Slaw thes

mana ar nae
SRR, i

‘ re a wre

mana? aad

ay rey ae ga
Vag
Hh tease

somee
Ve ett eanrye

Rand aun

ee o

‘rary
a ly

es tS bvadesabue
Slo Sarre th

yeae

ass

by
“Pama ee

Yn '

“ Reha: THe
A Sones bene» ?

vs
A959 Mie hameingere ye

Mipy big te Steyn nena Bane

Steal

mica a * a aaa
WN meh Ms ath
ae Hy soe ae

whe ‘fede tate

; ‘feta a
: Shbim agen
.
, Went nes ty trie PON AAS mae
oP a ea te Sid Lr een)
Raa Fev ths
tenn

| Aes Toe
: easen de deiry 7

¢ ha eae bait .' aS “3
ie rts i

ij
i, 1h) ay dea dal
: aa wu LT tee it

4 4 ra 4 ‘ ; a ,
y : i ) hee
; 4s |G oh paraty “4
‘ ‘ Les ay f iy I

‘ X Sie debey i Phy,
: i t > + “ at

; dearest | sts tu pete By cule
j ANIM ; ) BER A vera
) ,

{ 4
i
it
“9 bY
d is pore
Tein ae beabay
’ , 4 ‘ Bi |
Miiaidiies UD aha sephey
; Vas thinv it
i eititw
: A SA aoe
- r Fy f i ? pinnae
; . MORE teil 2 rida
», ery Faith ica vary
TIRES aan cg i bra)
“ i 1
Pye? penreitt
am ROO ' ‘ Me
4. ta) Alys
: ; ie he 2 4
y pra seen
" ene if ei opi
any Ary ie s nat Fa Nate » Cin asst,
i mn “gy Tb hita Pe ae
tn fis
: Diphy,
u fe Pe dS, 5
att ysis qi ay Petit
; ey gtk tane ae
ehen
i ‘ ‘
aig fi !
: Me :
of Ao iit
' . : Oe che
'
1)
econ
| p sats
Os tbs
| ie i
i Hae
”
q 48 seb)
‘ ny Hes ii ih Hy
‘ ¢ 4
. it tH Syed Gad
| at an
f og

ay MES Xf oe ay eG fs)
ix — 4% 3 Pe = — z
> WL 4, y \y =
ow ne 7 @ Up ™ LON De 2 CAMS
a nn pos
ILNLILSNI NVINOSHLINS SAlYWUaII_LIBRARIES
FA ae
== — aise P NS
a Paar + «lf fy = WN SOs
IVf t @ pip 2 VR ;
Yip = o Gig = \
Vif — =_ a i :
. = = : = we

S3RARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILNLILSNI

n = o
Ww Pn ae oe =
oe. ttt LY = ox
de a <
“ip 3 :
0 “G@ 3 z
a 3 rr _
LOLILSNI NWINOSHLINS (SAlavddid LIBRARIES
: Be 5 =
2 es 2
20 = 0
a WE pi
m AS Z m
wn = w
SRARIES SMITHSONIAN NOILNLILSNI
wn z w
= Zz = yj
Bi ro) a Ow
Es oO yp
\ Se = 8G
“ S > ,
SS = = NS =
SLOLILSNI NVINOSHLIWS S3tY¥VY9i

NOILNLILSNI
NOILNLILSNI

SRARIES SMITH INSTITUTION NOILNLILSNI

INSTITUTION

INSTITUTION

ILOLILSNI SAIYVYUAIT LIBRARIES

NVINOSHLINS S3INVYSIT LIBRARIES

SMITHSONIAN

3RARIES INSTITUTION NOILNILILSNI

SMITHSONIAN

LIBRARIES

S3!luvudit LIBRARIES

1YYYSIT_LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN

STITUTION NOILNLILSNI

1yvVyugiy

SONIAN

INSTITL

SMITHSONIAN

NVINOSHLINS S3IY¥YV

SMITHSONIAN

NVINOSHLIWS S31u¥Hd

ERR =
43 SQ, «=
:.
pe
SMITHSONIAN
z= ; id
Oo ey 7
ao tty wo
a ily a
& J fi
ae ; foe? fe
z me
NVINOSHLIWS, |
<=

=

x

wn

[e)

=

<.

Zz

NVINOSHLINS S3IY¥VYdtt LIBRARIES SMITH

z
©
bt
5
Be:
e
Ww
se
SMITHSONIAN
z
<
=
oO
a
Te
&
= Gms,
w *
_ NVINOSR UE ea | uvud
= exe 7 fee
=e \ ae
FS MQ «=
pe, “7 mam
oO —
Pa enya
SMITHSONIAN
Pa ies
S Gh, a
E ay
ra , 9, ed { ; .

S|] — “ty 4G =n EX Ss} — \a J > WO. aS ir 3
ON, oc. vy pt tif x on pc S vi rts = Y 2 ross
= — ioe) s =
LALILSNI NVINOSHLINS Sa 1yVvug ryt BRARI ES |, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTIC
Pps = Pi. a = <
z = "2 WS 3 Z
S} ae D9 Ce" = S$
s a ZR 3 2
i Zz sa YX 2 =
= > = . 2 S
a a ” Rae wn
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILALILSNI_ NVINOSHLIWS S3I1u¥vuad
” ; Z i 2 if ”
oc. = fe 2 o
<? my < = <x
oc per a = oc
e Z Fs} - 3 os
ail ook -! z . oll
AALILSNI_NVINOSHLIWS ->4 {YVvug J LIBRARI ES_ SMITHSONIAN INSTITUT
ae “i oO o~_ oO S04 —
wo ~ w — a
2 Na 5 : : a
> Ve > ee i>
a SN = a i= See
as MS - = —— =
” ; = n = n

SRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILNLILSNI NVINOSHLINS SAIYVUS

= oN 4 = A
3 WSS 3 A 8 =
2) A LX oO = O ¢
2 WAY 2 = 2 A
\ =a :
> tS > = >
= rae Zz ”Y =
_ NVINOSHLIWS SAIYVYaIT_ LIBRARIES INSTITUTIC
z 2 =
= = 4
4 4 fi
: : :
ro) Oo oO
= 2 S

SRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILONLILSNI NVINOSHLINS S31yYvud

“iif?

ILALILSNI NVINOSHLIWS

INSTITUTION
INSTITUTION

INSTITUTION
ww a
A

SAIYVYRIT LIBRARIES

SMITHSONIAN
NVINOSHLINS S3IMNVH9I7T LIBRARIES SMITHSONIA
NVINOSHLINS S3IYVUGIT LIBRARIES

SMITHSONIAN
SMITHSONIAN

: : a
SRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILNLILSNI NVINOSHLIWS S3IuVvua

7) = “” _

us a us 2 us
oc. oo fod re tc
= = <x =4 <x
| = oc = oc
a are: - —— he

SLALILSNI NVINOSHLINS SSIYVUYUSIT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTIC

= . : S ;
a > me) 5 ma
oe E a ee ai
mm wn a) Ww pa

on Natty
AB S ft ¥
cS eons

7
y mn ih, Pie

} \ we nh

._D SERIES, CONTINUATION OF THE f NEw SERIES
VOL. XLII. BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CruB | VoL. V

ane Auk

4 Quarterly Fournal of Ornithology

EDITOR,
An AL BAN

ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Gy BALTCHELDER

VOLUME V
PUBLISHED FOR
The American Ornithologists’. Union

NEW YORK
ne Se OS ber bs
1888

Wiehe 3 It inne eee
ar sine ati) “We f La
fe Eek

as a> til

CONTENTS OF VOLUME V.

NUMBER II.

PAGE
SPENCER FULLERTON BairbD. By Robert Ridgway : I
Upper Missouri River Birps. By Robert S. Williams 14
An ANNOTATED List oF Birps BREEDING IN THE DistTRIcT OF
CotumBiA. By Charles W. Richmond . 3 18
FreepInG Hasirs oF Pelecanus erythrorhyuchos. By Ne Ss. Goss 26
Notes ON Gymnostinops montezume. By N.S. Goss 247
On THE AVIFAUNA OF PINAL COUNTY, WITH REMARKS ON SOME
Birps OF PIMA AND GiLa CounTIEs, ARIZONA. By W. E. D.
Scott. With annotations by F. A. Allen : : : 29
New Forms oF NortTH AMERICAN Chordiles. Bv Elliott Coues 37
OBSERVATIONS ON NOCTURNAL MIGRATION OF BirDs. By Frank
M. Chapman F : d 3 P -\3F
NoTes ON THE Peucea ruficeps Group P, WITH DESCRIPTION OF A
NEW SuBSPECIES. By George B. Sennett . 40
DESCRIPTIONS OF A NEw SPECIES AND Two NEw SUBSPECIES OF
Birps FROM TExAs. By George B. Sennett ; 43
DESCRIPTION OF A SUPPOSED NEW Form OF Margarops FROM
Dominica. By Charles B. Cory . : 47
AN APPARENTLY NEw £Elainea FROM BARBADOES, “Wrst INDixzs.
By Charles B. Cory : . ; : ‘ 9 : : party
THe BIRDS OF THE WEST INDIES, INCLUDING THE BAHAMA ISLANDs,
THE GREATER AND THE LESSER ANTILLES, EXCEPTING THE ISL-
ANDS OF TOBAGO AND TRINIDAD. By Charles B. Cory . 48
DESCRIPTIONS OF SUPPOSED NEw Brrps FROM LOWER CALIFORNIA,
SonorRA, AND CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO, AND THE BAHAMAS. By
William Brewster 82
FirrH MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ Union . 95

RECENT LITERATURE.

Coues’s‘Key to North American Birds,’ New Edition, ror ; Townsend's
Field-notes on the Birds of Northern California, 104; Shufeldt’s
Contributions to Avisection, 104; A New Ornithichnite, 105 ;
Clark’s ‘Birds of Amherst’, 105; Publications Received, 106.

GENERAL NOTES.

Larus atricilla at Springfield, Mass., 107; The Yellow-nosed Alba-
tross (Thalassogeron culminatus) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence,
107; Cory’s Shearwater at Newport, R. I., 108; The Black Duck
in Chihuahua, 108; Radlus longtrostris crepitans Breeding on the
Coast of Louisiana, 108; Jonornts martinica in Arizona, 109;

iv Contents of Volume V.

Habits of the Purple Gallinule (onornis martinica), 109; Unex-
pected Occurrence of Certain Shore Birds in Texas in Midsum-
mer and in Breeding Plumage, 110; The European Kestrel in
Massachusetts, 110; Ulula cinerea in Steuben Co.,New York,
110; Megascops asio floridanus in Louisiana, 111; Ceophlaus pe-
leatus in Franklin County, Massachusetts, 111; Breeding of the
Prairie Horned Lark in Eastern New York—A Correction, 111,
The Prairie Horned Lark (Ofocor¢s alpestris praticola) on the
Coast of Massachusetts, 111; Occurrence of the Florida Blue
Jay (Cyanocitta cristata florincola) in Southwestern Texas, 112;
Abnormal Plumage of Naxthocephalus xanthocephalus, 112; No-
tice of the Presence of Quiscalus guiscula eneus in Upper South
Carolina, 113; Qurscalus quisculi agleus in Louisiana, 113;
Breeding of the Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertina)
in the White Mountains of Arizona, 113; Occurrence of Cocco-
thraustes vespertina in lowa, 114; Loxta curvtrostra minor
again at Yemassee, S. C., 115; A Philadelphia Vireo and a Cob-
‘web, 115; Helminthophila leucobronchialrs in Pennsylvania, 1153
The Yellow-breasted Chat Breeding in Malden, Mass., 116; Syé-
vania mitrata at Germantown, Pennsylvania. in November, 116;
On the Nesting of Palmer's Thrasher, 116; Feeding Habits of
Sitta canadensts, 118; Spotted Eggs of Parus gambeli, 118;
What Birds indicate Proximity to Water, and at What Distance,

11g.
CORRESPONDENCE.

Propatagialis cucullaris, 120.

NOTES AND NEWS.

The Audubon Monument, 123; The Bird Collection of the British
Museum, 124; Seebohm’s ‘Geographical Distribution of the
Charadriide, 125; Editorship of ‘The Auk,’ 126; ‘Discovery’ in
regard to the Soaring of Birds, 126; Destruction of Birds in
Florida, 128.

APPENDIX.

By-Laws and Rules of the American Ornithologists’ Union, ix; Lists
of Officers and Members of the American Ornithologists’ Union,
December, 1887, xix.

NUMBER II.

Tue Birp Rocks OF THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE IN 1887. By

Frederic A. Lucas . : ; : ; : 4 5 : 3 16)
On THREE APPARENTLY NZW SUBSPECIES OF MEXICAN Birps. By
William Brewster : ; 3 j : ‘ : : - 126
Notes ON THE Birps oF Fort KLAMATH, OREGON. By Dr. F. C.
Merrill, U. S. A. With remarks on certain Species by IV7lliam
Brewster . : : F 139

ADDITIONS TO THE AVIFAUNA OF WASHINGTON AND VICINITY. By
Hugh M. Smith and William Palmer . : 5 : . - 147

Contents of Volume V.

NOTES ON THE SUMMER BirpDs OF HOLDERNESS, BETHLEHEM, AND
FRANCONIA, N. H. By Walter Faxon and ¥. A. Allen

THE Birps OF THE WesT INDIES, INCLUDING THE BAHAMA I[sL-
ANDS, THE GREATER AND THE LESSER ANTILLES, EXCEPTING
THE ISLANDS OF TOBAGO AND TRINIDAD. By Charles B. Cory.

ON THE AVIFAUNA OF PINAL COUNTY, WITH REMARKS ON SOME
Birps OF PIMA AND GILA eh Os reat ARIZONA. By W. £. D.
Scott. With Annotations Ge dale HWE ‘

A DESCRIPTION OF AN Apranusity NEW SPECIES OF Sci iiids
FROM CALIFORNIA. y F. Amory Feffries

Birp NOTES FROM eee IsLanp, N. Y. By Wallan Wateher

SUPPLEMENTARY Notes FROM THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA, WITH
A DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF MARSH WREN. By
W. E. D. Scott : : : : 5 i : : ;

RECENT LITERATURE.

Chamberlain’s Canadian Birds, 189; Seebohm’s ‘Geographical Distri-
bution of the Charadriide,’ 189; Ridgway on New or Little-
known American Birds, 194; Ridgway on Wuerdemann’s Heron,
195; Ridgway on the Breeding of Trogon ambiguus in Arizona,
195; Stejneger on Japanese Birds, 195; Stejneger on Hawaiian
Birds, 196; Stejneger on Birds of the Commander Islands, 197;
Stejneger on Palearctic Bullfinches, 197; Lucas on the Osteology
of the Spotted Tinamou, 198; Shufeldt on Bird Skulls and Sterna
collected by Dr. Streets, 198; Chamberlain’s ‘Systematic Table
of Canadian Birds,’ 198; Sclater and Hudson’s ‘Argentine Orni-
thology,’ 199; Publications Received, 200.

GENERAL NOTES.

Be OP ets occidentalts in Kansas, 201; Puffinus borealis at Gar-
diner’s Bay, N. Y., 202; Eggs of the Ivory Gull (Gavia alba), 202;

The Old-squaw (Clang SES Vhyemalis) in South Carolina, 203)5) SULL

Scoter (Otdemia perspicillata) in Kansas, 203; Note on Rostralu-
line, 204;The Wild Turkey in Massachusetts, 204; The European
Kestrel in Massachusetts — A Correction, 205; First Occurrence
of the Western Red-tailin Ontario, 205; Dichromatism in the Ge-
nus Wyct¢dromus, 205; On the Further Occurrence of Ofocords al-
pestris praticola in Chester County, South Carolina, 206; Cory-
domorphe, 207; Molothrus ater again in Massachusetts in
Winter, 207; Blackbird Flights at Burlington, Iowa, 207; Quzs-
calus quiscula agleus at Charleston, South Carolina, 208; The
Evening Grosbeak in Ontario, 208; Loxza curvirostra minor taken
again at Yemassee, S. C., 208; Carfodacus purpureus at Port-
land, Maine, in Winter, 209; Ammodramus lecontett at Yemassee,
S. C., 210; Ammodramus henslowtd wintering in large numbers
at Yemassee, S. C., 210; Occurrence of Vireo flavoviridis at
Riverside, Cal, 210; The Northern Range of Oforornis formosa
in Illinois, 210; Profonotaria cttrea in Montgomery County,
Pennsylvania, 210; Dendroica tigrina at Iowa City, in Novem-
ber, 211; Bird Notes from Toronto, 211.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Observations on the Pterylosis of Certain Picide, 212; Polydacty-
lism in Birds, 218,

168

vi Contents of Volume V.

NOTES AND NEWS.

Obituary. — Dr. Joseph B. Holder, Prof. Charles Linden, 220; The
Audubon Monument, 221; A. O. U. ‘By-Laws and Rules’ and ‘List
of Members,’ 221; A. O. U. and ‘Auk’ Matters, 222; Ornithological
Societies, 222; American Museum Collection of Birds, 222; ‘Inter-
locking’ of the Primaries in Birds, 223; Bibliography of Cana-
dian Ornithology, 224; New Ornithological Periodicals, 224; Or-
nithological Explorations in Mexico, 22

NUMBER III.

PAG

NOTES ON ee Hapits, NESTS AND EGGs OF THE GeNus Sphyrapicus
Bairp. By CaPpt. Chas. E. Bendtre

New AND RARE BIRDS FOUND BREEDING ON THE San PEDRO MARIE
Isie, By V.'S. Goss

FreepInG HaBITs OF SOME YOUNG RApTorEs. By HT. ‘Sustin Roddy. 2

NOTES RELATIVE TO THE SENSE OF SMELL IN THE TURKEY BUZZARD
(Cathartes aura). By C. L. Hopkins : :

Nores ON THE BirRDS OF ForT KLAMATH., OREGON. By De x. a
Merrill, U. S. A. With*Remarks on Certain Species by We
liam Brewster

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW Tityr a@ FROM WrsTERN Mexico. By Robart
Ridgway

DESCRIPTION OF A New Species OF HumMMINGEIRD- OF THE Genus
Agyrtria. By D. G. Elliot, F. R. Sn 2. :

On A New SuBSPECIES OF Ammodramus sandwichensis FROM Mexi-
co. By Amos W. Butler

DESCRIPTION OF A NEw sesauair FROM THE Wires INDIES. By
Charles B. Cory 3

A List oF BIRDS OBSERVED AT GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA. ‘By Fidae
M. Chapman

Great AUK NOTES. By Fr ide the Widens

DeScRIPTIONS OF Two NEw SUBSPECIES OF THE SEASIDE SPARROW
(Ammodramus maritimus). By F. A. Allen .

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS T7tyra FROM Ecua-
por. By F. A. Allen :

Tue Jacanipz. By D. G Elizot, ‘F. R. S. E. :

A New FormM OF CLAPPER RAIL. By George B. Seynen

RECENT LITERATURE.

Palmén’s Contributions to the Knowledge of the Bird Fauna of the
Siberian Coasts of the Arctic Sea, 306 ; A Catalogue of the Birds
of North Carolina, 311; Minor Ornithological Publications, 312;
Publications Received, 317-

GENERAL NOTES.

Occurrence of Larus marinus on the Southern Coast of New Jersey.
218; The: Yellow- nosed Albatross (Thalassogeron culminatus),
318; Ordemia perspicillata in Florida, 319; An Addition to the
List of North American Birds, 319; The Yellow Rail in Connec-
ticut, 319; Notes on Melanerpes torquatus, 319; Early Nesting of
Otocorts alpestris praticola, 320; Pine Grosbeak in Fulton Gol
Kentucky, 321; Occurrence of the Chestnut-collared Longspur
(Calcarius ornatus) and also of McCown’s Longspur (Rkynco-
phanes mccowniz) in Apache Co., Arizona, 321; Exethketa canora

288
- 305

Contents of Volume V. vii

from Sombrero Key, Florida.—A Bird New to the United States,
322; An Abnormal Scarlet Tanager, 322; Prothonotary Warbler
in Ontario, 322; Bachman’s Warbler (/le/minthophila bachmant)
in Louisiana, 32 3; Helminthophila celata in Connecticut, 323;
Dendrotca cerulea in the District of Columbia, 323; Seturus
noveboracensts notabilzs in South Carolina, 324; Two Records for
Long Island, New York, 324; Birds at Aiken, S. C., 324; Notes
on Louisiana Birds, 324; Observations on Bird Migration at
Milwaukee, 325; Osteological Notes upon Puffins and Ravens,
328; Abnormalities in the Ribs of Birds, 329.

CORRESPONDENCE.

The Sternum in the Solitary Sandpiper, and other Notes, 330.

NOTES AND NEWS.

Obituary.—Henry James Stovin Pryer, 332; Dr. Modest N. Bogda-
now, 333; Bird Destruction, 334; Edible Birds’-nests, 335; Ex-
plorations inthe West Indies, 335; Subscriptions for the Audubon
Monument, 336.

NUMBER IV.
PAGE
BREEDING OF THE GOLDEN-CRESTED KINGLET (feegulus satrapa) IN
WoRCESTER CouNTY, MASSACHUSETTS, WITH A DESCRIPTION OF
Irs Nest ANDEGGs. By Wdlliam Brewster . 5 iy
BirDs OF CARROLL CounTy, INDIANA. By Barton W. Evermann . 344
NoreEs ON THE NESt AND EcGs oF Peucea estivalis bachmanti AuD.,
BACHMAN’S SPARROW. By Caft. Charles E. Bendire : 5 au
NOTES ON THE BIRDs OF FoRT KLAMATH, OREGON. By Dr. ¥. C.
Merrill, U. S. A. With Remarks on Certain Species by W7/-

liam Brewster _ 357
NoTES ON THE HABITs, NeEsts AND » Ecos OF THE . Genus Bane
Bork. By Capt. Charles E. Bendire . = 306
A SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS ON THE BIRDS OF THE GuLF Coast OF
Firoripa. By W.£. D. Scott : 2393
Testimony oF SOME EarLy VoyaGErs oN THE GREAT AUK. By
Fannie P. Hardy. - 380

NESTING OF THE RED-FACED WARBL ER nGCardelina rubrifr ons) IN
THE HuacHucA MOUNTAINS, SOUTHERN ARIZONA. By W. W.

Price : 2) 385
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF WIncHENDON, “WorcESTER County, Massa-
CHUSETTS. By Welliam Brewster i 5 Stats

List oF ADDITIONS TO THE NorTH AMERICAN “AVIF AUNA AND OF
ELIMINATIONS AND CHANGES IN NOMENCLATURE PROPOSED SINCE
THE PUBLICATION OF THE A. QO. U. CHECK-LIST. By Frank M.
Chapman. . 393

DESCRIPTION OF THE BREEDING PLUMAGE OF CHADBOU RNE’S FIELD
SPARROW (Sfizella arenacea), WITH EVIDENCE OF ITS SPECIFIC
DistincTNEss. By Dr. C. Hart Merriam . 402

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF WREN FROM THE ISLAND OF To-
BAGO, WEsT INDIES. By George N. Lawrence . . : . 404

Vili Contents of Volume V.

DESCRIPTION OF AN APPARENTLY NEW Poocetes FROM OREGON. By

GES Miler ef roe - 404
NESTING OF THE PRAIRIE WARBLER (Dendre orca discolor) 1 IN THE Vi-
CINITY OF WASHINGTON, D. C. By Elliott Baird Coues . - 405

RECENT LITERATURE.

Turner’s Report of his Ornithological Observations in Alaska, 409;
Sharpe’s Catalogue of the Family Fringillide, 410; Shufeldt on
the Osteology of the Icteride and “Corvide, 413; Shufeldt on the
Skeleton of the Carolina Rail, 414: Vernacular Ornithology, 414;
Allen on the Emargination of the Primaries, 418; Birds of Mor-
ris County, New Jersey, 421; Publications Received, 422.

GENERAL NOTES.

Note on the Correct Name of Symphemia semtfalmata tnornata
Brewst., 423; A Second Maine and (Fourth New England) Speci-
men of Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsont), 424; Nesting of
the Black Swift, 424; Xantus’s Becard (Platypsarizs albtventris)
in the Huachuca Mountains, Southern Arizona, 425; Cocco-
thraustes vespertina in Nebraska, 425; Tameness of the Pine Sis-
kin, 426; Further Notes on Seaside Sparrows, 426; A Second In-
stance of the Breeding of the White-throated Sparrow in Eastern
Massachusetts, 426; A Third Specimen of Lawrence's Warbler,
427; Notes on Helminthophila leucobrenchialts, 427; Bachman’s
Warbler Helminthophila bachmani at Key West, Florida, in July
and August, 428; Dendroica coronata at Key Westin Summer, 430:
Breeding of the Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea) in Niagara
County, New York, 430; Dendroica cerulea at Seymour, Con-
necticut. 431; An Albino Blackpoll Warbler, 432; C7stothorus
palustris mariane on the Coast of Georgia. 432; Capture of the
Brown-headed Nuthatch near Elmira, New York, 432: Impeded
Migration and Destruction of Birds at Chicago, 432: Reason or
Instinct ?, 434; Notes on the Nomenclature of the Muscles of Vola-
tion in Birds’ Wings, 435.

CORRESPONDENCE.

The Osteology of Habéa melanocephala with Comparative Notes upon
the Skeletons of certain other Conirostral Birds and of Tanagers,
438; How far West has Anas obscura been found ?, 444.

NOTES AND NEWS.

Obituary,— Charles Wickliffe Beckham, 445; Philip Henry Gosse,
446; The Sixth Congress of the American Ornithologists’ Union,
447; The Henshaw Collection, 447; Report of the Division of
Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy, 447; Dr. Menzbier’s
‘Ornithologie du Turkestan,’ 447; Audubon Monument, 448;
Papers awaiting Publication in ‘The Auk’, 448.

SUPPLEMENT.
DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF BIRDS FROM
THE NEOTROPICAL REGION. By Hans von Berlepsch . ‘ - 449
SUPPLEMENTARY REMARKS ON THE GENUS Psitfacula BRISSON. By
Robert Ridgway ! : - : : - - - : - 460
INDEX . : ; : : ‘ : : : : ; , - 463
ERRATA . : : ; - : : 4 - : 3 - - 484

CONTENTS OF VOL. V.. : ; , ‘ ; ; ; ‘ sug

BY-LAWS AND RULES OF THE AMERICAN
ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION.

By-Laws.
Article I. Of Members.

Section rz. Vhe Union shall consist of Active, Associate,
Honorary, and Corresponding Members, and Patrons.

Section 2. Active Members shall be residents of the United
States or Canada, and shall be limited to fifty in number.

Section 3. Associate Members shall be residents of the
United States or Canada, and shall not be limited in number.

Section g. Honorary Members shall be limited to twenty-
five in number. They shall be chosen for their eminence in
Ornithology, and may be residents of any country.

Section 5. Corresponding Members shall be limited to one
hundred in number, and may be residents of any country.

ariecedsl. ‘Of Officers.

Section r. The Officers of the Union shall be a President,
two Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and seven Coun-
cillors. These officers shall constitute the Board of Manage-
ment or Council of the Union, for the transaction of such
business as may be assigned to it by the By-Laws or by the
Union.

Section 2. The President or, in case of his absence or ina-
bility to act, one of the Vice-Presidents shall preside at the
meetings of the Union and of the Council, and shall appoint all
Committees except such as are otherwise provided for.

Section 3. The Secretary shall keep a record of the meet-
ings of the Union and Council; shall give at least three weeks’
notice to Active and Associate Members of the time and place
of meetings, shall report to the Council all nominations received
by him for membership, and shall send to each Active Member
a list of the nominees to Active Membership; shall notify Mem-
bers elect of their election, and Committees of their appoint-
ment; shall acknowledge all donations to the Union, and report

x By-Laws and Rules.

the same at the next Stated Meeting; and he shall have charge
of the corporate seal of the Union.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall collect all dues from mem-
bers, attend to all receipts and disbursements of the Union, and
make a report of the same to the Union at each Stated Meeting.

Section 5. Vacancies occurring in any office may be filled by
the Council until the next annual election.

Article III. Of Meetings.

Section z. Stated Meetings of the Union shall be held annu-
ally, at such times and places as the Union may determine.
Special meetings shall be called by the Council as occasion may
require, due notice thereof being given by the Secretary

Section 2. ‘Ten Active Members shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business.

Section 3. A majority of the Council shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business.

Section 4. The scientific meetings of the Union shall be open
to the public, unless otherwise ordered by a majority of the
Members present.

Section 5. A Stated Meeting of the Council shall immedi-
ately precede each Stated Meeting of the Union. Special
meetings of the Council may be called by the President and
Secretary, or by any four Members of the Council.

Article IV. Of Elections, Resignations, and Expulsions.

Section r. All elections shall be by ballot. Officers, and
Active and Honorary Members, shall be elected individually.

Section 2. All Officers shall be elected annually ; the term of
office shall begin immediately after the election, and the Officers
shall continue in office until their successors are elected.

Section 3. Elections of Officers are to be held as follows: In
each case nominations shall be made by means of an informal
ballot, the result of which shall be announced by the Secretary ;
after which the first formal ballot shall be taken.

Inthe ballot for Vice-Presidents, and Members of the Council,
each voter shall write on one ballot as many names as there are
Officers to be elected, viz., two on the first ballot for Vice-Presi-
dent, and seven on the first ballot for Members of the Council ;
and on each subsequent ballot many as names as there are

By-Laws and Rules. xi

persons yet to be elected; and those persons who receive a
majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected, provided
that the number of persons recetving a majority does not ex-
ceed the number of persons to be elected, in which case the
vacanctes shall be filled by the candidates recetving the high-
est majorities.

Ifin any case the informal ballot result in giving a majority
for any of the candidates, it may be declared formal by a majority
vote.

Section 4g. Nominations to Active Membership shall be made
in writing; each nomination shall be signed by three Active
Members, and shall be handed to the Secretary at least three
months prior to the Annual Meeting at which it is to be voted
on. The number of Active Members to be elected shall be
first decided by a majority vote of the Active Members present
at the Stated Meeting at which the election is to be held and they
shall be elected in the following manner: Each member may
select from the list to be voted upon, and inscribe on a ballot,
names not to exceed in number the vacancies to be filled. Ab-
sent members may send ballots for five of the candidates, in
order of preference, to the Secretary in a sealed blank envelope
inclosed in another, and such envelopes shall be opened only by
the tellers. From the names receiving the highest number of
votes on this preference ballot, the members present may pro-
ceed to elect new members in the following manner: At each
ballot each member present may vote for not exceeding the full
number of persons to be elected, and the person receiving the
highest number of votes shall be declared elected, provided
that he receive at least three-fourths of the votes cast.

Section 5. Every person elected to Active Membership
shall pay to the Treasurer, within six months from the date of
election, an entrance fee of ten dollars, and subscribe to the
By-Laws of the Union.

Section 6. The nomination of Honorary and Corresponding
Members shall be made by the Council to the Union, and such
members shall be elected by ballot, and the affirmative votes of
three-fourths of the Active Members present shall be necessary
to a choice. Honorary and Corresponding Members shall be
enrolled upon signifying acceptance of membership.

Section 7. Associate Members may be nominated to the
Union through the Secretary by any Active Member, and the

xii By-Laws and Rules.

nominations shall be acted upon by the Union at the next Stated
Meeting; such Members may be thereupon elected by ballot;
and the affirmative votes of a majority of the Active Members
present shall be necessary to a choice.

Section 8. Active Members only shall be entitled to vote
and be eligible to office. Honorary, Corresponding, and
Associate Members may attend meetings, present papers, and
take part in the scientific proceedings of the Union.

Section 9. Every Honorary, Corresponding, and Associate
Member-elect shall notify the Secretary of his acceptance of
membership within one year from the date of his election; in
default of which notification, his name shall not be entered on
the roll of members.

Section zo. Resignations shall be addressed to the President
and acted on by the Council.

Section zz. Any member may be expelled from the Union
on satisfactory evidence that said member is an improper person
to be connected with the Union, or has made improper use of
his membership; such expulsion shall be by a two-thirds vote
of the Active Members present at a Stated Meeting, three
months previous notice of such proposed action having been
given by the Secretary to all Active Members, and to the
member accused.

Article V. Of Fees and Assessments.

Section r. The entrance fee for Active Members shall be ten
dollars, and for Associate Members three dollars. The annual
assessment shall be for Active Members five dollars, and for
Associate Members three dollars. The entrance fee shall cover
the annual dues for the first year of membership, dating from
the time of election.

No fee or assessment shall be required of Honorary and Cor-
responding Members.

Section 2. The annual assessment for the ensuing year shall
fall due on the first day of each Stated Meeting.

Section 3. No Active Member, one year in arrears for dues,
shall be entitled to vote or take part in the business of any
meeting.

Section g. The name of any member two years in arrears for

By-Laws and Rules. xili

dues shall be removed from the roll of membership; provided
that two notices of indebtedness shall have been given him by the
Treasurer, at intervals of three months; and no such person
shall be restored to membership until all arrearages have been
paid, or the person has been re-elected.

Section 5. Active and Associate Members not in arrears for
dues shall receive the regular serial publication of the Union, en-
titled ‘The Auk,’ gratis. All the publications of the Union shall
be sent gratis to Honorary Members.

Section 6. On payment of one hundred dollars any Active
Member may become a Life Member, exempt from all further
fees or assessments, and retaining all the rights and privileges
of an Active Member.

Section 7. Any person desirous of furthering the aims of
the Union may become a Patron thereof on payment of the sum
of five hundred dollars, and his name shall be perpetually in-
scribed upon the records of the Union.

Article VI. Of Scientific Communications and Publications.

Section zr. The Union may publish, under the direction of
the Council, a serial Journal of Ornithology, called ‘The Auk,’
and such reports, proceedings, memoirs, and other works on
Ornithology as the Council may authorize.

Section 2. Communications on Ornithology may be read at
the Stated Meetings of the Union, by any member, or for him
by any other member, notice of the same having been previously
given to the Secretary.

Section 3. Any member may read a paper for a person who
is not a member, and shall not be considered responsible for the
facts or opinions expressed by the author, but shall be held
responsible for the appropriateness of the paper. Persons who
are not members may read papers on invitation of the President,
and with the approval of the Committee of Arrangements.

Section 4. The Secretary shall receive at any time scientific
papers for presentation at the Stated Meetings, and shall report
the date of their reception at the next Stated Meeting. But such
papers shall date, in the records of the Union, from the date of
their presentation to the Union; their order of presentation shall
be that in which they were registered, unless changed by the
Council.

XIV By-Laws and Rules.
Article VII. Of the Property of the Union.

Section z. All investments of funds shall be made by the
Treasurer, in the corporate name of the Union, in securities
approved by the Council.

Section 2. No contract shall be binding upon the Union
which has not been authorized by the Council. No lability
exceeding one thousand dollars, nor total debt exceeding two
thousand dollars, shall be incurred by the Council without the
formal consent of the Union as expresséd by a majority vote at a
Stated Meeting.

Sectton 3. Bequests and trusts having for their object the
advancement of Ornithology may be accepted and administered

by the Union.

Article VIII. Of Additions and Amendments to the
By-Laws.

Additions and Amendments to the By-Laws must be in writ-
ing, signed by two Active Members, and proposed at a Stated
Meeting of the Union, to be acted upon at the next stated Meet-
ing. A two-thirds vote of the Active Members present shall be
necessary for adoption.

RULES.

I. In the absence of any Officer at a Stated Meeting a mem-
ber shall be chosen to perform his duties Aro tempore by a plu-
rality of vzva voce votes, upon open nomination.

II. The order of business at Stated Meetings shall be as fol-
lows :—

First Days’ Session.

1. Chair taken by the President, or, in his absence, by one
of the Vice-Presidents.

2. ,Roll-call of Active Members by the Secretary.

3. Reading and approval of the minutes of the previous
meeting.

4. Report of the Secretary.

5. Report of the Treasurer.

By-Laws and Rules. XV

6. Report of the Council, including nominations for member-
ship and other business or recommendations.
7. Election of Officers for the ensuing year.
8. Election of Members.
a. Active.
6. Honorary.
c. Corresponding.
d. Associate.
g. Action on business reported from the Council.
to. Appointment by the President of a Committee of three
Active Members, none of whom shall be members of the Coun-
cil, to audit the accounts of the Treasurer.
11. Appointment by the President of a Committee on Reso-
lutions.
12. Reports of Committees.
13. Miscellaneous business.
14. Presentation and discussion of scientific papers, or
remarks.
15. Adjournment.

Second Days Sesston.

1. Chair taken by the President, or, in his absence, by one
of the Vice-Presidents.

2. Roll-call of Active Members by the Secretary.

3. Reading andapproval of minutes of previous day’s ses-

4. Report of the Auditing RET

5. Report from the Council.

6. Action on business from the Council.

7. Reports of Committees.

8. Miscellaneous business.

g. Presentation and discussion of scientific papers, or
remarks.

1o. Adjournment.

Third Day’s Session.

1. Chair taken by the President, or, in his absence, by one
of the Vice-Presidents.
2. Roll-call of Active Members by the Secretary.

Xvi By-Laws and Rules.

3. Reading and approval of minutes of previous day’s ses-
sion.

4. Selection of time and place of the next Stated Meeting.

5. Appointment by the President of a Committee, consisting
of three Active Members, to co-operate with the President and
Secretary as a Committee of Arrangements for the next Stated
Meeting.

6. Report from the Council.

7. Action on business reported from the Council.

S. Reports of Committees.

g. Miscellaneous business.

10. Presentation and discussion of scientific papers, or
remarks.

11. Reading and correction of the minutes of the day’s ses-
sion.

12. Adjournment.

III. The business portion of each day’s session shall be open
to members only.

IV. The Rules of Order of the Union shall be those of the
United States Senate, unless suspended by unanimous consent.

V. The order of business at any session of the Union may
be varied from the above, by a two-thirds vote of the members
present.

VI. The claims and q 1alifications of nominees for member-
ship may be discussed before the Union, but such discussions
shall be held as strictly confidential.

VII. The By-Laws and Rules, and list of the Officers and
Members of the Union, may be published at such intervals and
in such manner as the Council may determine.

VIII. The printing for the Union shall be under the direction
of the President and Secretary, and three other Members of the
Council, who shall be appointed by the Council, and these five
shall constitute a Committee of Publication.

IX. The publication of the Quarterly Journal, ‘The Auk,’
shall be in charge ofthe Council, which, at each Stated Meeting
of the Union, shall appoint the editorial staff for the ensuing
year, and shall authorize the editorial staff to secure a compe-
tent publisher, and otherwise provide for the proper publication
of the Journal.

By-Laws and Rules. xvii

X. Nominations for membership must contain the full
name, residence, official position if any, and date of nomination
of the candidate, and must be signed by the member or members
making the nomination. A suitable form of nomination shall be
provided by the Secretary.

XI. Any of the above Rules may be amended, suspended, or
repealed, on the written motion of two members, signed by
them, and presented at a Stated Meeting of the Union, in case
the sime shall be approved by a two-thirds vote of the mem-

bers present.

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES OF THE AMERICAN
ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. 1887-88.

Expiration of Term.
AIEEE, |e INoo JALAL ize Bo OD DOD ObU BUCBDDIOOOSSOBHO GEOr November, 1888.
CouEs, ELLiorr, l VCORE PESTA CIES Je. cisteraiehesl eiolwie “ae e-cre of 1888.
RIDGWAY, ROBERT, !
Mireram, C. HART, Secretary. «ve.cecesecscnccsccccess us 1888.
DUPCHERS WILLIAM, LCASUPEI oc cc cc sence nice ns ceceses ue 1888.

ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

ERIE SHEED RR VV TTS To IACI vss 6) sea ero eee fel ceva save Gye ere ere cilesie wie cve we 4:0 November, 1888.
SLOAViIBPRIEATN] MONTAGUE. © sc 020 2. cciacas ae cwesoens cece 66 1888.
Woe OVATE Si aie ociersie clove aieioie Ae) eleles.Se.oule aie es wrens ce 1888.
ATRL O MA) ACNE ay Griciey sors > oleic safe ela Sicieisl @ayave ave. sie e-ea.d ie e.ccels ae 1888.
PUEURESEVAW ap w ELTON Win WV. «12: e)ejavelie: siecle o1.s 0/6 everove wee ee orange . 1888.
BARN CEA GISORGE: INisievetere aie cree oeisie) a erererevesis ac) s'e\ sie wens 2 1888.
SEUNG GH Rew Ec OINEVAR DD rstelelel(elelecilelclelaleieielo clo)212 eiela lee sles es 1888.

EDITORIAL STAFF OF ‘THE AUK.’

AMLILIBIN, lo aon JBCRAO 780 cag voopuapoooDdooUeoODOsasEdoon November, 1888.
DAPCHEUDER. (©. I. Assoczate EGitors «.csesaseeccsees at 1888.

COMMITTEFS.
Committee on Publications.

ALLEN, J. A., Chairman. Cours, ELLIOTT.
MERRIAM, C. Hart, Secretary. RipGway, ROBERT.
BREWSTER, WILLIAM.

Committee of Arrangements for the Meeting of 1888.

ALLEN, J. A.. Chairman. MERRIAM, C. HART.
FISHER, A. K. STEJNEGER, L.
HENSHAW, H. W.

ommitiee on the Migration and Geographical Distribution of North
American Birds.

MERRIAM, C. Hart, Chairman. FIsHER, A. K.

ALLEN, J. A. McILwraitH. THOMAS.
BELDING, L. MEARNS, EDGAR A.
CHADBOURNE, A. P. MERRILL, JAMES C.
CHAMBERLAIN, MONTAGUE. RipGway, ROBERT.

XX Active Members.

Committee on Protection of North American Birds.

SENNETT, GEORGE B., Chairman. CHAMBERLAIN, M.
DuTcHER, WILLIAM, Sec’y and Treas. HOSTER eno:
ALLEN, J. A. Goss, N. S.
BICKNELT, By.) e: GRINNELL. G. B.
BREWSTER, WILLIAM. Ho.pe_r, J. B.

Committee on Avian Anatomy.

CouEs, ELLiotrT, Chatrman. SHUFELDT, R. W.

MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’
UNION. DECEMBER, 1887.

ACTIVE MEMBERS.

{Ommission of date indicates a Founder. ]|

Date of

Election
ALprRIcH, Hon. CHARLES, Webster City, Iowa....-.....-.---------- ==
ALLEN, J. A., Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., 77th St. and 8th Ave., New York

(Cninvsaoadnennseclbdnddn bondeocdonoD cold aodsMDOOSaD bob eeo> ==
BaILey, H. B., 51 South St., New York City.--..--......sseeee--ee —
BAIRD, Prof. SPENCER E., Washington. Ds Ceri emis ele ltoenereiate —
Barrows, Prof. W. B., Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D. C..... 1883
BATCHEEDER, CHARLES) F, Cambridge; Massie. smile eters —
BEEDING, 1G... Stocktom,. (Callisicec0s Seisisreseicuste eicssves cue ele lovey aiete ) ale eee ree 1883
BENDIRE. Capt. CHARLES E., U.S. A., Smiths. Inst., Washington,

TDi, WG 22 sieeve wvevege Miaieveveiaiale a eee om ayeremetelntere c @iorevera a aieleiatlone aoe eee =
BICKNELL, EUGENE P:, P- O. Box 2958, New York City...--2---een- _
(BREWSTER, WILLIAM, Cambridoey Massniei- lj -(ail-n\-l- te ella leet —
BROWN: NATHAN TG: bP ortlamdads Meter relent -vete tener ecient eee ==
CHAMBERLAIN, MONTAGUE, St. John, Ni. By. 000200 vous ene catenins —
COOKE, Prof. W- Wi... Burlinetomy Witersccyemetiae ere oleae so\clolevesetetel siete ea 1884
+ Cory, CHARLES B:, 8 Arlington (St. Boston, iMass-.- 1-1) eeee =
f,Cours, Dr. ErLiorg, Smiths. Inst.. Washinetons DiC. c-eeereie =
DEANE, RUTHVEN, 2) Wabash’ Ave., Chicaso, Tle <n. tc melee eines 1883
DUTCHER, WILLIAM, 51 Liberty ‘St... New, York (@ity.).~ eccieetre ere 1886
DWIGHT, JONATHAN, Jr., 2 East 34th St., New York City............ 1886
ft ELttiot, DANIEL G., Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., 77th St. and 8th Ave., New

Niork) Citiy: cia). 3 eres cites aes crers= eiclonieiners aiee eieisic le ee eee =

* Deceased. + Life Member.

Flonorary Members. xxi

FIsHER, Dr. ALBERT K., Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D. C... —

ForBEs, Prof..S. A., Champaign, Ill.........sceccecccecccsscsccces 1883
GiLL, Prof. THEODORE N., Smiths. Inst., Washington, D. C........ 1883
Sey Sse CON Reg OMEGA IGATAS alte (are oicrcfolcicine(e 61.66 «ccc cie/enie deca 1883
GRINNELL, Dr. GEorGE B., ‘Forestand Stream’ Office, New York City,1883
HENSHAW, HENRY W., Smiths. Inst., Washington, D. C............ 1883
Hooper, Dr. J. B., Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., 77th St. and &th Ave., New
York City...s ccsccccsn secs ccc cece ssccsc cece cess cnes 5000 ==
JEFFRIES, Dr. J. AMory, gt Newbury St., Boston, Mass.....+++-+++: 1883
KiIpDER, Dr. J. H., Washington, D. C.......---- 22 ee cece ence ee ceeee 1883
LancGpon, Dr. F. W., 65 West 7th St., Cincinnati, O................ 1887
LAWRENCE, GEORGE N., 45 East 21st St., New York City..........- 1883
LAWRENCE, NEWBOLD T., 51 Liberty St., New York City........... 1883
Mcelnrarrn, LHOMAS. Hamilton, Ontario, Can--- 0-2... cccsscesc es =
MEARNS, Dr. EpGar A., U. S. A., Fort Verde, Ariz.........-+.++-- =

MeERRIAM, Dr. C. Hart, Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D. C... —
+ MERRILL, Dr. JAMEs C., U. S. A., Frankford Arsenal, Philadelphia,

Serato er tetayatererataveler svete) ele chalat sic) « alotetarc) c/sicleleicicretelsrerel elaievevecelele ise 1883
NEHRLING, H., 815 North Ave., Milwaukee, Wis..--.-.--..csseecees 1883
NELSON, E. W., Springerville, Arizona. .....---.--scccccescccccsess 1883
PRENTIsS, Dr. D. W., 1101 14th St., N. W., Washington, D. C...... —
Purpig, H. A., West Newton# Mass...... aera fevoteloran ole veisteteusierenereione —
RipGway, RoBERT, Smiths. Inst., Washington, D. C...........---- =
RosBerts, Dr. THOMAs S., 27 N. 8th St., Minneapolis, Minn......... 1883
SAGE, JOHN H., Portland, Conn.......-....seeeeee cere ce eeeceeeees 1883
SAUNDERS, Wm. E., 188 Dundas St., London, Ontario, Can......... 1883
Seon, Wie 135 IDE, Wargoror Syoabeveys, IMbiG ooooobecdunouunbSbOUUbDUGUOOS 1886
SENNETT, GEORGE B., Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., 77th St. and 8th Ave.,

New York City BAD OWGOO COOOO.00D.0 DOCS BONO CGUOCOM GDOOEDO COC 1883
SHUFELDT, Dr. ROBERT W., U.S. A., Fort Wingate, N. M......... —
STEJNEGER, Dr. LEONHARD, Smiths. Inst., Washington, D. C...... 1884
* WHEATON, Dr. J. M., Columbus, Ohi0...-...-++- esse cece cece eeees =
WIpDMANN, OTTo, 3826 So. Broadway, St. Louis, Mo.....-........-. 1884

HONORARY MEMBERS.

Date of
Election

BocaGE, Prof. J. V. BARBOzA DU, Royal Museum, Lisbon, Portugal. .1883
BuRMEISTER, Dr. HERMANN VON, Director National Museum, Buenos
AYTES. 2 cece eens cece cece cs cece ne nce cece ccessscecsceccces 1884
CaBANIS, Prof. Dr. JEAN, Alte Jacobstrasse, 103a, Berlin, Germany. -1883
Dresser, Henry E., Topclyffe Grange, Farnborough, Beckenham,

Pe TU SP BADE PAU! oie slale'e erm cle nioicla viaie oie vino viciein's/els.aisle aiv'eicie 6 clue a's 1883
Finscu, Dr. Orro, Bremen, Germany......+--eeeeeeeeeeceeceecces 1883
GATKE, HeErNrRIcH, Heligoland, via Bremen, Germany... ..--..+--- 1884

* Deceased, t+ Life Member.

Xxil Corresponding Members.

GiGLioLI, Dr. HENRy HILLYER, Royal Superior Institute, Florence,

IRA AGO TOM AD CIAOOR ACE ATCT Ta Thana Oe opeIccaD sonst oc os 1883
GunpbLAcH, Dr. JuAN, Ingenio Fermina, Bemba, Cuba..........--+- 1883
GuRNEY, JoHN Henry, Northrepps Hall, Norwich, England......... 1883
HARTLAUB, Dr. GusTav, Bremen, Germany:.--.....2--++seeeeceees 1883
HuME, ALLAN OCTAVIAN, Simla, India... s essmcccnsarene wales ane 1883
Hux ey, Prof. THomas H., 4 Marlborough Place, Abbey Road,

Tani Of; NAW os vse oe. ats clas ph avsibl's0 pi olet> sa bievopatal Ae Ale eee RE 1883
Krauss, Dr. FERDINAND, Stuttgart, Germany....-.-.-s+seeeee 00001803
MILNE-EDWARDS, Prof. ALPHONSE, Rue Cuvier, 57, Paris.......-.+: 1883
NewtTon, Prof. ALFRED, University of Cambridge, England......... 1883
PARKER, Prof. WILLIAM KITCHEN, Crowland, Trinity Road, Upper

Woting, London, S. W..0+ c2.0c00 cece cece caniecs os omalaiainiele 1883
PELZELN, Dr. AUGUST VON, 13, Royal Zo6l. Museum, Vienna.......-. 1883
SALVADORI, Prof. Count Tommaso, Royal Zéol. Museum, Turin,

Italy ...-.+seeeeceeece 31/575 folstia Sdsiah dyaitchapavsy Hol ates ar s'texors olenetonctoneteneees 1883
SALVIN, OsBERT, Hawksfold, Fernhurst, Haslemere, England....... 1883
SAUNDERS, HowarbD, 7 Radnor Place, Hyde Park,.London, W....... 1884
* SCHLEGEL, Prof. HERMANN, Leyden, Holland...........-....00- 1883
SCLATER, Dr. PHitip LUTLEY, 11 Hanover Sq., London, W........- 1883
SEEBOHM, Henry, 6 Tenterden St., Hanover St., London, W........ 1884
SHARPE, RICHARD BOWDLER, British Museum, South Kensington,

Tyondome Ss We seis, os 61 s ares atalis o, «ks ele orelas eialelorotnainarerte eee 1883
TACZANOWSKI, Dr. W., University, Warsaw, Russia........-- A Oc 1884
WALLACE, Prof. ALFRED RUSSEL, Nutwood Cottage, Frith Hill,

(Crorekubrnpnayers Iaitalknaolanmeodopodccsos Ond0d000dN dodod0G0UO DON: 1883

CORRESPONDING MEMBERS.

Date of
Election
Attum, Dr. C. A., Eberswalde, Germamy.......-.secssescersccccess 1884
ANDERSON, Dr. JoHN, India Museum, Calcutta...............0. Spoor tsts):!
BaLpDAMus, Dr. EpuarD, Halle, Germany..---.-+......e0- ec ee ecco 1884
BERLEPSCH, Count Hans von, Miinden, Germany.......2-+ccceeees 1883
BLAKISTON, Capt. THOMAS W, Wondomn, OM ~ cise cre orcecieie ore aloleleintetet= 1883
BeANEORD,, Wie se, eAutSs Clips IZ ONC Orleror! plakelalelelelelotatereie s/o) elelonelsterenstetet 1884
Buasius, Dr. RupOLPH, Brunswick, Germany....-....-.ssseeeeeees 1884
BLASIuS, Dr. WILHELM, Brunswick, Germany.......ssssesesccecces 1884
BoGpANow, Prof. Dr. MopEstT, University of Moscow, Moscow...... 1884
BROOKS; .W.. E3, Milton, Ontantoyn@anadareetetelectels site leloicrsleie) oiereririetereiete 1886
BuLLerR, Sir WALTER LaAwry, 52 Stanhope Gardens, Queen’s Gate,
ondons Sec iwWic acisieevisienetetaersterciersteeyetaievers ASAE OS Ac «+++ 1883
BUREAU Dr OUTS, Namntessslira nee cls/-lersleis] sell oieielelsleleleretereyaieteysienerenene 1884
Butter, Lieut.-Col. E. A., Herringfleet Hall, Lowestoft, England...1884
BUTTIKOFER, Dr. T., Leyden, Holland.....-.........sseseccsesceee 1886
Co.LtetT, Prof. RoBERT, Christiania, Norway.-.-...ssssesccccccceee 1883
Cooper, Dr. J. G., Haywards, Californmia..........ssessesecccsesecs 1884

* Deceased.

Corresponding Members. XXili

CoRDEAUX, JOHN, Great Cotes, Ulceby, Lincolnshire, England...... 1884
DALGLEISH, JoHN J., 8 Athole Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland....... 1883
Davin, L’Abbé ARMAND, Rue de Sévres, 95, Paris..-.-+--.+-+-+0-- 1883
Dusots, Dr. ALPHONSE, Museum Nat. History, Brussels............- 1884
DuGeEs, Prof. ALFREDO, Colegio del Estado, Guanajuanto, Mexico...1884
EcHtT, ADOLF BACHOFEN VON, Vienna......-.seeccecrssccceccccosces 1884
Fatio, Dr. Vicror, Geneva, Switzerland.....- sounadooDUsanangoo0oU 1884
FIELDEN, Lieut.-Col. H. W., West House, Wells, Norfolk, Eng-
land....... lela) setae veleieare afet efons Pane vetelatenc rele siete lala fovelalley allele! el vllel's/eistotel(e 1854
FrERRARI-PEREZ, Prof. FERNANDO, Naturalist Mexican Geol. Expl.
Commission, Pueblo, Mexico....... Bik ay aR ne A eee Sanat a varator cheats 1885
FREKE, Percy Evans, Rosemount, Dundrum, County Dublin, Ire-
leinvdlo cogaccoorocabocoe bona nouUne yequconoDOnbobeRODUODe Spb olistsg
Gavow, Dr. Hans. The New Museums, Cambridge, England....... 1884
GIRTANNER. Dir A, ot Galle, Switzerland... ...2.c5c secs cece eens 1884

GopMaAN, F. Du CANE, 10 Chandos Street, Cavendish Sq., London...1883
Gopwin-AusTEN, Lieut-Col. H. H., Shalford House, Guilford, Eng-

lenaGls oboe cobodc anDddoDOKDaCcRacoDCES arelsialse.sseteVeldielero e'efoie oe ee + 1804
GRANDIDIER, ALFRED, 6 Rond-Point des Champs Elysées, Paris....- 1883
GuRNEY, JOHN Henry, Jr., Northrepps Hall, Norwich, England..... 1883
* Haast, Dr. JuLius von, Christ-church, New Zealand..........- 1884
HarGitt, EpDWARD, Broadwater Lodge, Broadwater, Worthing,

SUES, yMelleNClo cocooboo oD odoDaL ogG8en GHD G00 dcx OOD OoOND 1884
HARTING, JAMES EDWARD, 6 Oxford and Cambridge Mansions, Lon-

Choi. INis Nin ccooo dam ndacrcocna. ObOd Hoe noASeGoUoromcaare co 1883
Harvie-Brown, JOHN A., Dunipace House, Larbert, Stirlingshire,

Scotland... .-.- ereiwigpeteueie eve. avers Recerca hate Sectcnerste ities ais tater Son anitstsye3
Awe pre GUS DAV VON? VICTIM cle clclelclciciclssleisicieslec'e « etelas Died a herevaans 1884
Blow eaE IDI Too WaletnrionsoooupuoDooDoT Beafetorsrche (oieis ausieis| Sis aie aie eis iets 1884
Homeyer, Dr. E. F. von, Stolp, Germany.........- Srarr ete aay wales thi ete 1884
KRUKENBERG, Dr. E. F. W., Wiirzburg, Germany....-.-.--....-..-- 1884
Kriper, Dr. THEOBALD J., University Museum, Athens, Greece..... 1884.
LAYARD, E. L., H. B. M. Consul. Noumea, New Caledonia.......... 1884
MACFARLANE, ROBERT, Winnipeg, Manitoba.....-..------+++sseeee 1886
MaparAszZ, Dr. JuLtus von, National Museum, Budapest, Hungary..1884
MaAtmGrEN, Dr. A. J., University, Helsingfors, Finland.....- Sadnooe 1884
MARSCHALL, Graf A. F., Wallzeil, 33, Vienna..-.....--..s+.-eseeees 1884
NON ZABLOR ROTEL INLOSCOMG IRUISSIC cle ic)ole cicicivia's » +s) cielw sisio\e oleis le /clsls oc\x)s 1884
Meyer, Dr. A. B., Konigl. Zool. Museum, Dresden................ 1884
MippeNpDorF, Dr. A. von, Dorpat, Russia....-..+-.--s.eesee seen 1884
Mojsisovics, Dr. A. von, Gratz, Austria....-----2---s eee ee eee eens 1884
NAMIYE, M., Tokio, Japan..-..-....es..cccescccesss cress cccsscccese 1886
NICHOLSON, FRANK, 62 Fountain St., Manchester, England......... 1884
OatTEs, E. W., 6 Tenterden St., Hanover Sq., London......---.----. 1884
OusrTatet, Dr. Emite, Jardin des Plantes, 55 Rue de Buffon, Paris. 1883
PALMEN, Prof. J. A., Helsingfors, Finland...........++eeeseeeeeees 1883
PwHitipri, Dr. R. A., Santiago, Chili. ...-.-.------- eee e sees cece ees 1884.

* Deceased.

XXIV Associate Members.

PREJEVALSKI, Colonel N., Acad. of Science, St. Petersburg, Russia. .1884

PRYER, HARRY, Yokohama, Japan..--....-eseeereeeeeececcccseceee 1883
RADDE, Dr: GUSTAV FERDINAND, D1flis, RatsSiaeis eia\e1 oi eile! sie) sleieleloyeisie 1884
Ramsey, E. P., Sydney, New South Wales, Australia......... sao daC 1884
REICHENOW, Dr. ANTON, Grossbeerenstrasse, 52, Berlin, S.W......- 1884
ScHRENCK, Dr. LEOPOLD von, St. Petersburg, Russia........... ----1884
SEeLys-LoncscHamps, Baron EDMOND DE, Liége, Belgium..........- 1884
ESE VEREZOW, Dis Nes NWLOSCOW MIR USSIA - alelo!«)sseloye niehelel #lslielelelolelslelelateletatet= 1884
SHALow, Dr. HERMAN, Berlin, Germany...--.-..+..-eeeeeeeeees --- 1884
SHELLEY, Capt. G. E., 6 Tenterden St., Hanover Sq., London...... 1884
STEVENSON, Henry, Unthank’s Road, Norwich, England............ 1884
THEEL, Dr. HJALMAR, University of Upsala, Upsala, Sweden....... -1884

TRISTRAM, Rey. Canon H. B., The College, Durham, England....1884
TscHUSI ZU SCHMIDHOFFEN, Count Victor RITTER VON, near Hal-

lein, Salzburg, Austro-Hungary........ Veforetetalleleielstatetelatetel eters 18384
WHARTON, HENRY T., 39 St. George’s Road, Maiburn, London, N. W. 1884
ZELEDON, Sr. Don JosE C., San José, Costa Rica.......ceseesccess 1884

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS.

Date of
Election.

AvNEY, E. T., Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., 77th St. and 8th Ave., New York
Ciisys 566s sonhoasondeeapecsedoass acusdds dickverasore Sesion reroter 1885

AMERY, CHARLES, F., Forest & Stream Pub. Co., 39 Park Row, New
Wome (Ciiiyonococdsn000 cddoc0 cdounS CodaDnaNGoODODDaGE Sonne 1886
AntTHony. A. W., Box 37, North Denver, Col..............- ovaceielsvenets 1885
SVAN. Dall ean, Me ocke, inca haml Gon mMiGhicleeretertetereletelaters beicene 1883
ATKINS, J. W., Key West, Florida ............seeeeees aie 0 wiclieisle einen 1887
AVvERILE, C. K., Jr, Santa Clara, N: Yieecneews ncn siediaee ee eee eee 1885
AveERyY, Dr. Wm. C., Greensboro, Ala................. elei'eeavere eee TOY
BAGG, FGBERT, 187 Genesee St, Utica.) Nese ciel steis\etcie'= ol sleteloeeietette 1883
IBY NON, Whorusrone TOK IIKyerey MubbiinNangooacaoshaGodcoubcadd ier ewatereree 1887
BAILEY, WM. L., 1624 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa... 0... sce sien 1886
anes, 1. Av. Cambridee, Mass a cele ye cecil etale (esi olen < «lacie ee 1884
BANGS, OuTRAM, Sears’ Building, Boston, Mass...........-- vieteVolotene 1884
BANKS, J. W., Portland, N. B. ... 2... eee e ee cece ee eee ee eee eee sees 1887
BARNARD, JoB, 412 5th St., N. W., Washington, D. C.............- 1886
BVO, 1D Ide Is Ib phevevowhdes Wikis oodbiodcdnosaccboc0eoDbUSDOICCO NE 1887
BEARD, Dantct C., 191 Broadway, New York City............ sisi alee 1887
BECKHAM, ©. W., Smiths. Inst.; Washington;.D. Co.-.. << oe. fees 1883
BENNER, FRANKLIN, 16 South 4th St., Minneapolis, Minn........... 1883
BENSON; Mieut) Has U.S.A; West Ponts Ne We orto <1e - -eieieteeieete 1886
BERIER, DELAGNEL, Fort Hamilton, Kings Co., N. Y.............-. 1885
BISHOP, LOUIS: B., BOX 235, NEW bravely © ONMs a \cletalerele)=felnlstelolereieirerre 1885
BOARDMAN Ge cA ss) Calais: wal me veretelsteie cielo’ sielolaisreieterersieterete be Glee hea 1884
BonpD, FRANK, Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory...................-- 1887
BRANDRETH, FRANKLIN, Sing Sing, N. Y....-...0..+..000. als jeratolorete 1886

* Deceased,

Associate Members. XXV

Bropig, Dr. WILLIAM, 325 Parliament St., Toronto, Can............ 1885
BROWN HR BHR tl CSOMs) ATIZONAs.4\\2/s 2:0 cis odie ‘eia ee 0's aliwieve oleie.eve ni 1885
BROWNE, PRANK C., Pramingham), Masse... ss 0.sccccececs viecencee> 1883
BRYANT VVALTEOR Ho box 2247. San Hrancisco; ‘Cal...t..2...ie.<4- 1883
UME MRE ATO SIV eae EOOK VILLE LING: eycrd vies sieve v0.0 010. a o/sre les s'siecree oote 5 a:0 1885
CHAMEOURNE, Ar@HUR) P., Cambridge, Mass-....2. 2.0.02 seseceres> 1883
CHAMBERLAIN, C. W., 51 Lincoln St., Boston, Mass..........-ies00. 1885
rAENAN PRANK IVI. inmlewood, No fois caie occas scccts ee sneecese 1885
(CrmAR KOBE RT la.) SATE ESE WMiaSSieis oicie cial c cele 66.0 o.cieleie's cles costs eure 1886
CHARIS Ils No, Seyoroolke, (Coiiclacocusoobcnooucpanboddud opeaTeouUenr 1885
Corr, iH. kK, ror Washineston St., Chicago, Ill...- ccc. ses cess see 1883
aS CME Vie VV Ree OF Chali cl |\GOmticco sis cis /s'cisneh sia us 6 e¥esie Goel ccie odieisieiele . +1883
Coxrsy, Epwarp H., 4130 Drexel Boulevard, Chicago, Il]........... 1886
(CHEINDSYND, INUNES Akay Govellovertes 12% (le, (Chin po ongacuonse suonooudadsoGuAS 1885
CONKLIN, Wo. A., Dept. of Public Works, 64th St. & 5th Ave., New

WOmk (Cits7o osgacd banoboseeod de corndds coposondodcoonodonondE 1885
Gorm NEE AN German towiar (Pale ssrceiss eccis sie Sele sie viele es oes cress cies 1885
CouEs, ELLIoTT Batrp, Care Dr. E. Coues, Smiths. Inst., Wish-

iia eroin, ID. (Socayoa bosous toGso0 canon o00d000 gouoKdO0UaIed0Er 1886
Coxe Hinie-eNewCastle. NEW ISEUMS WACK «si. cleictere ice sle'e.c cle 6 seleejcielee 1887
DAVISON, ||. le, Iuockport, Niagara Con, Ne Yoo. <2 sccccc nccss cence 1885
IDRCKINS ONG) LAD WILN > PiU Stl el de NEAGSE re elcle s eeis <leisis (ele vieloicis © sole oisis lela e 1885
DOANE Wine A Coatesville. Chester Gos.) Pas ccc eccc sic’ wc ois wie sielsie soe 1885
Drake, JOHN N., Mutual Life Ins. Co., 32 Nassau St., New York City.1886
DRE We RANI Ml. Genoa lll jec.ce. ices occ smi o/- Pity beter psn Reel SR 1885
DURFEE, OWEN, 46 MapleiSt., Pall River; Mass...........5.:... 0... 1887
Dutcuer, Basi Hicks, Care of Wm. Dutcher, 51 Liberty St., New

York City exateysdereverel sictote eicxs a ts'ere.e ieiel ele delete Gyetetera e's cre. aie lateveelavereiele 1886
DD VCHE rope le lees WeawhrenGe, IWamlSaSuccicle)eisle vle1= 0 © 01s «le e'cle wic)e ole cles 1886
Eppy, N. A., 509 North Grant St., Bay City, Michigan.............. 1885
Epson, JOHN M., Sinclairville, N. Y.--------------- cece eeeeeeeee - 1886
Branson Wives Oueston Iblewawendels, (Crilasos csooedcoos DoduiGonoccuoconod 1885
BMMECT, Woy ., Pelham- Westchester Co., N. Yoo. <cccccsccces on 1885
Ba RIVCAN Ny hOLw be eeWier uerre lante, Minidistncia ee siete +e cjsie ciec's cialeleliclele 1883
FAIRBANKS, Hon. FRANKLIN, St. Johnsbury, Vt....-.---.......--6- 1885
FISHER, WM. HuBBELL, 12 Wiggins Block, Cincinnati, Ohio........ 1883
ForBusH, Epw. H., 424 Main St., Worcester, Mass.--...---..0..0.- 1887
FosTER, LYMAN 5S., 35 Pine St., New York City..........--........ 1883
Fox, Dr. Wo. H., 1517 L. St., Washington, D. C...............--- 1855
GArE, Dmnis, Gold Hill) Boulder (Go., Colorado. 6s ./o- ciewiecs ccc ac 1886
GautT, B. T., 175 Dearborn St., Chicago, Ill...........2... ce0e eee 1885
Gesne_er, Rev. A. H., 22 East 131st St., New York City............. 1885
Gisson, Lancpon, Flushing, Queens Co., N. Y....--...+- .2-+---: 1887
GooDALE, Jos. L., 8 Craigie St., Cambridge, Mass........---.-.+--- 1885
Coss b wh bhewaukee, Walkera: GOz,) WilSicc le ileie soe slates \eleln ee ole 1883
Grant, U. S., 200 West 19th St., Minneapolis, Minn................ 1885
GREEN, Morris M., Dept. Agl., Washington, D. C.....--..seeeeees 1887

* Deceased,

XXV1 Associate Members.

GREGG, Dr. Wo. H., Barryville, N. Y..-..-++-222eeee cece cece cen ee 1885
HARDY. Miss MANNIE P.. Brewer, dailies ea cio cle eleihs lo orele arelelsro ere sicte 1886
FLAR DY VLAN EN. IsRe Wiens NEAR G..cksw areicicleietsle nc (oletalare/olleistelncis totale stare iene 1883
HASBROUCK, EDWIN M., 138 So. Salina St., Syracuse, N. Y......... 1887
Haw ey, A. H., Care Rev. E. Jones, Los Gatos, Cal......-.....-... 1886
HAZARD i iver Gun2ds eeace Dale. Ris cepicisterrcle vers etetslsMersreie cteueietstei tena iene 1885
HENpRICKSON, W. F., Care the B. B. C. Co., 860 Broadway, New
YOrK (City oie sie econ is cies ais cian neta wlbids otis oud s ole'e)nielsin cisinlnieele 1885
Hicks, Geo. J., New Brighton, Richmond Co., N. Y......-.+---+0-- 1887
Hocsrook, Judge S. T., Norwich, Conn.....----.+s++.+- sees ee eeee 1885
HoimeEs, E. S., D. D. S., 103 Ottawa St., Grand Rapids, Mich...... 1885
HGrrerHorr, G., Jr.;) San Dieso, Call «ste cj. 5 sis< ties «mn wens eicloene ere 1883
HoLzINnGER, JOHN M., (Curator Museum) State Normal School, Win-
fone IMibohiapooncd Goold CCOOOU OOOO CD UUdUGHOUOMoGGaKdcoG0cK 1887
LOUGH, MOMEN.N) ben Ow yALles Ne ics. cm elene eins sare» «ols elec) oheheleielotatetete 1883
PHO WAND, ONOWDON PING WiPOIt, ee Lie lero! ejn'e) be aloralele ollelonale clatstetatetennses 1883
Oy. DirstP; Rez Racimes;,Wisies ore o10 3150. cyeies 1s ool “arate ays terete erento 1883
HivosrEn, Dr. J.C.) Lanesboro; Minn). si. </> 215 crelesls cla's © atvievniaterene 1885
INGAVES, CHARLES) E25 Bast Dempleton. Massa. --\e)- = trleriieerres 1885
INGERSOLL ALBERT M-:, Box 712, San) Diego, Callen. cn cacrieiieieeier 1885
JEFFRIES, Wm. A., 78 Devonshire St., Boston, Mass..............6. 1883
JENNINGS, Allen H., 201 Oak Ave., Baltimore, Md...........-..:... 1886
JOHNSON; ALBERT I;, Hydeville,. Vitec a. cejc5 a0 cise wate asec eee 1885
Jounson, Prof. O. B., Seattle, Washington Territory............... 1885
JonES,) Mirss iN. ES) Circleville, @lniOi ssi erce wtorel starts lolnisietslo le) otain eerste 1885
JORDAN, Prot. D sno. bLOOmIn et Om ING ere cpr ala)~ apts ole) -elai ote etal aerate 1885
Jouve Bs a smiths® Insts, Washime tom, Iii © errercie =/eroteleie)sieie erent 1883
IENDALL, W. ©., Hreeport, Cumberland ‘Col Mec. -.si + ieee 1886
Keves; Cu, Des Moines, Towas ¢ --)ocre ocmietre cn Seletaae sinclsrccie tie eee 1885
Konn, GUSTAVE, 14) Carondelet st:, New Oxleans: Wal 1. ss)- sien 1886
KNOWLTON, F. H., National Museum, Washington, D.C............ 1883
KUMLIEN, THURE, Care Public Museum, Milwaukee, Wis........... 1883
ane, Charles R., Cambridge, Mass-i-ti-ricicisce tre «im -feolel<oieieslelstolsteieane 1885
TANTZ, erof D. Es Manhattam, Kamsalsiis as! .ic\crsreie vers otic ce tree cern 1885
LAWRENCE, Rost. B., Mills Building, New York City.............. 1883
LINDEN, Prof. CHARLES, 75 E. Hagle St., Buffalo N. Y........-...5. 1884.
broyp,- WILLIAM, San Amipelow, Lexa Sire tice s\eleisilsileiote «sds ecielerateiiets 1885
looms, UEVEREDE Mi: (\Chiesterns Ss Gevereren 1 < cello tarcvereiol cleus sel eiefereretetenene 1883
Macovum, Prof. J., Geol. and Nat. Hist. Surv., Ottawa, Can......... 1883
MCKAY, Profs A. H..sPictous Nova (SCOtialsis. si sete sae eeienee 1885
MARSHALL, ALFRED, 43 Dey. St., New York City.<.. 03... osc ccmmen 1886
MERRIAM, Miss FLORENCE A., Locust Grove, Lewis Co., N. Y....-.. 1885
MR RID, ELAR RY) banner. Mame leer eieterselalelelalclel= ore lelelele]s yale sicreieeeiete 1883
METCALFE, Wo. C., 21 Cortlandt St., New York City............... 1886
IM Gavieintes(Crotsiog Ipibry Ieaierdoxoroy ING NCocoaeGcuecmanondddooUpoKose0 cor 1886

* Deceased.

Assoctate Members. Xxvii

MILter, Mrs. OLIvE THORNE, 271 Quincy St., Brooklyn, N. Y...... 1887
Minor, H. D., care of St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba R. R. Co.,

Sap lz alialemaVirrimaraerstete terse tsteveitelstercrets ster everarcrs's) ovs!eie e g's:eeeee¥o a 60, «-0veles 1883
MOORE.) | bERCY, 1931 jldson) Place, Philadelphia, Pa..-..5---.. 3... 1886
Morcom, G. FreAm, 870 North Park Ave., Chicago, Ill............. 1886
NORRIS, GEO: SPENCER, Olney, Philadelphia, Pa..--.....-,........ 1887
MurDOCH, JOHN, Smiths. Inst., Washington, D. C...-............-- 1883
NEWCO MB ag heAtyTO ND PER Ee Salem NIaSSei01 6 <10.0)0 < oeie oe 516 wv ciciclsijecicies ie 1886
NORRIS; J; PARKER, 723 Walnut St:., Philadelphia, Pa.-.....-....... 1886
Paine, AuGustus G., Jr., Champlain Fibre Co., Willsborough, N. Y.1886
PARK, AUSTIN F., 31 Boardman Building, Troy, N. Y-............. 1885
PARCOR ARR ve Gae204 S0uth 7th ot. Philadelphia, Pa-... 2.5... 1886
BP TERSON Je Des TUCK, Wises cicee wee cc cces ccs ceeeereteestcces 1885
era eee alee): Pali Metric IK Vs © 0's co ie sieiaia elo as nls ieleit v vic'e's weve os oie oes 1886
PORNO. IP AONS IBic Asn IMIzMorNMehAS Kehngg onugocoodou ooCUOu OND OobUDGoUr 1886
IPRIBSHNOINT, Jf Wich BERGE Monwocooadsca ocbooDbD0bdKde dauolEo UU denuE Hc 1885
RGA SAUER: Gy eden Gr cI S Vill ease aSie)<ieleleie aera! a!siic\'s «1a eve lo) sfielsy sie) (ove! aic)lev alee 1885
RATHBUN, FRANK R., 40 Franklin St., Auburn, N. Y.............. 1883
EUMWOIN, (Ge \ansE Les INtoiewakelal, (Gemindocchouacclccde oo GoOOnpODeOUUGUU. 1885
Ruin, IDRUASAK IEa5 B\yaagiKen, “Croyol'e (Cons NEG casa ooococugdouenDooUUOe 1886
Riker, C. B., 15 Frankfort St., New York City..............--..... 1885
Rizey, Prof. C. V., U. S. Entomologist, Washington, D. C......... 1885
Rives, Dr. Wo. C., Jr., Newport, R. TL... -----. ee eee eee eee eee eee 1855
SaGE, Henry M., Murand’s Road, Albany, N. Y..--+----+--++-++---- 1885
Scotr, W. L.. 86 Sparks St., Ottawa, Can........---.......s00-0.- 1883
SHORES, Dr. E. I., Soldier’s Home, Hampton, Va........-----+---.-- 1883
ESM AT Eee GAR Apulia ENS LOW.) Md\scieie' |» eleiss 0-1 ele eleleis\eeicleice «> 1883
SmitH, HuGu M., U. S. Nat. Museum, Washington, D. C........... 1886
SPELMAN, H. M., 62 Sparks St., Cambridge, Mass...............--- 1883
STANTON, Prof. J. Y., Bates College, Lewiston, Me................. 1883
STEPHENS, F., Ballena, San Diego Co., Cal......----------+++++-- 1883
STONE. WITMER. Pushers lane, Germantown, Pa.<..-<..0.0-...-.«. 1885
TALBOT, D. H., Sioux City, Lowa........---s cess eee e ee cece cccees 1885
TATLOCK, JOHN, Jr., Care North River Safe Deposit Co., New York

Wily mtsicie<moteleraice nies « Matrnene here reyatorcare te rie serotsyahaves scrote eiatolens 1887
IMPEMREe NRG Hilatio msi dee elas Ni: Vie = cla cle sieic clc+ ee cle eclecie s © 1886
THOMPSON, ERNEST &., 86 Howard St., Toronto, Can-............. 1883
THOMPSON, FRANK J., Dept. Public Works, 64 St. & 5th Ave., New

Waoulle (CiitieooceaougcocouuobuSoncoU SeaDoo oe dupe cor ONO OOdor 1885
THORNE, Capt. PLATTE M., 22d Inf. U. S. A., Ft. Lyon, Col........ 1885
TuurBER, E. CARLETON, Box 364, Morristown, N. J--------+-+++++++- 1886
FROM DIE OUISH Vist al aise MGeicre) alate loislereic © icici sicle leis) «isis * <lc:-eie ojo oleielsieiels 1887
Toppan, Geo. L., Room 306, Phenix Building, 138 Jackson St.,

(CinnicHe@, Wile chtocoapeodcocoocdosoGdUEO UGS ObomUoE puoT OOOGD 1886
TorREY, BRADFORD, Melrose Highlands, Mass.....--+++++-+++e+++0- 1883

* Deceased.

XXVili Associate Members.

TowNsEND, C.-H,,. Smiths. Inst., Washington, D.C: . 26 sccm. «sir 1883
AN OVENS nore Meio) en Weise laehaKerRel, (Clojainianagooobondooagdanado- - -1885
TROMED HY, JEROME, seeters buco ne VrGlieeielem se croimisiciele cise! sfelsiolalsleieeieiers 1885
DPRUNMBULE . GURDON sr aAbtLOnd ei @ Om isle lets: shevere eteie excls elle olele sl dpetetoreie ieee 1884.
TURNER, Dr. H. M:, Hammondville, Essex 'Co:, N.Y. ~. 250. s=2epe 1885
DurRNer, Lucien M., Smiths. Inst... Washineton, D: Cx. 22-cce. ee 1885
VaN CorTLAnp, Miss ANNE P., Croton Landing, Westchester Co.,

INGEN Geiss God AiR eer ac ORTH IG Rie orotic es eave Mae Pra site eee 1885
Vewie, Dr. J. W., Academy of Sciences, Exposition Building,

Cinigacoy Milbesuoqoddascadondgud ob osGoGbOnOGNOaDONcoDC OLS 1886
AOVIENNOR dhe. Go. Montreal's Gaittieis:sjos aslo ereiec areielnie cielo o's Cio ietoe renee 1883
WADSWORTH. DS... SOx Loom. blarttond=) Gomis. e ce oie cleiterretneiene 1885
AMM cciI TBD) |g 18con) Oletellohnon I IENSGR momionrcoicie oo OIonomuob Oobacc oO c 1885
WARREN, Dr Bs Hs, -West: Chester, Pa <<. sive se.0leccn cere e ee eee 1886
WEESTER, FREDERIC S.; 1345 Pa. Ave., Washington, D: C;..-.caee 1886
Wisi. (UEWISiEl..Rosiyn, Queens Co... Nav Yc oe sion <4 ise eens 1887
WEEE ARD aS. Wiss WestiDePeres Wiss csien ssl ic1c acre) a 0/ctele cles eens 1883
WiILson, CHARLES 'B..sBenton Falls, Mette... «1.10 + ciels orere etotendstererenerene 1885
Woon, vA. Hi. Painted Post, Na VY acc ierys aie o «5 o/s is ose lepate, totere te ole reine 1887
“Woop, Dr: WirrraAm, East Windsor Hall, Commi: =... «> al eee 1883
WoonprvurfF, Lewis B., care C. H. Woodruff, 120 Broadway, New York

IEY seins Sahota atoiai Aave:ova ew enayatdletoteiaaiaieinie erent either 1886
WINTLE, ERNEST D., 11 Hospital St., Montreal, Quebec............ 1887
ZEREGA, Louis A., 111 East 72d St., New York City.....%. ss. cee. 1884

* Deceased.

Wis AUK:

A meuUP iC rion iY JOURNAL: OF

ORNITHOLOGY.

VOL. Vs JANUARY, 1888. No. I.

SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD.

BY ROBERT RIDGWAY.

[Read before the Fifth Meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union. |

Mr. PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN ORNI-
THOLOGISTS’ Union : — When asked by the worthy President of
our Union to prepare a memorial address upon the life and services
to ornithology of our great teacher and leader, Professor Baird,
it was with many misgivings that the invitation with which |
was thus honored was accepted; for, glad as I am to render
what tribute I can to the revered memory of a departed and
beloved friend, the sense of my own inability to do justice to
such a subject has almost deterred me from the attempt.

The preparation of an address which shall consist essentially
of new matter is rendered particularly difficult by the circum-
stance that there has already been published by Professor G.
Brown Goode in Bulletin 20 of the United States National
Museum * an excellent biography of Professor Baird, giving in

* Department of the Interior: | U.S. National Museum. | —23— | Bulletin | of
the United States National Museum. | No. 20. | —]| Published under the direction
of the Smithsonian Institution. | — | Washington: {| Government Printing Office. |
1883. |

Comprising—

Bibliographies of American Naturalists. | I.| The Published Writings | of |
Spencer Fullerton Baird, | 1843-1882. | By | George Brown Goode, | Assistant
Director of the National Museum. | Washington: | Government Printing Office,

| 1883. |

An octavo volume of 377 pages, + pages i-xvi (title pages, Prefatory Note,
Biographical Sketch, etc.).

2 Spencer Fullerton Baird. [ January

detail a history of the principal events and chief results of his
life, together with a complete bibliography of his publications.
Since the present memoir is intended to deal more particularly
with Professor Baird as an ornithologist, the reader is referred
for more general information to Professor Goode’s admirable
‘ Biographical Sketch,’ * from which are taken most of the
chronological data and the occasional quotations in the follow-
ing prelude to what I have to offer from my own personal
knowledge of the life, labors, attainments, and personal qualities
of one who in history must hold a place at the head of American
naturalists, and in the hearts of those who knew him a place
which none other can fill.

Spencer Fullerton Baird was born in Reading, Pennsylvania,
February 2, 1823. In 1834 he was sent to a Quaker boarding
school at Port Deposit, Maryland, and the following year to the
Reading Grammar School. In 1837 he entered Dickinson Col-
lege, graduating in 1840, at the age of seventeen. The next
several years were spent in making natural history studies, and
in the study of medicine, including a winter’s course of lectures
at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York, in
1842, though he never formally completed his medical course.
‘*TIn 1845 he was chosen professor of natural history in Dickin-
son College, and in 1846 his duties and emoluments were in-
creased by election to the chair of natural history and chemistry
in the same institution. . . . July 5, 1850, he accepted the posi-
tion of Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and
October 3, at the age of twenty-seven years, he entered upon his
life work in connection with that foundation—‘the increase and
diffusion of knowledge among men.’”

Mr. Goode informs us that ‘this ancestry upon one side was
English, upon the other Scotch and German. His paternal
erandfather was Samuel Baird, of Pottstown, Pa., a surveyor by
profession, whose wife was Rebecca Potts.” The Bairds were
from Scotland, while the Potts family came from England to
Pennsylvania at the close of the seventeenth century. ‘*His great

* Forming a special chapter of the work before cited, and divided into nine distinct
sections, as follows: I. Outline of his public career. II. Honors and dignities.
111. Ancestry and development of character. IV. Early friendships and their influ-
ences, V. Analysis of his work and the results. VI. Contributions to science and
scientific literature. VII. Educational! and administrative works. VIII. Work as
Commissioner of Fisheries, IX. Epilogue,

1888, ] Spencer Fullerton Baird. 3

grandfather on the mother’s side was the Rev. Elihu Spencer
of Trenton, one of the war preachers of the Revolution, whose
patriotic eloquence was so influential that a price was set on his
head by the British government; his daughter married William
M. Biddle, a banker, of an English family for many generations
established in Pennsylvania, and identified with the banking in-
terests of Philadelphia. Samuel Baird, the father of the subject
of this sketch, established himself as a lawyer at Reading, Penn-
sylvania, and died when his son was ten years old. He was a
man of fine culture, a strong thinker, a close observer, and a
lover of nature and out-of-door pursuits. His traits were inher-
ited by his children, especially by his sons Spencer and William.
The latter, who was the elder, was the first to begin collecting
specimens, and as early as 1836 had in hand a collection of the
game-birds of Cumberland County. His brother soon became
his companion in this pursuit, and six years later they published
conjointly a paper entitled ‘Descriptions of two species, supposed
to be new, of the Genus Zyranxnula Swainson, found in Cumber-
land County, Pennsylvania.’” *

Early in 1838 Professor Baird became acquainted with Audu-
bon, *t with whom he was for many years in correspondence, and
who, in 1842, gave to him the greater part of his collection of birds,
including most of his types of new species.” In 1841 a very
intimate friendship was begun with George N. Lawrence of
New York, with John Cassin of Philadelphia, in 1843, and
Thomas M. Brewer of Boston, in 1845. These close friendships
continued through life, though of these ornithologists only the first
named survives him, the others having died before Professor Baird.
They were all at one time or another associated with him in his
ornithological work.

Although his elder brother had anticipated him by a few years
in beginning the formation of a collection, he soon ‘‘ diverged
into other paths,” and became a lawyer in Reading, Pa.,t leav-
ing to him the field of ornithology, which he cultivated so assidu-
ously that when the catalogue of his collection{ was closed, at

* These species are now known as Emfidonax flaviventris Baird and £. minimus
Baird.

+Mr. Goode informs us that “at the time of his death, in 1872,” he “was United
States collector of internal revenue at Reading.”

{This catalogue now constitutes Volume I of the series of National Museum ‘ Regis-
ter of Specimens,’ now filling twenty-one volumes, and containing more than 112,-
000 separate entries,

4 Spencer Fullerton Batrd. | January

number 3696, almost every species of bird occurring, regularly
or otherwise, in eastern and central Pennsylvania was represented,
and in most cases by series of specimens showing the different
stages and phases of plumage. This collection, deposited there
by Professor Baird when he entered upon his duties as Assistant
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, is still in the National
Museum, of whose ornithological treasures it forms an important
element, so many of its specimens having served as the types of
Professor Baird’s descriptions in his ‘ Birds of North America’
and subsequent works. In it are ‘*specimens of birds prepared
by these boys forty-five [now nearly fifty] years ago by a simple
process of evisceration, followed by stuffing the body-cavities full
of cotton and arsenical soap,”—a method probably adopted by
them before they had learned the art of skinning birds.

Although his collection was made at a time when the art of
taxidermy is generally supposed to have been far behind its
present status, especially so far as this country is concerned, the
excelleut preparation of the specimens, their very precise labelling
and perfect preservation, show Professor Baird to have been in
every respect the peer of any ornithological collector of the present
period. Exposed for more than thirty years to constant handling
and everything that could effect their deterioration, they are still
in a most excellent state of preservation, and none have lost their
labels. I have never known a specimen of Professor Baird’s
preparation to be attacked by insects, a statement which I am
able to make regarding few other collections of which I possess
the knowledge to speak. The force of these observations may be
better appreciated when it is considered that probably no other
collection of skins has ever received so much handling as that
made by Professor Baird, every standard work on North American
birds published since 1850 having been based essentially upon it,
so far as eastern species are concerned. Not only are the speci-
mens prepared and preserved in a manner equalled by only the best
of our living collectors, but their labels are fastened with unusual
security, and contain very precise data, including scientific name
(with authority), sex, age, locality, and date ; and, usually, on the
reverse side, the total length and stretch of wings, measured be-
fore skinning. :

The formation of so large and varied a collection of course in-
volved such avastamount of field work as to remove Professor
Baird from the 7@zmdbo of so-called ‘ closet-naturalists.’ How

1888. | Spencer Fullerton Baird. 5

pleasant and instructive to him must have been his out-of-door
studies of birds, may be inferred from the extent of his excursions,
which are thus described by Mr. Goode:

‘In 1841, at the age of eighteen, we find him making an
ornithological excursion through the mountains of Pennsylvania,
walking four hundred miles in twenty-one days, the last day
sixty miles between daylight and rest.* The following year he
walked more than 2,200 miles. His fine physique and con-
sequent capacity for work are doubtless due in part to his out-
door life during these years.”

Considering Professor Baird’s great interest in the study of
birds, the number of his ornithological publications is astonish-
ingly small, amounting to only seventy-nine different titles (see
Mr. Goode’s Bibliography, pp. 250-253). It is, therefore, strik-
ingly evident that his publications must have possessed unusual
merit to earn for him so great a reputation as an ornithologist.
This reputation was indeed established by the first of his separate
works, usually known and quoted as ‘The Birds of North America,’
though not published under this title until two years after its
publication by the Government as Volume IX of the ‘ Report
of Explorations and Surveys, to ascertain the most practicable
and economical route for a Railroad from the Mississippi River
to the Pacific Ocean.’ With the publication, in 1858, of this
great quarto volume of more than one thousand pages, began
what my distinguished colleague, Professor Coues, has fitly
termed the ‘ Bairdian Period’ of American ornithology—a period
covering almost thirty years, and characterized by an activity of
ornithological research and rapidity of advancement without a
parallel in the history of the science. Referring to this great
work, in his ‘Bibliographical Appendix’ to ‘ Birds ofthe Colorado
Valley’ (page 650), Professor Coues says: ‘‘It represents the
most important single step ever taken in the progress of Ameri-
can ornithology in all that relates to the technicalities. The
nomenclature is entirely remodelled from that of the immediately
preceding Audubonian period, and for the first time brought
abreast of the then existing aspect of the case... . The synonymy of
the work is more extensive and elaborate and more reliable than
any before presented ; the compilation was almost entirely original,

*Professor Baird informed the writer that he had once, in a pedestrian contest, walked
forty miles in eight consecutive hours.

6 Spencer Fullerton Baird. [ January

very few citations having been made at second-hand, and these
being indicated by quotation marks. The general text consists
of diagnoses or descriptions of each species, with extended and
elaborate criticisms, comparisons, and commentary.....The
appearance of so great a work, from the hands of a most methodical,
learned, and sagacious naturalist, aided by two of the leading
ornithologists of America [John Cassin and George N. Law-
rence |, exerted an influence perhaps stronger and more widely
felt than that of any of its predecessors, Audubon’s and Wilson’s
not excepted, and marked an epoch in the history of American
ornithology. The synomymy and specific characters, original
in this work, have been used again and again by subsequent
writers, with various modifications and abridgment, and are in
fact a large basis of the technical. portion of the subsequent
‘History of North American Birds’ by Baird, Brewer, and Ridg-
way. Such a monument of original research is likely to remain
for an indefinite period a source of inspiration to lesser writers,
while its authority as a work of reference will always endure.”

Thus are graphically described the distinctive features of what
Mr. Leonhard Stejneger has truthfully termed the Bairdian
School * of ornithology, a school strikingly characterized by
peculiar exactness in dealing with facts, conciseness in expressing
deductions, and careful analysis of the subject inits various bear-
ings—methods so radically different from those of the older
‘European School that, as the esteemed member whom we have
just named has already remarked,f conclusions or arguments can
be traced back to their source and tanus properly weighed, whereas
the latter affords no basis for analysis. In other words, as Mr.
Stejneger has, in substance, said, the European School requires
the investigator to accept an author’s statements and conclusions
on his personal responsibility alone, while the Bairdian furnishes
him with tangible facts from which to take his deductions.

The dominant sources of Professor Baird’s training in syste-
matic ornithology are not difficult to trace ; in fact, the bases of his
classifications are so fully explained or frequently mentioned in
his various works as to leave nothing to mere inference. He
studied carefully the more advanced systems of his time, and
with unerring instinct selected from them their best features,

* Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., Vol. VII, 1884, p. 76.
| bid., p. 77.

1SSS. | Spencer Fullerton Baird. vi
and combined them, together with original ideas, into a classifi-
cation which was an improvement on its predecessors. Thus,
the classification presented in the ‘Birds of North America’
(1858) is based essentially upon the systems of Sundevall (‘Or-
nithologiskt System,’ 1835 and 1843), Cabanis (‘Ornithologische
Notizen,’ 1847), and Keyserling and Blasius (‘Wirbelthiere
Europas,’ 1840). The nomenclature was fixed by methods
adopted from G. R. Gray (‘List of the Genera of Birds,’ etc.,
1841-42), to the abandonment of which must be attributed most
of the subsequent changes in generic names. In the ‘Review’
(1864-66) and ‘History of North American Birds’ (1874), a
further concession is made to the classifications of Sundevall and
Cabanis by commencing with the Order Passeres and Family
Turdide instead of the Raptores. The same systems were the
foundation of Liljeborg’s ‘Classification of Birds,’ formally
adopted by the Smithsonian Institution (through Professor
Baird) in 1866, by Messrs. Sclater and Salvin (with certain
emendations and amplifications) in 1873, and with still further
modifications by the American Ornithologists’ Union, in 1886.

The distinctive features of the ‘Bairdian School’ were still
further developed by the publication, in 1864-66, of the ‘Review
of American Birds,’ a work of unequalled merit, displaying in
their perfection Professor Baird’s wonderful powers of analysis
and synthesis, so strongly combined in his treatment of difficult
problems. Unfortunately for ornithology, this work was but
fairly begun, only a single volume (an octavo of 450 pages)
being published. The cause of its discontinuance is not defin-
itely known to the present writer, but it may have been the inter-
vention of the ‘Ornithology of California,’* a work based on the
manuscript notes of Dr. J. G. Cooper, but edited by Professor
Baird, who also superintended its publication, and the ‘History
of North American Birds,’ material for which was already being

* Geological Survey of California. | J. D. Whitney, State Geologist. | — | Ornitholo-
gy. | Volume I. | Land Birds. | Edited by S. F. Baird, | from the manuscript and notes
of | J. G. Cooper. | Published by authority of the Legislature. | 1870. |

A royal octavo volume of 592 pages, illustrated by numerous woodcuts, some colored
by hand.

+ A | History | of North American Birds | by | S. F. Baird, ‘T. M. Brewer, and R.
Ridgway | Land Birds | Illustrated by 64 colored plates and 593 woodcuts | volume I.
| [IIT]. | [Vignette.] | Boston | Little, Brown, and Company | 1874. | 3 vols., small
quarto, vol. I. pp. i-xxviii, 1-596, i-vi, cuts, and pll. i-xxvi, Vol. II, 3 pll. pp. 1-590,
i-vi, cuts, and pll. xvii-lvi, Vol. III, 3 pll., pp. 1-560, 1 1., i-xxvili, cuts, and pll. lvii-lxix.

8 Spencer Fullerton Baird. [ January

arranged, besides other literary work and the increasing pressure
of administrative duties. Whatever the cause, however, its dis-
continuance is to be regretted, since its completion would have
given us an invaluable guide to the study of Neotropical birds.
I have it on good authority, that no single work on American
ornithology has made so profound an impression on European
ornithologists as Professor Baird’s ‘Review’; and, by the same
authority, I am permitted to state that he—a European by
birth and rearing — became an American citizen through its
influence.

In the preface to the present writer’s latest work on Ameri-
can ornithology* the author is proud to mention that the book
was ‘‘originally projected by Professor Spencer F. Baird....
whose works represent the highest type of systematic orni-
thology and have furnished the model from which the younger
generation of ornithologists have drawn their inspiration” ; and
that his friendly advice and suggestions had rendered compara-
tively easy the performance of a task which under less favorable
auspices would have been far more difficult of accomplish-
ment—acknowledgments which but faintly express the author’s
obligations to his tutor.

In commenting upon the value of Professor Baird’s contribu-
tions to scientific literature, Professor Goode remarks that ‘‘no

* A Manual | of | North American Birds. | By | Robert Ridgway. | — | Illustrated
by 464 outline drawings of the | generic characters. | — | Philadelphia: | J. B. Lippin-
cott Company. | 1887 | Royal octavo. Frontispiece (portrait of Professor Baird), pp.
i-xi, 1-631, pll. i-cxxiv.

The history of this work, briefly stated, is as follows:

Before the printing of the ‘History of North American Birds’ had been completed»
Professor Baird had under way a smaller but very useful work, consisting of the ana-
lytical or synoptical tables of the larger work, improved and somewhat enlarged by the
introduction of brief diagnoses of the nests and eggs of the different species, together
with the English names. This book, of which there exists only a single copy, and that
not perfect, was completed early in 1874. Its title is ‘Outlines of American Ornithology
by S. F. Baird and R. Ridgway. Part I. Land Birds.’ For some reason the work was
never published, and the electrotype plates were destroyed. This work, in which the
present writer had some share, was the embryo which, after twelve years’ incubation,
finally developed into the more comprehensive ‘ Manual of North American Birds,’ in
the preparation of which, however, Professor Baird took no active part, though it is
scarcely necessary to say that he was much interested in its progress, even almost to
the close of his life, which ended shortly after the work had been printed, but before it
could be published. It has been a matter of deep regret to the author, that Professor
3aird could not have had a share in the preparation of the book, and still more that
he could not have lived to enjoy the satisfaction of seeing it published.

1888. ] Spencer Fullerton Baird. 9

one not living in the present can form an accurate idea of the
personal influence of a leader upon his associates and upon the
progress of thought in his special department, nor can such an
influence as this well be set down in words. This influence is
apparently due not only to extraordinary skill in organization,
to great power of application and concentration of thought con-
stantly applied, and to a philosophical and comprehensive mind,
but to an entire and self-sacrificing devotion to the interests of
his own work and that of others.”

But it is not only through his published works and personal
influence with his associates and pupils, that Professor Baird was
powerful in the development and advancement of ornithology in
America. His position as head of the Smithsonian Institution and
the National Museum gave him peculiar opportunities for putting
into practical shape his plans for a thorough exploration of little
known portions of the continent. ‘*To his influence with the
Government authorities is due the excellent field-work done in
connection with nearly all the Government Surveys and _ the
Signal Service Bureau, from the first inception of the various
Pacific Railroad Surveys to the present time.” * If the explora-
tion of a particular field suggested itself to him, he rarely failed
to find, sooner or later, means to accomplish the object in view ;
no opportunity for making use of, or securing the codperation
of, other departments of the Government in maintaining explora-
tions which he had himself instigated or organized was ever
neglected, and for such opportunities he was constantly alert.
His success in thus promoting the cause of science was, how-
ever, by no means wholly due to the importance of his official
positions, his personal zeal and influence often accomplishing
what might not otherwise have been successful.

The sterling qualities of mind and heart which were so con-
spicuous in Professor Baird’s character were as well known and
as highly appreciated abroad as at home. As an illustration of
this fact, I quote the following obituary notice in ‘ Nature,’ for
August 25, by Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, Senior Assistant, Depart-
ment of Zodlogy, in the British Museum, well known as an orni-
thologist of eminence:

‘¢By Englishmen who knew Professor Baird personally, the loss
must be especially felt, but there are many who never had met

* Editorial, in‘ The Auk,’ Oct. 1887, p. 358.

To Spencer Fullerton Baird. | January

him in the flesh, to whom the news of his decease must come as
that of a dear friend. As one of the latter class we venture to
express our sympathy with our scientific brethren in America on
the decease of one of their most eminent and respected colleagues.
As chief of the Smithsonian Institution, Professor Baird possessed
a power of conferring benefits on the world of science exercised
by few directors of public museums, and the manner in which
he utilized these powers has resulted not only in the wonderful
success of the United States National Museum under his direction,
but in the enrichment of many other museums which were in
friendly intercourse with the Smithsonian Institution. We know
by experience that the British Museum is indebted beyond meas-
ure to Professor Baird, and we need only refer to the recent
volumes of the ‘Catalogue of Birds’ to show how much our Na-
tional Museum owes to the sister Museum in America for hearty
co-operation. We had only to write and express our wants, and
immediately every effort was made, by Professor Baird’s instruc-
tions, to supply all the desiderata in our ornithological collection,
and this without the slightest demand for an equivalent exchange,
though, of course, inthe case of the British Museum, every eflort
was made to reciprocate the good feeling shown by the great
American Museum. There must be many private collectors in
this country who will indorse our acknowledgments to Professor
Baird for the unrivalled liberality which he has always shown
in the advancement of the studies of every ornithologist who in-
voked his aid. .... We may add that, during an experience of
twenty years, we have never heard from any ornithologist, Eu-
ropean or American, a single unkind word concerning Professor
Baird, either in his public or private capacity. This is something
to say in this age of jealousies and backbitings.”

Indeed, it may with truth be said that so widespread, so nearly
universal, has been his influence, that few there are, if any,
among his contemporaries who have not had occasion to record
their sense of obligation for his aid, his counsel, or his noble ex-
ample. We all delight to acknowledge him our great teacher,
and in doing so do honor to ourselves.

A very marked trait of Professor Baird’s character was his
aversion to personal controversy, which was so decided that under
no circumstances could he be drawn into one. It was his inva-
riable rule to answer his critics by a dignified silence, no matter

1888. ] Spencer Fullerton Baird. Te

how great the provocation to reply, or how strong a case his side
presented; and in every instance known to the writer it has
transpired that the ground taken or the statements made by Pro-
fessor Baird have stood the test of time. ‘‘One of his striking
characteristics was that he would never quarrel and never have
anything to do with the quarrels of others. He was always for
peace.” * G

As a public officer, no man was more conscientiously devoted
to his duty or faithful in its performance; and he administered
the complicated affairs of three distinct and important establish-
ments with an ability which commanded admiration, although
it was plainly to be seen that the responsibilities were too great
for any single person to bear. His capacity for work was enor-
mous, and he was constantly occupied. He enjoyed work, and
it was not his industry which hurt him; but the harassing
cares of his public trusts and the weight of their responsibility
were too much for even his powerful physique to endure, and he
gave way under the strain.

No man was more easily approached than Professor Baird, or
greeted a new acquaintance more cordially. His reception of
young persons, especially those with an inclination for natural
history, was particularly charming, at once relieving them from
embarrassment and captivating them by his unassuming manners,
his genialty, and frankness.

Trusting that he does not introduce too prominently his
own personality into this memoir, the writer offers the follow-
ing brief outline of his personal acquaintance with Professor
Baird, as being of probable interest to members of the Union,
and as giving an insight into the character of his lamented friend.

Until near the middle of the year 1864, the writer, then a lad
in his fourteenth year, was unacquainted with the name of any
living naturalist, or with any books on natural history except
such general or superficial compilations as Goldsmith’s ‘Ani-
mated Nature,’ a history of the United States (author forgotten)
which included a chapter or two on the natural history, and
Goodrich’s ‘Animal Kingdom’—works which, although supply-
ing much valuable information to the general reader, were of
course wholly inadequate to the wants of a special student.
A lady resident inthe town learned of his difficulties, and sug-

* Professor Otis T, Mason, in ‘Washington Evening Star’ of August 20,

12 Spencer Fullerton Baird. [ January

gested that by writing to the Commissioner of Patents in Wash-
ington he might be able to obtain the correct names of birds,
supplementing her fortunate suggestion by the gift of an envel-
ope bearing the printed address of a former Commissioner of
Patents. A letter was written, and with it was enclosed a col-
ored drawing, life size, of a pair of Purple Finches (‘‘Roseate
Grosbeak, Zoxza rosea,” of the incipient ornithologist) perched
upon a dry stalk of the great ragweed (Amérosia trifida),
the seeds of which in winter constitute the principal food of the
bird in that locality. An answer was awaited with great impa-
tience, but in due time was received, the following being an exact
copy:

‘No. 5664. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION,
Washington, D. C., Fune 23, 1864.
‘DEAR SIR:

‘“The present Commissioner of Patents (Mr. Holloway, not Mr.
Bishop), has sent me your letter, as more conversant with the subject of
North American Birds than himself. I have read it with interest and
much pleasure, as showing an unusual degree of ability as an artist, and of
intelligent attention to a scientific subject. I had no difficulty in recog-
nizing the bird you sent, and was much pleased to see that you had given
all the essential features of form and color with much accuracy.

“The bird is the Purple Finch (Carfodacus purpureus). Isend youa
catalogue of the birds of North America, and some other pamphlets.* If
you can procure the 9th volume of the Pacific Railroad Reports, you will
find descriptions of all the North American birds, by myself.

“T will be glad to hear from you and to render you any aid by naming
your drawings, or inany other way. You must learn the scientific names
of the birds, and thus be able to talk and write about them with persons
not knowing the English names used in your part of the country.

‘Let me know what kind of eggs you have.

“Very truly yours,
(Signed) ‘‘SpENCER F. BAIRD.
TCNSSt, SeC.poatlens
“ROBERT RIDGWAY,
“Mt. Carmel,
‘*Tilinots.”

The above letter was a revelation to the recipient, who, in his
isolation, was ignorant of the existence of any one but himself
engaged in the study of birds. He had read of Audubon and

*These were the various circulars of instruction for collecting and preserving speci-
mens of natural history, published by the Smithsonian Institution, and well known to
naturalists in this country,

1888.] Spencer Fullerton Baird. 13

Wilson, and Nuttall, and Bonaparte, but these he knew were all
dead. The profound impression produced by the letter and
the hope that it gave, may be imagined. From this commence-
ment arose a correspondence which to the present writer was a
constant source of delight and instruction, and to which he
looks back with feelings that cannot be expressed. It was
not until the early part of 1867, nearly three years later, that
the writer obtained a copy of the text of ‘Birds of North America’
(Volume IX, Pacific R. R. Report), and it therefore became
necessary for him to continue the sending of drawings and de-
scriptions in order to obtain the much desired identifications.
In replying to the writer’s numerous letters of this character,
Professor Baird always wrote most kindly and encouragingly,
replying to multitudinous queries as fully as the arduous duties
of his official position would allow. To mention all the useful
hints which he gave would require too much space here, but the
following are selected as samples:

“‘T would advise you to spend most of your leisure time in
practising drawing of birds and mammals from nature and from
life, so as to acquire a facility in seizing a temporary attitude
and transferring it to paper. Make these sketches continually
whenever you have the opportunity, so as to secure the more
practice. A certain number of these drawings you may work
up in their minutest details, and it will be a good exercise to
draw the feathers of a single wing, as well as bill, feet, etc.,
and skulls of mammals. The object should be in drawing form
to secure artistic elegance and at the same time a minute, almost
microscopic, accuracy in matters of detail, as far as they can be
represented.

‘“‘The drawings you have sent are too fragmentary to show
what your present abilities as an artist are, and I would rather
see some full-sized figures ....”

“Tt will not be necessary to spend much time in practising
coloring, as this is rather a mechanical work, easily acquired by
practice. The first object should be to obtain the highest perfec-
tion in drawing the form and in filling out minute details.”
(From a letter dated December 24, 1865.)

In a letter dated January 13, 1867, he gave this valuable advice
as to writing field-notes: ‘* Let me give you one hint in regard
to making notes on the specimens. Vever write on both sides

14 WititAms ox Upper Missourr River Birds. [ January

of the same leaf. In this way it will be possible to cut apart
your notes into slips and assort with others of same purport, so
as to rearrange systematically. Do this for your own notes as
well as those you send me: You will often realize the advan-
tage of so doing.”

It is unnecessary here to go into details concerning events
subsequent to the beginning of this correspondence. Suffice it
to say that in all his relations with Professor Baird the writer
remembers, with deepest gratitude and reverence, his uniform
great kindness of heart, his genial manners, his wise counsels,
and his steadfast friendship ; and, with others who were so for-
tunate as to have enjoyed the privilege of his acquaintance, he
mourns a departed friend and teacher, whose loss is irreparable.

UPPER MISSOURI RIVER ‘BIRDS.

BY ROBERT S. WILLIAMS.

Ir is a bright morning on the gth of May, and, with gun and
game bag, I start out for a walk along the Missouri River above
town (Great Falls, Montana). The wind, which has been blow-
ing almost a gale for several days past, is this morning scarcely
perceptible ; a few fleecy clouds are in the clear sky above, and
the prairies are rapidly changing their dull colors to summer
tints of green. Ata distance, the scattered cotton-woods stand
up as bare and gray as in the depth of winter, and the willows
scarcely show signs of returning life, except in the warm, sunny
nooks, where they are rapidly assuming the misty green that
will shortly envelop them and change their whole appearance.

On all sides the birds are doing their best to proclaim the
arrival of another spring. In the distance are heard the loud
and long-drawn out whistlings of the Curlew as he wings his
way here and there over the prairie. Close at hand are Chest-
nut-collared and McCown’s Longspurs uttering their pleasing
warbles. The latter bird is constantly flying rapidly upward for
a short distance, then with wings motionless above the back, it
sails slowly to the ground, reminding one of a huge butterfly,

1SSS. | WILLIAMS ox Upper Missourt River Birds. 15

and all the time singing so vigorously that one might suppose it
had forgotten even the motion of its wings in directing all its
energies to music. Shorelarks are about, with young almost
able to fly, and the loud and well known song of the Meadow-
lark is heard from all directions, as the birds pause for an instant
on some rock or post, or fly after their mates. A bird not so
commonly observed, yet quite abundant, is the Missouri Skylark
(Axnthus spraguez), and its song, as usually noted far overhead,
would scarcely attract attention from any casual observer, for all
its wonderful melody when clearly heard. The notes more close-
ly resemble those of Swainson’s Thrush than of any other bird
I am acquainted with, but the song is louder and more prolonged.
Still another bird of the prairies, oftener heard than seen, is the
Western Yellow-winged Sparrow. It is often so shy that one
has great difficulty in approaching near enough for a shot. These
last two species are recent arrivals from the south. The earliest
date I have for the appearance of either is May 8, 1885.

Thus far the birds mentioned are observed while passing over
abouta mile of prairie, before reaching the river. As I approach
some willows by the water’s edge, the mellow, ringing song of
the Ruby-crowned Kinglet falls on the ear, and directly the bird
itself appears flitting about among the lighter sprigs. ‘This spe-
cies arrives during the first week of May, and breeds commonly
in the mountains, but is never seen in the valleys except in migra-
tion. Its relative, the Golden-crested, I have only noted in the
fall migration, and it is apparently a rare bird at all times.
Brewer’s Blackbirds, along with Crow Blackbirds and Cowbirds,
stop their noise and scolding for an instant as I approach near
them. Soon the willows are passed and I proceed along the river
bank, which extends only a few feet above the water for some
half a mile, to where the surface becomes broken by low sand
hills and ridges that run parallel with the river for some distance,
and are covered with a scant growth of box elder, cotton-wood,
wild cherry, etc. Just before reaching the sand hills I notice
three birds out in the river. They are making towards me and
I hastily get behind a hummock where it is easy to watch their
movements. From their color, large size, and especially the
long neck held so upright, I conclude they must be the Western
Grebe (4chmophorus occidentalis), and such indeed they
prove. While they are still far out of gun shot an American

16 WILLIAMS ox Upper Missouri River Birds. [ January

Golden-eye comes flying low down over the water and plunges
in, not twenty yards away. This bird is quite common here in
spring. [have seen them as late as the 17th of May, but I have never
noticed them in mid-winter. Barrow’s Golden-eye is the com-
mon winter bird about the falls, etc., mostly leaving by the
middle of April. Meantime the Grebes have been constantly
approaching. Waiting till the one nearest shore dives I run
down to the water’s edge, while the Golden-eye hastily betakes
himself off. The Grebe shortly coming to the surface affords a
fair shot, and a single pellet passing through the neck kills him
instantly. A second shot at the others simply causes them to drop
suddenly out of sight, and they come up far out in the river.
Wind and current shortly bringing the prize to land I dispose of
it, and soon reach the brush and timberabove. Violet-green
and White-bellied Swallows occasionally pass overhead. The
two species arrive together, within a day or two of the first of
May, and are constantly associated throughout the season. Both
have the same irregular flight, varying constantly in direction and
swiftness, and were it not for the apparently white rump of the
Violet-green, the two species would not be so easily distin-
guished on the wing.

Red-shafted Flickers are abundant. They have already paired
and are busily arranging their summer homes. Only one other
species of this family, a single Downy Woodpecker, was noted
during the morning, although six or seven species are more or
less common in the mountains. A few Yellow-rumped War-
blers are flying about singly here and there in the cotton-woods
and willows. The specimen shot proved tobe Dezdrotca coro-
vata, although in my experience 2. awdubontis much the com-
moner bird of the two in the Territory, and is the one usually
breeding inthe mountains. Two Yellow Warblers (D. @stcva) are
noted. They have doubtless just arrived, and in a short time the
species will become common; also two Brown Thrushes are
heard, for the first time this year. Other recent arrivals are the
Western House Wren and Towhee (/7fzlo maculatus arctt-
Cus).

Hearing a great noise and stir out in the river I walk to the
bank and look across, and there, nearasand bar, two or three
hundred yards away, is a large flock of Avocets. They are
wheeling about, alighting first on the bar, then in the water,

1888. | WILLIAMS ox Upper Missouri’ River Birds. 1y
keeping up a constant noisy piping. A few birds, at least, re-
main about alkali ponds on the prairies during the summer. A
little farther up the river a flock of Shoveler Ducks fly past.
Their every note and action is full of vigor, as they drop sud-
denly to within a few feet of the water, or as quickly rise up-
ward, or wheel to one side, as if flight to them were only play.
Farther on and the mellow, piping notes of some Green-winged
Teal are heard from a bit of quiet water. The birds are so busy
feeding that they do not notice my approach till within a few rods
of them, when they quickly rise from the water and are off.
Flocks of the males are to be found here commonly throughout
the winter. As compared with this species, the Blue-winged
Teal is quite rare, and is never found here in winter, I believe.

During the morning several pairs of Canada Geese are seen
flying low over the prairies, to or from their feeding grounds.
Small numbers of them remain throughout the year, and these
apparently breed very early, beginning to lay even toward the
latter part of March. Where the cotton-wood timber is heavy,
the nest is doubtless sometimes placed in trees. I have seen the
birds alight on large limbs thirty or forty feet above ground,
although I never observed the nest in such places. The Mallard
is another winter bird, many males, at least, remaining during
the coldest weather. I have obtained their nest, with mostly
fresh eggs, as late as May 24, though probably they sometimes
breed much earlier.

As one of the small islands in this part of the river is passed, the
cooing of many Turtle Doves comes across the water. Some-
times two birds begin and continue their notes in unison to the
close, producing a curious sort of duet. The Doves arrived this
year about May 5. They are common in nearly all the valleys,
but I have never seen them in flocks of any size. Among Spar-
rows that inhabit timber and brush, the Intermediate White-
crowned is abundant now. A week or so later none are found
outside the mountains, where they breed commonly. The
White-throated Sparrow, so like this in many of its habits, I have
never seen in Montana except On one occasion. September 18,
1886, I observed a few along with the preceding species,
in brush on lower Sun River. The only specimen shot was so
badly torn by the charge that I was unable to preserve the skin.
Song Sparrows are occasionally heard singing from some brush

) . . . . . .
18 Ricumonn, Birds Breeding in District of Columbia. {January

pile or thicket. They arrive early, April or thereabout, and
Grass Finches, which appear about a month later, are common
everywhere. I will mention two other Sparrows, specimens
of which I obtained this spring, though none were noted on the
present occasion. One is the Fox-colored Sparrow, which
seems to be of uncommonoccurrence here, and the other Lincoln’s
Sparrow. Both are so retiring in their habits as to be readily
overlooked. I have shot but two or three specimens of each
in the Territory.

On returning to town shortly before noon, little further of
interest is observed, as the ground traversed is about the same.
It is still early for many of the smaller birds, some of which do
not arrive till about the first of June.

AN ANNOTATED LIST OF BIRDS BREEDING IN
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA:

BY CHARLES W. RICHMOND

In treating of the fauna and flora of the District of Columbia,
authors generally extend the limits twenty miles from the Capi-
tol in all directions. Owing to the fact that his experience does
not extend far beyond the District limits proper, the writer has
preferred to restrict the present notes, as much as possible, to
within that boundary. Some species are left out, therefore,
which would otherwise be included. Among such birds are
the Bald Eagle (/alé@etus leucocephalus), the Wild Turkey
(Meleagris gallopavo), and the Wood Duck (Azx sponsa),
which are known to breed at Mt. Vernon, Va., about fourteen
miles from Washington; the Turkey Vulture ( Cathartes aura),
and the Great Horned Owl (&uédo virgintanus), breeding near
Wilson’s Station, Md., about seven miles from here, as the writer
is informed by Mr. Frank White. The Red-tailed Hawk (Luteo
borealis) has been found breeding at Sandy Spring, Md., about
eighteen miles distant, by Dr. A. K. Fisher.

