and Game Commissioner, with the authority
to arrest without warrant. On entering upon his duties Mr.
Sandsbury repaired the old signs, and repapered them with new
warning notices, all of which was done by the time the Terns and
Laughing Gulls commenced to breed.
‘ By referring to my report for 1897 (Auk, Vol. XV, pp. 84-89),
it will be noticed that large numbers of Terns were not in evi-
dence in 1897, and had apparently abandoned the locality. This
caused me considerable uneasiness when I viewed with dismay
the large falling off in the number ofthe birds. While on Muskeget,
July 2, 3, 4, 5, 1898, I resolved to make such accurate observa-
64 Refort of Committee on Bird Protection. oe
tions that they could be used hereafter with confidence, for it is
doubtful if similar data will be again collected in the near future.
It is no slight undertaking to accomplish this conscientiously.
The condition of the ‘Terns and Laughing Gulls this year is the
best that has ever been reached, to my knowledge, as far as simi-
lar observations show.
“Adams Island, which has not had any breeding birds for
years, had this season an estimated colony of four hundred Terns.
I found here two hundred and ninety-five nests containing five
hundred and forty-three eggs. Other localities also show gains
over former years: It would appear that many of the Terns not
present during 1897 have this season returned to their former
haunt, while others, I have reason to believe, have located on
Penixese Island. ‘This satisfactory condition does not include
the Roseate Terns; their numbers, I regret to state, are still con-
siderably below the splendid aggregate of 1896. I am still in
hopes that another season will see most of them back again.
When one contemplates the decrease in bird life elsewhere, it
must cause extreme satisfaction to all lovers of bird life to know
that we have in our midst two such great colonies of Terns as are
domiciled on Muskeget and Penikese Islands, the aggregate num-
bers of which are beyond estimate. A home in such a thickly
settled State as Massachusetts, where available sites on the coast
are constantly sought for summer residences, is most unusual.
The presence of these beautiful birds must naturally enhance the
interest in such surroundings.
“When the Massachusetts Legislature met last winter, I had
two bills (Nos. 5 and 6) introduced, ‘ For the better Protection of
Certain Birds.’ Both bills were similar in character, having the
protection of certain Hawks and Owls, etc., as one of the main
features, the economic value of which were explained in a letter
by Dr. C. Hart Merriam, Chief of the Biological Survey, U. S..
Department of Agriculture. I had this letter read before the
Senate in connection with my argument. Bill No. 6 omitted
certain clauses affecting the marketmen, hotel men, and cold
storage interests, who were, and always have been, inimical to my
endeavors. I thought if bill No. 5 with such clauses failed, I
might succeed with the other. Unfortunately both bills were
Vol. XVI
iG Report of Committee on Bird Protection. 6 5
heard at the same time by the Fish and Game committee, and
although the strongest kind of arguments were presented in their
favor, it was without avail, the committee reporting against both
bills. I fought them through but was defeated in the end. ‘The
combined interests above mentioned have thus far proved too
strong for me.
*“T would again call attention to the shooting and shipment
East mm the spring of certain birds, and strongly appeal to our
Western friends to make some endeavor to prevent it, if possible,
in the case of the American Golden Plovers, Eskimo Curlews,
and Bartramian Sandpipers. These birds are permitted to be
sold in Massachusetts during the closed season provided ‘hey have
been taken out of the State. I have tried very hard to prevent such
sale ere, but without success. These birds are killed in the
West and Southwest during the spring while on their way to the
breeding grounds. It is a common occurrence to take eggs from
the females when cleaning them, Unless protective laws are
enacted 7 the West, little can be hoped for in Massachusetts, and
it will not be long before these birds will disappear on our coast
except as stragglers. In fact, judging from a number of years
past in Massachusetts, such conditions have already been reached.
Nebraska, Missouri, and Texas (Fort Worth) appear to be the
principal shipping points.
“One retrograde law was enacted this year, viz.: The open
season on the Scoters having been extended from April 15 to May
20, in order to cover for shooting purposes, the spring migration
of these Ducks northward to breed. I endeavored to defeat this
bill, and at first thought I had succeeded, as it was voted down.
A subsequent reconsideration reinstated it, and with another vote
it was passed, and later received the approval of the Governor.
As a precedent, I consider the success of this bill as unfortunate,
as it will invite similar attempts, more than one of which, I hear,
are to be undertaken next winter.
“ Black-bellied Plovers continue to increase in this State, both
in spring and autumn, the result, I am convinced, of protective
laws. This increase is creating some discontent with such laws,
as persons who desire to kill them in the spring during the closed
season, are prevented from so doing.
5
66 Report of Committee on Bird Protection. a
“The colony of Terns on Penikese Island have enjoyed a
season of unmolested quiet. ‘The old signs were repaired, and
repapered with new warning notices in Portuguese and English.
Arrangements were made early in the spring with Captain Proctor °
of the Buzzards Bay police boat to continue his surveillance of
the island. The Terns arrived in larger numbers this season
than for years, which fact is affirmed by fishermen and the
inhabitants of Cuttyhunk Island. Mr. Frederick A. Homer wrote
me recently that the number of eggs this season is the largest in
his experience. He also added: ‘In conclusion, I will say I
think you would be abundantly satisfied with the Penikese colony
of Terns, for in my estimation there has been a decidedly larger
number of old birds than for years, as well as a larger number of
young, and they seem to have increased in the past few years
very materially. At any rate you may rest assured they have
been well cared for and protected so far as we were able to do
so, and if any good results are obtained we shall be pleased.’
You also will be pleased to know, I am sure, that [ attribute the
present high status of the Terns on Penikese Island to the sup-
port I have received from the Messrs. Homer Brothers, owners
of the island.”
Mr. E. H. Forbush, Ornithologist of the Massachusetts Board
of Agriculture and a member of the Committee, sends a most
interesting report covering the whole subject of bird protection in
his State and we regret that Jack of space prevents its presenta-
tion in full. Of the work of the Audubon Society he says: “ Its
work in distributing literature, in interesting teachers, and thereby
providing for the inculcation of its principles among the schools,
cannot be too highly recognized. This kind of work is bound to
bring forth good fruit, ‘for what is learned in youth is remem-
bered in old age.’”
As regards Mr. Mackay’s report on the Terns he says: “I
cannot let this opportunity pass without expressing the highest
admiration for the practical work that he has done. It has, I
believe, resulted in the increase of the number of Terns all along
the Massachusetts coast.”
In regard to enforcing the bird laws of the State, Mr. Forbush
reports that there are at present So fish and game wardens, some
Peed Report of Committee on Bird Protection. 67
of whom have done excellent work in warning nest robbers and
shooters. As most of the wardens are unpaid, however, they can
devote but little time to this work. The precincts of the new
Metropolitan Park are regularly patrolled by Park Policemen,
and the laws against gunners or nest robbers here are very severe,
the result being a large increase in the Park of Crows, Quail,
Woodcock, Grouse, Jays, Squirrels, and Water Fowl. Most
important has been the action of the Board of Agriculture which,
at Mr. Forbush’s request, appointed twenty bird wardens from the
Gypsy Moth force.
Mr. Forbush regards stray cats as one of the greatest sources
of harm to our smaller birds, especially to the young in the nests,
while boy gunners, pot hunters and Italians are very destructive.
Respecting nests he states that he has had several competent
observers watching nests within a few miles of his office for three
years past with the object of obtaining data on the habits and
food of the birds, and each year 75% of the nests are in some
way robbed of eggs or young.
Mr. Forbush reports also, as a sample case, the arrest of three
Italians, one of whom had on his person nine birds — Robins,
Hermit Thrushes and Downy Woodpeckers, and Saysxe “olieais
pleasant to be able to add that this man was fined $90, while
the others with him were fined for carrying firearms.
“Other Italians were also arrested and fined for trapping birds
for dealers in cage birds in Boston, and Judge Pettengill, the
trial justice, said: ‘I know and love our song birds. Time was
when I knew every bird we have hereabouts by its call note.
The woods around Boston are full of men and boys with guns
who shoot song birds, and I am glad to hear of the interest now
taken in the organization of societies for effecting their protec-
tion and increase.’ Judge Pettengill furnishes a worthy example
for imitation by some of our other judges who are sometimes
more considerate of the shooters than of the birds.”
ILLINOIS.
Mr. Ruthven Deane, in addition to his report on the work of
the Illinois Audubon Society, says: “Great credit is due to the
68 Report of Committee on Bird Protection. ce
efficient work which has been done in our State by Warden
H. W. Loveday and his deputies. Since the first of the year
over one hundred prosecutions and convictions have been made
for the wanton killing and trapping of song and insectivorous birds,
by men and boys, largely Italians and Bohemians. In 1897 there
were 580 convictions in the State for illegal killing of game birds,
and the result has made violators much less bold, and greatly
decreased the breaches of the law. An attempt was made to
convict a dealer in native cage birds, but owing to a technicality
in the faulty law it failed, though the Judge expressed sincere
regret at his inability to punish the offenders. his is another
evidence of the necessity of a carefully worded law.”
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Dr. T. S. Palmer of the Committee and of the Biological Sur-
vey of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, has furnished much
valuable information on bird legislation to various persons con-
templating revisions in their State laws. He reports that the
Survey has, as in former years, aided the cause of bird protection
in every way possible. Its library is always open to students for
consultation, and during the spring it kept a special collection of
specimens convenient for reference for persons studying the local
birds. More than 20,000 copies of the circular on ‘ Bird Day in
the Schools’ have been distributed, as well as several editions of
the Bulletin on ‘Common Birds in relation to Agriculture.’ Dr.
Palmer conducted a class in bird study among teachers in the
Normal School, “ the object being to familiarize them with the
common birds of the District by actual examination of speci-
mens.” The results were highly satisfactory and the plan is an
excellent one.
TEXAS.
Mrs. E. Irene Rood of the Committee reports on her work in
Texas: “No doubt the most important work done in this State
during the year for the protection of birds, has been the organiz-
ation of numerous Bands of Mercy, all pledged to protect the
ire a Report of Committee on Bird Protection. 69
birds. Besides this, I have distributed about 20,000 circulars,
and have had the law in regard to killing birds printed on large
placards and posted in conspicuous places.
“T have not had time to organize any Audubon Societies yet,
but have organized a number of Humane Societies which ought
to cover the same ground. In fact the State Humane Education
Society proposes to do some protective legislative work the
coming winter. I have addressed the children in the public
schools at nearly all the places I have visited on the subject of
bird protection, and advocated a Bird Day, which I hope to see
established in a few months.”
MIssouRI.
Mr. O. Widmann, of the Committee, reports that little has
been done in his State. An exhibition of birdless millinery was
given in St. Louis, but seemed to have little effect.
“ The laws,” he states, “are all right as far as they go but are
good for nothing if they are not taken care of by somebody who
has the means to enforce them, and as a rule the oniy means to
enforce a law is money to. pay men who see that it is enforced... .
The sale of shot guns and ammunition has been unprecedently
large in St. Louis, and the war has given a new incentive to the
love of slaughter.”
ARKANSAS.
Mrs. Louise McGowen Stephenson, of the Committee, sends a
most important report which we regret, from lack of space, can-
not be given entire.
She has distributed 2000 placards of the bird laws throughout
the State, having them posted in schools, railroad stations, express
offices, barber shops, saloons and meat markets. Through her
efforts and those of Mr. John M. Rose, a new law will be pre-
sented to the legislature providing for a State fish and game
warden to look after the enforcement of the laws, and. with power
to appoint assistants. Mrs. Stephenson has also been active in
Auk
7O Report of Committee on Bird Protection. oe
distributing literature and writing for the daily papers in the
interest of bird protection.
She says in closing her report: ‘This report must not close
without mention of some whose aid has been invaluable. To Mr.
Neal, editor of ‘The World,’ great credit is due, for not only are
the columns of his paper open to me, but often he has entered
the lists himself, and it was at his request that Senator Hoar’s
‘Plea of the Birds’ was scattered broadcast over the whole land,
by one of the greatest manufacturers of ‘ plate matter.’
‘Mrs. Sara Thorpe Thomas, of Alexander, Ark., is a faithful
friend of the birds and her beautifully written articles are pub-
lished in various journals throughout the State.
*‘ Last of those I can name here is a dear little girl in Little
Rock, Merle McCain, with whom it is my pleasure to correspond,
who has with the help of her teacher organized the only Audu-
bon Society in the State.”
AUDUBON SOCIETIES.
Owing to the limited space at my disposal it will be impossible
in the present report to include extracts from the many letters
received from the Audubon Societies, and from individuals who
have been working in the interest of bird protection, and we are
therefore compelled to summarize their work as briefly as possi-
ble.
Audubon Societies at present exist in New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, Ohio, Indiana, Illi-
nois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Their work has been
mainly devoted to the issuing and distribution of literature, and
the holding of lectures and meetings at which bird protection and
bird study were discussed.
Excellent progress has been made in many States towards the
establishment of bird exercises in the schools in connection with
Arbor Day celebration, notably in Wisconsin and Indiana, where
the State Superintendents of Public Instruction have lent their
aid.
Great success has attended the efforts of some of the Societies
—_-
Vol. XVI |
1BG6, Report of Committee on Bird Protection. vig
in their attempt to interest milliners in the work. Mrs. Robins of
Pennsylvania says: “ An exhibition of millinery trimmed without
the use of wild birds, aigrettes, etc., was held at the Hotel Strat-
ford, Philadelphia, in May, in which all the leading milliners of the
city participated, and the attendance of visitors was very large.
The exhibits of the various firms were afterwards displayed in
their stores and advertised in their newspaper notices, which did
still more to draw public attention to the possibilities of ‘ Audu-
bon millinery.’ Asa result many of the stores have agreed to
make a speciality of birdless hats, and Messrs. Gimbel Bros. have
established an Audubon department, besides issuing an appeal
for the birds in their millinery advertisements.”
SOUTHERN STATES.
In the Southern States, as already stated, there is probably
greater need for the agitation of bird protection than anywhere
else in the Union. The slaughter of birds there during winter
cannot but counteract our best efforts for protection in the North
during the nesting season. Mr. Kinnison has already been
quoted in relation to the destruction of Egrets in Florida. He
adds, in reference to song birds, “Our most welcome bird in the
North, the Robin, comes South to winter in droves and is killed here
asa game bird. It is notuncommon to see a hunter come to mar-
ket with them in strings of a dozen each to sell. It makes a man
like myself who was raised in northern Indiana sick. Every bird
was protected there by my father, and I have watched him when
plowing give a wide birth to the little Ground Sparrows’ nests.
I can never forget these impressions of boyhood, and it hurts me
to see the birds slaughtered when they come to Florida simply
for a home during the winter.”
Mr. T. W. Talley writes from Tallahassee that there is ‘ prac-
tically nothing done for the protection of birds; each county has
its laws but there is rarely any enforcement of them. I feel con-
fident,” he continues, “that much of the destruction of small,
beneficial species is due to guns placed in the hands of small
boys who learn an accomplishment of every southern gentleman
Auk
72 Report of Committee on Bird Protection. ant
—to shoot arene killing every small, beneficial bird that
they can see.’
In Louisiana Mr. Andrew Allison reports much the same con-
dition of affairs as in Florida. A new bird and game law has
been passed, and he hopes to obtain the passing of still better
laws next year.!
Mrs. E. G. McCabe, of Atlanta, Georgia, has undertaken to
introduce the principles of the Audubon Societies during the
year, by interesting children in the study of birds and in distribut-
ing literature. Rev. H. E. Wheeler of Huntsville, Alabama, has
done similar work but deplores the neglect of the birds in his State.
Miss Elizabeth J. Cummins has formed a branch of the Pennsyl-
vania Audubon Society at Wheeling, W. Va., and secured 61
members.
In Tennessee, North and South Carolina, correspondence
shows that practically nothing has been done for bird protection,
though Mr. J. R. Lowry, principal of the North Knoxville School
(Tenn.) has undertaken to interest his teachers in the subject,
and Miss Merriam has done some work in South Carolina, as
already described.
As showing what can be accomplished in the way of legislation
the report of Mr. F. C. Kirkwood, of the Maryland Fish and
Game Protective Association, is very encouraging. Heretofore
Robins, Flickers and Meadowlarks were lawful game birds but
in face of strong opposition they have now all been placed in the
protected list. Mr. Kirkwood writes: ‘This was one of the
hardest pills to swallow, for the rural population as well as a
great many city men; still the law has in the main been observed.
As far as song birds are concerned, I consider them as numerous
as ever.” Let us hope that similar reforms may be undertaken
in the States further south.
PACIFIC, CoAsi
From the Pacific coast we have only meagre reports. Mr.
'T have been informed since this report was written that an Audubon
Society was organized during the year in New Orleans, but have no further
information of it.
Vol. XVI
7869 Report of Commitree on Bird Protection. 73S
Anthony, of the Committee, writing from Portland, Oregon, early
in the year, stated that former sealers were reported fitting out
plume hunting expeditions to the Mexican coast. He was later
of the opinion that the rush to the Alaskan gold fields, and the
consequent demand for vessels, had benefited both birds and seals
by attracting the men elsewhere.
Mr. Leverett M. Loomis reports that the sea bird egg trade at
San Francisco, Cal., has practically stopped, owing to the steps
taken last year. ;
In Washington, Mr. J. H. Bowles states that bird protection is
as yet almost unnecessary, for civilization is not sufficiently
advanced to make every boy think it necessary for him to have a
collection of eggs or birds. One may see a boy after birds with
a sling, but there is a very strict law against these implements
and they are very scarce.
In conclusion, your Committee would call attention to the fact
that most of the suggestions embodied in last year’s report have
been acted upon, as shown in the preceding pages, with good
results.
Continuance of work on these lines, however, is strongly to be
recommended, especially (1) Foundation of Audubon societies.
(2) Encouragement of Bird study in schools, women’s clubs and
other societies, both by lectures and publications in daily and
school journals. (3) Establishment of Bird day in connec-
tion with Arbor day in the schools. (4) A passage of the model
Bird Law in full or in modified form by State legislatures.
(s) The assistance of all members of the A. O. U. in furthering
these undertakings and in bringing all who are interested in bird
study into the Union.
New suggestions which present themselves, or old ones which
have not been acted upon are:
(1.) The publication of uniform leaflets for Audubon Soci-
eties. At present the weaker societies are unable to publish
sufficient literature to meet the demands made upon them, while
the larger ones are wasting their funds in printing almost identical
matter. A publisher could easily select the best of the various
leaflets now in circulation and issue them in large quantity at a
very small cost, with the heading left blank for printing in the
74 Report of Committee on Bird Protection. ia
name and seal of the individual societies. If one of the larger
societies would take the matter up, arrangements could no doubt
be made with a publisher and the support of all the other soci-
eties secured.
(2.) The need of a cheap monthly magazine devoted to pop-
ular ornithology which could serve as an organ for the various
Audubon societies and keep the members in touch with their
work. All societies which have reached a membership of several
thousand realize that it is impossible to communicate with their
members more than once or twice a year, owing to the cost of
postage, and the success of the societies depends largely upon
keeping in communication with their members.*
(3.) The need of assistance from all true ornithologists in
guiding beginners to the proper fields of ornithological research,
in discouraging collecting by those who are not contributing to
the advancement of the science, and especially in the suppression
of the ¢rade in birds’ eggs.
(4.) The earnest effort of all bird protective associations and
members of the Union, in bringing about a better regard for our
birds in the South and West.
Respectfully submitted,
WITMER STONE,
Chairman.
1Since this was written, I have learned that a bi-monthly magazine of
ornithology, to be called ‘Bird-Lore’ has been established under the
editorship of Mr. Frank M. Chapman. This journal will be the official organ
of the Audubon Societies, and the first number, which will be issued in Feb-
ruary, will contain reports of their work for the year.
Vol. XVI
cae General Notes. 7 5
GENERAL NOTES.
The Black-capped Petrel (.#s/relata hasitata) on the Ohio River at
Cincinnati.— A specimen of this oceanic bird was noticed yesterday
(Oct. 5, 1898) on the river at the east end of Cincinnati by two young
men who approached it in a boat, close enough to hit it with an oar.
It was brought alive to the Museum of Natural History. Its skin will
be preserved in the museum. It proved to be an adult female. ‘
A young male of the same species was taken the same evening on one
of the bridges connecting Cincinnati with the Kentucky shore. It was
seen fluttering about the electric lamp, and finally struck the glass globe and
fell down on the bridge where it was picked up by the bridge watchman.
The specimen was brought to the Zodlogical Gardens in Cincinnati
where it lived one day and was then given to Mr. Charles Dury, in whose
collection the skin will be preserved. Mr. Dury, who skinned both birds,
tells me they were extremely emaciated and their digestive canals con-
tained nothing but a little watery fluid.
A few days after the capture of these two specimens at Cincinnati my
attention was called to a notice in a Kentucky paper about an “arctic
gull” captured by Captain W. L. Thomas of the ferry boat at Augusta,
Ky. I at once wrote to Captain Thomas for more information. He
very kindly sent me the skin of the bird together with the following
notes: ‘“*The bird was discovered and caught near my boat, last
Tuesday a week ago (Oct. 4) just at daybreak, exhausted; for a few
days he showed fight and appeared to wander all after night...I oa
him alive for ten days by forcing small minnows down his thvode
The specimen I would call a Fulmar.” Captain Thomas’s ‘dentiaenien
proved correct. The bird is the Black-capped Petrel, and was the third
specimen of its kind brought by the same gale to the Ohio River between
Ohio and Kentucky. —JosuA LINDAHL, Céncinnatr, O.
The Purple Gallinule (Jonornis mar tinica) in Ohio. — On Nov. 16, 1898,
a fine young specimen of this species, which had been shot the day
before on the banks of the Scioto River, was brought to me. This is,
as far as I know, the only time this species is recorded from the fall in
Ohio. The phase of plumage is an interesting one; the bird is just
beginning to change from the plumage of the young into that of the
old bird. The age of this bird, and also the date on which it was taken,
settle the question whether this species breeds in Ohio or not, beyond
all doubt in the affirmative. The bird is now in my collection. — W. F.
HENNINGER, Waverly, Ohio.
The Corn Crake in Nova Scotia — During his visit to this city recently
I had the pleasure of exhibiting to Mr. Frank M. Chapman acase of birds
76 ; General Notes. Auk
Jan.
containing specimens which I have collected and mounted in years gone
by and among which he recognized a specimen of the Corn Crake (Crex
crex) which I had inadvertently identified as another species.
As regards the history of this bird, I may briefly mention that nearly
a quarter of a century ago, in the month of October, while Snipe shooting
in a boggy, swampy situation, my dog flushed the strange bird which, fly-
ing steadily, was readily brought down, and its like has never since been
seen in this vicinity—JAmMEs McKIntay, Pictou, WN. S.
The Stilt Sandpiper in Maryland. — As records of Micropalama himan-
topus are rather scarce along the Atlantic coast; and as there is but one
record for Maryland, the often quoted Patuxent River bird taken by
Mr. H. W. Henshaw on Sept. 8, 1885, the following may be of interest.
On Sept. 9, while shooting Reedbirds on Gunpowder Marsh, Baltimore
Co., three Sandpipers came along, were whistled down and all three
shot. They proved to be Stilt Sandpipers. Two were badly cut up but
the third formed a good skin and is now in my collection. On the same
day another bird, in company with two Ring Plovers (4gvalitzs
semtpalmata) was watched for over an hour, through a field glass, but
its actions were only those of any Sandpiper. It was on mud where
there is usually a small pond in the marsh on Graces Quarter Ducking
Shore, a point about five miles from where the others were shot and
near the mouth of Gunpowder River, both points being fifteen miles in
an air line from the centre of Baltimore city. Being on private prop-
erty this last bird was not shot. It, however, came within fifteen feet
of me and at no time was over one hundred and fifty feet away during
the hour I watched it.— F. C. Kirkwoop, Baltimore, Md.
The Turnstone(Avexaria tnterpres) in Minnesota.— On May 27, 1889,
(see O. & O., Vol. XIV, p. 168) my friend, Mr. Geo. G. Cantwell, secured
what he thought the first specimens (five birds) of this species for the State,
in Lac Qui Parle Co., but in the same journal (see O. & O., Vol. XV, p.
16) I recorded the capture of a male on the shore of Lake Minnetonka, at
Excelsior, on May 24, 1888.
On May 29, 1891, at Madison, Minn.,a fine adult male was proueia to me
which was found dead near the railroad with part of the left wing miss-
ing, caused, no doubt,by the bird flying against the telegraph wire.
While at Mankato, Minn., on Noy. 1, 1898, I was permitted, through the
kindness of my friend, Prof. U. S. Cox, in charge of the Department of
Biology and Geology of the Mankato State Normal School, to examine the
collection of the school. I found there a mounted specimen of an adult
Turnstone but, unfortunately, without any data whatever. Upon inquiry
I learned that the specimen had been brought, together with a small collec-
tion of mounted birds collected near the city, by Mr. D. L.Rose. Mr. Rose
informed me that he collected the specimen about 1875 near the city of
Vol. XVI
1899 General Notes. a4
Mankato. Mr. Rose, therefore, is entitled to the credit of securing the first
specimen for the State, for his bird antedates my first capture by thirteen,
and Mr. Cantwell’s by fourteen years.— ALBERT LANO, A/zthin, Minn.
Note on Meleagris gallopavo fera.—In discussing the Turkey ques-
tion (Auk, XIV, July, 1897, pp. 272-275) I neglected to express a prefer-
ence for Vieillot’s term fera, and make the formal combination here given.
Also, there occurs on p. 274 the typographical error of pera for fera in
citing the Gal. Ois. II, 1825, p. 10, pl. 201, and I inadvertently used the
term sylvestrzs instead of fera in citing the Nouy. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. IX,
1817, p. 447-— ELttiorr Covues, Washington, D. C.
The Golden Eagle and Barn Owl at Northville, Wayne Co., Mich. — A
short time ago a Golden Eagle (Agucla chrysaétos) was caught at this
place. It had dived down upon a flock of Quail and had become entangled
in a thick growth of raspberry bushes, and a man standing near by
rushed upon the monster bird and caught it alive. This is the first
specimen of its kind ever taken in this part of Michigan, and according
to all indications it had been in captivity before, for it is perfectly
docile, and will devour its food in the presence of bystanders without
fear. This Eagle not being in its full adult plumage I wrote to Dr.
Elliott Coues upon the subject who, in reply, said, “If your Eagle is
feathered down the shanks to the roots of the toes it is the Golden
Eagle,” which proves its identity beyond a doubt.
Sometime during the last days of October, 1898, a Barn Owl (Strix
pratincola) was shot by Mr. Abraham Sheffield near Northville, Michigan.
It has been mounted and is now in possession of Stark Bros., of that
place. The Barn Owl is very rare in Michigan, and very few have
been found in the State. —James B. Purpy, Plymouth, Michigan.
New Name for the Genus Tetragonops.— Je/ragonops Jardine (Edinb.
New Phil. Journ. II, No. 2, Oct. 1855, 404), as a genus of American
Barbets is preoccupied by TZetragonops Gerstacker (Monatsb. Akad.
Berlin, Feb. or March, 1855, 85), and I will propose in its stead Paz, the
name of a mythological god of the forests. The two known species will
then be Pax rhamphastinus (Jardine), and Pan frantzit (Scl.).— CHAS.
W. RicHMOND, U. S. Nat. Museum, Washington, D. C.
Notes on the Myology of Hemiprocne zonaris.—It might be sup-
posed that the anatomical possibilities of so small a group as the
Swifts had been exhausted, but that this is not the case is shown by an
examination of Hemzprocue zonaris, for which I am indebted to Mr. C. B.
Taylor of Jamaica. The cranium is typically cypseline, so are the wing
muscles, although the deltoid is small, as in the majority of the true
Swifts, there being an apparent tendency to reduction in the number
AW)
78 General Notes. Auk
Jan.
of wing muscles in birds which fly, so to speak, by main strengthZand in
which the humerus is reduced in length. The leg muscles are curious
first by the absence of the peroneus dongus,a muscle which runs from
the head of the tibia to the upper end of the tarsus in Passeres, and
second by the great simplification of the deep plantar tendons. In the
Passeres, as we all know, one tendon flexes the first digit of the foot,
while another with three branches flexes the three front toes. In the
true Swifts, Macropterygide, the tendon of the hind toe is attached by a
short slip to the branch running to the fourth digit. In the other
Swifts so far examined the two main tendons are completely fused for
some distance although worked by two muscles. Now in //femiprocue
while the muscle which ordinarily works the front toes, the exer per-
forans, is present, it has no separate tendon, but is attached to the mus-
cle of the first digit, fevor longus hallucis, and is diverted to the work of
pulling on its tendon, which as usual runs up over the outer side of the
belly of the muscle. Below this single tendon sends off four slips, one
to each digit, thus presenting the simplest condition possible and literally
realizing Gadow’s statement that the flexor longus hallucis is really a
common flexor of all digits. If a good generic character is needed for
Hemiprocne, here it is.— F. A. Lucas, Washington, D. C.
The Authority for the Combination Cypseloides niger borealis. — In
the Eighth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List (Auk, Jan., 1897, XIV,
126) the second reference under Cypselotdes niger borealis is credited to
Drew, Auk, Jan., 1885, II, 17. Turning to Mr. Ridgway’s ‘ Catalogue of
North American Birds,’ it is seen at once that Mr. Drew was not the
first to write Cypselordes niger borealis; and unless one still earlier be
found, the proper quotation is Ridgway, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Aug-
27, 1880, ITI, 188. — Harry C. OBERHOLSER, Washington, D. C.
Octheeca frontalis (Lafr.) and Cardinalis granadensis Lafr.—In a
paper published in the Revue Zoologique, 1847, p. 67, Lafresnaye
described a number of birds from ‘Peru, Colombia, etc., collected by M.
Delattre, the types of which are now in the Philadelphia Academy. Most
of these are well known, but two— 7'yrannula frontalis and Cardinalis
granadensts — have been generally overlooked, and neither name appears
in the British Museum Catalogue of Birds.
Tyrannula frontalis was redescribed by Sclater as Octhwca citrintfrons
(P. Z. S., 1862, 113), which name must of course be relegated to synonymy.
Cardinalis granadensits trom Colombia is probably a synonym of C.
phenicurus Bp. (type locality, Venezuela), though it should be considered
if any subdivision of this species is deemed advisable. — WITMER STONE,.
Acad. Nat Sctences, Philadelphia.
Pica pica hudsonica in California.—- In August last the Black-billed
Magpie was found abundantly about Alturas, Modoc County. I believe:
Vol. XVI 3 ; =
igs General Notes. 79
this is a record for California. There is no question as to the identity for
I am familiar with both our American forms. PP. nutfal/¢¢é occurs as far
north along the Sacramento River as Shasta County.—R. C. McGREGor,
U.S. Fish Hatchery, Battle Creek, Cal.
On the Genus Astragalinus Cabanis. — When Cabanis established the
genus Asfragalinus (Mus. Hein. I, July, 1851, 159) he mentioned no
type, but ranged under the generic name A. ¢rs¢7s, A. mexicanus, and A.
columbianus, and in a footnote mentions also A. féstacénusand A. yarrellé
‘¢as the nearest relatives of the type of the genus,” which must, therefore
have been one of the above mentioned species. In the catalogue of the
Fringillide in the collection of the British, Museum (Cat. Birds Brit.
Mus. XII, 1888, 192), Dr. Sharpe gives the type as ringilla tristis Lin-
neus; and that he is correct in doing so is proven by the fact that the
only one of the three species named by Cabanis to be made the type of
another supposed genus is Fringilla psaltria Say (conspecific with
Carduelis mexicanus Swainson), which Cassin, fourteen years later,
designated as type of his subgenus Pseudomztris (Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci.
Phila. 1865, 93). This clearly establishes Aringilla tristis as the type
of the genus Astragalinus, even were L. psaltréa (with its subspecies
mextcanus and columbianus) generically distinct, which they are not.
Carduelis lawrencet Cassin is also an Astragalinus,and the only known
species of the genus not mentioned by Cabanis. The genus is connned:
so far as known, to North America, one form barely entering the northern
frontier of the southern continent. This is Astragalinus psaltria colum-
biana, which ranges from Colombia to Costa Rica. Carduelis yarrell¢
Audubon, which Cabanis, in the footnote cited above, refers to Astraga-
linus is a Spruus, as are all other purely South American species, as well
as all of those peculiar to Mexico and Central America (excepting, of
course, the subspecific forms of Astragalinus psaltria).
The North American species and subspecies of Astragalinus are as
follows : —
529. Astragalinus tristis (LINN.).
A. [stragalinus] tristis CABANIS, Mus. Hein. I, July, 1851, 159.
529a. Astragalinus tristis pallidus (MEARNs).
5294. Astragalinus tristis salicamans (GRINNELL).
Spinus tristis salicamans GRINNELL, Auk, XIV, Oct. 1897, 207.
Geoc. Distr. — Pacific coast district of United States.
530. Astragalinus psaltria (Say).
Astragalinus psaltrta RipGway, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. III Aug. 2
1880, 177.
530a. Astragalinus psaltria arizonz (COUEs).
Astragalinus psaltria arizone RipGway, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. III,
Aug. 27, 1880, 177.
5300. Astragalinus psaltria mexicanus (SwaAINs. ).
7>
So General Notes. Auk
Jan.
Astragalinus psaltria mextcanus R1ipGWway, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. III,
Aug. 27, 1880, 177.
531. Astragalinus lawrencei (CAssIN).
Astragalinus lawrenceti R1ipGWAY, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. III, Aug. 27,
1880, 177.
The remaining species ranged under Sfzzus in the A. O. U. Check-List
should remain in that genus. — ROBERT RipGWay, Washington, D. C.
Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) in Massachusetts in Win-
ter. — The statement that there is but one winter record of the Lapland
Longspur in New England (Brewster’s Minot’s Land and Game Birds
of New England, page 194) makes it interesting to record a second occur-
rence. The record above was at Brandon, Vermont, February 21, 1879.
On February 22, 1892, Mr. H. F. Kendall of Cambridge, Mass., shot a
Longspur (unsexed) among a flock of Horned Larks at Duxbury, Mass.
There were two Longspurs in the flock feeding on the beach, but one
separated from the Larksas they flew up, and could not befound. The fact
that the birds were in winter plumage among a flock of Horned Larks,
would seem to show that they could hardly have been early migrants.
The specimen that was shot is in Mr. Kendall’s collection.— Mrxor
Davis, Cambridge, Mass.
Henslow’s Sparrow in Ontario.—I have to record the first capture of
Henslow’s Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowit) in Canada, and its pres-
ence in fair numbers at different localities. At the north of the Thames
River (Lake St. Clair) two were taken on May 24, and June 12, 1898; while
near Sarnia, forty miles north, on July 2, two more were shot. Altogether
about twelve specimens were seen and heard, and it seems probable that
they are regular breeders in the western end of Ontario, their unobtrusive
habits aecounting for their not having been previously noted.
The birds were all in wet meadows not far from marshy ground, and
while not particularly wild, were so difficult to see on the ground, and
so shy of exposing themselves above it, that we saw probably only a
few of those actually present. — W. E. SAuNDERS, London, Ont.
On the Generic Name Aimophila versus Peucza.—JIn a footnote on
page 226 of ‘The Auk’ for July, 1898, expressed my inability “ to discover
any characters sufficient to separate Peuc@a from Aimofhila, unless the
former be restricted to P. @estivalis, P. botteri, and P. cassint.” After
careful reconsideration of the matter, I am only the more firmly con-
vinced that the generic name Azmofhila must be used for Ammodramus
ruficeps Cassin, and its subspecies, together with Peucea carpalis Coues.
Some doubt exists as to the latter, the relationship of which is without
doubt closer to Atmofhila sumichrasti Lawrence than to any other species ;
but in any event, P. carfalis is not a Peucea, and since it must be
removed from the last named genus (in event of its recognition as dis-
Mie ae General Notes. SE
tinct from Armophila), it may as well be referred, at least provisionally,
to Aimophila. Whether Zonotrichia mystacalis Hartlaub, Z. guingues-
triata Sclater & Salvin, Hemophila humeralis Cabanis, Aimophila
acuminata Lichtenstein, Hemophila lawrencit Salvin & Godman, and
Chondestes ruficauda Bonaparte, are to be retained in Azmofhila! or not
has nothing to do with the case as affecting the nomenclature of the
A. O. U. Check-List.
It therefore seems evident that the nomenclature of the A. O. U. Check-
List requires modification in the following respects : —
(1) The interpolation of the genus Azmofhila Swainson (Classification
of Birds, II, 1837, 287, type, by elimination, P2pzlo rufescens Swainson).
(2) Change in generic names of nos. 579 to 5808, inclusive, which
should read as follows :—
579. Aimophila carpalis (Cougs).
580. Aimophila ruficeps (CAssr).
580a. Aimophila ruficeps scottii (SENNETT).
5806. Aimophila ruficeps eremceca (BRown).
(3) Interpolation of an additional subspecies of A. ruficeps, as
5Soc. Aimophila ruficeps sororia RipGw. (Auk, XV, July, 1898,
p- 226), from the mountain districts of southern Lower California. —
RoBertT RipGway, Washington, D. C. P
Further Notes on Dendroica kirtlandi.— My paper on Kirtland’s War-
bler published in the last number of ‘The Auk’ (Vol. XV, pp. 289 ~ 293),
requires an addition and a correction as follows: Mr. B. T. Gault calls
my attention to the record of a capture of a specimen of this species by
Mr. J. E. Dickinson, in Winnebago Co., Illinois, May 25, 1894, published
in Bulletin No. 4 of the Nelson Ornithological Chapter (Oberlin, O., Jan.
15, 1895); and Mr. A. H. Jennings writes that his inclusion of the species
in his nominal list of the birds of New Providence (Johns Hopkins
University Circular, VII, 63) was based not on one but on eight speci-
mens.
With Mr. Cory’s Florida specimens recorded in the same number of
“The Auk’ in which my paper appeared, these additions raise the totai
number of known specimens of this Warbler to seventy-five, of which
fifty-five have been taken in the Bahamas and twenty in the United
States. — FRANK M. CHAPMAN, American Museum of Natural fTistory,
New York City.
Proper Name for Macgillivray’s Warbler.— Macgillivray’s Warbler
was one of those western species discovered by John K. Townsend 1834-
'T have already made Azmophila superciliosa Swainson, the type of a new
genus, Plagiospiza (Auk, XV, July, 1898, p. 242).
6
82 General Notes. en
37 on the Columbia River and sent by him to Audubon for publication
in the ‘ Birds of America.’
When Audubon received the first specimens of this bird he considered
it identical with the Mourning Warbler of the East, notwithstanding
that Townsend regarded it as distinct, and not having published a plate
of the latter species he drew one from these western specimens and
issued it with the title Sy/vza prrladelphia.
Upon Townsend’s return he demonstrated to Audubon that the two
birds were distinct and a drawing of the eastern species was thereupon
published, also (this time correctly) entitled Sylva philadelphia.
The fifth volume of Audubon’s ‘ Ornithological Biography,’ which
appeared soon after, contained the accounts of the two species, the western
one being described as new under the name of Sylva macgillivrayt.
Townsend meantime prepared his ‘Journal’ for publication and in the
appendix included a list of the birds found by him in the West, and
descriptions of such as had not already been described by Audubon.
Among the latter was this Warbler which he called Sylvia Tolmiez,
after W. F. Tolmie an officer of the Hudson Bay Company whose
acquaintance he had made at Fort Vancouver.
Townsend supposed that Audubon would use this name, as he had
indicated it on the specimens that he had sent him, and he was much
annoyed to find that he had substituted Sylva macgillivrayi for it,
claiming at the same time that his own name /o/m/ez had priority'.
This claim has not been recognized in late years, but investigation shows
that Townsend’s ‘Journal’ was issued and received at the Philadelphia
Academy by April 16, 1839, while Audubon’s fifth volume was not
received at the London Atheneum until June 22 of the same year, and
did not of course reach America until later still.
These facts show that Townsend’s name has clear priority, and in the
interests of accuracy and justice it is a satisfaction to make the correction.
Macgillivray’s Warbler should therefore stand in our list as Geothlypis-
tolmiei ; whether or not the common name shall also be changed to Tol-
mie’s Warbler we shall leave to the judgment of the A. O. U. Committee.
— WITMER Stone, Acad. Nat. Sctences, Philadelphia.
Sprague’s Pipit near New Orleans, La.— On Noy. 24, 1898, I found in
the drier parts of a favorite Snipe field, across the Mississippi from
New Orleans, five Sprague’s Pipits (Authus spraguerz): | had found them,
as had also Messrs. Pring, Kopman, and W. B. Allison, in the vicinity of the:
city before, but these were the first I had seen for some years, and were
earlier than any noted in former years. I flushed the birds repeatedly,
shot one, a female, and had excellent opportunities for watching their
1 Jour. A. N.S. Phila. VIII, 1839, p. 159.
Vol. XVI 5
365 General Notes. 53
towering flight, and hearing the notes that so markedly differ from those
of A. pensylvanicus.— A. ALLISON, New Orleans, La.
The Carolina Wren (7kryothorus ludovictanus) at Peace Daley le
I have been very much puzzled a good many times during the past sum-
mer by hearing, in the near neighborhood of my house here, the notes of
the Cardinal Bird given with great distinctness and for several minutes
together. Every time when I have tried to find the author of the notes
he has managed to escape observation. On the 21st of October, long after
I had supposed the mysterious visitor had gone south, I heard the note
very plainly and devoted half an hour to looking for the bird. I was so
fortunate on this occasion as to get a good glimpse of the singer, and
it proved to my astonishment to be a fine male of the Carolina Wren.
As soon as I saw him he disappeared in company with his mate, both of
them uttering the characteristic alarm note which the writers tell us of.
I did not shoot the bird but feel entirely sure of the identification, as I
distinctly saw the line above the eye, which is easily seen at tolerably
close quarters. Immediately after the 21st we went through a long,
cold rain storm and I supposed then I should not hear the Wren again.
But on the 28th of October I did hear him singing with great spirit and
for some minutes together. This is now the 28th of November and we
have passed through a blizzard which began Saturday afternoon, the
26th, and has been without any doubt as severe a blizzard as we have
ever experienced in this part of New England. Snow has fallen here to.
a depth rather difficult to estimate, but on the level it cannot be less than
eight inches; of course, being accompanied by a very high wind it
drifted enormously, —I observed several exhausted birds, or at least if
not exhausted more or less disabled by the storm. While investigating
the damage done in my garden J again heard my friend the Carolina
Wren. This being the third time that he has intensely surprised me, I
lose no time to report it. Is it common for Carolina Wrens to linger
beyond the summer time as far north as this? I cannot find any record
of it and imagine that I have a very odd specimen of the bird here. —
R. G. Hazarn, Peace Dale, R. J.
The Finishing Stroke to Bartram. —I have changed not, and see no.
reason to change, my view of Bartram’s case published in Pr. Phila.
Acad. 1875, pp. 338-358, where I contend that he is a binomial author
who sometimes lapses, and whose identifiable binomials which rest upon
description are available in our nomenclature. On that occasion I anim-
adyerted upon the fact that Bartram had been systematically ignored,
though freely used when we wanted some binomial convenience like
Vultur atratus or Corvus floridanus, for example—two specific names
which still hold their proper place in the A. QO. U. Check-List, showing
the inherent difficulty of doing entire injustice to Bartram. But to be
34 General Notes. ee
Jan.
consistent the Committee, in which I have always been in a minority of
one on this subject, must eradicate these two names, thus giving Bartram
his coup de grace.
(1.) After Bartram’s Vultur atratus of 1791 the first tenable specific
name of the Black Vulture would appear to be wrubu Vieill., Ois. Am.
Sept. 1807, pl. 2; which, joined with the generic name Ca¢harista Vieill.,
Anal. 1816, p. 21, yields Catharista urubu Vieill., Nouv. Dict. d’Hist.
Nat. XII, 1817, p. 401, as the required onym.
(2.) After Bartram’s Corvus flortdanus of 1791, the next name of the
Florida Jay appears to be Garrulus cyaneus Vieill., Nouv. Dict. d’Hist.
Nat. XII, 1817, p. 476. This has been cited as a nomen nudum, as by
Baird, 1858; that it is not such, but rests upon an unmistakable though
not very good description is evident from the following verbatim copy
of Vieillot’s account: “Le Geai azurin, Garrulus cyaneus Vieill., se
trouve aux Florides et ne pénétre point dans le nord des Etats-Unis; du
moins je ne l’y ai pas recontré. On ne peut le confondre avec le geaz
bleu huppé, puisqu’il est plus petit, qu’il n’a point d’aigrette sur la téte,
et que tout son plumage est généralement d’un bleu d’azur. Latham le
rapporte au gear de Steller, mais celui-ci est huppé et ne porte pas le
méme vétement.” Whence the onym of the Florida Jay would be AZA-
elocoma cyanea. The next name in order is G. cwrulescens Vieill., zb¢d.
p. 480, the description of which seems to indicate the same bird, but the
type locality, “ Kentucky,” is beyond this Jay’s now known range. No
doubt, however, attaches to “An Account of the Florida Jay, of Bartram,”
by Ord, in Journ. Acad. Phila. I, 1818, pp. 345-347, where Vieillot’s name
Garrulus cerulescens is adopted. Thus we have only to decide whether
the bird shall be known as Aphelocoma cyanea or A. cerulescens. We
next come upon two names by the same author and of ostensibly coequal
dates. These are Corvus (Garrulus) foridanus Bp., Ann. Lyc. N. Y., I,
1828, p. 58, and Garrulus foridanus Bp., Am. Orn. II, 1828, p. §9, pl. xiv,
fig. 1. Part I, pp. 7-128, of the paper in the Annals has actual priority
over the 2d vol. of the Am. Orn.; it was ‘‘read” Jan. 24, 1826, and
published apparently in March, 1826; so that, if we could use floridanus
as the specific name, it would be accreditable to Bonaparte, after throw-
ing out Bartram.
(3.) It is a necessary corollary of the foregoing proposition, that the
use of the binomial Corvus floridanus by Bonaparte in 1826, and subse-
quently by Audubon, for the Florida Jay, precludes its use for the
Florida Crow in the form Corvus americanus var. foridanus Baird, B. N.
A. 1858, p. 568. The latter may, therefore, be renamed C. a. pascuus.
This is a good Latin word, meaning of or relating to pastures; but I
intend it to connote the same as forédanus in this instance, with allu-
sion to the Spanish name of the country, said to have been called Pascua
Florida or Pascua de Flores by Ponce de Leon, because he discovered
it on Paschal or Easter Day of 1512.—ELuLiorr Cours, Washington,
YOR MES
Vol. XVI
1899 General Notes. 8 5
Rare Birds on Eastern Long Island.— AMERICAN BARN OwL (S¢rix
pratincola). On Sept. 30, 1898, a fine specimen of this bird was sent me
to mount from Gardiners Island. It had been caught in a steel trap, and
was in good condition. On October 12 another specimen was sent me
from East Marion, L. I., which had also been caught in a steel trap.
This was a male—the former a female. The stomachs contained the
remains of field mice.
Duck Hawk (falco feregrinus anatum). A specimen of this bird,
in juvenile plumage, was shot on Shelter Island on Oct. 2 and sent me
to mount. It was a female, in good condition, but had scaled down on
the bill of fare, from ducks to dragon flies —as the stomach contained the
remains of several of these insects.
FLORIDA GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata). A specimen of this bird
was shot on Shelter Island on Oct. 28, by a gunner, being the first
instance of its capture here that has ever come to my notice. It was
feeding and swimming amongst the reeds in a rather open pond, and
was approached and shot without difficulty, exhibiting little shyness. —
WiLLis W. WorRTHINGTON, ShelterIsland Heights, New York.
Notes on Two Rare Birds from Long Island, N. Y.— MourNING
WARBLER (Geothlypis pPhtladelphia).— Giraud, in writing of this
species in 1844 (Birds of Long Island, p. 65) says: ‘‘ A few years since, a
specimen was obtained by Mr. Bell on Long Island, the only one which I
have known to have been procured here.” So far as I am aware, there is
no other published record of the occurrence of this species on Long
Island, so I wish to place on record a specimen, now in the collection of
the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, taken at New Lots (now a
part of the city of Brooklyn), in June, 1862, by George B. Brainerd.
BICKNELL’s THRUSH (Zurdus alicie bicknellit.) —Since my previous
records of this bird (Auk, Vol. X, p. 91), I have discovered four addi-
tional specimens. Three of them are in the Brooklyn Institute collection,
and were collected at Parkville, Kings Co., L. I., by E. F. Carson and
Frank Suydam — two of them on Oct. 12, 1892, the other Sept. 30, 1893.
Dr. Wm. C. Braislin, of Brooklyn, also has a specimen which he has
permitted me to record, collected by himself at Parkville on Oct. 3, 1894.
— ARTHUR H. Howe Lu, Washington, D. C.
Springfield, Mass., Bird Notes.—Sturnus vulgaris.—During the
spring of 1897, nearly a hundred Starlings were liberated near Springfield,
some of which survived the following winter, which was one of about
the average in point of severity.
Otocoris alpestris praticola.— A flock of about twenty-five Prairie
Horned Larks passed last winter in Longmeadow, just south of Spring-
field ; their presence in this vicinity has never been recorded before.
Falco sparverius. — About the middle of last March, a pair of Sparrow
S6 Recent Literature. iy
Hawks took possession for breeding purposes, of an apartment in a dove-
cote at my farm in Tatham in West Springfield, driving out a pair of
Doves that were there in possession and destroying their nest. Their
first egg was laid April 17, the second after an interval of two days, and
three others, each, after an interval of one day. Incubation commenced
atter the fourth was laid. The male was at this time killed, but the
female remained devoted to her work and on the 27th of May three
Hawks were hatched, and the following day, another. One of the eggs
proved not to be fertile. Incubation lasted thirty-four days, a period
much longer than heretofore reported. During the whole of the time of
incubation and the rearing of the young, the mother Hawk did not inter-
fere with the wild birds that had adopted the territory in the vicinity of
the dove-cote for their home.
A pair of Bluebirds nested in a bird-house within thirty feet, and
Robins, Phaebes, Vesper Sparrows and other kinds all remained undis-
turbéd in the immediate neighborhood, and the pair of Doves that were
first made to give way for the Hawks, were permitted to rebuild in a
place adjacent to their first home. The young otf the Hawks were all
successfully raised and are now well and happy in confinement.—ROBERT
O. Morris, Springfield, Mass.
Xema sabinii and Chordeiles virginianus sennetti— Two Additions
to the lowa Avifauna. — My collection of lowa birds contains two imma-
ture specimens of Sabine’s Gull, both of which were taken on the sandbar
immediately above Burlington, Iowa. No. 50, (S. U. I. No. 15981) @,
was shot Oct. 15, 1891;' No. 51, (S. U., I. Ne. 15982) 59) Oct. “125. 1894"
These I believe are the first records of this species for lowa. The speci-
mens are deposited at the State University of Iowa at Iowa City.
The Smithsonian Institution recently received a specimen of Sennett’s
Night Hawk from Mr. C. F. Henning of Boone, Iowa, shot four miles
southeast of that place. This variety seems so far to have escaped Iowa
observers and it gives me pleasure to add it to our list.— P. BArtTscnH,
Washington, D. C.
RECENT LITERATURE.
Torrey’s ‘A World of Green Hills.”!— The subtitle of Mr. Torrey’s
‘A World of Green | Hills | Observations of Nature | and Human Nature |
in the Blue Ridge | By | Bradford Torrey |... . [Motto,= 2 lines and Seal]
Boston and New York | Houghton, Mifflin and Company | The Riverside
Press, Cambridge | 1898 —16mo, pp. 285. Price, $1.25.
Vol. XVI
#895 Recent Literature. 87
little book — ‘ Observations of Nature and Human Nature’ — is eminently
descriptive of the character of this new collection of charming essays,
devoted about equally to the birds, the flowers, and the people of that
portion of the Blue Ridge where the States of West Virginia and North
Carolina meet. While the reader is given delightful reminiscences of
the scenery and natural products of the region as seen by a lover of
nature in the closing month of spring, perhaps not less entertaining are
his ‘observations of human nature’ which so delightfully flavor the book
and break the tendency to monotony that a purely natural history rela-
tion by any writer, however gifted, is apt to present. The six essays here
brought together are entitled ‘A Day’s Drive in Three States,’ ‘In Quest
of Ravens,’ ‘A Mountain Pond,’ ‘ Birds, Flowers, and People,’ ‘A Nook
in the Alleghanies,’ and ‘At Natural Bridge.’ The ‘ Quest for Ravens’
was not a great success so far as finding Ravens was concerned; the
anticipated “little store of ‘first-hand knowledge’” was “a brace of inter-
rogation points.” The Ravens evaded acquaintanceship, but the reader
of Mr. Torrey’s book will not regret the length of this chapter that tells
of the Raven hunt. In this, as in the other chapters, ‘anthropology and
ornithology, and botany, are entertainingly blended. His successes
and his disappointments in the ornithological line are narrated with an
enthusiasm and a humor that appeals to the general reader as well as to
the bird lover. He records, in the course of the book, much that is of
permanent value from the standpoint of the naturalist, which an excellent
index renders readily available.—J. A. A.
Mrs. Maynard’s Birds of Washington.'— This little manual, prepared
at the suggestion of the Audubon Society of the District of Columbia,
is a credit to everyone concerned with its preparation. It gives untech-
nical descriptions of about 100 species of the birds most likely to be
seen in the vicinity of Washington, with something about the habits of
those that nest there, about a page being devoted to each species, many
ot the species being illustrated. There are also brief descriptions of the
“migrants and winter residents,” and a tabular ‘List of All Birds found
in the District of Columbia,’ the latter by Dr. C. W. Richmond, and so
arranged as to indicate the season of occurrence. Other supplementary
lists follow of ‘birds that may be seen in winter,’ ‘birds that nest within
the city limits,’ and lists of birds seen on certain days at particular points,
based on the observations of several of the best known Washington
ornithologists. The ‘Introduction’ (pp. 11-16), by Miss Florence A.
Merriam, is filled with excellent advice as to how, where and when to
1 Birds of Washington | and Vicinity | including parts of Maryland and
Virginia | By | Mrs. L. W. Maynard | with | Introduction by Florence A.
Merriam |.... [= motto, 3 lines] | Washington, D. C.| 1898.—8vo,
pp. 204, with numerous illustrations.
Auk
Jan-
88 Recent Literature.
find birds in the vicinity of Washington, written with a directness, sim-
plicity and fervor that must lend inspiration and comfort to the inexpe-
rienced bird lover. This is followed by a chapter ‘ About Birds in Gen-
eral’ by Mrs. Maynard, which gives in the short space of three pages a
surprisingly large amount of information about the generalities of the
subject. This is followed by ‘ A Field Key to our Common Land Birds,’
taken, by permission, from Chapman’s ‘ Bird-life.. Then follows the
descriptive matter forming the body of the work, as already detailed.
The numerous illustrations are from Bulletins Nos. 3 and 54, published
by the Biological Survey of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As a
local manual Mrs. Maynard’s little book is in every way admirable, and
must prove most welcome to the many amateur bird students of the
District of Columbia. — J. A. A.
Blanchan’s ‘Birds that Hunt and are Hunted.’!—The present is a
companion volume to ‘ Bird Neighbors’, by the same author (see Auk,
XV, 1898, p. 66), and is written from the same point of view, namely, “ that
of a bird-lover who believes that personad, friendly acquaintance with the
live birds, as distinguished from the technical study of the anatomy of
dead ones, must be general before the people will care enough about
them to reinforce the law with unrestrained mercy. To really know the
birds in their home life, how marvellously clever they are, and how
positively dependent agriculture is upon their ministrations, cannot but
increase our respect for them to such a point that wilful injury becomes
impossible.” The present volume treats of the Waterfewl, the Marsh
and Shore Birds, the Gallinaceous Game Birds, and the Birds of Prey, or
the leading North American forms of each in systematic sequence, with
brief mention of their distinctive characters, etc., and very satisfactory
biographies. The matter is very well chosen and skillfully put together,
being well adapted to instruct and entertain any bird lover. The author
does not forget neatly to make her points in behalf of the Herons and
Terns and the Birds of Prey, and the whole animus and tendency of the
book is in accord with the sentiments already quoted from the author’s
preface. The colored plates, originally published in the magazine ‘ Birds,’
are an invaluable aid in the determination of the species. It is only to be
regretted that better examples of taxidermy could not have been chosen
in somecases. We notice very few slips on the part of the author, but
we must confess that it is a new fact to us that the blade-like bill of the
Skimmer is ever used as “a sort of oyster knife to open mollusks.” Also
‘Birds that Hunt | and are Hunted | Life Histories of One Hun- | dred and
Seventy Birds of | Prey,Game birds and Water- | Fowls | By | Neltjie Blan-
chan | Author of “ Bird Neighbors” | With introduction by G. O. Shields
(Coquina) | And Forty-eight colored Plates | New York | Doubleday and
McClure Co. | 1898.— 8vo, pp. xii-+ 359. Price $2.00.
Vol. XVI
1899 Recent Literature. 89
it may be of interest to the author to know that the American Museum of
Natural History in New York has also a mounted specimen of the Great
Auk, where it has been among its prominent exhibits for the last twenty
years. —J. A. A.
Huntington’s ‘In Brush, Sedge, and Stubble.’ '— Mr. Huntington’s ‘In
Brush, Sedge, and Stubble’ appeals alike to the sportsman, the naturalist,
and the lover of art. The work is proposed as a series of “monographs
on our feathered game,” “ written from the point of view of the sports-
man, with a preference for the picturesque rather than the scientific... .In
a word, we go out-of-doors from Montauk to San Lucas, and, listening
to the whirring and whistling of wings, we observe the performance of
dogs, and see America picturesque.” The first two parts treat of the
sage Grouse, the Sharp-tailed Grouse, and the Prairie Grouse.
The illustrations consist of half-tones from photographs of the birds
described, and of hunting scenes and characteristic landscapes of the
regions inhabited by the game under consideration, partly from nature
and partly from sketches, principally by the author.
The illustrations are beautifully reproduced, abundant, picturesque,
and exceedingly attractive. The text is very good ornithology, written,
as stated by the author, from the sportsman’s point of view, with more or
less personal incident interspersed. All lovers of finely illustrated books
relating to nature, and especially all sportsmen, will doubtless warmly
welcome Mr. Huntington’s ‘In Brush, Sedge, and Stubble.’ —J. A. A.
Oberholser on the Wrens of the Genus Thryomanes.?— The present
paper of thirty pages deals with the Wrens of the dew7ckit group, of
which 3 species and 12 additional subspecies are recognized, all the
latter being variations, in most instances not strongly marked, of
Thryothorus (Thryomanes) bewickit of the A. O. U. Check-List. The
group ranges across the continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and
from Pennsylvania, southern Minnesota, Colorado, and southern British
Columbia southward to southern Mexico (Oaxaca), including the
Socorro and Guadalupe Islands, off the west coast of Mexico. Of the
12 subspecies of JZ. dewickit, seven belong to the United States, the
remaining five occurring in Mexico. In other words, 7 new sub-
‘In | Brush, Sedge, and Stubble | A Picture Book of | the Shooting-
fields and Feathered | Game of North America | By | Dwight W. Hunting-
LOM iyo) motto, 3) lines] | M 1) C © © xX © Vill |p iihe)Sportsman’s
Society | Cincinnati.— Folio, Pt. I, pp. 1-16; Pt. II, pp. 17-32; 2 pll. in
half-tone and 2 in colors, and numerous half-tones in text.
2A Review of the Wrens of the Genus 7zryomanes Sclater. By Harry
C. Oberholser, Assistant Biologist, Department of Agriculture. Proc. U.S.
Nat. Mus., Vol. XXI, No. 1153, pp. 421-450. Nov., 1898
gO FRecent Literature. one
species of 7. bewickit spilurus and T. b. leucogaster of the Check-List
are for the first time separated and named. The United States forms of
the group are as follows: (1) 7. bewéckit bewickii (Aud.), of the eastern
United States; (2) 7. b. cryptus, Texas, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas,
and probably north to Kansas; (3) 7. 6. eremophilus, southern border for
the United States, from western Texas and southern Colorado to south-
eastern California, south over the tablelands of Mexico; (4) 7. 0. char-
tenturus, coast region of southern California, from about Pasadena south
into northern Lower California; (5) 7. 6. drymaecus, Sacramento and
San Joaquin valleys west to the coast about San Simeon, California; (6)
T. b. spilurus (Vigors), vicinity of San Francisco Bay, California; (7)
T. b. calophonus, Pacific Coast, from Oregon north to southern Van-
couver Island and the valley of the Frazer River, British Columbia; (8)
T. b. nesophilus, Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands, California; (9)
T. b. leucophrys (Anthony), San Clemente Island, California; (10) DAO:
cerroensts (Anthony), Cerros Island, Lower California. The other
members of the group are (1) Z. 4. percuus, State of Jalisco, north to
Central Zacatecas, south to Guerrero; (2) 7. 6. murinus (Uartl.), States
of Hidalgo, Mexico, Tlaxcala, and northern Morelos, Mexico; (3) 7. 6.
bairdi (Salv. & Godm.), Oaxaca, southern Puebla, and southwestern
Vera Cruz, Mexico; (4) 7. zusularis (Lawr.), Socorro Island, Mexico;
(5) Z. brevicaudus Ridgw., Guadalupe Island, Mexico. Thus five of
the forms are insular.