Mr. Hugh M. Smith kindly contributes the following interest-
ing note on the breeding of the American Scaup Duck (Aythya.

18S8.] RicHMoND, Birds Breeding in District of Columbia. 19

marila nearctica) at Mt. Vernon: ‘‘In May, 1881, a female
duck was often noticed swimming to and froma marshy tract
near Mt. Vernon Springs, and in June was flushed from the
nest by Mr. L. P. Pumphrey, an experienced gunner and duck
shooter. The nest contained fourteen eggs, which were not
disturbed. Later in the same month they were found to have
hatched (with the exception of one), and the young ducks were
transferred to the care of a hen. The ducks grew, and when old
enough to fly, went off one ata time and never returned. At
no time was the male bird seen. Mr. Pumphrey’s identification
of the bird was complete, and his great familiarity with the
birds of the river makes his dzctaum reliable.”
course, was purely accidental, the bird probably being wounded

This instance, of

and obliged to remain where it was discovered.

Three birds given as breeding in ‘Avifauna Columbiana,’ by
Drs. Coues and Prentiss, are here omitted, viz: Brown Creeper
(Certhia familiaris americana), Tree Swallow ( Zachycineta
bicolor), and Bronzed Grackle (Qwuzscalus guiscula c@neus).
The first is a winter resident, being common from the middle
of October until the first week in April. The Tree Swallow is
said to be ‘Sa common summer resident,” whereas it does not
occur as such, although small scattered flocks of mig¥ants are
often seen flying over the city during the latter part of July.
The Bronzed Grackle is little more than a straggler, and indi-
viduals passing through here hardly remain to breed. However,
the writer hasa male, taken on April 17, 1886, a date when
ordinary gzzscula is nesting, and a female shot on April 6,
1887, about the time the Purple Grackles are laying their first
eggs. Both of these birds were taken in a grove of cedars
occupied by a colony of Purple Grackles.

The writer desires to thank Mr. H. W. Henshaw, Mr. Robert
Ridgway, and others whose names are mentioned in connection
with the following notes, for information and assistance in pre-
paring the list. The notes apply to the breeding season only.

1. Botaurus exilis. Least BirreERN.—Rare. Has been seen here in
summer.

2. Ardeaegretta. AMERICAN EGretT.—Mr. Wm. Palmer has known
this bird to nest in Arlington Cemetery.

3. Ardea virescens. GREEN HEron.—Quite common. Several pairs
nest along the Eastern Branch every year.

20 Ricumonn, Birds Breeding in District of Columbia. [January

4. Nycticorax nycticorax nevius. BLACK-CROWNED NiGHT HERON.—
Same as Ardea egretta.

5 Rallus elegans. KinGc Rart.—A nest found June 15, 1887, in a
marsh opposite Long Bridge, by Mr. Melville Thompson, contained
eleven eggs, partly incubated. This is the only nest found here, to the
writer’s knowledge.

6. Rallus virginianus. VirGrntiA Rait.—This Rail and the following
have been seen here during the nesting season, and both undoubtedly
breed.

7. Porzana carolina. Sora.

8. Philohela minor. Woopcock.—Rare. Mr. Henshaw informs the
writer that the Woodcock used to nest quite commonly in the vicinity of
Washington, before it was killed off by gunners.

g. Actitis macularia. SpPoTTED SANDPIPER.—Rather uncommon.
Have never found the nest here, but have shot young birds.

10. A®gialitis vocifera. KiLLDEER.—Rather rare. Sometimes seen or
heard during the summer.

11. Colinus virginianus. BoB-wHiTe.—Quite rare.

12. Bonasaumbellus. RuFrrep Grouse —Rare. Both this bird and
the preceding are abundant in the surrounding country in Maryland and
Virginia.

13. Zenaidura macroura. MourNING Dove.—Common. Have found
eggs as early as April 18. Nests generally in cedar thickets.

14. Accipiter velox. SHARP-SHINNED HAwk.—Rare. A nest with
four eggs was found by Mr. Louis McCormick in Alexandria Co., Va.,
about six miles from Washington, on May 20, 1882.

15. Accipiter cooperi. Cooper’s HAwk.—Rare. Mr. Hugh M.
Smith has two eggs taken May 8, 1865.

16. Buteo lineatus. RED-SHOULDERED HAwk.—Mr. Henshaw has
found several nests. :

17. Buteo latissimus. BrRoAD-wINGED HAwkK.—Not common. Mr.
Henshaw has found it breeding.

18. Falco sparverius. AMERICAN SPARROW HAwk.—Rare.

19. Strix pratincola. AMERICAN BARN OwL.—Very rare. The Na-
tional Museum collection contains two eggs of this bird taken from the
Smithsonian towers, one in June, 1861, and the other June 1, 1865.

20. Asio wilsonianus. AMERICAN LONG-EARED OwL.—Rare. This
species is given a place on the authority of Mr. Henshaw, who says that
it breeds here.

21. Syrnium nebulosum. Barred Owr.—Rare. This Owl breeds
in Maryland and Virginia. and it has been seen here in June.

22. Megascops asio. ScrEECH Owri.—Common. A nest found
April 24, contained eggs about to hatch, and young birds fully fledged
and flying about have been taken on May 30.

23. Coccyzus americanus. YELLOW-BILLED Cuckoo.—Common.
Eggs found first week in June. Nests generally in thick, dark woods
with abundant undergrowth.

[*g991 Ricumonp, Birds Breeding in District of Columbia.

tN
-

24. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. BLACK-BILLED CucKoo.—Rare.

25. Ceryle alcyon. BELTED KINGFISHER.—Uncommon.

26. Dryobates villosus. HAiry WooppecKer.—Very rare. Mr. Hen-
shaw saw a pair of these birds late in May, 1887, and judged from their
actions that they were nesting.

7. Dryobates pubescens. Downy WooprecKer.—Rather common.
28. Melanerpeserythrocephalus. RED-HEADED WoOoDPECKER.—Com-
mon. Eggs found second week in May.

29. Melanerpes carolinus. RED-BELLIED WoopPECKER.—Very rare.
Mr. Henshaw saw an individual about the iast of May, 1887.

30. Colaptes auratus. FLIckKeEr-—Common. Eggs found second
week in May.

31. Antrostomus vociferus. WHIP-POOR-WILL.—Quite rare. but com-
mon in adjacent portions of Maryland and Virginia.

2. Chordeiles virginianus. NIGHTHAWK.—Uncommon. Have never
found the nest here, but see the birds all through the summer.

33. Chetura pelagica. CHIMNEY Swirt. — Abundant. Eggs found
the second week in June.

34. Trochilus colubris. RuBy-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.—Uncommon.
Begins nesting the last week in May.

35. Tyrannus tyrannus. KINGBIRD.—Quite common.

36. Myiarchus crinitus. CRESTED FLYCATCHER.—Common. Have
found only one nest containing the usual cast-off snake skin. Eggs found
the first week in June.

37- Sayornis phebe. PHa@se.—Common. An early breeder as com-
pared with other species of the Tyrannide nesting here. Eggs found
first week in May.

38. Contopus virens. Woop PEwEE.—Common. Begins nesting first
week in June.

39: Empidonax acadicus. AcADIAN FLycaTcHEeR.—Common. Eggs
deposited second week in June; never more than three are found in one
nest. The bird is always found in a solitary part of the woods, where few
other birds are seen. Its nest is placed half-pendant at the end of a hori-
zontal branch, generally so low that it can be reached without climbing;
sometimes, however, it is twenty feet or more from the ground. The eggs
resemble those of Conxfofus virens, but are slightly smaller; the ground
is of a deeper cream color, and the spots, not so numerous or so large as
in virens, are reddish brown. The note of acadicus isa sharp peep.

40. Cyanocitta cristata. BLure JAy.—Rare. Common in the adjoining
country.

41. Corvus americanus. AMERICAN Crow. — Abundant. Have taken
full clutches as early as March 27. Generally five or six eggs are found
in a nest.

2. Corvus ossifragus. Fish Crow.— Not common. Mr. Henshaw
has found it nesting.

43. Molothrus ater. Cowsirp.—Rare. Prior to 1884 the writer fre-
quently found eggs of this parasite in nests of Vireo olivaceus, Dendroica

22, RicHMonD, Birds Breeding in District of Columbia. {January

estiva, D. discolor, and other small birds, but since then has not found
one. Molothrus generally lays its eggs in nests of birds smaller than itself,
and which lay similar spotted eggs. Have occasionally found its egg in
the nest of the Chipping Sparrow, and once ina Bluebird’s nest situated
ina hole ina fence post. This nest contained two eggs of the Cowbird,
almost exact counterparts of each other, and probably laid by the same
bird.

44. Agelaius pheeniceus. RED-wINGED BLACKBIRD.—Common.

45. Sturnellamagna. MErADOWLARK.—Common.

46. Icterus spurius. ORCHARD OrIoLE.—Uncommon.

47. Icterus galbula. BALTIMORE ORIOLE.—Very uncommon.

48. Quiscalus quiscula. PurPLE GRACKLE.— Abundant. Breeds in
communities. Nests exclusively in cedar or other coniferous trees. Eggs
may be found the first week in April, five or six being laid. ‘Runt’ eggs
are sometimes found. Two broods are raised, perhaps three.

49. Passer domesticus. EvrRopEAN House Sparrow. — This little
renegade is excessively abundant. They are frequently seen building nests
during mild days in winter, and rear four or five broods a year, probably
more. In June, large numbers, mostly young birds, congregate about
grain fields and along country roads, where they remain until harvest time
is over. Eggs generally five or six; nest lavishly lined with feathers.

50. Loxia curvirostra minor. AMERICAN CROSSBILL. — Extremely
rare. An adult male accompanied by one young bird was seen by Mr.
Hugh M. Smith on May 17, 1885. This species has been known to breed
in Maryland. (See ‘The Auk,’ Vol. I, p. 292, and Vol. II, p. 379.)

51. Spinus tristis. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. — Very common. A late
breeder, hardly beginning to nest before the middle of July. Mr. Smith
has taken eggs as late as August 30. Eggs five or six.

52. Poocetes gramineus. VESPER SPARROW.—Rather common.

53. Ammodramus savannarum passerinus. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.—
Common.

54. Ammodramus henslowii. HENSLow’s SpARROW.—Very common
around Falls Church, Va., a short distance from Washington.

55- Spizella socialis. CHIPPING SPARROW. — Very common. Three
broods are raised.

56. Spizella pusilla. Fietp SpARRow. — Abundant. Often nests on
the ground. ‘Three broods are reared.

57- Melospiza fasciata. SoNG Sparrow. — Abundant. Commonly
nests on the ground and in low bushes. One nest found was in a cedar,
seven feet from the ground.

58. Pipilo erythrophthalmus. TowHEE.—Common. Three or four
eggs generally constitute a clutch.

59. Cardinalis cardinalis. CarpINAL.—Common. Have never found
more than three eggs in a nest.

60. Guiracacerulea. BLUE GROSBEAK.—Rare.

61. Passerinacyanea. INp1GO BuNTING.—Common. Begins nesting
first week in June. Four eggs are generally laid.

18SS. ] RicHMOND, Birds Breeding in District of Columbia. rae

62. Spiza americana. DiIcKcCISsEL.—Extremely rare. This bird is
said to have been abundant, formerly, but it appears to have withdrawn
almost entirely from this vicinity. A male was seen by Mr. Henshaw
about the last of May, 1887. It was very likely nesting.

63. Piranga erythromelas. ScARLET TANAGER. — Quite rare. Mr.
W. F. Roberts has taken young birds.

64. Pirangarubra. SuMMER TANAGER.—Very uncommon. Found a
nest July 4, 1885, containing three fresh eggs.

65. Progne subis. PurPLE MaArtTin.—Rather common. There are
several nesting sites where the Martins still ‘hold the fort, despite the
English Sparrows, notably the Masonic Temple and the Post Office De-
partment building.

66. Petrochelidon lunifrons. CLiIrr SwALLow.—Rare.

67. Chelidon erythrogaster. BARN SWALLOw.--Very common. Begins
nesting about the third week in May.

68. Clivicola riparia. BANK SwALLow.—Very common.

69. Stelgidopteryx serripennis. ROUGH-wWINGED SWALLow. — Com-
mon. Numbers of these birds nest along the river in crevices among
the rocks. I know of a small colony that frequents a stone culvert, over
which is a railroad track, and through which a small stream passes. This
culvert is built of rough uncut stones, and presents innumerable fine nest-
ing sites for the Swallows. One nest found here was placed in a crevice
about one foot above running water, and contained young. Six or seven
eggs are laid, and first clutches are completed by May 17. A set of seven
eggs found during June, 1887, contained six of this species and one of the
Barn Swallow. é

7o. Ampelis cedrorum. CEDAR WAxwinG.—Common. The Cedar-
bird does not nest till late in the season, and is sometimes eccentric about
choosing a nesting place. A nest found within the city limits was situ-
ated in a lamp post, and contained one egg. It will forsake its nest on
the slightest provocation, even after laying one or more eg

gs.

71. Vireo olivaceus. ReEbD-EYED VirEO.— Abundant. The nesting
season usually begins about the last week in May. A nest, found by Mr.
M. Thompson, was in a small shrub only a foot and a half from the
ground. One egg ofa set of three in the possession of the writer, is un-
spotted.

72. Vireo gilvus. WARBLING ViREO.—Uncommon. The rarest of the
breeding Vireos.

73. Vireo flavifrons. YELLOW-THROATED VirREO.—Rather common.
It appears to nest much earlier than ol¢vaceus.

74. Vireo noveboracensis. WHITE-EYED VirREO.—Rather common.

75. Mniotilta varia. BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER.—Common. Have
found fully fledged young by June 14.

76. Helmitherus vermivorus. WorRM-EATING WARBLER.—Not rare.
Discovered a nest on a steep hillside bordering on Rock Creek, May 31,
1885, containing six eggs, well incubated. The nest was large for the
size of the bird, and very loosely constructed. The outer part was com-

24 RicumMonp, Birds Breeding in District of Columbia. [January

posed of skeleton leaves, and the lining was of hair moss (Polyfrichum).
On the 14th of June the same year, another nest, containing five young
birds half-fledged, was found in the same locality. The next year a deserted
nest was found, corresponding in size and material with the other two.
June 5, 1887, Mr. M. Thompson found a nest with five half-grown young.
The nest was on a hillside facing the west, as were the other three, and
was composed of like materials.

77. Helminthophila pinus. BLuE-wINGED WARBLER. — Extremely
rare. Mr. Ilerman HH. Birney found a nest containing four eggs about to
hatch, early in June, 1880. This is probably the only known instance of
its occurrence here during the breeding season.

78. Compsothlypis americana. PARULA WARBLER.—Rare. Heard a
male singing June 10, 1886, and watched it for some time, hoping it would
give me information regarding the whereabouts of its nest, something it
firmly declined to do.

79. Dendroica estiva. YELLOW WARBLER.—-Common.

80. Dendroica vigorsii. PiNz WARBLER.—Very rare in summer.

St. Dendroica discolor. PRAIRIE WARBLER.—Common. The nest Is
very difficult to find.

82. Seiurus aurocapillus. Oven-Birp.—Abundant. Begins nesting
about the last week in May; eggs four or five.

83. Seiurus motacilla. LouistANA WaterR-THRUSH.—Uncommon.

84. Geothlypis formosa. Kenrucky WARBLER.—Rare. Mr. Henshaw
has found the nest here, and I have found young birds hardly able to fly.
85. Geothlypis trichas. MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT.—Abundant.

86. Icteria virens. YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.—Common. Begins
nesting last week in May. :

87. Setophaga ruticilla. AMERICAN REDSTART.—Rather common.

88. Mimus polyglottus. Mockincpirp.—Rare.

89. Galeoscoptes carolinensis. CATBIRD.—Very abundant. Com-
mences nesting about the middle of May; eggs four or five.

go. Harporhynchus rufus. BrRowN THRASHER.—Moderately abundant.
Begins nesting about two weeks earlier than the preceding. The nest is
sometimes found on the ground.

gt. Thryothorus ludovicianus. CAROLINA WrEN.—Common. An
early breeder. After leaving the nest the young birds continue with the
old for some time.

92. Troglodytes aédon. House Wren.—Very common. A nest found
at Dunn-Loring, Va., by Mr. J. D. Figgins, was built inside of a deserted
Barn Swallow’s nest, and contained seven eggs.

93- Cistothorus palustris. LoNG-BILLED MArsH WreEN.—Very nu-
merous. Breeds abundantly in all the marshes around Washington. Dr.
Coues, in his ‘Birds of the Northwest,’ speaks as follows on the nidification
of the Marsh Wren: ‘‘The eggs, as usual, aré numerous — six or eight —
sometimes so many as to induce the suspicion that they were not all laid
by the same bird.” This can hardly apply to the birds around here, as
I have examined a great many nests just for the sake of finding a large
set, and have never found more than five eggs or young in one nest.

1888. | Goss on Pelecanus erythrorhynchus. 25

94. Sitta carolinensis. WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH.— Rare. Have
seen young being fed by old birds early in July.

95. Parus bicolor. Turrep Tirmouse.—Very common.

96. Parus carolinensis. CAROLINA CHICKADEE. — Uncommon. An
early breeder. Have found fully fledged young on May 24.

97. Polioptilaczrulea. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.— Quite rare. Saw
a family of young Gnatcatchers being led about by old ones, on August
12, 1886.

98. Turdus mustelinus. Woop THrusH.—Common. Regarding the
material composing the nest, Dr. Coues says: ‘‘As is well known, the nest
of this species is saddled on the bough of a bush, shrub, or low tree, and
has mud in its composition” (‘Birds of the Northwest,’ p. 2). In ‘Avifauna
Columbiana,’ p. 34, he contradicts this statement, and speaks as follows:
“The nest, placed in a bush or sapling, differs from that of the Robin in
having no mud in its composition.” As far as the writer’s experience
goes, and it accords with that of other collectors here, the nest of the
Wood Thrush does contain cons¢derable mud. The number of eggs found
in a nest is usually four, and the nest is placed in a small sapling or tree,
anywhere from four to twenty feet from the ground.

99. Merula migratoria. AMERICAN RoBIN.—Common. Begins nest-
ing about the middle of April.

too. Sialia sialis. BLUEBIRD.—Common.

PEE DING HABITS OF PELECANUS, ERYTHRO-
RHYNCHOS.

BY N. S. GOSS.

Naruratists that have not seen the White Pelicans upon their
feeding grounds, have without doubt read Audubon’s interesting
description of the manner in which the birds unite and drive the
fishes into shallow water, where they can catch them, which they
cannot well do in deep water, as their skins are honeycombed
with air cells that buoy them up like a cork, and prevent their
diving, *and they do not plunge for their food when upon the
wing, like their cousins, the brown Pelicans, and therefore have
to adopt fishing habits suited to shallow waters. I have often
noticed the birds in flocks, in pairs, or alone, swimming on the

*The statement in ‘ North American Birds—Water Birds,’ Vol. II, page 137, that this
species “dives with great celerity” must be an error,

26 Goss on Pelecanus erythrorhynchus. {January

water with partially opened wings, and head drawn down and
back, the bill just clearing the water, ready to strike and gobble
up the prey within their reach; when so fishing, if they ran into
a shoal of minnows, they would stretch out their necks, drop
their heads upon the water, and with open mouths and extended
pouches scoop up the tiny fry. Their favorite time for fishing
on the seashore is during the incoming tide, as with it come the
small fishes to feed upon the insects caught in the rise, and
upon the low forms of life in the drift, as it washes shoreward,
the larger fishes following in their wake, each from the smallest
to the largest eagerly engaged in taking life in order to sustain
life. Allsea birds know this and the time of its coming well,
and the White Pelicans that have been patiently waiting in line
along the beach, quietly move into the water, and glide smoothly
out, so as not to frighten the life beneath, and, at a suitable dis-
tance from the shore, form into line in accordance with the sinu-
osities of the beach, each facing shoreward and awaiting their
leader’s signal to start. When this is given, all is commotion ;
the birds, rapidly striking the water with their wings, throwing it
high above them, and plunging their heads in and out, fairly
make the water foam, as they move in an almost unbroken line,
filling their pouches as they go. When satisfied with their
catch, they wade and waddle into line again upon the beach,
where they remain to rest, standing or sitting, as suits them best,
until they have leisurely swallowed the fishes in their nets ;
then, if undisturbed, they generally rise in a flock, and circle for
a long time high in air.

Of the south coast of Florida (a coral formation) the shoal
water often extends out for miles, and the tide is scarcely percep-
tible. There the birds have no occasion to drive, but gather their
food by coursing, and in such places the Brown Pelicans, so
expert in dropping upon their prey in deep water, are forced, in
order to save their necks unbroken, to feed in like manner; this
is especially noticeable in the shallow ponds in the Everglades.
Several years ago, in the month of September, I had the pleasure
of observing a small flock of the birds fishing in the Neosho
River, Kansas. When late at evening they were forced by tired
wings to stop in their southward flight, the place selected was in
still deep water, at the head of a fall, or rapids, in the stream,
where the water for some fifteen rods, and with a depth of about

a

1888. | Goss ox Gymnostinops montezume. 27

six inches, was rippling and dashing over the rocks, a natural
feeding ground for the fishes. The birds, after first bathing and
dressing their feathers, giving particular attention to their pri-
maries, without any unity of action, as hunger moved them,
floated down over the rapids, picking up the fishes here and there,
until the still water below was reached, when they would rise
and fly back, to float down again, leisurely repeating this mode
of fishing until it was quite dark.

NOTES ON GYMNOSTINOPS MONTEZUIMLZ.

BY N. S. GOSS.

Tue birds are known by the natives as the ‘Oropendula,’ also as
the ‘Inca Bird,’ but are generally called ‘Yeliow-tailed Cassiques,’
or rather ‘Yellow-tails.’ They are quite common in the low
forest lands of Central America, upon the Atlantic side, but I
did not find them on the Pacific slope, nor upon the high
mountain lands. They are social in their habits, going in cou-
ples, and generally in flocks of from ten to fifty or more. They
are noisy ; their voice is harsh, coarse, and discordant, an inde-
scribable jargon ; even their whistling notes are not musical. In
their food habits they are omnivorous, but seem to prefer fruits
and berries, often doing great damage on the plantations when
the bananas, plantains and mangos are ripening. For breeding
purposes they select large ¢hormy trees in an open space where
the limbs of other trees do not touch, so as to be beyond the
reach of reptiles, monkeys, raccoons, and other climbing nest
robbers.

Their pendulous, gourd-shaped nests, which are suspended to
the ends of the boughs of the tallest branches, are strongly and in-
geniously woven of fibrous strippings from plants and frond-like
leaves, with here and there a rootlet ; the bottoms are lined with
leaves. Some writers state that the birds build their nests of
grasses, but I have been unable to find any in those that I have
examined, and I am inclined to think ¢hzs large sfectes rarely,

28 Goss on Gymnostinops montezume. [ January

if ever, uses it; and if they do, the blades, so brittle when dry,
must be of a very strong hemp-like nature, to long sustain the
weight of the nest and its occupants against the wear and tear
of the storms and winds.

The entrance is a purse-like slit at the top, the average length
of the nest is about three feet, and the diameter at the rounded
base, nine to ten inches. I have never found less than five, nor
more than twenty-one nests in a tree; they are said, however, to
build as many as fifty and even more, but the late growing
demand in the United States for bananas has caused the
producers, heretofore so indifferent and indolent, to be more
watchful, and the large colonies of the birds are fast thinning
out. The only eggs that have come under my observation I
collected March 13, 1887, at Cayo, a small village on the Be-
lize river, in British Honduras, near its western boundary line.
There were thirteen nests in the tree, which was a species of
locust; these were all hanging from one bough, from two to
three feet apart, and at least seventy-five feet from the ground,
but the dense undergrowth, a tangled mass of young palms,
bushes and vines, supported the tree, when felled, like a cushion,
so that, to my surprise, I was able to save unbroken three sets of
fresh eggs, two in each nest. As the number of the broken eggs
found in the other nests was the same, and as furthermore the
nests were not large enough to rear more than a pair of the birds
in each, I think it safe to enter two eggs as a full set, and I am
also led to believe, from the great difference in the dimensions
of the eggs, and in the size of the male and female birds (see
measurements given below), that they are hatched in pairs
which, as they go in couples, remain together during life.

First set: 1.49 X 1.10, 1.42 X .96 inch; ground color bluish
white, thinly marked with specks and spots of brownish black,
and with dark purple stains.

Second set: 1.49 X 1.08, 1.40 X 1.00 inch ; ground color bluish
white, clouded and marbled with pale rusty brown, with a few
zigzag, hair-like streaks of a darker tint, the clouding thickest
upon the largest egg.

Third set: 1.50 X I.03, 1.40 X .98 inch; one bluish white,
without a mark or stain (an aberrant egg), the other specked
and spotted thinly with pale rusty brown, and having a few
faint purple stains.

1888. ] Scott on the Birds of Artzona. 29

The broken eggs examined were all specked and spotted with
either brownish black or pale rusty brown, in marked contrast
to each other, the coloring matter by sets, however, largely
alike.

A pair of the birds, which I shot and mounted in the winter of
1886 at Santa Tomas, Guatemala, measure as follows, in
inches :

Sex. Length. Stretch of wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill.
3 22.00 32.00 9:75 8.25 2.00 3.00
2 16.50 24.00 7.50 5-95 1.70 2.30

ON THE AVI-FAUNA OF PINAL COUNTY, WITH
REMARKS ON SOME BIRDS OF PIMA AND
GILA, COUNTIES, ARIZONA.

BY W. E. D. SCOTT.

With annotations by F. A. Allen.

(Continued from Vol. IV, p. 205.)

178. Piranga ludoviciana. Lours1ANA TANAGER.—Migrant and sum-
mer resident in the pine forests of the Catalina and Pinal Mountains,
where they breed. They first appear in the spring about April 15, in the
live oak belt of the Catalinas, and remain in numbers for about two
weeks; they are to be seen as late as May 20. After this they are absent
for about four or five weeks, when they return in much greater numbers
than in the spring, and remain till late in September, being most abun-
dant in the latter part of August and the first two weeks of September.
This is in the Catalinas at an altitude of about 4000 feet.

They undoubtedly breed in the pine forests of the Catalinas, for the
birds observed returning in late July are first adult males in full though
very worn plumage, followed in a few days by the females and immature
plumaged birds of the year. They soon congregate in large flocks, as
many as fifty often being together, and at this time of year their food
seems to be almost exclusively wild berries and small fruits of various
kinds, particularly a kind of grape. They were noticed in the pine forests
of the Catalinas as early as April 24 (see Auk, Vol. II, No. 4, p. 354,
October, 1885), and my latest record of them in the cafion near my
house was September 29, 1884, when they were observed in small num-
bers, all apparently young birds of the year.

30 Scott on the Birds of Arizona. [January

179. Piranga hepatica. Hepatic TANAGER.—Observed only in the
oak region of the Santa Catalinas (5000 feet), where they are summer
residents, breeding late in the season, from May 6 tog, and remain till
about September to.

A pair taken July 12, 1884 (@, No. 533, 9, No. 534), were breeding,
the female having finished incubating only three or four days before.
The nest was on the outer branch of a live oak, and was an entirely simi-
lar structure to that of Pranga erythromelas, and contained three young
birds.

From specimens taken early in September it appears that the adult
male of this species assumes in fall a plumage very like that of the adult
female. I have also found males in a similar though not identical
plumage, mated and breeding late in June, which would seem to indi-
cate that the brilliant plumage of the male is not acquired until the birds
are at least two years old. The males noted breeding in the greenish
yellow plumage were quite as accomplished songsters as the brilliant
males, but I think the females do not sing.

180. Piranga rubra cooperi. Cooper’s TANAGER.—A common mi-
grant and summer resident about Tucson, Riverside, Florence, and at
Mineral Creek, as well as in the San Pedro valley. They seem more
rare than either of the other species of Tanager in the oak region of the
Catalinas, and though a few breed, for they were observed all through
spring, summer, and early autumn, no nests were discovered. At this
point, altitude 4000 feet, the earliest record of the spring arrival is May
2, and the latest birds observed in fall were seen September 10, when one
was taken and two others seen.

Of this subspecies I am also inclined to think that the males do not
assume the brilliant phase of plumage till at least two years old, as I have
taken yellowish colored males in June in full song and, from the condi-
tion of the testes, evidently breeding.

Of the typical Prranga rubral have also a specimen of an adult male
bird taken near Tarpon Springs, Florida, in October, that is in the
same brilliant plumage asin the spring. This bird had evidently only
finished the moult a short time, as the feathers were wholly unworn and
very brilliant. I also have notes of two other adult male birds of this
species in the red plumage seen by me near the same locality in October,
1886.

In conclusion I may summarize my opinion on this subject by stating
that I think that the fully adult males of P. erythromelas and P. hepatica,
after having assumed the brilliant plumage of the breeding season, in
the fall assume a plumage similar to that of the adult female, but that P.
rubra proper, and probably the subspecies cooferz, once having assumed
the brilliant plumage, wear it always. In the collection is a Tanager
(No. 2434, ¢ ad., taken in the Catalinas, altitude 4000 feet, on May 6,
1885), that I can only refer to this subspecies. It has no regular pattern
in the coloration, but is curiously marked at random with dark green, light
pink and golden yellow in patches. The plumage is not at all worn, and
the bird can only be regarded as a freak or anomaly.

188S.] Scott ox the Birds of Arizona. a

181. Progne subis. PurPLE MArtTiIn.—Observed rather uncommonly
about Tucson.

182. Petrochelidon lunifrons. CLirrF SwaLLow.—Observed in num-
bers about Riverside in April, 1882.

183. Chelidon erythrogaster. BARN SwALLow.—Common migrant
throughout the region, and breeds rather sparingly in the Catalinas, at
an altitude of 5000 feet. The species seems much more abundant asa
fall than as a spring migrant. On October 12, 1884, they were abundant
in the Catalinas, at an altitude of 4oo0 feet.

184. Tachycineta bicolor. TREE SwaLLow.—Observed only about
Tucson in early spring. They were noted in small numbers on March
10, 1886. Mr. Herbert Brown tells me he regards the species as rare.

185. Tachycineta thalassina. VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOw.—In the
Catalinas this is the commonest of the Swallows, but, curiously, at the
lower altitudes (4000 feet) in the spring it is rare or does not occur. In
the spring of 1885 I found it common in late April on the summit of the
mountains in the pine woods, but though I had looked for it carefully
all the preceding six weeks at the altitude of my house I only sawa
single individual, on March 14. In the late summer and fall from
August 15 till October 7, it was common in the region near my house.
It probably breeds in the pines of the Catalinas in numbers (see Auk,
Vol. II, No 4, p. 354).

186. Clivicola riparia. BANK SwALLow.—‘‘Breeds about Fort Lowell”
(Herbert Brown). I have no records of its occurrence except at this
point, where I saw it in May and June, 1884.

187. Stelgidopteryx serripennis. ROUGH-WINGED SwALLow.—‘‘Rather
rare about Tucson, arriving about the middle of March” (Herbert Brown).
Mr. Brown very kindly allowed me to examine several specimens of this
species in his collection, taken near Tucson.

188. Ampelis cedrorum. CEDAR Waxwinc.—Mr. Brown has speci-
mens of this species in his collection, taken by Mr. Nelson near Tucson,
in May and June. I have no notes of its occurrence at other points in the
region under consideration.

189. Phainopeplanitens. PHAINOPEPLA.—This species has been dis-
cussed at some length (see Auk, Vol. II, No. 3, pp. 242-246, July, 1885,
paper on ‘Breeding of Some Arizona Birds’), and there is little to add
here. I met with it at every point visited by me up to an altitude of about
5000 feet. It is migratory, except about Tucson and in the region to the
southward, and here only winters in small numbers. Itapparently breeds
throughout its range, raising at least two broods and probably three. In
the Catalinas, at 4000 feet, my earliest spring record is April 25, and I
have notes of their occurrence here till November.

190. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides. WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE.—
Resident up toan altitude of about 5500 feet. Rathercommon throughout
the year about Tucson, and observed in suitable localities throughout the
area under consideration. In the Catalinas (altitude 3700 feet), a nest of
this species, taken April 1, 1885, contained five eggs almost ready to be
hatched. I think only one brood is raised here.

32 Scott on the Birds of Arizona. { January

191. Vireo gilvus [swainsoni. WESTERN] WARBLING VIREO.—Com-
mon spring and fall migrant, and a few breed in the Catalinas at as
low an altitude as 3500 feet. All my notes in regard to the species were
made in the Catalinas, which is the only point where I have met with it-
Mr. Brown has found it as a migrant about Tucson. In the Catalinas, al-
titude about 4000 feet, it arrives about the middle of April and remains
until about October 1, being most common during the first two weeks of
September. In 1885, on June g, I took a nest of this species near my
house, which contained two eggs nearly ready to hatch. The nest was
similar to that of the species in the East in every way (@ parent, No. 2779).
For an account of the occurrence of this species in the pine region of the
Catalinas, see Auk, Vol. II, No. 4, p. 354, October, 1885.

[A series of upward of twenty specimens of the Western Warbling Vireo
in Mr. Scott’s collection makes evident the propriety of restoring this form
to formal recognition in our nomenclature, as Mr. Ridgway has recently
done in his ‘Manual’ (p. 471). The characters of smaller size, slenderer
bill, and more olivaceous coloring below are well borne out by the series
before me.—J. A. A.]

192. Vireo solitarius cassinii. CASSIN’s VirEO.—AII the data in regard
to this subspecies were collected in the Santa Catalinas, altitude 4000 feet
and above. My notes indicate this to be a rather uncommon spring and
fall migrant. Observed in spring from April 18 to May 15.

[Of twelve specimens of this subspecies in Mr. Scott’s collection seven
were taken in April and May (April 6 to May 10), and five in September
and October (Sept. 10 to Oct. 7), indicating, as Mr. Scott says, that it occurs
merely as a spring and fall migrant. The fall specimens, as would be ex-
pected, are much more olivaceous than those taken in spring.—J. A. A. ]

193. Vireo solitarius plumbeus. PLUMBEOUS VIREO.—AIIl my expe-
rience with this subspecies was obtained in the same locality as the
-ast, where it had about the same distribution and time of spring arrival,
except that it was much commoner, and particularly soin the late summer
and early fall months. That it breeds at this point cannot be doubted,
though at an altitude in the mountains greater than 7ooo feet, for I have
met with old birds in worn plumage as early as the middle of July. Ialso
took a single example of the species in the pine woods of Mount Rice,
Santa Catalinas, altitude 10,000 feet, April 30, 1885 (No. 2347, 2).

[Mr. Scott’s sixteen specimens of the Plumbeous Vireo were all but
three taken in May, the earliest date being April 30, and the latest dates
July 17and 19. The July specimens are in exceedingly worn plumage. Of
the thirteen May specimens, about one half were taken during the first
week, and the remainder during the last week of this month (May 23-30) ;
and the contrast between the condition of the plumage in the two series is
striking, through the much more abraded state of the feathers in the birds
taken near the close of the month, indicating that the birds were probably
summer residents and breeding.—J. A. A. |

194. Vireo huttoni stephensi. STEPHENS’s ViREO.—The only speci-
mens of this subspecies that have come under my observation are the two

1888.] Scott ox the Birds of Arizona. 32
that I have already recorded from the pine region of the Santa Catalinas
(see Auk, Vol. II, No. 4, p. 354, Oct., 1885), and an additional specimen
procured on Mount Rice inthe same range on April 30, 1885. Mr. Brown
told me of a single specimen taken by him in the Quijotoa Range, in late
February, I think. This bird is now in the collection of Mr. H. W. Hen-
shaw.

195. Vireo belli pusillus. Least Vrreo. — Common migrant and
summer resident, breeding throughout the region up to an altitude of
4000 feet. In the Catalinas they arrive about the 25th of March and by
April are common. They are apparently mated on arrival, and at once
proceed to build nests and lay eggs. Two broods are generally raised and
three eggs are commonly found to form the-brood. They leave the Cata-
linas early, by September 5, but are to be found on the plains about Tuc-
son much later.

196. Vireo vicinior. GRAY ViREO.—For the records of this species
and its breeding habits I refer the reader to a paper already presented in
this journal, entitled ‘On the Breeding Habits of Some Arizona Birds’
(Auk, Vol. II, No. 4, pp. 321-326, October, 1885).

197. Helminthophila lucia. Lucy’s WAarRBLER.—A common migrant
and summer resident in suitable localities, up to an elevation not exceed-
ing 4000 feet, throughout the territory under consideration.

In the Catalina Mountains and in the valleys of the Gila, Santa Cruz.
and San Pedro Rivers these birds bred in numbers, being among the com-
moner species present from late March and early April until the latter
part of August. The first arrivals in 1885 in the Santa Catalinas, altitude
3500 feet, were March 29, a male taken and another seen; March 30, one
taken and three others seen, all apparently males. On April 1 the arrival
was general, when two were taken and many others seen.

The birds on arrival were about ready to breed, and in a very few days
nesting was begun. Late in May I took young birds which were shifting
for themselves, and some of the adult birds were just laying, so that prob-
ably two broods are generally reared.

198. Helminthophilavirginie. VrrGinra’s WARBLER.—The only point
where this species was observed was in the Catalinas, and generally at an
altitude exceeding 4000 feet. That they breed at this altitude, or a very
little higher up on the sides of the mountains, I feel sure, as I took old
and young birds during the third week in July, 1884, not uncommonly.
The old birds were then moulting. In 1885, in the same general locality,
altitude 3500 feet, the first arrivai was noted April 16—-only one seen, a
male (No. 2169).—For reference to the occurrence of this species in the
pine forests of the Catalinas, see Auk, Vol. II, No. 4, p. 352, Oct., 1885.

199. Helminthophila ruficapilla gutturalis. CALAVERAS WARBLER.—
Migrant in the Catalinas at 4000 feet, which is the only point where I
have obtained records of its occurrence. Even here I did not observe it
during any of the spring migrations, though it was quite common from
September 7, 1884, when the first arrivals were noted, until the 20th of
that month, after which time it was not observed.

34 Scorr on the Birds of Arizona. [ January

200. Helminthophila celata lutescens. LurESCENT WARBLER.—
Rather common spring and fall migrant in the Catalinas, altitude 4000
feet, and it probably breeds in the pine forests of this range in the higher
altitudes. (See Auk, Vol. II, No. 4, p. 352, October, 1885.) “The first
spring arrivals (Catalinas, at 4000 feet) in 1885 were on April 3, and it
was quite common until May 6 of the same season. Not seen later. In
the fall I observed it in the same locality from September 3 until the first
week in October.

201. Dendroica olivacea. OLiveE WARBLER.—The only notes of this
species which I have, have been already recorded in this journal. (See
Auk, Vol. II, 1885, pp. 172 and 352.)

202. Dendroica xstiva [morcomi. WESTERN] YELLOW WARBLER.—
A rather common migrant and summer resident throughout the region,
and found breeding in the Catalinas up to 4500 feet. My earliest spring
record is March 30, 1885.

[Eleven specimens in Mr. Scott’s collection show this newly named
subspecies to have a more than usually satisfactory basis. Mr. Coale
founded his separation (Bull. Ridgw. Orn. Club, No. 2, April, 1887, p.
81) of this form apparently on specimens from Fort Bridger, Utah. Judg-
ing from his description our Arizona specimens are considerably paler
than Utah ones. A female (No. 2331) taken April 27, 1885, is so very
pale as to show no decided yellow below, the lower parts being merely
pale, soiled, yellowish white, and there is no decided yellowish anywhere
except on the top of the head, upper and lower tail-coverts, edges of the
quills, and inner vanes of the tail-feathers. The other spring females
show a more or less decided wash of yellow over the lower parts, and of
greenish yellow above. In one the yellow is a little stronger, and there
are slight traces of reddish streaks on the sides of the breast. Both males
and females are strikingly different from D. @stiva of the East, and the
wonder is that the form was not earlier separated, judging by the Arizona
specimens.—J. A. A.]

203. Dendroica coronata. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER.—Not nearly
so common as JD. audubonz, but [ think of regular occurrence as a migrant.
I have seen several specimens in the collection of Mr. Herbert Brown,
of Tucson, one of these being taken on January 28, 1886.

204. Dendroica auduboni. AUDUBON’s WARBLER.—A common mi-
grant, and a few probably breed in the pine forests of this region. They
winter in small numbers in the valley of the Santa Cruz, about Tucson,
and also in the valley of the San Pedro River. (For further references
to the species see Auk, Vol. II, No. 4, p. 352, October, 1885.)

205. Dendroica gracie. GRACE’s WARBLER.—The only point where
I have observed this species is in the pine forests of the Santa Catalinas
in the spring. (For details see Auk, Vol. II, No. 4, p. 352, October,
1885.) A pair that were apparently mated and about to nest, were taken
in the pine forests of Mount Rice, Catalina Range. April 30, 1885. They
are catalogued as No. 2349 @, and No. 2348 9, in the collection made by
me in this region.

206. Dendroica nigrescens. BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER.—

1888. ] Scott on the Birds of Arizona. 3

cn

This species I found quite commonly as a migrant in the Catalinas, and
it breeds rather rarely in the same range at an altitude exceeding 4500
feet. They arrive late in March (Catalinas, 4000 feet), and are not very
common during the spring migration. A few are to be noted at a little
higher elevation ail through the summer months, and in the early fall
their numbers are very appreciably augmented. They remain in this
same locality till about the first week in October. (For reference to their
occurrence in the pine forests of the Catalina Range, see Auk, Vol. II,
No. 4, p- 352, October, 1885.) On June 15, 1885, I took two fully fledged
young of this species in the Catalinas ata little above 4000 feet. They
are catalogued, ‘‘ @ juv. 2809, 2 juv. 2810.”

[ These two examples, and two others taken July 12, do notappear to differ
in color or markings from birds of the year killed in October.—J.A.A. |

207. Dendroica townsendi. ‘TOWNSEND’s WARBLER.—Found only
asa migrant in the Pinal and Catalina Ranges. The following are the
records transcribed from my journal :

**Mineral Creek, Gila County, altitude 5000 feet, took @, No. 153, No-
vember 2, 1882. The only representative of this species observed here.”

“‘Catalinas, 4000 feet, September 8, 1884, one seen, the first of the
fall migration. Same locality, September 28, 1884, took @, No. 931, the
only one seen. September 29, took @, No. 957, and saw several others
-—this at about 3500 feet. Same locality, May 6, 1885, general arrival,
and the first seen this spring. They were quite common in the oak belt,
altitude a little over 5000 feet. Took four and saw several others.”

208. Dendroica occidentalis. Hrrmir WARBLER.—Among the rarest
Warblers of the region apparently. Ihave met with it only on one occasion
—September 29, 1884, in the Catalina Range, altitude 3500 feet,—when I
took two, both males (Nos. 958 and 959), and saw two others.

209. Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis. GRINNELL’s WATER THRUSH.—
In the Catalinas, at an altitude of about 3500 feet, on September 2,
1884, I took an adult female Water Thrush (No. 780), and on the following
day an adult male (No. 797), both of which I refer to this subspecies. These
are the only examples I have met with and I did not see any specimens in
Mr. Brown’s collection.

210. Geothlypis macgillivrayi. MAcGILLIVRAY’s WARBLER.—A rather
common migrant, and a few probably breed in the Catalinas, as I have
taken young birds early in August. After the gth of this month they
were notrare. They arrive early in May and remain till the last of Sep-
tember, the latest record I have being the 25th of that month. These
observations were made in the Catalina Range, altitude 4000 feet. Mr.
Brown regards it as a rather common migrant about Tucson, where I
also saw it late in April, 1884, in numbers.

211. Geothlypis trichas occidentalis. WESTERN YELLOW-THROAT.—‘‘A
rather common migrant, and breeds about Tucson, but is not found in
winter at this point.” (Herbert Brown.) Mr. Brown also tells me that
it arrives in the vicinity of Tucson about the first week in March, and
remains in numbers late into October, and is occasionally seen in the
early part of November.

36 Scorr ox the Birds of Arizona. [January

[I find a single specimen in fall plumage in Mr. Scott’s collection,
labelled as follows: ‘‘ Catalina Mill, 11 Oct., 1883. 92, 148.”—J. A. A.]

212. Icteria virens longicauda. LoNnG-TAILED CHArT.—Common mi-
grant and summer resident in suitable localities up to an altitude of 4000
feet throughout the region. In the Catalinas, altitude 3000 to 4000 feet,
it arrives early in May, about the 2d to 5th, and remains till about the
20th of September, but by the middle of that month most of the repre-
sentatives of the species have left this point.

213. Sylvania pusilla pileolata. PirroLarepD WaARBLER.—Rather
common migrant, particularly in fall. Frequents the neighborhood of
streams and damp places. It is not improbable that a few may breed at
high altitudes in the Catalina Range. This inference is made from the
very early return in fall to the region most studied in these mountains,
altitude 3000 to 5000 feet. In the Catalinas, between the elevations just
indicated, the species is rather uncommon in the spring, arriving during
the last week in April. By the first of June they are no longer to be found,
but the first of the fall migrants arrive about August 1, and by the middle
of the month they are common, remaining until latein September, and
being at times during that month very abundant.

214. Setophaga ruticilla. AMERICAN ReEpsTART.—The only record
made of the occurrence of this species was the capture of an adult male
in the Catalina Mountains, altitude 4500 feet, August 12, 1884. Mr. Her-
bert Brown has also taken it on one occasion near Tucson in spring. So
far as lam aware these are the only records for the Territory of Arizona,
and in the region here treated the bird must be considered rare.

215. Setophaga picta. PainrepD RepsTART.—This species I have met
with only in the Catalina Range, and at an altitude exceeding 4000 feet.
It is apparently most abundant as a summer visitor in the pine forests of
these mountains, though I found them breeding as low down as five thou-
sand feet in the evergreen oak belt. This was on two occasions, the young
having just left the nest both times. The birds seem to prefer the vicin-
ity of water, and are not to be met with far from such localities.

As migrants, at the lower altitude, when they occur, they are quite rare
in the spring, but not at all uncommon in the fall.

In the Catalinas, altitude 4000 feet, the earliest spring arrivals that I
have noted were on March 24, 1885, when one was taken and another seen.
These were all that were noted at this point, or outside of the pine forests
that spring. (For record of occurrence in the pine region, see Auk, Vol.
II, No. 4, p- 353, October, 1885.) The species is frequent at the lower alti-
tudes through September, but by October 1 all have apparently gone.

216. Cardellina rubrifrons. RrEp-FACED WARBLER.—This species was
met with only in the pine forests of the Catalinas, where it was common
late in April, 1885 (see Auk, Vol. II, No. 4, p. 353, October, 1885). The
only additional notes that I have were made in the pine forests of Mount
Rice, in the same range, April 30, 1885, when a few were noted in pairs,
but they were very shy. :

(To be concluded.)

1888. ] CHAPMAN ox Nocturnal Migration of Birds. 24

NEW FORMS OF NORTH AMERICAN CHORDILES.
BY ELLIOTT COUES.

EXAMINATION of material in the American Museum of Natural
History, in company with Mr. Allen and Mr. Sennett, shows
that there are four subspecies of Chordiles popetue in the
United States. The mistake has hitherto been that we have
called all the light Western forms C. hezryz, and have ignored
the distinction of the Florida bird. The four forms are:

I. Popetue, large, glossy black predominating on the upper parts, and
underparts fully barred with blackish and white in about equal amounts,
the rufous tints being slight on any part of the plumage. //aé. Eastern
North American Province of Baird, the breeding range exclusive of the
Gulf States.

2. Sennetti, large, silvery grayish-white predominating above, the
white below greatly in excess of the narrow, irregular or broken, dark bars,
and little or no rufous anywhere. Had. Dakota to Texas, in any treeless
country. Types 65,490, Mus. Smiths. Inst., formerly 3301, Mus. E. C., 50
miles west of Pembina, Minn., July 16, 1873, and 4927, Coll. George B.
Sennett, Wharton Co., Texas, May 27, 1887.

3. Henryi, large, rufous tints everywhere prevailing, dark lines on
underparts about equal in amount to the tawny white interspaces. Had.
Western North America; geographical distribution not yet fully worked
out.

4. Chapmani (Sennett’s MS.), small, wing half an inch less than in
popetue, with which the coloration agrees. Hab., Florida to Texas.
Type No. 847, Coll. Frank M. Chapman, to which accomplished young
ornithologist the new form is dedicated by Mr. Sennett, taken May 19, 1887
at Gainesville, Florida.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE NOCTURNAL MIGRA.
TION OF BIRDS.

BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN.

Mr. W. E. D. Scort’s papers on this subject (Bulletin Nuttall
Ornithological Club, Vol. VI, pp. 97, 18S) have not to my knowl-
edge been followed by any of a similar character, and, the facts
to be determined being of such vital interest, I feel urged to
present the results of my own observations, limited though they

38 CHAPMAN ox Nocturnal Migration of Birds. [ January
be, as a slight contribution to the larger amount of data we
must amass before arriving at any strictly accurate conclusions
concerning every phase of the nocturnal journey of migrating
birds.

The following notes were obtained with the assistance of my
astronomical friend, Mr. John Tatlock, Jr., on the night of
September 3, 1887, at Tenafly, New Jersey, about three miles
west of the Hudson River, Mr. John F. Paulison most courte-
ously having placed his observatory and 63-inch equatorial tele-
scope at our disposal.

The most important facts to be determined in observations of
this nature are, of course, the height at which these flights occur,
and also the number of birds which cross the field of view at
any given time.

The method adopted was the same as that used by Mr. Scott,
the telescope being pointed at the full moon, which served as a
background, showing with wonderful distinctness the birds as
they crossed, the observer calling to the recorder as each bird
came into view, the latter noting the time.

These observations appear in the following table, where also
are given the apparent altitudes of the moon computed at ten
minute intervals during the period of observation.

From the altitudes are computed the heights at which the
birds in the field at that time were probably flying.

The problem of determining this height exactly is not, so far
as we can now judge, capable of definitive solution, for the rea-
son that we have no means of ascertaining the distance of the
bird from the observer.

In this case, therefore, we are compelled to resort to an
hypothesis of the probable distance at which a bird was visible,
and we thus assumed that the least distance from the observer
at which a bird could be seen was one mile, the greatest five
miles, feeling sure that, in accepting these limits, we do not over-
estimate the greater distance.

{In this connection the appearance of the birds as they crossed
the field is of great importance, those which passed more slowly
being obviously the ones at the greater distance; and in this
class are included the few possessing some marked characteris-
tic of flight which rendered indentification possible; these
were as follows: at 8.34 a Grackle, at 9.22 a Carolina Rail, at

1888. ] CHAPMAN on Nocturnal Migration of Birds. 39

9.26 two Carolina Rails, at 9.30 a large Snipe, at 9.23 a Caro-
lina Rail, at 10.15 a Carolina Rail, and at 10.44 a Duck.

The major portion, however, passed at what may be termed the
middle distance, or, in other words, too rapidly for us to more
than distinguish that they were birds. During the first half
hour of observation a number of birds were seen flying upward,
crossing the moon, therefore, diagonally, these evidently being
birds which had arisen in our immediate neighborhood, and
were seeking the proper elevation at which to continue their
flight, but after that time the line of flight was parallel to the
earth’s surface, the general direction being south.

In the appended table the figures given in the vertical columns
headed 1, 2, 3, etc., are the numbers of birds observed per min-

‘ute, the time being found by adding to that of the left-hand col-
umn the desired number at the head of the column following ;
to the right appear the totals and altitudes.

In conclusion I desire to express my thanks to Mr. Paulison
for so courteously permitting us to use his observatory, and
especially to my friend Mr. Tatlock, who, in preparing its astro-
nomical portion, deserves entire credit for whatever value this
paper may possess.

TABLE SHOWING TIME AND APPROXIMATE HEIGHT AT WHICH THE
BIRDS OBSERVED FLEW.

| Total|Moons Height,| Height,

Time | oO I 23 | 4 | 5 | 6 U/ | 8 | 9 | No. | app. inf. | sup.

| Birds} alt. | limit. | limit.
H.M | | | | SAS cried I os Ny
8.00} Sealers teva s 2 ee ee ee I 7-0} 600 | 3,200
8.10 resell twekesl ave © areitell te reusilfona eller evel aes ‘ I 8.8 S800 | 4,000
S:20\illooc||oeallenelbaal| a lo uollooolibec |-+-/---|| I | 10.6] 1000 | 4,900
Sn gtelll| i) \lowa|o oc) |obe Te) 2 erepalliseeysiliack 6 | 12:4 | 1100 | 5,700
Siar KOH] in | Pelee 4 7 hte |l)20) |)14=2) | 13200) || 6,500
SSinIfO]h] ae |], We Nae Nea az: tee) 2147 | 3 || 24 | 16.0] 1500 | 7,300
g-OG|!..-| I |---| 2 |---]---|---| 2 | 2 | 3 || 10 | 17-7 | 1600 | 8,000
Oras |b | 2) 2) 4-22] 2° /<..)| 2 | 2° 4) 21 | 19.5 | 1800 | 8,800
9:20|) 7 |/3..-|' 6 )}5|4}2)7) 415] 5 || 44 | 21-2] 1900 | 9,500
Golan 5 (26) |G) | 4 | > |r || 2 | 2°1| 24 | 22-8)) 2000 | 10,200
g-40||---} 2 | 2 PA 2a 2 et Sie ets |:2465 |) 2200 |tr.000
9-50) | - {Sn i | m Wo ddlisce ---|| 4 | 26.1 | 2300 |11,600
10.00}| 3 Sitol| ie Bae Aa See ae i tee | tO) 27-0} (92400) (£2), 200
10.10)| I Pee ease (ote | 2) in li m2 \ 2622) || 2600! |12;900
10.20|| 3 GSeiere cs te er tal fi 25 3058) 2700) (12500
10.30 AW sere ake leh | 352 II | 32.1 | 2800 |14,000
10.40 See se me a aes ile TS! 4256) 2Qq00) |T4-600
10.50 2 I I 1 cece | Ae Peeice aee| 3 II | 34.8 | 3000 15.100

*Calculated to nearest Ioo feet.

40 SENNETT ox the Peucea ruficeps Group. [ January

NOTES ON THE PZCUCZLEA RUFICEPS GROUE
WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SUBSPECIES.

BY GEORGE B. SENNETT.

A NUMBER of Rufous-crowned Summer Finches recently col-
lected by Mr. Wm. Lloyd in Western Texas, led me to examine
into the history of all the forms of the genus with the following
results.

After athorough study of the abundant material in all forms
which I have at hand, and a careful analysis of the text of the
original describers, it seems to me certain that an error was
made in the naming of var. eremaca (see Bull. Nuttall Ornith.
Club, Vol. VII, Jan. 1882, p. 26) as distinct from doucardz
(see PZ.S.., 1667, pl. 1. pp Ag 2)r-

For the benefit of those not having access to the ‘Proceedings’
of the Zoélogical Society of London, 1867, I will quote from
Mr. Sclater’s observations on page 2: ‘‘I have had three indifter-
ent skins of this species (collected by M. Botteri, near Orizaba)
for several years without being able to identify it satisfactorily.
M. Boucard’s recent collections having contained excellently
prepared examples, I have been enabled to make a better exam-
ination of it and to satisfy myself that it is, as far as I can tell,
undescribed.” Also on same page he gives ‘*‘ #/aé. in Mexico
meridionali, Orizaba (Botteri) ; La Puebla (Boucard).” Mr.
Sclater also labelled the Orizaba specimens ‘‘doucardz.” More
than twenty years ago, when very little was known of this
group, Mr. Sclater evidently saw that the Orizaba birds were the
same as those from La Puebla, and was particular to say so, and
to put Orizaba first in the list of localities given as its habitat.

The plate evidently figures the more adult specimen from La
Puebla, and the Latin diagnosis does not point particularly to the
black shaft lines of the back, which we recognize as distinguish-

99

ing it from other forms, but otherwise answers the description
of the Orizaba specimens as well as the La Puebla ones. Hav-
ing before me one of the original Orizaba specimens, and adults
from La Puebla and the city of Mexico, and also both adults and
young from Western Texas, I am decidedly of the opinion that
Mr. Sclater’s Orizaba specimens of d0acardz were in the first

1888.] SENNETT on the Peucea ruficeps Group. 4I

year’s plumage, z. e., inthe plumage before the moult of the sec-
ond year. Now Mr. Brown’s birds, from Kendall Co., Texas.
were taken in January, February, and March, and were identi-
cal with the Orizaba skin, as stated in his description of eremcaca
referred to above. These birds were undoubtedly immature in
plumage, although full-grown. I do not see how the Orizaba
bird, described and labelled by Mr. Sclater, can be other than
Zonotrichia (now Peucea) boucard:. There is nothing left
therefore but to call eremaca a synonym of doucard?é and extend
the latter’s habitat to Central Texas. Having before me a great
number of specimens of this group, from widely extended locali-
ties, I can more thoroughly establish d0ucardz. Iam also able
to separate the Arizona form from é0ucardz, where it has with
doubt and hesitation been placed.

Before giving a full description of each of the three races, I
will state comprehensively their characteristics and distribution.

Peucea ruficeps (Cass.). Small, olive-gray and ferruginous; confined
to the Pacific slope.

Peucea ruficeps boucardi (Scl.). Large, with long bill; dark gray and
reddish brown with dark shaft-lines on back; confined to the Gulf slope
of Mexico and Texas.

Peucea ruficeps scottz?, subsp. nov. Large, with short, stout bill; light
ash and chestnut, without olive or ferruginous, and without black shaft-
lines on back; table-lands and mountains of Arizona, New Mexico (?) and
Western Texas (?).

I take pleasure in naming this new form for Mr. W. E. D.
Scott, in recognition of his excellent work on the ornithology
of Arizona.

The two forms doucardé and scott¢zZ seem to meet in that high
part of Western Texas that lies between the Pecos and the Rio
Grande Rivers. Here the bills of both seem to be blacker,
especially on the lower mandible; the wings and tails also seem
to be dirker brown than in typical specimens of either form.

The three forms of the Rufous-crowned Sparrow may be char-
acterized as follows :—

Peucza ruficeps (Cass.). RRUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW.

Adult: Small; upperparts rusty or ferruginous chestnut, the edgings
of the feathers olive-gray. This rusty chestnut of back usually takes, in
prepared skins, the form of long and broad streaks showing no dark shaft-
lines. Tail rufous. Six adult males average: wing, 2.30; tail, 2.58; cul-
men, .43; tarsus, .75 inch.

Habitat. Pacific slope (California).

42 SENNETT ox the Peucea ruficeps Group. [ January

Peucza ruficeps boucardi (Sc/.). BouCcARD’s SPARROW.

Adult: Larger in every part than ruficefs. The crown patch alone of
the upperparts is dark chestnut, and is more restricted than in ruficeps.
The strongly marked edgings of the feathers gives the dorsal region a
brownish gray appearance. The centre of these feathers is brown, and
the shaft-lines are dark and more or less conspicuous; very old and much
worn specimens have only traces of dark shaft-lines. Tail and wings
brown, edged with rufous. There is none of that rusty appearance which
predominates in ruficeps; sometimes traces of olive are noticed on the
gray of back.

Young: Similar to adult, but without any reddish brown on back, though
with black shaft-lines, thus giving the upperparts a dark gray appearance
with black streaks.

Twelve adult males average: wing, 2.62; tail, 3.02; culmen, .50; tar-
sus, .81 inch. Females have wings and tails a little smaller.

Habitat. Eastern Mexico (heights of Vera Cruz, Orizaba, Puebla, and
City of Mexico) and Texas (Kendall and Presidio Counties).

Peucza ruficeps scottii, subsp. nov. ScorTr’s SPARROW.

Adult: Large; tail averaging half an inch longer than in rafeceps; bill
short and stout, but little if any larger than in ruaficefs, and darker. Up-
per parts pale chestnut, edged very finely on crown but more strongly on
dorsal region with lightash. No dark shaft-lines. The edgings are not
so heavy as in ruficeps, and being of pale ash rather than of olive-gray,
give this form an ashy brown rather than a ferruginous appearance. This
same light ashy brown effect is plainly shown when compared with the
dark gray and black shaft-lines of doucardz. This narrow edging of the
feathers gives the back a mottled rather than a streaked effect, as seen
both in ruficeps and boucardz. Underparts paler than in either ruficeps
or boucard?. Tail and wings brown edged with rufous. Fall and winter
specimens of young of the year are darker, and the chestnut of back is
redder and more in streaks.

Young: Streaked above with reddish brownand gray. Below ash, light-
ly streaked with black, the lines being most pronounced upon the breast.
There is a slight wash of tawny on breast, sides, flanks, and under tail-
coverts.

I give two specimens as types: (1) No. 5247, collection of G. B. Sennett ,
collected by W. E. D. Scott, Pinal Co., Arizona, March 27, 1885. Col-
lector’s No. 1979. Wing, 2.72; tail, 3.20; culmen, .44; tarsus, .32 inch.

(2) Collection of American Museum, collector's No. 1884, collected by
W. E.D. Scott, Pinal Co., Arizona, March 14, 1885. Wing, 2.65; tail,
3-15; culmen, .43; tarsus, .84.

Thirty-two males average: wing, 2.63; tail, 3.08; culmen, .45; tarsus,
.S1. Eleven females average: wing, 2.51; tail, 2.96; culmen, .445; tar-
sus, .S1. .

Habitat. Highlands of Arizona. New Mexico (Silver Springs)? and
Western Texas (Presidio and Mitchell Counties) ?

1888. ] SENNETT on New Birds from Texas. 43

DESCRIPTIONS OF A NEW SPECIES AND TWO NEW
SUBSPECIES OF BIRDS FROM TEXAS.

BY GEORGE B. SENNETT.

Psaltriparus lloydi, sp. nov. Lroyp’s Busu-Tir.

Adult Male:—Upper parts lead-color, whitening on forehead, and some-
what darker on back. Sides of head glossy black, which extends backward
on each side. meeting and forming a collar on lower back of neck. -Under-
parts ashy white, darker toward the tail, and black on chin. Bill and feet
glossy black. Wings and tail light brown, edged with ashy plumbeous.

Adult Fématle :—Similar to male but with ear-patches clear glossy brown
instead of black. More or less of black is seen back of auriculars and in
collar. Young similar to adults.

Nest pensile, purse-like, composed of mosses, flower stems, and lichens,
having a lining of feathers. Eggs pure white. Breeds in pineries of
high altitudes.

Hlabttat. Mountains of Western Texas, between the Pecos and Rio
Grande Rivers.

The following data are taken from specimens in my collection
obtained in Limpia Canon, near Fort Davis, Presidio County,
at altitudes of from 6200 to 6400 feet, by Wm. Lloyd, for whom
I take pleasure in naming this interesting new species. The
first two specimens named below are the types.

Wing. Tail. Culmen, Tarsus.
No. 4895, 3, June 16, 1887....... iC Rion Sone iyc qooartey (occas a 57
No. 4896, 9, June 16, 1887....... TOO aierereld 230 siecnlete ele BOne aac ee 67
INo.4807; 2, June 16, 1887....... BUC) 50000 22Ayjo coca Bieiocobode 65
No. 4898, $ , June 16, 1887....... lee encooe 6 DPS AOS Solo OEIC 58
No. 4913, 2, June 21, 1887.....--2.00..... PAGS 6 notice s{ocockcH 65
No: 4912. 65 jMV-, JUNE 21,.1887...1.95-.-..- DP] 0 ceno0e Migoahote 62

No. 4903, 9, juv., two-thirds grown, June 17, 1887.
No. 4904, ¢, juv., two-thirds grown, June 17, 1887.

Nest with one egg taken in Limpia Canon, June 21, 1887,
altitude 6200 feet, fastened to twigs of cedar seven feet trom the
ground. The cedar tree was twenty-five feet high, situated on
a divide between two ravines. Identification complete, since
the female was discovered in the nest, and the male was perched
close by. Nest six inches long; largest diameter, which is at
the bottom, 3 inches; smallest diameter, which is near the
top under the twigs that supported it, 2.5 inches. The egg
measures .58 inch in length and .42 in breadth.

44 SENNETT ox New Birds from Texas. [ January

This species is distinct from P. melanoti/s, Black-eared Bush-
Tit, by reason of total absence of both brown on back and rufous
on underparts. It is easily distinguished from P. plumbeus by
the collar, and by the black instead of ashy brown on sides of
head. Aside from the head markings itis more like P. Alambeus
in color than P. melanotis, but it has a much whiter throat and

a larger bill.

Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli, subsp. nov. MERRILL’s
PARAUQUE.

Adult male :—Upper parts gray, washed lightly with brown; the feath-
ers have black shaft-lines, which are very delicate on sides of crown and
neck, heavier on rump, heavier still on back, and extra broad on centre of
crown and occiput, giving the effect of a black central crown patch. The
scapulars have the inner webs gray and the outer webs barred and blotched
with black, the whole broadly margined with white, creamy white, and
light buff, presenting a rich velvety effect. Primaries brownish black ;
secondaries spotted with black and buff; tertiaries gray with heavy black
shaft-lines. Coverts tipped broadly with light buff and cream white.
Edge of wing buff. A broad bar of white extends diagonally across both .
webs of five (sometimes six) of the outer primaries; this white wing-
patch is partly covered by the secondaries in the closed wing. ‘The two
central tail-feathers gray, herring-boned down the shaft with black; the
next pair of feathers are darker gray and have broader black markings;
the third pair are pure white almost their entire length, sometimes having
more or less margin of brown on outer web; the fourth pair of feathers
are wholly white on inner web and mostly brownish black on outer; outer
tail-feathers brownish black. Chin black, barred with buff. Large throat-
patch of white. Underparts light buff, barred with black, lightly on belly,
heavily on flanks and breast, the latter being also washed with white,
which gives the whole breast a grayish buff appearance. Size, largest of
its species.

Adult female: —- A little smaller than the male; rather darker, with
smaller throat-patch, and white of tail restricted to the terminal portion of
the feathers. The four central tail-feathers like those of the male; the
rest heavily barred with black and buff. The wing-patch is also more re-
stricted in size, is confined to the four outer primaries, and on the upper
surface shows clear buff instead of white, since the latter color is limited
to the inner web of remiges.

Immature plumage: — More fulvous all over and more heavily barred
with black underneath. The black lines of crown are broader, and cover
the head more extensively. White wing-patch of male mixed with buff;
white on tail not so sharply defined, nor does it extend so near to base as
in mature birds. The outer tail-feathers are barred and streaked with
brown and buff. White throat-patch smaller and barred sparingly with

1888. ] SENNETT ox New Birds from Texas. 45

black and buff. In this immature stage the sexes are not easily determined
aside from the difference in the white tail-patches; in the males the
white on second feather from outside is never less than 2.5 inches long,
while in the females the corresponding patch is about one inch in length.

Young, first plumage :—More pale buff on upper surface, the black
markings smaller, browner and less velvety. Crown speckled with irreg-
ular diamond-shaped brown spots, each surrounded by light gray. Under-
parts dull pale buff. Wing-coverts, throat, breast, sides and flanks barred
with black. Throat-patch indistinct. Sexes recognized by same mark-
ings as in full grown birds.

Young, downy stage :— Completely covered with the finest and softest
of down, leaving nothing exposed but the feet and the tip of bill. Color
on belly the palest of tawny; darker on sides, and runninginto deep ful-
vous on back, shoulders, chin, and sides of head through eye, and on the
edges of both mandibles.

Since at least two years must elapse before the perfect plumage is
attained, the bird necessarily undergoes various changes in special mark-
ings and general color: hence the necessity for being explicit in describ-
ing the various stages. The types are in full breeding plumage, having,
with two young just from the egg, been taken at the most northern limit
yet recorded.

Types :—No. 4122, @, my collection, taken by J. M. Priour, Nueces
River, Nueces Co., Texas, March 22, 1887. Wing, 7.10; tail, 7; tarsus,
1.05. No. 4121, 9, my collection, taken by same person at same place
and time as above. Wing, 6.90; tail, 6.50; tarsus, 1.02.

Adult males (four specimens) average, wing, 7.10; tail, 7. Immature
males (eight specimens) average, wing, 7; tail, 6.93. Adult females
(two specimens) average, wing, 6.90; tail, 6.62. Immature females (three
specimens) average, wing, 6.82; tail, 6.40.

Hlabitat. Southern Texas, and probably Northern Mexico.

This form, when compared with others of the species from
Southern Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Guiana, and Brazil, can
be distinguished, first by the prevailing gray color on upper parts,
where the others have brown, rufous or cinnamon; second, by its
large size, exceeding the large southern Brazilian form in length
of wing and equalling it in length of tail; third, by the males
having the outer tail-feather generally without white, and the
white when it does occur being much restricted, while in more
tropical and South American forms the rule is that males have
much white on inner web of outer tail-feather. The birds of
this genus I believe tobe resident wherever found. I take pleas-
ure in naming this race for my friend, Dr. J. C. Merrill, who
first discovered the bird in the United States, on April 1, 1876
(see Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. I, p. 88), and who aided me
materially in my explorations on the Lower Rio Grande.

46 SENNETT® on New Birds from Texas. [ January

From material at my command it seems to me the species can
be further divided by separating the large Southern Brazilian form
from the one found on and near the equator. I hope to make this
revision in the near future. Should my supposition prove correct
the large Southern Brazilian bird should be called Wyct¢dromus
[albccoll7s| derbyanus Gould (Icon. Av. II, 1838). Of this form
I have had opportunity to examine the series of 27 specimens
belonging to the American Museum of Natural History, collected
by Mr Herbert H. Smith in the Province of Matto Grosso, Brazil.
I have been aided greatly by all the material relating to this
group in the possession of the National Museum, which was kindly
loaned me by Mr. Ridgway.

Parus carolinensis agilis, subsp. nov. PLUMBEOUS
CHICKADEE.

Top of head and throat black; wings and tail edged with white, as in
carolinensis. Above pale plumbeous; below white with the slightest pos-
sible wash of buff on sides and flanks. Size, larger than carolinensis, and
the tail longer, more nearly approaching the length of the wing.

Type, No. 3894, my collection, taken by J. M. Priour, Bee Co., Texas,
Jan. 2, 1887. Wing, 2.45; tail, 2-40; culmen, 38,

The measurements of three other adults are as follows: No. 406, 2, Col-
lection of J. A. Loomis, Paint Rock, Texas, Feb. 21, 1887: wing, 2.42;
tail, 2.52; culmen, .37. No. 4218, my collection, April, 1887: wing, 2.47;
tail, 2.25; culmen, .37. No. 4219, g, my collection, April 15, 1887: wing,
2.40; tail, 2.25; culmen, .4o. I have also two full grown and two half
grown young, taken in April, which resemble adults.

This new Chickadee can be distinguished from its nearest ally,
P. carolinensis, by its whiter underparts; by its being almost
entirely free from buff washings on sides, and from olive and
brown washings on upper parts; and its very pale lead color on
back.

Habitat. Texas (Bee, Victoria, and Concho Counties).

I have difficulty in finding a name that will apply to any of the
bird’s special characteristics which has not already been used for
some species of this genus. The common name, however, will
distinguish it from other forms of Paras.

1888. ] Cory on an apparently new Elainea. 47

DESCRIPTION OF A SUPPOSED NEW FORM OF
MARGAROPS FROM DOMINICA.

BY CHARLES B. CORY.

Margarops montanus rufus, subsp. nov.

Sussp. Cuar.(Type, No. 12,001 Coll. C. B. Cory.) Apparent-
ly larger than AZ. montanus, and distinctly reddish brown instead
of dark brown; otherwise similar to AZ. moxtanus, of which it
is apparently a light colored northern form.

Length (skin), 8.70; wing, 4.75 ; tail, 4; tarsus, .go; bill, .65.

Habitat. Dominica, West Indies.

AN APPARENTLY NEW &ZZA/NEA FROM BAR-
BADOES, WEST INDIES.

BY CHARLES B. CORY.

Elainea barbadensis sp. nov.

Sp. Cuar. (¢ ad. Type, No. 12,018, Coll. C. B. Cory.) Upper parts dark
olive, with basal portion of the feathers on the crown white; outer
webs of quills edged with dull brownish white; tail-feathers olive
brown, edged with olive green on the outer webs; sides of the head
and cheeks dark olive; throat gray; breast and underparts olive
gray, faintly tinged with yellow.

Length, 6.65; wing, 3.55; tail, 3.30; tarsus, .95; bill, .45:
Habitat. Barbadoes, West Indies.

This form is apparently larger than 2. martznica, and darker ;
the underparts are nearly uniform in color.

48 Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. [ January

THE BIRDS OF THE WEST INDIES, INCLUDING
THE BAHAMA ISLANDS, THE GREATER AND
THE LESSER ANTILLES, EXCEPTING
THE ISLANDS OF TOBAGO
AND TRINIDAD.

BY CHARLES B. CORY.

[Continued from Vol. IV, p. 328.]

Genus Nycticorax STEPH.

Nycticorax STEPHENS, Gen. Zool. XI, p. 608, 1819.

Nycticorax violaceus (Lryn.). “

Ardea violacea LINN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 238 (1766); SunpEv. Oefv. K.
Vet. Akad. For. 1869, p. 589 (St. Bartholomew); 2d. p. 603 (Porto
Rico).

Nycticorax violacea D’ORB. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 213
(1840).

Nycticorax violaceus BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 120 (1859)
(Bahamas) ; 76. BREWER, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).—Sct. P. Z. S. 1861,
pp. 70, 81 (Jamaica).—ALBRECHT, J. f. O. 1862, p. 206 (Jamaica).—
Sci. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 273 (Santa Lucia).—A. & E. Newron, Handb.
Jamaica, p. 111 (1881). — Cory, Auk, III, p. 502 (1886) (Grand
Cayman).

Nyctherodius violaceus A. & E. Newton, Ibis, 1859, p. 262 (St. Croix).—
Cassin, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1860, p. 379 (St. Thomas); 26.
Marcu, 1864, p. 65 (Jamaica).—GuNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba,
I, p. 351 (1866).—Lawre. Ann. Lyc. N. Y. VIII, p. 98 (1867) (Som-
brero).—GuNDL. J. f. O. 1875, p. 311 (Cuba); 26. Anal. Soc. Esp.
Hist. Nat. VII, p. 363 (1878) (Porto Rico).—WeELts, List Bds.
Grenada, p. 9 (1886).

Nyctiardea violacea LAwr. Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. I, p. 275 (1878) (Grenada) ;
zh. p. 460 (Guadeloupe).—ALLEN, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, V, p. 169
(1880) (Santa Lucia).—Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 173 (1880); 2d:
List Bds. W. I. p. 28 (1885).

Common in many portions of the West Indies. It has been re-
corded from the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Porto Rico, Grenada,
Guadeloupe, Santa Lucia, St. Thomas, St. Bartholomew, Som-
brero, St. Croix, and Grand Cayman.

1888.] Cory on the Birds of the West Tudies. 49

Nycticorax nycticorax nzvius (Bopp.).

Ardea nevia Bonvp. Tabl. PI. Enl. 178

ON

73> P- §

Nycticorax vulgaris D’ORB. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 208
(1840).

Nycticorax americanus Gosse, Bds. Jam. p. 344 (1847). — ALBRECHT,
J. f. O. 1862, p. 206 (Jamaica).

Nycticorax gardenit BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860)
(Cuba).—GunpL. J. f. O: 1862, p. 83 (Cuba).—A. & E. Newron,
Handb. Jamaica, p. 111 (18S8r).

Nyctiardea gardent Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 65 (Ja-
maica).—GuNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 350 (1866); 7.
J. f. O. 1875, p. 310 (Cuba); 26. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p.
362 (1878) (Porto Rico).

Ardea nycticorax SUNDEV. Oefv. K. Vet. Akad. For. 1869, p. 602 (Porto
Rico).

Nyctiardea grisea nexta Cory. List Bds. W. I. p. 28 (1885).

Nycticorax nycticorax nevius ZELEDON, Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. VIII, p. 113

(1885).

Recorded from Greater Antilles.

Genus Botaurus STEPH.

Botaurus STEPHENS, Shaw’s Gen. Zool. XI, p. 592, 1819.

Botaurus lentiginosus (Monr.). v

Ardea lentiginosa Monr. Orn. Dict. Suppl. 1813.—Lems. Aves Cuba,
p- 82 (1850).

Botaurus minor GosseE, Bds. Jam. p. 346 (1847).—ALBRECHT, J. f. O.
1862. ‘p. 206 (Jamaica).—GuNDL. J. f. O. 1862, p. 83 (Cuba).
Botaurus lentiginosus BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VI, p. 308

(1860) (Cuba).—Marcn, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 65 (Ja-
maica).—GuUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 350 (1866) ; zd.
J. f. O. 1874, p. 313 (Porto Rico) ; 2b. 1875, p. 309 (Cuba) ; zd. Anal.
Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 361 (1878) (Porto Rico).—A. & E.
Newton, Handb. Jamaica, p. 111 (1881). —Cory, List Bds. W. I.

p- 28 (1885).

Accidental in Cuba, Jamaica, and Porto Rico.

Genus Ardetta Gray.

Ardetta Gray, List of Gen. App. p. 13, 1842.

5O Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. [ January

Ardetta exilib. (Guut.).”

Ardea exilis GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, p. 648 (1788).—D’Ors. in La Sagra’s
Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 205 (1840).—BryYAnT, Pr. Bost. Soc, Nat.
Hist. X, p. 257 (1866) (Porto Rico).—SuNDEv. Oefv. K. Vet. Akad.
For. 1869, p. 602 (Porto Rico).

Ardeola exilis Gosst, Bds. Jam. p. 343 (1847).

Ardetta exilis BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860)
(Cuba).—Scti. P. Z. S. 1861, p. 81 (Jamaica).—ALBRECHT, J. f. O.
1862, p. 206 (Jamaica).—Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p.
64 (Jamaica).—GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 350 (1866) ;
7b. J. f. O. 1875. p. 308 (Cuba); 26. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII,
p. 360 (1878) (Porto Rico).—Cory, Bds. Bahama lI. p. 174 (1880).—
A. & E. Newron, Handb. Jamaica, p. 111 (1881).—Cory, List Bds.
W. I. p. 28 (1885).

Recorded from the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, and Porto Rico.

Famiry GRUIDZ.

GeENus Grus LINN.

Grus LINN.ZUS, Syst. Nat. 1735.

Grus mexicana MULL.

Grus mexicana MULL. Syst. Nat. Suppl, p. 110 (1776).—Cory, List Bds.
W. I. p. 29 (1885).

Grus poliophea LemB. Aves Cuba. p. 80 (1850).—BREweER, Pr. Bost.
Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).

Grus canadensis GuNvL. J. f. O. 1856, p. 339 (Cuba); 2b. 1862, p. 81
(Cuba).—Brewer, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860)
(Cuba) ?—Gunpb.. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 347 (1866); 2d.
J. f. O. 1875, p. 293 (Cuba).

Accidental in Cuba.

Famity ARAMID.

Genus Aramus VIEILL.

Aramus VikILLotT, Analyse, 1816.
/

‘
“Aramus giganteus (Bonap.).

Rallus giganteus Be. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. V, p. 31 (1825).
Aramus guarauna D’Ors. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 256
(1840).—BrEWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VI, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).

1888. ] Cory ox the Birds of the West Indes. BE

Aramus scolopaceus Gosse, Bds. Jam. p. 355 (1847).—SALLE, P. Z. S.
1857, p. 236 (San Domingo).

Aramus giganteus Sci. P. Z. S, 1861, p. 81 (Jamaica).—GuNDL. Repert.
Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 360 (1866).—BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat.
Hist. X, p. 257 (1866) (Porto Rico) ; 2. XI, p. 97 (1867) (San Do-
mingo).—SuNDEV. Oefv. K. Vet. Akad. For. 1869, p. 601 (Porto
Rico).—Gunpt J. f. O. 1875, p. 353 (Cuba); 2d. Anal. Soc. Esp.
Hist. Nat. VII, p. 387 (1878) (Porto Rico).—A. & E. NEwrTon,
Handb. Jamaica, p. 115 (1881).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 29 (1885).

Notherodius scolopaceus GUNDL. J. f. O. 1862, p. 89 (Cuba).

Aramus scolopaceus giganteus Cory, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VI, p. 155
(1881) (Haiti).

Aramus pictus Cory, Bds. Haiti and San Domingo, p. 157 (1885).

Common in the Greater Antilles.

Famity JACANIDZ

Genus Jacana Briss.

Facana BRisson, Orn. V, p. 121 (1760).

“A ;
Jacana violacea (Cory).

Parra jacana D’Ors. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 249 (1840).
—GUNDL. J. f. O. 1856, p. 425 (Cuba).—BrEWER, Pr. Bost. Soc.
Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).—-GuNDL. J. f. O. 1862, p.
89 (Cuba) ; 7. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 360 (1866) ; zd. J. f. O.
1875, p- 338 (Cuba); 2d. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII,. p. 385
(1878) (Porto Rico) ?

Parra violacea Cory, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VI, pp. 130, 155 (1881)
(Haiti) ; 26. List Bds. W. I. p. 29 (1885).

Parra gymnostoma Cory, Bds. Haiti & San Domingo, p. 159 (1885).

Sp. CHar. Male:—Bill and comb pale orange; bare skin at the base of the
lower mandible pale bluish white; head, neck, and upper breast
dark lustrous green; back and wing-coverts purple, shading into
rich golden brown near the rump; rump and tail-coverts purple;
underparts dark purple, showing a tinge of dark rufous on the cris-
sum; most of the primaries and secondaries bright yellow, edged
with brown; tail rufous brown; carpal spur pale orange; legs and
feet dull olive; iris brown.

Length, 9; wing, 5.50; tail, 2.25; tarsus, 2.25; bill, 1.40

Hasirat. Cuba, Haiti,and San Domingo.

52 Cory ox the Birds of the West Indies. | January

Since the publication of the ‘Birds of Haitiand San Domingo,’
I have examined several specimens of Yacana from Cuba, and
they agree exactly with the San Domingo bird, but all are con-
siderably larger and brighter than specimens of ¥. gymnosto-
ma; the coloration of the wattles is, | believe, also different.
I have, therefore, restored the West Indian bird to the rank of a
species pending further investigation.

Famity RALLIDA.

Genus Rallus Linn.

Rallus LINNZUS, Syst. Nat. I, p. 261, 1766.

’ Rallus maculatus Bopp.

Frallus maculatus Bopp. ex Buff. Pl. Enl. p. 775 (1783). —ScHLeG. Mus.
Pays-Bas, Ralli, p. 13 (1865).— Scr. & Sav. P. Z. S. 1868, p.
444; 2b. Nom. Avium Neotr. p. 139 (1873). — Cory, List Bds. W.
I. p. 29, (1885).

Rallus variegatus GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, p. 718 (1788).—Burm. Syst. Ueb.
III, p. 382.—D’Ors. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 261
(1840).—BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860).

Aramides maculatus HARTL. Ind. Az. p. 23.— Gray. Gen. Bds. p. 594
(1844-49).

Pardirallus variegatus Br. Compt. Rend. XLIII, p. 599.—Gray, Handl.
Bas. Ll ps son Goya).

Limnopardalus variegatus GUNDL. J. f. O. 1856, p. 428; 7b. Repert. Fisico-
Nat: Cuba, 1p: 36m (1866) "7b. Jat. On 138755 p-s5ir6

Sp. CHar. — General plumage dull black; feathers on the back heavily
marked with brown; whole body heavily blotched and mottled with
white ; rump brown; thighs smoky brown, marked with white above ;
chin nearly white; legs (in skin) pale yellow; bill green; a spot of
scarlet on the base of the lower mandible.

Length (skin), 12; wing, 4.75; tail, 3; tarsus, 1.50; bill, 1.95.
Recorded from Cuba.

~ Rallus elegans Aup.

Rallus elegans Aup. Orn. Biog. III, p. 27 (1835). — GuNDL. J. f. O. 1856,
p- 427 (Cuba). — Brewer, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308
(1860) (Cuba).—GunbL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 360 (1866) ;
7b. J. t. O. 1875, p- 355 (Cuba).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 29 (1885).

Accidental in Cuba.

18SS. | Cory ox the Birds of the West Indies. 53

Y Railus virginianus LINN.

Rallus virgintanus LINN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 263 (1766).—Brewer, Pr. Bost.
Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).—GunpL. Repert. Fisico-
INGt Cuba per sOte(nOpO)s26.a)iat- Ons 75,p. 357 (Cuba).-—Cory,
List Bds. W. I. p. 29 (1885).
Accidental in Cuba.

Rallus longirostris crepitans (GMEL.).

Rallus crepitans GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, p. 713 (1788). — Bryant, Pr. Bost.
Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 122 (1859) (Bahamas).
Rallus longirostr’s Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 176 (1880).
Rallus longtrostris crepitans RipGw. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, V, p. 140
(1880).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 29 (1885).
Bahamas in winter.

VRallus longirostris caribeeus Ripcw.

Rallus longtrostris D’ORB. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 260
(1840). — Gosse, Bds. Jam. p. 364 (1847).—A. & E. Newron, Ibis,
1859, p- 260.—Cassin, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1860, p. 378. — A.
& E. Newron, Handb. Jamaica, p. 114 (1881).

Rallus crepitans BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860).—
Sci. P. Z, S. 1861, p. 81.—ALBRECHT, J. f. O. 1862, p. 206.—GUNDL.
Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 361 (1866) ; 2d. J. tf. O. 1875, p. 356;
zb. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 388 (1878).—Lawre. Pr. U. S.
Nat. Mus. I, pp. 461, 487 (1878).

‘*PRallus elegans Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 69”?

Raltllus longtrostris var. cartbeus RipGw. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, V,
p- 140 (1880). — Bp. Bwr. & Ripew. Hist. N. Am. W. Bads. I,

-P- 359 (1884).
Rallus longtrostris cartbeus Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 29 (1885).

This form is very closely allied to the North American bird ;
the principal difference being that those from the West Indies
usually show olivaceous striping on the back, more or less dis-
tinct.

HasiraT. Antilles.

Rallus coryi MAaynarp.

Rillus cory’ MayNarp, American Exchange and Mart, Boston, Jan. 15
(1887) ; 26. Feb. 5 (1887).

Sp. Cuar. — ‘‘Above pale yellowish brown, streaked with pale ashy;
wings light reddish, becoming paler on the outer edges; beneath pale

54 Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. { January

ashy tinged with reddish across the breast, becoming white on the
throat and abdomen. banded faintly on sides and flanks with white
and pale ashy.” (Maynard, orig. descr., 1. c.)
Length, 11.50; wing, 6; tail, 2.10; tarsus, 1.75; bill, 2.15.
Hasrrat. Andros Island, Bahamas.

Genus Porzana VIEILL.

Porzana VieILLoT, Analyse, p. 61, 1816.

Porzana concolor (Gossr).

Rallus concolor Goss, Bds. Jam. p. 369 (1847).-—ALBRECHT, J. f. O. 1862,
p. 206.—Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 69.

Corethrura cayennensis Moore, P. Z. 5S. 1859, p. 64-—Sci. & SAty. Ibis,
1859, p- 230.

Corethrura gualemalensis LAwre. Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1863, p. 106.

Rallina castanea SCHLEG. Mus. Pays-Bas, Ralli, p. 17 (1865).

Porzana concolor Sci. & Sav. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 452; 26. Nom. Avium
Neotr. p. 140 (1873).—A. & E. Newton, Handb. Jamaica, p. 114
(1881).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1885).

Rufirallus concolor GRay, Handl. Bds. III, p. 61 (1871).

Sp. Cuar. Male :—Head dark olive, showing a tinge of rufous on the
forehead; back olive, shading into rufous brown on the wing-
coverts; sides of the head pale reddish brown, brightest on the
cheeks; chin white, shading into clear reddish brown on the lower
throat and breast, rest of underparts reddish brown; under surface
of wings dull slate color.

The sexes are similar.
Length (skin), 9.25; wing, 5.25; tarsus, 1.75; bill, 1.10.
HasiTatT. Jamaica.

“Porzana flaviventris (Bopp.).

Rallus faviventer ‘‘ Bopp. Pl. Enl. (1783).”

Rallus minutus GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, p. 719 (1788).—Lems. Aves Cuba,
p. 109 (1850).—BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860).

Ortygometra minuta BurM. Syst. Ueb. III, p. 388.—Gossr, Bds. Jam.
P- 372 (1847).

Rallus superciliarts ViEILL. Nouv. Dict. XXVIII, p. 565.

Ortygometra flaviventris GRAY, Gen. Bds. III, p. 593 (1844-49).—HARTL.
Ind. Az. p. 24.

Lateriallus gossed Be. Compt. Rend. XLIII, p. 599 (1856).

Erythra minuta Br. Compt. Rend. XLIII, p. 600 (1856).

Crybastus gosstt Cas. J. f. O. 1856, p. 428.—GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat.
Cuba, I, p. 362: ((a866))5 zé., Jnif. O. 18759 p. s5c-

Crex minuta SCL. P. Z. S. 1861, p. 81.

1888. ] Cory on the Birds of the West Indies.

1S a |
tn

Porzana minuta Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p- 69.

Porzana flaviventer SCHLEG. Mus. Pays-Bas, I, p. 31 (1865).—A. & E.
Newton, Handb. Jamaica, p. 114 (1881).

Porzana flaviventris Sci. & SAtv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 455; 26. Nom. Avium
Neotr. p. 140 (1873).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1885).

Crybastus minutus GRAY, Handl. Bds. III, p. 61 (1871).

Sp. CHAr.—Top of head and a line through the eye, from the bill, dark
brown, darkest on the crown, and shading into light brown on the
back of the neck; middle back dark brown and black, streaked with
white; rump and upper tail-coverts chestnut brown, sometimes
touched with white; tail-feathers black, edged with brown, and
dotted with white; wing-coverts light cinnamon-brown; scapularies
marked with black and white; quills pale brown; outer web of first
primaries dull white; underparts white; throat white, tinged with
very pale yellowish brown; flanks barred with white and black;
bill dark.

Length (skin), 5.75; wing, 2.75; tail, 1.15; tarsus, .85; bill, .60.
ABITAT. Cuba and Jamaica.

“ Porzana jamaicensis (GMEL.).

Rallus jamatcensis GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, p. 718 (1788).

Ortygometra jamaicensis GOSsE, Bds. Jam. p. 375 (1847).-—BREWER, Pr.
Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).

Creciscus jamatcensts GUNDL. J. f. O. 1856, p. 428 (Cuba) ; 7b. 1875, p. 360
(Cuba); 2b. 1881, p. 401 (Cuba).

Porzana jamaicensts Sci. P. Z. S. 1861, p. 81 (Jamaica).—ALBRECHT,
J. f. O. 1862, p. 206 (Jamaica).—Marcn, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila.
1864, p. 69 (Jamaica).—A. & E. Newron, Handb. Jamaica, p. 114
(1881).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1885).

Recorded from Cuba and Jamaica.

"Porzana carolina (LinN.).

Rallus carolinus Linn. Syst. Nat. I, p. 363 (1766).—D’Ors. in La Sagra’s
Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 262 (1840).—BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat.
Hist. X, p. 257 (1866) (Porto Rico).—SuNpEv. Oefv. K. Vet. Akad.
For. 1869, p. 587 (St. Bartholomew) ; 2d. p. 601 (Porto Rico).

Ortygometra carolina GossE, Bds. Jam. p. 371 (1847).—BREWER, Pr.
Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).

Porzana carolina GUNDL. J. f. O. 1856, p. 428 (Cuba).—A. & E. NEwron,
Ibis, 1859, p. 260 (St. Croix).—Scv. P. Z. S. 1861, p. 81 (Jamaica).
—Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 69 (Jamaica).—GUNDL.
Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 361 (1866).—Brace, Pr. Bost. Soc.
Nat. Hist. XIX, p. 241 (1877) (Bahamas).—GuNDL. J. f. O. 1875, p.
358 (Cuba); 2d. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 390 (1878) (Porto

56 Cory ox the Birds of the West Indies. [ January

Rico).—Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 176 (1880).—A. & E. Newron,
Handb. Jamaica, p. 114 (1881).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 30
(1885).—WELLsS, List Bds. Grenada, p. 9 (1886).

This species is found throughout the West Indies; numerous
references from the Bahamas and Antilles.

Y Porzana noveboracensis (GmMEt.).

Fulica noveboracensts GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, p. 701 (1788).
Porzaua noveboracensis Bb. Bwr. & RipGw. Hist. N. Am. W. Bds. I, p.
375 (1884) (Cuba).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1885).

Accidental in Cuba.

GENuS Gallinula Briss.

Gallinula Brisson, Orn. VI, p. 3, £760.

Gallinula galeata (Licur.).

Crex galeata Licut. Verz. Doubl. p. 826 (1823).

Gallinula chloropus D’OrRB. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 268
(1840).

Gallinula galeata Goss, Bds. Jam. p. 381 (1847).—SALLE, P. Z. S. 1857,
p- 237 (San Domingo).—A. & E. Newron, Ibis, 1859, p. 260 (St.
Croix). — Bryant, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 122 (1859)
(Bahamas); 7d. BREWER. p. 307 (1860) (Cuba). — Cassin, Pr.
Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1860, p. 378 (St. Thomas). — Sct. P. Z. S.
1861, p. 81 (Jamaica). — Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864,
p. 69 (Jamaica).—BryYAnrT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. X, p. 257 (1866)
(Porto Rico). —SunprEv. Oefv. K. Vet. Akad. For. 1869, p. 601
(Porto Rico).—GuNDL. J. f. O. 1875, p. 360 (Cuba); 26. Anal. Soc.
Esp. Hist. Nat. VII. p. 391 (1878) (Porto Rico).—Lawre. Pr. U. S.
Nat. Mus. I, p. 276 (1878) (Grenada); zb. p. 461 (Guadeloupe).——
ALLEN, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, V, p. 169 (1880) (Santa Lucia). —
Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 177 (1880). — A. & E. Newron,- Handb.
Jamaica, p. 115 (1881). — Cory, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VI, p. 155
(1881) (Haiti); 76. Bds. Haiti & San Domingo, p. 161 (1885); zd.
List. Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1885).-— WELLS, List Bds. Grenada, p. 9
(1886).— Cory, Auk, III, p. 502 (1886) (Grand Cayman) ; zd. Ibis,
1886, p. 474 (Marie Galante).

Galinuela galeata GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, IJ, p. 362 (1866).

Common in the Bahamas and Antilles.

Genus Ionornis REIcu.

Tonornis REICHENBACH, Syst. Ay. p. 21, 1853.

ee

1888. ] Cory on the Birds of the West Indes.

mn
“I

“a : rx
Ionornis martinica (LInn.).

Fulica martinica LINN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 259 (1766).

Porphyrto martinica D’OrB. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 265
(1840).+GosseE, Bds. Jam. p. 377 (1847).— BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc.
Nat. Hist. VII, p. 307 (1860) (Cuba).— Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p.
178 (1880); zb. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VI, p. 155 (1881) (Haiti).

Gallinula martinica BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 122 (1859)
(Bahamas) ; 26. X, p. 257 (1866) (Porto Rico).—Marcu, Pr. Acad.
Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 69 (Jamaica). — SuNDEv. Oefv. K. Vet.
Akad. For. 1869, p. 601 (Porto Rico).

Porphyrio martinicus Sci. P. Z. S. 1861. p. 81 (Jamaica) ; 7b. 1872. p. 653
(Santa Lucia).— LAwre. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. I, p. 197 (1878) (St.
Vincent) ; 2b. p. 487 (Dominica). — ALLEN, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club,
V, p- 169 (1880) (Santa Lucia).—A. & E. Newron, Handb. Jamaica,
p- 115 (1881).

Porphyrula martintca GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 362 (1866) ;
Zonet O- Lo745p- 314) CPorto Rico); 7b. 1875, ps 361 (Cuba); 2b:
Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 392 (1878) (Porto Rico).

Tonornis martinica Cory, Bds. Haiti & San Domingo, p. 162 (1885); 7b.
List Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1885). — WeELLs, List Bds. Grenada, p. 9
(1886).

Common in the Bahamas and Antilles.

Genus Fulica Linn.

Fulica LINNZUS, Syst. Nat. 1735; 2b. I, p. 152, 1758.

Fulica americana GMEL.

Fulica americana GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, p. 704 (1788). — Gossr, Bds. Jam.
p- 384 (1847).—A. & E. NEwrTon, Ibis, 1859, p. 260 (St. Croix) ?—
BrYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 122 (1859) (Bahamas) ;
2b. BREWER, Pp. 307 (1860) (Cuba).—Sct. P. Z. S. 1861, p. 81 (Ja-
maica).—Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 69 (Jamaica).
—GuNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I. p. 363 (1866).—SuNDEV. Oefv.
K. Vet. Akad. For. 1869, p. 587 (St. Bartholomew); zd. p. 601
(Porto Rico).—GuNDL. J. f. O. 1875, p. 363 (Cuba); 26. Anal. Soc.
Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 394 (1878) (Porto Rico). — Cory, Bds.
Bahama I. p. 178 (1880). — A. & E. Newron, Handb. Jamaica, p.
115 (1881).—Cory, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VI, p. 155 (1881) (Haiti) ;
76. Bds. Haiti & San Domingo, p. 163 (1885); 7b. List Bds. W. I.
p- 30 (1885).—WELLs, List Bds. Grenada, p. 9 (1886).

Fulica atra D’ORB. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 211 (1840).

Common jin the Bahamas and Antilles.

58 Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. [ January

Fulica caribzea Ripew.

Fulica carthea RipGw. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. VII, p. 358 (1884). — Cory,
List Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1885).

“Sp. CHAR.—Similar to F. americana, but differing in the slenderer bill
and in the form and color of the frontal shield. Frontal shield oval
or elliptical, much wrinkled, .70-.90 inch long, and .35-.50 wide,
in the breeding season; its color, pale brownish (whitish in life?)
instead of chestnut or Jiver brown, as in F. americana.” (Ridgw.
lec OLIS descr.)

Hasirat. Guadeloupe and St. John.

Famity ANATID.

Genus Anser Briss.

Anser BRISSON, Orn. 1760.

Anser albifrons gambeli. vw

Anser albifrons Lems. Aves Cuba, p. 112 (1850).—Cory, List Bds. W. Ie
p- 30 (1885).

Anser gambeli Hartt. Rev. Mag. Zool. 1852, p. 7-—Can. J. f. O. 1857, p-
226 (Cuba).—BreweER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860)
(Cuba).

gambelii GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I. p. 387 (1866) ; 25.

5

J. f. O. 1875, p. 375 (Cuba).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1885).

Anser

Accidental in Cuba in winter.

GeENus Chen Bole.

Chen Botr, Isis, 1822, p. 563.

Chen hyperborea (PALL.).Y

Anser hyperboreus PALL. Spic. Zool. VI, pp. 80, 25 (1769).—LrEmB. Aves
Cuba, p. 111 (1850). — BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist, VII, p.
308 (1860) (Cuba).—Marcn, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 70
( Jamaica).—Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 182 (1880).

Chen hyperboreus GossE, Bds. Jam. p. 408 (1847).—ALBRECcHT, J. f. O.
1862, p. 207 (Jamaica).— GuNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p.
387 (1866); 2. J. f. O. 1875, p. 371 (Cuba); 2d. Anal. Soc. Esp.
Hist. Nat. VII, p. 399 (1878) (Porto Rico).— A. & E. Newron,
Handb. Jamaica, p. 112 (1881).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1885).

Accidental in Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica and Porto Rico.

1888. ] Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. 59

Chen cerulescens (LINN.). “

Anas caerulescens LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 10th ed. p. 124 (1758); 2d. 12th ed.
p- 198 (1766).

Chen caerulescens GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 387 (1866) ; 2d.
J. f. O. 1875, p, 374 (Cuba).—Cory, List. Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1885).

Anser caerulescens BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. XI, p. 70 (1867)
(Bahamas).

Recorded from the Bahamas and Cuba. Possibly not sepa-
rable from the preceding species, of which it may prove to bea
race.

GENus Branta Scopo.ti.

Branta Scopo.rt, Ann. i Hist. Nat. p. 67, 1769.

Branta canadensis (LINN.).

Anas canadensis LINN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 198 (1766).

Branta canadensis BANNISTER, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1870, p. 131.

Bernicla canadensts A. & E. NEwTon, Handb. Jamaica, p. 112 (1881).—
Cory, Revised List Bds. W. I. p. 30-~G886).

Recorded from Jamaica.

Genus Dendrocygna Swains.

Dendrocygna SWAINsoNn, Classif. Birds, II, p. 365, 1837.

Dendrocygna arborea (LINN.). “~~

Anas arborea Linn. Syst. Nat. I, p. 207 (1766).—GMEL. Syst. Nat. I,
p- 540 (1788).—VieILL. Enc. Méth. p. 141 (1823).—D’Ors. in La
Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, I, p. 291 (1840).—SuNDEV. Oefv. K. Vet.
Akad. For. 1869, p. 603.

Anas jacquint GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, p. 536 (1788).

Dendrocygna arborea Exton, Mon. Anat. p. 110 (1838).—Gosse, Bds.
Jam. p. 395 (1847).—Cas. J. f. O. 1857, p. 227.—A. & E. NEWTON,
Ibis, 1859, p. 366.—BryANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 122
(1859); 2. XI, p. 70 (1866).—ALBRECHT, J. f. O. 1862, p. 206.—
Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 70.—GuUNDL. Repert.
Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 387 (1866); 2d. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat.
VII, p. 400 (1878).—Scr. & Satv. P. Z. S. 1876, p. 375.—Cory,
Bds. Bahama I. p. 183 (1880).—A. &. E. Newron, Handb. Jamaica,
p-. 112 (1881).—Cory, Bds. Haiti & San Domingo, p. 166 (1885) ;
7b. List Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1885).—Bp. Bwr. & RipeGw. Hist. N. Am.
W. Bds. I, p. 480 (1884).

60 Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. [ January

Dendrocygnus arborea BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308
(1860).
Dendrocygna autumnalis? TAytor, Ibis, 1864, p. 172.

Sp. CuHar. Male:—Head with black band on the crown, continuing in
narrow stripes to the nape; forehead and over the eye reddish
brown, shading into dull white on the throat, and mottled brown
and white on the sides of the head and neck; breast and upper parts
brown, the feathers broadly edged with tawny; rump and tail black;
underparts brownish white, heavily spotted and banded upon the
sides, the spots becoming very small and faint upon the abdomen;
most of the primaries slate-color, becoming brownish at the tips;
legs and bill black.

Length, 21.00; wing, 11.25; tarsus, 2.60; bill 2.00.
Hasirat. Bahamas and Antilles.

Dendrocygna autumnalis (LINN.).

Anas autumnalis LINN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 205 (1766).

Dendrocygna autumnalis Goss, Bds. Jam. p. 398 (1847).—ALBRECHT,
J. f. O. 1862, p. 206 (Jamaica).—Marcn, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila.
1864, p. 70 (Jamaica).—A. & E. Newron, Handb. jamaica, p. 112
(1881).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1885).

Accidental in Jamaica.

Dendrocygna viduata (Linn). oi

Anas viduata Linn. Syst. Nat. I, p. 205 (1766).—GmeEL. Syst. Nat. I,
p- 536 (1788).—VIEILL. Enc. Méth. p. 132 (1823).

Dendrocygna viduata Eyton, Mon. Anat. p. 110 (1838).—ALBRECHT,
J. f. O. 1861, p. 214.—GuNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 388
(1866); 2b. J. £2 O. 1875, p. 377-—ScLt. & Satv. P. Z. 5S. 187657p.
376.—Bp. Bwr. & Ripew. Hist. N. Am. W. Bds. I, p. 481 (1884).—
Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1885).

Dendrocygnus viduata BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VU, p. 308
(1860).

Sp. Cuar. Male:—Entire front of head, including eye, cheeks and chin,
white, tinged with brown; a patch of white on the middle of the
throat, connecting with the white upper throat and chin by a narrow
white line; rest of head and neck black; breast and upper back
rufous brown; sides of the body thickly banded with narrow black
and white lines; centre of the belly and lower breast black; feath-
ers on the back edged with tawny; wings black; carpus and
shoulder chestnut brown; wing-coverts showing an olive tinge; bill
black; feet black.

The sexes are similar.
Length, 19.00; wing, 9,00; tail, 4.00; tarsus, 2.00; bill, 2.00.

1888. ] Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. 61

Given by authors as occurringin Cuba; by some, claimed to
have been introduced.

Genus Anas LINN.

Anas LINN#uS, Syst. Nat. I, roth ed. p. 122, 1758; 2b. 12th ed. p. 194,
1766.

Anas strepera LINN. *

Anas strepera LINN. Syst. Nat. I, roth ed. p. 125 (1758); 7b. 12th ed.
p. 200 (1766).—Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 72 (Jamai-
ca).—A. & E. Newron, Handb. Jamaica, p. 113 (1881).

Chaulelasmus streperus GOSSE, Bds. Jam. p. 408 (1847).—GuNDL. Repert.
Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 389 (1866) ; .2d. J. f. O. 1875, p. 381 (Cuba).

Anas streperus Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1885).

Cuba and Jamaica in winter.

Anas boschas Linn. ”

Anas boschas LINN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 205 (1766).—Gosse, Bds. Jam. p.
408 (1847).—BrRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 122 (1859)
(Bahamas) ; 76. BREWER, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).—Marcu, Pr. Acad.
Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 72 (Jamaica).—GuNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat.
Cuba, I, p. 388 (1866) ; zd. J. f. O. 1875, p. 378 (Cuba).—Cory, Bds.
Bahama I. p. 184 (1880) ; 2b. List Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1885).—WELLs,
List Bds. Grenada, p. 10 (1886).

Anas boscas A. & E. NEwron, Handb. Jamaica, p. 113 (1881).

Accidental in Cuba, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Grenada.

Anas obscura GMEL. °*

Anas obscura GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, p. 541 (1788).—Gossk, Bds. Jam. p. 408
(1847).—Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 72 (Jamaica).
—A. & E. NewrTon, Handb. Jamaica, p. 113 (1881).—Bpb. Bwr. &
Ripew. Hist. N. Am. W. Bds. I, p. 499 (1884) (Cuba?).—Cory,
Revised List Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1886).

Anas fulvigula? Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 30 (1885).

Cuba? Jamaica.

It is uncertain whether the Dusky Duck which, it is claimed,
occurs in Jamaica, is Anas fulvigula Ridgw. or this species.
Both occur in Florida.

Anas maxima, described by Gosse (Bds. Jam. p. 399, 1847),
is supposed to be a hybrid.

62 Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. { January

Genus Dafila STEPH.

Dafila STEPHENS, Shaw’s Gen. Zool. XII, p. 126, 1824.

Dafila bahamensis (LINN.). “

Anas bahamensis LINN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 199 (1766).—GMEL. Syst. Nat. I,
p. 516 (1788).—Max. Beitr. p. 925 (1831).—SuNDEV. Oefv. K Vet.
Akad. For. 1869, p- 591.

Anas rubirostris ViEILL. Nouv. Dict. V, p. 108 (1816).

Anas tlathera VIEILL. Enc. Méth. p. 152 (1823).

Anas urophasianus Vic. Zool. Journ. IV, p. 357 (1829).

Phastanurus vigorsit WAGL. Isis, 1832, p. 1235.

Anas finbriata MERREM, Ersch u. Gruber’s Ency. sect. 1, XXXV, p. 35.

Dajila urophasianus Eyton, Mon. Anat. p. 112 (1838).

Peoctlonetta bahamensis EyTON, Mon. Anat. p. 116 (1838).—Gosse, Bds.
Jam. p. 408 (1847).—Scr. P. Z. S. 1860, p. 389.—ABBOrgT, This;
1861, p. 160.—ALBRECHT, J. f. O. 1862, p. 207.—Marcu, Pr. Acad.
Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 71.—GUNDL. J. f. O. 1874, p. 314; 26. Anal.
Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 403 (1878) ; 2b. J. f. O. 1881, p. 400.

Dafila bahamensis Harti. Ind. Az. p. 27 (1847).—Cas. in Schomb.
Guian. III, p. 763 (1848).—Sci. & Sav. P. Z. S. 1876, p. 393.—
Lawre. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. I, p. 487 (1878).—A. & E. Newton,
Handb. Jamaica, p. 113 (1881).—Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 185
(1880) ; 7. Bds. Haiti & San Domingo, p. 167 (1885); 26. List Bds.
We Io pe3n (i835)

Sp. CuHar. Male:—General plumage tawny, mottled and streaked with
brown; wings banded with lustrous green, black and tawny, in the
order given; top of head and nape brown, finely mottled with dark
brown; rest of head and throat white; a triangular patch on each
side of the upper mandible lake red; tail tawny, becoming pale at
the tip; legs black.

Length, 19.00; wing, 8.00; tail, 4.75; tarsus, 1.25}; bill, 1.95.
Hasirat. Bahamas and Antilles.

Dafila acuta (Linn.). ~~

Anas acuta LINN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 202 (1766).—LxEmB. Aves Cuba, p. 113
(1850).

Dafila acuta Gosse, Bds. Jam. p. 408 (1847).—Cas. J. f. O. 1857, p. 22
(Cuba).—BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860) *
(Cuba).—ALBRECHT, J. f. O. 1862, p. 207 (Jamaica).—Marcu, Pr.
Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 71 (Jamaica).—GuNDL. Repert.
Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 388 (1860); zd. J. f. O. 1875, p. 378 (Cuba) ;
th. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 402 (1878) (Porto Rico).—
A. & E. Newron, Handb. Jamaica, p. 113 (1881).—Cory, List Bds.
We Lp aire (ssis)).

Recorded from Cuba, Jamaica, and Porto Rico.

1888. | Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. 62

Grenus Mareca STEPH.

Mareca STEPHENS, Shaw’s Gen. Zool. XII, pt. I, p. 130, 1824.

Mareca americana (GMEL.). v

Anas americana GMEL. Syst. Nat. IT, p. 526 (1788).—D’Ors. in La Sagra’s
Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 293 (1840).—SuNDEv. Oefv. K. Vet. Akad.
For. 1869, p. 603 (Porto Rico).

Mareca americana Gosse. Bds. Jam. p. 408 (1847).—Cas. J. f. O. 1857,
p. 227 (Cuba). — Brewer, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308
(1860) (Cuba).—NEwTON, Ibis, 1860, p. 308 (St. Thomas).—Marcu,
Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 71 (Jamaica).—GuNDL. Repert.
Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 388 (1866); 2d. J. f. O. 1875, p. 378 (Cuba) ;
#6. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 402 (1878) (Porto Rico).—
A. & E. Newron, Handb. Jamaica, p. 113 (1881).—Cory, List Bds.
W.. I. p. 31 (1885).

Accidental in winter in the West Indies; records from Cuba.
Jamaica, Porto Rico, and St. Thomas.

Catrina moschata is given by numerous writers from Cuba
and Jamaica. It is claimed to have been introduced.

GENUS Querquedula STeEpu.

Querquedula STEPHENS, Shaw’s Gen. Zool. XII, p. 149, 1824.

Querquedula discors (Linn.). “

Anas discors LINN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 205 (1766).—D’Ors. in La Sagra’s
Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 294 (1840).—SuUNDEV. Oefv. K. Vet. Akad.
For. 1869, p. 591 (St. Bartholomew) ; 7d. p. 603 (Porto Rico).

Cyanopterus discors GOSsE, Bds. Jam. p. 401 (1847).

Cyanopterus tnornatus GOSSE, Bds. Jam. p. 402 (1847).
J. f. O. 1862, p. 206 (Jamaica).

Querquedula discors SALLE, P. Z. S. 1857, p. 237 (San Domingo).—Bry-
ANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, b. 122 (1859) (Bahamas).—Scu.
P. Z. S. 1861, p. 82 (Jamaica).—Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila.
1864, p. 71 (Jamaica).—GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 389
(1866).—Lawre. Ann. Lyc. N. Y. VIII, p. ror (1867) (Sombrero).—
GuNDL. J. f. O. 1874 , p. 314 (Porto Rico) ; 26. 1875, p. 380 (Cuba) ;
zb. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 404 (1878) (Porto Rico).—
Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 186 (1880).—A. & E. Newron, Handb.
Jamaica, p. 113 (1881).—Cory, Bds. Haiti & San Domingo, p. 168
(1885 ).— Cory, List Bds. W.I. p. 31 (1885).—WeELLs, List Bds.
Grenada, p. 10 (1886).

Pterocyanea discors BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860)
(Cuba).

ALBRECHT,

64 Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. [ January

Querquedula inornata MArcn, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 71 (Ja-
maica).—A. & E. Newron, Handb. Jamaica, p. 113 (1881).

Anas (Querquedula) discors BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. XI, p. 97
(1867) (San Domingo).

Abundant throughout the Bahamas and Antilles.

Querquedula carolinensis (GMEL.). ¥

Anas carolinensts GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, p. 533 (1788).—Lems. Aves Cuba,
p- 114 (1850).

Querquedula carolinensis GosseE, Bds. Jam. p. 408 (1847).—BREWER, Pr.
Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).—GuNDL. J. f. O.
1862, p. 92 (Cuba).—Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 72
(Jamaica).—Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 187 (1880).—A. & E. NEw-
TON, Handb. Jamaica, p. 113 (1881).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 31
(1885).—WELLS, List Bds. Grenada, p. 10 (1886).

Nettion carolinensis BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 122 (1859)
(Bahamas).—GuNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 389 (1866) ; 78.
J. f. O. 1875, p. 381 (Cuba).

This species has been taken in winter in the Bahama Islands,
Cuba, Jamaica, and Grenada.

Querquedula cyanoptera is given by Brewer as occurring in
Cuba (Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. Vil, p. 308, 1860))/=) sli
species in question was correctly identified, it is of rare occurrence
in the West Indies.

Nyroca ferruginea is given by W. T. March, as occurring
in Jamaica (Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 72). This
record is undoubtedly incorrect. The bird in question was
probably some other species wrongly identified, possibly Qzer-
guedula cyanoptera.

Genus Spatula Bote.

Spatula Bote, Isis, 1822, p. 564.

Spatula clypeata (Linn.).”

Anas clypeata LINN. Syst. Nat. I, roth ed. p. 124 (1758); zb. 12th ed. p.
200 (1766).—LeEmB. Aves Cuba, p. 115 (1856).—SuUNDEvV. Oefv. K.
Vet. Akad. For. 1869, p. 603 (Porto Rico).

Anas mexicana D’ORB. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 299 (1840).

Rhyncaspis clypeata GossE, Bds. Jam. p. 408 (1847).

Rhynchaspis clypeata BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860
(Cuba).

1888.] Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. 65

Spatula clypeata NEWTON, Ibis, 1860, p. 308 (St. Thomas).—Sct. P. Z.S.
1861, p. 82 (Jamaica).—Marcn, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p.
71 (Jamaica).—GuNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 389 (1866) ;
ZOen ete OO 7A pea k4 Ge OLtoR1GO))9202) 1875, ps 379) (Cuba)s) 70:
Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 404 (1878) ( Porto Rico).—A. & E.
Newton, Handb. Jamaica, p. 113 (1881).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p.
31 (1885).

Querquedula clypeata ALBRECHT, J. f. O. 1862, p. 207 (Jamaica).

West Indies in winter; records from Cuba, Jamaica, Porto
Rico, and St. Thomas.

Genus Aix Bole.

Aix Botg. Isis, 1828, p. 329.

Aix sponsa (LINN.). »

Anas sponsa LINN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 207 (1766).—D’OrB. in La Sagra’s
Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 288 (1840).

Aix sponsa GOossE, Bds. Jam. p. 408 (1847).—Cas. J. f. O. 1857, p. 226
(Cuba).—Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 72 (Jamaica).
—GuNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 389 (1866); zd. J. f. O.
1875, p- 381 (Cuba).—A. & E. Newron, Handb. Jamaica, p. 113
(1881).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 31 (1885).

Dendrocygnus sponsa BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860)
(Cuba).

Cuba and Jamaica in winter.

Genus Aythya Bote.

Aythya Botk, Isis, 1822, p. 564.

Aythya affinis (Eyron). ~

Fuligula affinis Exton, Mon. Anat. p. 157 (1838). — Gossr, Bds. Jam.
p- 408 (1847).—ALBRECHT, J. f. O. 1862, p. 207 (Jamaica).—Cory,
Bds. Bahama I. p. 187 (1880) ; 26. List Bds. W. I. p. 31 (1885).

Anas marila D’OrB. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 295 (1840) (?)

Fulix affinis A. & E. Newton, Ibis, 1859, p. 366 (St. Croix) (?)—Marcu,
Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 71 (Jamaica).—-GuNDL. Repert.
Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 390 (1866): zd. J. f. O. 1874, p. 314 (Porto
Rico) ; zd. 1875, p. 382 (Cuba); 26. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII,
p- 405 (1878) (Porto Rico).

Fuligula marila BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860)
(Cuba).

66 Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. | January

Fuligula mariloides GUNDL. J. f. O. 1862, p. 92 (Cuba).
Nyroca afinis A. & E. Newton, Handb. Jamaica, p. 113 (1881).

Recorded from Porto Rico, Cuba, Bahamas, Jamaica, and St.
Crom:

Aythya collaris (Donov.). <

Anas collaris Donov. Brit. Birds, VI, pl. 47 (1809).

Fuligula rufitorques Gosse, Bds. Jam. p. 408 (1847).—Lems. Aves Cuba,
p- 117 (1850).—Brewenr, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860)
(Cuba).—ALBREcHurT, J. f. O. 1862, p. 207 (Jamaica).

Fulix collaris BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 122 (1859) (Baha-
mas).—Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 72 (Jamaica).—
GuNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 390 (1866); 26. J. f. O. 1875,
p- 383 (Cuba); 2d. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 406 (4878)
(Porto Rico).

Anas (Fuligula) rufttorgues GUNDL. J. f. O. 1871, p. 283 (Cuba).

Fuligula collaris Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 188 (1880) ; 2b. List Bds. W. I.
p- 31 (1885).

Nyroca collaris A. & E. Newton, Handb. Jamaica, p. 113 (1881).

Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, and Porto Rico, in winter.

Aythya vallisneria (Wits.). ~

Anas vallisneria Wits. Am. Orn. VIII, p. 103 (1814).—Cory, List Bds.
W. I. p. 30 (1885).

Nyroca valisnerta BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VI, p. 308 (1860)
(Cuba).

Aythya valisneria MARCH, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 72 (Jamaica)

Aythyia vallisneria GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 390 (1866)) ;
zb. J. f. O. 1875, p-.382 (Cuba).

Nyroca vallisneria A. & E. Newton, Handb. Jamaica, p. 113 (1881).

Recorded from Cuba and Jamaica.
\

Aythya americana (Eyton). “”

Fuligula americana Eyton, Mon. Anat. p. 155 (1838).—Gosse, Bds.
Jam. p. 408 (1847).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 31 (1885).

Aythya americana BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 122 (1859)
(Bahamas). — Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 72
(Jamaica).

Fuligula ferina var. americana Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 189 (1880).

Nyroca americana A. & E. Newron, Handb. Jamaica, p. 113 (1881).

A winter visitant; re¢ords from the Bahamas, Cuba, and
Jamaica.

1888. | Cory on the Birds of the West Indes. 67

Genus Charitonetta STryn.

Charittonetta STEJNEGER, Orn. Expl. Kamtsch. p. 163, 1885.

Charitonetta albeola (LINN.). ~

Anas albeola LINN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 199 (1766).

Clangula albeola BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860)
(Cuba).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 31 (1885).

Bucephala albeola GuNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 390 (1866) ; 7d.
etn OmerS 7559 p.so37 (Cuba):

Accidental in Cuba in winter.

Genus Glaucionetta STEN.

Glauctonetta STEJNEGER, Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. VIII, p. 409, 1885.

Glaucionetta clangula americana (Bonap.). “

Clangula americana Be. Comp. List, 1838, p. 58.
Clangula glaucton Lawre. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. I, p. 241 (1878) (Barbuda).
Clangula glaucion americana Bp. Bwr. & Ripew. Hist. N. Am. W. Bds.

II, p. 44 (1884) (Cuba) (?).
Clangula glauctum Cory, Revised List Bds. W. I. p. 31 (1886).

Recorded from Cuba and Barbuda.

Genus CXdemia FLEMING.

Gdemia FLEMING, Philos. Zool. II, p. 260, 1822.

GEdemia perspicillata (Linn.).

Anas perspicillata LINN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 201 (1766).

G@demia perspicillata Gosse, Bds. Jam. p. 408 (1847).—ALBRECHT, J. f. O.
1862, p. 207 (Jamaica).—Marcn, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864,
p- 72 (Jamaica).—A. & E Newron, Handb. Jamaica, p. 113 (1881).
—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 31 (1885).

Claimed to have occurred in Jamaica.

GENus Erismatura Bonap.

Lrismatura BONAPARTE, Saggio Distr. Met. p. 143, 1832.

68 Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. {January

Erismatura rubida (Wurs.). ~

Anas rubida Wits. Am. Orn. VIII, pp. 128-130 (1814).

Erismatura spinosa Gosse, Bds. Jam. p. 404 (1847).—ALBRECHT, J. f. O.
1862, p. 207 (Jamaica).

Fuligula rubida LemMB. Aves Cuba, p. 138 (1850).

Erismatura rubida BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 122 (1859)
(Bahamas).—GuNbDL. Repert. I*isico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 390 (1866) :
vb. J. f. O. 1874, p. 314 (Porto Rico); zd. 1875, p. 384 (Cuba); zd.
Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 407 (1878) (Porto Rico).—Coky,
Bds. Bahama I. p. 189 (1880).—A. & E. Newron, Handb. Jamaica,
p. 113 (1881).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 31 (1885).—WELLS, List
Bds. Grenada, p. to (1886).

Occurs in winter in the West indies; records from Porto Rico,
Cuba, Jamaica, Grenada, and the Bahamas.

Genus Nomonyx Ripew.

Nomonyx RipGway, Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. II, p. 15, March 27, 1880.

Nomonyx dominicus (LINN.). 4

Anas dominica LINN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 201 (1766).—SUNDEV. Oefv. K. Vet.
Akad. For. 1869, p. 603 (Porto Rico).

Anas spinosa? D’OrB. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 297 (1840) ?

Erismatura dominica A. & E. Newton, Ibis, 1859, p. 367 (St. Croix) (?).
—GUuUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 391 (1866); 2d. J. f. O.
1874, p- 314 (Porto Rico); zb. 1875, p. 314 (Cuba); zd. Anal. Soc.
Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 408 (1878) (Porto Rico).

Dendrocygnus spinosa BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860)
(Cuba).

Nomonyx dominicus Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 31 (1885).

Sp. Cuar. Male:—Top of head brownish black; a stripe of brown through
the eye, and a parallel stripe of the same color below, separated by
a narrow stripe of tawny; a narrow tawny superciliary stripe;
throat tawny brown, the feathers marked with chestnut, heaviest on
the lower part; underparts dull white, marked with yellowish
brown; feathers of the back having the centres black, and heavily
edged with chestnut; quills and tail dark brown; secondaries white,
tipped with brown, forming a large white patch on the wing. In
some plumages the male is described as having the entire head
black.

The female differs from the male in lacking the chestnut marking
on the upper parts, which is replaced by pale brown, bill dark
brown, almost black.

Length, 12.00; wing, 5.30; tail 3.10; tarsus, go; bill, 1.30.

HasiratT. Antilles.

188S. | Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. 69

Genus Lophodytes Reicu.

Lophodytes REICHENBACH, Syst. Av. p. IX, 1852.

Lophodytes cucullatus (LInN.). v

Mergus cucullatus LiNN. Syst. Nat. I, roth ed. p. 129 (1758); 2d. 12th ed.
p- 207 (1766).— BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860)
(Cuba).—Gunpb.. J. f. O. 1862, p. 93 (Cuba).—Cory, List Bds.
We Ie pagi (7885).

Lophodytes cucullatus GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 391 (1866) ;
ZOoerter Orn USzig Ps 305 (Cuba).

Accidental in Cuba.

FamiIty FREGATIDA.

GeNus Fregata Cuv.

Fregata CuvirEr, Lec. d’Anat. Comp. I, tabl.{II, 1799-1800.

Fregata aquila (LINN.). —

Pelecanus agutlus LINN. Syst. Nat. I, roth ed. p. 133 (1758); 2b. 12th ed.
p- 216 (1766).

Fregata aquila D’OrB. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 309 (1840).
—BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).—
Lawk. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. I, p. 65 (1878) (Dominica) (?) 2b. p. 195
St. Vincent) ; 2d. p. 236 (Antigua) ; 7d. p. 240 (Barbuda) ; ¢b. p. 274
(Grenada); 7b. p. 359 (Martinique).—ALLEN, Bull. Nutt. Orn.
Club, V, p. 169 (1880) (Santa Lucia).—A. & E. Newron, Handb.
Jamaica, p. 112 (1881).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 31 (1885).

Fregata aquilus GOSsE, Bds. Jam. p. 422 (1847).

Tachypetes aguilus A. & E. NewrTon, Ibis, 1859, p. 369 (St. Croix).—
BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 126 (1859) (Bahamas).—
GuNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 396 (1866) ; 7b. J. f. O. 1874,
p- 315 (Porto Rico); 2. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 421
(1878) (Porto Rico).—BryantT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. XI, p. 98
(1867) (San Domingo).—Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p, 200 (1880) ; 7d.
Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VI, p. 155 (1881) (Haiti); 76. Bds. Haiti &
San Domingo, p. 173 (1885).

Tachypetes aguila WELLS, List Bds. Grenada, p. 10 (1886).

Abundant in the Bahamas and throughout the Antilles

70 Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. [ January
Famiry PELECANIDZ:.

GeENus Pelecanus LINN.

Pelecanus LINNUS, Syst. Nat. 1735; 2b. roth ed. I, p. 132, 1758.

Pelecanus fuscus LINN. “

Pelecanus fuscus LINN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 215 (1766).—D’OrsB. in La Sagra’s
Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 300 (1840).—GossrE, Bds. Jam. p. 409
(1847).—A. & E. Newron, Ibis, 1859, p. 368 (St. Croix).—BRYANT,
Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 122 (1859) (Bahamas) ; 76. BREWER,
p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).—GuNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 394
(1866).—Lawre. Ann. Lyc. N. Y. VIII, p. 101 (1867) (Sombrero).-—
SUNDEV. Oefv. K. Vet. Akad. For. 1869, p. 603 (Porto Rico).—Lawr.
Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. I, p. 66 (1878) (Dominica); 26. p. 196 (St.
Vincent); zd. p. 236 (Antigua); z6. p. 240 (Barbuda); 2b. p. 274
(Grenada) ; 2b. p. 359 (Martinique).—GuNbL. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist.
Nat. VII, p. 416 (1878) (Porto Rico).—Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p.
196 (1880).—-A. & E. Newron, Handb. Jamaica, p. 112 (1881).—
Cory, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VI, p. 155 (1881) (Haiti); 2éBds-
Haiti & San Domingo. p. 172 (1885); z+. List Bds. W. I. p. 32
(1885).—WELLsS, List Bds. Grenada, p. 10 (1886).

The Brown Pelican is common in the Bahama Islands, the
Greater Antilles, and in many of the Lesser Antilles.

Famity PHALACROCORACIDA.

Genus Phalacrocorax Briss.

Phalacrocorax Brisson, Orn. V1, p. 511, 1760.

Phalacrocorax dilophus floridanus (Aup.).”

Phalacrocorax floridanus Aup. Orn. Biog. III, p. 387 (1835).—LEms.
Aves Cuba, p. 119 (1850)—BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII,
p- 308 (1860) (Cuba).—GuNDL. J. f. O. 1862, p. 95 (Cuba).

Graculus floridanus BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 128 (1859)
(Bahamas).--GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 394 (1866) ;
tb. J. f. O. 1875, p- 400 (Cuba).

Graculus dilophus var. floridanus Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 198 (1880).

Phalacrocorax dilophus flortdanus RipGw. Nom. N. A. Bds. No. 643 @
(1881).—Cory, List. Bds. W. I. p. 32 (1885).

Accidental in the Bahamas and Cuba.

1SSS. ] Cory ox the Birds of the West Indies. rig

Phalacrocorax mexicanus (Branpr).

Carbo mexicanus BRANDT, Bull. Sc. Ac. Imp. St. Pet. III, p. 56 (1837).

Phalacrocorax resplendens LeMB. Aves Cuba, p. 119 (1850).—GuUNDL.
J. f. O. 1862, p. 95 (Cuba).

Phalacrocorax townsendi LemB. Aves Cuba, p. 120 (1850).—GUNDL.
J. f. O. 1862, p. 95 (Cuba).

Phalacrocorax mexicanus BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308
(1860) (Cuba).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 32 (1885).

Graculus mexicanus GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 395 (1866) ;
7b. J. f. O. 1875, p. gor (Cuba).

Recorded from Cuba.

Famity ANHINGIDE.

Genus Anhinga Briss.
Anhinga Briss. Orn. VI, p. 476, 1760.

v

Anhinga anhinga (LInNN.).

Plotus anhinga LINN. Syst. Nat. I. p. 218 (1766).—Lrems. Aves Cuba, p.
120 (1850).—BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860)
(Cuba).—GunbL. J. f. O. 1862, p. 96 (Cuba); 26. Repert. Fisico-
Nat. Cuba, I, P- 395 (1866) ; zd. J. f. O. 1875, p. 405 (Cuba).—Cory,
istisdss Wi. lp. 22 (1885).

This species is stated to be common in many parts of Cuba.

Famity SULID.

GeENus Sula Briss.

Sula Brisson, Orn. VI, p. 495, 1760.

Sula cyanops (SuNDEV.).

Dysporus cyanops SUNDEY. Phys. Tidskr. Lund. pt. 5 (1837).

Sula dactylatra? BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 125 (1859)
(Bahamas); XI, p. 97 (1867) (San Domingo).—Cory, Bds. Ba
hama I. p. 194 (1880).

Sula cyanops Cory, Bds. Haiti & San Domingo, p. 170 (1885); 72d. List
Bds. W. I. p. 32-(1885).

12 Cory ox the Birds of the West Indies. [ January

Sp. Cuar.—Large. General color white; remiges and greater wing-coverts
dark brown; middle rectrices hoary white, tipped with brown; rest
of tail dark brown, white at the base; feet reddish? gular sac bluish.

Wing, 16.00; tail, 7.70; bill, 3.90; tarsus, 1.85.

Hasirat. West Indies, Bahamas, breeding (Aryant).

Sula sula (Linn.). “

Pelecanus sula LINN. Syst. Nat. ed. 12, I, p. 218 (1766).

Pelecanus leucogastra Bopp. Tabl. Pl. Enl. p. 57 (1783).

Sula fusca Ors. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 306 (1840).—
GosseE, Bds. Jam. p. 417 (1847).—SALLE, P. Z. S. 1857, p. 237 (San
Domingo).—BrEWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860)
(Cuba).—ALBRECHT, J. f. O. 1862, p. 207 (Jamaica); 2b. GUNDL.
p: 95 (Cuba).—BrYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. XI, p. 97 (1867)
(San Domingo). ,

Sula fiber Gosse, Bds. Jam. p. 417 (1847).--BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat.
Hist. VII, p. 123 (1859) (Bahamas). — ALBRECHT, J. f. O. 1862, p.
207 (Jamaica). —Lawre. Ann. Lyc. N. Y. VIII, p. 1o1 (1867) (Som-
brero)); Pr. U. S. Nat: Mus. I, p. 196 (1875)! (St. Vincent)iize:
p- 274 (Grenada).—ALLeNn, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, V, p. 169 (1880)
(Santa Lucia).—Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 1gt (1880).—WELLS,
List. Bds. Grenada, p. 11 (1886).

Dysporus sula A. & E. NEwron, Ibis, 1859, p. 369 (St. Croix).

Dysporus fiber GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 395 (1866); zd.
J. f. O. 1874, p. 314 (Porto Rico) ; 26. 1875, p. 402 (Cuba) ; 26. Anal.
Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 418 (1878) (Porto Rico).

Dysporus leucogaster SUNDEV. Oefv. K. Vet. Akad. For. 1869, p. 591 (St.
Bartholomew).

Sula leucogastra A. & E. Newton. Handb. Jamaica, p. 112 (1881).—
Cory, Bds. Haiti & San Domingo, p. 171 (1885); 2b. List Bds. W. I.
p- 32 (1885).

Sula sula RipGw. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. VIII, p. 356 (1885).

Sp. Cuar. Adult:—Head, throat, upper part of breast, and entire upper
plumage dark olive brown; underparts white; gular sac pale yel-
low; upper mandible greenish; feet pale yellowish green; iris yel-
lowish.

Length, 27.00; wing

g, 15.50; tail, S.oo; tarsus, 1.60; bill, 4.00.

HasiratT. Antilles.

Sula piscator (LInNN.).

Pelecanus piscator LINN. Syst. Nat. I, roth ed. p. 134 (1758); 2b. 12th ed.
P=.2L7a7,06))e

Sula parvu? GosseE, Bds. Jam. p. 219 (1847).--WELLs, List Bds. Grena-
da, p. 11 (1886).

1888. ] Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. We

Sula piscator Gosse, Bds. Jam. p. 418 (1847).—A. & E. Newron, Handb
Jamaica, p. 112 (188r1).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 32 (1885).—
WELLS, List Bds. Grenada, p. 11 (1886).

Dysporus hernandezi GuNDL. J. f. O. 1878, p. 298 (Cuba).

Dysporus piscator GUNDL. J. f. O. 1881, p. gor (Cuba).

Sp. CHAR. Adult Male:—General plumage white, showing a buff tinge on
the head and neck; shafts of the tail-feathers pale yellow; remiges
and most of the wing-coverts slaty gray, showing an ash tinge; feet
reddish.

Young tn first ~plumage:—General plumage grayish brown above; dull
gray beneath, sometimes whitish; plumage very variable.

Length, 28.00; wing, 14.50; tail, 8.00; tarsus, 2.10; bill, 3.30.

Hasirat. West Indies.

Famiry PHAETHONTID.

Genus Phaethon LInn.

>

Phaéthon LINNZUS, Syst. Nat. 1756; 2b. I, p. 134, 1758.

Phaethon flavirostris BRANDT. -—~

Phaéthon flavirostris BRANDT, Bull. Soc. Acad. St. Petersb. II, p. 349
(1837).—Lawre. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. I, p.65 (1878) (Dominica).—
tb. p. 240 (Barbuda) ; 2b. p. 359 (Martinique).—Cory, Bds. Baha-
ma I. p. 204 (1880) ; 26. Bds. Haiti & San Domingo, p. 175 (1885) :
76. List Bds. W. I. p. 33 (1885).

Phaéton flavirostris? BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 128
(1859) (Bahamas).—76. BREWER, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).—GuNDL.
Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I. p. 395 (1866).—-Lawr. Ann. Lyc. N.
Y. VIII, p. 103 (1867) (Sombrero)-—GuNbL. J. f. O. 1874, p. 314
(Porto Rico); 2b. 1875, p. 403 (Cuba); zb. 1878, p. 163 (Porto
Rico); 26. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 419 (1878) Porto
Rico).

Adult Male:—Bill pale orange yellow; general plumage white, some-
times slightly rosy-tinted; most of primaries showing much black ;
a streak passing through the eye; some of the wing-coverts and
shafts of tail-feathers black; tail extended into two very long feath-
ers which are reddened; tarsus bluish; iris black; webs and toes
black.
Length, including tail-feathers, 31.50; wing, 11.00; tail, 21.00;
tarsus, .g0; bill, 2.00.

Hapsitrat. Bahamas and Antilles.

714 Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. [ January

Phaethon zthereus Linn. “

Phaéthon e@ethereus VAiNN. Syst. Nat. I, toth ed. p. 134 (1758); zd. 12th
ed. p. 219 (1766).—Gosss, Bds. Jam. p. 430 (1847).—SuUNDEV. Oefv.
K. Vet. Akad. For. 1869, p. 590 (St. Bartholomew); zd. p. 603
(Porto Rico).—Lawre. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. I, p. 195 (1878) (St.
Vincent) ; 2. p. 274 (Grenada) ; zd. p. 460 (Guadeloupe).—A. & E.
Newton, Handb. Jamaica, p. 112 (1881).—Cory, List Bds. W. I.
p- 33 (1885); 2. Ibis, 1886, p. 474 (La Desirade).—WEL Ls, List
Bds. Grenada, p. 11 (1886).

Phaéton ethereus D°OrB. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois, p. 312
(1840).—GuNDL. J. f. O. 1862, p. 96 (Cuba) ; 2d. ALBRECHT, p. 207
(Jamaica).

Sp. CHar. —Bill red; General plumage white; a black crescent in front
of the eye; a stripe extending from the eye to the occiput; outer
webs of outer primaries, and most of the primary coverts, black;
rest of upper surface irregularly barred with dull black; flanks
striped; elongated central tatl-feathers white, basal portion of the
shafts black; tarsus yellowish orange? this color reaching to the
first joint of the toes, including the web between the inner and hind
toes; rest of feet black.

Length, 31.00; wing, 12.00; bill, 2.45.

5?

Recorded from Cuba, Jamaica, Porto Rico, St. Vincent,
Grenada, Gaudeloupe, St. Bartholomew, and La Desirade.

Famiry RYNCHOPMDZE.

Genus Rynchops Linn.

fynchops LINN#&UuS, Syst. Nat. I, roth ed. p. 228, 1758; zb. 12th ed. p.
228, 1776.

“ Rynchops nigra Lin.

Rynchops nigra LINN. Syst. Nat. I, roth ed. p. 228 (1758); zd. 12th ed. p.
228 (1766).—A. & E. NewTon, Ibis, 1859, p. 371 (St. Croix) ?—Cory,
List Bds. W. I. p. 33 (1885).

Rhyncops nigra GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 393 (1866); 2d.
J. f. O. 1875, p- 395 (Cuba).

Accidental in Cuba and St. Croix.

a i

~T
mn

1888. | Cory on the Birds of the West Indies.
Famity LARID4.

Genus Larus LINN.

Larus LINN=US, Syst. Nat. I. p. 136, 1758.

o

~ Larus atricilla Lyn.

Larus atricilla LINN. Syst. Nat. I, roth ed. p. 136 (1758); 2b. 12th ed. p.
225 (1766).—D’Ors. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 315
(1840).—BryYAnT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 134 (1859) (Ba-
hamas); 7b. BREWER, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).—SuNpDEv. Oefv. K.
Vet. Akad. For. 1869, p. 590 (St. Bartholomew) ; 2b. p. 603 (Porto
Rico).—Lawr. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. I, p. 238 (1878) (Antigua); 7d.
p- 142 (Barbuda) ; 2b. p. 277 (Grenada) ; 2b. p. 462 (Gaudeloupe).—
Cory, Bds. Bahama I, p. 208 (1880).—A. & E. Newron, Handb.
Jamaica, p. 117 (1881).—Cory, Bds. Haiti & San Domingo, p. 177
(1885); 26. List Bds. W. I. p. 33 (1885).—WEtts, List Bds. Gren-
ada, p. 1 (1886).

Xema atricilla Goss, Bds. Jam. p. 437 (1847).—ALBRECHT, J. f. O. 1862,
p. 207 (Jamaica).

Chrecocephalus atricilla A. & E. NEwrTon, Ibis, 1859 p. 371 (St. Croix).

Chroicocephalus atricilla GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 391
(1866) ; zd. J. f. O. 1874, p. 314 (Porto Rico); 2b. 1875, p. 385
(Cuba); 26. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 408 (1878) (Porto
Rico).

Common throughout the West Indies.

“ Larus argentatus Brinn.

Larusargentatus BRUNN. Orn. Bor. p. 44 (1764).—BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc.
Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).—AzBREcHrT, J. f. O. 1861, p.
215 (Cuba).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 33 (1885).

Larus marinus LEMB. Aves Cuba, p. 122 (1850).— BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc.
Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).—GunpL. J. f. O. 1862, p. 95
(Cuba).

Larus zonorhynchus GUNDL. J. f. O. 1862, p. 94 (?) (Cuba).

Larus smithsonianus GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 391 (1866) ;
20m ei Otis. ps so7, (Cuba).

Cuba and Bahamas in winter.

Larus franklinii SwaiIns.

Larus franklinit Swans. & Ricu. F. B. A. I, p. 424, pl. 71 (1831).
Larus franklint SUNDEV. Oefv. K. Vet. Akad. For. 1869, p. 590 (St. Bar-
tholomew).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 33 (1885).

Recorded from St. Bartholomew.

76 Cory oz the Birds of the West ‘Indies. [ January

Larus philadelphia is claimed to have been seex at Long
Island, Bahamas. There is no actual record of the capture of
this species in the West Indies.

Genus Gelochelidon BreEHmM.

Gelochelidon BreEuM, Naturg. V6g. Deutschl. 1831, p. 774.

’ Gelochelidon nilotica (HAssEL@.).

Sterna nilotica HASSELQ. Reise nach Pal. Deutschl. Ausg. 1762, p. 325.

Sterna anglica Mont. Orn. Dict. Suppl. 1813. —D’Ors. in La Sagra’s
Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 321 (1840).—Moore, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat.
Hist. XIX, p. 141 (1877) (Bahamas).—Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p.
209 (1880) ; 7. List Bds. W. I. p. 33 (1885).

Gelochelidon aranea BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1560)
(Cuba).—GuNL-L. J. f. O. 1862, p. 94 (Cuba).

Gelochelidon anglica GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 392 (1866) ;
7b: J. £.'O 1875. p-. 388 (Cuba).

Gelochelidon nilotica STEJN. Auk, I, p. 366 (1884).

Bahamas and Antilles.

Genus Sterna LINN.

Sterna LixnN#us, Syst. Nat. I, ed. 10, p. 137 (1758); 2b. ed. 12, p. 227
(1766).

“ Sterna maxima Bopp.

Sterna maxima Bopp. Tabl. Pl. Enl. p. 58 (1783). — SAUNDERS, P. Z. S.
1876, p. 655 (W. I.).—Lawre. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. I, p. 198 (1878)
(St. Vincent) ; 2b. p. 488 (Antigua) ; 7b. p. 242 (Barbuda) ; 2b. p. 277
(Grenada) ; 2b. p. 462 (Gaudeloupe).—A. & E. Newron, Handb.
Jamaica, p. 117 (1881).—Cory, Bds. Haiti & San Domingo, p. 178
(1885) ; 26. List. Bds. W. I. p. 33 (1885).

Sterna cayennensis D’ORB. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 319
(1840).

Thalasseus cayanus Gossek, Bds. Jam. p. 431 (1847).

Thalasseus regius A. & E. NEwrToN, Ibis, 1859, p. 371 (St. Croix).—
GuNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 392 (1866).—LaAwre. Ann.
Lyc. N. Y. VIII, p. 103 (1867) (Sombrero). — GuNDL. J. f. O. 1874,
p- 314 (Porto Rico); 7b. 1875, p. 388 (Cuba); 2b. Anal. Soc. Esp.
Hist. Nat. VII, p. 410 (1878) (Porto Rico).

Sterna regia BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 134 (1859) (Baha-
mas); 2b. XI, p. 98 (1867) (San Domingo).—Sct. P. Z. S. 1861,

1888. ] Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. vy)
p- 82 (Jamaica).—Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 210 (1880).—WELLs,
List Bds. Grenada, p. 11 (1886).

Gelochelidon cayennensts BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308

(1860) (Cuba).

Bahamas and Antilles.

vg , : F
Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida.

Sterna cantiaca GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, p. 606 (1788) ?—Cory, Bds. Bahama
I, p. 211 (1880) ; 24. List Bds. W. I. p. 33 (1885).

Sterna acuflavida CaBoT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. II, p. 257 (1847).—
BRYANT, zb. VII, p. 134 (1859) (Bahamas).

Thalasseus acuflavidus BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308
(1860) (Cuba).—GuNnDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 392 (1866) ;
zb. J. f. O. 1874, p. 314 (Porto Rico); 2b. 1875, p. 390 (Cuba); 2.
Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 411 (1878) (Porto Rico).

Thalasseus acuflavida GUNDL. J. f. O. 1862, p. 94 (Cuba).

Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida RipGw. Water Bds. N. Am. II, p. 288
(1884).

Bahamas and Antilles.

Sterna hirundo Linn.

Sterna hirundo LINN. Syst. Nat. I, ed. 10, p. 137 (1758) ; 2b. ed. 12, p. 227
(1766).—Cory, Bds. Bahamal. p. 211 (1880) ; 26. List Bds. W. I.

P- 33 (1885).
Sterna wilsoni BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 134 (1859) (Ba-
hamas. )

Accidental in the Bahama Islands.

“Sterna anosthetus Scop.

Sterna anosthetus Scov. Del. Faun. et Flor. Ins. II, No. 72 (1786).

Haliplana discolor Coues, Ibis, 1864, p. 392.-—Lawr. Ann. Lyc. N. Y.
VIII, p. 104 (1867) (Sombrero).

Sterna anostheta Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 215 (1880); 7b. List Bds.
W. I. p. 33 (1885).—WELLs, List Bds. Grenada, p. 11 (1886).

Haliplana anestheta GUNDL. J. f. O. 1881, p. 400 (Cuba).

Sp. CHaAr. — Bill black; cap black; forehead white, extending like two
horns over each eye and reaching behind them ; upper back grayish,
shading into the white on the sides of the neck; upper plumage
grayish brown; underparts white; primaries dark brown, the first

"8 Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. [ January

and second showing a clear band of white on the inner webs, not
reaching within an inch of the tips, and gradually fading on the
others; upper tail-coverts slaty gray; outer tail-feathers almost en-
tirely white, showing a tinge of brownish near the tip; legs and
feet black; iris brown.

Length, 14.25; wing, 10.00; tail, 6.25; tarsus, .7o; bill, 1.50.

Common in the Bahama Islands; breeds. Cuba, Sombrero ;
probably occurs throughout the West Indies.

vA ue.
Sterna fuliginosa GmMeEL.

Sterna fuliginosa GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, p. 605 (1788). — D’OrsB. in La
Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 319 (1840). — Bryant, Pr. Bost.
Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 134 (1859) (Bahamas); 76. XI, p. 98 (1867)
(San Domingo). — SuNDEv. Oefv. K. Vet. Akad. For. 1869, p. 589
(St. Bartholomew) ; 2b. p. 603 (Porto Rico).—Lawkr. Pr. U. S. Nat.
Mus. I, p. 68 (1878) (Dominica) ; 2b. p. 277 (Grenada); zb. p. 462
(Guadeloupe). — Cory, Bds. Bahamal. p. 214 (1880).—A. & E.
NEWTON, Handb. Jamaica, p. 117 (1881). — Cory, Bds. Haiti &
San Domingo, p. 181 (1885); 26. List Bds. W. I. p. 33 (1885).—
WELLS, List Bds. Grenada, p. 11 (1886).

Hydrochelidon fuliginosa GOssE, Bds. Jam. p. 433 (1847). — BREWER, Pr.
Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).—ALBRECHT, J. f. O.
1862, p. 207 (Jamaica).

Onychoprion fuliginosus A. & E. NEwTon, Ibis, 1859, p. 371 (St. Croix) ?
—Casstn, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila, 1860, p. 379 (St. Thomas).

Haliplana fuliginosa GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 393 (1866) ;
ib. J. f: O. 1875, p- 393 (Cuba) ; zd. 1878, p. 163 (Porto Rico)ea
Anal. Soc: Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 414 (1878) (Porto Rico).

Bahamas and Antilles.

“ Sterna dougalli Monr.

Sterna dougalli Mont. Orn. Dict. Suppl. (1813). — SuNDEv. Oefv. K.
Vet. Akad. For. 1869, p. 589 (St. Bartholomew). —Lawr. Pr. U. S.
Nat. Mus. I, p. 488 (1878) (Dominica; ; 2b. p. 238 (Antigua) zd. p.
277 (Grenada); 7b. p. 360 (Martinique); zb. p. 462 (Guadeloupe).
—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 33 (1885).—WELLS, List Bds. Grenada,
p- 11 (1886).

Sterna paradisea GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 392 (1866) ; 2d.
J. f. O. 1875, p. 391 (Cuba) ; 2b. 1878, p. 163 (Porto Rico) ; 76. Anal.
Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 411 (1878) (Porto Rico).—Cory, Bds.
Bahama I. p. 212 (1880).

Common throughout the West Indies.

1888. ] Cory ox the Birds of the West Indies. 79

“Sterna antillarum (LeEss.).

Sternula antillarum Less. Descr. Mam. et Ois. p. 256 (1847).

Sterna argentea GOSSE, Bds. Jam. p. 437 (2847). — ALBRECHT. J. f. O
1862, p. 207 ( Jamaica).

Sterna minuta LEMB. Aves Cuba, p. 123 (1850).

Sternula frenata BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860)
(Cuba).—GunDL. J. f. O. 1862, p. 93 (Cuba).

Sterna antillarum GUuNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 393 (1866).—
BryYAnT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. XI, p. 98 (1867) (San Domingo).
—GUuNDL. J. f. O. 1874, p. 314 (Porto Rico) ; 2b. 1875, p. 391 (Cuba) ;
76. 1878, p. 163 (Porto Rico); 76. Anal. Soc. Esp. Flist. Nat. VII,
p- 412 (1878) (Porto Rico). —SaunpeErs, P. Z. S. 1876, p. 661
(Antilles).—Lawre. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. I, p. 68 (1878) (Dominica).
—A. & E. NEwron, Handb. Jamaica, p. 117 (1881). — Cory, Bds.
Haiti & San Domingo, p. 179 (1885); 26. List Bds. W. I. p.
(1885).

Sterna minuta americana SUNDEV. Oefv. K. Vet. Akad. For. 1869, p. 589
(St. Bartholomew).

Sterna superciliarts Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 213 (1880).

22
rere)

Bahamas and Antilles.

Genus Hydrochelidon Bote.

Hydrochelidon Botr, Isis, 1822, p. 563.

7
Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (GMEL.).

Rallus lariformts LINN. Syst. Nat. I, roth ed. p. 153 (1758) ?

Sterna surtnamensts GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, 2nd part, p. 604 (1788).

Hydrochelidon nigra Gossk, Bds. Jam. p. 437 (1847).—ALBREcurtT, J. f. O.
1862, p. 207 (Jamaica).—SAUNDERS, P. Z. S. 1876, p. 642 (W. I.).—
A. & E. Newton, Handb. Jamaica, p. 117 (1881).

Sterna nigra LeMB. Aves Cuba, p. 124 (1850).

Hydrochelidon surtnam BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308
(1860) (Cuba).

Hydrochelidon plumbea GuNDL. J. f. O. 1862. p. 93 (Cuba)

Hydrochelidon fisstpes GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 393 (1866) ;
zd. J. f. O. 1875, p- 393 (Cuba); 7b. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII,
p- 413 (1878) (Porto Rico).

Hydrochelidon lariformis Cours, Bds. N. W. p. 704 (1874).—Cory, List
Bds. W. I.:p. 34 (1885).

Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis STEJN. Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. V, p. 40
(1882).

Antilles in winter.

So Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. { January

Genus Anous LEACH.

Anous LEACH, Shaw’s Gen. Zool. XIII, p. 139, 1826.

' Anous stolidus (Linn.).

Sterna stolida LINN. Syst. Nat. I, roth ed. p. 137 (1758); 2b. 12th ed.
p. 227 (1766).—D’Ors. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p. 317
(1840).

Megalopterus stolidus Gosse, Bds. Jam. p. 434 (1847).

Anous stolidus BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 134 (1859) (Baha-
mas); 76. BREWER, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).—GuNDL. Repert. Fisico-
Nat. Cuba, I, p. 393 (1866).—LaAwre. Ann. Lyc. N. Y. VIII, p. 105
(1867) (Sombrero).—SuNDEV. Oefv. K. Vet. Akad. For. 1869, p. 590
(St. Bartholomew).—GuNDL. J. f. O. 1875, p- 395 (Cuba); 2d. Anal.
Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p. 415 (1878) (Porto Rico).—Lawr. Pr.
U. S. Nat. Mus. I, p. 488 (1878) (Dominica) ; 2b. p. 277 (Grenada).
—Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 216 (1880).—GRISDALE, Ibis, 1882, p. 486
‘Montserrat).—Cory, Bds. Haiti & San Domingo, p. 182 (1885) ;
zd. List Bds. W. I. p. 34 (1885).—WEL Ls, List Bds. Grenada, p. 12.
(1886).

Sterna (Anous) stolida BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. XI, p. 97 (1867)
(San Domingo).

Abundant in the Bahamas and Antilles.

Famity PROCELLARIIDA.

Genus Oceanites Krys. & BLAs.

Oceanites KEYSERLING & Buiasius, Wirb Eur. I, p. xciii, 1840.

Oceanites oceanicus (KuHL). ȴ

Procellaria oceanica KUHL, Beitr. Zool. 1820, Mon. Proc. p. 136, pl. 10,
fie e 1.

Thalassidroma wilsontt BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., VII, p. 131
(1859) (Bahamas).

Oceanites wilsont GUNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 394 (1866); 7d.
J. f. O. 1875, p. 396 (Cuba).

Oceanites oceantca Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 218 (1880).

Oceanttes oceanicus Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 34 (1886).—WELLSs, List Bds.
Grenada, p. 12 (1886).

Bahamas and Antilles.

1S8S.] Cory ox the Birds of the West Indies. SI

Genus 4Estrelata Bp.

“istrelata BONAPARTE, Consp. Avium, II, p. 188, 1856.

fEstrelata jamaicensis (BaAncr.).

Procellaria jamaicensts BANCR. Zool. Journ. V, p. 81 (1828).

‘“*@strelata cartbea AUCT.”

Blue Mountain Duck Gosser, Bds. Jam. p. 437 (1847).

Pterodroma caribb@a Carte, P. Z. 8. 1866, p. 93, pl. X.

Petrodroma cartbbeus GRAY, Handl, Bds. III, p. 107 (1871).

strelata jamaicensis A. & E. NEwron, Handb. Jamaica, p. 117 (1881).—
Bp. Bwr. & Ripew. Hist. N. Am. W. Bds. II, p. 394 (1884).—Cory,
List. Bds. W. I. p. 34 (1885).

Sp. CHar. Male :—General plumage dark sooty brown, paling slightly
on the chin, forehead and upper part of the back, joining the neck ;
rump brownish black; upper tail-coverts dull white; quills and tail
brownish black; bill and feet black.

The sexes are similar.
Length, 14.00; wing, 11.00; tail, 4.75; tarsus, 1.40; bill, 1.25 to
TSO:

Hapirat. Jamaica.

fEstrelata hasitata (KUHL).

Procellaria hasitata ‘*Kuut, Mon. Proc. Beitr. Zool. p. 142, No. 11 (1820).”

? Procellaria diabolica L’HERMINIER, MSS.—Lawre. Pr. U. S. Nat.
Mus. 1879, p- 450 (Gaudeloupe).

@strelata hesitata Bo. Bwr. & Ripew. Hist. N. Am. W. Bds. II, pp.
394-395 (1884) (Haiti).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 34 (1885).

[tis probable that this bird is occasionally to be found in the
West Indies. One specimen, ciaimed to have been taken near
Haiti, is now in the British Museum.

Genus Puffinus Briss.
Puffinus Brisson, Orn. VI, p. 131, 1760.

Puffinus major Faser.

Piuffinus major FABER, Prodr. Isl. Orn. p. 56 (1822).—Cory, Bds. Bahama
I. p. 218 (1880).—zd. List Bds. W. I. p. 34 (1885).

Recorded from the Bahama Islands.

Puffinus auduboni Finscn. “~

Puffinus obscurus BRYANT. Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 132 (1859)
(Bahamas).—Scr. P. Z.S. 1879. p. 765 (Montserrat).—Cory, Bds.

82 BREWSTER 0x New Birds from Mexico and the Bahamas. [January

Bahama I. p. 219 (1880); 76. Bds. Haiti & San Domingo, p. 184
(1885).

Procellaria obscura BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. XI, p. 98 (1867)
(San Domingo).

Puffinus audubont Finscu, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 111 (Bahamas).—GUNDL.
J. f. O. 1881, p. 400 (Cuba).—Cory, List Bds. W. I. p. 34 (1855).

Sp. CHAR.—Above glossy brown, shading into grayish upon the sides of
the breast; below white; crissum brown and white; tail brown, the
feathers faintly tipped with ashy; bill lead-color.

Length, 12.50; wing, 8.00; tail, 4.25; tarsus, 1.60; bill, 1.30.

Hasitat. Bahamas and Greater Antilles.
(To be concluded.)

DESCRIPTIONS OF SUPPOSED NEW BIRDS FROM
LOWER CALIFORNIA, SONORA, AND CHIHUA-
HUA, MEXICO, AND THE: BAHAMAS:

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

DurinG the past year I have received a large number of birds
trom Mexico, representing three distinct collections, one made
by Mr. M. Abbott Frazar in Lower California between January 24
and December 31, 1887; another by Mr. J. C. Cahoon in the east-
ern central part of Sonora between January 31 and June 18, 1887;
and the third by Mr. R. R. McLeod in the extreme western
portions of Chihuahua during the years 1883, 1884 and 1885.
The last, although comprising only about two hundred skins,
has proved particularly rich in new and little known birds.

Full lists of the species taken or observed by each of these col-
lectors, with such field notes as they have placed in my hands,
will be prepared and published as soon as possible, the present
paper being restricted to the supposed new species or subspecies.
In determining these I have received invaluable aid from Mr.
Ridgway who has been at much personal trouble in examining
and reporting on the numerous specimens which I have submitted
to him, and through whose kind offices I have been able to
compare neatly all of the new birds with series, often including
the types, of their nearest allies trom the collection of the
National Museum.

In my descriptions the names of colors have been determined,

i

1888.] BREWSTER oz New Birds from Mexico and the Bahamas. 83

in nearly all cases, by careful comparison with the plates in Mr.
Ridgway’s ‘Nomenclature of Colors.” My measurements are in
English inches and hundredths. I measure the wing with dividers
from the bend to the tip of the longest primary, thus taking the
chord, not the curve, of the wing. I measure the tail from the
extremity of the oil glands to the end of the longest rectrix.

Ardea virescens frazari,* new subspecies.—FRAZAR’S GREEN HERON.

Sussp. CHAR.—Similar to A. virescens but rather larger, the general
coloring darker, duller, and more uniform; the neck more purplish, its
sides as well as the forehead strongly glaucous; the light striping on the
throat and fore neck more restricted.

& ad. (No. 14134, collection of W. Brewster, La Paz, Lower California,
Feb. 7, 1887; M. Abbott Frazar). Top of head and occipital crest dark
bottle-green, the forehead with a slight hoary or plumbeous cast; a narrow
stripe of creamy buff, spotted rather thickly and coarsely with dull black,
extending down the middle of the throat and fore neck; remainder of head
and neck dark purplish maroon, tinged—most strongly on sides of neck—
with hoary or glaucous; rest of upper parts nearly uniform dull green,
varied, however, by a plumbeous tone on the primaries, a purplish brown
tinge on the dorsal plumes, anda narrow rusty edging on both webs of
most of the upper wing-coverts; edge of wing rusty white; lining of wing,
under wing-coverts, and the lower parts generally, plain slate-gray. Wing,
7.04; tarsus, 2.22; culmen from feathers, 2.52.

A second specimen (@ ad. La Paz, Feb. 14, 1887) is precisely similar
in coloring to the bird just described. It measures, wing, 7.37; tarsus,
2.28; culmen from feathers, 2.50.

Habitat. Near La Paz, Lower California.

Although the points of difference between this bird and true
A. virescens ave not easily expressed, they are nevertheless
apparent on the most casual comparison, or, indeed, without any
comparison whatever. The deeper, more purplish maroon of
the neck with its decided glaucous tinge, is perhaps the best
character of the new form. None of the specimens in the
National Museum from the west coast of Mexico show any
approach to frazar?, all being apparently true verescens.

Ardea bahamensis, new species. —BAHAMA GREEN HERON.

Sp. CHar.—Smaller than A. virescens; the general coloring much
paler, browner, or yellower, and more uniform; the forehead strongly
tinged with brownish; the light edging of the secondaries broader; the
dorsal plumes and rump only slightly, sometimes notat all, greenish.

& ad. (No. 108,819, collection Nat. Mus., Watling’s Island, Bahamas,

*To M. Abbott Frazar of Watertown, Mass,

@) . .
54 BREWSTER 0x New Birds from Mexico and the Bahamas. {January

March 8, 1886). Top of head dark, dull green strongly tinged with
brownish on the forehead; throat, jugulum and fore neck creamy white
with dusky spotting on the jugulum; remainder of head and neck light
chestnut, approaching cinnamon in places; fore part and sides of back
rusty cinnamon; rump and most of upper tail-coverts drab; dorsal plumes
dull greenish, the central ones glaucous with a tinge of lilac; wings and
tail dull green, the wing-coverts edged broadly on both webs, the second-
aries more narrowly on the outer webs only, with rusty or whitish; under
wing-coverts, breast, abdomen, crissum and sides of body light yellowish
drab.

2 «d. (No. 108,814, collection Nat. Mus., Rum Cay, Bahamas, March 2,
1886). Similar to the @ just described, but with the dorsal plumes duller,
browner, and more strongly tinged with lilac.

A third specimen without sex mark (No. 108,645, collection Nat. Mus.,
Abaco, Bahamas, April 3, 1886), differs from both of those just mentioned
in having the sides of head and neck as well as the fore back yellowish
rusty or cinnamon rusty with scarcely a tinge of chestnut; the dorsal
plumes brownish glaucous rather strongly glossed with lilac and without
apparent greenish; and the wing-coverts very broadly edged with brownish
white.

Measurements, extremes of six specimens: Wing, 6.15-6.50; tarsus,
1.75-2.08; bill (culmen from feathers), 2.09-2.54.

Flabttat. Bahamas (Rum Cay, Watling’s Island, Abaco).

All of the eight specimens of this Heron which I have examined
are distinguishable at a glance from A. vzrescens by their decid-
edly paler, browner and more uniform coloring. The difference is
hardly of a kind or degree that would warrant the separation of
the new form as a full species, were it not for its island habitat
which, of course, renders intergradation with A. vzrescens
improbable. The latter, curiously enough, seems to be generally
distributed throughout the remainder of the West Indies, for, in
the rather large West Indian series in Mr. Cory’s collection and
that of the National Museum, I do not find any birds that difter
appreciably from vzrescens, excepting possibly in size, the West
Indian skins averaging considerably smaller than those from the
United States at large, although they are not apparently smaller
than those from Florida.

Hematopus frazari,* new species.—FRAZAR’s OYSTER CATCHER.

Sp. CHAR.—Differing from H. pallizatus in having a stouter, more de-
pressed bill, little or no white on the eyelids, the back, scapulars, and
wing-coverts richer and deeper brown, the primaries and tail-feathers
darker, the upper tail-coverts more or less varied with brown and white,

* To M. Abbott Frazar of Watertown, Mass.

1888.] BREWSTER oz New Birds from Mexico and the Bahamas. 85
the lateral under tail-coverts marked with brown, the bend of the wing
and greater under primary coverts mottled with black and white; from
H. galapagensts in the rather shorter bill and distinctly brown (instead
of sooty black) back, scapulars, and wing-coverts, dark markings on the
under tail-coverts, and greater amount of white on the under primary
coverts; from both faldiiatus and galapagens/s in the broad zone of mottled
black and white feathers extending across the breast.

& ad. (No. 14135, collection of W. Brewster, Carmen Island, Gulf of
California, March 6, 1887; M. Abbott Frazar). Entire head and neck black
with a greenish gloss most pronounced on the jugulum and hind neck;
back, scapulars, lesser and middle wing-coverts rich seal-brown; wing
quills, and tail-feathers brownish black, very much darker than the back, the
concealed bases of the secondaries and tail-feathers pure white; shorter
upper tail-coverts concolor with the back, longer ones white with broad
bars and spots of brown on their tips and inner webs; under tail-coverts
white with large, irregular bars and spots of brown on their outer webs;
black of throat andjugulum extending rather farther down over the breast
than in either . pallzatus or H. galapagensis, and separated from the
immaculate white of the lower breast, abdomen, anal region and sides by
a broad zone of mottled black and white feathers; inner surface of prima-
ries and greater under wing-coverts plain drab; middle under wing-coverts
and contiguous exposed edge of wing mottled with dark brown and white,
the brown prevailing; most of the remaining under wing-coverts and all
the axillary feathers immaculate white; a trace of whitish at the bases of
the feathers of the lower eyelids. Bill dull carmine; legs and feet flesh-
color.*

>?)
10.27 ; tail, 3.90-4.26; tarsus, 2.18-2.30; bill, length from nostril, 2.35-
from feathers, 2.99-3.05 : eepu: at angle, .49-.53.
FHlabitat. Pacific and Gulf Coasts of Lower California.

Measurements, extremes of three specimens, all males: wing 9-75-
eh

7
SW /D

Although in several respects intermediate between HZ. galapa-
gensis and F1. palliatus, this Oyster Catcher seems to be specifi-
cally distinct from either. Mr. Frazar found it common and
evidently preparing to breed on the sandy islands and shores
of the Gulf to the northward of La Paz, but, mistaking it for /7/.
palliatus, secured only three specimens. These present the
characters above detailed, with almost perfect uniformity. <A
fourth example in the collection of the National Museum (Cor-
onado Island, May 17, 1881, L. Belding) from the Pacific coast
of the peninsula has a rather deeper bill and less white mottling
on the breast. The latter difference, however, may be apparent
rather than real, for the head is bent over on the back and the
skin otherwise so distorted that it cannot be satisfactorily exam-

* In the dried specimen,

86 BrewsTER on New Birds from Mexico and the Bahamas. {January

ined. It is a curious fact that in the National Museum collection
true FZ. pallzatus is represented from Isabella Island (west coast
of Mexico), Tehuantepec, Peru, and Chili.

Columba fasciata vioscz,* new subspecies.—VI0SCA’s PIGEON.

Sp. CHAR.—Similar to C. fascfata but with the tail band wanting or
only faintly indicated, the general coloring lighter and more uniform, the
vinaceous tints, especially on the head, neck and breast, much fainter and
more or less replaced by bluish ash.

& ad. (No. 14138, collection of W. Brewster, La Laguna, Lower Califor-
nia, May 30, 1887; M. Abbott Frazar). Above bluish ash, deepest and
purest on wing-coverts and rump, palest (nearly plain drab) on terminal
half of tail, tinged slightly with olive brown on back and scapulars, and
very faintly with vinaceous on the crown; a narrow half collar of white
across upper hind neck, the remainder of the hind neck dull, metallic,
bronzy green; primaries dark slaty brown; primaries, secondaries, and
wing-coverts edged narrowly with white; basal half of tail uniform with
rump, the terminal half drab (whitish on under side of the teathers), the
two colors not separated by black asin C. fascéafa, but merely shading
rather abruptly into one another; under tail-coverts, crissum, and anal
region white; abdomen whitish; flanks, sides, and under wing-coverts
nearly concolor with the rump but a little lighter ; remainder of underparts
pinkish vinaceous with a strong tinge of glaucous; feet and basal two
thirds of bill dull yellow, the terminal third of the bill black. Wing, 8.69;
tail, 5.36; tarsus, 1.15; bill from feathers, .66.

ad. (No. 14139, collection of W. Brewster, La Laguna, Lower Califor-
nia, May 31, 1887; M. Abbott Frazar). Smaller than the @, and slightly
duller, the top of head browner. Wing, 8.00; tail, 5.47; tarsus, 1.07; bill
from feathers, .69.

flabitat. Lower California.

The characters above proposed are shown by the large series
(over one hundred specimens) before me to be sufficiently well
marked and constant to entitle the Lower California bird to sub-
specific separation. Its general coloring is much paler and more
uniform than that of true fascéata, the crown being faintly instead
of strongly tinged with vinaceous, the underparts glaucous, instead
of purplish, vinaceous, the back much ashier and less brownish.
As arule the tail-band is either wholly lacking or only faintly
indicated, but a very few specimens have it distinctly marked.
In fasczata, as far as I] have observed, it is always present.
Thirteen specimens of fascéata before me from various parts of
the United States and the mainland of Mexico show only a

* To Mr. Viosca, United States Consul at La Paz, Lower California,

1888. ] BREWSTER on New Birds from Mexico and the Bahamas. 87

trifling variation in coloring. The lightest bird among them
is darker than my darkest example of C. f. véosce.

At Mr. Frazar’s request I have named this bird after Mr.
Viosca, the U. S. Consul at La Paz, who has been most kind
and helpful in furthering the success of Mr. Frazar’s explorations.

Megascops aspersus.* new species.—SPOTTED SCREECH OWL.

Sp. CHAR.—Sides of head conspicuously fringed with black bristles,
longest on auriculars and superciliary ruffs; tarsi densely feathered on all
sides to the toes, the latter sparsely feathered above; throat and sides of
neck pale rusty chestnut; remainder of plumage coarsely spotted and
barred almost everywhere with dull black.

Q ad. (No. 14125, collection of W. Brewster, El Carmen, Chihuahua,
Mexico, May 6, 1884; R. R. McLeod). Sides of head from the lores to
the auriculars both above and below the eye, but not including the ‘ear-
tufts,’ with a fringe of fine, black, hair-like bristles formed by the elongation
of the shafts and denuded terminal barbs of the feathers, these bristles
longest on the auriculars and superciliary ruffs where they project half an
inch or more. General coloring above dark brownish drab, below grayish
white, the feathers of the top of head, hind neck, back, scapulars, wing
coverts, and most of the underparts coarsely streaked longitudinally, and
broadly barred transversely, with dull black; throat, tibia, and a narrow
space on the side of the neck, pale rusty chestnut barred with dark brown
or dull black; anal region and lower half of tarsi immaculate; under
tail-coverts with a few small spots of brown; forehead, lores, and anterior
half of the auriculars finely barred with dark brown; under wing-coverts
pinkish buff, a few of the feathers with fine dark streaks; rump nearly
immaculate; tail crossed by about six narrow, rusty white bars fairly well
defined on all the feathers excepting the central pair where they are only
faintly indicated; scapulars with large, irregularly ovate, brownish white
spots confined chiefly to the outer webs of the feathers; primaries and
secondaries pale clove-brown, the primaries coarsely spotted or ‘notched:
on their outer webs with grayish, more or less rusty, white, these spots
darker and duller on the inner three feathers; outer webs of secondaries
similarly, but more obscurely spotted; inner webs of both primaries and
secondaries with large buffy white spots separated from the shafts of all
the feathers by a space of plain clove-brown, and on the primaries con-
spicuous only on the basal portion of each quill, although faintly indicated
on its terminal half also. Length,t 7.50; extent,f 16.25; wing, 5.66;
tail, 2.89; tarsus, 1.17; middle toe, .67; culmen from nostril, .40; greatest
depth of bill, .41: length of longest feathers of ear tufts, 1.00.

Young in first plumage (2 No. 14126. collection W. Brewster, El
Carmen, Aug. 22, 1884; R. R. McLeod). General coloring paler than
in the adult, the ground color above pinkish drab, that of the underparts
muddy white, the coarse black streaks and bars wanting, but most of the

* Aspersus = spotted.
} Collector’s measurements from fresh specimen.

SS Brewster ox New Birds from Mexico and the Bahamas. {January

plumage barred finely and rather faintly with reddish brown; under wing

and tail-coverts immaculate; rump, wings, and tail precisely as in the

adult, and sides of head with similar but less long and abundant bristies.
Habitat. Province of Chihuahua, Mexico.

This species is probably related rather closely to Scops bar-
barus Scl., with which it agrees (judging by descriptions, for I
have seen no specimens of daréarus) in general style of colora-
tion as well as in the possession of the curious fringe of bristles
on the sides of the head, but from which it differs in the rusty
chestnut of the throat and neck, the more numerous and con-
spicuous blackish spots and bars, and the more extended feathering
on the legs and feet.

Megascops vinaceus,* new species.—CHIHUAHUA SCREECH OWL.

Sp. Cuar.—Most nearly like MZ. cooferz, but much smaller and lighter
colored.

9, ad. (No. 14124, collection of W. Brewster, Durasno, Chihuahua,
Mexico, Dec. 2, 1884; R.R. McLeod). Above pinkish, in places rusty
drab. all the feathers except the outer primaries vermiculated with
dark brown, those of the forehead, crown, ‘ear-tufts,’ back, scapulars, and
wing-coverts with rather narrow shaft streaks of blackish or clove-brown.
Primaries. secondaries and tail-feathers barred with light wood-brown, the
bars on the tail narrow and distinct excepting on ashort space near the
tips of the feathers where they are broken and confused, those of the
the wings broad, distinct on the outer webs of the primaries where they
form a conspicuous light notching, but on the inner webs of these feath-
ers, as well as on both webs of the secondaries, only dimly outlined;
cheeks, throat and entire underparts ashy white tinged with pinkish
buff, most of the feathers with fine, wavy transverse bars of dull brown,
those of the breast, abdomen, and under tail-coverts with narrow, sharply
outlined mesial streaks of dark clove-brown; sides of neck and middle of
breast with coarser, broader spots of the same color; tibiz and tarsj
tinged with rusty chestnut, and flecked with burnt umber. Under wing-
coverts creamy buff with sparse flecks of brown. Wing, 5.55; tarsus, 1.25;
tail, 3.04; middle toe, .70; bill, length from nostril, .47; depth at nostril,
.43; longest feathers of ear-tufts, .96.

Habitat. Province of Chihuahua, Mexico.

Otophanes,} new genus.

Gen. Cuar. Bill long, narrow, slender, with tubular nostrils opening for
wardand outward, not upward; the gape with long, stiff, naked bristles curv-
ing downward and inward, meeting and overlapping under the chin; tarsus
naked, about equal to middle toe; tail long (only about .80 inch shorter than
wing), and slightly rounded, (graduation about .25 inch) ; wing compar-

* Vinaceus = vinaceous, of a pinkish color.
5 Y ‘
+ ovs (a@tos) ear; hatvw show.

1888.] BREWSTER on New Birds from Mexico and the Bahamas. 89

atively short and rounded, the second and third quills equal and longest, the
fourth slightly shorter, the first and fifth decidedly shorter than the fourth
and equal. Plumage peculiarly soft and velvety; eyes bordered in front
and above by semi-circlets of radiating feathers, the tips directed upward
and outward forming distinct superciliary ruffs or shields which extend
from the gape along the sides of the crown to the occiput where they ter-
minate in tufts of elongated feathers, erectile in life and precisely similar
in form and position to the ‘ear tufts’ of Megascofs. The superciliary
shields, also, are curiously Owl-like. The superciliary shields. as well as
the feathers along the maxillary line and many of the auriculars, are
tipped with a fringe of delicate, black, hair-like bristles of varying length.
the longest extending about .30 inch beyond the ends of the feathers.
Examined under a glass these bristles prove to be elongated shafts and
terminal barbs lacking the barbules.

This remarkable genus is too strongly characterized to require
comparison with either of its probably nearest allies, Azztros-
tomus and Phalenoptilus. The,type is:

Otophanes mcleodii,* new species.—EARED WHIPPOORWILL.

2 ad. (No. 14123, collection of W. Brewster, Sierra Madre of Chi-
huahua, Mexico, Dec. 6, 1884; R. R. McLeod). Jugulum and tips of
the tail-feathers (excepting the central pair) white; throat and cheeks
light raw umber; remainder of the plumage reddish brown, varying in
shade from light vandyke to burnt umber; the feathers almost every-
where (excepting on the white areas) delicately vermiculated with
dull brown or grayish; a broad tipping on the central feathers of the
crown, the shoulders, wings, tail, a band across the breast, another across
the abdomen, and some large, more or less regularly heart-shaped spots
on the scapulars, burnt umber, deepest on the crown, shoulders and scap-
ular spots, several of the latter approaching seal-brown; some of the
feathers of the abdomen and wing-coverts spotted with brownish white ;
primaries and secondaries tipped (the former to some extent edged, also)
with light vandyke brown and crossed with numerous, rather narrow, dull
black bands; all the tail-feathers excepting the central pair tipped with
white, more or less tinged with rusty; this white tipping broadest on the
second and third pair (counting the feathers inward), slightly narrower on
the first pair, narrowest and strongly rusty on the fourth pair; its width
varying from .25 to .45 of aninch. The second and third pairs of feathers
have the white bounded basally by brownish black, immaculate on the
inner webs for a space about .75 of an inch deep, but on the outer webs
variegated somewhat with rusty brown; below these dark spaces the feath-
ers just mentioned are banded narrowly across both webs to their bases
with dark brown; the first (outer) and fourth (next to inner) pairs of
feathers are crossed by about ten narrow, well defined brownish black
bands distributed at regular intervals from the white tips to their bases;

*To R. R. McLeod of Houlton, Maine.

go BREWSTER on New Birds from Mexico and the Bahamas. | January

the central pair of feathers are without trace of white; they are barred
faintly and confusedly with dull reddish brown. Wing, 4.82; tail, 3.97;
tarsus, .65; bill, length of culmen from feathers, .20; from nostril, .21;
width at nostril, .15; longest feathers of ear-tufts, .8o.

flabitat. Province of Chihuahua, Mexico.

The type of this curious new genus and species was the only
specimen obtained by Mr. McLeod during his stay in Mexico. It
was brought to him alive by a Mexican boy and kept ina cage
for nearly two weeks. During this time it refused all food
excepting such as was literally forced down its throat. It moved
its ear-tufts precisely as an Owl does, erecting them when
approached or startled by any sudden noise, allowing them to
droop back on the crown when it thought itself alone and safe.
The Mexicans called it by a name which means ‘‘road-stopper,”’
but this, I believe, is a designation given by them to other mem-
bers of the family Caprimulgidze without distinction of species.
Unfortunately the precise place of capture is not recorded on the
label, but judying by the analogy furnished by other labels in
the collection it must have been either near Durasno or
E] Carmen, probably the former.

Empidonax cineritius,* new species.—StT. LucAs FLYCATCHER.

Sp. CHAR.—Most nearly like Z. défictl’s but with the general coloring
much duller, the upperparts with scarcely a tinge of greenish, no decided
yellow beneath, excepting on jugulum and abdomen; wing-bands brown-
ish white.

6 ad. (No. 14136, collection of W. Brewster, La Laguna, Lower Cali-
fornia, May 12, 1887; M. Abbot Frazar). Sides of head and neck and
entire upperparts plain hair-brown, darkest on wings and tail, with the
faintest possible tinge of olive on crown and nape; wing-bands and
outer edges of secondaries brownish white; jugulum, abdomen, and cris-
sum pale, slightly brownish, straw-yellow; breast ecru-drab; throat a
duller, slightly browner, shade of the same; lores and a poorly defined
orbital ring brownish white; bend of wing and under wing-coverts straw-
yellow. Wing, 2.64; tail, 2.40; tarsus, .68; bill from nostril, .36. Sexes
similar. (Type of 2 No. 14137, collection of W. Brewster, La Laguna,
Lower California, April 27, 1887; M. Abbott Frazar).

That the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher of the extreme southern
portion of the peninsula of Lower California is distinct from its
representative 4. dzfiictl7s of the mainland of western North

America, is shown conclusively by a series of some twenty-five

* Cineritius = ashy.

1888. ] BREWSTER ox New Birds from Mexico and the Bahamas. gl

spring and summer specimens collected by Mr. Frazar. Among
these the differences just pointed out are represented with great
uniformity. In almost any other group of birds they would be
perhaps hardly sufficient to warrant more than a subspecific sepa-
ration, but with our North American /fzdonaces the characters
which distinguish forms proved by their habits, eggs, etc. to be
perfectly distinct species, are often so slight as to be of little
diagnostic value in the absence of series of determined specimens
for comparison. Accordingly as I have no proof that the Fly-
catcher described above actually intergrades with its near ally
£L. dificilis, it seems wisest to claim for it the rank of a full
species. Its characters will be found, I think, more constant
and easily available than those which distinguish &. wezz¢mus
from Z. trazl/z or, to use an illustration more to the point, 2.
dt fiictlis from FE. flaviventris. The true dzfficelis, by the way,
occurs in Lower California in winter.

Icterus wagleri castaneopectus,* new subspecies. —-CHESTNUT-BREASTED
ORIOLE.

Sussp. CHAR.—Similar to 7. wagler7 but rather larger, the breast with
a broad band of chestnut.

& ad (No. 14131, collection of W. Brewster, collector’s number 638,
Oposura, Sonora, Mexico, April 13, 1887; J. C. Cahoon). Head, neck,
chest, back, scapulars, wings (excepting lesser and middle upper coverts
and all the under coverts) and tail (with its upper and under coverts)
deep, rather glossy, black; remainder of plumage, including the lesser
and middle upper and all the under wing-coverts, rich brownish prange ;
black of throat and chest separated from orange of remaining underparts
by a conspicuous band of chestnut, neariy half an inch wide on the centre
of the breast, narrowing rapidly towards its extremities which are about
opposite the shoulders. Length,f 9.00; extent, 12.75; wing, 4-15} tail,
4.17; tarsus, 1.00; bill from nostril, .58. ‘‘Bill black, pale horn-color on
sides of lower mandible at base.”

Habitat. Mountain regions of Sonora and Chihuahua,

Mexico.

I have before me eight examples of this Oriole, six taken
in Chihuahua by Mr. McLeod, two in Sonora by Mr. Cahoon.
Of these, seven present the characters above mentioned with al-

* Castaneus = chestnut; fectus = breast.

+ Collector’s measurement of fresh bird.

Q2 BREWSTER ox New Birds from Mexico and the Bahamas. [January

most perfect uniformity. ‘The eighth has only a trace of the
chestnut pectoral band, but its absence is probably due to the
fact that the bird is either young or very immature, as is shown by
the dull, faded appearance of the black portions of the plumage,
by the paleness of the yellow of the underparts, and still more
conclusively by the light edging on some of the tail-feathers.
Among the fourteen specimens of wag¢ervz examined, there is not
one which has any approach to a chestnut band, although a few
show traces of chestnut along the line of demarcation between
the black and yellow of the underparts, thus indicating the prob-
ability of intergradation at points where the two forms meet.
Typical wagler¢ is represented in the National Museum collec-
tion by specimens from Tepic, Guadalaxara, Guanajuato and
Coahuilla. Hence, its range extends nearly halfaround the habitat
of castaneopectus. The latter is probably confined to the upper
slopes and table lands of the Sierra Madre of Chihuahua and
Sonora, where it is perhaps resident, for Mr. McLeod found it
in Chihuahua late in December. Both torms may be confidently
expected to occur as stragglers north of the Mexican boundary,
waglert along the Rio Grande, castaneopectus in the mountains
of Southern Arizona.

Aimophila mcleodii,* new species.—McLrEop’s SPARROW.

Sp. CHar.—Larger than A. rufescens but with the bill smaller (both
shorter and slenderer) ; colors duller and more uniform; crown chestnut
without trace ofa median stripe; wings and tail nearly concolor with back.

oi ad.’ (Nog14127, collection of W. Brewster, El Carmen, Chihuahua,
Mexico, June 3, 1885; R. R. McLeod). ‘Top of head dull chestnut, per-
fectly uniform on the crown, but witha few lighter colored feathers on the
forehead near the base of the culmen; remainder of upperparts olive
brown, tinged slightly with pale chestnut on the nape, interscapulars and
wings, a few of the interscapulars with clove-brown shaft-streaks ; wing-
coverts and tertials tipped with drab; sides of head and neck plain hair-
brown with a short, poorly defined post-ocular stripe of dull chestnut;
entire lower parts light wood-brown, lightest—approaching brownish
white—on the jugulum and abdomen, deepest —clayey—on the throat,
flanks, and under tail-coverts; a distinct, broad, but short, blackish stripe
on each side of the throat, bordered above by a maxillary stripe of the
same color as the throat; lores dusky, bordered above by a brownish
white stripe which starts at the nostril, and just above the eye is lost in
the darker (hair-brown) color of the sides of the head; bend of wing and

* To R, R. McLeod of Houlton, Maine.

/

1888.] BREWSTER ox New Birds from Mexico and the Bahamas. 93

under wing-coverts whitish. Wing, 3.00; tail, 3.40; tarsus, -g0; culmen
from nostril, .42; depth of bill at nostril, .33.

2 ad. (No 214128, collection of W. Brewster, El Carmen, Nov. 10, 1884;
R. R. McLeod). Much smaller than the male, the stripes on sides of throat
duller and less conspicuous, the occiput and nape spotted with clove-
brown. Wing, 2.55; tail, 2.75; tarsus, .88; culmen from nostril, .40;
depth of bill at nostril, 32.

Aimophila cahooni,* new species.—CAHOON’s SPARROW.

Sp. CHArR.—Of about the sizeand proportions of A. mcleod?? but decided-
ly paler and grayer, the general coloring not unlike that of A. sumichras-
tz; the central feathers on top of head, especially on the forehead and
occiput, tipped with ashy, which tends to forma median crown stripe;
throat and central portion of abdomen nearly pure white, in contrast with
the remainder of the underparts.

S ad. (No&14129, collection of W. Brewster, collector’s number 1074,
near Oposura, Sonora, Mexico, June 2, 1887; J. C. Cahoon). Top of head
pale chestnut, the feathers of the middle portion with light tips and edges;
sides of head and neck, breast, and sides of body, smoke-gray, deepening
on the flanks and under tail-coverts to broccoli-brown; throat and abdo-
men soiled white, the throat with a short, broad blackish stripe on each
side, bordered above by a whitish maxillary stripe; lores and auriculars
dusky gray; eyelids and superciliary stripe anterior to the eye, nearly
pure white; a short post-ocular stripe of dull chestnut; wing-coverts,
nape, back, and rump grayish olive, the interscapulars, wing-coverts and
feathers of the hind neck with reddish brown centres, some of them with
clove-brown shaft-streaks also; wings and tail brownish drab, tinged with
cinnamon on the outer webs of the secondaries and on both webs of the
tail-feathers, the latter with the faintest possible indication of dark bars;
wing-coverts and tertials edged and tipped with pale drab; bill bluish
horn-color; legs and feet light brown. Length,f 7.50; extent,t 9.45; wing,
3-15; tail, 3.36; culmen from nostril, .40; depth of bill at nostril, .30.

2 ad. (NoZ14130, collection of W. Brewster, collector's number 1047,
near Oposura, May 31, 1887; J. C. Cahoon). Smaller than the male and
rather grayer; the dark stripes on sides of throat duller and less well
defined; feathers of a wide space over the centre of the crown extending
from the hind neck nearly to the forehead, broadly tipped with smoke-gray,
this light space bordered on each side from the crown to the lower hind neck
by a band of dark brown or blackish spots, the two bands nearly meeting
at their posterior extremities. Length,t 7.25; extent,t 9.25; wing, 2.79;
tail, 2.98; tarsus, .97; culmen from nostril, 43; depth of bill at nostril,
-40.
flabitat. Mountains near Oposura, Sonora, Mexico.

* To J. C. Cahoon of Taunton, Mass.

{ Collector's measurements of fresh specimen,

94 3REWSTER on New Birds from Mexico and the Bahamas. {January

Mr. Cahoon collected fourteen specimens of this fine new AZmo-
phita. Among these the chief variation is in respect to the
extent of the ashy tipping on the top of the head and the black
spotting on the head and back. Some birds have the greater
part of the crown ashy, the chestnut being confined to two stripes,
one on each side. Others show only a faint trace of light color
on the crown, and this confined to the tips of a few of the central
feathers, but nearly all have a distinct, if short, medial light stripe
invading the forehead from the base of the bill. In still others
there is more or less blackish on the forehead with a well defined
stripe of black or blackish spots extending from the forehead
along each side of the crown to beyond the occiput. Abundant
and conspicuous black streaking on the interscapulars is some-
times associated with the presence of these black head-stripes,
sometimes found without them. Ina very few birds the chest-
nut post-ocular stripe is also spotted with black.

The three forms of Azmophzla just considered form a gradu-
ated series of which A. rufescens is the smallest and most deep-
ly colored, A. cahoonz the palest and gravest, as well as,
probably, the largest, A. mzcleodz¢ being in many respects inter-
mediate between the two, although apparently most nearly
related to A. cahoonz. The latter seems to be colored some-
what like A. swmchrasté (of which I have seen only descrip-
tions) but it is very much larger. The range of variation
exhibited by my series of A. cahooné renders it not improbable
that all four of the forms just mentioned will be found to inter-
grade at points where their respective habitats meet, but the
characters which distinguish them are too well marked and the
material available too scanty to warrant any present action based
on such a hypothesis. I have accordingly presented both the
new forms as full species.

Troglodytes cahooni,* new species. —CAHOON’S WREN.

Sp. CuHar.—Most nearly allied to 7. drunnezcollzs Scl., but rather
smaller, the tail decidedly shorter, the general coloring, both above and
beneath, very much paler and grayer, the bars on the flanks and abdo-
men faint or nearly obsolete.

& ad. (No. 14132, collection of W. Brewster, collector’s number 1045, near
Oposura, Sonora, Mexico, May 13, 1887; J. C. Cahoon). Above grayish
brown, the rump, tail, and wings slightly reddish but not decidedly rusty;

* To J. C. Cahoon of Taunton, Mass.

1888. ] Fifth Meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union. 95

the back barred faintly, the wings and tail more distinctly, with darker
brown; abdomen, crissum, anal region, and under tail-coverts soiled
white, faintly flecked with brown on the flanks and under tail-coverts;
remainder of underparts pale wood-brown; sides of head and neck flecked
with grayish brown on a wood-brown ground; a poorly defined, incon-
spicuous, light superciliary stripe. Upper mandible dark*; lower mandi-
ble and feet pale flesh-color.* Length,* 4.75; extent,* 6.40; wing, 1.92;
tail, 1.40; tarsus, .66; bill from nostril, .37. Sexes alike; type of 2 No.
14133, collection of W. Brewster, same date, place, and collector as the @.
Flabitat. Mountains near Oposura, Sonora, Mexico.

In general color and markings this species closely resembles
T. a. parkmani, from which it is easily distinguishable, how-
ever, by its very much shorter tail and more tawny coloring
beneath. It is evidently most nearly allied to 7. draunneccollis.
Among the eight specimens collected by Mr. Cahoon there is
some variation with respect to the color of the underparts, but
the deepest colored bird is much paler beneath than any spec-
imen that I have seen of 7. druznetcoll7’s. One example is pecu-
liar in having the bars on the tail confused and _ indistinct.
Another has the superciliary stripe fairly well defined.

FIFTH MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOL-
OGISTS’ UNION.

Tue fifth meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union was
held at the Museum of the Boston Society of Natural History,
Boston, Mass., Oct. 11-13, 1887, the President in the chair.
The meeting was attended by seventeen Active Members and
twelve Associate Members. The report of the Secretary stated
that the membership of the Union consisted of 46 Active Mem-
bers, 25 Foreign Members, 70 Corresponding Members, and
143 Associate Members. ‘The Union had lost by death during the
year one of its founders and Councillors, Prof. Spencer F. Baird,
—a loss irreparable to the Union, and one deeply felt through-
out the scientific world. The date of the meeting for this year

* From collector’s notes based on the fresh specimen.

96 Fifth Meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union. [January

had been fixed with special reference to Professor Baird’s con-
venience, as he had given assurance that if he were alive, he
would attend the meeting if held in Boston the second week in
October. Hence the sense of loss was forcibly impressed upon
all. His death occurred, as is well known,* at Wood’s Holl,
Mass., August 19, 1887.

In the death of Dr. J. M. Wheaton, at Columbus, Ohio, Jan.
28, 1887, the Union also lost another original member, and an
ornithologist of prominence, and one held in great esteem by his
fellow-members. Dr. Julius von Haast, Director of the Canter-
bury Museum, Christchurch, New Zealand, a Corresponding
Member of the Union, died at Bonn, August 15, 1887. Dr.
Haast was especially known for his admirable researches respect-
ing the remarkable extinct birds of New Zealand.

Mr. Samuel Wells Willard, of West DePere, Wis., an Asso-
ciate Member, died at Chatanooga, Tenn., May 24, 1887, at the
age of 28. He was a young man of unusual promise, and will
be long remembered for his excellent work on the migration and
distribution of the birds of Wisconsin.

The Treasurer’s report showed an indebtedness of about five
hundred dollars, resulting mainly from the publication of the
‘Code and Check-List. ‘The Auk,’ during the past year, had
proved self-sustaining.

The report from the Council included, as usual, nominations
for membership, and also a draft of a new Constitution and By-
Laws, and a report of its action in relation to the matter of in-
corporation, both the latter being subjects specially referred to
the Council at the last meeting. Only one candidate was nom-
inated for Active Membership, namely, Dr. F. W. Langdon of Cin-
cinnati, Ohio. Owing to pending radical changes in themanner
of selecting candidates for Active Membership, it was deemed
undesirable by the Council to present other nominations at this
meeting. Dr. Langdon’s case presented peculiar claims, he
having been previously elected at the first meeting of the Union,
and prevented by unfortunate circumstances from availing him-
self of the privilege of membership. Twenty-eight nominations
were reported for Associate Membership.

* See Auk, Vol. IV, p. 358.
{ See Ibid., p. 174.

1888.] Fifth Mecting of the American Ornithologists’ Union. 97

The Constitution and By-Laws presented had been drawn up
by a Committee of the Council, appointed for the purpose last
year,* and had been carefully revised by the Council, and were
now recommended to the Union for adoption.

The matter of incorporation had been considered by the
Council, and the President had been instructed to appoint
a committee, of which he was to be chairman, to secure the
incorporation of the Union under the laws of the State of New
York.

Following the report from the Council came the election of
members, resulting in the election of all of the candidates recom-
mended by the Council. The new Constitution and By-Laws
were then considered, and, with slight modifications, adopted as
presented. f

An election of officers was then held, under the provisions of
the new Constitution and By-Laws, which require seven Coun-
cillors instead of five. This, with the vacancy in the Council
resulting from Professor Baird’s death, required the election
of three new members to the Council. The officers of the
previous year were all re-elected, but Mr. Cory declined to serve
another year as Treasurer, and Mr. William Dutcher was
elected to the vacancy. The additional members of the Coun-
cil are Messrs. Charles B. Cory, D. G. Elliot, and Leonhard
Stejneger.

On suggestion of the President a committee (consisting of Dr.
George Bird Grinnell, William Dutcher, and George B. Sen-
nett) was appointed to co-operate with a committee of the New
York Academy of Sciences in the work of soliciting subscriptions
for the erection of a monument to John James Audubon in Trinity
Church Cemetery, New York City. The tomb of America’s
great bird painter and ornithologist has sadly fallen into decay,
and is very obscurely marked; it therefore seems especially fit-
ting that the American Ornithologists’ Union should take active
measures to aid the movement already started to erect a proper
monument to this distinguished pioneer in American ornithology.

* See Auk, Vol. IV, p. 57.

+ As the new ‘Constitution and By-Laws’—adopted finally under the title ‘By-Laws
and Rules,—are published, together with the Membership Lists, with the present
number of ‘The Auk,’ no special synopsis of them is required in the present connection.

98 Fifth Meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union. {January

Under the call for reports of Committees, the chairman of the
Committee on the Distribution and Migration of Noith Amer-
can Birds (Dr. C. Hart Merriam) made a verbal report, detail-
ing the progress of the work, which is now, as is well known,
carried on under the auspices of the United States Department
of Agriculture, and largely by means of appropriations made by
Congress. The work of gathering data was continued much as
heretofore, through means of circulars and schedules, resulting in
voluminous returns, which were being elaborated as rapidly as
the extent and nature of the work permitted. Economic ques-
tions necessarily required much attention, and the gathering of
food statistics entered largely into the work. Two large ‘Bulle-
tins’ were passing through the press, one being a very elaborate
report on the English Sparrow, and the other Messrs. Cooke and
Widmann’s report on the migration and distribution of birds in
the Mississippi Valley. The report of the Committee was re-
ceived as a report of progress, and the Committee was continued.

The Chairman of the Committee on Bird Protection (Mr.
George B. Sennett) reported that the Committee was doing all
in its power to disseminate information in relation to the subject,
the chief obstacle to its work being the ignorance of the public
on all matters relating to the utility of birds and the measures
necessary for their protection. This ignorance was especially
dense among farmers, who were intensely prejudiced against
Hawks and Owls, and indifferent to the services rendered by
these and many other useful species they were accustomed to re-
gard as enemies and pests. The information the Committee had
gathered respecting the food of Birds of Prey showed conclu-
sively that, with two or three exceptions, these species weie far
more beneficial than harmful, many of them subsisting chiefly
upon field mice and other farm pests. In this connection quite
an extended account was given of the very excellent work of the
Audubon Society. The report wasaccepted asa report of pro-
gress and the Committee continued.

The Committee on Avian Anatomy reported through its
Chairman, Dr. Elliott Coues. The report was mainly eulogis-
tic of the labors of his indefatigable colleague, Dr. Shufeldt,
and an appeal to the Union for its aid in behalf of securing Dr.
Shufeldt’s transfer from a frontier post to one of the larger
cities near the Atlantic seaboard, within reach of the libraries
and museums so indispensable to him in his work.

1888. ] Fifth Meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union. 99

This ended the first day’s session. At the second day’s ses-
sion, under the call for miscellaneous business, the President
referred to the Treasurer’s statement of the indebtedness of the
Union and of the great desirability of providing for its imme-
diate payment. He called attention to the provision made in
the By-Laws adopted the previous day for life membership, and
stated that he thought he saw in this a speedy way of raising
the needed funds. A life membership yielding $roo, five of
them would suffice for present needs. Two members had al-
ready subscribed for life memberships, and another had been
taken conditionally upon five being secured. At this point, Col-
onel N. S. Goss arose and asked to be recorded for a life mem-
bership, and was immediately followed by Dr. J. C. Merrill,
who stated that he would also become a life member. This
completed the five required to cancel the present indebtedness,
the other life members being William Brewster, Charles B.
Cory, and Dr. Coues. The President congratulated the Union
onthis gratifying turn in its financial affairs, which evidently gave
great satisfaction to all present.

The remainder of the second day’s session was devoted to
the reading of scientific papers, this feature of the meeting
being appropriately opened by an address on the life and sci-
entific services of our late leader, Professor Spencer F. Baird,
prepared by Mr. Robert Ridgway and read, in his absence, by
the Secretary.* Other papers which followed are: ‘Notes
on Gymnostinops montezume, by N. S. Goss; *Cormorant
Fishing in Japan,’ by P. L. Jouey; ‘The Fishing-habits of the
White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchus)’, by Colonel
Goss; ‘Occurrence of the Evening Grosbeak in Iowa,’ by C. R.
Keyes (read by C. F. Batchelder); ‘A List of the birds of
Fulton County, Ky.,’ by L. O. Pindar (read by the Secretary) ;
‘A Bird Wave,’ by Phillip Cox (read by M. Chamberlain) ; ‘The
Nocturnal Migration of Birds,’ by Frank M. Chapman. The
Secretary presented some observations made by Mr. William
Lloyd, in the arid region of Western Texas, on the distance from
water at which certain birds are found. Several of the papers
elicited remarks from various members, and Mr. Chapman’s
paper was discussed at length by Messrs. Brewster, Chapman,
Cory, Jeffries, Merriam, and others. At the third day’s session

*The address is given in fullas the first article of the present number of “The Auk,’

TOO Fifth Meeting of the Amertean Ornithologists’ Union. [January

a. long and very interesting paper on ‘The Birds of South
Greenland’, by A. Hagerup, was read by Mr. Chamberlain.

Resolutions of thanks were tendered to the Boston Society of
Natural History for the use of its lecture-room as a place of
meeting and for many other courtesies extended to the Union;
to the Nuttall Ornithological Club for its hospitalities to the
members of the A. O. U; and to Senator Warner Miller for his
successful efforts in Congress in behalf of the Division of Eco-
nomic Ornithology of the Department of Agriculture.

The selection of the place for holding the next meeting, made
during the second day, elicited a lively discussion, New York
City and Washington being the rival points, the good-natured
struggle being finally decided in favor of the latter, the Union
voting to hold its next meeting in Washington, on the second
Tuesday in November, 1888.

Mr. George L. Toppan, representing the Ridgway Ornitho-
logical Club of Chicago, made a few remarks in response to a
call from the President, in which he expressed the hope that
the Ridgway Club would have the pleasure of welcoming the
A.O. U. to Chicago ata not very distant day.

The Fifth Meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union
adjourned at 12.30 Pp. M. of the third day to give members op-
portunity to make an excursion to Cambridge in the afternoon,
for the purpose of examining the ornithological collection of
the Museum of Comparative Zodlogy, and the private collection
of Mr. William Brewster.

The meeting, all things considered, was one of the most satis-
factory thus far held, and also one of the most important. The
A. O. U. enters upon the fifth year of its existence free of debt,
with its quarterly journal on an apparently sound financial
basis, with an elaborate and well-considered system of ‘By-laws
and Rules’ for its government, and with the prospect of soon
having legal status as acorporate body. The social features of
the Boston meeting, thanks to the foresight of the Nuttall Orni-
thological Club, will be long and pleasantly remembered.

1888. ] Recent Literature. IOI

RECENT LITERATURE.

Coues’s ‘Key to North American Birds,’ New Edition.* —The ‘Third
Edition’ of the ‘Key’ is a reprint of the second edition, from the same plates,
with the addition of a new preface and an ‘Appendix’ of 30 pages (pp. 865-
895) of new matter. A sketch of the general character of the second edition
having already been given in ‘The Auk’ (Vol. I, No. 3, July, 1884, pp.
283, 284), it is necessary to notice in the present connection only the ad-
ditions to the text now presented. The second edition was a great im-
provement upon the first, published in 1872, which was not only entirely
rewritten but greatly augmented and made practically a new work, there
remaining of the old little more than the general framework and plan.
This plan was at the time unique —an attempt to apply in a manual of
ornithology the analytical key system of botanical manuals. The much
fuller definitions of the species and subspecies, with the added terse bio-
graphical notes, and better and more numerous illustrations, rendered
the second edition much more satisfactory than was the first, which had,
however, proved a most successful venture, both for the author and his
readers. In the preface to the third edition the author expresses him-
self as so well satisfied with the second that it seemed ‘‘decidedly best to
reprint from the same plates, and put what new matter has come to hand
in the form of an Appendix.” Whether this view of the case will be
shared by his patrons, in view of the radical nomenclatural changes made
since 1884, may possibly be questioned, yet the policy is doubtless sound,
considered from a publisher’s standpoint. Dr. Coues, however, cordially
accepts and adopts the new nomenclature, and evidently and very pro-
perly, looks with much satisfaction upon his honorable share in the work
of bringing about the ‘new status.’ Referring to the objects kept steadily
in view by the A. O. U. Committee on the Classification and Nomencla-
ture of North American Birds —namely, the establishment of ‘‘certain
sound principles or canons of nomenclature applicable to zoGlogy at large
as well as to ornithology,” and the application of ‘‘these rules consist-
ently and effectually to the naming of North American birds” — he says:
‘Others must be left to judge how well or ill these purposes may have
been accomplished, but the simple fact is that no sooner had the book
[A. O. U. Code and Check-List] appeared than it became the standard

* Key to North American Birds. Containing a concise account of every species of
living and fossil bird at present known from the Continent north of the Mexican and
United States Boundary, inclusive of Greenland and Lower California, with which are
incorporated General Ornithology, an outline of the structure and classification of birds ;
and Field Ornithology, a manual of collecting, preparing, and preserving birds. The
Third Edition, exhibiting the new Nomenclature of the American Ornithologists’ Union,
and including descriptions of additional species, etc. By Elliott Coues, A.M., M.D.,
Ph.D. [etc.]. Profusely illustrated. Boston: Estes & Lauriat, 1887. Royal 8vo, pp.
X + xxx + 895, I col. pl., and 563 woodcuts.

102 Fecent Literature. [ January

and, indeed, the only recognized Nomenclator in American Ornithology.
That which the Committee had stamped with the seal of the Union
become the current coin of the realm... .”

The nomenclature in the body of the new ‘Key’ being left unchanged,
the adjustment of the old nomenclature to the new is made through the
medium of the Appendix, where the two systems of names are arranged
in parallel columns, thus not only presenting his readers with the new
names, but at the same time affording a convenient means of collating
the old and the new. In the same connection some sixty species and
subspecies, with descriptions of the same, not included in the body of the
work, are interpolated, bringing the subject down to date as seen from
the standpoint of the author. This large number is partly due to the
inclusion of Lower Calitornia within the area covered by the new ‘Key,’
in accordance with the boundaries of ‘North America,’ ornithologically
considered, adopted in the A. O. U. Check-List, but mainly, of course,
to birds added to the fauna since 1884.

In his preface to the new edition (p. iii) Dr. Coues records ‘‘an earnest
protest, futile though it may be, against the fatal facility with which the
system of trinomials lends itself to sad consequences in the hands of
immature or inexperienced specialists,” fearing that our excellent ‘tri-
nominal tool,’ and ‘‘the whole system of naming we have reared with
such care,” be brought into disrepute. He, however, disclaims allusion
‘to anything that has been done”; the warning relates to what may
happen in future if ‘‘more judicious conservatism than we have enjoyed
of late be not brought to bear down hard upon trifling incompetents.”
“Tt may be assumed,” he adds, ‘‘as a safe rule of procedure, that it is use-
less to divide and subdivide beyond the fair average ability of ornitholo-
gists to recognize and verify the results.” This, in an abstract sense, is
sound advice, much in line with sentiments and admonitions the present
writer has given voice to on several occasions. In the sentence which
follows the one last quoted (p. iv) we can hardly suppose the author
intends to imply that when specimens of a named variety require to be
‘compared with the types’ for their satisfactory identification that such
‘varieties’ should be always ignored. He must know that words often-
times fail to express differences which to the eye are not only readily
appreciable, but appeal to us as of so tangible a character as to require
nomenclatural recognition, presenting a fact to which it would be not
only a great convenience to have a handle, but one of which our science
must in some way take cognizance. Again, how often descriptions are
faulty, falling so far short of what they should be as in many cases to
prove practically valueless. It is not to be denied, however, that the
splitting process may be, and in some cases perhaps has been, carried too
far, and this, too, by those who would hardly fall into the category of
‘trifling incompetents.” Just how far division may be profitably carried,
or is even necessary, is a hard question to decide, and one which taxes
alike conservatives and radicals. In the case of wide-ranging species,
diffused over an area of greatly varying climatic and other physical

1888. ] Fiecent Literature. TO2

conditions, a common stock often runs into numerous well-marked off-
shoots, the extremities of which differ much from each other, and which,
in their extreme phases, present no difficulties of recognition or char-
acterization, but which insensibly merge together at certain points within
the general habitat. These various forms are obviously the result of
differences in the environment—incipient species, instructive facts, links
in the chain of evolution, demanding a means of expression to which the
trinomial system is readily subservient. Each well-marked physical
region of a continent has generally a more or less well-marked form,
which it seems profitable to recognize by name, the degree of differentia-
tion of course varying with the placticity of the species. It at present
seems sufficient to recognize such forms as are correlated with certain
more or less definite or natural geographical and climatal areas.

These remarks are suggested by the large number of species and sub-
species of late described from the southern border of the United States
and the contiguous region southward. A conservative person, judging
these forms by the descriptions, feels naturally some bias against them,
and is inclined to consider them as cases of too fine splitting, but later,
when confronted by the evidence afforded by the actual specimens. is
obliged to admit that the alleged differences are not imaginary, and
that we have, in short, really a new ‘fact,’ requiring a ‘handle.’ This is
an experience to which even the writer of this notice is willing to confess.
In some instances the ‘types’ of newly described forms have been in some
of our leading collections for a generation, awaiting the accumulation of
material sufficient to reveal the significance of certain differences, perhaps
long before recognized but not understood. The true explanation of the
recent increase of new forms is in part the accumulation of material from
hitherto imperfectly explored fields, or from localities not before examined,
and the careful collation of the spoils thus gathered. The work of Mr.
Sennett in Texas is strikingly in point, where novelties never dreamed of
are rapidly coming to light, and quite revolutionizing our notions of the
Texan ornis; while Mexico comes into view as almost an ornithological
El Dorado.

In the Appendix to the new ‘Key’ Dr. Coues perhaps intends to enforce
the lesson of his preface, as well as to record his dissent (see p. ili of
preface) respecting the status of certain forms admitted to the A. O. U.
Check List, and as his judgment on forms since described. The revision
thus made, we are compelled to say, strikes us as rather off-hand, and as
made in the library, rather than with specimens of the forms in question
actually under examination,—a rather unsafe proceeding in the present
state of the subject, and one tending to inconsistency in results. About
twenty species included in the ‘Check-List’ are not recognized in the
‘Key,’ three or four of which appear to have been rejected as being doubt-
fully North American, and the rest as not entitled to recognition. On
the other hand, about ten are included which the A. O. U. Committee
deemed it best to omit, and about seventeen others which they relegated
to the ‘Hypothetical List,’ with which reference we presume Dr. Coues

IO4 Recent Literature. [January

still concurs, although they of course appear (necessarily) in the com-
parative lists of the Appendix.

The ‘Key’ is still entitled to the high favor it has hitherto received, and
will prove, as it ever has, a work of the greatest utility. It has, of course,
its short-comings, but they detract little from its usefulness. Some of
its statements about the nesting-habits of certain species or groups of
species are a little too sweeping, and the descriptions of the eggs, as to
number and color, not always above criticism, while there are a few
lapses of a graver sort. When the fourth edition is called for, as it
doubtless ere long will be, the author may then find it expedient to once
more recast and perfect a work which has not only proved a great boon to
the ornithological public, but has had unquestionably a marked influence
upon the progress of ornithology, and done more than any other to make
the subject popular and comprehensible to the general reader. —J. A. A.

Townsend’s Field-notes on the Birds of Northern California.*— Mr.
Townsend’s ‘Field-notes’ were based on observations made in the coun-
ties of Siskiyou, Shasta, Tehama, and Lassen, April 1, 1883, to July 15,
1884, and in Humboldt County, Nov. 15, to Dec. 17, 1885. To make the
list of birds as complete as possible for that portion of California north of
the fortieth parallel, he has added to the two hundred observed by him-
self some sixty additional species made known by others as inhabitants
of the region, making 261 in all. The list is copiously annotated and
contains interesting biographical matter. His account of the nest and
eges of the Black-throated Gray Warbler (Dendroica nigrescens) is es-
pecially noteworthy as the first for the species. The bird portion of the
paper closes with a table illustrating the vertical range of birds of
Northern California, modelled after a similar one in ‘The Auk’ (Vol. II,
1885, p. 11) by Mr. F. M. Drew on the birds of Colorado.

The ‘Field-notes’ on the mammals and reptiles are equally full and in-
teresting, but of course call for no special remark in the present connec-
tion. A useful sketch-map of the region accompanies the paper, and
several pages of introductory matter describes the topographical features
of the country under notice. —J. A. A.

Shufeldt’s Contributions to Avisection.t — Dr. Shufeldt continues his
admirable avisections. His latest article reviews some of the taxonomi-
cally important musculatures. These are, namely, five pectorimyons ;f{

*Field-notes on the Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles of Northern California, By
Charles H. Townsend. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1887, pp. 159-241. (Birds, pp.
190-237.)

+A Review of the Muscles Used in the Classification of Birds. By R. W. Shufeldt,
M.D., C. M. Z. S., Captain Medical Corps, U. S. Army, etc. Journ. Compar. Med. and
Surg., Oct. 1887. 24 pp.

{Myon, any individual unit of musculature; what Dr. Coues formerly called a
“muscular integer.” — Pectorimyon, any myon of the pectoral arch or shoulder girdle
proper. — Pelvimyon, any myon of the pelvic arch or hip girdle.

1888. ] Reecent Literature. IOS

five pelvimyons; the so-called ‘‘obturator internus”; several syrinomya;
and the tendons of profundiplantar mya. The five pectorimya treated
are: —1, tensor patagii longus; 2, tensor patagii brevis; 3, dermotensor
patagii; 4, bicipital slip to the patagium; and 5, expansor secundariorum.*
The five pelvimya discussed are the ambiens and those other four already
handled with much effect by Garrod and others under their respective
symbols, A, B, X, Y.t If the author is correct in identifying the muscle
he called ‘‘obturator internus” with the myon of that name in hominisec-
tion, itis the obturiformis of Coues and Shute,{ whose origin, whether
oval or triangular, is discussed in its possible bearing on classification.
The paper concludes with remarks well worthy of attention, on the
profundiplantar tendons. Itis quite fully illustrated with thirteen figures,
in part original. — E. C.

A New Ornithichnite.§ — Prof. F. H. Snow describes and figures a
fossil, apparently that of a true bird, foundin August, 1885, in Ellsworth
Co., Kansas, in an excavation 44 feet deep in the Dakota Sandstone, on
a geologic horizon about 200 feet below the upper level of the Dakota
rocks. ‘‘The impression appears to have been made by the left foot of
some bird with elevated hind toe just reaching the ground at its extrem-
ity, as in the modern Snipes and other Wading-birds, or in the family of
Sea Gulls and Terns.” The fossil is a small one, only two inches in
total length. The object is not named, but Prof. Snow compares it with
such a track as the foot of an Zchkthyorn7s might have made.” The discoy-
ery of this avian footprint. . ..considerably lowers the geological horizon
of Kansas birds,” which were not before known from strata below the
Niobrara group, or highest of the Cretaceous rocks, beneath which the
Dakota ‘‘rests unconformably upon the Permio-Carboniferous, with
apparently an entire exclusion of the Triassic and Jurassic formations.”’

—-E. C.

Clark’s ‘Birds of Amherst.’||—This annotated list of the birds occurring
about Amherst seems to have been written not as an exhaustive contribu-
tion to faunal literature, but rather for the enlightenment of the farmers

*The progress of improvement in myological terminology makes it desirable to re-
name some of these mya. They maybe called: 1, longitensor patagii; 2, brevitensor
patagii; 3, dermotensor patagii (of Shufeldt) ; 4, bicipitensor patagii; and 5, secund-
expansor,

tA = femorocaudal; B= “accessory femorocaudal,” which is now named accessi-
caudal; X=semitendinosus; Y= ‘accessory semitendinosus” which is now called
accessitendinosus,

{See N. Y. Med. Record, July 30, 1887, p. 125.

§On the discovery of a fossil bird-track in the Dakota Sandstone. Trans. Kansas
Acad. Sci., Vol. X.

|| Phe | Birds of Amherst | and Vicinity, | including nearly the whole of | Hampshire
County, Mass. | — | Herbert L. Clark, | with an Introduction by | Prof. C. H. Fernald
Ph. D. | — | Amherst, Mass.: | J. E. Williams, Publisher. | 1887. 8vo. pp. 55.

106 Recent Literature. [ January

and the community at large. It begins with an artificial key to the spe-
cies, and further brief descriptions precede the annotations upon each
species. The work is unusually, and for the ornithologist rather incon-
veniently, arranged, being divided into three parts: ‘*birds of regular and
certain appearance in Amherst at the proper seasons,” ‘‘birds of irregular
and uncertain appearance in Amherst: or which may be common in
other parts of the County while rare or accidental in Amherst,” ‘birds
extremely rare or accidental in the County.” One hundred and seventy-
seven species are enumerated, four-fifths of them land-birds, some of the
less common ones being given on the authority of E. O. Damon, W. A.
Stearns and others. The annotations include not only notes upon the
abundance, seasons of occurrence, and often the dates of arrival in spring,
of each species, but contain also brief statements of habits. The pam-
phlet is well printed, with but few typographical errors.

It is to be hoped that the author will continue his observations, and
after several years more of field work will give us a further report upon
the fauna of his neighborhood. Probably he will be able to record the
occurrence of some species not yet noted, and may find reason to change
a few of his statements as to habits and abundance. — C. F. B.

Publications Received.—Bocage, J. V. Barboza du. Oiseaux nouveaux
de l’Ile St. Thomé. (Jorn. d. Sci. math., phys. e nat. da Acad. real das Sci.
de Lisboa, 1887, pp. 250-253.)

Coues, E., Key to North American Birds, etc. Third Edition. Boston,
Roy. 8vo. 1887.

Lucas, F. A. Notes on the Osteology of the Spotted Tinamou (Nothura
maculosa). (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1886, pp. 157, 158.)

Newton, A. Address to the Biological section of the British Associa-
tion (Manchester Meeting, 1887). London, 8vo, pp. 8, 1887.

Palmén, J. A. Bidrag till Kannedomen om Sibiriska Ishafskustens
Fogelfauna enligt Vega-Expeditionens iakttagelser och samlingar.
(Vega-expeditionens vetenskapliga iakttagelser, Bd. V, pp. 241-511, 1887.)

Pelzen, A. v., und Ludwig v. Lorenz. Typen der ornithologischen
Sammlung des k.k. naturhistorischen Hofmuseums. Th. IIT u. II. (Ann.
des k.k. nat. Hofmuseums, Bd. II, 1887.)

Reichenow, A. (1) Monographie der Gattung Symplectes Sw. (Zoolog.
Jahrbuch. Bd. II, 1887, pp. 625-638.) (2) Fortschritte der Ornithologie
wihrend des Jahres 1886. (Ibid. pp. 941-954.)

Ridgway, R. On Phrygilus gayi (Eyd. and Gery.) and Allied Species.
(Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1887, pp. 431-435-)

Shufeldt, R. W. (1) Ona Collection of Birds’ Sterna and Skulls, col-
lected by Dr. Thomas H. Streets, U.S. Navy. (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus.
1887, pp. 376-387. (2) Review of the Muscles used in the Classification
of Birds. (Reprinted from Journ. Comp. Anat. and Surg., Oct. 1887. 24
Pp- )

Snow, F. H. On the discovery of a Fossil Bird-track in the Dakota
Sandstone. (Trans. Kan. Acad. Sci. Vol. X, 1887.)

1888. ] General Notes. 107

Sousa, J. A. de. (1) Additamento 4 lista das aves colligidas em Africa
de 1884 a 1885 pelos srs. Capello e Ivens. (Jorn. de Sci. Math. phys. e nat.
da Acad. Sci. de Lisboa, 1886.) (2) Aves de Angola. (Ibid. 1886.) (3)Aves
da Ilha do Principe colligidas pelo sr. Francisco Newton. (Ibid. 1887.)
(4) Lista das aves de Mocambique (districto de Cabo Delgado) colligidas
pelo sr. Augusto Cardoso. (Ibid., 1887.) (5) Aves de Dahomey. (Ibid.
1887.)

Townsend, C. H. Field-notes on the Mammals, Birds and Reptiles of
Northern California. (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1887, pp. 159-241.)

Tschusi zu Schmidhoffen, V. Ritter v.,und K. v. Dalla-Torre. Dritter
Jahresbericht (1884) des Comité’s fiir ornithologische Beobachtungssta-
tionen in Oesterreich-Ungarn. (Ornis, 1887.)

Agassiz Companion, II, No. 9, Sept. 1887.

American Field, XXVIII, Nos. 14-26, 1887.

American Journ. Sci. XXXIII, Oct.-Dec., 1887.

American Naturalist, XXI, Oct., Nov. 1887.

Audubon Magazine, I, Nos. 9-12, 1887.

Bird Call, I, Nos. 9-12, 1887.

Bulletin Cal. Acad. Sci., II. No. 7, June, 1887.

Hoosier Naturalist, III, No. I, Jan. 1888.

Journal Cincinnati Soc. Nat. Hist., X, No. 3, Oct. 1887.

Naturalist, The, Month. Journ. Nat. Hist. for the North of England,
Nos. 147-149, Oct.-Dec., 1887.

OGologist, IV, No. 2, Mch.-May, 1887.

Ornis, III Jahr. 1887, ii und iii Heft.

Ornithologist and Odlogist, XII, Nos. 9-11, 1887.

Ottawa Naturalist, I, Nos. 7-9, 1887.

Proceedings Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 1887, pt. 2, Apr.-Aug.

Proceedings U. S. Nat. Mus. 1887, pp. 321-448.

Swiss Cross, II, Oct.-Dec., 1887.

Zoologischer Anzeiger, Nos. 260-266, 1887.

Zoologist, XI, Nos. 130-132, 1887.

GENERAL NOTES.

Larus atricilla at Springfield, Mass.—Yesterday I captured near Spring-
field a Laughing Gull (Larus atrictlla). This fact may not be worthy of
note, but not having seen or heard of one here before, I conclude it was
a rare bird to find so far in the interior. The Great Black-backed, Her-
ring, and Ring-billed Gullsare often here.—RoBert O. Morris, Spring-

field, Mass., Oct. 2, 1887.

The Yellow-nosed Albatross (Tkalassogeron culminatus, in the Gulf of
St. Lawrence.—During a recent visit to the Museum of Layal University,

108 General Notes. [January

Quebec, I was shown by the Curator, Mr. C. E. Dionne, the skin of an
Albatross which, upon examination, proved to be of this species. Mr.
Dionne assured me that he obtained the skin in September, 1885, from a
fisherman who said he had captured the bird a few days previously in the
Gulf of St. Lawrence. The skin had been preserved in salt, and when it
reached the Museum was soft and quite fresh. This is the first record of
the occurrence of this species in the Atlantic, its usual habitat being the
Indian and South Pacific Oceans. —MONTAGUE CHAMBERLAIN, St. Fokn,
NV. B.

Cory’s Shearwater at Newport, R. I.—In the Auk for January, 1887, an
account was given by Prof. Baird of the occurrence of great numbers of
Jaegers and Cory’s Shearwaters, found feeding upon the young herring,
which, towards the end of September, 1885, abounded from Point Judith
to Vineyard Sound. On the 3oth of the same month, I received from
J. Glynn, Jr., of Newport, a Shearwater which appeared to me to be
Puffinus borealis, and Mr. Cory has since kindly confirmed the identifica-
tion. This furnishes some evidence to show that the flight of these birds
extended as far west as the mouth of Narragansett Bay.—WILLIAM C.
Rives, Jr., M. D., Mewfort, R. TL.

The Black Duck in Chihuahua.—In April, 1879, I was with Col. A. K.
Morrow, then Major in the 9th Cavalry, anda small detachment of cav-
alry and Indian scouts scouting in northwestern Chihuahua, Mexico.
While in camp at the Laguna Palomas, an alkali lake fed by warm
springs, just inside the Mexican line, I observed, among numerous other
ducks of different varieties, a flock of six or eight birds that I thought
were Black Ducks. After trying in vain to get a shot with my shot-
gun, Colonel Morrow succeeded in killing one with a cavalry carbine.
As I suspected, it turned out to be a true Black Duck; a variety I had
been familiar with since my boyhood on Long Island Sound. The
Laguna Palomas is in about longitude 107° 30’ W. and about three miles
south of the line between New and Old Mexico.—R. T. Emmet, F¢. WVéo-
brara, Nebraska. i

[The species here referred to is probably Azas fulvigula, which, so far
as now known, is the form of Dusky Duck occurring in Texas and
adjoining parts of Mexico.—ED. ]

Rallus longirostris crepitans breeding on the Coast of Louisiana.—Mr.
Ridgway, in his‘Manual of North American Birds,’ gives the habitat of
this species as the ‘‘salt water marshes of Atlantic coast, north regularly
to Long Island, casually to Massachusetts.”

It gives me pleasure to be able to extend its range to the Gulf coast.
While at Grand Isle, which borders the Gulf of Mexico at the entrance of
Barataria Bay, Louisiana, in June, 1886, I secured an old bird and two
young, which, when compared with specimens of #. Z. saturatus in the
National Museum, proved not to be that variety, but the true Eastern
bird, variety crepctans.—A. K. Fisner, M. D., Washington, D.C.

1888. ] General Notes. mere

Ionornis martinica in Arizona.—About October 20, 1887, a Chinaman
caught a feinale Purple Gallinule in his vegetable garden on the Santa
Cruz bottom opposite Tucson. He gave it to a Mexican boy from whom
I purchased it ten days later. The bird was in good plumage, but its
wings and tail were somewhat cage-worn. Length, II.50inches; extent,
21; wing, 6.80; tail, 2.72; tarsus, 2.25. This, so far as I can learn, is the
first of its kind ever taken in Arizona.—HerBertr Brown, Tucson, Art-
zona.

Habits of the Purple Gallinule (/ozornzs martinica).—While spending
the spring and summer of 1887 at Yemassee, S. C., I found the Purple
Gallinule to be the most common and characteristic of the birds breeding
there. The locality where I found them was an old rice plantation of
about six or seven hundred acres. This abandoned rice plantation is
used as a reservoir, or, in local parlance, a ‘backwater.’ It is kept filled
with water, to flow the rice of adjoining fields, and is usually covered
with water to the depth of three to four feet. The whole ‘backwater’ is
overgrown with rushes, the broad-leafed pond lily( Wymphea odorata) and
the Nelumbium (Cyamus flavicomus). I found the Gallinules very com-
mon—there must have been at least five hundred pairs of birds. It wasa
very beautiful sight to see the graceful creatures walking over the large
leaves of the pond lily, every now and then flirting their tails, or holding
their wings over their heads, as they walked from one leaf to another.
When flying, chasing one another, the legs are always hanging down. and
the birds are cackling the whole time while engaged in this sport. They
have several very peculiar call-notes, one which is very guttural, is to be
heard incessantly. They are exceedingly tame—one can almost step on
them before they take wing. If wounded they dive immediately, and
remain under water for fully five minutes at a time, and itis folly to
waste time in following them up, as they rise with only the point of the
bill out of water. The soft parts in life are as follows :—Crown shield,
azure blue, legs bright yeilow, the tip of bill greenish yellow, and the
middle of bill bright red.

The nests are commenced about May 5. They are built in rushes,
invariably over water, and are made of half decayed rushes. The nest is
substantially built, and well secured to the.rushes which grow in the
water. The birds have regular trodden paths leading to their nests, and,
strange to say, there are always three or four nests in all stages of comple-
tion near each nest which contains eggs. The eggs are from four to nine,
almost invariably six. They measure about 1.60 X 1.15 inches, and are
pale cream color or yellowish, spotted with brown or purplish. They
vary in size and mars.nzs; some of the eggs I collected are larger than
typical specimens of the Fiorida Gallinule, and some as small as large
specimens of the Virginia Rail. 1 never saw a Gallinule sitting—day or
night, rain or shine—and I really bel.eve the eggs are hatched by the
decomposition of the materials which com, ose the nest. The young can

T1o General Notes. [ January

easily be raised, and become perfectly tame. The breeding season is a
long one, as I hada very young bird in the downy stage sent me alive on
September 17. Its appearance is as follows: Upperparts glossy black, the
lower parts sooty, the throat, cheeks, and top of head with silvery white
hairs. The base of bill is yellowish, the lower mandible, and part of upper
jet blackwith a white spot, which rises toa point on the tip of upper man-
dible ;this white spot resembles ‘white lead.’ The wings are also covered
with silvery hairs.—ARTHUR T. WAYNE, Charleston, S. C.

Unexpected Occurrence of Certain Shore Birds in Texas in Midsummer
and in Breeding Plumage.—

Macrorhamphus griseus. DowircHEer. — June 11, two adults, g and
@, in full breeding plumage, and two immature birds in the act of
moulting or changing from winter to summer dress.

Macropalama himantopus. STILT SANDPIPER.—July 3, one adult
female in breeding plumage.

Tringa canutus. KNnor.—July 1, 2; July 3, @; July 10, 9; all adults
in full breeding plumage. :

Totanus melanoleucus. GREATER YELLOW-LEGS.—June 13, @; July
3, 2; both adults in full breeding plumage.

Charadrius squatarola. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.—July 1, one adult
male in nearly full breeding dress. On May 12, 1882, I took at same
place an adult male in full breeding plumage.

All of the above were taken at Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1887, by my
collector. &#gtalitis niévosa, Snowy Plover, breeds there and is not
uncommon; large series of adults and young were secured. Five males,
six females, and one immature bird changing to breeding plumage, of
Arenaria tnterpres, Turnstone, were sent me, and any number could be
taken in July. The adults were in as fine dress as if taken in Labrador.
This confirms the observations of Dr. J. C. Merrill and myself during the
last ten years. No eggs were secured, but that the bird breeds there can
hardly admit of a doubt.—Gro. B. SENNETT, Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., New
York City.

The European Kestrel in Massachusetts.—A female example of the
European Kestrel (Falco ¢ténnunculus Linn.) was shot at Strawberry Hill,
near Nantucket, Mass. on Sept. 29, 1887. The bird was killed by a man
who was hunting for Plover at the time,and was sold with other birds to
Mr. C. I. Goodale, 93 Sudbury St., Boston, where I had the pleasure of
examining the specimen in the flesh shortly after it was killed. Thisis, I
believe, the first record of its occurrence in North America. The skin is
now in my cabinet.—CuaARLES B. Cory, Boston, Mass.

Ulula cinerea in Steuben, Co., New York.—I am pleased to report the
occurrence in this locality of the Great Gray Owl; a femalein fine plu-
mage was shot some five or six miles southwest of this village on the
roth of last February by a farmer who claimed it was trying to catch his

cual)

1888. ] General Notes. WAP

chickens. It was so tame he thought he could have easily killed it with a
club. The bird was thin, and from the appearance of its digestive organs
it had fasted a long time.—A. H. Woop, Painted Post, Steuben Co.,
IM de

Megascops asio floridanus in Louisiana.—While in New Orleans, in
June, 1886, Mr. Gustave Kohn kindly gave me a number of birds and rep-
tiles from his collection. Among them was a Florida Screech Owl (Meg-
ascops asto floridanus), several specimens of which he had secured in the
vicinity of New Orleans. I believe this bird has not before been recorded
from Louisiana.—-A. K. Fisuer, M. D., Washington, D. C.

Ceophleeus pileatus in Franklin County, Massachusetts.—During the
month of August, 1886, two Pileated Woodpeckers were shot at Ashfield,
Franklin Co., Mass.; and on October 7 of the same year a third, which
I have, was shot. It is a male, but in not very good plumage, as it was
moulting at the time it was shot.—RICHARD Norton, Cambridge, Mass.

Breeding of the Prairie Horned Lark in Eastern New York—A Correc-
tion.—In the Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, Vol. VI, p. 177,

“I noted the capture, in April, 1881, of two young Horned Larks, just able

to fly, and two adults, male and female, at Green Island, N. Y., and called
them, specifically, ‘‘Hremophila alpestris’—not knowing their proper race
name.

Mr. William Brewster lately saw the mounted skins of these birds and
informed me that they are of the variety Ofocor¢s alpestris praticola,
described and named, in 1884, by Mr. H. W. Henshaw, in‘The Auk,’ Vol.
I, pp. 254-268.

I have given very little attention to the Horned Larks of this vicinity,
but know of specimens of the variety fraz¢zcola taken within five miles of
Troy, N. Y., February 22, 1883, and in March and October, 1887. A larger
and darker colored variety, probably alfestrzs proper, visits this locality
in winter; and I have a specimen of that race captured here about April

25, 1845.—AuSTIN F. PARK, Troy, NV. Yr.

The Prairie Horned Lark ( Ofocoris alpestris pfraticola) on the Coast of
Massachusetts. — Looking over a large series of Horned Larks in my
collection I lately found a pair of perfectly typical O. a. praticola
labelled ‘‘Revere Beach, Massachusetts, February 28, 1883.” Under this
date my journal has the following entry: ‘‘I shot these birds [ Nos. 7925,
7926] withanother, a female similar to No. 7926, near the beach in a field
where the ground was partly bare of snow. There were only three of
them in all. The testes of the male were of large size but the ovaries of the
females not correspondingly developed.”

The female ‘‘similar to No. 7926” was badly shot, if I remember right,
and not suspecting at the time (fully a year, it should be noted, before the
appearance of Mr. Henshaw’s admirable paper on the genus Ofocor?s) that
it was anything more than a small dark specimen of O. alfestris, I doubt-

ga 2 General Notes. [ January

less threw it away. The fact that Araticola has been found breeding
within less than twenty-five miles of the western boundary of Massachu-
setts,* taken in connection with that of the captures above recorded, makes
it seem not improbable that the form in question may occur regularly, if
rarely, in Eastern Massachusetts during the migrations, and perhaps as a
summer resident in the extreme western portions of the State.—WILLIAM
BREWSTER, Cambridge, Mass.

Occurrence of the Florida Blue Jay (Cyanocztta cristata florincola) in
Southwestern Texas.—On the eleventh of March, 1887, while collecting at
Leon Springs, Texas, I came up with a party of four or five Blue Jays in
a grove of hackberry and live oak trees. ‘Supposing them to be the ordi-
nary eastern bird, only one of them was shot, and although they were seen
several times at San Antonio, no other specimens were secured. Upon
comparing my bird with typicalexamples of Cyanocztta cristata florincola
in the United States National Museum, I find it to agree perfectly with
them. The principal characters that distinguish the Florida bird from
the specific form consist in the smaller size of the former and the much
less amount of white on the secondaries and the two outer rectrices.

Mr. Ridgway, who first suggested that my specimen was /florincola:”
entirely concurs with me in this determination.

This Jay is evidently a rare bird in Southwestern Texas, for the only
authority I can find for its occurrence there is in Dresser’s classical paper»
where he states that he ‘‘was told by several hunters that the Blue Jay
is found near San Antonie.” Leon Springs is in Bexar County, about
eighteen or twenty miles northwest of San Antonio. — CHARLES WICK-
LIFFE BECKHAM, Washington, D. C.