Mr. Oberholser is no doubt very keen at discriminating slight differ-
ences, not only in the present but in some other instances. The ques-
tion is not so much whether the differences claimed exist, but the
advisability of their recognition in nomenclature. The present group is
apparently not exceptionally plastic, and the same methods carried out
among North American birds in general would doubtless result in num-
berless similar minute subdivisions, which it would serve no good pur-
pose to recognize as ‘subspecies.’ In the present case the rather startling
results seem due rather to a new point of view as regards the value of
slight differences than to the discovery of new characters.
We observe that Mr. Oberholser rejects the name dexcogaster used
by Baird for the Texan form, and renames it cryffus, on the ground that
Baird did not give a new name in this instance but used the name Jezco-
gaster of Gould, through a misidentification of Gould’s species; and that,
therefore, ‘‘ according to the usual procedure in such cases,” Baird’s
name is unavailable —a point apparently well taken.
Incidentally Mr. Oberholser claims full generic rank for Thryomanes
and Anorthura, and we believe with good reason. —J. A. A.
Bangs on Birds from Colombia.'— Mr. Bangs here reports on a third
‘On some Birds from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. By
‘Outram Bangs. Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, Vol. XII, 1898, pp. 171-182.
Oct. 31, 1808.
a Recent Literature. 9 I
lot of birds, received from Mr. W. W. Brown, Jr., collected in May and
June, 1898, at various localities in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta,
Colombia, at altitudes ranging from 5000 to 8000 feet. The collection
numbers about 300 specimens, representing 66 species and subspecies, of
which 8, and one genus, are described as new, as follows: Meocrex colom-
bianus, Aulacorhamphus lautus, Leucuria (gen. nov.) phalerata, Elenta
sororia, Grallaria spatiator, Spinus spinescens capitaneus, Diglossa nocte-
color, Merula pheopyga minuscula, M. gigas cacozela. The new Hum-
mingvird (Leucuria phalerata), remarkable for its pure white tail, is
related to Hel/anthea and Hemistephania; a colored figure of it will be
given in a future number of this journal. —J. A. A.
Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science.— The ‘ Proceed-
ings’ of the Indiana Academy of Science for 1897 (1898) contains (pp.
175-207) several short ornithological papers, as follows: (1) ‘Some Indi-
ana Crow Roosts,’ by A. W. Butler (pp. 175-178), enumerating 13 roosts,
with a population varying from a few thousands to tens of thousands
each, while one roost was estimated to contain ‘ one hundred thousand
Crows.” (2) ‘Notes on Crow Roosts of Western Indiana and Eastern
Illinois, by John S. Wright (pp. 178-180), — brief notes on six or eight
roosts. (3) ‘Brtinnich’s Guillemot (Uréa lomvia) an Addition to the
Birds of Indiana,’ by A. W. Butler (pp. 180-183), — previously published,
in substance, in ‘The Auk’ (XIV, April, 1897, pp. 197-199). (4) Notes
on the Birds observed in the vicinity of Richmond, Wayne County,
Indiana,’ by Alden H. Hadley (pp. 183-198),— an annotated list of 137
species. (5) ‘Notes on Indiana Heronries,’ by A. W. Butler (pp. 198-201).
This is an attempt to enumerate all the heronries at present or formerly
existing in Indiana. Evidence is given of the former breeding of the
American Egret (Ardea egretfa) in some numbers in the Kankakee
Marshes in northern Indiana, as well as at various points in the lower
Wabash Valley. The inference is drawn that the few birds of this species
noted in the central and northern parts of the State after the breeding
season are not stragglers from the southward, as formerly supposed, but
migrants on their way south from breeding stations in the northern part
of the State. (6) ‘The Recent occurrence of the Raven in Indiana,’ by
A. W. Butler (pp. 201, 202). Reported as breeding as late as 1894 at
Raven’s Rock, in Martin and Dubois Counties, and as recently occurring
in winter in the northeastern part of the State. (7) ‘An Instance of Bird
Ferocity,’ by Glenn Culbertson (pp. 206, 207). A Loggerhead Shrike
observed impaling a Sparrow Hawk on the thorns of an osage orange tree.-—
Ifo Ae AX
Recent Papers on the Great Auk.— Under the title ‘ The Orcadian
Home of the Garefowl,’ Prof. Newton in ‘ The Ibis’ for October describes a
visit to the Holm of Papa Westray, the breeding place of the species
92 Recent Literature. jae
whose extirpation, so far as the Orkneys is concerned, was compassed in
1813 by Bullock.
In the Transactions of’ the Edinburgh Field Naturalists and Micro-
scopical Society, Mr. Symington Grieve brings the history of the Great
Auk down to the end of July, 1898, recording the further discovery of
bones in kitchen middings on the coasts of Iceland and Denmark. Still
more interesting, however, was the finding of a hollow cast of an egg of
the Great Auk, determined as such by Prof. Steenstrup, in a deposit
of the sub-glacial period in the southern part of Sweden, to the northeast
of Falsterbo, by members of the Swedish Geological Survey.— F. A. L.
Stickney and Hoffmann’s ‘Bird World.’!—This book is designed for use
as a school reader for intermediate grades. It contains some seventy
odd chapters most of which treat briefly of the commoner birds while
others deal with various phases of bird-life or bird structure; thus there
are chapters on ‘ The Coming of the Birds,’ ‘Bird Homes,’ ‘ How Young
Birds Get Fed,’ ‘ Food of Birds,’ ‘About Birds’ toes,’ ‘ Birds’ Bills,’ etc.
The material has been carefully selected and seems well adapted to
interest children in bird-study.
The author has done wisely in securing the codperation of a practi-
cal ornithologist and Mr. Hoffmann’s name on the title page of her
work is a guarantee of its freedom from serious errors. In two or three
instances, however, more careful revision would have added to the
accuracy of the author’s statements. For example, on p. 22, feathers
are said to grow on the toes of the Grouse; on p. 103 birds are stated to
moult their feathers “one from one side, then one from the other,”
while the unqualified assertion that “ Parrots hang themselves up at
night by their beaks” requires considerable modification, and, as a matter
of fact, the name ‘Candelita’ is not applied to the Redstart in the West
Indian Islands, outside of Cuba.
The book is profusely and well illustrated by ten full-page drawings
by Mr. Thompson, eight half-tone color photographs of mounted birds,
pen and ink outlines of birds’ wings, bills, feet, tails, etc., cuts from
the publications.of the Department of Agriculture, and other illustra-
tions from ‘ The Osprey,’ including several drawings by Mr. Fuertes.
An appendix gives a color key to fifty common birds, and lists of com-
moner birds grouped according to their local distribution, and whether
beneficial or injurious, etc. —F. M. C.
Publications Received.— Bangs, Outram. On some Birds from the
Sierra Madra de Santa Marta, Colombia. (Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. XII,
1898, pp. 171-182.)
"Bird Worid | A Bird Book for Children | By | J. H. Stickney | Assisted by
| Ralph Hoffmann | — | Boston, U. S. A. | Ginn & Company, Publishers |
The Athenzum Press | 1898 | 12 mo., pp. vi-+ 214. Numerous illustrations.
Price, 70 cents.
Vol. a Recent Literature. 93
Beal, F. E. L., and Judd, Sylvester D. Cuckoos and Shrikes in their
Relation to Agriculture. Bull. No. 9, U. S. Depart. of Agric., Division
of Biological Survey. 8vo, pp. 26, 1808.
Blanchan, Neltje. Birds that Hunt and are Hunted. 8vo, pp. xii+ 359
and 48 col. pll. New York, Doubleday & McClure Co., 1898. $2.00.
Campbell, Archibald J. Nests, Eggs, and Play-grounds of the Austral-
ian Ptilonorhynchine, or Bower Birds, and their Allies. (Roy. Phys.
Soc. Edinburgh, XIV, pp. 13-46, pll. i-tii.)
Clark, Hubert Lyman. The Feather-tracts of North American Grouse
and Quail. (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. XXI, No. 1166, pp. 641-653.)
Clarke, Wm. Eagle. On the Ornithology of the Delta of the Rhone.
(Ibis, Oct. 1898, pp. 465-485. )
Elliot, D. G. The Wild Fowl of the United States and British Pos-
sessions, or the Swan, Geese, Ducks and Mergansers of North America.
Svo., pp. xvi-+316, with 63 pll. New York, Francis P. Harper, 1808.
$2.50.
Huntington, Dwight W. In Brush, Sedge, and Stubble. Folio, Pelle
Sportsman’s Society, Cincinnati, 1898.
Maynard, Mrs. L. W. Birds of Washington and Vicinity. 8vo, pp.
204. Washington, 18908.
Newton, Alfred. On the Orcadian Home of the Garefowl. (Ibis, Oct.
1898, pp. 587-592.)
Oberholser, Harry C. A Revision of the Wrens of the Genus Thryo-
manes Sclater. (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XXI, No. 1153, pp. 421-450. )
Rhoads, Samuel N. (1) The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. (American
Friend, 11th mo., 1898.) (2) Owls, Mice and Moles. Questions in
Economic Zoédlogy. (Forest & Stream, Aug. 20, 1898.) (3) “ Noxious ”
or “ Beneficial”? False Premises in Economic Zodlogy. (Am. Nat.,
Aug. 1898.)
Sclater, P. L. (1) On the Psofhia obscura of Natterer and Pelzeln.
(Ibis, Oct. 1898, pp. 520-524, pl. xi.) (2) Chairman’s Address, Seventh
Session of the British Ornithologists’ Club. (Bull. Br. Orn. Club, No.
LV1.) "
Shelley, G. E. (1) On the final Collections of Birds made by Mr.
Alexander Whyte, F. Z. S., in Nyasaland. With Prefatory Remarks by
P. L. Sclater. (Ibis, July, 1898, pp. 376-381.) (2) A List of Birds col-
lected by Mr. Alfred Sharpe, C. B., in Nyasaland. With Prefatory
Remarks by P. L. Sclater. (Ibis, Oct. 1898, pp. 551-557.)
Torrey, Bradford. A World of Green Hills, Observations of Nature
and Human Nature in the Blue Ridge. 16 mo, pp. 285. Houghton,
Mifflin & Co., Boston and New York, 1898. $1.25.
Tschusi zu Schmidhoffen, Vict. Ritter v. Bemerkungen tiber die
europaischen Graumeisen (Parus palustris Auct.) nebst Bestimmungs-
schliissel derselben. (Orn. Jahrb., 1898, Heft 5.)
American Journ. Sci., Oct.-Dec., 1898.
Annals of Scottish Nat. Hist., Oct. 1898.
94 Notes and News. : i
Aquila, No. 4, 1898.
Australian Museum. Report of the Trustees for 1897.
Birds and All Nature, IV, No. 6, Dec. 1808.
Bulletin British Orn. Club, No. LVI, Oct. 1898.
Bulletin Wilson Orn. Chap. Agassiz Ass., Nos. 22, 23, 1898.
Forest and Stream, LI, Nos. 14-27, 1808.
Iowa Ornithologist, The, IV, No. 3, July, 1898.
Knowledge, XXI, Nos. 156-158, 1808.
Maine Sportsman, VI, Nos. 62, 63, Oct. and Dec., 1808.
Naturalist, The, A Month. Journ. Nat. Hist. for North of England,
Oct.-Dec., 1898.
Ornis, Bull. du Comité Orn. International, IX (1897-98), No. 1.
Ornithologische Monatsberichte, VI, Nos. 10-12, Oct.—Dec., 18908.
Ornithologische Monatsschrift des Deutschen Vereins zum Schutze
der Vogelwelt, XXIII, Nos. 10-12, Oct.-Dec., 1898.
Ornithologisches Jahrbuch, IX, Nos. 5, 6, Sept.—Dec., 1898.
Our Animal Friends, XX VI, Nos. 2-4, Oct.-Dec., 1898.
Ottawa Naturalist, XII, Nos. 7-9, Oct.-Dec., 1808.
Proceedings of the Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, pt. II, 1898, April—
Sept.
Proceedings of the California Acad. of Sciences, 3d Ser., Zo6l., I, Nos.
7, 8, and ro, 1898; Geol., I, pp. 129-160, 1898.
Proceedings of the Indiana Acad. of Science, for 1897 (1898).
Science, (2) Nos. 196-209, 1808.
Shooting and Fishing, XXIV, Nos. 23-26, XXV, Nos. 1-11, 1898.
ZoOlogist, The, (4) Nos. 22-24, 1898.
NOTES AND NEWS.
A NEw ornitholcgical magazine is announced by the Macmillan Com-
pany, to be called‘ Bird-Lore.’ It will be published bimonthly, under the
editorship of Mr. Frank M. Chapman, the first number to appear in Feb-
ruary, 1899. It will be ‘“ addressed to observers rather than to collectors
of birds,” and “will attempt to fill a place in the journalistic world simi-
lar to that held by the works of John Burroughs, Bradford Torrey, Olive
Thorne Miller, and others in the domain of books.” It will also be the
official organ of the Audubon Societies, and a department devoted to
their work and aims will be conducted by Mrs. Mabel Osgood Wright,
the President of the Connecticut Audubon Society, and well known as a
writer of popular books on natural history. It will also contain, in addi-
tion to the general articles, departments entitled ‘Notes from Field and
Study,’ ‘Hints for Teachers and Students,’ etc. ‘ Bird-Lore’ will be illus-
trated with reproductions of photographs of wild birds from life, show-
ie ade Notes and News. 95
ing their nests and eggs, and the birds themselves in their natural
haunts. In a word, it will be “a magazine devoted to the study and
protection of birds,” for which there is ample need and a wide field. Its
publication by the Macmillan Company is a guarantee that ‘ Bird-Lore>
as regards its typographical appearance and the character of the illustra-
tions, will leave little to be desired.
‘THE Osprey,’ to quote from a recent editorial in the October issue
ot this popular ornithological journal, ‘ being a migratory bird, has flown
southward from New York to Washington this autumn, and taken up its
winter quarters in a new locality, of which it proposes to become a
permanent resident.” This is another way of saying that ‘The Osprey’
has changed hands, being now published by The Osprey Publishing
Company of Washington, and edited by Elliott Coues and Theodore Gill,
with the former editor, Walter Adams Johnson, as Associate Editor
and Louis Agassiz Fuertes as Art Editor. The change of environment
has apparently had a bad effect upon the health of ‘The Osprey,’ or,
as its editor puts it, ‘‘ The moulting process has proven somewhat severe
and protracted this season, and the appearance of the bird in its new
plumes has consequently been delayed.” The choice of printer appears
to have been unfortunate, for not only has ‘The Osprey’ been greatly
delayed in its appearance but has lost much of the typographical lustre
that was formerly so characteristic of this well-received magazine. The
October and November numbers of last year appeared together the first
week in January of this year. But ‘*the December number is in press,
and the issue for January is nearly ready,” so that the lost time due to
migration will doubtless be soon made up. In typography the second
number under the new auspices is a great improvement over the first,
so there is reason to hope that the former high grade of text and illus-
trations will be regained, and its literary standing be even surpassed.
Its present editors are certainly too experienced in both literary and
scientific work not to know how to run a magazine, even a ‘popular’ one,
of ornithology. ‘The Osprey’ certainly has our most cordial wishes for
its success.
Tue A. O. U. Membership Lists, usually issued as a part of the January
number of ‘The Auk,’ are deferred to the April number, owing to the
unusual demand for space in the January issue for matter connected with
the publication of the Ninth Supplement to the Check-List of North
American Birds, and for the Report of the A. O. U. Committee on
Protection of North America Birds. This valuable document willg be
reissued in pamphlet form and sold at cost, for distribution as a tract in
behalf of bird protection. We must also ask the contributors of many
valuable papers to pardon delay in their appearance, for the reasons
already stated; they will all appear in due course, as fast as space can be
found for their reception. Never in the history of ‘The Auk’ has) so
96 Notes and News. ie
Jan.
much desirable matter been offered for publication, during the same
length of time, as within the last four or five months; for which favors
the Editors beg to extend sincere thanks.
SINCE ouR last notice of the New York ZoOdlogical Park (Auk, XV,
Jan. 1898, p. 79), great progress has been made in laying out the grounds
and in the construction of various buildings and dens for the animals.
The Elk House has been completed and is fitted up for temporary use
as offices and workshops. The Winter Bird House, to cost $14,400, is
ready to receive its roof. The foundation walls of the Reptile House,
which will cost $34,000, have been completed, and excavations have
been made for the series of Bear Dens, and for eight Wolf and Fox Dens,
and for the Beaver Pond. Also excavations for the Ducks’ Aviary have
been made, and about five hundred cubic yards of sandy earth hauled to
torm the dry runways for the Pheasants’ Aviary. The Flying Cage for
birds will be soon begun, to cost $5000; it will be the largest structure
of its kind in the world, with a length of 150 feet, a width of 75 feet, and
a height of so feet. Among the many structures in contemplation are
the Eagles’ Aviary, for the Birds of Prey in general; six shelter houses
for Deer and Moose, an Antelope House, to cost $25,000, and a Monkey
House, to cost $40,000, some of which, if not the most of them, will
probably be completed the present year. No money will be expended on
buildings of a temporary character, but all are to be built for permanent
use, and after the best plans that modern experience and research in
such matters can suggest. The Monkey and Antelope Houses may be
utilized in part at first for the reception of other tropical animals, till the
proper buildings for them have been provided.
The Director states, in the last ‘News Bulletin’ of the Zodlogical
Society (No. 3, Dec. 1898) : “The New York ZoGlogical park should, in
fact, be so well equipped with buildings, dens, and aviaries, that by mid-
summer, 1899, no type of animal need be turned away because there is
no place in which to put it.” It is expected that the park will be in
readiness to receive contributions of animals in April, and that the for-
mal opening of the park will take place in May. ‘When the Zoological
Park is ready for animals, all members of the Society, and also ftiends
who are not, are expected and requested to do their utmost to secure,
as gifts for the Park, a large and continuous supply of fine, typical
quadrupeds, birds, and reptiles, especially of North American forms,”
As stated in our former notice, the Society is largely dependent upon
membership and patrons’ fees for its support, and is to be open free to the
public. Among its advantages will be the encouragement and opportu
nities it will afford to not only students of animal life, but to animal
painters and sculptors. The office of the Secretary, Madison Grant, is
still at No. 11 Wall St., New York City, but the address of the Director,
William T. Hornaday, is New York ZoOdlogical Park, 183d St. and South-
ern Boulevard, New York City.
Aree | Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. CheckaList. 97
NINE (SUPPLEMENT TO THE, AMERICAN ORNI-—
THOLOGISTS’ UNION CHECK-LIST OF NORTH
AMERICAN BIRDS.
Tue Eighth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List of North
American Birds — the first since the appearance of the “ second
and revised ” edition of the Check-List — was published in Janu-
ary, 2so7 (Auk, XIV, pp. 117-135). ‘The present. (Ninth)
Supplement gives a report of the action of the Committee on
Classification and Nomenclature of North American Birds on
all questions affecting the Check-List that have come before it
for consideration since that date, covering the two years between
January, 1897, and January, 1899. While a satisfactory decision
was practicable in most cases, in quite a number of instances
either the material available for examination was insufficient, or
the questions were too complicated for the Committee to decide
in the limited time available for concerted work. These have
been referred to subcommittees for investigation, and will come
up for final action at a future meeting of the Committee.
As in the previous Supplements, the numbers at the left of the
scientific names furnish the means of easy collation of the Sup-
plement with the Check-List. The interpolated. species and
subspecies are numbered in accordance with the provision made
therefor in the Code of Nomenclature (p. 14, last paragraph).
( Ropert RripGway, Chairman.
qa AS AGEING
Committee + WILLIAM BREWSTER.
| ELLiorr COouEs.
| C. Hart MERRIAM.
Pa VOPIbIONS TO THE CHECK-LIST, AND. AG
CEPTED CHANGES IN NOMENCLATURE.
Famity URINATORIDZ! (Check-List, 2d ed, p. 3). (&
ALLEN, Auk, XIV, July, 1898, 312.)
This becomes
Famity GAVIIDZ.
Auk
Jan.
98 Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List.
GeNus URINATOR Cuvier. This becomes
GEeNuS GAVIA Forster.
Gavia Forster, Enchirid. Hist. Nat. 1788, 38. No type,
but based exclusively upon ihe Loons. (C/ ALLEN, Auk,
XIV, July, 1897, 312.) Hence Nos. 7 to 11 will stand as
follows:
7. Gavia imber (GuNN.).
Colymbus imber GuUNNERUS, Trondh. Selsk, Skr. I, 1761
pl. ii.
Gavia imber ALLEN, Auk, XIV, July, 1897, 312.
8. Gavia adamsii (Gray).
Colymbus adamsit GRAY, P. Z. S. 1859, 167.
Gavia adamsii ALLEN, Auk, XIV, July, 1897, 312.
9. Gavia arctica (LINN.).
Colymbus arcticus LINN. S. N. ed. 10, I, 1758, 135.
Gavia arctica ALLEN, Auk, XIV, July, 1897, 312.
10. Gavia pacifica (Lawr.).
Colymbus pacificus Lawr. in Baird's Bds. N. Am. 1858, 889.
Gavia pacifica ALLEN, Auk, XIV, July, 1897, 312.
11. Gavia lumme (GuNN.).
Colymbus lumme GUNNERUS, Trondh, Selsk. Skr. I, 1761,%pl.
Lip fe, Bi
Gavia lumme ALLEN, Auk, XIV, Ju'y, 1897, 312.
Genus GAVIA Bote (Check-List, 2d ed., p. t5). This becomes
Genus PAGOPHILA Kavp.
Pagophila Kaur, Skizz. Entw.-Gesch. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 69.
Type, Larus eburneus Puiprps= ZL. albus Gunn. (Cf.
Coves, Auk, XIV, July, 1897, 313.)
Vol. ae Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List.
1899
9
39. Gavia alba (GuNN.). This hence becomes
Pagophila alba (GuNn.).
Larus albus GUNN. in Leem’s Beskr. Finm. Lapp. 1767, 28s.
Pagophila alba Couts, Auk, XIV, July, 1897,
aro:
64. Sterna tschegrava Lreprecu. This becomes
Sterna caspia Pavias.
Sterna caspia Patitas, Nov. Comm. Petrop. XIV, 1770, 582,
pl xk, fie io.
This change is made on the grounds (1) that LeEPECHIN was
not binomial in the article in which he named Sterna ¢tschegrava,
and (2) that Sterna caspia PALLAS, of even date, was the name
first used by a subsequent author. (Cf Cours, Auk, XIV, July,
1897, 314.)
SupceNnus HALIPLANA Wac ter (Check-List, 2d ed., p. 26).
This becomes
SUBGENUS ONYCHOPRION WaAGLER.
Onychoprion WAGLER, Isis, 1832, 277. Type, Sterna serrata
FORSTER —S. fuliginosa GMEL. (Cf. Cours, Auk, XIV,
July, 1897, 314.)
82.1. Diomedea immutabilis Roruscu.
Laysan Albatross.
Diomedea immutabilis RoruscHiLp, Bull. Brit. Orn. Club,
Now is. June, 1593, pe xiviir
[B= C= Re aaemen
Geoc. Dist. — Laysan Islands; San Geronimo and Guadalupe
Islands, Lower California. (Cf AnrHoNy, Auk, XV, Jan. 1898,
38.)
re)
Famity PROCELLARIIDZ: (Check-List, 2d ed., pp. 29—
38). For the two present subfamilies (PROCELLARIIN® and
TOO Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. ——
Jan.
OcEANITIN#) substitute the four following (Cf. Cours, Auk,
XIV, July, 1897, 315):
SurFAMILY FULMARINZ,, to include Nos. 85 to 87,
inclusive, and No. [102], or the genera Ossifraga, Fulma-
rus, Priocella, and Daption.
SuBFAMILY PUFFININZ,, to include Nos. 86 to [101],
inclusive, or the genera Puffinus, Priofinus, 4strelata and
Bulweria.
SUBFAMILY PROCELLARIINGZ,, to include Nos. 103 to
108, inclusive, or the genera Halocyptena, Procellaria, and
Oceanodroma.
SuBFAMILY OCEANITINZ,, to include Nos. 1og to 111,
inclusive, thus leaving the subfamily without change.
The former subfamily PROCELLARIIN# is thus divided into the
three subfamilies FULMARIN&, PUFFININ2, and PROCELLARIINA,
while the subfamily OCEANITIN# remains as formerly. In order
of arrangement, No. [102] comes next after No. 87.
SusGENUS PRIOCELLA Hompron & Jacguinot (Check-List,
2d ed., p. 31). This is raised to a full genus. (Cf CouEs,
Auk, XIV, July, 1897, 315.) Hence No. 87 will stand as
87. Priocella glacialoides (Smiru).
Procellaria glacialoides SmirH, Illust. S. Afr. B. 1840, pl. 51.
Priocella glacialoides B. B. & R. Water Bds. N. A. II, 1884,
373-
(92.1.| Puffinus assimilis Goutp.
Allied Shearwater.
Puffinus assimilis GOULD, P. Z. S. 1837, 156.
[B—, C—, R—, C—.]
Geoc. Dist. — Australian and New Zealand Seas, and north-
ward in the Atlantic Ocean to the Madeira Islands; Sable
Island, Nova Scotia (accidental). (Cf Dwicur, Pr. Biol. Soc.
Wash. XI, 1897, 69.)
Lichen Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. IOI
93.1. Puffinus auricularis C. H. Townsenp.
Townsend’s Shearwater.
Puffinus auricularis C. H. TowNsenpD, Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus.
XIII, Sept. 9, 1890, 133.
[B—, C—, R—, C—.]
Geoc. Dist.— Clarion Island, north to Cape San Lucas,
Lower California. (Cf AntHony, Auk, XV, Jan. 1898, 38.)
94. Puffinus stricklandi Ripcw. ‘This becomes
Puffinus fuliginosus STRICKLAND.
Puffinus fuliginosus STRICKLAND, P. Z. 5S. 1832, 129.
The prior Procellaria fuliginosa GMEL. does not render Puffinus
fuliginosus STRICKLAND untenable. (Cf Cours, Auk, XIV, July,
ESQ7, 305.)
SupcENuS PRIOFINUS Homepron & Jacqguinor (Check-List,
2d ed., p. 33). This is raised to a full genus. (Cf Cougs,
Auk, XIV, July, 1897, 315.) Hence No. [97] will stand as
[97.| Priofinus cinereus (GMEL.).
Procellaria cinerea GMEL. S. N. I, ii, 1788, 563.
Priofinus cinereus JacQ. & Pucu. Voy. Péle Sud, Zool. III,
1853, 145-
105.2. Oceanodroma kaedingi ANTHONY.
Kaeding’s Petrel.
Oceanodroma haedingi AnTHoNYy, Auk, XV, Jan. 1898, 37.
[B—, C—, R—, C—.]
Groc. Dist.— Socorro and Clarion Islands, north to southern
California.
[106.2.] Oceanodroma cryptoleucura (Ripcw.).
Hawaiian Petrel.
Cymochorea cryptoleucura Rrpcw. Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. IV,
1882, 337°
Auk
Jan.
ToO2 Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List.
Oceanodroma cryptoleucura RipGw., Man. N. A. Bds, 1887, 71.
[B—, C—, R—, C—.]
Geroc. Dist. — Pacific and Southern Oceans; accidental in the
District of Columbia. (Cf W. Patmer, Auk, XIV, July, 1897,
297-)
GENuS CYMODROMA Ripeway (Check-List, 2d ed., p. 38).
This becomes
Genus FREGETTA Bonap.
Fregetia BONAP. Comp. ‘Rend. XLT, 1855, 22203. ) Type;
Thalassidroma tropica GOULD= 7. melanogaster GOULD.
Name sufficiently distinct from /yvegata Briss. (Cf Cougs,
Auk, XIV, July, 1897, 315.) Hence No. [110] will stand as
[110.] FPregetta grallaria (VIEILL.).
Procellaria grallaria VieILL. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. XXVI,
1817, 418.
fregetta grallaria BONAP. Consp. Av. II, 1856, 197.
112. Phaethon flavirostris Branpr. This becomes
Phaethon americanus GRANT.
Phaéthon americanus GRANT, Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, No.
XEILX, Dec. 1897, p. xxiv; Vbis, Apna, asq8, 233.
Geoc. Dist.— West Indies and Atlantic coast of Central
America, north to Florida and Bermuda; accidental in western
New York.
Phaéthon flavirostris is the Indian Ocean species.
[115.1.| Phaethon rubricaudus Bopp.
Red-tailed Tropic Bird.
Phaéton rubricaudus Bopp. Tabl. Pl. En. 1783, 57.
[B—, C—, R—, C—.]
ee ve Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 103
Groc. Dist.— South Pacific. Accidental near Guadalupe
Island, Lower California. (Cf ANTHONY, Auk, XV, Jan.
1898, 39.)
129. Merganser americanus (Cass.).
By a typographical inadvertence in the 2d. ed. of the. Check-
List the concordance of this species was left blank. (Cf COUEs,
Auk, XIV, 1897, 316.) The figures should stand as in the rst
ed. of the Check-List, namely :
(EsGnr Goren oon € -7ag)
The subgenera Chaulelasmus, Mareca, Nettion, and
Querquedula (Check-List, 2d ed., pp. 49-51) are raised to the
rank of genera. Hence Nos. 135 to 141 will stand as follows:
135. Chaulelasmus streperus (LINN.).
Anas strepera Linn. S. N. ed. 10, I, 1758, 125.
Chaulelasmus streperus BoNAp. Geog. and Comp. List, 1838,
56.
136. Mareca penelope (LINN.).
Anas penelope Linn. S. N. ed. 10, I, 1758, 126.
Mareca penelope SELBY, Br. Orn. II, 1833, 324-
137. Mareca americana (GMEL.).
Anas americana GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, ii, 1758, 526.
Mareca americana STEPHENS, Gen. Zool. XII, ii, 1824, 135-
[138.] Nettion crecca (LINN.).
Anas crecca Linn. S. N. ed. 10, I, 1758, 126.
Nettion creca Kaur, Skizz. Entw.-Gesch. Eur. Thierw.
1829, 95.
139. Nettion carolinensis (GMEL.).—
Anas carolinensis GMEL. S. N. I, 1788, 533.
Nettion carolinensis Bairp, Bds. N. Am. 1858, 777-
104 Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. Auk
Jan.
140. Querquedula discors (Liny.).
Anas discors Linn. S. N. ed. 12, I, 1766, 205.
Querquedula discors SrEPHENS, Gen. Zool. XII, ii, 1824, 149.
Querquedula cyanoptera (VIFILL.).
Anas cyanoptera ViEILL. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. V, 1816,
104.
Querquedula cyanoptera Cassin, Ill. Bds. Cal. 1855, 82, pl. xv.
148. Aythya marila nearctica Steyn. This becomes
Aythya marila (Liny.).
Anas marila Linn. S. N. ed. 12, I, 1766, 196.
Aythya marila Botk, Isis, 1822, 564.
Groc. Dist. — Northern part of northern hemisphere, breeding
far north. South in winter to Guatemala, Japan, China, Formosa,
and the Mediterranean.
The American and Old World birds are not satisfactorily dis-
tinguishable. (Cf BisHop, Auk, XII, 1895, 2933; SHARPE, Cat.
Bds. B. M. XXVII, 1895, 359; Ettiot, Wild Fowl, 1898, 286.)
151. Clangula clangula americana (Bonap.). (Cf Eighth
Suppl.) The authority for the combination should be
Clangula clangula americana Faxon, Auk, XIII, 1896, 215.
159. Somateria mollissima_borealis (Check-List, 2d ed.,
p- 57. The authority should be C. L. BreEuHM, and the first
reference, inadvertently omitted, is
Somateria borealis C. L. BREHM, Isis, 1830, 998.
Genus EXANTHEMOPS Ex: ior. Admitted as a subgenus
of Chen Botr, to include No. 170, Chen rossii (Cassin).
LExanthemops Exvuiot, Ill. Am. Bds. II, 1869, pl. xliv.
Type, Anser rossit Cassin. (Cf. ELuiot, Wild Fowl, Nov.
1898, 44.)
a Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 105
173c. Branta bernicla’glaucogastra (BREHM.).
White-bellied Brant.
Bernicla glaucogaster C. L. BrexM, Isis, 1830, 996, nomen
nudum; Handb. Vig. Deutschl. 1831, 849.
Branta bernicla glaucogastra Cours, Auk, XIV, April, 1897,
207.
[B 570, part, C 484, part, R 595, part, C 700, part.|
Groc. Dist. — Extreme northern part of northern hemisphere,
including Arctic America, migrating southward in winter. (Cf.
Coves, Auk, XIV, April, 1897, 207.)
201c. Ardea virescens anthonyi Mearns (¢/ Eighth Suppl.).
This should stand as No. 2010.
[230.1.] Gallinago major (GMEL.).
Greater Snipe.
Scolopax major GMEL. S. N. I, 11, 1788, 661.
Gallinago major Kocu, Syst. Baier. Orn. 18 16,7313.
[B—, C—, R—, C—.]
Groc. Dist. — Europe, Asia, and Africa. Accidentaljin_ North
America (Hudson Bay). (Cf Coues, Auk, XIV, Apr. 1897, 209.)
SuBncENuUS HELODROMAS Kavp (Check-List, 2d ed., p. 93)-
This is raised to full generic rank. (Cf Cours, Auk, XIV,
April, 1897, 211.) Hence Nos. 256, 256a, and [257] will
stand as follows:
256. Helodromas solitarius (WILs.).
Tringa solitaria Wits. Am. Orn. VII, 1813, 53; pl. lviii,
fig. 3.
Helodromas solitarius SHARPE, Cat. Bds. B. M. XXIV, 1896,
444.
256a. Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus (BrREwsrT.).
106 Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. Tae
Totanus solitarius cinnamomeus Brewst. Auk, VII, Oct.
1890, 377:
Flelodromas solitarius cinnamomeus A. O. U. Comm. MS.
[257.] Helodromas ochropus (LINN.).
Green Sandpiper.
Tringa ocrophus (err. typ.) Linn. S. N. ed. ro, I, 1758, 149.
Flelodromas ochropus Kaur, Skizz. Entw.-Gesch. Eur. Thierw.
1829, 144.
Geoc. Dist. — Northern parts of the Old World. Accidental
in North America (Hudson Bay and Nova Scotia). (Cf CouEs,
Auk, XIV, Apr. 1897, 210.)
Suscenus LOPHORTYX Bonaparte (Check-List, 2d ed.,
p. 109). This becomes
Genus LOPHORTYX Bonap.
Hence Nos. 294, 294@, 295(cf Grant, Cat. Bds. B. M. XXII,
1893, 399; Cougs, Auk, XIV, Apr. 1897, 214; ExLior, Gall.
Game Bds. 1897, 196) should stand as follows :
294. Lophortyx californicus (SHaw).
Letrao californicus SHaw, Nat. Misc. IX, 1797, pl. ccexiv.
Lophortyx californica Bonar. Geog. and Comp. List, 1838, 42.
2942. Lophortyx californicus vallicola (Ripcw.).
Callipepla californica vallicola Ripcw. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus.
VET 2655. 255,
Lophortyx californicus vallicola Ex.i071, Gall. Game Bds. 1897,
60.
295. Lophortyx gambelii Gamrp.
Lophortyx gambelii GAMBEL (ex NuttaLtt MS.) Pr. Ac.
Nat. Sci. Phila. 1843, 260.
ee ae Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 107
SupGeNuSs CANACHITES Sreynecer (Check-List, 2d ed.,
Pp. tii). hisvis raised tothe rank of afull\genus, (C7.
Grant, Cat. Bds; Bs M. XXII, 1893, 69; Exiror, Gall.
Game Bds. N. Am. 1897, 195-197.) Hence Nos. 298 and
299 will stand as
298. Canachites canadensis (LINN.).
Letrao canadensis LINN. S. N. ed. 10, I, 1758, 159.
Canachites canadensis Grant, Cat. Bds. Br. M. XXII, 1893,
69.
299. Canachites franklinii (Dovuct.).
Tetrao frankliniti Douc.. Trans. Linn. Soc. XVI, ili, 1829,
139.
Canachites franklinit GRANT, Cat. Bds. B. M. XXII, 1893, 71.
GrENus PEDIOCZETES Barrp (Check-List, 2d ed., p. 116).
This is corrected to
GENUS PEDICGECETES Bairp.
Pedivcetes BARD, Bds. N. Am. 1858, pp. xxi, xliv. Correction
of Pediocetes in same work, p.625. (Cf GILL, Auk, XVI,
Jan. 1899, 20.)
The same correction should be made in the generic name in
the cases of Nos. 308, 308a, 3086. (Cf Exuior, Gall. Game
Bds.%5g7, 125, 128, 134, 204; GILL, 7. ¢. 23.)
Grnus: MELEAGRIS Linn. (Check-List, 2d ed., p. 117.) —
The species and subspecies of this genus (cf Covers, Auk,
XIV, July, 1897, 272-275; Exviot, Gall. Game Bds. N. Am.
1897, 209-212) will stand as follows, numbers 310 and 310@
being transposed from their former order to conform to the
new arrangement of names:
310. Meleagris gallopavo LINN.
Mexican Turkey.
108 Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. aa
Meleagris gallopavo Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, I, 1758, 156.
[B 458, C 379, R 470, C 553.]
Groc. Dist. — Southwestern United States, from western
Texas to Arizona; south over the tableland of Mexico.
This is the main basis of the Linnzan name.
310a. Meleagris gallopavo fera (VIEILL.).
Wild Turkey.
Meleagris fera ViEILu. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. IX, 1817, 447.
Meleagris gallopavo fera Cours, Auk, XVI, Jan. 1899, 77.
[B 457, C 379@, R 470a, C 554.]
Geoc. Dist. — Eastern United States, from southwestern Penn-
sylvania to the Gulf Coast, and west to the Plains, along wooded
river valleys; formerly north to southern Maine, southern Ontario,
and up the Missouri River to North Dakota.
3102. Meleagris gallopavo osceola Scorr. (Not changed.)
310c. Meleagris gallopavo ellioti Sennerr. This becomes
Meleagris gallopavo intermedia SENNETT.
Meleagris gallopavo intermedia SENNETT, Bull. U. S. Geol.
and Geog. Surv. Terr. V, No. 3, Nov. 1879, 428.
The name 7vtermedia, proposed tentatively, has thirteen years
priority over e//iot’, both names being based on the same form.
(C/, Couns, Auk, XTV,-189975 275)
3202. Columbigallina passerina pallescens (Bairp). The
concordance (cf Cours, Auk, XIV, April 1897, 215) should
be corrected to read as follows :
[B 453, part, C 3744, R 465, part, C 548.]
326. Catharista atrata (Barrr.). As Bartram was not
strictly binomial in his nomenclature, it is inconsistent with
the A. O. U. Code to recognize any of his names. (C%
Cougs, Auk, XVI, Jan. 1899, 84.) Hence No. 326 becomes.
Vol. XVI
aaa Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. sere)
Catharista urubu (VIEILL.).
Vultur urubu Vi8iLu. Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 53, pl. ii.
Catharista urubu ViEILu. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. XII, 1817,
4ol.
552a. Halizeetus leucocephalus alascanus C. H. Town-
SEND.
Northern Bald Eagle.
Flatietus leucocephalus alascanus C. H. TOwNSEND, Proc. Biol.
Soc. Wash. XI, June, 1897, 145.
[iB 4m, 43) art, C 362, part, Ro4aci, pert, © 534, part. |
Geroc. Dist. — Northern North America. By the admission of
No.§352a, “7. leucocephalus becomes restricted to the southern
form, confined chiefly to the United States.
569a. Syrnium occidentale caurinum Merriam.
Northern Spotted Owl.
Syrnium occidentale caurinum MERRIAM, Auk, XV, Jan. 1898,
39:
[B—, C—, R—, C—.]
Groc. Dist.—Coast region of Washington and_ British
Columbia.
3736. Mlegascops asio trichopsis (WacL.). This becomes
Megascops asio mecalli (Cass.).
It will now stand as in the first edition of the Check-List
{p. 201). The change was due to an erroneous identification of
Wagler’s Scops trichopsis, which has since been corrected.
373.1. Megascops trichopsis (WaAcLER).
Scops trichopsis WAGLER, Isis, 1832, 276.
Megascops trichopsis Kaur, Tr. Z. S. Lond. IV, 1862, 227.
oe a eee eee
iD 116) Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. Auk
Jan.
Geroc. Dist.— Mexico, north to the Huachuca Mountains,
Arizona.
This is MZegascops aspersus BRewst., recently recorded by
him as found in the Huachuca Mountains (cf Auk, XV, April,
1898, 186).
375e. Bubo virginianus pacificus Cassin (cf Eighth Suppl.).
This should stand as No. 3754.
In the Order CoccyGres (Check-List, 2d ed., pp. 153-155) the
following changes should be made:
(1) At the bottom of p. 153, a SuspramMILy NHOMOR-
PHINZ should be introduced to include the genus Geococcyx.
?
(2) The present “ Subfamily CoccyGina:”’ should be carried for-
ward to p. 154, and include the genus Coccyzus only. (3) The
orthography should be changed to COCCYZINAG. (4) At p.
155, insert SusramILyY CUCULIN 4 to include the genus Cucu-
lus. (Cf. Cours, Auk, XIV, Jan. 1897, go.)
393¢. Dryobates villosus monticola ANnrTHowny.
Rocky Mountain Hairy Woodpecker.
Dryobates villosus monticola ANVHONY, Auk, XV, Jan. 1898,
54 =D. v. montanus ANTHONY, Auk, XIII, Jan. 1896, 32,
the name montanus being preoccupied by Prcus montanus
BreuM, which isa Dryobates.
[B 75, purt, C 298a, part, R 360d, part, C 439, part.|
Groc. Dist. — Rocky Mountains, from New Mexico to Mon-
tana, west to Utah (Uinta Mountains).
405. Ceophloeus pileatus (LINN.).
Groc. Dist.— By admission of No. 4os5a, this becomes
restricted to the wooded portions of the southern United States,
from about North Carolina southward and westward.
405a. Ceophloceus pileatus abieticola Banas.
Northern Pileated Woodpecker.
Ceophleus pileatus abieticola BANGS, Auk, XV, Apr. 1898, 176.
Aare Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. lf Ra &
[B go, part, C 294, part, R 371, part, C 432, part.]
Groc. Dist. — Heavily wooded regions of ‘North America,
fiom the southern Alleghanies northward.
412. Colaptes auratus (LINN.).
Geroc. Distr. — By the admission of No. 412a@ this becomes
restricted to the South Atlantic and Gulf coast region.
412¢. Colaptes auratus luteus Bancs.
Northern Flicker.
Colaptes auratus luteus Bancs, Auk, XV, Apr. 1898, 177.
[B97, part, C 312, part, R378, part, C 457, part.|
Geoc. Dist. — Eastern and northern North America, south to
North Carolina, west to the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains.
Occasional on the Pacific slope, from California northward.
422. Cypseloides niger borealis (KENNERLY).
Instead of the authority given for this name in the Eighth Sup-
plement to the Check-List (Auk, XIV, Jan. 1897, 126), the
following should be substituted :
Cypseloides niger borealis Ripcw. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. III,
Aug. 27, 1880, 188. (Cf OBERHOLSER, Auk, XVI, Jan.
1899, 78.)
435. Atthis morcomi Rkipcw.
Morcom’s Hummingbird.
Atthis morcomi Ripcw. Auk, XV, Oct. 1898, 325.
[B—, C—, R—, C—.]
Geoc. Dist. — Huachuca Mountains, Arizona.
In numeration this takes the place of No. 435, Zvochilus (Atthis).
heloisa (Less. & DeLatt.) of the first edition of the Check-List,
which proved to be extra-limital, and to have been admitted to.
EE2 Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. —
Jan.
the Check-List on an early erroneous identification. (Cf Ripew.
Auk, VIFI, 189%, 115:)
439. Amazilia cerviniventris GouLp. ‘This becomes
Amazilia cerviniventris chalconota OBERH.
Amazsilia cerviniventris chalconota OBERHOLSER, Auk, XV,
Jan. 1898, 32.
460. Contopus pertinax Cas. This becomes
Contopus pertinax pallidiventris CuHapman.
Contopus pertinax pallidiventris CHAPMAN, Auk, XIV, July,
TOO7 513 1-0:
Geroc. Dist. — Mountains of southern and central Arizona and
northern Mexico. True C. fertinax is restricted to southern
Mexico and Guatemala.
479. Aphelocoma floridana (Barrram). As Bartram was
not a strict binomialist his names are not tenable, although
in two instances they have been heretofore inadvertently used
in the Check-List. Hence, taking the first tenable name
(f. Cours, Auk, XVI, Jan. 1899, 84), this species will
stand as
Aphelocoma cyanea (VIEILL.).
Garrulus cyaneus ViEILL. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. XII, 1817,
476.
Aphelocoma cyanea Cours, Auk, XVI, Jan., 1899, 84.
488a. Corvus americanus floridanus Bairp. The name
floridanus being preoccupied by Corvus floridanus BONAP.,
1826, for the Florida Jay (f% Cougs, Auk, XVI, Jan., 1899,
84), No. 488a, should stand as
Corvus americanus pascuus Cougs.
Corvus americanus pascuus Cours, Auk, XVI, Jan. 1899, 84.
Vol. XVI
Reb Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 1
501la. Sturnella magna mexicana (Sci.). This becomes
Sturnella magna hoopesi STone.
Rio Grande Meadowlark.
Sturnella magna hoopesi SYONE, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila.
1897, 149.
[B—, € —, R 2634, C 321.)
Geoc. Distr. — Valley of the Lower Rio Grande, Texas, south
into eastern Mexico.
515. Pinicola enucleator (Linn.). This becomes
Pinicola enucleator canadensis (Cap.).
Pine Grosbeak.
Pinicola canadensis Cas. Mus. Hein. I, Aug. 1851, 167.
Pinicola enucleator B canadensis RipGw. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club,
April, 1878, 66.
B 304, part, C 137, part, KR 166, part, € 190, paré.
3 9°, fp
Geroc. Dist.— Northern and northeastern North America,
from New England and Minnesota northward; further south in
winter.
5l5a. Pinicola enucleator montana Ripcew.
Rocky Mountain Pine Grosbeak.
Pinicola enucleator montana Ripew. Auk, XV, Oct. 1898, 319.
[B 304, part, C 137, part, R 166, part, C 190, part. |
Geroc. Dist. — Rocky Mountains, breeding from Montana and
Idaho to New Mexico.
5154. Pinicola enucleator californica PRICE.
California Pine Grosbeak.
Pinicola enucleator californica PRicE, Auk, XIV, April, 1897,
182.
[B—, C137, part, R—, C 190, pari. ]
Auk
Jan.
us Ninth Supplement io the A. O. U. Check-List.
Geoc. Dist. — The higher parts of the Sierra Nevada, central
California.
51ic. Pinicola enucleator alascensis Kipew.
Alaskan Pine Grosbeak.
Pinicola enucleator alascensis Ripcw. Auk, XV, Oct.{ 1898,
319.
[B—, C—, R—, C—.]
Geoc. Dist. — Northwestern North America, including wooded
portions of Alaska, except Kadiak and the southern coast, dis-
trict; south in winter to Montana, eastern British Columbia, etc.
515¢. Pinicola enucleator flammula (HoMEyErR),
Kadiak Pine Grosbeak.
Pinicola flammula HoMEYER, Journ. f. Orn. 1880, 156.
Pinicola enucleator fammula RrpGw. Auk, XV, Oct. 1898,]320.
A [B—, C—, R—, C 190, fart.]
Groc. Dist. — Kadiak to Sitka, Alaska.
519c. Carpodacus mexicanus clementis (MEArRNs).
San Clemente House Finch.
Carpodacus clementis MEARNS, Auk, XV, July, 1898, 258.
Carpodacus mexicanus clementis A. O. U. Comm. MS.
[B, Ge Ge]
Geroc. Dist. — Santa Barbara Islands, California.
520.1. Carpodacus mcgregori ANTHONY.
McGregor’s House Finch.
Carpodacus megregort ANTHONY, Auk, XIV, April, 1897, 165.
[B—, C—, R—, C—.]
Geoc. Disr. — San Benito Island, Lower California.
Vol, XVI Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. I 15
1899
Genus SPINUS Koca (Check-List, 2d ed., p. 218). This, in
part, becomes
Genus ASTRAGALINUS Caps.
Astragalinus Cas. Mus. Hein. I, 1851, 159. Type, Pringilla
tristis LINN. (Cf. Rrpcw. Auk, XV, Jan., 1899, 79.)
Hence Nos. 529 to 532 will stand as follows:
529. Spinus tristis (Linn.). This becomes
Astragalinus tristis (LINvn.).
American Goldfinch.
Fringilla tristis LINN. Syst. Nat. ed. ro, I, 1758, 181.
Astragalinus tristis CABANIS, Mus. Hein. I, July, 1851, 159.
[B 313, part, C 149, part, R 181, part, C 213, part. |
Groc. Dist. — Temperate North America, east of the Rocky
Mountains.
529a. Spinus tristis pallidus Mearns. This becomes
Astragalinus tristis pallidus (Mearns).
Pale Goldfinch.
Spinus tristis pallidus Mearns, Auk, VII, July, 1890, 244.
Astragalinus tristis pallidus Ripcw. Auk, XVI, Jan. 1899,
tis
[B 313, part, C 149, part, R181, part, C 213, part.]
Geoc. Dist.——Great Basin region, from Arizona northward,
and south into Mexico.
5292. Astragalinus tristis salicamans (GRINNELL).
Willow Goldfinch.
Spinus tristis salicamans GRINNELL, Auk, XIV, Oct. 1897,
397:
Astragalinus tristis salicamans Ripew. Auk, XVI, Jan. 1899,
79:
116 Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. a
[B 313, part, C 149, part, R181, part, C 213, part]
Groc. Dist. — Pacific Coast region, from Washington to south-
ern California.
530. Astragalinus psaltria (Say).
Fringilla psaltria Say, Long’s Exped. II, 1823, 40.
Astragalinus psaltria Ripcw. Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. III, Aug.
27, 1880, 177-
530a. Astragalinus psaltria arizonz (COUEs).
Chrysomitris mexicana var. arizone Cours, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci,
Phila. 1866, 82.
Astragalinus psaltria arizone Ripcw. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus.
Ili, Aug: 27, 1360, 177.
5306. Astragalinus psaltria mexicanus (SwaIns.).
Carduelis mexicana Swatns. Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 435.
Astragalinus psaltria mexicanus Ripew. Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus.
IIT, Aug.27, 1380, 577.
531. Astragalinus lawrencei (Cass.).
Carduelis lawrencet Cass. Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1851, 105,
pl. v.
Astragalinus lawrencei Ripcw. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. III,
Aug. 27, 1880, 177-
Genus PLECTROPHENAZX SrejNEGER (Check- List, 2d ed.,
p-. 220). This becomes
Genus PASSERINA VIEILL.
Passerina Viritu. Analyse, 1816, 30. Type, by elimination,
Emberiza nivalis Linn. (Cf. Rrpew. Auk, XV, Oct. 1898, 324.)
Hence Nos. 534, 5344) 535 will stand as follows:
534. Passerina nivalis (LINN.).
Ree | Ninth Supplement io the A. O. U Check-List. avg
Emberiza nivalis Linn. S. N. ed. 10, I, 1758, 176.
Passerina nivalis ViE1Lu. Faune Frang. 1820, 86.
534a. Passerina nivalis townsendi (Rincw.).
Plectrophenax nivalis townsendi Rrpcw. Man. N. Am. Bds.
1887, 403.
Passerina nivalis townsendi Ripew. Auk, XV, Oct. 1898, 324.
535. Passerina hyperborea (Rinc¢w.).
Plectrophenax hyperboreus Rivew. Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. VII,
June 11, 1884, 68.
Passerina hyperborea Ripew. Auk, XV, Oct. 1898, 324.
3 6a. Calearius lapponicus alascensis Ripcw.
Alaskan Longspur.
Calcarius lapponicus alascensis Ripcw. Auk, XV, Oct. 1898,
320.
[B 326, part, C 153, part, R 187, part, C 220, part.|
Groc. Distr. — The whole of Alaska, including the Prybilof
and Aleutian Islands, Unalaska, and the Shumagins; east to
Fort Simpson; south in winter to Nevada, eastern Oregon, Colo-
rado, western Kansas, etc.
Genus POOCZTES Barrp (Check-List, 2d ed., p. 222).
This is corrected to
Genus POGICETES Barrp.
Powcetes Barrp, Bds. N. Am. 1858, pp. xx, xxix. Correc-
tion of Poocetes in same work, p. 447. (Cf Gitt, Auk,
XVI, Jan. 1899, 20.)
The same correction should be made in the generic name of
Nos. 540, 540@, 5400. (Cf. GILL, /. ¢. 23.)
5492, Ammodramus caudacutus nelsoni ALLEN. This
becomes
118 Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U Check-List. ay
549.1. Ammodramus nelsoni (ALLEN).
Ammodramus caudacutus nelsoni ALLEN, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat.
Hist. XVII, March, 1875, 293-
Ammodramus nelsoni Norton, Pr. Portland Soc. Nat. Hist.
EL. Mareh 1's, 1697, 102:
5497. Ammodramus caudacutus subvirgatus Dwicnt.
This becomes
549.1¢. Ammodramus nelsoni subvirgatus (Dwicur).
Ammodramus caudacutus subvirgatus Dwicut, Auk, IV, July,
1887, 233.
Ammodramus nelsoni subvirgatus Norvon, Pr. Portland Soc.
Nat. Hist. II, March 15, 1897, 102.
Changed on the ground that subvirgatus is a subspecies of
nelsoni instead of caudacutus. (Cf. Norton, Z. ¢.)
550c. Ammodramus maritimus macgillivrayi(Aup.). This
becomes
Ammodramus maritimus fisheri CHAPMAN.
Louisiana Seaside Sparrow.
Ammodramus maritimus fisheri CHAPMAN, Auk, XVI, Jan.
1899, I0.
[B—, C 165, part, R 202, part, C 238, part.|
Geroc. Dist. — Coast of Louisiana; coast of Texas in migra-
tion.
5502. Ammodramus maritimus macgillivraii (AuD.).
Macgillivray’s Seaside Sparrow.
Fringilla macgillivraii Aup. Orn. Biog. Il, 1834, 285; IV,
1838, 394, pl. ccclv.
Ammodramus maritimus macgillivrati CHAPMAN, Auk, XVI,
Jan. 1899,5. (Not A. m. macgillivrayi RipGw. Man. N. A.
Bds. 2d. ed. 1896, App. 602 = A. m. fisheri CHAPMAN.)
tees | Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 119
[B—, C 165, part, R 202, part, C 238, part.|
Geoc. Dist. — Coast of South Carolina and Georgia.
567.1. Junco montanus Ripcw.
Montana Junco.
Junco montanus Ripcw. Auk, XV, Oct. 1898, 321.
[B—, C—, R—, C—.]
Geroc. Dist. — Northwestern Montana and northern Idaho,
north to Alberta; in winter south to northern Mexico, Texas,
etc., and east, irregularly or casually, to the Mississippi Valley,
andjeven to Maryland.
573a. Amphispiza bilineata deserticola Ripew.
Desert Sparrow.
Amphispiza bilineafa deserticola RipGcw. Auk, XV, July, 1898,
229. (Separates published May 13, 1898.)
[B 355, part, C 172, part, R 224, part, C 258, part.)
oc. Dist.— Arid plains, from western Texas to coast of
southern California, north to northern Nevada and Utah, south
into Chihuahua and Sonora; Lower California ?
Genus PEUCZEA Aun. (Check-List, 2d ed., p. 238). This in
part becomes
Genus AIMOPHILA Swains.
Aimophila Swainson, Class. Bds. II, 1837, 287. Type,
Pipilo rufescens Swatns.
This will include Nos. 579 to 5800, heretofore placed in the
genus Peucea (of. Ripcw. Auk, XVI, Jan. 1899,80). Numbers
579 to 5804 will hence stand as follows, leaving in Peucea only
INOS. 575 to 578):
579.9 Aimophila carpalis (CovuEs).
120 Ninth Supplement.to the A. O. U. Check List. as
Peucea carpalis Cours, Am. Nat. VII, June, 1873, 322.
Aimophila carpalis Ripew. Auk, XVI, Jan. 1899, 81.
580. Aimophila ruficeps (Cass.).
Ammodramus riuficeps Cass. Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. Oct.
1852, 184.
Aimophila ruficeps Rrpcw. Auk, XVI, Jan. 1899, 81.
580a. Peuczea ruficeps boucardi (Scu.). This becomes
Aimophila ruficeps scottii (SENNETT).
Peucea ruficeps scottii SENNETT, Auk, V, Jan. 1888, 42.
Aimophila ruficeps scottii Rripaw. Auk, XVI, Jan. 1899, 81.
9806. Aimophila ruficeps eremceca (Brown).
Peucea ruficeps eremaca BRown, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VII,
Jan. 1882, 26.
Aimophila ruficeps eremeca RipGw. Auk, XVI, Jan. 1899, 81.
580c. Aimophila ruficeps sororia Ripcw.
Laguna Sparrow.
Aimophila rujiceps sororia Ripcw. Auk, XV, July, 1898, 226.
[B 372, part, C 171, part, R 230, part, C 255, part. |
Geroc Dist. — Mountains of southern Lower California.
588c. Pipilo maculatus clementz (GRINNELL).
San Clemente Towhee.
Pipilo clemente GRINNELL, Auk, XIV, July, 1897, 294.
Pipilo maculatus clemente A. O. U. Comm. MS.
[B—, C—, R—, C—.]
Geoc. Dist. — San Clemente Island, California.
In the genera Pipilo and Oreospiza (Check-List 2d ed., pp.
246-248, and Eighth Suppl., Auk, XIV, Jan. 1897, p. 129) the
hain Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. I21
numeration should be changed (ci Cougs, Auk, Apr. 1897, 221)
as follows:
Cancel No. 590, and carry the present No. 590, Orecospiza
chlorura, forward to follow No. 592, to stand as
or
92.1. Oreospiza chlorura (Auvp.).
597a. Guiraca cezrulea eurhyncha Covers. This becomes
Guiraca czrulea lazula (Lesson).
Pitylus lazulus WESSON, Rev. Zool. V, 1842, 174.
Gutraca cerulea lazula Ripcw. Auk, XV, Oct. 1898, 322.
Genus PASSERINA Veit. (Check-List, 2djed., p. 251).
This name being now used for what has been called /¥Vec-
trophenax, is changed to
Genus CYANOSPIZA Bairp. (Cf Rincw, Auk, XV, Oct.
1898, 323.)
Cyanospiza BatrRD, Bds. N. Am. 1858, 500. Type, Zanagra
cyanea LINN.
Hence Nos. 598 to 601 should stand as follows:
598. Cyanospiza cyanea (LINN.).
Tanagra cyanea Linn. S.N. ed. 12, I, 1766, 315.
Cyanospiza cyanea Baird, Bds. N. Am. 1858, 505.
099. Cyanospiza amoena (Say).
Emberiza amena Say, Long’s Exped. II, 1823, 47.
Cyanospiza amena Baird, Bds. N. Am. 1858, 504.
600. Cyanospiza versicolor (Bonap.).
Spiza versicolor BonaP. P. Z. S. 1837 (June, 1838), 120.
Cyanospiza versicolor Baird, Bds. N. Am. 1858, 503.
22 Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. te
‘6002. Cyanospiza versicolor pulchra (Ripew.).
Passerina versicolor pulchra Ripcw. Man. N. Am. Bds. 1887,
448,
Cyanospiza versicolor pulchra Ripcw. Auk, XV, Oct. 1898,
324.
601. Cyanospiza ciris (LINN.).
Emberiza ciris Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 179.
Cyanospiza ciris BatRD, Bds. N. Am. 1858, 503.
Genus CHELIDON Forster (Check-List, 2d. ed., p. 258).
This becomes
Genus HIRUNDO Linn.
Hirundo Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 10, I, 1758, 191. Type, as
fixed by SCH&FFER (Elem. Orn. 1774, pl. xl), Avrundo
rustica LINN. (Cf. Cours, Auk, XV, July, 1898, 271.)
Hence No. 613 becomes
13. Hirundo erythrogaster Bopp.
Hirundo erythrogaster Bopp. Tabl. P. E. 1783, 45-
622¢c. Lanius ludovicianus anthonyi MEARNs.
Island Shrike.
Lanius ludovicianus anthonyi MEARNS, Auk, XV, July, 1898,
261. ‘i
hee ES cree
Geoc. Dist. — Santa Barbara Islands, California.
680. Geothlypis macgillivrayi (Aup.). This becomes
Geothlypis tolmiei (Towns.).
Sylvia tolmiet J}. K. TownsenD, Narr. April, 1839, 343.