Abnormal Plumage of Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus.—I shot, Octo-
ber 21, 1887, in the valley of Mud Creek, thirty miles southeast of Las
Animas, Bent Co., Colorado, a female X. waxthocephalus. It could fly well
but was quite young. The barrels of most of the quills of wings and tail
were dark and full of liquid. The plumage was more loose and ragged than
is usual in birds that can fly. It differs from all young females I have seen
as follows :—

Lesser wing-coverts whitish; scattering white and whitish feathers in
hind neck, interscapulars, back, upper tail-coverts, breast, belly, crissum
and flank. Feathers of the breast long and rounded — looking like cotton
strings. One secondary in right wing whitish on both webs for one inch;
middle tail-feathers the same for half their length. Right outer tail-feather
pure white. One downy, round feather one anda half inches long, start-
ing from below oil gland. It was with two other young birds. The date is
much later than I have ever seen these birds in Colorado.—P. M. THORNE;
Capt. 22d Inrry., Mort Lyon, Colorado.

* See Mr. Park’s note above.

1888 .] General Notes. L123

Notice of the Presence of Quiscalus quiscula zneus in Upper South
Carolina. —I have lately given some attention to the capture ,of Crow
Blackbirds, having in view especially the discovery of subspecies @zeus.
My efforts in this particular direction, however, were unsuccessful unti!
Nov. 5, 1887, when I obtained a single male from a small flock near Ches-
ter C. H. Nov. 12, a second male was taken in the same locality from a
little band of half-a-dozen. On the 21st three additional males and four
females, together with two examples of the typical form, were secured
from an immefise assemblage in the neighborhood of Chestnut Grove in
the northern part of Chester County. The continued recurrence of birds
chiefly peculiar to the West accentuates anew the necessity of a thorough
overhauling of the ornithology of this region. — Leverett M. Loomis,

Chester, S. C.

Quiscalus quiscula agleus in Louisiana.—In the October, 1887, Auk
(p. 303) Mr. Beckham states that the Bronzed Grackle (Qu/scalus quis”
cula eneus) was the form found at Bayou Sara, Louisiana. In the Journa
of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History, for July, 1881 (p. 150) Dr
Langdon reports ‘‘a few specimens, evidently residents, shot for the pur-
pose of identification, prove to be of the Aurpureus form.” In the early
summer of 1886, at New Orleans and vicinity, the Florida Grackle (Qu/s-
calus quiscula agleus) was the only one of the smaller Grackles which |
secured or observed. With thé exception of one Bronzed Grackle, taken
in winter, all the specimens in the collection of Mr. Gustave Kohn, were
of this form. From this it will be seen that the three varieties have been
found in Louisiana in the breeding season. Bayou Saraand New Orleans
are about eighty miles apart, by air line, though more than twice that
distance following the course of the river. It will be interesting to discover
just where between these two points the three varieties meet.—A. K.
FisHer, M. D., Washington, D. C.

Breeding of the Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertina) in the
White Mountains of Arizona. —In ‘The Auk’ (Vol. IV. No. 3, p.
256, 257) I observed two notices of the occurrence of the Evening
Grosbeak; one from Toronto, Canada, the other from Hickman, Kentucky.
In the latter case Mr. J. A. Allen is quoted as stating that ‘‘its occurrence
anywhere south of the Great Lakes is rare.” It may, therefore, be of in-
terest to readers of ‘‘The Auk” to know of an instance of this bird having
bred as far southwest as the head-waters of the Little Colorado River in
the White Mountains of Arizona.

On June 5, 1884, while looking out for anything of ornithological inter-
est in a thickly wooded cafion some fifteen miles west of the little town of
Springerville, Apache County, Arizona, my attention was attracted by a
bird which I did not know, flying off its nest in the top of a thick willow
bush. Having climbed up to the nest and ascertained that it contained
three eggs I returned to the ranch. Next day I visited the cafion with my
shotgun, and finding that the number of eggs in the nest had not in-

IIl4 General Notes. [ January

creased, concealed myself close by, and after a long wait succeeded in
procuring the female as she flew from the nest. At that time I knew so
little about American birds or their eggs that I took no eggs except
when I could authenticate them by procuring the female bird.

The nest was a comparatively slight structure, rather flat in shape,
composed of small sticks and roots, lined with finer portions of the latter.
The eggs, three in number, were of a clear, greenish ground color, blotched
with pale brown. They were fresh. The nest was placed about fifteen
feet from the ground in the extreme top of a thick willow bush. The
slight cafion, with a few willow bushes in its centre bordering a small
stream, lies in the midst of very dense pine timber at an altitude of about
7000 feet, as far as I can judge.

I mentioned the fact of my having taken the nest of the Evening Gros-
beak to my friend, Mr. E. W. Nelson, but at first he was decidedly
sceptical on the subject. On November 5, 1885, however, while staying
at Mr. Nelson’s ranch, eight miles southwest of Springerville, and during
a slight snowstorm, I saw a second specimen of this species among a large
number of Mexican Crossbills (Loxda curvirostra strickland?) but failed
to killit. Next day (Nov. 6), while riding near the same place with Mr.
Nelson, we came upon three Evening Grosbeaks, and atter several shots
he succeeded in killing a fine male with a charge of bucksnot! These
are the only occasions that I have known of this bird being seen any-
where around here, but ornithological observers here are few and far
between.—JOHN SWINBURNE, Sfringerville, Arizona.

[Mr. Swinburne is probably the first ornithologist who has had the
good fortune to find the nest of this species, although Mr. W. E. Bryant’s
later discovery has already been recorded.*—ED. |

Occurrence of Coccothraustes vespertina in Iowa.—Among other
visitors from the north, during the winter of 1886-87, numbers of Evening
Grosbeaks appeared in this neighborhood. About the middle of December
several were observed a short distance north of the city, but it was not
until the first of February that they began to appear in the principal
streets. When first noticed in the town, there was a flock of twenty-five
or more feeding upon the samare which were still attached to the
branehes of the box elders. The kernels of the keys were quickly and
adroitly removed and the refuse allowed to fall upon the snow beneath,
which after a short time was thickly strewn with the remains of the feast.
February 23 a flock of over one hundred suddenly appeared on the
University campus, and after remaining an hour or more, departed. From
this date until April 30, nearly ten weeks, it was their custom to visit the
campus early in the morning and remain until noon, when they would
fly away and spend the remainder of the day elsewhere. During their
stay the food of these birds consisted chiefly of the samarz of the box
elders and sugar maples, the young leaf buds of various trees, seeds, and

* Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. Vol. II, 1887.

ie \

1888. ] General Notes. Tes

.

grain; to obtain the latter, the whole flock would often alight on the ground
and eagerly devour the scattered grain. As spring advanced they were
usually seen, especially early in the morning, in the top of some tree,
singing or chattering noisily, thus attracting the attention of nearly every
passer-by. Their loud, clear, rather harsh, piping notes, uttered in
concert, reminded one forcibly of the familiar chorus of a flock of Rusty
Blackbirds in the spring, and have also been likened to the shrill piping
arising from some frog pond ona quiet summer evening. In Iowa, the
Evening Grosbeak may be regarded as a rare and erratic winter visitor,
though its appearance is perhaps most regular in the northern portions of
the State. It arrives from the north about the middle of November and
remains until May. Prior to last winter it has been observed in the
vicinity of lowa City but once—in February, 1884. Correspondents have
also reported this species from Charles City, in March, 1879; Grinnell,
December and April, and Burlington in ‘the southeastern part of the
State.—C. R. Keyes, Jowa City, Towa.

Loxia curvirostra minor again at Yemassee, S. C.—On November 20,
1887, two Red Crossbills were seen at Yemassee, S. C., by my collector
who shot large numbers in April for me. — ArtTHUR T. WAYNE,
Charleston, S. C.

A Philadelphia Vireo and a Cobweb.—On September 13, 1886, while
collecting in a thicket near Bardstown, Kentucky, my companion,a small
boy, called my attention to the peculiar actions of a bird eight or ten
paces in advance of us. It proved to be a Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo
philadelphica) suspended by the tip of its right wing from a twig ata
distance of three or four feet from the ground, violently struggling to free
itself. Flying above, within a few feet of it, was another individual of the
same species, an apparently interested and distressed witness of the
strange performance. Both birds were shot, and upon examination I
discovered that the first one had become entangled in a sticky, cobwebby
substance that was found to be quite common during that season in the
locality mentioned. The end of the wing was completely ‘gummed up’
with the viscous filaments, and the struggles of the captive had twisted
the web into a slender and elastic but strong cord, the other end of which
was attached to the twig. The webs in question I found only in thickets,
and had been much annoyed by often running against them and getting
the glutinous stuff on my face and hands. It is doubtless produced by
some spider, but I have never recognized the species. However, I think
it improbable that the wily Arachnid deliberately attempts the capture of
such large game, and in this particular instance it was doubtless as much
surprised as the cockney sportsman in ‘Punch,’ who fired at a hare and
killed a calf.—CHARLES WICKLIFFE BECKHAM, Washington, D. C.

Helminthophila leucobronchialis in Pennsylvania.—A specimen of
this bird was taken, August 31, 1887, in the central part of Chester Co.,

116 General Notes. [ January

Penn., on the edge of adense swamp. It differs from the type in being
more washed with yellow below, and olive above. Dr. Fisher (to whom
the bird was sent for indentification) writes that it closely resembles his
specimen from Englewood, N. J. (See Auk, IV, p. 348).—WI1MER
STONE, Germantown, Pa.

The Yellow-breasted Chat Breeding in Malden, Mass.—On June 2,
1887. while exploring a large tract of wooded swamp in the eastern part of
Malden, I was so fortunate as to discover a nest of the Yellow-breasted
Chat (Jcteréa virens). The bird was sitting when I approached the nest
which was almost completely concealed by the thickly-clustering leaves
of a dense, stunted witch-hazel bush growing in a partially cleared tract
of swamp. She sat very close, and made little complaint when she flew.
The nest held five eggs, the full complement, which I found to have been
incubated a few days. I visited the nest several times, nearly always finding
both parent birds near it. A brood of three was successfully reared, and
left the nest on June 19. The nest is now in my possession. It was
built three and a half feet from the ground, and is very thick-walled and
deep. On June 29 and 30I saw a Chat that might have been the male of
this pair. On both occasions he was in a dense thicket fully a mile from
the nest.—H. P. Jonnson, Everett, Mass.

Sylvania mitrata at Germantown, Pennsylvania, in November.—On
November tg, 1887, Mr. Herbert Brown, of Germantown, presented me
with a Warbler that he had just shot, and which proved to be a Hooded
Warbler (Sylvania mitrata) in immature plumage. The bird was taken
in a cabbage patch where it was apparently feeding on insects.—WITMER
STONE, Germantown, Pa.

On the Nesting of Palmer’s Thrasher.—In ‘The Auk,’ Vol. IV, No. 2,
Col. N. S. Goss asks: ‘‘ What constitutes a full set of eggs?” In reply I
offer no suggestions, but pass my observations, which were carefully and
conscientiously made, to the more mature judgment of others.

Among the birds most common on the cactus-covered plains of Arizona,
is Palmer’s Thrasher (HZ. c. palmer’). I particularly speak of this bird
because of my long familiarity with it. From observations made in 1885
and 1886 I was led to believe that three eggs constituted a full set, but my
odlogical notes of 1887 on this particular point are much at variance with
those of the two preceding years.

March 6, 1885, I fonnd a nest of this bird containing four young suffi-
ciently feathered to fly. I secured several nests containing eggs—generally
three—but four was no uncommon number. I also noted other nests con-
taining a like number of young, but none of the latter so far advanced as
the ones first mentioned. By the 13th nesting was weil under way, not
only with the Jadmer/, but also with the Bendire’s Thrasher (#. bendirez)
and Cactus Wren (C. brunneicapillus). I cite these additional cases as
proof of the early nesting of birds that year. Throughout the next several

1888. ] General Notes. rig

months I had occasion to examine many nests of the palmer?, nearly
always with the same result. Two eggs I considered an imperfect set,
and as such left them undisturbed, unless debarred by distance from
returning for them when the set was completed. Those that were taken
were almost invariably fresh, while sets of three and four were frequently
more or less incubated. Towards the latter part of May I was at the
Quijotoa, some eighty or ninety miles southwest of Tucson. In that
vicinity’Palmer’s Thrashers were exceedingly abundant. I had there an
Opportunity to examine many nests, and, to my surprise, they contained
but two eggs each. This, however,I attributed to the fact that the eggs
in question were, as I supposed, the second or third broods of the season.

In 1886 I was early in the field, and although nests had apparently been
completed for several weeks past I did not find an egg of a palmeré till
February 28th. On that day I took two nests, each containing three eggs.
March 28 I was again out, and took a nest of four. April 18, another nest
containing three. From various causes this practically ended my obser-
vations for the year.

In the spring of the present year (1887), for some cause unknown to me,
the nesting season opened unusually late, although as in the preceding
year some nests had apparently been ready for weeks. On March 20 I
took three nests of the Palmerz, each containing two slightly incubated
eggs. April1oI examined eleven nests of this same bird, seven of which
contained two young each, one, one young, two, two eggs each, and
one, three eggs. April 17 I examined seven more nests; three contained
two young each, three, two eggs each, and the other, one egg. April 24
I examined three nests, of which two had two eggs, and one, one egg.

May 15 I took two nests, one of which contained two eggs and the other
had four. The latter were unusually light in color and much undersized.
May 16a boy brought me a nest containing three eggs which he assured
me were all of the same set; but this is doubtful, as one egg was larger
than the other two and pinkish in color. All were much incubated.
May 20 I examined six nests, four of which contained two eggs each, one
three, and one one. May 21 I examined five nests, four of which contained
three eggs each, the other two eggs. May 24 I examined six nests, two
of which contained three eggs, two, two eggs each, and two, one egg each.

Jnne 4 I took one nest containing two eggs. June 14 one nest with two
eggs. June Ig one nest with three eggs. Beyond this I could give them
no attention, but Ihave certain knowledge that they continued nesting
late into July.

If the numerical difference here noted was due to climatic changes, why
were not the Bendire’s Thrashers affected likewise? Both occupy the
same locality and have a similarity of habits. The Bendire’s nested later
than the Palmer’s, as usual. It was April 10 when I noted the first eggs
of the Bendire’s Thrasher. That was a month, all but three days, later
than I found them in 1885. During the past season I examined eighteen
nests of this bird, eight of which contained three eggs each, seven con-
tained two eggs each, two contained one egg each, and one nest contained

I18 General Notes. [ January

four. This enumeration does not include nests found containing young,
several of which I examined, but in no one instance did I see less than
two. There is no difference, on the average, in the size of sets between
the years 1885 and 1887.

The winter and spring of 1884-85 were unusually cold. Ice an eighth
of an inch thick formed repeatedly in the valley, and the mountains were
as often snow-capped. The winter and spring of 1885-86 were very mild,
but more especially were those of 1886-87. Unfortunately I cannot give
the temperature, but the appended table shows the extent of the rainfall :—

Year. Fan. Feb. March. April. May. Fune.
1885 0.00 0.42 0.40 0.00 0.23 0.13
1886 1.61 0.35 0.87 0.06 0.00 0.00
1887 0.00 0.85 0.00 0.38 0.00 0.26

Dried grass usually is a staple article with Palmer’s Thrashers for nest
lining. A nest last year lined with feathers and grass was the first
deviation I had ever seen from it, but this year nothing seemed to go
amiss for that purpose. Those nestingin the vicinity of a slaughter-house
frequently economized on grass by using about one half pig bristles. In
a nest of this build I also saw a piece of baling rope that had been skil-
fully worked in, I saw several that were lined with grass and horsehair,
also several that were lined with grass and feathers. The H. bendiret
by no means confine themselves to grass for nest lining, as is abundantly
evidenced by my odlogical notes. —HERBERT Brown, Tucson, Arizona.

Feeding Habits of Sitta canadensis.—On the 28th of October last in the
Northern Adirondacks I noticed that the Red-bellied Nuthatches seemed
to be feeding exclusively on the seeds of the black spruce. After that I
watched them for a number of days, and although they were abundant, I
did not see them feeding on anything else. Alighting on a bunch of
cones at the extremity ofa bough, the Nuthatch would insert its bill be-
tween the scales of a cone and draw out aseed. Then flying to a horizon-
tal bough near by it would detach the wing which adheres to each seed,
letting it fall to the ground, swallow the seed, and fly back for another.
Frequently a good many trips would be made between the same bunch of
cones and the same bough where the wing was separated from the seed.

The Red-bellied Nuthatches were very abundant — much more so than
the White-bellied — and it was an interesting sight to watch them feed-
ing in this way. One specimen, killed while feeding, contained no food
but the seeds of the spruce. I did not observe the White-bellied
Nuthatch make use of this supply of food. — C. K. AVERILL, JR., Bridge-
port, Conn.

Spotted Eggs of Parus gambeli. —In the spring of 1882, when living
at Gold Run, in the Belt Mountains, I noticed a pair of Mountain Chick-
adees flitting about a knot-hole some fifteen feet up in a cotton-wood tree.

es

1888. ] General Notes. 119

Thinking the birds might have selected the place for their nesting I
visited it several times, usually finding at least one of the birds about,
and sometimes getting within arm’s length of both of them. On June 23,
just after a blustering snowstorm, I went to the place and found the
upper part of the knot-hole drifted in with snow, and the birds absent.
Cutting open the hole, which had evidently been enlarged somewhat by
one of the smaller Woodpeckers, and was about ten inches deep, there
lay six eggs ona thin matting of rabbit’s hair. The eggs are white, all
distinctly marked with pale reddish brown spots, quite numerous and
more or less confluent about the larger end, and gradually diminishing
in numbers toward the smaller. The largest egg measures 17.5 X 12.
mm., the smallest 16. X 12. mm. On comparison with four eggs of P.
atricapillus septentrionalis, obtained on the North Fork of the Mussel-
shell River, they prove considerably more elongated, with slightly
rounder ends and larger, much paler, spots. The largest egg of the last-
mentioned bird is 16.5 X 12.5 mm., the smallest 15.5 X 12.5 mm. —
R. S. WILLiAMs, Great Falls, Montana.

What Birds indicate Proximity to Water, and at what Distance ? — Mr.
William Lloyd. in his explorations in the arid region of Western Texas,
has made some highly important observations, the results of which can-
not fail to be of the utmost value to travellers on our southwestern plains,
where water is scarce and difficult to find. Mr. Lloyd writes: ‘‘During
the past summer, I have been investigating’ an important question which
occurred to me about four years ago, namely, What birds indicate the
presence of water in their neighborhood? Of course any statement on
the subject should be proved by a number of facts, based on experiments
in different localities. Three times this summer I have camped from
simply seeing certain birds, and on hunting for water have found it in
each case. As certainties Ican give the following species, with the great-
est distance at which each occurs from water.

Cardinal : - - 4 : : I mile.
Warblers (including Chat) . . . mile.
Vireos : é : : : : 2 miles.
Mockingbirds . 7 : 4 : . 2% to 34 miles.
Blue Grosbeak. : 3 : : oe :
Orchard Oriole : : ; : - 3 miles.
Bullock’s Oriole. : : ; : 3 miles.
Nonpareil : ; : , : . 3 miles.
Carolina Dove . : : . : 3 to § miles.
Black-capped Titmouse. < : ; 4) mailes:
Texas Cardinal. ; : : : 6 miles.

This only applies to summer. and will not bold in winter or during
migrations. I have been constructing this list since the summer of
1883; and also have particularly noted what birds drank, and how often,
in Dec.-Jan., 1884-1885; Nov.-Dec., 1885; and Jan., 1886.”—C. Hart
MERRIAM, Washington, D. C. ;

120 Correspondence. [ January

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondents are requested to write briefy and to the point. No attention will
be paid to anonymous communications.|

Propatagialis cucullaris.

To THE Eprirors oF THE AUK :—

Dear Sirs:—Having given space in ‘The Auk’ to Dr. Shufeldt’s re-
joinder to an article of mine in another publication, which probably few
of the readers of ‘The Auk’ have had the opportunity to familiarize them-
selves with, will you kindly allow me to say a few words in my defense,
the more so, as Dr. Shufeldt has told this new class of readers that
my first paper was ‘‘a rather acrimonious protest” in which I ‘‘so
misrepresented the entire matter,” etc. I regret very much that the
editor of ‘Science’ did not think Dr. Shufeldt’s reply fit for publication,
since, had it appeared in that journal, I should have saved myself the
trouble of answering his irrelevant rejoinders and counter-criticisms. The
readers of ‘Science’ who knew the previous articles would also know how
to correctly place his reply, and would be competent judges whether
I had ‘:misrepresented the whole matter” or not. It is also characteristic
that Dr. Shufeldt did not maké this accusation in the reply intended for
‘Science,’ but in the part prepared for ‘The Auk’ only. To this accusation
I can only say, read the original articles and judge! In every instance I
quoted Dr. Shufeldt verbatim. Besides there was no room for misrep-
resentation.

The whole sum and substance of the controversy is this: In ‘Science’
for June 24, 1887, Dr. Shufeldt announced what he took to be the discov-
ery of an unknown muscle in the bird’s wing, which he thought withouta
name, and which he therefore named dermo-tensor patagit, alleging that it
had a special taxonomic value. My article in ‘Science’ for August 5, 1887,
demonstrated that Dr. Shufeldt was entirely wrong in all his supposi-
tions. I proved that this muscle was not confined to the Passeres
acromyodz, but that it is equally well developed in Parrots and Wood-
peckers; I proved that the muscle, so far from being unknown and
unnamed, was well known in literature, and had not one but many
names; and I proved that Dr. Shufeldt’s allegation that the late Professor
Garrod in particular was ignorant of the existence of this muscle, was
equally unfounded.

I did not blame Dr. Shufeldt for not knowing these things, and, surely,
I did not exhibit any ‘‘acrimony.” Idid not feel any then, and I do not
feelany now. I only stated scientific facts, killed a false notion at its
birth, and assigned ‘dermo-tensor patagiz’ to the limbo of synonyms.
That was my entire crime!

I repeat, I did not blame Dr. Shufeldt for not knowing the literature

1888.] Correspondence. 121

on this point, in fact, Idid not then blame him at all, for I knew very well
the disadvantages under which he labors, and which he justly pleads as
extenuating circumstances. But when a student knows these difficulties
himself, he has no excuse for rushing into print with his so-called dis-
covery because he does not find this small muscle mentioned in a few
English works, either too general or too special for the purpose. There
was no need of hurrying the publication of such half-digested matter; if
Dr. Shufeldt had inquired from one of his many correspondents who had
access to the literature, and had postponed the heralding of the discovery
until its importance had been confirmed, he might have saved himself
considerable trouble and the mortification of a correction.

Now only a few words in reply to Dr. Shufeldt’s letter in ‘The Auk’
(1887, pp. 353-356), and in order to be brief and to avoid repetitions, I
shall take up his points serzatim.

It is curious to hear Dr. Shufeldt call the authorities whom I quoted
‘*dissectors, as a rule, who did not especially look into the structure of
the birds with the view of determining their affinities.” Now the fact is
quite the reverse, and by his remark Dr. Shufeldt clearly proves that he
does not know these men, nor their works. It is sufficient to state that
most of them are comparative systematists whose aims and achievements
in this latter direction make Dr. Shufeldt appear a mere ‘‘dissector” by
comparison.

Dr. Shufeldt in speaking of my defense of Professor Garrod says: ‘I
am,as it were, directly charged with doing Professor Garrod a ‘great
injustice’, and ‘gravely misrepresenting’ him, as 7/ that were the sole aim
of my original description” (italics mine). Suffice it to say that the
“as tf” is a pure insinuation. I have made no such allusion nor have I
hinted at Dr. Shufeldt’s a7m. There is nota word to indicate that |
thought Dr. Shufeldt misrepresented Garrod willingly or knowingly.
He did misrepresent him nevertheless.

That Dr. Shufeldt failed to find a trace of Aropatagialis cucullariés in
two specimens of 7yrannus tyrannus while I myself discovered distinct
muscular elements, shows very plainly the unstable character and com-
parative unimportance of this muscular slip.

We now come to the second half of Dr. Shufeldt’s reply, which may
safely be characterized as an attempt to raise sufficient dust to conceal the
real questions at issue, for he takes nearly a whole page of the valuable
space of ‘The Auk’ to criticise such parts of my drawings as have no bear-
ing upon the discussion. But as he has raised these side-issues, and finally
comes back to them in the finishing paragraph of his reply with a some-
what supercilious allusion, Iam obliged to ask some space in order to
demonstrate how utterly devoid of foundation his allegations are. First
he makes some remarks in regard to the scale to which my figures were
stated to have been drawn, viz., one third natural size. Any ‘‘intelligent”
reader will at once see that this statement is due to a clerical, or a typo-
graphicalerror. Ireceived no proof of the figures illustrating my original
article nor of the explanatory text accompanying them. Of course when I

CLELN <<< ——————————

122 Correspondence. [ January

saw the number of ‘Science’ containing them I immediately discovered the
lapsus, but I had sufficient confidence in the readers of that journal to
believe that not a single one of them could be deceived by it, and conse-
quently I deemed it unnecessary to formally correct such a trifling matter.
The original drawings were natural size, and on the paper I marked them
to be reduced to one third, hence, of course, the mistake. But I will here
emphasize that this is the second time that Dr. Shufeldt, in a controversy
with mein thisjournal, has taken advantage of an ohzvZous error of this kind.
There are at least half a dozen other typographical errors in that paper of
mine, for my return proofs evidently did not reach the printer in time,
and it is only a matter of surprise to me that Dr. Shufeldt did not avail
himself of the opportunity to add another valuable page to his reply.

Hlis remark that I have represented the ‘‘tips of the shoulder in close
anatomical connection with the s¢de of the middle of the neck” is too ridic-
ulous to be seriously meant. Or, has really Dr. Shufeldt overlooked that
the mesial line is designated by a double line indicating the skin which is
left in position on the right side of the body, while the single line to the
extreme right represents the contour of the neck? Surely, Dr. Shufeldt
is right in the last paragraph of his letter in exclaiming ‘‘let us, gentle-
men, have intelligent drawings,” but allow me to supplement it by pray-
ing: ‘‘Let us also have intelligent readers !”

I hardly know how to characterize Dr. Shufeldt’s remark that I have
represented the dzcefs muscle as ‘‘inserted into the extensor metacarpt
radialis longus,” etc. In view of this extraordinary statement I shall have
to modify my above prayer somewhat, and say: ‘‘let us have moderately
intelligent readers, at least!” or ‘‘Let us have readers who are willing to
open their eyes!” Anybody with eyes and willing to see, will find upon
examining my fig. 2, that the muscular slip which ‘‘is inserted into the
e. m. r. l., between the ¢enso patagtt brevis and the humerus” is not
lettered 6, but the muscle lying behind it and partly concealed by it! The
tendon to which Dr. Shufeldt refers is not lettered at all!

The above may be sufficient to lay the dust. Aside from the considera-
tion that his criticisms of my drawings are unfounded, to say the least,
Dr. Shufeldt ought to have carefully avoided any allusion to unintelligent
drawings,-—for he who lives in a glass house should not indulge in throw-
ing stones, according to an old adage, the soundness of which may be in-
disputable even in New Mexico,—as will be perfectly demonstrated by the
following interesting reflections. When Dr. Shufeldt made the figures to
accompany his first paper (‘Science,’ June 24, 1887, figs. on p. 624) he still
labored under the impression that ?kamphastos was figured by Garrod as
the type of a passerine bird (‘‘Garrod chose the wing of Rhamphastos
cuvierz to illustrate the arrangement of the patagial muscles in the
Passeres”). He copied this figure (fig. 1) and accordingly inscribed it
(**.... left. wing of a passerine bird, Rhamphastos cuvier” =e

He then drew the arm muscles of a Swallow (fig. 2) to match, showing
his own discovery; but believing the Rhamphastos to be one of the Pas-
seres he fell into the—to an avian anatomist—most unpardonable blunder

18SS.] Notes and News. 123
of representing the Swallows as having the propatagialis brevis inserted
in the same way as the Rhkamphasfos, in other words, after the fashion of
the picarian birds. Whether that drawing was sent to ‘Science’ by a
mistake, or not, is of no consequence; the fact remains that a man, who is
going to teach others all about the ‘‘taxonomic muscles” in birds, has pre-
pared such a drawing and finished it so far that it could be reproduced by
the regular photo-engraving process. I approve most heartily of Dr.
Shufeldt’s concluding sentence: Yes, det us by all means have intelligent
drawings !!

Finally a few words in regard to the name of the much talked of muscu-
lar slip.

The only ratéonal name of it is the one given by Fiirbringer, viz., pars
propatagialis musculi cucullaris. ‘This is evidently an instance ‘‘where
the name is five times as big as the muscle,” which, ‘‘for the sheer sake of
clearness and convenience,” Dr. Shufeldt wants to lay aside as an abomina-
ble name bestowed by the ‘‘old anatomists.” Here Dr. Shufeldt again
proves his ignorance of Dr. Fiirbringer and his works. Fiirbringer is not
one of the ‘told anatomists,” he is one of the younger ones, and he is,
moreover, the great reformer of myological nomenclature ‘‘for the sheer
sake of clearness and convenience.” The name given by him signifies
that this muscle is only a patagial slip of musculus cucullaris, leaving
nothing to be desired in regard to clearness and convenience, for, of course,
in speaking of it Furbringer does not use the whole name, but simply
“propatagialis cucullaris,” which is hardly longer than Dr. Shufeldt’s
“dermo-tensor patagti.” ‘The latter, however, is neither clear nor conven-
ient, for surely AJrofatagéal’s longus is the true dermo-tensor patagit, and
not the slip of cucudlar¢s, which in mostcases is only a dermo-tensor para-
patagiz.

.

Washington, D. C., December, 1887. LEONHARD STEJNEGER.

NOTES AND NEWS.

IN THE last number of the ‘The Auk’ (Vol. IV, p. 359) reference was
made to the movement for the erection of a monument to John James
Audubon in Trinity Cemetery, New York City. The movement has now
become well organized, under the lead of a committee of the New York
Academy of Sciences, consisting of Prof. Thomas Egleston of the School
of Mines, Chairman, Dr. N. L. Britton of Columbia College, Secretary
and Treasurer, and Prof. Daniel S. Martin of Rutgers Female College.
As already stated (see p. 97 of this issue), a committee to codperate
with the committee of the New York Academy was appointed by the
American Ornithologists’ Union at its late meeting in Boston, consisting

124 Notes and News. [ January

of Dr. George Bird Grinnell, Chairman, and Messrs. William Dutcher
and George B. Sennett. Committees in further aid of the work have been
appointed by the Linnean Society of New York, the Torrey Botanical
Club of New York, and the Staten Island Natural History Association.
Circulars soliciting subscriptions have already been issued by several of
these Committees, a joint meeting of which will soon be held in New
York, on a call for this purpose from the Committee of the New York
Academy, to perfect plans for carrying on the work.

It is estimated that from $6,000 to $10,000 will be required in order to
erect a monument worthy of the naturalist whose memory it is intended
to commemorate. It is hoped that at least the larger of these amounts
may be raised. The character of the monument will of course depend
upon the amount of money secured. It is not desired that any individual
subscriptions of large amount be sent, it being preferable to have the
testimonial rest on contributions from as many as possible of the great
naturalists’ admirers, representing all sections of our country. Gifts from
abroad will be welcomed, but the work is obviously and primarily for
Audubon’s countrymen. It is hoped that each of the three hundred and
odd members of the A. O. U. will feel it a privilege to contribute, with as
jittle delay as possible, to the fund. Contributions sent to the Treasurer,
Mr. William Dutcher, 51 Liberty Street, New York City, will be duly
acknowledged, and permanently recorded.

On the completion of the monument it is intended to make the unveiling
a public ceremonial befitting the occasion, thus further appropriately
recognizing the great services of Audubon as a pioneer in American
ornithology. A list of the contributors to the monument fund might
very fittingly be included in the permanent history of the undertaking,
showing how widely and heartily his memory is still revered among not
only ornithologists, but the public at large, and especially among natura-
lists who are not distinctively bird men.

Mr. R. BOWDLER SHARPE, in ‘The English Illustrated Magazine’ for
December, 1887, in an article entitled ‘Ornithology at South Kensington,’
gives some account of the ornithological collection in the British Museum,
detailing with evident pride its rapid increase and generally satisfactory
progress during the last fifteen years, and contrasting very favorably its
present condition with its status in the old galleries of the British Museum
at Bloomsbury, before the removal to the new quarters at South Kensing-
ton. The article is full of important suggestions bearing upon the care
and general management of such collections, well worthy of consideration
by those having them in charge. Unfortunately we have space to notice
only a few of the many statements of interest. He wisely advocates the
exhibition of birds in natural groups, mounted in characteristic attitudes,
and with accessories giving some idea of the habits and manner of life of
the species, the public, he believes, ‘‘infinitely preferring a few artistic
and naturally mounted birds to whole rows of specimens on stands, with-
out any explanatory labels to relieve the tedium of the conventional

1888. | Notes and News. 125

mounting.” Already thousands of specimens in the old collection have
been unmounted and variously disposed of since the abandonment of ‘‘the
time-honored tradition in the mode of mounting animals.” As he well
says, ‘‘every-bird exposed in a glass case is doomed to destruction sooner
or later, its fate being merely a question of time, as exposure to the light
is certain to bleach the plumage and deteriorate the appearance of the
specimen; .... therefore the main zoGlogical collections are preserved in
cabinets and hidden from the light, and there is no reason why they
should not be available for the purposes of study for many hundred years.”

Mr. Sharpe describes in detail the series of the groups of British birds
with their nests; the ‘Index’ collection, illustrating the osteology of birds,
the structure and growth of feathers, the formation of the beak and feet in
the principal forms of birds, etc., and the groups illustrating the hybridiza-
tion of species in a wild state, and the variation of species under domes-
tication.

During the last fifteen years, or since Mr. Sharpe was placed in charge,
the bird department of the British Museum has advanced from a third-rate
position to the first; the study collection has increased from 40,000 spec-
imens to 200,000, and with the additions already promised and soon to be
incorporated, will ‘‘reach the astounding number of 250,000.” This, too,
with very little encouragement from the Government towards the increase
of the collection, its course in this respect contrasting, Mr. Sharpe claims,
very unfavorably with that of other nations. This great increase is due
to ‘‘the private collections, which formerly eclipsed the national one in
value,” having been given to the Museum. Among these are the Hume
collection of nearly 85,000 Indian birds and eggs, and the American series
of Messrs. Salvin and Godman, and Dr. Sclater, ‘‘which doubled at one
stroke the number of specimens in the Museum.” Besides these the Wal-
lace and Gould collections have been added, and Mr. Seebohm’s splendid
collection of Palearctic birds and eggs has been promised, while Captain
Wardlaw Ramsay has announced his intention of presenting the immense
series of Asiatic birds collected by the late Marquis of Tweeddale, number-
iug 40,000 specimens. Mr. Sharpe closes with an enthusiastic appeal to
Englishmen everywhere to render still more perfect the already unrivalled
collection under his charge.

Mr. Henry SEEBOHM has issued a prospectus of a work on ‘The Geo-
graphical Distribution of the Charadriida (Plovers, Sandpipers, and
Snipes, etc.).’ In referring to this important announcement ‘Nature’ adds
the following pertinent comment: ‘‘The unrivalled collection of Wading ~
Birds in Mr. Seebohm’s possession supplies the material for this work,
and the volume will undoubtedly be one of great interest to ornithologists.
Mr. Seehohm’s ideas on nomenclature, the influence of the Glacial epoch
on the migration of birds, and kindred subjects, are always original, and
this new work of his will open, according to the prospectus, with an
introduction setting forth his latest opinions. There is also to be given

126 Notes and News. [ January

‘a complete synonymy from 1776 to the present time,’ a rather appalling
announcement, and one involving a vast change in ornithological
nomenclature, as it will preclude the use of Linnzan names.”

AT THE last meeting of the A. O. U. the Council, which has hitherto
acted as a Publication Committee, relegated this function to a committee,
consisting of the President and Secretary, Dr. Coues, Mr. Ridgway, and
Mr. Brewster, most of whom were formerly on the Editorial Staff of ‘The
Auk,’ which now consists of the editor and one assistant editor, the latter
being Mr. C. F. Batchelder, of Cambridge, Mass. Being assured of effi-
cient aid in the work of carrying on the journal, Mr. Allen consented to
retain the editorship for another year, Mr. Batchelder kindly taking upon
himself the greater part of the labor.

THe ‘sensation of the hour’ in certain scientific circles in New York City
is an alleged discovery of great significance in the mechanism of birds’
wings, whereby the extension of the wing in soaring is maintained automat-
ically, or without the exertion of any muscular force on the part of the
bird. That there isa mechanism for this purpose, resulting from the
peculiar structure and relations of the bones of the fore-arm and hand,
was long since discovered by anatomists, and is more or less well known
to every well-informed ornithologist. But the ‘discovery’ now under
notice is of a different character, having no relation to the bony frame-
work of the wing, but to the primaries, and the alleged ability of the bird
to so rotate the individual feathers at will as to practically turn them
wrong side out! In other words, the inner vane of the first primary is
brought from its normal position and function of underlying and support-
ing the second primary and made to overdze the second primary, — that is
the first primary is imbricated upon instead of beneath the second, as it
is normally seen—and in like manner the second upon the third, and
the third upon the fourth, and so on. This position of the feathers, it is
alleged, keeps the wing from closing, and enables the bird to soar indefi-
nitely without experiencing fatigue. The fact that such a position of the
feathers greatly weakens the power of support, by permitting the air to
pass freely through the wing between the vanes of the primaries, and is
besides so obviously contrary to the whole plan ofa bird’s wing as an
effective instrument of flight, to say nothing of the well-known inability
of the bird to thus arrange the primary quills, were points too trivial, in
the opinion of the advocates of the new theory, to be entitled to serious
consideration.

The matter was first made public in a communication by Professor WwW.
P. Trowbridge, professor of engineering in Columbia College, to the
National Academy of Sciences at its meeting held in November last
in New York City. Professor Trowbridge stated that the discovery was
made by his son, whose attention was directed to the matter by finding
a Hawk he had just shot with the primaries overlapped in the manner
above described, suggesting the inference that this arrangement of the

1888. ] Notes and News. NF -HF

feathers was a provision for keeping the wing expanded in flight without
muscular exertion on the part of the bird. Professor Newberry spoke in
approval of the brilliant discovery and of its obvious importance, and,
there being no ornithologists present, the discovery passed unchallenged,
not only at the meeting, but into print, in the columns of ‘Science’ and
elsewhere.

Some weeks later, a paper was announced on new discoveries in the
mechanism of flight in birds, by Professors Newberry and Trowbridge, as
apart of the evening’s entertainment at the meeting of the New York
Academy of Sciences for December 12. The title naturally attracted the
attention of a number of ornithologists, who made it a point to attend
the meeting. The communications covered, in a general way, the whole
subject of the flight of birds, but the special point was, of course. the
new discovery of the voluntary ‘‘interlocking of the primaries” so as to
automatically prevent the closing of the wing during protracted flight. As
soon as an opportunity was afforded, the ornithologists present quickly
pointed out the utter absurdity and impossibility of the new ‘discovery,’
the speakers in opposition being Messrs. D. G. Elliot, J. A. Allen, and
George B. Sennett. The arguments these gentlemen advanced failed to
convince at least the principal advocate of the new theory. who declared.
with some warmth, that he ‘‘was not a fool,” and accepted the challenge
to demonstrate by dissections all that he had claimed, including the
ability ofthe bird to rotate and interlock the primaries. Accordingly the
announcement card for the meeting of December 19 contained the fol-
lowing: ‘‘Prof. W. P. Trowbridge will exhibit wings, showing the ten-
dons. as claimed, for the flexion, extension, and rotation of the primaries.”
The New York ornithologists were accordingly on hand, some of them
provided, as well as Professor Trowbridge, with fresh preparations of
birds’ wings, to witness the promised ‘demonstration.’ Professor Trow-
bridge’s exposition of the well-known muscles of flight and their functions
was entirely successful, but his claim of showing also muscles capable of
rotating the primaries so as to reverse their usual mode of imbrication was
challenged by the ornithologists present, and finally this part of the
‘demonstration’ was abandoned, and the question at issue reduced to the
discovery ofa new muscle in the manus, having the function to open
and close the primaries — ‘‘a muscle unknown” to ornithologists or anat-
omists, and hitherto undescribed. The muscle in question being the
well-known m. ¢zteros:eus falmarum, comment on the new point would
be superfluous. He still claimed, however, in his closing rejoinder, that
birds had the power of interlocking the primaries, as he originally
maintained. This, with the peculiar summing of the controversy at the
close of the meeting by the President (Professor Newberry) ‘from the
chair’ renders it highly probable that the ornithologists will re-open the
subject at the next meeting of the Academy. ‘The participants in the
discussion at the second meeting, in addition to the two gentlemen al-
ready named, were Messrs. Allen, Elliot, Sennett, Dr. Holder, and Mr.
E. E. Thompson, of Toronto, Canada.

128 Notes and News. [ January

Tue following extract from a private letter written to Mr. W. E. D.
Scott, gives interesting information respecting the destruction of Herons
and other birds for their plumes about Punta Rassa, Florida :—‘‘From
personal observation in the immeciate vicinity of Punta Rassa, I can
verify your account of the great decrease in the numbers of the birds
since I went there in 1883. At that time it was a pleasure to sit on the
piazzas of the telegraph station and watch the long flights of Herons, Peli-
cans, and Cormorants pass up the harbor on the way to their roosting
places in the late afternoons; and at all times of the day some or all of
these birds were to be seen in greater or less numbers. Each and every one
of the small islands in the harbor within sight of our place was a nesting
and roosting place for the Herons, Pelicans, and Cormorants and other
birds at that time. In the spring of that year (1883) Isidore Cohn-
feld, of New York, sent an agent to Punta Rassa, a Mr. Kornfeld, with a
big lot of guns and ammunition, and he was the first one to inaugurate
the crusade against the birds after my arrival there. Kornfeld died at
Punta Rassa, but he was replaced by another agent, guns and ammuni-
tion were distributed liberally, and though the last agent, whose name I
have forgotten, did not do much business, yet the slaughter was carried
on from the start that had been made, and other parties reaped the bene-
fit of Cohnfeld’s plant. Shultz and I bought something near two thou-
sand skins ourselves, a fact of which I have been rather ashamed ever
since, but they came to us mostly in the way of trade, and we did not have
any hunters in the field. That season satisfied me of the fate of the Herons
unless a halt was made in the slaughter, and I talked against it, and
tried to persuade some of the hunters to stop their shooting, but it had no
effect. The usual answer was ‘“‘others are doing it and I may as well get
my share”; the same reason Johnson gave you. The following season,
and in fact every season since then, the crusade has been kept up. Batty
made his appearance there in the winter of that year, though his opera-
tions were confined more to the country south of Punta Rassa, but the
next season he extended his business and had everybody shooting for him.
Other parties were in the field also, and I received many letters from
dealers in New York and Jersey City asking me to buy plumes for them,
but I had had enough of it. Bird skins were taken at Myers in the stores
in exchange for food and clothing, and the consequence was that during
the spring preceding my departure from Rassa there was not a single
bird nesting on more than one, possibly two, of the islands where before
everyone of them had seemed to be overcrowded.

‘“‘T hope our next legislature will put a stop to this indiscriminate shoot-
ing. I have talked to our Senator from Key West, who is an old friend of
mine, on the subject, and he is very much interested in it, and feels the
necessity for some action in the matter at the next session of the legisla-
tunes 7

woe AUK;

ASQUARTEREY JOURNAL OF

ORNITHOLOGY.

VOW V. APRIL, 1888. No, 2.

THE BIRD ROCKS OF THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE
IN 1887.

BY FREDERIC A. LUCAS.

Turee hundred and thirty-two years ago Jacques Cartier, voy-
aging in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, wrote as follows: ‘‘We came
to three islands, two of which are as steep and upright as any
wall, so that it was not possible to climb them, and between
them there is a little rock. These islands were as full of birds
as any meadow is of grass, which there do make their nests, and
in the greatest of them there was a great and infinite number of
those that we call Margaulx, that are white and bigger than any
geese, which were severed in one part. In the other were only
Godetz, but toward the shore there were of those Godetz and
great Apponatz, like to those of that island that we above have
mentioned ; we went downto the lowest part of the least island,
where we killed above a thousand of those Godetz and Appon-
atz. We put into our boats so many of them as we pleased, for
in less than one hour we. might have filled thirty such boats of
them. We named them the Islands of Margaulx.”

While this description, as well as the sentences which immedi-
ately precede it, containssome statements that apparently are at
variance with existing facts, there is nevertheless good reason to
believe that Cartier here refers to the Bird Rocks in the Gulf of

130 Lucas on the Bird Rocks of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. [April

St. Lawrence.* The birds called Margaulx, which bite even
as dogs,” were Gannets whose descendants, in spite of centuries
of persecution, are to be found to-day, nesting where their ances-
tors did before them.

That Cartier’s description of the islands does not accord with
their present appearance is not to be wondered at. The material
of which they are composed is a soft, decomposing, red sand-
stone that succumbs so easily to the incessant attacks of the sea
that Dr. Bryant’s description of them in 1860 does not hold good
to-day. If, then, the Bird Rocks have undergone visible changes
in twenty-five years, it is easy to imagine how great alterations
the islets may have undergone during three and a quarter cen-
turies.

Dr. Bryant in 1861 wrote as follows: ‘‘These [theBird Rocks ]
are two in number, called the Great Bird or Gannet Rock, and
the Little or North Bird; they are about three-quarters of a mile
apart, the water between them very shoal, showing that, at no
very distant epoch, they formed a single island. ...The North
Bird is much the smallest and though the base is more accessible,
the summit cannot, I believe, be reached, at least, I was unable
to do so; it is the most irregular in its outline, presenting many
enormous detached fragments, and is divided in one place into
two separate islands at high water; the northerly one several
times higher than broad, so as to present the appearance of a
huge rocky pillar.

‘‘Gannet Rock is a quarter of a mile in its longest diameter
from S. W. to N. E. The highest point of the rock is at the
northerly end where, according to the chart, it is 140 feet high,
and from which it gradually slopes to the southerly end, where
it is from 80 to 100.

“The sides are nearly vertical, the summit in many places over-
hanging. There are two beaches at its base on the south-
erly and westerly sides, the most westerly one comparatively
smooth and composed of rounded stones. The easterly one, on
the contrary, is very rough and covered by irregular blocks,
many of large size and still angular, showing that they have but
recently fallen from the cliffs above. This beach is very difficult

* Tam indebted to the courtesy of Commander J. R. Bartlett, Chief of the Hydro-
graphic Office, and to Mr. G. W. Littlehales, of the Division of Chart Construction, for
very kindly supplying me with data to aid in solving this problem.

1888. ] Lucas on the Bird Rocks of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 131

to land on, but the other presents no great difficulty in ordinary
weather ; the top of the rock cannot, however, be reached from
either of them. The only spot from which at present the ascent
can be made, is the rocky point between the two beaches;.. ..”’

The Great Rock has apparently altered but little during the
past twenty-five years, but such changes as have taken place
have tended to improve the character of the southerly beach,
which has been selected by the keeper of the lighthouse erected
here, for the customary landing-place. Two long ladders, bolted
to the rock, now lead to the summit, to which, by means of a
winch and a fall, the lightkeeper raises his little boat.

The westerly beach, is, however, the most accessible, and it
is here that the heavy lighthouse supplies are landed, a large
hoisting apparatus having been placed at the top of the over-
hanging cliff.

If the Great Rock is but little changed, its lesser relative has
suffered greatly from the ravages of time, and sea and frost, rain
and ice, have wrought sad havoc with it. It cannot be called
an easy spot to land on in any but the smoothest of seas, but
once a landing has been effected it is now an easy matter to
climb to the summit of either of the two portions into which it
is divided.

The wide cleft which forms the division seems to be of com-
paratively recent origin, and it is only a question of time when
there shall be two islets instead of one. The rocky pillar off the
northeastern end still stands, but is separated from the little rock
even at low tide, although if one does not mind cold water and
slippery rocks, it is then easy to wade across the connecting
ledge.

It is quite possible, or even probable, that the shoal running
from Little toward Great Bird Rock marks the site of the third
island and little rock mentioned by Cartier. Oragain Cartier may
have been at the islands only during flood tide, in which case
the Pillar would represent the third island, then undoubtedly of
much greater extent.

The birds do not seem to be divided into colonies according
to species, Gannets and Murres being found in close juxtaposi-
tion, and although the Gannets prefer the upper ledges, yet their
distribution is to a great extent regulated by the width of the
rocky shelves, the Murres taking possession where there is not

132 Lucas on the Bird Rocks of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. [April

sufficient room to accommodate their larger companions. There
is, however, a tendency of birds of a feather to flock together
in little groups of a dozen or two, and at a distance the cliffs
appear seamed with white, owing to the lines of perching Gan-
nets.

The top of the rock is now entirely deserted by all birds except
the little Leach’s Petrels, who burrow in security among the
fragments of stone that everywhere show through the shallow
soil. Like all their kind these little birds stay at home all day
in order to indulge in the reprehensible practice of staying out
all night. Consequently none were visible at the time of our
landing, late in the afternoon, although a few minutes digging
unearthed, at the extremity of a single rat-like burrow, four
birds and five eggs.

It is very evident from a little comparison that the interesting
colony at the Bird Rocks has become sadly diminished in num-
bers. At the time of Cartier’s visit, every inch of available
space seems to have been occupied by breeding birds, and even
so late as the time of Audubon this still appears to have been the
case. The Gannets were then largely used for bait by the fisher-
men of Byron Island, and it is related how a party of six killed
with clubs 640 birds in less than an hour. In 1860 Dr. Bryant
estimated the number of Gannets breeding on top of the Great
Rock alone at 50,000 fazrs, although this is very likely too high
a figure. In 1872, owing to the erection of a lighthouse, the
colony on top of the rock had become reduced to 5000, and in
1881 Mr. Brewster found that the Gannets had been entirely
driven from the summit, although the Little Rock was still
thickly populated. He places the total Gannet population of
the Rocks at 50,000 which is still an extraordinary and impres-
sive number, though much less than the figures of previous
observers.

At the time of Mr. Brewster’s visit the Murres were rapidly
decreasing in number owing ‘‘to the recent introduction of a
cannon which is fired every half-hour in foggy weather. At
each discharge the frightened Murres fly from the rock in clouds,
nearly every sitting bird taking its egg into the air between its
thighs and dropping it after flying a few yards. This was re-
peatedly observed during our visit and more than once a perfect
shower of eggs fell into the water around our boat. So serious-

t

1888. ] Lucas on the Bird Rocks of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 133

ly had the Murres suffered from this cause that many of the
ledges on the side of the rock where the gun was fired had been
swept almost clear of eggs.”*

Mr. Turbid, who very kindly afforded us all the assistance and
information in his power, told us that the birds were gradually
becoming used to the cannon and that the destruction from its
use was now comparatively small.

In 1887, only six years later, not a single Gannet bred on the
Little Rock although perhaps, a hundred and fifty may have
found nesting places on the Pillar, while according to Mr. Tur-
bid’s figures not more than 10,000 dwelt on the ledges of the
Great Rock. The decrease of the Gannets is most apparent,
but the smaller birds have doubtless suffered in the same pro-
portion. Scarce a day passes when the weather is at all favora-
ble, without a visit from some party of fishermen desirous, like
those we met at the Little Rock, of obtaining a few Murres for
their table. In fact, while we were on the rock, three men
landed on the westerly beach and opened fire on the Murres
perched along the overhanging ledges, killing some and wound-
ing more.

Many barrels of eggs are also gathered during the season, so
that altogether the birds lead a precarious existence. Stilla large
portion of the island is, practically, so inaccessible that unless
the feather hunters afHict this interesting spot with their pres-
ence the birds may continue to breed here in diminished numbers
for a long time to come.

Besides that of the Bird Rocks the only large colony of Gannets
in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is at Bonaventure Island, where, on
the lofty and vertical cliffs of the eastern side, these birds breed
in a state of semi-security. Dr. Bryant inadvertently locates this
colony at Percé Rock, but aithough this curious and inaccessible
island is only a mile or so distant, and the birds breeding on its
summit are perfectly safe, not a single Gannet is to be found
among them.

During the last twenty years the number of Gannets at Bona-
venture Island has greatly diminished, and Capt. J. W. Collins
told me when we visited the island in September, 1887, that he
was surprised to see how the colony had fallen off.

* Brewster. Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. Vol., XXII, p. 410.

134 Lucas on the Bird Rocks of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. [April

That it ever compared in extent with the Bird Rock colonies
seems to me extremely doubtful, although Dr. Bryant has so
stated. At Bonaventure some of the ledges are accessible to a
good climber, while many others may be reached by the aid of
ropes, so that by the continued pillaging of their nests the Gan-
nets have greatly decreased in number.

A few Gannets still linger at Perroquet Island, of the Mingan
group, in spite of the fact that Dr. Bryant predicted twenty-seven
years ago that it would soon be deserted. In 1881 Mr. Brewster
speaks of having seen several hundred birds, but in 1887 Capt.
Collins found but a dozen or fifteen sitting by their empty nests.
The Indians regularly make a clean sweep of this island, and it
seems wonderful that a single Gannet should still exist here.

It was my fortune to visit the Bird Rocks on the gth of July
in company with Capt. J. W. Collins and Mr. William Palmer,
our object being that of everyone who lands there, to kill birds
and gather eggs.

We were favored with an unusually light wind and calm sea,
and with a little precaution succeeded in beaching our boat on
the shelving ledge on the southerly side of the Little Rock, with
no farther accident than that of shipping a bucketful or so of
water.

We found that we had been preceded by a party of three
fishermen, who had killed a few Murres and Razorbills in order
to make a little change in their daily bill of fare, stewed Murre
being a dish by no means to be despised. Scores of Gannets
were seated on the top of the islet or wheeling anxiously over-
head, but a careful search revealed the fact that not an egg or
nestling of this bird was to be found. Neither did there appear
at first sight to be either egg or young of the Murre or Razorbill
in any spot accessible to man, although by dint of much peering
under ledges and peeping among the masses of fallen rock a few
of each were brought to light. Some of these little nestlings
were found in crevices of the rocks scarcely above the level of
the tide, and had it not been for their faint but continuous peep-
ing, their presence would have been quite unsuspected.

On the northern side, under the overhanging cliffs, a small
number of Murres, Razorbills, and Puffins had their nesting
places on the inaccessible ledges, and on the perpendicular walls
of the southern side a few Kittiwakes had literally reared their

young.

1888. ] Lucas on the Bird Rocks of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 135

The top of the Pillar was closely packed with breeding Gan-
nets, while here and there a few were dotted along its sides. As
this isolated rock is not particularly easy to reach, these birds,
together with a considerable colony of Murres, probably succeeded
in raising their young, although their number was small com-
pared with the number that might have been raised on the
Little Rock had it not been swept clean by the fishermen. Three
young Gannets, varying in age from one to three days, were
secured from the sloping side of the Pillar, these, according to
Mr. Turbid, the lightkeeper, being the first of the season, as the
Gannet’s period of incubation is much longer than that of the
other birds breeding in company with it.

A visit to Great Bird Rock showed it to be the real breeding-
ground of the birds, Gannets, Murres, Razorbills, and Puffins
being both abundant and tame in spite of the fact that they are
subjected to continual persecution.

No Gannets were seen on the Labrador coast east of Mingan,
and none on the eastern coast of Newfoundland. At the time of
Cartier there seems to have been a colony of these birds on Funk
Island, and if one may credit the testimony of the fishermen, they
were breeding there thirty years ago. But after the extermina-
tion of the Great Auk the fishermen and eggers seem to have
done their best to extirpate the remaining denizens of this isolated
spot, and it may well be that the Gannets were as effectually
annihilated as the unfortunate Garefowl. Certain it is that no
Gannets are to be found on Funk Island to-day, and but compar-
atively few Murres and Razorbills. Twenty years ago one boat
took away eleven barrels of eggs on one trip; this year it is
much to be doubted if (aside from the Puffins) there have been
two barrelfuls laid on the island. Gannets are peculiarly liable
to extermination from the pertinacity with which they cling to
their old established breeding places; for once they have made
a spot their home nothing short of complete destruction seems
to drive them from it; and while there are many islands in the
Gulf of St. Lawrence which would furnish suitable nesting-places

for them, yet, year by year, they return to Bonaventure Island
and Bird Rock.

136 Brewster, Mew Subspecies of Mexican Birds. [April

ON THREE APPARENTLY NEW SUBSPECIES OF
MEXICAN BIRDS.*

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

Glaucidium gnoma hoskinsii,t new subspecies.—HoskINn’s PicMy OWL.

Suss. CHar. Similar to G. guoma californica but smaller and grayer,
the forehead and facial disc with more white, the upperparts less distinctly
spotted.

& ad. (No.14,153, collection W. Brewster, Sierra de la Laguna, Lower
California, May 10, 1887; M. Abbott Frazar). Above faded brown tinged
with ashy on thecrownand back, with faint rusty on the wings and tail, the
crown, nape, and back with numerous small, indistinct, irregular shaped
spots of rusty white, the rump and upper tail-coverts with larger, rounder
ones of nearly pure white; fore back crossed by a collar of rusty ochrace-
ous, this bordered anteriorly by blackish and some nearly concealed white;
scapulars and some ofthe wing-coverts with large conspicuous spots of white
orrusty white; wing quills crossed by numerous light bars, nearly obsolete
excepting on the outer webs of the third, fourth, and fifth primaries where,
beyond the point of emargination, they are distinctly marked by white spots,
two or three on each feather, and on the inner webs of all the quills (except-
ing those of the emarginated primaries beyond the point of emargination),
where they are pure white for about two-thirds of the distance from the inner
margin to the shaft; tail crossed by seven imperfect bands of white (the
last terminal) formed by narrow, transverse, opposite spots not touching
the shaft on eitherside; forehead, nasal plumes, and sides of head sparsely
flecked with dusky ona pure white ground; sides of neck uniform with
nape; underparts pure white, the chin, sides of throat, jugulum, middle
of abdomen, and anal region immaculate, the sides of the breast and a
broad band across the throat reddish brown; flanks and under tail-coverts
with coarse longitudinal streaks of clove brown more or less tinged with
rusty; under wing-coverts and bend of wing white, the former with
some coarse blackish markings; feathering of legs white, tinged, or perhaps
obscurely flecked, with brown along the back of the tarsus.

Wing, 3.25; tail, 2.55; tarsus, .73; bill: chord of culmen from base,
.50; ditto from nostril, .35; depth of bill at nostril, .35.

Two other adult males from the same locality, taken respectively June 1
and June 4, measure: wing, 3.33, 3-213 tail, 2.51, 2.35; tarsus, .76, .77;
bill: chord of culmén from base, .55, -50; ditto from nostril, .32, 34;
depth at nostril, .31, .35-

Habitat. WLower California.

[*An author's edition of 75 copies of this paper was published Feb Io, 1888.—ED.]

+ To Mr. Francis Hoskins of Triumfo, Lower California, by request of Mr. Frazar
to whom Mr. Hoskins rendered invaluable aid in the exploration of the Sierra de la
Laguna,

1888. ] BREWSTER, New Subspecies of Mextcax Birds. 137

Mitrephanes phzocercus tenuirostris, new subspecies.—SLENDER-BILLED
FLYCATCHER.

Suss. CHAR. Similar to M. pheocercus but with the general coloring
paler, the bill shorter and very much narrower.

© ad. (No. 14,150, collection W. Brewster, near Oposura, Sonora, Mexico,
June 7th, 1887; J. C. Cahoon, No. 1129). Above brownish drab, the wings
and tail nearly uniform with the back and crown but perhaps a shade
browner; middle and greater wing-coverts tipped with white, forming
wing-bands; forehead tinged with ochraceous; lores dusky; a narrow
orbital ring of buffy white; a band or half collar passing around the hind
neck, sides of neck, auriculars, cheeks, bend of wing, under wing-coverts,
and remainder of underparts clay color, palest on throat and under
tail-coverts, deepest—somewhat ochraceous—on the breast, under wing-
coverts, and sides of neck. Length,* 5.45; extent,*8.50; wing, 2.72; tail,
2.42; bill: length from base,.45; length from nostril, .25; width at nostril,
.20

Habitat. Western Mexico (Sonora, Mazatlan).

The National Museum collection contains eight specimens
labelled AZ. pPhe@ocercus, one from Guatemala, one from Coban,,
three from Orizaba, two from Mazatlan, and one marked simply
Mexico. Of these the first five may be referred confidently to
pheocercus (the Guatemala specimen, from the collection of
Messrs. Salvin & Godman, is marked ‘‘compared with type”).
Of the remaining three one (No. 51,506, Mazatlan, Feb. 1868 ;
F. Bischoff ) has an even smaller bill than the type of ¢exuzrostris.
Although somewhat deeper colored it doubtless belongs to the
same form. The two remaining birds have broader bills and
still deeper coloring and are probably intermediate between
pheocercus and tenutrostris.

Dendroica estiva sonorana, new subspecies—SONORA YELLOW
WARBLER.

Suss. CHar. § most nearly like ¢ D. @. morcom7 but with the under-
parts even more faintly and sparsely streaked, the upperparts, especially
the rump, wings and tail much yellower, the light (yellowish) edging of
wing-quills and coverts broader, the interscapulars with more or less
conspicuous shaft-stripes of purplish chestnut; Q much paler and grayer
than the @ of either @st7va or morcom?.

& ad. (No. 14,151, collection W. Brewster, Oposura, Sonora, Mexico,
April 7, 1887; J. C. Cahoon, No. 559). General coloring rich gamboge
yellow, deepest beneath, tinged with brownish orange on the crown, with

* Collector’s measurements of fresh bird.

138 BREWSTER, WVew Subspecies of Mexican Birds. [April

faint greenish olive on the occiput, nape, back, scapulars, and outer edges of
the primaries, secondaries, and greater wing-coverts; interscapulars with
conspicuous shaft-streaks of purplish chestnut; rump, middle and lesser
wing-coverts and both webs of tertials, pure yellow; upper tail-coverts
yellow with broad shaft-stripes of dull brownish olive; tail feathers, rich
yellow, the shafts black, bordered on the outer webs by dark brown for vary-
ing distances from the tips; on the outer pair the dark color extends back-
ward about half an inch, on the others from an inch to an inch and three-
eighths; on the middle pair it occupies most of the terminal two-thirds of
the inner web also; all the tail feathers are yellow across both webs for half
an inch or more from their bases, and on all the brown spaces are bordered
outwardly with yellow; wing quills clove brown with the outer webs edged
narrowly with greenish yellow, the inner webs rather broadly with pure
yellow, the light edges failing to reach the tips of the outer seven primaries,
but on all the remaining quills passing around and forming a more or less
conspicuous tipping to the feathers; lining of wing and under wing-
coverts pure yellow; breast and sides finely and sparsely streaked with
faint chestnut red.

Wing, 2.55; tail, 1.79; tarsus, .70; bill from base, .50; from nostril,
-32; width at nostril, .12.

Q ad. (No. 14,152, collection W. Brewster near Oposura, Sonora, Mex-
ico, April 14, 1887, J. C. Cahoon, No. 666). Above very pale smoke gray,
tinged faintly with yellowish, the wing-coverts and tail feathers more
strongly yellowish, the tail feathers with the brown markings more ex-
tended than in the @; entire underparts very pale straw yellow, the
throat and jugulum creamy white.

Habitat. Southern Arizona, Western Texas (Frontera)
and Sonora, Mexico.

The male of the form just described may be separated at a
glance from the male of either estzva or morcom* by its much
yellower coloring above, the rump being usually pure yellow,
and the back and wings only faintly tinged with greenish,
whereas morcomz is ordinarily even greener above than true @sfzva.
The underparts are always (?) more faintly and sparsely streaked
than in sorcomz, while in several of my specimens they are
nearly quite immaculate. The purplish streaking of the inter-
scapulars is usually a marked feature, but it is not always pres-
ent in sozorana, while I have found it faintly indicated in two
specimens of morcomz.

The female of sozorana is quite as strongly characterized as the
male. The underparts are so very pale straw yellow asto appear

* T have examined the type in this connection.

a

1888. ] MERRILL on Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. 139

almost white in a poor light, and the upperparts are very gray,
with scarce a tinge of greenish.

Among the large series of Yellow Warblers before me I find
four from Southern Arizona* and one from Western Texas (Fron-
tera) whichare referable to soxorana. A Colorado example is a
fair intermediate between soxorana and morcomz. Typical
morcone is represented from Utah, California, Lower California,
and Alaska. I also have two specimens from Sonora, but both
were taken early in the season and doubtless were migrants bound
further north.

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF FORT KLAMATH,
OREGON.

BY DR. J. C. MERRILL, U. S. A.

With remarks on certain species by William Brewster.

In the fourth volume of the ‘Bulletin’ of the Nuttall Ornitholog-
ical Club,t Dr. Mearns published a list of the birds of Fort Kla-
math, based upon the observations and collections of Dr. H.
McElderry and Lieut. W. Wittich,U. S. A. The following
paper is the result of my own collecting at the same place from
September, 1886, to August, 1887, only such species as were
personally observed or obtained{ by myself being recorded.
These include most of the land birds mentioned in Dr. Mearns’s
list,§ and a good many others; the water birds are relatively

* Since the above was written Mr. Allen has kindly sent to me for examination seven
specimens (three males and four females) taken in Pinal County, Arizona, by Mr
Scott. All of these prove to be soxorana. They form part of the series of eleven spec-
imens whose peculiarities were commented on with some detail in the last issue of Mr.
Scott’s paper (Auk, Vol. V, No. 1, p. 34). In the absence of sufficient material for com-
parison, Mr. Allen, at that time, very naturally referred them to morcomz,

7 July and October, 1879, pp. 161-166 and 194-199.

{ The collection—some two hundred and fifty skins—which I made at Fort Klamath
is now in the possession of Mr. William Brewster, whose comments on technical points
of especial interest are included in the present paper.

§ Except Zonotrichia leucophrys, Pipilo m. megalonyx, Melospiza f. montana, Agelaius
gubernator and Falco mexicanus,

140 MERRILL on Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. [April

fewer in number, as my opportunities for collecting them were
less favorable, and many species that are certainly to be found at
the marsh and lake were not obtained.

Other species, not included in either paper, are known to occur
about the Fort, but I did not obtain specimens of them. Among
these may be mentioned the Mountain and Valley Quails, rare as
yet, but said to be increasing in numbers and extending their
range; the Pileated Woodpecker, Purple Martin, Sage Grouse,
and others. Among the oaks on the western slope of the Cascade
Mountains, within about thirty miles, Nuttall’s and the California
Woodpecker are found, the latter in abundance.

Unless otherwise stated, my observations were made in the
immediate vicinity of the Fort, the altitude of which is 4250 feet.
The marsh frequently referred to is at the head of upper Klamath
Lake, and about three miles from the Fort; it covers about
eighteen square miles. Klamath Marsh proper is at the head of
Williamson’s River, and twelve miles to the northeast. Modoc
Point is twenty miles south on the Linkville road, on the eastern
shore of the upper lake. The elevation of Crater Lake, about
the same distance in the opposite direction, is a little more than
six thousand feet, but the edge of the Crater, which is the locality
referred to when the lake is mentioned, is about nine hundred
feet higher.

The winter was mild and open until the middle of January,
when a severe snow storm began and continued, with few inter-
missions, until the first of March, the snow at that time being
about five feet deep in the valley and very much deeper in the
surrounding mountains. During April and May there was much
cold and disagreeable weather, cold rains and light falls of snow,
and the spring was more backward than usual.

Echmophorus occidentalis. Common in the marsh during the breed-
ing season, and until late in the autumn.

Podilymbus podiceps. Nearly as common as the last species, and found
with it in the marsh and along the shores of the lake wherever tules grow.

Urinator imber. Several seen at Modoc Point in April and August.

Larus Gulls of at least two species were frequently seen on and
near the lake, and occasionally about the marsh, but I did not obtain any
specimens. They arrived late in March, singly and in flocks, and remained
to breed on the islands in the lake.

Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis. Common summer visitor, breeding
in small colonies of six or eight pairs, generally near the edges of the
marsh, but apparently placing their nests among tules and broken rushes

1888. ] MERRILL on7 Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. I41

surrounded by water too deep to permit approach by wading. The only
nest I found was on a floating but almost submerged cow ‘chip,’ a rather
unusual place for a bird’s nest; it was at the edge of a grassy pond in the
middle of which several Terns were nesting, and it had probably drifted to
where I found it. On the top of the ‘chip,’ a large one, were a few water-
soaked grass and tule stalks, and the lower half of the egg was wet, though
the bird was on it when found.*

Phalacrocorax dilophus cincinatus? A Cormorant which I took to be-
long to this subspecies, but of which no specimens were obtained, was quite
common during summer on the lake and Williamson’s River. Several
small flocks were also seen in August at Diamond Lake, the head of the
south fork of the Umpqua River, and about fifty miles north of the Fort.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. Common on the lake, a part of which is
called Pelican Bay, from the abundance of these birds which breed on cer-
tain islands.

Merganser americanus.

Merganser serrator. Both of these species are quite numerous.

Lophodytes cucullatus. Several pairs seen on the lake and in the
marsh; a resident species.

Anas boschas. Very common at all seasons, breeding in great numbers
in the marshes andin suitable places along the streams. They begin to
lay late in March, but the middle and latter part of April is the usual time
for incubation to begin. So many nests are destroyed by the Indians,
who have an annual egging, by coyotes,and by high water, that fresh
eggs may be found until early in July. A nest found June 22 contained
eight eggs, out of each of which the duckling was beginning to break its
way, making a constant peeping noise. It is, perhaps, uncommon for so
many young to hatch at exactly the same time, though I was told that
this is often the case with Mallards and other Ducks.

Anas strepera. Not common in winter nor during the migrations. A
pair was seen inthe marsh on May 27, and from their actions doubtless
had a nest near by.

Anas americana. Common during winter.

Anas carolinensis. Common in winter, especially in the smaller
streams which are always open, even in the coldest weather. A few pairs
remain to breed.

Anas cyanoptera. Early in May several flocks of this beautiful Teal
arrived, and before the end of the month it was common in the marsh,
mostly paired and not at all shy. As I waded about the shallow pools of
water which are their favorite resort, they would often allow me to
approach within afew feet. A nest found June 3 contained eight fresh
eggs, and was placed on a tussock of dry grass, the new green blades sur-
rounding it. When found the female was on the nest, which she left hur-
riedly ; on my return later she had covered the eggs with dry grass stems
and blades, completely concealing both nest and eggs. Two nests found

* A small white Tern, probably .S. av¢il/arum, was occasionally seen among the
Black Terns, but none were secured for positive identification,

142 MERRILL on Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. [April

June 15 contained eight and ten nearly fresh eggs. These three nests
were well and compactly made of dry grasses, and placed on tussocks ;
they were deeply cupped, with more or less down for lining, and were
much more neatly made than Mallards’nests. The eggs before blowing
are of a uniform creamy buff. Few of these Teal are seen after the first of
October.

Spatula clypeata. Not uncommon during winter, but much more abun™
dant during the migrations. In April mated pairs were almost as common
as the Mallards, and in greater numbers than I have ever found this
species elsewhere. A few remain to breed.

Dafila acuta. Common in winterand until the latter part of March.

Aix sponsa. Resident, but most common during spring and summer.
A flock of six frequented the head of Squaw Creek, just outside the Fort,
during the winter, and a fine male was shot January 29.

Aythya americana. Quite rare; but few seen or killed. The Canvas-
back is sometimes shot here, but I did not see any.

Aythya marila nearctica. Abundant from autumn till spring. On June
15 I watched a pair of this species— although it has not been recog-
nized as breeding so far south, their size was certainly too great for
affinis—for some time in the marsh, and from their actions am confident
that they were breeding and had a nest or young close at hand.

Aythya affinis. More common than the larger Scaup during the fall
and winter months. Ido not think that it breeds.

Aythya collaris. Very common during winter, more so than either of
the Blue-bills, and arriving earlier inthe autumn. A few pairs remain to
breed in the marsh.

Glaucionetta clangula americana. Common from the middle of October
until April. Some remain in Wood and Williamson’s Rivers, but the
majority prefer the lake, which twice during the winter was covered with
ice. They were then found in great numbers on all the streams, but most
of them returned to the lake as soon as it opened.

Glaucionetta islandica. Occurring at the same time and places as the
common Golden-eye, but much less abundant. I saw none during the
summer on any of the mountain streams, where I looked carefully for this
species and for the Harlequin Duck.

Charitonetta albeola. One of the commonest Ducks during winter, and
found everywhere.

Erismatura rubida. A not abundant winter visitor; apparently does
not breed.

Chen hyperborea. During the autumn of 1886 and spring of 1887 most
of the Snow Geese migrated east of the valley in which the Fort is situated.
A few were seen, but they were decidedly rare in comparison with the
White-fronted and Canada Geese.

Anser albifrons gambeli. Very common in April, the main flight occur-
ring between the 20th and 30th, and many flocks stopping to feed in the
grassy meadows bordering the marsh. The upper part of the valley is
enclosed on the west and north by the main divide of the Cascade Moun-

1888. ] MERRILL ox Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. 143

tains,and on the east bya spur from the same range, all averaging a
height of over 6500 feet. On stormy days, if the wind was not blowing
from the south, Geese flying low up the valley had great difficulty in rising
sufficiently to cross the abrupt divide, and most of them would return to
the marsh and its vicinity to wait for a more favorable opportunity. At
such times Geese of this and the next species gathered by thousands and
afforded great sport. The immense numbers of these birds that migrate
through Western Oregon cannot be appreciated until one has seen their
spring flight, which, I am informed, extends in width from the coast
inland about two hundred and fifty or three hundred miles. About fifty
of this species were seen at the marsh on May 23, and twenty on May 27
and June 3, after which none were observed; their remaining so late excited
general remark among the settlers.

Branta canadensis. This was the only Goose that remained in the
valley during the winter. It breeds in considerable numbers. Many of
the young are caught by Indians, andare easily domesticated. A few were
kept at the Fort as pets; they were perfectly tame and fearless, flying
from place to place for food, and sometimes circling around for an hour at
a time for exercise. When old enough to breed they usually build their
nests on the edge of Fort Creek or Wood River, sometimes within the
Fort, at others two or three miles distant. When the female is sitting the
gander is generally not far away, and a call of his mate, when her nest is
approached, promptly brings him. At such times he generally flies
directly at the intruder, whether man or dog, and unless dodged will strike
a heavy blow.

Branta canadensis hutchinsii. This form migrates earlier in the spring
than does mzzzma, and is somewhat less abundant. These two birds are
called Black Brant by the settlers, who call the White-fronted Goose
Brant. They did not seem to know the true Black Brant, B. nigricans,
nor did I see any.

Branta canadensis minima. Very common during the latter part of
Apuil. While at Fort Klamath I examined a large number of this group
of Geese. Of occtdentals I saw none, although they are doubtless to be
found here. Canadensts seemed to be typical. Most of the hutchinszi and
minima were well marked, and could be easily identified. The chief vari-
ation in the latter was in the white collar, which was sometimes hardly
perceptible; the abrupt demarcation between the dark and white in the
anal region was very constant and striking.

Olor ———. Swans, probably of both species, are not rare during the
migrations, and are often seen on the lake. On February 13, and for two
or three days thereafter, flocks were seen flying north up the valley; this
was said to be extremely early for their spring flight.

Botaurus lentiginosus. Common in the marsh, where in April and
May their ‘pumping’ is heard on all sides, and where they breed plenti-
fully.

Ardea herodias. Resident, but most common in summer.

Ardea egretta. A few seen in summer. One passed the winter on Wood
River.

144 MERRILL ox Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. [April

Ardea virescens. One of these Herons was seen at Crooked Creek
May 4.

Nycticorax nycticorax nevius. Breeds abundantly in the marsh.

Grus mexicana. Sandhill Cranes are rather common in spring and
autumn, arriving late in March, and several pairs breed in the marsh.
They are more common, however, on Klamath Marsh.

Grus canadensis. A female was taken June 10, the dimensions of which
were as follows: length from dase of maxilla, 28.50; tarsus, 6.75; wing,
16.50; tail, 6.00; middle toe, 3.00; bare skin on forehead dark reddish;
iris light brown; tarsi and feet black. The bill had been shot off within
an inch of its base, and the tongue was distorted; the injury had healed
entirely, and the bird was in fair condition, but the ovaries were unde-
veloped and it would probably not have bred this year. It was first seen
in a marshy pool just outside the Fort, and was so small that I did not
identify it as a Crane until I had approached it within thirty yards and
could distinctly see the bare reddish skin on the forehead. It flew away
uttering its characteristic note, but soon came back, and on returning
with my gun I had no difficulty in shooting it.

Porzana carolina. Breeds commonly in the marsh. A nest found
May 27 was among water grass near the edge of a shallow pool, and was
supported by the stalks of the grass; the eggs were raised about six
inches above the water, but the foundation of the nest was wet; it was
composed entirely of the dead stalks and blades of the grass, and was
rudely arched over with growing blades of the same. It contained twelve
eggs from which the young would have soon appeared, and which aver-
age 1.36 X .88. Another nest containing nine nearly fresh eggs was found
June 15; in situation and construction this was like the other.

Fulica americana. Common in the marsh, especially in the deeper
parts near the lake. Breeds abundantly.

Phalaropus tricolor. Common during the migrations, a few pairs re-
maining to breed. On June 22 I watched a pair for some time. The
female on my approach flew several hundred yards to meet me, circling
around and occasionally uttering the usual cry. The male was flushed, and
showed much solicitude when I came near a certain place, where after
some search I found the nest, containing broken shells of three eggs from
which the young had recently escaped. It was placed in a low tussock
of marsh grass, well hidden by the fresh green blades, and composed of
dead stalks and blades of the same.

Gallinago delicata. Very abundant in spring and fall; some pass the
winter along the edges of the smaller streams, and many remain to breed.
Their bleating is heard from the latter part of April till the middle of
June, most frequently about sunrise and sunset, but occasionally at all
hours of the day and night. A set of foureggs was brought to me on
June 3. The nest was placed in a tussock of grass growing in a marshy
place near Wood River, and consisted merely of a few blades of grass,
both dry and green, forming a shallow depression. The eggs average
1.61 X 1.10, and incubation was considerably advanced.

Totanus solitarius. Specimens taken May 12 and August 16.

1888.] MERRILL on Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. 145

Totanus melanoleucus. Two seen April 23, and at intervals for two
or three weeks. They return early in August and are rather common.

Symphemia semipalmata. One pair at least bred near the edge of the
marsh, but I was unable to find the nest. My search for it seemed to
disturb the parents very much, and about the last of June they suddenly
disappeared, probably removing their young soon after they were hatched.
Wishing to secure the entire family I did not shoot the old birds, which
were probably the new zzornaza form.

Bartramia longicauda. A pair seen near the marsh, and the male shot,
June 4. A pair with three nearly grown young were seen in the same
locality on July 18, and Captain Bendire informs me that he also observed
this species at Fort Klamath. The recognized range of the Bartramian
Sandpiper is considerably extended by these records.

Actitis macularia. Common summer visitor.

Numenius longirostris. First seen March 28, and common by the
middle of April. Breeds, but said to be less common in summer now
than formerly.

fEgialitis vocifera. One of the earliest migrants to appear, and breeds
abundantly. First heard March 8, and became common three or four
days later.

Dendragapus obscurus fuliginosus. Generally distributed among the
the pines, but not abundant. Their ‘booming’ began about the latter
part of March and continued until May.

Bonasa umbellus sabini. Common in the valley, especially in aspen
groves.

Pediocztes phasianellus columbianus. Not uncommon in the valley,
and said to be yearly becoming more abundant.

Zenaidura macroura. Common summer visitor, arriving early in May.

Cathartes aura. Common, first seen late in March and within a week
was abundant; breeds commonly.

Circus hudsonius. Common resident.

Accipiter velox. Rare summer visitor.

Accipiter cooperi. A pairseen at Beaver Meadows, July 9.

Accipiter atricapillus striatulus. Frequently seen during the autumn
and winter; breeds.

[An adult male, taken March 11, is perfectly typical of the above form.—
W. B.]

Buteo borealis calurus. Rather common in summer. Several were
shot in and about the Fort where they kill many chickens.

Buteoswainsoni. Several taken in the spring; breeds.

Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis. Appeared early in November, and
during the winter was very abundant on the marsh. The stomachs usu-
ally contained field mice.

Aquila chrysaétos. A common resident, but hardly as numerousas the
next species.

Halizétus leucocephalus. Common resident, especially numerous near
the lake. All of the nests I found were placed at or near the tops of tall

146 MERRILL on Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. [April

dead pines. One nest near the Agency was built and occupied by Ospreys
in 1886, and by a pair of these Eagles in 1887. Three nests examined be-
tween June 15 and 20 contained each two young nearly as large as the
parents.

Falco peregrinus anatum. Residentand not uncommon.

[A female, shot March 16, 1887, has the top of head slaty brown, about uni-
form with the back, but Mr. Ridgway, who has examined the specimen,
writes me that it is ‘‘not nearly dark enough for F. p. Zeale?,” and adds,
‘‘we possess very much darker specimens from eastern localities.” —W. B.]

Falco columbarius. A fine male was shot April 24 while chasinga Spar-
row. Early in August many small dark-colored Hawks, probably suchkley7
were observed along the shores of Diamond Lake, leisurely migrating
southward in families of five and six.

[The male above referred to does not in the least approach swckley? but,
on the contrary, is rather paler than average eastern specimens of colum-
barius.—W. B.]

Falco sparverius. Common summer visitor, arriving early in April and
nesting in Woodpecker holes near the tops of the highest pines.

Pandion haliaétus carolinensis. Common, especially on Williamson’s
River.

Asio wilsonianus. Rathercommon. Their eggs are usually deposited
in an old Magpie’s. nest.

Asio accipitrinus. Common in the marsh in autumn and winter. In
one specimen a pellet ready for regurgitation contained ten nearly perfect
skulls of a shrew, a species of which, and field mice, were nearly always
found in the stomachs.

Nyctala acadica. A male taken in an open shed on February 21. About
the middle of April the curious notes of this Owl were frequently heard
just outside the Fort.

Megascops asio kennicotti? Heard on several occasions and well known
to the settlers, but I was unable to obtain any specimens.

Bubo virginianus subarcticus? Rather common resident. No specimens
obtained.

Glaucidium gnoma. Common resident. One captured February 21
had just struck at a Robin and was struggling with it on the ground. It is
said to be especially abundant in summer at Modoc Point, and to feed
upon a lizard that is common there; I have also found fragments of field
mice in the stomachs. Insects, however, and especially grasshoppers,
constitute the greater part of its food when they can be obtained; when
the Owl is searching for these the smaller birds pay little attention to it,
even if it happens to alight near them.

(To be continued.)

1888.] SMITH AND PALMER, Avzfauna of Washington, D. C. 1447

ADDITIONS TO THE AVIFAUNA OF WASHINGTON
AND VICINITY.

BY HUGH M. SMITH AND WILLIAM PALMER.

SincE the publication in 1883 of Drs. Coues and Prentiss’s
annotated list of the birds of the District of Columbia (Avifauna
Columbiana — Bull. No. 26, U. S. Nat. Mus.), the number of
species therein enumerated has been considerably augmented by
the discovery of specimens in the National Museum and in pri-
vate collections, of the existence of which these authors were
apparently ignorant, and by the taking of specimens in more
recent years that were, properly speaking, new. In ‘ Avifauna
Columbiana’ the names of 248 birds are given. To this num-
ber Messrs. Ridgway, Henshaw, and F. S. Webster have each
added one species, and the writers six; and we are enabled at
this time to cite the occurrence within our limits of twelve addi-
tional species and subspecies, and to increase by a species anda
subspecies the fauna of the Atlantic slope of the United States.

Urinator lumme. —In the spring of 1882 a Red-throated Loon was
caught in a gill-net in the Potamac River, a few miles below Washington,
‘ and is now in the possession of Mr. O. N. Bryan, of Marshall Hall, Mary-
land. This is the only known occurrence of the bird within our limits.

Pelecanus erythorhynchos. — There appear to be three well authenti-
cated instances of the capture of this bird in our vicinity :—(1) near Alex-
andria, Va., April, 1864, collected by C. Drexler and presented to the
Smithsonian Institution (No. 33,701); (2) opposite Washington, on the
Virginia bank of the Potomac, fall of 1864, shot by John Ferguson, and
seen and identified by several persons who have communicated the facts
to us; (3) near Alexandria, Va., October, 1878, killed by John Huxhurst,
and seen by a gentleman connected with the National Museum.

Porzana noveboracensis. —In the collection of the National Museum
are two Yellow Rails, both of which were taken in the marshes of the
Potomac River near Washington; the first (No. 80,297) by T. E. Clark,
October 4, 1879, the second (No. 96,617) by A. Skinner, March 28, 1884.

Macrorhamphus scolopaceus. — Seven Long-billed Dowitchers were
killed froma flock on the Anacostia River, D. C., in April, 1884, by a
gunner who sold them in the market for Jack Snipe. One, similar to the
others, was secured and mounted by one of the writers, and has been
identified by Mr. Ridgway as the western species.

fEgialitis meloda circumcincta. —On May 3, 1884, a specimen of this
species was obtained by A. Skinner on the shore of the Potomac River,
opposite Washington, and is now in the National Museum.

Arenaria interpres. — Three Turnstones in the National Museum (Nos.
29,176, 29,177, 29,178) were taken in the District by C. Drexler in 1860 (?).

148 SMITH AND PALMER, Avifauna of Washington, D. C. [April

In June, 1882, Mr. J. A. Moore killed a bird at Jones’s Point, Va., near
Washington; in May. 1881, Mr. O. N. Bryan secured one and saw another
at Marshall Hall, Md.; and we know of the occurrence of three others on
the Potomac River, D. C., within the past few years.

Conurus carolinensis.—In September, 1865, while gunning for Sora on
the Potomac River, Mr. Edward Derrick fired into a flock of strange birds
flying overhead, killing several, which proved to be Carolina Paroquets.
He had one mounted, and kept the specimen in his house for a number of
years. Other parties on the marsh at the same time shot numbers of the
birds. Descriptions furnished by Mr. Derrick and careful questioning by
ourselves, leave no doubt as to the identity of the birds.

Contopus borealis.— The claims of this species to a place in our list
rest upon Mr. Ridgway’s observations near Fall’s Church, Va., a few
miles from this city, where several birds were noticed in September, 1881,
Further west in Virginia the species cannot be considered very rare, in-
dividuals having been observed for three or four successive summers by
one of the writers; and Dr. A. K. Fisher has taken a specimen in the
Bull Run Mountains; these latter occurrences, however, are a considera-
ble distance beyond our faunal limits.

Otocoris alpestris praticola.—T’wo Horned Larks in the collection of
William Palmer have been identified by Mr. Henshaw as belonging to his
race Praticola. ‘They were taken in February, 1881, and were in com-
pany with numbers of typical O. alpestrzs.*

Melospiza lincolni.—This Sparrow was added to our faunaby Mr.
Henshaw, who collected three specimens in May, 1885 (Coll. H. W. H.,
Nos. 5621, 5622, 5623). William Palmer has taken two birds; and Mr. Ridg-
way has noticed the species on several occasions near Laurel, Md.

Dendroica kirtlandi.—.-A specimen of this bird, now in the National
Museum (No. 111,878), was shot by William Palmer, September 25, 1887,
on a wooded hilltop near Fort Myer, Va., in the same locality in which
the collector had previously taken Helminthophila leucobronchialis. The
bird was moving slowly about in the underbrush, and was at first thought
to be the Yellow Palm Warbler, from the habit of jerking the tail char-
acteristic of that species. Just one week later another bird of the same
species was observed in this locality under such circumstances as to make
the identification a surety. Kirtland’s Warbler is new to the Atlantic
slope of the United States, Cleveland, Ohio, we believe, being the eastern-
most limit of the range of the species hitherto recorded.

Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis. — Grinnell’s Water-Thrush, as Mr.
Ridgway informs us, has not been previously recorded from east of IIli-
nois. He has, however, identified two specimens taken in Virginia, near
Washington, on May 11, 1879, and May 5, 1885 (Coll. W. P., Nos. 620,
1376).

~

* On February 16, 1888, some months after these notes were sent to ‘The Auk,’
eighteen specimens of this variety were taken by William Palmer near Washington
from a flock of fifty or sixty birds, that had been noticed in the vicinity throughout the
winter. About half a dozen other specimens have recently been obtained by various
collectors,

1888.] FAXoN AND ALLEN, Birds of White Mt. Region, N. H. 149

NOTES ON THE SUMMER BIRDS OF HOLDERNESS,
BETHLEHEM, AND FRANCONIA, N. H.

BY WALTER FAXON AND J. A. ALLEN.

[ THE following lists of birds observed in summer by Mr. Faxon
form an interesting contribution to our knowledge of the distribu-
tion of the birds in the White Mountain region, supplementing
in an important way the observations of Messrs. Maynard,
Brewster, Minot, and Chadbourne. I have added thereto frag-
mentary notes made in 1874 in the same general region. My
observations in Franconia were made in July, chiefly in the
vicinity of Sugar Hill, several hundred feet above Franconia
village; those in Bethlehem, in the early part of August.

Holderness, where observations were made by Mr. Faxon, is
a few miles from Lake Winnipesaukee. This locality, as the
list shows, is “‘near the border of the Alleghanian and Canadian
Avifaunz, although decidedly Alleghanian in its general char-
acter, the few characteristic Canadian birds found there being
rare, e.g., White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler,
Black-throated Blue Warbler, Snowbird, etc.” (/axoz, in letter
accompanying his lists). Bethlehem is more decidedly Canadian
in its affinities.—J. A. A.]

List of Birds observed near Squam Lake, Holderness, N. H., Fune 4-12,
1885, and Fune 4-11, 1886. By Walter Faxon.

Urinator imber. Loon.—Common.
Actitis macularia. SPporrep SANDPIPER.—Common.

to

3. Bonasa umbellus. Rurrep Grouse.—Very common.

4. Buteo borealis. Hen HAwK.

5. Halizetus leucocephalus. BALD EAGLeE.—One individual seen.

6. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. BLACK-BILLED Cuckoo. — Common.
7. Ceryle alcyon. KINGFISHER.—Common.

8. Dryobates villosus. Hairy WoopPpECKER.—Not common.

g. Ceophleeus pileatus. PrLreEATED WOODPECKER.—Rare. One seen.
10. Colaptes auratus. GOLDEN-WINGED WooDPECKER.—Common.

11. Antrostomus vociferus. WHIp-POOR-WILL.—Abundant.
12. Chordeiles virginianus. NiGHrHAwkK.—Common.

13. Chetura pelagica. CHIMNEY SwirrT.—Common.

14. Tyrannus tyrannus. KINGBIRD.—Common.

15. Myiarchus crinitus. CRESTED FLYCATCHER.—Common,

I 50 FAXON AND ALLEN, 8&irds of White Mt. Region, N. H. [April

16. Sayornis pheebe. PHa@sBE.—Common.

17. Contopus virens. Woop PEwEE.—Common.

18. Empidonax minimus. Lrasr FlycaATcHER.—Common.

Ig. Cyanocitta cristata. BLuE JAy.—Not common.

20. Corvus americanus. Crow.—Abundant.

21. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. LBoBoLiInk.—Common.

22. Agelaius pheeniceus. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.—Common.

23. Icterus galbula. BALTIMORE ORIOLE.—Not common.

24. Carpodacus purpureus. PurRPLE FiNcH.—Not common.

25. Spinus tristis. GoLDFINCH.—Not common.

26. Poocetes gramineus. BAy-wINGED BUNTING.—Very common.

27. Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna. SAVANNA SPARROW. —
Not common.

28. Zonotrichia albicollis. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.—Rare.

29. Spizella socialis. CHIPPING SPARROW.—Common.

30. Spizella pusilla. FreLD SPARROW.—Very common.

31. Junco hyemalis. SNowsrirp. — Rare; found on summit of Beech
Hill, about 1150 feet above sea level, with fledged young.

32. Melospiza fasciata. SONG SpARROW.—Common.

33. Melospiza georgiana. SwAMP SPARROW.—Rare.

34. Pipilo erythrophthalmus. ‘TowHEE.—Very common.

35. Habia ludoviciana. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.—Not common.

36. Passerina cyanea. INDIGO-BIRD.—Very abundant.

37. Pirangaerythromelas. SCARLET TANAGER.—Common.

38. Progne subis. PuRPLE MARTIN.—Common.

39. Petrochelidon lunifrons. CLirF SwALLow.—Common.

40. Chelidon erythrogaster. BARN SwALLow.—Common.

41. Tachycineta bicolor. WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOw. — Not common.

2. Ampelis cedrorum. CEDAR-BIRD.—Common.

43. Vireo olivaceus. RED-EYED VIREO.—Very common.

44. Vireo gilvus. WARBLING VIREO.—Common near houses.

45. Mniotilta varia. BLACK-AND-WHITE CREEPER.—Common.

46. Helminthophila ruficapilla. NASHVILLE WARBLER. — Very com-
mon.

47. Compsothlypis americana. BLUE YELLOW-BACKED WARBLER. —
Not common.

48. Dendroica zstiva. SUMMER YELLOW-BIRD.—Not common.

49. Dendroica cerulescens. BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. —
Rare. One seen.

50. Dendroica coronata. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. — Rare. One
seen.

51. Dendroica pensylvanica. CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER.—Very abun-
dant.

52. Dendroica blackburnie. BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER.—Rare.

53. Dendroica virens. BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. — Com-
mon.

54. Seiurus aurocapillus. OvEN-BIRD.—Common.

DoF

Seiurus noveboracensis. WaAtTER-THRUSH.—Not common.

1888. ] FAXON AND ALLEN, Birds of White Mt. Region, N. H. ISI

56. Geothlypis trichas. MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT.—Common.
57- Sylvania canadensis. CANADIAN WARBLER.—Rare.

58. Setophaga ruticilla. ReEpsTART.—Very abundant.

59. Galeoscoptes carolinensis. CATBIRD.—Common.

60. Harporhynchus rufus. Brown THRASHER.—Common.

61. Parus atricapillus. CHICKADEE.—Common.

62. Turdus fuscescens. VEERY.—Common.

63. Turdus aonalaschke pallasii. Hermir THRusH.—Common.
64. Merula migratoria. Rospin.—Common.

65. Sialia sialis. BrturBirp.—Common.

List of Birds observed tn Franconia, N. H., Fune 11-21, 1886, and Fune
4to August 1, 1887. By Walter Faxon.

1. Actitis macularia. SpoTreED SANDPIPER. — Common along the
larger streams. Also seen on Echo Lake.

2. Bonasa umbellus. RUFFED GROUSE.—Common.

3. Circus hudsonius. Marsn HaAwKk.—Common.

4. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. BLAcK-BILLED Cuckoo. — Common.

5. Ceryle alcyon. BrELTED KINGFISHER.—Rather common.

6. Dryobates villosus. Hairy WooppecKER.—Rare.

7. Dryobates pubescens. Downy WooppecKER.—One specimen seen
on Sugar Hill, Lisbon, near the Franconia line.

8. Picoides arcticus. Arctic THREE-TOED WoopPpECKER. — One
specimen seen on Mt. Lafayette, June, 1856.

g. Sphyrapicus varius. YELLOW-BELLIED WOoOODPECKER. — Very

common. Commonest of the Woodpeckers.

10. Colaptes auratus. GOLDEN-WINGED WoopPECKER. —Rather com-
mon.

11. Antrostomus vociferus. WHIP-POOR-WILL.—Not very common.

12. Chordeiles virginianus. NIGHTHAWK.—Not common.

13. Chzetura pelagica. CHIMNEY SwirT.—Common.

14. Trochiluscolubris. RuBy-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.—But few seen.

15. Tyrannus tyrannus. KINGBIRD.—Common.

16. Myiarchuscristatus. CRESTED FLYCATCHER.—Rare.

17. Sayornis phebe. PHasBe.—Common.

18. Contopus borealis. OLive-sIp—ED FLYCATCHER.—Rather rare.

1g. Contopus virens. Woop PEWEE.—Not common.

20. Empidonax flaviventris. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. —Com-
mon. Inhabits deep, damp woods in the lower part of the town, and also
found on the mountains to the height of 3600 feet.

21. Empidonax pusillus traillii, TrAtmLi’s FLycAarcHerR. — Common,
especially among the alders along the water courses.

22. Empidonax minimus. Least FrycarcHer.—Common.

23. Cyanocitta cristata. BLure JAy.—Common.

24. Corvus americanus. AMERICAN CRow.—Common.

25. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. BoBoLINK.—Common.

26. Molothrus ater. Cowsirp.— One seen by Mr. Bradford Torrey,
June, 1887.

152 FAXON AND ALLEN, Birds of White Mt. Region, N. H. [April

Agelaius pheniceus was found at Streeter’s Pond in the adjoining town
of Lisbon. None were seen in Franconia.

27. Icterus galbula. BALTIMORE ORIOLE.—Not common.

28. Carpodacus purpureus. PuRPLE FINcH.—Common.

29. Loxia curvirostra minor. AMERICAN CrossBILL.—Common.

30. Loxia leucoptera. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL.—A few seen, June,

31. Spinus tristis. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.—Common.
32. Spinus pinus. PINE SiskiIn.—Common in June, 1886.

33. Poocetes gramineus. BAY-WINGED SPARROW.—Abundant.

34. Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna. SAVANNA SPARROW.—
Abundant.

35. Zonotrichia albicollis. WHITE-THROATED SpARROw. —Common.

36. Spizella socialis. CHIPPING SPARROW.—Common.

37- Spizella pusilla. FireLp SPARROW.—Common in dry pastures near
the village.

38. Junco hyemalis. SNowpirp.—Abundant.

39. Melospiza fasciata. SONG SpARRow. — Abundant. Found breed-
ing at the Eagle Lakes, Mt. Lafayette.

40. Melospiza georgiana. SwAmMP SpARRow.—Rare.

41. Passerdomesticus. Housr SPARRow.—One pair nesting in girder
of the lowest bridge over the Gale River in the village, 1887. None seen
in 1886.

42. Habia ludoviciana. RosE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. — Not very com-

43. Passerina cyanea. INDIGO BuntTING.—Abundant.

44. Piranga erythromelas. ScARLET TANAGER.—Not very common.

45. Progne subis. PurpLte Martin. —A flock passed through the
village, June 19, 1887. Apparently not breeding in the village.

46. Petrochelidon lunifrons. EAvE SwALLow.—Common.

47. Chelidon erythrogaster. BARN SwALLow.—Common.

48. Tachycineta bicolor. WHITE-BELLIED SwALLow.—Common.

49. Clivicola riparia. BANK SwALLow.—Common.

so. Ampelis cedrorum. CEDAR-BIRD.—Abundant.

51. Vireo olivaceus. ReD-EYED VIREO.—Abundant.

52. Vireo philadelphicus. PHILADELPHIA VIREO. — One seen in the
village throughout June and July, 1887.

53- Vireo gilvus. WARBLING VirEo.—A few in the village elms.

54. Vireo solitarius. BLUE-HEADED VIREO.—Not rare in deep woods.

55. Mniotilta varia. BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER.—Not common.

56. Helminthophila ruficapilla. NASHVILLE WARBLER.—Common.

57. Helminthophila peregrina. TENNESSEE WARBLER. — Two, June,
1887, in pastures above the Profile House Farm. Evidently nesting in the
neighborhood.

58. Compsothlypis americana. BLUE YELLOW-BACKED WARBLER.—
Common.

59. Dendroica estiva. YELLOW WARBLER.—Rare.

1888. ] FAxON AND ALLEN, Birdsof White Mt. Region, N. H. US

60. Dendroica czrulescens. BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER —
Common.
61. Dendroica coronata. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. — Common,

especially at the higher levels.
62. Dendroicamaculosa. BLACK-AND-YELLOW WARBLER.—Common.
63. Dendroica pensylvanica. CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER.—Common.

64. Dendroica castanea. BAyY-BREASTED WARBLER. — Common in
deep primitive woods, especially at high levels.
65. Dendroica striata. BLACK-POLL WARBLER. — Common in Fran-

conia Notch up to tree limit on Mt. Lafayette. Rare in the lower part
of the town.
66. Dendroica blackburnie. BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER.—Common.
67. Dendroica virens. BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. — Com-

68. Seiurus aurocapillus. OvEeN-Brirp.—Common.

69. Seiurus noveboracensis. WatTER-THRUSH.—Rather common.

70. Geothlypis philadelphia. MourNInG WARBLER. — Two, one near
the Profile House, the other near the village.

71. Geothlypis trichas. MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT.—Common.

72. Silvania canadensis. CANADIAN WARBLER.—Common, especially
at higher levels.

73. Setophaga ruticillaa AMERICAN REDSTART.—Common.

74. Galeoscoptes carolinensis. CATBIRD.—Common.

75. Troglodytes hiemalis. WINTER WrREN.—Common.

76. Certhia familiaris americana. BROWN CREEPER.—Rare.

77. Sitta carolinensis. WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH.—Not very com-
mon.

78. Sittacanadensis. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.—Rare.

79. Parus atricapillus. CHICKADEE.—Not very common.

80. Parus hudsonicus. HupsoniaAN TirmMousE. — Two seen on Mt.

Lafayette, June 12, 1886, 3900 feet above sea.

81. Regulus satrapa. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET.—Common in
coniferous forest.

82. Turdus fuscescens. VEERY.—Very common.

83. Turdus aliciz bicknelli. BrIcKNELL’s THRUSH.—Common on Mt.
Lafayette, about the Eagle Lakes; also heard on Mt. Cannon.

84. Turdus ustulatus swainsonii. OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH.—Common
at higher levels, and in deep woods about the village.

85. Turdus aonalaschke pallasii. Hrermir THrusH#.—Common.

86. Merula migratoria. AMERICAN RoBiIn.—Common.

87. Sialia sialis. BLurBrrp.—Not common.

Notes on Birds observed at Franconia and Bethlehem, N. H., in Fuly and
August, 1874.* By F. A. Allen.

1. Bonasa umbellus. Common.
2. Ceryle alcyon. Common.

* The species mentioned were seen at both localities, unless stated otherwise.

FAXON AND ALLEN, Birds of White Mt. Region, N. H. [April

Dryobates villosus. Common.

Dryobates pubescens. Common.

Sphyrapicus varius. Common.

Colaptes auratus. But few seen.

Chordeiles popetue. Common.

Chetura pelagica. Common.

Trochilus colubris. Frequently seen.

Tyrannus tyrannus. Occasionally seen at both Franconia and

Bethlehem.

11. Myiarchus crinitus. Two seen August 15 and 16, at Bethlehem.

12. Contopus borealis. Rather common.

13. Contopus virens. Common.

14. Empidonax pusillus traillii, Common.

15. Cyanocitta cristata. Common.

16. Corvus americanus. Abundant.

17. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Abundant.

18. Agelaius pheeniceus. Seen a few times.

19. Icterus galbula. Seen a few times at Bethlehem, Aug. 15 and later.

20. Carpodacus purpureus. Common.

21. Loxia curvirostra minor. Repeatedly observed at Bethlehem and
vicinity.

22. Spinus tristis. Common.

23. Poocetes gramineus. Abundant.

24. Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna. Rather common.

25. Zonotrichia albicollis. Abundant at nearly all points above 1000
feet.

26. Spizella socialis. Common.

27. Juncohyemalis. Common, at least everywhere above 1000 feet.

28. Melospizafasciata. Abundant.

29. Habia ludoviciana. Seen once at Bethlehem.

30. Passerinacyanea. Rather common.

31. Petrochelidon lunifrons. Abundant.

32. Chelidon erythrogaster. Abundant.

33. Clivicola riparia. Common.

34. Vireo olivaceus. Abundant.

35. Dendroica cerulescens. Common.

36. Dendroica zstiva. Frequent.

37. Dendroica virens. Common.

38. Dendroica coronata. Occasionally seen.

39. Dendroica pensylvanica. Common.

40. Seiurus aurocapillus. Common.

41. Geothlypis trichas. Common.

42. Setophaga ruticilla. Not common.

43. Galeoscoptes carolinensis. A few seen in the valley of the Am-

monoosuc at Bethlehem, and a few on Gale River, in and near Franconia
village, but none at higher elevations, and only a few in all.—//arforhyn-
chus rufus was not noted.

‘

1888. ]

44-
45:
46.
47-
48.
49:
50.

Cory ox the Birds of the West Indies. 19s

Troglodytes hiemalis. Frequent about Franconia.
Troglodytes aédon. Seen a few times at Franconia.

Parus atricapillus. Common.

Turdus fuscescens. Seen a few times near Franconia village.
Turdus aonalaschke pallasii. Common.

Merula migratoria. Rather common.

Sialia sialis. Occasionally seen; not common.

THE BIRDS OF THE WEST INDIES, INCLUDING
THE BAHAMA ISLANDS, THE GREATER AND

THE LESSER ANTILLES, EXCEPTING
THE ISLANDS OF TOBAGO
AND TRINIDAD.

BY CHARLES B. CORY.
[Concluded from p. 82.}

Famity PODICIPID.

Genus Podiceps LaTu.

Podiceps LATHAM, Ind. Orn. II, p. 780, 1790.

Podiceps dominicus (Linn.). ~~

Colymbus dominicus LINN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 223 (1766).—GuNDL. J. f. O.

1856, p. 430 (Cuba).

Colymbus dominicensts D’ORB. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Ois. p.

282 (1840).

Podiceps dominicus GossE, Bds. Jam. p. 440 (1847).—SALLE, P. Z. S.

1857, p- 237 (San Domingo). — Sct. P. Z. S. 1861, p. 82 (Jamaica).
—Marcu, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 70 ( Jamaica).—
GuNDL. Repert. Fisico-Nat, Cuba, I, p. 386 (1866).—Bryanrt, Pr.
Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. XI, p. 97 (1867) (San Domingo).—GuNDL.
J. f. O. 1875, p. 365 (Cuba); zd. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII, p.
395 (1878) (Porto Rico).—Cory, Bds. Bahama I. p. 222 (1880).—
A. & E. NewrTon, Handb. Jamaica, p. 117 (1881).—Cory, Bds.
Haiti & San Domingo, p. 185 (1885); 25. List Bds. W. I. p. 34
(1885).

Sylbeocyclus dominicus BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308

(1860) (Cuba).

Podilymbus dominicus TAYLOR, Ibis, 1864, p. 172 (Porto Rico).

156 Cory ox the Birds of the West Indies. { April

WINTER PLUMAGE, Male :— Above dark brown with slight greenish re-
flections; sides of the head and throat ashy gray, continuous ina
broad band around the neck; underparts silky white, mottled with
dusky; outer primaries showing chocolate-brown, the others and
secondaries white.

Length, 9.35; wing, 3.60; tarsus, 1.24; bill, .85.
Hasirat. Bahamas and Greater Antilles.

Colymbus holboellit (Reinh.) is included by Mr. Wells in
his list of the birds of Grenada (Podiceps holbolli? Wells, List
of the Birds of Grenada, p. 12, 1886) but is probably some other
species wrongly identified.

Genus Podilymbus LEss.
Podilymbus Lesson, Traité d’Orn. I, p. 595 (1831).

Podilymbus podiceps (Lrinn.). “si

Colymbus podiceps LINN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 223 (1766). — SuNnEv. Oefv.
K. Vet. Acad. For. 1869, p. 603 (Porto Rico).

Colymbus carolinensis D’ORB. in La Sagra’s Hist. Nat. Cuba, Oils. p. 255
(1840).

Podilymbus carolinensis GossE, Bds. Jam. p. 438 (1847).

Sylbeocyclus carolinensis GUNDL. J. f. O. 1856, p. 431 (Cuba).—BREWER,
Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. VII, p. 308 (1860) (Cuba).

Fudilymbus podiceps Sci. P. Z. S. 1861, p. 82 ( Jamaica).—Marcn, Pr.
Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 70 (Jamaica).— GuNDL. Repert.
Fisico-Nat. Cuba, I, p. 386 (1866); zd. J. f. O. 1875 p. 367 (Cuba).
Lawre. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. I, p. 488 (1878) (St. Vincentand Grena-
da); 2b. p. 242 (Barbuda).—GuNDL. Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. VII,
P- 397 (1878) (Porto Rico).—Scui. P. Z. 5S. 1879, p. 765 (Mont-
serrat).—A. & E. Newron, Handb. Jamaica, p. 117 (1881).—Cory,
List Bds. W. I. p. 34 (1885).— WELLS, List Bds. Grenada, p. 12
(1886).

Numerous West Indian records.

APPENDIX.

Since this paper was written the following species and sub-
species have been added to the West Indian Avi-fauna.

Mimocichla ravida Cory. Grand Cayman.
Cory, Auk, III, p. 499, 1886,

1888. ] Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. I

Margarops montanus albiventris (LAwr.). Grenada.
Lawre. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. IV, p. 23, 1887.
Margarops montanus rufus Cory. Dominica.
Cory, Auk, V, p. 47, 1888.

Rhamphocinclus sanctz-luciz Cory. St. Lucia.
Cory, Auk IV, p. 97, 1887.

Polioptila czrulea czsiogaster Ripcw. Bahamas.
RipGw. Man. N. A. Bds. p. 569, 1887.

Thryothorus guadeloupensis Cory. Grand Terre,
Guadeloupe.
Cory, Auk, III, p. 381, 1886.

Dendroica vitellina Cory. Grand Cayman.
Cory, Auk, III, p. 497, 1886.

Geothlypis coryi Rincw. Eleuthera Island.
Ripew. Auk, III, p. 334, 1886.

Geothlypis tanneri Rincw. Abaco, Bahamas.
Ripew. Auk, III, p. 335, 1886.

Certhiola sharpei Cory. Grand Cayman.
Cory, Auk, IIT, p. 497, 1886.

Vireo alleni Cory. Grand Cayman.
Cory, Auk, III, p. 500, 1886.

Vireo caymanensis Cory. Grand Cayman.
Cory, Auk, IV, p. 6, 1887.

Vireo.crassirostris flavescens Ripcw. Bahamas.
RipGw. Man. N. A. Bds. p. 476, 1887.

Calliste cucullata Swains. Grenada.

Spindalis salvini Cory. Grand Cayman.
Cory, Auk, III, p. 499, 1886.

Spindalis zena townsendi Rincw. Abaco [., Bahamas.

RipcGw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. Vol. X, p. 3, 1887.

1

~

: Cory on the Birds of the West Indies. | April

Loxigilla barbadensis Cory. Barbadoes.
Cory, Auk, III, p. 382, 1886.

Loxigilla richardsoni Cory. St. Lucia.
Cory, Auk, III, p. 282, 1886.

Volatina jacarina (Linn.). Grenada.’
WELLS, List Bds. Grenada, p. 3, 1886.

Spermophila gutturalis Licur. Grenada.
WELLS, List Bds. Grenada, p. 3, 1886.

Icterus bairdi Cory. Grand Cayman.
Cory, Auk, III, p. 500, 1886.

Quiscalus caymanensis Cory. Grand Cayman.
Cory, Auk, III, p. 499, 1886.

Elainea barbadensis Cory. Barbadoes.
Cory, Auk, V, p. 47, 1888.

Elainea pagana (Licut.). Grenada.

Myiarchus denigratus Cory. Grand Cayman.
Cory, Auk, III, p. 500, 1886.

Blacicus flaviventris LAwr. Grenada.
Lawr. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. IX, p. 617, 1887.

Blacicus martinicensis Cory. Martinique.
Cory, Auk, III, p. 96, 1886.

Milvulus tyrannus (Linn.). Grenada.
WELts, List Bds. Grenada, 1887.

Cheetura cinereiventris ScLATER. Grenada.
WELLS, List Bds. Grenada, p. 4, (1886).

Chetura brachyura (JARDINE). St. Vincent and Grenada.
Chetura poliura Cory, Ibis, p. 473, 1886.

Centurus caymanensis Cory. Grand Cayman.
Cory, Auk, III, p. 499, 1886.

1888. ] Scott on the birds of Artzona. T 59

Centurus nyeanus Ripcw. Wattlings I., Bahamas.
Ripew. Auk, III, p. 336, 1886.

Centurus blakei Ripcw. Abaco, Bahamas.
Ripew. Auk, III, p. 337, 1886.

Colaptes gundlachi Cory. Grand Cayman.
Cory, Auk, III, p. 498, 1887.

Coccyzus maynardi Rimcw. Bahama Islands.
RipGw. Man. N. A. Bds. p. 274, 1887.

Chrysotis caymanensis Cory. Grand Cayman.
Cory, Auk, III, p. 502, 1886.

ON tae AVI-FAUNA) OF PINAL, COUNTY, WITH
REMARKS ON SOME BIRDS OF PIMA AND
GILA COUNTIES, ARIZONA.

BY W. EH. De: SCOTT.

With annotations by F. A. Allen.

(Concluded from p. 36.)

217. Anthus pensilvanicus. AMERICAN Pipir.— A not uncommon
migrant throughout the region and some probably winter on the plains
about Tucson and south of that point. I have records of their occurrence
in the Santa Catalina Range, altitude 5000 feet, in October and early Nov-
ember, andin March. It was common in flocks on the San Pedro River
in March, 1885, at the mouth of Pepper Sauce Canfion.

[Of the four specimens sent, three are in adult spring plumage. One
has the dusky streaks on the breast unusually broad and dark. —J. A. A.]

218. Oroscoptes montanus. SAGE THRASHER.—A common fall mi-
grant in the Pinal Mountains; common migrant and winter resident in
small numbers on the foothills of the Catalinas up to 35c0 feet. My
records of its occurrence are December, rare; January, rather common;
February, common; March, abundant. In April they begin to leave, and
I did not observe any during the other months of the year.

219. Mimus polyglottos. MockINGBIRD.—A common resident through-
out the region up toan altitude of 5000 feet, but more abundant during the

160 Scott on the Birds of Arizona. {April

spring migration and in the summer season. In the Catalina Range they
are abundant at all times, save in midwinter, up to the altitude indicated,
and breed in numbers, raising three broods of three to five young each,
during the spring and early summer months. The first brood is hatched
by late April or early May, and the final brood late in July or the first
week in August.

In this connection some experience that I had with young of this species
may be of interest. About May 20, 1885, I captured a young Mockingbird
which could fly short distances pretty well. It was probably four weeks
old. It soon became accustomed to the cage, which was a large one, and
ate readily from the hand or from the feed cups. By the time it had
become fully tamed, about ten days or two weeks after it was captured,
two other young birds were obtained from a nest. They were pretty well
feathered, but the tails and wings were not at all grown, and the little
fellows knew nothing about feeding themselves. By this time the bird
first captured was fully feathered and grown, being very like an old bird
in everything save some details of plumage. The younger birds were put
in the same cage with the one first captured. I fed the birds largely on
grasshoppers, which were very abundant. From the time that the younger
birds entered the cage, they opened their mouths very wide, and made a
twittering sound whenever the older birds seized on one of the insects to
kill and eatit. After the first twenty-four hours, the elder bird seemed to
realize that certain duties devolved upon it, and began to feed and care for
the younger birds with the solicitude ofa parent. This was continued for
a couple of weeks, when the small birds had learned to feed themselves.
May not this be considered as either an instance of considerable mental
capacity, or a strongly inherited parental instinct?

[ Mr. Scott’s series of seven adult birds are very much lighter above than
specimens from the Atlantic States, with generally more white on the
tail feathers, and always much more white on the wings, the white area
on the inner primaries being one-fourth to one-third greater than in Flor-
ida and South Carolina birds. The white wing-bars are broader, the
secondaries are much more broadly tipped with white, and the white is much
purer; the primaries are a//,in some specimens, narrowly tipped with
pure white—a feature absent in the eastern bird—and the outer edge of all
the remiges and greater coverts is more broadly bordered with a much lighter
shade of gray. The throat is white, and the lower parts generally are of a
much lighter shade. The white of the tail isa clearer, more snowy white
—not silvery or grayish white, as is usually the case in eastern birds; the
fourth feather often has a blotch of white at the end. The gray of the
upper parts is very much lighter in the Arizona birds, this difference being
a striking feature. In size and proportions there seems to be no tangible
difference, the tail being not disproportionately longer in the western
bird. This form is therefore not identical with the bird from Lower Cal-
ifornia Professor Baird at one time proposed to call Mimus caudatus,
although this name has been used to designate the Mockingbird as found
in Arizona (Cowes) and Colorado (Ridgway).

1888. ] Scott on the Birds of Arizona. 161

Mr. Sennett’s specimens from Texas agree very closely in general fea-
tures with the Scott birds from Arizona.—J. A. A.]

220. Harporhynchus bendirei. BrNpiIRE’s THRASHER.—On the plains
about Tucson and to the southward, this species is resident, but even here
there seems to be a very considerable migration, as the birds are much
more common in the spring and during the breeding season than during
the late fall and winter months.

I also observed the birds to be quite common in the vicinity of Florence
during the warmer months.

In the foothills of the Catalinas the birds were not resident but were
present for about eight months of the year, and were quite common dur-
ing the breeding season, though they did not range above 4ooofeet. Here
they arrive earlyin March, the 7th of that month being the earliest record
made, and begin mating and nesting almost at once. The earliest nests
with eggs that I recorded was on March 28, and the eggs were partly incu-
bated. On the 20th of May there were many young birds fully grown, and
some of the parent birds were nesting a second time. The young birds,
as soon as they are fully grown, begin to congregate in companies, often
being associated with one or two 17. curvirostris palmeré and H. crissalis.
I have seen forty or fifty young Thrashers, mostly dexdirez, together in
such a flock in late May and early June. At such times the birds seek a
somewhat higher altitude, as high as five thousand feet, and affect thickets
of low oaks and juniper.

The old birds are at all times shy and wary and difficult to approach,
even when nesting. The song of the male is particularly beautiful, and
is to be compared with the best efforts of the Mockingbird.

The period of song seems to begin very early in the season with all
three species of Thrashers that I have observed here. WH. crdssalzs is fre-
quently to be heard in late December in the Catalinas, and in January
they are in full song, while Jalmerz is in song late in January, and bendi-
vet is in full song on its arrival.

221. Harporhynchus curvirostris palmeri. PALMER’s THRASHER.—
Wherever the cholla, a kind of very prickly and repellant cactus, is found
in this region, there one is almost sure to find these Thrashers. ‘They are
common residents but do not, so far as lam aware, range much above
3000 feet in altitude on the sides of the mountain ranges. I found them in
the Catalinas, at about this altitude, the year round, though they were not
quite as abundant in winter as at other times. Here they begin to nest
early in March, and by the middle of the month are breeding generally.
Three eggs is the usual numberin a clutch, though I have found four on
rare occasions, and two not infrequently form the set. Rarely only one
egg is laid. Two broods are generally raised here. These birds do not
sing nearly as much after nesting has begun as they do for the six weeks
preceding the laying of the first set of eggs. Near Tucson the breeding
season begins fully a month earlier than on the San Pedro slope of the
Santa Catalinas.

222. Harporhynchus crissalis. CrissAL THRASHER.—This species is

162 Scott ox the Birds of Arizona. [April

apparently a resident, though not so abundant as either of the last, through-
out the region. In the Catalinas I found it ranging up as high as five
thousand feet, and in tne Pinals, though not so common as in the Catali-
nas, it had about the same distribution. It is not nearly so pronounced a
cactus species as either of the others, but seems to be equally if not more
at home on the rough hill-sides where there is a low dense growth of a
kind of juniper and some mesquite.

They breed about the same time as Bendire’s Thrasher, or perhaps a
little earlier, as I found eggs in the Catalinas during the first week in
April that were about ready to be hatched, and have taken young fully
fledged as early as Mayt. In the fall I have noticed the species feeding on
juniper berries and other small fruits.

223. Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus. Cacrus WreEen.—Through-
out the region this is acommon resident species, breeding in numbers and
raising at least two and sometimes three broods. They are seldom found
above 4000 feet on the foothills of the several mountain chains traversing
the Territory. While seeming to prefer the cholla cactus country, espec-
ially during the breeding time, yet I have found their nests commonly in
cat-claw and thick mesquite bushes. The first eggs are laid in the Cata-
lina region as early as March 20, and the broods vary from three to five in
number.

224. Salpinctes obsoletus. Rock Wren.—The Rock Wren is a more
or less abundant species in the several counties here considered, but is
not nearly so common during the winter as at other times of the year. In
the mountains it ranges occasionally up to at least 8500 feet, though it is
perhaps most abundant between 3000 and 5000 feet. They begin to breed
in the Catalinas about the middle of March, and are in song by the last of
January. Six or eight young are the common inmates of a nest. Two
broods are raised. The nest is on the groundin some hole, or more fre-
quently under a rock.

225. Catherpes mexicanus conspersus. CANON WreN—The rocky
cafions of the mountains in the region under consideration are the home
of this species, which, so far as I am aware, is resident up to at least
5000 feet the year round. In the summer this range is extended to the
higher altitudes. (See Auk, Vol. II, No. 4, p. 350, October, 1885.) The
species is not a very common one, it being rather unusual to see more
than a pairin the same neighborhood, but wherever they occur, and at
every season of the year, particularly in the early spring, the birds are
very conspicuous by their song, spoken of in the above reference.

Their nesting methods are very different from those of the species just
considered. In the Catalinas I took in all half a dozen nests that were
built much like the nest of the Phaebe (Sayornis Phebe), the same thick,
heavy walls, rather soft and covered with green moss on the outside char-
acterizing the structure, and the inside cavity not so broad or shallow as in
the caseofthe Phebe. The nest is generally placed in some deserted tunnel
or cave, and at times in unused buildings. It is found more frequently on
some projecting ledge or shelf, and rarely in some cranny or hole that

1888. ] Scorr on the Birds of Artzona. L162

will scarcely permit the old birds to enter. The eggs are from four to six
in number, and three broods are generally reared each season.

226. Thryothorus bewickii murinus. BaAirp’s WrREN.—This species
was obtained in the Catalinas and also in the Pinal Mountains, at both of
which localities it appears to be resident, ranging up to about six thousand
feet, and apparently preferring the evergreen oak region.

The only nests that I have found have been built in natural hollows or
deserted Woodpeckers holes in live oak trees.

I noticed the species on the San Pedro River in winter, and Mr. Brown
has found it not uncommon about Tucson during the colder portion of the
year.

[Fifteen specimens from Arizona represent the extreme grayish form of
this subspecies, differing as much in the general color of the upper parts
from a similar series from Southern Texas in Mr. Sennett’s collection as
do the Arizona Mockingbirds from the Mockingbirds of the Atlantic States.
—J. A. A.]

227. Troglodytes aédon parkmanii? PARKMAN’s WREN.—It is appar-
ent that two forms of House Wren occur in this region. That which I
take to be the true farkmanz?é is migratory and not nearly as common
as the form that I described in this journal (Vol. II, p. 351), under the
name of 7. aédon mariane. ‘The only example of the form known as the
parkmanit is catalogued as No. 1075, @, 8th October, 1885, and was taken
near my house in the Catalinas, and several specimens of House Wren
taken by Mr. Herbert Brown near Tucson in the fall and winter months.

228. Troglodytes aédon mariane? MARIAN’s WreEN.—The other
House Wrens that were obtained I must again refer to a form undescribed
until published in this journal, as above.

They were all obtained in the Catalinas, and with a few exceptions in
the pine forest region, where they were breeding and quite abundant in
April, 1885. The birds are migrants and summer residents in the pine
forests of the Santa Catalinas above 10,000 feet.

‘[In Mr. Scott’s series of thirteen specimens are two only in fall plumage,
namely, No. 773, d, Catalina Mill, Sept. 1, 1884, and No. 1075, ¢, same
locality, Oct. 8, 1884. These look quite different from the others, which
were taken in April (Apr. 19-24, 1885), in the ‘‘pine region” of the Santa
Catalina Mountains, at the beginning of the breeding season. In the light
of much material additional to that examined when I penned my note en-
dorsing Mr. Scott’s ZT. aédon mariane (Auk, Vol. II, p. 351, footnote), I
am now compelled to consider the differences noticed by Mr. Scott as
mainly seasonal, and the entire series of specimens as referable to the
form which has for many years been called ‘pJarkmanziz.’ The martane
series, however, is pretty uniformly and appreciably lighter in color than
the average of specimens from the middle region of the continent, repre-
senting apparently the extreme degree of pallor of the pale interior race.

Finding it desirable to again review the subject in the present connec-
tion, I have been at the trouble to bring together a large amount of mate-
rial (about 120 specimens), Mr. Ridgway having kindly sent me for

164 Scorr ox the Birds of Arizona. [April

examination the ‘farkmanzz’ series (over 50 specimens) in the National
Museum. Unfortunately, however, the moist Northwest Coast region is
poorly represented in the series. But the material at hand seems to
indicate that three forms may be fairly well distinguished, as follows:

1. T.aédon. The eastern form (aédox proper) is apparently restricted
mainly to the Atlantic coast region, from Northern New England to
Florida. It is characterized by the dark heavy tone of its colors, the
brown of the dorsal region being dull umber brown, strongest or most
ferrugineous on the lower back and rump; back usually with faint darker
bars, sometimes strongly developed, occasionally obsolete.

2. T.aédon parkmanii. The true Jarkmanz?is a Northwest Coast form,
typically represented in the coast region of Oregon and Washington Ter-
ritory, and less typically southward along the coast to Lower California.
Differs from true aédox principally in the lighter or more tawny brown of
the upper parts. Light Atlantic coast birds are not certainly distinguish-
able from dark Pacific coast birds, though separated by not only the whole
breadth of the continent, but by a paler, easily recognized form occupying
the intermediate region.

Audubon’s ‘‘single specimen” of his ‘‘ Troglodytes Parkmanii” was sent
to him‘‘by Dr. Townsend, who procured it on the Columbia River” (Orn.
Biog. V, 1839, p- 310). This specimen, still extant in the National Muse-
um, is now before me. It is No. 66,644, and bears what appears to be the
original label, probably in Dr. Townsend’s hand-writing. It reads (lit-
erally transcribed) as follows: ‘‘Troglodytes Americana (Aud.)-Wood
Wren-(Audubon Biogr. Vol. II, pag. 452. Plate CLXXIX. Male, Colum-
bia River, June, 1835.” On the accompanying National Museum label is
written ‘‘Type of Troglodytes parkmanit, Aud. ‘Columbia River,’ J. K.
Townsend.” It is practically identicalin coloration with Fort Steilacoom
specimens (Nos. 7135-7137), and others from Northern California.

3. T. a€don aztecus. Lighter (more ashy) and paler throughout than
even true parkmaniz, the brown of the upper parts especially being lighter,
and the anterior half of the dorsal surface decidedly ashy instead of brown,
contrasting strongly with the rest of the dorsal surface. Dark and light
barring of the back rather stronger and more constant than in either of
the other two forms. Rather smaller, with smaller bill. Reaches its
extreme phase of pale colors and small size in Arizona and the Rio Grande
border of Texas. Its habitat may include, however, the whole arid interior,
The specimens from the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys are also referable
to it rather than to a@édon proper.

The small, pale Arizona and Rio Grande birds seem to correspond
exactly with Baird’s var. azfecus (Rev. Am. Bds., 1864, p. 139), from Eastern
Mexico, which has been of late commonly referred to ‘Aarkmanit

At all localities there is a wide range of individual variation, particularly
in general size, and in the size of the bill; also more or less in coloration,
especially in the barring of the plumage, both above and below. Young
and autumnal birds are also browner and darker than birds taken in the
breeding season. This somewhat masks the variation characteristic of

1888. ] Scotr on the Lirds of Arézona. 165

particular localities. Florida specimens of the eastern form are, however,
in the average, smaller and darker than specimens from Pennsylvania
and New York. Southern specimens of the Pacific coast form are smaller
and lighter, with smaller bill, than specimens from the coast region of
Oregon and Washington Territory. Yet one of the Fort Steilacoom
specimens (a ‘bird of the year’) has as small a bill as any in the series.
The Arizona birds are especially characterized, as a series (15 specimens),
by small size, a very small bill, and excessively pale colors, with the
anterior haif of the dorsal surface decidedly ashy. They can be very
closely matched, however, by specimens from Nueces and _ Presidio
Counties, Texas, and by occasional specimens from Colorado and
Nebraska. Mr. Sennett’s specimens from the Rio Grande Valley, Texas,
though averaging larger than Arizona specimens, more closely resemble
them than do any similar series from elsewhere. Mississippi Valley
specimens show less ashy on the anterior dorsal surface than is seen in
the Lower Texas and Arizona birds.

The distinctness of the barring, both above and below, varies in all the
forms, being sometimes strongly developed and sometimes obsolete in
specimens from the same locality. As already said, it is rather more pro-
nounced and constant in the @zfecus form than in the others. Though
the barring is perhaps least marked in the Atlantic coast form, the most
strongly barred specimen in the whole series is from Long Island, N. Y.
—J. A. A.]

229. Cistothorus palustris. LoONG-BILLED Marsu WreEN. — Obtained
by Mr. Herbert Brown near Tucson, where I have also noted it on one
occasion in the early springtime.

[Doubtless var. paludicola.—J. A. A. |

230. Certhia familiaris mexicana. Mexican Creeper. — The only
notes made on this species are based on a specimen taken in the pine
forests of the Catalinas, April 23, 1885. Forfurther details see Auk, Vol.
II, No. 4, p. 350, October. 1885.

231. Sitta carolinensis aculeata. SLENDER-BILLED NUTHATCH.—This
Nuthatch is acommon resident in the pine woods and higher altitudes,
anda migrant throughout the district. Mr. Brown regards it as rare im-
mediately about Tucson.

It was a rather common migrant in fall, and winter resident in small
numbers in the region about my house in the Catalinas. In spring I
rarely saw it here. For reference to its occurrence in the pine woods of
this main range see Auk, Vol. II, pp. 172 and 349.

232. Sitta canadensis. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.—The only record
made of the occurrence of this species is a female (No. 2819) taken near
my house, Santa Catalina Mountains, altitude 4500 feet, 29th October,
1885. This, so far as I am aware, is the second record of the capture of the
species in Arizona Territory, where it is apparently rare.

233. Sitta pygmza. PyGmy Nursatcu. — This species was only
noticed in the pine forests of the Pinal and Santa Catalina Mountains. at
each of which points it is resident. For further account of the species in
the Catalinas see this journal, Vol. II, pp. 172 and 350.

166 Scotr ox the Birds of Arizona. [April

234. Parus wollweberi. BripLep T1itmousEe.—This Titmouse I found
to be a rather common resident in the evergreen oak region of both the
Pinal and Santa Catalina Mountains. For an account of its breeding
habits see my paper ‘On the Breeding Habits of Some Arizona Birds’
(Auk, Vol. III, No. 1, Jan., 1886, pp. 84-86; see also Vol. II, No. 4, p. 349,
Oct. 1885).

235. Psaltriparus plumbeus. LrAD-cOLORED Busu-tit.—This species
is resident in the Catalinas up to at least 7500 feet, but is most abundant
in the fall months, congregating often in flocks of from twenty-five toa
hundred individuals.

I found a nest that had just been completed near my house late in May,
1885, but the old birds, becoming alarmed, deserted their home and no
eggs were laid. The only other point where I have met with this bird is in
the Pinal Mountains, near Mineral Creek, where it was also resident.

236. Auriparus flaviceps. VERDIN.—Noted throughout the entire
region up to an altitude of 4ooo feet; resident and breeding wherever it
occurred. In the Catalina range, altitude 3500 feet, I found a nest with
fresh eggs May 20, 1885, and at Riverside, at a considerable lower eleva-
tion, I found the birds breeding late in April.

The particular cover most affected by the birds is dense growths of
mesquite and cat-claw, and the nests are placed so as to be best protected
by the thorns of such trees and bushes.

237- Regulus calendula. RuBy-CROWNED KINGLET. — In the Santa
Catalinas, in the evergreen oak belt, this species is a common migrant
and winter resident, arriving in fall about the last week in September and
being thus very common. Some winters, and in the spring, the numbers
are again largely augmented, being most abundant about March 1 to 10,
and remaining till the first week in April. I have also observed the spe-
cies about Tucson and in the valley of the San Pedro River in winter
and early spring.

238. Polioptila cerulea. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.—The Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher is present in some parts of the region during the entire year,
but is not found in winter much above the altitude of the great plains and
mesas — about 2000 to 2300 feet. It breeds commonly in the Santa Cata-
linas, and even at high altitudes. (See Auk, Vol. II, No. 4, p. 349, Octo-
ber, 1885.)

239. Polioptila plumbea. PLUMBEOUS GNATCATCHER. — This Gnat-
catcher is acommon resident species about Tucson and in the valley of ©
the San Pedro River. It ranges during the entire year up to an altitude
of about 4000 feet. in the foothills of the Santa Catalinas, where I have
found it more abundant than at any other point visited by me.

A large series collected here very clearly shows the transition from the
lead-colored to the fully black-capped phase of plumage. This latter
phase of plumage is that of the male birds only, and is assumed for about
three months in the year. It begins to be apparent about the middle of
February, but the full black cap and tail is attained slowly, the first seenin
this condition being taken March 10. During the succeeding three months

1888. ] Scott on the Birds of Arizona. 167

this plumage is retained and in July another moult makes all the birds
gray or lead-colored again. Though so common a form I was unable
to find nests, but have taken young fully fledged during the first week in
June.

240. Myadestes townsendii. TOWNSEND’s SOLITAIRE.—My notes on
this species are from Mineral Creek, in the Pinal Mountains, where it was
not uncommon during late October and part of November, 1882. In the
Santa Catalinas it was rather a rare species in spring, fall, and winter,
and I did not observe it during the warmer portion of the year. I also ob-
served it as a rare species in the pine forests of the Catalinas from Novem-
ber 3 to 8, 188s.

241. Turdus fuscescens salicicolus. Wuittow THrusH. A single
specimen (female) was taken by Mr. Herbert Brown at Tucson, early in
May, 1882. No others have come under my notice. The specimen is
now in my collection (No. 4073).

242. Turdus aonalaschke. Dwarr Hermir THrusnH.—A common
winter resident in the Catalina region, altitude 4500 feet. The earliest
record is October 27, and the latest March 14. Mr. Brown has taken it
about Tucson in January.

243. Turdus aonalaschke auduboni. AupbuBON’s HERMIT THRUSH.—
Not common. Probably the resident form, although the only specimens
taken were obtained in spring, as follows: No. 2022, @, March 30, 1885 ;
No. 2234, 9, April 22, 1885; No. 2350, 2, April 30, 1886.

[In a series of over 30 specimens of Hermit Thrushes in the Scott Col-
lection only three are referable to var. audubont. The others are all
strictly referable to aonalaschke.—-J. A. A.

244. Merula migratoria propinqua. WerSTERN Rosin.—This form of
the Robin I found to bea regular fall, winter, and early spring resident in
the Catalinas, altitude 3500 to 6000 feet. They arrive here in the fall
about November 1, and are soon quite common in small flocks or compa-
nies. All through the winter they are more or less common, but towards
spring their numbers seem to be very considerably increased, and they
are quite common until late in March, and are to be seen sparingly during
the first week in April. I have frequently heard the males beginning to
sing before they left this point, and on one occasion a single Robin was
noted May 5, 1885.

I have observed the species in the pine forests of the Catalinas in No-
vember, and on the San Pedro River in January. They are, though reg
ular visitors, much more abundant some seasons than others, and wer
especially common during the winter of 1885-86.

245. Sialia mexicana. WeESTERN BLUEBIRD.—A common migrant on
the foothills of the mountain ranges, where it is a winter resident. The
lowest altitude where I have met them is on the San Pedro River, in Janu-
ary, 1886. They also breed in small numbers in the Catalinas, as I took a
young bird of this species on July- 4, 1854, altitude 5000 feet. (Also see
Auk, Vol. II, No. 4, p. 349, Oct. 1885.) In the same locality the birds
appear in flocks about the middle of October and remain until the last of

March.

re

168 Jerrries on an Apparently New Species of Trochilus. [April

246. Sialia arctica. MouNTAIN BLUEBIRD.—An irregular visitor in
fall and winter in the foothills of the Catalinas, which is the only point
where I have observed them. In the winter of 1885-86 they were abundant
in large flocks, feeding on the seeds of the mistletoe and the hackberry
tree. This was the only season when they were present in numbers, and
the only other reference in my notes to the species is in the same locality
on December 15, 1884. when a flock of fifteen birds were noted, and were
all that were seen.

A. DESCRIPTION ‘OF AN APPARENTLY NEW *SeE-
CIES OF TROCHIZL OS FROM CALIFOR NG

BY J. AMORY JEFFRIES.
Trochilus violajugulum, sp. nov.

Sp. CHar. ( g ad. Type No. 1616 of my collection). Upperparts
metallic green and gold becoming dull on the forehead; gorget violet
with a tendency to steel blue at the feather tips; chin and line between
gorget and eyes dull; a dull gray belt across breast behind gorget. Sides
dull metallic green; flanks less green, the feathers being tipped with
brown; ventral median line dullish. Wings dark with an obscure purple
glow; an imbricated buff line along the anterior edge of the manus; coy-
erts dull metallic green. Primaries broad to tip, that of the first curved
back, graduated in length from first to last. Tail slightly forked; feath-
ers broad, except the last pair, which are abruptly narrow and linear;
shafts ofthe outer pairforming, at the junction of the first and second third,
an abrupt angle of 25°. Middle feathers and base of second pair metallic
green; rest dark with a distinct purple hue. Under tail-coverts white
with metallic green central spots.

Length about 3.60; wing, 1.82; tail, 1.18; bill about .75.

Habitat. Santa Barbara, Cal.

This specimen was shot April 5, 1883. in a bushy field at the
base of the flower belt, well up the foothills. The distal end of
the upper mandible was shot away.

The bird is roughly like a 7. anzza without a crown patch or
ruff, and with violet for sapphire. he tail is of the same type
asin 7. anna, but smaller, and the angle spoken of is less than
25° instead of 33°, so that in the closed tail the outer pair of
feathers overlap instead of crossing as in 7. azna. Vhis peculiar

1838S. ] DutcHerR ox Long Island Birds. 169

angle of the shaftin Z. a@zza is not mentioned in the description
nor shown in the cuts of the tail, being concealed by the coverts.
It seems to be peculiar to my specimen and the Anna Humming-
bird.

From 7. alexandré¢ it is distinguished by its larger size,
broad primaries, and all the peculiarities of the tail.

As but one specimen was procured, it might bea hybrid possi-
bly between Z. alexandri and 7. luczfer, but this is highly
improbable, as it lacks the ruff and crown patch of one, and has
a different wing and tail from either. It is more of a step
between 7. alexandri and anna, but it lacks the crown patch
and ruff of the latter, and the gorget is violet; from alexandri
the differences have already been pointed out. The primaries
are broader than in either.

In short, it seems to be a perfectly distinct species, standing
between 7. azna and 7. alexandrz.

I have named it véolajugulum, from viola, violet, and jugu-
Zum, the throat.

I am indebted to Mr. Ridgway for kindly comparing my
specimen with the Washington collection.

BIRD NOTES FROM LONG ISLAND, N. Y.*

BY WILLIAM DUTCHER.

CoNCENTRATION of effort, whether applied to business pursuits
or the study of zodlogy, is the surest road to success. It was,
therefore, with this idea in view,that I decided many years
since to confine my ornithological studies and collecting to a
limited area. Having a natural bent toward the seashore and
water-fowl I saw, presented in Long Island, a field that could
not be equalled for diversity of topography and definiteness of
surroundings. Situated as it is on the debatable line between .
the Alleghanian and Carolinian Faune, it is like the territory
between two contending armies, subject to incursions from both
parties. Stragglers from the icy north visit its shores that shortly
before have been visited by wanderers from the tropics. Up-

* Read before the Linnzean Society of New York, March 8, 1888.

170 DutTcHEerR on Long Island Birds. [April

land and marsh and sea attract a numerous and diversified avi-
fauna, larger probably than can be found in any territory of
equal size on the continent.

Almost the first book on birds that I ever read, in fact my
primer in the study, was ‘The Birds of Long Island,’ by J. P.
Giraud, Jr., which is without doubt one of the best local lists
ever written. With this work as a basis on which to build, the
task of completing the list of Long Island birds becomes com-
paratively easy. As Mr. Giraud’s List is in the hands of very few
of the readers of ‘The Auk,’ I have thought it desirable to quote
his entire annotation regarding each species on which I publish
notes.

In the present paper I have the pleasure of adding six new
species and subspecies to the list of Long Island birds, as fol-
lows:

Larus minutus. LirrLEe GULL.

Puffinus borealis. Cory’s SHEARWATER.

Fregata aquila. MANn-o-WaAR BIrp.

Otocoris alpestris praticola. PRAIRIE HORNED LARK.

Protonotaria citrea. PROTHONOTARY WARBLER.

Dendroica palmarum. PALM WARBLER.

Three of these are new records for the State of New York, viz.,
Larus minutus. LirtTLe GULL.

Puffinus borealis. Cory’s SHEARWATER.

Protonotaria citrea. PROTHONOTARY WARBLER.

The Little Gull is also the first positive record for the Conti-
nent, the previous and its only other record being shadowed with
doubt.

1. Urinator lumme. RED-THROATED Loon. Mr. Giraud says:
‘Those procured in this vicinity are usually young birds—adults seldom
occurring.”*

Mr. Newbold T. Lawrence, when recording two adult specimens taken
on Long Island, says, ‘‘In this plumage it is rare.”t

Mr. J. C. Knoess, who for many years has practiced taxidermy at River-
head, Long Island, informs me that he has two very fine specimens of
this Loon in the adult plumage ‘‘with beautiful red throats.” Both were
procured on the Island, ‘‘and are the only ones in mature plumage I ever
saw on the Island.” The writer, while at Sag Harbor, in the spring of
1886, saw in the shop of Messrs. Lucas and Buck, taxidermists, a specimen

* The Birds of Long Island, 1844, p. 381.

-

7 Notes on several rare birds taken on Long Island, N. Y. Forest and Stream, Vol.
X, p. 235.

1888. ] DutTcHER on Long Island Birds. T 7a

which had been sent to them in the spring of 1885. It was shot in Mecox
Bay, Suffolk Co., and was the first one they had ever seen in the adult
plumage. Mr. A. E. Sherrill, of East Hampton, Suffolk Co., shot a full
plumaged male May 8, 1887. It is now in my collection. He informs
me that this specimen was shot at Montauk Point, on the ocean, about a
mile off shore. It wasalone. He adds, ‘‘I never saw one of these Loons
except in the spring, and few of them at that season of the year. I never
killed one just like it before, but have several times heard of their being
shot. They are known locally as Sheldrake Loon.” Mr. A. H. Helme,
of Miller’s Place, Suffolk Co., writes to me as follows: ‘*While crossing
the Sound, May 11, 1887, from Bridgeport, Conn., 10 Port Jefferson, Long
Island, when about one mile from the Connecticut shore, I saw about
twenty-three Red-throated Divers. They were singly, or in pairs, or
three together. Those which came near enough to enable me to distin-
guish the markings were in immature plumage.”

2. Fratercula arctica. Purrin.—Mr. L. S. Foster, of New York City,
permits me to record a specimen of this species, now in his collection,
which was captured about December 15, 1882, at Centre Moriches, Suffolk
Co. Mr. Giraud says: ‘‘It but seldom occurs, and only in winter on the
coast of Long Island.” *

3. Larus minutus. Lirrte GuLt_.—The claim of this Gull to be in-
cluded in the North American Avi-fauna has always been questionable,
some writers allowing it a place on the specimen said to have been taken
on the first Franklin Expedition, while others throw it out entirely.
Swainsonand Richardson include it on the strength of the Franklin spec-
imen, as follows: ‘‘A specimen obtained on Sir John Franklin’s first
expedition, was determined by Mr. Sabine to be a young bird of the first
year of this species, exactly according with M. Temminck’s description.
We have not that specimen to describe, and none was procured on the
second expedition.”

Neither Audubon nor Wilson mention it, and Nuttall in a very general
way refers it to the United States, but does not mention the taking of any
specimens except the one above mentioned. He says, ‘‘This small spe-
cies inhabits the north of both continents, and was seen in the fur
countries in Franklin’s first expedition, but does not appear to be at all
common in those countries, and is equally rare in the United States.”

Baird, Cassin and Lawrence merely refer to it as follows: ‘‘Hab. Arctic
America? Europe. There is no specimen in the collection from North
America.” §

Dr. Coues, in his ‘Birds of the Northwest,’ refers the Franklin expedi-
tion specimen to Larus philadelphia, in the synonyms on page 655, and
on p. 658 has the following: ‘‘Note.—The Craecocephalus minutus, by

* Birds of Long Island, p. 374.

+ Fauna Boreali-Americana, Vol. II, 1831, p. 426.

{ Manual of the Ornithology of the United States and of Canada, 1834, p. 289.
§ Pacific Railroad Reports of Explorations and Surveys, Vol. IX, 1858, p. 853.

172 DutcHer ox Long Island Birds. [April

some included among North American birds, has no grounded claim to be
soconsidered. I therefore omit the species, which I cannot recognize
as an inhabitant of this country until some conclusive evidence is
brought forward. The whole claim may be seen to rest upon an iden-
tification of Sabine’s, who, in all probability, mistook Akzladelphia for
minutus.”*

It is included among the Laridz in the ‘Water Birds of North America’
on the strength of the specimen so often referred to before, although the
reference is made in a hesitating manner: ‘‘The claim of this bird to be
included in the fauna of North America rests upon somewhat questionable
grounds. Richardson states that a single individual of this species was
obtained on Sir John Franklin’s first expedition to the Arctic Regions.”+

It is omitted from the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-List of
North American Birds, not even being placed in the ‘Hypothetical List.

I have the pleasure of recording the capture of an immature specimen
of this Gull. It was shot at Fire Island, Suffolk Co., New York (Long
Island), about September 15, 1887. It was mounted by Mr. John Wallace
of New York City, into whose possession it came, and who very gener-
ously presented it to the American Museum of Natural History, Central
Park, New York City. It is No. 3156 in the mounted collection. Mr.
Eugene P. Bicknell first called my attention to this specimen, which he
had seen at Mr. Wallaces’s, by kindly sending me a note stating, ‘‘You
might find it worth your while to go to Wallaces’s and look at a small
Gull from Long Island which is drying there. It is in young plumage and,
so far as I can see, may be any of the small Gulls. Wallace claims it to
be different from anything he has seen.” Subsequently I visited the shop
of Mr. Wallace and identified it as mznutus. Mr. Wallace informed me
that the specimen was sent to him in the flesh by Mr. W. W. Wilson, of
South Oyster Bay, Suffolk Co., N. Y. In response to an inquiry as to
how he obtained it, Mr. Wilson replied: ‘‘The small Gull you wrote
about was shot by Robert Powell, at Fire Island. It is the only one of
the kind I have ever had.” ‘To complete the chain of evidence I wrote to
Mr. Powell for information regarding its capture and he responded as
follows: ‘‘I was on the bay after Snipe,—that is my business,—and there
came twenty-five or thirty Gulls, ten or fifteen of them within shot. I
saw this Gull looked so much different, I shot him first. That is my
reason for shooting him, he looked so different.” I may add that on very
many occasions, while shooting in company with the baymen and profes-
sional gunners on the South Side of Long Island, I have noted with
surprise their wonderful powers of observing the slightest differences
among birds while they were yet flying. To the keen sight of Mr. Powell
we are indebted for the specimen which gives Larus minutus a place in
the list of the North American birds.

* Birds of the Northwest, 1874, pp. 655, 658.

+ The Water Birds of North America, by Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, Vol. II, 1884,
p. 265.

1888. ] DutcHerR on Long Island Birds. £72

4. Puffinus borealis. Cory’s SHEARWATER.—Ever since the discovery
of this species I have felt sure that it eventually would be added to the
list of Long Island birds. When I read in ‘The Auk’ for January, 1887,
the note by the late Professor Baird, recording the occurrence of Cory’s
Shearwater in numbers between Point Judith (Rhode Island) and Vine-
yard Sound, I was certain that the time was near at hand. It was with
great pleasure, therefore, that I received from Messrs. Lucas and Buck,
two specimens, a male and female, which, with four others, were shot off
Amagansett, Suffolk Co., about October 18, 1887.

5- Puffinus auduboni. AUDUBON’S SHEARWATER.—My son, Basil
Hicks Dutcher, while examining the catch of a fishing smack at Amity-
ville, Suffolk Co., found a specimen of this species lying on the deck.
Capt. Joshua Ketcham, the owner, kindly gave it to him and also stated
that the bird ‘twas captured, while alive, in Great South Bay, opposite
Bellport, August 1, 1887. It refused food and lived but a few days.” On
skinning the bird a contused wound was found on the right breast, evi-
dently caused by a blow. According to Mr. Giraud, ‘‘This is another of
those stragglers that occasionally visit the coast of Long Island.” *

6. Fregata aquila. MaAN-o’-War Birp.—The claim of this bird to be
included in the fauna of Long Island has heretofore rested on the speci-
men captured by Capt. Brooks, in 1859, on Faulkner’s Island, Long
Island Sound.t After an interval of twenty-seven years another straggler
from the tropics furnishes an additional record of extra-limital occurrence.
In August, 1886, Messrs. Lucas and Buck wrote to me that they had just
mounted a specimen of the Frigate Pelican for Mrs. John Lyon Gardiner,
which had been shot on Gardiner’s Island. Subsequently I ascertained,
on inquiry, that the bird was shot August 4, 1886, by Mr. Josiah P. Miller,
the keeper of the lighthouse. His account of the capture of the specimen
is as follows: ‘‘The Man-o’-War Bird which I shot a while ago, was, when
I first discovered it, sitting on a piece of old wreck, about fifty rods dis-
tant from the lighthouse. Itried to get a shot at it, but it saw me before
I was near enough, and flew off up the beach out of sight. It came back
in about an hour and settled in the same place as before. This time I
went on the opposite side of the beach and concealed myself in the grass.
My daughter went toward the bird, when it flew directly over me, giving a
splendid shot. It was alone, and is the only one of the kind that I ever
saw in this part of the world. I have kept this light for twenty years.”

7. Anas strepera. GADWALL.—Mr. A. H. Helme, of Miller’s Place,
allows me to record a Gadwall Duck which was taken April 9, 1879, at
Mount Sinai Harbor, Suffolk Co. It was shot by a gunner who reported
having secured a similar Duck a few days prior. The last one shot was
seen by Mr. Helme and positively identified; but the first one, although
probably a Gadwall, may have been some other species. November 24,
1886, a female of this rare species was sent to me by Mr. Andrew Chiches-

* Birds of Long Island, p. 370.

ft American Naturalist, Vol. IX, p. 470.

174 DutTcHER on Long Island Birds. [April

ter, of Amityville, who subsequently sent to me the following note: ‘‘My
brother and I were gunning in partnership; I was at the north end of
Gilgo Island and he was about three-quarters of a mile west of me and to
the windward. A flock of fifteen or twenty Black Ducks came to my de-
coys and I noticed among them one which I supposed was a Pintail or
Widgeon, but as they do not sell as well in market as Black Ducks, I paid
no further attention to it, but tried to make the best shot I could at the
others. The flock passed on to my brother’s blind, but would not
come near enough for a shot, although they noticed the decoys. After
passing, the Gadwall left the flock, turned back and lit among the decoys,
when he shot it. Neither my brother nor myself ever saw one like it
before, nor have we ever heard of one being killed around here.” The
Messrs. Chichester are professional gunners who are wellacquainted with
the wild fowl that frequent the western end of Great South Bay. Mr.
Giraud says of this Duck: *‘In this vicinity, the Gadwall is quite rare.
My first acquaintance with this bird was in 1834, while pursuing my favorite
amusement of water fowl shooting in the celebrated South Bay. It was
flying alone, seemingly wandering about as if in search of companions. It
passed and repassed several times outside of my decoys, without approach-
ing within gunshot, but sufficiently near to excite in me a desire for hay-
ing a better opportunity to examine it. I concealed myself with great
care, hoping that it would approach within shooting distance, as I was in-
duced to believe that it would, from the desire it exhibited to join the motley
flock which my ‘decoys’ represented; butas it advanced, it appeared to see
that all was not right, and at the moment when my hopes were the brightest,
it quickly changed its course, and alighted on a marsh about a half a mile
from me. I gave quick pursuit, and after wading through the tall grass
and mud, discovered it sitting ona bog, pluming and dressing its feathers,
unconscious of its impending fate. Its perfectly neat appearance so en-
gaged my attention, that I forgot that a gun was in my possession, until
it took to wing, when the desire to obtain it returned, and I brought it
down. On taking it up, although proud of this valuable acquisition to
my collection, I could not forbear feeling that Nature had been robbed of
one of her greatest ornaments. I have since killed a few along the south
shore of Long Island.” *

8. Somateria spectabilis. KinG E1perR.— Mr. Giraud says of this
species: ‘‘This remarkable Duck is seldom seen within the limits of the
United States, although I had the good fortune to add to my collection an
adult male in perfect plumage, that was shot on Long Island Sound, in
the winter of 1839. During winter—at Egg Harbor (New Jersey) as well
as on the shores of Long Island—the young are occasionally observed.
But the adult specimen now in my possession, and one other, are the only
individuals in full and mature plumage, that I have ever known to be pro-
cured in the vicinity of New York.” | Early in December, 1886, Mr. A.

* Birds of Long Island, pp. 305, 306.
+ Ibid, p. 333.

1888. ] DuTcHER ox Long Island Birds. I 75

H. Helme visited Capt. J. G. Scott, keeper of the lighthouse at Montauk
Point, and while there had the good fortune to procure an adult female of
this species. His account of the capture is as follows: ‘‘It was alone when
shot and was feeding in the shallow water among the rocks in a sheltered
cove. It was at first mistaken for a Dusky Duck, whose mate had been
shot at this spot the preceding day. It was shot at and twice driven from
its feeding ground only to return the third time to offer itself, apparently,
a voluntary contribution to the cause. It had previously been wounded,
the right tibia having been broken near the tibio-tarsal articulation. As
the bones had not united the bird evidently found it difficult to feed in the
deeper water. This will, I think, account for its attachment to the spot
where it was shot. Capt. Scott reports seeing, while off the Point duck-
ing, several Ducks which he calls ‘Isle of Shoal Ducks.’ They may be
female Eiders or Scoters.” January 22, 1887, Capt. Scott sent to me one
of the Isle of Shoal Ducks, which proved to be a female King Eider. He
reported them, ‘‘living off the Point since early in November (11th), when
I saw a flock of four; the next day I saw ten at one time. They appear
less shy than the other wild fowl, and will permit a nearer approach ina
boat. In this locality it is seen occasionally in the winter months, on the
ocean, from one-quarter to one-half mile from shore. It is not a common
Duck, and I believe it is only a few years since they have been seen off
Montauk Point, but this winter they have been more than usually com-
mon. There is a shoal, with a depth of water from fifteen to twenty feet,
about one-quarter of a mile off the Point, where I go to shoot Ducks, but
can only do so when the surf will permit. Every time I have visited this
spot this winter, I have seen from four to twenty King Eiders.” March
19, 1887, Capt. Scott sent to me a young male which he shot from a flock
of twenty. April 8, he wrote, ‘‘I was out to-day and saw about thirty
King Eiders, as many asI have seen any day this winter. I think about one-
third of the birds were males.” Late in the winter I wrote to Capt. Frank
Stratton, keeper of the Ditch Plain Life Saving Station, asking whether
this species was a regular winter visitant near Montauk, and he replied as
follows: ‘‘The King Eider Ducks are quite rare here; I think I have known
only about ten killed in as many years. I shot three, the first of Novem-
ber, I think in 1880. We see a few every winter, between November 1
and May 1, usually singly or in pairs, hardly ever in flocks. They feed
on mussels or small shell-fish which they pick up from the bottom of the
ocean. They never come into the ponds or bays; at least I have never
seen one except onthe ocean. They are very fair eating, nearly as good
as a Black Duck.” April 21, 1887, Capt. Stratton sent to me a male and
female which had been shot off his station by one of the Life Saving Crew.
“They were about one-quarter of a mile off shore, where the water was
from three to four fathoms deep.” They were both gorged with the young
of the common edible mussel (Mytrlus edulis Linn.), which Capt. Strat-
ton says grow in large quantities in the ocean around Montauk, wherever
there is a rocky bottom. The two specimens above referred to were the
last ones seen.

176 DutcuER ox Long Island Birds. [April

9g. Olorcolumbianus. WHISTLING SwAN.—Mr. Giraud says regarding
the genus Olor: ‘*The present species is the only one which I have ever
known to be seen in this vicinity.”* The first settlerson Long Island un-
doubtedly found Swans in great numbers, as did their eastern neighbors. f¢
At the present time, however, this noble bird can hardly be called more
than a straggler. November 5, 1886, one was shot in Reed Pond, Mon-
tauk, by Mr. George Hand; it was alone. Capt. Scott informs me that
Mr. Jonathan Miller shot one about twelve years since while he was
keeper of the light at Montauk Point. It was mounted and is now in his
possession at his home in Amagansett. Mr. Eugene A. Jackson, of At-
lanticville, reported to me that one was shot November 26, 1886, on Shin-
necock Bay. Nothing but the head and neck were preserved; these are
now in my collection. This is the same bird recorded in ‘Forest and
Stream,’ Vol. XXVII, p. 364.

1o. Rallus elegans. KiNG Rar~.—Mr. Giraud says of this Rail: ‘*Dur-
ing my frequent excursions on Long Island, I have not had the good for-
tune to meet with this large and beautiful Rail, and have only seen one
specimen that was procured in that locality, which was shot in the vicinity
of Williamsburg, and is now in the valuable collection of George N. Law-
rence, Esq.” After quoting Mr. Audubon at some length, as to its being
altogether a fresh water bird, he concludes by saying: ‘‘Hence we may
conclude that its occurrence with us is extremely rare.” { As it is, like all
of the Rallidz, partly nocturnal and extremely secretive in its habits, it
is probably overlooked and is more common than it is thought tobe. Mr.
Knoess, of Riverhead, has a mounted specimen in his collection. Itisa
young bird and was caught alive on the shores of Peconic Bay. It is the
second one that has been brought to him alive. He cannot say positively
whether it was bred there, but he is under the impression that it was.§

Mr. Squires, of Ponquogue, Suffolk Co., has in his possession a mounted
specimen which was shot some years since on the meadows opposite the
Great West Bay Light, Shinnecock Bay. It was taken in the summer.
My friend, Mr. Alfred A. Fraser, of Oakdale, Suffolk Co., presented me
with a magnificent specimen in the flesh, which he shot November 2, 1886,
on a meadow bordering a fresh water stream, emptying into Great South
Bay, at Bayport, Suffolk Co. He wrote: ‘‘I cannot remember of bagging
over half a dozen in my twenty years’ shooting on Long Island,” Mr.
Fraser is the fortunate possessor of a beautifully located country seat of
S00 acres, which affords him many hours of sport with his dogs and gun.

March 3, 1887, one of these birds struck the Montauk Point Lighthouse,
and was sent to me by the keeper, Capt. Scott. He stated that the bird

* Birds of Long Island, p. 299.

+See Dr. C. Hart Merriam, Birds of Connecticut, p.120. J. A. Allen, A Revised
List of the Birds of Massachusetts, p. 233. Wm. Dutcher, Forest & Stream, Vol.
XXVIII, p. 106.

+ Birds of Long Island, p. 2I0.

§ See Birds of Connecticut, p. 115.

2

1888.] DutTcHER ox Long Island Brrds. B77

struck the light on the east side of the tower. If it was migrating north-
ward, it should have struck the tower on the west side, the trend of the
Island being about east and west, but striking on the opposite side indi-
cates that it only struck after circling about the light. *

11. Porzana noveboracensis. YELLow Rait.—Mr. Giraud says:
‘‘Notwithstanding this species is but seldom met with on Long Island, Iam
not inclined to think it so exceedingly rare in this vicinity as it is generally
supposed. Its habits of skulking among the tall grass and reeds that
overgrow the wet and but seldom frequented marshes, as well as its
unwillingness to take wing, may, I think, in a measure account for its
apparent extreme scarcity with us.”

Mr. A. A. Fraser sent to me April 29, 1887, a specimen of this species
which his dog caught alive. As his account of the occurrence is very
interesting, corroborating fully the statements of Mr. Giraud and Dr.
Grinnell regarding the difficulty of flushing this Rail, I give it in full:
‘« They are very hard to get, as it is almost impossible to make them take
wing. This one was secured while I was beating the salt meadows for
English Snipe. My dog came toa beautiful stiff point; I walked up to
flush the bird, expecting to see a Snipe get up, but instead, the dog broke
point, and run his nose in the meadow grass and brought to me very
carefully the Rail.” When I received it, it was so lively, and also so
pretty, that I disliked to killit, so took it tothe menagerie at Central Park,
New York City. Mr. Conklin, the Superintendent, placed it in a large
cage, surrounded with a fine wire netting, in company with some Quails
and Doves. Its restlessness was pitiful: it ran from side to side of the
coop and thrust its head in the loops of wire looking for a hiding place.
During its first night in confinement its neck was caught in one of the
wire loops and it became an involuntary suicide. Its remains now rest
peacefully, with those of several other members of its family, in a tin
vault dedicated to the post-mortem uses of the avi-fauna of Long Island.

12. Crex crex. CorRN CRAKE.—Since my previous record of this bird
on Long Island,} I have had a mounted specimen presented to me by Mr.
A. A. Fraser, who ‘‘ bagged the bird, November 2, 1880. It was at the
foot of the uplands, where they join the meadows, in heavy cover, with
springs running from it.”

13. Phalaropus tricolor. WuiILson’s PHALAROPE. My friend, Mr.
Charles E. Perkins, again enriched my collection of Long Island birds by
sending to me, September 13, 1887, a specimen of this Phalarope, which

* See Bird Migration, By William Brewster. Mem. Nuttall Ornith. Club, No. 1, 1886.

+ Birds of Long Island, p. 205.

Dr. C. Hart Merriam in his Birds of Connecticut, pp. 118 and 119, gives a very
interesting letter from Dr. George Bird Grinnell regarding the capture of several speci-
mens of this species near Milford, Conn. He found ‘“ They were ridiculously tame
and would run along before the dog, creeping into the holes in the bogs and hiding
there while we tried in vain to start them.”

{ Auk, Vol. I[I, 1886, p. 435.

178 DuTcHER ox Long Lsland Birds. [April

he shot that day, at Shinnecock Bay, Suffolk Co., while shooting Bay-
birds (Limicole) over decoys. Two days after he shot another.

14. Tringa maritima. PURPLE SANDPIPER.—This species was one of
the desiderata of Mr. Giraud, who wrote of it as follows: ‘‘ This species I
have never met with, and from my own observations of its habits and
customs I know nothing. On the shore of Long Island it is exceedingly
rare. Of all the transient visitors, there is no species for which I have
made more diligent search than the Purple Sandpiper. At different
seasons of the year, I have traversed the beaches and shoals on the south,
and rambled over the rocky shores of the north side of the Island—but
thus far it has eluded all my endeavors. Respecting it, I have had fre-
quent conversations with the bay-men, without gathering any information,
it being to those with whom I have conversed entirely unknown; and
were it not from having in my possession a specimen that was purchased
in Fulton Market, and having seen two or three others that were procured
through the same source—all of which, it is said, were shot on the eastern
end of the Island—I would not feel at liberty to include it in our local
Fauna.” *

It is very probable that this Sandpiper is only found, now, as when
Mr. Giraud wrote of it, on the eastern portion of the Island, and perhaps
on the north side, where it can find the rocky shores so necessary to its
existence. Mr. Newbold T. Lawrencef and Mr. Robert B. Lawrence,t{
both well known in connection with Long Island birds, have each recorded
one specimen from the Island. It is further probable that it is not only
a regular winter visitant, but that it is not uncommon in suitable localities
on Long Island. Its being found only on rocky shores and during the
winter months, accounts largely for its being overlooked. The bleakness
and desolation of winter along the seashore deters sportsmen from fre-
quenting it even at the most favorable times, but when there is added the
snow and sleet ofa northeast gale none but the hardy members of the
Life Saving Crews, those noblemen who ever stand ready to risk their
own lives to save those of storm-tossed and surf-beaten mariners, and the
isolated few who devote their lives to solitude and loneliness in the light-
house towers, that stand as beacons to warn the sailor where danger lurks,
ever have the opportunity of observing this boreal Sandpiper in its chosen
surroundings. At the entrance to Long Island Sound lies a small rocky
island, known as Little Gull, on which is erected a lighthouse that by
day and night serves as a guide from the stormy waters of the Atlantic to
the land-locked Long Island Sound. The keeper of this light, Mr. H. P.
Field, has given me many valuable notes, and some specimens, of the
birds of his vicinity. His means of communication with the mails are
by sailing a long distance to the nearest port on Long Island, or else to
put off in a small boat and hail some inward bound vessel and get the
master to forward his notes or specimens. Communication is therefore

* Birds of Long Island, pp. 236, 237.
+ Forest and Stream, Vol. X, p. 235.
{ Ibid., Vol. XXVII, p. 428.

1888. | DutcHer on Long Island Birds. 179

so infrequent that I supply him with small blank books in which he makes
almost daily records of the birds noted; also the weather and temperature.
These books are sent to me January and July first. In the report for the
first half of 1886, Mr. Field noted, January 23 : ‘‘Observed some small Snipe
feeding on the rocks,—temp. 20°.” The next day he notes: ‘‘ The little
Snipe still here, while it is snowing hard,—temp. 8°.” None were seen
again until January 30, when he writes: ‘‘One little Snipe made its appear-
ance again to-day,—temp. 32°.” February 1, another one joined the
solitary individual noted January 30. This pair remainded until the roth
of February, ‘‘ feeding on the rocks,” although the temperature on the 4th
was —2°. On the 17th they returned, remaining one day and then dis-
appeared until February 23. They again wandered off, returning March 3,
and remaining three days. None were seen again until March 25, when
one returned to say to Mr. Field that the temperature of 38° was entirely
too tropical, and that he wished to say for himself and his mates, farewell,
as they were about to start fora more frigid clime. The journey evidently
was commenced, as none were again seen.

Mr. A. H. Helme, while at Montauk Point in December, 1886, saw three
individuals of this species and secured two of them, a male and female.
The first one secured was shot about two miles west of the Point, and the
second was killed near Fort Pond, about four miles from the Point. Feb-
ruary 10, 1887, a flock of three made their appearance at Little Gull Island,
and Mr. Field secured them all and sent them to me in the flesh. No
others visited either Little Gull Island or Montauk Point, during the
winter of 1886-87. November 1, 1887, a solitary individual was shot at
Montauk Point, by Capt. Scott, who sent it to me, together with a Sander-
ling (Calidris arenaria), which was shot from a flock of twenty at the
same place and on the same day.

15. Cathartes aura. TURKEY VULTURE.—-Since making my previous
record* on this species Ihave secured several others through the kindness
of Mr. Alfred Marshall, an Associate Member of the Union. The records
were all made at the extreme southwestern portion of the Island, Mr.
Marshall residing in Flatbush, Kings Co. The following is a copy of his
notes: ‘‘September 5, 1877, Mr. Johnston says, ‘The flagman on the
Manhattan Beach R. R., at the Parkville crossing, saw a large bird flying
about six feet from the ground, and as it flew by succeeded in stunning it
with a stone. He afterward saw it and found it to be a Turkey Vulture in
splendid condition.’ June 9, 1885, Mr. Johnston also saw two flying over
his residence at Parkville, and again on August 26, of the same year, he
saw another. July 19, 1886, he saw still another, being pursued by a Crow.
The Vulture mounted to a great height, the Crow following. In May,
1885, I saw one, and May 16, the following year, I saw another. It was
sitting on the top of a dead tree near Ocean Avenue, Greenfield, Kings
Co. Two or three wagons drove by while I was watching the bird, but it
did not fly, so I crept under the tree to get a good view of it. After watch-

* Auk, 1886, Vol. III, p. 439.

180 DuTcHER on Long Island Birds. [April

ing it for ten minutes, I threw a stone to start it, but it did not fly until I
hit the limb it was sitting on; then it flew to another tree about fifty yards
off and commenced cleaning its feathers. It was about 5 A.M. when I saw
the bird first. I think it had been eating and had gorged itself. These are
all the notes I can collect, and [believe they cover the visits of this Vulture
in our locality for the past decade.”

16. Strix pratincola. AMERICAN BARN OwL.—Since my record of the
breeding of this species on Long Island* I have heard of the capture ofa
specimen. Mr. Knoess wrote to me as follows: ‘‘I see by reading ‘The
Auk,’ that you mention the Barn Owl as being a rare bird: I mounted a
beautiful specimen, shot November 20, 1886, at West Hampton, Suffolk
Co., a female. It is the first one I ever mounted on the Island. My friend
who shot it saw it perched on a tree near the post office, between one and
two o’clock, P.M.

17. Alauda arvensis. SKYLARK.— Late in June, 1887, I received a
request from Dr. C. Hart Merriam to investigate a statement made ina
New York paper, that ‘‘Skylarks are abundant on Long Island, at Flat-
bush and from that place down, easterly through a stretch of land extend-
ing to Flatlands, and thence around and about the town of Flatlands.” I
referred the request to Mr. Alfred Marshall, who resides at Flatbush and
is well acquainted with the locality. Within a few days (July 2) he wrote
that he had secured two birds which he supposed were Skylarks. They
were forwarded to Dr. Merriam who pronounced them ‘‘unquestionably
the true European Skylark (Alauda arvensts).”’ Subsequently, Mr. Mar-
shall informed me that he found the Skylarks in the long-grass fields, and
that they were quite plenty. Those secured were young birds. On the
12th of July he saw a great many, all adults, and singing. He also saw
one carrying food in its mouth, and supposing it had young, he noted
where it dropped into a piece of timothy grass. He was unable to find
the nest then. but later, on the 14th, he was more successful, as he found
it with five half-grown young. The nest was composed of grass and was
placed in a depression in the ground, about two and one-half inches
deep, and was hidden under a tuft of grass. The Skylarks remained until
September 15, on which date Mr. Marshall saw the last one.

18. Otocoris alpestris praticola. PRAIRIE HoRNED Lark. — Mr. John
Hendrickson, of Long Island City, Queens Co., has the honor of having
secured the first specimen of this variety of the Horned Lark on Long
Island. July 31, 1886, he shot one near his home. His brother, Mr. W.
F. Hendrickson, when writing to me about it, asked if it was not early in
the season fora Shore Lark to be found, and also stated that the specimen
was very small. Subsequently he sent it to me, but as I had no others
to compare it with, I forwarded it to Dr. A. K. Fisher, at Washington, for
comparison and identification. He replied to my inquiry as follows: ‘*The
specimen is Ofocoris alpestris praticola. "To make doubly sure, I had Mr.
Ridgway examine it and he said there was no question but that it was

*Auk, Vol. III, 1886, p. 439.

1888. ] Dutcuer on Long Island Birds. ISI

praticola. 1 should not be surprised, if in a few years the bird would be
a common breeder on Long Island.” September 14, 1887, the Messrs.
Hendrickson sent to me in the flesh a Horned Lark which, from its imma-
turity, had evidently been bred on the Island, and consequently must be
praticola.

1g. Calcarius lapponicus. LAPLAND LoncGspur.— One shot at Long
Island City, Queens Co., January 11, 1886, by John Hendrickson, is the
only record I have secured since those noted in ‘The Auk’ of October.
1886.* This specimen was in company with four Horned Larks. ‘It had
but one leg, the left one having been cut off: the wound was entirely
healed.” Mr. Giraud considered this bird an extremely rare straggler.
“In the winter of 1838, several specimens of this bird were observed in
the New York markets, having been shot on Long Island—but I am not
aware that this species has ever before or since been met with in our
section.”f From my records made thus far I cannot consider individuals
of this species in the light of stragglers. Further observations, made on
the beaches and grassy plains, may prove them to be regular, but not
common, visitants, as in Massachusetts. {

20. Zonotrichia leucophrys. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW.—Mr. Giraud
includes this bird in his list, but does not say specifically that he ever took
or even saw a specimen on Long Island. Inferentially he includes it,
but considers it rare ‘‘in the Middle States.”§ Mr. Geo. N. Lawrence,
gives it in his list, and I find in his collection, now in the American
Museum of Natural History, Central Park, New York City, two specimens
from Long Island. I have secured two specimens in the past nine years.
The first one of these has already been recorded.|| The last one, an im-
mature male, I shot October 16, 1886, at Broadway, Queens Co. It was
first seen in a roadside thicket of catbriars (Sm7lax rotundifolia), but was
thought to be a White-throated Sparrow. After the lapse of half an hour
the thicket was again visited and the bird was found and secured. It was
alone.

21. Piranga rubra. SUMMER TANAGER.—-Mr. Giraud does not include
this species among the Long Island birds, nor does Mr. George N. Law-
rence include it in his catalogue.4

The former says, when speaking of the Scarlet Tanager (Prranga ery-
thromelas): ‘This species is the only one of the Genus that is found in
this vicinity.** The latter states, ‘‘ I have seen it in the Magnolia Swamps

* Auk, Vol. III, 1886, p. 440.
Birds of Long Island, 1844, p. 99.

i
{See A Revised List of the Birds of Massachusetts. By J. A. Allen. Bull. Amer.
Mus. N. H., Vol. 1, No. 7, July, 1886, p. 250.

§ Birds of Long Island, p. 123.
|| Auk, Vol. I, 1884, p. 175.

4] Catalogue of Birds observed on New York, Long, and Staten Islands, and the ad-
jacent parts of New Jersey. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. Nat. Hist., VIII, p. 286, April, 1886.

** Birds of Long Island, p. 136.

182 DutcHer ox Long Island Birds. [April

of the New Jersey coast near Atlantic City, but never met with it any
further north.” Since my previous records* I have had two additional
specimens reported to me by Mr. John C. Knoess, who writes: ‘‘I havea
beautiful specimen, killed last April (1886) at Manor, Suffolk Co., and
another at Promised Land, also in Suffolk Co. They are the first I ever
saw on the Island.” Can it be that this species is extending its range
northward?

22. Protonotaria citrea. PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. —Neither Mr.
Giraud, in 1844, nor Mr. Lawrence, in 1866, gave this species in their
Long Island lists, nor can I find a well authenticated record for the State
of New York. I now have the pleasure, however, of adding this beautiful
Warbler to the New York birds, through the kindness of Capt. Scott. who
sent me one that struck the light at Montauk Point, during the night of
August 26, 1886. It was found dead at the base of the tower on the follow-
ing morning. The night was hazy, with wind changing from northeast
to southwest. So far as Capt. Scott knows the bird was alone, that is, he
found no others dead, nor did he see any about the lantern. He states
that it was the first one of the kind that he had ever seen. This record,
taken in connection with that made by Mr. William Brewster, in this
journal, October, 1886,f is particularly interesting. The two specimens
taken by Mr. Brewster at Concord, Mass., were shot on August 17 and
23, and my specimen struck the lighthouse on the 26th. Perhaps this
last specimen was one of the family from which Mr. Brewster secured
two members, but if not so, it certainly to some degree bears out his
claim, ‘‘that during 1886, at least, there has been a regular, if limited,
flight into and from New England.”

23. Dendroica striata. BLACK-PpoLL WARBLER.—Of the five hundred
and ninety-five birds which were killed by striking Fire Island Light,
September 23, 1887, no less than three hundred and fifty-six of them were
of this species. Among them I found a very beautiful partial albino.

24. Dendroica palmarum. PaLM WaRBLER.—During the night of
the 23d of September, 1887, a great bird wave was rolling southward
along the Atlantic Coast. Mr. E. J. Udali, first assistant keeper of the
Fire Isiand Light, wrote to me that the air was full of birds. Very many
of the little travellers met with an untimely fate, for on the following
morning Mr. Udall picked up at the foot of the light house tower, and
shipped to me, no less than five hundred and ninety-five victims. Twenty-
five species were included in the number, all of them being land birds,
very nearly half of which were Wood Warblers (Mniotiltide). Among
these I found one female Palm Warbler. ‘This is the first record for Long
Island of the western form, those included by Mr. Giraud{ and Mr.
Lawrence in their lists being undoubtedly the eastern form, hyfochrysea.

* Auk, Vol. III, 1886, p. 442.

+ Auk, Vol. III, 1886, pp. 487, 488.

{ Birds of Long Island, p. 59.

§ Ann. N. Y. Lyc. Nat. Hist., VIII, April, 1866. p. 284.

1888S. ] Scott, Supplementary Notes on Florida Birds. 183

25. Mimus polyglottos. MockrnGsirp.—Mr. Arthur Tepper, of Flat-
bush, Kings Co., brought to me a specimen of this species for indentifica-
tion, and informed me that it had been shot in his neighborhood, in the
early part of November, 1884. He also stated that another one had been
shot a short time previously in the same locality. On two other occasions
he saw what he was positive were Mockingbirds, both being in the sum-
mer. Mr. Giraud says of it: ‘This unrivalled songster occasionally
passes the season of reproduction on Long Island.” *

26. Thyothorus ludovicianus. CAROLINA WREN.—Since my previous
recordt another specimen has been brought to my notice by one of my
correspondents, Mr. Henry Hicks, of Westbury Station, Queens Co., who
now has itin his collection. He secured it the latter part of March, 1886.

It was first seen March 22, about an open hovel, and remained about the
place until the 25th, when it was shot.

SUPPLEMENTARY, NOTES FROM THE GULF COAST
OP PLORIDA, WITH A DESCRIPTION OF A
NEW SPECIES OF MARSH WREN.

BY WwW. E. D. SCOTT.

Chen hyperborea nivalis. GREATER SNow GoosE — Mr. J. W. Atkins,
of Key West, Florida, has kindly forwarded to me a representative of this
subspecies taken near Punta Rassa, Florida. ‘There were four individual
in the flock fron) which this specimen was obtained. This is the only
record resulting from four years’ work on this coast.

Ardea wardi. WaArb’s Hreron.—The references to Ardea herodéas in
my recent papers on the ‘The Present Condition of some of the Bird
Rookeries of the Gulf Coast of Florida’ (Auk, Vol. IV, pp. 135, 213, and
273) should probably all be attributed to this species. Ardea herodias,
so far as Tam now aware, does not occur on the Gulf coast of Florida
south of the mouth of the Withlacooche River. In the vicinity of
Tarpon Springs, Hillsboro County, Ward’s Heron is still a compara-
tively abundant bird. It breeds in colonies of varying size, not less than
three, or more than twenty-five pairs being associated together. The
localities chosen for breeding are generally small islands having a consid-
erable growth of trees, and with open expanses of fresh water on all sides.
Such islands are frequently to be found in cypress swamps and are
apparently the favorite breeding resorts. Mating begins in late Decem-
ber or early January and by the middle or last of the latter month the

* Birds of Long Island, p. 82.
t+ Auk, Vol. III, 1886, p. 442.

184 Scorr, Supplementary Notes on Florida Birds. [April °

eggs are laid. I have taken in this vicinity young ready to fly as early
as the 20th of February. Two young are more commonly reared in a
brood, though occasionally I have seen three in a nest.

The breeding season is protracted, and seems to vary with localities, as
I found young not more than two weeks old late in May near Punta Rassa,
which point is about one hundred and fifty miles south of Tarpon
Springs. Two broods at least are reared each season.

Ardearufescens. REpDpDISH EGrer.—Though I have demonstrated to
my entire satisfaction that this species is identical with the so-called A.
pealez, the result of the investigations carried on will be briefly recapitu-
lated to enforce and emphasize the facts that substantiate the position
taken. The birds are common on the Gulf coast of Florida as far north
as Anclote Keys, but at certain points one or the other phase seems to
predominate, the species being represented in the southern part of the
area almost wholly by white individuals and in the northern part the
dark form largely predominates. However, at points in Charlotte
Harbor, both phases occur commonly, and here I obtained several speci-
mens in parti-colored plumage, z. e., partly dark colored, mottled or pied
with white feathers (see Auk, Vol. IV, No 3, p. 215). Mr. George
B. Sennett recently kindly allowed me to examine several Reddish Egrets
collected by himself on the Texas coast, two of which showed to a marked
degree this same parti-colored condition of plumage.

Finally, to go back several years, I quote from the ‘Bulletin of the
Nuttall Ornithological Club,’ Vol. VII, 1881, p. 20:

“At Clearwater and just south of it, and particularly at points on Old
Tampa Bay, I found the Reddish Egret (Ardea rufa) abundant. While
most common in the dark plumage, many were noted and some obtained
in the white plumage, the so-called Ardea pealiz. They began breeding
in March and were breeding commonly in April, Mr. Devereux obtaining
numerous sets of their eggs, varying from four to six in number. This
gentleman found young in both plumages in the same nest where the
parents were both blue birds,” Mr. Devereux was at this time my assist-
ant and eminently qualified to make correct and careful observations. I
had been obliged to leave the point in question before the breeding season
began, but had called his special attention to the thorough investigation
of the problem, which at that time, the winter of 1879-So, was still an
open one to my mind.

Macrorhamphus scolopaceus. LONG-BILLED Dowi1rcHEerR.—Of rather
common occurrence near Tarpon Springs in the fall and early winter
months, and I have specimens taken near Fort Meyers, on the Caloosa-
hatchie River, in December.

Tringa maritima. PURPLE SANDPIPER. —A specimen of this species
was taken by Mr. J. W. Atkins, at Gordon’s Pass, west coast of Florida,
in November, 1886. This occurrence greatly extends the known range of
this species to the southward, it being of rare occurrence on the Atlantic
coast south of Long Island, N. Y. I am indebted to Mr. Atkins for the
opportunity of examining and recording this interesting specimen.

Ereunetes occidentalis. WESTERN SANDPIPER.—Though not so abun-

1888. ] Scott, Supplementary Notes on Florida Birds. 185

dant as £. puszllus, yet this appears to be a regular visitor every season,
arriving early in the fall.

Symphemia semipalmata inornata. WESTERN WILLET. — Both forms
of Willet occur in the vicinity of Tarpon Springs, and though I have
representatives of zzornata in full plumage, yet the smaller form is the
one breeding commonly about this point, and localities visited on Tam-
paand Hillsboro Bays. S. s. zxornata, however, seems to be the com-
moner form throughout the winter months.

Columba leucocephala. WHITE-CROWNED PIGEON. — Through the
kindness of Mr. Atkins, of Key West, I am able to record a representa-
tive of this species from Punta Rassa. This isa young male of the year,
just beginning toassume full plumage. It is No. 3492 of the author's col-
lection, and was taken by Mr. Atkins at the point indicated on August
16, 1886.

I have also before me two immature female birds taken at Key West by
Mr. Atkins on October 8 and g, 1887. The eyes of the female birds are
recorded on the labels as gray and those of the male as light orange.
Feet and legs of all, dark red.

Mr. Atkins writes me that the species is quite common at Key West.

The record from Punta Rassa extends the range of this species on the
Gulf coast of Florida considerably to the northward —about a hundred
and twenty miles—of previous observations.

Buteo fuliginosus. Lirrte BLack HAwxK.—On the 15th of December,
1886, A. Lechevallier collected, near Cape Romano, Florida, an adult
male bird of this species. This bird was procured from that gentleman
by Mr. Atkins and was sent by him to me for identification. Concluding
it to be the above species, itwas submitted to Mr. J. A. Allen, who agreed
with me. This is, so far as I am aware, the second record for the United
States.

Conurus carolinensis. CAROLINA PAROQUET.—This species, once com-
mon in Hillsboro County and in the immediate vicinity of Tarpon Springs,
has now apparently disappeared from the region in question, or has at least
become very rare. During three seasons’ collecting in this region I have
not met with it, nor have any specimens been brought to me by any of the
many local hunters. The birds are still rather common in parts of Her-
nando County, but the general opinion of residents seems to be that each
year finds them more rare. This does not seem to have come about
wholly by persecution, though the birds have been killed in great num-
bers. The settlement of the country and clearing of land has served to
disturb this species very much, as it has Campephilus principfalis. Both
species have absolutely forsaken regions where they were once compara-
tively common, or even abundant.

Coccyzus minor. MANGROVE CucKkoo.—I have before me an individual
of this species, taken near Tampa by Mr. Stuart, and the record of an-
other observed on South Anclote Key, May 20, 1887.

The species, though not nearly so common, seems to have a range on
the Gulf coast of Florida coextensive with that of Vireo altiloguus bar-
batulus, to which reference will be made further on.

186 Scorr, Supplementary Notes on Florida Birds. [ April

Campephilus principalis. Ivory-BILLED WoopPECKER. — The follow-
ing account of the nest and first plumage of this species was made by the
writer near Tarpon Springs, on March 17, 1887: ‘‘ To-day found nest of
Ivory-billed Woodpecker, and obtained both parent birds and the single
young bird which was the occupant of the nest. The cavity for the nest
was dug ina large cypress tree, in the midst of a dense swamp, and was
forty-one feet from the ground. The opening was oval in shape, being
three and one half inches wide and four and a half inches high. The
same cavity had apparently been used before for a nesting place; it was
cylindrical in shape and a little more than fourteen inches deep. The
young bird in the nest was a female, and though one-third grown had zot
yet opened its eyes. The feathers of the first plumage were apparent, be-
ginning to cover the down, and were the same in coloration as those of
the adult female bird.”

These birds, I am told by all old residents, were once very common in
this region. But they are now comparatively rare and very shy. The
same day that the nest was found eleven were counted in the swamp in
question, sometimes four or five beingin sight at once. The three spoken
of were all that were obtained, the adults being the parents of the young
female bird.

Chordeiles virginianus chapmani. CHAPMAN’s NIGHTHAWK. — There
are before me both the eggs and one young bird in the down, of this sub-
species. The bird was taken, together with the parents, on June 17, 1887,
near Tarpon Springs, by Mr. W. S. Dickinson, at that time my assistant.
The young bird is apparently five or six days old. The down is dirty
white beneath, and on all other parts is the same dirty white mixed with
spots of black, giving the bird an appearance above not unlike the young
of 4gialitis wilsonta, save that the down is longer. The egg is very
similar in color and markings to that of C. vwzrg¢nianus, and measures
1.20 X .go inches.

Icterus spurius. ORCHARD OrIOLE.—A rather common migrant on
the west coast of Florida in the vicinity of Tarpon Springs, appearing
from the 5th to the 25th of April. The males are in full song, but I have
no later record of the species than those given above, and do not think
it breeds here.

Chondestes grammacus. LARK SPpARROW.—The records previously
given (see Auk, Vol. IV, No. 2, p. 133) are now supplemented by an
adult female taken by Mr. J. W. Atkins, at Key West, on October 3, 1887,
and a single bird observed at Tarpon Springs by the writer on November
2, 1887. The species is probably a rare regular migrant and winter resi-
dent in the southwestern portion of Florida.

Peucea estivalis. Prne-Woops Sparrow.— Occurs abundantly as a
common resident, breeding about Tarpon Springs.

Peucza zstivalis bachmanii. BACHMAN’s SPARROW.—Occurs as a rare
bird in the breeding season, but not uncommon in early fall and winter
about Tarpon Springs.

Vireo altiloquus barbatulus. BLACK-WHISKERED VIREO.—A common

1888. ] Scott, Supplementary Notes on Florida Birds. 187

migrant, and breeds in numbers on all of the mangrove keys of the west
coast of Florida, as far north at least as the mouth of the Anclote River.

Mr. Dickinson obtained late in May a series of twelve individuals of
this species on the South Anclote River, near Tarpon Springs, which is
now in the writer’s collection. The birds arrive here about May to-r15,
and though Mr. Dickinson was unable to find them breeding, he saw old
nests of the preceding year which appeared to have been built by this
bird. They probably build early in June, at which time the gentleman in
question was unable to continue his investigations.

The species seems to be confined almost exclusively to the mangrove
keys, and is very difficult to obtain, even when seemingly plentiful, as
they are wary and shy, and the cover to which they resort is dense and im-
penetrable. J have only two records of their occurrence on the mainland.

Vireo noveboracensis maynardi. Kry West Vireo.—Mr. Atkins has
found this form quite abundant at Key West, and has kindly sent me a
series of nine specimens and two nests containing eggs. Two of the nine

birds were collected at Punta Rassa and are apparently the same as the
seven from Key West.

The nests are very like thoseof the true White-eyed Vireo, and the eggs
similar though a little larger.

Helinaiaswainsonii. SWAINSON’S WARBLER.—-Mr. Atkins has collected
on the island of Key West only one fall season, and it seems that Swain-
son’s Warbler is not an uncommon migrant at that point. On Sept. 20,
1887, he took three males of this species.

Helminthophila bachmanii. BACHMAN’s WARBLER.—Before me is the
Bachman’s Warbler referred to in ‘The Auk’ for October, 1887, p. 348. It
is without doubt an adult female, and is very like the specimens taken
near New Orleans, save that the black of the breast is more suffused with
yellow.

Helminthophila peregrina. TENNESSEE WARBLER.—On October 5
Mr. Atkins collected at Key West a male bird, young of the year, of this
species, and on the succeeding day a female, also young of the year. I
have not found the species on the Gulf coast of Florida.

Dendroica tigrina. CAPE May WARBLER.—Mr. Atkins finds this bird a
rather common migrant, both in the spring and fall, at both Punta Rassa
and Key West. Ihave taken it on a single occasion in spring near Tarpon
Springs. Mr. Atkins’s spring birds taken at Key West were obtained
from April 11 till May 5, and in the fall they occur in the first three weeks
of October.

Geothlypis agilis. CoNNEcTICUT WARBLER.—On May 24, 1887, one of
my collectors took, on the South Anclote Key, near Tarpon Springs, an
adult female Connecticut Warbler. This bird is No. 3443 of my Florida
collection.

Thryothorus ludovicianus miamensis. FLORIDA WRreEN.— This sub-
species, which the latest authority gives as being restricted to ‘‘South-
eastern Florida,” is the representative of the Carolina Wren found at Tar-
pon Springs, where, and also southward on the Gulf coast of Florida, it is
common,

188 Scott, Supplementary Notes on Florida Birds. [ April

Cistothorus marianz, sp. nov. MARIAN’s MARSH WREN.

To an apparently undescribed species of Marsh Wren, lately discoy-
ered in the salt water marshes at the mouth of the Anclote River, Hills-
boro County, Florida, I propose to give the above name, after my wife,
Marian J. Scott.

Before me is a series of fourteen birds on which the species is based,
No. 4595, & ad., Tarpon Springs, Fla., 6th January, 1888, and No. 4594,
Q ad., Tarpon Springs, Fla., 5th January, 1888, being selected as the
types of the species.* :

Above olive brown, having in rare cases a slightly rufous tinge. The
black area of the back much as in C. falusfrzs, but not so clearly defined,
and the white streaks in this area not so numerous or pronounced. Rump
and upper tail-coverts with zarrow transverse bars of black, or darker
olive brown. The olive of the upper parts usually showing on the top of
the head, as a median line, which is sometimes a quarter of an inch wide.
On each side of this, darker brown or black, like the patch on the back.
A superciliary stripe of white and dark brown feathers. Area in front of
eye dark. Below white on belly and throat; flanks and sides olive. lighter
than that above, and barred with darker olive or brown. The coloration
of the flanks and sides usually spreads over the breast, which in many cases
is dotted with small triangular black blotches. Lower tail-coverts ashy
or dirty white, barred broadly and conspicuously with black or deep olive
brown. ‘Tail dark with lighter barring of deep ash, the bars being rarely
continuous. Wings dark olive brown with darker markings. Average
measurements of males: Length, 4.85; wing, 1.80; tail, 1.70; exposed
culmen, .50. The average measurements of the females are appreciably
less.

Iris hazel brown; bill above dark seal brown, the lower mandible being
lighter at and near its base.

The great difference between this species and falustrzs is in the conspicu-
ous barring of the upper and under tail-coverts and the feathers of the
flanks, and olive instead of rufous brown coloring throughout, with the
much darker coloration of underparts. I may state that with this series of
birds I have taken three falustrzs, which are entirely similar to those of
the northern marshes.

The new bird is quite common on all the salt marshes of this immediate
vicinity (Tarpon Springs), and probably all along the west coast of Flor-
ida as far north as Cedar Keys, where it is known to occur. It is probably
resident and breeds, though of this I have as yet no positive knowledge.

The extent of the dark color on the underparts varies considerably, and
I have two individuals that show scarcely a trace of whitish beneath,
either on throat or belly.

* [ Mr. Scott has kindly presented these types to the American Museum of Natural
History, New York City.—J. A. A.]

1888. ] Firecent Literature. T 89

RECENT LITERATURE.

Chamberlain’s Canadian Birds.*— This is not among the least of recent
indications of activity of Canadian workers. It is more extensive in its
scope than Mr. Mcllwraith’s treatise, including a systematic annotated list
of all the birds of North America, north of the United States and British
Boundary, excepting Alaska. Considerably more than ove-half of North
American Birds are found within these broad limits, and Mr. Chamber-
lain has occasion to treat 556 species. These are arranged and named
according to the A. O. U. Code and Check-List, and quite fully annotated
from all the information available to the author, so far as their geograph-
ical distribution is concerned. Without any other biographical matter,
it makes a handsome volume of convenient size, invaluable for ready
reference. In paper and typography, it is decidedly the best-looking bird-
book that has reached us from ‘over the line,’ though not quite free from
misprints, and by some oversight repeatedly giving generic names with
a lower-case initial letter. But these are trifling defects, of no weight in
estimating the value of the treatise. It at once takes a place of its own,
distinct from Mr. McIlwraith’s; and the two together very fairly represent
what Canada has to offer us at present in respect of ornithology.

In his preface Mr. Chamberlain takes occasion to pointedly comment
upon the backwardness in coming forward of the Canadian authorities
in the matter of ornithology. His strictures should have great weight
because they are simply true, and because they are said by one who has
earned the right to speak by his own talents, industry and enterprise.
We heartily welcome the successful outcome of the author’s researches
thus far, and wish him all favorable conditions for their further prosecu-
tion.—E. C.

Seebohm’s ‘Geographical Distribution of the Charadriide.’—Mr. See-
bohm’s book on the ‘Charadriide,’t or ‘Plovers, Sandpipers, Snipes, and
their Allies,’ is a large quarto, illustrated with twenty-one beautifully col-
ored plates of species hitherto unfigured or badly figured; in typograpni-
cal execution it is almost faultless, forming altogether a sumptuous speci-
men of book-making. The text abounds in beautiful cuts, the greater
part being head-pieces or illustrations of structural details.

* A Catalogue | of | Canadian Birds, | with | Notes on the Distribution of the
Species. | By | Montague Chamberlain. | — | Saint John, N. B.| J & A. McMillan,
98 Prince William Street. | 1887. | 4 vol. cloth, sm. 4to paper, 8vo typebed, title
and pp. i—vi, 1 l., 1-143.

+ The | Geographical Distribution | of the Family | Charadriidze | or the | Plovers,
Sandpipers, Snipes, and their Allies. | By | Henry Seebohm | author of “Siberia in
Europe,”’ “Siberiain Asia,” ‘‘Catalogue ofthe Birds in the British Museum” (Vol. 5), |
“A history of British Birds, with coloured Illustrations of their Eggs,” etc. | [Vig-
nette—group of Avocets.] London: | Henry Sothern & Co., 136 Strand, W. C. and
36 Piccadilly, W.; | Manchester, 49, Cross Street.—No date. 4to. pp. xxix, 524, pll.
xxi, numerous cuts in the text. On the back-title of the cover is the date, 1888.

190 Recent Literature. [April

He states that the work is ‘‘not a monograph,” being limited to the
treatment of two topics, the geographical distribution of the species and
their mutual relationship, one of his chief objects being to point out what
appeared to him ‘“‘to be errors in their classification.” Judged from this
latter standpoint, we fear Mr. Seebohm’s labors will not be received with
much favor by the generality of his contemporaries. He further says the
work ‘‘treats only of the classification of the family Charadriide into sub-
families, genera, subgenera, species, and sub-species. I propose for the
most part to confine the descriptions of each of these groups of individuals
to those characters which are diagnostic, and to make the geographical dis-
tribution of each species the pzéce de résistance of my bill of fare” (p. 51).

As will be seen by the title, Mr. Seebohm’s ‘family Charadriide’ includes
birds modern ornithologists usually arrange in several families; while
his classification of the genera presents strikingly original allocations,
the classification here adopted being essentially that followed in the
same author’s ‘History of British Birds.” He sets out with excellent
intentions, and his work, aside from matters of nomenclature and classi-
fication, is based on sound principles and broad philosophic views. He
not only nominally accepts the doctrine of evolution, but adopts it unre-
servedly as the basis of his work, accepting, withont flinching, its ‘‘inevi-
table consequences.” Herecognizes with unstinted praise the ‘‘progres-
sive tendency of thought” among American ornithologists, with whom
“the recognition of sub-species is as much a matter of course as the ad-
mission that many species, even amongst those whose geographical distri-
bution is very wide, show no tendency to split up into local races” (p. v).
He accepts the tests we long since adopted on this side the water as the
criterion for species and subspecies, namely, the non-intergradation of the
former, and the intergradation of the latter, For subspecies, however,
he recognizes what he terms a geographical boundary. ‘‘ Whatever
individual variation be found within the range of a species, if it be not
also capable of being defined geographically I do not regardit of subspeci-
fic value” (p. v.). He reiterates his well-known views on the subject of
what are and what are not generic characters ;* but the results to which
they give rise will not, we fear, gain for his views very general accept-
ance. In his somewhat extended ‘Preface’ he announces or summarizes
views he presents at greater length in special chapters. Following a very
full table of ‘Contents’ is a ‘Systematic Index and Diagnosis (pp. xv-
xxviii), in which he gives the ‘diagnostic characters’ of his groups, from
subfamily to subspecies, and in which an attempt is made to indicate the
strictly distinctive features of each. ‘Chapterl’ is devoted to the ‘Classi-
fication of Birds,’ which he arranges in five orders, namely: I. Anseri-
formes (‘“‘Owls, Eagles, Herons, Flamingoes, Ducks, Cormorants, and
their allies”). II. Cuculiformes (‘‘Goatsuckers, Cuckoos, Woodpeckers,
Parrots, Kingfishers, Hornbills, Rollers, Toucans, Jacamars, Pigeons, and
their allies”). III. Passeriformes (‘‘Passerine Birds, Humming-Birds,
Swifts, and their allies”). IV. Charadriiformes (‘‘Penguins, Divers,

* On this point, see Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VIII, 1883, p. 100.

1888.] Recent Literature. IgI

Grebes, Auks, Gulls, Petrels, Plovers, Snipes, Cranes, Rails, Pheasants,
Tinamous, and their allies”). V. Struthioformes (‘‘Ostriches, Cassowa-
ries, Apteryx, and their allies”). The Charadriiformes are divided into
seven suborders, of which the fourth, or ‘Limicole,’
eight families, as follows: Pteroclide, Turnicide, Thinocoride, Droma-
dide, Charadriide, Otidide, Parride,and Chionide; the ‘Charadriide,’
(= Limicole, ‘auct. plur.’) with the limits above indicated, forming the
subject of the present work. He considers it ‘‘absurd” to create orders

is in turn divided into

for fossil birds, as some ornithologists have done, apparently because we
know so few ‘‘links” of the ‘* endless chain !”

Passing for the present this certainly very ‘original’ scheme of classifi-
cation without further comment, we come to ‘Chapter II. The Evolution
of Birds.” This chapter (pp. I-15) we commend to the reader as a
thoroughly philosophic and sensible presentation of the subject, — one of
the best, from our point of view, we have ever seen, and to nearly every
line of which we give hearty assent. It isa terse and able discussion of
many moot points, which Mr. Seebohm, we do not hesitate to say, has
treated in a masterly way. ‘Chapter III. The Differentiation of Species’
(pp. 16-24), is in the same line, and inspires our equally hearty indorse-
ment. In fact, we have long held substantially the views here so well
expressed and defended, and on many of the points have, on different
occasions, written to the same effect, particularly in relation to so-called
‘natural selection.’ There is much in these two chapters we would gladly
quote did space permit.

‘Chapter IV. The Glacial Epoch’ ( pp. 25-32), is devoted to an
explanation of the origin, dispersion, and present geographical distribu-
tion of the various forms of the ‘Charadriide,’ through the influence of
successive periods of glaciation; in general the views here promulgated
have much in their favor. ‘Chapter V. Migration’ (pp. 33-50) contains
much that is instructive and suggestive, though some of his conclusions
may be open to question.

‘Chapter VI. The Paradise of the Charadriide’ (pp. 51-58) treats
at some length of the habits of these birds in their Arctic breeding-grounds,
and graphically describes the physical features and the climate of the
region, largely from personal experience, where so many of the northern
species find their summer home.

‘Chapter VII. Zoédlogical Regions,’ is based entirely upon the birds
especially under consideration. The ‘Regions’—which ‘have nothing
whatever to do” with ‘‘the Zoédlogical Regions of Sclater and others,’—
three in number, are strictly climatic belts, as follows: First, an ‘Arctic
Region,’ situated between the July isothermals of 60° and 40°. Second:
a ‘Tropical Region,’ limited by the isothermals for July (north of the
equator) and January (south of the equator) of 77°. Third, a ‘Temperate
Region,’ divided into two by the last named region —a north Temperate
and a south Temperate, the former bounded by the July isothermals of 77°
and 60°, and the latter by the corresponding isothermals for January.
Were the whole ‘suborder Limicole’ considered, Mr. Seebohm says ‘‘we

192 Recent Literature. [April

should be compelled to recognize an Anarctic Region,” which would be
characterized by the families Chionidze and Thinocoride, and which
‘“‘appears to be also the centre of dispersal of two suborders—the Procel-
laride and the Impennes; so that it must be regarded as a very important
Region when the distribution of the whole order Charadriiformes is con-
sidered.” He does not think it necessary, however, to recognize it for the
‘Charadriide,’ since so few species of this group visit it for breeding pur-
poses. A map illustrates the regions recognized.

‘Chapter VIII. On Subspecific Forms’ (pp. 62-65), is thoroughly in
harmony with American notions on this subject, in which Mr. Seebohm
rather pointedly contrasts what he terms the ‘‘clearheadedness of Amer-
ican ornithologists on this point” with the ‘‘conservative views of British
ornithologists.” ‘‘It is only doing scant justice,” he says, ‘‘to American
ornithologists to admit that to them belongs the credit of having for the
first time formed a clear conception of the difference between a species
and a subspecies, and of having at once recognized the fact in a scientific
manner in their nomenclature. ... The primary truth, the recognition of
which in some way or other is of vital importance to a clear understand-
ing of the facts of Zodlogy, is that species in the process of differentiation
do exist in considerable numbers. ... The fact of the existence of species
which consist of two or more typical forms which are connected together
by an unbroken series of intermediate forms between the geographically
separated extremes....is the most important ornithological fact which
has been discovered during the last half-century. It is a fact which has
been clearly recognized by American ornithologists, and its tardy or
doubtful recognition by British writers on birds is one of the psychological
puzzles that are very difficult to believe, much less to explain” (pp. 64, 65)-

Chapters IX-XXX (pp. 66-506), are devoted to the general subject,
wherein the ‘Charadriide,’ from ‘family’ down to subspecies, are treated
with special reference to their classification and geographical distribution.
His descriptions of the several groups are brief, but are, it is claimed, diag-
nostic. Keys are provided for the species and genera, which we trust will
prove so much more than usually servicable as to warrant the rather sharp
critisism our author bestows on the similar attempts of some of his prede-
cessors. His references are generally limited to the citations of synonyms,
and to a few works treating specially of the habits and eggs of the species
or subspecies, or giving figures of the birds or their eggs. Trinomials are
consistently employed, but the law of priority is, as usual with Mr. See-
bohm, altogether ignored. There is little formal reference to the ‘aucto-
rum plurimorum’ rule,* but in the selection of names, particularly for
subspecies, he is governed on some occasions by this principle and in
others by his personal preferences. A foot-note on page 100, under
Charadrius fulvus americanus, affords a case in point: ‘‘Of the three
names, americanus, dominicus,and virginicus [applied to the American
Golden Plover], the first is the most expressive, the second is the oldest,

* See Auk, II, 1885, ]). 89.

1888. ] Recent Literature. 193

and the third has been most used. I adopt the first, on the ground that in
accepting a trinominal nomenclature as a necessary evil an ornithologist
has a perfect right to dictate the terms on which he accepts it. The only
way to prevent the indefinite use of trinomials is to make them tempo-
rary!” Such vagaries are beyond criticism.

Mr. Seebohm’s classification, as regards his subfamilies and genera, is
simply unique —emphatically Seebohmian. He tells us that one of his
objects in writing a book on Limicoline birds was to correct what ap-
peared to him ‘‘to be errors in their classification,” and to help clear up
and set in order the ‘chaos’ of the present phase of the subject, consequent
upon passing from ‘‘the artificial system of the last century to the natural
system, which may possibly be discovered in the next.” A glance at his
‘Systematic Index and Diagnoses’ (pp. xv-xxviii) is sufficient to show that
a more arbitrary or ‘artificial’ system would be hard to find. ‘The absence
or presence of a membrane connecting the base of the toes, or the situation
of the nostril in the basal fourth of the bill or beyond it, determine alike
the composition of his ‘subfamilies’ and the relationship of his genera,—
characters of, at best. exceedingly slight importance, and variable in even
strictly congeneric species, otherwise most closely allied. Such super-
ficial characters being allowed to outweigh others of much greater im-
portance, including those more or less affecting the general structure and
habits of the species, it is not surprising that Hematopus is placed in his
subfamily ‘Totanine,’ and S¢repszlas in his subfamily Scolopacina, next
to Trénga. As consistency is not one of Mr. Seebohm’s leading char-
acteristics, it is quite natural to read, in the face ofthis arrangement, ‘The
Turnstones are so nearly allied to the Plovers that it is doubtful whether
they ought to be separated trom them” (p. 407). We find the Turnstones,
however, separated from the Plovers, in Mr. Seebohm’s book, by all of
the strictly Totanineforms! The genera Macrorhamphusand Micropalama
are included in his ‘genus’ Breunetes !

A large part of the text is devoted to the geographical distribution of the
species and higher groups, and to speculation as to their ancestral history
and genetic relations. Many of his hypotheses are probable, though
resting not unfrequently on a very airy groundwork. Mr. Seebohm evi-
dently has not made himself thoroughly familiar with all that has beey
written by even the later and most trustworthy authorities on some of the
points he treats with great positiveness, and did space permit it would be
easy to give numerous instances of oversight or carelessness. The
A. O. U. Check-List of North American Birds is cited as ‘‘Coues & Co.
Check-List N. Amer. Birds,”—with just what intent is not obvious.

Mr. Seebohm’s material for the basis of his work seems to have been
extensive and of excellent quality, he having purchased for the purpose
the well-known Harting, Shelley,and Swinhoe collections, and having
had access to the resources of the British Museum. He recognizes 192
species and 40 subspecies, which he arranges in 19 genera and 3 sub-
families. Despite what we have felt called upon to say in criticism of the

descriptive portion of the work, the author has brought together a vast
’

194 Recent Literature. [April

amount of thoroughly trustworthy and interesting information about the
birds he treats, and the work will prove of great usefulness as a handbook
for this extensive group of birds. We regret that certain idiosyncrasies of
classification and nomenclature prevent our according to the work asa
whole the same high praise we so gladly give to the introductory chap-
ters, which show that his ideas on many points have wonderfully clari-
fied since he wrote the ‘Introduction’ to his ‘History of British Birds,’
some five years ago.—J. A. A.

Ridgway on New or Little-known American Birds.—In the ‘ Proceed-
ings’ of the U. S. National Museum, Mr. Ridgway has published during
the last few months descriptions of a number of new species and subspecies
of American birds, with notes on others little known, as follows:

(1) Cotinga ridgwayt Zeledon MS., from Western Costa Rica.*
The species is allied to C. amabalis, of which it is the western representa-
tive. (2) SfArndalis zena townsend?,t from Abaco Island, Bahamas,
collected by Mr. Charles W. Townsend. (3) He has also described the
female of Carpodectes antonie@ Zeledon.{ (4) Porzana alfari,§ from
Costa Rica, allied to C. albtgularis Lawr. (5) Callipepla elegans ben-
sont from Campos, Sonora,|| based on five specimens collected by Lieut.
H. C. Benson, U. S. A. (6) Fficolaptes rikert Ridgw. is made the
type of a new genus Lerlepschia.§ (7) Phacellodomus tnornatus from
Venezuela,** and allied to P. frontal’s. (8) Megascops vermiculatus,
from Costa Rica, and Megascops hastatus, from Mazatlan.ft (9) Mus-
ctsaxicola occtpital’s, from Lake Titicaca, Peru.{{ (10) In a paper on
Phrygilus gayt and allied species, §§ P. Punensisis described as new, and
P. atriceps, P. gayt, and P. formosus are discussed at length, each being
described in detail. He endeavors to show ‘‘that Emberiza aldunatet
Gay is a pure synonym of Fringilla gayi Eyd. & Gerv., and that Phry-

* Description of a New Species of Cotimga from the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica,
By Robert Ridgway. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1887, pp. 1, 2 (April 25, 1887).

+ Description of a New Form of Spizdalis zena from the Bahamas. Ibid., p. 3.

t Description of the adult female of Carfodectes antonie Zeledon; with critical re-
marks, notes on habits, etc., by José C. Zeledon. Ibid., p. 20 (April 25, 1887).

§ Description ofa New Species of Poyvzava from Costa Rica. Ibid., p. 111.

|| Description of a new Plumed Partridge from Sonora. Ibid., pp. 148-150 (July 2,
1887).—No allusion is here made to its prior description in ‘Forest and Stream’ (Vol.
XXVIII, No. 6, p. 106, March 3, 1887. See Auk, IV, p. 156, April, 1887).

{| Description of a New Genus of Dendrocolaptine Bird from the Lower Amazon.
Ibid., p. 151.

¥#* Description ofa New Species of Phacellodomus from Venezuela. Ibid., p. 152.

tt Description of two New Species of Kaup’s Genus dZegascops. Ibid., pp. 267, 268
(Aug. 1, 1887). '

tt Description of a New Muscisaxicola from Lake Titicaca, Peru. Ibid., p. 430
(Nov. 3, 1887).

§§ On Phrygilus gayi (Eyd, & Gerv.) and Allied Species, Ibid., pp. 431-435 (Nov. 3,
1887).

1888.] Recent Literature. 195

gtlus formosus (Gould) is the proper name for the smaller and brighter
colored species which Messrs. Sclater and Salvin, and others following
them, have considered to be the true P gayz.”

In addition to the foregoing, Mr. Ridgway has published (11) ‘A
Review of the Genus Dendrocincla Gray,’* of which 12 species are
recognized, three being described as new, namely, D. lafresnaye?, D.
rufo-olivacea, and D. castanopftera. A key to the species is given, fol-
lowed by the synonymy of each, and critical remarks.

Ridgway on Wuerdemann’s Heron. — Mr. Ridgway gives the results of
an examination of eight specimens of Ardea wuerdemanni,t which throw
much light on the character and status of a bird so little known two years
ago that it was assigned to the ‘Hypothetical’ section of the A. O. U.
Check-List. After describing each example in detail (one of which ‘is
clearly intermediate between A. waerdemanni and A. ward7, and may
possibly be a bybrid between the two”), he states that ‘‘ the characters of
A. wuerdemanni are not only very pronounced but fairly constant,” and
thus summarizes them: ‘‘(1) Head entirely white, excepting (usually)
dusky or blackish streaks on forehead or median portion of the crown,
but even these sometimes absent. (2) Shoulder-tufts or epaulets broadly
striped with white, and with black portions of the feathers sometimes
partially replaced by rusty. (3) Lower parts chiefly white, sometimes
only the breast being streaked with dusky. (4) Lowermost middle (and
sometimes greater) wing-coverts marked with a median streak of white
(this sometimes occupying a considerable portion of the outer web).
(5) Outer pair of tail-feathers with a well-defined wedge-shaped mark
occupying basal half (approximately) of outer web.” He concludes that
A wuerdemanni ‘‘would seem to be a permanent form, however, and, if
nota color-phase of A. occidentalts, is probably a distinct species.”’—]. A. A.

Ridgway on the Breeding of Trogon ambiguus in Arizona. — Mr.
Ridgway describes a specimen of this species,{ in first plumage, taken by
Lieut. H. C. Benson, U. S. A.,in the Huachuca Mountains, Arizona,
August 24, 1885. This not only proves the existence of a Trogon in
Arizona, but that it breeds there. This is probably the species referred
to by Mr. W. E. D. Scott, in ‘The Auk’ for October, 1886 (Vol. III, p. 425),
as having been reported to him as occurring in the Catalina Mountains.
The species is thus now positively added to the list of Arizona birds.
—J.A.A.

Stejneger on Japanese Birds. — In describing a new species of Zurdus
(7. jouyz) Dr. Stejneger gives a synopsis§ of the Japanese species of the

* Ibid., pp. 488-497 (Jan. 6, 1888).

t Notes on Ardea wuerdemanni, Ibid., 1887, pp- 112-115 (July 2, 1887).

t Trogon ambiguus breeding in Arizona. Ibid., p. 147.

§ Review of Japanese Birds. By Leonhard Stejneger. IV. Synopsis of the Genus
Turdus. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1887, pp. 4, 5 (April 25, 1887).

I 96 Recent Literature. [ April

genus, preliminary to a fuller account to be published later. He has also
published a review of the Japanese Ibises, Storks, and Herons,* treating
the subject in great detail, but with not wholly satisfactory results,
owing to the scanty material available for study. Two new subgenera
(Nannocnus, p. 291, type Ardetta eurhythma Swinh.; Phoyx, p. 311, type
Ardea purpurea Linn.) are characterized, and the name Wyctanassa
(p. 295) is substituted for Myctherodius Reich., which is antedated by
Nicterodius Macgill., = Mycticorax Forster. A Heron, allied to Demze-
gretta jugularis Wagl., is described (p. 300) as D. rénger?, sp. n.

The sixth instalment of Dr. Stejneger’s ‘Review of Japanese Birds’ treats
of the Pigeons,f the species recognized as Japanese numbering 12, the
characters and synonymy of which are discussed at length.

Dr. Stejneger also has a paper on the systematic name of the Kamt-
schatkan and Japanese Carrion Crow,{ in correction of an error in his
‘Results of Ornithological Explorations in Kamtschatka and the Com-
mander Islands,’ wherein he referred the species to the ‘Black Hill Crow’
of India (Corvus levaillantii Less.). The species belongs to the C.
corone group, and should stand as Corvus corone ortentalis (Eversm.).

Additional collections of birds from the Liu Kiu Islands§ enable Dr.
Stejneger to throw further light upon the ornis of this interesting group
of islands, the new material adding 14 species to the 63 previously known
from there, making 77 in all, 12 of which are peculiar to these islands.
Besides extended technical annotations, four species are described as new,
namely, Porzana pheopyga, Euryzona sepiarta, Turtur stimpsoni, and
Passer montanus saturatus. A tabular catalogue of the species, giving
references to the previous papers on the subject, concludes the article.

He also gives an annotated list of birds collected by Mr. M. Namiye, in
the Islands of Idzu,|| situated just south of Yokohama. These outlying
Japanese islands were previously wholly unexplored, and therefore of
special interest. The species obtained are 22 in number, and include a
Thrush (Yurdus celenops) new to science. —J. A. A.

Stejneger on Hawaiian Birds.— Several valuable collections of birds
received at the U. S. National Museum from Mr. Valdemar Knudsen,

* Review of Japanese Birds. V. Ibises, Storks, and Herons. Proc. U. S. Nat.
Mus., 1887, pp. 271-319 (Aug. 1, 1887).

+ Review of Japanese Birds. VI. The Pigeons. Ibid., pp. 416-429, pl. xxii (Nov.
3, 1887).

+ On the systematic name of the Kamtschatkan and Japanese Carrion Crow. Ibid.,
Pp. 320, 321 (Aug. 3, 1887).

§ Further Contributions to the Avifauna of the Liu Kiu Islands, Japan, with De-
scriptions of New Species. Ibid., pp. 391-415, pll. xxi, xxii (Nov. 3, 1888).

|| On a Collection of Birds made by Mr. M. Namiye, in the Islands of Idzu, Japan,
Ibid., pp. 482-487 (Jan. 6, 1388).

§| Birds of Kauai Island, Hawaiian Archipelago, collected by Mr. Valdemar Knudsen
with Descriptions of New Species. Ibid., pp. 75-102 (May 17, July 2, 1887).

1888. ] Recent Literature. 197

made by him in the island of Kauai, Hawaiian Archipelago, enable Dr.
Stejneger to give a very full account of the ornithology of a hitherto
little-known and exceedingly interesting region. Besides the full synony-
my and copious technical annotations, one genus and six species are
described as new, as follows: (1) Gallinula galeata sandvicensis, (2)
Himantopus knudsont, (3) Chasiempsts dolet, (4) Pheornts myiadestina,
(5) Himatione parva, and (6) Oreomyza (gen. nov.) batrdi.

-In a later paper* he adds to the list Ps¢¢¢¢rostra psittacea, two specimens
of which are described, and the question is raised as to whether there may
not be two species of Ps¢ttérostra in the Sandwich Islands, in view of
Temminck’s description and figure differing from the specimens here
described, etc: —J. A. A.

Stejneger on Birds of the Commander Islands.t — Additional material
received at the National Museum since the publication of his ‘Results of
Ornithological Explorations in Kamtschatka and the Commander Islands’
has led Dr. Stejneger to prepare the present ‘Catalogue,’ the ‘conclusions’
to be drawn from this further consideration of the subject being reserved
for a subsequent paper. Considerable space is given to a discussion of the
status of Larus schistisagus and its relationship to Z. affinzs, with the
conclusion that the two species are unquestionably distinct. Under S¢er-
corarius parasiticus the probable moulting of the ‘nasal cuirass’ in the
Stercorari is considered, the indication being that ‘‘the process of shed-
ding is as regular in the Stercoraré/ as in the Puffins.”

Under gtalit?s mongola several pages are devoted to showing that
LE. pyrrhothorax is a synonym of 42. mongola. There are also extended
technical notes on Acfodromas couest, Limosa limosa melanuroides, Nu-
mentus cyanopus, Falco rusticolus, and ?Butalis grisetsticta. In all 143
species are commented upon. —J. A. A.

Stejneger on Palearctic Bullfinches.—In a papert of seven pages Dr.
Stejneger reviews the species of Pyrrhula, treating of the following:
(1) P. cassinz (the type specimen of which is affirmed to be a female
instead of a male), later named P. czneracea by Cabanis; (2) Pyrrhula
pyrrhula, or common European Bullfinch, which is divided into the two
subspecies, ewropea (Vieill.) and kamtschatica (Tacz.); (3) P. grtsez-
ventris; and (4) P. kurilens’s. Their synonymy is given, and a consid-
erable series of specimens of P. grisefventris is described and discussed,
with the resuit of dismissing P. rosacea Seebohm as a pure synonym of
P. grisetventris, in agreement with Blakiston and Jouy.—J. A. A.

* Notes on Psittirostra psittacea from Kauai, Hawaiian Islands. Proc. U. S. Nat.
Mus., 1887, pp. 389, 390 (Nov. 3, 1887.)

{ Contributions to the Natural History of the Commander Islands. No. 7.— Revised
and Annotated Catalogue of the Birds inhabiting the Commander Islands. Proc,
U.S. Nat. Mus., 1887, pp. 117-145 with three plates (July 2, 1887).

t+ Notes on the Northern Palzearctic Bullfinches. Proc. U. 5. Nat. Mus., 1887, pp.
103-110 (July 2, 1887).

I 98 Recent Literature. [April

Lucas on the Osteology of the Spotted Tinamou. — These ‘Notes’ *
point out briefly various osteological differences between the present
species and some of its allies, as described and figured by Parker. Figures
are given of the skull and pelvis. —J. A. A.

Shufeldt on Bird Skulls and Sterna collected by Dr. Streets.+— This
report relates to the skulls and sterna of 13 species, mostly water-fowl.
They include such various types as Urinator, Daption, Pelecanoides,
Cepphus, Sula, Larus, Chlephaga, Ardea, Nycticorax, Geococcyx, and
Corvus. The sternum of Daftion capensis, with the shoulder girdle zz
situ, is figured; also the skulls of Chlephaga poliocephala, Nycticorax
nycticorax nevius, and Corvus corax stnuatus. —J. A. A.

Chamberlain’s ‘Systematic Table of Canadian Birds.’— We are in
receipt of a second work by Mr. Montague Chamberlain on the birds
of Canada. This, as the title{ indicates, is a tabular list of the birds
of Canada, as given in the same authors’ ‘Catalogue of Canadian birds.’
The ‘Systematic Table’ is thus a ‘check-list’ and a ‘table of higher groups’
combined. The names of orders and suborders form subheadings, while
the names of families, subfamilies, genera, subgenera, species, and sub-
species, English names, and current numbers are arranged in parallel
columns, each species or subspecies thus occupying a line running across
the page. This arrangement requires a very broad page, but will doubtless
subserve a useful purpose.

In the ‘Introduction’ to this work the author gives a condensed sketch
of the history of American ornithology, particularly since 1859. He also
notes the tendency to extreme conservatism respecting species and sub-
species, etc., among Canadian naturalists as compared with those of the
United States, a conservatism obviously resulting from a difference of
attitude respecting the ‘“‘evolution theory of the origin of species.” This
theory, Mr. Chamberlain says, while accepted by the greater part ‘‘of the
scientific men of the United States....asan established fact, rather than
a mere hypothesis,” is considered ‘‘by Canadian students, as arule, as ‘not
proven.’” This state of affairs seems to have suggested ‘‘that an associa-
tion of Canadian ornithologists be organized,.and that this society
undertake the formulation of a system of classification and nomenclature
which shall more truly reflect the ideas on the subject which are current
in the Dominion.” Mr. Chamberlain, while conceding that the formation
of such an association might greatly promote the advancement of ornithol-

* Notes on the Osteology of the Spotted Tinamou (Nothura maculosa). By Frederic
A. Lucas. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1887, pp. 157, 158 (July 2, 1887).

7 On a Collection of Birds’ Sterna and Skulls, collected by Dr. Thomas H. Streets,
U.S. Navy. By Dr. R. W. Shufeldt. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., pp. 376-387 (Sept. 27
to Nov. 3, 1887).

tA Systematic Table | of | Canadian Birds. | By | Montague Chamberlain. | Pub-
lished for the Author. | St. John, N. B. | 1888. Fol. pp. 14.

1888.] Recent Literature. 199

ogy in Canada, very promptly and effectually disposes of the rest of
the scheme as impracticable and mischievous. He states, in very plain
terms, that Canada has not at present the means for undertaking such a
task, having neither ornithologists equipped with the requisite experience
and technical knowledge of the subject, nor collections sufficiently large
to serve as anything like an adequate basis for such work. He very
rudely pricks the bubble of Canadian assumption by stating some very
plain facts, namely: ‘‘If all the bird skins in the Dominion were combined
they would not make a good working collection. In no one Museum in
the country are the birds of even a small locality well represented. There
are a few creditable private collections, but none of these contain a suffi-
cient series of skins to show the variations in plumage of all the species—
the variations of sex and age and seasons, to say nothing of individual
and geographical variation.” This is not said unkindly, nor with a view
so much to expose the weakness of Canadian ornithological resources, as
to arouse greater activity, and particularly to stimulate interest in orni-
thology and kindred sciences in Government circles, in connection with
the present Canadian Geological Survey. While this Survey has done
admirable work in many departments of science, and has earned an envia-
able reputation for the originality and thoroughness of its work, it has
given little attention to zodlogy. This seems primarily due to an impres-
sion, rather generally entertained across the border, that the animals of
Canada are already well-known. We trust that Mr. Chamberlain’s plain
statements, his appeals, and his example of energetic and intelligent
activity in his favorite fields of ornithology and mammalogy, will arouse
general interest and lead to fruitful results. — J. A. A.

Sclater and Hudson’s ‘Argentine Ornithology.’**—A hand-book of the
birds of any portion of South America is sure to meet a ‘long-felt want,’
and when undertaken by authors so well fitted for the task as in the present
case is to be especially welcomed. Dr. Sclater’s long familiarity with
‘Neotropical’ birds renders him eminently qualified for the technical portion
of the work; while Mr. Hudson’s long residence in the Argentine Republic,
and his unquestioned ability as an observer, imparts to the biographical
part an equal trustworthiness. Rarely more than a page is devoted to a
species, 229 species being treated in a space of 208 pages. Some of the
more common or better known species are noticed by Mr. Hudson at
considerable length, while in other cases there is little more than the
technical description. Mr. Barrow’s notes on the ‘Birds of the Lower
Uruguay,’ published in this journal, 1883-84, are often quoted at length.
References are given to the special literature ofthe subject. The technical

* Argentine Ornithology. | A | Descriptive Catalogue | ofthe | Birds ofthe Argentine
Republic. | By | P. L. Sclater, M. A., Ph.D., F. R. S., Etc. | With Notes on their
Habits | by | W. H. Hudson, C. M. Z.S., | late of Buenos Ayres | [Vignette]. The
Cariama. | — | Volume I. | — | London: | R. H. Porter, 6 Tenterden Street, W. | 1888.
8vo, pp. i-xv, 1-208, pll. col. i-x.

200 Recent Literature. [April

descriptions are brief, rarely occupying more than five to ten lines, and
relate generally to the adult plumage only. It is, therefore, what it pur-
ports to be, a ‘Descriptive Catalogue,’ rather than an elaborate treatise,
and despite the absence of much that might be desired, did the scope of
the work render it admissable, will prove extremely useful as a manual of
Argentine ornithology. Ten beautifully colored plates illustrate the first
volume, devoted to the Passeres. Volume II, treating the remaining
orders, is announced to appear during the present year. —J. A. A.

Publications Received.—Berlepsch, Hans von. (1) On the Genus
Cyclorhis, Swain. (Ibis, 1888, pp. 83-92.) (2) Descriptions of two new
Species of Birds from Bogota, Colombia. (Ibid., pp. 128-130.) (3)
Kritische Uebersicht der in den sogenannten Bogota-Collection (S. O. Col-
ombia) vorkommenden Colibri-Arten und Beschreibung eines neuen
Colibri (Cyanolesbia nehrkorni). (Journ. fiir Orn., Jahr. 1887, pp. 313-
336. Also separate, pp. 24, Jan. 1888.)

Brewster, W. On three apparently new Subspecies of Mexican Birds.
(Author’s advance separates, Auk, V, pp. 136-139. Pub. Feb. 10, 1888.)

Brodie, W. The European Sparrow. Passer domesticus. (1 leaf, 4to
size, no date).

Bryant, W. E. (1) Unusual Nesting Sites. IJ. (Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci.,
2d Ser., Vol. I, pp. 7-10. Separates dated Dec. 20, 1887.) (2) Birds and
Eggs from the Farallon Islands. (Ibid., pp. 25-50.)

Butler, A. W. Notes concerning Albinism among Birds. (Journ. Cin-
cinnati Soc. Nat. Hist., Jan. 1888, pp. 214-216.)

Chamberlain, M. (1) A Catalogue of Canadian Birds, with Notes on
the Distribution of the Species. Saint John, N. B.: J. and A. McMillan,
1887. Svo, pp. v, 143. (2) A Systematic Table of Canadian Birds.
Bole ot. Johns Ne Bb:

Dury,C. Albinos in the Cuvier Club Collection. (Journ. Cincinnatl
Soc. Nat. Hist., Jan., 1888, pp. 216, 217.)

Lucas, F. A. The Flight of Birds. (Science, Vol. XI, p. 58, Feb. 3, 1888.)

Menzbier, M. von. Vergleichende Osteologie der Penguine in An-
wendung zur Haupteintheilung der Végel. (Svo, pp. 105. Ex. du Bull.
Soc. Imper. des Nat. de Moscow, 1887.)

Morse, E. A. Presidential Address, delivered before the American
Association for the Advancement of Science, at the New York meeting,
Aug. 1887. (8vo, pp. 43-)

Nehrling, H. Der Haubentyrann (Myzarchus cristatus Cab., Great-
crested Flycatcher). Monatssch. des Deutschen Ver. zum Schutze der
Vogelwelt, Jahr. XII, 1887, pp. 95-99-) (2) Der Kénigsvogel (Zyrannus
carolinensis Temm., Kingbird). (Ibid., pp. 211-217.)

Sclater, P. L., and W. H. Hudson. Argentine Ornithology. Vol. I,
1888. 8vo, pp. xv, 208, pll. ro.

Sharpe, R. B. (1) Notes on a Collection of Birds made by Mr. John
Whitehead. on the Mountains of Kina Balu, in Northern Borneo, with
Descriptions of new Species. (Ibis, Oct. 1887, pp. 435-454, pll. xiii,

1888. ] General Notes. 201

xiv.) (2) Notes on specimens in the Hume Collection of Birds. No. 5.
On Syruium maingayi. (Proc. London Zool. Soc., 1887, pp. 470-478.)
(3) Ona Second Collection of Birds formed by Mr. L.Wray in the Moun-
tains of Perak, Malay Peninsula. (Ibid., pp. 431-443, pll. xxxvii-xxxviii. )
(4) Report on a Zoological Collection made by the Officers of H.M.S.
‘Flying Fish’ at Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. II. Birds. (Ibid., pp.
515, 516, pl. xlili.) (5) On anew species of Calyptomena. (Ibid., pp. 558.)

Shufeldt, R. W. Audubonian Sketches. I, Il. (Aud. Mag., Vol. I,
pp. 268-271; Vol. II, pp. 1-6.)

Agassiz Companion, II, No. 12, Dec., 1887.

American Field, XXIX, Nos. 1-11, 1888.

American Journ. Sci. XXIV, Jan.-Mch., 1888.

American Naturalist, XXI, Dec., 1887, XXII, Jan.-Feb., 1888.

Audubon Magazine, II, Jan.-Mch., 1888.

Bay State OGlogist, I, No. 2, Feb., 1888.

Bird Call, II, Jan.-Mch., 1888.

Canadian Record of Science, III, No. 1, Jan., 1888.

Collectors’ Illustrated Magazine, I, No. 2, Feb., 1888.

Hoosier Naturalist, III, No. 2, Mar., 1888.

Journal Cincinnati Soc. Nat. Hist., X, No. 4. Jan., 1888.

Naturalist, The, a Monthly Journ. Nat. Hist. for the North of England,
Nos. 150-152, Jan.-Mch., 1888.

Odlogist’s Exchange, I, No. 1, Jan.. 1888.

Ornithologist and Odlogist, XII, No. 12, 1887, Nos. 1-3, 1888.

Ottawa Naturalist, I, Nos. 11-13, Jan.-Mch., 1888.

Proceedings Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1887, Pt. III, Sept.-Dec.

Proceedings U. S. Nat. Mus., 1887, pp. 449-496.

Swiss Cross, III, Jan.-Mch., 1888.

Zoologischen Anzeiger, Nos. 267-273.

Zoologist, XII, Jan.-Mch., 1888.

GENERAL NOTES.

4Echmophorus occidentalis in Kansas. — I wish to place on record the
capture on the Kansas River at this place, on Nov. 3, 1887, of a young
male of the Western Grebe, 2chmophorus occidentalis (Lawr). It was
shot bya colored man, who brought it to me as a curious bird. The
species has never before been taken farther east than Manitoba and the
Gila River in New Mexico. Its capture here extends its eastward range
more than a thousand miles. The following measurements were taken:

202 General Notes. [April

Length, 641; extent, 904; wing, 205; outer toe, 84; middle toe, 79;
tarsus, 78; culmen, 67; head, 57; gape, 80; height of bill at base, 14.5.

The widening of the river for about two miles by the Lawrence dam
affords a specially attractive halting place for numerous waterfowl. Only
a few days before this capture Mr. A. L. Bennett shot a specimen of
the Surf Scoter (Ocdemia perspictllata Linn.) at the same place, which
thus had the honor of furnishing within one week two new birds for the
Kansas list.—F. H. SNow, Lawrence, Mass.

Puffinus borealis at Gardiner’s Bay, N. Y.—Stragglers from the large
flight of Cory’s Shearwaters, which occurred in September and October,
1886, off Gay Head,* Mass., seem to have reached Long Island, N. Y. I
recently obtained a specimen taken by Mr. W. W. Worthington, in Gar-
diner’s Bay, Long Island.

This is, I believe, the first recorded specimen from New York.—ARTHUR
P. CHADBOURNE, Cambridge, Mass.