Geothlypis tolmiei STONE, Auk, XVI, Jan. 1899, 82.
‘The name /o/miei has priority over macgillivrayt. (Cf. STONE, /. ¢.)
4a Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 123
Genus SYLVANIA Nourratti (Check-List, 2d ed, p. 285).
This becomes
GENus WILSONTIA Bonap.
Wilsonia Bonar. Geog. and Comp. List, 1838, 23. Type,
Sylvia mitrata LATHAM = Motacilla mitrata GMEL.
Sylvania is a strict synonym of Setophaga Swatns. (cf. COUES,
Auk, XIV, 1897, 223). Hence Nos. 684 to 686 will stand
as follows:
684. Wilsonia mitrata (GMEL.).
Motacilla mitrata GMEL. S. N. I. ii, 1788, 977.
Wilsonia mitrata Bon. Geog. and Comp. List, 1838, 23.
685. Wilsonia pusilla (WILs.).
Muscicapa pusilla Wits. Am. Orn. III, 1811, 103, pl. xxvi,
fig. 4.
Wilsonia pusilla Bon. Geog. and Comp. List, 1838, 23.
685a. Wilsonia pusilla pileolata (PALL.).
Motacilla pileolata Pau. Zool. Rosso-As. I, 1811, 497-
Wilsonia pusilla pileolata Cours, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, V,
April, 1880, 95.
686. Wilsonia canadensis (LINN.).
Muscicapa canadensis Linn. S. N. ed. 12, I, 1766, 327.
Wilsonia canadensis Cours, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, V, April,
1880, 95.
710a.'Harporhynchus redivivus pasadenensis GRINNELL.
Pasadena Thrasher.
Harporhynchus redivivus pasadenensis GRINNELL, Auk, XV,
July, 1898, 237.
[B 256, part, C 13, part, R 16, part, C 23, pari]
124 Ninth Supplemen! to the A. O. U. Check-List. Ss
Jan.
Geroc. Distr. — Southern California.
71la. Harporhynchus lecontei arenicola ANTHONY.
Desert Thrasher.
Flarporhynchus lecontet arenicola ANTHONY, Auk, XIV, Apr.
1897, 167.
[B 257, part, C 13a, part, R 16a, part, C 24, part.|
Geoc. Dist. —— Lower California.
[717.] Catherpes mexicanus (Swains.). This becomes
717. Catherpes mexicanus albifrons (Giraup).
Certhia albifrons GiRAuUD, Sixteen Sp. Texas Bds. 1841, pl.
XVIll.
Catherpes mexicanus albifrons NELSON, Auk, XV, Apr. 1889,
160,
Geroc. Dist. — Lower Rio Grande of Texas, and the States of
Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Suscenus THRYOMANES Sc rarer. This is raised to a
full genus (cf OBERHOLSER, Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. XXI, Nov.
1898, 421). Hence Nos. 719, 719@, 719, 719.1, 720, will.
stand as follows:
719. Thryomanes bewickii (Aup.).
Troglodytes bewickii Aup. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 96, pl. xviii.
Thryomanes bewickii Ripcw. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, II, July,
1877, 60.
7192. Thryomanes bewickii spilurus (Vic.).
Troglodytes spilurus Vic. Zool. Voy. Blossom, 1839, 18, pl.
Tie a eas
Thryomanes bewicki spilurus Ripcw. Essex. Inst. V, Oct.
1874, 170,
7194. Thryomanes bewickii leucogaster (Bairp).
cee Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 125
Thryothorus bewickit var. leucogaster BAiRD, Rev. Am. Bds.
Aug. 1864, 127.
Thryomanes bewicki var. leucogaster Ripcw. Pr. U. S. Nat.
Mus, 1 Oct ¢,-187S, p21.
719.1 Thryomanes leucophrys (ANTHONY).
Thryothorus leucophrys ANTHONY, Auk, XII, Jan. 1895, 52.
Thryomanes leucophrys A. O. U. Comm. MS.
720. Thryomanes brevicauda Ripcw.
Thryomanes brevicauda Ripew. Bull. U. S. Geol. and Geog.
suv. Yen II; No. 2, April 2, 1876, 186:
Suscenus ANORTHURA Rennie. This is raised to a full.
genus (cf OBERHOLSER, Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. XXI, No. 1153,
NOy2tro,) 6699, 421). “Hence Nos:* 722, "7220.1 7255 wilt
stand as follows:
722. Anorthura hiemalis (VIEIL1.).
Troglodytes hiemalis ViEILL. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. XXXIV,
181g, 514.
Anorthura hyemalis Courts & PRENTISS, Smiths. Rep. for
1861 (1862), 410.
722¢. Anorthura hiemalis pacifica (Barrp).
Troglodytes hiemalis var. pacificus BAIRD, Rev. Am. Bds. I,
Sept. 1864, 145. |
Anorthura hiemalis pacifica OBERHOLSER, Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus.
XXI, No. 1153, Nov. 19, 1898, 421.
723. Anorthura alascensis (Bairp).
Troglodytes alascensis Batrp, Trans. Chic. Ac. Sci. I, 1869,
ss pl. xXx, Ne. '3.
Anorthura alascensis Cours, Key, 1872, 87.
725c. Cistothorus palustris plesius OBERHOLSER.
Western Marsh Wren.
126 Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. Ls
Jan.
Cistothorus palustris plesius OBERHOLSER, Auk, XIV, Apr.
1897, 188.
[B 268, part, C 51, part, R 67a, part, C 80, part.]
Groc. Dist.— Western United States, except the Pacific
Coast; north to British Columbia and Alberta, east to the Rocky
Mountains and ‘Texas, south into Mexico.
The Tulé Wren (No. 7252, Crstothorus palustris paludicola) thus
becomes restricted to the Pacific Coast region.
726. Certhia familiaris americana (Bonap.). This becomes
Certhia familiaris fusca (Barron).
Certhia fusca BARTON, Fragments Nat. Hist. Penn., 1799, 11.
Certhia familiaris fusca Cours, Bds. N. W. 1874, 230.
737. Parus meridionalis Sci. Parus meridionalis SCLATER,
1856, is preoccupied by Parus meridionalis LILLJEBORG, 1852.
Hence this becomes
Parus sclateri KLEINs.
Parus sclateri KLEINSCHMIDT, Journ. f. Orn. 1897, 92, 133-
7462. Auriparus flaviceps lamprocephalus OBERHOLSER.
Auriparus flaviceps lamprocephalus OBERHOLSER, Auk, XIV,
Oct. 1897, 391.
[B 300, part, C 37, part, R 50, part, C 56 part.|
Geroc. Dist. — Lower California.
Suscenus HYLOCICHLA Barrp (Check-List, 2d ed., p.
316). This is raised to a full genus (cf OBERHOLSER, Auk,
XV, Oct. 1898, 304). Hence Nos. 755 to 7590 will stand
as follows:
755. Hylocichla mustelina (GMEL.).
Turdus mustelinus GMEL. S. N. I, ii, 1788, 817.
Hylocichla mustelina Ripcw. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. III,
Aug. 27, 1880, 166,
ba oe Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 127
756. Hylocichla fuscescens (STEPH.).
Turdus fuscescens STEPH. Gen. Zool. X, i, 1817, 182.
LTylocichla fuscescens Ripcw. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. III,.
Aug. 27, 1880, 166.
756a. Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola Ripcw.
LTylocichla fuscescens salicicola Ripcw. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus.
IW, Apr: 6, 1882,.37 4.
797. Hylocichla aliciz (Bairp).
Turdus alicia BAirRD, Bds. N. Am. 1858, 217.
Flylocichla alicia Rivcw. Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. III,~Aug. 27,
1880, 166.
757a. Hylocichla aliciz bicknelli Ripcw.
ffylocichla alicie bicknelli Rrpcw. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. IV,
Apt, 05.1682, 37°7.
758. Hylocichla ustulata (Nu7v.).
Turdus ustulatus Nutr. Man. Orn. Land Bds. ed. 2, 1840,.
830 (cestulatus, err. typ. p. 400).
Fiylocichla ustulata Rrpcw. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. III, Aug.
27, 1880, 166.
758a. Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni (Cazs.).
Turdus swainsont Cas. Faun. Per. 1845-46, 187.
fTylocichla ustulata swainsoni Ripcw. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus.
III, Aug. 27, 1880, 166.
7584. Hylocichla ustulata cedica ObeEru.
HHylocichla ustulata edica OBERHOLSER, Auk, XVI, Jan. 1899,.
23)
[B 153, part, C 5, part, R 4a, part, C 13, part.]
Groce. Dist. — California, excepting the northern coast; north
eas
128 Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List.
in the interior to southern Oregon; south, in winter, to Arizona
and northern Mexico.
759. Hylocichla aonalaschke (GMEL.).
Turdus aonalaschke GEL. S. N. I, ii, 1788, 808.
LTylocichta unalashke Ripew. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. III, Aug.
27 nLOGO, DOO.
759a. Hylocichla aonalaschke auduboni (Barrp).
Turdus auduboni BAIRD, Rev. Am. Bds. June, 1864, 16.
Hylocichla unalashke audubonit Ripew. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus.
Til, Aug. 27, 1680,-266.
7596. Hylocichla aonalaschke pallasii (Casz.).
Turdus pallasii Cap. Wiegm. Archiv, 1847, i, 205.
Hylocichla unalashke pallasti Rripew. Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. III,
Aug. 27, 1880, 166.
HYPOTHETICAL LIS a.
11.2. Totanus totanus (LINN.).
Common Redshank.
Scolopax totanus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 145.
Totanus totanus Cours, Auk, XIV, April, 1897, 212
[B—, C—, R—, C—.]
Greoc. Dist. — Europe, Asia, and Africa. Accidental in North
America (Hudson Bay)? (Cf Cours, Auk, XIV, April, 1897,
2EE.)
II.— PROPOSED CHANGES IN NOMENCLATURE
NODY ACCHPTED:
76. Sterna anzethetus vs. S. ave@estheta. Cf. Cours, Auk,
XIV, July, 1897, 314.
eS Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 129
The evidence that anethetus is a “ misprint” is not satisfactory.
88. Puffinus borealis Cory vs. 2. Auilii (Bon.). Cf Sat-
vin, Cat. Bds. B. M. XXV, 1896, 426.
The proposed change is undesirable, in view of fairly satisfac-
tory evidence that the two names represent distinct species.
106.2, Oceanodroma cryptoleucura Rincw. vs. Procellaria
castro HaRcourT. Cf. Grant, Ibis, Apr. 1898, 314.
It is probable that Harcourt’s name cas/ro was applied to a
species distinct from O. cryptoleucura Ripcw.
151. Clangula clangula americana (Bonap.) vs. Clangula
clangula. Cf. Eviiot, Wild Fowl, 1898, 178, 289.
There is no apparent reason for the proposed change.
SUBFAMILY PLECTROPTERINZA. C/ Satvaport, Cat.
Bds. B. M. XXVII, 1895, 45; Exuiot, Wild Fowl, 1898, 273.
The introduction into the Check-List of this heterogeneous
Old World group for the genus Aéx Bork is considered undesir-
able, even though the genus 4/x may not be strictly referable
to Anatine.
Genus AIX (Check-List, 2d ed., p. 52). vs. Ax. Cf B. O. U.
Check-List Br. Bds. 1883, 123; Exiior, Wild Fowl, 1898,
273°
Genus Harelda (Eighth Suppl. Check-List, in Auk, XIV, 1897,
124) vs. Havelda. Cf. Exiiot, Wild Fowl, 1898, 290.
These proposed changes are rejected as being contrary to
Canon XL of the A. O. U. Code.
Genus OLOR (Check-List, 2d ed., p. 65) vs. Cygnus. Of.
Extiot, Wild Fowl, 1898, 265.
No reason is evident for adopting the proposed change,
9
130 Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. ne
Genus LIMNOGERANUS Snuarpe, Bull. Br. Orn. Club,
No. VIT, March 25,1892, pr xexvil; Cat. Bds) BoM; ee
1894, 259. Type, Grus americanus (LINN.).
There seems no sufficient reason for recognizing Zimnogeranus,
even as a subgenus, for Grus americanus (LINN.).
236. Tringa couesi vs. 7! maritimus couesi. Cf. Eviiot, N. Am.
Shore-Birds, 1895, 70, 235.
237. Tringa ptilocnemis vs. 7: mavitimus ptilocnemis. Cf.
EviiotT, N. Am. Shore-Birds, 1895, 73, 235-
[253.] Totanus nebularius (Gunn.). vs. Z. “ittoreus. Cf.
Eviiot, N. Am. Shore-Birds, 1895, 120, 239.
303. Lagopus welchi vs. Z. rupestris welchi. Cf. Evuio7, Gall.
Game Birds N. Am. 1897, 157, 207.
305a. Tympanuchus americanus attwateri vs. 7! a//wateri
Cf. Eviot, Gall. Game Birds N. Am. 1897, 122.
The Committee does not see any reason to change its former
ruling in any of the preceding five cases.
328. Blanus leucurus (VIEILL.) vs. Z/anus glaucus (BARTON).
Cf. CoveEs, Auk, XIV, April 1897, 216.
Rejected on the ground that Falco glaucus BARTON is inde-
terminable, but more probably referable to Circus hudsonius
(Linn.) ¢ ad., than to L/anus leucurus (VIEILL.)
542a. Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna WIts.) vs.
A. s. wilsontanus Cours. Cf. Cougs, Auk, XIV, Jan. 1897,
93).
Savanna and savannarum are considered as sufficiently
distinct names.
5504. Ammodramus maritimus sennetti ALLEN vs. 4.
sennetti. Cf. CHAPMAN, Auk, XVI, Jan. 1899, 3.
| Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 131
Its close relation to the maritimus group seems best expressed
by the trinomial designation.
Genus CLIVICOLA Forster (Check-List, 2d. ed., p. 259)
vs. Riparia ForstTER. .Cf. Cours, Auk, XV, July, 1898,
by hig
Although A7paria stands first in the same work, C¥ivicola
is retained on the ground that it was adopted in preference to
kiparia by the ‘first reviser.’ Cf STeJNEGER, Pr. U.S. Nat.
Mus.. V, 1882, 32.
Mii. SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES NOT ACCEPTED,
Oidemia carbo (PatLas). Cf Satvaport, Cat. Bds. B. M.
KOOVIUL, 1895, 4rz.
The supposed Alaskan specimen not satisfactorily identified.
Ffalivetus leucocephalus washingtoni (Avp.). Cf. Bangs,
Auk, XV, April, 1898, 174.
It is deemed inadvisable to admit an intermediate form between
the northern and southern Bald Eagles (cf antea, p. 109), and
especially undesirable to resuscitate the name washingtoni.
Speotyto cunicularia obscura STEPHENS, Auk, XII, Oct. 1898,
3/4:
The supposed characters prove not to have been well founded.
Cf. McGrecor, Auk, XV, April, 1898, 187.
Tyrannus tyrannus vexator Bancs, Auk, XV, April, 1898,
E7o.
Myiarchus crinitus boreus Bancs, Auk, XV, April, 1898, 179.
Sita pusilla caniceps Bancs, Auk, XV, April, 1898, 180.
Based mainly on differences due to season.
Larus (Lophophanes) bicolor floridanus Bancs, Auk, YV.,
April, 1898, 180.
fiylocichla ustulata alme OBERHOLSER, Auk, XV, Oct. 1898,
304.
Stalia sialis grata BANGS, Auk, XV, April, 1898, 182
132 Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. ae
Jan.
In the preceding six cases the alleged differences prove too
slight to warrant recognition in nomenclature.
IV.—- REFERRED TO SUBCOMMITTEES FOR INVESTI-
GATION.
Referred to Messrs. Ridgway and Brewster.
Amphispiza belli nevadensis vs. A. nevadensis. Cf. GRINNELL,
Auk, Jan. 1898, 59; FISHER, 707d. Apr. 1898, 190.
Amphispiza belli clementee Rrpcway, Auk, XV, July, 1898,
230.
Thryothorus cerroensis ANTHONY, Auk, XIV, Apr. 1897, 166.
Thryomanes bewickii cryptus OBERHOLSER, Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus.
XXI,. No. 1153, Nov. 1898, 425.
Thryomanes bewickii eremophilus OBERHOLSER, /. ¢. 427.
Thryomanes bewickii charienturus OBERHOLSER, /. ¢. 435.
Thryomanes bewickii drymacus OBERHOLSER, /. ¢. 437.
Thryomanes bewickit calophonus OBERHOLSER, ¢. /. 440.
Thryomanes bewickii nesophilus OBERHOLSER, /. ¢. 442.-
Referred to Mr. Ridgway.
Fulmarus glacialis columba ANTHONY, Auk, XII, 1895, 372.
Fulmarus glacialis minor vs. F. glacialis. Cf. SAatvin, Cat.
Bds. B. M. XXV, 1896, 426.
Fulmarus glactalis rodgersi vs. F. rodgerst. Cf. SALVIN, did.
426.
Puffinus stricklandi Ripew. vs. P. griseus (GMEL.). Cf. SAL-
VIN, zbzd. 386.
Referred to Mr. Brewster.
Empidonax insulicola OBERHOLSER, Auk, XIV, July, 1897, 300.
Regulus calendula grinnelli WM. PALMER, Auk, XIV, Oct.
1897, 399.
The following cases,were also referred for further investiga-
tion,
a Ninth Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List. 12
Referred to Mr. Frank M. Chapman.
159. Somateria mollissima borealis Breum., vs. S. mo//is-
sima. Cf. ELiiot, Wild Fowl, 1898, 294.
Referred to Dr. J. Dwight, Jr.
2i7a. Aigialitis meloda circumcincta Rincw. vs. 4. mel-
oda (ORD). Cf. SHarpE, Cat. Bds. B. M. XXIV, 1896,
294.
Referred to Dr. Chas. W. Richmond.
Bubo virginianus pallescens STONE, Am. Nat. March, 1897,
226.
V.— DEFERRED ON ACCOUNT OF LACK OF
MATERIAL.
Ammodramus halophilus MCGRrGor, Auk, XV, July, 1898,
265.
Lanius ludovicianus migrans WM. PALMER, Auk, XV, July,
1898, 248.
Salpinctes obsoletus pulverius GRINNELL, Auk, XV, July, 1898,
238.
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THE AUK VOL. XVI.
LEUCURIA PHALERATA BANGS,
NATURAL SIZE.
THE AS:
A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF
ORNITHOLGGY:
is)
WOE 5 SCV I. APRIL, 1899. No.
THE HUMMINGBIRDS OF THE SANTA MARTA
REGION OF COLOMBIA.
BY OUTRAM BANGS.
Plate IT.
EVER since Messrs. Salvin and Godman published the results .
of their study of the collections of birds made by F. Simons in
the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the eyes of many American
ornithologists and mammalogists have been turned in the direction
of that “isolated mass of mountains, whose snowy peaks, visible
from far out on the Caribbean Sea, form so striking a feature in
the scenery of the northern coast of South America.’’!
In December, 1897, Mr. Wilmot W. Brown, Jr., an experienced
and skilful field collector, started for an indefinitely long trip in
this region in the interests of the Bangs Collection. In the
summer of 1898 his trip was broken up by his having to return
to Boston on account of sickness in his family, but he is now
back again at work in the Santa Marta region.
Mr. Brown is peculiarly adapted by nature for out-door work
in the tropics and throughout his trip in this unhealthy region
never had a sick day.
1 Salvin and Godman, Ibis, 1879, p- 196.
136 Banos, The Hummingbirds of Colombia. Api
For the first three months he worked in the vicinity of Santa
Marta, collecting in the hot country and on some of the smaller
mountains up to an elevation of 6000 feet. In March he left
‘Santa Marta and travelled along the coast in an Indian dugout
‘to Rio Hacha, from where roads lead in several directions into
the higher mountains. Here he hired a pack mule, and taking
along as a companion a shipwrecked sailor, started on foot up
one of the mountain trails. After an arduous journey of several
days he arrived at the Indian village of Pueblo Viejo, at about
8000 feet altitude. This was his first collecting ground in the
higher sierra. Later he visited Macotama, 8000 feet, San
Miguel, 7500 feet, San Franscisco, 6000 feet, and Palomina,
sooo feet, making collections at all these places, but on this trip
got no higher than 8000 feet.
Travelling in the Sierra Nevada is at best slow and laborious
and in the rainy season is harder still. Mr. Brown, in order to
go as light as possible, carried no tent with him, and cut down
his outfit in other ways till much too small for his comfort. Night
after night he slept out with no shelter, wet to the skin by the
terrific thunder storms that rage in these mountains nearly
continuously throughout the spring. His one pair of shoes was
soon worn out by the rough travelling, and for the greater part
of the trip he went barefoot, his feet and legs exposed to the
attacks of wood ticks and numerous insects, with every now and
then a narrow escape from a fer-de-lance or a bushmaster.
Many of the trails are fairly good, being used by the Indians,
but occasionally Mr. Brown had to cut his way through the forest,
and the mountain streams, swollen by the continuous rains to
raging torrents, were often very hard to ford. Under these
conditions Mr. Brown made a very creditable collection, sending
in over a thousand bird skins and about three hundred and fifty
mammals as the results of his six and a half months work.
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, with its highest peaks
rising to 17,500 feet above sea level, forms an immense isolated
mountain mass cut off from the other mountain ranges of north-
ern South America by deep tropical valleys. In the hot, dry
lowlands about Santa Marta the forest is stunted and brushy,
but as one ascends the mountains the growth becomes more
Vol. XVI
peg Bancs, The Hummingbirds of Colombia. Les
luxuriant and the forest heavier. In places there are open
grassy savannas, but most of the peculiar birds of the region
dwell in the elevated mountain forest, cut off from their nearest
relations in the elevated regions about Bogota and in the moun-
tains of Venezuela by the intervening hot countries.
Many of the birds living in the Santa Marta mountains appear
to be peculiar to them; a few species, however, occur both here
and in the mountains about Merida, Venezuela, though absent
in the intervening lowlands. ‘Two good examples of such are
the Parrot, fonus sordidus (Linn.) and the Green Toucan,
Aulacorhamphus calorhynchus Gould. On the other hand, we find
in these two mountain districts instances of closely related
representative species, as with the Flycatching Warblers —the
golden-crowned Setophaga flavivertex Saly. being known only from
the Santa Marta mountains, and the white-fronted Sefophaga
albifrons Scl. & Salv. inhabiting, so far as known, only the
Merida region.
Compared with the birds of the Bogota region the difference
is even greater, as most of the strictly mountain birds of the two
regions prove at least subspecifically distinct.
Apart from the local forms there are of course a great many
wide-ranging tropical species found in the Sierra Nevada, and a
few Mexican and Central American birds, such as Muscivora
mexicana Scl., push their ranges south to these mountains.
Before Simons made his famous collection several new species
had been described from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, or
the hot countries about Santa Marta, generally from single speci-
mens sent to England by orchid hunters or travellers. ‘The more
striking amongst these are the lovely little Hummingbird, the
type of its genus, Anthocephala floriceps (Gould), the Motmot,
Momotus subrufescens Scl., and the Oven-bird, /urnarius agnatus
Scl. & Salv. Simons’s collection added about nine more (not all
described in the original reports on this collection). Since then
one very distinct Flycatching Warbler, Setophaga flavivertex
Salv., has been described, from two specimens contained in a
small collection of birds made in these mountains. Mr. Brown’s
work, up to date, has yielded twenty-three additional new forms,
most of them probably peculiar to the Santa Marta region.
138 Banos, The Hummingbirds of Colombia. Apa
These have been described by me in three papers in the Pro-
ceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, Vol. XII.
(See Auk, XV, p. 339, and XVI, p. go.)
Most interesting among the local birds of the Sierra Nevada
de Santa Marta are the Hummingbirds. No less than six species
peculiar to these mountains are now known. Most of these
appear to be rare and local, and to breed high up in the moun-
tains, migrating in winter down to lower altitudes. Mr. Brown
took, in all, examples of seventeen species of Hummingbirds, and
although he discovered one remarkable new species, secured
examples of but two of the five local species previously known.
The species supposed to be peculiar to the Santa Marta Moun-
tains are as follows:
Panychlora russata Saly. & Godm. Originally described from
ten specimens collected by Simons in the Sierra Nevada de Santa
Marta. Mr. Brown took six adults, at San Miguel and Palomina
in May and June, and two females at Santa Marta in February,
1898. These last two I was unable to identify at the time and
never recorded until now.
Anthocephala floriceps (Gould). Described from a specimen
taken at San Antonio by an orchid collector. Simons took one
at San José, and Brown one at Pueblo Viejo. ‘These three speci-
mens are I believe all that are known.
Another species of this genus, A. derlepschi Salv., is found in
the Bogota region, differing from 4. floriceps by having white
instead of brown tips to the rectrices.
Oxypogon cyanolemus Saly. & Godm. Described from five
skins taken by Simons at 11,000 feet altitude in the Sierra.
Not taken by Brown.
Rhamphomicron dorsale Salv. & Godm. Described from two
specimens of Simons’s collecting. Not taken by Brown.
Campylopterus phainopeplus Salv. and Godm. Described from
Simons’s ten specimens. Mr. Brown did not get this Hummer.
Leucuria phalerata Bangs. Described from one specimen
taken by W. W. Brown, Jr., June 17, 1898, at Macotama. The
type and only specimen is here figured (Plate II).
Of the capture of this beautiful Hummer Mr. Brown wrote me:
“ After a difficult march through the forest, the way barred by
Le Banos, The Hummingbirds of Colombia. 139
swollen torrents and fallen trees, I arrived at the Argoneous town
of San Miguel. Here Hummingbirds of many species were seen,
and on that day [June 17] I collected the only specimen of this
beautiful white-tailed species that I have seen in these mountains.
I first detected it hovering above an orchid. Its flight was rapid
and strong, and it uttered, a twittering note as it darted from
flower to flower in search of its food, its gorgeous plumage shining
in the morning sun. As I only watched this little gem a few
minutes before shooting it, I detected nothing in its habits to
distinguish it from the numerous other Hummingbirds that were
about me.”
Another Hummingbird that may prove to be peculiar to the
region is the AZefa//ura that occurs in the Santa Marta Mountains.
I recorded the pair collected by Mr. Brown, the male at Palo-
mina and the female at San Miguel, as J/. smaragdinicollis. ‘To
this species, also, Messrs. Salvin and Godman referred the one
skin in Simons’s collection, though with some misgiving. It
would be very strange indeed if the Santa Marta bird is really
M. smaragdinicollis, but my two specimens are so like skins from
Bolivia and Peru that without much more material I cannot feel
justified in separating it. There are slight differences, however,
that may prove to be constant. The tail of the male is rather
more of an auricula purple than in JZ. smaragdinicollis, and the
rectrices seem to be wider; the luminous throat patch is also a
darker green. The female is a paler buff below, much less
spotted with green. These slight differences may or may not
prove constant. On the other hand, AZ smaragdinicollis is only
found in the mountains of Bolivia and of Peru south of the
equator; while in the mountains of northern Peru, Ecuador,
Colombia, and Venezuela another species, JZ. tyrianthina, very
different from it, occurs. Therefore, if JZ. smaragdinicollis really
occurs in the Santa Marta mountains, it is wholly cut off from the
main stock of its species by a wide area tenanted by a very dif-
ferent form. That such should be the case certainly seems
improbable.
140 Lissy, Wocturual Flight of Migrating Birds. ee
THE NOCTURNAL FLIGHT OF MIGRATING BIRDS.
BY O. G. LIBBY.
Ir Has long been a well-known fact of bird life that, during
the migrating season, most, if not all, of the movement north or
south takes place in the night. ‘This ensures protection from
enemies and opportunity for securing food during periods of rest.
Under the cover of darkness, the bird passes safely and secretly
through the air. During the day he can search for necessary
food and by evening he is again ready to continue his flight.
But the very conditions that shield the migrating birds from
danger, also preclude any very satisfactory study of their move-
ments. We know, to be sure, that during the fall migrations,
most of the large flocks will be found in the early morning on
the north side of groves or belts of timber, and in the spring they
are to be found on the south side. We know, too, from observa-
tions covering a long period of time that birds are seen in the
morning which were not in the neighborhood the day before.
And most bird lovers know how distinctly the calls of the migrat-
ing birds can be heard during the nights of middle September.
Still it must be confessed that in proportion to the magnitude of
this movement in the bird world and the importance of the inter-
ests at stake, economical as well as biological, our actual knowl-
edge of the migration is exceedingly meager.
The writer has recently made two sets of observations upon
the nocturnal flight of birds, an account of which may prove in-
teresting to the general reader. The place of observation first
selected was a small elevation west of the city of Madison, Wis-
consin, with three lakes in the immediate vicinity. The evening
chosen (September 14, 1896) was chilly and a raw southeast
wind was blowing, though there were no clouds during most of
the time. A total of three thousand eight hundred bird calls
were recorded, an average of twelve per minute. This rate, how-
ever, varied greatly, sometimes running as high as two or three
per second and again falling to about the same number per min-
ute. The largest number of calls counted for any hour was nine
Vol. XVI
1899 Lissy, Nocturnal Flight of Migrating Birds. I4I
hundred and thirty-six, between two and three o’clock, though
nearly that number were noted for two other hours. Nor were
the calls at all confined to the few hours during which they were
recorded. They began much earlier in the evening and when the
observations ceased, at a little after three, they were heard stead-
ily on long after that hour, with the regularity of the ticking of a
clock. Manifestly it is quite impossible to estimate the number
of birds represented by these calls. The equation contains so
many unknown quantities that no satisfactory mathematical solu-
tion is to be expected with our present knowledge of the subject.
But it may be very safely assumed that the number of calls must
be multiplied many times to express even approximately the size
of the flocks that were heard to pass during the course of the
observation.
Nothing but an actual experience of a similar kind can at all
adequately convey the impression produced by such observations.
The air seemed at times fairly alive with invisible birds as the
calls rang out, now sharply and near at hand, and now faintly
and far away. Repeatedly it seemed as if some of the nearer
ones must be visible, so vividly was their presence felt as they
passed overhead. All varieties of bird calls came sounding out
of the darkness that evening. The harsh squawk of a water bird
would be foliowed by the musical chzvk of the Bobolink. Almost
human many of them seemed, too, and it was not difficult to
imagine that they expressed a whole range of emotions from
anxiety and fear up to good-fellowship and joy. The fine shrill
notes of the smaller Sparrows or Warblers were heard only close
at hand but the louder ones came from all along the line, east
and west. More than once an entire flock, distinct by the unity
of their calls, came into range and passed out of hearing, keeping
up their regular formation with the precision of a swiftly moving
but orderly body of horsemen. The great space of air above
swarmed with life. Singly or in groups, large and small, or more
seldom in a great throng the hurrying myriads pressed south-
ward. It was a marvel and a mystery enacted under the cover
of night, and of which only fugitive tidings reached the listeners
below.
The next station chosen was the Washburn Observatory, over-
142 Lipsy, Nocturnal Flight of Migrating Birds. ree
looking the largest of the lakes in the vicinity of the city. The
writer was assisted by Winslow Mallery, to whose patience and
accuracy is due not a little of the success attending these initial
observations. It was proposed to watch the moon through a small
six-inch telescope, and to count the birds as they passed across
its surface in the southward flight. For convenience in keeping
the record, the whole time of observation was divided into periods
of fifteen minutes each and the count for each period kept dis-
tinct from the rest. ‘The result exceeded all expectations and
well repaid the inconvenience attending such experimental work.
During the three nights of observation, Sept. 11, 12 and 13, 1897,
a total of five hundred and eighty-three birds were counted, and
forty-five during one fifteen-minute period. On the evening of
the 12th, three hundred and fifty-eight were counted, the largest
number for any one period being thirty-five. The number of
birds seen during different hours of the night was very unequal.
The maximum number of three per minute was reached at 10.30,
and it diminished rapidly to a little more than one third of this
number at midnight. From this time the number declined, with
three considerable upward variations, to very near the zero point.
As to the direction of flight very great diversity was also observed.
The predominant direction up to ten o’clock was very nearly
south, and but comparatively few birds varied from this. ‘The
diversity of direction, however, continued to increase till it
reached its maximum between twelve and two o’clock. At this
time the eight principal points of the compass were represented
by numbers varying from three to twenty-eight ; two-thirds of the
whole number still maintaining a southerly direction.
The observations as to the number of birds and the direction
of their flight tell substantially the same story. The first con-
siderable falling off in the number of birds came at 11.15, and
up to 10.45 they were observed to fly largely in one direction,
not half that number for any period taking any other direction.
Thus the intensity of the migratory movement, measured by the
number of birds and the regular direction of their flight, is seen
to be at its height early in the evening. The diminishing num-
bers and increasing variety in direction indicate plainly enough
that during the time of observation other things besides migration
oie Lipsy, Nocturnal Flight of Migrating Birds. 143
were taking place later in the night. This latter conclusion is
borne out by the larger number of calls heard toward morning,
which may be explained as arising from the effort to reassemble
the scattered members of the migrating companies. As a general
conclusion to be drawn from the whole observation, it would seem
that the great mass of migrants thrusts itself rapidly forward for
the first two or three hours in one main direction and that sepa-
rate flocks maintained this movement many hours later. And
that after the first advance was completed, the remainder of the
night was spent in more miscellaneous movements, having for
their purpose, partly at least, the collecting of the widely separated
fragments of the different groups, and the selecting of suitable
feeding grounds.
This fugitive glimpse into a new phase of bird life reveals
many things besides the two chief points already noted. When
one recalls the relatively small size of the moon’s surface com-
pared to the length of its path from east to west, within the range
of vision, some idea of the whole number of birds passing this
line may be obtained. Prof. A. S. Flint of the Washburn
Observatory estimated that about nine thousand per hour passed
during the entire period of obsérvation, or a total of one hundred
and sixty-eight thousand. And when the length of this line is
compared to the breadth of the whole country over which birds
move, the total number of migrating birds for a given area may
be roughly estimated. This states in numerical fashion the
meaning of the semi-annual migration of our birds. It falls as
far short of expressing what the movement really is as does a
census report of revealing the daily life of a city like New York
-or Chicago.
The movement of the birds across the field of vision irre-
sistibly suggested the rapid, undulatory motion of animalculz
under high magnifying power. ‘The time of passage varied from
one-tenth to one-half a second. In most cases the movement of
the wings was plainly visible, though occasionally a bird passed
across like a flash. One bird hung for several seconds on the
edge of the field of vision, poising itself by rapid motions of the
wings. Several times a bird was seen to change its direction of
flight completely, usually going off at right angles. Very rarely
144 Lissy, Wocturnal Flight of Migrating Birds. peei
were the birds numerous enough to be seen two at a time, though
this happened once during each evening. Not infrequently cur-
rents of air seemed to aid or retard their flight. One bird was
seen to move backwards across the field as a slowly flying bird is
sometimes seen to do from the window of a swiftly moving train.
Many of them sailed instead of flying across, occasionally flap-
ping their wings to steady themselves.
On account of the short time each bird was in sight, and the
- difficulty of estimating their relative distances, not many of them
could be identified. More Swamp Blackbirds were identified
than any other, and next to them were the Meadowlarks, of which
several flocks were observed. Besides these there were the Crow
Blackbird, Sparrow Hawk, Yellow Hammer, and one species of
Duck. Many of the birds, from their size and flight, must have
been Warblers, but it was impossible to further identify them. z r Auk
182 General Notes. Apa
Black Gyrfalcon (Fudlco rusticolus obsoletus) in Maine.— A fine female
Black Gryfalcon was shot in this city on Dec. 21, 1898. The bird was
seen in pursuit of a domestic pigeon by Adrian De Costa, who went to
his house for his gun and shot the specimen, which showed no fear, and
appeared to entirely disregard his presence. Mr. De Costa sold the bird
to S. L. Crosby, the taxidermist, from whom I obtained it for my collec-
tion. — HARRY MERRILL, Bangor, Maine.
The Specific Name of Falco regulus.— As the Merlin is included in
the list of North American birds, although only by reason of accidental
occurrence in Greenland, it seems advisable again to call attention to the
fact that regudus is not its earliest specific title. Indeed regulus is ante-
dated by two other names, — Falco @salon Tunstall (Orn. Brit., 1771, p. 1)
and Accipiter merillus Gerini (Orn. Meth. Dig., 1767, I, 51, pll. xviii,
xix), by the latter of which it apparently must be supplanted. This has
already been pointed out by Mr. Seebohm (Hist. Brit. Birds, I, 34); as
well as more recently by Dr. Prazdk (Journ. f. Ornith., 1898, 157), who
treats the subject in some detail; and although it has not been possible
in the present connection to verify the reference to Gerini, it seems
almost certain that his name will have to be accepted, and the species
stand as Falco merillus. —HARRY C.OBERHOLSER, Washington, D. C.
Habits of the Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata). — Under this title, Mr.
Fred H. Kennard recorded an interesting note in ‘The Auk’ for July,
1898, page 269. It must be generally acknowledged that the nesting
site described is very unusual, but strange enough, my attention was
called last June to a nest of this Jay, built under a piazza roof of an
occupied dwelling, placed on the capitol of a pillar, and among the stems
of a Wisteria vine, almost exactly as described by Mr. Kennard. I am
indebted to my young friend, Flint Drew, who lived at the house in
Highland Park, Ill.,for giving me the opportunity of examining the nest,
which at that time contained young.
As the general habits of the Massachusetts and Illinois Jays differ very
materially, and as our bird is more domestic, and lives near the haunts
of man, it would not be so unusual to find their nests in such locations,
although this is the first instance which now comes to my notice. —
RUTHVEN DEANE, Chicago, Jil.
An Unusual Set of Song Sparrow’s Eggs. — On June 28, 1898, I found
anest ot Melospiza fasctata at Beverly Farms, Mass., containing eight
éggs. They seemed to belong in two sets of four, distinguishable by a
ro
55
slight difference in color and markings. Incubation had begun in some
eggs of each kind. —Geo. C. Suarruck, Boston, Mass.
The Names of the Song Sparrows. — The change of a well established
scientific name is always to be deplored, and particularly when, as in the
osc ae General Notes. 18 3
present case, the alteration in a specific term makes necessary a corre-
sponding correction throughout a long list of subspecies. Under our
rules of nomenclature, however, there seems no doubt of the untenability
of Melospiza fasciata; since Fringilla fasciata Gmelin (Syst. Nat., 1788,
I, 922) used for the Song Sparrow, is preoccupied by Fringilla fasciata
Miiller (Syst. Nat., Anhang, 1776, 165), which is a synonym of SAzuzus
Pinus. The only available name for the eastern Song Sparrow is Frin-
gilla melodia Wilson (Am. Orn., 1810, II, 125, pl. XVI, fig. 4), and the
species consequently should be called Melospiza melodia.
Fringilla guttata Nuttall (Man. Orn., ed. 2, 1840, I, 581), which is now
Melospiza fasciata guttata, is debarred by Fringilla guttata Vieillot
(Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., 1817, XII, 233), for an Australian Weaver-bird-
As the Rusty Song Sparrow seems to have no other name, it may be
called Melospiza melodia morphna.
The Song Sparrows will then stand as follows:
Melospiza melodia melodia (Wilson).
Melospiza melodia fullax (Baird).
Melospiza melodia montana (Henshaw).
Melospiza melodia heermanni (Baird).
Melospiza melodia samuelis ( Baird).
Melospiza melodia morphna Oberholser.
Melospiza melodia rujfina (Bonaparte).
Melospiza melodia rivularis (Bryant).
Melospiza melodia graminea (Townsend).
Melospiza melodia clemente (Townsend).
Melospiza melodia coopert (Ridgway).
Melospiza melodia pusillula (Ridgway).
Melospiza melodia caurina (Ridgway).
Melospiza melodia mexicana Ridgway.
Melospiza melodia adusta (Nelson).
Melospiza melodia goldmani (Nelson).—Harry C. OBERHOLSER,
Washington, D. C.
On the name Xenocichla.—Of late years the term -Yezoctchla has
been in quite general use for a group of Ethiopian Bulbuls, having as its
type the Dasycephala syndactyla of Swainson. Xenocichla was founded
by Hartlaub in his ‘Orn. Westafricas,’ 1857, p. 86, but in the list of addi-
tions and corrections on p. 272, the name is noted as being equivalent to
Bleda Bonap. The exact place of publication of Bonaparte’s name
seems to have puzzled recent ornithologists, and we find it quoted at
second hand’ and without date in Waterhouse’s ‘Index’ and Sharpe’s
“Catalogue of Birds. The proper reference is Rev. et Mag. de Zool.,
Feb. 1857, 50, which antedates Hartlaub’s work by at least two months.
The type being the same in both cases, Yenoczchla becomes a perfect
synonym of S&leda, which should henceforth be used. The species of
the genus, as recently restricted by Shelley, are Bleda syndactyla (Swains.),
184 General Notes. ra
B. poliocephala (Reichenow), B. xaviert (Oust.), B. notata (Cass.), B.
eximia (Hartl.), and B. canicapilla (Hartl.).— Cuas. W. RICHMOND,
Washington, D. C.
Barn Swallows (Hirundo erythrogastra).— Within a few yards of the
house occupied by Mr. John R. Sandsbury during the time he is caring
for the Terns on Muskeget Island, and where I make my headquarters
when visiting there, is an old shed or boathouse which has several aper-
tures. This shed has been used asa nesting place for the past six years
‘by apparently the same pair of Barn Swallows. At my request Mi S:
‘made a few notes on these birds, which arrived this year (1898) on May
29. It is their custom to repair the old nest, they never having built any
since the first one. Four young birds were hatched this season. The old
birds would occasionally fly into the sitting-room of the house, but were
always frightened on getting inside. WhenI was visiting Muskeget this
summer (July 2-5, 1898), I found, in addition to the old pair of birds, still
another pair, apparently birds of last year, assisting in feeding the four
young ones in the nest. This they continued to do up to July ro, the
date on which the young left the nest. On this date they were all flying
about together, the young going at intervals to the nest to rest. On July
11, there were only the two original old birds and the four young ones,
and they remained around until July 19, the young returning to the nest
every night. The young birds were so tame that they would alight on,
and even run over Mr. Sandsbury’s fingers while he rested his hand upon
a beam which was near the nest. They returned occasionally up to August
1, but were not so tame, alighting on top of the shed and on the clothes
line near the house. At this latter date the group consisted of the two
old birds and the four young. — GeorGE H. Mackay, Wantucket, Mass.
Another Example of Curious Nesting of the American Redstart. — Mr-
Verdi Burtch, in the October Auk, 1898, recorded a curious example of
the American Redstart’s nesting, and having had a somewhat similar
experience, it may be of interest to record it.
June 3, 1898, I had been collecting about a swamp in the vicinity of
Dorchester, Mass., and at noon sought the shade of a wood lot near. A
female Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) at once attracted my attention by
her queer ways. I retired for a short distance and the bird settled upon
a Vireo’s nest, which was situated four and a half feet above the ground
in a sapling. It contained five Redstart eggs. One of these was entirely
buried beneath the others, in a thick lining of horse hair. The yolk of
this egg had settled and hardened. The other four were fresh.
As numbers of Redstarts’ eggs are annually stolen by boys from this
wood, it may be possible that the following theory accounts for this
strange thing. An incomplete set of Redstart eggs was taken; the female
laid in the Vireo nest during the absence of the owners rather than deposit
Vol. XVI ee ahs
86 General Notes. I 85
her egg upon the ground. The Vireos deserted, and the Redstarts liking
the nest lined it up with the usual material chosen in this locality and
retained the nest as their own. The nest, I think, was the property of a
pair of Yellow-throated Vireos (Vzreo flavifrons) which I had often
‘observed about. The.nest and eggs are now in the collection of Mr.
Brewster. — FRANCIS J. BIRTWELL, Dorchester, Mass.
Certhia familiaris americana, not Certhia f. fusca!—Dr. Coues has
recently sought (Auk, April, 1897, XIV, 216) to. resurrect the name Cer-
thia fusca Barton (Fragments Nat. Hist. Penn., 1799, 11) and to establish
it as the proper designation for the common Brown Creeper of eastern
North America. His proposition unfortunately found favor with the
A.O.U. Committee, and in the Ninth Supplement to the Check-List (Auk,
Jan., 1899, XVI, 126) Barton’s name supersedes the long-current amert-
cana. But Certhta fusca Barton, 1799, is preoccupied by Certhia fusca
Gmelin, 1788 (Syst. Nat. I, 472) and therefore untenable. The next
available name is apparently Certhia americana Bonaparte (Geog. &
Comp. List, 1838, 11), so that the American Brown Creeper must be
called, as heretofore, Certhia familiarts americana. — Harry C. OBER-
HOLSER, Washington, D. C.
The Second Reference for Anorthura hiemalis pacifica. —In the Ninth
Supplement to the A. O. U. Check-List (Auk, Jan., 1899, XVI, 125) the
authority for the combination Axorthura hiemalrs pactfica is given as
Oberholser, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Nov. 19, 1898, XXI, 421. This is not
correct. The proper citation seems to be Ridgway, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus.,
June 30, 1883, VI, 94. — Harry C. OBERHOLSER, Washington, D. C.
Piranga rubra and Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis Preoccupied ? —
‘The change of Dendroica cerulea to Dendroica rara (Ridgway, Auk,
Jan., 1897, XIV, 97), which was promptly accepted by the A. O. U. Com-
mittee, involves an interpretation of Canon XXXIII of the A. O. U. Code
of Nomenclature to which little if any attention seems to have been
called. It appears advisable at the present time to raise this question,
inasmuch as it affects the validity of some other current names ; and this
the more as in regard to it thereseems to be neither unanimity of opinion
nor uniformity of practice. Briefly stated, it is this: in considering the
tenability of specific names, so far as preoccupation is concerned, shall
any account be taken of homomyms which are mere combinations, ¢. e.,
not original descriptions? To illustrate: Motacilla cerulea of Linneus,
1766, was called Sylvia cerulea by Latham in 1790,— evidently a simple
transfer of Linnzus’s species to another genus. Now, does this Sylvza
cerulea of Latham, 1790, preclude the use of Sylvza cerulea Wilson, 1810,
for another and widely different species, the former being now a Poliop-
tila, the latter a Derdrotca?) Canon XXXIII is apparently quite explicit
186 General Notes. rae
upon this point, its text being as follows: ‘‘...-a specific or subspecific
name is to be changed when it has been applied to some other species of
the same genus, or used previously in combination with the same generic
name.” The phrase, “ or used previously in combination with the same
generic name,’ seems to leave no doubt of its meaning; and a strictly
literal interpretation of this clause will treat alike all combinations,
whether or not they happen to be those of original descriptions.
Such being the case, there are two names in our North American List
which must be changed. The first of these, Prranga rubra, for the Sum-
mer Tanager, is untenable because Prranga rubra was previously used
by Vieillot, as well as by many succeeding authors, for the species now
known as Prrangaerythromelas. The rejection of Piranga rubra for the
Summer Tanager permits its employment for the Scarlet Tanager; the
former then becoming Péranga e@estiva. This is rather a fortunate cir-
cumstance, for these two birds will thus bear the names so long in use
before the publication of the first edition of the A. O. U. Check-List.
The specific term of Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis (Fringilla front-
al’s Say, Long’s Exped. to Rocky Mts., 1824, H, 40) must give way on
account of Fringilla frontalis Vieillot (Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. 1817,
XII, 181), which is a synonym of Sforopipes frontalis (Daudin). The
next available name seems to be Carfodacus obscurus McCall (Proc.
Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., June, 1851, 220), and the United States form of the
House Finch will consequently become Carpfodacus mextcanus ob-
scurus. —HaArRy C. OBERHOLSER, Washington, D. C.
Four Preoccupied Names. — Psittacus augustus Vigors, P. Z. S. (1836),
Jan. 16, 1837, 80, for the Imperial Parrot of Dominica, is preoccupied by
Psittacus augustus Shaw, Mus. Lever., 1792, 59, pl. 2. This will necessi-
tate a new name for Amazona augusta (Vigors), which may be called
Amazona imperialis, this name having stood for several years in Mr. Ridg-
way’s MSS.
Pachyrhamphus similis was first used by Cherrie for a Nicaraguan
Becard (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XIV, 1891, 343) and its subsequent use by
Mr. Salvin for a South American species (Novit. Zool., II, 1895, 13)
renders the latter open to anew name. It may be called Pachyrhamphus
salvint.
Blax, lately proposed by Reichenow (Ornith. Monats., IH, 1894, 126)
for an African Barbet, is preoccupied by two or three genera of the same
name in insects (Thomson, 1860; Loew, 1872, etc.). It is proposed to
use as a Substitute Blacops,' with a single species, Blacops gymnophthal-
mus (Reichenow).
Bocagia of Shelley (Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, XVII, May 26, 1894, xiii),
for two species of African Shrikes, is untenable, there being a Bocageza
1 Brag, and op.
Scie General Notes. i 87
Girard, Jorn. Soc. Lisboa, III, 1893, 100, for a genus of Mollusks. Capt.
Shelley’s genus may be renamed Antichromus,' the two species being
Antichromus anchite (Bocage), and A. minutus (Hartl.).—Cuas. W.
RICHMOND, Washington, D. C.
New and Rare Birds in Kansas.— On June 12, 1898, Mr. R. Matthews,
of Wichita, while enjoying an outing along the banks of the Arkansas
River, some miles south of the city of Wichita, captured a specimen of
Chuck-will’s-widow, Aztrostomus carolinensis. There is no doubt as to the
identity, which was confirmed by Prof. Snow of Lawrence, to whom the
specimen was submitted. This is the first record for the State, although
the late Col. Goss and Prof. Popenoe were both confident that they had
heard the notes of this bird.?
On August 16, 1898, Mr. F. E. Forbes of Topeka captured a fine male
specimen of the Turnstone, Arexarda tnterpres, on the Kansas River near
that place. The specimen was found alone and is an addition to the Kan-
sas list.
About the middle of January, 1899, Prof. E. A. Popenoe of Berrytown,
near Topeka, shot a pair of Bohemian Waxwings (Ampelis garrulus)
from a flock of four. They were in company with some Cedar Wax-
wings, feeding on the berries of the ordinary red cedar. These are the
first of these birds noted in the state for eighteen years; and there are
only three other authentic records. They were previously taken at Fort
Riley, by Dr. Hammond; at Ottawa, by Wm. Wheeler; and at Manhat-
tan, by the writer. —D. E. Lanrz, Chapman, Kan.
More New Birds for Colorado. — Astragalinus psaltria mexicanus. A
Goldfinch was shot near the city of Denyer during the summer of 1888
by Mr. A. T. Allen, a taxidermist. He considered the bird to be menz-
canus, and judging it to be out of its ordinary summer home he preserved
the specimen. His identification has lately been confirmed by Prof. J. A.
Allen who says that the specimen is not quite typical, but much nearer
this form than any other. It is of course an accidental occurrence, as
the species belongs in southern Texas and southward.
Branta canadensis minima. A typical specimen of this subspecies
was shot April 10, 1898, by Mr. John F. Campion on a small lake near
Loveland, Colorado. He presented it to the State Natural History
VM Ayr’ and xpopa,
[> The head and wings of a female specimen of this species, taken at
Wichita, Kansas, in 1898 (exact date not stated), were received recently at the
American Museum of Natural History, New York, for identification, from
Prof. L. L. Dyche, of the Kansas University. This adds a second authentic
record for the Chick-wills-widow in Kansas. —J. A. ALLEN. ]
i
188 General Notes. ion
Society and it is now mounted in their collection at the State Capitol
in Denver.
Junco montanus.— This new species was described by Mr. Ridgway
about a year ago. He writes: “In our somewhat extensive series of
jJunco montanus, I find only one specimen from Colorado. This is a
female, No. 109,943, U. S. N. M., collected at Pueblo, Oct. 29, 1886, by
C. W. Beckham. There are several examples from New Mexico and
Arizona; one from Fort Clark, Texas, two from El Paso, and one from
the Sierra de los Patagone, Mexico. All are fall and winter birds.’’ —
W. W. Cook, Fort Collins, Col.
Some Additional New. Mexican Birds.—In‘The Auk,’ for October,
1898, Mr. W. I. Mitchell gives a list of the birds found by him in San
Miguel County, New Mexico, during the summer of 1898. I spent about
four months each summer in 1896 and 1897 at Fort Bayard, New Mexico,
about 180 miles west and 200 miles south of where Mr. Mitchell conducted
his observations, and give below a list of the birds found there which
were not found by Mr. Mitchell in the vicinity of Las Vegas. These lists
will tend to show that the boundary line of the range of some of the
species mentioned comes between the two localities. The time I spent
in New Mexico during the two summers ranged from the end of May
to the middle of November, so that I was a little late for the breeding
season, and it is probable that many of the birds which I do not give as
breeding are really breeders in that locality.
The military reservation of Fort Bayard is a square, four miles each
way, lying between the Black Range and the Santa Rita Mountains, and
has an elevation of 6700 feet. The country is hilly and has no streams
so large but what they dry up during the dry season, which lasts from
September until July. Eighteen miles from the post is the Mimbres
River. The climate and vegetation are the same as that described by
Mr. Mitchell.
1. Callipepla squamata. ScaALep PARTRIDGE.— Abundant, staying
especially in the patches of cactus. Breeds, and I was told it is resident.
2. Halizetus leucocephalus. BaLp EAGLE. — Rare.
3. Falco sparverius deserticolus. DrsERT SPARROW HAwk.— Fairly
common, replacing the Sparrow Hawk, of which I saw none.
4. Geococcyx californianus. ROADRUNNER. — Abundant, feeding prin-
cipally on insects. Found breeding late in May.
5. Dryobates villosus hyloscopus.—Fairly common wherever the
trees are of a large size.
6. Dryobates scalaris bairdi. TEXAN WooDPECKER.— Moderately
common.
7. Antrostomus vociferus macromystax. STEPHENS’s WHIP-POOR-
WILL.— Uncommon. Found them breeding the middle of July, laying
two eggs on the bare ground.
Vol. XVI
Peg): General Notes. I 89
8. Tyrannus vociferans. Cassin’s KincBirD.— Very abundant, tak-
ing the place of the Kingbird of the East, but not so pugnacious as the
latter. Breeds, and after the nesting season was over they used to gather
in some cottonwood trees near the house about dusk, and keep up a con-
tinuous shrieking, calling, and fighting until long after dark. Probably
raises two broods a year.
g. Contopus richardsonii. WrESTERN Woop Pewee. — Fairly com-
mon. Breeds, and while nesting does not hesitate to attack anything
venturing in the neighborhood of its nest.
10. Icterus parisorum. Scorr’s ORIOLE.— Rare; only one specimen
taken, but I thought I saw it again.
11. Spizella socialis. CHIPPING SPARROW.—A few of these came in
the fall with the flocks of other Sparrows that arrived then.
12. Junco hyemalis shufeldti. ScnuFELDT’s JuNco.— These became
common in flocks towards the end of October and were sometimes asso-
ciated with the other Sparrows.
13. Zonotrichia leucophrys intermedia. INTERMEDIATE SPARROW. —
Uncommon. These also appeared in the fall.
14. Hirundo erythrogaster. BARN SwaLLtow.— Abundant where
there were suitable places for it to breed. Found them nesting June r.
15. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides. WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE. —
Common and probably breeding.
16. Harporhynchus curvirostris. CURVE-BILLED THRASHER.— Abun-
dant and breeds, being very fond of the cactus for a nesting site, and
probably raising two broods a year. This bird is a sweet songster and is
often kept as a cage-bird.
17. Harporhynchus crissalis. CrissAL THRASHER.—Rare. I saw
but few of them and principally in the fall.
18. Parus inornatus griseus. GRAY TiTMouseE. — Fairly common,
singly and in pairs.
19. Psaltriparus plumbeus. LEAD-coLORED BusH-TIT.— Common,
and found generally in flocks in the groves of small pines and firs.
More noticeable in the fall.
Mr. Mitchell speaks of Cyanocitta steller? macrolopha as being much
more common than Aphelocoma woodhouset. Where I was it was just
the opposite, as 4. woodhoused was very common and breeding. — SIDNEY
S. Witson, S¢. Foseph, Mo.
Notes from Rhode Island. — The following records seem to me worthy
of publication : —
Melanerpes erythrocephalus. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER.— At James-
town, Conanicut Island, on September, 1898, I took a young male, and in
the Newport Historical Society’s Collection there is a young bird, sex
not given, that was taken in the same locality in October, 1892, by Amon
Parmenter.
Igo General Notes. Res
Lanius ludovicianus (migrans).—On August 29, 1898, Master
LeRoy King took a Shrike on Indian Ave., Newport, and brought the
specimen to Edward Sturtevant, Esq., through whose kindness it finally
reached me for identification. I referred the bird directly to Mr. William
Palmer’s new subspecies miégrans of Lantus ludovicianus, described in
‘ The Auk’ (Vol. XV, No. 3, 244), and forwarded the specimen to him for
his examination. The bird is an immature female and measured by Mr.
Palmer’s measurement (taken from skin), wing. 3.85; tail, 3.60; culmen,
53; tarsus, 1.12. Mr. Palmer referred the bird to his subspecies and
drew attention to some points I had already noted, v7z., first plumage
feathers on head, back, and wing-coverts and the growing out of a new
tail-feather, either to replace moult or loss. For the present we must
vcall the bird, I suppose, Lanzus ludovictanus excubitorides.
Numenius longirostris. LOoNG-BILLED CuRLEW.—At Jamestown on
September 9, 1897, a single bird, sex unknown, was taken by Thomas R.
Stetson on the edge of Round Swamp. The bird I obtained and is now
in the collection of Mr. William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass.
Ammodramus princeps. Ipswich SPARROw.—Among the dunes
back of the first and second beach at Newport and Middletown this spe-
cies winters not uncommonly.— REGINALD HEBER Howe, Jr., Lomg-
-avood, Mass.
Notes on Long Island Birds.— The following data include observa-
‘tions of some birds not before referred to by the writer, while others have
been included here on the ground of further acqaintanceship, or for other
reasons.
Larus leucopterus (or kumlieni). On March 8, 1898, a Gull was shot
by John Tiernan of Rockaway Beach while he was lying in a small boat
about five miles off shore stooling for Old Squaw Ducks. On the follow-
ing day while at the beach, I noticed this Gull hanging on the awning
frame of Tiernan’s hotel. The light colored (almost white) primaries
caught my attention at once, and I secured the bird. It is an immature
male; much smaller than Z. e2taucus, and its rather dark coloration I
found puzzling. Through the kindness of Mr. Walter Deane of Cam-
bridge, Mass., the skin was examined by Mr. William Brewster who
named it ZL. leucopterus. Mr. Brewster is inclined to regard the phase of
plumage represented by the present specimen as belonging to that of the
immature ZL. kumdlienz, the status of which, as yet, has not been deter-
mined. The Iceland Gull has been rarely takenon Long Island. Giraud
makes no mention of the species, nor is it included in Mr. Lawrence’s
‘Catalogue of Birds.’ It is stated in Chapman’s ‘ Birds of Eastern North
America’ to be an autumnal visitant in winter.
Sterna caspia. The Caspian Tern appears to occur on our coast regu-
larly each autumn, though it is never, I believe, common. On May 12,
1898, I received two adult males from Mr. Andrew Chichester of Amity-
ville, Long Island, who had shot them on the South Bay the preceding
Oa General Notes. IQI
day, together with one other specimen, which was given by him to a local
taxidermist, and which I saw later. The sex of the latter bird was unde-
termined. Mr. Chapman believes these to be the first spring records for»
this vicinity. Mr. Dutcher, writing me in regard to this species, says
they constitute the first record of this species occurring here in spring.
In the autumn of this year, at the same place, September 3, I met with
two more specimens; one, an immature female, which was shot, and an
adult bird. Mr. William Dutcher informs me that he has always seen the
young accompanied in this way by an adult and never alone.
Aythya collaris. The Ring-necked Duck has been so infrequently
recorded from Long Island that it is well worthy of mention. The
gunner above mentioned sent me this specimen, a male, which he believed
to be a “cross between a Red-head and a Broad-bill.’ He had ‘‘ never
seen one like it before,” and consequently it must be rare on Long Island,
as during his long experience as a gunner in the Great South Bay he has
met with many rare, as well as the ordinary, species which frequent this
famous resort of water-fowl. The bird came alone to the decoys.
Tringa bairdii. While on a visit to Shinnecock Bay on Oct. 31, 1894,
a number of Snipes were seen and secured, notably White-rumped Sand-
pipers. This specimen, among others, was labeled as such, but not with-
out some misgivings. Only recently it was more critically examined and
found to be Z. dazrdit. Mr. Arthur H. Howell, who was at the same
place when the bird was shot, recently recalled to my mind the fact that
the bird was alone, on a sandbar, when shot. The bird was not very
active, and it is possible may have been previously wounded. Mr. N. T.
Lawrence has obtained three or more specimens from Long Island. The
species is not included by Giraud in ‘The Birds of Long Island,’
Ereunetes occidentalis. In the fall of 1897, the Western Semipalmated
Sandpiper was abundant on Long Island. Besides three or more speci-
mens from Shinnecock Bay, collected by Mr. Howell, it was met with by
Mr. H. C. Burton on the South Bay in July and by the writer during the
same season (once each) on both the Great South Bay and (August 28)
on Jamaica Bay.