Eggs of the Ivory Gull (Gavia alba).— The National Museum at
Washington, D. C., has recently received a set of two eggs, of the rare
Ivory Gull (Gavia alba). A short description of these may be of interest
to the readers of ‘The Auk.’ These eggs were taken, with seventeen
others, at Stor6en (Great Island) on the northeast coast of Spitzbergen,
in 80° 9! north latitude, by Captain E. Johannsen, of Tromsd, Norway,
who found a small colony of these birds breeding there, and secured a
number of the adult and young of this species, as well as the above men-
tioned number of eggs, ox August 8, 7887. All the eggs taken contained
large embryos, and were on the point of hatching. It is remarkable
that birds should nest so late, in such a climate and so near the pole.

Previous to this find, but four eggs of this species were known to science.
According to Mr. Henry Seebohm, the distinguished English ornitholo-
gist, these are deposited as follows: One egg, obtained by Mc’Clintock,
in the Museum of the Royal Dublin Society; two eggs, obtained by
Malmgren, are in the Slockholm Museum, anda fourth is in the collection
of Mr. Benzon in Copenhagen. Mr. Seebohm describes the specimen in
the Dublin Museum as measuring 2.45 inches in length and 1.70 inch
in breadth. Ground color buffish olive, and the surface markings, which
are distributed over the entire shell, as dark and pale brown, and the
underlying markings, which are very large and conspicuous, as violet
gray. See ‘History of British Birds,’ by Henry Seebohm, Vol. III, pp.
Sov soo-

The two eggs in the National Museum Collection measure 2.36 X 1.76
and 2.26 X 1.67 inches respectively. Their ground color is buffish olive;
in one egg, somewhat paler, perhaps more of an olive drab tint. The
surface markings, more or less irregularly distributed over the entire egg,
vary from clove-brown to bistre. The underlying or shell-markings vary

* Baird, Auk, Vol. IV, 1887, p. 71.

1888. ] General Notes. 203

from slate to lilac-gray in-tint, and predominate in the larger specimen.
In the smaller and darker one, both styles of markings are about equally
distributed. The two kinds of spots vary considerably in size and shape.
—CuaAs. E. BenpirE, Washington, D. C.

The Old-squaw (Clangula hyemalis) in South Carolina.—On the 30th of
December, 1887, I was informed by my friend, Mr. Henry Hunter, that he
had shot a pair of ‘Long-tailed’ Ducks, in Charleston Harbor, and, in fact,
within a few rods of the Sea Wall of the Battery. I at once went with him
to his house to see the birds, but to my dismay, I found that the cook had
been ahead of me, and the picked bodies and severed heads were gravely
spread befsdre me. From the heads I identified the mortal remains as,
beyond a doubt, those of Clangula hyemal’s. Upon my representing to Mr.
Hunter the rarity of the bird so far to the south, he promised to keep a
close watch and try and procure another, and on the 16th of January, 1887,
sent me word that he had a specimen for me. This, like the former, was
shot within a hundred yards of the city, and during a mild spell ct
weather, though it had been quite cold. The Duck was a female and
lacked the lengthened tail-feathers. It was not fat, but was in fair winter
plumage, and is the only Duck whose head I have been able to draw
through the skin of the neck. The specimen is now in my collection. On
January 20, Mr. Hunter wounded a male ‘Old Wife’ (a ducus a non lucen-
do), which he said had a very long tail. The bird dove, and owing to the
extreme roughness of the water he was unable to see anything more of
it. There had been three of them swimming together. The same gentle-
man informs me that a few winters ago, in about 1883, his brother stood
in his yard, which faces the water, and shot a specimen of Clangula hye-
mails that was feeding in the shallow water near by.

The Ducks in Charleston Harbor during the winter come very close to
the Sea Wall around the Battery, and I have frequently seen the Lesser
Black-head, the Buffle-head, the Grebe, and once a fine male Golden-Eye,
so close that I could distinguish the iris, or in military parlance ‘‘see the
whites of their eyes.”

I think that this will prove the most southern record of C. hyemalis,
as yet; at least I can find none other so far south.—ELLison A. SMYTHE,
Jr., Charleston, S. C.

Surf Scoter (Ozdemia pferspicillata) in Kansas. —I would like to
record the first appearance in this State, of the Surf Scoter (Ocdemia
perspicillata). ‘The specimen was shot by myself above the dam across
the Kansas River at Lawrence, Kansas, Oct. 29, 1887. The bird was not
in company with any other Ducks. It isa young male, with the charac-
teristic large bill with two round, horny plates on the side near the base.
The two loral and auricular white patches are well defined; below dusky
black; rest of plumage black or nearly so. The bird is mounted and in
my collection. The following are the measurements: Length, 18.88;
extent of wings, 32.60; wing, 9.25; tail, 2.98; tarsus, 1.81; middle toe and
claw, 2.96; chord of culmen, 1.60; bill along gape, 2.38.— A. L. BEn-
NETT, Lawrence, Kan.

204 General Notes. [April

Note on Rostratuline.—It would appear that Vieillot instituted the
genus Rostratula in 1816, before Cuvier proposed Rhynchea for the same
Painted-snipe, though the former name has never become current. ‘These
Snipes are peculiar in several respects, and especially in those secondary
sexual characters for which the female is conspicuous, among which are
the tracheal convolutions. In any system which recognizes several
families of charadriomorphic birds, such characters would seem to be of
more than generic value.x—ELLiorr Cougs, Washington, D. C.

The Wild Turkey in Massachusetts.—When a pupil of the Public Latin
School in Boston in 1837-38, I spent a portion of my summer vacations in
Northampton. I distinctly remember conversing with some of the town’s
people at those times in regard to the existence of a flock of Wild Turkeys
(Meleagris gallopavo) which had frequently been seen in the neighbor-
hood of Mount Holyoke. I was much interested in the circumstance,
which even then was deemed very unusual.

These birds had the range of a large tract of wild mountainous country,
in some parts almost inaccessible and impassable, lying at the base of and
comprising Mount Holyoke, and to the southwest also including Mount
Tom and its surroundings. An incident occurring at this period
serves to show the character of this district. A stranger ascended Mount
Holyoke to enjoy the view from its summit. In descending he missed
the path, and becoming bewildered, wandered away into the forests at the
base. Here he passed two or three days before he succeeded in extricat-
ing himself in a famished condition, and having upon his person only a
small portion of the holiday attire in which he ascended the mountain.

Iam unable to state the exact period at which this flock became exter-
minated, but should say that it must have been in 1840, or thereabouts.

My friend, Mr. J. A. Allen, has kindly given me the following references
on this subject, which I have looked up.

Hitchcock in his ‘Geological Report of Massachusetts,’ 1883, says,
“Wild Turkeys are frequently met with on Mount Holyoke.” In the
same volume, Dr. Ebenezer Emmons, 1n his list of the birds, says. ‘“The
Wild Turkeys have now become scarce and nearly extinct.”

In a communication to the ‘Bulletin’ of the Nuttall Ornithological Club
(Vol. I, 1876), Mr. J. A. Allen says, ‘‘According to John Josselyn the Wild
Turkeys began early to decline.” This author, writing in 1672 (‘New
England’s Rarities’) says, ‘‘I have also seen three score broods of young
Turkies on the side of a marsh sunning of themselves in a morning
betimes, but this was thirty years since, the English and the Indians have
now destroyed the breed so that itis very rare to meet with a wild Turkey
in the Woods, but some of the English bring up great stores of the wild
kind which remain about their Houses as tame as ours in New England.”

Thompson, in his ‘History of Vermont,’ says, under date of 1842, “A
few of the Wild Turkeys continue still to visit and breed upon the moun-
tains in the southern part of the state.”

In a communication to the ‘Proceedings’ of the Essex Institute, under

18S3.] General Notes. 205

~

date of May 2, 1864, Mr. Allen says, ‘‘The Wild Turkey is now probably
extinct in this State. Within a few years it has been said to occur wild on
Mts. Tom and Holyoke, but I can find no authentic instances of its
recent capture in this State. It is well known that the domestic turkey
will sometimes take to the woods, assuming the habits of the wild bird.
Hence these reports may well be received with considerable caution.”

In Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway’s ‘Land Birds,’ Vol. III, 1874, we find
the following: ‘‘It has probably become an extinct species in New Eng-
land, though within a few years, individuals have been shot in Montague,
Mass., and in other towns in Franklin County.”

We must consider, then, that the fate of this noble bird, not only in
Massachusetts but in New England, has been decided for many years, and
the same fate awaits it in all the other States, where it still lingers, unless
means are early adopted to prevent its complete annihilation. —D.D.
SLADE, Museum of Comparative Zoilogy, Cambridge, Mass.

The European Kestril in Massachusetts—A Correction.—In ‘The Auk’
for January last (Vol. V, p. 110), the locality of capture for the specimen
of this species there recorded should read Strawberry Hill, Nantasket
Beach, Mass., instead of ‘‘Nantucket,’” Mass.—CHARLEsS B. Cory, Boséon,
Mass.

First Occurrence of the Western Red-tail in Ontario.—I have obtained
from M. J. Dodds, St. Thomas, Ont., a fine adult of the Western Red-tail
(Buteo borealis calurus), which was killed near there in the fall of 1885,
by John Oxford. This appears to be the first recorded occurrence of this
species in Ontario. At the same time I procured from him an Ontario
specimen of the Sandhill Crane, killed at Roudeau in 1869 by the same
man, which is interesting from the probability that Ontarians have seen
their last living examples of this species in the Province, and there are
but very few native specimens in existence.—W. E. SAUNDERS, London,
Ont.

Dichromatism in the Genus Nyctidromus. — During my examination of
this group, Mr. J. A. Allen called my attention to a number of particularly
red or rich cinnamon colored birds, among the twenty-seven specimens
from Matto Grosso, Brazil, which belong to the American Museum of
Natural History, and were collected by Mr. Herbert H. Smith.

Having before me a number of specimens from other localities belong-
ing to the National Museum, the American Museum of Natural History
(the Lawrence collection in particular), I also find this dichromatism,
though toa less extent. Judging from the material at my command, it
seems to be prevalent only about and south of the equator, although it
may be looked for in a lesser degree in Mexico and Texas. These two
phases—the red and gray—are analogous to those so well known to exist
in our common Screech Owls of the genus Megascops. I find that in
Matto Grosso, Brazil, one out of every three are in the red phase; in

206 General Notes. [April

Cayenne, Ecuador, and through the northern part of South America,
about one in six are red; in Panama and Central America, about one in
ten are red; while of the thirty or more examined from the region north
of Central America, no definite red phase is perceptible.

So much has been written during the last hundred years upon the birds of
this genus that it is possible these two phases of plumage have been no-
ticed and recorded; but in looking over all the references made by Eng-
tish and American naturalists I fail to find any notice of its occurrence.
I therefore give my observations for what they are worth, as aids to the
interesting though but little understood subject of dichromatism among
birds.—Gro. B. SENNETT, Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York City.

On the Further Occurrence of Otocoris alpestris praticola in Chester
County, South Carolina.—That the advent of Prairie Horned Larks does
not alone depend upon exceptional cold in this immediate region is n.ani-
fest; for the past winter has been noteworthy for its clemency and for the
presence of these birds in comparative abundance. December 3, the first
specimens of the season were secured, but a small flock, presumably of the
same subspecies, was seen a week earlier. From this time forward until
the end of January they were met with continually, and a few were noted
at intervals through February. The situation where my observations
were chiefly conducted was a closely cropped pasture of about a dozen
acres, sloping gently to the southward. Here, during the two months
mentioned, I never failed in twenty visits to find one or more flocks. As
I obtained, from the first, only Jraticola, I assiduously pressed my inves-
tigations, hoping definitely to settle for the present season, at least, the
true status of the two forms of Ozocorzs reported as occurring in this
section. During December I shot one hundred three females and sixteen
males, all of which belonged to the western race. In January thirty
females and ten males of like kind were procured. A larger number could
have been taken, but I desisted from shooting others as soon as [ became
satisfied as to the real character of the individuals constituting a company.
A feature of marked prominence was the preponderance of females. Only
on one occasion (Jan. 10) did I capture an equal number of both sexes.

Sex. Length. Extent. Wing. Tail.

in. mm. in. mm. in. mm. in. mm,
Maximum] ¢ | 7.40 | 187.96 | 13.30 | 337-82 | 4.18 | 106.17 | 3.14 | 79.75
Minimum| ¢ | 6.95 | 176.53 | 12.60 | 320.04 | 3-93 | 99.82 | 2-75 | 69.85
Average | ¢ | 7.14 | 181.36 | 13-03 | 330.96 | 4.05 | 102.87 | 2.99 | 75.94
Maximum| @ | 6.85 | 173.99 | 12.60 | 320.04 | 3.93 | 99.82 | 2.88 | 73.15
Minimum] Q | 6.40 | 162.56 | 11.80 | 299.72 | 3.62 | 91.95 | 2.45 | 62.23
Average | 9 | 6.66 | 169.16 | 12.23 | 310.64 | 3-77 | 95-75 | 2.69 | 68.32

a

AY

[18ss. General Notes. 207

A parallel instance of male birds wintering further north than their
consorts is exhibited in the case of the Towhee. Relatively few females
of that species are found during the winter months in this locality.

About sixty-five per cent of the females collected had the chin and throat
primrose-yellow. In several it attained an intensity corresponding to that
of the brightest males. This depth of color does not necessarily indicate
an appproach toward a/festris; as the wing inone of the deeper examples
measures only 3.66in., while ina white-throated specimen it reaches 3.88in.

In the foregoing table are given the dimensions of twenty-six males
and one hundred thirty-three females. The length of tail is the actual
length of the longest rectrix. In the ‘wing’ the chord is given.—LEVERETT
M. Loomis, Chester, S. C.

Corydomorphe.—The Lark family, Alaudidz, represents a particular
superfamily series of trueoscine passerine birds, distinguished from other
Passeres by the non-oscine scutelliplantation, and may appropriately bear
the above name, conformably with other passerine groups ending in
-morphe in Dr. Sclater’s terminology. —ELLiorr Cougs, Washington,
JOE Oe

Molothrus ater again in Massachusetts in Winter.—On Jan. 31, 1888, I
shot a male Cow Bunting at Watertown, Mass. It was in an old field
with a large flock of Goldfinches (Sfsnus trést/s), feeding on the weeds and
stubble that had not been covered by the snow. The bird was thin, but
otherwise in good condition.

This is the third time that this species has been found wintering in New
England. *—ArTHUR P. CHADBOURNE, Cambridge, Mass.

Blackbird Flights at Burlington, Iowa. — The autumnal migrations of
the Icteridz at Burlington, Iowa, are notable chiefly on account of the im-
mense flocks of certain Blackbirds which congregate in that vicinity. The
extensive swamps bordering the Mississippi River above and below the
city, on the Illinois side, form an especially favorable rendezvous for these
birds, three species of which are represented, nearly in equal numbers—
Quiscalus guiscula eneus, Scolecophagus carolinus, and Agelatus phe-
niceus. During September and October the cornfields of Iowa are visited
by countless numbers of these black marauders, which wander about in
mixed flocks of several thousands, passing the day in the fields and the
night in the woodland or marshes. And it is during this period that so
many thousands are poisoned and killed by the farmers. About the first
of October these birds begin to appear from the more northern districts,
pouring into the Burlington swamps in myriads, and by the middle of the
month immense numbers have here collected. Just before sunrise vast
flocks begin to rise out of the swamps and radiate in all directions towards

* Two were killed at Belmont, Mass., Jan. 2, 1883, by Mr.Spelman (Bull. N. O. C,,
Vol. VIII, 1883, p. 121). One seen at Taftsville, Vt. from Dec. 30 to Jan. 30 (C. O.
T [racy], Orn. and OGl., Vol. IX, 1884, p. 45).

208 General Notes. [April

the inland cornfields, where they spend the day, returning again to the
swamps before sunset. These flocks are often a quarter of a mile in width
and are more than an hour in passing—a great black band slowly writhing
like some mighty serpent across the heavens in either direction, its ex-
tremities lost to view in the dim and distant horizon. Not unfrequently
three or four such vast flocks are in sight at one time. How far away
from their night resorts they go each day has not been observed; an hour
and a half before sunset, twelve miles away from the river, the mighty
armies of Blackbirds are still seen coming over distant hills and directing
their courses toward the marshes. It is evident, however, that many miles
are daily traversed in their journeys to and from their feeding grounds.
Making liberal deductions for any possibility of over estimating, the nu-
merical minimum of individuals in a single flock cannot be far from twenty
millions. —CHARLES R. Keyes, Des Moznes, Ja.

Quiscalus quisculaaglzus at Charleston, South Carolina.—Mr. Loomis’s
record* of the finding of the Bronzed Grackle (2. g. eneus) at Chester,
South Carolina, reminds me that it may be well to mention that the bird
of the coast region of South Carolina appears to be the Florida Grackle
(Q.g. agleus). At least this is the only form that either Mr. Wayne or
I have thus far detected there. It is nowhere common, as far as our expe-
rience goes, but isapparently resident, for I found it breeding near Charles-
ton in 1884, and Mr. Wayne has just sent me three specimens taken near
Yemassee in January, 1888.

As Mr. Loomis has previously reported true 2. guzscula from Chester,
it follows that South Carolina furnishes all three subspecies. —- WILLIAM
BREWSTER, Cambridge, Mass.

The Evening Grosbeak in Ontario.—In ‘The Auk’ for July, 1887, Mr.
E. E. Thompson has a note on the capture of the Evening Grosbeak near
Toronto and records it as the fifth published occurrence in the Province,
the other four being given in ‘Birds of Ontario.’ Probably this bird occurs
every second or third winter in greater or less numbers, as I have fre-
quently noticed them in the cases of stuffed local birds which are to be
found all over the country. There is one in the collection of Ven. Arch-
deacon Sandys, Chatham, which was secured near that place; and one in
the collection of Mr. John Dodds, St. Thomas, also of local occurrence ;
and one was taken near London in December, 1886, which I saw at the
house of a taxidermist, but was unable to obtain particulars. —W. E.
SAUNDERS, Lozdon, Onxt.

Loxia curvirostra minor taken again at Yemassee, S. C. — Ten Red
Crossbills were shot at Yemassee by a negro boy during the month of
January, 1888. It seems as if they had changed their diet, as their crops
contained only worms, which are found in dead pine trees. There was no
‘pine mast’ to be had, and perhaps that accounts for their change of food.—
ARTHUR T. WAYNE, Charleston, S. C.

* Auk, Vol. V, No. 1, p. 113.

1888. ] General Notes. 209

Carpodacus purpureus at Portland, Maine, in Winter. — Last Autumn
(1887) I saw Purple Finches (Carfodacus purpureus) in the outskirts of
the city up to November 11,—later than they had ever been seen in this
vicinity. Having no suspicion that they would remain through the
winter, and being very busy, I then ceased to look for them. During the
last of January, however, I frequently heard bird notes I could not ascribe
to any resident species, or to any species known to winter about Portland,
and I was told by friends living in the suburbs that the mountain ash
berries there were being eaten by a strange bird. On January 26 and 27,
Portland was visited by the severest storm that has occurred here for
nearly twenty years. One might think that such weather (there was now
over three feet of snow) would have discouraged a bird unused to our
winter season; but such was not the case, for, early in the morning of
February 1, I saw a Purple Finch (a female or immature male) feeding on
the berries of a mountain ash which grows in front of my study window.
That afternoon I noticed three birds, an adult male and two females or
immature males, in the same tree. On February 8, I saw three adult males
feeding in a crab-apple tree from which the fruit was not gathered in the
fall. For the succeeding twelve days, besides seeing individuals in
mountain ash trees, I never passed this crab-apple tree without noticing
these birds there. The largest number seen was seven, — five males and
two females or immature males. During these twelve days* five inches of
snow fell and the thermometer averaged 18.5° Fahrenheit. For the next
two weeks I was out of town and unable to take notes. On March to I
found at least eight Purple Finches ina large flock of Spzuus pinus ; it
was impossible to count them accurately. For the next three days they
fed in the same place (under a mountain ash where the snow had blown
off) in about the same numbers. On March 13, came a terrific snow-
storm which will hardly need to be recalled to Eastern readers of ‘The
Auk.’ Nevertheless, on the following day, Purple Finches were still here,
and I have seen them every day since up to the present time (March 20).
It may here be stated that their earliest recorded arrival at Portland is
March 23 (WV. C. Browz, Proc. Port. Soc. Nat. Hist., 1882, p. 12). Of late
they have grown shyer and do not associate so much with the Pine
Finches. The largest number I have seen together is twelve, and that
only once.

When it is remembered that that part of the winter during which I saw
no specimens was by far the mildest, I think no one will doubt that Pur-
ple Finches have been resident here this year. There seems to be no
previous record of their occurrence at all in winter so far north in New
England as Portland; and it is remarkable that they should have chosen
an unusually severe winter for what may be a first experiment. —JOHN
C. Brown, Portland, Maine.

*At this time a notice of their occurrence up to February 20, which was published
in the Portland ‘Daily Advertiser’ for March 20, was handed in to the Portland Society
of Natural History.

210 General Notes. [VA pril

Ammodramus leconteii at Yemassee, S. C.—I have been on the lookout
for Leconte’s Sparrow every winter since I shot the one which Mr. Brew-
ster recorded in ‘The Auk’ for July, 1886, but have been unsuccessful until
February 9 of this year when I shot a fine male as he flew up from an old
abandoned rice-field. This bird is the only one I have seen since I shot
the one in 1886; and the bird can be considered as only a straggler to lower
South Carolina.—ARTHUR T. WAYNE, Charleston, S. C.

Ammodramus henslowii wintering in large numbers at Yemassee, S. C.
—I shot during the months of January and February of this year thirty-six
Henslow’s Sparrows; several seen to fall in the high grass could not be
found. In the series of thirty-six examples before me they vary greatly
in size and markings. Some have the pectoral band so dark and heavy as
to hide the other surface markings, and at a glance one would pronounce
the breast unbroken jet black.

I have never found this species wintering here before. It is a very rare
bird with us, and is only to be found in any numbers in the fall.— ArTHUR
T. WAYNE, Charleston, S. C.

Occurrence of Vireo flavoviridis at Riverside, California.—On October
1, 1887, I noticed, while hunting in the Santa Ana River bottom, a little
bird flitting about in the top of a high cotton-wood tree. It was secured,
and to my surprise, I found it to be a Véreo flavoviridis. Mr. Ridgway,
to whom I sent it for positive identification, says it is the most highly
colored specimen he has seen. This Vireo is confined to the Lower Rio
Grande Valley and southward, therefore my specimen must have been a
straggler.— WILL W. PRICE, Azverside, Cala.

The Northern Range of Oforornzs formosa in Illinois.—May 23, 1887,
I secured a female of Oforornis formosa one-half mile southeast of Grand
Crossing, among the undergrowth in a small isolated patch of woods.
The finding of this species in that locality is an event of unusual interest.
A specimen has been reported to me by my friend, Mr. H. K. Coale, of
Chicago, as found by Mr. R. B. Trouslot at Plano, Illinois, a few years
ago. ‘These records mark the northern limit of this species in this State,
so faras I know. Mr. Robert Ridgway, of Washington writes, however,
in answer to my inquiries, that the only record of the occurrence of QO.
formosa, to his knowledge, in northern Illinois is that mentioned by Mr.
E. W. Nelson (Bull. Essex Inst., VIII, 1876, p. tor), who gives the species
as being ‘‘a very rare summer visitant from Southern Illinois,” but on
what evidence Mr. Nelson based his statement is not specifically men-
tioned-—JosepH L. Hancock, Chicago, Jil.

Protonotaria citrea in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.—On May
15, 1887, I took a high-plumaged male Prothonotary Warbler near Arcola,
Montgomery County, Pa. It was feeding well up in a tall larch on the
banks of Perkiomen Creek. This was the only one of the species seen at

1888. ] General Notes. 2 t

the time, but shortly afterwards several more were found in the hardwood
trees on the brow of a hill in the immediate vicinity. In both instances
the birds, although near water, were on comparatively high ground and
at some distance from the swampy coverts which we would have expected
them to affect.—H. F. Moore, Philadelphia, Pa.

Dendroica tigrina at Iowa City, in November. — A small bird taken at
Iowa City, lowa, November 27, proved to be a Cape May Warbler (Dezx-
droica tigrina). It was feeding in the top of a pine tree in one of the
door-yards at that place, where it was shot. It was inimmature plumage,
which was very much soiled with pine resin; but otherwise was in good
condition.—CHARLES R. Keyes, DesMornes, Towa.

Bird Notes from Toronto.—A male Sturnella magna was collected
Feb. 21, 1881, by Mr. Jas. Helliwell, at Highland Creek, about fifteen miles
east of Toronto. The bird was in fine plumage and in fairly good condi-
tion. He had his ‘home’ ina dense thicket in a deep ravine. through
which ran a ‘Spring Creek’ (which did not freeze during the winter), about
a mile from a barn-yard which he visited almost daily, feeding on sweep-
ings and pickings from manure. The bird was carefully dissected but no
wound or injury of any kind could be found. The gizzard contained a
few small pieces of gravel, a few grains of oats, and pickings from cow
dung. This is believed to be the first record of this species wintering
north of Lake Ontario.

A male Melospiza fasciata was collected Feb. 2, 1886. by Mr. Wm.
Squires, while feeding on amaranthus seeds ina garden in St. Matthews-
ward, Toronto. Snow ten inches in depth. Another specimen was taken
Jan. 31, 1887, by Mr. Daniel G. Cox, in a ravine in St. James Cemetery,
Toronto, in a willow thicket densely grown with goldenrod (Solidago).
Snow six inches deep.

April 4, 1886. Merula migratorta Linn. Gizzard contained three hipps
of Rosa blanda and one larva of Pyrrharctia tsabella. Ground frozen. It is
not usual for any bird to feed on the larve of this moth.

A male Jcferus sPurtus was collected May 13, 1887, while pursuing in-
sects through willow blossoms, just east of the city limits. Believed to be
the first authentic record of the occurrence of this bird at Toronto.

A male European Goldfinch (Carduel¢s elegans) was collected May 21,
1887, by Mr. Daniel S. Cox, about a mile north of the city limits—one out
of four—while resting on the top ofa beech tree. The remaining three
flew off in a northerly direction. The birds were evidently in a natural
condition and migrants from the south, doubtless from the New York
colony.—WILLIAM Bropig, Toronto, Can.

212 Correspondence. [April

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondents are requested to write briefly and to the point. No attention will
be paid to anonymous communications. |

Observations on the Pterylosis of Certain Picide.

To THE Epirors OF THE AUK :—

Dear Sitrs:—On the 25th of last August, ‘Forest and Stream’ very kindly
published a contribution of mine entitled ‘A Chapter on Pterylography,’
which was illustrated by five figures. That paper pretended to be nothing
more thana good guide to those interested in pterylography, and who
desired to know something of one ofthe best characters we find in birds to
assist us in their classification. It was also written with the hope that
those who had the opportunity might more carefully examine into this
character among our own birds, and in time be enabled to make some
useful contributions to the subject.

In the ‘Chapter’ I refer to, my chief examples were chosen from the
Woodpeckers, and in the course of my demonstrations of the afterza and
pteryle, as found among certain forms of those birds, a number of inter-
esting and important facts came to light. Since then, I have carefully
examined the pterylosis in the genus Colaffes, and compared it with addi-
tional specimens of Dryobates and Sfhyrapficus. Wad I been ready to
pluck certain tempting specimens from the Pacific coast region, which I
have by me in alcohol, and for which Iam under great obligations to Mr.
G. Frean Morcom of Chicago, and Mr..F. Stephens of San Diego, Cal.,
I might have thrown perhaps still more light upon this subject, but these
specimens I am reserving for a future and more extended memoir upon
the Pici. At any rate I would like to review in the present connection
some of my observations upon the pterylosis of the American Picide, and
bring the facts in question more directly to the notice of working ornith-
ologists.

Nitzsch in his classical volume on ‘Pterylography’ (English Trans.)
confesses to have been able to examine only afew species of Wood-
peckers, so his account of the pterylosis in this group of birds is not as
full as it might otherwise have been. His investigations were apparently
confined to Picus luridus (a species of Sumatran Woodpecker, first
described by him, and which lacked the small ‘‘inner humeral tract”), P.
tridactylus, P. carolinus, P. bengalensis, P. auratus, P. medius, P.
macet, P. martius, together with Prcumnus minutus, and Yunx torguilla.

In his descriptions of the pterylosis in Pici, this eminent observer calls
attention to the submedian, longitudinal capital apterium, extending
along the elevation caused by the underlying limbs of the prolonged
hyoidean apparatus. This is shown at 4, c, in Fig. 2 of the present
letter.

1888. ] Correspondence. 213

FIGURE 1.—Left lateral view of a plucked specimen of Harris’s Woodpecker (VL. v.
harrisit), ad. &, life size, by the author, from the specimen; d@, upperpart of the ‘infe-
rior space’ (Az. mesogastrei); k, the uropygial gland of the left side; 2, its external
papilla with opening at its summit, which is also tufted.

Nitzsch says of it, that ‘‘On the head the vertical space is especially
remarkable, a band destitute of contour-feathers extending from the base
of the beak, over the forehead to the occiput, which I find in all Wood-
peckers” (p. 96). As I have already shown in my ‘Forest and Stream’ -
article, and here reproduced in Fig. 5, this feature is totally absent in

214 Correspondence. [| April

Sphyrapicus v. nuchalis, and it is a well-known fact that in this Wood-
pecker the limbs of the hyoid arches are nearly or quite as shortas we find
them in ordinary birds.

Another apterium, also alluded to by Nitzsch, and occurring on the
sides of the head, is the temporal space; this small, subcircular, naked area,
when present, is found just behind the eye and above the aperture of the
ear. It was not observed by me in the specimen of Harris’s Woodpecker
shown in Fig. 1, but recent and more extended observations lead me to
believe that it is a quite constant pterylographic character in this species.
On the other hand, I have yet to find it present in Sphyrapicus, although
I do not positively deny that there may be exceptions to this rule like-
wise. It is invariably present in Colaftes, a picine form which also has
the longitudinal capital apterium well marked. The remainder of the
head in Pici, so far as the writer has examined them, is always found to be
densely feathered (Fig 4).

Among Woodpeckers the spinal tract offers us many and important va-
riations (see Fig.2, 9, #2, 7, and Fig. 5). Nitzsch discovered so many
differences in this particular in the species he examined that it will be 1m-
possible to enumerate them here. Figure 2 shows very well the distribu-
tion of the spinal feather tract in D. v. harrész7, and Fig. 5, the interesting
departure therefrom in Sphyrapicus, in which latter species the arrange-
ment is much the same as we find it to be in many typical passerine birds.
In Picus virédis an interruption takes place between the narrow median
neck strip of the spinal tract and the ‘saddle area’ (Z), and in Colaftes
this feature is likewise fairly well marked. Colaffes again has the pos-
terior moiety of the spinal tract, just as we find it to exist in Dryobates, as
shown in Figure 2, at 7. As farasI know all Woodpeckers have a strongly
tufted oil gland (Fig. 1, 7).

Faintly marked as a rule inall Pici, the femoral tract in Colaptes agrees
in being but feebly traceable by the presence, on either side, of a few
downy feathers, and at the most not more than some three or four contour
ones. Like Dryobates, however, Colaftes possesses on either leg, a well-
defined ‘crural tract,’ occupying a position similar to the one we find it
in in the majority of Woodpeckers (Fig. 2,2). Nitzsch, as I have else-
where stated, found the ‘inner humeral tract’ (Fig. 2. f) absent only in
the Sumatran species, which he described as Pécus luridus; this charac-
teristic and sharply defined though small feather area is present in all spe-
cies of Colaftes, as it is in every American Woodpecker that the writer
has ever submitted to a pterylographic examination. On the outer side
of this smaller humeral tract we also find, in every species of Woodpecker,
the larger ‘humeral tract’ proper, which, as is usual, passes obliquely
across the region of either shoulder, as shown in Figure 2 at e, and in
Figure 5, where it is likewise well marked. If we carefully examine, we
shall find very sparsely appearing feathers, for the most part downy ones,
showing themselves here and there on the apteria among the dorsal areas.
No special description is needed here for the ‘alar tracts’ in these birds,
and we can next turn to the ventral aspects of the specimens under con-
sideration. Here we find the feather areas very well defined, more espe-

1888. | Correspondence.

i)
—
tn

é

~
rie

FIGURE 2.—Dorsal aspect of the same specimen shown in Figure 1; 6, capital apte-
rium; c, the median (at the point indicated) elevation of the skin caused by the epi-
branchials of the hyoidean apparatus beneath it; , spinal tract; f, inner humeral tract;
h, lower dilation of spinal tract (the saddle) ; 7, lower part of spinal] tract (rump tract) ;
i,crural tract; 0, femoral tract (very faintly seen in a Woodpecker) ; g, alar tract.

- FIGURE 3.—Anterior or ventral aspect of the same specimen, with its head turned
to the left; a, capital tract; 2, the ventral tract, and m, its external branch. From
nature, by the author.

16 Correspondence. [April

* .
st Pe Be wine 8 ®

re ee es
“0
ry

Sa

FIGURE 4.—Ventral view of a plucked specimen of the Red-naped Woodpecker
(Sphyrapicus v. nuchalis), showing its pterylosis. From nature, life size, by the author.

cially the ‘ventral tract’ and its peculiar external branch (Fig. 3, #.and #).

It will be seen that in Dryobates the main ventral tract is very broad
near the summit of the shoulder, and continues to be so until we arrive at
the bifurcation with its external branch m, which latter curves out towards

NO
H
af

1888. ] Correspondence.

FIGURE 5.—Dorsal aspect of the same specimen of Sphyrapicus shown in Fig. 4, de-

signed to illustrate its pterylosis. Drawn by the author; life size.

218 Correspondence. [April

the side as a sharp-pointed and handsome hook (see also Fig. 1), termi-
nating ina free extremity. Figure 4 shows this arrangement to be quite
different in SAkyrapicus, where the form of the external branch is nar-
rower, and the bifurcation higher up towards the neck of the bird. It too,
however, terminates ina free-pointed extremity at the side. The abdom-
inal part of the main ventral tract is much stronger in Sphyraficus than
it is in Harris’s Woodpecker, in which latter species it usually dwindles
to a single row of contour-feathers before arriving at the vent. Both
species have the aperture of the vent completely surrounded by a single
row of small contour-feathers, while in Dryodates there are posterior to
this region a mid-coccygeal pteryla, with an oblique lateral one on each
side of it (Fig. 3). These I have designated as the ‘postventral tracts.’

Colapfes has, both in arrangement and form, its ventral and postventral
tracts almost identically the same as we find them in the genus Dryobates.

Nitzsch, alluding to the rectrices and remiges in the Woodpeckers,
says ‘‘/welve tail-feathers, but the two outer ones small and bent in be-
tween the two preceding ones,” and ‘‘the wings bear from nineteen to
twenty-one remiges, but always ten on the pinion, of which the first is
rather short, the second is likewise shorter than the following ones, but
the third is sometimes equal to the fourth and fifth, and with them the
longest, and sometimes exceeded by the fourth, fifth and sixth, which are
then of equal length.”

Persons interested in the study of this subject may well consult besides
Nitzsch’s ‘Pterylography’ certain important papers in the early issues of
the ‘Proceedings’ of the Zodlogical Society of London.

Faithfully yours,

R. ‘W. SHUFELDT.
Fort Wingate, New Mexico,

21st Feb. 1888.

Polydactylism in Birds.

To THE EDITORS OF THE AUK :—

Sirs :—My attention has been directed to a short article in ‘The Auk’
(Vol. IV, No. 4, pp. 331-333, Oct. 1887), on ‘Ornithological Curiosities.—
A Hawk with nine toes, and a Bobolink with spurs on its wings.’ I do
not profess to be an ornithologist, though much interested in the subject,
and something of an observer of bird life; I prepare this note asa teratol-
ogist. Iam much pleased with the report of the cases of the supernu-
merary development by Mr. Henry K. Coale, and hope his example will
be followed by others from numerous observers all over the land.

In my somewhat extensive researches for the purpose of collecting and
classifying the bibliography and references relating to the ‘The Material
of Teratology,’ I have been surprised at the infrequency as well as the
meagreness of reports, and the almost absence of even incidental men-
tion of cases of supernumerary and duplex development in birds. Such as

1888. ] Correspondence. 219

are found are almost exclusively such as occur in domesticated fowls. I
have been disposed to believe that ornithologists are inclined to ignore
malformations and monstrosities as unworthy of study, or even mention,
and that they have cast aside the specimens which have presented them-
selves to their casual notice, as one would an imperfect example in any
other department of natural objects.

I desire to invite the co-operation of all classes of ‘bird men’—sports-
men, collectors, and scientific ornithologists—-in procuring and reporting
all cases of double monsters, or of supernumerary development, in any de-
gree in which it may be found in any species of the feathered tribes. I
am quite certain that ‘The Auk’ will be a proper medium of communi-
cation—under the head of Teratological Notes—or Ornithological Tera-
tology.

Ulysses Aldrovandus, who was a celebrated ornithologist, and a volu-
minous writer on the subject two and a half centuries ago, gives us many
illustrations of double monstrosities, extra legs and extra toes in various
species of birds. These are chiefly found in his special work ‘Monstro-
rum Historiam,’ a ponderous folio, published sumptuously in 1642. The
pages 549 to 570 are occupied with descriptions of cases of extra limbs in
birds, under the title ‘Multiplicatio pedvm in fcaetivs avivm,’ and is
illustrated with seventeen figures. The cock of the common fowl on
page 560 has two extra toes attached to his left leg.

Otto, in his great work, ‘Monstrorum Sexcentorum Descriptio-Anatom-
ica,’ grand folio, 1841, describes (No. 473) a chicken with seven toes on
its right foot.

Polydactylus is not rare among animals that normally are possessed of
several digits. ‘In the human subject.six or more fingers or toes are not
very uncommon. In three well authenticated cases, as many as nine toes
were developed on the left foot.

There is already an extensive literature pertaining to teratology, and
still it is desirable to have more accurate records of genuine cases of con-
genital malformations, particularly such as may occur among non-domes-
ticated animals and birds. There are many interesting questions. both
scientific and popular, which may be enlightened by a powerful array of
well attested facts. The miserable popular belief that maternal mental
emotion can and does produce malformations, will receive its annihilat-
ing blow when it is generally known that every form of malformation
which has ever been observed in the human foetus, has its exact analogue
in all the lower animals—viviparous and oviparous. It is a fact, that
there is no physical monstrosity which is peculiar to the human feetus.

GEORGE JACKSON FISHER, M. D.
Sing Sing, N. Y.

i)
tw
O

Notes and News.

NOTES AND NEWS.

Dr. JosepH B. HoLpeEr, one of the Founders of the A. O. U., died sud-
denly of apoplexy, Feb. 28, 1888, at his residence in New York City, at the
age of sixty-four years. Dr. Holder was born in Lynn, Mass., and was a
graduate of the Harvard Medical School. In 1846 he published a ‘Catalogue
of the Birds Noticed in the Vicinity of Lynn, Mass., during the years 1844-
*5-’6,’ the paper forming ‘No. 1’ of the ‘Publications of the Lynn Natural
History Society... During subsequent years he published occasional
observations on birds. His last formal ornithological paper, on ‘The
Flight of Birds,’ was read before the New York Academy of Sciences, Dec.
19, 1887, and is now in press in the ‘Transactions’ of the Academy. Dr.
Holder was more especially interested in invertebrate zodlogy. Through
the influence of Professors Agassiz and Baird, he was appointed, in 1859,
a surgeon in the United States Army, and assigned to duty at the Dry
Tortugas, where he spent several years making, in addition to performing
his official duties, valuable collections and observations in natural history.
During the War of the Rebellion he was assigned to staff duty, and held
important positions. In 1870 he became connected with the American
Museum of Natural History in New York City, and from this date till 1885
was the chief assistant in charge of the collections, those of geology and
conchology excepted. His charge thus not only included the large collec-
tions of mammals and birds, which he arranged and cared for, but also the
fishes, reptiles, insects,and invertebrates generally. He remained in charge
of these collections, mammals and birds excepted, until his death. He was
a frequent contributor of popular articles on natural history to various
magazines and papers, and published a number of original papers on his
special subjects of study. His death will be a severe loss to the Museum
with which he was so long connected, and will be deeply felt by the wide
circle of friends to whom he had endeared himself by his genial qualities
of heart and mind. He leaves a widow and son, the latter, Mr. C. F.
Holder, a well-known popular writer of works on natural history.

PROFESSOR CHARLES LINDEN, of Buffalo, N. Y., an Associate Member
of the A. O. U., died at Buffaio, Feb. 3, 1888, at the age of fifty-six years.
For many years Professor Linden was employed as Custodian of the Buf-
falo Society of Natural History, and as a teacher of natural history in the
High School of that city, where he organized the ‘Field Club,’ of which
he was the leader. Born in Breslau, Germany, where he was educated, he
came in early life to this country, and fora time was ‘‘a sailor on the
lakes.”” He was an ardent lover of nature, and his zeal as a teacher and
explorer inspired in his pupils a kindred enthusiasm. During his vaca-
tions he made numerous protracted collecting expeditions, visiting the
Everglades of Florida, the West Indies, Brazil, and Labrador, making
repeated trips to the Chaleur Bay Region, mainly in the interest of the
Buffalo Society of Natural History, whose collections he greatly enriched.

i.

1888. ] Notes and News. DOT

He was a frequent contributor to various natural history journals, and
published in ‘Forest and Stream’ an extended account of his varied ex-
periences in the Florida Everglades. His exposures during this expedi-
tion resulted in an illness from which he seems never to have fully
recovered, and which eventually resulted in his death in an insane asylum.
He was an indefatigable worker, a noble-hearted, genial companion, ten-
derly loved by his pupils and associates. A large part of his Brazilian
collection of birds, made principally at Santarem, is in the Museum of
Comparative Zodlogy at Cambridge, Mass. ; an account of it was published
in the *Bulletin’ of the Essex Institute (Vol. VIII, 1876, pp. 78-83).

A JOINT meeting of the various Audubon Monument Committees of
New York City was held Feb. 2, at the University of New York. Pro-
fessor Thomas Egleston, Chairman of the New York Academy of Sciences
Committee, presented a draft of a design which was adopted by the joint
meeting, and reports of progress were made by each of the five committees
represented. ’The monument will be in the form of a Runic cross, about
fifteen feet in height, surmounting a pedestal eight feet high. The bas-
reliefs will include a medallion of Audubon, figures of various birds, mam-
mals, and plants, with inscriptions. A cut of the design adopted was
ordered, for use in connection with circulars to be issued by the commit-
tees in the appeal for funds. The cost of the monument is estimated at
$10,000. Considerable money has already come to hand —enough to in-
dicate that when the plans can be definitely announced, and the object
contemplated can be fairly set forth, the amount desired will be secured.

Mr. William Dutcher (51 Liberty St., New York City), Treasurer
of the A. O. U. Audubon Monument Committee, reports the following
contributions as all thus far (to March 20), received by the A. O. U.
Committee namely: Bradford Torrey, $5.00; L. O. Pindar, $2.50; E. S.
Holmes, $1.00; —total, $8.50! This is indeed a small beginning! The
A. O. U. Committee will immediately issue an appeal for contributions,
which will be sent to each member of the A. O. U. The responses, it is
hoped, will be prompt, and creditable to the ornithologists of the country,
who, above all others, should aid liberally this praiseworthy attempt at
a proper recognition of Audubon and his scientific work.

Perhaps it should be added that the above record does not fully represent
the contributions of ornithologists to this fund, several having sent con-
siderable sums to the Treasurer of the New York Academy Committee.

IN IssuING the January number of the ‘The Auk’ it was found, at the
last moment, impossible to publish with it the ‘By-Laws and Rules’ and
‘List of Members,’ as announced on page 97 and in the ‘contents,’ owing
to unexpected delay in the printing, without unduly delaying the publica-
tion of the number. They are therefore sent out with the present number,
separately paged (pp. ix-xxviii), to follow the title-page and ‘contents’ of
the volume in binding. In the meantime the ‘By-Laws and Rules,’ etc.,
have been published separately as a pamphlet and sent to all the members
onthevAn.@ Ur:

222 Notes and News. [\April

Tue TREASURER of the A. O. U. desires to express his thanks to the
members of the Union for their prompt response in the matter of payment
of dues. Of the 47 Active Members and 170 Associate Members, eighty-
seven per cent have paid their assessment for the current year. Resig-
nations and deaths have reduced the membership list three per cent,
leaving ten per cent of the members still to be heard from.

In this connection the Treasurer would call the attention of Active and
Associate Members to the desirability of increasing the subscription list
of ‘The Auk.’ At present the journal is about on a paying basis, but
were its circulation increased the magazine could be enlarged and other-
wise improved. It is to be hoped that each member of the Union will
endeavor to secure immediately as many new subscribers as possible from
among his ornithological friends who are not as yet readers of this
journal.

THE PATRONS of ‘The Auk’ will be interested to learn that the publi-
cation of a series of papers by Capt. Charles E. Bendire, U. S. A., on the
nesting habits of some of our least known North American birds, will
begin in the July number. The first paper will treat at considerable
length and in a popular way of the nesting habits of the Woodpeckers of
the genus Sphyrapicus, concerning several of the species of which group
very little has hitherto been published. Captain Bendire’s long experience
in the field, his unequalled resources in the way of material, and his well
known accuracy as an observer, will render his papers exceptionally
authoritative and interesting.

AN ORNITHOLOGICAL society has been founded, at New Haven, Conn.,
under the name ‘New Haven Ornithological Club.’ Its officers are L.
B. Bishop, President; H. H. Flint, Vice-President; C. C. Trowbridge,
Treasurer; Robert D. Camp, Secretary. The Secretary’s address is P. O.
Box 726, Stamford, Conn. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of
each month. The Club is in a flourishing condition, and it has our
cordial wishes for continued success.

AT THE annual meeting of the Linnean Society of New York, held
March 9, the following officers were elected: President, George B. Sen-
nett; Vice-President, Frank M. Chapman; Treasurer and Corresponding
Secretary, Newbold T. Lawrence; Recording Secretary, Jonathan
Dwight, Jr. The Linnean Society has of late come to be practically an
ornithological Society, all of its most active members being ornitholo-
gists, and ornithological subjects largely predominating at its meetings.
At the last meeting the principal paper was by Mr. William Dutcher, on
rare Long Island birds, and is published in the present number of ‘The
Auk.’

Tue American Museum of Natural History of New York City has
recently received from Dr. Edgar A. Mearns, U.S. A., two large cases of
bird skins from Arizona. The collection numbers over 2,000 beautifully
prepared specimens, including a very fine series of the Birds of Préy

ei

- [1888. Notes and News. 223

of that Territory. The Museum has also just added by purchase a col-
lection of 400 bird skins collected by Dr. H. H. Rusby in Eastern Bo-
livia. This small gathering is especially interesting, as it comes from a
little known region, more than one-half of the species represented proy-
ing new to the Museum’s previously rich collection of South American
birds. The Museum is also fortunate in securing, as an Assistant in the
Department of Ornithology, Mr. Frank M. Chapman, who has recently
returned from a winter’s sojourn in Florida to enter upon his new duties.

From the recently published ‘Annual Report’ of the Museum for the
year 1887, we learn that the number of bird skins now in the Museum is
about 39,000, of which 13,000 are mounted. It appears that over 21,000
specimens were added during the last year. Including Mr. George B.
Sennett’s collection, the total number of specimens of birds available for
study at the Museum is fully 45,000. The collection of nests and eggs is
proportionately large.

Tue suByecr of the voluntary interlocking of the primaries in soaring
birds (see Jan. Auk, pp. 126, 127) came up again for discussion at the
meeting of the New York Academy of Sciences, held Jan. g last, and
formed the special topic of the evening. ‘The discussion was opened by a
paper by Mr. J. A. Allen, entitled ‘On the Flight of Birds, with special
reference to recent alleged discoveries in the Mechanism of the Wing,’
in which he answered certain criticisms made at the previous meeting of
the Academy, reflecting on the motives and animus of the ornithologists,
and then took up the structure of birds in relation to flight, describing
at some length the bones and muscles involved, and the arrangement and
structure of the feathers. The alleged ‘‘new muscles” were shown to
have been well known for over a century, and by means of a freshly-
killed Buteo borealis it was demonstrated that the tips of the primaries,
when the wing is fully extended, as in soaring, do not even touch each
other, but are separated by a considerable space, and that consequently
overlapping at the tip, or ‘interlocking,’ is simply impossible. It was
shown that the wing must be partly closed before the tips of the
primaries can be brought near enough to overlap, and that if they
should overlap—which they can do only in the partly closed state of the
wing— they would fail entirely to aid in relieving muscular strain in
keeping the wing distended. In short, it was shown that the ‘interlock-
ing’ claimed was not only an impossibility, but was wholly unnecessary
as a provision for relieving muscular tensionin flight. Yet the advocate
of the new discovery refused to be convinced, and stated that if any one
expected him to ‘back down’ they would find themselves ‘mistaken in
their man,’ or words emphatically to this effect. Those interested in
the original paper and in the discussion which followed it will find the
subject quite fully reported in the Academy’s ‘Transactions’ (Vol. VII,
giving reports of the meetings for November and December, 1887, and

January, 1888).

224 Notes and News. [April

Mr. MONTAGUE CHAMBERLAIN, in the preface to his ‘A Systematic
Table of Canadian Birds,’ announces that his ‘‘promised ‘Bibliography of
Canadian Ornithology’ is well under way, and will probably be published
during the coming summer.” Its appearance will certainly be awaited
with interest.

AMONG recent additions to the list of periodicals of an ornithological
character are the ‘Odlogist’s Exchange,’ a 4-page monthly, published
at Austen, Ill., by T. Vernon Wilson; ‘The Bay State Odlogist,’ also a
4-page monthly, ‘‘devoted exclusively to students of birds, their nests and
eggs” (s¢c), published at Pittsfield, Mass., by W. H. Foote; and ‘The
Collector’s Illustrated Magazine’, a monthly 16-page octavo, ‘‘devoted to
the interests of collectors in all branches,” edited and published by E. M.
Haight, of Riverside, Cal. The first number of each is dated January,
1888. The two numbers which have reached us of the first-named
consist mainly of selections from various sources; those of the other two
contain original articles and notesas wellas selections. Some of the original
notes are of considerable interest. If the editors or publishers of these
and the many other journals of a somewhat similar character now issued
in various parts of the country will kindly send their respective journals
regularly to the editor of ‘The Auk’, he will see that the original articles
on birds are duly noted, from time to time, in ‘The Auk,’ under the head
of ‘Minor Ornithological Publications’, in the department of ‘Recent
Literature.’

Just at present Mexico seems to be a favorite field for ornithological re-
search. As the readers of the ‘The Auk’ are well aware, Mr. William Brew-
ster has had several collectors at work during the past year in Lower Cali-
fornia and Western Mexico, one of whom isstillin the field. Mr. F. DuCane
Godman is also giving special attention to ornithology in connection with
other departments of Mexican biology, he having recently placed in the
field in the southeastern and other portions of the Republic, several
collectors, including Mr. and Mrs. Herbert H. Smith, Mr. F. B. Armstrong,
and Mr. William Lloyd, the latter well known for his ornithological work
in Texas. Mr. George B. Sennett is also extending his work beyond the
Texan border, he having sent two collectors, Messrs. Priour and Grover,
into northeastern Mexico, to explore the States of Tamaulipas and
Nuevo Leon. The combined results of this activity cannot fail to soon
make the ornithology of many portions of Mexico comparatively well
known.

EWE NUT:

A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF

OnRNGIMOLOGY.

VOL. V. juny, 1888: No. 3.

NOTES ON THE HABITS, NESTS, AND EGGS OF
THE GENUS SPAYRAPICUS BAIRD.

BY CAPT. CHARLES E. BENDIRE.

1. Sphyrapicus varius. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER.

THE general habits of the eastern representative of this genus,
Sphyrapicus varius, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, have been so’
well written up by Mr. William Brewster in the ‘Bulletin’ of the
Nuttall Ornithological Club (Vol. I, No. 3, Sept., 1876, pp.
63 to 70), and later by Dr. C. Hart Merriam in the same ‘Bulle-
tin’ (Vol. IV, No. 1, Jan. 1879, pp. 1 to 6), that there remains
nothing new for me to state.

As some of the readers of ‘The Auk’ may not have access to
the above-mentioned articles, I will simply mention that, accord-
ing to Mr. Brewster, the favorite nesting-sites of S. varzws are
large, dead birches, and that the average height of the excavation
from the ground is at least 4o feet, in some instances consider-
ably more, and that a decided preference is manifested by this
species for the vicinity of water. He gives the eggs as number-
ing from five to seven in a set, and varying considerably in shape,
some being oblong, others decidedly elliptical. They average
85 in length by .60 inches in breadth, are pure white in color,
and, he states, there is much less of that fine polish than in eggs
of the other species of Woodpeckers he had examined.

The average measurement of the few eggs of S. varzuzs in the
Collection of the National Museum, six in number only, is .84
.65 inches.

226 BENDIRE ox the Habits of the Genus Sphyrapicus. [July

2. Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis. ReEep-NAPED SAPSUCKER.

This race of S. varzus I have met sparingly in various por-
tions of the Blue Mountains of Oregon, Washington Territory,
and Idaho, and as far west as the eastern slope of the Cascade
Range in Southern Oregon, in the Klamath Lake region, where,
however, it was rare and replaced by Sphyrapicus ruber, the two
species overlapping each other, but not intergrading and remain-
ing perfectly distinct. I first met with the nest and eggs of this
bird in a small aspen grove at the edge of a beautiful little park-
like prairie, near the summit of the Blue Mountains, in Grant
County, Oregon, on June 12, 1877.* I was escorting an Army
Paymaster from Canon City to Camp Harney, Oregon, where I
was then stationed. After a laborious climb to the top of the
steep mountain at the foot of which the little mining town of
Canon City nestled, I stopped for some twenty minutes to rest the
animals, and to eat our lunch. The spot was a lovely one; the
little grove at the edge of the heavy pine forest contained perhaps
halfa dozen aspens, that measured a foot through or more, anda
number of smaller ones. I had made myself comfortable under one
of the largest ones which stood on the outer edge of the grove,
watching the horses enjoying the luxuriant grass, and was busily
engaged in eating my lunch, sharing it with several Oregon Jays,
Perisoreus obscurus, which were quite tame, and absorbed my
entire attention for some time. A Red-naped Sapsucker was,
in the meantime, flying about my tree, alightésng on others in the
vicinity, and keeping up a constant chatter. I thought at first he
was jealous of the Jays, and paid no attention to him, till he flew
on to the tree I was sitting under, which brought out his mate.
Their burrow was directly over my head, about twenty feet from
the ground, and I might have noticed it sooner, by the fresh chips
dropped by the birds in excavating their burrow, and which were
lying all around me, had I not been entirely absorbed in watch-
ing the Jays, or ‘Meat Birds,’ as they are called there by the
hunters and trappers. It did not take long for one of my men to
climb up to the burrow and chop a sufficiently large hole in the
tree to insert the hand. The entrance to the burrow was exceed-

* But I had previously found a nest with young in June, 1875, in the same locality, as
well as several in 1876,

1888. ] BENDIRE ox the Habits of the Genus Sphyrapicus. 227

ingly small, not over 14 inches in diameter, about 8 inches deep,
and about 4 inches wide at the bottom. It contained three eggs:
nearly fresh, lying partly imbedded in a layer of fine chips.
About a year afterwards, when passing the same spot, June 2,
1878, I took another set of three fresh eggs of this species out of
a burrow in another, somewhat smaller aspen tree, in the same
grove. Although aspens of suitable size were to be found in
several places in the immediate vicinity of Camp Harney, Oregon,
which is located at the foot and on the southern slope of the Blue
Mountains, at an altitude of about 48oo feet, I failed to find any
of these birds nesting there, although they were met with by me
at various times in the vicinity, and sometimes even quite a dis-
tance away from the mountains. They are only summer resi-
dents in that region, but an occasional straggler does remain in
sheltered locations throughout the winter. I am inclined to think
that this bird is much more common in the Rocky Mountain
region.

An esteemed friend of mine, Mr. Denis Gale, an enthusiastic
naturalist in the fullest sense of the term, and a close observer,
residing in the mountains of Colorado, has at my request fur-
nished me with the following observations regarding this species.
He writes as follows :—

‘‘My observations have been, that this species invariably
selects for its nesting-site a living aspen tree. I have never met
with it in any other. This tree favors the mountain gulches,
and low sheltered hillsides at an altitude of from 7000 to 10,000
feet. Above this point they do not attain sufficient size, and are
mostly dwarfed and scrubby. Here in Colorado Sphyrapicus
varius nuchalis is seldom found above gooo feet, or much
below 8000 feet. The aspen tree is short lived, and ere much of
a growth is attained a cross-section in the majority of instances
will show a discolored centre of incipient decay, involving half or
two-thirds of its entire diameter, with a sound white sap zone on
the outer circumference, next the bark. This sound healthy zone
nourishes the tree, until the decayed core discovers itself in
some withered limbs, and frequently the top of the tree manifests
the canker.

‘Such trees the Red-naped Sapsucker selects for its nesting-
site, and with great perseverance chisels through this tough,
sound zone, from an inch to an inch and a half through — com-

228 BENDIRE on the Habits of the Genus Sphyrapicus. [July

mencing with a very small hole and gradually extending its
circumference with each stage of the deepening process, work-
ing from the lowest centre out, till the exact circumference of
the intended aperture of entrance is attained. In thus radiat-
ing in circles from the central point, the minute chips are
chiselled out with considerable ease. This mode of working is
observed until the tough zone is worked through; what remains
then is comparatively easy work; the soft, soggy, lifeless inside
is worked into and downwards, with greater facility, and a
roomy, gourd-shaped excavation quickly follows, the female
doing the excavating from beginning to end, and, according to
exigencies, completes it in from six to ten days.

‘“‘Some idea of the vitality and toughness of this zone of sap in
a live aspen tree may be realized, when in a tree used consecu-
tively three or four years, which if undisturbed is the general
custom of S. varius nuchalis, the entire aperture will be almost
closed by the recuperative agent in the sap of the tree to heal
and close up the wound. No other Woodpecker will face such
a formidable task. Pcus villosus harrist? comes next as a
borer; then follows Sphyrapicus thyrotdeus. Both of these
species nest sometimes also in apparently live aspens, but upon
close inspection such trees will be found to be badly decayed.

‘“S. varius nuchalis usually insists upon a new excavation
each year. The height of nesting-sites from the ground varies
from five to thirty feet; the full set of eggs is four or five in num-
ber, sometimes a smaller number of eggs mark a full set, presum-
ably the nest of one of last year’s young birds. Fresh eggs may
be looked for in Colorado from June 1 to 15, and should the
first set be taken, a second one may generally be found in from
ten to fifteen days later; and as a rule the second nesting-site
will not be greatly distant from the first one. Several nests of
this species may be found within a short distance of each other
in the same aspen grove.”

Two sets of four eggs each of this species, taken by Mr. Gale
and kindly presented to the National Museum, Washington,
D. C., measure as follows: 1st set, taken June, 1884, four eggs,
.QI X .67,.90 X .68,.89 xX .68,.88 x .64 inches; 2nd set, taken
June 1, 1887, .g0 x .69, .g0 X .69, .go X .68, and .89 xX .65.
A set of three eggs taken by the writer in the Blue Mountains,
Grant County, Oregon, June 12, 1877, measures, .go X .65,

1888. ] BENDIRE on the Habits of the Genus Sphyrapicus. 229

.90 X .64, .88 X .66 inches. A second set, taken at the same
place a year later, on. June 2, 1578, measures .89 X .68,
.84 X .66, .82 .66 inches. A third set, taken by me near
Fort Klamath, Oregon, on June 3, 1883, contained five eggs
partly incubated ; two of these were broken in chopping them
out; the remaining three measure as follows; .84 X .68, .84 X
.66, .S2 X .66 inches. A single egg taken also near Fort Kla-
math, Oregon, June 5, 1883, measures, .Sg X .64 The average
measurement is .SS X .66 inches. These eggs, like those of all
Woodpeckers, are pure white after blowing ; they are generally
ovate in shape, and but moderately glossy or lustrous.

My own limited observations during the breeding season bear
out Mr. Gale’s statements completely, viz., that this species breeds
exclusively im live aspen trees. Dr. J: C. Merrill, U.S. A., in
Bull. Nutt. Club, October, 1881, states, however, that he found
a nest of these birds in a dead cottonwood tree in Montana. In
Southwestern Oregon, in the mountain parks of the Klamath
Lake region, these birds breed sparingly at as low an altitude as
5000 feet, and it is more than probable that at a higher one, near
the summit of the Cascade Range, they may be quite common.

In the Blue Mountain region, in eastern Oregon, I only found
them breeding in the single locality already mentioned, at an
altitude from 6000 to 7ooo feet. During the winter months I
_ have occasionally observed a Red-naped Sapsucker in the Harney
Valley in Oregon, busily engaged in hunting for food amongst
the willow thickets found growing along the banks of the small
streams, in that sage-brush-covered region, often long distances
away from timber of any size. In the young birds of the year
of Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis, the red or crimson markings
found about the head and throat of adult birds are usually want-
ing or else are replaced by a pale claret-colored tinge on the cor-
responding parts. The black on the back and wings is also
duller and not so deep, and the general pattern less distinct.

3. Sphyrapicus ruber. RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER.

This handsome representative of the genus SAhyrapicus seems
to be strictly confined to the Pacific Coast region, occurring only
as far eastward as the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada Moun-
tains in Central and Northern California, and the Cascade

230 BENDIRE on the Habits of the Genus Sphyrapicus. [ July

Range in Oregon and Washington Territory, passing thence
northward through British Columbia well into Alaska. In the
winter it is found in the mountains of Southern California, but I
do not believe that it breeds there. In my various travels
throughout the interior of Oregon, Nevada, Washington and
Idaho, covering over fifteen years, I never met with this bird till
the summer of 1882, when I was ordered to take station at Fort
Klamath, located near the northern end of Klamath Lake, in the
southwestern part of Oregon. Here I found the Red-breasted
Sapsucker an abundant summer resident, and I have no doubt a
few of these birds winter in the more sheltered portions of the
deep canons of the lower Klamath River region. They are
among the earliest birds to arrive in the spring. The first bird
of this species shot by me in the spring of 1883 was obtained on
March 13, and I have seen a few as late as November. On one
of my collecting trips, the morning of April 4, 1883, while riding
through a patch of pine timber near Wood River, the principal
stream running through the centre of Klamath Valley, I noticed
a flock of these birds, at least twenty in number. They were
very noisy, apparently glad to get back to their summer homes,
and seemed to have an excellent time generally, flying from tree
to tree and calling to each other.

As I wanted a couple of specimens, I was compelled to disturb
their jollification; those procured were both males, and pre-
sumably the entire flock belonged to this sex. By April 20
they had become very common, and some pairs at least were
mated and had already selected their future domiciles—in every
case a good-sized, live aspentree. The males mightat that time
be heard in almost all directions drumming on some dry limb,
generally the dead-top of one of these trees. They scarcely
seemed to do anything else. At least five pairs nested within
half a mile of my house, and I had excellent opportunities to ob-
serve them. Some birds, apparently more industrious than
others, would not be satisfied with one burrow, and excavated
several, sometimes all in the same tree; others contented them-
selves with a single one. It is possible that the extra ones, after
being begun, were abandoned, either being found to be too damp
inside, or for some other cause unknown to me, or they may
have been made by the male for his own use to pass the nights
in, and be close to his mate in case of danger, or again, just to

1888. ] BENDIRE on the Habits of the Genus Sphyrapicus. 231
keep his bill in practice, chiselling. I am myself inclined to
think that the female does nearly, if not quite all the work on the
burrow in which she deposits her eggs.

These birds are not at all shy during the breeding season, al-
lowing you to approach them closely, but they have an extra-
ordinarily keen sense of hearing. I frequently tried to sneak up
to a tree close to my house which I knew had been selected by a
pair of these birds, to watch them at work, but I was invariably
detected by the bird, no matter how carefully I tried to creep up,
before I was able to get within thirty yards, even when she was at
work on the inside of the burrow and could not possibly see me.
The bird would cease working at once, her head would pop out
of the hole for an instant, and the surroundings be surveyed care-
fully. IfI kept out of sight and perfectly still, she would pro-
bably begin working again a few minutes afterwards, but if I
moved ever so little, without even making the least noise, in my
own estimation, she would notice it and stop working again at
once. Ifthe tree were approached too close she would fly off,
uttering at the same time a note resembling the word jay or
chiie, several times repeated, which would invariably bring
the male around also, who had in the mean time kept himself
busy in some other tree, either drumming or hunting for food.
While the female was at work on the inside of the burrow, the
male would from time to time fly to the entrance and look in,
probably asking his mate how her work was coming on. how
soon they might begin housekeeping, etc. ; and at other times he
would hang for five or ten minutes even, just below the entrance
to the burrow, in a dreamy sort of study, perfectly motionless
aud seemingly dazed, evidently thinking of the family responsi-
bilities that were soon to come.

I am inclined to think that this species does not indulge in
the habit of girdling trees for the sap, and the soft inner bark
(cambium) to the same extent that SAhyrapicus varéus does, at
any rate not during the breeding season. These birds were, as
I said before, extremely abundant in the vincinity of Fort Kla-
math, and this being the case, evidence of their work in this direc-
tion should have been rather common. I don’t remember having
seen more than two instances, showing extensive and system-
atic signs of girdling; one, a medium-sized cottonwood limb,
showed the punctures all over for a distance of three feet, the

232 BENDIRE ox the Habits of the Genus Sphyrapicus. [ July

other, a species of mountain ash, on which none of the shoots
were over three inches through, had been riddled all over by the
birds. These mountain ash shrubs, none of which grow to any
size, were rare, however, in that vicinity.

In its range, I think this species breeds at a lower altitude
than S. varéus nuchalis. Fort Klamath, however, although
but 4200 feet above sea level, has a very cool summer climate,
frosts occurring almost in every month of the year. The sur-
rounding country is very beautiful at that time. Heavy, open
forests of stately pines and firs, amongst these the graceful and
beautiful sugar pine, are found on the mountain sides and reach-
ing well down into the green park-like valleys. Interspersed
here and there are aspen groves of various extent, their silvery
trunks and light green foliage blending artistically with the
sombre green of the pines. These aspen groves are the summer
home of the Red-breasted Sapsucker.

As far as my own observations go, healthy, smooth-barked
aspens are always selected as suitable nesting-sites by these birds.
The trees used vary from 12 to 18 inches in diameter near the
ground, and taper very gradually. The burrow is usually exca-
vated below the first limb of the tree, say from 15 to 25 feet from
the ground. The entrance seems to be ridiculously small for the
size of the bird, perfectly circular, from 1} to 14 inches in
diameter only, so small indeed that it seems as if it took con-
siderable effort for the bird to squeeze himself in, and wriggle
out of the hole.

The. gourd-shaped burrow varies in depth from six to ten
inches, and it is from three inches, near the top, to four or five
inches wide at the bottom. The finer chips are allowed to
remain in the burrow, forming the nest proper, on which the
eggs are deposited. Frequently they are more than half covered
by these chips. The interior of the entire excavation is most
carefully smoothed off, which must consume considerable time,
considering the tough, stringy and elastic nature of the wood,
when filled with sap, making it even more difficult to work when
partly decayed, which seems to be the case with nearly all aspens
of any size. Probably eight or ten days are consumed in exca-
vating a satisfactory nesting-site. All the larger and coarser
chips are dropped out of the burrow and scattered about the base
of the tree. From the quantity of these found under every tree,

1888. ] BENDIRE on the Habits of the Genus Sphyrapicus. 233

occupied by these birds, during the nesting season of 1883, I am
inclined to believe that they are only satisfied with an entirely
new burrow every year, and not simply with an old one repaired
to answer the purpose. These same chips are an extremely
simple and sure guide to their nest.

In hunting for them I looked for the chips on the ground
first, and after finding these it did not take long to find the hole
from which they came. In this manner it was an easy matter
to find their nest, and I took no less than fifteen sets of their
eggs in a single season, and might have taken more had I been
so inclined, especially by following up the birds for their second
set, where they had been robbed previously. Ordinarily but
one brood is raised in a season.

The number of eggs varies from five to six toa set. Full sets
of fresh eggs may be looked for in that locality from May 20 to
June 5, and I have taken nearly fresh eggs as late as June 13;
I took my first set on May 23, 1883. It contained six fresh eggs,
and the burrow was about seven inches deep, the entrance about
eight inches below and directly under the first limb of the tree,
as usual a live aspen, about 18 feet from the ground. While the
nest was being rifled of its contents, both parents flew about the
upper limbs of the tree, uttering a number of different sounding
plaintive cries, like peeya, pinck, and peurr, some of these
resembling somewhat the purring of a cat when pleased and
rubbing against your leg. I used to note the different sounds
in a small note book at the very time, but scarcely ever put them
down alike; each time they appeared a trifle different to the
ear, and it is a hard matter to express them exactly on paper.

The eggs, when fresh and before blowing, like those of all
Woodpeckers, show the yolk through the translucent shell,
giving them a beautiful pinkish appearance, as well as a series
of straight lines or streaks of a more pronounced white than the
rest of the shell, running towards and converging at the smaller
axis of the egg. After blowing, the pink tint will be found to
have disappeared, and the egg changed to a pure delicate white,
the shell showing a moderate amount of lustre. There is con-
siderable variation in their shape, running through all the differ-
ent ovates to an elongated ovate. The average measurements of
sixty specimens now before me are .g4 xX .68 inches; the largest
egg in the lot measuring 1.00 X .70, the smallest .86 x .68
inches.

234 BENDIRE on the Habits of the Genus Sphyrapicus. [ July

Both sexes assist in incubation, which lasts from twelve to
fourteen days, I think. ‘Their food consists principally of grubs,
larve of insects, various species of lepidoptera which they
catch on the wing, like Flycatchers, and berries. Of the latter
quite a number of different edible species are found about Fort
Klamath, and they seem to be especially fond of wild strawberries,
which grow there in abundance. The young after leaving the
nest stick to the tree in which they were hatched for the first day
or two, without venturing to fly.

The beautiful carmine or crimson on the head and breast in
the adults is replaced by claret-brown in the young, varying in
amount and intensity in different individuals; in some it is very
distinct and prevalent. The yellow so plainly noticeable on the
belly of adult birds is also wanting in the young. The colors
throughout are much duller and the general pattern less distinct.
By the latter part of September, the majority of these birds leave
for their winter haunts, only a few stragglers remaining. These
are possibly birds that breed further northward and winter in
the warm valleys of Northern California, and are then compara-
tively near the end of their migration, remaining in the Klamath
Valley region where there is always an abundance of food for
the Woodpecker family, judging from the number of different
species of these birds found there throughout the year, till the
heavy winter snows drive out the less hardy, amongst which the
Red-breasted Sapsucker must be included.

While stationed at Fort Klamath, Oregon, I took especial
pains to collect a good series of both adult and young birds of
this species, as well as a number of sets of their eggs, and devoted
considerable time, at no little inconvenience to myself, to observe
their general habits closely. Although my personal observations
differ materially from those of other naturalists (see ‘History of
North American Birds,’ by Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway, Vol.
II, pp. 544 and 545), I am confident that they will be found
substantially correct by future observers. The egg described
in the above-mentioned work, purporting to belong to this
species, certainly does not, and I also doubt very much that these
birds ever breed in coniferous trees of any kind.

1888. ] BENDIRE ov the Habits of the Genus Sphyrapicus. 235

4. Sphyrapicus thyroideus. WILLIAMSON’s SAPSUCKER.

This interesting species is so unique in the entire difference of
coloration of the sexes, that for a long time they were considered
and described as separate species. It remained for Mr. H. W. Hen
shaw, then attached as Naturalist to Lieut. George M. Wheeler’s
expedition, engaged upon the geographical exploration of Colo-
rado and New Mexico, in 1873, to establish their identity, he
finding the supposed two species paired and breeding near Fort
Garland, Col., in June of that year. Like SAhyrapicus varius
nuchalis, it hasan equally wide and extended range, reaching
from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains to the western
spurs of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Ranges in California and
Oregon. In its habits, however, it differs considerably from the
three other species of the genus Sphyraficus, all of which seem
to prefer regions abounding in deciduous trees, and using these
as far as at present known, exclusively for nesting purposes,
while Williamson’s Sapsucker gives the preference to coniferous
forests, selecting pines to burrow in, at least as frequently as
aspens, and according to my own observations oftener than the
latter.

Although it undoubtedly occurs in the region intervening be-
tween the Rockies on the east, and the Cascades on the west, I
cannot positively recall a single instance where I have seen this
bird in the entire mountain system, beginning at the Bitterroot
Range in Montana in the east, following the continuation of this
through the Blue Mountains of Washington Territory and Ore-
gon, as well as most of the Salmon River mountain country in
Idaho Territory, till I first met with it on the eastern slopes of the
Cascade Range near Fort Klamath, Oregon, in the autumn of 1882.
It was here Dr. Newberry obtained the type of the so-called Sphy-
rapicus williamsont. Here I saw it for the first time on Septem-
ber 23, and as late as November 8, of the same year, taking
specimens on both dates. Strange to say, all the birds I saw and
secured for a period covering about five weeks, at that time, were
females, and I only succeeded, on October 28, in seeing and
obtaining my first male of this species. It was obtained under
rather peculiar circumstances. I had only to walk a couple
of hundred yards from my house to find myself in a fine open
pine forest. Gunin hand I, as usual, took a short stroll that

236 BENDIRE ox the Habits of the Genus Sphyrapicus. [ July

morning, following close along the banks of Fort Creek, directly
east of the post, towards its source, and I had not proceeded more
than half a mile from my house when I saw two males chasing
each other about a dead pine stump, and uttering at the same
time shrill cries; this is what attracted my attention to them. I
tried to get within ordinary shooting distance of them, but they
took alarm and flew in opposite directions before I was near
enough. Nevertheless I took a snap shot at the one nearest to
me, but it continued its flight apparently uninjured, crossing
the creek, which was too deep and cold for me to ford, about
sixty yards in advance of me, and much to my disgust disappeared
in the heavier pine timber on the opposite side, without stopping
while it was insight. As it was useless as well as impracticable
to follow this one, I kept on in the direction the other had taken,
but failed to see it again. Fully an hour afterwards, on my way
returning to the post, and when within a few yards of the place
where I first noticed the two birds, tired out and disgusted, I
sat down on an old log and was taking a rest, absorbed in reflec-
tions on my bad luck, when from quite a distance, I noticed a
black-looking bird flying towards me, coming from the opposite
side of the creek, and from the same direction the one I shot at
had taken earlier in the morning. Its flight was so peculiar and
strange, constantly sinking, that I refrained from shooting when
it first came within range. No wonder; it was its last expiring
effort, and it actually dropped within a yard of where I was sitting.
It was unquestionably the very bird I had shot at more than an
hour before ; no one else was out hunting at the time, as no other
shots were heard. A single No. 12 pellet had penetrated the
lungs, and the bird in its dying struggle had evidently tried to
reach the same stump again on which I noticed it at first.

My earliest record for 1883, on which I obtained a specimen,
a male, was March 20. It seems to me to be a more solitary
bird than S. vader. I never saw more than two together or in
close proximity of each other. It is also more shy, and does not
allow itself to be approached so readily as either of the preceding
species. Its breeding range extends, near Fort Klamath, from
an altitude of about 5000 feet to the higher peaks of the Cascade
Range, which attain in that vicinity a height of about gooo feet.
On the mountain slopes about Crater Lake, it seems to be most
abundant, but not as much so as S. rzder is in the lower valley,

1888. ] BENDIRE on the Habits of the Genus Sphyrapicus. 237

where almost every aspen grove harbors a pair of these birds.
Crater Lake itself is such a strangely interesting and unique
freak of nature, the peer in sublime grandeur of the Yosemite
Valley in California, and the Yellowstone Park, with its grand
canons and geysers, in Wyoming, and so little known withal,
thatI am sure the readers of ‘The Auk’ will forgive me the trans-
gression of interlarding a short description of it in this paper.
The lake is about seven and a half miles long and six wide, and
unlike anything found in this or any other country. It is situated
on the summit of the Cascade Range, about twenty-five miles
north of Fort Klamath, at an altitude of about 7500 feet; the
highest peak in the vicinity reaches up to gooo feet. The rocky
walls surrounding it on all sides are nowhere less than 1000
feet, and in places more than 2000 feet high, in many points
almost perpendicular, so that a stone can be thrown without
striking anything on its way till it reaches the water, fully 2000
feet below. It is said to be some 18oo feet deep, and in places
is probably more. One cannot realize the magnitude of this
hole in the ground without seeing it. A mountain the size of
Mt. Washington, the highest peak of the White Mountains in
New Hampshire, might be dumped in, and not fill it up then.
The water is beautifully clear, and deep azure blue in color; the
the only living thing seen on it on a visit to the lake on July 27,
1882, was a solitary female Wandering Tatler (Meteractitis
zucanus), apparently very correctly named. An island, covered
with good-sized trees, rises out of the water to a height of nearly
a thousand feet, on thé west side of the lake. It is composed
mostly of volcanic scoriz and pumice, and evidently was the prin-
cipal cone of the now extinct crater, traces of whose activity in
former times, in the shape of heavy pumice deposits, can be
found for fifty miles inland to the east, on the road from the De
Chutes River to Fort Klamath. There is only one place from
which the shore of the lake can be réached with comparative
safety, and even from there it is by no means an easy matter.
But enough of the lake.

Mr. Gale, who is quite familiar with this species, writes me
that in Colorado they nest sometimes at an altitude of 10,000 feet,
and that they are generally distributed between that limit and
Sooo feet. The nest-sites, he says, are as often met with in mod-
erately thick woods as in the more open clearings and isolated

238 BENDIRE on the Habits of the Genus Sphyrapicus. [ July

pine trees and shrubs, the only condition guiding their choice of
a home being a shelter from the strong west winds. My own
observations agree pretty well with his. He says: ‘*A marked
peculiarity I have noted with S. ¢hyro¢deus is that the male
takes a lookout station upon some suitable tree, where at the ap-
proach of any possible danger he gives the alarm by striking a
short dry limb with his bill, by which a peculiar vibrating
sound is given out, which the female, not very distant, fully un-
derstands, and is at once on the alert. If either excavating,
guarding or covering her eggs, she will immediately look out of
her burrow, and should the intruder’s path lie in the direction of
her nest, she will silently slip away and alight in a tree some
distance off, but in view of both her nest and the intruder. The
first or second blow of your hatchet upon the tree trunk in which
the nest is excavated will mark her movement again by a short
flight, so managed as not to increase the distance, in fact oftener
coming nearer. When satisfied that her treasures have been dis-
covered, she utters a peculiar, low grating sound, not unlike the
purr of a cat. The male then comes to the fore and braves the
danger, is very courageous, and should the eggs be far advanced
by incubation, he will enter the nest when you are almost within
reach of it. When the latter is rifled, he is always the first to go
in and discover the fact, repeating the entrance and exit business
several times, in a surprised sort of manner. The large gaping
opening, made by the robber’s hatchet, he seems to ignore alto-
gether. To him it seems impossible fact a few minutes only
suffices to cut through the wall of wood “that took his mate as
many days of hard labor to accomplish. Presently he is joined by
the female, a joint inspection is made, a verdict of grand larceny
quickly reached, and the conclusion arrived at, ‘well, we shall
have to try again, with the hope of better luck next time.’ ”

Nidification is similar to that of the other species of the genus,
with the exception of the difference in the matter of trees pre-
ferred already mentioned. The height of nesting-sites varies con-
siderably, say from five to sixty feet, and perhaps more still in
exceptional cases. Fresh eggs may be looked for, according to
altitude, from May 20 to June 15; Mr. Gale took a fine set of
six, which I judge to have been perfectly fresh, from the exqui-
site manner in which they are prepared, on May 26, 1887.

I obtained my first set of eggs of this species on June 3, 1883,

1888. ] BENDIRE on the Habits of the Genus Sphyrapicus. 239

about nine miles north of Fort Klamath in the open pine forest on
the road to Crater Lake. It consisted of five eggs, slightly incu-
bated. The burrow was excavated in a partly decayed pine, whose
entire top for some twenty feet was dead. Height of burrow from
the ground about fifty feet. The man climbing the tree stated it
to be about eight inches deep, and about five inches wide at the
bottom and freshly made. A second set, of six fresh eggs, was
taken June 12, of the same year, about twelve miles north of the
post, at a still higher altitude than the first one. It came also out
of a pine about forty feet from the ground. <A third nest, found
a week later near the same place, contained five young just
hatched. This nest was in a dead aspen about twenty feet from
the ground. The full number of eggs laid appears to be five or
six. These are pure white, a trifle less lustrous than those of
S. ruber; they are a little more elongated and pointed in shape,
some approaching a distinct ovate pyriform or pear shape, a
characteristic not apparently found in the eggs of the other
species of this genus. The average measurements of seventeen
specimens now before me are .g7 X .67 inches. The largest in
the lot measures 1.02 X .68, the smallest .94 X .67 inches.
Only one brood is raised, and, like the two other species, it is
only a summer resident in the vicinity of Fort Klamath. Its food
seems to consist almost exclusively of insects and their larve,
various species of lepidoptera and an occasional grasshopper.
Berries I think are seldom used by them.

I have found fully fledged young in July; a young female shot
July 21 must have left the nest certainly by the beginning of the
month. When the young are large enough to fly they are not at
all rare at the lower altitude of Fort Klamath. They show the
same difference in coloration in the sexes, in their first plumage,
with these exceptions: the young males lack the red on the throat,
which is replaced by dirty white, the sulphur yellow on the lower
parts is mostly wanting, a slight trace of it being noticeable on
some specimens, and the black on the back is much duller. The
young females differ likewise by the absence of yellow on the
belly, the black patch on the breast is wanting, the markings and
barrings on the upper parts are less distinct, and the colors gen-
erally duller.

In its undulating flight from tree to tree, this species utters a
shrill note like huzt, huzt.

240 Goss ox Birds of San Pedro Martir Isle. [July

From the foregoing description and measurements of the eggs
of the different species of the genus SAhyrapicus, it will be seen
that the eggs of S. varcus are the smallest; those of S. varéus
nuchalis come next in size; then S. rwaber, and those of S.
thyrotdeus are the largest.

The following additional species of the Family Picidz, occur
in the vicinity of Fort Klamath, Oregon.

Dryobates villosus harrisii. Ceophleeus pileatus.

Dryobates pubescens gairdnerii. Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi.
Xenopicus albolarvatus. Melanerpes torquatus.

Picoides arcticus. Colaptes cafer.

All of these species breed there more or less commonly, except-
ing Melanerpes formicivorus bairdz, which occurs only as a
strageler on the eastern slope of the Cascade Range, owing to the
absence of oaks, but is quite abundant on the western side of these
mountains, wherever oaks are found, especially so near Ashland
and Jacksonville, Oregon, in the Rogue River valley. I shall
have something to say about the nests and eggs of some of these
species in a future paper, having found them all_breeding there,
and taken the eggs of all excepting Ceophleus pileatus.

NEW AND RARE BIRDS FOUND BREEDING ON
THE SAN PEDRO MARTI, ISEE:

BY N. S. GOSS.

Tue island, a rock about one and a half miles long, nearly as
broad, and 1045 feet in height, is situated in the Gulf of Cali-
fornia, a little north of latitude 28°, and not far from midway be-
tween shores. I was enabled to visit the same through the
kindness of Mr. E. J. Reed, of Guaymas, Mexico, agent for the
San Francisco Phosphate and Sulphur Company. I landed
from their little steamer that takes out supplies, March 15, 1888,
and remained until the 28th. The Company has a large force of
Yaquie Indians collecting the guano that has formed a crust on
the rocks of from one to four inches in thickness. The island

1888.] Goss on Birds of San Pedro Martir Isle. 241

has been worked for the past three years; notwithstanding this
the following described birds continue to ‘breed there, and as the
guano of value will be collected within the next six or eight
months, the birds will then have undisturbed possession, except
upon the rare appearance of roving bird collectors ; but as the isle is
uninviting and without fuel or water, such visits will be of short
duration. The following is a low estimate of the birds breeding
there, viz.: Blue-footed Booby, tooo; Brewster’s Booby, 700;
Red-billed Tropic Bird, 80; Mexican Raven (Corvus corax
stnuatus), 100; a few Western Gulls (Zarus occtdentalis), and
perhaps a few other birds; it was too early in the season to
determine this, but it does not appear to be a general breeding
place for birds, though a natural one for the Boobies, and
when undisturbed thousands upon thousands will breed there.
The tenacity with which they cling to their breeding grounds is
surprising. One hundred and thirty-five Indians were on the
payroll and many had their families with them, and in working
and climbing over the isle, they were continually disturbing and
often robbing the birds. In this respect, however, the Indians
are not as destructive as the white race, and as the Company
feeds them well, seem to care but little for the eggs, but the
thievish Ravens are ever on the watch and ready to drop upon
the eggs or the little ones the moment the parent birds are
driven away.

Nore.—In the identification of the Boobies I am greatly in-
debted to Mr. Robert Ridgway, who not only placed before me
the specimens of the family in the National Museum, but kindly
aided in the examination and comparison.

Sula gossi Ridgw. (MS.), sp. nov. BLUE-FOOTED Boopsy.

Sp. CHAar.—Head, neck, and entire lower parts white, the first two
streaked with sooty grayish, back and scapulars dusky brownish, tipped
with whitish, legs and feet bright blue in life.

Adult male.—Iris yellow; bill dull olive blue; bare space around bill,
eyes, lores, and gular sac slate-blue; legs, feet, and webs bright clear ultra-
marine blue with a slight greenish tint on webs; claws pale glaucous
blue; feathers of head and neck grayish white, widely edged in middle
portion with dark sooty grayish, their lanceolate tips pure white, produc-
ing a wavy streaked appearance; these markings become obsolete on the
anterior part of the forehead, and on the throat for some distance behind
the gular sac, and are nearly uniform grayish white; lower neck and en”

242 Goss on Birds of San Pedro Martir Tsle. | July

tire lower parts, including flanks, axillaries, and most of the under wing-
coverts, pure white, broken only on the sides of the lower neck by rather
indistinct broad streaks of pale sooty grayish, changing posteriorly next
to back into more distinct spots of a deeper hue; feathers of back and
scapulars deep sooty grayish or grayish brown, rather broadly but not
abruptly tipped with dull white, these terminal spots larger and more dis-
tinct on posterior scapulars; wing-coverts entirely plain grayish brown
or light sepia, deepening gradually into sooty slate on primaries; lower
back and lower rump pale grayish sepia, fading gradually into white on
upper tail-coverts; the upper parts of rump chiefly pure white; middle
tail-feathers white, faintly shaded on outer portion of outer web for about
the terminal third with pale brownish gray, their shafts entirely clear yel-
lowish white, the outer pair wholly sooty grayish (darker terminally and
on most of outer web), the others gradually paler towards the middle
pair.

Adult female.—Essentially like the male, but differing in the following
particulars: Iris paler yellow, plumage somewhat darker, except the hind
neck, which is less distinctly streaked, and size larger.

The following measurements are from specimens saved, the first two are
in the Goss Ornithological Collection, the last two in the National Mu-
seum :

Length. Stretch of Wing. Wing. Tatley Larsuss Bill. Weight.
34.50 66.00 16:75 ° 9:70 2.20 4.70 41-4 Ibs.
33-00 63-00 15.75 9:00 2.10 4.10 3 ss
33.50 65-00 16.50 8.70 2.20 4.50) || 3) 05-1GNe
32.00 62.00 155 OQ H5O 2.10 4.20 210-16 ‘‘

The birds make no nests and lay but one egg; this they drop
upon the smooth rock, often in exposed situations, preferring the
places where the guano had been removed and, in many cases,
close beside the winding paths that were hourly trodden. I found
no young birds, and from the condition of the many eggs examined,
think they do not commence laying before the rst of March.
Average measurement of 21 eggs, 2.42 X 1.60; ground color
greenish blue, coated with a dull white chalky substance, but
generally more or less stained with the guano that gives them a
dirty buff white look ; in form elliptical ovate.

Sula brewsteri,* sp. nov. BREWSTER’S Boosy.

Sp. Cuar.—Similar to S. svda, but mantle ending uniform in color with
head and neck, the last two paler, especially in the male, in which the
neck is pale drab gray fading into white on anterior portions of head; un-

*To my esteemed friend, William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass,

1888. ] Goss on Birds of San Pedro Martir Isle. 243

feathered parts also differently colored. Iris dark brown with a narrow
ring of grayish white around the outer edge; claws glaucous blue.

Adult female. — Bill pale bluish horn fading after death, and towards
the base, to a dull dirty buff; lores slate-blue, bare space around eyes, and
gular sac, pale yellowish green; legs, feet, and webs lighter in color and
with more of a yellow look; head, neck, breast, and upper parts of body
rich drab brown or sepia, deepening on primaries and rectrices into seal
brown, the shafts of the feathers black; underparts, posterior to breast,
pure white.

Adult male.—Bill olive blue, lores and bare space around eyes indigo
blue, gular sac dull slate-blue with a greenish tint; legs, feet and webs
light pea-green; the body similar to the female but a little paler, and the
breast fading forward into sooty drab; anterior parts of head and throat
white, the rest of head and neck drab gray, deepening back, and on the
under sides shading into the color of the breast.

Length. Stretch of Wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill, Weight.

29.50 56.50 14.35 8.00 2.00 3-75 2 12-16 lb.
31.00 59-08 15.60 8.00 2.00 Aor) BY ates) OC
29.60 55-50 14.48 8.00 2.00 3-90 2 8-16
31.50 59-50 15.60 8.25 2.00 4.00 3 sie

The above measurements are from specimens saved; the first two are
in the Goss Ornithological Collection, the last two in the National

Museum. I, however, measured others; the females in all cases were the
largest.

The birds were not wild, but their nesting places as a whole
were not in as exposed situations as those of the Blue-footed ;
they seemed to prefer the shelves and niches on the sides of the
rocks. They lay two eggs, and in all cases collect a few sticks,
seaweed, and often old wing or tail-feathers ; these are generally
placed ina circle to fit the body, with a view, I think, to keep
the eggs that lie upon the rock from rolling out. There is but little
material on or about the isle out of which a nest can be made.

The birds must commence laying as early as the roth of Feb-
ruary, for I found in many cases young birds from half to two-
thirds grown—white, downy little fellows with deep bluish black
skins—that, in places where they can, wander about regardless of
the nests where they were hatched. Average measurement of 17
sets of their eggs, 2.44 X 1.60. In color and form, as wellas in
size, they are similar to the eggs of the Blue-footed, in fact so near
alike that when placed together they cannot be separated with
any feeling of certainty ; therefore in collecting I was careful to
mark each set before they left my hands.

.

244 Rovpy ox Feeding Habits of Young Raptores. [July

Phaéton zethereus Zzzz. REpD-BILLED Tropic Birp.

The birds breed in holes and crevices on the sides of the steep
cliffs that often overhang the water; many were inaccessible. I
was therefore able to reach and examine but few of their nesting
places. These were without material of any kind for a nest; the
egg (for they lay but one) was upon the bare rock. In nearly
all, however, I found a young bird, about half grown; from this
I think the birds begin to lay as early as the middle of February.
With the aid of the Indians, who are expert climbers, I was only
able to procure and save seven of their eggs. The ground color
is dull grayish white, rather finely and evenly sprinkled with deep
claret brown, generally thickest at large end, the specks running
largely together, giving the eggs a clouded or marbled look. In
form they are ovate. Measurements of the same, 2.31 X 1.71, 2.40

* 0:72,:2.40 X 1.78, 2:26 X 1.71, 2.49 X 1.81, 2-40 Xf -oomeeae
x 1.68. When approached the birds within their homes do not
attempt to leave, but vigorously defend the same, striking and
biting with their strong, pointed, sharp-edged, jagged bills,
lacerating the ungloved hand that dares intrude, uttering at the
same time a loud, harsh, rapid che-che-che-che-che-che-che,—
notes of defiance, and often heard in their rival flights. The birds
are very beautiful, and cannot fail to attract attention, especially
when in the air, by the peculiar rapid stroke of their wings and
graceful waving motion of their long whip-like tails.

FEEDING HABITS OF SOME YOUNG RAPTORES.

BY H. JUSTIN RODDY.

AL raptorial birds, whether juvenile or adult, eat large quan-
tities of food when it can be obtained. But they are able to
endure long fasts. Digestion is rapid, as is absorption. In from
one-half to one and a half hours after eating the stomach is empty,
as are also the greater part of the intestines.

Young rapacious birds eat more than the adult birds, since
both sustenance and growth must be provided for. By careful

1888. ] Roppy ox Feeding Habits of Young Raptores. 245

comparison I think they eat more than those of any other class
of birds. The actual quantity may not be so great but when
quality is considered in connection with quantity the amount is
greater. Their food is largely animal, the nutrient quality of
which is of the highest character.

The great amount of nutriment is essential for their active life
and predatory habits, in which the highest muscular exertion is
necessary for securing their prey. The amount of food, there-
fore, is only an essential condition of their active life.

Cathartes aura. — A young Turkey Buzzard gorges itself
with food to such an extent that it can hardly move. One will
eat at a single meal a whole water snake ( 7ropidonotus sipe-
don) three feet long, as a young one once in my possession fre-
quently did. Before it had a single feather it ate a house snake,
three and a half feet long, equal in weight to one-fifth that of the
bird. And in one and a half hours it was entirely digested, as I
determined by killing and dissecting it at the end of that time.

The young birds are fed for a considerable time by the
parents by ejection of food from the crop or stomach, where
it had either been softened or partially digested. The young
insert the opened bill into the mouth of the parent, and drink
the food from it much as a fowl drinks water. The food is,
probably, always quite moist or juicy, thus furnishing drink to
the young bird at the same time.

The young birds kept in captivity drank water freely from any
vessel as a fowl drinks, but were fonder of drinking from some
vessel, as a bottle, with a narrow opening partially inverted, that
the liquid might flow out. This must be because it is similar to
the opened bill of the parents.

They are very fond of thrusting the bill into the opening
formed by the partially closed hand. I inferred from this fact
the manner of feeding before I had an opportunity of observing
it.

They are fond of being caressed, or at least handled, especial-
ly so while feeding. Ina few days after being placed in captiv-
ity they become fond of being handled, and soon follow persons
about like dogs. They express pleasure by a low hiss; dis-
pleasure by a more forcible hiss.

They have a strong antipathy to dogs and express their dis-
pleasure the moment one appears in sight. Possibly they mistake

246 Roppy on Feeding Habits of Young Raptores. | July

them for foxes, in whose company, or rather in proximity to
whose dens, I have sometimes found the young in their nests.
If a dog approaches near enough, the young Buzzard will attack
him with bill, claws, and wings, using them very effectively.

Accipiter cooperi. — A young Cooper’s Hawk I took from
the nest when quite small, probably not more than two weeks
after being hatched. It was without any difficulty reared to full
size; indeed, to more than full size, for the abundance of good
food and favorable conditions made it attain a more than ordinary
size. In length it grew two and a half inches, and in alar expanse
four inches, greater than the largest specimen in my collection,
or of which I had any record.

It was a great eater. When six weeks old it ate nine English
Sparrows (Passer domesticus) and a common mouse (Jus
musculus) in one day; and ate on an average eight Sparrows a
day from that time until it was ten weeks old.

At first | removed the remiges and rectrices and some of the
other stiffer feathers of the birds I fed it. But when it had at-
tained considerable size I gave it its food without such prepara-
tion. The bird ate them, feathers and all. This, however,
influenced the amount it ate, — as one would naturally suppose,
since these larger feathers filled up the crop and stomach, some-
times giving the bird trouble to eject them when the digestible
portions had been absorbed. After attaining full growth it
gradually came to be more choice in the selection of food, and

always removed all of the larger feathers.

The bird became very much attached to me, and even when
it could fly and was allowed its liberty did not leave, but returned
every few hours for its food, which I always liberally provided.
How long it would have continued to do this I do not know, as
the experiment ended with its death. It was shot by one who
did not know it was my pet.

In eating the bird tore its food to pieces with the bill, nearly
always beginning at the entrails. It almost always seemed
to relish the intestines more than any other part of the bird or
animal, sometimes eating only this part and leaving the rest.
When the bird or animal was still warm and the blood therefore
uncoagulated, it tore it open and apparently bathed the bill
in the blood and the visceral juices. It apparently sucked up
these fluids in order to allay thirst. But I invariably found it

1888.] Roppy ox Feeding Habits of Young Raptores. 247

refuse water,—in this respect acting quite differently from the
Cathartes aura, which drank water freely.

It rejected cold and stiff birds which had lain a day or more,
especially when abundance of food was furnished. Perhaps this
is owing to the coagulated condition of the blood and the drying
up of the visceral juices, of both of which it appeared to be so
fond.

It made no sounds to express pleasure or displeasure during
captivity, but when free and flying made the sounds common to
the adults of this species.

Buteo pennsylvanicus.
coopert 1 reared a Luteo pennsylvanicus of about the same age.

Side by side with the Acc¢Acter

The characters of the two birds were essentially different. The
fierce aspect of the Accipiter showed itself quite early, and indi-
cated by its every action its rapacity and daring. The Buteo,
on the other hand, was mild in appearance and never exhibited
the fierceness nor voracity of the Accipiter.

But I succeeded better in petting the latter. It seemed to grow
rapidly fond of my company. The Buteo, however, neither
expressed pleasure, nor showed displeasure upon my coming
near it, though it would make itself felt when one attempted to
handle it. It never, however, used its claws with the same
spirit as the Accipiter. I could handle the latter with impunity
after it grew to know me. Strangers, it fought with spirit and
resisted all their attempts at familiarity. The Buteo regarded
all alike, seemingly neither as foes nor as friends.

Its voracity was not nearly so great as that of the Cooper’s
Hawk. It never at any time ate more than five Sparrows a day,
and generally fewer than five. It, too, was more dainty in its
feeding, nearly always pulling the feathers before eating. It was
fond of insects, especially preferring grasshoppers, and ate frogs
and fish with apparent relish. This the Accipiter did only when
very hungry.

If any preference was shown by these Hawks in the selection
of food, it was for food in the form of warm birds. AndI expe-
rienced some difficulty in procuring enough Sparrows for them.
I wished to supply in abundance the food they preferred, in
order to make the conditions of their growth most favorable,
and further to test their effect upon physical organization. The
effects were apparent in larger size and more robust physique.

248 Hopxins on Sense of Smell in the Turkey Buzzard. [July

The Buteo never fed in my presence with the same freedom
that the Accipiter did, nor were its actions so free. The latter’s
boldness and daring manifested themselves in every action.

Syrnium nebulosum.—Lastly I had a juvenile Barred Owl
in my possession. Init, as inthe others, abundance of food pro-
duced the same effects—larger size and more robust organization.
The food most preferred was birds and small rodents ; frogs and
fish were eaten when quite fresh, though the latter were taken
only when hungry. Insects, too, were eaten.

Digestion was rapid, requiring about one and a half hours for
the digestionand absorption of a pair of Sparrows. Birds were
always eaten without pulling a feather. If not too large they
were swallowed whole, for the throats of young Owls are quite
capacious. The indigestible parts are ejected when digestion is
completed.

The Owl never, except once, fed knowingly in my presence
(and it was difficult to observe its habits without its knowledge).
Its sense of sight is so acute, and its range of vision so extended,
that I was compelled to use many devices to deceive the bird and
accomplish my purpose of observation without being observed.
The food put into its cage was seldom eaten until pressed by
hunger, and the bird never ate in a day more than one-third the
quantity of food eaten by the Accipiter in the same time.

It could not easily be petted, nor did it acquire a fondness for
being handled. Indeed it seemed to remain unaffected by kind-
ness, and to love solitude.

NOTES RELATIVE TO THE SENSE OF SMELL IN
THE TURKEY BUZZARD (CATHARTES
AURA).*

BY C. L. HOPKINS.

DurtncG the recent months there has been a good deal of dis-
cussion in several of the scientific and sporting papers regarding
the sense by which Buzzards find their food; and while taking

* Read before the Biological Society of Washington, D. C,

1888. ] HopxkIns ox Sense of Smell tn the Turkey Buzzard. 249

a good deal of interest in it myself, I also take it for granted that
others have followed the discussion with interest; and so I am
prompted to give here some notes of my own of observations
made during a residence of something over two years in South-
ern Florida.

Early in my sojourn there I was told of instances in point by
some of the old ‘Crackers,’ all bearing out the assumption that
these birds do find their food by the sense of smell, at times un-
aided by sight, and I often found opportunity for observing the
hubits of these birds in this respect.

When I first located in Florida, in the year 1884, the festive
and rather racy razor-back descendant of the Guinea hog and a
very thin shadow of the past, was quite plenty in the immediate
neighborhood of my home.

My place was situated upon the eastern bank of a small lake,
about three-fourths of a mile in diameter; beyond this to the
southward stretched an expanse of some three miles of meadow,
dotted here and there by hummocky islands, which islands, to-
gether with a stretch of dense hummock, which began at the
southwest side of the lake, and merged at the west into a mag-
nificent piece of palmetto and live oak hummock, known as
Cabbage Island, were favorite night roosts and day haunts of
large numbers of the Turkey Buzzard.

I have often seen them rise from their roosts in the morning,
after drying off their damp plumage, and when the morning
breeze had freshened up to a strong rate,—and here let me note
that, as far as my observation goes, upon damp, foggy or dewy
mornings, these birds never left their roosts till after things
were pretty thoroughly dried off, and a strong morning breeze
and, ascending by soaring circles high into the
air, drift off across the wind, till, apparently striking a scent,
they would in a body move away z/ the wind to disappear in
the distance, or, as in several instances in my knowledge, to locate

was blowing,

and settle upon carrion known to me, or within my sight.

I have also seen them drifting along wzth the wind till, strik-
ing a scent, they would work dack wp the wind, and settle down
to feast. Taking into account the fact that they had drifted some
way past the spot at last located, before locating it, it would
seem to prove that they had zo¢ seen it in passing at first, but
only took cognizance of it after striking the current of air which
carried the scent.

250 Hopkins ox Sense of Smell in the Turkey Buzzard. { July

I have, upon two occasions, seen them come into view at a
great altitude, and sailing down zz¢o the wind, pass by, one after
another, with a rushing sound and great velocity, until a dozen
to twenty or more had come into view, bound for some carrion
which was beginning to ‘smell to heaven,’ carrion which I knew
of, and knew to be concealed in dense scrub growth. In one
case of a large wild boar killed and left in a dense growth of
scrub higher than my head, and in which it was almost impossi-
ble to make any headway, and which was a mass of verdure
overhead, the Buzzards found the place and were perched all
about on the scattering trees ; but I saw none down in the brush,
which was so dense I almost doubt the possibility of their rising
out of it if once they had got in. It would have been a case of
wonderfully sharp vision which could have discovered this, un-
aided by any other sense. <A ‘razor-back,’ killed and dressed in
the morning, in a dense growth of palmetto, overtopped by high,
dense brush, all of it higher than a man’s head, and the offal
thrown out of the way, back into the growth, was found by the
Buzzards before night. I do not think it was possible for it to
have been seen from above.

In the case of offal taken and covered up with care under a
pile of muck and weeds, when it was old enough to throw off a
strong smell, the Buzzards scented it, but had not noticed or
descended to the spot before.

While plowing at one time, I killed a quite large coach-whip
snake, and turned a furrow over it, covering it up completely
from sight; the next day the Buzzards had found the place and
were down tramping about over the spot in their efforts to find
and get it out.

Scrap meat and lungs, from dressing meat, were put into my
poultry house, which was shut up, with the exception of a small,
low opening into the high picket yard about the building; the
Buzzards were attracted in a couple of days, and haunted the
spot as long as any smell was left; this occurred a number of
times.

One morning [ shot and killed a skunk upon the bank of the
lake just in front of my house. With a hoe, I pulled it out from
the brush and roots, dug a hole and buried it, covering it com-
pletely. Going to the house I awaited developments; the wind
was then in the northeast; in less than a half hour there were

1888. ] MERRILL on Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. 251

over forty Buzzards collected there on’neighboring trees and the
ground, all having come from the southwest, off over the meadow,
appearing in sight and coming straight wf the wird. The birds
unearthed the carcass and held a great war-dance and pow-wow
over it. At another time, in the pine timber along the north
shore of my lake, I drove another skunk intoa hole, by clubbing,
and stopped the hole up with sticks; in a short time there were
several Buzzards investigating the cause of the outbreak, from
the trees about the spot.

A box which had been leaning up by the side of my poultry
house was blown down, or tipped down by hens flying upon it,
and a chicken crushed under it, of which I knew nothing; but
noticing the Buzzards sitting about the place on the trees and
fence, I wondered what attracted them there, and soon after,
upon moving the box, I found the dead fowl beneath. There
was no other carrion present, to my knowledge, at the time.

These facts, while all showing conclusively to my mind that
Buzzards do find the location of at least some of their food sup-
ply by means of a sense of smell as keen as that of a fox, yetuit
does not preclude the possibility or the probability that they are
often guided or aided in location by a sight as keen as the sense
of smell seems to be.

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF FORT KLAMATH,
OREGON.

BY DR. J. C. MERRILL, U. S. A.

With remarks on certain species by William Brewster.

[Continued from p. 146.]

Ceryle alcyon. Common in summer, several remaining throughout the
winter.

Dryobates villosus harrisii. This was the most common species of
Woodpecker during autumn and winter, and at that season more often
found among aspens than were the others. This is the only place in the
West where I have found farriszz to be more abundant than gatrdneré.
About the middle of March and later, as the breeding season approached,

252 MERRILL ox Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. [ July

they became shy and restless, the males drumming loudly on the dead top
of some lofty pine, but ceasing whenever they were approached.

[Seven specimens collected by Dr. Merrill, with a single exception, are
typical examples of a Woodpecker which of late years has been very gen-
erally if not exclusively called P. harris¢¢ but which Cabanis and Heine
very properly separated from that form as long ago as 1863.* Audubon’s
type specimens of karrzsz¢ came from the Columbia River, and both his
plate and description show that they were decidedly brownish beneath.
In the series furnished by my own collection, as well as that belonging to
the National Museum, I find that all specimens from the Pacific Coast
north of San Francisco to Puget Sound are similarly characterized. The
depth and extent of the brownish varies, however, with different localities.
The most extreme specimen—from Neah Bay, W. T.— has only the wing
spots white, all the other light areas, both above and beneath, being
smoky brown. Col. N.S. Goss, to whom I am indebted for this speci-
men, tells me that all the birds which he shot at Neah Bay were equally
brown. ‘Those which I have seen from Northern California, however, are
somewhat lighter beneath, and the light space on the dorsum is usually
pure white. Audubon’s types, which were probably taken at some dis-
tance inland from the mouth of the Columbia, had the light stripes on the
head as well as the middle of the back. Thus it is probable that the birds
obtained by Col. Goss represent the extremes of the smoky Northwest
Coast form, which to the southward and eastward shades insensibly into
hyloscopus. In fact, one of Dr. Merrill’s skins clearly proves such inter-
gradation, tor it has the breast decidedly brownish and the throat slightly
so, while the abdomen, flanks, and light areas of the tail-feathers are es-
sentially white.

Picus hyloscopus was based on the ‘‘P. karris¢ from Southern California
and New Mexico,” which, the describers state, ‘‘differs from arrzsz of the
Columbia River Region in being smaller, and white instead of brownish,
beneath.” All the so-called Harris’s Woodpeckers which I have seen from
the interior of Western North America north of Mexico have the light
areas, both above and beneath, essentially pure white, although the breast
and tail-feathers are often superficially soiled or stained by contact with
burnt trees or decayed wood. ‘There is little variation among them ex-
cepting in size, those from the southern border averaging somewhat
smaller than more northern ones. It is possible that, as material accu-
mulates, it will be found necessary to separate this white-breasted Wood-
pecker into two forms, a large northern and a small southern one. For
the present, however, they may be best treated as one, for which the
name £yloscopus should be used.—W. B. }

Dryobates pubescens gairdneri. During my residence at Fort Klamath
I paid especial attention to the Woodpeckers at all seasons, yet I saw but
three specimens of this species; the dates were Nov. 17, April 28, and
May 11.

* Mus, Hein., IV, p. 69.

1888. | MERRILL ox Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. 253

’

Xenopicus albolarvatus. This interesting Woodpecker was first ob-
served November 9; by December it had become rather abundant and so
continued until the latter part of February, but after the middle of March
none were seen. During the breeding season careful search failed to re-
veal its presence near the Fort, nor was it found in the higher moun-
tains north of the valley in July and August. One would think that the
peculiar coloration of the White-headed Woodpecker would make it very
conspicuous and its detection an easy matter, but this is by no means the
case, at least about Fort Klamath. On most of the pines in this vicinity
there are many short stubs of small broken branches projecting an inch or
two from the main trunk. When the sun is shining these projections are
lighted up in such a manner as to appear quite white at a little distance,
and they often cast a shadow exactly resembling the black body of the
bird. In winter when a little snow has lodged on these stubs the resem-
blance is even greater, and almost daily I was misled by this deceptive
appearance, either mistaking a stub for a bird or the reverse.

I have rarely heard this Woodpecker hammer, and even tapping is
rather uncommon. So far as I have observed, and during the winter I
watched it carefully, its principal supply of food is obtained in the bark,
most of the pines having a very rough bark, scaly and deeply fissured.
The bird uses its bill as a crowbar rather than as a hammer or chisel,
prying off the successive scales and layers of bark in a very characteristic
way. This explains the fact of its being such a quiet worker, and as
would be expected it is most often seen near the base of the tree where the
bark is thickest and roughest. It must destroy immense numbers of Sco-
lytide, whose larve tunnel the bark so extensively, and of other insects
that crawl beneath the scales of bark for shelter during winter. I have
several times imitated the work of this bird by prying off the successive
layers of bark, and have been astonished at the great number of insects,
and especially of spiders, so exposed. As the result of this, and of its
habit of so searching for food, the White-headed Woodpeckers killed here
were loaded with fat to a degree I have never seen equalled in any land
bird, and scarcely surpassed by some Sandpipers in autumn.

Though not shy, and with care generally approachable to within a short
distance, it is watchful and suspicious, and seems to know very well what
is going on even if it does not see fit to fly away, though it is more apt to
do this than to dodge around the trunk. The flight is direct, and rather
slow and heavy. Its skull is noticeably less hard and dense than that of
D. harristi or P. arcticus. During the winter it is silent, the only sound
I have heard it make being a harsh screech when wounded.

[Dr. Merrill has called my attention to the following apparent inaccu-
racies in the description of this Woodpecker by our leading authorities.
(1) The statement usually made without qualification that the entire
head is white. In the series of twelve specimens before me (five from
Fort Klamath, five from Blue Cafion, California, and two from San Ber-
nardino, California) the crown and forehead are decidedly grayish, vary-
ing from smoky gray to drab gray in rather strong contrast with the

254 MERRILL on Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. [ July

silvery white of the throat, jugulum, and sides of the head. Capt. Bendire
in Birds S. E. Oregon* says: ‘‘The white about the head is always soiled,
becoming a light smoky gray.” But as far as my series goes to show this
gray is confined to the top of the head. Nor can I believe that it is a stain,
for the top of the head is certainly not more exposed than are the jugulum
and neck; moreover the gray is quite as deep in fresh-plumaged autumn birds
as in those in worn breeding dress. Indeed among the specimens before me
it is deepest ina young bird just from the nest. A more or less strong
tinge of saffron or clay color often found on the nasal bristles and occa-
sionally, also, on the forehead, may be, however,a true stain. ‘Two of the
females before me have the sides and posterior portion of crown barred
faintly with dusky.

(2) Mr. Ridgway, in considering the generic characters of Nenxopicus,
has laid stress on ‘‘the fact that the tongue is scarcely extensile, its tip,
when fully protruded, reaching only } of an inch beyond the end of the
bill, just the same as in Sphyrapicus thyroideus, while in Picus villosus
harristi the protrusion amounts to 24 inches, or 13 inches more.t

In referring to this statement Dr. Merrill wrote me from Ft. Klamath
under date of Jan. 6, 1887: ‘‘I have just killed a female albolarvatus and
male ¢hyroédeus, and the following is the result of a careful examination and
comparison. The tongue of albolarvatus extends exactly 1.30 inches be-
yond the tip of the bill, and this without any pulling but by gently draw-
ing it to the fulllength. The tongue of my male ¢hyrozdeus extends barely
.20 ofan inch.” It is evident from this testimony that the character noted
by Mr. Ridgway is too variable to be worth much.

(3) Mr. Ridgway says :} ‘‘Fourth and fifth quills equal and longest; tip
of the first equidistant between sixth and seventh.” In my series the first
quill is always ‘‘spurious,” never exceeding an inch in length. The second
quill is sometimes scarcely longer than the eighth but is usually about inter-
mediate between the seventh and eighth. In five specimens the fourth quill
is longest; in four the fourth and fifth quills are about equal and longest.
—W. B.]

Picoides arcticus. Rather common resident, but in the summer more
frequently seen in the surrounding mountains than in the immediate
vicinity of the Fort. Several nests were found early in July, but the
young were fledged. The excavations were in dead young pines and not
more than five or six feet from the ground, in the latter respect differing
from those of the other Woodpeckers found here, all of which, so far as I
have observed, make their holes at a greater height.

[Three specimens taken at Fort Klamath by Dr. Merrill differ appre-
ciably from eastern birds in being larger, with longer and much narrower
bills, and-in having the nasal bristles nearly or quite black to their bases.
Upon examining the series in the National Museum, however, I find that

* Proc, Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XIX, p. 129.
t+ Proc. Nat. Mus., Vol. III, p. 6.
{ Birds N. A., Vol, II, p. 526.

1888. ] MERRILL ox Birds of Fort Klamath. Oregon. 255

out of eighteen western specimens (Montana, Nevada, Utah, California,
Oregon, and Alaska) only three exhibit the peculiarities just mentioned,
and these three are from Fort Klamath (Coll. Capt. Bendire). It is evident,
therefore, that if the Klamath birds represent a distinct form, that form
has a very limited distribution. Until this is better known it seems
wisest to let the bird in question stand as P. arcticus.—W. B. |

Sphyrapicus ruber. Common summer visitor, arriving about the mid-
dle of April and frequenting groves of aspens, being rarely seen among
pines. It is rather shy, and specimens were procured with some difficulty.
The stomachs of several were examined and contained fragments of in-
sects only. It is a rather noisy bird, and its snarling or whining note is
often heard. In Baird, Brewer and Ridgway’s N. A. Birds, Vol. IT, p.
544, the bill of this species is said to be brownish wax color; in my fresh
specimens it was bluish black.

[An adult female taken May 11 shows an apparent approach to S. v.
nuchalrs in having a well-marked red nuchal band separated from the red
of the crown by a blackish bar about .10 of an inch wide. This specimen
also has a good deal of black mixed with the red of the breast, and there is
a white stripe extending back along the side of the head below the eye, as
in S. xuchalis.—W. B.]

Sphyrapicus thyroideus. A not uncommon resident, but shy and very
suspicious. <A noticeable habit here is the frequency with which it works
down as well as up a trunk, and when one dodges around a tree, in which,
by the way, it is unpleasantly expert, it is as apt to reappear twenty feet
below where it was last seen, as above. In searching for food it will often
work up and down a favorite tree repeatedly. In all its movements it is
quick and active, and gives one the impression of being thoroughly wide
awake, which impression the would-be collector is speedily convinced is
correct. This Woodpecker is a rather silent bird as to hammering, and is
especially partial to young pines, with the soft inner bark of which, and
fragments of insects, the stomachs of the adults are usually filled; but the
young birds appear to feed exclusively upon insects during the autumn.

In preparing skins of this and the succeeding species, I have had no
difficulty in drawing the skin of the neck over the skull. Two nests, found
June 20 in large dead pines, were each at a height of about sixty feet;
they were inaccessible, but contained young, apparently nearly fledged, to
judge by the noise they made. Each nest I watched for some time: the
males brought food about twice as often as did the females, and frequently
removed the excrement of the young on leaving the nest, alighting on
the nearest tree for a moment to drop it and to clean their bills; I did not
see either of the females remove any excreta. About four feet above one
of the holes was another occupied by a pair of Pygmy Nuthatches, but
neither species paid any attention to the other when they happened to
arrive with food at the same time.

Melanerpes torquatus. None were seen until the morning of May 2,
when several were in and about the Fort, their very characteristic flight,
notes, and habits at once betraying their arrival. Rather uncommon

256 MERRILL ox Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. [ July

during summer, nesting usually near the tops of tall dead pines, especial-
ly isolated ones, from which they can obtain a good view of passing insects,
which they will often follow to a considerable distance. About the middle
of August many arrive from the north and gather in large flocks, some-
times of one or two hundred. They now feed largely on grasshoppers,
for which they search in fields and along roadsides, and at a little distance
are easily mistaken for Blackbirds.