Alauda arvensis. The English Skylark is at present firmly established
as a Long Island resident. Between Flatlands and Holy Cross Cemetery,
and to the east of the latter, many are to be seen and heard. On March
28, 1898, while on the Neck Road, I heard for the first time the twittering,
burring, continuously sustained song of this species and saw it rising
gradually on fluttering wings up into the blue ether. At a later date one
was heard singing continuously for eight minutes while in the air and
for two minutes more after alighting on the ground. They were neither
seen nor heard in September and October, though doubtless they might
have been at suitable times; namely, early in the morning or in the
evening. Several were heard and seen at the same time in the locality
indicated above. It is likely they will later be found at other points on
Long Island.
192 General Notes. Aca
Sturnus vulgaris. About a mile in a straight line from the colony of
Skylarks, I first saw the European Starling, where it was afterward seen
repeatedly. Near Kensington Station someone within the present year
has placed in a large tree several bird boxes, which are occupied by the
Starlings.
The tower of the Boys’ High School in Brooklyn noted in the article
referred to as occupied by these birds, still retains its attractions for
them. This was probably the original nesting colony on Long Island.
Another colony now occupies the steeple of a church at Bedford Avenue
and Madison Street. At several points in the environs of Brooklyn the
Starlings have been seen, where they were evidently visiting for the
purpose of obtaining food, while at various points in the city itself they
are commonly observed:
Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna.— The Savanna Sparrow has
been found on Long Island in summer, but not so far west I believe as
the following record. At Garden City 17th July, 1897, an adult male in
worn breeding plumage was found in a locality where many Grasshopper
Sparrows were resident. Mr. Oberholser considers this an interesting
discovery and at his suggestion it is made a matter of record. Mr.
Wm. Dutcher has recorded this species from Long Island in summer.
It is also a winter bird on Long Island. The writer met with a specimen
Jan. 30, 1895, at Flatbush, L. I.
Contopus borealis. The Olive-sided Flycatchers were seen in limited
numbers in the early autumn of 1896 in Brooklyn (Auk, XIV, p. 99).
They have been observed since in both 1897 and 1898, single specimens.
having been secured on the following dates: September 25, 1897, an
immature female, and August 27, 1898, an adult male. It should be
considered, I think, a regular and not uncommon autumn migrant for
Long Island.
Empidonax flaviventris. The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was first
described in 1843 by Wm. M.and S.F. Baird as Tyrannula flaviventris
in Pr. Ac. Nat. Sc. Phil., I, 283. Giraud makes no mention of the species.
in ‘The Birds of Long Island,’ published in 1844, though it had been
separated and described, as above, in the year preceding the issue of his
work. It isa matter of interest to note that the first specimen in the
series of this species in Prof. Baird’s collection was taken on Long
Island, being labeled Raynor Sound (South), Long Island, Aug. 4, 1831
(Cat. No. 1951. See U.S. P.R. R. Exp. and Surveys, IX, 1860, p. 199.-
It seems to occur rather rarely on Long Island in spring, while in the
autumn it is certainly not rare. Mr. Dutcher has kindly furnished me
with the following data of its occurrence: Aug. 19, 1893, Parkville (Coll.
Wm. Dutcher); Sept. 18, 1890, Statue of Liberty, N. Y. Harbor; May 19,
1892, Flatbush (per A. H. Howell); June 10, 1893, Brooklyn (per A. H.
H.). The following dates of their occurrence are added from my own
notes: May 25, 1897, Parkville; Aug. 27, 1898, do.; Sept. 2, Sheepshead
Bay; Sept. 11, 1895, Parkville. The above dates probably cover nearly.
Vol. XVI 7 Nn;
SS General Notes. 193
the limits of its occurrence on Long Island; namely, May 19 to June 10
and Aug. 4 to Sept. 18.— Wm. C. BRAIsLIN, M. D., Brookhn, N. Y.
Some Birds of Unusual Occurrence in Orleans County, N. Y. — During
the past week the writer has accomplished a casual reading of a complete
file of ‘The Auk’, from Vol. I, No. 1 to date, and finds that during the
entire fifteen years of its publication it has contained only two items
which pertain to the ornithology of this county, and those were of but a
paragraph each. Our county has not, however, been so free from rare
avian visitors as this sparsity of record would seem to indicate. On the
contrary, there have been many occurrences well worthy of mention,
although it does seem that no one has taken the pains to have them prop-
erly recorded. Permit me now to make mention of some of the most
interesting of these, as follows : —
Colymbus holboelli. HoLBoELL’s GREBE.— A somewhat ancient
record, dating back to May 1, 1873, on which day, Mr. David Bruce of
Brockport secured a specimen near Murray. This bird was somewhat
above the ordinary in size, measuring twenty-one inches in length.
Uria lomvia. BriNNiIcH’s MurRE.— Mr. F. A. Macomber of Murray
has a mounted specimen in winter plumage which was brought to him in
the first half of March, 1897, having been taken alive by hand, in a
famished condition, on the ice of Sandy Creek. My collection contains
the mounted head of another individual which was picked up dead from
the Lake Ontario shore in the town of Kendall, by Mr. Harry Burnett.
Rissa tridactyla. KirrrwAke.— A mounted specimen in the collection
of Mr. O. B. Mitchell of Holley, taken by him ona pond in the town of
Clarendon after a heavy storm.
Sterna caspia. CAsPIAN TERN.—A finely mounted female of this
species is in the collection of Mr. David Bruce of Brockport, taken by
him in September, 18go0, on Lake Ontario, in the town of Kendall.
Phaéthon flavirostris. YELLOW-BILLED Tropic Birp.— The extraordi-
nary occurrence of this very southern bird in our county is recorded by
Rev. J. H. Langille in his ‘Our Birds in their Haunts,’ page 615.
Branta canadensis hutchinsii. Hurcurns’s Goosr.—A_ specimen
taken at Gaines, about 1888, is now in the possession of Mr. Newell
Beekwith of that place.
Plegadis autumnalis. GLossy Isis.—An individual of this species.
was shot in Tonawanda Swamp in May, 1889 and brought to Mr. George
H. Hedley of Medina to be mounted.
Ardea egretta. AMERICAN EGRET.— Three of these birds wandered
into our county in July, 1883, and two of them were shot near Kent on
the 27th of that month. One of these is now in the possession of Mr.
Edgar Ford of Carlyon, who shot it.
Nycticorax nycticorax nzvius. — BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. —
The late Alfred Myhill of Medina once took a specimen from a marsh
13
194 General Notes. Aol
along the lake shore. The mount is now, with the rest of his collection,
in the possession of his father, Mr. William Myhill of the Ridge Road.
Rallus elegans. KiNG Rait.— About August, 1880, Mr. Milo C.
Webster of Knowlesville (now of Buffalo) while out on a hunt in company
with Rev. J. H. Langille, shot a King Rail in a marsh on the lake shore
in the town of Carlton. Mr. Langille makes mention of this specimen in
his ‘Our Birds in their Haunts,’ page 400.
Porzana noveboracensis. YELLOW RaiL.— Two individuals, taken by
Mr. F. A. Macomber ot Murray near that place, April 21, 1894, and
another the following year at about the same time. Two of these speci-
mens are now in his collection, —the third is in the collection of Mr.
David Bruce of Brockport.
Tringa canutus. KNor.—A young male of the year was taken on the
Lake Ontario shore in the town of Carlton, Sept. 9, 1897, by Mr. Percy
Smithe of Medina.
Tringa fuscicollis. WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. — Mr. Percy Smithe
of Medina secured a male of this species from the lake shore in Carlton,
Oct. 16, 1897.
Tringa bairdii. Barrp’s SANDPIPER.—A mounted specimen in my
collection marks the first occurrence (so far as I have been able to learn)
of this Sandpiper in the western half of New York State. It was taken,
together with one other of its kind, Sept. 3, 1895, at “the head of still
water,” on Oak Orchard Creek (just north of Waterport) by Mr. John
Ritenburgh of Gaines. These two specimens slumbered unrecognized,
in the possession of Mr. Ritenburgh until Sept., 1897, when they were
turned over to Mr. Ernest H. Short. If Mr. Short recognized these
birds as 7rénga bairdzti, he made no stir about the matter nor any record
of the rare occurrence, disposing of one of them, meanwhile. The
other I procured of him, December 2, 1898, and determined its identity
forthwith. While these two specimens were remaining unrecognized,
others were being taken in our county, were more promptly analyzed
and recognized, and a published record made, thereby gaining a prior-
ity over these taken three years before.
Mr. J. L. Davison of Lockport, N. Y., while sojourning at Lakeside
Park, this county, during the early fall of 1898, secured along the lake
shore near that point, five specimens of 7ringa bairdit, as follows :—
Aug. 20, two; Sept. 8, two; Sept. 16, one. I am indebted to Mr. Davison
and to Miss Mathilde Schlegel (who mounted them) of East Aurora,
N. Y., for complete and detailed data regarding the taking of these addi-
tional five Baird’s Sandpipers in my own county of Orleans. (See Forest
and Stream, Jan. 7, 1899).
Tryngites subruficollis. Burr-BREASTED SANDPIPER.—A finely
mounted example is in the collection of Mr. David Bruce of Brockport
which was taken in the town of Kendall, “‘ fifteen or sixteen years ago.”
Also one was brought to Mr. Ernest H. Short of Gaines for mounting,
in the fall of 1897.
Vol. XVI
i856 General Notes. if 95
Numenius hudsonicus. HupsonrAN CurLEw.—One taken from a
flock of Killdeers in September, 1897, near Murray, by Mr. F. A. Macomber
of that place. Now in his collection.
Cathartes aura. TURKEY VULTURE.— A young male taken in town
of Kendall, May 23, 1884. (See Auk, Vol. I, No. 3, July, 1884.) Mr.
David Bruce of Brockport now has this specimen. Also an adult male
taken in the town of Clarendon, July 18, 1891, and now in the New York
State Museum at Albany. (See Auk, Vol. IX, No. 2, April, 1892.)
Catharistes urubu. BLAcKk VuLTURE.— An individual of this species
was caught in atrap by a farmer residing near Shelby Center, on the
28th of May, 1892, and came under my observation while yet alive.
Surnia ulula caparoch. AMERICAN HAwk Ow t.— Mr. David Bruce
has a specimen in his collection which was taken near Holley a few years
ago.
Empidonax flaviventris. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER.— A mounted
female in my collection taken May 26, 1890, at Hulberton by Mr. Jesse
Craven. Other county taken specimens (one or two) have come under
my observation also.
Icterus spurius.— ORCHARD ORIOLE.—‘“ Several from gulch near
Holley, in thespring of 1876” (David Bruce). “A pair (gf and 2)
brought me in June, 1896 (first week) shot near Gaines, possibly would
have bred” (Ernest H. Short). I have in my collection a typical nest of
this species, taken about August 1, 1898, at Lakeside Park, by Mr. J. L.
Davison of Lockport. A tiny bit of egg-shell found hidden beneath
the lining of the nest, gave evidence of its occupancy during the past
season.
Coccothraustes vespertinus. EVENING GROSBEAK.— During the
remarkable flight of these birds to the eastward in the winter of 1889-90,
several were taken at different points about the county.
Loxia leucoptera. WHITE-wWINGED CROssBILL.—A mounted female
of this species is in my collection taken at Holley in February, 1888, by
Mr. Jesse Craven. Other occurrences of this bird in our county are also
reported to me.
Dendroica palmarum. PALM WaARBLER.—A male example in my
collection taken near Holley, May 12, 1888, and other occurrences of this
Warbler in the county have been reported. Dr. Jonathan Dwight, Jr., of
New York, to whom I recently sent the specimen, seemed surprised that
my bird was palmarum, as he felt that D. p. hypochrysea was the form
which should be found here. However, all examples taken in this and
adjoining counties of western New York of which I know, seem refera-
ble to falmarum.
Icteria virens. YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.— On Memorial Day, 1895,
near Shelby Center, I saw an individual of this species, using the opera
glasses upon it at short range. I was led to the bird by first hearing it
pour forth a most indiscriminate medley of all kinds of notes. Also Mr.
Fred C. Lusk of Holley took a male in full plumage near that place May
I 96 General Notes. pee
8, 1880, and another occurrence which I have not yet had opportunity to
investigate is recently reported to me from the eastern part of the county.
Sylvania pusilla. WuILson’s WARBLER.— Two male specimens shot
near Gaines and brought in to Mr. Ernest H. Short of that place, May
' 28, 1897. Now in his collection.
Parus bicolor. Turrep Tirtmouse.—I prize nothing which I have in
my collection more highly than I doa fine male of this species, which
was taken just south of Holley, March 17, 1889, by Mr. Fred C. Lusk,
This bright bird would be a charming addition to our regular avi-fauna,
but I know of no other records of its occurrence in this or adjoining
counties.
In the foregoing notes, I have only made mention of some of the rarer
birds which have been taken in Orleans County, but there yet remain
unreported several unusual occurrences for this section which should
become matters of record, and which, at some later day perhaps, I may
report to your valuable journal. Some of these occurrences are fully as
rare as any mentioned above, but as yet lack the authentic and complete
corroboration which I hope to attach to them after further investigation.
— Nei, F. Posson, Medina, NV. Y.
Late Migrants and Stragglers in Eastern Massachusetts. — Many
birds stayed unusually late in Eastern Massachusetts this autumn, owing
very likely to the mild weather which we enjoyed during October and
most of November. Bluebirds, Chipping Sparrows and Field Sparrows,
which generally disappear in the first week of November, were seen as
late as the 13th of that month. The Blackbirds also prolonged their stay
longer than usual; I saw a flock of at least thirty Cowbirds in Belmont
associated, up to Nov. 13, with over two hundred Red-wings and some
Rusty Grackles. The last Cowbird was seen on Noy. 21; on Novy. 13, I
saw three Bronzed Grackles. On Nov.1 Mr. Faxon and I saw a Lincoln’s
Finch, and on Noy. 5 I saw an immature White-crowned Sparrow. The
height of the migration of both of these birds is about Oct. 1, and the
latest dates hitherto noted for either are from a week to ten days earlier
than those above recorded. On Noy. 3, I saw a Black-throated Green
Warbler in Cambridge.
There have been also three interesting stragglers in this vicinity during
November. On the 2d of November I found a female Wilson’s Blackcap
in Belmont; the bird stayed in the same locality till Nov. 20, and uttered
when startled a curious wren-like kek, kek, which I have never before
heard. Believing that the bird would eventually starve or freeze to death,
I asked a friend on the 20th to shoot it.
On Noy. 5th I saw a European Goldfinch (Carduelis) in Arlington.
The bird behaved like any wild bird. On Oct. 26, and again on Nov. 17,
I saw in Belmont a Mockingbird. I placed food near the spot where I
saw the bird, but have not since seen it.— RALPH HOFFMANN, Belmont,
Mass.
Vol. XVI 3
Bg General Notes. 197
Destruction of Birds by the Great Cold Wave of February 13 and 14,
1899. — The cold wave which struck the coast of South Carolina was
the severest recorded for 200 years. On Monday, February 13, the ther-
mometer registered 14° above zero, with the ground covered with
snow from four to five inches deep on a level, while drifts were two
feet deep. This is a remarkable occurrence for the coast region and
to be seen scarcely in a lifetime. On Tuesday, at 6.55 a. m., the
thermometer registered 6° above zero. This excessively cold weather
came upon us very suddenly. It was sleeting all day Sunday, Feb-
ruary 12, but towards midnight grew suddenly colder, and when morn-
ing dawned the whole country was covered with snow. The destruction
of bird life caused by this cold wave can scarcely be conceived. To
say that Fox Sparrows (Passerella tliaca), and Snow birds (Junco hyem-
alts) were frozen to death by the mz//rons is not anexaggerated statement,
but a conservative one. There was a tremendous migration of Fox
Sparrows on Monday, the 13th, following the coast line of the mainland.
They apparently came from the northeast, migrating in a southwesterly
direction. Thousands tarried in my yard all day long and swarmed in
the piazza, fowl-yard and every place that would afford protection. They
would scratch away the snow in order to find a bare place, singing —
that is the stronger birds —the whole time, while their companions were
freezing by the hundreds. When they were benumbed by the intense
cold Boat-tailed Grackles (Quzscalus major), and Red-winged Blackbirds
(Agelatus pheniceus) would peck them at the base of the skull, killing
them and ea¢ing them. The stronger Fox Sparrows would also ea?¢ their
dead companions. It was a most pathetic sight. I caught quantities of
Fox Sparrows, Grass Finches, Snowbirds, and Chipping Sparrows and
put them into a large cage which I brought into the house and placed
before a large fire with the hope of saving them from destruction, but
despite this they a// dred. Very few of these birds were emaciated, and
the great majority were fat.
The Woodcock (Philohela minor) arrived in countless thousands. Prior
to their arrival I had seen but two birds the entire winter. They were
everywhere and were completely bewildered. Tens of thousands were
killed by would-be sportsmen, and thousands were frozen to death. The
great majority were so emaciated that they were practically feathers and
of course were unable to withstand the cold. One man killed 200 fazrs
in afew hours. I shot a dozen birds. Late Tuesday afternoon I easily
caught several birds on the snow and put them into a thawed spot on the
edge of a switt-running stream in order that they would not perish, but
upon going to the place the next morning 1 found one frozen. These
were fearfully emaciated and could scarcely fly. Two birds were killed in
Charleston in Broad street. It will be many years before this fine bird
can establish itself under the most favorable conditions. The following
is a list of birds that I saw which were frozen to death: Fox Sparrow,
Passerella iliaca ; Snowbird, Junco hyemalis; Woodcock, Philohela minor ;
sare 7 Auk
I 98 Recent Literature. April
Grass Finch, Powcetes gramineus ; Savanna Sparrow, Ammodramus sand-
wichensis savanna ; Chipping Sparrow, Spizella soctalis ; Song Sparrow,
Melospiza fascitata ; Swamp Sparrow, Melospiza georgiana ; Blue-headed
Vireo, Vireo solitarius; Hermit Thrush, Turdus aonalaschke pallasii ;
Meadowlark, Sturnella magna; Mourning Dove, Zenatdura macroura ;
Killdeer, gvalitis voctfera; Bluebird, Szaléa stal’s ; Catbirds, Galeos-
coptes carolinensis; Pine Warbler, Dendroica vigorsit.
Bluebirds and Pine Warblers were decimated. Mockingbirds, Cardi-
nals, Florida Towhees, Carolina Wrens, and all Woodpeckers escaped. —
ARTHUR T. WAYNE, Mount Pleasant, S. C.
RECENT LITERATURE.
Volume XXVI of the British Museum Catalogue of Birds.!— Volume
XXVI of the British Museum Catalogue of Birds is the last to appear of
the twenty-seven yolumes constituting this magnificent series, Volume
XXVII having been previously issued. The first volume of this great
work appeared in June, 1874, the others following at irregular intervals of,
in the average, rather less than a year, the last volume having been
brought out towards the close of 1898. As a general work on the birds
of the world, no preceding treatise from the time of Linnzus to the
present day, is at all to be compared with it in point of completeness or
in method of treatment. To say that it marks an era in the history of
ornithology is only faintly to imply its vast importance.
We learn from the Preface of this last volume, by Sir W. H. Flower,
Director of the Natural History Department of the British Museum, that
this great undertaking was originally projected by Dr. Albert Giinther,
his predecessor in the office of Director, ‘‘more than twenty-five years
‘Catalogue | of the | Platalee, Herodiones, Steganopodes, | Pygopodes,
Alce, and Impennes | in the | Collection | of the | British Museum. | —
(Platalez) Ibises and Spoon-bills) | and | Herodiones (Herons and Storks), |
by | R. Bowdler Sharpe. | Steganopodes (Cormorants, Gannets, Frigate-
Birds, Tropic- | Birds, and Pelicans), Pygopodes (Divers and Grebes), | Alcz
(Auks), and Impennes (Penguins), | by | W. R. Ogilvie-Grant. | London: |
Printed by order of the Trustees. | Sold by | Longmans & Co., 39 Pater-
noster Row, E. C.; | B. Quaritch, 15 Piccadilly, W.; Dulau & Co., 37 Soho
Square, W.;| Kegan Paul, French, Triibner, & Co., Charing Cross Road,
W.C.; | and at the | British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, S.
W. | 1898. = Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum, Vol. XX VI. 8vo,
pp. xvii+ 687, pll. i-ic, ii, iia, iii, iv, v-vd, vi-viii.
Vol. XVI . :
1865 Recent Literature. 199
ago.... The publication of the work has therefore been nearly coinci-
dent with Dr. Giinther’s administration of the Zodlogical Department of
the Museum. It is to him that the general arrangement and supervision
of the work is due, although each contributor has been allowed a consider-
able latitude in following his own views as to the details of classification
and nomenclature.
“Tt was at first contemplated that Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe would under-
take the whole work, and the first four volumes were completed by him
between the years 1872 to 1879. ,It, however, soon became apparent that
continually increasing curatorial duties.... required very much of his
attention, and notwithstanding the energy with which he threw himself
into the work, it was manifestly impossible for him single-handed to com-
plete the Catalogue within any reasonable time.” Consequently the aid
of other specialists was invoked to take up certain groups to which they
had given special attention, while Dr. Sharpe did not relinquish his
labors. ‘“ Not only did he materially assist in many of the volumes pro-
duced under the names of other authors, but for seven more volumes
(making eleven altogether) he is entirely, and for two others he is partly,
responsible. Some indication of the amount of his share in the whole
work may be gained from the statement that out of 11,548 species de-
scribed in the Catalogue, 5181 are contained in Dr. Sharpe’s portion, and
6367 in those written by the ten otherauthors.”
The other authors are the late Mr. Henry Seebohm, who prepared Vol.
V, the family Turdide (1881); Dr. Hans Gadow, Vol. VIII, the families
Paride and Laniide, and the Certhiomorphe (1883), and Vol. IX, the
Cinnyrimorphe (1884); Dr. P. L. Sclater, Vol. XI, the families Ccere-
bide, Tanagridz, and Icteride (1886), Vol. XIV, the Oligomyode (1888),
Vol. XV, the Tracheophone (1890), and part of Vol. XIX (Rhamphas-
tide, Galbulide, and Bucconide); the late Mr. Osbert Salvin, part of
Vol. XVI (Upupe and Trochili) and part of Vol. XXV (Tubinares); Mr.
Ernst Hartert, part of Vol. XVI (families Cypselide, Caprimulgide,
Podargidz, and Steatornithide); the late Edward Hargitt, Vol. XVIII,
the Picidz (1890); Capt. G. E. Shelley, part of Vol. XIX (Indicatoride,
Capitonide, Cuculide, and Musophagide); Count T. Salvadori, Vol.
XX, the Psittaci (1891), Vol. XXI, the Columbe (1893), and Vol. XXVII,
the Chenomorphe, Crypturi, and Ratite; W.. R. Ogilvie Grant, Vol.
XXII the Galline and Allies, and part of Vol. XXVI, the Steganopodes,
Pygopodes, Alc, and Impennes; Mr. Howard Saunders, part of Vol.
XXV, the Gavize.
The ‘ Catalogue’ is based upon the immense collection of birds in the
British Museum, which has increased from about 35,000 in 1872 to about
400,000 at the present time, supplemented by ‘‘all other available mate-
rial contained in public or private collections, or described in zodlogical
literature. It therefore professes to be acomplete list of every bird known
at the time of the publication of the volume treating of the group to
which it belongs. Under the heading of each species is (1) a copious
synonymy: references being given to every mention of it which occurs
200 Recent Literature. Avil
in standard books or journals. [This is more nearly true of the later
volumes than of many of the earlier volumes.] This has been a work of
prodigious labour, but it is hoped that, being fairly exhaustive, it has
been done once for all, as far as existing literature is concerned. (2) A
full description of the external characters of both sexes, and, as far as
possible, all stages of plumage. (3) A general account of the habitat of
the species. (4) A list of every individual specimen in the Museum Col-
lection, with a statement as to the source from whence it was obtained
and its original locality.” This high aim has been as nearly reached, at
least in many of the volumes, as, in the nature of such things, could be
reasonably expected.
The colored illustrations in these twenty-seven volumes represent (in
387 plates) 540 species not before figured, or else only inadequately, the
drawings, by Keulemans, being made in almost every case ‘from the
types ot the species.”
The Preface to Vol. XX VI further states that owing to the vast increase
in the collection during the last twenty-five years the earlier volumes
““represent a very inadequate idea, both of the present condition of the
subject and the contents of the Museum Collection.” It is therefore pro-
posed to publish a Supplement, probably in two volumes, “which will
contain references to every species described subsequently to the publica-
tion of the volume which treats of the group to which it belongs, and
also such emendations as the progress of Zoédlogy seems to require.
When this is published, it will afford a complete list up to date of all
known birds, either described in the Catalogue or elsewhere.”
We have thus given a sketch of the history, scope, and aims of this
great series of volumes,! in nearly the words of the Director of the
Zoological Department of the British Museum. As shown, the plan of
the work, and the general scheme of arrangement and classification, were
decided upon more than a quarter of a century ago, as doubtless also the
leading principles of nomenclature. Hence the twelfth edition of
‘For notices in this journal of the volumes of the British Museum Catalogue
of Birds see, for Vols. I, II, and III, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, III, 1878, p.77-79;
Vols. IV, V, and VI, zdzd., VIII, 1883, pp. 99-105; Vols. VII and VIII, Auk
I, 1884, pp. 277-283; Vol. IX (not reviewed); Vol. X, zd¢d., II, 1885, pp.
365-368; Vol. XI, zérd., IV, 1887, pp. 149, 150; Vol. XII, zd¢d., V, 1888, pp.
410-413; Vol. XIII, zé7d., VI, 1889, pp. 266-268 ; Vol. XIV, zé/d., VIII, 1891,
pp- 90-92; Vol. XV, zbzd., VII, 1890, pp. 379, 380; Vols. XVI and XVII,
2bid., X, 1893, pp. 66-69; Vol. XVIII, zézd., VIII, 1891, pp. 92-95; Vol. XIX,
ibid., 1X, 1892, p. 184; Vol. XX, zbid., IX, 1892, pp. 277-279; Vol. XXI,
zbid., XI, 1894, pp. 60-62; Vol. XXII, zb¢d., XI, 1894, pp. 171, 172; Vol.
XXIII, zdd., XI, 1894, p. 242; Vol. XXIV, zdzd., XIV, 1897, pp. 102-104;
Vol. XXV, zbid., XIII, 1896, pp. 160-162; Vol. XXVI, zdid., XVI, 1899, pp.
198-203; Vol. XX VII, zézd., XIII, 1896, pp. 162-164.
ale Feecent Literature. 201
Linneus’s ‘Systema Nature’ has been taken as the starting point for
binomial nomenclature, and with slight exceptions, strictly adhered to
throughout the whole series of volumes, notwithstanding the fact that in
recent years the tenth edition of the ‘Systema’ has become the general
starting point. It therefore unhappily follows that in many cases the
names, both generic and specific, adopted in the ‘ Catalogue’, are not in
harmony with those that must stand, according to the present consensus
of opinion on this important point.
Again, the use of trinomials for the designation of subspecies had not
become greatly in vogue, at the time the ‘Catalogue’ was begun, and
although several of the authors engaged on this work had adopted them
at the time they prepared their respective portions, the orignal plan of
employing binomials for all forms recognized was adhered to to the end.
In respect to the ‘ Scomber scomber principle’, the rule has varied, the
different authors having been apparently left to their own inclinations in
this matter, with the result that some have retained specific names for the
species to which they were originally given when later used as generic
names, while some have not, thus giving rise to instability in a large
number of names, whatever the ruling may be respecting the ‘ Scomber
scomber principle.’
A uniform method has been employed in designating type species,
namely, by giving the name as it stands under the genus to which it is
referred by the author of the ‘Catalogue’ instead of the full name, generic
and specific, given it by its original describer. This is not a serious
matter, but one frequently giving rise to some inconvenience if one desires
to go over the ground for himself.
Marked improvement in respect to the fullness and character of the
bibliographical citations has marked the progress of the work, the later
volumes well meeting the most rigid requirements, while the earlier
volumes were deficient and variable in point of completeness, and defec-
tive as regards the scope of the reference, even generally omitting, in the
case of special works, the highly convenient and often important item of
date. In other words, the authors have kept well in touch with the
improved methods that have characterized in this respect, ornithological
literature in general. The last seven or eight volumes are far in advance of
most of their predecessors, while some of the later ones leave little to be
desired in the way of further improvement.
Passing now to Volume XXVI, it is enough to say, by way of general
remark, that in method of treatment and completeness it is equal to the
best of the series. It embraces the Platalee (Ibises and Spoonbills) and
Herodiones (Herons and Storks), by Dr. Sharpe, and the Steganopodes
«Cormorants, Gannets, Frigate Birds, Tropic Birds and Pelicans), the
Pygopodes (Divers and Grebes), the Alc (Auks), and the Impennes
(Penguins), by Mr. Ogilvie Grant. The Platalee number 33 species, with
21 genera, and the Herodiones, 120 species with 48 genera; the Steg-
anopodes number 66 species, with 6 genera; the Pygopodes 52 species
’
202 Recent Literature. Bees
with 17 genera; the Impennes 17 species with 6 genera. All but ten of
the species are represented in the British Museum collection. In the
Platalee and Herodiones Mr. Sharpe retains the redundancy of genera
which has characterized his recent volumes of the ‘Catalogue’ and his
preliminary papers on these two groups, the average being 14 species to
the genus in the former and 24 species to the genus in the latter. On
the other hand Mr. Grant is very conservative, the average for the
Steganopodes being 11 species to a genus, with 37 in Phalacrocorax,
under which genus no subgenera are recognized.
As regards North American species, there are many departures from
the A. O. U. Cheek-List through taking Linnzus’s names at 1766 instead
of 1758, and ignoring Brisson’s genera, and others for other reasons.
Eudocimus, though preoccupied by Ludocima, in Lepidoptera, is used in
preference to Guwara, the first strictly tenable name for the genus. All
of the A. O. U. Cheek-List subgenera of Ardea are given the rank of genera,
and in addition, agenus Leucophoyx (Sharpe, 1894) is employed for Ardea
candidisstma. Without the author having seen specimens of the South
American Ardea tricolor it is recognized as specifically distinct from the
North American A. ¢ricolor ruficoll’s, On the other hand, Vycticorax nyc-
ticorax nevius is referred to JV. zycticorax, and no subspecies are admitted
in the Butorides virescens group.
Phalacrocorax urile (Gm.) becomes P. bicrzstatus Pallas, on the ground
apparently that wzle was originally composite. No subspecies are recog-
nized under P. felagicus, and only one, céwcznmatus, under P. dilophus,
for the white-crested Pacific coast form, the two eastern forms being
referred to dzlophus, which name, however, gives place to aurztus Lesson,
1831. While the untenability of dilophus (Vieillot mec Swainson) is
evident, it is not quite so manifest that awrztus, founded on Vieillot’s very
unsatisfactory figure of a supposed New Zealand specimen, is the correct
substitute; under these circumstances it seems far better to accept Pha-
lacrocorax floridanus Aud. (1835) as the proper name for the group.
P. mexicanus is made a subspecies of the South American P. vigua (=
brasilianus auct.). The propriety of this change was previously. sug-
gested by Mr. Ridgway (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XII, 1889, p. 138).
From what we have already said about the treatment of Brissonian
names, we find as a matter of course Plofus used in place of Anhinga, and
Linneus at 1766 gives Colymbus for the Loons, Gavia being disposed of
as having “notype”! Gavza arctica is not regarded as North Ameri-
can, the North American birds recognized under this name by American
writers being referred to Gavia facifica, which latter is made a subspecies
of arctica.
Cepphus is treated as a synonym of Ura, the Guillemots not being
awarded even subgeneric rank. Yet anew genus, Micrurza, is proposed
for two of the species of Brachyrhamphus— B. hypoleucus and B. cra-
vert, the former being the type of the new genus. The name &7ttlitzis
Brandt, 1837, is superceded by drevirostris Vigors, 1828 — perhaps
Vol. XVI
F856 Recent Literature. 203
justly, though it is odd that the type should have been taken at San Blas,
Mexico, “ August 9,” this being on Aleutian Island and Kamchatkan
species. Phalerts Temminck, 1820, is restored for the Paroquet Auklet
in place of Cyclorrhynchus Kaup, 1829, although Stejneger (Orn. Expl.
in Commander Isls., 1855, p. 38) has pretty clearly shown that Alca pyg-
mea Gm. must be regarded as the type of Phalerzs. But these are
mainly points where ditterences of opinion are liable to occur—we fear
for a long time to come. —J. A. A. ;
Evans’s ‘ Birds’.'—In a well illustrated volume of some 600 pages Mr.
Evans has attempted to give ‘a short description of the majority of the
forms in many of the Families, and of the most typical or important of
the innumerable species included in the large Passerine Order.” This is
preceded by an introductory chapter of some 20 pages on the structural
peculiarities of birds, their classification, geographical distribution,
migration, etc. Mr. Evans follows Dr. Gadow’s scheme of classification,
“with some slight modifications.” He begins with the Archrornithes
and ends with the Passere, the final family of the series being the Fringil-
lide. The work being intended as a popular treatise on the Class Aves,
the more strictly technical phases of the subject have been avoided, as also
the discussion of disputed questions. The work is prepared in a conserva-
tive spirit, without attempt at fine writing, and without stating as fact
the many theories and conjectures that have received almost unqualified
endorsement in some of the recent ‘popular’ books on birds, bird migra-
tion, and kindred subjects. A general account is given of each family,
with an enumeration of many of its principal forms, and brief|reference to
their distribution and characteristic traits. The text is fully illustrated
with, for the most part, excellent wood cuts. A large part are admira-
ble figures by Mr. G. E. Lodge, prepared especially for the present work,
while others are by Smit, or from other sources, and are thus not
unfamiliar through previous use in other connections. The volume as
a whole is entitled to high commendation, and will prove of great con-
venience as a general account of the principal forms of bird life, both
recent and extinct. —J. A. A.
Von Ihering’s Birds of San Paulo, Brazil.*— This enumeration of the
birds of the State of Sao Paulo is based on the collections of the Museu
1 Birds | By A. H. Evans, M. A., Clare College, Cambridge | London |
Macmillan and Co., Limited | New York: The Macmillan Company | 1899 |
All rights reserved | —8vo, pp. xvi+ 635, 2 maps, and 144 text figures. = The
Cambridge Natural History, Vol. IX. — Price $3.50.
2 As Aves do Estado de S. Paulo. Por. H.von Ihering. Revista do Museu
Paulista, Anno III, 1899, pp. 113-476.
204 Recent Literature. Agait
Paulista, and on the literature of the subject. The nomenclature is
essentially that of the British Museum ‘Catalogue of Birds’. The
synonymy of the species is given, with a brief mention of their distinctive
characteristics and distribution, and the character of their occurrence in
Sao Paulo. The number of species recorded as occurring in the State is
590, of which just one half are Passeres. — J. A. A.
Dearborn’s Birds of Belknap and Merrimac Counties, New Hamp-
shire.!— This neatly published list of 175 species is based on the personal
experience of the writer during the past ten years, supplemented by other
information from reliable observers, duly accredited. Although the list
is incomplete, it is evidently trustworthy so far as it goes, and is judi-
ciously annotated. The Loon (Gavéa zmber), Mr. Dearborn states, ‘has
plainly decreased within the last two decades. Twenty years ago they
bred every summer at one or more of the ponds which are the headwaters
of the Suncook River.” They have, however, been so far killed or fright-
ened away by “wanton hunters” that none have nested there of late,
though they still breed at Lake Winnepisaukee. The Blue Bird was very
scarce in 1895, following their destruction at the south by the severe
weather of the previous winter. They were more common in 1896, and in
1897 had nearly reached their normal numbers. “This sudden increase,”
says Mr. Dearborn, ‘‘is rather puzzling, when one considers that ordi-
narily there is no perceptible increase from year to year.” —J. A. A.
Nash’s ‘The Birds of Ontario in Relation to Agriculture’.?— The
principal groups are briefly reviewed in reference to their influence upon
agriculture. The seven pages devoted to the Birds of Prey are based
mainly on Dr. Fisher’s well known investigations, conducted under the
direction of Dr. Merriam for the U. 5S. Department of Agriculture. The
Crows, Jays and Blackbirds are considered at some length, with a verdict
that they have little to recommend them from the economic standpoint,
their good deeds being in general quite balanced by their evil ones, while
the Blue Jay is rather strongly condemned, mainly on account of its fond-
ness for the eggs and young of birds much more useful than itself. The
Cow Bird is regarded as a pest, on account of the “ terrible destruction ”
of the small, insectivorous birds it chooses for its foster parents, each Cow
1A | Preliminary List | ofthe | Birds | of | Belknap and Merrimack Counties
| New Hampshire | with Notes | By | Ned Dearborn. | Presented to the
Faculty of the New Hampshire College | of Agriculture and the Mechanic
Arts as a Thesis | for the Degree of Master of Science, | June, 1898 i — | Dur-
ham | New Hampshire College | 1898.—$8vo, pp. 34.
The Birds of Ontario in Relation to Agriculture. By Charles W. Nash.
Toronto. 8vo, pp. 32, with 33 half-tone plates, from drawings by the Author.
Reprinted from the Report of ae Farmers’ Institutes of Ontario, 1897-98.
Vol. XVI
1899
Recent Literature. 205
Bird being raised at the expense of a brood of some far more useful
species. The European House Sparrow’s numerous bad traits are
recounted, and he is likewise credited with many good deeds. In the
author’s opinion, his good traits about balance his mischievous ones, as
he is at present represented in Ontario, but he thinks the species should
not be allowed to greatly increase. Of course, the Woodpecker, Cuckoos,
Thrushes, Warblers, and Flycatchers, are highly commended and their
protection strongly advocated. This useful pamphlet closes with a
reprint of the Ontario ‘Act for the Protection of Insectivorous and other
Birds’; the species exempted from protection are ‘“‘ Hawks, Crows, Black-
birds, and English Sparrows.” The 33 full-page original illustrations
are not especially artistic, but will probably aid the farmer in distin-
guishing between his friends and foes.—J. A. A.
Stejneger on the Birds of the Kurile Islands.'!— This appears to be the
first attempt to enumerate the birds of the Kurile Islands, which are,
zoOlogically speaking, as yet a terra ¢ncoguita. ‘The only important col-
lection of birds made there, since Steller’s visit more than a century
ago, was gathered by Capt. H. J. Snow, and passed into the hands of
Capt. Blakiston and Mr. Pryer, who reported upon it in their paper ‘The
Birds of Japan’, published in 1882. Dr. Stejneger’s list is an attempt “to
lay a foundation upon which others may build,” and for this purpose
he has ‘‘ gathered together all of the materials and records” accessible
to him. In most cases the information is meager and unsatisfactory, and
should serve to call attention to this extensive chain of islands, “about
630 miles long,’ as an important field for zodlogical investigation. Dr.
Stejneger’s list numbers 146 species. —J. A. A.
Clark on the Feather Tracts of North American Grouse and Quail.*—
At great expense of time and trouble Dr. Clark succeeded in securing
either fresh or alcoholic examples of all the genera, and of nearly all the
species of North American Grouse and Quail for the purpose of studying
their pterylosis. In the present paper of a dozen pages and three plates
we have the results of his investigations. As the field was nearly new,
the paper proves a valuable contribution to pterylography and also to
North American ornithology. The information is both interesting and
instructive, but does not have a decisive bearing on any points of taxon-
1 The Birds of the Kurile Island. By Leonhard Stejneger, Curator, Division
of Reptiles and Batrachians. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., No, 1144, Vol. XXI, pp.
269-296.
2The Feather-Tracts of North American Grouse and Quail. By Hurbert
Lyman Clark, Ph. D., Instructor in Zodlogy, Amherst College. Proc. U.S.
Nat. Mus., No. 1166, Vol. XXI, pp. 641-653, with plates xlvii-xlix.
206 Recent Literature. Anal
omy. It is rather confirmatory, as would be expected, of conclusions
based on other structural features. He ventures, however, to present
diagrams of the ‘‘ hypothetical relationships,” respectively, of the genera
-of Quails and Grouse, based wholly ona study of their pterylography.
He expresses regret “ that the amount of labor involved in this investiga-
; yet hardly
”
tion has not been productive of more considerable results
more could have been expected than the contribution of facts here
presented. It is not likely that any one set of characters, however, fully
known, will ever serve as a basis for a satisfactory phylogeny.—J. A. A.
Weed on the Winter Food of the Chickadee. '— The scientific study of
the food habits of our birds, now carried on at various Agricultural
Experiment Stations and elsewhere, is placing in strong light the indebt-
‘edness of man to insectivorous birds. Mr. Weed’s excellent paper on
the winter food of the Chickadee shows that at this season the Chicka-
dee’s food consists very largely of the eggs of insects injurious to vegeta-
tion. “This destruction,” says Dr. Weed, “of the myriad eggs of plant-
lice which infest fruit, shade, and forest trees is probably the most impor-
tant service the Chickadee renders during the winter residence.” It also
destroys the eggs of the tent caterpillar and the fall canker worm, as
well as those of other noxious insects. Statistics are given of the results
of stomach examinations, and a detailed account of how the investiga-
tions were conducted. The conclusion reached is that the Chickadee is
‘one of the best of the farmer’s friends, working throughout the winter
to subdue insect enemies of the farm, orchard, and garden.” —J. A. A.
Weed on the Feeding Habits of the Chipping Sparrow.?— This isa
detailed account of the number of times a pair of Chipping Sparrows fed
their brood of young during “one long day in June,” just before the
young left the nest. It was found that the parents made nearly two hun-
dred visits to the nest, carrying food to their young, during a single day.
The precise nature of the food was of course not determined, but the
most abundant elements were seen to be soft-bodied caterpillars, crickets,
and crane-flies, while doubtless a great variety of other insects was taken.
As this bird is an abundant, and at all times a harmless species, and com-
monly raises two broods each season, its utility as an insect destroyer is
abundantly evident.—J. A. A.
‘The Winter food of the Chickadee. By Clarence M. Weed. Bull 54,
New Hamphire College Agriculture Experiment Station, Durham, N. H.,
pp- 85-98. June 1808.
> The Feeding Habits of the Chipping Sparrow. By Clarence M. Weed.
Bull. 55, New Hampshire College Agriculture Experiment Station, Durham,
N. H., pp. to1-110. July, 1898.
Vol. XVI
66 Recent Literature. 207
Whitman’s ‘The Birds of Old English Literature’. — This is pri-
marily a contribution to philology rather than to ornithology, yet it must
have much interest for ornithologists who care to know the early forms
of English bird names. Some two hundred bird names are here traced to
their old English and cognate forms, and the subject presents many
points of interest for intelligent readers, whether or not of a philological
turn. —J. A. A.
Publications Received. — Bangs, O. The Florida Meadow Lark (Proc.
New Engl. Zool. Club, I, 1899, pp. 19-21.)
Clark, Hubert Lyman. The Feather-Tracts of North American Grouse
and Quail. (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XXI, pp. 641-653, pll. xlvii-xlix.)
Dearborn, Ned. A Preliminary List of the Birds of Belknap and Merri-
mac Counties, New Hampshire. S8vo, pp. 34, 1898.
Evans, A. H. Birds. 8vo, pp. xvi +635, 1899. Macmillan & Co.,
London and New York.
Gurney, J. H. On the Comparative Ages to which Birds live. (Ibis,
Jan., 1899, pp. 19-42.)
Haase, O. (1) Ornithologische Notizen aus ‘St. Hubertus’. (Orn.
Monats., 1895-1898.) (2) Untersuchung von Nestern in Léchern mit
Hiilfe von Zuriickgeworfenem Licht. (Zeitsch. fiir Oologie, Jan. 1899.)
(3) Ornithologische Beobachtungen vom nordlichen Atlantischen Ozean.
Von O. Helms. Uebersetzt von O. Haase. (Journ. fiir Oru., Jan. 1899. )
Harvie-Brown, J. A. On a Correct Colour Code, or Sortation of
Colours. (Proc. Internat. Congress of Zodlogy, 1898.)
Huntington, Dwight W. In Brush, Sedge and Stubble, Part V, 1898.
Ihering, H. von. As Aves do Estado de S. Paulo, Brazil. (Revista do
Museu Paulista, III, 1899.)
Lee, Oswin A. J. Among British Birds in their Nesting Haunts. Part
XIII, 1899.
Madarasz, fulius von. Description of a New Ground Thrush: Geocz-
chla frontalis. (Természetrajzi Fiizetek, XXII, 1899, pp. 111-113, pl. viii.)
Nash, The Birds of Ontario in Relation to Agriculture. 8vo, pp. 32,
Toronto, Ontario Dept. of Agric., 1898.
Schalow, Herman. Die Végel der Sammlung Plate. (Zool. Jahrb.
Supple. IV, Drittes Heft, 1898.)
Scalter, W. L. On acollection of Birds from Inhambane, Portuguese
East Africa. (Ibis, Jan. 1899, pp. 111-115.)
Stejneger, Leonhard. The Birds of the Kurile Islands. (Proc. U. 5.
Nat. Mus., XXI, pp. 269-296.)
!The Birds of Old English Literature. By Charles Huntington Whitman,
Fellow in English at Yale University. 8vo, pp. 50. Reprinted from The
Journal of Germanic Philology, Vol. II, No. 2, 1898.
208 Recent Literature. Agat
Thayer, Abbott H. The Law which underlies Protective Coloration.
(Smithsonian Report for 1897 — from ‘The Auk.’)
Weed, Clarence M. (1) The Winter Food of the Chickadee. (Bull.
54, New Hampshire College Agr. Exper. Station, 1898.) (2) The Feeding
Habits of the Chipping Sparrow. (/é¢d., Bull. 55, 1898.)
Wheeler, William Morton. George Baur’s Life and Writings. (Am.
Nat., XX XIII, No. 385, 1899.)
Whitman, Charles Huntington. The Birds of Old English Literature.
(Journ. of Germanic Philology, II, No. 2, 1898.)
American Journ. Sci., Jan.—March, 1899.
Anales del Museo Nacional de Montevideo, ITI, fasc. 10, 1898.
Annals of Scottish Nat. Hist., Jan., 1899.
Bird-Lore I, No. 1, Feb. 1899.
Birds and All Nature, V, No. 2, Feb., 1899.
Bulletin British Orn. Club, Nos. LVII, LVIII, Nov. and Dec., 1898.
Bulletin Cooper Orn. Club, I, Nos. 1 and 2, 1899.
Bulletin Michigan Orn. Club, II, Nos. 3-4, July—Dec., 1898.
Bulletin Wilson Orn. Chapter Agassiz Assoc., No. 24, Jan., 1899.
Forest and Stream, LII, Nos. 1-12, 1899.
Journal of the Maine Orn. Soc., I, No. 1, Jan. 1899.
Knowledge, XXII, Nos. 159-161, Jan.—March, 1899.
Naturalist, The, A Month. Journ. Nat. Hist. for North of England,
Jan.—March, 1899.
Occasional Papers, California Acad. Sciences, VI, 1899.
Ornithologische Monatsberichte, VII, Nos. 1-3, Jan.—March, 1899.
Ornithologische Monatsschrift des Deutschen Vereins zum Schutze
der Vogelwelt, XXIV, Nos. 1-3, Jan.—March, 1899.
Ornithologisches Jahrbuch, X, No. 1, Jan.—Feb., 1899.
Osprey, The, III, Nos. 2-7, Oct. 1898—March, :S8g9.
Ottawa Naturalist, XII, Nos. 10-12, Jan.-March, 1899.
Our Animal Friends, XXVI, Nos. 5-7, Jan.—March, 1899.
Proceedings Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, Part III, Sept.Dec., 1898
(1899).
Proceedings California Acad. Sciences: Botany, I, Nos. 3-5, 1898;
Geology, I, No. 4, 1898; Math.—Phys., I, Nos. 1-4, 1898; Zoology, I, Nos..
g and 11, 18908.
Science (2) Nos. 210-221, 1899.
Shooting and Fishing, XXV, Nos. 12-26, 1899.
Transactions Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasgow, V, part II, 1897-098.
Zoologist, The, (4) Nos. 25-27, 1899.
Vol. XVI bo
7899 ] Correspondence. 209
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Spelling of Names.
EDITORS OF Tune AlgiKes: ==
Dear Sirs:— For some years past I have had official or friendly rela-
tions, or both, with three distinguished men who bear the same name.
By one— the President of Harvard University — it is written Eliot; by
another —a zoOlogist, explorer and author of world-wide reputation —
Elliot; by the third —an eminent authority and writer on North Ameri-
can birds and mammals, for whom, by the way, it stands as a given name
only— Elliott. In writing to one or another of these gentlemen, as I have
sometimes had occasion to do, I have often found it necessary to verify my
impression as to the precise number of “1”s and “t”’s to which he laid
claim. This, of course, has given some trouble, but in my simple igno-
rance of philology it had not occurred to me that the name in question
could be “properly” spelled in only one way,and I had even supposed
that some family or historical interest or value might attach to and in a
way justify its slightly varying forms. These illusions, however, have
been utterly dispelled by Mr. Elliot’s recent onslaughts on our unfortunate
Canon XL. I have read his argument with a mixture of satisfaction and
shame —- satisfaction at the beneficent possibilities of correctness and uni-
“ee >
formity of spelling which his article suggests, and shame that il, ais: "2
member of the Committee could have been so misguided as to vote for a
principle which sanctions writing the name of one bird Axthus pensit-
vanicus and of another Dendroica pensylvanica, —and this despite the
fact that in my early youth I actually enjoyed the privileges of that pub-
lic school education to which Mr. Elliot so feelingly alludes.
Fortunately it is not too late to retrieve my error, and I gladly take this
opportunity to pledge the use of what influence I may possess with the
Committee towards the elimination of Canon XL in accordance with
Mr. Elliot’s views, provided that gentleman will agree to secure and
establish a uniform and hence ‘‘ correct” spelling of the name he bears.
That this will be easy enough in the case of our mutual friend Dr. Elliott
Coues the latter’s outspoken and cordial support of Mr. Elliot in late
numbers of ‘The Osprey’ leaves no reason to doubt, but with the Presi-
dent of Harvard University there may possibly be some difficulty!
Very truly yours,
WILLIAM BREWSTER.
Cambridge, Mass.
4° Auk
210 Correspondence. April
A Protest.
Epirors or ‘THE AuK’?:—
Dear Sirs: — Let me add my protest against the present collection-
rage, especially the egg form. The persons given over to this mischiev-
ous passion see their own side of the matter and often, no doubt, feel
innocent. There is, of course, something to study, however little, com-
paratively, even in a boughten egg shell. I emphasize the boughten
because, the wholesale robbing of rookeries being barter, specimens
gotten in this way lack even the pewer which an egg of one’s own
collecting has to call back the vision of the nest and its environment.
Any breeding colony, like that of the Brown Pelicans at Pelican Island
is especially tempting to these individuals, and especially at their mercy.
And while truer students are delighting in their occasional visits to such
a place, and living on the memory; and whereas such a colony within
reach is a priceless treasure for the world of students of the Life History
of Birds, any one of these less intelligent persons may at one swoop,
like a monkey in a flower garden, very nearly sweep the whole colony
from the face of the earth; and at the best, for so proportionately poor
areason that his act stands black against all the beautiful good he has
marred.
There should be no confounding of the horde of ignorant persons in
whom the ge/tzng-passton is their only claim to the name of naturalist,
with the stwdent who must have a large series; and advice to amateurs
to get all the specimens they can will prove pernicious in ninety-nine
cases out of a hundred.
I think it very necessary to publish widely in all bird-magazines such
names as that of L. W. Brownell of Nyack who has given us in ‘The
Osprey’ his own account of his looting of Pelican Island, and bringing
away one hundred and twenty-five sefs of eggs, —about a quarter of the
entire number.
Yours very truly,
Appotr H. THAYER.
Scarborough, N. VY.
Mar. 23, 1899.
|
Vol. XVI )
ieee | Notes and News. PINAL
NOTES AND NEWS.
Dr. OLiveR Marcy, Dean of Northwestern University Evanston, IIl1.,
and an Associate Member of the A. O. U., died at Evanston, Ill., March
19, 1899, at the age of 79 years. He was born at Colerain, Mass., on
February 13, 1820, and was graduated from Wesleyan University in 1844.
He taught natural science at the Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass.,
for many years, and in 1862 became professor of natural history in the
Northwestern University, which position he held until his death. From
1876 until the election of Dr. Joseph Cummings as president, in 1881, he
was acting president of the University, and after this date was the Dean.
In 1876 the University of Chicago conferred on him the degree of
LL. D. He was a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a
member of many other scientific bodies. In 1866 he was geologist on
the Government Survey for a military road from Lewistown, Idaho, to
Virginia City, Montana. Dr. Marcy, though an authority in several
branches of sciences, was more especially a geologist, and the author of
various geological papers, though his college duties gave him little time
for original research. His genial and sympathetic nature always won
for him the respect and atfection of his students.
PROFESSOR OTHNIEL CHARLES MArsH, of Yale University, died at
New Haven, March 18, in the 68th year of his age. He was born at
Lockport, New York, in 1831, and was graduated at Yale in 1860. He
subsequently studied several years under leading specialists in Europe,
returning to New Haven in 1866, where he has since occupied the chair
of Paleontology. He has long been recognized throughout the world as
one of the leading authorities in vertebrate paleontology. His explora-
tions in various parts of the West for fossil vertebrates began in 1868,
and in subsequent years he amassed the immense collections which have
been so long famous. The results of his investigations have been pub.
lished in a long series of papers and memoirs, numbering nearly three
hundred titles, covering a period of more than twenty-five years. His
unrivalled collections of fossils, as yet only partly worked up, he pre-
sented to Yale University, with a considerable endowment for carrying
on and publishing the results of further investigation of this great mass
of material. Professor Marsh is well known to ornithologists for his
numerous publications on fossil North American birds, including his
great quarto memoir ‘Odontornithes: a Monograph of the Extinct
Toothed Birds of North America,’ published in 1880. Probably five-
sixths of the known extinct North American birds have been described
by Professor Marsh. His scientific work brought him many honors
both at home and abroad. In 1878 he was chosen President of the
American Association for the Advancement of Science, and from 1883
to 1896 he was President of the National Academy of Sciences.
212 Notes and News. Auk
April
THE CooPER ORNITHOLOGICAL CLuB of California has begun the
publication of a 16-page bi-monthly ‘ Bulletin,’ of which Nos. 1 and 2 of
Volume I have been received. It is edited by Chester Barlow, with Henry "
Reed Taylor and Howard Robertson as assistant editors. It is a large
octavo, illustrated, and well printed. The first number (Jan.—Feb.) con-
tains a portrait anda biographical sketch of Dr. James G. Cooper, by Mr.
W. O. Emerson, and various short papers on California birds, by well-
known California ornithologists, including an account of the nesting of
the Fulvous Tree Duck, by Mr. A. M. Shields. A new subspecies of the
Brown Towhee (P:f/lo fuscus carole) is described by Mr. Richard C.
McGregor. The second number (March-April) is filled with excellent
papers and shorter articles, including the description of a new subspecies
ot the Myrtle Warbler (Dendroica coronata hoover’), and of the Song
Sparrow ( Melospiza fasciata ingersolli), by Mr. McGregor. The ‘ Bulletin
of the Cooper Ornithological Club,’ thus early, takes a prominent place
in the ornithological literature of North America, and is a credit to the
energy and enterprise of California ornithologists.
THE MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY (formerly the United Ornitholo-
gists of Maine) has also begun the publication of an official organ to be
issued quarterly, under the title ‘The Journal of The Maine Ornitholog-
ical Society, A Quarterly Journal of Maine Ornithology,’ under the
editorship of Mr. C. Morrell. The first number (Jan., 1899), contains an
account of the annual meeting of the Society, held at Waterville, Dec. 31,
1898, and papers by Mr. Arthur H. Norton, Prof. A. L. Lane, and Mr.
Arthur Merrill. The principal paper of the second number (April, 1899)
is by Capt. Herbert L. Spinney on ‘The Gulls and Terns of Sagadahoc
County.’ Editorial and other notes complete the number. The ‘Journal’
will doubtless be an important addition to the periodical literature of
North American ornithology.
‘Brrp-Lore’, announced in the January number of ‘The Auk’ assoon
to appear, has made its bow to the public and has been received every-
where with unstinted praise. It is therefore needless to say that it has
amply fulfilled the promises held forth in the prospectus, and has, on its
own merits, taken its place at the front in the list of popular natural
history magazines. The abundant half-tone reproductions of photographs
from birds in life are among the finest thus far produced, and the beauti-
ful cover, general makeup, and elegant typography are quite up to the
standard of the illustrations. It has a field peculiarly its own, and one in
which itcan do great good. It is nothing to its discredit that it purposely
avoids the technical side of ornithology, aiming instead to interest the
public in the esthetic and humanitarian aspects of bird study. That
there is need of and a demand for such a journal has of late become more
and more manifest, and ‘ Bird-Lore’, with its avowed purpose to promote
the “study and protection of birds,” has come none too soon, and that it
Vol. XVI
1895 Notes and News. ome
so completely fills its réle is a source of great satisfaction to all bird
lovers. The first number has as a frontispiece a flashlight photograph of
John Burroughs at ‘Slab Sides,’ andthe first article is ‘In Warbler Time,’
by this favorite author: Dr. Thomas S. Roberts writes of ‘The Camera
as an Aid in the Study of Birds,’ with four half-tones illustrating the life
habits of the Chickadee; ‘From a Cabin Window,’ by H. W. Menke, is
illustrated by three halftones of winter bird lite in Wyoming; Miss Isabel
Eaton has a paper on ‘Bird Studies for Children. In the department
‘For Young Observers’ Miss Merriam writes of ‘Our Doorstep Sparrow’ ;
‘Notes from Field and Study,’ contain short illustrated articles; ‘Book
News and Reviews,’ give notices of new bird books, and an ‘Audubon
Department, under the editorial charge of Mrs. Mabel Osgood Wright,
presents a list of the Audubon.Societies, and reports of their work, from
the Secretaries of many of them, while similar reports will follow from
others. With the usual editorial notes, this forms a well arranged num-
ber of 32 large octavo pages, and gives good evidence of its razson d’étre.
SINcE our notice of ‘The Osprey’ in the January Auk, four numbers
have appeared, namely, the December, January, February, and March
issues, thus bringing the magazine practically up to date as regards pub-
lication. Each number contains popular articles on birds by well known
ornithologists, and there are various reproductions of bird pictures by
Mr. Fuertes. Dr. Gill has a communication in the February number
giving ‘Suggestions for a New History of North American Birds,’ to be
published in parts as supplements to ‘The Osprey.’ After pointing out
the deficiencies in preceding works, and the timeliness of a new work, he
proceeds to give an outline of how the new ‘ History’ should be prepared,
his hints being quite to the point for what we might term an ‘ideal’
history. He then considers at considerable length the ‘ Classification to
be adopted,’ discussing ‘avine orders’ and ‘ oscine families.’ He makes
the point that there are no orders among birds comparable with those in
other classes of Vertebrates. He says: “I would scarcely recognize any
”
orders among living birds — certainly not more than two.” He proposes
that the orders of most ornithologists be designated as suborders, and
to give to the present suborders the rank of superfamilies. The fami-
lies of ‘Oscine birds’ he looks upon as being as unsatisfactory as the
orders. He claims: ‘“ To entitle the sections of Oscines generally called
families as such, is to obscure and falsify our knowledge of structure
and to give a distorted idea of the group.” In contrasting the homo-
geneousness of structure in birds with what we may call the laxness of
structure in reptiles and fishes, or even in some of the orders of mam-
mals, he does not of course set forth any new facts, but merely empha-
sizes what is familiar to every specialist in vertebrates. Most taxono-
mers give weight to the fact that the compactness and homogeneity met
with in birds is necessarily a result of that specialization as egg-laying,
flying vertebrates, with which the wide range of structure and adapta-
Auk
214 Notes and News. April
tion seen, for instance, among reptiles, would be incompatible, if not
impossible. Hence it is customary, and perhaps justifiable, that a dit-
ferent measure is used in dividing the class of birds into minor groups.
As Dr. Gill remarks: ‘‘ The differences between the extremes of the living
species are less than those between the groups of the reptilian orders of
turtles, or lizards, or serpents, or than those between the suborders of
Primales....or those of Carnivores or Cetaceans.” This being the fact,
is it better to ignore one of the most important features of the class, —
its homogeneity due to its peculiar specialization,—for the sake of
measuring the differences among birds by the same unit we naturally
employ for reptiles ? There are two ways of looking at the matter;
everything depends upon the point of view, here as elsewhere.
Dr. Gill also has a few judicious remarks on the subject of subspecies,
apropos of the proposed new work, and outlines his plan as regards
synonymy, and the general make-up of the biographies.
The March number of ‘The Osprey’ comes out in anew spring suit
of type and cover, and has to all appearances quite recovered from the
protracted fall moult of which the editor complained in his earlier
numbers. The number also contains several communications of more
than usual interest.