Colaptes cafer. Seen once or twice only during the winter. In April
they pass north in great numbers, and many remain to breed. Migrants
were first seen March 14, and were abundant on and after the 20th.

Chordeiles virginianus. First heard on May 30 before sunrise, and
within a week were fairly abundant. By the middle of June they were
very common, and so continued till autumn.

{[Dr. Merrill’s Klamath series includes six adults, two males and four
females. These are certainly much nearer to vzrgintanus than to either
henryt or sennett?, although they average rather paler than eastern speci-
mens. In one of the males the white on the wing involves the shaft and
a portion of the outer web of the outer primary. In both males the white
on the tail is continuous across both webs of all the feathers.—W. B. |

Chetura vauxi. During the early autumn of 1886 this species was very
common, leisurely migrating in flocks of from fifty to one hundred or
more, and keeping well out of gunshot.

In the following spring they were first seen May 6, when a flock of
about twenty was observed flying low over a meadow, and one was shot;
no note was heard and they soon disappeared. No others were noted
until the 19th, when four were seen pursuing insects above the tops of the
highest trees. After this they became quite common, and so remained
during the summer. While collecting in the marsh on the third of June
a cold wind from the mountains suddenly arose; following the insects in
their lowered flight, many Cliff and Tree Swallows that had been flying
at a height of several hundred feet came within easy range, and among
them were a few Swifts, of which I shot six in as many minutes. Four of
them were males and two females; the ovaries of the latter were scarcely
enlarged, and they certainly would not have bred for a month; the salivary
glands of both sexes were of equal size; the legs and feet were purplish,
the irides brown.

While the flight of Vaux’s Swift is usually higher than that of the eastern
species, and it is generally more difficult to obtain, yet if their habits are
closely studied it will be observed that there are times and places where
they may be shot without especial difficulty. The height at which they
fly depending on that of the insects upon which they feed, they may be
most readily secured soon after sunrise; as the day grows warmer and the
insects fly higher they follow them and are soon out of gunshot range
for the rest of the day, unless a change in the weather should occur. Had
I made a specialty of collecting these Swifts, I could readily have shot
several dozen during the season.

As observed at Fort Klamath this bird is not at all crepuscular ; the

1888. ] MERRILL on Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. 257

notes differ somewhat from those of felag7ca, though of the same char-
acter, and are less frequently uttered.

Trochilus rufus. Only two specimens observed during the spring and
summer, a male taken May 17 and another seen May 22.

Trochilus calliope. First taken May 17. A few Hummers, apparently
of this species, had been seen for ten days before this date, but they
were not abundant until the 16th, after which the males were common
about the blossoms of wild currant and gooseberry bushes. During the
breeding season they are generally distributed, and are to be found in
deep pine woods as well as in more open places, the constant sharp shrill
notes of the males indicating their presence and abundance. When pair-
ing soon after their arrival, and with less frequency during the period of
incubation, the males havea habit of poising themselves for some seconds
at a height of thirty or forty feet above the ground, and then dashing
down nearly to the earth, rising as quickly to poise again, and repeating
the manceuvre often; at such times their notes are particularly loud, and
attract attention from a considerable distance.

A nest brought to me about the middle of July, and which the young
had just left, was placed upon a dead flattened cone of Pinus contorta.
It was composed of thin strips of a gray bark, with a few spiders’ webs on
the outside; the lining was similar, but with a few small tufts of a cottony
blossom from some tree; the nest was just the color of the cone, and was
admirably adapted to escape notice. Another nest containing two nearly
fledged young was found at about the same time, but was quite unlike the
one just described in construction and situation, being of the common
Hummingbird type and saddled upon a dead willow twig. One of the
young birds lived for about a week, becoming very tame and feeding
greedily upon syrup.

Baird, Brewer and Ridgway in N. A. Birds (Vol. II, p. 445) assert that
the folded wings reach beyond the tail; that the under mandible of the
male is “yellow”; that the length of the male is 2.75. I examined eight
males and one female. In none of them did the folded wings extend
beyond the tail. The average length of the males was 3.20 inches, the
extremes were 3.10 and 3.30. The length of the single female was 3.35.
The males had the upper mandible dead black, the lower mandible light
flesh color darkening towards the tip which was black; the feet dark flesh
color, the irides brown.

Tyrannus verticalis. Three or four specimens were observed in the
autumn of 1886. One specimen only seen in the spring, on May 4.

Contopus borealis. Breeds sparingly among the pines, and generally
distributed, but nowhere common.

Contopus richardsoni. Very common summer visitor, arriving about
May 25. In July, when the young have left the nest, the males are espec-
ially noisy, and their loud fweer or deer note is heard till long after sun-
set. From published descriptions it wouid seem that this Pewee in the
Rocky Mountain region usually builds its nest in an upright fork, much
as Traill’s Flycatcher does; while near the Pacific Coast the nest is

258 MERRILL ox Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. [ July

saddled on a horizontal limb, like that of the Wood Pewee, but is not
covered with lichens. At Fort Klamath the nests are usually built on a
horizontal pine branch, often at a considerable height; sometimes they
are placed against upright twigs, at others merely saddled on the bare
limb. Only one nest was found in‘an aspen tree. They averaged rather
deeper than nests of C. vérens, and were not coated with lichens. This
species and #. obscurus were very abundant until August 17, and during
that day also; but in the night there was a sharp frost, and the next day
and thereafter none were seen.

Empidonax pusillus. Arrived about the last of May, and soon became
abundant. Its favorite haunts, and to which it seems to be strictly limited,
are the young willows growing along most of the streams, just such places
as I have observed £&. frazlic¢ to frequent in the East, and which species it
greatly resembles in its habits and mode of nesting.

Empidonax hammondi. <A male obtained May 12 and another August
16. No nests were found nor were any specimens taken during the breed-
ing season, and Iam inclined to believe that Hammond’s Flycatcher occurs
in this vicinity as a migrant only. Early in July, while in the mountains
north of the valley and at a height of about five thousand feet. a pair of
Empidonaces were observed that were certainly neither fwszldus nor
obscurus. They may have been hammondz, but I think they were probably
dificil’s. Unfortunately they were so shy that I was unable to shoot
either of them.

Empidonax obscurus. A very common summer visitor, arriving
somewhat earlier than does &. fuszllus. During the breeding season
Wright’s Flycatcher is usually found in groves of aspens in company with
the Warbling Vireo; also among pines with Cassin’s Vireo and Richard-
son’s Pewee. The nests are most frequently built in young aspens at an
average height of about six feet. They resemble nests of the Yellow
Warbler which are found in the same localities, but all the nests of this
Flycatcher that I have found in aspens at Fort Klamath were built against
the main trunk, while all of the Warbler were on branches and generally
higher from the ground. The nests are composed externally of strips of
light gray bark of about the same color as the bark of the aspens, and
partly on this account, partly because they are against the trunk of the
tree, they are apt to escape notice unless a careful search is made. The
lining is sometimes a smooth felted mass of fur and horse hairs, at others
feathers are used, and the nests are generally more deeply cupped than is
usual with this group. Pairs that are found among the pines usually place
their nests in an upright form of a manzanita or buckbrush bush that grow
abundantly in such localities. They are more bulky, as a rule, and not
so neatly made as when built in aspens, but in other respects are similar.
The eggs are dull buffy white; seven sets of twenty-seven eggs average
.68 X .53, the extremes of the sets being .65 X .50 and .72 X .57.

[A young male with stub tail, and wings only about two-thirds grown,
taken July 13, differs from adults only in having the top and sides of head
decidedly grayer, the wing-bands lighter and more buffy, and the under-

A

1888. ] MERRILL ox Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. 259

parts, especially the breast and flanks, strongly buffy. The adults collected
by Dr. Merrill show a wide range of variation in size and color and some
of them resemble 2. hammond? very closely.—W. B.]

Otocoris alpestris strigata. Rather rare in winter, a few coming about
the houses and stables during the deep snow in February. In the
latter part of March many were found ina wet meadow (but which later
in the season is dry) bordering the marsh. Here there are many little
ridges rising a foot or two above the general level and but a few feet in
width; the tops were, however, dry and in many places bare; to these
the Larks were closely confined, each pair having its own limited range.
On April 23rd and 25th they were mostly paired, and fifteen specimens
were taken, ten males and five females; the testicles of the males were
very large, but dissection of the females showed that they would not have
laid for about a month. At this time, and for several weeks, the males
are in full song, which is most often heard about sunrise and sunset, and
is uttered as they perch in their peculiarly erect attitude on a stone or cow
‘chip.’ Often they rise high in the air, sometimes quite out of sight, and
fly in circles for many minutes; when so doing their song is repeated
more frequently than when on the ground, perhaps four or five times a
minute, and at these moments they poise with set wings and are almost
motionless. The height at which they fly is so great that often they may
be seen to poise, and then to resume their circling flight before any note
reaches the observer.

Of two females taken May 23, one contained an egg almost ready for
extrusion, the other had very recently deposited her eggs and was sitting.
Many pairs were observed, but for some days no nest was found. The
male, who is constantly on the watch, seems to call the female off the nest
when an intruder is still at adistance; several times I saw one approach-
ing her mate, shaking her feathers and having evidently just left the eggs,
but my efforts to flush one off the nest were fruitless though I made three
visits to this locality before sunrise on cold windy mornings in hopes that
at such a time they would sit close. In this respect these birds differ, at
least in this locality, from the arenicola form, many of whose nests I have
found in Montana.

Though within a limited area the Larks were very common, and the.
nesting site of each pair could easily be located within a few yards, it was
only after many hours of very thorough and careful search and watching
that on May 30 afemale was seen to leave her completed nest. On June 4
this contained two eggs but was deserted, a horse having stepped on one
edge and crushed it down, but fortunately without breaking the eggs.
These measure .79 X .61 and .81 X .62, and bear a general resemblance to
eggs of the other forms of this species, but having none of these at hand
for comparison as this is written I will not describe them at length here.
I believe these are the only eggs of sfr¢gata as yet collected, and the
second set found.* This nest was placed at the base of, and partially

* See Auk, Vol. II], p. 166.

260 MERRILL on Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. [ July

under, a raised clod of earth; a low weed concealed it from above, and it
was admirably hidden; the rim was flush with the surface of the ground,
and in composition and construction it was like Montana nests of arenicola,
but was perhaps rather deeper than the average of these.

On June 17 another nest was found after much search in the meadow
in front of the Fort;* it was placed under a weed growing ona wide, but
low mound, deeply sunken in the earth, and contained three young about
five days old, which were covered with a brownish yellow down. Four
days later I again visited this nest, but one of the young had disappeared ;
the feathers of the remaining two were quite well developed and were
blackish, widely edged with white, and as these colors were about equal
in extent the young presented a peculiar marbled appearance; on the
crown the light tips to the feathers were triangular in shape. On June
25 these young had abandoned the nest, but after some search I found one
of them on bare ground about one hundred yards away. On July 1 I shot
both parents and the other young,a male, now about nineteen days old and
fully grown, flying as well as its parents. It is of interest to note that
this female contained two eggs, one of which was almost ready for extru-
sion, and she had apparently just laid an egg.

There seems to be a good deal of uncertainty as to the number of eggs
usually laid by the Shore Lark. Though unable to look the matter up
thoroughly as I write this, it may be noted that Baird, Brewer and Ridg-
way merely quote Audubon’s statement that four or five eggs are laid;
that Dr. Coues, in ‘Birds of the North West’ and ‘Birds of the Colorado
Valley,’ says nothing as to the number; in the latest edition of the ‘Key,’
that four or five are laid; and that Mr. Ridgway in his ‘Manual’ says three
to five. My own experience, mostly with the avexzcola form in Montana,
is that three eggs constitute a full set though four are not infrequently
found.

[ Young, first plumage (& Fort Klamath, July 1, 1887, J. C. Merrill,
M. D. No. 695). Above brownish black, the exposed surface of the closed
wings bright hair-brown; entire upper surface conspicuously variegated
with white or soiled white markings, those of the nape fine flecks, of the
top of head sharply defined deltoid spots, of the back, scapulars, wing-
coverts, andrump broad terminal bars; wing quills tipped with white and
bordered along the outer webs with sandy buff; tail with the middle
pair of feathers sandy brown, the others dull black, all the tail-feathers
tipped and edged outwardly with white, this edging broadest, embracing
most of the outer edge, on the outer pair of feathers; underparts soiled
white, the cheeks and jugulum flecked with dusky, the breast and sides
obscurely spotted with dull black, the remaining under surface immacu-
late. Dr. Merrill’s series includes eight specimens in unmixed first plu-
mage; of them, two are essentially similar to the bird just described and
with it are easily separable from the corresponding stage of O. a. praticola

* The parents were one of the few pairs that were observed in the valley in dry open
ground; butonly in the colony near the marsh above referred to, and which a circle
of about a mile in diameter would enclose, were the Larks at all common,

1888. ] MERRILL on Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. 261

by the much more numerous and conspicuous white markings of the up-
per parts as well as by the whiter, less spotted underparts; from that of
arentcola, chrysolema, and rubeus by the much darker ground color above
and the almost total absence of buffy or cinnamon tints either above or
beneath; of the remaining five, four have the upper parts, especially the
wings and tail, strongly tinged with dull cinnamon; three specimens
approach dark examples of young arentcola. The eighth Klamath bird
is plain dull seal brown above with but fewand faint light markings. It
is in worn and probably faded plumage. In the large series of adults
collected by Dr. Merrill I find a good deal of variation with respect to the
sharpness of the dark streaking above as well as the depth and extent of
the vinaceous tints; only a few birds are as heavily streaked as Mr. Hen-
shaw’s description indicates, and but two have any yellow on the breast,
while none show any yellow on the underparts posterior to the breast.
A female taken Feb. 27, however, has the entire underparts (excepting,
of course, the black cravat) pale primrose yellow. There are two similar
examples in a series of some forty specimens collected at Klamath in Sep-
tember and October, as well as several with decided yellow breasts.—W.B. |

Pica pica hudsonica. Common in winter in and about the Fort, being
attracted by the abundance of food. They visit the stables, yards, hen-
coops, and ‘dump pile,’ and are interested observers when a steer is
butchered. During the deep snow in February they passed much of their
time perched on the backs of the mules and horses. Late in March they
began to leave for their nesting places, a favorite one being along the
shore of Klamath Lake at Modoc Point. Here there is a dense growth of
willows and plum brush extending for several miles, but usually only a
few feet or yards in width. The stage road runs by the side of, and
sometimes through, this strip, and on either side the nests, new and old,
may be seen by dozens. A few pairs build along Wood River and other
streams in the valley near the Fort, and among willows growing in the
marsh. The nests are too well known to need description here; the eggs,
from five to seven or eight in number, rarely nine, are placed either upon
the bare mud bottom or upon a few fibrous rootlets that serve as an
apology for a lining over the mud. The first set of eggs was taken at
Modoc Point on April 8.

Cyanocitta stelleri. Common resident, and especially numerous about
the Fort. Found to be rather scarce in the mountains in July and August,
and rarely seen above sixty-five hundred feet.

[Two specimens, both adults, collected by Dr. Merrill, agree closely
with some of the Crested Jays taken at Fort Walla Walla by Capt. Ben-
dire,* having the general coloring of the head, neck, and back nearly, if
not quite, as blackish as in true s¢edler?, but showing fully as much blue
streaking on the forehead as in fronxtalis. They are evidently interme-
diates nearest stellerz.—W. B. ]

Perisoreus obscurus. None were noticed about the Fort during the
winter, though they are known to occur there sometimes at that season.

*Bull. N. O. C., Vol. VII, No. 4, p. 229.

262 MERRILL ox Brrds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. [ July

In July and August I found this Jay abundant in the mountains north of
the valley, roaming in families among the higher fir woods to which they
were closely limited:

Corvus corax sinuatus. Common in winter, especially about the lake
and marsh, fish and an occasional dead horse or steer supe yAge their food.
They breed in the surrounding mountains.

Corvus americanus hesperis. Rather common in winter and in early
spring. Rare in summer, but a pair or two breed among willows in the
marsh, and in July a few were observed near the edges of Klamath Marsh.

Picicorvus columbianus. The movements of Clarke’s Crow are uncer-
tain, depending largely on the supply of pine cones. During my residence
at Fort Klamath it was quite scarce, not more than six or eight having
been seen in the immediate vicinity. In July and August it was common
about Crater Lake and among the mountains north of the valley, where its
summer range extends considerably lower than that of the Oregon Jay.

Cyanocephaluscyanocephalus. A large flock of these Jays passed most
of the winter within a few miles of the Fort, and were especially noted by
the settlers, as the birds were new to most of them and were said to be very
rare visitants. They were noisy, and at once attracted attention as they
moved rapidly through the pines, and once visited the Fort in their wan-
derings. This flock was last seen about March 20, though I heard a single
bird in pine woods near Williamson’s River on May 21.

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Breeds abundantly in the marsh
among the tules, where fresh eggs were taken from the latter part of May
till July. Whatever may be the case elsewhere, in this vicinity the males
do not desert their mates during incubation, as has been stated to be their
habit.

Agelaius phceniceus. Very common in the marsh by the latter part of
March. Nests found May 27 contained half-grown young. None were
found in the willows that the birds frequent, but all were placed in tussocks
of grass and composed almost entirely of the dead grass of the tussock,
the blades being woven soas to form the nest, but still attached by the
roots; the new grass growing up partially concealing the nest. Some of
them may have belonged to the next species; it was difficult to identify
the eggs positively, as the birds were constantly rising, and before I could
see whether any particular one had been feeding or had just left its nest,
and shoot it, it had joined and become lost in the noisy throng that was
circling about.

Agelaius tricolor. A few seen among the common Redwings, the white
band on the wings of the males being conspicuous, and readily distinguish-
ing them, when flying, from that species.

Sturnella magna neglecta. Common during summer, arriving March
22, and becoming numerous three days later.

Icterus bullocki. Breeds sparingly at Modoc Point, and more commonly
near Linkville. Not observed in the immediate vicinity of the Fort.

Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. Common in summer, and a few pass
the winter. Here the nests are almost always placed on the ground.

( To be continued.)

1888. ] ELLior oz a New Hummingbird. 262

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW 7/7YRA FROM WEST-
ERN MEXICO.

BY ROBERT RIDGWAY.

Tityra personata griseiceps RipGw.

Tityra personata LAwR. Mem. Bost. Soc. I, pt. iii, No. 2, 1874, 289
(Mazatlan and Sierra Madre of Colima); zec JARp. X& SELBY.

Sussp. CHar.—Similar to true 7. personata, but female much paler
and grayer, with pileum and sides of head pale brownish ash-gray, becom-
ing lighter anteriorly, instead of deep brownish gray or grayish brown
abruptly contrasted with white of throat; chin without trace of grayish
or dusky.

Has.—Western Mexico (Mazatlan and Sierra Madre of Colima).

Type. No. 58,235, U. S. Nat Mus., 2 ad., Mazatlan; Col. A. J. Grayson,

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF HUMMING-
BIRD OF THE GENUS AGVRTATIA.

BY D. Gs BLEIOT, FoR. S. Ee

Agyrtria alleni, sp. nov.

Top of head and occiput dark greenish blue, not metallic; nape, back
and shoulders, shining grass-green; rump and upper tail-coverts glitter-
ing bronze. Tail shining bronze, with the tips of the feathers pale gray,
widest on the outermost rectrices, and diminishing to the central ones
which have a mere indication of gray at the tip. Wings purplish brown.
Sides of neck shining bluish green. Throat and centre of breast white,
speckled with shining green; sides of breast and flanks metallic grass-
green. Abdomen whitish. Under tail-coverts pale brown, edged with
‘white. Maxilla black, mandible flesh color, tip black, Feet black.

Total length, 3 1-2 in.; wing, 1 7-Sin.; tail, 1 7-16in.; bill, 3-4 in.

Has.—Yungas, Bolivia. (Rusby. )

Type, No. 30,784, Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York City.

A single specimen of the bird described above was contained
in a small collection of birds brought from Bolivia by Dr. H. H.
Rusby and purchased by the American Museum of Natural His-

.

264 BUTLER ox a New Ammodramus. [ July

tory in New York. My friend, Prof. J. A. Allen, the Curator
of the zodlogical department of the Museum, having placed the
Hummingbirds contained in the collection in my hands for iden-
tification, I have great pleasure in giving his name to this ap-
parently new bird. The only known species with which this
one can be compared seems to be the 7haumatias ceruletceps,
Gould, P. Z. S. (1860), p. 240, from Bogota, now I suppose
contained in the British Museum collection, but it differs from
that bird in some seemingly important particulars. The green-
ish blue of the head is not shining, but rather dull, and does not
extend onto the back of the neck. The tail of shining bronze
instead of having ‘‘a faint indication of a zone of brown across
the outer feathers near the tip,” has all the rectrices tipped with
pale gray, very conspicuous on the outermost feathers, gradually
diminishing in extent to the central pair, which have but an in-
dication of gray at the tip. The under tail-coverts instead of be-
ing gray with brown centres, are pale brown with white edges.
In size the two species seem to be about equal, except that
the tail of ceruleiceps is stated to be but half an cnch in length,
while that of A. allen? is 17-16 inch. It is possible that there
may be a typographical error in the figures given of the length of
tail in Mr. Gould’s species. Professor Allen will later on pub-
lish a list of the species contained in Dr. Rusby’s collection.

ON A NEW SUBSPECIES OF AWMODRAMUS SAND-
WICHE NSIS FROM MEXICO.

BY AMOS W. BUTLER.

CERTAIN peculiarities in some Savanna Sparrows taken by me
in the winter of 1879-So, within the Valley of Mexico, induced
me to undertake a comparison with the forms generally recognized
as Mexican and with the United States form which might possibly
extend toward the Mexican plateau in winter. In my studies I
have, through the kindness of Mr. Robert Ridgway and Mr. J. A.
Allen, been permitted to examine the series of Western and Mex-
ican Savanna Sparrows in the U.S. National Museum and in

1888. ] BUTLER ox a New Ammodramus. 265

the American Museum of Natural History. I collected at least
six Sparrows of this genus in the district mentioned, five of which
I now have before me, one of them being kindly loaned by Mr.
F. S. Wright, of Auburn, N. Y.

The specimens differ much from A. saxdwichensis alaudinus,
both in proportions and in being darker. In this they somewhat
approach A. s. dryantz, but their large bills and brighter coloring,
together with the noticeable difference in the pattern of colora-
tion, render it easy to distinguish them.

Ammodramus sandwichensis brunnescens, subsp. nov.
PLATEAU SPARROW.

Sussp. CHAR.—Dark as in A. s. bryanti but much browner. Bill larger
than in any of the subspecific forms, being only exceeded by that of A.
sandwichensts itself.

Male. Above grayish shaded with light brown; top of head and back
heavily spotted with black which is edged with bright brown; secondaries,
tertials, upper tail-coverts, and sometimes the primaries and outer tail-
feathers, edged with brown varying from cinnamon to chestnut; median
stripe buff, superciliary stripe creamy to pale yellow; sides of head grayish
brown spotted with black, sometimes a very distinct malar stripe of white
or pale buff, below which the black spots are arranged in a stripe; chin
and gular region white or light buff almost free from spots; jugulum,
breast, and along the sides heavilv streaked with dark brown and black
and generally tinged with some shade of buff.

Female. Slightly lighter than the male; the brown edgings of the
black spots on the back bordered with gray; streaks on the breast and sides
smaller, the tinge of buff paler.

Wing, 2.60-2.85 ; average, 2.746. Tail, 1.95-2.10; average, 2.03. Tarsus,
.75-.80; average, .786. Culmen, .42-.44; average .424. Depth, .21-.22;
average, .212.

6 (No.3, author’s coll.) Valley of Mexico, Nov. 20, 1879.
3d (No. 29, “ ** ) Valley of Mexico, Dec. 8, 1879.
@ (No. 58, = «« ) Valley of Mexico, Dec.» 22, 1879.
2 (No. 30, i * ) Valley of Mexico, Dec. 8, 1879.
& (No. 792, F.S. Wright ‘* ) Valley of Mexico, Dec. 18, 1879.

Has.—In winter the Valley of Mexico.

There are two other specimens besides the five mentioned that
appear to be referable to this form. One of these, a female from
the valley of Mexico, without date, is now in the American Mu-
seum of Natural History, New York. It fulfils all of the require-
ments except it has a peculiarly light brown tail, while in the

ra)

266 Cory on a New Myzarchuse [ July

types the tails are black. Another (No. 78,124 U.S. Nat. Mus.,
Q ad., Guanajuato, Mexico, A. Dugés), is very much worn
and badly discolored. The species is found in considerable num-
bers among the bushes and grasses along the drainage canals and
about the lake shores.

A full series of the Savanna Sparrows is greatly needed from ¢
all parts of Mexico and Central America, and it seems not im-
probable that one or two other forms will have to be characterized
before the specimens will begin to fit gracefully into the places
assigned to them.

DESCRIPTION ‘OF A NEW M?77ARCHUS FROM
THE WEST INDIES.

BY CHARLES B. CORY.

Myiarchus berlepschii, sp. nov.

Sp. Cuar. (Type, No. 12,535 Coll. C. B. Cory.) Top of the head dark
brown; back and rump distinctly dark olive, shading into rufous on the
tips of the upper tail-coverts. Throat pale ashy, somewhat darker on the
upper breast; rest of underparts pale yellow. Primaries and secondaries
dark brown edged with dull rufous, the rufous color wanting on the ter-
minal portion of the four outer primaries. The primaries show pale
rufous on the basal portion of the inner webs. All the secondaries and
tertials are broadly edged with pale rufous on the inner webs. Tail dark
brown; all the tail-feathers, excepting the two middle ones, have nearly
the entire inner webs bright rufous, a narrow line of brown separating
the rufous from the shaft of the feather. Bill dark brown. The feet are
black.

Length, 7; wing, 3.50; tail, 3.25; tarsus, .95; bill, .65.

Hasirat. Island of St. Kitts, West Indies.

The underparts of this species are similar in marking and
general coloration to AZ. oderz, but the throat is more ashy and
lighter, and the yellow of the belly is paler. The back and
head of MZ. berlepschit are darker, and the bird is smaller.

*Dedicated to Graf Hans von Berlepsch of Germany.

1888. ] CHAPMAN on Birds observed at Gainesville, Florida. 267

A LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED AT GAINESVILLE,
FLORIDA.

BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN.

GAINESVILLE is situated in the southeastern part of Alachua
County, midway between the Gulf and the Atlantic, a position
which, during the winter, proved excellent collecting ground for the
species which should occur there at that season, but the distance
from either coast rendered it a comparatively isolated point dur-
ing migration.

Evidently the peninsula acts as a wedge dividing into two
waves, which flow up either coast, the sea of north-bound mi-
grants; from these waves small streams of summer residents
penetrate the interior in search of breeding places, and these, in
addition to occasional ripples caused perhaps by a high-tide,
constitute the entire migration.

How closely migrating birds adhere to the coast is well illus-
trated by the fact that of the thirty-five arrivals noted, twenty-six
are summer residents of the Louisianian Fauna, leaving but nine
strictly transient birds as the number observed, where forty or
more might have occurred. The capture of four species which
have not, to my knowledge, been before recorded from Florida
during the winter, may also be due to this inland position ; for
these birds probably drifted in with flocks of true winter resi-
dents, and being thus removed from the coast currents, were
left stranded. The country surrounding Gainesville is favorable
for occupation by all the species which should occur there,
there being, ‘black-jack’ and palmetto pineries, hummocks,
thickets, clearings, swamps, ‘prairies,’ numerous small ponds
and streams, and Alachua Lake, about nine miles long and aver-
aging two or more in width. This lake, as the chief ornitho-
logical point of interest, deserves particular mention; a large
portion of its surface is covered with a dense growth of yellow
pond lilies (Vaphar advena), locally known as ‘bonnets,’ afford-
ing a home to innumerable Coots (ica americana) and Ducks.
At its eastern end is an immense savanna bisected by an inflow-
ing creek, and dotted with clumps of cypresses and numberless
small pools. A few years ago Herons were abundant and bred

268 CHAPMAN on Birds observed at Gatnesville, Florida. {July

here; today it is comparatively deserted, the result of merciless
persecution by plume hunters. One other locality remains to be
noticed,—an almost impassable swamp, known as ‘Sugar-foot

ae ASTM. tue ns yrite -aed} ry Ar - 7
Prairie,’ a favorite breeding ground for several species of Herons.

March 8, I visited this place and my notes for that day record:
Great Blue Heron, Great White Egret, and Little White Egret,
all common; Little Blue Heron, abundant; Black-crowned
Night Heron, one; Bittern, three. April 17, 20, andeenean
again went there and the total number of Herons seen on the
three days was: Great Blue Heron, two; Great White Egret,
one; Louisiana Heron, one; Little Blue Heron, ten.

Later I learned that a plume hunter’s camp, with its pile of
decaying carcasses, had been found there, and the cause of the
disappearance of the Herons was no longer a mystery.

The following notes are based almost entirely on observations
made from November 27, 1886, to May 27, 1887; for, although
a return was made to the same locality the following winter,
my stay was a comparatively short one and permitted but little
additional work.

All data, therefore, unless the contrary is stated, refer to the
first mentioned period. I have to thank Mr. Roth Reynolds for
permission to examine a number of Gainesville birds in his pos-
session, mounted by himself, mention being made in each case
when a record is based on such examination.

For comparison I append the mean temperature of each month
during the winter and spring of 1886-7: December, 53.2°; Janu-
ary, 50.9°; February, 66.4°; March, 61.8°; April, 68.67;

« T °
May, 77-1 «

1. Podilymbus podiceps. PIED-BILLED GREBE. ‘Dir Dipprer.’—Com-
mon; none were observed after April 27.

2. Urinatorimber. Loon.— From March 31 to April 17 about fifteen
were seen flying over at a great altitude.

3. Anhinga anhinga. ANHINGA.— Three extremely wild birds win-
tered among the cypresses on the lake; April 12 two flocks of seven or
eight each were seen passing over, and on the 26th a flock of six more.

4. Lophodytes cucullatus. Hooprep MERGANSER.—A rare winte1
resident.

5. Anas boschas. MALLARD.—Not uncommon.

6. Anas obscura. BLrack Duck.—Not uncommon.

The Florida Black Duck was not found, and was unknown to local
sportsmen, even as a summer resident.

>. Anas strepera. GApWALL.—A female was taken February 8, the

1888. ] CHAPMAN on Birds observed at Gatnesville, Florida: 269

first one, I think, reported from the State. Six were seen and one killed
January 11, 1888.

8. Anas carolinensis. GREEN-WINGED TEAL.—Common.

g. Anas discors. BLUE-wINGepD TEAL.—Rather more common than
the last. Last records were April 27, two, and April 29, one.

to. Anas americana. BALDPATE.—Not uncommon.

Tt. Spatula clypeata. SHOVELLER.—A single specimen in Mr. Rey-
nolds’s possession. ;

12. Dafila acuta. PINTAIL.—Not uncommon.

13. Aix sponsa. Woop Duck.—Common resident.

14. Aythya affinis. Lesser Scaup Duck.—Common.

15. Aythyacollaris. RING-NECKED Duck.—The most abundant Duck.
At the time of my departure, May 27, a flock of cripples, four males and
three females, was in an arm of the lake, and I was told that crippled
Ducks (the results of flock shooting during the winter) of different
species frequently remain through the summer, but although, as in the
present instance, both sexes may be represented, they have never been

known to breed.

16. Erismatura rubida. Ruppy Duck.—Not uncommon.

17. Ajaja ajaja. ROSEATE SPoONBILL.— None were observed by my-
self, but three were reported to me by my friend Mr. Bell on April 23, and
Mr. Reynolds had a specimen in his collection.

18. Guara alba. Wuite Ists.—March 4, 1887, and January 11, 1888,
one observed each day.

19. Botaurus lentiginosus. AMERICAN BITTERN.—Locally common.

20. Ardea herodias. GREAT BLUE HERON.—Common.

21. Ardea egretta. AMERICAN EGReET.—Not uncommon during the
winter, and frequently observed until its plumes were sufficiently grown to
render them worthy the plume hunter’s attention, when it became almost
rare and exceedingly shy.

22. Ardea candidissima. SNowy Heron. — The same remarks apply
to this species.

23. Ardea tricolor ruficollis. LourstANA Heron. — Not uncommon.
Almost all those observed were adult birds.

24. Ardeacerulea. LirrLte BLUE Heron.—The most common Heron.
The blue slightly outnumber the white birds, and but three in intermedi-
ate plumage were seen.

25. Ardea virescens. GREEN HERON.—One seen January 28 was the
only one observed until April 4, when new arrivals were noted. They
were common throughout May, and on the 25th of that month young just
from the nest were taken.

26. Nycticorax nycticorax nevius. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON.-—
Locally common.

27. Rallus elegans. KrinG RAr1L.—Two specimens taken by Mr. Rey-
nolds at the lake.

28. Porzana carolina. Sora.—A single specimen in Mr. Reynolds’s
possession was taken at the lake.

270 CHAPMAN ox Birds observed at Gainesville, Florida [ July’

29. Ionornis martinica. PURPLE GALLINULE.—None were seen until
May 25, when ina part of the lake before unvisited,—a mass of floating
islands and ‘bonnets’,—I found them not uncommon. Four were taken;

in the oviduct of one a partially formed egg was found, and several eggs
had evidently been deposited.

30. Gallinula galeata. FLORIDA GALLINULE.—Common resident.

31. Fulica americana. AMERICAN Coot. ‘BLUE PETER.’—Extremely
abundant, every ‘bonnet’ patch contained its flock, all equally noisy until
as spring advanced they became almost silent. A number remained until
April 29, all those seen after that date being wing-broken birds, which,
unlike the crippled Ring-necked Ducks before mentioned, did not gather
in flocks but were met with singly, lurking in the ‘bonnets’ at the borders
of the lake.

32. Philohela minor. AMERICAN Woopcock.—December 3 and 24,
one was seen each day.

33. Gallinago delicata. WHILSON’s SnNipe.—Locally abundant, some-
times flocks of fifty or more being flushed from favorable feeding grounds.
Two seen together April 15, were the last noted.

34. Totanus flavipes. YELLOw-LEeGs.—A flock of five was seen March
5, and a single bird April 5.

35- Totanus solitarius. SOLITARY SANDPIPER.—From April 2 to May6,
twelve were seen or taken.

36. Bartramia longicauda. BARTRAMIAN SANDPIPER. — April 8, two
were seen, April 10, three. ;

37- Actitismacularia. Sporrepd SANDPIPER.—From April 27 to May 10,
seven were noted.

38. A®gialitis vocifera. KiLLD&ER.—An abundant winter visitant. My
last records were April 27 and 29, one each day.

39. Colinus virginianus floridanus. FLORIDA BosB-wHiTE.—Abundant.
The call of two, and rarely three, notes was first heard March 17, and al-
though they were now beginning to pair, flocks were seen as late as April 16.

40. Meleagris gallopavo. Witp TurKEy.—Rare.

41. Ectopistes migratorius. PASSENGER PIGEON.—Said by sportsmen
to be a rare winter visitant; Mr. Reynolds had two in his possession.

42. Zenaidura macroura. MouRNING Dove. ‘Dove.’—Common resi-
dent.

43. Columbigallina passerina. GRouND Dove. ‘MourRNING Dove.’—
Common. A nest found May 12, 0n the ground beneath a small scrub
palmetto, contained two eggs.

44. Cathartes aura. TuRKEY VULTURE.—Abundant.

45. Catharista atrata. BLACK VULTURE.-—Abundant. There was ap-
parently little difference in the nnmbers of this and the preceding species,
but the first named was much more common in the town.

46. Elanoides forficatus. SWALLOW-TAILED Kirr.—April 29, three,
May g and 10, one each day. All escaped capture.

47. Ictinia mississippiensis. Mrssissipp1 Kirre.—Two were noted
April 29.

1888. ] CHAPMAN on Birds observed at Gainesville. Florida. 2 7 I

48. Circus hudsonius. Marsa HAwKk.—Common.

49. Accipiter velox. SHARP-SHINNED HAwk.—Not uncommon.

50. Accipiter cooperi. Cooprr’s HAwk.—Not common.

51. Buteo borealis. Rep-TrAILED HAWK.—Common.

52. Buteo lineatus. RED-SHOULDERED HAwK.—Abundant. The nine
specimens obtained were all true d¢neatus.

53- Haliaétus leucocephalus. BALD EAGLE.—Common.

54. Falco sparverius. AMERICAN SPARROW HAwKk.—Abundant resi-
dent.

55. Falco columbarius. PiGEoN HAwk.—A single specimen was

taken January 4.

56. Pandion haliaétus carolinensis.—AMERICAN OspREyY.—Common.

57- Strix pratincola. AMERICAN BARN OwL.—I saw but two; one, an
almost fully grown male, was brought to me alive May 30. During his
short life (his death, June 19, was due to an accident) he proved an inter-
esting but perfectly untamable pet; fresh meat was refused, but Sparrows
(Passer domesticus) he devoured with great relish, pulling out most of
the wing and tail-feathers and swallowing the body without further dis-
section.

58. Syrnium nebulosum alleni. FLoripA BARRED OwL. — Common.
Two nearly grown young attended by the parent birds were seen May 9.

59. Megascops asio floridanus. FLORIDA SCREECH OWL. -—Said to be
common. A single specimen was secured March 12

60. Bubo virginianus. GREAT HoRNeD OwL.—A specimen in the
possession of Mr. Reynolds was taken at Gainesville.

61. Coccyzus americanus. YELLOW-BILLED Cuckoo.—A not common
summer resident. Arrived April 27.

2. Ceryle alcyon. BeLrrep KINGFisHER. — Common during the
winter, but after April 2 their numbers had greatly diminished.

63. Dryobates villosus audubonii. SourTHeERN Harry Wooprecker.—
Common.

64. Dryobates pubescens. DowNy WooppeEcKEr. — Slightly more
numerous than the last.

65. Dryobates borealis. RrEp-cOCKADED WooODPECKER. — Common,
but confined exclusively to the pineries.

66. Sphyrapicus varius. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. —-Common,
and very generally distributed. Last noted April 21.

67. Ceophleeus pileatus. PiLreEATED WooppecKEeR.—Rather rare. The
individuals met with were extremely unsuspicious; I have even placed
my ear at the base of the tree on which they were pounding.

68. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. ReEpD-HEADED WooppPECKER. — But
thirteen birds of this species were seen until April 16, when new arrivals
were noted, and after the 26th of that month they were very numerous.
This species was common throughout the winter of 1887-88.

69. Melanerpes carolinus. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.— Abundant.

70. Colaptes auratus. FLICcKErR.—Abundant up to the last of March,
after which date they were less numerous.

272 CHAPMAN on Birds observed at Gainesville, Florida. [ July

71. Antrostomus carolinensis. CHUCK-WILL’s-wI1pow.—Common sum-
mer resident.

72. Antrostomus vociferus. Wu1ip-PpooR-wILL. — None were heard,
and a female, taken March 3, was the only one observed.

73. Chordeiles virginianus chapmani. CHAPMAN’s NIGHTHAWK. —
Arrived April 17, and became common on the 21st, after which date no
change was noticed in their numbers. ‘Bullbat,’ or as it is more fre-
quently termed, ‘Bat,’ shooting is here a popular pastime, great numbers
being killed for food, and in August, when the birds have gathered in
flocks, favorite fields may be occupied at nightfall by as many as a dozen
shooters. *

74. Cheetura pelagica. CHIMNEY Swirr.—Arrived April 5, and was
common after the 16th.

75. Trochilus colubris. RuByY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.—Five were
observed from March 8 to April 27.

76. Tyrannus tyrannus. Krincprrp.— A common summer resident.
Arrived April 2, and became common on the Sth.

77. Myiarchus crinitus. CresTep FLycAtcHerR.—An abundant sum-
mer resident. Arrived March 31, and became common April 5.

78. Sayornis phebe. PuHasr.—An abundant winter visitant, and
very generally distributed. Last records were March 21 and April 4, one
each day.

79. Contopus virens. Woop Prewer.—A rather common summer
resident, arriving April 7. A nest found May 9 was placed on the hori-
zontal limb of a pine, about forty feet from the ground.

So. Empidonax acadicus. ACADIAN FLYCATCHER.— Not uncommon
in the denser woods; arrived April 20. A completed nest, found May 9g,
was constructed almost entirely of ‘Spanish moss,’ and contained on the
27th two eggs with half formed embryos.

81. Cyanocitta cristata florincola. FLortmpA BLuE JAy.—Extremely
tame and everywhere abundant, frequenting the live and water oaks of
the city streets, where it appears half domesticated. It possesses greater
vocal powers than the northern bird (C. créstata) ; twenty or more differ-
ent and distinct calls were counted.

82. Corvus americanus floridanus. FLorRIpDA Crow.—I saw less than
ten, all some distance from the town in the larger pineries.

83. Corvus ossifragus. Frsa Crow.—Common only in the vicinity of
small ponds and the lake.

84. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. BosoLink.—January 5, a female having
the secondaries missing from one wing was caught by our dogs while
Quail shooting. April 26, small flocks were heard passing over, and on
the 29th flocks of several hundred males in full song were seen.

The oats were now nearly ready to harvest and considerable damage
was done to them by these birds. On my last visit to the oat-fields, May
25, both sexes were as abundant as at any previous time.

85. Molothrus ater. Cowsrrp.—Not uncommon.

86. Agelaius pheeniceus. RED-wWINGED BLACKBIRD. —- Abundant, the

1888. ] CHAPMAN ox Birds observed at Gatnesville, Florida. 273

sexes being generally in separate flocks; the males frequenting the pines,
the females open fields; but in the vicinity of water both sexes were
associated. A nest containing four eggs was found May 6.

87. Sturnella magna mexicana. MrexIcAN MEADOWLARK.—Abundant.
Comparison will not permit me to refer the small, dark Meadowlark,
resident in Florida, to Sturnella magna, and while they are not fully typ-
ical of S. m. mexicana, they approach it so closely as to apparently render
subspecific separation impossible. Florida birds are perhaps slightly
darker above, the neck gorget is somewhat wider, and the yellow of the
underparts has more of a sulphur tint than in Mexican specimens, bnt in
measurements, as the appended table shows, there is little, if any, differ-
ence in birds from the two regions.

% ¥ v UF's Vs
o : Sei | es a
of | & ei tea |i eee
As n ae > >4 os
S < < <b | dO

n
Florida specimens..--.+.+++++e.eeeeee] 4 @) t4237 |[2:92)) 1-45 |) 1-22
IMMEXIGAMIA ws oe és osc o's SpoboencuecougoDN|| | vl & | 4.48 2.89 | 1.46 | 1.24
OGIO SPECIMENS... ccccrtecsesesss-=) 6 PP )'4et2 268%) Tas4. || Tos
MIECDIA oneanaanogoonCbnoudeugoE ado) NH oni || ashe || TerKoyy, aarty)

88. Icterus galbula. BALTimorE Or1ioLE. —A male was taken De-
cember 15, and on February 4 a second was seen and heard calling among
the blossoms of the cypress.

89. Icterus spurius. ORCHARD ORIOLE.—-A rare summer resident.

go. Scolecophagus carolinus. Rusty BLAcKBIRD.—A common winter
resident. Last seen April 14.

gt. Quiscalus quiscula agleus. FLORIDA GRACKLE. — Common only
in the city where there were a number of flocks, all very tame.

g2. Quiscalus major. Boatr-TAILED GRACKLE.— Abundant. On one
occasion a number were noticed jumping from the ground at passing
insects. A singular note of this species greatly resembles the flapping of
wings, as of a Coot tripping over the water; this sound was very familiar
to me, but so excellent is the imitation that for a long time I attributed
it to one of the numerous Coots which abound in most places favored by
Q. major.

93. Carpodacus purpureus. PurPLE FINCH. — Rather rare during the
winter of 1886-87, but not uncommon the following year.

94. Spinus tristis. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.— Common in small flocks
up to April 15.

95- Poocetes gramineus. VESPER SPARROW.—Very abundant. Last
noted April 9.

96. Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna. SAVANNA SPARROW. —
Even more abundant than the preceding. My last record was May 6.

97- Ammodramussavannarum passerinus. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.—
Common.

274 CHAPMAN ox Birds observed at Gainesville, Florida. [ July

Mr. Maynard’s southern form of the Yellow-winged Sparrow (Ammo-
dramus australis), is described as being ‘‘similar to the northern Yellow-
wing, but smaller, darker, and in all stages of plumage streaked across
the breast.”* My series of fifteen specimens average, wing, 2.36; tail, 1.81;
tarsus, .71.. Three of these have streaks on the breast, but none are more
heavily marked than a specimen in my collection taken at Englewood,
N. J., with which they agree in size, and none are darker than any north-
ern specimens I have seen.

98. Zonotrichia albicollis. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. — Common,
as late as April 27.

99. Spizella socialis. CHIPPING SPARROW.—Abundant in large flocks
at the borders of fields.

too. Spizella pusilla. FireLpD SPARROW. — A common winter resident,
found in the same situations as the last. I saw none after April 16.

101. Peucza exstivalis. PINE-woops SPARROW. — Arrived March 31.
Common in only one locality, a high, open palmetto pinery, where, May
21, a nest with four fresh eggs was found.

tol a. Peucea estivalis bachmanii. BACHMAN’s SPARROW. — Three
were taken during the winter ina ‘black-jack’ pinery; March 25, one was
captured at the edge of a palmetto pinery, and on the 26th one in an open
field a mile or more from the nearest pines. These last were probably
migrants, as both were found in localities which had before been thorough-
ly searched.

102. Melospiza fasciata. SONG SPARROW. — Common in thickets
everywhere. Last noted March 31.
103. Melospiza georgiana. SwAmp SPARROW. — Few were found in

low or swampy ground, but in certain old fields they were very abundant.
Two seen April 27 were the last noted.

104. Pipilo erythrophthalmus. TownHrr.— Abundant up to the date
of its departure, April 27.

104. a. Pipilo erythrophthalmusalleni. WuHITE-EYED TOWHEE. ‘JOREE.
—Common. Not found associated with the preceding, which inhabit
thickets in or near hummocks, while @/lenz prefers the dense growths o
scrub palmetto in the pineries. The difference in their calls is marked, and
the familiar chewnk of erythrophthalmus is easily distinguished from
the clear, whistled, cherwee of allenz, which gives it its local name of
SJorees, ;

105. Cardinalis cardinalis. CARDINAL. — Abundant. The first song
was heard January (7, and on February 1, they were in full song. April
17, a completed nest was found, and May 27, young just from the nest
were taken.

106. Passerina cyanea. INDIGO BuNTING. — A female, captured Jan-
uary 27, was the only one observed.

107. Piranga rubra. SUMMER TANAGER. — Males in full song arrived

*Maynard, American Exchange and Mart and Household Journal, Vol. III, No. 6,
Feb. 5, 1887, p. 69.

a

1888. | CHAPMAN ox Birds observed at Gainesville, Florida. 275

April 14, females two days later, and after this date they were common in
pairs, not inhabiting pine lands exclusively, but being equally common in
dense scrubs.

An adult male, taken April 15, has appearing from the left side of the
pygostyle, in addition to the eleven fully formed rectrices, three new
and growing feathers, measuring 1.54 inches in length, of a pale tawny
color, thus differing from those of either normal male or female.

Ina female taken April 20, there is a peculiar blending of the color of
both sexes, the red of the male predominating, which gives it a unique
rosy appearance.

108. Progne subis. PurreLeE Martin. — A common summer resident,
breeding where boxes and gourds are erected for its occupation. Arrived
March 3. 4

tog. Tachycineta bicolor. TRee SwALLow.—Abundant up to the date
of its departure, May 6.

110. Ampelis cedrorum. CEDAR WAXxWwING.—Common but irregular
winter visitant in flocks of ten to twenty. None were observed after April
28.

Itt. Lanius ludovicianus. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. ‘LOGGERHEAD.’ —
Common, particularly in the town. Young were seen from April 7 to
May 12.

112. Vireo olivaceus. RrbD-EYED VIREO.—A common summer resi-
dent. Arrived April 4.

113. Vireo flavifrons. YELLOW-THROATED VirREO.—Not uncommon
summer resident. Arrived April 6.

114. Vireo solitarius. BLUE-HEADED ViREo.—Not uncommon.

114 a. Vireo solitarius alticola. MOUNTAIN SoLirAry VirEto.—Four
of the ten Solitary Vireos taken during the winter and spring of 1886-87,
prove to be this race, their identity being determined by Mr. Brewster, to
whom they were submitted for examination. Eight additional specimens
secured the following year are true sod¢tardus.

115. Wireo noveboracensis. WHITE-EYED VIREO.—Probably a common
winter resident, although few were seen until January 31, when they
announced their presence from the depths of dense thickets where, silent,
they would have been passed unnoticed.

116. Mniotilta varia. BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER.— A rare winter
resident, becoming common March 15, and was last noted April 20. j

117. Protonotaria citrea. PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. — Two males,
taken April 5, were the only ones observed.

118. Helmitherus vermivorus. WorM-EATING WarBLER.— A single
male was taken April 11, and a female December 26, 1887.

11g. Helminthophila celata. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER. —A not
uncommon winter resident. None were observed after April 11.

120. Compsothlypis americana. PARULA WARBLER.— Commenced to
arrive February 22, was abundant on the 25th, and common at the date of
my departure.

121. Dendroica tigrina. CAPE May WarBLER. — A male was taken
April 14.

276 CHAPMAN on Birds observed at Gatnesville, Florida. { July

122. Dendroica czrulescens. BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. —
April 5, two males, April 20 and 26, a male each day, May 6, two females,
were the entire number observed.

123. Dendroica coronata. MyrrTLe WARBLER.—The most abundant
bird of any species, and very generally distributed. Fully nine tenths of
their numbers departed after a severe northeast storm on April 8 and 9g.

124. Dendroica striata. BLACKPOLL WARBLER. — April 23 and 26, a
male each day, May 9, two males and a female, constitute the entire
record.

125. Dendroica dominica. YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER.— Rather
rare winter resident. March 2, migrants in full song began to arrive, and
on the 4th of that month they were abundant in the cypresses and common
in the pines near water. After this there was little or no change in their
numbers or distribution. A partly formed egg was found in the oviduct
of a female taken April 14. Several birds in my Series of thirty-two are
albilora so far as measurements are concerned, but none are without at
least a trace of yellow over the eye.

126. Dendroica vigorsii. PINE WARBLER.—An abundant resident ofthe
pineries, in full song February 1, and frequently heard before that date.
Young, about two days from the nest, were taken April 18.

127. Dendroica palmarum. PALM WARBLER.— Abundant and very
generally distributed; numbers appearing in the streets and gardens of
the town, reminding one of Chipping Sparrows as they hopped around
our doors and piazzas. They commenced to moult about March 15, and
had not acquired their new plumage at the time of their departure, April
2g, up to which date they were common.

127 a. Dendroicapalmarum hypochrysea. YELLow PALM WARBLER.—
Occasionally found associated with the last, in all about fifteen individ-
uals being noticed.

128. Dendroica discolor. PRAIRIE WARBLER.— Arrived March 31,
became common April 5, and remained common until May 5, after which
date none were observed.

129. Seiurus aurocapillus. OveNBIRD.—A not uncommon inhabitant
of the hummocks.

130. Seiurus motacilla. LourstANA WATER-THRUSH.—Arrived March 8.
Very few were seen.

131. Geothlypis trichas. MaAryLAND YELLOWTHROAT.— Common.

132. Sylvania mitrata. HoopED WARBLER.—April 2 and 11,a male
observed each day.

133. Setophaga ruticilla. AMERICAN REDsTART.—April 7 to May 9,
six males, and on the last date three females, were the entire number seen.

134. Anthus pensilvanicus. AMERICAN Prprt.—Abundant in flocks of
twenty to fifty, frequenting the shores of the lake, hummock clearings,
and freshly plowed ground.

135. Mimus polyglottos. MockINGsBirD.-—Abundant everywhere. The
birds of the town commenced to sing January 26, and were in full song
February 3, while those of the surrounding country were not in full song

1888.] CHAPMAN on Dirds observed at Gatnesville. Florida. 274

until March 7. The same difference was noticed in the times of breeding,
my first notes on the subject being April 20, when almost fully grown
young were seen in the city and a nest containing one egg was found a few
miles out in the country.

136. Galeoscoptes carolinensis. CATBirRpD. —Common, but silent and
retiring. None were observed after May to.

137- Harporhyncus rufus. Brown THRASHER.‘THRASHER.’—A com-
mon resident. The first song was heard February 8.

38. Thryothorus ludovicianus. CAROLINA WREN. — Abundant. A
single specimen (No. 1111, 2, Dec. 13, 1887) in my series of eleven birds
has faint wavy marks upon the flanks, thus approaching the berlandteri
form.

139. Troglodytes aédon. House Wren.—Abundant, both in the town
and surrounding country, wherever there is sufficient growth to afford it
concealment. Singing was commenced March 20, and none were observed
after April 15.

140. Sitta carolinensis. WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. —A not un-
common resident of the pineries.

141. Sitta pusilla. BRowN-HEADED NuTHATCH. — Common in small
troops in the pines. One of three fully grown young, taken May 5s,
exhibits rather peculiar albinistic markings, the bill, head, and tertiaries
being whitish, the toe nails flesh color.

142. Parus bicolor. Turrep Tirmouse.—Abundant. Young attended
by the parents were taken May 27.

143. Parus carolinensis. CAROLINA CHICKADEE. — On two occasions
single birds of this species were seen with flocks of S7t¢a pusslla in the
pines, but with these exceptions it was a bird of low swamps and scrubs,
frequently associating with the preceding. <A partly formed egg was
found in the oviduct of a female taken March 15.

144. Regulus calendula. RuBy-cROWNED KINGLET. — Abundant. In
full song from March 15 to the date of its departure, April 16.

145. Polioptila cerulea BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.—A rare winter
resident, becoming common March 8. The first song was heard February
28.

146. Turdus alicie. GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. —A male was taken
April 26.

147. Turdus aonalaschke pallasii. Hermir THrusn. — Abundant in
the hummocks and common in the pineries. Several were heard singing
January 8, and from March 10 to 26, they sang occasionally. Few were
noted after the last named date until the time of their final departure,
April 15.

148. Merula migratoria. AMERICAN Ropin.—Abundant in large flocks,
and in full song until December 31, no songs being heard later. The
greater portion of their number had departed March 15, but several birds
were seen in April, on the 11th, 21st and 27th, one observed each day.

149. Sialia sialis. BLurBrirp.—Resident birds inhabit the pineries,
while the large flocks of wanderers were probably winter visitants. Young
just from the nest were taken April 20.

278 Lucas, Motes on the Great Auk. { July

GREAT AUK NOTES.
BY FREDERIC A. LUCAS.

ORNITHOLOGISTS owe a debt of gratitude to Professor New-
ton and Mr. Grieve for their contributions to the history of the
Great Auk, and for their labors in collecting and rendering
accessible to English and American readers the substance of
many scattered papers by foreign writers. Well as their work
has been done a few errors, here and there, have crept in, and
in correcting them, as they come up in connection with some of
the points herein discussed, the writer trusts that he may not seem
ungracious, for few have probably studied the writings of the
above-named gentlemen with more pleasure and profit than
himself.

To Professor Newton belongs the credit of calling attention to
the fact that the range of the Great Auk was much more re-
stricted than was generally supposed, and that the bird never
even visited many of the localities in which it was once thought
to have bred.

It is my own belief that, in historic times at least, the number
of places resorted to by the Great Auk for breeding purposes
was comparatively small, partly from the inability of the bird to
fly, but more from one of those unknown reasons which impel
some animals to select for their homes only one or two out of
many possible sites.

We have a striking example of this in the Gannet, a bird
whose powers of flight are exceptionally great, and whose con-
siderable size and voracious appetite demand an abundant supply
of fish. It might therefore be supposed that this bird would be
found breeding at many places from Maine to Labrador, and yet,
so far as [am aware, it is found at only two spots in all this range
of coast, and to one of these we know certainly that it has resorted
for three hundred and fifty years* in spite of almost ceaseless per-
secution.

If then such is the case with a bird gifted with unusual powers
of locomotion how much more likely it is to have been the habit

*In ‘The Auk’ for April, by an unfortunate slip of the pen, I wrote three hundred
and thirty-two instead of three hundred and fifty-three.

1888. ] Lucas, Nofes on the Great Auk. 279

of a bird so hampered by nature as the Great Auk. It is also
worthy of note that traditions concerning the Great Auk refer to
a small number of localities only, and moreover had the bird
availed itself of the many possible breeding places along the
coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador it might have endured in
lessened numbers until this day.

There is a rumor that twenty years ago the Great Auk was
still to be found on the Penguin Islands, in the mouth of Gros
Water Bay, sixteen miles from Grady Harbor, a locality about
two hundred and fifty miles north of Cape Norman, N. F.* Of
course this is possible, but it seems hardly probable.

It was on the program, during the cruise of the Fish Com-
mission schooner ‘Grampus,’ in the summer of 1887 (a cruise
in which it was my good fortune to take part), to visit as many
of the probable former breeding grounds of the Great Auk as
circumstances would admit of, notably Penguin Island near Cape
la Hune (southern coast of Newfoundland), and Penguin Islands
near Cape Freels (eastern coast). Unfortunately Zolus decided
against a visit to the former locality — so often mentioned by the
early navigators —and let loose upon us a brisk southwester,
before which the ‘Grampus’ drove by under shortened canvas at
the rate of ten knots an hour, while, with a visit to Funk Island
still in prospect, it was deemed inadvisable to lose any time by
waiting for wind and sea to go down.

On the eastern coast we were favored with better weather, and
leaving the well-named harbor of Seldom Come By early in the
morning, with a ‘Newfoundland Pilot’? (a lookout at the mast-
head) to guard against the possible contingency of a rock not
laid down on the chart, passed Peckford Reef, the Schoolmarm,
and Scrub Rocks, and came to anchor about noon off the Pen-
guin Islands, two flat, grassy islets rising but twenty feet above
the water and not at all suggestive of an Alcine breeding place.

Still one of these may be that certain flat island whence men
‘‘drave the Penguins on a board into their boats by hundreds at
in spite of the fact that the islets are but three miles
from shore, and in consequence the Great Auk must have led
a very precarious existence.

5]

a time,’

Offer Wadham, nine miles farther out to sea, is much more

*For this report I am indebted to Mr. William Sclater of St. Johns, N, F.

280 Lucas, Wotes on the Great Auk. [ July

likely to have been the spot alluded to by Captain Richard
Whitbourne, although all attempts to definitely locate it must
necessarily be pure guess work.

Certainly if the Garefowl dwelt here, he left no trace of former
residence, for not a bone nor a speck of eggshell came to light
in making a dozen excavations to the bed rock.

This is in marked contrast to the state of affairs at Funk
Island, where bones can readily be found, and where the soil
itself, thickly sprinkled with crumbled eggshells, bears mute
testimony to long years of occupancy by the Great Auk.

The soil of Funk Island, by the way, is frozen for only a part
of the year, and the statement that a mummy of the Greak Auk
was taken ‘‘from under ice which never melts” was doubtless
made from a misapprehension of the facts in the case, for
although floe ice is driven upon some portions of the island it
never reaches those places where the Auk remains lie buried,
and never endures into the summer months.

Today Penguin Islands are overun by a colony of field mice
(Arvicola riparia), whose burrows exist in almost incredible
numbers, while their well worn connecting paths cover the
ground in places with a veritable net work. Sundry boluses of
matted fur and bones bore witness to the occasional disturbance
of this populous mousery by the visits of Owls.

A little investigation showed that many burrows, having been
deserted by their original occupants, the mice, had been taken
possession of by Leach’s Petrels, and the occurrence of perfectly
fresh eggs on the 24th of July, coupled with the fact that well
advanced embryos were found at the Bird Rocks on July 9,
suggests that possibly this little bird raises two broods in a
season.

A few Puffins were also found on the island, but none of the
many busy little excavators seemed to have met with better
success than ourselves in finding bones. for none lay scattered
about the entrance to their burrows (as was the case at Funk
Island), and if indications may be relied on the former occur-
rence of the Great Auk on these Penguin Islands in any con-
siderable numbers must be looked upon as somewhat doubtful.

Another doubtful habitat is found in the Bird Rocks of the
Gulf of St. Lawrence, for although the Auks may have strayed
thither from the colony at Penguin Island, off Cape la Hune, they

1888. ] Lucas, Wotes on the Great Auk. 281

would have found the area available for breeding purposes
limited to a narrow strip on the northeastern point of the North
Rock, and a still more restricted portion on its southern side,
these being the only spots accessible to a flightless bird like the
Garefowl.

True, in Hakluyt’s ‘Voyages’ Cartier speaks of the Great
Apponatz in connection with the Iles des Margaulx, as he called
these rocky islets, but may this not be a mistranslation of gvasse
Apponatz, or a correct translation of a misprint? Never having
seen the original French, I make this suggestion with some
hesitation, and it must stand for what it is worth, still it derives a
little support from the circumstance that where these problem-
atical birds are first mentioned they are spoken of as being ‘‘ex-
ceeding fat” (Il y sont excessivement gras”).

Mr. Grieve suggests in a recent letter that in former times the
space at the base of the little rock was much more extended
than at present, since Cartier’s crew ‘‘killed above a thousand of
those Godetz and Apponatz” on ‘‘the lowest part of the least
island,” and ‘‘in less than one hour might have filled thirty such
boats of them.”

This supposition may very well be correct, yet careful obser-
vation of the little rock and the depth of water immediately
about it leads me to think that the changes it may have under-
gone have been the result of the fall of fragments from the over-
hanging sides rather than the wearing away of its base.

Charles Leigh, who visited the Bird Rocks in 1538, does not
mention the ‘Penguin,’ although he landed on the little rock
after a skirmish with a herd of Walruses who valiantly attacked
the boat and at first put the invaders to flight.

If the Godetz and Apponatz were Murres and Razorbills it
would not have required a very great expanse of cliff to have
furnished foothold for a thousand or two of them, and even now,
after long years of persecution, it is quite possible to approach
these birds, when sitting on their eggs, sufficiently near to knock
them down with a stick.

That the Iles des Margaulx of Cartier are the Bird Rocks of
today can scarcely be questioned, although no locality whatever
can be found by following the courses and distances given as
having been sailed on the 24th and 25th of June, 1534.

But by following Cartier from Buona Vista northward,

282 Lucas, Wotes on the Great Auk. [ July

through the Strait of Belle Isle, and thence southward, we learn
from the latitudes now and then given that on June 25 he
must have been somewhere in the vicinity of the Bird Rocks.

Fortunately, too, there is a reference to the Island of Brion,
giving its direction and distance from the Iles des Margaulx,
which is alone sufficient to identify the spot, as they harmonize
with existing facts. Brion Island, like Blanc Sablon and Chateau
Bay, has retained its name unchanged while so many others have
either been renamed or have had their original appellation so
anglicized as to be quite unrecognizable.

Final confirmation of the locality is found in the Gannets (Mar-
gaulx) themselves, whose descendants with true conservative
spirit still’cling to their historic stronghold, and although they
no longer exist in such numbers that the rocks ‘‘though red seem
white,” they still bite as savagely as in the days of yore.

Two more supposed breeding places of the Great Auk may be
considered here, Cape Cod and the Virgin Rocks. Of the latter
it will suffice to say that they lie three and one half fathoms under
water, while many evident reasons, such as the low, sandy char-
acter of Cape Cod and the adjacent islands, the proximity of
Indians, and the general northern range of the Alcide on the
Atlantic coast, render the former locality more than doubtful.

As for the bones found in shell heaps, they are probably those
of birds taken during their migrations southward, for the Great
Auk was doubtless formerly as common on the New England coast
during the autumn and winter months as the Razorbill is now.

A word regarding the food of the Great Auk, and in sup-
port of the statement made by Fabricius that the lump-fish (Cy-
clopterus lumpus) formed an important item in its bill of fare.
While the lump-fish is rather rough to look upon, the bones
are extremely brittle, and the strong beak of the Garefow] would
slice through the body of any specimen it might have captured,
as easily as the knife of the Eskimo does through the body of the
lump-fish he dries or freezes for his winter store. The young
lump-fish
the surface of the water and seek concealment in patches of float-
ing rock-weed where they would easily have been detected by the
keen eye of a sea fowl, while being but indifferent swimmers
there would be no safety in flight.

This calls to mind the somewhat singular remark of Mr. Reeks

and these would be most dainty morsels—keep near

1SSS. ] Lucas, WNofes on the Great Auk. 203

that the Great Auk could not have been a powerful swimmer,
owing to the small size of its feet, forgetting that, like the Pen-
guins and the Alcide, the Garefowl depended for swimming
chiefly upon the wings, and if the bird could not fly over the
water it certainly could beneath.

I cannot close this paper without referring to the published
figures of the Great Auk, for this bird has suffered grievously at
the hands of nearly every artist (Audubon is an exception) who
has been called upon to portray it.

It is true that the artists may plead extenuating circumstances
in the shape of the stuffed—it were flattery to say mounted—
specimens that have served as models, most of which are from
two to eight inches longer than they should be. I trust that Mr.
Hancock will pardon me for including his figure in this criticism,
for his bird is too long, too slender, and with too pronounced a
crop.

Artists have evidently recognized the fact that the stuffed Auks
are too slender, and endeavored to make amends for the short-
comings of the taxidermist, for obesity is the general trouble with
figures of the Great Auk, although the neck is usually as much
too thin as the body is too stout. Could the bird have seen him-
self portrayed as he is even on the cover of his namesake, he
might, like Wolfe, have exclaimed, ‘‘now I die content.”

The question might naturally be asked what right has one who
never saw the Great Auk alive to criticise him dead, and the
answer is this, having just compared three mounted skeletons
with one of the Razorbill the conclusion is unavoidable that the
two species resembled one another very closely in outward con-
tour.

As for internal structure, I must plead guilty to a belief that
the two species should be included in the genus A/ca, and with

>
this bit of cis-Atlantic heresy bring these notes to a close.

284 ALLEN on Two Subspecies of Seaside Sparrow. [ July

DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO NEW SUBSPECIES OF
THE SEASIDE SPARROW (AMMODRAMUS
MARITIMUS).

BY J. A. ALLEN.

Mr. W. E. D. Scort, of Tarpon Springs, Florida, sent to me
recently for examination an interesting series of Seaside and
Sharp-tailed Sparrows, taken at Tarpon Springs, Feb. 28, 1888.
The Sharp-tailed Sparrows, six in number, differ very appre-
ciably from New Jersey and Long Island specimens, being
smaller, and having the streaks on the breast heavier and more
sharply defined, but they are perhaps hardly different enough from
the northern birds to require recognition by name.

The two Seaside Sparrows are intermediate between Ammo-
dramus maritimus and A. nigrescens, but approach the latter
more nearly than the former. They suggest that material from
other points may eventually bridge the gap between these two
forms, and that A. zzgrescexs will prove to be merely a sub-
species of A. mardtimus, as it was originally described by Mr.
Ridgway. For the present the Tarpon Springs birds may be
recognized as

Ammodramus maritimus peninsule, subsp. nov. Scort’s
SEASIDE SPARROW.

Suspsp. Cuar. — Adult 2 (Tarpon Springs, Fla., Feb. 28, 1888; W. E.
D. Scott) :— Similar to A. xZgrescens in size and proportions, and in the
size and form of the bill. Above the feathers are centrally dull brown-
ish, edged broadly with olive and gray. Below with narrow black streaks
on the breast and flanks, much narrower and less sharply defined than in
A. nigrescens, but much stronger and much more sharply defined than in
A. maritimus in any phase of plumage. Throat and abdominal region
white; rest of underparts suffused with brownish ash, streaked with
blackish. Wing, 2.20; tail, 2.00; tarsus, .83; culmen, from base .52.

Types, No. 31,209 and 31,210, females, Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York
City, [and No. 2600, g, Coll. A. K. Fisher].

HasiratT.—Southwestern Florida (Tarpon Springs and Cedar
Keys), [and Louisiana (Grand Isle) ].

Through the kindness of Mr. William Brewster I have been
able to compare the birds from Tarpon Springs with his large

1888. ] ALLEN ox Two Subspecies of Seaside Sparrow. 285

series of A. xtgrescens from Indian River. I find also in Mr.
George B. Sennett’s collection a specimen collected many years
since at Cedar Keys in November which is practically identical
with the Tarpon birds.

Some April examples of A. nigrescens approach var. pexzn-
sule in having the black of the upper parts, particularly of the
head, hind-neck, and fore-back, edged with olive and gray ; but
beneath the broad black streaks contrast strongly with the nar-
rower and less sharply outlined streaks of Penznsule.

In A. marétimus, in breeding dress, the breast and sides are
ashy with obscure plumbeous centres, rarely showing a tendency
to well-defined streaks. In autumn, however, the dark centres
take more the form of streaks. From mar¢tzmus, in all stages
of plumage, pexénxsule differs by its much smaller size, much
darker upper parts, decided streaks below, darker flanks, and
whiter throat and abdomen.

I am indebted to Mr. Scott for generously placing this inter-
esting material in my hands for description.

Since the above was put in type I have received from my friend,
Dr. A. K. Fisher, of Washington, D. C., sixteen specimens of
Seaside Sparrows collected by him at Grand Isle, Louisiana,
June 6-9, 1886. Ten of them are adults in rather worn plumage
and six are in first plumage. These specimens prove of great
interest, considered in connection with still other material now
to be mentioned.

Three of the Louisiana specimens (No. 2600, 2622, and 2624,
Coll. Dr. A. K. Fisher) are practically identical, considering the
difference in season, with the birds from Tarpon Springs and
Cedar Keys. In the others the plumage is more worn (in some of
them exceedingly abraded), and the streaks below are either much
less distinct or quite wanting. All agree in small size and dark
colors, in this respect differing strikingly from true marzt7mus,
and agreeing with the Florida birds. The Louisiana birds in
first plumage differ rather more from northern birds in corres-
ponding plumage than do the adults. (See the comparative de-
scriptions of the young given below.) The average difference
in size is about one fourth of an inch in the length of the wing,
the wing in northern birds averaging about 2.50 and in the south-
ern about 2.25.

286 ALLEN ox Two Subspecies of Seaside Sparrow. { July

In this connection it seemed of interest to compare with the
Louisiana and Florida birds a small series in Mr. George B.
Sennett’s collection, taken by him in the breeding season at
Corpus Christi, Texas, May 25, 1882. Mr. Sennett has, on dif-
ferent occasions, called my attention to the differences between
these birds and true marztimus, but the material representing
this group of birds then available was much less than at present,
and with his characteristic conservatism in such matters he de-
ferred describing the Texas birds till their status could be better
determined. He now kindly permits me to make use of this
material, consisting of three specimens in breeding plumage and
one in first plumage. The Texas form being evidently entitled
to recognition, it gives me pleasure to name it in honor of one
who is doing so much to extend our knowledge of Texan orni-
thology.

Ammodramus maritimus sennetti, subsp. nov. TEXAN
SEASIDE SPARROW.

Supsp. CHAR. Male and female adult (Corpus Christi, Texas; Coll.
G. B. Sennett) :—Size of Ammodramus maritimus nigrescens and A. m.
peninsula. Above similar to A. marz/émus, but all the colors are lighter
and paler; nape distinctly streaked with black,—a feature absent in mar-
ztimus and only occasionally indicatedin fexzzsule. Below the prevailing
shade of gray is much lighter than in marztzmus, with distinct, narrow,
blackish streaks on the breast and flanks, those on the breast bordered
with white or ochraceous white; white of throat and abdomen also purer
than in marcfimus.

Types, No. 3304, g, and No. 3303, 2, Coll. G. B. Sennett.

Hanrrar.—Gulf coast of Texas (Corpus Christi).

I have before me the young in first plumage of A. marztimus,
A. m. peninsula, and A. m. sennetti, in which the differences
are even more strongly pronounced than in the adults, as shown

in the following comparative descriptions.

A. maritimus. Yuv. in first plumage :—Prevailing color above olive
brown streaked with black, narrowly on head, nape, lower back, and rump,
broadly on interscapulars. Below, throat and abdomen soiled white; sides,
of neck, jugulum and flanks pale buffy, narrowly streaked with black.
(Five specimens, Long Island, N. Y.)

A. m. peninsule. Fuv. 7n first plumage:—Prevailing color above black,
the feathers narrowly edged with ochraceous. Below, throat and middle
of abdomen white; sides of neck, jugulum, and flanks bright ochraceous,
narrowly streaked with black. (Six specimens, Grand Isle, La.)

1888S. ] ALLEN oz a New Tityra. 287

A.m.sennetti. Suv. in first plumage:—Prevailing color above gray-
brown, streaked with black, broadly so on the interscapulum. Below
pale fulvous white, strongest on sides of neck, jugulum, and flanks, where
also sparsely streaked with black. (One specimen, No. 4956, Coll. G. B.
Sennett—Corpus Christi, Texas, June 14, 1887.)

The name ferinsule was given to Scott’s Seaside Sparrow
before the Louisiana material came to hand. The name is thus
not happily chosen, as the form is doubtless locally common
along not only the Gulf coast of Florida, but westward at least
to Western Louisiana.

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS
TLD T iA, FROM ECUADOR:

BY J. A. ALLEN.

A sMALL collection of birds, collected mainly in the vicinity of
Quito, Ecuador, was recently purchased of Mr. Ludovic Séder-
strom by the American Museum of Natural History. It con-
tains a number of rare species, and others of special interest for
the locality of their capture ; an annotated list of the collection
will be given later in another connection. It contained four
specimens of 77tyra, two of which are referable to 7. personata ;
one of these has much more than the usual amount of white in
the tail—thus approaching 7. semdfasctata—and the other very
much less than the normal amount. One of the other specimens
I refer with hesitation to 7. alécztorgues, from which it differs
in the small amount of white at the base of the tail, there
being little more than is seen in 7°. ¢xzgué¢s¢tréx. This specimen
thus has the head-markings of 7. aléctorgues and nearly the
tail of 7. ¢xgucsctrix. The fourth specimen is so different from
any of the described species of this genus that I venture to char-
acterize it as new.

Tityra nigriceps, sp. nov.

Se. CuHar. Adult g :—Similar to 7. personata, but with the whole
head and throat black, and the white at the base of the tail restricted to
the extreme base of the feathers, which are merely white centrally for

288 ELLIoT on the Facanide. [ July

about an inch, both vanes being widely bordered with black externally.
The whole plumage, both above and below, excepting of course the black
of wings and tail, is much lighter—almost pure white—than in examples
of 7. personata from other localities. Size of 7. personata.

Type, No. 30,489, Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York City.

Hapsitrat. Headwaters of the Napo, Ecuador.

In 7. personata, the only species with which this need be
compared, the black of the head is restricted to the chin, the
malar region, the anterior half of the ear-coverts, and a broad
band behind and above the eyes, joining the black of the front of
the head, which extends from the base of the bill to a line about
opposite to the middle of the orbits. In 7. xZgrzceps the black
covers the whole throat and head, extending to the nape, and in-
cluding the whole of the auricular region. The nape is also
black, with the feathers in part edged with white. The black
of the head is thus quite as extended asin 7. cayana, with the
addition of a wholly black throat.

The material examined in this connection numbers 112 spec-
imens, representing, in good series, all the known species of the
genus. In this connection I desire to acknowledge my indebted-
ness to the kind offices of Mr. Robert Ridgway in sending me
for examination the specimens of 7z¢yra contained in the U. S.
National Museum.

THE JACANID.

BY DD. G. ELLIOD, Bs Ro S.) E-

My material for this review has been obtained from the follow-
ing sources. The Jacanidz in the general collection of the Amer-
ican Museum of Natural History, New York, specimens from
the Lawrence collection and those of Messrs. Smith and Rusby,
also in the Museum. From Boston I have received specimens
from the Boston Society of Natural History, and Mr. C. B. Cory ;
and also all the specimens in the National Museum at Washing-
ton, amounting altogether to about one hundred examples, quite

1888. ] ELLiot on the Facanide. 289

sufficient to enable satisfactory conclusions to be reached. I
would express my thanks to Messrs. Henshaw and Cory and
Professors Goode and Ridgway, for the assistance given.

The following are the chief points in the literature of the
family :

1758. Linnaus, Systema Nature. In the genus Lulica,
comprising species of various genera, the Jacana from Carthagena,
without pendent wattles, and tri-lobed frontal wattles, is named
ea SPonosde atts fa) a) ies fa 2 *) ) «ss POpecies. ¥:

1766. Linnaeus, Systema Nature, 12th ed. In the genus
Parra two Jacanas are described, the bird from Brazil as P.
jacana,and P. variabilés (= P. spinosa). . . . Species 2.

1786. Scorout, Delicte More et Faune Insubrice. Under
the genus 7réxga a Jacana is described as 7. chtrurgus.

Species 3.

1788. Gein, Systema Nature. Eight species of Jacana
are here given under Parra, two for the first time, viz., P. zz~gra
and P. africana. The others are P. jacana Linn., P. brastle-
ensts and P. viridis (= P. nigra), P. variabilis (= P. spinosa
Linn.), PP. luzontensts, and FP. sinensis (= T. chirurgus
Scop. ) NIA era kha: = (8 2 Species'5

1790. Laruam, Zrdex Ornithologicus. The list of Parra
here given is but a repetition of that of Gmelin, except that one
species, P. cxdica, is described for the first time. . Species 6.

1817. ViemtLor, Nouveau Dictionnatre d’ Histotre Natu-
relle. The list of Parra of this author is the same as those of
Gmelin and Latham, save that he renames the /. zzdica, P.
cristata.

1820-1539. Temminck, Planche Coloriées. One new species

is here described as P. gallzmaceus. . . . - « Species 7.
1832. Grorr. Sr. HiLarre, 7z Magazin de Zoologie. Parra
aloimucha is firstdescribed. . . . . . - .°. Species 8.

1832. Lesson, Tracté Ornithologie. F. spinosa is renamed
P. cordtfera.

183z. Wacter, /szs. In this publication ¥. sfzxzosa is re-
named P. eymnostoma, and three genera are proposed for these
birds: //ydrophasianus for P. chirurgus Scop.; Metopidius,
containing P. africana and P. enea (= P. indica Lath.). (As
the first named has the front and top of head bare and no wattle,
it cannot be classed in the same genus with P. zzdica which

290 ELLiorT ox the Facanide. [| July

has a feathered head, and a broad, upright, frontal wattle) ; and
fTydralector, for P. gallinaceus Temm.

1844-1849. G. R. Gray, Genera of Birds. In this work
we have the Jacanas placed in the subfamily Parrine of the
family Palamedeide, order Gralla. Fourteen species are enu-
merated under Parra, of which four are marked doubtful, and
one is given for the firsttime, P.hyfomelena (= P.nigraGmel.).
One of the species is marked with a ? —The species given besides
these are P. jacana Linn., P. vir~dis and P. brastliensts Gmel.
(= P. nigra Gmel.), P. gymnostoma Wag). and P. cordifera
Less. (both =P. spzxosa Linn.), P. africana Gmel., P. capensis
Smith, P. alézmucha St. Hil., FP. zudica Gath., P.-erestare
Vieill.) =P. zxdica Lath.), P. gallinacea Temm., and P. chz-
lensts Molina, which belongs to the genus Vaze/lus auct.

1849. Sin A. Smiru, Llustrations of the Zoology of South
Africa. \Aves. 'P: capensis first describéd: >) (Specieaa:

1856. P. L. Scrater, in Proceedings of the Zoologica’
Soczety of London. A review of the American species of this
family is here given. Five are enumerated—P. jacana Linn.,
P. intermedia Bonap. (= P. jacana Linn.), P. melanopygia
Sclat. and P. hyfomelena Gray (both = P. nigra Gmel.), and
P. gymnostoma Wag. (= F. spinosa Linn.).

1878. Ramsay, Transactions Linnean Society of New
South Wales. Hydratector gallinaceus, described as Parra
NOVEL ULNER.

1881. C.B. Cory, in Lulletin Nuttall Ornithological Club.
F. spinosa from Haiti described as P. violacea.

CLASSIFICATION.

Formerly the Jacanide were usually associated with the Ralli-
de, but through the researches of competent comparative avian
anatomists, notably the late Messrs. Garrod and Forbes, it has
been pretty conclusively shown that the Jacanas are much more
nearly related to the Plovers. Nitzsch in his ‘Pterylography,’ as-
sociates the Facare with the genera Frallus, Crex, and Porphy-
rto, although they differ from all of these in having ten rectrices
instead of twelve ; while the bands of the dorsal tract behind the
shoulder blades are narrowed remarkably, and the pelvic por-
tion is dilated. The lumbar tracts are weak and united by
sparse contour feathers to the uropygial portion of the dorsal

1888. ] ELLioT on the Facanide. 291

tract. The skulls of the Jacanide are schizorhinal, with well-de-
veloped basipterygoid processes; the vomeris apically emargi-
nate; no trace of occipital fontanelles, and the supraorbital
impressions are absent. The pelvis exhibits its Limicoline affin-
ities by having the ilia wider, and more expanded anteriorly, by
having hardly any median projection on the postacetabular ridge,
and by being widest dorsally behind the antitrochanters. Between
the ischia and sacrum the bony plates are narrower, and the pos-
terior part of the renal fosse more open. In certain species
which have the metacarpal spur less developed and blunt, the
radius for its distal half is dilated and flattened into a lamellar-
like expansion. About half of this radius is bare of muscle, and
the margin slightly roughened, and doubtless the bird is capable
of striking a severe blow with this scimitar-shaped bone. In the
species where the ‘spur’ is long and sharp, the radius is of the
usual form. Viewed anatomically, the Jacanas possess no crop,
but a muscular gizzard, the epithelium lining of which is hard
and thick. The gall bladder is well developed ; and the cw@ca are
very small, their length to that of the intestines being 2 (fF.
jacana) and 15 in. (/7. chirurgus) to 12 inches. It will thus
be seen that in many particulars the Jacanide differ from the
Rallidx, and approach the Limicole ; but they possess sufficient
characteristics peculiar to themselves to constitute a distinct
Family, with the Charadriidz as its nearest relatives.

The Jacanas are characterized by narrow, rather long, pointed
bills; the nostril oblong, lateral, open, placed about midway in
the maxilla. Moderately long necks. Body small. Wings armed
with a metacarpal spur, in some species well-developed and
sharp, in others blunt, or rudimentary. Head usually adorned
with a wattle of various shapes. Legs long and slender, toes
enormously lengthened with extremely long claws, that on the
hallux being often three times greater in length than the toe.
With these large feet, their passage over floating plants and
weeds is made expeditious and easy.

GENERA.

Fortunately but few generic terms have been applied to these
birds, but the one not entitled to priority has been used by nearly
all ornithological writers from the time of Linnzus to the present

2Q2 ELLIoT on the Facanide. [ July

day.* Brisson first instituted a genus ‘ ¥acana’ for the Jacanas
and gave very good descriptions of those he considered especially
distinct. Six years after, Linneus, in his 12th edition, utterly
ignored Brisson’s genus, as in fact he did his own previous writ-
ings, and bestowed the generic term Parva upon these birds,
and this is the name that has, quite erroneously, been employed
ever since. It must, however, give way to that of Brisson.
The Jacanide are properly divided into five genera, character-
ised chiefly by the presence or absence of wattles, their shape,
and the bare or feathered head.

List of Genera.

1760. Facana Brisson, Ornith. Vol. V, p. 121. Type, “z-
lica spinosa Linn.

1766. Parra Linnzus, Syst. Nat. Vol. I, p. 259 (passtm).
Type, Parra jacana Linn.

1832. LHydrophastanus WAGLER, Isis, p. 279. Type, 7rzx-
ga chirurgus Scop.

1832. Metopidius WacuER, Isis, p. 279. Type, Parra af-
ricana Gmel.

1832. Hydralector WaGLFR, Isis, p. 279. Type, Parra
gallinaceus Temm.

1842. Diplopteryx GLocER, Handb. u. Hilfschb. Naturg.
Type, Zriénga chirurgus Scop.

1888, <Aphalus Evvior, gen. nov. Type, Parra capensis
Smith.

Key to the Genera and Shectes.

A. ‘Tail short; primaries normal.
a. Head with an upright fleshy wattle on forehead.......... JACANA.
a'. Narrow pendent wattles at base of mandible.
Frontal wattle bi-lobed.
a. Back and wings chestnut.....-....eses2sseeeeees F. jacana.
6", Back and wings black, glossed with purple........ F. nigra.
b'. Without pendent wattles.
a''. Frontal wattle tri-lobed. Back and wings

OLA HINA Cl SsHoKiG 5600555500000 s00005000 .-.F. spinosa.
6'', Frontal wattle rounded. Back and wings
pale greenish bronze....-..... clelnelss st eeeee F. indica.
6. No wattles.
Gis Nor tlivenvell oes 55055505999 059000099 90005 0999055 METOPIDIUS.

* Stejneger; Auk, II, 1885, p. 338.

1888. ] ELLIor ox the Facanide. 203

a''. Back of neck white, sides and front of neck

blacke-s- ict dialctelstalctel talavarctetatey at chereye SF Sat ar oy M. albinucha.
6''. Back of neck black, sides and front of neck
Wi llnuGeerarsraete startctolet al icteicta sSatincusooune nes M. africanus.
ec. Forehead feathered. ....--.0..... RECARO RIO'S Leen APHALUS.
a''. Forehead yellow; crown and nape, reddish
orange...-..- Shon bono oac cedoo opbens homore A. capensis.
d'. ead with fleshy shield and narrow upright

fleshy membrane overculmen to nostrils. HypRALECTOR.
a''. Nape and back of neck black; sides of face
golden yellow........... sJolale leis s!=)*/s) «1 HI. gallinaceus.
B. Central tail-feathers very long; primaries atten-
WA Clo oo vdomococko como opcUndOOObCoC HyDROPHASIANUS.
a. Head, face, and fore neck, white; nape and
stripe on sides of neck, black; hind neck,
SOliClsin \OWION nooo er coon sucooUbnoUoOConL Hl. chirurgus.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

globe,

The Jacanas are pretty well distributed throughout the
and are represented in all its various zo6geographical divisions.
Commencing in the far East we find in the Australian Region
that the continent of Australia possesses but one species, the JZ.
gallinaceus, procured in South Australia, at Port Essington,
in Queensland, andthe north-eastern portion of New South Wales.
This species extends its range into New Guinea and Mysol of
the Papuan group of the Austro-Malayan Subregion, and is also
found in the Austro-Malayan islands Celebes and Banda, though
perhaps the latter may be doubtful. The Oriental Region contains
two species, /7. chirurgus and M. trdicus, the range of which
is very similar, extending through India, as understood, from
Cashmere, through Cochin-China and Siam of the Indo-Chinese
Subregion, into the Indo-Malay islands of Sumatra, Java and
Borneo, and //. chtrurgas is also found in the Philippines. Cey-
lon also contains both species, and Formosa of the Oriental Region
possesses /7. chirurgus. Vhe Ethiopian Region contains three
species, AZ. africanus, M. albinucha, and A. capensis. The
first extends from Natal on the southeast coast, through the lake
regions to Zanzibar on the north, and across the southern portion
of the continent through Damara-Land to Senegal on the south-
west coast. A. cufensis is found from Algoa Bay, across the
southern portion of Africa, into Damara-Land. Madagascar
(Malayan Subregion) contains JZ. africanus and AZ. albinucha.

294 ELLior on the Facanidea. { July

The Palwarctic Region possesses but one species, . chirurgus,
which is met with in the Chinese Empire, where, according to M.
David, it passes the summer in the middle provinces. The Nearc-
tic Region has but one species, ¥. sfzzosa, met with in various parts
of the West Indian Islands, and extending southwards through
Central America into Colombia of the Neotropical Region. This
last region also contains FY. zzgra, which ranges through Cen-
tral America and Colombia, and Y. jacana, which is distributed
generally over a large portion of South America, being abundant
in Trinidad, Venezuela, Brazil, the Argentine Republic, Peru,
and Bolivia.

Jacana jacana.

Parra jacana LINN. Syst. Nat. 1766, I, p. 259.—Burr. Pl. Enl. 322.—-
GMEL. Syst. Nat. 1788, I, p. 707.—VigEILL. Ency. Méth. 1823, III,
p- 1053, pl. 60, fig. 1.—Snaw, Gen. Zool. 1824, desc. and syn. partim,
nec. pl.— LaTu. Ind. Orn. 1790, II, p. 762.—Scuiar. P. Z. S. 1856,
p. 282, partim.—TAay-. Ibis, 1864, p. 96.—Leor. Ois. Trinid. 1866,
p- 486.—Nirzscu, Pteryl. 1867, p. 126.— PeLz. Ornith. Bras. 1870,
p- 313-—SciatT. & Sav. P. Z. S. 1873, p. 309.—Layp. Ibis, 1873,
p- 396.—Hups..P. Z.\'S. 1876, p. 103:—Tacz. PB. Z. S: 1877,.paaec
DurnF. Ibis, 1877, p. 196.—ForBEs, P. Z. S. 1881, pp. 642-647; 7d.
Ibis, 1881, p. 359.— WuirTe, P. Z. S. 1882, p..627.—BERL. Ibis, 1884,
p- 440.—Tacz. Ois. Per. III, p. 331, partim.

Parra intermedia ScCLAT. P. Z. S. 1856, p. 282 (ex Venezuela, Verr.).

Facana spinosa STEN. Auk, 1885, p. 338.

Adult :—Head, neck, and anterior portion of back black with green
and purple reflections. Back and wings bright chestnut. Primaries and
secondaries pale greenish yellow, the latter tipped with brown; the
former bordered with the same color, confined to the apical half of the
outer web, and the typical portion of the inner except on the first primary,
which has the entire outer web brown. Flanks dark chestnut; breast
dull greenish black. |. Abdomen and under tail-coverts dull purplish.
Rump and upper tail-coverts, purplish chestnut. Tail bright chestnut
tipped with black. Frontal and side wattles, together with base of bill,
bright red. Remainder of bill yellow. Legs and feet olive. Metacarpal
spur extremely sharp. Spurs onshoulder of wing yellow. Total length,
104; wing, 54; tail, 24; bill (culmen), 1% inches.

Young :—Yop of head brown; a black stripe down back of neck, and
one from behind the eye to nape, black. Superciliary stripe yellowish
white. Throat, front of neck, and entire underparts white, washed on
lower neck and upper part of breast with buff. Back bronzy brown;
wings bronze-green with chestnut feathers interspersed, chiefly on the

1888. ] ELLioT on the Facanide. 295

shoulders and coverts. Primaries and secondaries as in the adults.
Rump and upper tail-coverts chestnut. Tail bronzy brown. Frontal
and side wattles rudimentary, red. Bill apparently bluish at base of
maxilla, remainder yellow. Legs and feet olive. Total length, 9;
wing, 53; tail, 24; bill (culmen), rf inches. Specimens vary in size.

HasiratT. Trinidad (Léotaud). Angostura, Venezuela (Um-
lauff). Parahyba, Brazil (Forbes). Par4 (Leyard). Corumbdé,
Brazil (Smith). Argentine Republic (Hudson). Colombia
(Wyatt). Quito, Conadon (Alexander). Peru (Jelski and
Stolzmann, Bartlett). Yungas, Bolivia (Rusby).

Linneus (1. c.) founded this species in 1766, upon the plate
357 in Edwards’s drawings called by him, ‘‘the Spur-winged
Water Hen of Brazil,” and gave to it the name of Parra jacana,
thus employing for his specific term, that of the genus given to
these birds by Brisson six years previously, and substituting for
that genus the new one Parra. The codes of the American and
British Ornithologists’ Unions have provided, more or less satis-
factorily, rules to govern cases when specific names have been
elevated to generic rank, and told us what is to be done with
such parvenues ; but neither of them have a word to say as to
the proper course of procedure when generic terms are reduced
to specific rank, and ornithological nomenclature becomes
enriched by such an abominable instance of tautology as exhibited
inthe name which this, luckily wide-footed, bird is compelled
to carry about. Brisson isan accepted authority for genera, and
consequently Yacaxa must stand, but I employ Linneus’s specific
name under protest, believing that he had no right to willfully
ignore the works of previous authors, any more than have orni-
thologists of the present day, and I think that 7acava should be
rejected as a specific term, and another one substituted. I commend
this case to the consideration of the two Unions aforesaid, in
order that a similar occurrence may be rendered nugatory in the
future, if a way can be found to make it so. Linnaus probably
never saw a specimen of Jacana, his knowledge of these birds
being confined mainly to Edwards’s and Brisson’s plates and des-
criptions, and consequently his description of ?. jacana is very
much mixed, and would seem to apply to two species—the corpus
to F. nigra ( Ffacana armata nigra Briss.), the dorso to F,
jacana,

296 ELLiot on the Facanide. [ July

Jacana nigra.

Parra nigra GMEL. Syst. Nat. 1788, I, p. 708.—Latn. Ind. Orn. 1799, II,
p- 762.—VIEILL. Ency. Méth. 1823, III, p. 1054.

Parra brasiliensis GMEL. Syst. Nat. 1788, I, p. 7o8.—Latrn. Ind. Orn.
1790, II, p. 763.—VIEILL. Ency. Méth. 1823, III, p. 1054.

Parra viridis GMEL. Syst. Nat. 1788, I, p. 708.—Latu. Ind. Orn. 1790,
II, p. 763.—VieI1LuL. Ency. Méth. 1823, III, p. 1055.

Parra hypomelena G. R. Gray, Gen. B. 1846, III, pl.—Scrar. P. Z. 5.
1856, p. 283.—Sciat. & Sarv. P. Z. S. 1879, p. 346.

Parra melanopygtia SCLAT. P. Z. S. 1856, p. 283.

Adult:—Entire plumage black glossed with green and purple, these
hues varying in intensity and brightness among individuals, the purple
being usually the most brilliant upon the wings and mantle. Under
wing-coverts black. Tail purplish black. Remiges pale greenish yel-
low, tipped on secondaries, and bordered on primaries with brownish
black, the outer web of first primary being entirely of this color. An
upright broad wattle divided into two lobes at the base of maxilla, and
two narrow, somewhat lengthened, one pendant from either side of base
of mandible, bright orange red. Base of bill orange red, remainder bright
yellow. Metacarpal spur developed and pointed. ‘Tarsi and feet green-
ish black. Individuals of this species apparently vary considerably in size,
even from the same locality, and also in the amount of purple reflections
on the neck and body. Total length, 7}-S%; wing, 43-5; tail, 13-2;
tarsus, 2-24; bill (culmen), #-14 inches.

Young :—TYop of head brown. Superciliary stripe yellowish white.
Stripe from behind the eye, back of neck, and anterior portion of back,
rump, and upper tail-coverts black, with a greenish lustre. Throat, neck
underneath, and entire underparts, white. Wings bronzy brown. Pri-
maries and secondaries as inthe adult. Tail bronzy purple. bill: frontal
wattle yellow; base of maxilla reddish, rest of bill yellow. Legs and
feet olive. Total length, 94 in.; wing, 54; tail, 1%; bill (culmen), rd.

Hasitrat. Carthagena, Mus. Paris (Sclater). Antioquia,
Colombia (Salmon). Baranquila, Colombia (Crowther).
Panama (McClellan). St. Martha (Lawrence).

This apparently perfectly valid species, described by the older
writers very completely, and named by Gmelin, seems either
to have been overlooked by authors generally or else for some
inexplicable reason deemed to be the same as the P. jacana of
Linnzus, which it has nothing to do with, and in no way re-
sembles. Gray figures it in his ‘Genera of Birds’ as P. hypome-
lena, but gives no description, and places the P. xzgra Gmel.
in his list as a questionable species! Sclater [l.c.] gives it

1888. ] ELxLiot on the Facanide. 297

another name, P. melanopygia, from Santa Martha, Colombia,
separating it from both Gray’s bird and P. xzgra of Gmelin,
which last he places as a synonym of P. jacana Linn., and so
it has gone on among writers up to the present day. In no
stage of its plumage can it be confounded with P. gacava Linn.
I also am unable to perceive any difference in specimens from
Santa Martha and those from other localities entitling them to
separate specific rank, and have consequently placed P. me/an-
opygta Sclater among the synonyms of F. xzgra. Gmelin’s
description, capite, collo, cauda et corpore supra nigro, proves
at once that he had not jacana in view, for this species has the
tail and body above, bright purple chestnut, with the tips of the
rectrices a greenish black. Gmelin’s synonym is the Yacana
armata nigra Brisson, Av. Vol. Vea p- 124, No. 3, where an

elaborate aud complete description of 7. 2zgra is given.

¥ Jacana spinosa.

Fulica spinosa LINN. Syst. Nat. 1758, p. 152 (Ammature).

Parra vartabilis LINN. Syst. Nat. 1766, p. 260 (imm.).—GMEL. Syst. Nat.
1788, I, p. 708. — Laru. Ind. Orn. 1790, II, p. 763. — VIEILL. Ency.
Méth. 1823. p. 1055, pl. 60, No. 2.

Parra jacana SHAW (nec. LINN.), Gen. Zool. 1824, p. 263 (desc. and syn-
partim), pl. 32.

Parra gymnostoma WAGL. Isis, 1832, p- 517-—GrRaAy, Gen. B. 1846, III, p.
589. — ScLaT. P. Z. S. 1856, p. 283, 1857, p. 206. 1858, p. 360, 1860,
Pp. 393-— Moorg, P. Z.S. 1859, p. 64. — Scrat. & SALV. Ibis, 1859, p.
231.— Taytor, Ibis, 1860, p. 314. —ScHLEG. Mus. Pays-B. Ralli,
1865, p. 66. —SAtv. Ibis, 1870, p. 116. — Wyatt, Ibis, 1871, pp. 116,
383. — MERRILL, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, 1876, I, p. 88. — Forsess,
P. Z. S. 1881, pp. 642, 646.—SALV. P. Z. S. 1883, p. 428.—Bairp, Br.
& Ripc. W. B. N. A.1884, I, p. 176.— Cory, B. Hait. & San. D,
1885, p- 159, pl.—RinG. Man. B. 1887, p. 183.

Parra cordifera Less. Rev. Zool. 1824, p. 135.—DrEs Murs, Icog. Orn.
p- 849, pl. 42.

Parra violacea Cory, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, 1881, VI, p. 130.

Adult:—-Head, neck, upper part of back and breast, black, with green
and purple reflections. Back and wings purplish chestnut. Rump, upper
tail-coverts, and tail dark purple. Lower portion of breast and flanks dull
maroon. Abdomen, thighs and under tail-coverts dull brownish maroon.
Primaries and secondaries pale yellowish green, bordered on the first with
blackish brown; this color including the entire outer web of the first two
primaries, the secondaries being only tipped with blackish brown. Frontal
leaf or wattle divided into three lobes on top. broad above,'‘narrowing to

298 ELLior ox the Facanide. [ July

where it joins the forehead, yellow in skin, probably red or orange in life.
Base of mandible bluish white, with a space of carmine between it and
the wattle; rest of bill bright yellow. Metacarpal spur large and sharp
at point. Legs and feet dull olive. Total length, 9; wing, 5-54; tail,
24: bill, 12; tarsus, 24 in.

Young:—Top of head and nape pale brown, a superciliary yellowish
white stripe from base of maxilla to nape of neck. A black stripe from
behind the eye, narrow at first, but widening as it proceeds, passes down
the side of neck, and crosses the upper part of back. Chin, throat, sides
and front of neck and entire underparts white, with a strong buff tinge on
the upper part of breast. Back and wings pale bronzy brown. Primaries
and secondaries like the adult, with slightly more brown on the primaries.
Rump and upper tail-coverts purple. Tail purplish black. Frontal wat-
tle rudimentary. Bill yellow, blue at base. Feet and legs olive.

HasitatT. Haiti (Cory). Cuba (Cory). Texas (Merrill):
Mexico (De Oca, Markham, Sumichrast). Guatemala (Ley-
land). Costa Rica (Salvin). Honduras (Taylor). Yucatan
(Gaumer). Carthagena, Colombia (Edwards, Sclater).

In 1758 Linneus gave to the bird from Carthagena represented
in plate 48 of Edwards’s ‘Natural History of Birds,’ the name of
Frulica spinosa. In 1760 Brisson placed this bird among the
synonyms of his ‘*Chirugien vari¢é,” and some more allied to it,
in the genus Yacana. In 1766 Linneus in his 12th edition, dis-
regarding all that had been done before with this species, both
as to other authors and his own writings as well, gave the bird
of Edwards’s plate 48 the specific name of varéadzlis, and placed
it in his genus Parra, manufactured for the occasion, ignoring
the prior claims of Brisson in the premises. That Edwards’s
plate represents the P. gymnostoma auct., and not P. jacana
auct., is evidenced by both the colored figure andthe description,
as the latter states that the frontal wattle, or as he calls it, the
‘loose flap,’ is ‘*scalloped with three scollops on the tip,” and his
plate shows this, and there is no indication of any side wattles
at base of bill. The wattle of P. jacana is bi-lobed, and there
are pendent side wattles, even in young birds. This is the his-
tory of this species up to 1766, and of the way it received its
baptism. Now what name must it bear? Those who adhere to
the 1758 edition of Linnzus say sfzzosa; those who prefer the
1766 say varéabelis. I have begun with 1758, not that I am
altogether satisfied that it is the proper one, for when an author
studiously ignores his own previous writings and consolidates

1888. | Eviior ox the Facanide. 299

himself, so to speak, as Linnzus does, in his 12th edition, I do
not see that any ornithologist should be troubled about earlier
dates so far as Linnaeus is concerned. But in this instance (as it
is a moot question among ornithologists as a class, which edition
should have priority), the name sfzzosa means something when
applied to a Jacana, and varabzlis does not, and so I have
adopted it. In this 12th edition, there is no mention made of
fulica spinosa, either in that genus. or as a synonym of Parra,
its author having apparently decided to obliterate it entirely.

Specimens of this bird from Cuba and Haiti agree precisely
with examples from Mexico and Central America, and therefore
P. violacea Cory will have to become a synonym.

Metopidius indicus.

Indian Facana LATH. Syn. Suppl. p. 257.

Parra indica Latnu. Ind. Ornith. 1790, p. 765.—VIeEILL. Nouv. Dict. Hist.
Nat. 1817, p. 447; 7b. Ency. Meéth. 1823, p. 1056.—ScuHLeG. Mus.
Pays-B. Ralli 1865, p. 67.—Satvap. Ucc. Born. 1874, p. 343.—IN-
GLIss, Str. Feath. 1877, p. 46.—Humer & Davison, Str. Feath. VI,
1878, p. 464.—Cripps, Str. Feath. VIII, 1879, p. 304.—ButT-L. Str.
Feath. IX, 1880, p. 430.—Ltoyp, Ibis, 1882, p. 470.

Parra cuprea VAWL. Shrieft. Naturh. Selsk. 1793, II, 2, p. 51.

Parra cristata ViriLu. Nouy. Dict. Hist. Nat. 1817, p. 450; 26. Ency. Méth.
1823, p. 1055.

Parra enea Cuv. Reg. Anim. 1817, I, p. 498; 2. Reg. Anim. 1829, I, p. 535,
—Less. Trait. Ornith. 1831, p. 539.—Nuirzscu, Pteryl. 1867, p. 126.
—ForseEs, P. Z. S. 1881, p. 640.

Parra superciliosa Horse. Trans. Linn. Soc. XIII, 1821, p. 194; 2. Zool.
Res. pl. 64 (1824).

Metopidtus eneus WAGL. Isis, 1832, p. 279.

Fiydralector cristatus WAGUL. (nec ViEILL.), Isis, 1832, p. 2So.

Parra atrata Tick. Jour. Asiat. Soc. Beng. 1833, II, p. 582.

Parra melanochloris VietLu. Gal. Ois. 1834, II, pl. 264.

Parra melanoviridis VietLu. Gal. Ois. 1834, II, p. 164.

Metopidius indicus Biyru, Cat. B. Mus. Asiat. Soc. Beng. 1849, p- 273
—Jerp. B. Ind. 1862, p. 708.—Hume, Nests and Eggs Ind. B. 1873,

p- 591-—Oartes, B. Brit. Burm. 1883, p. 358.

Adult:—Head, neck, breast, flanks, abdomen and thighs rich dark green,
glossed in certain lights with purple reflections. Chin white. A broad
white stripe extends from above the eye to the nape. Back and wings
pale greenish bronze, this color separated on the back from the dark green
of the neck bya line of bright purple. Lower back, rump, upper and
under tail-coverts maroon. Tail chestnut. Outer secondaries black on

300 ELL10T on the Facanide. { July

inner, bronze on outer webs; innermost ones all bronze. Primaries
black with a green gloss. Frontal shield and basal half of maxilla, blue,
with a rose-colored spot on either side; remaining portion of maxilla and
the entire mandible yellowish green. Metacarpal spur small and blunt.
Legs and feet bluish slate color. The bill, according to Oates, varies con-
siderably in color in different individuals. Total length, 103; wing,
6%; tail, 24; tarsus, 24; bill along culmen, 14 in.

Young:—Upper part of head chestnut; eyebrow brownish white; back
of neck purplish green; sides of head, chin and throat white; front and
sides of neck and upper part of breast bright buff; lower breast, abdomen
and under tail-coverts white. Under wing-coverts and flanks purplish
black. Back and wings pale bronze green. Rump and upper tail-coverts
maroon. Tail has median rectrices bronze; remainder pale chestnut,
barred diagonally with greenish black and bordered with white. The
young is stated not to assume the adult plumage until the second spring
moult.

Hasirat. India, Indo-Burmese Countries, Siam, Cochin-
China (Oates), Ceylon (Temminck), Java (Horsfield), Suma-
tra? Borneo? (Salvadori).

Oates states that this species is spread over a greater part of

India, Indo-Burmese countries, Siam and Cochin-China. It has
the habits of the Water Hens, frequents swamps and ponds that
are covered with floating plants, over which it easily walks. As
a rule it is very tame, and takes wing reluctantly. It breeds in
the rainy season, and the eggs, usually six in number, are pale
buff, thickly covered with tangled black lines.

Metopidius albinucha.

Parra albinucha Grorr. ST. Hit. Mag. Zool. 1832, cl. Il, pl. 6.—Rocu
& Newt. Ibis, 1863, p. 172.—-E. Newt. Ibis, 1863, p. 458.—ScHLEG.
Mus. Pays-B. Ralli, 1865, p. 70; zb. P. Z. S. 1866, p. 425.—PoLt. &
Van Dam. Rech. Faun. Mad. 1868, p. 136.—Finscu & Hart_. Vég.
Ost. Afr. 1870, p. 783.—HARTL. V6g. Madag. 1877, p. 352.

Parra atricollis Swatns. Anim. Menag. 1838, p. 334, sp- 160.

Adult: —General plumage of the body cinnamon brown; nape and sides
of head, throat and front of neck black; back of neck white. Front of
head bare, bluish black. Wings cinnamon brown like the body, prima-
ries black with a greenish gloss. Upper tail-coverts white. Tail reddish
cinnamon, tips of middle rectrices greenish black. Bill bluish black at
base, inclining to horn color at the tip. Feet and tarsiapparently a bluish
black. Wing, 64 in.; tail, 23 in.; bill, 14 in.

Hasirat. Madagascar (St. Hilaire, Hartlaub).

1888. | ELLiIotT ox the Facanide. 301

Metopidius africanus.

Parra africana GMEL. Syst. Nat. 1788, p. 709.—VIeEILL. Nouv. Dict. Hist.
Nat. 1817, p. 447.—Less. Trait. Ornith. 1831, p. 539.-—Swain. Zool.
Illus. 1831-32, pl. 6.—G. R. Gray, Gen. B. 1846, p. 589.—HEUuGL.
Syst. Ueb. Vég. N. O. Afrik. (1885), p. 255.—Kuirk, Ibis, 1864, p.
334-—-MonTEIRO, P. Z. S. 1865, p. 90.—SCHLEG. Mus. Pays-B. Ralli,
1865, p. 69; zd. P. Z. S. 1866, p. 425.—Nirzscn, Pteryl. 1867, p. 126.
—Potit. & Van Dam. Rech. Faun. Madag. 1868, p. 137.—Gray,
Handl. B. 1871, p. 70.—ANDERS. B. Damar-L. 1872, p. 328.—Gar-
ROD, P. Z. S. 1873, pp. 469, 641; 1875, p. 348.—HeuGL. Orn. Nord.
Ost. Afr. (4873), No: §25.—HarTL. Vog. Madag. 1877, p. 354.—
Finsco & Hartt. Voég. Ost. Afr. 1870, p. 781.—Forses, P. Z. S.
1881, pp. 640-642.—Layp. B. S. Af. 1884, p. 649.

Metopidtus africanus WAGL. Isis, 1832, p. 279.

Adult: —Front and top of head bare, in life bluish black; back of head
and neck black tinged with green; throat, sides of head and front of neck
white, passinginto golden yellow on the upper part of the breast; entire
plumage of the body bright cinnamon brown, divided on the under surface
from the golden hue of the chest by a narrow dark line. Tail dark cinna-
mon red, tips of rectrices greenish bronze. Wings reddish cinnamon,
primaries purplish brown, tips greenish. Metacarpal spur small and
blunt. Bill bluish black, pinkish at the tip; tarsi and feet ash color.
Total length, ro in.; wing, 6; tail, rj.

Hapitrar. Senegal, Gambin, Gold-coast, Gaboon, Benguela,
Damara-Land (Heuglin). Coroca River, Mossamedes, Humbé
(Anchieta). Okovango, Teonghe, and Boletle Rivers (Anders-
son). Lake Nzami (Andersson). Natal (Ayres). Algoa Bay,
Mozambique (Heuglin). Zambesi (Kirk). Madagaska, Zam-
besi (Kirk).

Andersson says he never saw this species in Great Namaqua
Land, and that it is scarce in Damara-Land, but common at
Lake Nzami and the Okovango River. It goes in pairs or small
flocks, has a lively disposition, and is generally easy of approach.
In Natal, according to Ayres, it is found in considerable num-
bers in the lagoons and pools. Their food consists entirely of
the seeds of plants and small insects.

Aphalus capensis.

Parra capensts SMITH, Birds S. Afr. 1849, pl. 32.—ANDERsS. P. Z. S. 1864,
p-7-—AyrEs, Ibis, 1864, p. 360.—GuRN. Ibis, 1864, p. 360.—ANDERSS.
B. Damara-L. 1872, p. 330.—LaAyp. B. S. Afr. 1884, p. 649.

302 ELLior on the Facanide. { July
Forehead yellow, superciliary stripe white; crown and nape, together
with a narrow bar on side of neck at base, sides of the body and tail,
dark reddish orange; back of neck purplish black; sides of neck and
breast greenish yellow, chin, throat, breast, belly and under tail-coverts,
white. Wings and back grayish brown. Metacarpal spur, small and
blunt. Bill yellowish brown. Legs and feet greenish yellow. Total
length, 74; wing, 3%; tail, 1 5-6.

HaBitaT. South Africa, Natal (Ayres). Damara-Land
(Andersson). Algoa Bay (Smith).

This species, described by Sir Andrew Smith (1. c.) is smaller
than its relative the AZ. africana, and dwells in similar lo-
calities. In Natal, Mr. Ayres found them abundant on Sea Cow
Lake, and if they approached any of the larger species they
were immediately chased away, and there was constant squab-
bling between them. One habit this bird possesses is peculiar,
that of dipping the head up and down like some of the small
Plovers. Like AZ. afrécana, Andersson says, it does not occur
in Great Namaqua-Land, is rare in Damara-Land, but common in
the Lake regions, and on the Okovango, where it breeds.

As this species has the head fully feathered it cannot very well
be placed in the genus AZetopidius, with alécnucha and africanus,
which have the top of the head more or less bare of feathers,
and I have therefore proposed the term Apha/as (&badros) for it,
with the following characters. Head completely feathered. No
wattles or fleshy crest upon the head. First and second prima-
ries longest, third, fourth and fifth equal. Closed wing reaches
to near the tip of tail. Tarsi strong and short. Bill straight,
slender, wedge-shaped at tip.

Hydralector gallinaceus.

Parra gallinacea Temm. Plan. Col. pl. 464.—Less. Trait. Ornith. 1831,
p. 539-—Gou Lp, B. Austr. IV, pl. 75; 2. Hand. L. B. Austr. 1865,
II, p. 330.—G. R. Gray, Gen. B. 1046, III, p. 589; 7b. P. Z. S. 1860,
pp. 365, 438.— Ramsay, Ibis, 1867, p. 417, pl. 8, f£ 3) egg. —
D’AtBertT. P: Z.S. 1875, p. 530; 26. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1875,
VIII, p. 799.—Ramsay, P. Z. S. 1847, p. 344; 2b. Proc. Linn. Soc.
Nets We ately g IDs jou Wolo’

Hydralector gallinaceus WAGL. Isis, 1832, p, 280.—WALD. Trans. Zool. Soc.
1872, VIII, p. 92.—MeryeEr, Ibis, 1879, p. 141.—FORBES, P2225:
1881, p. 647.-—SALVAD. Orn. Pap. e Moll. 1882, II, p. 308.

Hydralector cristatus ReicH. (vec VIEILL). Syn. Av. Ras. 1848, pl. 112.

>

1888. ] EvLior ox the Facanide. 303

figs. 1126-29.—G R. Gray, Handl. B. 1871, I, p. 70.—Garrop,
| Fay Sie on. Bele

Parra cristata SCHLEG. (xec VIEILL.) Mus. Pays-B. Ralli, 1865, p. 68.—
SHARPE, Trans. Linn. Soc. 1877, XII, p. 505.

Parra nove-guinee RAMSAY, Trans. Linn. Soc. N. S. W. 1878, II,
p- 298, 1879, IV, p. 102.—SALvaAD. Ibis, 1879, p. 327.

Adult:—Top of head, occiput, and stripe down the back of the neck,
narrow line over upper part of back at base of neck. breast, flanks and
under wing-coverts, black. Throat white. Sides of head and neck, as well
as the neck in front, golden yellow. Spot from eye to base of mandible
black. Back and wings pale, shining, grayish olive. Primaries greenish
iblack. Rump and upper tail-coverts grayish olive, feathers tipped with
black. Abdomen, thighs and under tail-coverts white. Tail dark olive
green, almost black in certain lights. Forehead covered by a naked
shield, having a central, horizontal, flat, keel-shaped membrane, extend-
ing from its posterior limits along the culmen nearly to the nostrils. This,
together with the basal two thirds of the bill, is yellowin skin (aurora-
red, according to Gould, in life) ; apical third of bill blackish brown. Meta-
carpal spur small and blunt. Legs and feet olive. Gould says that the
‘sforepart of tibia is red with a mixture in patches of yellow and greenish-
gray.’ There is no indication of this in the specimens before me. Total
length, gin.; wing, 54in.; tail, 2in.; bill, rin. Young have entire
under surface white; head and occiput, reddish chestnut; back, reddish
brown.

Hapirat. Ceiebes (Meyer, von Rosenberg). Banda (G. R.
Gray), Mysol (Wallace), Yule Island, Naiabui, New Guinea
(D’Albertis), Port Essington, Austr. (Gould), Queensland,
Northeastern New South Wales (Ramsay).

Specimens from New Guinea, according to Ramsay, differ
somewhat, especially in the darker color of the wings; but, as
Siulvadori says, examples from New Guinea and Australia re-
semble typical ones from Celebes, and the diflerences of certain
individuals are not sufficient to constitute a specific separation.
He concludes his remarks, however, by mortgaging the Austra-
lian bird, by saying, that if it is deemed necessary to impose a
new name upon it, he suggests //ydralector nove-hollandie.
The evidence presented to me by the specimens at my command
does not render it necessary that this mortgage should be fore-
closed as yet.

Hydrophasianus chirurgus.

Le chirurgien de VIsle de Lugon, SoNN. Voy. Nov. Guin. 1776, p. 82,

pl. 45.
Tringa chirurgus Scop. Del. Flor. Faun. Insub. 1786, p. 92 (ex SONN.).

304 ELLiotT ox the Facanide. [ July

Parra luzontensts GMEL. Syst. Nat. 1788, I, p. 709, No. 13.—VIEILL. Ency.
Meth: 18235 ps L057.

Parra stnensts GMEL. Syst. Nat. 1788, I, p. 7o9. No. 15.— Less. Trait.
Orn. 1831, p. 539. —ScuLzc. Mus. Pays-B. 1865, p. 71. — NITzscuH,
Pteryl. 1876, p. 126.— VieILuL. Gal. Ois. 1834, p. 165, pl. 265. —
Davip & WeEND. Str. Feath. 1878, VII, p. 89.—KeELHAM, Ibis, 1882,
p. 185.