A STATE ornithological society was organized at Denver, Colorado,
Jan. 6, 1899, under the name The Colorado Ornithological Association.
At the first meeting, held Feb. 4, the following officers were elected for
1899: President, Dr. W. B. Bergtold; Vice-President, E. J. Oslar; Treas-
urer, F. H. Fowler; Recording Secretary, H. 5S. Reed; Corresponding
Secretary, W. Mitchell; Executive Committee, Dr. Bergtold and Messrs.
Dille, Cannon, Mitchell and Collett. Although the present members
all reside in Denver, it is intended to make the Association a State
society, to include all the ornithologists of the State of Colorado.
THe DELAWARE VALLEY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLuB held its annual
meeting at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Jan. 5, 1899.
The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President,
Charles J. Rhoads; Vice-President, Charles J. Pennock; Secretary,
William A. Shryock; Treasurer, William L. Baily.
Among the more interesting communications presented to the Club
during the past year, were ‘Habits of the Brown-headed Nuthatch,’
C. J. Pennock; ‘Snap-shots at Birds and Nests,’ Wm. L. Baily ; ‘ Birds of
Point Barrow,’ E. A. MclIlhenny; ‘Birds killed on the Tower of City
Hall,’ Wm. L. Baily; ‘The Hind Limb of Birds,” Wm. A. Shryock;
‘Summer Birds of Wyoming Co., Pa., Messrs. Hughes and Stone;
“Some California Bird Notes, Henry W. Warrington.
The average attendance for the past year was twenty-one.
Tuer ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA has recently
secured the collection of bird skins formed by Mr. Josiah Hoopes of
Vol. XVI
59 Notes and News. Di 5
West Chester, Pa. Although for many years retired from active ornith-
ological work, Mr. Hoopes was formerly a well known member of the
Academy’s Ornithological Committee —at the time when John Cassin
was the leading ornithologist of the country. The present collection has
been formed during recent years, and for excellence of specimens and
beauty of arrangement is probably excelled by few, if any. It consists
almost entirely of North American Land Birds and comprises upward of
7000 specimens.
THE RECENT organization of The American Society of Bird-Restorers
is a most hopeful sign of the times for bird lovers. While the scope of
the Society is national its methods are also intensely local and practical.
Fletcher Osgood, the general manager and organizer, has extended its
membership over much of the United States from Maine to California,
and as far south as Arkansas. Accessions are coming in constantly.
The Society seeks to bring back our native song and insect-eating
birds to communities all over the country, from which they have been
expelled by causes known and removable. It is broadly inclusive in its
aim and methods, welcoming members of kindred organizations, and
helping men and women and the young to work for our birds in prac-
tical and fascinating ways. Some of its distinctive features are: The
organization of adults and youth into patrols to observe and protect our
birds, especially during the nesting season; concerted action, without
cruelty, against the English Sparrow, and the appointment of Bird-
Wardens. General educative work, tree-planting, and food-providing for
the birds are specially encouraged.
The Advisory Board includes many of our leaders in science, religion,
education and affairs. It is proposed to form a Branch Society in every
town and city of the Union. While the society has been in existence but
a few months, already fully organized branches are forming or have
formed in different parts of the Nation, and the Observation and Pro-
tective Patrol is represented in many States.
An especially important movement, likely to be initiated throughout
the Union, and immediately resulting from the activity of the Bird Re-
storers Society, is the appointment of a body of bird wardens by the
Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture. These wardens are chosen
from among members of the gypsy moth extermination force, dispersed
over more than thirty towns and cities. Later, it is hoped, bird wardens
may be appointed by the society in every town and city of the State.
Another movement, due solely, to the American Society of Bird-
Restorers, is now attracting wide attention: A Committee of Bostonians,
organized by Manager Osgood and those associated with him, presented
recently to the Mayor of Boston, a petition not far from thirty feet long,
signed by a great number of the heaviest taxpayers in Boston, together
with clergymen, educators, and people of all classes praying that the
English Sparrow be reduced and if possible practically suppressed in
216 Notes and News. net
Boston. The petition was endorsed by Dr. L. O. Howard, Wm. Brewster,
Dr. Vernon, E. H. Forbush, John Burroughs, Prof. C. H. Fernald, Messrs.
Palmer and Beal, and others widely known to ornithology and kindred
sciences.
The mayor (the Hon. Josiah Quincy) promptly ordered the reductions
to be begun under the supervisors and general directions of the Com-
mittee organized by the American Society of Bird-Restorers.
The methods to be first tried are: Egg-destruction by the destruc.
tion of nests in the breeding season, and trapping by methods carefully
studied and thus far proved effective. Many other methods are thought
of and may be ultimately used. If successful in Boston, Sparrow reduc-
tion is likely to spread all over the country.
Information about this work and all other work of the American
Society of Bird-Restorers will be gladly furnished on applications to
Fletcher Osgood, General Manager, Boston, Mass.
THE second annual meeting of the Audubon Society of the State of
New York was held in the lecture hall of the American Museum of Nat-
ural History on March 23, 1899. The program included a report on the
work of the year by Frank M. Chapman, chairman of the executive com-
mittee; an address by Madame Lilli Lehmann, the famous interpreter
of Wagnerian roles; the presentation of letters from Dr. Henry van
Dyke and Governor Roosevelt endorsing the aims of the society; and an
exhibition by Prof. A. S. Bickmore of slides of birds and their nests re-
cently furnished by him to the normal schools of the State of New York.
Mr. Chapman stated that over 40,000 leaflets treating of various phases
of the necessity for bird protection had been distributed by the society,
that the interest of the public in the subject was constantly increasing,
and that its field for usefulness was limited only by its available funds.
Dr. van Dyke’s letter expressed continued sympathy with the cause of
the society, and Governor Roosevelt wrote in the same vein and with the
evident sincerity of a genuine lover of birds.
Madame Lehmann, who is prominently connected with bird protection
and humane societies of Germany and Austria, spoke earnestly of the
need of concerted action in awaking an interest in the work of preserving
birds, and urged the importance of nature studies in the schools.
Professor Bickmore, curator of the American Museum’s Department of
Public Instruction, exhibited a series of 100 slides representing the lead-
ing types of American birds and their nests from the Pygopodes to
Macrochires. The larger part of these pictures had been made directly
from nature, and they constitute by far the most interesting and valuable
set.of the kind ever introduced into the schools of this country.
ErrRAtuM.—In the January number, page 21, line 14 from top, for
true frog read tree frog.
— Ng —e——————e—eEEeEEeeeorroreeeeoeee
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES OF THE AMERICAN
ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. 1898-99.
Expiration of Term.
RipGway, ROBERT, President.....++- S656 ‘no eooUloheoac November, 1899.
MeErRRIAM, C. Hart, \ i :
= Vice=P residents = cine viesie oie ae os I ,
Cory, CuarLtesB.,_ ¢ as 899
SNE, Cis Uelo4 GYAa AAO Coane scobacoegdoatodaonnc OC 1899.
IDNGartesaaiK. Wao eUNin IMAC Ore occoonbono adoD HS AOsGor ag 1899.
ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
AT CHET DEIR: Grp Fut enciovea oo 2 vierayelelsatete ce levers’ ahele cfevsrate November, 1899.
CHAPMAN MERA aH Io: sere auerersvershatersse o ecesallaresafeystevare cicls anes Be 1899.
TOMER AGNTEY ERS Uy IED WAR IN Get a) ct ab oralcteratararshes ale lelaytelate wicteltiarerevstatat aia tlocate 6 1899.
DWIGHT, JONATHAN, Jr., ---- +--+ 0 mare ra tdiste anor etetehetebateleterse se 18g9.
DTS ENERGY CAG MIGE efatere. ciehers cieuatavel charstatel @ stalevel s evcvevienavecerelele:a © tciayavs Ke 1899.
Bey EN GT at gang sins ievas ata #1 oheyoehaia Shel tayo nialciata ictaldlb sua a.ace's “ 1899.
SHLONE 4 WV ETEISNTE RB (or cfosetc os ocaiete late eel rere sterey epi vor atouiais oh lelmeie “ 1899.
ANE Jo ABSoaboueno onus comagdb0 odononuodocD oven ae
RIN, Suisse AV VI EATIAUIMEN Ss racy orveces alg reece tell ok eloles aeuame Excpred
>. isas a
US PSE TS a c'0/ 20 «ol d'g Cunwie'a sofa d ctatecaecwi erent a6 residents
FESS TinTE TI) THO) ES Caitrattes ats voyete vei e (erate =) 1s (evetaiscel aret ovalile-a: otter etek autres as
EDITORIAL STAFF OF ‘THE AUK.’
ALLEN, J. PD NEA TERA ROCIO OD IO EREO ODDO OOD OGG oO ORL OE November, 1899.
CHAPMAN, FRANK M., Associate Editor.....-+..seceeeee EC 1899.
COMMITTEES.
Committee on Publications.
BREWSTER, WILLIAM, Cha‘rman. ALLEN, J. A.
SAGE, JOHN H., Secretary. CHAPMAN, FRANK M.
DuTCHER, WILLIAM.
Committee of Arrangements for the Meeting of 1899.
RipGway, RosBert, Chatyrman. SAGE, JOHN H., Secretary.
Batty, Wo. L. HuGuHeEs, Dr. W. E.
STONE, WITMER.
x Active Members.
MEMBERS! OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’
UNION. DECEMBER, 1808.
ACTIVE MEMBERS.
[Omission of date indicates a Founder.]
Date of
Election.
AtpRicu, Hon. CHARLES, Des Moines, lowa- 3. >se 020s eener cere rs: oe
ALLEN, Dr. J. A., Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York City-..........- =
AnTHONY, A. W., 1307 14th St., San Diego, Cala.................. 1895
Barrows, Prof. W. B., Agricultural College, Ingham Co., Mich....1883
BATCHELDER, CHARLES FostTER, Cambridge, Mass.......----++.+- ———
BELDING, LYMAN, Stockton, (Callavisnisys «, c.cc:ste c/cleceter sve sisters oie elsieleeleleietes 1883
BICKNELL, EUGENE P., 32 Nassau St., New York City.-.........-.. =
*BREWSTER, WILLIAM, Cambridge, Mass.......-.++ceesceeececvee —
Brown, NATHAN CLIFFORD, 85 Vaughan St., Portland, Me......... —
BRYANT, WALTER E., Santa Rosa, Cala......... Boogoc Baba cQaabO ad 1888
CHADBOURNE, Dr. ARTHUR P., 225 Marlborough St., Boston, Mass..1889
CHAMBERLAIN, MonTaGue, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass... —
CHAPMAN, FRANK M., Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York City..-... 1888
Cooke, Prof. W. W., State Agricultural College, Fort Collins, Colo. 1884
*Cory, CHARLES B., 8 Arlington St., Boston, Mass.......-...-++---- —
*Coues, Dr. ELLiotrT, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C... —
DEANE, RUTHVEN, 24 Michigan Ave., Chicago, IIl-...............-. 1883
Dutcuer, WILLIAM, 525 Manhattan Ave., New York City........-.. 1886
Dwieut, Dr. JONATHAN, Jr., 2 East 34th St., New York City.......-. 1886
Exvxior, Prof. DANIEL G., Field Columbian Museum, Chicago, Ill... —
Faxon, Dr. WALTER, Mus. Comp. Zo6l., Cambridge, Mass.......-- 1896
FIsHER, Dr. ALBERT K., Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.... —
Foster, LYMAN S., 33 Pine Street, New York City..---++-seeee eee 1888
GitL, Prof. THEopoRE N., Smithsonian Institution, Washington,
TAG ie ioe reonecojebeveialete orspepere ebetetenereternsvetone sae e eanrelnare 2 aievede a elancheren 1883
GRINNELL, Dr. GeorGE Brirp, Audubon Park, New York City...... 1883
HENSHAW, HEnry W., Bureau of Ethnology, Washington, D. C....1883
LAWRENCE, NEWBOLD T., 51 Liberty St., New York City.........- 1883
Loomis, Leverett M., California Acad. Sci., San Francisco, Cala..1892
Lucas, Freperic A., U. S. Nat. Mus., Washington, D. C............1892
1 Members of the Union and Subscribers to ‘The Auk’ are requested to promptly
notify the publisher of ‘he Auk’ of any change of address.
* Life Member.
Honorary Members. xi
McItwraiTH, THOMAS, Hamilton, Ontario.............00- Sv vislerers ales —
MEARNS, Dr. EpGar A., U.S. A., Fort Clark, Texas. —
MErRRIAM, Dr. C. Hart, Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D.C... —
*MERRILL, Dr. JAMES C., U. S. A., Army Med. Mus., Washing-
Gots UD (Gerais cers src area Scovarcbey atererale che lar eveisie¥ clelebeketenmenetenaraioterstsre 1883
NEHRLING, H., Public Museum, Milwaukee, Wis.............--.--- 1883
Netson, E. W.. Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D. C...-.....-.. 1883
PALMER, WILLIAM, U.S. Nat. Mus., Washington, D. C............ 1898
PurbDIE, HENRY A., Room 37, State House, Boston, Mass.......... ._—
RICHMOND, Dr. CHARLES W., Smithsonian Institution, Washington,
IDSC Sow: Bava e aeisar sks. > cu srene gl dus VoueVeka Rie wus iehe Ste anieieie Dagmar eerersleye moacce 1897
RipGway, Prof. RoBERT, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. —
Rosperts, Dr. THomMaAs S., 1603 4th Av., So. Minneapolis, Minn....-. 1883
SSINGIDy OSE Islas Ietorsileunvals (Qo@loiin sooo boc cbboeDaGOoaIOooMUOUE=C CeCe 1883
SAUNDERS, WILLIAM E., 240 Central Av., London, Ontario.......... 1883
*SENNETT, GeEorRGE B., Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York City........ 1883
SHUFELDT, Dr. RoBerr W., 2508 University Place, Washington,
OE. Wes ace ters th cra eren ch nse Worse ecole’ atuisvellatebe oiere die eranslagorete oiete) veuatehars a3
STEJNEGER, Dr. LEONHARD, Smithsonian Institution, Washington,
10) 4 Cy BONO DB te Ott ot ache GEO O DRE GOE CoB atmo one ed aoa 1884
STONE, Witmer, Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia, Pa................. 1892
*TRUMBULL, GURDON, 970 Asylum Ave., Hartford, Conn...........- 1888
NVR MOANING RO) EO ©) Gi @ reli anew NOs cicl-inielerstcteielstcreis =o lets ele etapa) steyaletaats 1884
HONORARY MEMBERS.
BERLEPSCH, Count HANs von, Miinden, Germany..........-.--4-- 1890
BLANFORD, Dr. WILLIAM T., 72 Bedford Gardens, Kensington, W.,
London, England............+-... Moobuoonnotaonoug ces sounds 1895
BocaGE, Prof. J. V. BAaRBOozA pu, Royal Museum, Lisbon........... 1883
CaBANIs, Prof. Dr. JEAN, Alte Jacobsstrasse, 103 a, Berlin........... 1883
Dresser, Henry EELEs, Topclyffe Grange, Farnborough, Becken-
ihamiy ment, Eimelatid cc os =!» \+\lm)o\a/=i-1-) «1e)a)ole felons 1889
Ofer DB Vien pel las Vaban el ANclokeye, INGVeln, 5c 0q0.5d00 asco Seed ooonne daos 6255 0c 1896
CoLrrerr, Aronzo Mey Mich SchoolesDenvers COlOs. ccs eieleilee = 1897
CoLT, WILLIAM C., 310 Pleasant St., Worcester, Mass............6. 1892
CoLvin, WATER (9.5 OS AWwato mile mpiscenti Seuseyels ole ie' a/.<1's1> 5 sini ele ioieleteieteneisiete 1896
ComEAu, NAPOLEON A., Godbout, P. Q....--+ +. ee ee cece cece ee ceeees 1885
ConGpon, HERBERT WHEATON, 194 Clinton St., Brooklyn, N. Y...1893
CONKLIN, CHARLES E., Roslyn, N, Yoosssces-s cscs cece ceesersecece 1892
Corr, “ALBAN, Hartford, (Commnsecteete cir ericens ernldecciaxsle mise teieyerlererere 1885
Core, Francis R., Jr., Haverford College, Haverford, Pa........... 1892
CopELAND, Dr. Ernest, 141 Goldsmith Bldg., Milwaukee, Wis..... 1897
Coves, Dr. WILLIAM PEARCE, go Charles St., Boston, Mass........1888
Assoctate Members. XVil
‘Cox, Utyssrs O., State Normal School, Mankato, Minn.........-- 1894
Cram, R. J., 26 Hancock Ave., W., Detroit, Mich......---++-+eee+- 1893
CRANDALL, C. W., Woodside, Queen’s Co., N. Y.-eeeeeeeeeeeeecees 1891
CRANDALL, SILAS W., Winnetka, Ill.....---.-----+0+--ee- fet ay eyelets 1896
Cro.tius, Miss Anne A., 53 W. 53d St. New York City..-.--------> 1897
CurrIg, Rota P. Dept. Insects, U. S. Nat. Mus., Washington, D. C.1895
CURRIER, EDMONDE SAMUEL, Keokuk, Iowa.....++.-+sesseeeeceeees 1894
DAENZER, CARL, 1730 Missouri Ave., St. Louis, Mo...--.------+--- 1888
Darrin, Wn. H., 5000 Franklin St., Philadelphia, Pa....--.------ 1892
DaGGeTT, FRANK S., Pasadena, Cala...--.seeeeeeeeeeeeereeseecess 1889
DaxiIn, J. A., Syracuse, N. Y...-c2--. cece eee cce cece cte ce cees wee 1895
DANIEL, JOHN W., Jr., Lynchburg, Va..--.-.-- davavspesystodeveravsrelavele ek sictetats 1895
Dart, Lesiie O., 517 11th Ave., S. E. Minneapolis, Minn...-...---- 1898
DAVENPORT, Mrs. ELIZABETH BRAXTON, Brattleboro, Vt.......-.+-+- 1898
Davis, CLARENCE N., Branchport, N. Y.-..+-++ sees cece ee cece ceeees 1897
Davis, Mary A., Bayonne, N. J.--.-- ee ee cess ence cceesccceenecenes 1898
Davis, Minot, Cambridge, Mass...-+-. esse ececeeceeeeeeeeeeeeeees 1896
Dawson, WILLIAM LEon, Ahtanum, Washington.....-- Adadosagadc 1895
Day, CHESTER SESSIONS, 280 Newbury St., Boston, Mass..--..+---- 1897
DEAN, R. H., 1605 Lincoln Ave., Washington, D. C.......-...---- 1893
DEANE, WALTER, 29 Brewster St., Cambridge, Mass...-.-++-+++++-+- 1897
De Haven, Isaac Norris, Ardmore, Pa...+++.+ sees eee cece eee eeeee 1893
DENNE, Davin, 100 St. Francois Xavier St., Montreal, Can.....--- 1890
DERE Vo RIGIARID Groton lasSiereteyercietevele) ein) er-aletare ro) slalaiatelakalelel cietstanets 1898
Dewey, Miss MARGARET, 168 Pearl St., Springfield, Mass....-....--- 1892
DpxMER. INIEWION. Providence, Ri) [skeles cles ciel cles co a6 sje) cteliaini= = ialeiele 1898
DICKINSON, JosePH A., Gresham, Nebr...-+.--seeeeeeee cece eceees 1894
DICKINSON, JOSEPH EDWARD, Rockford, Ill..----++--eee cece sere ees 1894
DicKINSON, W.S., Tarpon Springs, Fla..........+---s2+2seceeecees 1891
DILte, Freperic M., 406 McPhee Bldg., Denver, Colo....-+.+++++++ 1892
Dionne, C. E., Laval Univ., Quebec, Can. .--- 2... eee eeeeee cece 1893
Drxon, Freperic J., Hackensack, N.J.------e se eee ee ee eee eee eee 1891
DopGE, FREDERICK CLINTON, 125 Milk St., Boston, Mass.......---- 1897
Dorr, GEORGE DetMarR, North Middleboro, Mass...--+...+++s+eeee: 1898
DovuBLeDAY, Mrs. FRANK NELSON, 111 E. 16th St., New York City.-1897
DouGuerty, Major W. E., U. S. A., 7th Army Corps, Cuba....-.--- 1897
Douc-ass, Bert H., Burlington, Kansas ..--+-+2+eee sees eee eee ees 1890
DUREEE, OWEN, Fall River, Mass. -.. 2.6.06 ccce «0 cic on ciecie wise seen 1887
DutcuHer, Dr. Basi Hicks, U.S. A., Fort Leavenworth, Kan....-. 1886
IDycuE, Prof. L. L., Lawrence, Kansas.......---- 2 reisibueveh Hoes are rie etatole 1886
EAastTMan, Harry D., Framingham, Mass...-++++ssecee cress eeceees 1891
Earon, E. Howarp, Canandaigua, N. Y...+++eeeee ee eees ailavote iayaysherece 1895
Eppy, NEwELL A., 615 North Grant St., Bay City, Mich.........-. 1885
EpGar, NEWBOLD, 28 E. 39th St., New York City ...-..-.++-see-eee 1891
Epson, JoHNn M., New Whatcom, Washington..+.+.++eeeeeeeeeeeeee 1886
Etrop, Prof. M. J., Univ. of Montana, Missoula, Montana........--- 1892
TEMBopy, GEORGE CHARLES, Auburn, N. Y...---eee-s +--+ eens SPeteveveta 1898
XVili Associate Members.
EMERSON, CHARLES Jem toneham, NMiassic.tctsi) sicioes kisi eieiee sete 1896
PMERY: Mire: Anwin se sels worth, Me. noni. occ ee toe como eee 1897
EmLen, Artuur Cope, Awoury, Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa...1896
Evans, ErNEst Merwyn, Awbury, Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa..1897
Evans, WILLIAM. 'B;, Moorestown, ‘N. J...\.s0d- cannes ceencee ers tees 1897
EVERMANN, Prof. BARTON W., U.S. Fish Comm., Washington, D. C. 1883
FANNIN, JOHN, Provincial Museum, Victoria, B. C....-.----.-eceees 1888
FARLEY JOHN Alp MaldemeiMiassi. «+2 saz swmeeadclemelem eats ammeter 1892
FARWELL, Mrs. ELLEN DrRumMMonpD, Lake Forest, Ill...........e0s 1896
FARWELL, Mrs. FRANcIS Cootey, Lake Forest, Ill........22+seceees 1898
FELGER, ALVA Howarp, Highland Station, Denver, Col.. 1898
FERNALD, ROBERT HIEYWoop, 366 Amesbury Av., Cleveland, Ohio. - 1890
PERRY, oan WaRwWenE Andover, Mass.:. i:02 sites oom oeceneee 1894
FIELD, EpwarpD Bronson, 33 Niles St., Hartford, Conn. 1898
FisHer, Miss EL1zABetTH WILSON, 1502 Pine St., Philadelphia, Pa.. - - 1896
FIsHER, RIcHARD THORNTON, 44 Brattle St., Cambridge, Mass.....1898
FISHER, WILLIAM H., 1602 Mt. Royal Avenue, Baltimore, Md....... 1895
FIsHER, WILLIAM HUBBELL, Wiggins Block, Cincinnati, Ohio....... 1883
FLANAGAN, JoHN H., 27 Halsey St., Providence, R. I.i..i2s+-e0.: 1898
PRE MENG PANS i Eom lorontoss Gandara cee el onecce ee tenon nn nee 1893
FLETCHER, Mrs. Mary E., Proctorsville, Vermont..--.eeeceseeccocs 1898
Fiint, Harry W., Yale National Bank, New Haven, Conn.......- 1888
Foore, Miss F. Huperta, 105 W. 43d St., New York City,.......... 1897
HOREUSH, ID WARD) be. Malden, WNDAGE clei. tele w els a clea bee werereeroee 1887
Foster, Francis Apruorp, Cambridge, Mass..... BoddsassoGooea0s 1893
FowLer, FREDERICK HALL, Hotel Metropole, Denver, Colo.......- 1892
Fow Ler, Henry W., Holmesburg, Philadelphia, Pa.............0. 6. 1898.
FOwLER,) Major J: 3, 2d ‘Cavalry. U- S20, Denver; ‘Goloes.<.. os. 1892
Fox, Dr. WiLttam H., 1826 Jefferson Place, Washinton Di Gayeret- ni. 1883
Prosi, Avserr Ho; 255 Wa74thiSt.. New York City! x. <2! slecmcche 1893
RUER TES, ours AGASSIZ PlulacaseNemVatewiee tie aiiociine = cla siecresiee cent 1SgI
PULEERS CHARLES: ANTHONY BLOOklime ny iassar cle sersicies clelsiecieieser 1894
GARBUrT, SLUART BENNER Mont © ollliims ss @olomecs cece. serie ecee 1898
GARMAN; -Prof.'H.; (State \College, Weximaton iy sss's 2. <\c's oee beets 1893.
GAUET, \BENyaMiIn’ T.,.Glen Elijn. aPame Cor, Tiles... 2.4. ateaten 1885
GILL, Miss EL1zA ANNE, Kemper Hall, Kenosha, Wis..........eese 1897
GILLET, Louis Briss, 131 E. 76th St-, New York City... 2.0... 0.00. 1895
GILMAN, Pui~ie Krincswor Tu, Palo Alto, Cala...-......es0seeeeees 1897
GLEASON, Rev. HERBERT W., 728 E. 18th St., Minneapolis, Minn. .1894
GLENNAN, Dr. JAMES DENVER WES Ac wHOnt IVI yer.) Viale cleielcre ete loretere 1898.
GOLDMAN; EDWARD ALPHONSOs Allilani@aldacerie = sciciice enema eee 1897
GoopaLe, Dr. JosepH LINCOLN, 3 Fairfield St., Boston, Mass....... 1885
GoopNicuT, CHARLES, Goodmisiit, Wemas cst. + sistecss'c verte eee eae 1898
GouLp, Mrs. Frances Davis, 1617 13th St., N. W. Washington,
1D)s. (Gseash saahe clgielei'oze otorerelcteravermolatotctets evetetetsioletale SACU sod OSobC 1898
GouLD, Joseru E., 155 Dakota Av., Columbus, ‘Ohio... 2.2. > ses 1889.
GRANGER, WALTER W., Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York City...... - 1891.
——_—_——_-
Assoctate Members. xix
Gray, RaLPo W., The Craigie, Cambridge, Mass....-..00sesesceees 1896
GREEN, Morris M., 706 E. Fayette St., Syracuse, N. Y....--.+.+--- 1886
GRIFFING, Moses Bowpircu, Shelter Island Heights, N. Y........-- 1897
GRINNELL,, JOSEPH, Pasadena, (Calawcc sti. caste viccinee) omem sem acs 1894
EIALES, HENRY, Ridgewood, Ni |eccet a= elec cls wiele «oe m\elale)elatelsieleis eluie/elq 1890:
Ham, JuUDSON BAXTER, Johnson, Vt.--..........2.22seseeeeeeecees 1894
IRTARTIPDIEIIS VAg (Olea Milos coroc ao ons dp sode ppduooU sc dodocAemanDe 1892
HAMLIN, GEORGE L., Bethel, Conn. 2... 02-2.0cceene ecccse ss 0* 008 1893
FIAMAND, Miss JENNIE E., Schaller, lowa-.........2..00seceeeeeeee 1897
HANKINSON, THOMAS LEROY, Ithaca, N. Y...-.02 ceeeeee eee cee eeeee 1897
Hareirt, Prof. CHARLES W., 909 Walnut Ave., Syracuse, N. Y sopec 18g2
ISUNRIO Ng IMUNSIENes IMM elm EDU Ost a5 35 col ono oben UpdiboGooG vodcadonoudc 1883
Jal ANRRMS a5 WAGER) (Osean UO Hea, MINI Codie oo booo otiobonoadcoccud noooc 1894
HARTZELL, Prof. ese Cutver, New Haven, Conn........-..++-. 1892
HATHAWAY. HENRY S., Box 498, Providence, R.I.......---+-+ +--+ +0 1897
HAVEMEYER, H. O., i: , 244 Madison Avy., New York City.......-.. 1893
Hay, WILLIAM Perry, Central High School, Washington, D. C.-..1898
Hazarp, Miss Mary PEaAcg, Peace Dale, R. I.........2.. ane tvecioererd 1896
EAT De ERea Grice ERC ACEH alll Gaye apllotetatole «lale\l+) efeterafetshelelelals tel <(etet=tnietni s)eWatsiat 1885
Hecox, Miss Laura J. F., Light House Keeper, Santa Cruz, Cala...1897
HEIMSTREET, Dr. T. B., 14 Division St., Troy, N. Y...------+------ 1888.
HELLER, EDMUND, Stanford University, Cala.......+++.+- sees seen 1897
HELME, ARTHUR H., Millers Place, Suffolk Co., N. Y.-.-..--+-esce- 1888
HENDRICKSON, W. F., 130 12th St., Long Island City, N. Y.....---- 1885
HENNINGER, Rev. WALTHER F., Waverly, Ohio.........2.222--2e0% 1898
Henry, Miss Mary CATHERINE, Worcester, Mass.....-2+-sceecceee 18098
HILL, JAMES HAyNES, New London, Conn.......-...2+seeeeeceenee 1897
HinpsHAW, Henry HAVELOCK, Univ. of Washington, Seattle, Wash.. 1897
JET ES DD INNS JN ae eyaezine Miko osacsnocsomunddaan dodo ocSooo0sd0 1890
HINKLEY, ARTHUR MERRIMAN, North Middleboro, Mass.........-.. 1898
Hircucock, FRANK H., Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D. C...-1891
Horer, ELtwoop, Gardener, Montana...... ete Se are Gori AO USOC 1898
ELOUEINTANED ROAD Eriol elmo mise NlAlSSasciels)a/s.cielsvarere e/e) erelars) ebalelatetaperetela/=eretate 1893
HOLDEN, EDWARD FREEMAN, Melrose, Mass.....--+-secececees --++1896
HoLLeNnBERG, Mrs. AMELIA ADELAIDE, Little Rock, Ark..........-- 1898
FOLLISTER:) INEDAS Delaivainiy ONVIIS. «1101010 siete oe 1c/e slo alae PE Phe Cres Beto - +1894
HotsTEIN, OTTo, 22 High St., Lexington, Ky..... +... eeeeeeeeeeees 1898
Hoopes, Jos1An, West Chester, Pa........seeeeeeeeee ec ceee eens ..-1889
Hoover, THEODORE JESSE, Stantord, Univ., Cala... ..+--+.eeeeeee- 1898
FIOOVE RO VVALEER: Wire Wellsville, sPaict=iiere leteteinralei= stere(ertelel ercleretaroretersters 1895
Hornabay, W. T., Zodlogical Park, New York City.......---.----. 1888
HoORNBROOKE, Mrs. ORINDA DuDLEY, Newton, Mass.......-.-+-+e-- 1897
HouGHsy ROMEY NB. lowivalllie, INis - Viswverwrele «ae sete eheleteleletelclohetelofelcleierau=t= 1883
Howarpb, Ozora WILtiAM, Los Angeles, Cala.......------+seeeees 1898
jalconyia, (CleyNmaisfein, IS Warner \WitsonboooKdo ducoscoSnooccHoabocanc ISgI
Howe, REGINALD HEBER, Jr., Longwood, Mass....-++++++++e+ee00- 1895
HoweEL_, ARTHUR H., Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.....-. 1889
Xx Associate Members.
HGBEARD, Mrs. SARA (A: 29 33rd St., Chicaro, MMlesce.. sesame 1891
HuGues, Dr. WiLi1AM E., 3726 Baring St., Philadelphia, Pa........ 1891
PLUME. WALTER! D..tbOx AveuVilwaukee,-sWaSssieseteeieeidiese = eiceee 1889
HuNN, JOHN T. SHARPLEssS, Plainfield, ING iciekelelete atet= 0iefotatoleteTere\elepele lates 1895
HUNTER, Miss Susan. Morrison, Newport, R.1..--..e.00eneccooes 1894
INGALLS, CHARLES Es Hast. Templeton, Massie’ =slals wiv)saie's notes ole iain 1885
INGERSOLL, ALBERT M.,S18.5th St., San Dieso,(Calaseeeuswscts = bs 1885 -
TING RAEA IVE, J: Oe eae alliny' Col Olsc «sxeratetoetatese isiaretolste steieieteieore Ranier ere 1889
IRVING, JOHN, S50 uParksAve., New York iG@it yan. an cam en eile clon 1894
IsHam, C. B., Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York City.........2..0.00- 1891
JACKSON, sDHOMASBE MAWES ta@hesten,, Palins oat aeieioer piace ereieieeiae 1888
JAcoss, J. WARREN Waynesbure, Pa. 1887
Morris, ROBERT OF} Sprinc fields Mass. 5c 0.1 o.mreiieiso wire nie «ole clmisiale 1888
Morrison, GEorGE A., Fox Lake, Wis.....-....seceeeseeces seeeee ISQI
Morss, GEoRGE W., 8612 Morgan St., Chicago, IIl.............--+5 1898
MOSHER, FRANK H., 283 Pleasant St., Malden, Mass..........0...-- 1898
MULLIKEN, WILLARD EARLE, Grand Rapids, Mich.....-.....-...-- 1898
IMEC O CK, OHING ROR (ie yoy) eI MUCUSS =| otclis alc] «|lofevelel ale eis) = slelae}\«lelelel sfalelelelele(aiete 1883
NASH: HIERMANS Wes eUebloe (Coloradosi es /ejaiels 1895
Scuurr, Prof. THEODORE A., Pittsfield, Mass.....-+--e.seeeeeecccces 1888
Scuwas, Rev. LAwRENCE H., 100 Lawrence St., New York City.--- 1892
ScuDDER, BRADFORD A., Taunton, Mass...--.s-seseeeeeececeecee 1893
ScuLL, ANDREW STEWART, 262 Mt. Vernon St., Camden, N. J.----- 1897
Serss, CovINGTON Few, 1338 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia, Pa...1898
SELous, Percy SHERBORN, Greenville, Mich........-.+.seseeeeeees 1898
SHATTUCK, EpwIN HAROLD, Granby, Conn..-+--++eeeeeeeeeeeerees 1898
SHATTUCK, GEORGE CHEEVER, 135 Marlboro St., Boston, Mass..... 1896
SHaw, Hotton A., Grand Forks, No. Dakota... «+--+ scecesseeeeee 1898
SHELDON, CHARLES, Chihuahua, Mexico..--....ccscessccscessccess 1898
SHEPPARD, Epwin, Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia, Pa...-+-+-.-+++++-+- 1892
SHERRURIL. Wis Eye Lasice lilaede seisteretetenereteteye tera) oibelistelel-)elerelens lice ofetsralele tele 1896
SHIELDS, ALEXANDER M., Crocker Bldg., San Francisco, Cala...-.- 1896
SHIELDS, GEORGE O., 19 W. 24th St., New York City...+--+--++-++: 1897
Associate Members. Xxv
SHOEMAKER, FRANK H., Omaha, Neb....--+-++-eeeeeeees 1895
Suryock, WILLIAM A., 823 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa....------- 1893
SILLOWAY, PERLEY MILTon, Rood House, Ill.....-..-....---+----- 1896
SMITH, CHARLES PIPER, 321 W. 8th St., Anderson, Ind........----: 1898
SmirH, Horace G., 2918 Lafayette St., Denver, Colo......-++-+---- 1888
SmitH, Dr. HuGH M., 1248 New Jersey Ave., Washington, D. C..... 1886
SmitTH, THEODORE H., Orange, N. J------ 2 eee eee cece cece cee eeeeee 1896
SMITH, S. SIDNEY, 59 Wall St., New York City..... ccc ee cece ceseees 1888
SmyTH, Prof. Etxtson A., Jr., Agr. and Mech. Coll., Blacksburg, Va..1892
SNIVELY, Miss ANNA M., 4568 Oakenwald Ave., Chicago, Ill..-..-- 1898
SNYDER, WILL EpwIn, Beaver Dam, Wis...---++--eeseseseseeceess 1895
SORNBORGER, JEWELL D., Cambridge, Mass......-.---+-s+eee- SHeslOSS
SouTHARD, RoBerRT HAMILTON, Cap & Gown Club, Princeton, N. J-1898
Soutuwick, E. B., Arsenal Bldg., Central Park, New York City...-1888
SOUTHWICK, JAMES M., Mus. Nat. Hist., Providence, R. I....------- 1896
SPAULDING RED ban Wamcastensy Nee Else svete a 4) ole) 6! aterelloreleletatel s/o) eYel dOGEoOGCDes Octaxur,;
MALMGREN, ANDERS JOHAN. -oeee ttt cece eee eeeee ce eeee April 12,
MIDDENDORFF, ALEXANDER THEODOR VON.«--+++eseeceecces Jan. 28,
Mosyisovics, F. G. HERMANN AUGUST .+++ esse eeeeeeeeees Aug. 27,
PREJEVALSKI, N. M..--- eee cece cree crc cece cree ence cece ee Oct. 20,
PrRYER, HARRY JAMES STOVIN. «+++. 2+ se ee cece ee eeee eee Feb: 17,
SCHRENCK, JEHOPOLD WVOlNse a0 sles seisle © oe ve + 010 '\e!=ieilsieieislelslejols Jan. 20,
SEVER DZ OWA MINE etl ile eeteteieialelctelsveci-1o1e co's» w/e olslaiefelel eialale deateratsiese Feb. 8,
STEVENS ONG ELEN Waeteterototenstelioleheisiatetel\ ile ala)/alfalete/ollslelletalieiefe/=\lelloleleys Aug. 18,
NVEUNIRGG INTs GsLEUNI GV lusletata rete) eroueisieieielel elletelel a\/e\aleteleiin elele) etelelelevales Sept. —,
ADAIR (CINE Po gga56. socaon scones adobe dooonoGuonOOUE May 20,
/NioiiMN |) MELINLIES, SieOnpolRodoo sdoe ooo meooopoUoGO DUDOon Dot Oct. 15;
VAGRICTIN,S AEA gece iets extsastetors istetets tenctinys tetnge fe wele ioc as ieee evaycte de ieuebaeforniel state May 19,
Msihes MATE (CURIONI OS cagde dad G00 DU OObISnOd code March 11,
FSAUIR GeO RIG 5 mil al anaes etal a at airic pst) axe alu oias's Ganley aleve) a syaistish se June 25,
BECKHAM, CHARLES WICKLIFFE..--+eeccecesccce cece cccoes June 8,
BERT i GHAR) Stelcysteretaieteintatss etcetera atstela nts eels ciel sierets/evspoya) ste oleae April —,
BOLTS: ME SRUNINIKceleiebeieietelele elorete stots te leteredalelele)elsinle) +1siciiolsele\etelel schol Jan. 10,
aoc WMTW. Iboodod annoood cod eg hoUOad COOUm OCR UU OMOb Deca,
PIROIGA Wile Wa crete retereleleke tote telode erare r= (elefatielatolio le vejetcvelieiselafele /ao[elalele Sept..3,
CAIRNS, JOHN S..- ee ee ee cece cece cece cece nee e cece cen eeccece June 10,
CAMPBELL, ROBERT ARGYLL. «+--+ cece cece ccceescese veces April —,
CORNING, ERASTUS, JReeee cee cece ee cect eter eee e cece neces April 9,
Won. WinyWeews scleral SHB Ub ibid os bubot o oan coROnOnn ane April 26,
Dit vwer sy Joyo) Big 7 Jad 0d do 00 toono soL nu onoonooUpoud dooe Feb. 11,
FAIRBANKS, FRANKLIN. +-++++ +e eee ee ee ceetecees doidag go uc April 24,
(Giowicpaj ey ING JGIBe4 boone bbd000dd do0505500 560006 alcheisksjoterevarsione April 30,
Goss, BENJAMIN F....cceeeeccce cece cece tec e cece rece cece rene July 6,
HATCH, JESSE MAURICE.++2.eee cece cere e sc eeee en cecesceces May 1,
HOADLEY, FREDERIC Hic. scwcccccseutecccsssecesssctcrses Feb. 26,
HOWLAND, JOHN SNOWDON. «eee cece cc ceeerr eee cee e cece ence Sept. 19,
INGERSOLL, JOSEPH CARLETON-«-+++.eeeeeceeeeeeeesteee ees Octx2;
JENKS, JOHN W. Pi... eee ee cece eee eee etre ee ee eet ee cece Sept: 27,
Jouy, PIERRE LOUIS....-. eee ee cece eee cece tence ee eees March 22,
Gui aeony a Mesto gen goooud oo deo ono og0n nooDo0onoud0 GaDouS0C Aug. 5,
LAWRENCE, ROBERT HOE...«.--eeeeeeceeseeccccee rece cece April 27,
TWINDON, (CHARTGES <% oso o.n sje bees 5 olese bela Ob aie eee! 6 nie lolotale el stots Feb. 3,
MABBETT, GIDEON . 00:00 osc nce neon ddr Oheelas aesceias Aug. 15,
1888.
1887
1895
1889
1896
1887
1897
1894
1897
1887
1888
1594
1885
1888
1895
1893
1893
1885
1894
1898
1888
1897
1894
1889.
1897
1895
1897
1893.
1885
1889
1895
1895
1893
1898
1895
1885
1898
1894
1894
1888
1897
1888
1890
Deceased Members.
TVET TS VV LE Te ATW GO IRUANTINUE shetoyalo ews ell #F0] <'o/v ebay sta e/alletelaicilateikve Deer,
MUTI OD sy Elie NT Eevae IDA Vals crac mrth eled ofolere iatevet eh erator etal c' aPete ole) eimvelene clans Nov. 13,
INTGHOL Say El WARIO GARNI INE Risto oi eters aieiele/a\ele) oiele/sirelete/aletel stelle June 23,
IN GRU ROR SAORI Uemtslerciaesiatal= iatnia)ia/elelx] TT TT TT
BCE TREO | 1] ET
x [xP<[x} | x? | TTT | Lx [xp xPxt TTT
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CARDINAL (Continued).
SEASON OF THE
SONG
2 8o General Notes.
ea | xix xt TT TT
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eat
Vol. XVI
5866 General Notes. 281
clearly demonstrates. This mistake arose from taking Professor Baird’s
identification of Vieillot’s Prranga rubra,— P. R. R. Rep., IX, 1858, p.
300, where he cites it as asynonym of the bird now known as Prranga
erythromelas, in which course he has been followed by some other authors.
Further comment is unnecessary; and the two birds in question remain in
undisputed possession of their present names. — HARRY C. OBERHOLSER,
Washington, D. C.
Clivicola versus Riparia.— In ‘ The Auk’ for July, 1898, pages 271-272,
Dr. Coues draws attention to the fact that the generic name Azparra Fors:
ter (Synop. Cat. Brit. Birds, 1817, 17) has page priority over the current
Clivicola Forster (tbzd., p. 55); at the same time expressing his preference
for the adoption of theformer. The A. O. U. Committee, however, refused
to accept 2zfZarta on the ground that Clzvicola was used by the ‘first
reviser.. These two names are founded upon the same species and are
both unaccompanied by diagnoses, so that there can be no question of
their equal pertinency. Canon XVIII of the A. O. U. Code, which
treats of generic terms published simultaneously, makes no definite pro-
vision for just this kind of a case; but in the preceding canon, with
regard to specific names, the following occurs: “Of names of undoubt-
edly equal pertinency, and founded upon the same condition of sex, age,
or season, that is to be preferred which stands first in the book.”
Therefore, unless we are to have on this point arbitrarily different
rules for species and genera, a procedure apparently both unnecessary
and undesirable, Clzvzcola must give way to Rzparza. That the above
quoted principle of page priority was intended to apply to genera as
well as to species is evidenced by rulings of the Committee; as witness
Guara, instead of Leuctbis, which was adopted by the ‘first reviser’
—a perfectly parallel case.
While recourse to the decision of the ‘first reviser’ is often attended
by more or less uncertainty, arising from the possibility of overlooking
some obscure publication, the great advantage in the strict application
of the principle of anteriority, as priority of pagination or sequence in
the same book may be called, is that it furnishes means for a definite and
final decision, thereby contributing to hasten on the millennium of zodlog-
ical nomenclature—stability of names. — Harry C. OBERHOLSER, Wash-
ington, D. C.
Nest of Long-billed Marsh Wren lined with a Snake Skin.— On
June 6, 1898, on the meadow near Rutherford, New Jersey, I found a
curious nest of Crstothorus palustris. It was fastened two feet above the
water, to some green cat-tails, and was composed of reeds and broad
grasses, and lined with a cast-off snake skin which was about a foot long.
It contained six fresh eggs. — Jostan H. Ciark, Paterson, N. J.
The Short-billed Marsh Wren (Czs¢othorus stellaris) in Maine.— In
Smith’s List of the Birds of Maine (cf Smith, Forest and Stream, Vol.
282 General Notes. ee
XIX, p. 445) this species is credited to Maine upon the strength of nests
and eggs said to have been taken near Bangor. In my recently published
list (cf Knight, List of Birds of Maine, p. 141) the species in question
is hypothetically included upon Mr. Smith’s evidence, and upon the
belief that I had seen the species in a marsh near this city, though at
that time I had not secured any specimens.
May 30, 1898, I secured an adult male of this species, in full breeding
plumage, which has already been recorded (cf. Knight, Maine Sportsman,
Dec. 1898, p. 8). This specimen was secured in a low, somewhat bushy
meadow within two miles of the Bangor postoffice, the locality being the
same where I thought I had seen the species during the late summer two
or three years previously.
On the day when this specimen was taken, I was returning from a
short outing, and when passing the meadow a gust of wind brought to
my ear the notes of an unknown song uttered in a key that seemed dimly
familiar. Again the notes were heard as I stood eagerly listening, and
then my mind was carried back to the sage-clad hills of southern Cali-
fornia where oft I had stood and listened to the echoing notes of the
Pallid Wren Tit, similar, yet still far different from those just heard.
Again and yet again the song was heard in different directions, and
soon the musicians, five Short-billed Marsh Wrens, were located in dif-
ferent portions of the meadow. While singing they seemed to perch
conspicuously on the tops of low bushes, but on being approached they
would descend into the tangled growth of sedges and skulk along in
advance of me, uttering a low grating note of alarm or defiance.
The females seemed quieter and kept out of the way, though two
individuals were seen which seemed, judging by the attention paid them
by what were probably their mates, to belong to the gentler sex.
The specimen secured was judged to be a male and on dissection proved
of this sex. For several days thereafter I frequented the locality in
hopes of finding nests or eggs, but though the birds remained all summer
I was unable to get proof positive that they nested, but of course they
did so. My departure for California in mid-August put an end to further
observations for the season.
A second specimen, also a male, had been secured on July3. On com-
parison with individuals loaned me by Mr. Brewster, which were taken
near Cambridge and elsewhere in Massachusetts, the Bangor birds were
found practically identical in coloration and measurements.
The specimens were also compared with a series of birds from the
U. S. National Museum collection, loaned me through the kindness of
Prof. Ridgway, and found to be practically undifferentiable from any of
these save two very pale-colored examples from Dakota.
Judging by the series examined, our eastern specimens are all referable
to the only recognized race now on our list. Examples from the regions
bordering the Plains are considerably paler in coloration, especially on
the back, and study of a series of breeding birds from the West may show
Eee
a
Vol. XVI
i869 General Notes. . 53
sufficient differences to make advisable their separation as a subspecies.—
OrA W. KnicutT, Bangor, Me.
A Provident Nuthatch — Visiting Central Park on the morning of
November 28, 1898, after a snowfall of 9% inches, I carried a quantity of
bread for the birds, and nuts for the squirrels. The squirrels did not
appear until nearly noon, but the birds were quite ready for breakfast at
9.30 A.M. While crumbling bread for the White-throated Sparrows, who
were exceedingly hungry and gave loud calls of delight, summoning
their friends to the spot, a fine Fox Sparrow came and ate greedily.
In a few moments a White-breasted Nuthatch came and hopped about
on a tree trunk, calling, youk, youhk, youh, rapidly, as if greatly pleased,
then he flew to the snow, seized as large a piece of bread as he could
carry, and flew high up in a tree some distance away. I expected to see
him eat it, although in all my experience with birds in bad weather I
had never seen a Nuthatch eat bread, though they often eat bits of nuts
thrown to them, and are very tame. This wise fellow hunted till he
found a suitable cranny, then poked in his bread, and hammered it down
several times with his bill. When he got it well stored, he went back to
the tree near me, calling yous, youk, as it to say, ‘‘more please.” Then I
threw him a piece of pecan nut in the shell, and he took it at once, flew
to another tree and looked till he found a hole, hammered it down as he
did the bread, and returned for more. After the operation had been
repeated many times, I was torced to walk and warm my feet, for the
birds were so fascinating I had stood an hour in the snow.
Returning to the spot sometime afterward, the White-throats were
singing, and the Fox Sparrow was tuning up too. As they were still
feeding, I crumbled more bread, and soon the Nuthatch reappeared,
and at intervals carried off pieces of nuts, storing each in a separate
tree.
When my bread and pecans were distributed, I walked away and found
some squirrels and gave them chestnuts. Mr. Nuthatch appeared again,
and came low down on a vine, hanging his head off sideways, and calling
loudly to attract attention. I threw him half a chestnut which he took
immediately, and after a long search found a safe place in a cherry tree.
He went off awhile, but later returned and took a whole chestnut and
went so far I lost sight of him. I walked away and returned in a half-
hour to the place. The Nuthatch came again and called, and took chest-
nuts several times and hid them.
Since writing the above the Nuthatch appeared on three consecutive
days, and took bread and nuts many times and hid them. Unfortunately
a friend and I saw a squirrel find his cache, and rob him twice.
Can any reader tell me if it is possible for Nuthatches to store their
treasures where squirrels cannot get at them?—F. Huserta Foote,
New York City.
2 84 General Notes. re
The Carolina Wren Breeding in Rhode Island.— On May 11, 1899, I
found in Middletown, R. I., a male Carolina Wren (Zhryothorus ludovt-
ctanus) and three young ones just able to fly. As they were together
when I found them they no doubt belonged to the same family and, from
the age of the young, could not have been far from their nest. As the
bird is rare here, the above may be of interest to the readers of ‘The
Auk.’ — EDWARD STURTEVANT, Wewfort, FR. J.
Food of the Robin.— On May 15, 1899, while collecting at Onondaga
Valley, N. Y., I noticed a nest and young of the Robin (Merula migra-
torta). As I stood near watching the nest the mother bird appeared
with a mouthful of larve of Cliéstcocampa (probably C. americana) which
she fed to the young. After she had fed to her young the mouthful of
larve she returned toa near-by appl etree and obtained more. The
larvee seemed to be nearly full grown, and it seems strange that the
Robin should be feeding them these hairy caterpillars. This is the first
instance I have known of any bird feeding on them except the Cuckoo.
— A.W. PERRIOR, Syracuse, NV. Y.
Two Rare Birds for Southern Ohio.— The extremely cold weather of
this winter brought us two very rare visitors. One was the American
Rough-legged Hawk (Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis), a pair of: them
being taken, one on Feb. 5, the other on Feb. 17. I could not secure
either one for my collection. Dr. Wheaton states this Hawk to be rare
in southern Ohio, mentioning but one specimen from Columbus and
one from Cincinnati. But Waverly is 100 miles east of Cincinnati and
70 miles south of Columbus.
The other visitor was the Old-Squaw (Harelda hyemalis). Between
Feb. 7 and 18 nine specimens, four males and five females, were taken by
local hunters. I secured a fine pair for my cabinet. This is the southern-
most record of this species for the "State. —W. F. HENNINGER,
Waverly, O.
Some Rare Occurrences in Yates County, N. Y.— Larus marinus,
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GuLL.— On April 18, 1898, there was a great
influx of American Herring Gulls at this place and with them were about
fifteen individuals of Larus marinus. One specimen was shot and
brought to me for identification. They remained here about one week.
Larus delawarensis, RING-BILLED GULL.—A rare migrant, one speci-
men taken during the spring of 1894.
Larus philadelphia, BONAPARTE’s GULL.—About 500 of these grace-
fully manceuvring Gulls appeared on Apri] 21, 1898, and remained about
ten days. Several specimens were taken in both the mottled and full
plumage.
Sterna antillarum, LEAst TERN.—A rare migrant in the autumn. I
ee
es
ee General Notes. 28 iE
saw three specimens on Sept. 6, 1896, and secured one. They disap-
peared on Sept. 11.
Aythya vallisneria, CANVAS-BACK. — During the first week of Decem-
ber, 1897, Canvas-back Ducks began to appear in couples and small
flocks and by the middle of January the local sportsmen estimated that
there were about 200 flocked in this end of the lake (Kevka). However,
a week’s despicable night shooting soon drove them away. Old sports-
men inform me that these were the first Canvas-backs that they had seen
in about fifteen years.
Phalaropus lobatus, NoRTHERN PHALAROPE. — Rare migrant. I took
one specimen on May 16, 1895.
Tringa fuscicollis, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. —On Sept. 29, 1898,
I found a mortally wounded specimen along the lake shore and two more
were seen. As near as I can find out this is the first record of the occur-
rence of the White-rumped Sandpiper in Yates County or adjoining
counties.
Calidris arenaria, SANDERLING. — One specimen, taken in the autumn
of 1893, and another on May 25, 1895.
Asio wilsonianus, AMERICAN LONG-EARED OwL.— The occurrence of
this Owl is not common and it isarare breeder. Several nests have
been found—the last one on May 16, 1897. It contained four eggs
almost hatched.
Icteria virens, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. — Of rare occurrence in this
county. On May 30, 1898, I found a pair breeding in the edge of a
swampy bush lot. The nest contained two eggs that were destroyed for
some reason — probably because I disturbed the sitting female. — CLAR-
ENCE FREEDOM STONE, Branchfort, NV. Y.
Family and Subfamily Names Based on Subgenera. — The purpose of
the present note is to raise the question of the tenability of family and
subfamily names based on subgeneric terms. Current usage appears to
favor the formation of the family or subfamily name from.some valid
generic term in the group, and Canon V of the A. O. U. Code has the
following to say upon the subject: ‘ Proper names’ of families and sub-
families take the tenable name of some genus, preterably the leading
one, which these groups respectively contain, with change of termination
into zd@ or tn@. When a generic name becomes a synonym a current
family or subfamily name based upon such generic name becomes unten-
able.” So far as the literal interpretation of this canon is concerned,
there seems to be no provision for the case in hand, since a subgeneric
name, so long as employed in that capacity, can be strictly considered
a synonym of a generic term, no more than can a subspecies be consid-
ered synonymous with its particular species; but the intent of the canon
is evidently to consider subgeneric names ineligible for use as the basis
of supergeneric terms, as is manifest in the ‘Code’ from the remarks
which follow this canon. On the other hand, in the interest of the
286 General Notes. a
utmost possible stability for names of higher groups, it may be con-
tended to be inadvisable to change family or subfamily names which
have been founded upon generic terms now held as subgeneric; while
still restricting the proper formation of such names to terms which have
generic rank at the time of such formation.
If the former, however, be the proper view, it is in order to inquire
why we still retain the family name Podicipide for the Grebes, while
Podiceps continues to hold but subgeneric rank. The proper name for
the group is probably Colymbide, as has already been announced by
Dr. Stejneger (Stand. Nat. Hist., IV, 1885, p. 66). By the same criterion
Phalerinze is untenable, being based upon Phaleris, a subgenus of Sim-
orhynchus, and if it be still deemed advisable to retain a subfamily dis-
tinction apart from the Fraterculine, may possibly best be called Sim-
orhynchine. Then, too, so long as Fudigula stands only as a subgenus,
the subfamily designation Fuliguline must be displaced. There are,
however, structural characters quite sufficient to entitle Fudiguda to full
generic rank,—characters too well known to require enumeration in
this connection, and which now receive due recognition almost univere
sally except among American ornithologists. — HARRY C. OBERHOLSER,
Washington, D. C.
‘Revival of the Sexual Passion in Birds in Autumn.’— In addition to
the notes of Messrs. Brewster and Chapman which have lately appeared
in ‘ The Auk’ on the above subject the following observations may be of
interest. From my Journal for September 2, 1898, Jamestown, R. I., I
copy the following:—‘“ This morning a number of Purple Martins
(Progne subis) were seen alighting on the rigging of the small boats
anchored in the harbor, they being not uncommon here early in Sep-
tember; later in the morning they were in good numbers (15 or 20 birds)
along the roadsides in company with the Tree Swallows. The Martins
almost always alighted on the cross bars of the telegraph poles, rather
than with the Swallows on the wires. While I was watching two birds,
supposedly young, they were seen a number of times to go through the
actions of copulation.”
Another record was made on September 15, 1898. — “While sitting in
the blind (Jamestown, R. I, Round Marsh) a Sharp-tailed Sparrow
(Ammodramus caudacutus) came and lit near by and performed some
interesting antics. The bird would now and then utter a few hurried
notes, run a few feet and jump excitedly into the air. The bird also
from time to time (five times) went through the actions of copulation
on a little, cropped off tussock of grass about the size of its body. I was
within a few feet of the bird, being protected by the blind, and am posi-
tive that its actions were those of copulation. Possibly this bird was
mentally deranged. I took the bird and found it to be a young male, its
sexual organs of normal size for that time of season. Two interesting
questions present themselves. Is the accompaning non-enlargement of
Vol. >
ae General Notes. 287
their sexual glands due to their being still non-functional, or is the pas-
sion caused by simple sensory, nervous excitement ? Is the autumn song
period, of some species, correlated with this passion ?
The species of birds that have now been recorded, as far as I know, as
showing this autumn habit, include the Bluebird, English Sparrow,
Bank Swallow, Tree Swallow, Eave Swallow, Barn Swallow (?), Purple
Martin and Sharp-tailed Sparrow, and I have no doubt that further obser-
vation will add many other species to the list.— REGINALD HEBER
Howe, Jr., Longwood, Mass.
Emigration accidentelle d’oiseaux.— Un fait rare vient d’appeler notre
attention a Guanajuato. Pendant les premiers jours du mois de mars ont
apparu subitement des bandes de perroquets (Chrysotis levaillantit) aux
alentours de Silao a vingt kilometres de Guanajuato. Un peu plus
tard ils se sont encore rapprochés de nous 4 4 ou 5 kilométres dans un
ravin, et ensuite 4 une grande ferme appelée Santa Teresa entre Silao
et Guanajuato: enfin on les a vues dans les jardins de Marefil 4 six
kilometres d'ici.
Ces perroquets étoient accompagnés de nombreuses tourterelles viollet-
tes (Columba flavirostris).
Or ces oiseaux n’habitent que les régions chaudes de Vera-Cruz et de la
Huaxteca Veracruzana.
Dans I’Etat de Guanajuato on ne cultive presque par les fruits de terre-
chaude, de sorte que ces oiseaux, ne rencontrant pas leurs aliments
habituels, ont dévoré les limons doux, les avocats et quelques autres
fruits. A Santa Teresa ils se sont abattus sur un champs de luzerne
qwils ont dévasté au point qu’on a été obligé de faire une battue pour
les d’étruire ou les eloigner. Ils se sont en allés vers la fin de mars.
I] parait que ces oiseaux ont été vus en grande quantité dans quelques
points de I’Etat de México.
Or il y aen une cause a cette extraordinaire migration ; la voici.
Le 12 du mois de février dernier de fortes gelées et une neige assez abon-
dante ont été observées précisément dans cette Huaxteca Veracruzana:
le mais, les bananiérs, les arbres fruitiers en général, ont été compléte-
ment détruits, de sorte que le froid et le manque d’aliments a forcé les
Oiseaux en question a chercher un climat plus favorable, et les ont rejétés
vers les plateaux du centre. La perte de café surtout a été presque com-
plete de sorte que le grain qui valait 9 piastres les 14 kilogrammes, s’est
vendu a 14 piastres. La canne a sucre a été aussi en grande partie
détruite. En somme on calcule a prés d’un million de piastres la perte
totale: jusqu’aux racines des arbres fruitiers, tout a gélé.
Un autre phénoméne analogue mais du a une cause tout-a-fait con-
traire, s’est manifesté au nord de YEtat de Guanajuato. Les _ perro-
quets et autres oiseaux! entre le nord de IEtat de Vera-Cruz, le sud-est
1 Se sont répandus dans les provinces de cette région.
288 Recent Literature. ae
de celui de San Luis Potosi et le nord-est de Guanajuato, les foréts de la
Huaxteca Potasina ont pris feu: l’incendie s’est propagée assez rapide-
ment, et les perroquets et autres oiseaux, fuyant devant elle, sont ar-
riyés en bandes considerables, produisant partout les mémes degats.
J'ai pensé que cette observation, toute accidentelle qu’elle est, pourrait
interesser Union des Ornithologistes qui s’occupe avec tant l’intérét
de tout ce qui a rapport aux oiseaux. —p. DuGEs, Guanajuato, Mex-
7CO.
RECENT LITERATURE.
Elliot’s Wild Fowl of North America.— Mr. Elliot’s ‘Wild Fowl,’
as explained on the title page,’ includes the Swans, Geese, Ducks, and
Mergansers of North America, and is uniform in style of publication and
method of treatment with his ‘ North American Shore Birds’ and his
‘Gallinaceous Game Birds of North America,’ published respectively in
1895 and 1897, and reviewed at length in the pages of this journal (XIII,
1896, pp. 64-67, and XV, 18908, pp. 63-65). These three volumes, well
illustrated and tastefully printed, include practically all of the so-called
Game Birds of North America. They are designed as popular hand-
books, for the sportsman and general reader. An account of the habits
and haunts of each species is given under its English name; this is
followed, in smaller type, by its approved technical name, without synon-
ymy or bibliographical references, and afew paragraphs giving in plain
language a description of the bird in its various phases of plumage, and
its geographical distribution.
In a preface of six pages the author makes a fervent protest against the
wholesale, indiscriminate and unceasing slaughter of these beautiful and
economically highly important species, which has been their fate till
‘The | Wild Fowl | of the | United States | and | British Possessions | or
the | Swan, Geese, Ducks, and Mergansers | of | North America | with
accounts of their habits, nesting, migra- | tions, and dispersions, together with
descrip- | tions of the adults and young, and keys for the ready identification
of the species| A book for the Sportsman, and for those desirous of
knowing how to | distinguish these web-footed birds and to learn | their ways
in their native wilds | By Daniel Giraud Elliot, F. R. S. E., etc. |....[8 lines
of titles of the author’s previous works, etc.] | With sixty-three plates. | New
York | Francis P. Harper | 1898 — 8vo, pp. i-xxii + 19-316, frontispiece and
63 half-tone plates.
EO oe
Vol. XVI
750 Recent Literature. 289
only a few, comparatively speaking, yet remain. As he says: ‘‘ From the
time the birds leave the frozen Northland, until the survivors return to
it again in the ensuing year, the hunted fowl run the guantlet of a
nation in arms; and no sooner do they pass the boundaries of the land
they seek in the spring for the purpose of reproduction, than the natives
continue the slaughter of the birds until they depart for southern climes.
Is it any wonder that their numbers are diminishing; is it not rather a
wonder that so many are left?”
In an ‘Introduction’ of six pages the author gives an excellent sum-
mary of the leading characteristics of the Duck tribe in general. The
‘keys’ and other technical matter are relegated to a 40o-page Appendix,
where also various points of nomenclature and classification are con-
sidered. He gives his reasons (which are further elaborated in this
number of ‘The Auk,’ pp. 226-229) for placing all of the Swans in the
genus Cygnus, and for rejecting Olor as untenable. He also claims the
tenability of the genus Ewanthemops tor Ross’s Goose, and refers the
Wood Duck to the Old World subfamily Plectropterine, where we
think it quite as much out of place as it is in the Anatine. His claims
for Exanthemops are quite in harmony with his view of genera among
the Water Fowl, for he has not only raised all of the groups formerly
recognized in the A. O. U. Check-List as subgenera to the rank of full
genera, but also separates generically the Canvas-back from the Redhead.
He also adopts various emendations of names previously proposed by
the ‘good spellers.’
The 63 full-page plates are mostly, as in the previous volumes of this
series, by Edwin Sheppard, but four are by the late John Wolt, and quite
a number by the author, in each case reduced by Mr. Sheppard from
larger drawings. There is also a frontispiece, giving a very good like-
ness of the author.
As the author has had a wide experience with the birds in life of which
his books treat, much of what he has to say of their habits and distribu-
tion is given from personal knowledge. —-J. A. A.
Thompson’s ‘ Wild Animals I have Known.’!—- Of the eight charming
stories brought together and beautifully illustrated under the above title
only two, ‘ Silverspot’ and ‘Redruff,’ relate to birds. But the ornitholo-
gist who once takes the book in hand will doubtless find its pages, with
their effective illustrations, too fascinating to wish to lay it finally aside
till all have been read. The ‘stories’ are, as described in the title page,
‘personal histories’ of animals Mr. Thompson has studied in life, and
1 Wild Animals I have Known and 200 Drawings. By Emest Setor
Thompson. Being the Personal Histories of Lobo, Silverspot, Raggylug,
Bingo, The Springfield Fox, The Pacing Mustang, Wully, and Redruff.
Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1899. 8vo, pp. 358.
2 go Recent Literature. fuly
if, as in the case of some of them, the principal hero is composite, the
facts are as observed, and to many, with Mr. Thompson’s interpretation
of motive and purpose, these animals, whether bird or beast, will seem
more human in their intelligence, sympathies, and means of communi-
cation than is generally believed. In detailing ‘‘the real personality of
the individual” Mr. Thompson gives us an insight into the 1eal life of a
species which any amount of description of the ways of a species asa
species would never convey. ‘Silverspot’ is a Crow, distinguishable
from other Crows by an albinistic mark on the side of the face, and the
history of this individual as a distinct personality is a most telling way
of placing before the reader the ‘inner life,’ so to speak, of the Crow
tribe in general. The same is true of ‘Redruff,’ a Partridge of distin_
guished size and mean. In the lives of these ‘dumb creatures’ there
is something pathetically human, that appeals to the reader’s sympathies,
and shows how much there is in man and beast that is shared in com-
mon. The marginal illustrations that cluster about the small type-bed
of the pages are as suggestive and appropriate as can well be imagined,
while the narrative is graphic, simple, and hence effective. In every
way the book is something out of the ordinary, and as pleasing as it is
original. --J. A. A.
Stone on the Types of Birds in the Collection of the Academy of Nat-
ural Sciences of Philadelphia.— Under this title’ Mr. Stone gives us a
very interesting historical sketch of the Ornithological Collection in
the Museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, —
perhaps still the most noted of any in this country,—-followed by a
detailed descriptive account of the type specimens of the birds it contains,
arranged under the names of the authors of the species. In 1857, this
collection was regarded, by so eminent an authority on the subject as
Dr. Sclater, as the most perfect then in existence. As Mr. Stone has
already given the readers of ‘The Auk’ (April, 1899, pp. 166-177) the
history of this collection, — how and whence it was gathered, and the
elements constituting its greatness,— which is more briefly and statistic-
ally presented again here, we need not dwell upon this phase of the
subject. F
In 1897 this collection contained 43,460 specimens, including the
types of about 350 species. Respecting the early American ornithologists,
it is of interest to note that these include types of two of Alexander
Wilson’s species; 5 of C. L. Bonaparte’s; 8 of J. K. Townsend’s; 8 of
Audubon’s ; 3 of Nuttall’s; 9 of William Gambel’s; 1 of Edward Harris's
(the only species he described); 2 of George A. McCall’s; and 3 of Dr.
1A study of the Type Specimens of Birds in the Collection of the Academy
of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, with a brief History of the Collection.
By Witmer Stone. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1899, pp. 5-62.
ie ae Feecent Literature. 291
Heermann’s. There are types of about 160 of Cassin’s species, and 9 of
Peale’s, and types of one or more species of some twenty other Ameri-
can ornithologists, besides types of many species (about 110) described
by foreign ornithologists of note.
Not only has Mr. Stone given a list of the types in the Museum of the
Academy, but in the case of species described in the Academy’s ‘ Proceed-
ings,’ especially if North American, also the location of the types when
not in the Academy’s collection, if extant, and it believed to be notextant,
this fact is also stated. The paper is thus an especially valuable one,
and one involving great labor, for which Mr. Stone is entitled to the
gratitude of his fellow ornithologists. —J. A. A.
New North American Birds. — During the last few months Mr. Bangs
and others have described several new species and subspecies of North
American birds. Mr. Bangs has separated the Barred Owl of Texas,
heretofore of late referred to Syrnzum nebulosum allent of Florida, as S.
n. helveolum,' on the ground of its general lighter coloration. The
Spruce Grouse of Labrador he has likewise described as Canachstes
canadensis labradorius,? basing the form on slight differences of colora-
tion, more pronounced in the female than in the male. He has also
characterized a new Rail from Southern California as Radlus levipes;
allied to R. obsolefus and PR. Selding?, from which it differs in being
smaller, and also somewhat in coloration.
Mr. Brewster has described a new Clapper Rail from the South Atlan-
tic coast as Peallus crepitans waynei;* a comparison of Georgia and East
Florida birds with those from New York and New Jersey showing that
the southern form is much darker, the underparts more ashy, and the
under tail-coverts with fewer markings.
Mr. W. H. Osgood has given a new name, Chamea fasctata phea,° to
the form of Wren-Tit which has of late been regarded as true C. fasciata.
The type of C. fasctata appears to have come from southern California,
and hence C. f. henshawi is a synonym of true fasczata, the darker north-
ern form being here named C. f. ph@a.——-J. A. A.
14 New Barred Owl from Corpus Christi, Texas. By Outram Bangs-
Proc. New Engl. Zodlogical Club, Vol. I, pp. 31, 32- March 31, 1899.
2The Labrador Spruce Grouse. By Outram Bangs. Jé/d., pp. 47, 48-
June 5, 1899.
3 A New Rail from Southern California. By Outram Bangs. Jé7d., pp. 45,
46. June 5. 1899.
4 An Undescribed Clapper Rail from Georgia and East Florida. By Will-
iam Brewster. Jé¢d., pp. 49-51. June g, 1899.
> Chamea fasciata and its Subspecies. By Wilfred H. Osgood. Proc.
Biol. Soc. Washington, XIII, pp. 41, 42. May 29, 1879.
292 Recent Literature. 7a
Bangs on the Subspecies of Manacus manacus.!— Mr. Bangs here
recognizes four subspecies of the Manxacus manacus group, two of which
are described as new, mainly on the basis of differences of size and in
the color of the ventral surface. They are (1) Manacus manacus
(Linn.), type locality, Surinam; (2) AZ m. abditivus, subsp. nov., type
locality, Santa Marta, Colombia; (3) JZ m. purus, subsp. noy., type
locality, Santarem, Brazil; (4) AL m. gutturosus (Desm.), type locality,
unknown, but assumed to be southeastern Brazil. — J. As A.
Schalow on Birds from Chili, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and the
Falkland Islands. — This is an annotated list of the birds collected by
Prof. Plate* in Chili, Juan Fernandez, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and
the Falkland Islands, numbering 148 species, and it supplements to an
important degree the work of former naturalists in the same general
region. The known range of a number of species is considerably
extended, Querguedula discors being recorded from Chili, its previous
furthest known limit being Lima, Peru; and two species are for the first
time recorded from Patagonia, and twelve are added to the Tierra del
Fuego list. Mr. Schalow believes that the examples of various species of
northern Limicole, as Limosa hudsonica, Numenius hudsonicus, Tringa
canutus, Calidris arenaria, etc., which are met with during migration in
Argentina, are not migrants from breeding stations in northern North
America, but from breeding stations in Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia
and the Falkland Islands, The extended annotations relate to the
habits and distribution of the species in the area under consideration,
and to the color of the eyes, feet, etc., in life, as noted by the collector.
In many instances the nests and eggs of the species are described. —
HieAcwAG
Salvadori and Festa on the Birds of Darien.*— This valuable contri-
bution to our knowledge of the distribution of the birds of the Isthmus of
Panama is based on the collections and field notes of Dr. Festa, made
chiefly along the Rio Tuyra and Rio Copunate in 1895. The list num-
bers 123 species, one of which Rhamphocelus fest@, has been described
as new. Guara alba is recorded for the first time from the Isthmus of
1On the Subspecies of AZanacus manacus (Linn.). By Outram Bangs.
Proc. New Engl. Zo6l. Club, I, pp. 33-37. March 31, 1899.
~
? DieVégel der Sammlung Plate. Von Herman Schalow. Zool. Jahrb., 1898,
Suppl., Fauna Chilensis, IV, Drittes Heft., pp. 641-749, pll. xxxvii, xxxviil.
3 Viaggio dei dott. E. Festa nel Darien e regioni vicine. Uccelli, T. Sal-
vadori ed E. Festa. Boll. dei Musei di Zool. ed Anatom. comp. della R.
Universta di Torino, XIV, pp. 1-13, Marzo 1899.
Vol. Icones, 1832-33, 230.
Vol. XVI
¥899 OBERHOLSER on the Genus Contopus. 331
the group to which, in a restricted sense, Comfopus is now
applicable.
Nuttallornis Rzdgway.
Nuttallornis RipGway, Man. N. Amer. Birds, 1887, 337.
Type, Tyrannus borealis Swainson.
CHARS. GEN.— Resembling Horizopus, but tarsi shorter than middle
toe with claw; wing exceeding tail by about one-half the length of latter ;
rictal bristles less developed (actually as well as comparatively shorter
than in Horizopfus virens); first primary longer than the fourth.
Geographic Distribution. — North America; south in winter through
Central America and northwestern South America as far as Peru.
Nuttallornis borealis (Szwazzson).
Tyrannus borealis SWAINSON, Fauna Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 141, pl. 35.
Muscicapa tnornata NUTTALL, Man. 'N. Am. Birds, I, 1832, 282.
Muscicapa coopert NUTTALL, Man. N. Am. Birds, I, 1832, 282.
Contopus mesoleucus SCLATER, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1859, 43.
Geog. Dist. — The same as that of the genus.
Horizopus,’ nom. noy.
Syrichta BONAPARTE, Ann. Sci. Nat. sér. 4, Zool. I, 1854, 133 (nec
Syrichtus Boisduval).
Contopus CABANIS, Journ. f. Orn. 1855, 479 (nec Contzpus de Marseul).
Type, Muscicapa virens Linneus.
CHARS. GEN. — Similar to Empzdonax, but tarsi much shorter, wings
longer and much more pointed.
Geographic Distribution. — North America, except the most northerly
portions; Mexico; Central America; northern and western South Amer-
ica as far south as the Province of Tucuman, Argentine Republic.
Horizopus pertinax (Cadanis).
Contopus pertinax CABANIS, Mus. Hein. II, 1859, 72.
Geog. Dist. — Guatemala and southern Mexico.
Horizopus pertinax pallidiventris (Chapman).
Contopus pertinax pallidiventris CHAPMAN, Auk, XIV, 1897, 311.
Geog. Dist. — Mountainous areas of northern Mexico, central and south-
ern Arizona.
' Spite, limito; movs, pes.
332 OBERHOLSER, Ox the Genus Contopus. ; an
Readily distinguishable from true A. fertinax by its paler
coloration.
Horizopus ochraceus (Sclater & Salvin).
Contopus ochraceus SCLATER & SALVIN, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1869, 419.
Geog. Dist. — Costa Rica.
Horizopus lugubris (Lawrence).
Contopus lugubris LAWRENCE, Ann. Lyc. N. Y. VIII, 1865, 134.
Geog. Dist.— Veragua and Costa Rica.
Apparently a distinct species, though near H. fertinax. It has
the wings relatively rather shorter than its congeners, barring one
exception ; but in other respects is quite typical.
Horizopus brachyrhynchus ( Caédanzs).
Contopus brachyrhynchus CABANIS, Journ. f. Orn. 1883, 214.
Geog. Dist.— Province of Tucuman, northwestern Argentina.
The most southern member of the genus.
Horizopus ardosiacus (La/fresnaye).
Tyrannula ardosiaca LAFRESNAYE, Rev. Zool. 1844, 8o.
Contopus ardestacus CABANIS, Journ. f. Orn. 1855, 479.
Geog. Dist.— Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and
Guiana.
Agrees with /uwgubris, in having the wings relatively shorter
than in the other species.!
Horizopus virens (Linneus).
Musctcapa virens LINNZUS, Syst. Nat. ed. 12, I, 1766, 327.
Muscicapa querula ViEILLoT, Ois. Am. Sept., I, 1807, 68, pl. 39 (nec
Wilson).
Muscicapa rapax Witson, Am. Orn. II, 1810, 81, pl. xiii, fig. 5.
Contopus albicollis LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. III, 1885, 156.
Geog. Dist.— Eastern North America, north to southern Canada and
Newfoundland, west to the Plains; south in winter through eastern
Mexico, Central America and Colombia to Ecuador.
1\Contopus plebeius Cabanis, Mus. Hein. II, 1859, 71, possibly belongs in
this vicinity, but it has not been possible satisfactorily to indentify the species.
ae OBERHOLSER, on the Genus Contopus. 333
The type of Contopus albicollis Lawrence, which has been
examined in the present connection, although paler than normal
virens, particularly about the head and throat, still presents in
neither size, color nor proportions any characters which can not
be quite closely matched in specimens of this species.
Horizopus vicinus (Avdgway).
Contopus vicinus RipGWAY, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. X, 1887, 576.
Geog. Dist. — Swan Island, Caribbean Sea.
In color closely resembling Horizopus virens, but without much
doubt a good species. The shape of its bill inclines toward that
of Blacicus caribeus; but in other characters it is a_ typical
LHHorizopus.
Horizopus richardsonii (Swaznson).
Tyrannula rvichardsontt SwAINsoNn, Fauna Bor.-Amer. II, 1831, 146, pl.
46, lower fig.
Tyrannula phebe BONAPARTE, Comp. List, 1838, 24 (nec Musczcapa
phebe LaTH.).
Tyrannula bogotensis BONAPARTE, Consp. Ay. I, 1850, 190.
Contopus sordidulus SCLATER, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1859, 43.
Contopus velied Cours, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1866, 61 (in text).
Geog. Dist.— Western North America, east to the Plains, north to
British Columbia and the interior of British America, south through
Mexico, Central America and Colombia to Ecuador.
Material at hand seems to indicate that Contopus sordidulus
Sclater is not entitled to even subspecific recognition, the original
description having been probably based on exceptionally small,
possibly immature, specimens of true richardsonit.
Horizopus richardsonii peninsulz (Brewséer).
Contopus richardsontt peninsule BREWSTER, Auk VIII, 1891, 144.
Geog. Dist. — Southern Lower California.
The large bill seems to be the principal character of this race,
but not an entirely constant one. The shape of the bill in some
specimens resembles that of HZ. vecinus.
334 OBERHOLSER on the Genus Coutopus. Age
Blacicus Cadanzis.
Blacicus CABANIS, Journ. f. Orn. 1855, 480.
Myiochanes CABANIS, Mus. Hein. II, 1859, 71.
Type, Muscipeta caribea dOrbigny.
CHARS. GEN.— Similar to Horizopus, but wing much shorter; bill
usually broader and its outline less acute; rictal bristles longer and
more numerous.
Geographic Distribution. — Southern Mexico; Central America, and
South America down to Peru and southern Brazil.
Blacicus latirostris ( Verreaux).
Myiobius latirostris VERREAUX, N. Arch. d, Mus. II, Bull. 1866, p, 22, t.
3, fig. 2.
Blacicus latirostris SCLATER, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. XIV, 1888, 244.
Geog. Dist. — St. Lucia, West Indies.
This species differs from most of the other West Indian forms
of the genus in the shorter, broader bill, as well as longer rictal
bristles, these reaching very nearly, if not quite to the end of the
beak
Blacicus brunneicapillus Lawrence.
Blacicus brunneicapillus LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. I, 1879, 161.
Geog. Dist. — Dominica and Guadeloupe, West Indies.
Similiar to Zatrostris in shape of bill and development of
rictal bristles.
Blacicus martinicensis Cory.
Blacicus martinicensis Cory, Auk, IV, 1887, 96.
Geog. Dist.— Martinique, West Indies.
Not examined ; but stated by Mr. Cory to be allied to B. brun-
neicapillus, differing from that species in its darker pileum, darker
cervix, and paler under surface.
Blacicus caribzus (d’Orbigny).
Muscipeta caribea D’ORBIGNY, in La Sagra’s Cuba, Aves, 1839, 92.
Blacicus caribeus CABANIS, Journ. f. Orn. 1855, 48o.
Geog. Dist. — Cuba.
Neo le OBERHOLSER on the Genus Contopus. 335
Blacicus hispaniolensis (Bryant).
Tyrannula carribea var. hispaniolensis BRYANT, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat.
Hist. XI, 1866, 91.
Contopus frazari Cory, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VIII, 1883, 94.
Sayornis dominicensis Cory, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VIII, 1883, 95.
Blactcus hispaniolensis SCLATER, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. XIV, 1888, 242.
Geog. Dist.— St. Domingo, West Indies.
Blacicus pallidus (Gosse).
Mytobius pallidus Gossk, Birds Jamaica, 1847, 166.
LFRhyncocyclus cerviniventris SALVADORI, Atti. Soc. Ital. VII, 1864, 153.
Blacicus pallidus SCLATER, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1861
Geog. Dist. — Jamaica.
1 die
Blacicus blancoi Cabanis.
Blacicus blancof CABANIS, Journ. f. Orn. 1875, 224.
Geog. Dist.— Puerto Rico.
This species is usually credited to Gundlach, Journ. f. Orn.
1794, Pp. 311, but here no description is given, so the authority
for the name is apparently Cabanis, as above quoted.
Blacicus bahamensis (Bryan).
Empidonax bahamensis BRYANT, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, 1859,
109.
Blacicus bahamensits SCLATER, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. XIV, 1888, 242.
Geog. Dist. — Bahama Islands.
Somewhat aberrant generically in possessing a relatively shorter
wing than B. caribeus.
Blacicus flaviventris Lawrence.
Blacicus flaviventris LAWRENCE, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. IX, 1886, 617.
Geog. Dist. —Grenada, West Indies.
The type of this species, taken by Mr. Wells, appears to be the
only specimen known. It seems to be distinct, differing from
brunneicepillus in its yellow abdomen and entirely yellow mandible.
336 OBERHOLSER on the Genus Contopus. ne
Blacicus punensis (Lawvezce).
Contopus punensts LAWRENCE, Ann. Lyc. N. Y. IX, 1869, 237.
Geog. Dist.— Puna Island, Ecuador.
Undoubtedly a good species, though sometimes synonymized
with drachytarsus.
Blacicus brachytarsus (Sc/afer).
Empidonax brachytarsus SCLATER, Ibis, 1859, 441.
Contopus schottit LAWRENCE, Ann. Lyc. N. Y. IX, 1869, 202.
Geog. Dist.— Southeastern Mexico, from central Vera Cruz to Yucatan
and Cozumel Island.
At least three species have, by some authors, been united under
B. brachytarsus, one of which (B. punensis) has already been con-
sidered. Birds from the type locality of drachyfarsus seem to be
identical with those from Yucatan and Cozumel Island, as already
shown by Mr. Ridgway,’ so that Contopus schottit of Lawrence
becomes a synonym.
Blacicus andinus ( Zaczanowsht).
Empidonax andinus TAaczANowskl, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1874, 539.
Contopus depresstrostris RipGWAY, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. VI, 1883, 403.
Geog. Dist.— Southern Mexico (Pacific side), Central America, and
South America east to Trinidad, south to Peru.
This bird seems to be undoubtedly distinct from true brachy-
tarsus, with which it has usually been confounded. It is in color
much less dingy throughout, particularly below, where also it is
frequently less deeply yellowish ; and has, moreover, a shorter tail.
Specimens from northern South America appear to have longer
rictal bristles, and, in some details of coloration, to differ some-
what from Central American birds; but as the material at hand
is not sufficient definitely to prove them separable, no distinction
is here made. The name andinus, based on specimens from Peru,
thus becomes the proper one for the species. Should it ever be
1 Man. N. Am. Birds, 1887, 339.
Vol. XVI
7806 OBERHOLSER on the Genus Contopus. Bey
desirable to distinguish by name the Central American form it
should be called either Blacicus depressirostris or Blacicus andinus
depresstrostrts.
Like B. brachytarsus the present species is hardly a typical
Blacicus, having less conspicuous rictal bristles and rather longer
wings than B. caribaeus; but although both have heretofore been
placed in Contopus they undoubtedly belong in Blacicus.
Blacicus pileatus (/?#dgway).
Contopus pileatus RipGWAY, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. VIII, 1885, 21.
Geog. Dist.— Unknown.
The type, in the collection of the American Museum of
Natural History, still remains the sole representative of this very
interesting species. It seems to be quite distinct.
Blacicus cinereus (Sfx).
Platyrhynchus ctnereus Sprx, Av. Bras. II, 1825, 11, pl. 13, fig. 2.
Tyrannula curtipes SWAINSON, Orn. Draw. 1834-41, pl. 54.
Geog. Dist. — Southeastern Brazil.
Blacicus nigrescens (Sclater ¢- Salvin).
Mytochanes nigrescens SCLATER N SALVIN, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1880, 157.
Geog. Dist. — Ecuador.
To the authorities of the American Museum of Natural History
and of the National Museum the writer wishes to express his
indebtedness for the use of the material employed in the prepara-
tion of this paper. He is further under great obligations to Mr.
Ridgway for many valuable suggestions.
22
338 ALLEN, Recently Described North American Birds. one
REPUBLICATION OF DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW
SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF NORTH
AMERICAN BIRDS.
BY J. Aa ALLEN,
REQUESTS have been received from various members of the
A. O. U., who have not full access to the current literature of
ornithology, for the republication in ‘The Auk’ of the descrip-
tions of all new species and subspecies of North American birds
described in other publications than this journal. In response
to such requests the Council of the A. O. U. has authorized such
republication, of which the first instalment here follows, begin-
ning with those included in the ‘ Ninth Supplement’ to the Check-
List (see Auk, XVI, Jan., 1899, pp. 97-133), and including
those since published to date.
In this republication the original diagnoses or descriptions are
given in full, and such additional remarks as are essential to a
proper presentation of the case, in the exact words of the author,
unless otherwise indicated by the omission of marks of quotation.
Later instalments of similar scope and character will be given at
the close of each year.
Phaéton americanus Granz.
YELLOW-BILLED Tropic BIRb.
Phaéton americanus GRANT, Bull. Brit. Orn. Club, No. XLIX, Dec.,
1897, p. xxiv; Ibis, April, 1898, 288.
“ Adult male and female. — Similar to P. favirostris Brandt, but dif-
fering constantly in the following points:—the black on the outer web
of the first primary extending to within half an inch of the extremity, on
the second and fourth quills reaching almost to the tip, while the third
had the outer web entirely black. Bill entirely yellow, except above the
nasal opening.
‘‘ Range. —East and southeast coasts of North America, from Ber-
muda to the West Indies.”
ce | ALLEN, Recently Described North American Birds. 339
Rallus crepitans waynei BREWSTER.
WAYNE’S CLAPPER RAIL.
Rallus crepitans waynet BREWSTER, N. Engl. Zool. Club, I, 50, June 9,
1899.
“ Subspecific characters.—Similar to R. crepfitans, but the general
coloring much darker, the under parts with more ashy, the under tail
coverts with fewer markings.
“Type, d adult, no. 4220, collection of W. Brewster, St. Mary’s, Camden
County, Georgia, March 18, 1878, W. Brewster.
“ Crown, nape, wings and tail, plain and rather pale seal brown; wing
coverts, tertials, scapulars, upper tail coverts and feathers of the back
and rump, rich seal brown, narrowly bordered with ashy; throat, abdo-
men and a short stripe running from the base of the upper mandible to
above the eye, brownish white, the middle of the throat almost clear
white; under tail coverts white with traces of dusky bars on a few of
the feathers; flanks and crissum ashy brown with transverse bars of
white. Remainder of under parts, with sides of head and neck, ashy,
tinged with pale cinnamon on the breast. Axillars brown with narrow
transverse bars of white.
“ Wing, 5.40; tarsus, 2.15; arc of culmen from feathers, 2 AS Aine te
‘From Rallus crepitans, the form just described may be most readily
distinguished by the sharper contrast between the light and dark colors
of the back, the centers of the dorsal feathers being rich seal brown and
their edges bright ashy, whereas in crefztans the brown is pale and
somewhat olivaceous, and the ashy comparatively dull. Most of my
specimens also have much more ashy beneath than is found in any of the
examples of crefitans which I have seen, but this difference is not con-
stant. In the tendency to an excess of ashy on the under parts, and to a
scarcity or almost total absence of dark markings on the under tail cov-
erts, wayned agrees closely with scofte?. It is so evidently a connecting
link between the latter and crepctans that it may well be doubted whether
scottst should continue to stand as a full species.”
Type locality, St. Mary’s, Camden County, Georgia.
Range, South Atlantic coast, from Virginia southward.
Rallus levipes Bangs,
Rallus levipes BANGS, Proc. N. Eng. Zodl. Club, I, 45, June 5, 1899.
“ Characters. —Much smaller than either A. obsoletus or R. beldingz ;
bill much more slender; tarsus and foot smaller than in either. In
color it differs from #. odsoletus in being much darker above— more.
olive and less grayish, brown; in having breast and sides of neck deep
cinnamon-rufous instead of grayish cinnamon, this color extending
340 ALLEN, Recently Described North American Birds. cag
well up on sides of neck and meeting the color of upper parts sharply ;
ground color of flanks, etc., darker —less grayish; a gray patch behind
eye; superciliary streak w&zte instead of rusty. From &. belding? it
differs, in color, in having the back feathers much less decidedly
streaked; breast, etc., less pinkish or salmon-colored; flanks, etc.,
browner —without dusky bars bordering the white ones, the white
bars wider; superciliary wz¢e instead of rusty.
‘* Color.— Above, olive brown, broadly striped with blackish brown ;
breast, etc., deep cinnamon-rufous, extending over sides of neck and
meeting color of upper parts sharply ; flanks, etc., olive, broadly banded
with white; centre of belly and throat whitish; superciliary streak
white; a gray patch on side of head behind eye.
“ Measurements. — Type, @ adult: wing, 152; tail, 58.2; tarsus, 49;
culmen, 58 mm. Topotype, 9 ad., No. 47,847, Coll. of Wm. Brewster:
wing, 141; tail, 56.6; tarsus, 45; culmen, 54.2 mm.”
Type locality, Newport Landing, Los Angeles Co., California.
Canachites canadensis labradorius Bangs.
LABRADOR SPRUCE GROUSE.
Chanachites canadensis labradorius BANGS, Proc. N. Engl. Zoél. Club,
I, 1899, 47, June 5, 1899.
“ Subspecific characters. — Size of true C. canadensis or a little larger;
adult male, summer plumage, similar to true C. canadensts, except that
the white markings on under parts and on border of throat are rather
heavier, and gray markings of back and rump more pronounced and
purer gray— less reddish olive gray; adult female, summer plumage,
quite different in color from true C. canadensis, upper parts much more
purely black and gray, with much less buffy or ochraceous; under parts
much whiter, with less buffy or ochraceous.”
Type locality, Rigoulette, Hamilton Inlet, Labrador.
Halizetus leucocephalus alascanus C. H. Townsend.
NORTHERN BALD EAGLE.
Flalietus leucocephalus alascanus C. H. TOWNSEND, Proc. Biol. Soc.
Washington, XI, 145, June 9, 1897.
“ Subspecific characters.— Differing from H. leucocephalus in size,
being considerably larger.
“ Habitat. — Alaska.
“ Type.— § (U. S. Nat. Mus. No. 151567). Unalaska, Aleutian
Islands.
“ Dimensions of Type. — Wing, 23.75; tail, 11.50; tarsus, 4; culmen,
2.60; depth of bill, 1.50; hind claw, 1.50 [inches].
~ Vv =>
5 SS ee Sea ae eee eae
(a cee eee sae a Oey as Bias
E See eset an geet ares la ese ea eee ee
The three notes, D, A, D, are whistled in a robust, bold, loud quality,
noticeably coarser and firmer than the quality of other Oriole songs.
The notes are invariable both in tempo, tune and rhythm; except that
sometimes a grace note on A precedes the first D, or sometimes the first
D is omitted; this apparently when the bird is in a hurry or nervous, or
the A may be a trifle sharped. The succeeding sixteenth notes, which
constitute the remarkable part of the performance, are indeterminate in
pitch, and are spoken to the syllables: chuck, chuck, chuck, chuck, etc.,
perhaps five or seven times iterated.
_
Vol. XVI
ihc General Notes. 355
This chuckling, so far as I can tell, invariably follows this particular
tune, but none other. Other Orioles in the same locality sing other
tunes with a more mellow and variable quality of whistle; but these
latter birds, so far as I can be sure of their individual identity, never
chuckle at any time. The chuckling birds seem also to be of a duller
orange, almost the tint of a Bluebird’s breast, or a ‘chestnut’ horse, and
are possibly last year’s young or two-year-olds.
This chuckling song seems well worth mention, because as it is so
marked and unusual it can be readily detected. And it would be interest-
ing to inquire how widely spread this song may have become this season,
as well as whether it has ever been heard before. If the song is a
mimicry or imitation of some other species, I should welcome any sug-
gestion as to the identity of its original model. — REGINALD C. ROBBINS,
Boston, Mass.
Song of the White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys).— A
recent study of captive White-crowned Sparrows tends to show that the
female sings a simple copy of the male’s usually exquisite strain. Of
four females that have come under my notice since the fall of 1897, three
have sung in the manner described, while the exceptional one was a
bungler that never wholly succeeded in getting the song just right.
This bird, captured October 7, 1897, and released July 26, 1898, was in
song from October 20 to December 10, 1897, and again during March,
April, May and June of the following year.
Early in October, 1898, when White-crowns were perhaps a hundred
strong in a nearby weedy potato field, I secured five specimens, two
adults and three immatures. One of the adults, recognized as a female,
was presently set free; the other, a doubtful subject, on being referred to
a tame male of 1897, was immediately identified by him as one of the
opposite sex. She was quiet and orderly,— uncommonly so,— hence was
reserved for future study. :
Of the young trio one turned out to be a female, and although very
wild at first,eventually, without coaxing, became tame and confiding. In
the fall of 1898 she sang but little and only on occasions when ‘ fighting
mad.’ Both females sang intermittently in March and April and daily
during May, 1899.
The young males sang diligently from the middle of October to the
second week of July, when moulting set in. In March the juvenile style
of singing gradually gave way to the adult form. But from the com-
mencement, when angry and defiant, these youngsters always sang in
the manner of the adult bird. This strain is not limited to five or six
notes, but ranges, according to my observations, from four to fourteen,
not including a twittered prelude which ofttimes introduces the song
proper.
At first my captives were confined in cages, but latterly have had the
freedom of a room where they can fly about and bathe at pleasure. A
3 5 6 General Notes. =
soap box partly filled with sweepings from the hayloft affords them
plenty of leg exercise, but unfortunately is also the cause of many a sel-
fish quarrel. In order that my birds keep in good health, I have always
studied to vary their fare. Besides canary ahd millet seed, they receive
ants’ eggs, Mockingbird food, berries, meal worms, etc. If no other live
food is offered, they will even accept small earthworms. In winter the
little fat grubs and ‘worms’ found in goldenrod galls are a welcome
treat. —E. D. Downer, Utica, N. Y.
Ammodramus henslowii.— A Correction.—In ‘The Auk’ for April,
1889, p. 194, I reported the occurrence at Fort Adams, Newport, R. I., of
Ammodramus henslowt?. My identification was afterwards found to be
incorrect, but through oversight the record has not been changed until
now. — WIRT ROBINSON.
Leconte’s Sparrow (Ammodramus lecontet’) in Kentucky. — A speci-
men was killed April 15, 1899, in an old weed-grown clover field, about
two miles east of Lexington, Ky. It was quite tame, allowing us to
approach within five or six feet before attempting to escape. A second
specimen was seen July 16, while feeding near the foot of an old ‘ rock
fence’ in a dirt lane, the sides of which were overgrown with catnip,
wild sage, and various other weeds and young trees.
I believe the species is a rare summer resident and breeder.
This is, as far as I am aware, the first record of its occurrence in Ken-
tucky.— Ortro HoLsTEIN, Muzr, Ky.
Nesting of Nelson’s Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsont) in North Dakota. —
June 14, 1899, on a broad, alkaline flat, lately a shallow arm of Devils
Lake, now nearly dried up, among scant, short grass in a wet, oozy spot,
I found the nest of this little known Sparrow, securing the sitting bird and
mate with the eggs. An overflow of surface water from a marsh just
beyond, during the spring, flows over this flat, at first through a sort of
natural ditch, then gradually spreading out till it loses itself in the sticky
soil. A bit of ground about three feet square, raised an inch or two from
the general level, was sufficient to cause this trifling. flow of inch-deep
water to divide, forming a tiny island, which was not exactly dry but
more nearly so than the immediate surroundings. Here, sunk in the
wet earth, and lined sparingly about the sides, but very thickly in the
bottom, with fine dried grasses of a wiry nature was the nest, containing
five eggs raised by the thick lining well up out of the wet. As the gen-
eral situation when observed by me was rather dryer than when the nest
was first built it must be that the selection of a dismally wet spot was
deliberate and, perhaps, indicates the regular custom.
The finding of the nest was purely accidental as, in a more or less vain
effort to keep my feet dry, I sprang from point to point, finally alighting
with both feet squarely astride the nest, and the sitting bird, as she flut-
rules
ce General Notes. 357
tered up and away from between my feet and dropped out of sight in the
ragged grass, must have been sorely surprised and startled. The situa-
tion was so odd and the eggs so peculiar in appearance that I repaired to
my cart, left at some distance, for glass, gun and camera. Returning in
fifteen minutes the bird was again flushed; she ran stealthily along
where the ground was wet and comparatively bare of vegetation and was
presently joined by her mate, twittering weakly from a neighboring weed
stalk, who seemed not so averse as the female to searching inspection
through the glass. Both were finally shot and carried home with eggs
and nest lining.
The eggs are small, about .65 X .50, of grayish-white ground, thickly
sprinkled and clouded all over with markings of brown, thickening on
the extreme butt into a dark brown zone. The general effect is that of
very small egys of the Savannah Sparrow. One egg, a trifle larger than
the rest, shows a bluish-white ground less thickly sprinkled and wholly
lacking the clouded appearance of the others, but still exhibiting the
well defined zone so symmetrical in all five eggs as to be noticeable.
Incubation had progressed about one half, but was not exactly uniform,
and one egg was infertile.
Not all the statements of Walter Raine find the widest acceptance, but
I am inclined to credit his account of the taking of a nest of this species,
as related by him on p. 88, Vol. I, of the ‘ Nidologist.’ At least his
description there given corresponds closely with my own observation.
I can agree, too, with his statement that the eggs of this species ‘‘ will
never be common in collections.” The bird is but a trifle over five inches
in length, of sober coloring (except for the bright buff that shows only
when in hand), and shy disposition, and if, as seems likely, its nest is
habitually located in dreary marshes apart from the haunts of man, its
discovery will probably continue rare and the merest accident. I believe
the taking of the nest in the United States has not before been recorded.
In photographing this nest and surroundings great pains were taken,
but the developed plate shows hopeless overexposure. The eggs are now
in the great Norris collection. — EUGENE S. RoLFE, Minnewaukan, N.
Dak.
Hirondelles de Guanajuato, Mexico.— Vers le 15 février de cette
année (1898) sont arrivés par un temps chaud les aviones grandes (Progue
subts). La chaleur a continué avec quelques journées de pluie, et le 7
mars ont apparu les premieres golondrinas ( Chelidon erythrogaster) ainsi
que les aviones chicos ( Petrochelidon lunifrons). Ces oiseaux passent a
Guanajuato le printemps et l’été et y font leurs nids: ils s’en vont vers
Vautomne, et partent par ordre d’arrivée. Progne subis est la premiere 4
s’en aller; Petrochelidon luntfrons émigre vers la fin de septembre, et un
peu plus tard Chelidon erythrogaster. J’ai vu ce denier arriver a Vera
Cruz en 1879 vers le milieu de février; un peu plus tard ils étaient a
Orizaba, et quelques jours apres a Mexico. J’ignore ott Progne et Petro-
35 8 General Notes. aS
chelidon vont passer Vhiver, mais pour Chelidon erythrogaster il est cer-
tain qu’ Azara I’a observé au Paraguay dans les mois de septembre et
décembre (Azara, Apunt. para hist. de los pascaros de Paraguay, t. II,
p: 507; Madrid, 1805).
Progne subts établit son nid dans la ville, ordinairement dans les trous
des murs des églises, a les sites presques toujours inaccessibles. Cepend-
ent jen ai trouvé une fois dans le mur d’une maison: c’était un simple
fond de marmite en terre que l’oiseau avait utilisé en y jetant péle-méle
et sans ordre une poignée de fragments de natte de jonc ou de palmier:
ce nid doit étre souvent trés-négligé car on compare ici une maison sans
ordre a un nid de avion. Les mA4les et les femelles volent ensemble,
excepté a l’époque de l’incubation qui a lieu au mois de mai.
Petrochelidon lunifrons place son nid sous les poutres des édifices: il a
la forme d’une cornue renversée et consiste en de petits tas de boue que
Voiseau prends d’ordinaire dans les grandes galettes de minérai moulu et
mélé d’eau des usines d’argent. Avant lincubation males et femelles
SNOOQMLL ELL Z LE
: SS SS
___ ae ———_ >
Exacte reproduction d’une hirondelle (Chelidon erythrogaster) faisant son
nid sur des cétes d’une poutre. Elle apportait de la boue dans la gorge, la
déorgeait par petites portions sur le bois, et l’étalait avec son bec comme
avec une truelle. Dans un quart d’heure, elle fit trois voyages successifs et
son Ouvrage avanga d’un quart de pouce.
volent ensembles, mais plus tard je n’ai jamais tué un vol que des males.
Au contraire de Progne subis, P. luntfrons se pose souvent a terre, sur-
tout pres de l’eau.
Chelidon erythrogaster fait son nid dans. les mémes endroits que P.
luntfrons, avec les mémes matériaux, mais il lui donne la forme d’un quart
de sphére: habituellement c’est de la boue prise a la campagne qui sert
pour cet ouvrage. Méme a l’époque de l’incubation, on voit souvent les
males et les femelles chasser ensemble, surtout lorsque les petits sont
éclus. Ces derniers partent avec leurs parents, de sorte qu’en hiver on
ne voit plus un seul hirundinidé 4 Guanajuato.
Je ne parle pas de Tachyctneta thalassina qui est trés rare ici, ni de
Ree General Notes. 359
Panyptila melanoleuca que je n’ai pu bien observer: Panyftila habite les
fentes de quelques rochers sur la montagne.
En 1893 une é¢pidémie de typhus a cruellement sévi 4 Guanajuato, et
les hirondelles ont été fort peu nombreuses; y a-t-il en une simple coin-
cidence ou une relation de cause & effet? Ce qu'il y a de certain c’est
qu’ aujourdhui ces oiseaux viennent ici beaucoup moins qu’il y a quelques
années; la cause est peut-@tre la suivante. Les éperviers (7vununculus
sparverius) étaient communs par suite de l’abondance des oiseaux insecti-
vorez au gramivores, mais ils ont disparu ensemble depuis que les
insectes et les plantes qui les nourrissaient ont diminué en nombre: ce
dernier résultat est dfi A Pirregularité des pluies causée par le deboisage
inconsidéré des montagnes. Les hirondelles disparaitraient aussi cer-
tainment si ce n’était le nombre considérable de mouches qui existent en
tout temps, mais principalement 4 l’époque des chaleurs et des pluies
(d’avril A octobre), grace surtout au ruisseau qui traverse la ville, et qui
recoit le tribu des égouts et des lieux d’aisance qui le rend souvent dune
infection insupportable. — ©. Ducks, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Very Early Record of the Cliff Swallow. —This bird was known to the
Spaniards long before Say called it Hzrundo luntfrons, and once occa-
sioned a geographical name. On the 19th of September, 1776, the Span-
ish priest, Silvestre Velez de Escalante, was in the Wahsatch range of
mountains, on their east side, about to pass over them into Utah valley.
He went through a cafion, ‘‘que mombramos de las Golondrinas, por
haber en él muchos nidos de estas aves, formadas contal simetria, que
parecen pue-blecillos,” in other words, he named it Cafion of the Swal-
lows, because there were in it many nests of these birds, built with such
symmetry, that they looked like little towns. This comparison of a
cluster of Cliff Swallows’ nests to the Indian pueblos of New Mexico is a
good one. The passage may be read in the very rare collection of papers
entitled: Documentos para la Historia de Mexico, 2d series, vol. I, p.
447. —E.Liott Coves, Washington, D. G:
Philadelphia Vireo in West Virginia. —While hunting for Warblers
on May 16, 1899, in the open woods, near Elm Grove, Ohio Co., W.
Va., the writer secured a Vireo, which was at first glance supposed to be
a specimen of Vireo gilvus, but upon subsequent examination the first
primary was found wanting and the total number of the same but nine,
with other characters in accordance. From this it was very evident that
the bird was Vireo philadelphicus. Being unable to find any previous
record I believe this to be the first specimen which has been taken in the
State of West Virginia. —R. B. McLain, Wheeling, W. Va.
A Note on Kirtland’s Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandi).—On May 21
of this year, while looking for Warblers in our grove, my attention was
Z 60 General Notes. ee
attracted by a loud and entirely unfamiliar song, the cause of which was
found to be a rather plain Warbler among the lower branches of a large
oak. The actions of the bird were slow, for a Warbler, reminding me
more of those of the Red-eyed Vireo. It moved by hops, seldom moving
along the branches, but usually sat still and turned its head in all direc-
tions in search of insects. At rather short intervals it gave out its loud,
passionate song, almost like an Oriole’s in the depth of its tone,—a
contrast to the high notes of many Warblers. Only once or twice did I
see it dart after insects in the air, and it wagged its tail but slightly.
Unlike most Warblers it stayed for a long time in one tree and always in
the lower half. It did not, however, resort to the bushes or in any way
act like a terrestrial species, as Mr. Widmann’s specimen did. This par-
ticular individual was very tame.
The next morning I heard the song again and went immediately to
shoot the bird, lest I might be mistaken as to its identity. This time,
however, it was shy and flew at once to another yard. Later it returned
to the apple trees in the garden, and, without waiting for any more
observations I shot it. This specimen proved to be a male.— ELior
BLACKWELDER, Morgan Park, Chicago, /il.
The Hooded Warbler at Montville, Conn.— On June 18, 1899, I took
a Hooded Warbler (Welsonta mitrata) that was singing in some moun-
tain laurel bushes in an oak wood near the town of Montville, Conn., on
the southern bank of the Thames River. It was the first time I have
ever heard this species sing, and as I could not get within forty yards of
it or see it plainly I was obliged to take the bird. I am not aware that
the species has been recorded from the region of this river. — REGINALD
HEBER Howe, JR., Longwood, Mass.
Odd Nesting of Maryland Yellow-throat.— On June 15 of the
present year a friend of mine sent for me to come to his house and
look at a nest which was built in a shoe, and also to identify the birds.
Upon arriving there I was surprised to see Geothlyfis trichas nesting
in a shoe. The locality chosen was near a back entrance to a house
situated on the main street of our town. A pair of shoes, which were
the property of my friend, were placed outside of the door on the under
pinning which projected out from the side of the house about two feet.
One day he had occasion to wear them and went out and brought
them into the house; as he was about to put them on, he discovered
something in one of them, and upon examination found it to be a nest.
The other shoe contained a few dry grasses and other fine material,
but for some reason the bird gave up the idea of building in that, and
took up housekeeping in shoe No.2. My friend immediately put the
pair of shoes back, thinking that she would return, and upon glancing
into the shoe the next day was surprised to see that it contained an egg.
She continued laying until she had deposited five. The next day after
Lea General Notes. 36 I
the fifth egg was laid a dog came around near the back door and caught
sight of the bird in the shoe and made a dash for her, the bird escap-
ing, but breaking three of the eggs.
The shoe, nest, and twoeggs are in my collection. The nest was-com-
posed of dry grasses and fine moss and lined with horse hair. — ARTHUR
WILLIAM Brockway, Old Lyme, Conn.
Puerto Rico Honey Creeper.—I have been interested in a pair of
Honey Creepers, Cewreba portoricensts (Bryant), building about my house.
They began in a rose bush, but it being too close to the ground they
deserted the place and are now busy upon another nest in a small tree.
The nest is a little larger than a baseball, perfectly round, with the open-
ing like a well drilled auger hole, just below the middle. Outside are
grasses and bits of twine; inside are feathers, and when the birds leave
the nest for any time they cover the hole with a couple of feathers. The
female does this also when she is within, just peeping out with bill and
head, which with the aid of my glass makes a real picture. These birds
are our ‘Jenny Wrens,’ and there are a good many of them here all
around our houses, especially where roses, coral plants, and other smaller
flowers abound. We have become very much attached to them. — GEORGE
B. Pratt, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Notes on Marian’s Marsh Wren, Cisfothorus mariane, and Worthing-
ton’s Marsh Wren, Cis¢othorus palustris griseus.—On April 16, 1897, I
shot a very dark colored Marsh Wren near Mount Pleasant, South Caro-
lina, which has the top of head deep black. At Mr. Ridgway’s request, I
sent the specimen to him and under date of June 10, 1897, he wrote me
as follows: “I have just finished examining the Wren, with the aid of
Mr. Brewster’s series of both mariane@ and griseus. Your dark bird is
intermediate, but on the whole may best be considered an exceptionally
dark specimen of griseus. Martane is amore rusty brown and usually
has the breast speckled with blackish.”
I sent the Wren above mentioned to Mr. Brewster and he wrote me
under date of Dec. 6, 1897, as follows: “As to the April bird (Wren), I
cannot agree with Mr. Ridgway, for it has absolutely none of the true
characters of grzseus and is quite indistinguishable, so far as I can see,
from some of my examples of martane from Tarpon Springs, Florida ;
although it certainly has more white beneath than is usually the case
with that form. In respect to the coloring of the upper parts, and
especially of the crown, it is typical mariana, to which I should accord-
ingly refer it despite the locality at which it was taken.”
It will be seen from the above that this record extends the range of this
bird to the Atlantic coast, and that it is an abundant bird in this State
during the migrations the following records will show. On Oct. 1, 1898,
I killed four; Oct. 4, five; Oct. 11, one; Oct. 15, one} Oct. 17, threes
Oct. 28, two; Oct. 31, two; April 21, 1899, one; May 6, one; May §8, one.
362 General Notes. nue
This Wren does not breed anywhere near Mount Pleasant, but is simply
amigrant. It will, without doubt, be found breeding on the North Caro-
lina coast.
Worthington’s Marsh Wren, Crstothorus palustris griseus, which was
described by Mr. Brewster (Auk, X, July, 1893, 216), was a very common
resident breeding bird. In 1893 I took many nests and eggs—all of
them being fully identified—but since that date I have taken but two
birds! They do not breed here now, and the bird is practically extinct.
The great cyclone of August 27-28, 1893, must have completely exter-
minated them, as it occurred at the height of the breeding season. This
Wren was a very late breeder, as full complements of their eggs could
not be taken until the first week in July, and two, or even three, broods
were raised. This Wren is very distinct — being a gray bird —with the
black of head confined to the extreme sides of head. There is no evi-
dence that it interbreeds with palustr7s or martane@ and should be accorded
full specific rank.
Since the above was written the July ‘Auk’ came to hand and I notice
an article by Mr. T. G. Pearson mentioning Worthington’s Marsh Wren,
Cistothorus palustris griseus, page 250, as taken at Beaufort, N. C., the
identification being made by Mr. Ridgway. 1] wrote Mr. Pearson to send
me these Wrens and they are both typical marzane. The August 2nd
specimen is in very worn plumage, but the characters are diagnostic of
martane—the crown being wholly black and the upper tail-coverts
showing traces of barring, this being plainly noticeable in spite of the
worn plumage. — ARTHUR T. WAYNE, Mount Pleasant, S. C.
Birds Feeding on Hairy Caterpillars. —In the July Auk, A. W.
Perrior, of Syracuse, N. Y., in a note on the ‘Food of the Robin,’
expresses surprise at seeing the Robin feeding the larve of Clistocampu
americana to her young, saying that this is the first instance he has
known of any bird feeding on them except the Cuckoo. From my own
experience I can testify that the Baltimore Oriole eats them also. I have
no doubt that a little observation would give us a long list of birds which
eat them, judging from the list which has been found to eat Clzstocampa
disstrta, a caterpillar about as hairy as C. amertcana. While in Brandon,
Vt., for a short time this spring, I saw the larve of the latter eaten by
Baltimore Orioles, Red-winged Blackbirds, White-breasted Nuthatches,.
Chipping Sparrows, Robins and Red Crossbills; and this list is extended
to no less than twenty-four species by the observations of Miss Caroline
G. Soule, who is working on C. désstréa at that place. Besides those given
above, her list includes Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Cedarbirds,
both Cuckoos, Bluebirds, Flickers, Warbling, Red-eyed, White-eyed and
Yellow-throated Vireos, American Goldfinches, Catbirds and Yellow
Warblers, as well as Kingbirds, Phcebes, Great-crested Flycatchers and
Chebecs. The Flycatchers darted upon the caterpillars as they swung
suspended by their webs or fed on pendant leaves.— Mary Mann
MILLER, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Vol. XVI
mBq FRecent Literature. 363
RECENT LITERATURE.
Pycraft on the Osteology of the Impennes.!'— Mr. Pycraft’s second
‘Contribution to the Osteology of Birds’ treats the Penguins in the same
thorough manner that his previous paper dealt with the Steganopodes.
We have a detailed account of the skeleton, including that of the young,
and this is followed by keys to the genera and species based on characters
furnished by various portions of the adult skeleton. It is gratifying to
have one more group of birds whose genera are based on osteological
characters, also gratifying to see Ratite and Carinate put in quotation
marks.
Like Mr. Grant in the British Museum Catalogue, Mr. Pycraft admits.
six genera in this compact group of birds and these, as indicated by the
diagram, have, with the exception of Hudypftula, which has lagged a little,
become pretty evenly differentiated from the supposed ancestral form.
To use an hibernicism, Mr. Pycraft gives us his conclusions at the begin-
ning, where he states that, while the fore limb represents the high-water
mark of skeletal specialization, the skull and other portions of the skele-
ton being much less specialized, the Penguins do not furnish us with
any facts of great importance or carry us beyond the confines of the class.
The distinctness of the metatarsals, a feature approached by Fregatza, is
alluded to and it is considered that they represent a halfway stage between
the primitive, completely separate metatarsals on the one hand, and the
highly-specialized cannon bone on the other, where the three metatarsals
are all merged to form a single shaft.
It is pointed out that the Penguins are not plantigrade, but is Mr.
Pycraft quite correct in saying that the legs are comparatively little used
for the support of the body? —F. A. L.
Montgomery on the Food of Owls.—In the ‘American Naturalist’
for July, 1899,2 Mr. Montgomery gives the results of his observations on
the feeding habits of two species of Owls, —the Short-eared Owl (Aszo
accipitrinus) and the Long-eared Owl (A. w#/sonianus), the locality being
the vicinity of West Chester, Pa. His observations are novel in being
based not upon the stomachs of Owls killed, but upon their ‘food pellets’
collected from the ground beneath their roosting trees. Four Long-
1Contributions to the Osteology of Birds. Part1I. Impennes. By W. P.
Pycraft. Proc. Zool. Soc., London, Dec. 13, 1898.
2 Observations on Owls, with particular regard to their Feeding Habits. By
Thomas H. Montgomery, Jr. Am. Nat., Vol. XXXIII, July, 1899, pp. 563-
572.
364 Recent Literature. rave
eared Owls were under observation from Dec. 25, 1898, to Feb. 22, 1899,
and one Short-eared Owl from Feb. 26 to March 26, 1899. The pellets
were gathered regularly once each week, not only from beneath their
roosting trees but from beneath the trees that served as their casual
feeding perches, the number of Owls frequenting these roosting and
perching trees being also noted daily. The results are given in tabular
form, showing the number and species of Owls under observation each
day, the number of pellets gathered at each collection, the contents of
the pellets, and the daily food average, which, consisting almost wholly
of small mammals, varied from 1.57 to 2.16 for each Owl daily. A sum-
mary of the contents of the food pellets found under the roosting tree of
the Long-eared Owls is thus stated: ‘‘2 birds, 1 Blarina, 2 Peromyscus
leucopus, 1 Mus musculus, 6 Microtus pinetorum, 319 M. pennsylvanicus,
and 18 undetermined individuals of Microtus.” The contents of the pel-
lets gathered under the other roosting tree, occupied by the Short-eared
Owl, and occasionally by one of the Long-eared Owls, is thus sum-
marized: ‘‘1 Cambarus [crayfish], 5 birds, 2 Blarina parva, 1 Zapus
hudsontus, and 105 Microtus pennsylvanicus.” Pellets were gathered from
under a number of other trees, all within the radius of an eighth of a
mile, which served as feeding perches, which are thought to have been
all, or nearly all, produced by these same Owls. ‘‘TheSe pellets con-
tained the remains of 5 small birds (including Regulus, Junco, Certhia),
3 Blarina brevicauda, 3 B. parva, 1 Blarina undetermined, 2 Zapus
hudsontus, 3 Peromyscus leucopus, 1 Microtus pinetorum, 139 M. pennsyl-
vanicus, and 4 undetermined individuals of Microtus.” Thus these five
Owls, in the space of about one month, destroyed 12 small birds, 10
shrews, and 600 field mice, of which the greater part were the common
meadow vole or ‘meadow mouse.’ The examination of food pellets
gathered at other localities gave similar results, except that the remains
of no birds were found.
Mr. Montgomery concludes his very interesting and valuable paper as
follows: ‘*In conclusion, it may be noted that these data add further
support to the well-proven results of ornithologists, that our local Owls
(with the possible exception of the Great Horned Owl) are of the great-
est benefit to the agriculturist. Our three commonest local Owls, the
Screech, Long-eared, and Short-eared (as well as the rarer Acadian and
Barn Owl), are indefatigable destroyers of mice and insects. But since
this is the case, and since the group of the Owls is one of great interest
to the naturalist, it is to be hoped that future students of their dietary
habits will avoid studying their stomachs for this purpose, and in order
not to destroy them examine their food pellets instead.” —J. A. A.
Lantz’s ‘Review of Kansas Ornithology.’ !— This very carefully pre-
‘A Review of Kansas Ornithology. By D. E. Lantz, Manhattan, Kan.
Read before the Academy Oct. 28,1897. Trans. Kansas Academy of Science,
1896-1897, pp. 224-276. July, 1899.
Vol. XVI
38 Recent Literature. 3 65
pared paper consists of two parts,—I, ‘The Bibliography of Kansas
Ornithology’ (pp. 224-244); II, ‘An Historical List of Kansas Birds’
(pp. 244-276). The first gives an annotated chronological list of books
and papers containing references to the birds of Kansas, and includes
also the titles of all papers on ornithology by Kansas authors, whether
or not relating to Kansas birds. The list begins with the report of
Pike’s Expedition, published in 1810, and includes about two hundred
titles, annotated to show their bearing upon Kansas ornithology, speci-
fying also in each case the additions made to the list of Kansas birds.
At the close a ‘ Recapitulation’ indicates, in chronological order, the
date and number of species added by the different authors.
Part II consists of a concisely and judiciously annotated systematic
list of the birds of Kansas, numbering 351 species. In addition to a
statement as to the character of the presence of each species in Kansas,
there are historical notes, giving the date of the first record of the species
for the State, and the authority therefor. As regards accuracy and com-
pleteness, this is doubtless one of the most carefully prepared State lists
that has yet appeared, and has the additional feature of being also his-
torical. It is fairly free from typographical errors, but is worthy of a
better typographical setting, the technical names being printed in the
same uniform type as the text, not only in the ‘List’ itself, but in the
‘Bibliography,’ which latter is also devoid of the special bibliographical
marks commonly employed to designate the makeup of title pages, etc.
But this, we are informed, is not the fault of the author, whose wish, as
manifested in the preparation of the copy, was not only disregarded, but
he was not even permitted by the State printer to revise the proof
sheets! That so few errors have crept in is a sufficient guarantee that
Prof. Lantz must have given the printers exceptionally well prepared
copy, and indicates that the care and exhaustive research shown in the
bibliographical and historical phases of the paper extended to the clerical
details of composition.—J. A. A.
The Goss Collection of Mexican and Central American Birds.— As
is well known, it was the habit of the late Col. N. S. Goss, during the
later years of his life, to spend the winter season in some part of tropical
North America. His first trip was to Guatemala in 1882, and his last, in
1889, to Nicaragua and Costa Rica. While he published very few of his
observations, it was, we are told, “his ambition to have his collection
contain representatives of every species of North American bird.” The
present paper,! compiled by Prof. Lantz, contains a list of his collections,
1A List of Birds collected by Col. N. S. Goss in Mexico and Central
America. From the Collectors Notes; compiled by D. E. Lantz, Man-
hattan. Read before the Academy October 27, 1897. Trans. Kansas Acad-
emy of Science, 1896-1897, pp. 218-224. July, 1899.
3 66 Recent Literature. a
with the number of specimens of each species and the locality of collec-
tion. The list numbers 256 species, and is preceded by a brief itinerary
of Col. Goss’s various collecting trips to Mexico and Central America.
The occasional typographical errors are doubtless due to the fact that the
author was not permitted to revise the proof sheets, as already explained
above in the case of his ‘Review of Kansas Ornithology.’ —J. A. A.
Cory’s ‘The Birds of Eastern North America. Water Birds. Part I.’!
— The tendency of the present day, in the production of popular bird
books, seems to be to reduce the‘ science of birds’ to easy terms, in response
to, and in stimulation of, the interest of late so generally manifested in
out-of-door studies. The scope and character of these attempts to popu-
larize bird study gre as varied as their authors are numerous. In the
present case we have a work that is not only elaborate in its pictorial
details, simple in method if treatment, and comprehensive in scope, but
also systematic and scientific in arrangement. It is constructed on much
the same plan as the author’s previous ‘How to Know the Shore Birds’
(1897), and ‘How to Know the Ducks, Geese, and Swans’ (1898), pre-
viously reviewed in this journal (Auk, XIV, 1897, 418, and XV, 1898,
278). ‘That even he whoruns may read, a preliminary leaf facing the
title page contains an ‘ Artificial Key to distinguish Land Birds and Water
Birds,’ which, in addition to the explanatory text, contains four cuts
illustrating foot structure, and full-length figures of various species of
Shore Birds, Gallinules, Rails, and Herons. A preface of two pages
explains the use of the ‘Keys,’ following which is an elaborately illus-
trated ‘Glossary’ of terms used in describing the principal parts of a
bird. In the ‘Introduction’ (pp. 3-7) the structure of the wing, tail, feet
and bill are shown by aid of numerous cuts, and the technical terms used
in describing these parts are carefully defined. (We must here note the
strange lapsus of ‘rectices’ for rectrices occurring repeatedly on p. 4.)
There are also diagrams and directions ‘ How to measure a Bird’ (pp. 8, 9).
Then follows an ‘ Index Key to Families’ of the Water Birds, with 16 cuts,
illustrating the structure of the foot in the various groups. From this
general introductory matter we pass to the ‘Key to Families’ (including
subfamilies), illustrated by cuts of bills and feet, heads, and small full-
length figures, the key being based primarily on the palmation, position
and number of the toes, the form and structure of the bill, and general size
(pp. 11-24). The text is brief, the cuts occupying the greater part of the
'The Birds | of | Eastern North America | known to occur East of the
Ninetieth Meridian | — | Water Birds | — | Part I | — | Key to the Families
and Species | — | By | Charles B. Cory | .. ..[ = 10 lines, titles and list of the
author’s principal works] | — | Special Edition printed for the | Field Colum-
bian Museum, Chicago, Ill. | —1899—Sm. 4to, 1 1., pp. i-ix 1-142, profusely
illustrated with halftone and line text cuts.
on
Vol. XVI
1899
Recent Literature. 367
twelve pages devoted to the ‘Key to Families,’ which follow each other
in arbitrary sequence. Then follows the‘ Key to the Species’ (pp. 25-130),
arranged in systematic order from the Grebes to the Oystercatchers.
Besides the numerous cuts of structural parts, as bill, feet, tail, etc., each
species is figured, either full length or half length, to show the most
characteristic parts, the illustrations occupying far more space than the
text. This is limited to brief diagnoses, in which the distinctive
features are emphasized by use of special type. In the case of the Ducks,
head figures are given of both sexes of each species; and throughout
figures are used to the fullest extent to which they could apparently be
of use to the student.
With page 131 begins what will be apparently Part II of the work—a
formal description of the Water Birds of Eastern North America, giving
brief, nontechnical descriptions of each species in its various plumages,
with an account of its geographical range, and nest and eggs, followed by
a few lines, in larger type, devoted to the life history of the species.
Though not so stated, pp. 131-135 are apparently given asa sample of the
main text that is to follow.
The illustrations, by Mr. Edward Knobel, are well adapted to their pur-
pose, though not always artistic. The small line drawings of bills and
feet, etc., are very expressive, while the larger wash drawings of heads
and full-length figures are in general graceful and effective, except where
too much reduced in reproduction. The same figures are repeatedly
used in different connections, some of the wash drawings, greatly
reduced for use in the keys, appearing again on a larger scale in the
body of the work.
With the analytical keys, based largely on size, and the prodigality of
illustrations throughout the work, it would seem that the difficulty of
identifying our Water Birds is reduced to its simplest terms, and that
the author’s hope that by the aid here furnished “the novice will be able
to identify accurately any of our birds” is not too optimistic. —J. A. A.
Knobel’s ‘Field Key to the Land Birds.’!— This is another ‘ field
book,’ the purpose of which is “to enable any lover of birds, without
previous knowledge or study of the subject, to identify readily any ot
our wild birds.” The ‘Field Key’ consists of nine colored plates, 34
by 6 inches in size, on which about 150 species of the land birds of the
northeastern United States are grouped according to size, the number and
figures to a plate averaging about seventeen. The figures are fairly
well drawn, and the size is not too small to permit the advantageous use
of colors. In the present case, however, we cannot say the color results
1 Field Key | tothe | Land Bird | — | Illustrated | — | By | Edward Knobel
| Boston | Bradlee Whidden | 1899 — 12mo, 3 ll., pp. 1-55, pll. i-ix, colored,
and various text cuts. $1.75.
3 68 Recent Literature. a
are satisfactory. While in afew instances there is some approach to
accuracy, and, as arule, the coloring is an aid to identification, there are
many figures in which the coloring is so misleading as to defy an expert
to guess what the figures were intended to represent. This is the more
to be regreted since the plan of the book is such that the plates are
designed to constitute the ‘key.’ As said, the figures are grouped on
the plates according to size,and hence without regard to natural arrange-
ment, while in the text the species are arranged in systematic order,
from the Bob-white to the Bluebird, and numbered consecutively. As
the same numbers are used on the plates, where their arrangement is
heterogeneous, it is an oversight on the part of the author not to cite the
plates in the text, and thus save his reader the trouble of hunting
through the plates for the desired figure.
Mr. Knobel divides his birds on the basis of size into the following
four categories: 1, ‘ Birds the size of a Crow or larger’; 2, ‘ Birds the
size of a Robin or Jay, etc.’; 3, ‘Birds about the size of a House Spar-
row’; 4, ‘Birds smaller than a House Sparrow’; the third group being
further divided into: ‘a, bright colored; 4, without speckles; c, brown
with speckles.’ We must thus look on plate V for No. 144 and on plate
IX for 145, with no clue in the text to guide us in our search for the
figures of our two species of Nuthatch.
The text consists of a short general description of each bird, followed
by a varying amount, from two or three lines to half a page, of bio-
graphical information, all printed in uniform type, and as a continuous
paragraph, with nothing to distinguish typographically the descriptive
from the biographical matter.
The plan of the book is good, but the cheapness of its execution will
go far to defeat its excellent purpose. If more care and expense had
been devoted to the color printing, and a little more taste had been dis-
played in the production of the text, the book would doubtless have
fully accomplished the author’s purpose, and have proved a pleasing as
well as useful contribution to the list of popular bird books. — J. A. A.
Mrs. Miller’s ‘The First Book of Birds.’—In the present work’ we
have a book prepared expressly for children by an author especially well-
fitted forthe task. ‘This book,” says the author, ‘tis intended to inter-
est young people in the ways and habits of birds, and to stimulate them
to further study. It has grown out of my experience in talking to
schools. From the youngest kindergarten scholar to boys and girls of
sixteen and eighteen, I have never failed to find young people intensely
1The First Book | of Birds | By Olive Thorne Miller | with eight colored
and twelve | plain plates and twenty | figures in the | text | [Monogram]
Boston and New York | Houghton, Mifflin and Company | The Riverside
Press, Cambridge | 1899 — Square 12mo, pp. x + 150, pll. 20 (eight colored),
and 20 text figures. $1.00.
tna
le Recent Literature. 3 69
interested so long as I would tell them about how birds live....It has,
therefore, seemed to me that what is needed at first is not the science of
ornithology, — however diluted, — but some account of the life and hab-
its, to arouse sympathy and interest in the living bird, neither as a target
nor as a producer of eggs, but as a fellow-creature whose acquaintance it
would be pleasant to make.”
The book, it is needless to say, is couched in terms easily understood,
and written in an attractive and sympathetic vein. It consists of thirty
short chapters, grouped under the following four major headings —‘ The
Nestling’; ‘The Bird grown up’; ‘How he is made’; ‘His Relations
with us.’ Under the first is treated not only the nest and the young bird,
but its various changes of plumage, and how it learns to take care of
itself, while under the third are given some elementary lessons on the
structure of birds, etc. The twelve halftone and eight colored plates are
very creditable reproductions of photographs of mounted birds and must
add much to the interest and attractiveness of the book. Our only criti-
cism is that they are copied from rather badly stuffed specimens with
cheap artificial accessories, the excellence of the reproduction thus only
heightening the defects of the tell-tale taxidermy. They hence lack artis-
tic effect, which fact, perhaps, does not seriously detract from their utility
as illustrations. —J. A. A.
Stone on Birds from Bogota.!— The small collection of birds forming
the basis of this paper was made by the late Dr. J. W. Detwiller, in the
vicinity of Bogota, in 1888-89. It contained 76 species, and as the exact
localities of the specimens are indicated, it is of some importance in
throwing light upon the distribution of the species. One, Sfeotyto
cunicularia tolime, is described as new. Incidentally the South Ameri-
can forms of Speotyto and Troglodytes are reviewed, Mr. Stone recog-
nizing five of the former and ten of the latter, of which eight belong to
the Troglodytes musculus group. Mr. Stone has also described a new
Cuckoo,? from the island of St. Andrews, West Indies, as Coccyzus
abotti, nearly allied to C. mznor, of which species it is apparently an
insular form.—J. A. A.
Chapman on New Birds from Venezuela.23— A small collection of
birds received recently at the American Museum of Natural History
1QOn a Collection of Birds from the Vicinity of Bogota, with a Review of
the South American species of Sfeotyfo and Troglodytes. By Witmer Stone.
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 1899, pp. 302-313:
2 A New Species of Coccyzws from St. Andrews. By Witmer Stone. Jdrd.,
p- 301-
3 Descriptions of Five Apparently New Birds from Venezuela. By Frank
M. Chapman. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., Vol. XII, 1899, pp. 153-156.
August 5, 1899.
24
3 70 Recent Literature. em
from Mr. F. W. Urich, and by him gathered in the mountains of Vene-
zuela, near San Antonio, proved to contain a number of new forms,
which Mr. Chapman has described, as follows: (1) Setophaga verticalis
pallidiventris, (2) Chlorospingus (Hemispingus) canipileus, (3) Mecocer-
culus nigripes, (4) Mecocerculus uricht, (5) Synallaxts striatifectus. Sev-
eral of these are very distinct from any species previously known. The
Synallaxts belongs tothe S. terrestr’s group, and is perhaps mostly
nearly related to S. carr7 Chapm. from Trinidad. —J. A. A.
Oberholser on Untenable Names in Ornithology.!— Mr. Oberholser’s
paper treats of 36 generic names, and a few additional specific names,
which he shows to be untenable through prior use in other connections.
For 12 of these he ‘is able to substitute other names already in existence
for the groups in question, but for 24 of the genera entirely new names
are here proposed. Fortunately only one of the challenged names
relates to North American birds, namely, Md¢crurza Grant, recently pro-
posed for two species of Murrelets, previously currently referred to
Brachyrhamphus. For Micrurtia Grant (type, Brachyrhamphus hypo-
leucus (Xantus) Mr. Oberholser proposes Eudomychura, the species thus
standing as &. hypoleucus (Xantus) and Z&. craverd (Salvad.).
Lists of the species considered referable, respectively, to these 36
genera are given under the new generic designations. According to all
recent codes of nomenclature, these preoccupied names are strictly
untenable, and Mr. Oberholser has done good service in showing up
their real status and providing for them proper substitutes.—J. A. A.
Farrington on a Fossil Egg from South Dakota.*— The specimen here
described was discovered in the Bad Lands, near Dakota City, South
Dakota, and is believed by the author to be “a petrified egg of an Ana-
tine bird of Early Miocene age.” ‘Three photographic views of the egg,
natural size, are given on pl. xx, showing its form and structure. The
egg measures 2.03 X 1.49 in., and is very well preserved, distinctly show-
ing the shell structure. The author has heard “of the finding of at least
two other petrified eggs at different times in the same region,” but has
been unable to verify the reports or to see the specimens.— J. A. A.
Gurney and Gill on the Age to which Birds Live.*~—In ‘The Ibis’
1Some Untenable Names in Ornithology. By Harry C. Oberholser. Proc.
. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1899, pp. 201-216. June, 1899.
2A Fossil Egg from South Dakota. By Oliver Cummings Farrington,
Ph.D., Curator, Department of Geology. Field Columbian Museum, Geology,
Vol. I, No. 5, pp. 193-200, pll. xx, xxi. April, 1899.
3On the Comparative Ages to which Birds Live. By J. H. Gurney, F.Z.S.
‘The Ibis,’ Jan., 1899, pp. 19-42. Republished, with some revision, in ‘The
Osprey,’ June, 1899, pp. 145-155.
Vol. XVI
1899 Fecent Literature. Bie
for January, 1899, Mr. J. H. Gurney has brought together a large amount
of authentic and interesting information on this subject, respecting
which it is so difficult, to obtain satisfactory records. The first nine
pages of Mr. Gurney’s valuable paper relate to the general subject, after
which the Passeres, the Psittaci, Striges, Accipitres, Pelecanide, Ardeide,
Anseres, and Diomedeide are passed in review with reference to the
known facts regarding their longevity. Then follows a tabular state-
ment of 144 cases, representing 75 species, giving the age and the authority
for the record, with finally some comparison between the longevity of
birds and mammals, and suggestions as to the points on which further
information is needed. From the table it would appear that Thrushes
live from 15 to 20 or more years (there is a record for the Nightingale of
25); Finches, from 14 to'23 years; Ravens (two cases), 50 and 69; Mag-
pies and Crows, 17 to 28; Parrots and Macaws, 17 to 80; Owls, 18 to 68;
Eagles, 20 to 56, etc. A domestic Goose has a record of 80 years, and a
Collared Dove ( Zurtur risortus) of 40. These cases, of course, nearly all
relate necessarily to birds held in captivity or in domestication, and
hence living under more or less artificial conditions. These conditions
we know are often unfavorable to the well-being of the captive, while, on
the other hand, they may be exceptionally favorable to long life, in par-
ticular cases. On the whole, it is to be presumed, however, that a bird’s
chances for long life are rather better in a state of nature than in cap-
tivity, excluding the domesticated kinds.
This interesting subject has received further attention at the hands of
Dr. Gill, who has not only reprinted Mr. Gurney’s paper entire, “with
some revision,” in ‘ The Osprey’ for June, 1899, but follows it with a long
article of his own, entitled ‘The Longevity of Birds and other Verte-
brates.’! Dr. Gill considers the subject from the historical and theoretical
side, in relation to certain hypotheses for determining the life of an
animal, held by various authors, from Buffon and Flourens to Hollis and
Bell, by the latter of whom the matter has been recently discussed in
‘Nature’ (January, March, and May of the present year). These
hypotheses are based on the period of gestation, or of adolescence. Dr.
Gill believes that there is an inherent fallacy in all the ‘laws’ thus far
proposed, and that a rule which may hold good for some members or
groups of aclass will not admit of universal application for the whole
class, and much less for all vertebrates. “It is evident,” he says, “that
there are no such ratios between the size of a bird and its duration of
life, its period of embryological development, and its period of adoles-
cence as prevail among mammals. Nevertheless, there are indications
that there is a tendency at least towards an extension of the duration of
life among some large birds, as those of prey, and towards the retarda-
tion of the development of the livery of perfect maturity. Even this,
1¢The Osprey,’ Vol. III, June, 1899, pp. 157-160.
: Auk
3 7 oD Recent Literature. Bee
however, is not perfectly proved, and there are indications, on the other
hand, that such tendencies may be a family or group habit.”
As Dr. Gill remarks, the subject is one respecting which much more
information is required before we can generalize with much degree of
certainty. Mr. Gurney has led the way, with his admirable collection of
facts, to which, it is to be hoped, many other data of similar character
will be soon added. —J. A. A.
Kellogg and Others on Mallophaga. — The July number of ‘The Auk’
(pp. 232-236). contained a paper ‘On Some Parasites of Birds,’ by Prof.
Vernon L. Kellogg of the Leland Stanford University. It may interest
some of the readers of ‘The Auk’ to know that Prof. Kellogg and some
of his fellow workers in this field have recently published several papers
on the Mallophaga! of some of our western American birds, forming the
third of a series of memoirs on this subject.?_ In this article of over 200
pages and sixteen plates, a large number of new species are described
and figured, and others listed, with their hosts, which latter number over
100 species, representing nearly every family of the North American
ornis.— J. A. A.
Huntington’s ‘In Brush, Sedge, and Stubble.’—Since our former
notice of this work in the January number of this Journal (azZea, p. 89)
Parts III to VII have been received, and fully warrant the praise bestowed
upon Parts I and II. As the general character of the work has been
already stated, it remains to add that Parts III and IV treat of the
‘Grouse of the Woods and Mountain,’ this subject being completed in
Part V, which includes also the Turkeys, and some of the Pheasants (the
species introduced into North America), the latter running over into
Part VI. This part begins (at p. 85) the account of the ‘American Par-
tridges, which also occupies the whole of Part VII. The text is a combin-
ation of ornithology and hunting experiences, and the illustrations are
equally varied. The ornithological part consists of photographs of
mounted specimens (often in series to show variations of plumage), of
‘1 New Mallophaga, III. Comprising Mallophaga from Birds of Panama
Baja California and Alaska, by Vernon L. Kellogg, Professor of Entomology
Leland Stanford Junior University. Mallophaga from Birds of California,
by Vernon L. Kellogg and Bertha L. Chapman. The Anatomy of the Mallo-
phaga, by Robert E. Snodgrass, Assistant in Entomology, Leland Stanford
Junior University. Occasional Papers of the California Academy of Sciences,
Vol. VI, 1889, pp. 1-224, pll. i-xvi.—Contributions to Biology from the Hop-
kins Seaside Laboratory of the Leland Stanford Junior University, XIX.
2 Nos. I and II, by Professor Kellogg, were published in 1896.
3In Brush, Sedge, and Stubble, folio, Pts. III-VII, 1899. The Sportsman
Society, Cincinnati.
Vol. XVI
igs Recent Literature. 3 73
birds in life, especially of birds on their nests, and photographic repro-
ductions of original drawings. The scenic illustrations give not only
hunting scenes, but views of picturesque localities, more or less related
to the haunts of the birds. —J. A. A.
Publications Received. Chapman, Frank M. Descriptions of Five
apparently New Birds from Venezuela. (Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. XII,
1899, pp- 153-156.)
Cory, Charles B. The Birds of Eastern North America. Water Birds.
Part I. Sm. 4to, Field Columbain Museum, Chicago, 1899.
Farrington, Oliver Cummings. A Fossil Egg from South Dakota.
(Field Columbian Museum, Geol. Ser. I, No. 5, 1899.)
Finsch, Otto. (1) Das Genus Gracu/a Linn. und seine Arten nebst
Beschreibung einer neuen Art. (Notes from the Leyden Museum, XXI,
1899, pp. 1-22, pll. i, ii.) (2) Ueber die Arten der Gattung Theristicus
Wagl. (lbzd., pp. 23-26.)
Gatke, Heinrich. Die Vogelwarte Heligoland. 1-6 Lieferung, 8vo,
Braunschweig, 1899.
Huntington, Dwight W. In Brush, Sedge and Stubble, Parts VI and
VII, 1899.
Knobel, Edward. Field Key to the Land Birds. Illustrated. I2mo.
Boston, Bradlee Whidden, 1899. $1.75.
Lantz, D. E. (1) A List of Birds collected by Col. N. S. Goss in Mexico
and Central America. (Trans. Kansas Acad. Sci., 1876-77, pp. 218-224.)
(2) A Review of Kansas Ornithology. (/d¢d., pp. 224-277.)
Lee, Oswin A. J. Among British Birds in their Nesting Haunts.
Part XV.
Montgomery, T.H. Observations on Owls, with particular regard to
their Feeding Habits. (Am. Nat., July, 1899. pp. 563-572.)
Miller, Olive Thorne. The First Book of Birds. 12mo. Boston and
New York, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1899. $1.00.
Rey, Eugéne. Die Eier der Végel Mitteleuropas. Lieferung t. 8vo.,
Gera-Untermhaus, 1900.
Reichenow, Ant., und Fr. Dahl. Die Vogel der Bismarckinseln. Sm.
4to, Berlin. 1899.
Salvadori, Tommaso. Intorno ad una piccola collezione di Uccelli
tatta lungo il Fiume Purrari nella Nuova Guinea orentali-meridionale.
(Ann. del Mus. Civico di Stor. Nat. di Genova, ser. 2, XIX, 1899, pp-
578-582.)
Schalow, Herman, Einige Bermerkungen zur Vogelfauna von Spitz-
bergen. (Journ. f. Orn., July, 1899, pp. 375-386.)
Stone, Witmer. (1) A New Species of Coccyzus from St. Andrews.
(Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1899, p. 301-) (2) On a Collection of Birds
from the Vicinity of Bogota, with a Review of the South American
Species of Speotyto and Troglodytes. (Lbid., pp. 302-313.)
3 74 Correspondence. cee
American Jour. Sci., July-Sept., 1899.
Anales del Museo Nacional de Montevideo, II, fasc. 11, 1899.
Annals of Scottish Nat. Hist., July, 1899.
Audubon Society of Connecticut, Second Ann. Report, June, 1899.
Bird-Lore, No. 4, Aug., 1899.
Birds and All Nature, VI, No. 2, Sept., 1899.
Bulletin Cooper Orn. Club, I, Nos. 4 and 5, 1899.
Bulletin Michigan Orn. Club, I, No. 2, 1899.
Canadian Record of Science, VII, No. 8, 1898; Vol. VIII, No. 1, 1899.
Gulf Fauna and Flora Bulletin, I, No. 1, June, 1899.
Forest and Stream, LII, Nos. 1-13, 1899.
Journal of Maine Orn. Society, I, No. 3, July, 1899.
Knowledge, XXII, Nos. 165-167, July—Sept., 1899.
Naturalist, The, A Month. Journ. Nat. Hist. for North of England,
Nos. 510-511, Aug.—Sept., 1899.
Ornithologische Monatsberichte, VII, Nos. 7-9, July—Sept., 1899.
Ornithologischen Monatschrift des Deutschen Vereins zum Schutze
der Vogelwelt, XXIV, Nos. 7-9, July—Sept., 1899.
Ornithologisches Jahrbuch, X, No. 4, July-Aug., 1899.
Osprey, The, III, No. 10, June, 1899; Vol. IV, No. 1, Sept., 1899.
Ottawa Naturalist, XIII, Nos. 4-6, July—Sept., 1899.
Our Animal Friends, XXVI, Nos. 11, 12, XXVII, No. 1, July—Sept.,
18Q9.
Revista do Museu Paulista, ITI, 1898.
Science (2), Nos. 234-246, 1899.
Shooting and Fishing, XXVI, Nos. 11-22, 1899.
Wilson Bulletin, No. 27, July, 1899.
Wombat, The, IV, No. 3, May, 1899.
Zodlogist, The (4), Nos. 31-33, July—Sept., 1899.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Proper Function of ‘ Binomials’ and ‘ Trinomials.’
Epitors oF ‘THE AUK’: —
Dear Sitrs:— Without wishing to throw discredit upon the much
abused second edition of the A. O. U. Check-List of North American
Birds, I nevertheless feel called upon to draw attention to some incon-
sistencies contained therein, which indicate the present tendency to
depart from some of the Canons of Nomenclature originally adopted by
the Union.
I refer to the nomenclature of island forms. The A, O. U. Code dis-
tinctly makes “zztergradation the touchstone of trinomialism,” and
ee eee ee
Vol. XVI
ace Correspondence. 375
insular birds being obviously prevented from intergrading with main-
land forms, ought to be uniformly provided with dzzomial names. Any-
one who takes the trouble to examine the Check-List and the recent Sup-
plements thereto will find that this custom is by no means followed out,
as very many of the recently described insular forms from the California
islands, which differ but slightly from allied mainland birds, appear as
trinomials. In other words ‘¢utergradation’ has been disregarded and
‘degree of difference’ recognized as the criterion for deciding the specific
or subspecific claims of a given form.
We have, for instance, Carfodacus mcgregori from San Benito and
Carpodacus mexicanus clementis from Santa Barbara; Aphelocoma tnsu-
lavis from Santa Cruz, while the HWelmznthophila from the same island
is H. celata sordida. The Guadalupe Island birds are, I believe, without
exception, written as binomials, but the vast majority of the other insular
birds which have been described recently are listed as trinomials.
In recent American mammalogy the tendency is in the other direction,
and not only are all island forms, no matter how slightly differentiated,
regarded as ‘species’ (¢. e., binomials), but many peninsular and other
continental forms which may readily be expected to intergrade are
treated in the same way. In fact, the tendency among our mammalo-
gists seems to be to depart from trinomialism altogether.
This to my mind is much to be regretted, and will work irreparable
damage to nomenclature. A trinomial name carries to the average stu-
dent just twice the information that a binomial would under these cir-
cumstances. For instance, to one who is not conversant with every
paper relating to modern mammalogy, how much more knowledge the
name Lynx canadensis subsolazus conveys than Lynx subsolanus. The
former indicates at once a race of the Canada Lynx, the latter leaves him
in doubt whether the animal is related to the Canada Lynx or the Wild
Cat (L. ruffus). It seems that some modification of the A. O. U. Canon
relating to trinomials is desirable, especially as we seem to be deliber-
ately violating it, but this can surely be effected without abolishing this
extremely useful system.
Animal forms (using this term for any recognizable species or sub-
species) are of four kinds: — (1). Those which exist side by side in the
same area without intergradation as the Hermit and Olive-backed
Thrushes. (2). Those which inhabit different areas and intergrade
where the areas join. These are obviously modified from one far rang-
ing form which is being broken up by different geographic environ-
ments. (3). Those which inhabit different areas, but which do not
intergrade and are often separated by wide gaps. (4). Island forms
which are often closely related to nearby continental forms, but are of
course completely isolated.
By the A. O. U. Code trinomials can only be applied to forms coming
under category (2), and all others are treated as binomials. By common
usage in ornithology, however, we adopt trinomials for such forms under
37 6 Correspondence. a
(4) as show only a slight deviation from the allied continental type, and
we also treat very many forms as trinomials which from lack of material
we are undecided whether to place in (2) or (3).
Personal opinion mast necessarily govern such cases, no matter what
Code we set up, just as it must govern all cases where ‘degree of differ-
ence’ is adopted as our criterion. Considering the great diversity of
custom at present, it seems to me time that we came to some definite
agreement on the matter, and our practice shows that ‘degree of differ-
ence’ musz influence us in certain cases.
To my mind (A), binomials should be applied to all forms which
occur together without intergradation, no matter how slight the differ-
ences, and (B) trinomials, to geographic races which intergrade, or which
differ so slightly that there is every probability of intergradation, and to
slightly differentiated island forms. Only such geographic races should
be considered as species (binomials) as are markedly different, and of the
intergradation of which there is no probability. In other words, where
intergradation is probable, give it the benefit of the doubt. This practice
is nearly that followed by the A. O. U. Committee, but is at variance
with that of many of our mammalogists, with whom the custom seems
to be to call everything a species until intergradation is proven; which
will speedily result in the adoption of a binomial name for every geo-
graphic variation—a most undesirable state of affairs and a distinct
retrograde step in nomenclature.
WITMER STONE.
Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia.
Sept. 6, 1899.
[Without at present attempting to discuss the question of the ap-
plication of binomials and trinomials in its broader aspects, there is
one fact in connection with the naming of insular forms which Mr.
Stone and other writers! on this subject have apparently not considered.
In challenging the propriety of giving a trinomial name to an insular
form on the ground that the nature of its range renders geographical
intergradation with its nearest ally impossible, they evidently have not
given due allowance to the possibility of intergradation through indi-
vidual variation.
Island forms, as all systematists know, because of their isolation are
often separated on the basis of characters too slight to warrant similar
action if they were inhabitants of the mainland. Hence it frequently
happens that among a large series of a given form from a certain island
there will be found a number of individuals indistinguishable from this
form’s representative on the mainland or on a neighboring island, and
vice versa. Thus, for example, when we examine large series of
Pyrrhulagra noctis or Dendroica petechia from the West Indies we find
a complete intergradation of the extremes and, at the same time, average
differences among the series from the different islands of sufficient
importance to be recognized trinomially. — FRANK M. CHAPMAN.]
1 Cf. William Palmer, The Nidologist, III, 1896, 91.
Vol. XVI Notes and News. oY
NOTES AND NEWS.
THE SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL CoNGRESs of the American Ornitholo-
gists’ Union will be held in Philadelphia, in the Lecture Hall of the
Academy of Natural Sciences, beginning on the evening of November 13,
1899. The evening session will be for the election of officers and mem-
bers and the transaction of the usual routine business. Tuesday and
the following days, the sessions will be for the presentation and dis-
cussion of scientific papers, and will be open to the public. Members
intending to present communications are requested to forward the titles
of their papers to the Secretary, Mr. John H. Sage, Portland, Conn.,
so as to reach him not later than November 8, in order to facilitate the
preparation of the program of papers to be read at the Congress.
Major Josnua L. Fow ter, roth Cavalry, U. S. Army, an Associate
Member of the American Ornithologist’s Union, died on board the
Steamer ‘ Ella’ July 11, 1899, while returning home from Holguin, Cuba.
The immediate cause of death was acute gastritis, but for sometime
prior to leaving Holguin, where he was in command, he had had attacks
of malarial fever, which probably weakened him and made him more
susceptible to the graver disease.
Major Fowler was born at Fishkill, N. Y., February 20, 1846, and at
the age of eighteen entered West Point. Graduating from the Military
Academy he was assigned to the 2d U. S. Cavalry, June 15, 1868, pro-
moted to captain in 1881, and remained with that regiment until July,
1898, when he became Major in the toth Cavalry. During these thirty
years he was stationed at various army posts in Nebraska, Wyoming,
Montana, California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Colorado where
there was ample opportunity to study the birds. Although not a writer
on ornithology, he was deeply interested in the subject, and more than
one member of the Union was indebted to him for valuable assistance in
procuring specimens and notes. Even at his new post in Cuba, where
the duties were rather trying, he found time to write to an ornithological
friend about the birds he saw from day to day.
He was a brave and conscientious soldier, universally beloved and
respected by officers and men, an ideal husband and father, and a true
friend. His frank, cheerful disposition, courteous manner and sound
judgment, coupled with his extensive general knowledge, made him a
great favorite, and one who will live long in the memory of a multitude
of friends. A wife’and son, Frederick Hall Fowler, also a member of the
Union, survive him. —A. K. F.
Mr. JoHN CorpDEAvx, a Corresponding Member of the American Orni-
thologists’ Union, died at his residence, Great Cotes House, Lincoln,
370 Notes and News. Ane
England, on the rst of August, 189g, in his 69th year, after a short but
painful illness. He was born on the 27th of February, 1831, at Foston
Rectory, Leicestershire, and was the eldest son of the Rev. John
Cordeaux, M. A., rector of Hoonton Roberts, Yorkshire. From a memo-
rial notice by his friend and associate, Mr. W. Eagle Clarke (‘The
Naturalist,’ Sept. 1899, pp. 277-279) we learn: ‘‘As a young man he went
to live at Great Cotes, on the Lincolnshire bank of the Humber Estuary,
and here he made for half a century those interesting and valuable
observations on birds and their migratory movements which have not
only made his name familiar to all British ornithologists, but also to
those of Europe and America....In the year 1873, Mr. Cordeaux pub-
lished his ‘ Birds of the Humber District’ —a book teeming with origi-
nal observations on the birds resident and migratory of the district he
had made so preéminently his own....It is, perhaps, in connection
with the interesting phenomenon of the migrations of our British birds
that Mr. Cordeaux has come most into prominence. He was practi-
cally the founder of that elaborate and exhaustive enquiry which was
undertaken by the British Association in 1880, in which year a com-
mittee of experts was appointed to investigate the subject of bird migra-
tion as observed on the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland.... During
all this period —now well nigh on to twenty years— Mr. Cordeaux
acted as Secretary to the Committee, a post which was no sinecure, espe-
cially during the years of the Committee’s active existence, 1880-1887 ;
and it is not too much to say that he was the life and soul of the enquiry,
while in later years he has been the valued adviser of him who undertook
to prepare the results of the investigation as a whole.
““ Mr. Cordeaux had a competent knowledge in several other branches
of natural history, especially as regards botany, mammals, and fishes.
He filled, with distinction, the important office of President of the York-
shire Naturalists’ Union, and, on its formation in 1890, he was elected
to the chief post of honour in the Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union as its
first President. He was gifted with a graceful pen and a poetical imagi-
nation, and these contributed to make his writing peculiarly attractive.
As a friend and a man it is impossible to speak in terms too high. He
possessed a singularly charming personality, and was beloved by all
who knew him, while his sterling worth and lofty principles won for
him universal esteem. By his death a wide circle has lost a true and
very dear friend, and British natural history an enthusiastic and accom-
plished devotee.”
In the same number of ‘ The Naturalist’ there is a much longer and
more detailed tribute to his memory by the Rev. E. A. Woodruffe-Pea-
cock.
VotumeE I, Number 1, of ‘The Gulf Fauna and Flora Bulletin’ bears _
date June, 1899. It is a bi-monthly octavo magazine, issued by the
Louisiana Industrial Institute, Ruston, La., under the editorship of
ae Notes and News. 379
Prof. W. Edgar Taylor. ‘Its aims are to encourage scientific research
of a biologic nature. Its columns are open to all biologists, more espe-
cially investigators of the so-called Gulf section, broadly speaking.”
The first number, consisting of 48 pages, opens with a portrait and
biographical sketch of the late Alvin W. Chapman, ‘‘ educator, physician,
author and botanist,” and known to all botanists as the author of ‘ The
Flora of the Southern United States.’ In the varied contents of this
issue we observe nothing ornithological, although ornithology must
fall within its scope.
Tue June number of ‘The Osprey’ makes the following editorial
announcement: ‘*Dr. Coues has retired from the editorship of THE
Osprey, and Dr. Gill, who had withdrawn his name from the April and
May numbers, assumes control....‘The publication will be resumed
with the September number, and conducted in such a manner as not to
infringe on the rights or feelings of others, and in harmony with all our
scientific brethren. Care will be taken that the contributions to the
magazine shall be worthy of a place in it, provision will be made for the
exposition of the characteristic features of the avifauna of our new
possessions in the Atlantic as well as Pacific oceans, and current news
of interest to ornithologists will be given in the successive numbers.
Pertinent illustrations will also be increased.” We feel sure that this
announcement will give sincere pleasure to the friends of ‘ The Osprey,’
with whom we join in best wishes for its future prosperity and usefulness.
Since writing the above the first number of Volume IV, for September,
has appeared, containing papers of more than usual interest, including
one on the birds of Hawaii.
A NEw edition (vermehrte Auflage) of Gitke’s ‘Die Vogelwarte Hel-
goland’ is now appearing in parts, to be completed in sixteen parts,
under the editorship, as before, of Dr. R. Blasius, of which, through the
editor’s kindness, we have received the first six parts. It is published
at one mark per part, or 16 marks for the completed work, by Joh. Hein.
Meyer, Braunschweig.
WE HAVE also received the prospectus and the first two parts of Dr.
Eugéne Rey’s‘ Die Eier der Végel Mitteleuropas,’ to be issued in 25
monthly parts, with five colored plates to each part, giving a total of
about 1200 figures. The work is large octavo in size, finely printed, and
the plates are exceptionally fine. The price is two marks per part. The
work is published by Fr. Eugen Kohler, Gera-Untermhaus, Russia.
Ot the new edition of ‘Naumann, Naturgeschichte der Vogel Mitteleu-
ropas,’ issued by the same publisher, 45 parts have already appeared,
forming volumes II, V, and VI. The whole work will form twelve folio
volumes, or 120 Lieferungen, at one mark per part. It is edited by Dr.
Carl R. Hennicke, with the codperation of a large number of the leading
European ornithologists. Vol. V, now before us, treating of the Birds
380 Notes and News. ak
of Prey, consists of 334 pages of text and 71 beautiful chromolitho-
graphic and 4 plain plates, and is altogether a most attractive and authori-
tative work. Like the original ‘ Naumann,’ this cannot fail to mark an
era in the history of European ornithology.
THE HARRIMAN scientific expedition to Alaska, mentioned in the
July number of ‘ The Auk’ (p. 302), successfully completed its work and
returned about Aug. 1, as planned. Important discoveries were made in
various departments of science, and it is proposed to publish in due time
the scientific results of the expedition in two volumes, one to contain a
general history of the expedition and the other the technical papers.
A report on the mammals will be prepared by Dr. Merriam, and one on
the birds by Mr. Ridgway and Dr. Fisher, other specialists also reporting
for their respective departments. The volumes will be copiously illus-
trated, the cost of publication being generously defrayed by Mr.
Harriman, who has spared no pains to make the expedition a success,
both as a pleasure trip for his guests and as an expedition for scientific
research.
WE LEARN through Mr. Frank S. Daggett, Vice-President of the
Pasadena, Cal., Academy of Sciences, that ‘‘ Mr. Joseph Grinnell, who
joined a gold hunting expedition into the Kotzebue Sound region in
the spring of 1898, for the purpose of extending his knowledge of west
coast birds, has at last been heard from. The party wintered north of
the Arctic Circle, several hundred miles up the Kowac River, and were
ten and one half months without communication with the outside world.
A fine series of skins of many species of birds was preserved, including
summer and winter plumages, and young in all stages, besides nests and
eggs of many rarities. Those who know of Mr. Grinnell’s painstaking
methods will look forward to his return and the appearance of his
articles and photographs with much interest. The ice of Kotzebue
Sound broke July 9, enabling their craft to pass south, through Berings
Straits to Cape Nome, where they arrived three weeks later. Here
Mr. Grinnell will continue investigations until late in September,
touching at Ounalaska, Aleutian Islands, on the home trip.”
AS WE go to press-a meeting of the Hungarian and Austrian orni-
thologists is in session at Sarajevo, Bosnia, the meeting having been
called for September 25-29. The program includes: (1) Report of the
Hungarian Ornithological Central: (@) Exhibition of maps and tables
with lectures on bird migration; (4) Proposal of codperative methods for
observing and elaborating the phenomena of migration. (2) Report of
the Austrian Committee for Ornithological Observation Stations. (3)
Report of the Museum of Sarajevo: (a) Maps and explanatory lecture
on the migration of birds in Bosnia and Herzegovina; (4) Report on
ornithological investigations in the Balkan States, illustrated by a fine
o>:
Vol. XVI 7
$59 Notes and News. 3 SI
collection of birds from those countries. There will also be various
excursions to nearby localities of special ornithological interest. The
purpose of the meeting, as announced, is for the discussion of principles
to be followed in the continuation of the great work on bird migration
carried on at the large number of observation stations extending over a
wide territory in Austria and Hungary, by the organizations here men-
tioned.
THe THIRD INTERNATIONAL ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGREsS will be
held, under the patronage of the French government, from the 26th to
the 30th of June, 1900, in the series of official congresses of the Paris
Universal Exposition. This session has been organized under the direc-
tion of the Permanent International Committee named at the Second
Congress, held at Budapest, in 1891. Important questions relating to
the classification, habits, migrations, uses, breeding and acclimatation of
birds form the matter of discussion and reports of the coming congress.
The organizing committee is making every effort to insure the success of
the congress by bringing together the chief naturalists of the world.
The Honorary President is M. Milne-Edwards, Director of the National
Museum of Natural History; the Acting President, M. Oustalet, the Sec-
retary, M. de Claybrooke, and the Treasurer, Baron d’Hamonville, hold
corresponding posts in the Permanent International Committee. In the
Comité de Patronage, comprising foreign specialists adjoined to the
French organizing committee, there are the following American mem-
bers: Messrs. W. Brewster, Cambridge, Mass.; Elliott Coues, Washing-
ton; D. G. Elliot, Field Columbian Museum, Chicago; Clinton Hart
Merriam, Department of Agriculture, Washington; Harry C. Oberholser,
Biological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Washington; Robert
Ridgway, Smithsonian Institution, Washington; R. W. Shufeldt, Wash-
ington; and Dr. L. Stejneger, Smithsonian Institution, Washington.
There will be admitted as members of the congress all delegates of
French and foreign governments, and those who pay the subscription fee
of twenty francs. ZoOlogical societies and societies of acclimatation, avi-
culture, and for the protection of animals, may be represented by one or
more delegates, the subscription being due for each delegate. Each
member will receive the printed proceedings of the congress, and only
members will have the right of taking part in the sessions and visits
which are being prepared by the organizing committee.
The work of the congress has been divided among five sections, as
follows:
I. Systematic ornithology — classification; description of new genera
and species; nomenclature. Anatomy and embryogeny of birds. Pale-
ontology; classification, description of new genera and species; ancient
faunas, relations of extinct to present species.
II. Geographical distribution of birds. Present faunas. Species extinct
382 Notes and News. ae
in historic times. Migrations. Accidental changes of place. Appear-
ance of rare species in certain districts.
Ill. Biology — Habits — Diet — Nesting. Odlogy.
IV. Economic ornithology — protection of species useful to agricul-
ture; destruction of harmful species, hunting. Acclimatation. Avi-
culture.
V. Organization and working of the international ornithological com-
mittee. Election of new members. (This section is especially reserved
for members of the permanent international committee. )
Papers on the subjects of the program which have been accepted by
the committee will be discussed in general session. Questions outside
the program may be submitted to the respective sections. All papers
must be in the hands of the organizing committee, at least in the sum-
mary form containing the conclusions reached, before the 1st of May,
1900. Communications may be made in English, German, and Italian,
as wellas French; but the publications of the congress will be limited to
the French language. Minutes of each meeting will be printed and dis-
tributed at once. - After the close of the congress a volume of proceed-
ings containing the papers presented to the congress will be published
under the direction of the committee. Correspondence relating to the
ornithological congress should be addressed to the secretary of the organ-
izing committee, M. Jean de Claybrooke, 5 rue de Sontay, Paris.
Erratum.—In ‘The Auk’ for January the change of a single letter in
the eighth line from the top of page 78 exactly reverses the meaning of
the sentence: ‘‘ the true Swifts, Macropterygide,” should of course read
Tree Swifts. — F. A. Lucas.
INDEX TO VOLUME XVI.
[New generic, specific and subspecific names are printed in heavy-faced type.]
ACCIPITER merillus, 182.
ZEgialitis meloda, 133.
meloda circumcincta, 133.
vocifera, 198.
4f#strelata hasitata, 75.
ABX, 129.
Agelaius phceniceus, 197.
tricolor, 172, 173.
Aimophila, 80, 119.
acuminata, 81.
carpalis, 81, 119.
ruficeps, 81, 120.
ruficeps boucardi, 120.
ruficeps eremececa, 81, 120.
ruficeps scottii, 81, 120.
ruficeps sororia, 81, 120.
rufescens sinaloa, 254.
sumichrasti, So.
superciliosa, 81.
Gx L206:
sponsa, 321.
Alaska, Harriman Expedition to,
302, 380.
Alauda arvensis, 191.
Albatross, Laysan, 99.
Alca pygmea, 203.
Allen, J. A., ‘truth versus error,’
46-51; Chuck-wills-widow in
Kansas, 187; republication of
descriptions of new species and
subspecies of North American
birds, 338-350. :
Allison, A., Sprague’s Pipit near
New Orleans, La., 82; the Spar-
rows of Mississippi, 266-270.
Amazilia cerviniventris, I12.
cerviniventris chalconota,
112.
fuscicaudata, 324.
tzacatl, 324.
Amazilis tzacatl, 324.
Amazona albifrons saltuensis, 296.
augusta, 186.
imperialis, 186.
inornata, 293.
American Ornithologists’ Union,
Sixteenth Congress of, 51-55;
Report of the Committee on
Protection of North American
Birds, 55-74; Ninth Supplement
to the Check-List of North
American Birds, 97-133; Seven-
teenth Congress of, 377.
Ammodramus‘caudacutus, 268, 286.
caudacutus nelsoni, 117.
caudacutus subvirgatus, 118.
halophilus, 133.
henslowii, 267, 356.
leconteii, 268, 356.
maritimus, I, 4, II, 12, 268.
maritimus fisheri, 10, 11, 12,
118.
maritimus macgillivrayi, 5,
WOR Ulin 1A, TES).
maritimus nigrescens, 2.
maritimus peninsule, 5, 10,
IGig UAE
maritimus sennetti, 3, 130.
melanoleucus, 2.
nelsoni, 118, 276, 277, 356.
nelsoni subvirgatus, 118.
nigrescens, 2, 277.
princeps, 190.
sandwichensis alaudinus, 267.
sandwichensis savanna, 130,
198, 267, 312.
savannarum passerinus, 275.
sennetti, 3, 130.
Ampelis cedrorum, 253.
garrulus, 187.
Amphispiza belli clementez, 132.
belli nevadensis, 132.
bilineata deserticola, 119.
nevadensis, 132.
Anas americana, 103.
carolinensis, 103, 309.
crecca, 103.
cyanoptera, 104.
discors, 104.
marila, 104.
384
Anas obscura, 251, 309.
penelope, 103, 270.
strepera, 103.
Anhinga, 248.
Anhinga anhinga, 248.
Anorthura, 90, 125.
alascensis, 125.
hiemalis, 125.
hiemalis pacifica, 125, 185.
Anser albifrons gambeli, 309.
rossii, 104.
Anseranus melanoleucus, 320.
Anthocephala berlepschi, 138.
floriceps, 137, 138.
Anthony, A. W., hybrid Grouse,
180. ;
Anthus pensilvanicus, 313.
spragueii, 82.
Antichromus, 187.
anchite. 187.
minutus, 187:
Antrostomus carolinensis, 187, 273.
goldmani, 296.
vociferus macromystax, 188.
Aphelocoma coerulescens, 84, Tt
cyanea, 84, 112.
gracilis, 28.
grisea, 296.
sieberi colime, 27.
sieberi potosina, 27.
woodhousei, 189.
Aquila chrysa€tos, 77, 311.
Arbelorhina, 31, 32.
brevipes, 33-
brevirostris, 34.
cerulea, 34.
cerulea microrhyncha, 34.
cyanea, 33.
cyanea eximia, 33.
eximia, 33.
longirostris, 34.
lucida, 34.
nitida, 35.
Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johan-
nis, 284.
Ardea cerulea, 351.
candidissima, 202.
egretta, 91, 193-
tricolor, 202.
tricolor ruficollis, 202, 247.
virescens, 351.
virescens anthonyi, 105.
Arenaria interpres, 76, 187.
Arremonops superciliosa sinaloe,
2096.
Asio accipitrinus, 363.
wilsonianus, 285, 363.
Index.
Auk
Oct.
Astragalinus, 79, 115.
lawrencei, 80, 116.
pistacinus, 79.
psaltria, 79, 116.
psaltria arizone, 79, 116.
psaltria columbianus, 79.
psaltria mexicanus, 79, 116,
187.
tristis, 79, 115.
tristis pallidus, 79, 115.
tristis salicamans, 79, 115.
yarrelli, 79.
Atkins, John W., Columba corensis
at Key West, Florida, 272.
Atthis morcomi, 111.
Audubon Society of the State of
New York, annual meeting of,
216;
Audubon Societies, work of, in
1898, 70.
Auk, Great, 91.
Razor-billed, 249.
Aulacorhamphus calorhynchus,137.
lautus, 91.
Auriparus flaviceps
alus, 126.
Aythya affinis, 162.
americana, 309.
collaris, 191.
marila, 104, 163.
marila nearctica, 104.
vallisneria, 164, 285, 309.
lamproceph-
BALDPATE, 161, 162.
Bangs, Outram, notices of his
papers on Birds from Santa
Marta, Colombia, 90; the Hum-
mingbirds of the Santa Marta
Region of Colombia, 135-139;
notice of his papers on new North
American birds, 291; notice of
his paper ‘On the Subspecies of
Manacus manacus, 292.
Barlow, Chester, nesting of the
Hermit Warbler in the Sierra
Nevada Mountains, California,
156-161.
Bartsch, P., Nema sabiniz and
Chordeiles virginianus sennetti
—two additions to the Iowa
Avifauna, 86; Ammodramus nel-
sont in Iowa, 276.
Beal, F. E. L., notice of his ‘ Eco-
nomic Relations of Birds and
their Food,’ 294.
Basileuterus rufifrons
2096.
caudatus,
Vol. XVI
1899
Basilinna leucotis, 324.
Bernicla glaucogaster, 105.
Bird, Red-tailed Tropic, 102.
Yellow-billed ‘Tropic,
338.
‘Bird-Lore,’ notices of, 94, 212.
Bird-Restorers, American Society
Of, 215.
Birtwell, Francis J., another ex-
ample of curious nesting of the
American Redstart, 184; an ex-
ample of Aptosochromatism, as
influenced by diet, in Megascops
asto, 313-318.
Bittern, American, 309.
Least, 310.
Blacicus, 330.
andinus, 336.
andinus depressirostris, 337.
bahamensis, 335-
barbirostris, 330.
blancoi, 335.
brunneicapillus, 334.
brachytarsus, 336.
caribeus, 334.
cinereus, 337.
depressirostris, 337.
flaviventris, 335.
hispaniolensis, 335.
latirostris, 334.
martinicensis, 334.
nigrescens, 337.
pallidus, 335.
pileatus, 337.
punensis, 336.
Blackbird, Crow, 144.
Red-winged, 197.
Swamp, 144.
Yellow-headed, 312.
Blackcap, Wilson’s, 196.
Blacops, 186.
gymnophthalmus, 186.
Blanchan, Neltjie, notice of her
‘Birds that Hunt and are Hunted,’
1931
Bleda, 183.
canicapilla, 184.
eximia, 184.
notata, 184.
poliocephala, 184.
syndactyla, 183.
xavieri, 184.
Bluebird, 196, 198.
Bobolink, 312.
Bob-white, 309.
Spotted-bellied, 26.
Bocageia, 186.
Index.
385
Bocagia, 186.
Bonasa umbellus togata, 251.
Bond, Frank, capture of the Brown
Pelican in Wyoming, 351.
Botaurus exilis, 310.
lentiginosus, 309.
Brachyrhamphus brevirostris, 202.
craveri, 202.
hypoleucus, 202, 370.
kittlitzii, 202.
Braislin, Wm. C., notes on Long
Island Birds, 190.
Brant, White-bellied, 105.
Branta bernicla glaucogastra, 105.
canadensis, 251.
canadensis hutchinsi, 193.
canadensis minima, 187.
Brewster, William, the spelling of
names, 209; notice of his paper
on a new Clapper Rail from
Georgia and East Florida, 291.
Breninger, G. F., White-tailed
Hawk in Arizona, 352.
British Museum Catalogue of Birds,
Vol. XXVI, by R. Bowdler
Sharpe and W. R. Ogilvie-Grant,
notice of, 198.
Brockway, Arthur William, the
Little Blue Heron (Ardea ceru-
Zea) in Connecticut, 351.
Brown, Herbert, the Scarlet Ibis
(Guara rubra) in Arizona, 270;
the California Vulture in Ari-
zona, 272.
Bryan, Wm. Alanson, Melanerfes
erythrocephalus wintering in
Chicago, 272; Pruicola enucle-
ator canadensts and Tryngites
subruficolizs in Illinois, 276.
Bubo virginianus, 251.
virginianus pacificus, 110.
virginianus pallescens, 133,
Th
Bunting, Chapman’s Golden, 37.
Bush-tit, Lead-colored, 189.
Butler, A. W., notice of ornitho-
logical papers by, 91.
Buteo albicaudatus sennetti, 352.
swainsoni, 353.
Butorides virescens, 202.
CZREBA, 31, 32.
brevirostris, 34.
carneipes, 33.
Calcarius lapponicus, 80.
lapponicus alascensis, 117.
Calidris arenaria, 285, 292, 310.
3 86 Index. Auk
Callipepla gambeli, 27.
gambeli fulvipectus, 26.
Calothorax squamata, 188.
lucifer, 324.
Campylorhynchus, 330.
Campylopterus phainopeplus, 138.
Canachites, 107.
canadensis, 107, 251.
canadensis labradorius, 291,
Say
franklinii, 107.
Canvas-back, 161, 162, 164, 165.
285, 309.
Cardinal, 198, 278.
Cardinalis cardinalis, 278.
cardinalis affinis, 296.
cardinalis sinaloensis, 296.
granadensis, 78.
pheenicurus, 78.
Carduelis lawrencei, 79, 116.
mexicanus, 79, 116.
yarrelli, 79.
Carpodacus clementis, 114.
mcgregori, I14.
mexicanus clementis, 114.
mexicanus frontalis, 185,
186.
mexicanus obscurus, 186.
obscurus, 186.
purpureus, 252.
Cary, Merritt, a phenomenal flight
} 'of Hawks, 352.
Catbird, 198, 275.
Catharista atrata, 108.
urubu, 84, 109, 195.
Cathartes aura, 181, 195, 310.
Catharus olivaceus, 296.
Catherpes mexicanus, 124.
mexicanus albifrons, 124.
Centurus nyeanus, 273.
Cepphus, 202.
Ceophleeus pileatus, 110, 311.
pileatus abieticola, 110.
Certhia albifrons, 124.
americana, 185.
bananivora, 32.
cerulea, 34.
cyanea. 32.
cyanogastra, 32.
familiaris americana, 126,
185.
familiaris fusca, 126.
flavipes, 32.
fusca, 126, 185.
ochrochlora, 34.
surinamensis, 34.
Certhiola, 32.
Oct.
Chameea fasciata, 291.
fasciata henshawi, 291.
fasciata pha, 291.
Chapman, Frank M., the distribu-
tion and relationships of Amsmo-
dramus maritimus and its allies,
I-12; further notes on Dendro-
tca kirtland?, 81; notice of his
paper on new birds from Vene-
zuela, 369; [the proper function
of ‘ binomials’ and ‘trinomials’ ],
376.
Charadrius dominicus, 180.
squatarola, 310.
Chat, Yellow-breasted, 195, 217,
285.
Chaulelasmus, 103.
streperus, 103,
Check-List of North American
Birds, Ninth Supplement to, 97-
Tae
Chelidon, 122.
erythrogaster, 357, 358.
Chen, 104.
rossii, 104.
Cherrie, George K., notice of his
field work in the Valley of the
Orinoco, 302.
Chickadee, 206, 253.
Hudsonian, 253.
Chicken, Mother Cary’s, 249.
Chlorespingus (Hemispingus) can-
ipileus, 370.
Chondestes grammacus, 268, 312.
ruficauda, 81.
Chordeiles virginianus sennetti, 86.
Chrysomitris mexicana var. ari-
zone, 116.
Chrysotis levaillantii, 287.
Chuck-wills-widow, 187, 273.
Cistothorus marian, 361, 362.
palustris, 281.
palustris griseus, 250, 361,
362.
palustris plesius, 125, 126.
stellaris, 281, 313.
Clangula clangula americana, 104,
164.
hyemalis, 178.
Clark, Hubert Lyman, the number
of rectrices in Grouse, 181 ; notice
of his ‘The Feather Tracts of
North American Grouse and
Quail,’ 205.
“Clark, Josiah H., nest of Long-
billed Marsh Wren lined with a
snake skin, 281.
EE
Vol. XVI
1899 Index.
Clarke C. K., the Green Heron
breeding in Ontario, 351.
Clivicola, 131, 281, 289.
Coccothraustes vespertinus, 195.
Coccyzine, 110.
Coccyzus abbotti, 369.
Ceeligena clemencie, 325.
Cereba, 31, 32.
brevipes, 33.
cerulea, 34.
cerulea microrhyncha, 34.
cyanea, 33.
eximia, 33.
longirostris, 34.
nitida, 34.
portoricensis, 361.
‘Colaptes auratus, III.
auratus luteus, III.
Colinus virginianus, 310.
virginianus maculatus, 26.
Colorado Ornithological Associa-
tion, organization of, 214.
Columba corensis, 276: 272
flavirostris, 287.
Columbigallina passerina palles-
cens, 108.
Colymbide, 286.
Colymbus, 202.
adamsii, 98.
arctica, 98.
holboelli, 193, 309.
imber, 98.
lumme, 98.
pacifica, 98.
Contipus, 330.
Contopus, 330, 331-
albicollis, 332.
ardesiacus, 332.
borealis, 192, 330.
brachyrhynchus, 332.
depressirostris, 332.
frazari, 335-
lugubris, 332.
mesoleucus, 331.
ochraceus, 332.
pertinax, 331.
pertinax pallidiventris, 331.
pileatus, 337:
punensis, 336.
richardsoni, 189.
richardsoni peninsule, 333.
schottii, 336.
sordidulus, 333-
veliei, 333-
vicinus, 333-
‘Cook, W. W., more new birds for
Colorado, 187.
387
Cooper Ornithological Club, ‘Bul-
letin’ of, 212.
Coot, American, 310.
Cordeaux, John, obituary of, 377-
Cormorant, Florida, 248.
Corvus americanus, 252.
americanus floridanus, 84,
rhe
americanus pascuus, 84, 112.
corax principalis, 252.
corax sinuatus, 311.
floridanus, 83, 84, 112.
Cory, Charles B., notice of his
Water Birds of Eastern North
America, 366.
Coues, Elliott, note on Meleagris
gallopavo fera, 77; the finish-
ing stroke to Bartram, 83; notice
of his ‘On Certain Generic and
Subgeneric Names in the A. O.
U. Check-List,’ 297; very early
record of the Cliff Swallow, 359.
Cowbird, 196.
Crake, Corn, 75.
Creeper, Brown, 185.
Crex crex, 76.
Crossbill, American, 252, 312.
White-winged, 195, 252.
Crow, American, 252.
Cuculine, 110.
Curlew, Eskimo, 18o.
Hudsonian, 195.
Long-billed, 190, 246.
Mountain, 248.
Cyanerpes, 32.
ceruleus, 34
ceruleus longirostris, 34.
cyaneus, 32.
cyaneus brevipes, 33.
cyaneus carneipes, 33.
lucidus, 34.
nitidus, 35.
Cyanocitta cristata, TO2,, 250
diademata, 256.
galeata, 256.
stelleri azteca, 256.
stelleri coronata, 256.
stelleri diademata, 256.
stelleri macrolopha, 189.
Cyanocorax affinis zeledoni, 255.
sclateri, 255-
Cyanogarrulus diadematus, 256.
Cyanolyca mitrata, 255.
Cyanospiza, 121.
amoena, I21.
ciris, 122.
cyanea, 121.
388 Index. Auk
Cyanospiza versicolor, 121.
versicolor pulchra, 122.
Cyanura macrolopha, 256.
Cyclorrhynchus, 203.
Cygnus, 129, 226, 227.
Cymodroma, 102,
Cypseloides niger borealis, 78, 111.
DACELO gigas, 322.
Dasycephala syndactyla, 183.
Davis, Minot, Lapland Longspur
(Calcarius lapponicus) in Massa-
chusetts in winter, 80;
Deane, Ruthven, Old Squaw (Claz-
gula hyemailzs) in Indiana, 178;
habits of the Blue Jay (Cyazocztta
cristata), 182; record of a fifth
specimen of the European Wid-
geon (Anas penelope) in Indiana,
270; notes on the breeding of
the Wilson’s Snipe (Gallznago
delicata) in Illinois and Indiana,
270 ;
Dearborn, Ned, notice of his ‘ Pre-
liminary List of the Birds of
Belknap and Merrimack Coun-
ties, New Hampshire,’ 204.
Delaware Valley Ornithological
Club, annual meeting of, 214.
Dendragapus obscurus fuliginosus
< Phasianus torquatus, 180.
Dendroica estiva, 156.
auduboni, 156.
cerulea, 185, 313.
castanea, 275.
coronata, 217.
coronata hooveri, 212, 343.
kirtlandi, 81, 359.
nigrescens, 156.
occidentalis, 156.
palmarum, 195, 273, 275.
petechia, 376.
rara, 185.
Striata, 273, 275.
tigrina, 313.
vigorsi, 198.
Diglossa nocticolor, 91.
Diomedea immutabilis, 99.
Dodo, 319.
Dolichonyx oryzivorus, 312.
Dove, Mourning, 198.
Quail, 320.
Dowitcher, 246.
Downer, E. D., song of the White-
crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichta
leucophrys ), 355.
Dryobates pubescens medianus,251.
Oct.
Dryobates scalaris bairdi, 188.
villosus, 251.
villosus hyloscopus, 188.
villosus montana, I10.
villosus monticola, ‘110.
Drymophila, 353.
bicolor, 354.
boucardi, 354.
caudata, 354.
consobrinus, 354.
ferruginea, 354.
genei, 354.
grisea, 354.
intermedia, 354.
malura, 354-
quixensis, 354,
rufatra, 354.
squamata, 354.
strigilata, 354.
variegata, 354.
virgata, 354.
Duck, Black, 251, 509.
Black-backed, 321.
Canvas-back, 161, 162, 164,
165. 285, 309.
Golden-eye, 161, 162.
Pintail, 161, 162.
Red-head, 161, 162, 165, 309.
Ring-necked, 161, 162, 191.
Ruddy, 161, 162, 164, 309.
Wood, 162, 321.
Dugés, O., émigration accidentelle
doiseaux, 287; Hirondelles de
Guanajuato, Mexico, 357.
Dwight, Jonathan, Jr., sequence of
plumages, illustrated by the
Myrtle Warbler (Dendroica cor-
onata) and the Yellow-breasted
Chat (lcterta vtrens), 217-220,
pl. III.
EAGLE, Bald, 188.
Golden, 77, 311.
Northern Bald, 109, 340.
Ectopistes migratorius, 310.
Egret, American, 193.
Elenia sororia, 91.
Elanus glaucus, 130.
leucurus, 130.
Elliot, D. G., truth versus error,
38-46; on some genera and spe-
cies, 226-232; notice of his ‘The
Wild Fowl of the United States
and British Possessions, 288; the
spelling of names, 300.
Emberiza ameena, 121.
ciris, 122.
Vol. XVI
1899
Emberiza nivalis, 116.
Empidonax acadicus, 311.
andinus, 336.
bahamensis, 335.
brachy tarsus, 336.
flaviventris, 192, 195, 311.
insulicola, 132.
Ereunetes occidentalis, 191.
pusillus, 310.
Eriodora, 354.
Erismatura jamaicensis, 164,
rubida, 309.
Eudocima, 202.
Eudomychura, 370.
craveri, 370.
hypoleucus, 370.
Eudocimus, 202.
Eugenes fulgens, 324.
Evans, A. H., notice of his ‘ Birds,’
203.
Exanthemops, 104, 229, 289.
Facco esalon, 182.
peregrinus anatum, $5.
regulus, 182.
sparverius, 85.
sparverius deserticolus, 188.
Farrington, notice of his paper on
‘A Fossil Egg from South Da-
kota,’ 370.
Festa, E., see Salvadori, T.
Finch, Black Seaside, 277.
Grass, 197.
McGregor’s House, 114.
Purple, 252.
San Clemente House, 114.
Flicker, Northern, 111.
Flycatcher, Acadian, 311.
Olive-sided, 192.
Yellow-bellied, 192, 195, 311.
Foote, F. Huberta, a provident
Nuthatch, 283.
Formicivora, 354.
Formicivorus, 354.
Foster, L.S., the Black Tern (/7y-
drochelidon nigra surinamensts)
in New York Harbor, 351.
Fowler, Joshua L., obituary of, 377.
Fraterculine, 286.
Fregata, 102.
Fregetta, 102.
grallaria, 102.
Fringilla fasciata, 183.
frontalis, 186.
gambelii, 36.
guttata, 183.
macgillivrayi, 118.
melodia, 183.
Index.
389
Fringilla psaltria, 79, 116,
tristis, 79, 115.
Fulica americana, 235, 310.
Fuligula, 286.
Fuliguline, 286.
Fulmarine, 100.
Fulmarus glacialis, 132.
glacialis columba, 132.
glacialis minor, 132.
glacialis rodgersi, 132.
griseus, 132.
stricklandi, 132.
Furnarius agnatus, 137.
GADWALL, 161, 162, 165.
Gatke, H., new edition of his ‘Die
Vogelwarte Helgoland,’ 379.
Galeoscoptes carolinensis, 198, 275.
Gallinago delicata, 270.
major, 105, 179.
media, 179.
Gallinula galeata, 8s.
Gallinule, Florida, 85.
Purple, 75.
Garefowl, 91.
Garrulus cerulescens, 81.
cyanea, 84.
Gavia, 98, 202.
adamsi, 98.
alba, 99.
arctica, 98, 202.
imber, 98, 204, 251:
lumme, 98.
pacifica, 98, 202. °
Gaviide, 97.
Geococcyx californianus, 188.
Geothlypis agilis, 313.
flaviceps, 31.
flavovelatus, 31.
macgillivrayi, 122, 156,
philadelphia, 85, 313.
tolmiei, 82, 122.
trichas, 257,313, 360.
trichas arizela, 257.
trichas occidentalis, 257.
Gill, Theodore, the generic names
Pediocetes and Poocetes, 20-23;
notice of his proposed New His-
tory of North American Birds,
213; notice of his paper on ‘ The
Longevity of Birds and other
Vertebrates,’ 371.
Golden-eye, American,
164, 165.
Goldfinch, Allen’s, 37.
American, 115.
European, 196.
TOT hoz
ae
Goldfinch Mexican, 187.
Pale, 115.
Willow, 115.
Goose, American
309.
Canada, 251.
Hutchins’s, 193.
Pied, 320.
Grackle, Boat-tailed, 196.
Bronzed, 196, 252.
Rusty, 196.
Grallaria spatiator, 91.
Grant, W. R. Ogilvie, see Ogilvie-
Grant.
Grebe, Holbeell’s, 165, 193, 309.
Pied-billed, 309.
Greive, Symington, notice of his
paper on the Great Auk, 92.
Grinnell, Joseph, his ornithologi-
cal work in Alaska, 38o.
Grosbeak, Alaskan Pine, 114.
California Pine, 113.
Evening, 195.
Kadiak Pine, 114.
EAU) deTs 25 2 eo, iD)
Rocky Mountain Pine, 113.
Rose-breasted, 305.
Grouse, Canada, 251.
Canadian Ruffed, 251.
Hybrid, 18o.
Labrador Spruce, 340.
number of rectrices in, 181.
Grus americanus, 130.
Guara, 202.
alba, 247, 292.
rubra, 270.
Guitus. 32.
Gulf Fauna and Flora Bulletin,
The, notice of, 378.
Gull, American Herring, 251, 309.
Bonaparte’s, 284, 309.
Cuneate-tailed, 147.
Great Black-backed, 284.
Iceland, 190.
Laughing, 260, 262, 263.
Ring-billed, 284, 309.
Ross’s Rosy, 146.
Sabine’s, 86.
Gurney, Jip Hi, notice lon his paper
‘On the Comparative Ages to
which Birds live,’ 370.
Gyrfalcon, Black, 182.
White-fronted,
H.#®MOPHILA humeralis, 81.
lawrenceii, Sr.
Halcyon coromandus, 322.
Halizetus leucocephalus, 109, 188.
Index.
Auk
Oct.
leucocephalus alascanus, 109,
O40
leucocephalus washingtoni,
WA eye
Haliplana, gg.
Hammer, Yellow, 144.
Harelda, 44, 129.
hyemalis, 251, 284.
Harporhynchus crissalis, 189.
curvirostris, 189.
lecontei arenicola, 124.
redivivus pasadenensis, 123.
Harvie-Brown, J. A., notice of his
‘Colour Code,’ etc., 293.
Havelda, 44, 129.
Hawk, Desert Sparrow, 188.
Duck, 85.
Red-tailed, 165.
Rough-legged, 284, 353.
Sparrow, 85, 144.
Swainson’s, 353.
White-tailed, 352.
Hazard, R. G., the Carolina Wren
(Thryothorus ludovicianus) at
Peace Dale; Reel, 63%
Heleodytes stridulus, 296.
Helminthophila chrysoptera, 312.
pinus, 312.
rubricapilla gutturalis, 156.
Helmitherus vermivorus, 312.
Helodromas, 105.
ochropus, 106.
solitarius, 105.
solitarius cinnamomeus, 105-
Hemiprocne zonaris, 77-
Hemiura leucogastra, 344. ‘
Henninger, W. F., the Purple Gal-
linule (loxornis martinica) in
Ohio, 73; two rare birds for
Southern Ohio, 284.
Heron, Black-crowned Night, 193,
246.
Greens eh.
Little Blue, 351.
Louisiana, 246.
Hirundo, 122.
erythrogaster, 122, 184, 189.
lunifrons, 359.
Hoffmann, Ralf, late migrants and
stragglers in eastern Massachu-
setts, 196; see also, Stickney,
H
Holstein, Otto, a musical Wood-
pecker, 353; Leconte’s Sparrow
(Ammodramus lecontet?) in Ken-
tucky, 356.
Honey-creepers, Blue, 31.
Vol. XVI
1899
Hoopes, the Josiah, Collection of
North American Birds, 214.
Horizopus, 331.
ardosiacus, 332.
brachyrhynchus, 332.
lugubris, 332.
ochraceus, 332.
pertinax, 331.
pertinax pallidiventris, 331.
richardsoni, 333.
richardsoni peninsule, 333.
vicinus, 333.
virens, 332.
Howe, Reginald Heber, Jr., sexual
difference in size of the Pectoral
Sandpiper (7yimga maculata),
179; notes from Rhode Island,
189; ‘revival of the sexual pas-
sion in birds in autumn,’ 286;
notice of his ‘ On the Birds’ High-
way,’ 293; the Hooded Warbler
at Montville, Conn., 360.
Howell, Arthur H., notes on two
rare birds from Long Island,
INGE GROSS
Hummingbird, Morcom’s, 111.
Hungarian and Austrian Ornitho-
logical Congress, 380.
Huntington, Dwight W., notice of
his ‘In Brush, Sedge, and Stub-
ble,’ 89, 372.
Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis,
5).
Hylocichla, 126.
aliciz, 127.
alicie bicknelli, 127.
aonalaschke, 128.
aonalaschke auduboni, 128.
aonalaschke pallasi, 128.
fuscescens, 127.
fuscescens salicicola, 127.
mustelinus, 126.
ustulata, 23, 127.
ustulata alme, 131.
ustulata cedica, 23, 127.
ustulata swainsoni, 127.
Isis, Glossy, 193.
Scarlet, 270.
White, 247.
Icteria virens, 195, 217, 219, 285.
Icterus galbula, 354.
parisorum, 189.
spurius, 195.
Ihering, H. von, notice of his ‘As
Aves do Estado de S. Paulo,’ 203.
Index.
591
Indiana Academy of Science, no-
tice of ‘ Proceedings’ of, 91 ;
Ionornis martinica, rise
JAEGER, Parasitic, 249.
Jay, Aztec, 256.
Blue, 182, 2651.
Canada, 12, 2<1.
Colima, 27.
Gray, 255.
San Luis Potosi, 27.
Talamanca, 2B
Job, Herbert K., some observations
on the Anatide of North Da-
kota, 161-165.
Judd, Sylvester D., notice of his
‘Birds as Weed Destroyers,’ 294.
Junco hyemalis, 197, 253, 269, 312.
hyemalis shufeldti, 189.
montanus, 119, 188.
Junco, Montana, rro, 188.
Shufeldt’s, 189.
Slate-colored, 252, 312.
KELLOGG, Vernon L., some _para-
sites of birds, 232-236; notice of
papers by, on the Mallophaga,
372:
King, Snow, 160.
Kingbird, Cassin’s, 189.
Kittiwake, 193.
Kingfisher, Belted, 322.
Laughing, 322.
Ruddy, 322.
Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 253
Kirkwood, F. C., the Stilt Sand-
piper in Maryland, 76;
Knight, Ora W., the Short-billed
Marsh Wren (Czsfothorus stella-
rts) in Maine, 281.
Knobel, Edward, notice of his
‘Field Key to the Land Birds,’
367.
Knot, 194.
Koch, August, capture of the Black
Seaside Finch (Ammodramus
nigrescens) in 1889, 277.
LAGOPUS rupestris welchi, 130.
welchi, 130.
Lanius ludovicianus, 312.
ludovicianus anthonyi, 122.
ludovicianus excubitorides,
189, 190.
ludovicianus migrans, 133,
190.
Bo?
Lano, Albert, the Turnstone (Are-
naria interpres) in Minnesota,
76.
Lantz, D. E., new and rare birds in
Kansas, 187; notice of his ‘ Re-
view of Kansas Ornithology,’
363; notice of his list of the
Goss Collection of Mexican and
Central American Birds, 364.
Lark, Prairie Horned, 85, 311.
Larus albus, 98, 99.
argentatus
251, 300.
atricilla, 260.
delawarensis, 284, 309.
eberneus, 98. ~
leucopterus, 190.
marinus, 284.
philadelphia, 284, 309.
roseus, 149.
rossii, 149.
sabinii, 149.
Leucophoyx, 202.
Leucuria phalerata, 91, 138.
Libby, O. G., the nocturnal flight
of migrating birds, 140-146.
Limnogeranus, 130.
Limosa hudsonica, 292.
Lindahl, Josua, the Black-capped
Petrel (4#strelata hasttata) on
the Ohio River at Cincinnati,
smithsonianus,
ie
Longspur, Alaskan, 117.
Lapland, So.
Toon, 251.
Lophodytes cucullatus, 162.
Lophortyx, 106.
californicus, 106.
californicus vallicola, 106.
gambelii, 106.
Loxia curvirostra minor, 252, 312.
leucoptera, 195, 252.
Lucas, F. A., notes on the myol-
ogy of Hemiprocne zonaris, 77.
Mackay, George H., White-winged
Scoters (Ocdemia degland?), 179;
the 1898 migration of the Golden
Plover (Charadrius dominicus)
and Eskimo Curlew (Vumentus
borealis) in Massachusetts, 180;
the Turkey Vulture (Carthartes
aura) in Somerville, Mass., 181;
Barn Swallows (Hirundo eryth-
rogastra), 184; the Terns of
Muskeget and Penikese Islands,
Mass., 259-266.
lndex.
Auk
Oct.
Magpie, Black-billed, 78.
Nuttall’s, 79.
Maine Ornithological Society, the
‘Journal’ of, 213.
Mallard, 161, 162, 165.
Manacus manacus, 292. |
manacus abditivus, 292.
manacus gutturosus, 292.
manacus purus, 292.
Marcy, Oliver, obituary of, 211.
Mareca, 103.
americana, 103.
penelope, 103.
Marsh, Othniel Charles, obituary
of, 200.
Martin, Purple, 165, 286.
Maynard, Mrs. L. W., notice of her
‘ Birds of Washington and Vicin-
ity,’ 87;
McGregor, R. C., Pica pica hudso-
nica in California, 79 ;
McKinlay, James, the Corn Crake
in Nova Scotia, 75;
McLain, R. B., Philadelphia Vireo
in West Virginia, 359.
Meadowlark, 144, 198.
Rio Grande, 342.
Mecocerculus nigriceps, 370.
urichi, 370.
Megascops asio, 313.
asio mccalli, 109.
asio trichopsis, 109.
aspersus, IIO.
trichopsis, 109.
Melanerpes carolinus, 241, 311.
erythrocephalus, 189,
393°
Meleagris fera, 108, 231, 232.
fera osceola, 232.
gallopavo, 107, 231, 232.
gallopavo ellioti, 108,
310,
gallopavo fera, 77, 108.
gallopavo intermedia,
Date
gallopavo osceola, 108.
intermedia, 232.
sylvestris, 231.
Melospiza adusta, 28.
fasciata, 182, 183, 198, 221,
253, 269.
fasciata caurina, 36.
fasciata cooperi, 35.
fasciata guttata, 183.
fasciata ingersolli, 212, 342.
fasciata pusillula, 35.
georgiana, 198, 270, 312.
270,
22h:
108,
Vol. XVI
1899
Melospzia goldmani, 29.
melodia, 183.
melodia adusta, 183.
melodia caurina, 183.
melodia clement, 183.
‘melodia cooperi, 183.
melodia fallax, 183.
melodia goldmani, 183.
melodia graminea, 183.
melodia heermanni, 183.
melodia melodia, 183.
melodia mexicana, 183.
melodia montana, 183.
melodia morphna, 183.
melodia pusillula, 183.
melodia rivularis, 183.
melodia rufina, 183.
melodia samuelis, 183.
Merganser americanus, 103.
Merganser, Hooded, 162.
Merlin, 182.
Merrill, Harry, Black Gyrfalcon
(Falco rusticolus obsoletus) in
Maine, 182.
Merula gigas cacozela, 91.
migratoria, 284.
pheopyga minuscula, 91.
Metallura smaragdinicollis, 139.
tyrianthina, 139.
Micropalama himantopus, 246.
Micruria, 202, 370.
Miller, Mary Mann, birds feeding
on hairy caterpillar, 362.
Miller, Olive Thorne, notice of her
‘The First Book of Birds,’ 368.
Momotus subrufescens, 137.
Montgomery, Thomas H., notice
of his paper on the feeding hab-
its of Owls, 363.
Morrell, C. H., some winter birds
of Nova Scotia, 250-253.
Morris, Robert O., Springfield,
Mass., bird notes, 85.
Motacilla cerulea, 185.
mitrata, 123.
Murdoch, John, a historical notice
of Ross’s Rosy Gull (/?hodoste-
thea rosea), 146-155.
Murre, Brtinnich’s, 193.
Muscicapa cooperi, 331.
inornata, 331.
pusilla, 123.
querula, 332.
rapax, 332.
virens, 331, 332.
Muscipeta caribea, 334.
Muscivora mexicana, 137.
Index.
393
Myadestes obscurus cinereus, 296.
Myiarchus crinitus boreus, 131.
Myiobius latirostris, 334.
pallidus, 335.
Myiochanes, 330, 334.
nigrescens, 337-
Nasu, Charles W., notice of his
‘The Birds of Ontario in Rela-
tion to Agriculture,’ 204; Nel-
son’s Sparrow (Ammodramus
nelsont) at Toronto, Canada, 277.
‘Naumann, Naturgeschichte der
Vogel Mitteleuropas,’ new edi-
tion of, 379.
Nebraska Ornithological
organization of, 303.
Nelson, E. W., descriptions of new
birds from Mexico, 25-31; notice
of his ‘Natural History of the
Tres Marias Islands, Mexico,’
296; notice of his ‘ Descriptions
of New Birds from Northwest-
ern Mexico,’ 296.
Nephocetes, 21
Nepheecetes, 21.
Neocrex colombianus, 91.
Neomorphine, rio.
Nettion, 103.
carolinensis, 103, 163.
crecca, 103.
New York Zoological Park, notice
of, 96.
Nighthawk, Sennett’s, 86.
Nowell, J. Rowland, song season
of the Cardinal (Cardinalis car-
dinalis), 278.
Numenius borealis, 180.
hudsonicus, 195-292.
longirostris, 190.
Nuthatch, Red-breasted, 253.
White-breasted, 283.
Nuttallornis, 330, 33%.
borealis, 331.
Nyctala acadica, 311.
tengmalmi richardsoni, 311.
Nyctea nyctea, 311.
Nycticorax nycticorax nevius, 193,
246.
Nye, Willard, Jr., a Bahaman Bird
(Centurus nyeanus) apparently
extinct. 273.
OsERHOLSER, Harry C., descrip-
tion of a new Hylocichla, 23-25 ;
a synopsis of the Blue Honey-
creepers of tropical America,
31-35; the authority for the com-
Club,
394 Index. Auk
bination Cyfselotdes niger bore-
alis, 78; notice of his ‘A Review
of the Wrens of the genus Tkryo-
manes Sclater, 89; Gallinago
major versus Gallinago media,
179; the specific name of Falco
regulus, 182; the names of the
Song Sparrows, 182; Certhia
Jfamiliaris americanus, not Cer-
thia f. fusca! 185; the second
reference for Azorthura hiemalis
pactfica, 185; Plranga rubra and
Carpodacus mexicana frontalis
preoccupied, 185; description of
a new Geothlypis, 256-258;
Piranga rubra not preoccupied,
278; Clivicola versus Frparia,
281; family and subfamily names
based on subgenera, 285; a
synopsis of the genus Contopus
and its allies, 330-337; notice of
his paper ‘Some _ Untenable
Names in Ornithology, 370.
Oceanites oceanicus, 249.
Oceanitine, 100.
Oceanodroma cryptoleucura, tot,
12930717).
kaedingi, tor.
Ochtheeca citrinifrons, 78.
frontalis, 78.
Ogilvie-Grant, W. R., see British
Museum Catalogue of Birds,
Oidemia carbo, 131.
deglandi, 163, 179.
Old-squaw, 178, 251, 284.
Olor, 129, 226, 227, 289.
SPp-, 309-
Onocrotalus americanus, 178.
Onychoprion, 99.
Oreospiza chlorura, 121.
Oriole, Baltimore, 354.
Orchard, 195.
Scott’s, 189.
Osgood, Wilfred H., notice of his
paper ‘Chamea fasczata and its
Subspecies,’ 291.
Osprey, American, 311.
Osprey, The, notices of, 95, 213.379.
Otocoris alpestris.
alpestris praticola, 85, 311.
Owen, D. E., a family of nestlings,
221I-— 225.
Owl, American Barn, 77, 85, 311,
364.
American Hawk, 195.
American Long-eared, 285,
363-
Oct.
Owl, Great Horned, 251.
Northern Spotted, 109.
Richardson’s, 311.
Saw-whet, 311.
Screech, 314, 364.
Short-eared, 363.
Snowy, 311.
Texas Barred, 341.
Western Horned, 341.
Oxypogon cyanolemus, 138.
PACHYRHAMPHUS major uropygia-
lis, 28.
Pachyrhamphus, Sinaloa, 28.
Pagophila, 98.
alba, 99.
Palamedea cornuta, 320:
Pallasicarbo, 297.
Palmer, T. S., notice ‘af his ‘The
Danger of Introducing Noxious
Animals and Birds,’ 294.
Pan, 77.
frantzii, 77.
rhamphastinus, 77.
Pandion halieetus carolinensis,311.
Panychlora russata, 138.
Panyptila melanoleuca, 359.
Paris International Ornithological
Congress, 381.
Partridge, Buff-breasted, 26.
Scaled, 188.
Parus atricapillus, 253.
bicolor, 196.
hudsonicus, 253.
inornatus griseus, 189.
meridionalis, 126.
palustris, 93.
sclateri, 126.
Parus (Lophophanes) bicolor flori-
danus, 131.
Passer domesticus, 253.
Passerella iliaca, 197, 253-
iliaca fuliginosa, 36.
Passerina, 116, 121.
hyperborea, 117.
nivalis, 116, 253.
nivalis townsendi, 117.
versicola pulchra, 122.
Pearson, J. Gilbert, notes on some
of the birds of eastern North
Carolina, 246-250;
Pediocetes, 20, 21, 22, 23, 107.
Pedicecetes, 20. 21, 22, 23, 107.
phasianellus, 23.
phasianellus campestris, 23.
phasianellus columbianus,
aR.
Vol. XVI
1899
Pelecanus fuscus, 178, 351.
occidentalis, 178.
onocrotalus, 178.
onocrotalus £B occidentalis,
178.
onocrotalus a orientalis, 178.
subtuscus, gula distensilis,
178.
Pelican, Brown, 351.
Penguins, 362.
Perisoreus canadensis, 12, 251.
obscurus griseus, 255.
Perrior, A. W., food of the Robin,
284.
Petrel, Black-capped, 75.
Hawaiian, 101.
Kaeding’s, 101.
Wilson’s, 249.
Petrochelidon lunifrons, 357, 358.
Peucea, 80, 119.
zstivalis, 80.
zstivalis bachmanii, 26.
botteri, 80.
carpalis. 80 120.
cassini, 80.
ruficeps eremceca, 120.
ruficeps scotti, 120.
Pewee, Western Wood, 189.
Phaéton americanus, 102, 338.
flavirostris, 102, 193.
rubricaudus, 102.
Phalacrocorax auritus, 202.
bicristatus, 202.
brasilianus, 202.
cincinatus, 202.
dilophus, 202.
dilophus floridanus, 248.
floidanus, 202.
mexicanus, 202.
perspicillatus, 297.
vigua, 202.
Phalarope, Northern, 285.
Phalaropus lobatus, 285.
Phalerine, 286.
Phaleris, 203.
Pharomachrus mocinno, 323.
Philentoma, 353.
Philohela minor, 197.
Pica nuttalli, 79.
ornata, 255.
pica hudsonicus, 79.
Picoides americanus, 251.
Picus montanus, I{0.
nuttalli, 172.
Pigeon, Crowned, 319.
Fruit, 319.
Ground, 319.
Index.
395
Pigeon, Passenger, 310, 320.
Swainson’s Fruit, 319.
Tooth-billed, 319.
Abresle5 Zin).
Pinicola enucleator, 113, 252, 312.
enucleator alascensis, 114.
enucleator californica, 113.
enucleator canadensis, I13,
276.
enucleator flammula, 114.
enucleator montana, 113.
flammula, 114.
Pintail, 161, 162, 165.
Pionus sordidus, 137.
Pipilo clemente, 120.
fuscus carol, 212, 343-
fuscus intermedius, 296.
fuscus potosinus, 254.
maculatus atratus, 254.
maculatus clemente, 120.
rufescens, 81, 119.
Pipit, American, 313.
Sprague’s, 82.
Piranga estiva, 186.
erythromelas, 186, 281.
rubra, 186, 278, 312.
Platyrhynchus cinereus, 337-
Plectrophenax, 116, 121.
hyperborea, 117.
nivalis townsendi, I17.
Plectropterine, 129.
Plegadis autumnalis, 193-
Plotus, 202.
Plover, Black-bellied, 65, 246, 306,
310.
Golden, 180.
Semipalmated, 246.
Podilymbus podiceps, 309.
Poocetes, 20, 21, 22, 23, I17-
gramineus, 198.
gramineus affinis, 23-
gramineus confinis, 23.
Pocecetes, 20, 21, 22, 23, I17-
gramineus, 23, 267.
gramineus affinis, 23.
gramineus confinis, 23-
Porzana noveboracensis, 194-
Posson, Niel F., some birds of
unusual occurrence in Orleans
(GOR INS Ver HORE :
Pratt, George B., Puerto Rico
Honey Creeper, 361.
Priocella, 100.
glacialoides, 100.
Priofinus, ror.
cinereus, IOT.
Procellaria castro, 129.
396 Index. aoe
Procellaria cinerea, 101.
fuliginosus, 101.
glacialoides, 100.
grallaria, 102.
Procellariidz, 99.
Procellariinz, 99, 100.
Progne subis, 357, 358.
Protonotaria citrea, 236, 312.
Psaltriparus plumbeus, 189.
Psiloscops, 297.
Psittacus augustus, 186.
Psophia obscura, 93.
Ptilopus swainsoni, 319.
Publications received, 92, 207, 297,
373:
Puffinine, 100.
Puffinus assimilis, 100.
auricularis, 101.
borealis, 129.
fuliginosus, 101.
kuhlii, 129.
opisthomelas, 235.
stricklandi, 101.
Purdy, James B., the Golden Eagle
and Barn Owl at Northville,
Wayne Co., Mich., 77.
Pycraft, W. P., notice of his Oste-
ology of the Impennes, 363.
Pyrrhulagra noctis, 376.
QUERQUEDULA, 103.
cyanoptera, 104.
discors, 104, 292.
Quiscalus major, 197.
quiscula cneus, 252.
RAIL, King, 194.
Wayne's Clapper, 339.
Yellow, 194.
Rallus crepitans waynei, 291, 339.
elegans, 194.
levipes, 291, 339.
Raven, American, 311.
Northern, 257.
Recurvirostra americana, 235.
avocetta, 235.
Redshank, Common, 128.
Redstart, American, 184.
Regulus calendula grinnelli, 132.
satrapa, 253.
Rey, Eugéne, notice of his ‘Die
Eier der Vogel Mitteleuropas,’
719:
Rhamphocelus fest 292.
Rhamphomicron dorsale, 138.
Rhoads, S. N., notes on some of
Oct.
the rarer birds of western Penn-
sylvania, 308-313.
Rhodostethia rosea, 146.
Rhyncocyclus cerviniventris, 335.
Richmond, Chas. W., new name
for the genus Zetraganops, 77;
Thalasstdroma castro ot Har-
court, 177; Pelecanus occiden-
talis vs. P. fuscus, 178; on the
name Xenocichla, 183; four pre-
occupied names, 186; overlooked
descriptions of five Humming-
birds, 323-325; on the date of
Lacépéde’s ‘Tableaux,’ 325-329;
note on the name Drymophila,
353: P
Ridgway, Robert, new species, etc.,
of American Birds.— III, Fringil-
lide (continued), 35-37; on the
genus Astragalinus Cabanis, 79;-
on the generic name Aimophila
versus Peucea, 80; new species,
etc., of American birds.—IV,
Fringillide (concluded) ; Corvide
(part), 254-256.
Riparia, 131, 281.
Roadrunner, 188.
Rissa tridactyla, 193.
Robbins, Reginald C., new song of
the Baltimore Oriole, 354.
Roberts, Thomas S., the Prothono-
tary or Golden Swamp Warbler
(Protonotaria citrea), a common
summer resident of southeastern
Minnesota, 236-246.
Robin, American, 253, 284.
Robinson, Wirt, Ammodramus hens-
lowtz — a correction, 356.
Rolfe, Eugene S., nesting of Nel-
son’s Sparrow (Ammodramus
nelson?) in North Dakota, 356.
SaGE, John H.,Sixteenth Congress
of the American Ornithologists’
Union, 51-55.
Salpinctes obsoletus pulverius, 133.
Salvadori, T., and E. Festa, notice
of their paper on the birds of
Darien, 292.
Sanderling, 246, 285, 310.
Sandpiper, Baird’s, 19t, 194.
Buff-breasted, 194, 276.
Green, 106.
Least, 246, 310.
Pectoral, 179.
Red-backed, 246.
Semipalmated, 246, 310.
ees
a
—
Vol. XVI
1899
Sandpiper, Solitary, 310.
Spotted, 246.
Stilt, 76, 246.
Western Semipalmated, 191.
White-rumped, 194, 246, 285.
Sarcidiornis melanonota, 321.
Saunders, W. E., Henslow’s Spar-
row in Ontario, 80;
Sayornis dominicensis, 335.
Scaup, Greater, 162, 163.
Lesser, 161, 165.
Schalow, Herman, notice of his
‘Die Végel der Sammlung Plate,’
292.
Scolopax major, 105.
media, 179.
totanus, 128.
Scops flammeola, 297.
trichopsis, 109.
Scoter, White-winged, 161, 162, 163,
179.
Screamer, Horned, 320.
Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis,
241.
motacilla, 241.
Setophaga albifrons, 137.
flavivertex, 137.
ruticilla, 184.
canadensis, 253.
verticalis pallidiventris, 375.
Sharpe, R. Bowdler, see British
Museum Catalogue of Birds.
Shattuck, Geo. C., an unusual set
of Song Sparrow’s eggs, 182.
Shearwater, Allied, 100.
Townsend’s, I01.
Shoveller, 161, 162, 165.
Shrike, Loggerhead, 312.
Island, 122.
White-rumped, 189, 190.
Sialia sialis grata, 131.
Sicalis chapmani, 37.
Siskin, Pine, 252, 312.
Sitta pusilla caniceps, 131.
Skylark, English, rgr.
Snipe, Greater, 105.
Wilson’s 246, 270.
Snowbird, 197.
Snowflake, 253.
Solitaire, 319.
Somateria borealis, 104.
mollissima, 133.
mollissima borealis, 104, 133.
Sparrow, Bachman’s, 269.
Black Seaside, 2, 277.
Chipping, 189, 196, 198, 206,
269.
Index.
Si)
Sparrow, Desert, 119.
English, 253.
Field, 196, 269, 275.
Fox, 196, 253, 266.
Goldman’s Song, 29.
Grasshopper, 267.
Henslow’s, 80, 267, 356.
Intermediate, 189.
Ipswich, 190.
Leconte’s, 268, 356.
Laguna, 120.
Lark, 268, 312.
Louisiana Seaside, 118.
Macgillivray’s Seaside 118.
Mexican Chipping, 30.
Michoacan Song, 28.
Nelson’s, 277, 356.
Salt Marsh Song, 35.
San Diego Song, 35.
Savanna, 192, 198, 26 ra
Seaside, 268. 2 aa
Sennett’s Seaside, 2.
Sharp-tailed, 268, 286.
Sinaloa, 254.
Song, 182, 198, 221, 253, 260.
Sooty Fox, 36. a
Swamp, 198, 268, 270, 312.
Tehama Song, 342.
ree r2 52:
Vesper, 267.
Western Savanna, 267.
White-crowned, 196, 267, 355.
White-throated, 268.
Yakutat Song, 36.
Speotyto cunicularia obscura, 131.
cunicularia tolime, 359.
Spinus alleni, 37.
pinus, 252, 312.
spinescens capitaneus, gI.
tristis, 115.
tristis pallidus, 115. .
tristis salicamans, 115.
Spiza versicolor, 121.
Spizella pinetorum, 30.
pusilla, 269, 275.
socialis, 189, 198, 269.
socialis mexicanus, 30.
Sporopipes frontalis, 186.
Squatarola squatarola, 306.
Squaw, Old, 178, 251, 284.
Starling, European, 85. 192.
Starnoenas cyanocephala, 320.
Stejneger, Leonard, notice of his
‘The Birds of the Kurile Islands,’
205.
Stercorarius parasiticus, 249.
Sterna anestheta, 128.
398
Sterna anethetus, 128.
antillarum, 259.
caspia, 99, 190, 193.
dougalli, 260, 262.
fuliginosa, 99.
hirundo, 261, 262, 309.
paradisza, 264.
serrata, 97-
Sp, 309.
tschegrava, 99.
Stickney, J. H., and Ralph Hott-
mann, notice of their ‘Bird
World, a Book for Children,’ 92.
Stone, Clarence Freedom, some
rare occurrences in Yates County,
N. Y.;, 264.
Stone, Witmer, Report of A. O.
U. Committee on Protection of
North American birds, 55-74;
Octheca frontalis (Latr.) and
Cardinalis granadensis Latr.,
78; proper name for Macgil-
livray’s Warbler, 81; some Phila-
delphia ornithological — collec-
tions and collectors, 1784-1850,
166-177; notice of his paper on
the type specimens of birds in
the collection of the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadel-
phia, 290; winter plumages :—
illustrated by the Rose-breasted
Grosbeak (Zamelodia ludovict-
ana), 305-308; notice of his
paper ‘Ona Collection of Birds
from Bogota,’ 369; notice of
his ‘New Species of Coccyzus
from St. Andrews,’ 369; the
proper function of binomials and
trinomials, 374.
Strix pratincola, 77, 85, 311.
Sturnella magna hoopesi, 113, 342.
magna mexicana, 113.
Sturnus vulgaris, 85, 192.
Sturtevant, Edward, the Carolina
Wren breeding in Rhode Island,
284.
Sunnie ulula caparoch, 195.
Swallow, Barn, 184, 189.
Cliff, 359.
Abeetey Bis
Swan, 309.
Black, 226.
Mute, 226.
White, 226.
Sylvania, 123.
mitrata, 313.
pusilla, 196.
Index.
Auk
Oct.
Sylvia cerulea, 185.
macgillivrayi, 82.
mitrata, 123.
philadelphia, 82.
tolmiei, 82, 122.
Symphemia semipalmata inornata,
230.
semipalmata speculifera, 230.
Synallaxis striatipectus, 370.
terrestris, 370.
Syrichta, 330, 331.
Syrichtus, 330, 331.
Syrnium nebulosum helveolum,
291, 341.
occidentale caurinum, 109.
TACHYCINETA bicolor, 275.
thalassina, 358.
Tanager, Scarlet, 278.
Summer, 278, 312.
Tanagra cyanea, 121.
Teal, Blue-winged, 161, 162, 163,
309.
Green-winged, 161, 162, 163,
309.
Tern, Arctic, 264.
Black, 351.
Caspian, 190, 193.
Common, 309.
Least, 259, 284.
Roseate, 260, 261.
Wilson, 261.
Terns of Muskeget and Penikese
Islands, 64, 66, 259-266.
Tetragonops, 77.
Thalassidroma castro, 177.
melanogaster, 102.
tropica, 102.
Thayer, Abbott H., a protest, 210.
Thayer, Gerald H., the Chuck-
will’s-widow on shipboard, 273.
Thompson, Ernest Seton, notice of
his ‘Wild Animals I _ have
Known,’ 289.
Thrasher, Crissal, 189.
Curve-billed, 189.
Desert, 124.
Pasadena, 123.
Thrush, Bicknell’s. 85.
Grinnell’s Water, 241.
Hermit, 198.
Louisiana Water, 241.
Thryomanes, 89, 124.
bewickii, 89, 124.
bewickii bairdi, 90, 344, 345.
bewickii bewickii, go.
Vol. XVI
1899
Thryomanes bewickii calophonus,
go, 132, 348.
bewickii cerroensis, 90, 132.
bewickii charienturus, 90,
132, 340.
bewickii cryptus, 90, 132, 344.
bewickii drymececus, 90, 132,
347:
bewickii
132, 345:
bewickii leucogaster, go, 124.
344°
bewickii leucophrys, go.
bewickii murinus, go.
bewickii nesophilus, go, 132,
350.
bewickii percuus, go.
bewickii spilurus, 90,
346, 347) 348, 350.
brevicauda, go, 125.
insularis, go.
leucophrys, 125
eremophilus,
90,
124,
Thryothorus bewickii, 89.
bewickii leucogaster, 125.
leucophrys, 125.
ludovicianus, 284.
Titmouse, Gray, 189.
Tufted, 196.
Torrey, Bradford, notice of his ‘A
World of Green Hills,’ 86.
Totanus flavipes, 310.
littoreus, 130.
melanoleucus, 310.
nebularius, 130.
solitarius, 310.
solitarius cinnamomeus, I06.
speculiferus, 230.
totanus, 128.
Towhee, Barranca, 254.
Florida, 198.
Northern Brown, 343.
San Clemente, 120.
San Diego, 254.
Tringa bairdi, 191, 194.
canutus, 194, 292.
couesi, 130.
fuscicollis, 194, 285.
maculata, 179.
maritima couesi, 130.
maritima ptilocnemis, 130.
minutilla, 310.
ochropus, 106.
ptilocnemis, 130.
solitaria, 105.
subruficollis, 194.
Trochilus cohuatl, 323.
papantzin, 324.
Index.
Trochilus topiltzin, 325.
tzacatl, 324.
xicotencal, 324.
Troglodytes alascensis, 125.
bewickii, 124.
hiemalis, 125.
hiemalis pacifica, 125.
leucogastra, 344.
spilurus, 124.
Tropic-bird, Red-tailed, ro2.
Tryngites subruficollis, 276.
Turdus alicie, 127.
alicia bicknelli, 85.
aonalaschke, 128.
aonalaschke pallasi, 198.
auduboni, 128.
fuscescens, 127.
mustelinus, 126.
swainsoni, 127.
ustulatus, 127.
Turkey, 77, 232.
Mexican, 107.
Wild, 108, 310.
Turnstone, 76, 187, 246.
Turtur risorius, 371.
Tympanuchus americanus attwat-
Gi; 1y3{0)-
attwateri, 130.
Tyrannula ardosiaca, 332.
bogotensis, 333.
curtipes, 337.
frontalis, 78.
pheebe, 333-
richardsonii, 333.
Tyrannus borealis, 331.
tyrannus vexator, 189.
vociferans, 189.
URIA, 202.
lomvia, 91, 193.
Urinator, 98.
Urinatoride, 97.
Vireo flavifrons, 185.
noveboracensis micrus, 30.
philadelphia, 359.
solitarius, 198, 311.
Vireo, Blue-headed, 198, 312.
Philadelphia, 359.
Small White-eyed, 30.
Vultur atratus, 83, 84.
Vulture, Black, 195, 310.
California, 272.
Turkey, 181, 195.
WARBLER, Bay-breasted, 275.
399
400 Index. Auk
Warbler, Black-poll, 275.
Blue-winged, 312.
Calaveras, 156.
Cape May, 313.
Cerulean, 313.
Connecticut, 313.
Golden-winged, 312.
Golden Swamp, 236.
Hermit, 156.
Hooded, 275, 313, 359-
Hoover’s, 343.
Lutescent, 156.
Kentucky, 61.
Kirtland’s, 81, 359.
Macgillivray’s, 81, 156.
Mourning §5, 313.
Myrtle, 217.
Palm, 195, 275.
Pine, 198.
Prothonotary, 236, 312.
Wilson’s, 196.
Worm-eating, 312.
~ Yellow-headed, 31.
Warren, Oscar B., a chapter in the
life of the Canada Jay, 12-19.
Wayne, Arthur T., destruction of
birds by the great cold wave of
February 13 and 14, 1899, 197;
notes on Marian’s Marsh Wren,
Cistothorus mariane, and Worth-
ington’s Wren, Céstothorus pal-
ustris griseus, 301.
Waxwing, Bohemian, 187.
Cedar, 253.
Weed, Clarence M., notice of his
‘The Winter Food of the Chick-
adee,’ 206; do. ‘The Feeding
Habits of the Chipping Spar-
row, 206.
Whip-poor-will, Stephens’s 188.
Whitman, Charles Huntington,
notice of his ‘The Birds of Old
English Literature,’ 207.
Widgeon, European, 270.
Willet, Western, 230.
Williams, I. Bickerton, the color of
certain birds, in relation to in-
heritance, 318-322.
Wilson, Sidney S., some addi-
tional New Mexican birds, 188.
Oct.
Wilsonia, 123.”
canadensis, 123.
mitrata, 12 7275) B00.
pusilla, 123.
pusilla pileolata, 123.
Wolf, Joseph, obituary of, 301.
Woodcock, 197.
Woodpecker, American Three-toed,
250.
Downy, 251.
Hairy, 251.
Northern Pileated, r1o.
Pileated, 311.
Red-bellied, 241, 311.
Red-headed, 189, 272, 353.
Rocky Mountain Hairy, rio.
Texan, 188.
Worthington, Willis W., rare birds
on eastern Long Island, 85.
Wren, Bewick’s, 313.
Carolina, 83, 198, 284. *
Long-billed Marsh, 281.
Marian’s Marsh, 361.
Short-hilled Marsh, 281, 313.
Western Marsh, 125.
Western Winter, 160.
Worthington’s Marsh, 250,
361.
XANTHOCEPHALUS xanthocephalus,
oe
Xema sabinii, 86.
Xenocichla, 183.
YELLOW-LEGS, 310.
Greater, 310.
Yellow-throat, Maryland, 313, 360.
ZONOTRICHIA albicollis, 268.
gambeli, 36.
leucophrys, 355-—
leucophrys gambeli, 36, 37.
leucophrys intermedia, 36,
37-
leucophrys nuttalli, 36, 37.
mysticalis, 81.
quinquestriatus, 81.
Zamelodia ludoviciana, 305.
Zenaidura carolinensis, 198.
ERRATA.
Page 21, line 14 from top, for true frog read tree frog.
Page 78, line 8 from top, for true Swifts read Tree Swifts.
‘« 236, after the title of the paper on the Prothonotary Warbler,
insert, By THOMAS S. ROBERTS.
at
Vol.
CONTINUATION OF THE
BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB
New
; Series,
Vol. XVI
The Auk
4 Muarterly Journal of Oriithology
=Wil —JANUARY, 1899 —
Wo. 1
PUBLISHED FOR .
The American Ornithologists’ Union
NEW YORK
SEs et pe MES a a Sr
-
CONTENTS.
THE DIsTRIBUTION AND RELATIONSHIPS OF A smmodramus maritimus AND ITs ALLIES. By
Frank M. Chapman. (Plate I.) :
A CHAPTER IN THE LIFE OF THE CANADA JAy. By Oscar Bird Warren. (Illustrated.) ‘ 12
THE GENERIC NAMES Pediocetes AND Poocetes. By Theodore Gill. . S : A : 20
DeEscriPTION OF A New Aylocichla. By Harry C. Oberholser. rete 5 3 - a - 23
Descriptions oF NEw Brrps From Mexico. By &. W. Nelson. : 2 a : : 25
A Synopsis OF THE BLUE HoNEY-CREEPERS OF TROPICAL AMERICA. By Harry C. Oder-
holser. pas ie ° : : : ; : : ; : : : 5 C ets Oras
New Spscigs, ETC., OF AMERICAN Birps.—III. FrRiInGILtip# (Continued). By Robert
Ridgway. 4 - 5 : : t : ; 5 ‘ 5 5 - 0 9 : 35
TRUTH versus Error. By D.G. Elliot, F.R.S. LE. : : : : , : Nee ee 38
“TRUTH versus ERROR.” By/.A. Allen. . : é é i > s A 5 ‘ 4 46
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ Union. By John H. Sage. . “ 51
Report oF THE A. O. U. CoMMITTEE ON PROTECTION OF NoRTH AMERICAN BiRDS. By
Witmer Stone. . 55
GENERAL Nores.— The Black-capped Petrel (4strelata hasitata) on the Ohio River at Cincinnati, 75 ;
The Purple Gallinule (Jonornis martinica) in Ohio, 75; ‘The Corn Crake in Nova Scotia, 75; The
Stilt Sandpiper in Maryland, 76; The Turnstone (Avexaria interfres) in Minnesota, 76; Note on
Meleagris gallopavo fera,77; The Golden Eagle and Barn Owl at Northville, Wayne Co., Mich.,
77; New Name for the Genus 7etragonops, 77; Notes on the Myology of Hemiprocne zonarts, 77;
The Authority for the Combination Cy/seloides niger borealis, 78; Octheca frontalis (Lafr.) and
Cardinalis granadensis Lafr., 78; Pica pica hudsonica in California, 79; On the-Genus Astra-
galinus Cabanis, 79; Lapland Longspur (Cadcarius lapponicus) in Massachusetts, 80; Henslow’s
Sparrow in Ontario, 80; On the Generic Name A z7ophila versus Peucea, 80; Further Notes on
Dendroica kirtlandi, 81; Proper Name for Macgillivray’s Warbler, 81; Sprague’s Pipit near New
Orleans, La., 82; The Carolina Wren (7hryothorus ludovicianus) at Peace Dale, R. I., 83; The
Finishing Stroke to Bartram, 83; Rare Birds on Eastern Long Island, N. Y., 85; Notes on Two
Rare Birds from Long Island, N. Y., 85; Springfield, Mass., Bird Notes, 85; AXesa sabiniz and
Chordeiles virginianus sennetti —Two Additions to the lowa Avifauna, 86. —
Recent LITERATURE. — Torrey’s ‘A World of Green Hills,’ 86; Mrs. Maynard’s Birds of Washington,
87; Blanchan’s ‘ Birds that Hunt and are Hunted,’ 88; Huntington’s ‘In Brush, Sedge, and Stub- -
ble,’ 89; Oberholser on the Wrens of the Genus 7Aryomanes, 8g; Bangs on Birds from Colombia,
go; Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science, 91; Recent Papers on the Great Auk, 91
Stickney and Hoffmann’s ‘ Bird World, 92; Publications Received, 92.
Notes anp News.— A New Ornithological Journal, 94; *The Osprey,’ 95; Editorial Notice, 95;
New York Zoological Park, 96. -
—
<
Nintu SupPLEMENT TO THE A, O. U. Cuyeck-List oF NorTH AMERICAN BirDs, 97.
‘THE AUK,’ published as the Organ of the AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ —
UNION, is edited by Dr. J. A. ALLEN, with the assistance of Mr. FRANK M.
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oF NATuRAL History, CENTRAL ParRK, NEw YorK CITy.
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4 CONTINUATION OF THE New
4 BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB lyce'yyl
3 he Auk
3 lhe Au
A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology
Vol. WI — APRIL, 1899 — Wo. 2
1
PUBLISHED FOR
The American Ornithologists’ Union
nts res
NEW YORK
LS. FOSTER
4
CONTE WTS
THE HuMMINGBIRDS OF THE SANTA MARTA REGION oF CoLomBia. By Outram Bangs.»
(Plate II.)
: : : ; a ; : a : >. AIS
Tue Nocturna FLIGHT oF MiGRATING Birps. By O. G. Libédy. » r ; i 140
A Hisroricat Notice or Ross’s Rosy Gut (Rhodostethia rosea). By John Murdoch. . . 145
NESTING OF THE HERMIT WARBLER IN THE SIERRA NEVADA MounrTatns, CALIFORNIA. By
Chester Barlow. a b 5 5 : 3 5 : : “ x : rae? . » 156
Somz OBSERVATIONS ON THE ANATID@ OF NortH Dakota. By Rev. Herbert K. Job. > getOn
SomME PHILADELPHIA ORNITHOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS AND COLLECTORS, 1784-1850. By Wit-
mer Stone. ; é : 5 $ F . 5 > aes 3 ; . ° . 166
GENERAL Notes.— Thalassidroma castro of Harcourt, 177; Pelecanus occidentalis vs. P. fuscus 178;
Old Squaw (Clangula hyemalis) in Indiana, 178; White-winged Scoter (Ozdemia degland?), 179; Gal-
linago major vs. Gallinago media, 179; Sexual Difference in Size of the Pectoral Sandpiper
(Tringa maculata), 179; The 1898 Migration of the Golden Plover (Charadrius dominicus) and
Eskimo Curlew (Wumenzus borealis) in Massachusetts, 180; Hybrid Grouse, 180; The Number of
Rectrices in Grouse, 181; The Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) in Somerville, Mass., 181; The
Black Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus obsoletus) in Maine, 182 ; The specific name of Falco regulius, 182 ;
Habits of the Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), 182; An Unusual Set of Song Sparrow’s Eggs, 182;
The Names of the Song Sparrows, 182: On the Name Xenocichla, 183 ; Barn Swallows (Azrundo
erythrogaster), 184; Another Example of Curious Nesting of the American Redstart, 184; Certhia
Jamiliaris americana, not Certhia f. fusca! 185; The Second Reference for Axorthura hiemalis
pacifica, 185; Piranga rubra and Carfodacus mexicanus frontalis Preoccupied? 185; Four Pre-
occupied Names, 186; New and Rare Birds in Kansas, 187; More New Birds for Colorado, 187;
Some additional New Mexican Birds, 188; Notes from Rhode Island, 189; Notes on Long Island
Birds, 190; Some Birds of Unusual Occurrence in Orleans County, N. Y., 193; Late Migrants and
Stragglers in Eastern Massachusetts, 196; Destruction of Birds by the Great Cold Wave of Feb-
ruary 13 and 14, 1899, 197.
Recent LirerRAtTurRE.— Volume XXVI of the British Museum Catalogue of Birds, 198; Evans’s
‘Birds, 203; Von Ihering’s Birds of San Paulo, Brazil, 203; Dearborn’s Birds of Belknap and
Merrimac Counties, New Hampshire, 204; Nash’s ‘The Birds of Ontario in Relation to Agricul-
ture, 204; Stejneger on the Birds of the Kurile Islands, 205; Clark on the Feather Tracts of
North American Grouse and Quail, 205; Weed on the Winter Food of the Chickadee, 206; Weed
on the Feeding Habits of the Chipping Sparrow, 206; Whitman’s ‘The Birds of Old English Lit-
erature,’ 207; Publications Received, 207.
CorRESPONDENCE. — The Spelling of Names, 209; A Protest, 210. 2
Notes anp News.—Obituary— Dr. Oliver Marcy, 211; Professor Othniel C, Marsh, 211; New
Ornithological Magazines, 212; Ornithological Societies, 214; The Hoopes Collection of Birds,
215,; American Society of Bird Restorers, 215; Annual Meeting of The Audubon Society of the ~
-State of New York, 216.
————
‘THE AUK,’ published as the Organ of the AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS'’
Union, is edited by Dr. J. A. ALLEN, with the assistance of Mr. FRANK M.
CHAPMAN.
TERMS :— $3.00 a year, including postage, strictly in advance. Single num-
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All articles and communications intended for publication, and all books and
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or NATURAL HisTrory, CENTRAL PARK, NEW YorK Ciry.
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CONTINUATION OF THE New
Series,
BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB {serie
- |Wol. XXIII
: ) A Quarterly Fournal of Ornithology
Piwol =I .—JULY,1iseo— =§ Nos
SGPT as
ace aad
PUBLISHED FOR
Bel The American Ornithologists’ Union
4 - NEW YORK
Lia S.) OS T Bik,
CONTENTS.
SEQUENCE OF PLUMAGES; ILLUSTRATED BY THE MyRTLE WARBLER (Dendroica coronata) AND
THE YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (Icteria virens). By Jonathan Dwight,Jr., MD. (Plate IIL) 2
A Famity or Nestiines. By D. £. Owen. 3 . F % mn ee 2
On Some GENERA AND Species. By D. G. Elliot, F.R.S.E. ; ‘ 4 : Cir, ties 4
Some Parasites oF Birps. By Vernon L. Kellogg, Professor of Entomology, Leland Stan-
ford Jr. University. . : 5 : 5 F ; ‘ : : : a : 7 :
Tue PROTHONOTARY OR GOLDEN SWAMP WARBLER (Protonotaria citrea), A COMMON SUMMER
RESIDENT OF SOUTHEASTERN MinNESoTA. By Thomas S. Roberts, M.D. (With photo-
z 236
graphs from Nature by the Author.) . A : - : 3 . s . : 5
Notes on Some oF THE Brrps oF EASTERN Nort Caroutna. By/. Gilbert Pearson. ; 246, >)
Some Winter Brrps oF Nova Scotia. By C. H. Morrell. : : 4 . : . ack 250m
New Species, ETC., OF AMERICAN Birps.—IV. FrinGiLiip# (concluded); Corvip# (part). : &
254.
By Robert Ridgway. : , "
256 St
DescriPTION OF A New Geothlypfis. By Harry C. Oberholser. E ° 7 :
Tur TERNS OF MusKEGET AND PENIKESE ISLANDS, MASSACHUSETTS. By George H. Mackay. 259
Tue Sparrows oF MuississipP1. By Andrew Allison. 266 . a
GENERAL Notes. — Record of a Fifth Specimen of the European Widgeon (A was penelope) in Indiana, - a
270; The Scarlet Ibis (Guara rubra) in Arizona, 270; Notes on the Breeding of the Wilson’s —
Snipe (Gallinago delicata) in Ilinois and Indiana, 270; Columba corensis at Key West, Florida, 272;
The California Vulture in Arizona, 272; Melanerfes erythrocephalus Wintering in Chicago, 272; A
Bahama Bird (Cexturus nyeanus) Apparently Extinct, 273; The Chuck-will’s-widow on Shipboard,
273; Pinicola enucleator canadensis and Tryngites subruficollis in \Minois, 276; A mmodramus mel-
soni in Lowa, 276; Nelson’s Sparrow (A mmodramus nelsont) at Toronto, Ontario, 277; Capture of
the Black Seaside Finch (A smodramus nigrescens) in 1889, 277; Song Season of the Cardinal
(Cardinalis cardinalis), 278; Piranga rubra not Preoccupied, 278; Clévécola versus Rifaria, 281;—
Nest of the Long-billed Marsh Wren Lined with a Snake Skin, 281; The Short-billed Marsh Wren —
(Cistothorus stellaris) in Maine, 281; A Provident Nuthatch, 283; The Carolina Wren Breeding in
Rhode Island, 284; Food of the Robin, 284; A Rare Bird for Southern Ohio, 284; Some Rare Oc-
currences in Yates County, N. Y., 284; Family and Subfamily Names Based on Subgenera, 285;
‘Revival of the Sexual Passion in Autumn,’ 286; Emigration accidentelle d’oiseaux, 287.
Recent Liverature. — Elliot’s Wild Fowl of North America, 288; Thompson’s ‘Wild Animals I
Have Known,’ 289; Stone on Types of Birds in the Collection of the Academy of Natural Sciencesof
Philadelphia, 290; New North American Birds, 291; Bangs on Subspecies of Manacus manacus, 292 ;
Schalow on Birds from Chili, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands, 292; Salvadori
and Festa on the Birds of Darien, 292; Harvie-Brown’s Color Code, 293; Howe’s ‘On the Bird’s —
Highway,’ 293; Economic Relations of Birds to Agriculture, 294; Nelson on the Birds ofthe Tres
Marias, 296; Nelson on New Birds from Northwestern Mexico, 296; Geaera and Subgenera of the ~
A. O. U. Check-List, 297; Publications Received, 297. ; a
CorRESPONDENCE. — The Spelling of Names, 300.
Nores AND News. — Joseph Wolf, 301; The Harriman Expedition to Alaska, 301; George K. Cherrie’s.
Venezuelan Expedition, 302; Nebraska Ornithological Club, 303; Ornithological Publications, 303 ;
‘Hints to Young Bird Students,’ 303; A Sophism, 304; Erratum, 304. ; :
‘THE AUK,’ published as the Organ of the AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’
UNION, is edited by Dr. J. A. ALLEN, with the assistance of Mr. FRANK M. ~
CHAPMAN. z PS
TERMS :— $3.00 a year, including postage, strictly in advance. Single num- ~
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Subscriptions and Advertisements should be addressed to the publisher, —
L. S. FOSTER, 33 Pine Street, New York, N. Y. Foreign Subscribers
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Row, Lonpon. ; at
All articles and communications intended for publication, and all books and ~
publications for notice, should be sent to Dr. J. A. ALLEN, AMERICAN MUSEUM ~
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Old
Series,
Vol. XXIII
I CONTINUATION OF THE
BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB
‘Lhe Auk
A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology
New
Series,
Vol. XVI
PUBLISHED FOR
The American Ornithologists’ Union
NEW YORK
SO EB poke: > ns Bd a
x
~
CONTENTS. = ="
Winter PLumaAGes:—ILiusTRATED BY THE ROSE=BREASTED GROSBEAK (Zamelodia ludovi-
ctana). By Witmer Stone. (Plate IV.) BL he - 2 ries:
Notes on Some OF THE RARER BIRDS OF WESTERN Rey / By S.N. Rhoads.
An EXaMpLe oF APTOSOCHROMATISM, AS INFLUENCED By DiET In Megascofs asio. By
Francis J. Birtwell, i
Tue CoLor or CERTAIN BIRDs, IN Rutkcen TO ioneeeeoenrs) By, Bickervon Williams.
OvERLOOKED DescripTions oF Fivz Hummrncpirps. By Charles W. Richmond.
On THE DATE oF LAcEpPEDrE’s ‘TaBLEAUX.’ By Charles W. Richmond. .
A Synopsis OF THE GENUS Contopfus AND ITS ALLIES. By Harry C. Oberholser. . . ‘
REPUBLICATION OF Descriptions oF New SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF NorTH AMERICAN
Birps. By J. A. Allen. é = 4 E ‘ 4 : : ; “
GrenerAL Notes.—The Black Tern (Aydrochelidon nigra surinamensis) in New Vork Harbor, 351; __
Capture of the Brown Pelican in Wyoming, 351; The Little Blue Heron (Ardea cerwiea) in Con- ©
necticut, 351; The Green Heron Breeding in Ontario, 351; White-tailed Hawk in Arizona, 352; A
Phenomenal Flight of Hawks, 352; A Musical W oodpecker, 353; Note on the Name Drymophila,
353; New Song of the Balt. nore Oriole, 354; Song of the White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichi
leucophrys), 355; Ammodramus henslowit—a Correction, 356; Leconte’s Sparrow (A mmodramus —
leconteiz) in Kentucky, 356; Nesting of Nelson’s Sparrow (A mmodramus nelsont) in North Dakota,
356; Hirondelles de Guanajuato, Mexico, 357; Wery Early Record of the Cliff Swallow, 359; Phila-
delphia Vireo in West Virginia, 359; A Note on Kirtland’s Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandi), 359;
The Hooded Warbler at Montville, Conn., 360; Odd Nesting of Maryland Yellow-throat, 360; —
Puerto Rico Honey Creeper, 361; Notes on Marian’s Marsh Wren, Cistothorus mariane, and © ;
Worthington’s Marsh Wren, Cistothorus palustris griseus, 361; Birds Feeding on Hairy Caterpillars,
362. :
RECENT enereees — Pycraft on the Osteology of the Impennes, 363; Montgomery on the Food of —
Owls, 363; Lantz’s Review of Kansas Ornithology, 364; The Goss Collection of Mexican and Cen- ~
tral American Birds, 365; Cory’s ‘The Birds of Eastern North America, Water Birds, Part I,’ 360; _
Knobel’s ‘ Field Key to the Land Birds,’ 367; Mrs. Miller’s ‘The First Book of Birds,’ 368; Stone —
on Birds from Bogota, 369; Chapman on New Birds from Venezuela, 369; Oberholser on Untenable _ 7
Names in Ornithology, 370; Farrington on a Fossil Egg from South Dakota, 370; Gurney and Gill ug t
on the Age to which Birds Live, 370; Kellogg and Others on Mallophaga; 372; Huntington’s ‘ In
Brush, Sedge, and Stubble,’ 372; ‘Publications Received, 373.
CoRRESPONDENCE. — The Proper Function of ‘ Binomials’ and ‘ Trinomials,’ 374.
P
Notes and News.— Seventeenth Annual Congress of the A. O. U., 377; Obituary — Major Foon L.
Fowler, 377; John Cordeaux, 378; Ornithological Publications, 379; The Harriman Expedition,
380; Meeting of Hungarian ate Austrian Ornithologists, 38:; Third International Ornithological —
Congress, 381; Erratum, 382. f
‘THE AUK,’ published as the Organ of the AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS
UNION, is eaited bysDy: je A. ALLEN, with the assistance of Mr. FRANK M.
CHAPMAN.
TeERMs :— $3.00 a year, including postage, strictly in advance. Single num-—
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Subscriptions and Advertisements should be addressed to the published
L. S. FOSTER, 33 PINE StreET, New York, N. Y. Foreign Subscribers —
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All articles and communications intended for publication, and all books and
publications for notice, should be sent to Dr. J. A. ALLEN, AmErRICcAN MusEuM *
or NATURAL HisTory, CENTRAL ParK, NEW YORK Crry.
a
ot tel
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