Hydrophasianus sznensis WaAGL. Isis (1832) p- 270. — HEND. & Hume,
Lahore to Yark. 1873, p. 290.—BtythH, B. Brit. Burmah, 1875, p. 157.

Parra phenicura Hove. Gray's Zool. Misc. p. 86.

Hydrophastanus chirurgus BLytH, Cat. B. Mus. Asiat. Soc. Beng. 1849,
p. 273. —Jerp. B. Ind. 1864. III, p. 709. — Hume, Nest and Eggs
Ind. B. 1873, p. 592. —Satvap. Ucc. Bor. 1874, p. 343. —HumE &
Davison, Str. Feath. VI, 1878, p. 464.—Batt, Str. Feath. VII, 1878,
p- 229.— Cries, Str. Feath. VII, 1878, p. 304. — Dore, Str. Feath.
VII, 1878, p. 371. —Davip & Oust. Ois. Chine, 1877, p. 483. —
Lecce, B. Ceyl. 1880, Il, p. 914. — Forbes, P. Z. S. 1881, pp. 640,
642. — Oates, B. Brit. Burm. 1883, p. 360.— Murr. Vert. Zool.
Scinde, 1884, p. 259.

Adult:—Head, throat, and front of neck white. Nape black; hind part of
neck bright golden yellow, separated from the white in front by a narrow
black line. Back shining purplish brown, entire underparts purplish
black. Rump, upper and lower tail-coverts, and tail blackish brown.
Four median rectrices greatly lengthened. Wings have scapulars and
tertials dark olive brown; upper and under wing-coverts, and secondaries
white, the tips of the outer secondaries being brownish black. First pri-
maries black; second black with a large part of the basal half of inner
web white; third nearly all white on inner web, and the remaining ones
all white save the tips, which are brownish biack. First primary for
about an inch from the tip is bare, with a narrow web at the end; next
two with the shafts extending beyond the web; the remainder attenuated
at the tip, diminishing in length as the innermost primary is reached.
Metacarpal spur developed, sharp. Bill light blue at base, tip greenish.
Legs and feet plumbeous blue. Claws black. Iris deep brown. Total
length, 18-21; wing, 8-94; tail, 11-124; middle toe and claw, 3-3}; bill
at gape, Ij in.

Winter plumage :—Top ot headand centre of hind neck, back, scapulars
and tertials, hair-brown. with green and some bronze reflections on the
back. Lesser and greater wing-coverts pale brown, the feathers barred
with blackish brown and white toward the tips; rest of wing as in breed-
ing plumage. A white stripe extends from the base of the bill over the
eye; a black one runs from the gape through the eye and down the sides
of the neck, terminating in a band across the chest. A shining golden
stripe, continuous with the superciliaries, extends down the sides of the
neck, behind this black one. Throat and front of neck and entire under
surface pure white. Some feathers on flanks mottled with brown. Rump

1888. ] SENNETT ox a@ New Form of Clapper Rail. 305

and central tail-feathers moderately lengthened, hair-brown, darkest on
the rump; rest of tail white.

Hapsirar. Java, Borneo and Philippines (Oates). Formosa
(Swinhoe). Java (Diard). Borneo (Salvadori). Ceylon
(Legge). — India, as far as Scinde and Cashmere, Ceylon,
China, Cochin-China, Malay Peninsula (Oates).

This state of plumage is frequently regarded as that of the im-
mature bird; but these differ, according to Legge, by having a
ferruginous stripe over the eye, front neck fulvous, the golden
neck stripe paler, and a less developed chest band. The breed-
ing plumage appears to be assumed by the feathers changing
color, and not by a moult. In Chinese examples sometimes the
hind neck golden patch is very large and the black border very
broad. According to Hume, this is a shy species, running with
wonderful facility over the floating weeds, lotus leaves, etc., and
when alarmed, concealing itself by lying close to the plants,
with its head and neck stretched out on a level with the body ;
sometimes, when possible, it will sink half of its body in the
water. It is also an expert diver. It breeds from June to about
the middle of September, according to locality. The nest, nearly
two feet in diameter, is made of weeds and roughly put together,
sometimes placed on the surface of the water, or on an island
close to the water. The eggs, four in number, vary in color
from pale brown to a deep rufous, and are covered with tangled
lines of blackish, or reddish brown. The shell has a very lus-

trous appearance.

A NEW FORM OF CLAPPER RAIL.
BY GEORGE B. SENNETT.

Rallus longirostris scottii, subsp. nov. Scort’s Ratt.

The darkest of all the large Rails. Prevailing color on back very dark
brown or black. This color prevails tosuch an extent that in most adults
little notice would be taken of the olive gray edgings. Underparts also
darker and with much less cinnamon than others of the genus. Flanks

300 Recent Literature. [July

more distinctly barred dark brown and white. Full grown young of the
year dark brown, but not so nearly black as adults.

Types, g ad. Collector’s No. 4123, Dec. 27, 1886; 9 ad. Collector's
No. 413247, Jan. 8, 1887.

HABITAT: West Coast of Florida.

Types in American Museum of Natural History, New York.
Collected by W. E. D. Scott, Tarpon Springs, Fla. Immature
birds in National Museum, Washington, taken at Charlotte
Harbor, Florida.

I had intended for this number of ‘The Auk,’ in connection
with this short description of the new form, a paper on the entire
group of large Rails. Although I have had large series at my
command for study, yet the promise of still many more from
various localities, leads me to defer the article for a future

number, when it can be more satisfactory.

RECENT LITERATURE.

Palmén’s Contributions to the Knowledge of the Bird Fauna of the
Siberian Coasts of the Arctic Sea.*—The celebrated author of the ‘ Zug-
strassen der V6gel’ has given us in the work before us one of the most
important and comprehensive, not te say ¢#e most important and com-
prehensive treatise on Arctic birds ever written. The public has been
impatiently awaiting the publication of the ornithological results of Nor-
denskidld’s famous expedition (1878-1879), and though long delayed, it
is nevertheless highly welcome to the students of northern ornithology.

The working up of the material could not have fallen into better hands,
and we are thankful that the author has not only treated of the species
collected, but that he also included those found by others, and particularly
that he has given us a special chapter on the distribution of the species
within the entire Arctic province, accompanied by a comprehensive bibli-
ography.

Hitherto we have had no exact knowledge of the birds occurring along
the Arctic coasts of Siberia, except a few scattered notes as to the birds
inhabiting the extreme west or the extreme east of the territory, and Mid-

* Bidrag | till kannedomen om | Sibiriska Ishafskustens fogelfauna | enligt | Ve-
ga-expeditionens | iakttagelser och samlingar | bearbetade | af | J. A. Palmén. < Ve-
ga-Exped. Vetensk. | lakttag, V, pp. 241-511. (Stockholm, 1887).

1888. ] Recent Literature. 307

dendorff’s observations in the Taimur Peninsula. We know that the
Atlanto-glacial forms must meet their Pacifico-glacial neighbors some-
where on the coast in question, but just where we could only guess at.
Palmén’s eight tables (appended between pp. 500 and sor) are here of the
greatest importance.

But it would carry us too far were I to give a resumé of all that is inter-
esting in his book. I shall only mention that it is divided into four parts,
the first of which treats of the localities in which the observations were
made, and their physiographical character. The second, comprising the
bulk of the memoir, contains the observations, localities, technicalities,
etc., arranged under the head of each species, eighty of which are num-
bered as collected by the ‘Vega’ Expedition. The third part is devoted to
the changes in the bird life on the northern coast of the Tschuktschi
Peninsula during 1879, while the fourth treats of the distribution of the
species over the entire Arctic province together with asynopsis of the liter-
ature. Finally (pp. so0t-511) there are some general remarks, with tables,
relating to the composition of the avifauna of the Tschuktschi Peninsula.

Want of time and space prevents me from going into detail, and when,
in the following, I attempt to make a few desultory remarks, it is because
they may be regarded as answers to questions raised by Palmén in
his paper, to which I might be regarded as the proper respondent.

Palmén’s doubt (p. 272, footnote) in regard to the statement made by
Nelson (Cruise of the Corwin, 1881, p. 62) that Mr. Dall obtained a speci-
men of Anthus pratensrs at St. Michael’s, Alaska, is fully justified, as the
specimen in question really is an A. cervinus. The former species has
not been found in Alaska.

The remarks by Prof. Palmén in regard to the correctness of referring
the East Asiatic Dunlins to the American form 7rznga alpina pacifica’
has led me again to look into the question, and I can but state that after
having carefully gone over the immense series of the U. S. National
Museum, which has been considerably increased since I identified my
Kamtschatkan specimens four years ago, I am still upholding that deter-
mination as correct. Palmén pays almost exclusive attention to the size
of the two alleged forms, but it is quite plain that in birds of such variabil-
ity of size as shown by the Dunlin this character can only be one o1
secondary consideration. The West-paliarctic form, Z. alpina typica,
differs clearly in coloration from the bird inhabiting both sides of the
Pacific.

The latter is brighter above, and usually more red; the white on face
and neck is purer, the black streaks and spots smaller, and the black patch
on the belly purer and better defined. But there is also an average dif-
ference in size between the two forms, for in the American subspecies the
wing varies between 111 and 126 mm. and the exposed culmen between
35 and 45 mm. while the corresponding range in the typical form seems to
be 109 to 117 mm. and 27 to 35 mm. With the exception of one specimen
(No. 89,180) the Bering Island birds come within the former limits, and in
coloration they agree minutely with the brightest American skins. In

308 Recent Literature. | July

addition I may quote a pair of Japanese birds recently received. As to
color they are typical 7. paczfica, while the measurements run as follows :

z & 5 al fap 5 GS -& low 2s .
ie > gH = o on a, v8 Sloe
4006 oO & a Pe) rel = v1 fs] D |g 2 a
Ae = a 3) = rel a Pat |S)
a ra “A IS) (a) = e |AS Sle o%
Se © v -] - O | AS
~ oO n +
109,427 |Namiye} @ad. |Shimosa, Hondo, Japan| Apr. 22, 1883} 121 54 29) | |28!\ vee
109,426 do /|@ ad. o ae “« |June 2, 1886} 118 51 40 |27| 24

These are undoubtedly the same asthe American birds. It is also well
to bear in mind that Dr. Coues’s type of 7. pacifica (U. S. Nat. Mus. No.
9540) is the largest specimen in our immense series, viz., wing, 126 mm. ;
tail-feathers, 5 mm.; exposed culmen, 44 mm.; tarsus, 28 mm.; middle
toe, with claw, 25 mm.

Palmén is quite right in supposing (p. 319, footnote) that the so-called
Tringa minutilla collected by Dr. T. Bean* in Plover Bay, August 13, 1880,
was erroneously identified, but he is wrong in supposing it to belong to
T. temminckit, with which it could never be confounded, as the latter has
a simply graduated tail with the outer tail-feathers pure white, and only
the first primary with a white shaft, while the specimen in question has a
doubly excised tail, gray outer rectrices, and white on the shafts of all the
primaries. It is a young bird which in its general coloration and in most
of its characters agrees closely with 7. mznufélla, but a close comparison
with specimens of the latter in corresponding plumage shows that Bean’s
specimen is different. Point for point, however, it agrees minutely with
a young 7. ruficoll’s which I myself collected on Bering Island (U. S. Nat.
Mus., No. 92,796), and to this species the specimen in question undoubt-
edly belongs. As already stated, young 7. ménutilla and ruficollis are
very much alike, but the latter may be distinguished by longer wings,
stouter and comparatively shorter bill, more white on the shafts of the
primaries and broader white edges to the inner (proximal) primary quills,
grayish rump with lighter edges to the feathers, instead of the nearly
solid black rump of the other species, generally lighter upper surface, more
grayish sides of head and neck, and uniform grayish chest which in 7.
minutilla usually is more streaked with dusky. Bean’s specimen (U. S.
Nat. Mus., No. 81,413) measures as follows: wing, 97 mm.; tail-feathers,
45 mm. ; middle toe with claw, 17 mm.; exposed culmen, 15.5 mm.

Very interesting is the demonstration (pp. 343-346) of the occurrence of
Charadrius dominicus, the American Golden Plover, on the Tschuktschi
Peninsula, which goes to show that the ranges of the two races cross each
other in the region bordering the northern part of Bering Sea, the

*Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., V, 1882, p. 164. By a curious mistake Palmén quotes this
specimen as collected by Mr. Dall, and throughout the book he refers to Dr. Bean's
observations in the paper quoted as made by Dall (e..2. pp. 491, 492, 494, etc.). In the
first sentence of the paper Dr. Bean distinctly states that “the collection..... was
made by the writer [Bean].”

1888. ] Recent Literature. 309

Asiatic form, Ch. d. fulvus, migrating into northwestern Alaska to breed,
and the American form crossing Bering’s Strait into Asia. Mr. Ridgway
and I have examined immense series of these birds from the regions in
question apropos of his ‘Water Birds of North America’ and ‘Manual of
North American Birds,’ as wellas my ‘Ornithological Explorations in
Kamtschatka’ and my various papers on Japanese and Hawaiian ornitho-
logy; and fromthe fact that we found no Cd. fudvus among the numerous
Golden Plovers collected during the migrating season in more southern
latitudes in America, and no Ch. domiuicus among the Asiatic or Austra-
lian specimens, we concluded that all Ch. dominicus migrate south along
the American coasts, and all Ch. fulvus, whether bred in Alaska or not,
along the Asiatic shores. I am inclined to conclude that the Tschuktschi
individuals of CZ. dominicus also retrace their steps across Bering’s Strait
and join their American confréres in going South, for, even if there were
no further evidence, it seems probable that were the small Tschuktschi
colony of the American form to travel along the migrating routes of Ch.
fulvus they would soon be utterly absorbed by the latter. I do not believe
that two races (and Palmén admits that they are only races, p. 346) can
migrate along the same route without their becoming entirely assimi-
lated. Of course, single individuals, or even small detached flocks, of one
race may be led by some accident to follow the route of the other race, es-
pecially in acase like the present where the apparent routes cross each
other, but these individuals prove nothing as to the regular route of the
race, so that even if isolated specimens of Ch. dominicus should be found
occasionally in southern latitudes of Eastern Asia, such occurrence would
be no valid argument against the generalization made by me (Results
Orn. Expl. Kamtsch., p. 105), in fact, they are to be exfecfed, and it would
be strange indeed did they not occasionally occur. Prof. Palmén, how.
ever, takes exception to my conclusion, simply because Swinhoe in
former days recorded the capture of both Ch. fulvus and dominicus (vtr-
ginicus, as he called it) in China and Japan, and he thinks it unsafe to
generalize before all Swinhoe’s examples have been re-examined. Now,
in the first place, itis pretty safe to say that Swinhoe at that time had
not grasped the true differences between the two forms ; in the second place,

U.S. Nat.
Museum Collector. Sex. Locality. Date. Wing. | Tarsus.
No.
mm. inm.,.
107,007 Swinhoe g |Canton, China|April 30, 1860] 166 44
107,006 4 ----|Amoy, “© |Sept., 1866 161 42
107,104 ee Soe ee “= \Oct. 15, 1866 160 42
107,103 ss eee a “* |Oct. 15, 1866 | 168 43
107,068 a sees gS Sept, 1667 154 44
374757 & achGn zs CP Nes ecae Iolo 163 45
107,107 a ----|Hainan, ‘ |April, 1868 164 44
107,108 |Blakiston, 1644) Q |S. Yezo, Japan|July 14, 1874 161 43

Mr. Seebohm, the present owner of the Swinhoe collection has expressly
declared that Ch. virginicus ‘‘has not yet been found in Asia”; in the

3 1O Recent Literature. { July
third place, I have before me seven specimens collected by Swinhoe in
China and one from Japan determined by him; these are all true Ch. ful-
vus as will be seen from the accompanying measurements, but the conclu-
Sive part of it is that the first and the last specimens of the series measured
are determined by Swinhoe as Ch. virgrnicus, this name being written on
the labels in his own handwriting, while the others are named Ch. fulvus.

I may finally mention that one of the stray migrants of Ch. domifnicus
to be expected on the route of Ch. fulvus seems to have been captured by
the ‘Vettor Pisani’ party in Olga Bay, Gulf of Tartary, September, 1879
(Giglioli and Salvadori, P. Z. S , 1887, p. 585; publ. 1888). The wing of
this specimen measured 180 mm., and consequently is considerably larger
than the average Ch. fulvus but there is a probability that some of the
large specimens of East-Asiatic Golden Plovers may not be pure-bred, as
interbreeding between the two so closely allied forms is almost certain to
take place where their ranges meet.

In regard to the Grws mentioned on p. 348 as having been taken ‘‘to
the north of Jakutsk,” on Mr. Taczanowski’s authority. 1 may remark that
the latter gentlemen has afterwards specified the locality as being ‘*Cap
Tschukotsk” (Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1876, p. 246) whence came also
the specimens of Turdus alicte@ and Macroramphus quoted by him (Z. e.
pp. 148, 255)-

I am pleased to see that Prof. Palmeén has arrived quite independently
at the same results in regard to /e¢ssa pollicarrs as myself. The North
Pacific Kittiwake is certainly more distinct than has formerly been sup-
posed, and there is no good reason for including the true 7. ¢rédactyla
among the birds of that region.

On page 370 Prof. Palmén describes a new subspecies of the Herring
Gullas Larus argentatus var. vege, ‘characterized by a particularly dark
eull-zray mantle and flesh-colored legs,” from the countries bordering on
Bering Sea and adjacent waters. There is no doubt in my mind that this
is the bird which North American ornithologists Gincluding A. O. U.
Check List) call Larus cachinnans ‘Pallas,’ and I have always had a
suspicion that the color of the feet of this birdas given in North Amer-
ican publications was erroneous, it being in most cases stated to be yellow,
and my suspicion has been confirmed by the fact that Mr. P. L. Jouy in
his ms. catalogue gives the color of feet of two specimens from Japan
(Jouy, Nos. 1030, 1031) otherwise indistinguishable from ZL. cachinnans
The Mediterranean bird, on the

>

Auct. Amer. as ‘‘very pale flesh color.’
other hand, is known to have vellow feet, and as Pallas describes his Z.
cachinnans as having ‘‘pedes pallide flavescentes” (Zoogr. Ross. As., IT, p.
319), with the principal habitat ‘‘Mare Caspium,” while he does not men-
tion it as occurring in the Pacific, it seems as if Palmén were right in
giving the form from the North Pacific a new name. Jam not prepared,
however, to accept as yet a trinominal appellation, as the true status and
relationship of the present Gull are not well established, and propose to
recognize it as Larus vege (Palmén).

Had Palmén consulted my ‘Remarks on the species of the Genus Cep-

1SSS. | General Notes. 2

phus’ (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., VII. 1884, pp. 210-229) he would have found
all the doubts expressed by him on pp. 390-391 in regard to the distribu-
tion of Cepphus mandti in the Pacifico-glacial waters cleared up, and he
would not have urged a reopening of the question.

Whether Anser gambelé really differs sufictently to be recognized as a
separate race of A. alb/frous, is to my mind rather doubtful, as the Old
World material at my command is very scanty, and Iam afraid that the
Old World ornithologists are in about the same difficulty with respect to
A. gambeli. However, Mr. Ridgway and I, going over our material con-
jointly, found that the length of the exposed culmen in typical A. albéfrons
varies between 4o and 45 mm., while in A. gambelé the range is between
46 and 60mm. The ‘Vega’ expedition skin with a bill of 47 mm. conse-
quently falls within the limits of A. gamdelz, and confirms my conjecture
that all the birds of the Asiatic Pacific coast belong to this form.

Palmén, on p. 442, charges that authors have overlooked Kittlitz’s
statement in regard to the supposed occurrence of Phzlacte canagica
(Auser pictus Pall.) in Kamtschatka, but on p. 318 of my ‘Results, etc.,’
he will find that I have referred to Kittlitz’s bird, and identified it as prob-
ably belonging to Branta hutchinsiz, a reference which is no doubt en-
tirely correct.—L. STEJNEGER.

A Catalogue of the Birds of North Carolina.*—The author is induced
to present this work in its ‘‘present imperfect form” in ‘‘the hope that the
publication now of the records of the work, so far as it has progressed,
may stimulate a desire in resident North Carolinians in different parts of
the State to collect material and record observations of the birds to be

,

found within our State limits.” Two hundred and fifty-five ‘‘species and

subspecies” are enumerated, of which ‘‘about 120 species have been ob-
served and absolutely identified” by the author, who acknowledges his
indebtedness, for notes on the occurrence of the major portion of the
remaining one hundred and thirty-five, to Charles F. Batchelder, William
Brewster, H. Il. and C. S. Brimley, and John S. Cairnes, but has evidently
overlooked Coues’s ‘Birds observed at Fort Macon, N. C.,’t and also
Sennett’s ‘Observations in Western North Carolina Mountains in 1886,’
which contain twenty species not included in the present ‘Catalogue,’
while a re-examination of Cairnes’s list will add one more. Being largely
based on the printed works of the authors mentioned, it contains com-
paratively little original matter requiring comment, but notices of the
capture of Chen cerulescens (‘‘taken on Bogue Beach, one mile from Fort
Macon in spring of 1884”) and SA/zella pallida (‘Chapel Hill, March 8,
1886”) are apparently here recorded for the first time. An appendix,

* Preliminary Catalogue of the Birds of North Carolina, with notes on some of the
species. [By] George F. Atkinson. Contributed from the Biological Laboratory of
the Univ. of N. C., No. VI. Journal of Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society, 1887, Part 2.

+ Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1871, pp. 18-47; 1878, pp. 22-24.

+ Auk, Vol. IV., July, 1887, pp. 240-245.

alee Recent Literature. [July

“Containing a List of [S81] Birds we may reasonably expect to take in the
State,” is given in conclusion. Several of the species here mentioned hold
a rather doubtful place, and others might obviously be included, while
two have before been given in the body of the work. The list is well
printed, with but few typographical errors, and its author is to be con-
gratulated on having inaugurated a movement to thoroughly investigate
the avifauna of this most interesting State.—F. M. C. ;

Minor Ornithological Publications.—The ‘American Field,’ Vols. XXIII
to XXVIII, 1885-1887, contains, in addition to articles from the ‘American
Naturalist,’ ‘The Auk,’ ‘Popular Science Monthly,’ etc., the following
(Nos. 1200-1286) :—

1200. The Genus Helminthophaga. By Dr. Morris Gibbs. American
Field, Vol. XXIII, No. 1, Jan. 3, 1885, p. 8.—A review of the four species
of this genus which have been recorded from Kalamazoo County, Mich.

201. Lhe Crow. By ¥. L. Paine: Zozd- No. 1, Jan 3; pao maits
destructiveness to crops.

1202. Migration in the Mississippi Valley. By W. W. Cooke. Jbid.,
No. 2, Jan. 10, p. 32.-—A call for observers of the migration in the region
mentioned.

1203. Caging Quatls. By A. Scherer. Jbzd., No. 2, Jan. 10, p. 32.

1204. Arrival of Chinese Game Birds. From the ‘Portland Oregon-
lane | 2bzd., No« 3, ane, p-5i7e

1205. How to Identify Birds. By Everett Smith. Jé¢d., No. 6, Feb.
7, p. 127-—An offer to name specimens forwarded for examination.

1206. The Loggerhead Shrike in Virginta. By Plover [John S. Wise].
Litas, INOw7. Heb. Laps L52

1207. The Genus Vireo in Michigan. By Dr. Morris Gibbs. /d¢d., No.
9, Feb. 28, p. 200.—A review of the six species which occur in the State.

1208. What the Crow Eats. By E. S. Stark. Jbzd., No. 11, March
14, p- 248. (See also note under same heading by N. Ferguson.) fs

1209. Inheritance in Birds. By E. Haugh. Jbid., No. 12, March 21,
p. 272.—-A Canary imitates the call of a young chicken.

1210. The European Sparrow. Ibid., No. 13, March 28, p. 295.—A
letter from Robert Ridgway to Captain W. McK. Heath, condemnatory
of Passer domesticus and approving of its complete extermination.

1211. What the Crow Eats. By Frank Felkman. Jd¢d., No. 16, April
Loess 070

1212. A Hybrid Duck. By G. Frean Morcom. /ézd., No. 16, April
18, p. 368.—Awnas boschas + Anas obscura.

213. The Family Picide in Michigan. By Dr. Morris Gibbs. Zddd.,
No. 18, May 2, p. 415.—A review of the nine species recorded from the
State. (See also No. 19, May g, p. 438.)

1214. The Merciless War upon the Birds. By Charles Aldrich. JZd7¢d.,
No. 20, May 16, p. 463.—On the destruction of birds for millinery pur-
poses and the necessity of passing stringent laws for their protection.

1215. Quadl, Partridge, Grouse. By Julius P. de Conine. Jd¢d., No.
23, June 6, p. 536.—On their correct vernacular names.

1885.] ¢ Recent Literature. 313

1216. A Mallard Duck’s Nest tna Tree. By E. O. Brauns. Jbdéd., No.
23, June 6, p. 536.—Near Tracy. Minn., a Mallard appropriates an old
Hawk’s nest placed twenty feet from the ground in an oak tree twenty feet
from the nearest water.

1217. A Quail Inters tts Mate. From the ‘Chicago Times.’ Jd¢d.,
Vol. XXIV, No. 10, Sept. 5, p. 223.—A male Quail, in coafinement, re-
moves from the nest the body of its dead mate, buries it, and completes

9

the task of incubation. ;

1218. The Ratu Crow and Log Cock. By Col. G. D. Alexander. Zdzd.,
No. 11, Sept. 12, pp. 246-7.—On the habits of the Cuckoo and Pileated
Woodpecker.

1219. Domesticating Wild Mallards. By James P. Leach. Jézd., No.
i2, Sept. 19, p-. 270.

1220. [A Quail on a Church Steeple.| By George N. Billings. Zé¢d.,
Nowra Sept. 26) p. 296:

1221. [The Great Horned Owl.| By G. O.G. ILbid., No. 18, Oct. 31,
p- 416.—Notes on its habits.

1222. [Quail Nesting tn November.| By A. J. Jbtd., No. 23, Dec.
5, p- 535. —A nest with eleven fresh eggs found at High Point, N. C.,
November 16. [See also /dzd., No. 24, Dec. 12, p. 562.)

1223. | Hawks killed for Bounty.) Ibid., No. 24, Dec. 12, p. 562. —
One thousand, five hundred and twenty-two Hawks said to have been
killed during the last nine months in Cape May County, N. J.

1224. [Wid Pigeons tn California]. Tbid., No. 24, Dec. 12, p. 562.—
Reported to be abundant near Watsonville, Cala.

1225. Bird Ways. Editorial. Jbzd., No. 25, Dec. 19, p. 577.—A re-
view of Mrs. Olive Thorne Miller’s book entitled ‘Bird Ways.’

1226. A Parrot’s Affection for a Puppy. By Geo. D. Alexander. Jhid.,
Non 26, .0eC. 19; p. 595-

1227. [A Golden Eagle at Bear Island, Nova Scotia.| Tbid., No. 25,
Dec. 19, p. 585.

1228. Self-Domestication of a Partridge. By Geo. D. Alexander.
Tbid., No. 26, p. 609.—A Quail makes its appearance daily to receive a
share of the food given to barnyard fowls.

1229. [A. O. U. Committee on Bird Proteetion.| Editorial. Jbdd.,
Vol. XXV, No. 6, Feb. 6, 1886, p. 129.—Notice of the formation of a com-
mittee to promote the protection of birds.

1230. A Wonderful Parrot. ByJos. R. Trissler. /bzd., No. 11, March
13, p- 250.-—On the accomplishments of a tame Parrot.

1231. fashion and the Birds. Editorial. Jb¢d., No. 12, March 20, p.
265-—On the destruction of birds for millinery purposes.

1232. [Ax Odd Looking Fowl.| By S. M. Harper. Jbzd., No. 12,
March 20, p. 272.—A hybrid between a Guinea fowl and a game chicken.

1233. [Ostriches for California.) Jbid., No. 15, April 10, p. 345.—
Thirty-six Ostriches received at Galveston, Texas, from Port Natal, Africa,
to be used for breeding purposes in California.

1234. Save the Birds. Editorial. Jb¢d., No. 16, April 17, p. 361.—
An appeal for the protection of birds.

314 Recent Literature. [ July

1235. [ Lhe Ffardine Collection.| Ibid., No. 23, Jume 5, p. 535.—The
collection of birds formed by the late Sir William Jardine to be sold at
auction.

1236. Birds of Plumage. Editorial. Jbzd., No. 24, June 12, p. 533.—
Noting a decrease in the demand for birds for millinery purposes.

1237. The Fauna of Minnesota — Their Traverses and Routes of Mr-
gration. By Charles Hallock. Jé#d., No. 25, June 19, p. 583.—Minnesota,
intersected by lines of migration running north and south, east and west,
considered to possess an unusually rich fauna.

1238. The Mechanics of Soaring. By I. Lancaster. Jé¢d., No. 26,
June 26, p. 607.—An attempt to explain, by mechanical laws, the soaring
of birds.

1239. The Drumming of the Ruffed Grouse. By C. H. Prescott. bid.
Vol. XXVI, No. 2, July 10, p. 31.

1240. [The Messina Quail in Maine.| By Frank Henshaw. Jdzd.,
No 2, July 10, p. 32.-—One seen near Thorne’s Corner, Maine.

1241. Mallards Breeding in Confinement. By A. A. Bogen. Jbid.,
No. 3, July 17.

1242. Habits of Southern Cranes. By C. H. Wood. Jbzd., No. 8,
Aug. 21, p- 175-—On the breeding of Herons at Moss Point, Miss.

1243. The Wild Turkey—Its Domestication and Hybridization. By
John Dean Caton. Jd¢d., No. 11, Sept. 11, p. 247.

1244. They are to be Worn. Editorial. b¢d., No. 15, Oct. 9, p- 337-—
Wings and tails of birds to be used on bonnets instead of whole birds.

1245. Domestication of the Wild Turkey. By W.C. A. (Greensbor-
ough, Ala.) JZbid., No. 15, Oct. 9, p. 343.

1246. Weld Ducks for Domestication. By Junius P. Leach (Rush-
ville, Ill.). Jd¢d., No. 17, Oct. 23, p. 391.-—A letter asking for assistance
in procuring wild Ducks to domesticate.

1247. Economic Ornithology. Ibid., No. 18, Oct. 30, p. 415.—On the
work of the Division of Economic Ornithology, Dept. of Agriculture, in
procuring data concerning the relations to man of Passer domesticus and
Dolichonyx oryztvorus.

1248. [Wield Pigeons.| Tbid., *No. 18, Oct. 30, p. 415.—‘‘Only two
droves are known to exist in the United States today, one in Pennsylvania
and one in Indian Territory.”

1249. [Ax Albino Nighthawk.| By W. A. Strother. Jé¢d., No. 18,
Oct. 30, p. 415.—A perfect albino taken at Lynchburg, Va.

1250. The Mocking Bird. From the ‘Macon, Ga., Telegraph.’ Jéid.,
No. 22, Nov. 27, p. 510.—Deploring its wanton destruction in the South.

1251. Euncysted Eggs in Birds. By A.J. W. ° Ibtd., No. 22, Nov. 27,
p- 510.—Passage of the egg from the oviduct being prevented, it is soon
surrounded by membranes, and thus becomes firmly fixed at the point of
detention. ‘‘Such a state of affairs will greatly disturb the physical econ-
omy of a bird, causing all the phenomena of fever and its debilitating
effects.”

1252. [Explosion ofan Egg.| ISbid., No. 22, Nov. 27, p. 510.—Dr.

1888. | Recent Literature. ads

George Bauer of Yale College knocked senseless by the explosion of a
‘‘fermented” Ostrich egg.

1253. [Albino Quail.| By G.V. Young. Jbid., No. 26, Dec. 25. p.
608.

1254. Mountain Grouse. By Roxey Newton (Boise City, Idaho) Zézd.,
No. 27, Dec. 31, p. 632.

1255. Birds of Song and Plumage. By Dr. Geo. Willis. bzd., No.
27, Dec. 21, p. 632-—On the destruction of birds for millinery purposes.

1256. [A Golden Eagle at Lake Geneva, Wis.| Ibrd., No. 27, Dec. 31,
p- 632.

1257. [Chinese Pheasants in Caltfornia.| Tbid., Vol. XXVII, No. 3,
Jan. 15, 1887, p. §6.—Two cocks anda hen imported by John C. Siegfried
of Alameda, California. :

1258. The Golden-crowned Accentor. By J. H. Langille. JZbzd., No.
4, Jan. 22, p. 80.—On the flight song of Sezurus aurocapillus.

1259. The Food Habits of Birds. Ibid., No. 6, Feb. 5, p. 127.—Circu-
lar issued by Department of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy,
calling for information on the food of birds.

1260. [Sxowy Owls and Swans at South Haven, Michigan.| By E. A.
Lockwood. /é7d., No. 6, Feb. 5, p. 128.—Ten Owls and two Swans taken
in December.

1261. The English Sparrow (Passer domesticus). Ibid., No. 7, Feb.
12, p. 153.—Circular issued by the Department of Economic Ornithology
and Mammalogy, calling for information concerning Passer domesticus.

1262. The Economic Relations of Mammals. Tbid., No. 8, Feb. 19, p.
176.—Circular issued by Department of Economic Ornithology and Mam-
malogy, calling for information on the habits of mammals.

1263. The Food Habits of Birds. By E.D. Lecompte. Jbrd., No. 9,
Feb. 26, p. 200.—Replies to questions asked in the circular issued by Dr.
Merriam (See No. 1259).

1264. The Golden Pheasant. By W.L. Jbid., No. 8, Feb. 19, p. 176.
—Circumstances concerning the introduction of the birds in Oregon.

1265. The Habits of Snipes. By A. Guthrie. Jdzd., No. 10, March
5, p- 224.—Snipe seen alighting in trees and on fences.

1266. Hawks and Owls. By Dr. A. K. Fisher, Ass’t Ornithologist
U. S. Department of Agriculture. J/bzd., No. 11, March 12, p. 246.—
Deprecating the killing of Hawks and Owls under the mistaken idea that
they are universally destructive to game and poultry.

1267. Hawks and Owls. By George Greene. Jdzd., No. 13, March
16, p. 296.—In reply to Dr. Fisher; Hawks considered destructive to
Quails.

1268. Hawks and Owls. By W.C. A. [=W. C. Avery]. JZbid., No.
16, April 16, p. 367.-—Personal experiences, confirmatory of Dr. Fisher’s
statements. (See No. 1266.)

1269. [An Albino Redwing Blackhird.| By R. B. Morgan. Jé7d.,
No, 16, April 16, p. 367.-—Entirely white except the shoulder patches,
which are normal.

31 ) Recent Literature. [ July

1270. Foul Murder. By C. D. Hess. Zbid., No. 18, April 30, p. 424.—
On the slaughter of Robins in the spring for the Baltimore markets.

1271. Hawks and Owls. By George Green. Jbzd., No. 21, May 12,
p. 502.—Cooper’s Hawk a Quail destroyer.

1272. Crows and Chickens. By George Green. Jbid., No. 23, June 4,
p- 551-—A Crow captures and flies away with a young chicken.

1273. Stght and Smell. By Charles Hallock. /é/d., Vol. XXVIII,
No. 1, July 2, 1887, p. 7.-—On the sense of smell in Crows.

1274. Sightand Smell. By F.H.D. Vieth. JZbdcd., No. 4, July 23, p.
78.—On the sense of smell in the Canada Jay.

1275. The Senses of Sight and Smell. By ‘Birdo.’ Tbid., No. 5, July
30, p- 102.—On the sense of smell in Crows and Buzzards. (See also
Lbid., No. 10, Sept. 3, p. 223, and No. 16, Oct. 15, p. 367-)

1276. The Senses of Sight and Smell. By Charles Hallock. Jdzd.,
No. 7, Aug. 13, p. 150.—Sight considered of much greater importance to
birds and mammals in procuring food, than the sense of smell, which the
writer regards as an ‘‘auxiliary faeulty” occupying ‘‘a decidedly secondary
place to vision.”

1277. The Game Birds of Oregon. By George Law. Jbid., No. 8,
Aug. 20, p. 174.—A popular account of some of the ‘Game Birds’ occur-
ring in Oregon.

1278. Zhe Death of Professor Spencer F. Baird. Obituary. Tbid.,
No. 9, Aug. 27, p. 193-—(See also Zbzd., p. 223.)

1279. The Senses of Sight and Smell. By M.G. Ellzey, M.D. JZdzd.,
No. 9, Aug. 27, p- 199.—In reply to and agreeing with Mr. Charles Hal-
lock. (See No. 1276.)

1280. Vultures Discover Carrion by the Sense of Smell. By W.C. A.
[= W. C. Avery]. Zbzd., No. 12, Sept. 17, p. 269. (Seevalsoy/ozaaeniee
14) OCs. pLNgtS:))

1281. Zhe Grouse Family. By W.B. TJbzd., No. 14, Oct. 1, p. 313:
(See also /ézd., No. 15, Oct. 8, pp. 343-344, No. 16, Oct. 15, p. 366, No.
17, Oct. 22, p. 391, No. 18, Oct. 29, p. 414.)—An extended paper on the
American Tetraonide, written chiefly from a sportsman’s standpoint, il-
lustrated with several woodcuts, and containing much interesting bio-
graphical matter.

1282. Unusual Nesting Sites. By Walter E. Bryant. Jdbzd., No. 17,
Oct. 22, p. 392.—Notes from Nevada and California on twelve species of
birds.

1283. Marsh Game. By James Norris. Jb¢d., No. 19, Nov. 5, p- 438.
—Notes on some of the game birds frequenting the marshes of the Chesa-
peake.

1284. Foreign Game. From the ‘New York World.’ Jdzd., No. 21,
Noy. 19, p. 487.—On the game preserves in the vicinity of New York City
and the nature and number of the birds with which they have recently
been stocked.

1285. [A Hybrid Duck.| By F.L.C. Jbid., No. 24, Dec. 10, p. 560.
—Aunas boschas + Dajfila acuta.

Ee

1888. ] Recent Literature. 2 hy

1286. The Strange Adventures of a Bob White. By John A. Wells,
M.D. Jbid., No. 26, Dec. 24, p. 609.—An exceedingly interesting history
of a Quail, which, capturedand confined after it was fully grown, learned
not only to recognize its master and dog captor, but even to evince a de-
cided affection for both.—F. M. C.

Publications Received.—Atkinson, George F. Preliminary Catalogue
of the Birds of North Carolina, with Notes on some of the Species.
(Journ. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. pt. 2, pp. 44-87.)

Bocage, B. du. Note sur la Pheospiza thomensts. (Jorn. Acad. real
das Sci. de Lisboa, 1888, p. 192.)

Bocage, J. V. du. Sur un Oiseau nouveau de St. Thomé de la Fam.
Fringillide (Ibid., pp. 148-150.)

Fisher, Wm. H. (1) The American Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra
minor); as to some of its Habits and fondness for Salt. (Journ. Cincin-
nati Soc. Nat. Hist., Jan. 1886, pp. 203, 204.) (2) The Canada Grouse
(Dendragapus canadensis). Some Remarks as to its Scarcity, Habits, ete.
(Ibid., pp. 205, 206.)

Pelzeln, A. von, und Dr. L. von Lorenz. Typen der ornithologischen

Sammlung des k. k. naturhistorischen Hofmuseums, TV Theil (Schluss).

(Ann. des. k. k. naturhist. Hofmuseums, Bd. ITI, 1888, pp. 37-62.

Reichenow, Ant. Bericht iiber die Leistungen in der Naturgeschichte
der Vogel wihrend des Jahres 1885. (Arch. fiir Naturgsch. 52 Jahr, Bd. La
PP- 145-232-)

Scott, W. E. D. Notes on Arizona Birds. New York, L. S. Foster,
(Collection of 12 papers published in ‘The Auk,’ 1885-88. )

Shufeldt, R. W. On the Skeleton in the genus Sfurnella, with osteo-
logical notes upon other North American Icteridw, and the Corvide.
( Journ. Anat and Phys. XXII, pp. 309-350, pll. xiv, xv.)

Souza, J. A. de. Enumeracao das aves conhecidas da Ilha de S$. Thomé
«sequida da lista das que ezistem desta ilha no Museu de Lisboa. ( Jorne
de Acad. real das Sci. de Lisboa, 1888, pp. 151-159.)

Taylor, W. EK. (1) The Migration of the American Magpie to Eastern
Nebraska, Twenty-five years ago. (Am. Nat., Dec. 1887, pp. 1122, 1123.
(2) Missouri River Crow Roosts. (Ibid., pp. 1123, 1124.)

Turner, L. M. Contributions to the Natural History of Alaska. 4to.
Washington, 1886 (= 1888),

Agassiz Record, I, No. 3, 1888.

American Field, XXIX, Nos. 12-23, 1888.

American Journ. Sci., XXIV, Apr.-June, 1888.

American Naturalist, XXII, Mch.-Apr., 1888.

Audubon Magazine, II, Apr.-June, 1883.

Bay State Odlogist, I, Mch.-May, 1888.

Canadian Record of Science, III, No. 2, 1888.

Forest and Stream, XXX, Nos. 10-21, 1888.

Hoosier Naturalist, III, No. 3, May, 1888.

Naturalist, The, a Month. Journ. Nat. Hist. for North of England, Nos.
153-155, 1888.

Saw

31 8 General Notes. [ July

Odlogists’ Exchange, I, Apr., 1888.

Ornithologist and Odlogist, XIII, Nos. 4, 5, 1888.

Ornis, Jahr. III, Heft 4, Jahr. IV, Heft 1, 2, 1883.

Ottawa Naturalist, II, Nos. 1, 2, 1888.

Proceedings Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1888, pt. 1, Jan.-Feb.
Proceedings Biol. Soc. Washington, IV, 1888.

Swiss Cross, III, Apr.-June, 1888.

Western Naturalist, II], Apr., 1888.

Zoologischen Anzeiger, Nos. 274-280, 1888.

Zoologist, XIII, Apr.-June, 1888.

GENERAL NOTES.

Occurrence of Larus marinus on the Southern Coast of New Jersey.—
While on a ducking expedition at Atlantic City, N. J., | observed, during
and after the ‘blizzard’ of last March (1888), three or four specimens of
the Great Black-backed Gull soaring about as familiarly and with as wary
impudence as is their wont in more northern latitudes.

Though unable to procure a specimen, I was assured by Capt. Sam.
Gale of the same place that they were of yearly occurrence on that coast
during winter, and that he had a standing offer from a local taxidermist of
five dollars for every specimen taken, but that so far he had only procured
one. Socertain was I of my own identification, I did not think it neces-
sary to verify it by personal examination of the specimen referred to. I
am quite confident that Nuttall’s extension of the winter range of this Gul]
to the ‘*sea coasts of the extreme Southern States” is yet capable of veri-
fication as far south as the entire coast of Virginia. Indeed so storm-loy-
ing, erratic, and solitary a species as this, sets all petty limits at defiance,
to the distraction of note-taker and book-maker alike; and, as soon as
you have him booked for residence in Cape May, presto, the next cold
wave wafts him to Cape Charles and you begin to understand how it got
into print that Larus marinus ‘‘extends its residence in America as far as
Paraguay !”’*—Sam’L N. Ruoaps, Haddonfield, New Fersey.

The Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassogeron culminatus).—In ‘The Auk’
for January, 1888, Mr. Montague Chamberlain of St. John, N. B., men-
tions his having seen the skin of this bird in the Laval University,
Quebec. The bird in question was killed on the 20th of August, 1885, at
the entrance of River Moisic, on the north shore of the St. Lawrence. It
was shot by a fisherman named Couillard Després. I saw the bird a few
days after it was shot, but could not identify the species. I sent a short
description of it to Dr. C. H. Merriam.

* Nuttall’s Ornithology, Water Birds, p. 308.

1888. | General Notes. 319

While on the subject of rare visitors to the Gulf of St. Lawrence I will
add that on the 13th and 14th of August, 1883, I saw a Man-of-war Bird,
(Tachypetes ugutlus) outside of the Bay here. <A few days later it was
again seen by Capt. Le Blanc of the ‘Manicoriagan Light Ship,’ thirty
miles west of Godbout.—Nap. A. CoMEAu, Godbout, Quebec.

Oidemia perspicillata in Florida.—A male of this species was taken Jan
uary 23, near Punta Rassa, at the southern entrance to Charlotte Harbor.

-——FRANK M. CHAPMAN, WVew York, WN. Y.

An Addition to the List of North American Birds.—I have in my collec-
tion two specimens, taken in Texas, of Rallus longtrostris carthbaus Ridg.,
heretofore only known in the West Indies. They are exactly like the type
kindly sent me by Mr. Ridgway, and are undoubtedly referable to this
form. A female was taken by Mr. Fred. Webster and myself at Galveston,
Feb. 28, 1877, and a male was taken by my collector, Jno. M. Priour, at
Corpus Christi, May 19, 1887.—GrorGre B. SENNETT, Am. Mus. Nat.
Hist., New York City.

The Yellow Rail in Connecticut.—I am indebted to Mr. E. H. Austin of
Gaylordsville, Conn., fora specimen of the Yellow Rail (Porzana nove-
boracensis) found at that place on March 24. Mr. Austin writes in refer-
ence to it: ‘It was picked up in the morning at the side of the road near
the river by a boy who found it in an exhausted condition, and was taken
into the house where it revived enough to run about the room, but finally
died in the evening. The most singular point in my mind is that the Sat-
urday it was found the thermometer stood at 1o°, and the day before at 7°.
It was taken into the Post Office as a rare or unknown bird.”

It proved to be a male. Isent the contents of the gizzard to the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, and Dr. A. K. Fisher says in a letter of the 3oth
inst.: ‘*The seeds found in the gizzard of the Rail are as follows: one
grape seed, one grass seed (Paspalum), two sedges (Carex). Probably the
grape seed was taken in with gravel.”

Mr. Austin has recorded his discovery in ‘Forest and Stream.’—C. K.
AVERILL, Jr., Bridgeport, Conn.

Notes on Melanerpes torquatus.—During the springs of 1885, 1856, and
1887, I made constant observations upon the migration of birds at
Fort Wingate, New Mexico, but during those three years never so much
as observed anywhere in that region a specimen of Lewis’s Woodpecker
(M. torquatus); nor, as for that matter, at any other time during the
year. This spring (1888), however, my son noted a bird of this species
in a large pine tree close to the garrison buildings, and when I was
out next day (May 8), four other specimens were in sight at one time,
within two miles of the station. These, as usual, were extremely wary,
and I only succeeded in obtaining one fine adult female.

Upon carefully plucking this bird, I found the pterylosis to be for the

320 General Notes. [July

most part typically Picine in character, though we are to note that the
sub-median longitudinal capital apterium is but barely discernible, while
I utterly failed to detect the presence of any naked temporal spaces what-
ever. In these particulars, AZ. torguatus nearly agrees with Sphyrapicus.
The uropygial papilla is tufted, but the glands lying beneath the skin are
small and elongated.

After having removed the integuments, it is seen that the free extremi-
ties of the limbs of the hyoid extend only as far forward as the middle of
the parietal region, or the vault of the cranium; otherwise the lingual
apparatus of this species seems to be as we find it in other Woodpeckers.
It has a markedly small heart for the size of the bird, and the tissue of the
liver is ofa very friable nature. The gizzard is large and muscular, its
periphery being raised into bounding muscular ridges, and the musculz
intermedi very prominent. Making a section through it, I finda firm,
rugose, horny lining, and its contents consisting of a quantity of small-
sized hard-winged beetles, of a species unknown to me. Intestinal caeca
are absent, and the intestinal tract, for its lower part, is of a very large
calibre. Even at this time of the year, the ovaries in this specimen are
small, the largest ova being no bigger than No. 4shot. An account of the
skeleton of this species will be given by the writer in another connection,
when it will be fully compared with the skeletons of other North American
species of the same group. —R. W. SuureLptr, Fort Wingate, New
Mexico.

Early nesting of Octocoris alpestris praticola.—March 26, 1888, while
returning from a trip after Crossbills, I flushed a female Horned Lark
within one hundred feet of where I found my first nest last season (April
1£, 1857), and as she acted as they usually do when nesting, out of curi-
osity I began to search, and was rewarded by finding the nest, a mere
cavity in the side of a sandy knoll, lined with dead grasses, a little thistle
down, and a few mayweed blossoms. The eggs had been incubated a few
days. On the 21st, 22d, and 23d the thermometer ranged in the vicinity
of zero, and in fact the spring has been very backward. When you ap-
proach the nest. wswad/y the female sneaks from two to three rods before
flying, then flies to a short distance, observes you closely, begins to pick
on the ground, and then flies to a distant part of the field to be joined by
her mate. Occasionally a female will hover for a moment over you, if
you are close to the nest, but they vary so in actions that it is hard to
describe the different peculiarities.

Since the above I have taken other sets. April 3, three nests of three
eggs each in stubble fields on knolls. April 4, one set of four eggs, much
incubated, in oat stubble. April 6, set of four fresh eggs in stubble, and
the same day a nest with one young fledgling, which I should judge to
have been two or three days old, on the side of a knoll in a newly seeded
meadow. ‘The young bird was about a foot outside of the nest, and very
cold, but alive, for which I cannot account as the old birds were flushed
about a rod from the nest. April 7, nest of four nearly fresh eggs, in oat

1888. ] General Notes. 3

WN
-

stubble as usual, on the side of a knoll. I find these birds breeding as
late as Junein favorable localities, ‘‘barren fields with not much if any
herbage in them,”
ally. Before nesting the male is very active, singing from early morning
until late evening, both on the ground and high up in the air. But as

which shows they must at least raise two broods annu-

soon as the female begins her incubation he becomes silent, and keeps
in a distant part of the field to warn her, as I often have seen him do, by
flying close to her in the nest, dwt not alighting, soon to be followed by
her and chased around as when mating.

Where early in the season you saw dozens of pairs singing, you will be
surprised at the quietness now. But after beating about the field you
will begin to disturb them, and will find as many birds as formerly.—GEo.
E. Harris, Buffalo, N. Y.

Pine Grosbeak in Fulton Co., Kentucky.—The Evening Grosbeak has
not appeared this winter as yet, but he has been replaced by the Pine
Grosbeak (Prutcola enucleator), a flock of which, numbering eight or ten
individuals, mostly females. appeared Feb. 7, 1888. O the Sth, 11th and
13th they were again seen, and on the 24th Mr. T. L. M’Cutchen who col-
lected some for me in 1887, secured four specimens, one male and three
females, but I was away from home, and he, not knowing the bird, did
not keep them. On seeing me he gave me an excellent description of
them and said he had shot, but not secured, a female on the 25th. Three
or four females were seen yesterday, March 19 —L. O. Prinpar, Hickman,
Ky.

Occurrence of the Chestnut-collared Longspur (Ca/lcartus ornatus)
and also of Maccown’s Longspur (/??hynucophanes maccowntt) in Apache
Co., Arizona.—During the winter of 1887-88, I had several times noticed a
small flock of birds which I did not know, about a mile west of the town of
St. Johns, the county seat of this county (Apache), but as I usually had
only a rifle or six-shooter I was unable to obtain a specimen for identifica-
tion. About the Sth of March, however, my friend Mr. E. W. Nelson
stated that he had lately obtained several specimens of the Chestnut-
collared Longspur and showed me several. I at once guessed that the
unknown birds I had seen were of the same species, and next time I came
in to St. Johns, on the roth of March, I brought my shot-gun. On my way
out I saw the little flock, and was fortunate enough to procure four speci-
mens which I packed up and took out to the ranch. I skinned three
which were all C. orvatus, but on taking up the fourth I was at once struck
by the greater size, heavier beak, bay on the wing-coverts, and black cap
of the specimen in my hand. I looked it up and found it was undoubtedly
Rhyncophanes maccownitt. Next day I shot a second specimen about
twenty miles southwest of St. Johns, also two more of C. ornatus. I
showed this specimen to Mr. Nelson on March 14 and he agreed with me
as to the species. On the same day about a mile west of St. Johns I
found a large flock of 2. maccownz?, and shot eleven more specimens. At

322 General Notes. { July

first during the winter there was only a small flock of C. ornatus to be
seen with probably afew of 2. maccowni? scattered among them, but on
March 14 C. ornatus was scattered all over the country west of St. Johns,
and where I killed the eleven specimens of 2. maccownii there was a
flock of about 1000 C. ornatus. There were about 500 of R. maccowni? in
the flock out of which I got specimens and the two species seemed then
to be separate. The nature of the country where I found both species was
very barren, there was only a little short white gramma grass and a few
weeds. Two of the specimens of 2. maccowniiI found on skinning had
peculiar parasitical worms coiled up in the lower outer corner of the eye
space; one had five and the other two of these worms. They were about
-75 of an inch long and about a thick asa stout piece of sewing cctton,
and of a bright yellow color. In both species of birds the males pre-
dominated, thus of thirteen 7. maccownzi but one was a female. Of
eight C. ornafus but one was a female. This is the first time I have seen
either species in this district, and as Dr. Coues in his Key to North Ameri-
can Birds, and also the A. O. U. Code and Check list mention both birds
as rare west of the Rockies, I send this notice to ‘The Auk.’—Joun Swin-
BURNE, St. Fokus, Apache Co., Artzona.

Euetheia canora from Sombrero Key, Florida.—A Bird new to the
United States.—Mr. M. E. Spencer, keeper of the light at Sombrero Key,
Fla., has just sent me a package of birds which killed themselves against his
light during the past spring migration. Among them was a pair of short
olive green wings which I was unable to identify. On submitting them
to Mr. Ridgway, he at once pronounced them to belong toa species of
Euctheta, and comparison with specimens in the collection of the U. S.
National Museum showed the species to be #. canora, the Melodious
Grassquit, hitherto known only from Cuba. The bird was found dead on
the lower platform of the light-tower on the morning of April 17, 1888.
The wind was east, moderate; sky cloudy.

Another West Indian bird is thus added to the list of those known to
occur on the islands and coast of southern Florida.—C. Harr MeErRRIAM,
Washington, D. C.

An Abnormal Scarlet Tanager.—A remarkable albino female Scarlet
Tanager was procured at Germantown, May 8, 1888, and is now in my col-
lection. The wings and tail are composed of pure white and ordinary
blackish feathers in about equal proportions, while the wing-coverts consist
of white, olive and canary-yellow feathers. All the rest of the plumage
above and below is bright canary yellow, with one or two olivaceous feath-
ers in the middle of the back. The legs and bill are very light pink. The
bird was in company with several normal birds of the same species.—
WITMER STONE, Germantown, Pa.

Prothonotary Warbler in Ontario. — While collecting Warblers near
Hamilton on the morning of the 23d of May, 1888, I met a group which

1888. ] General Notes. 323

had evidently just arrived from some favored point in the South, their
plumage being particularly fresh and bright, and such rare species as the
Mourning and Connecticut Warblers and the Green Blackcap being con-
spicuous. Presently I noticed one on a willow overhanging the water,
which seemed to be a compromise between the Summer Yellow Bird and
the Yellow-throated Vireo. On picking it up I was greatly pleased to
find [ had got a specimen of the Prothonotary Warbler—a female in the
ordinary plumage of the season. It is the first record of the species for
Ontario and the second for Canada, the first being that of a specimen
which was found at St. Stephens, New Brunswick, by Mr. Boardman in
October, 1862.—K. C. McItwrairn, Hamilton, Ontario.

Bachman’s Warbler (//elminthophila bachmant) in Louisiana.—During
March, 1888, I collected thirty-one Bachman’s Warblers on the borders of
Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana. They were probably more abundant
than in 1887, as about the same effort was made last year to secure them,
by at least a dozen hunters, commencing earlier and continuing later
in the season, with the result of but six specimens. It is somewhat re-
markable that of the six secured in the spring of 1887 four were females
while among the thirty-one killed this year there were not any females.

This bird, so long unsuccessfully sought for, is evidently a stranger to
the forests of Louisiana except during the migration, for those taken this
season were killed between the 2d and 20th of March, and although they
were diligently sought for up to the middle of April no specimens were
obtained later than the end of March, showing pretty clearly that the
breeding place is farther north.

No sound was heard from them except in the case of two of the finest,
which were so low down on the tree on which they were discovered, that
their plumage was easily distinguished; my assistant reported that the
shooting of the first failed to disturb the second one, which remained on
the tree and uttered a chirping note as if calling to its dead companion.
Nearly, or quite all the other specimens obtained were found in the com-
pany of a variety of other early Warblers in the tops of the sweet-gum,
probably attracted by insects found in the buds and blossoms of this tree.

Of the Swainson’s Warblers (/elénaza swatnson?),I secured but three
specimens this year, against nine in 1887, and about forty in the spring of
1886. Although these birds do not arrive in Louisiana until about the
middle of March, it is quite probable that many of them remain and breed
in this latitude.—C. S. Gatsprairn, West Hoboken, N. F.

Helminthophila celata in Connecticut.—May 8, 1888, I shot a male bird
of this species. It was in company with Nashville Warblers when killed.
As far as I can ascertain this is the only specimen actually taken in Con-
necticut, although it has been observed close by the Connecticut line in
New York.—WILLARD E. Treat, East Hartford, Conn.

Dendroica cerulea in the District of Columbia.—On May 5, 1888, I had
the pleasure of adding Dendroica erulcea to the fauna of the Dsitrict of

324 General Notes. [ July

Columbia, by the capture of a single male shot on Rock Creek. Mr. P. L.
Jouy some years ago reported having seen what he supposed to be a spec-
imen of this bird, but this is the first time the species has been actually
taken.—Epwin M. HAssrouck, Washington, D. C.

Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis in South Carolina. —The rapidly in-
creasing list of birds essentially Western, occurring in South Carolina,
is further augmented by the capture of an adult male Grinnell’s Water
Thrush, by the writer, near Chester C. H., April 28, 1888.—LeEveretT?T M.
Loomis, Chester, S. C.

Two Records for Long Island, New York. — Dendroica palmarum. —
I secured a female at Montauk Point, Sept. 7, 1885. This antedates by
over two years the one recorded by Mr. William Dutcher as the first ob-
tained on Long Island (Auk, Vol. V, April, 1888, p. 182). My bird was
with a small flock, and at the time I did not suspect its identity.

Polioptila cerulea.—\ shot a male at Montauk Point, Sept. 2, 1885. It
was in one of the dense thickets common to that locality, and not in com-
pany with any other birds. This is, I believe, the third record for Long
Island, the first specimen having been taken by Mr. N. T. Lawrence
(Auk, II, July, 1885, p. 272) and the second by Mr. de L. Berier (Bull:
N. O. C., VI, April, 1881, p. 126). Up to the present writing I know of no
other captures of this species on Long Island, although the list of records
for New England is now a large one.— JONATHAN DwicGutT, Jr., Wew
York City.

Birds at Aiken, S. C.—The notes below recorded were made at Aiken,
South Carolina,in November, 1887.

A female Quzscalus qguiscula eneus, taken on the 24th, and a single true
gutscula on the 12th, were the only Grackles observed.

On the morning of the 12th, a flock of about fifty Crossbills (Lowx/a cur-
virostra minor) swept past me, almost within gunshot, half of them paus-
ing fora moment in the top of a pine near by, then hurrying on to join
those in advance, when they were soon and finally lost to view.

A male of the year of Vireo solitarius alticola, was taken November 11.

Thryothorus bewtckit was taken on November g and 25, a specimen each
day, the only ones observed.—F RANK M. CHapMAN, ew York, City.

Notes on Louisiana Birds.—Mr. C. S. Galbraith, of Hoboken, N. J.,
has kindly allowed me to examine a small collection of birds obtained by
him at Mandeville, La., during the winter of 1887-88, in which I find a
few species of special interest on account of the locality of capture.
Among these are the Florida Barred Owl (Syrucum nebulosum allent), the
Florida Screech Owl (Megascops asto floridana), the Florida Blue Jay
(Cyanocitta cristata florincola), the Purple and Bronzed Grackles (Quzs-
calus quiscula and 2. g. eneus, both typical), and the Cerulean Warbler

1888.] General Notes. 3 25

(Dendroica cerulea). Also several specimens of Swainson’s Warbler,
and a large series of Bachman’s Warbler, as already recorded by Mr. Gal-
braith in the present number of ‘The Auk.’ Of special interest also is
a pair of Crossbills (Loxza curvirostra minor), taken March 27, 1888; they
are much smaller than northern birds of the same species, and the male is
of a darker red. They were probably bred in the mountains or tablelands
of Kentucky or Tennessee.

Mr. Galbraith informs me that Pine Finches and Juncos were rather
common winter residents at the locality in question.

His collection contained also a Brown Thrush with a malformed bill, in
which the bill is slender, lengthened, and curved to the right, with the
upper mandible twisted partially beneath the lower, which is considerably
longer than the upper. A Yellow-bellied Woodpecker presents a some-
what similar malformation, the mandibles being crossed near the base,
and the lower one attenuated and greatly lengthened.

A beautiful albino Prothonotary Warbler (Profonotaria citrea) is also
worthy of mention. The yellow is of normal extent and intensity, but
the gray is entirely replaced by pure white. The wings and tail are thus
pure white and the body deep intense yellow, the olive of the back being
replaced with yellow. The specimen thus looks very much like a white-
winged yellow Canary with a Prothonotary’s bill.

All the birds above-mentioned, except the greater part of the Bachman’s
Warblers, have been purchased for the American Museum of Natural His-
tory.—J. A. ALLEN, Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York City.

_ Observations on Bird Migration at Milwaukee.—The Milwaukee Expo-
sition Building occupies one square, between 5th and 6th Streets east and
west, and State and Cedar Streets north and south. The building is lo-
cated about one mile west from the Lake shore, and nearly in the centre
of the city north and south. The main tower of the building is nearly in
the centre of the structure, and rises over 200 feet above the street. Dur-
ing the Exposition this tower is illuminated by four electric lights of 2000
candle power each. They are lighted from 6 to 6.30 p. M. and turned outat
Ir to 11.30 P. M., according to the condition of the atmosphere.

The weather previous to September 20-21 was exceptionally mild and
pleasant, and but few birds were noticed migrating, z. e., during the day
time. I had not yet discovered that the electric lights on the tower at-
tracted the birds to any extent. September 21-22 it grew suddenly cooler
with raw cold north wind. Onthe morning of the 22d some of the em-
ployes of the Exposition climbed to the tower and found ‘‘lots of birds”
dead. I procured a few of them, the rest becoming scattered before I had
found it out. Of this lot there were no species of those I saw, not repre-
sented in my list of the next day except Colaftes auratus which I iden-
tified from some feathers a young lady had saved from the specimen.

The night of September 22-23 was raw and cold, with fresh north wind,
and was very dark. The next morning I found the following species

around the lights and on the accessible roofs.

3 26 General Notes. [ July

Adult. Juv.
Setophaga ruticilla iene) 4
Geothlypis trichas eae 3
Geothlypis agilis 6
Mniotilta varia moh
Compsothlypis americana nS
Helminthophila peregrina I 5
Helminthophila ruficapilla I
Dendroica castanea 4
Dendroica blackburniz 1
Dendroica coronata 2
Dendroica vigorsii Dac
Dendroica palmarum &
Dendroica maculosa 2a
Dendroica czerulescens I
Dendroica virens 2
Seiurus aurocapillus 4
Seiurus noveboracensis 3
Troglodytes aédon* I
Regulus satrapa I
Melospiza fasciata I
Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna I

This list comprises only such species as were procured and examined.
I estimate that fully double this number of birds was scattered about
on the different roofs in sight from the dome but not accessible without
considerable risk and much trouble in procuring ladders, etc. ‘They were
too far away to identify with certainty, and most of them rolled down the
roofs into the troughs, or to the ground, and were lost.

The night of September 23-24 was much like the preceding, but some-
what colder and less windy. On the morning of the 24thI procured the
following species. These were not all killed on the night of September
23-24, however, as some of them that were found in the eave troughs had
probably been killed one or two days previous.

se

Geothlypis trichas
Setophaga ruticilla

ce

Geothlypis agilis 3 juy.
3

Dendroica palmarum I &
Dendroica castanea 4 me
Dendroica maculosa 2 ue
Dendroica pennsylvanica I es
Dendroica vigorsii 1d ue
Dendroica czrulescens in ad.
Dendroica striata 3 juv
Helminthophila peregrina 4 <i

*Flew in at main entrance to Exposition building about 9.30 P. M. and was caught.
It is said there were others with it.

1888. ] General Notes. 32 7

Vireo olivaceus* 4 juv.
Vireo gilvus I at
Seiurus auricapillus I at
Seiurus noveboracensis I ec
Melospiza georgiana I ss
Habia ludovicianat * ACh enyel 2) Ec

Pirangaerythromelas
Turdus aonalaschke pallasii

Cg and 9.5"

ee

te

ie

September 24 was a very pleasant day with light northwest wind. The
wind freshened in the evening, and many birds were noticed about the
dome from 7 Pp. M. until 10.30 p. M. I did not go up during the evening
but some of the small boys employed about the building did, and as Iwas
afterwards informed secured a ‘‘market-basket full of birds.” I did not see
any of these. I climbed the tower early the next morning and was sur-
prised not to find any birds until I found out the boys had preceded me.

The 26th being Sunday, no lights were lighted. Weather mild and fair
with light southerly winds. On the evening of the 27th I went up on the
tower, but the weather was too boisterous. There was a cold rain with
high wind. Very few birds were seen, mostly Thrushes and one small
flock of Tréxg@. The birds merely circled around the tower once or twice,
and passed on. I heard Gallinules, Rails. and Night Herons, but they
did not approach the lights. The 28th it rained very hard, and as I could
see no birds from below I did not go up. None were found dead next
morning.

The 29th was rainy with high north wind. TI went up on the tower about
8 p.m. The weather was unfavorable; I saw a few Thrushes, one Robin,
and some small Sparrows, but they merely flew near the lights, sheered
off, and passed on. None were found dead next morning.

On account of the exposure to wind and rain for two nights on the
tower I got an attack of rheumatism and was unable to make any further
observations until the birds had passed south.

Besides the species enumerated in the above lists IT saw and heard the
following, some from the street and some on the tower:

Totanus, either melanoleucus or flavipes, straggling flocks, quite noisy.
Noticed several evenings, but did not approach very close to the lights.

Two or three loose flocks of small Tyézg@ circled rapidly around the
lights a few times, and disappeared in the darkness. <A flock of small
Plovers, probably 2. semzpalmata, acted much the same way, but ap-
peared to be lost and would wander away out of sight, soon return, pass
close by the lights and after a few minutes return and go through the
same manoeuvre.

Thrushes were noticed frequently, especially on the 27th and 28th. At
times there were eight or ten flying aimlessly around the lights, but never

* One ofthese was minus both wings.

+ Female was minus both wings and ail,

32 8 General Notes. [ July

going very close, nor flying directly at the lights as most of the Warblers
did. I could not identify the species, but think most of them were fadllaséz.
I saw one young Robin, but he soon bent his course downwards to some
shade tree where I have no doubt he found a roosting place.

Carolina (?) Rails were frequently heard, especially on the 21st, 22d, and
23d; they seemed to be flying on a lower level than the dome, barely above
the housetops. None were seen around the tower. The same remarks
apply to the Florida Gallinule. Night Herons (NV. xycticorax nevius)
and some other Herons that I think were Botaurus lentiginosus passed fre-
quently from the 22d to the 26th. They did not seem to be attracted by the
lightsand appeared to be flying considerably higher than the dome, I should
think at least 100 feet or more. English Snipe were noticed a few times,
but only flew rapidly by. This was one of the few species I observed that
were flying in the normal manner.

Small Sparrows that looked like Melosfiza georgiana were frequently
noticed, but the species could not be determined with certainty. They
arrived singly, and came from a lower level than the lights on the tower,
and in passing by always directed their course downwards, as far as I was
able to see them in the darkness.

One feature that especially interested me was that nearly all the birds I
observed had a peculiar dragging flight like a bird wounded through the
intestines ; if reminded me forcibly of the peculiar flight of the male Zcteréa
virens during nesting time. Any ornithologist who has observed this will
recall the unnatural flight, the wingsare raised high, tail dropped low and
head raised, so that the body instead of being carried nearly horizontally
is at a considerable slope. The first impression suggested was of ex-
treme fatigue, but it is probable the birds are better able to sustain con-
tinued flight by fying in this manner with the wind.

Another interesting fact is that among the forty odd species and many
times that number of specimens I only detected four adult birds.

Apparently most of the birds were killed by coming into contact with
the electric wires, as there was not a bruise nor hardly a ruffled feather on
them. Some had flown against the lights and broken or bruised their
bills, others had torn the skin or feathers from the side of the head or
throat, and in two instances the wings were gone. ‘Two or three had
their necks broken.

I estimate the number procured at about fifty per cent of those killed.
A large number fell on inaccessible roofs, or were blown into the eave
troughs during the high winds and lost.—Lupwic KuMLIEN, A/7lwaukee,

Wisconsin.

Osteological Notes upon Puffins and Ravens.—In examining some
skeletons of adult specimens of Luxda ctrrhata, kindly loaned me by the
Smithsonian Institution, I find, occupying the usual site of the bone, but
completely enveloped by the tarsal theca, a rudimentary accessory meta-
tarsal, or the hallux metatarsal, which is freely articulated, but all evidence
of a basal phalanx of the toe is absent. Such a rudimentary element in

1888. ] General Notes. 329

the skeleton of a bird is an interesting fact, and it sees its counterpart in
the rudimentary limbs in such a lizard as Ophiésaurus ventralis.

While engaged upon dissecting the eyes of adult Ravens (Corvus corax
stnuatus), | havealways found a firm osseous plate, ofan elliptical outline,
with a major axis of some § or 6 millimetres surrounding the entrance of
the optic nerve, on the outer coat of the eye. In a ‘Bulletin’ which I
have in the hands of the Smithsonian Institution for publication, I figure
this structure, as well as the rudimentary metatarsal bone, to which I
have alluded above. —R. W. SHuFELDT, Fort Wingate, New Mexico.

Abnormalities in the Ribs of Birds.—Those who have examined many
series of skeletons are well aware that the number of ribs in any given
species is liable to vary, and that an animal may possess a pair more than
the normal number for the species, or that in exceptional cases a pair may
be wanting.

The additional pair of ribs usually appears on the first lumbar vetebra,
or what would normally be the first, although now and then a short, styli-
form pair of pleurapophyses may be present on the seventh vetebra of
mammals, or in fishes on the ex-occipitals.

The greater number of segments in the vertebral column, and the more
generalized the animal, the greater seems the tendency to variation, and
in the Urodele Batrachia even the number of dorsal vertebra is extremely
inconstant.

The following list of costal abnormalities, noted in a comparatively
small number of skeletons, would seem to show that in birds the rib ele-
ment is subject to frequent variations.

Galeoscoptes carolinensis with but five pairs of complete ribs, instead of
the normal passerine number of six, the abnormality being caused by the
lack of a haemapophysis on the rib attached to the fifteenth vertebra. The
styliform rib on the fourteenth vertebra was also reduced in size.

Galeoscoptles carolinensis with seven pairs of ribs, a heemapophysis con-
necting the ordinarily free rib of the fourteenth vertebra with the ster-
num.

Melanoptila glabrirostris and Clivicola riparia, each with a seventh pair
of ribs with attached haemapophyses on the second vertebra of the ‘sacrum.’

Quiscalus purpureus and Sturnella magna neglecta, each with an addi-
tional pair of short slender ribs, devoid of hamapophyses, on the second
vertebra of the ‘sacrum.’ This is a rather curious coincidence, as the two
birds are presumably nearly related. It is the more interesting from the
fact that among birds the dorsal portion of the rib is the first to be sup-
pressed, and instances are numerous—as among Raptores—where a pair
of hamapophyses is normally present without the slightest trace of corres-
ponding pleurapophyses. An intermediate condition is found in some
birds, e. ¢., Trochilus colubris and Cyfselus afus—a complete hamapo-
physis supporting a pleurapophysis whose upper moiety is lacking.

Examination of the large series of sacra of Alca ¢mpenn?s in the collec-
tion of the U. S. National Museum shows that in this bird an extra (ninth)

330 Correspondence. [ July

pair of ribs was not infrequently present on the second ‘sacral’ vertebra. At
some future day I hope to ascertain in what percentage of Great Auks this
condition prevailed, but the most interesting fact is that when the additional
pair of ribs is present there is usually at the same time a small para-
pophysis developed on the first true sacral vertebra, as if the rib-creating
force had been felt still further down the line of vertebree.

These abnormalities have been mentioned, as they seem to have a bear-
ing on the reduction in the number of vertebrz which Baur, Balfour and
Parker have shown has taken place among birds, and they may probably
be regarded as the reappearances of ribs once normally present in the an-
cestral types of existing birds.—FREperic A. Lucas, Washington, D. C.

CORRESPONDENCE.

[ Correspondents are requested to write briefly and to the point. No attention will
be paid to anonymous communications. |

The Sternum in the Solitary Sandpiper, and other Notes.

To THE EpDITORS OF THE AUK:—

Dear Sirs: Some little time ago, while looking over several skeletons
of the Solitary Sandpiper ( Zofanus solitarius of the A. O. U check list),
which I have in my private collection, I noticed that the sternum of this
bird has but a single large notch on either side. Now the only two other
allied species in our avifauna, so far as is known to me at present, thus
constituted, are the Woodcock and Wilson’s Snipe ( Gallinago delicata),
and I am uncertain about the genus Macrorhamphus, as I have not, as
yet, looked up the point in the species therein contained. Possibly, too,
Totanus ochropus may possess a sternum with but a pair of notches in it,
and if that be the case, 1am of the opinion that the character is very likely
to be associated with other distinguishing points in the economy of these
two birds, of ample importance, I think, to guarantee us in restoring
for their reception, the genus ARhyacophtlus, which change I propose
in the present connection. Such forms as Totanus flavipes and T.
melanoleucus have the usual four-notched sternum, as is the general rule
among Limicoline birds.

To furnish certain comparative notes on this point, we find that
Sir Richard Owen, in speaking of the sternum as it is found in certain
birds of this order, says, in the second volume of his ‘Comparative Anat-
omy and Physiology of Vertebrates,’ on page 26, that ‘‘ the woodcock
(Scolopax) has a pair of notches, with the outer boundary slender, and
shorter than the broad intermediate tract, the gambets ( Zotanus), avocets,

1888. ] Correspondence. Rat

sandpipers (7rzzga), curlews (Mumenrus), pratincoles (Glareola), have
the four-notched sternum. In the godwits (ZLémosa, Helras) the medial
notches are almost obsolete, and the lateral ones wide. The ‘thick-knees’
(Gdicnemus) and bustards (O//s) have the four-notched sternum, the
notches being small.”

A number of years ago I published in the ‘Journal of Anatomy’ in Lon-
don, with plates, a memoir having much to do with the osteology of our
American Limicolz, wherein I was enabled to confirm Professor Owen’s
observations, and extend them by noting the ‘ four-notched sternum” in
our own species of Z7mosa, in two species of Oyster-catcher, in Totanus
flavipes, in several species of true Sandpipers, and in the genus Barftra-
mia, where I found ‘‘a small pair of inner notches in the sternum, with
very deep outer ones.” I further went on to remark, as I have already
stated above, that I had only found the ‘two-notched’ sternum in the
Snipe ( Gallinago delicata) of the American Limicolz that I examined on
that occasion. Since then, as I say, I have found a similar form of the
bone in our own Woodcock (Philohela minor). Among taxonomists, the
notching of the sternum has always carried with it more or less weight in
deciding avian affinities, and I was promptly held up for my sins, for hav-
ing published somewhere about a year ago, that I did not attach much
weight to this character, as applied to the sterna of certain Auks, where
the bone in the same sfeczes could be found to have a pair of notches, or a
notch only on one side, or an absolutely notchless sternum. As we
come among the higher groups of birds, however, this character becomes,
as it were, more fixed, and the bone for any number of individuals of the
the same.

b

same species, very much alike, and certainly the ‘‘notching’
So constant is the character that, for instance, I doubt very much that
any one yet has discovered a sternum froma specimen of G. delicata with
more than a pair of notches in it, while on the other hand no one can with
certainty predict what the pattern of the xiphoidal margin of the sternum
will be in a specimen of Ur¢a lomvia before cutting down upon it for
examination. Professor Owen figured the sternum of the now-supposed
extinct Great Auk (P. ¢mpennis) with the posterior border exffre to the
bone in question. Whereas in specimens recently obtained by Mr. F. A.
Lucas, the sterna show a pair of notches in many instances.
Osteologically, the gap between such genera as Gallinago and Philo-
hela, and the genus 77/nga, for instance, is a wide one, for not only is
the sternum ‘two-notched” in the first mentioned genera, and ‘‘four-
notched” in 7rznga, but the remaining bones of the skeletons of the com-
pared forms are also totally different, and thus bear out the dissimilarity
of structure suggested by the sterna. Presumably, too, were the ‘soft
parts’ also carefully compared, they likewise would support these differ-
ences. Having arrived, however, at the genus 7y/vga, and passing up
through the order Limicolze,as we group our birds in the A. O. U. Check
List, we find the ‘‘four-notched” sternum a very constant character
through it, and through the succeeding genera of Ereunefes, Calidrts,
Limosa, and, as I say, in such forms of Totanus as T. melanoleucus and

332 Notes and News. [ July

flavipes, until we come to the really notable departure in this particular
as found in the sternum of the Sandpiper which is the subject of this
letter.*

If you will kindly grant me a few more lines of your valuable space, I
would like to add here a few supplemental notes in reference to the ptery-
lography of the genus Sfhyrapicus. It will be remembered that in the
April (1888) issue of ‘The Auk,’ I figured this character for a Woodpecker
of that genus, and showed how the ‘saddle-tract’ resembled that pteryla
in most Passeres. This was perfectly true for all the examples then at my
command, but since then considerable more material has come under my
observation, and in some individuals of Sphyrapicus v. nuchalis, J find
the pattern of the dorsal tracts in their pterylography, quite Picine in
character, while several individuals prettily show intermediate steps ap-
proaching the pattern of the specimen I figured in my former letter on
this point, alluded to above. Ina letter of mine published in ‘The Auk»
in July, 1887, | showed how widely different in form the skulls of two birds
of the same species might be, and Iam now inclined to think that similar
departures may occasionally be met with, where the pterylography may
vary within certain limits for the same species. This would appear to be
the case anyway in the Woodpecker about which I have been speaking.

Very respectfully yours,

R. W. SHUFELDT.
Fort Wingate, New Mexico,
March 27, 1888.

NOTES AND NEWS.

HENRY JAMES STOVIN PRYER, a corresponding member of the Ameri-
can Ornithologists’ Union, died in Yokohama, Japan, where he has resided
for many years, on February 17, 1888, from bronchial pneumonia. He
was born in London, near Finsbury Square, June 10, 1850, the youngest
son of Thomas Pryer,a London solicitor. He went to China in 1871, but
shortly after he settled in Japan, where he engaged in mercantile business,
devoting all his spare time to collecting natural history objects and to
studying the butterflies and birds of that country.

* Since writing the above, I have received a valued communication from Mr. J. A.
Allen, who has kindly looked into this matter for me, and reports that he finds the
“two-notched” sternum in Yofanus ochropus. I further learn that the sternum of this
species is figured in Mr, Seebohm's recent work on the ‘Charadriidz,’ but note with
surprise that he makes so light of such an admirable generic character. This con-
vinces me more than ever, that the genus AZyacophilus should be restored.—R. W. 8.

1888. ] Notes and News. 233

To ornithologists he is best known as Capt. Blakiston’s collaborator in
the various annotated lists of Japanese birds published in ‘The Ibis’ and the
‘Transactions’ of the Asiatic Society of Japan between the years 1878 and
1882, Mr. Pryer chiefly contributing the notes and the material relating to
the birds of the Middle Island, while Capt. Blakiston furnished the data
from the North Island. These publications mark a great advance in Japa-
nese ornithology, and justly serve as the basis for all future investigations:

In the prosecution of his ornithological and other researches, Mr. Pryer
visited the Bonin and [iu Kiu Islands, bringing home from the latter sev-
eral new and highly interesting species which have been described by
Mr. Seebohm. During a visit to Northeast Borneo he explored the famous
caves of Gomanton, where he procured specimens of the edibie birds’-nests
and of the Swiftlets themselves (Collocalia fuctphaga), and in a most in-
teresting paper, published in the P. Z. S., 1884, pp. 532-538, * related his
experiences there, and explained the mode of construction and composition
of these nests (see also below).

At one time he gave up business for an appointment under the Japanese
government, and superintended the arrangement of the zoélogical collection
in the museum of the Education Department. While in that service he
travelled about in the southern part of the country attended by native as-
sistants collecting for that institution. He soon returned to mercantile
business again, and to private collecting and study; but he was always
ready to afford assistance and advice to his former employers, and the suc-
cess which attended the National Museum, as well as the one he had been
instrumental in setting on foot in the zodlogical way, is no doubt much
due to his aid.

A friend, to whom we owe much of the information embodied in the
above sketch of Mr. Pryer’s career, describes him as being of a wiry
nature, capable of withstanding fatigue and excessive heat, though not
robust, and as to his other qualities our correspondent quotes the follow-
ing from the ‘Japan Daily Mail’ of February 20:—‘‘Mr. Pryer had earned
no small distinction as a naturalist. Earnest and unassuming, he culti-
vated knowledge for its own sake, and in the comparative retirement which
he courted for the better pursuit of his work, he never lost the geniality
and gentle kindness so often found in loving students of nature.”

In recognition of his meritorious work as a zoélogist in Japan, Mr.
Pryer was elected a member of the Entomological Society of London in
1867, a corresponding member of the ZoGlogical Society, London, in 1878,
and of the American Ornithologists’ Union in 1883.

Mr. Pryer’s name will always be honorably associated with the history
of Japanese ornithology, and his death is a great loss to those who were
specially engaged in that branch and who had the good fortune to profit
by his correspondence.—L. 5.

ANOTHER corresponding member of the A. O. U. has recently passed
away, viz. Dr. Modest N. Bogdanow, who on March 4-16, died in St.

* A short abstract is to be found in the ‘Standard Natural History,’ LV, p. 438.

334 Notes and News. [ July

Petersburg only forty-seven years old. He was a Professor Ordinarius of
Zoology at the Imperial University in St. Petersburg, and a curator of the
Zoological museum of the Imperial Academy of Sciences in that city.

From 1867 he has been a very prolific writer, and gained for himself an
enviable reputation as a bright and painstaking ornithologist. His careful
methods, scientific accuracy, and keen power of distinguishing cannot
be too highly eulogized in these days of slipshod ornithology, and his in-
fluence in these respects upon the younger school of Russian ornitholo-
gists is evident on every hand. Unfortunately most of his papers were
written in Russian, and are hence inaccessible to most students outside of
the great Eastern Empire, but his last work,* destined to be the crowning
work of his life, was published in both Russian and French. Of this,
however, up to his death only the first part has been published, but it is
to be hoped that enough material may be found among his papers to in-
sure the completion of this invaluable synopsis of the avifauna of more
than one half the circumboreal region. Of his many other works we will
only mention his ‘Birds of the Caucasus,’ and his admirable memoir on
the Russian Shrikes.

Bogdanow was a trinominalist and a ‘splitter,’ which with his con-
scientious and thorough research make his writings particularly useful. The
data furnished by him can in most cases be utilized directly, and with him
for a guide over unfamiliar ground one feels comparatively safe. Where
one’s material and specimens give out, Bogdanow’s statements are usually
of such a nature as to help one out of the difficulty. How fortunate, if we
could say the same of most that is written and printed about birds nowa-
days!—L. S.

WHILE the wearing of dead birds, or portions of hem, for decorative
purposes has immensely declined in this country during the last two years,
and consequently the destruction of our native birds for such purposes,
the barbaric trade in these decorations has by no means come to an end,
as witness the following statistics of an auction sale held in London,
March 21, of the present year. Ina ‘‘Public Sale” list of Hale & Son, of
Mincing Lane, London, handed us by a friend, we find advertised for sale
on the above-named date, birds’ skins, plumes, wings, and feathers, repre-
senting in the aggregate more birds than are contained in all the ornitho-
logical collections of this country, including private collections as well as
public museums—in other words, hundreds of thousands, in this single auc-
tion sale! Besides about 16,000 Jackages and bundles of ‘Osprey,’ Peacock,
Argus and other Pheasants, Ducks, ‘‘Paddy,” and Heron feathers, we note
several thousand maz¢s and hand-screens, while under the head of ‘‘various
bird skins,” we figure up between 7,000 and §,000 Parrots, shipped mainly
from Bombay and Calcutta, but including some from South America;
about 1000 Impeyan and 500 Argus Pheasants; about 1000 Woodpeckers ;
1450 ‘*Penguins” (Auks and Grebes?); some 14,000 Quails, Grouse and
Partridges ; about 4000 Snipes and Plovers; about 7000 Starlings, Jays, and

* Conspectus Avium Imperii Rossici,

1888. ] Notes and News. 3 nas

Magpies; over 12,000 Hummingbirds; about 5000 Tanagers; 6000 Blue
Creepers and 1500 other Creepers (probably family Caerebidze) ; several
hundred each of Hawks, Owls, Gulls, Terns, Ducks, Ibises. Finches,
Orioles, Larks, Toucans, Birds of Paradise, etc. ; several thousand each of
Wrens, Manakins, Bee-eaters, Kingfishers, Doves and Pigeons; ‘‘1493
Swallows,” in one lot; and about 12,000 are scheduled under ‘‘ Black Heads.”
“Black and White,” “Pink and Black,” ‘‘Grey and Black,” ‘*Various,” etc.
The number distinctly scheduled as skews reached nearly or quite 100,000,
while the number represented by the 16,000 or more ‘‘packages,” and
“bundles,” and the 3500 mats and hand-screens must amount to at least
as many more.

As such sales are not of unfrequent occurrence, and doubtless occur in
other large cities as well as in London, the wonder is that the supply con-
tinues. The traffic, if much longersustained, cannot fail to have a marked
effect in depopulating the countries supplying these sales of their bird life.
What a bloody Moloch is fashion! and how thoughtlessly otherwise intel-
ligent and tender-hearted women obey her behests!

Since the above was written, the following has appeared inarecent num-
ber of the ‘American Field,’ which forms a fitting addendum to the forego-
ing: ‘‘Last year the trade in birds for women’s hats was so enormous thata
single London dealer admitted that he had sold 2,000,000 of small birds of
every kind and color. At one auction in one week there were sold 6000
birds of paradise, 5000 Impeyan Pheasants, 400,000 Hummingbirds, and
other birds from North and South America, and 360,000 feathered skins
from India.”

We have been permitted to copy the following froma recent letter of
the late H. Prver, which may be of interest to the readers of ‘The Auk’:

“T think IT sent you my paper on the Borneo Edible Birds’-nests? All
the ornithologists and chemists have been down on me for saying that it
is composed of a peculiar sort of A/ga which grows in damp places in the
caves at 300 to 4oo feet elevation above the sea, but I have just received
news that Iam perfectly right and every one else for the past seventy years
is wrong! They said the nest was made of the bird’s own saliva, but
Divers, who has analyzed the nest and alga, finds in the latter a very pecu-
liar gum, and that the nest is formed of this gum, mixed with the saliva o:
the bird. Divers was one of the strongest of my opponents, but now he
finds Tam right. I must say, however, that in the face of the weighty evi-
dence brought against me I began to doubt the evidence of my own senses,
although I was perfectly certain that a little pair of birds not bigger than

_the top joint of my thumb could not secrete several quarts of saliva three

times a year to build their nest with.”

Mr. C. B. Cory is still continuing his ornithological explorations in
the West Indies, he having recently sent Mr. E. B. Gallenger to the Grand
Bahama, while Mr. Clark P. Streator, formerly of California, has been
engaged for an extensive collecting tour in the hitherto neglected por-
tions of the Antilles. Mr. C. J. Maynard has just returned from an

'

336 Notes and News. [July

extended exploration, in Mr. Cory’s interest, of Nassau, Andros, Inagua,
and the Caymans, collecting large series of the birds of these islands,
among which are some novelties.

A MEETING of the several Audubon Monument Committees of New.

York and vicinity was held at Columbia College, May 22, at which reports
of progress were made. The work of collecting funds for the proposed
monument is thus far not meeting with quite the success hoped, although
there is as yet little reason for discouragement. Those who intend to con-
tribute should not hold back, but promptly send their remittances either
to the general treasurer, Dr. N. L. Britton, Columbia College, New York
City, or to the treasurers of the several sub-committees, as they may pre-
fer. The treasurer of the A. O. U. Committee, Mr. William Dutcher
(51 Liberty Street, New York City). reports the following contributions
received (up to June rr) since the publication of the statement made in
the April number of ‘The Auk’: Chapter No. 382, Agassiz Ass’n, by H.
S. Fullerton, Sec., $2.00; lb. S. Foster, 1.00; ©. K: Averill, Jr., 2:00; Cash;
Phila:;)a-,05.005, 1). ©. Browne, 2.00; 15): sAdams.) 2.00r bh aGauie
5.00; Miss A. S. Van Cortlandt, 2.00; F. Bond, 1.00; N. S. Goss, 5.co;
J. H. Sage, 1000; ‘‘Colorado Springs,” 5.00; R. Deane, 5.00; W. FP:
Hendrickson, 1.00; A. H. Hawley, 1.00; Prof. Alfredo Dugés, 5.00; W.
C. Avery, M. D., 5.00; “Percy,” 5.00; W. H. Foote, 5.00; Adolf Bachofen
von Echt, 10.00; Dr. R. Blasius, 8.00; José C. Zeledon, 10.00; Anastasio
Alfaro, 10.00. Total, $107.00.

AUK.

NESTS OF REGULUS SATRAPA.

Upper figure: nest found June 16, from photograph taken after leaves had dropped off.

Lower figure: nest found June 13, from photograph taken while the leaves yet remained
on the branch.

Vol

THE AUK:

DVS Pini y [OURNAL OF

ORNETHOLOGY.

VOL. V. OcTOBER, 1888. No. 4.

BREEDING. OF THE .GOLDEN-CRESTED KINGLET
(REGULUS. SATFTRAPA), IN. WORCESTER
COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS, WITH A DE-
SCRIPTION OF ITS NEST. AND
EGGS.

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

DuRING a visit to Winchendon, Worcester County, Massa-
chusetts, in the latter part of June, 1887, I found, among other
interesting things, a pair of Golden-crested Kinglets with young,
the latter only a few days from the nest. They were in dense
woods of mixed white pine (?. s¢rodus) and spruce (A. xzgra@)
on low, rather swampy ground. A careful search through sev-
eral similar woods in the neighborhood failed to reveal any
more birds of this species. Perhaps there were no others in
1887, for Mr. C. E. Bailey, who was my companion on
that occasion, met with none either before or after my visit,
although he spent most of the season collecting about Winchen-
don. Over the very same ground, however, in June, 1888, I
found no less than six pairs of these Kinglets and, with the assis-
tance of Messrs. C. E. Bailey, S. W. Denton, and H. M. Spel-
man, secured three of their nests, two with sets of nine eggs each.

As the published descriptions of the nesting of this species
are somewhat meagre and more or less conflicting, it seems
worth while to treat the present specimens at some length.

The first nest was found June 13, 1888, when the birds were

338 BREWSTER on the Golden-crested Kinglet. [October

at work on the lining, the exterior being apparently completed,
and was taken June 29, with a set of nine eggs, four perfectly
fresh, the others slightly incubated. It was placed in a tall,
slender spruce (A. zzgra), on the south side, within about two
feet of the top of the tree, and at least sixty feet above the ground,
suspended among fine pendant twigs about two inches directly
below a short horizontal branch, some twelve inches out from
the main stem, and an equal distance from the end of the branch.
The tree stood near the upper edge of a narrow strip of dry,
rather open woods bordered on one side by a road, on the other
by an extensive sphagnum swamp, the growth both in the swamp
and along its edges being almost exclusively spruces (A. zzgra)
and balsams (A. dalsamtferc).

The nest measures externally: greatest depth, 3.60; least
depth, 2.70; greatest diameter, 4.20; least diameter, 3.00 inches.
Two measurements are required for each dimension because of
the irregularity of the external outline. This although generally
rounded is broken in:places by deep depressions and prominent
knobs or excrescences. The top of the nest is open, but the rim
is slightly contracted or arched on every side over the deep hol-
low which contained the eggs. The extent of this contraction is
best shown by the following measurements of the interior cay-
ity: diameter at top, 1.15 X 1.95 inches; diameter midway be-
tween top and bottom, 1.40 X 2.10. The cavity is oblong, not
round. The walls vary in thickness from 1.35 to .4o. Out-
wardly they are composed chiefly of green mosses* prettily diver-
sified with grayish lichens and Uszea, the general tone of the col-
oring, however, matching closely that of the surrounding spruce
foliage. The interior at the bottom is lined with exceedingly deli-
cate strips of soft inner bark and fine black rootlets similar to, if
not identical with, those which almost invariably form the lining of
the nest of the Black-and-yellow Warbler. Near the top are rather
numerous feathers of the Ruffed Grouse, Hermit Thrush, and
Oven-bird, arranged with the points of the quills down, the tips
rising to, or slightly above, the rim and arching inward over the
cavity, forming a screen that partially concealed the eggs.

* These have been identified by a botanist as representing five species of
Hypnum and one of Frullania.

£888.] BREWSTER ox the Golden-crested Kinglet. 339

The second nest was found June 16, when it was nearly com-
pleted, and taken June 29 with nine eggs, five of which were
fresh, the remaining four being slightly incubated. The locality
was a lonely glen on high land between two ridges. The ridges
were covered with young white pines. The prevailing growth
in the glen was spruce and hemlock, the trees of large size and
standing so thickly together as to shut out nearly all sunlight
from the ground beneath. The nest was on the west side of a
sturdy, heavily limbed spruce (A. xzgra@) about fifty feet above
the ground, twenty feet below the top of the tree, six feet out
from the trunk, and two and a half feet from the end of the
branch, in a dense cluster of stiff, radiating (not pendant) twigs,
the top of the nest being only an inch below, but the whole struc-
ture slightly on one side of the branch from which its supports
sprang. Above and on every side it was so perfectly concealed
by the dense flake-like masses of spruce foliage that it was im-
possible to see it from any direction except by parting the sur-
rounding twigs with the hand. From directly below, however,
a small portion of the bottom was visible, even from the ground.
The foliage immediately ‘over the top was particularly dense,
forming a canopy which must have been quite impervious to the
sun’s rays, anda fairly good protection from rain also. Beneath
this canopy there was barely sufficient room for the birds to enter.
In general shape and construction this nest closely resembles the
one above described. It is, however, smaller, shallower, more
compact, rounder, and less irregular in outline, measuring as
follows: externally, greatest depth, 2.55; least depth, 2.45;
greatest diameter, 4; least diameter, 2.90 inches; interior, diam-
eter atrim, 1.70; diameter midway, 1.75; depth, 1.40; greatest
thickness of walls, 1.60; least, -75- The materials composing the
exterior are, similarly, green mosses and gray lichens, but the
lichens are much more sparingly used. The lining, as far as can
be seen without subjecting the nest to undue violence of handling,
is wholly of the downy under feathers of the Ruffed Grouse.
These are used so lavishly that, radiating inward from every
side, they nearly fill the interior and almost perfectly conceal its
contents.

The third nest was also in a spruce which stood near the top
of a steep, picturesque hillside covered with noble old hemlocks
interspersed with a few rather stunted spruces, the ground be-

340 BREWSTER on the Golden-crested Kinglet. [ October

neath rough and broken by ledges whose rugged outlines were
more or less softened by a luxuriant covering of moss and rock
ferns. The nest was on the south side of the tree about thirty
feet above the ground, twelve feet out from the main stem, and
five feet from the end of the branch. It was found June 17,
when the bird was at work carrying into it what appeared to
be the lining. We could not examine it closely without cutting
off the branch, so it was left until June 29, when it proved to be
empty, evidently deserted, and so dilapidated that at first we
were inclined to believe it an old nest. This cannot have been
the case, however, for the materials of which it is composed are
quite new and fresh. These are essentially the same as in the
other two nests, but there is no lining, although the outer edges
of the rim as wel! as much of the upper portions of the exterior
are covered with a profusion of feathers (chiefly those of the
Ruffed Grouse with a few of the Red Crossbill) while others are
merely entangled among the surrounding twigs. The probable
explanation of this state of affairs is that the nest was first
deserted, and shortly afterwards partially dismantled, either by
the owners or by some mischievous squirrel or mouse. Origi-
nally, however, it must have had feathers over most of the ex-
terior, for many of those now there are firmly attached to, or
even woven into, the moss of which it is composed. This nest
is larger than either of the others, measuring as follows: greatest
external diameter, 4.00; least, 2.10; greatest depth, 3.90; least,
2.90 inches. The interior is too badly damaged to admit of ac-
curate measurements.

To recapitulate. In position—but not of course in construction
—the first nest resembles that of the Baltimore Oriole, being sim-
ilarly hung near the ends of long, drooping twigs. The second is
built more like a Vireo’s, but with this difference, that instead of
being suspended by its upper edges only, and between the forks
of a single stem, it is supported on every side, and from the top
nearly to the bottom, by numerous slender, but stiff, radiating
twigs. It is, nevertheless, a distinctly pensile structure. The
position of the third nest is different from that of either of the
others. Placed nearly midway between two stout branches
which in reality are forks of the same branch, one above the
other, and at the point in question about six inches apart, it is
attached by the sides and upper edges to the twigs which depend

1888. ] BREWSTER ox the Goldea-crested Kinglet. 341
from the branch above, while its bottom rests firmly on a brist-
ling platform of stems which rise from the branch below. Thus
it is at once pensile and non-pensile.

The eighteen eggs making up the two sets above-mentioned
vary considerably in shape. The majority are more or less regu-
larly ovate, but several are elliptical-ovate, while two are very
nearly perfectly elliptical-oval. The ground color varies from
creamy white to exceedingly deep, often somewhat muddy, cream
color. Over this light ground are sprinkled numerous markings
of pale wood-brown, while at least three specimens have a few
spots and blotches of faint lavender. The brown markings vary
in size from the finest possible dots to rather large blotches. In
most of the specimens they are distributed pretty thickly over
the entire shell, but in nearly all they are most numerous about
the larger ends where they form a more or less distinct wreath
pattern, while in four or five (and these have the lightest ground
color) they are nearly confined to the larger ends. the remainder
of the egg being very sparsely marked. Separating these eigh-
teen eggs into the two sets .to which they respectively belong, I
find that these sets resemble each other very closely in every way,
each having specimens representing all the variations above
described excepting that all three of the eggs with lavender mark-
ings belong to the same set. In both sets the whitest, most
sparsely spotted eggs were the freshest. showing that they were
the last ones laid.

Lest the detail of the above description mislead the reader as
to the general appearance of these eggs it may be well to add
that while there can be no doubt that the markings are genuine
pigment spots and not mere superficial stains (this has been
doubted by some writers), they are, as a rule, so fine and so little
darker than the ground color, that many of the eggs when
viewed at a distance or ina poor light appear brownish cream
color and immaculate. The eggs just described measure respec-
tively = (Set A—9) <56 X 2445-57-44; -55 X -42, -57 X. 43,
=57 X -44, -57 X -44, 56 X .45, -57 X -44, -57 X .44 inches.
(Set B—g) .56 X .44, .56 X .45, 52 X -42, -59 X 45, -57 X -45,
B53 6043, 57 455 «50 X4ds 54. X .44 inches.

In both nests the eggs, too numerous to find sufficient space
for their accommodation on the bottom of the nest, were pled
in two layers, one above the other. In the first nest the relative

342 BREWSTER on the Golden-crested Kinglet. [October

number of eggs in the two layers was not noted. In the second
there were five eggs in the lower and four in the upper layer.
All these nests were found by watching the birds while build-
ing, a task of no slight difficulty in dense spruce woods where
the light was dim, even at noonday, and mosquitoes were so nu-
merous as to make it torture to remain still for any considerable
length of time. Moreover, the movements of the little architect
were erratic and puzzling to the last degree. One moment flut-
tering at the end of a branch, her bill filled with a mass of build-
ing material, or tugging at the loose end of a shred of bark or
moss, the next hidden from sight among the dense spruce foliage,
now flitting rapidly from tree to tree, again dashing back and
forth between two adjoining trees, the female would often appear
and disappear a dozen times and at as many different places in
the course of a minute or two. The chief difficulty, of course,
was to make out just when and where she deposited her burden,
which often vanished in the most unaccountable way. We
finally found that her almost invariable custom was to approach
the nest by short flights and devious courses, and upon reaching
it dash in. deposit and arrange her load in from two to four sec-
onds, and at once dart off in search of more. When it is consid-
ered that the nest, even at a distance of only a few yards, was
indistinguishable from hundreds of dark clusters in its own and
neighboring trees, and that the bird during her flights to and
from it often entered and remained quite as long within several
of these clusters as in the nest itself, the difficulties of the case
will be better understood. As a matter of fact we did not ina
single instance settle the exact position of the prize until we
had watched the birds for several hours and spent much fruitless
time in climbing to the deceptive clusters already mentioned.
In her flights after building material the female sometimes
went a distance of a hundred yards or more, but oftener she con-
fined her quest to the trees within a radius of fifty yards or less
of the one which concealed the nest. She was invariably fol-
lowed closely by the male who, however, did not assist her in
any way other than by singing almost incessantly, in an under-
tone. In the case of the three nests which we took, and a fourth
which we must have been very near to but did not find, the
males in every instance first attracted us to the spot where their
mates were at work by this peculiar, subdued song. It was often

1888. | BREWSTER on the Golden-crested Kinglet. 343

repeated almost incessantly dozens of times in succession.
Should it prove to be, as seems probable, an invariable and char-
acteristic accompaniment to the operation of nest-building its
value as a clue to the neighborhood of the nest and the presence
of the female is worth bearing in mind. Besides the song* both
birds uttered frequently a low ¢z, ¢7, ¢¢ which seemed to serve as
a call to indicate one another’s presence or position.

In each instance the sitting female left her eggs as soon as the
movements of the climber began to shake the tree, but when he
neared the nest she with her mate showed the utmost anxiety and
boldness, approaching within a few feet of his head and uttering
the ¢zee-tzee-tzee note incessantly.

To conclude, the nests above described are, I believe, the
first that have ever been taken in Massachusetts, although my
finding the brood of young birds at Winchendon in 1887 was, of
course, prior and equally conclusive proof that the species breeds
within our limits. That it breeds regularly at Winchendon is
highly probable, but, as already stated, there are reasons for
doubting that it is always as common there as it was in 1888.
About July 1 of this latter year, it was discovered by Mr. Faxon
in considerable numbers, and unquestionably breeding, on the
northern side of Mt. Graylock in Berkshire County where I
searched for it vainly in 1885 although, to be sure, I did not
visit the particular part of that mountain where it has since been
found. Hence my failure to meet with it affords no proof of its
absence or even rarity there in 1885. Nevertheless I cannot
help thinking that the number of birds which nested the past
season in both Berkshire and Worcester Counties may have been
exceptional.

Another point worth considering is the approximate date at
which this Kinglet may be assumed to nest. The fact that the
nest found by Mr. Minott among the White Mountains of New
Hampshire in 1876 contained young as late as July 16, taken in
connection with my observations in 1888, would seem to indi-
cate that the bird is a late breeder and that somewhere between

* This begins with a succession of five or six fine, shrill, high-pitched, somewhat
faltering notes and ends witha short, rapid, rather explosive warble. The opening
notes are given in a rising key but the song falls rapidly at the end. The whole may
be expressed as follows: fzee, ¢zee, tzee, tzee, ti, ti, ter-ti-ti-ti-ti.

+ Land and Game Birds of New England, p. 56.

344 EVERMANN, Sirds of Carroll County, Indiana. [October

June 1o and 17 would be the best time to find the female build-
ing (it would be next to useless to search for the nests after they
are completed), while June 25 to July 1 should be early
enough to expect full sets of eggs. But opposed to this conclu-
sion are the early date (June 26) at which I found young on
wing near Winchendon in 1887 and the record * by Mr. Charles
H. Andros of a set of ten eggs taken by Mr. Cheney at Grand
Manan, New Brunswick, ‘‘on or about June 1.” It is possible
that the species rears two broods in a season but, on the whole,
I am inclined to believe that its time of nesting is irregular,
varying at different places or at the same place in different years.

BIRDS OF CARROLL COUNTY, INDIANA.
BY BARTON W. EVERMANN.

Carrot County lies in the northern central part of Indiana,
about one hundred miles south of Lake Michigan. The chief
river of the County is the Wabash, which flows southwest across
the northwest part of the County. The greater part of the
County lies to the east and southeast of the river, and is drained
into it by Rock, Deer, and Wild Cat Creeks. The Tippe-
canoe River flows for a few miles through the northwest corner
of the County, its direction being almost due south.

All that portion of the County lying to the east and southeast
of the Wabash (embracing ten of the thirteen townships) was
originally very heavily timbered, and there yet remain many
uncleared acres. The chief forest trees are beech, red and white
oak, elm, ash, poplar (tulip), sycamore, maple (hard and soft),
walnut (black and white), hickory, —in short the usual decidu-
ous trees of the ordinary forest of central Indiana. There are
practically no pines or other evergreens in the County, except a
very few along the Tippecanoe. The three townships lying on
the right bank of the Wabash differ materially from those on the
other side. Adams, the most eastern of the three, is inclined to

* Ornithologist and Odlogist, Vol. 12, p. 203.

1888. ] EVERMANN, Birds of Carroll County, Indiana. 345

be quite broken near the river, and is covered with a heavy
growth of oaks. The other two townships are nearly all prairie,
with here and there a grove of small white oaks, and a belt of
timber along each of the two rivers. Excepting a portion of
Adams township and a small area in the southwest corner of
the County near where Wild Cat Creek leavés it, the surface
may be said to be level or gently undulating. All the streams
which empty into the Wabash from the east flow in a general
westerly direction.

Most of the observations upon which this list is based were
made (1) in the vicinity of Burlington in the southeast corner of
the County, and (2) near Camden in the central part of the
County. Burlington is situated on the south bank of Wild Cat
Creek, and Camden is upon Deer Creek, sixteen miles to the
northwest. During the years 1883-1885, however, I was en-
abled to make observations in every part of the County. I
began recording my observations of the birds of this County in
the autumn of 1877, and continued it until July, 1879, when I left
the State. Some few notes are the results of brief visits in
the summers of 1881 and 1882. But the list chiefly depends
upon the observations made from March, 1883, to July, 1885.

In order that the list might be made thoroughly reliable, in so
far as is in my power to make it so, I have included in it only
those species which I have positively identified as belonging to
the avifauna of the County. Nota single species not actually
seen by me in the County has been'admitted into the list proper.
Thus restricted, the list pretty correctly indicates what the stu-
dent of birds will find when he collects here. Where dates are
given, those for the spring migrations refer to first arrivals unless
otherwise stated. In nomenclature and classification the A. O. U.
Code and Check-List of N. A. Birds has been followed.

1. Podilymbus podiceps. Piep-BILLED GREBE. — I have occasionally
seen this Diver in spring and again in the autumn on Deer Creek. It seems
to be but a rare migrant.

2. Urinator imber. Loon. —Seen occasionally on the Wabash and
rarely on Wild Cat and Deer Creeks. I saw one which was killed on Wild
Cat Creek, April 18, 1885.

3. Larus argentatus smithsonianus. AMERICAN HERRING GULL.

4. Larus delawarensis. RING-BILLED GULL.

5. Larus philadelphia. BOoNAPARTE’s GuLL.—I have seen these three
species upon the Wabash a few times in spring, but never in autumn.
Specimens of the last were obtained at Lake Maxinkuckee April 17, 1885.

346 EverMANN, Birds of Carroll County, Indiana. [October

6. Sterna hirundo. Common TERN. — On May 2, 1884, I saw perhaps
a dozen flying up the river near Delphi. I obtained one at Lake Maxin-
kuckee May 11, 1885, when it was common.

7. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN. — Rare
migrant. One shot by Mr. W. W. Black in the spring of 1881, near the
Tippecanoe River.

8. Mergus americanus. AMERICAN MERGANSER. — Common spring
migrant; less common in the autumn and winter. It usually appears on
Deer Creek about the first of March (March 1, 1878; March 1, 1879; Feb.
13, 1884; Feb. 17, 1885). In the spring of 1885 it continued in Deer
Creek until late in April. A few are usually to be found in winter in the
Wabash wherever it is not frozen. During the spring migrations this
seems to be the most common species on the creeks of the County.

9. Mergus serrator. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.—This is one of the
rarest Ducks in this region. I have seen it but two or three times.

10. Lophodytes cucullatus. Hoop—ED MERGANSER.—A rather common
migrant, remaining in the spring as late as May. I have often met with
single pairs about swamps and ponds in midsummer, and have seen the
young on Deer Creek in July. I think, however, that the bulk of the
species breeds much farther north. I have seldom seen the males in full
adult plumage. April 8, 1885.

11. Anas boschas. MALitarp. — The Mallard is not rare on the river
during the spring and autumn migrations, but I have not often seen it on
the smaller streams. It probably bred in the County formerly, but I do
not think it does so now.

12. Anas obscura. BLiAck Duck.—I sawa single specimen in the
Delphi market in March, 1879, which was said to have been shot on the
Wabash near the town.

13. Anas americana. BALDPATE. — Spring and autumn migrant, —
apparently not common. A flock of about a dozen seen on Deer Creek
March 26, 1884, from which a female was shot. Another flock of six was
seen on the same creek March 24, 1885.

14. Anas carolinensis. GREEN-WINGED TEAL. — Probably more com-
mon than my records indicate. The only specimen I ever saw in the
County is a female which I took on Deer Creek, April 8, 1885.

15. Anas discors. BLUE-wINGED TEAL. —I have seen specimens in
the Delphi market, but never took any in the County myself. Common
at Lake Maxinkuckee May 11, 1885.

16. Spatula clypeata. SHOVELLER.—A not very common migrant.
Shot one on Deer Creek, March 18, 1879, and another March 26, 1885.
Several were seen on this last date.

17. Dafilaacuta. Pinrait.—A rather rare migrant.

18. Aix sponsa. Woop Ducx.—Formerly acommon summer resident,
but now one of the rarest Ducks in this region. March 1 and 14, 1879;
July, 1877; March 26, 1885.

19. Aythya affinis. Lesser Scaup Duck.—Migrant, but not often
seen by me. April 18, 1885.

1888] EVERMANN, Birds of Carroll County, Indiana. 347

20. Glaucionetta clangula americana. AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE.—
Rare migrant; seen most often in March and April.

21. Glaucionettaislandica. BARRow’s GOLDEN-EYE.—A very rare bird
in this County. A female which I shot in Deer Creek, near Camden,
March 19, 1885, is, as far as I know, the only specimen of the species ever
taken in this part of the State.

22. Charitonetta albeola. BUFFLE-HEAD.—A more common migrant
than either of the last. A few probably remain in open places in the river

through the winter.
23. Erismatura rubida. Ruppy Duck.—A rare spring and autumn

migrant.

24. Brantacanadensis. CANADA GoosE.—Formerly an abundant mi-
grant, often stopping in wheat fields to feed. but of late years it is much
less common; only a few flocks are seen flying over each spring and
autumn, and but rarely are any killed by the local sportsmen. On the
prairies to the northwest of Carroll County they are said to still stop in
considerable numbers.

25. Olor columbianus. WHISTLING Swan.—A regular but rare mi-
grant, most often seen in the spring. One or more specimens are taken
nearly every spring on the Wabash near Delphi.

26. Olor buccinator. TRUMPETER SWAN.— Less common than the
Whistling Swan. I remember but one specimen; that was killed on Wild
Cat Creek, near Burlington, several years ago.

27. Botaurus lentiginosus AMERICAN BITTERN.—While the Bittern
is probably anot uncommon migrant through the County, I have seen
very few within the County, owing no doubt to the fact that I was able to
make but few observations in regions suitable for such birds. Specimens
gotten at Lake Maxinkuckee April 15 and May 2and 9, 1885.

28. Ardea herodias. GreAT BLUE HERoN.—This Heron begins to
arrive from the South quite early in the spring (April 8, 1884; February
14, March 1 and 18, 1885), and remains until late in October. It seems to
be by far the most abundant Heron which visits us. At present there are
two large heronries in the County that I know of. The first of these is in
Adams township near the northern limit of the County, about six miles
north of the Wabash and about the same distance east of the Tippecanoe.
The other is in what is known as the Maple Swamp, in the southern part
of the County, about six miles south of Wild Cat Creek, or eighteen miles
from the Wabash. This swamp is made by the widening of a small
stream called Middle Fork, so that it covers an area of several hundred
acres. Thelower portion of this swamp is covered with a heavy growth
of swamp ash and soft maple, andinthe tops of these trees the Herons
build their nests. My first visit to this heronry was on June 12, 1882.
We found more than a hundred pairs nesting there then, and their many
nests, some no longer used, presented a very interesting sight. Passing
by the swamp in winter when the leaves are off, the nests show very
plainly. As many as thirteen nests were seen in one tree, and many
other trees contained from three to tennestseach. I climbed to many of

348 EvERMANN, Birds of Carroll County, Indiana. [October

these nests on May 21, 1883, and found young in some and eggs in various
stages of incubation in the others. Itis said that many more nested here
formerly, but they have been so harassed and molested by squirrel hunters
and others who annoy them needlessly, that they are being gradually
driven away. In the last two years the swamp has been ditched and this
heronry may now be counted among the things of the past. Solitary
pairs of Herons are found breeding in various other parts of the County,
and I remember that years ago there was a small colony (of perhaps
twenty pairs) in some large cottonwoods about a mile south of Burling-
ton, near my father’s farm.

29. Ardea egretta. AMERICAN EGRET.—Seen in flocks of six to ten
flying northward in the spring, and single individuals are common along
the streams during July, August, and the first part of September. I do
not think any breed in this County.

30. Ardea virescens. GREEN HrERON.—This little Heron is acommon
summer resident, breeding in the tops of small trees along the creeks, and
occasionally in apple trees in old orchards. It arrives from the south late
in April, and full sets of eggs are found by May 13.

31. Nycticorax nycticorax nevius. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON.
—Apparently a very rare migrant. On the evening of April 30, 1878, I
shot a female in fine plumage at a small pond near Camden. On Novem-
ber 24, 1884, a young female was killed near Camden and brought to me.
Both of these are now in my collection. About September 1, 1887,
another specimen was killed near Camden. These are the only speci-
mens of the species I have ever seen or heard of in the County.

32. Grus mexicana. SANDHILL CRANE.—A regular migrant, but sel-
dom seen except in the prairie portion of the County. April 7, 1885.

33. Porzana carolina. Sora.—A rather common migrant, to be met
with about the first week in May if you chance to search for it in suitable
places. Common at the Armstrong Pond near Camden, May 9-10, 1885.

34. Gallinula galeata. FLORIDA GALLINULE.—One killed near Bur-
lington, April 28, 1883, and another seen May 11, 1885. ‘These are the
only specimens of this southern bird that I have ever seen in the State.
The last of these was seen in a woodland near Burlington. It was quite
tame and I was able to follow it about for some time, driving it from one
pile of brush or small thicket to another. It would walk or run slowly,
never attempting to fly except when crowded closely. Being without my
gun I was unable to secure it. The one killed April 28, 1883, is now in
my collection. °

35. Fulica americana. AMERICAN Coor.—A not uncommon migrant.
April 19, 1884; April 8, 1885; November 21, 1884. In the spring of 1885,
one was taken May 12.

36. Philohela minor. AMERICAN Woopcock.—Formerly a rather
common summer resident, but now quite rare. Nests early in April.
Young able to fly at least as early as July 1.

37. Gallinago delicata. WuiLson’s SnipeE.—Rather common migrant,
most often seen in spring. April 21, 1885; May 1, 1884.

1888. ] EVERMANN, Szrds of Carroll County, Indiana. 349

38. Tringa maculata. PeCcTroRAL SANDPIPER.—Rare migrant in March
and April.

39. Tringa minutilla. Least SANpPIPER.—Rare migrant.

40. Ereunetes pusillus. SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.—Not uncommon
migrant. April 24, 1884; April 21, 1885. A few breed(?).

41. Limosa fedoa MarBLED Gopwit.—Very rare migrant. April,
1883.

42. Totanusmelanoleucus. GREATER YELLOW-LEGS.—Seen occasion-
ally along the streams in spring and autumn.

43. Totanus flavipes. YELLOW-LEGS.—Migrant; apparently less com-
mon than the preceding.

44. Totanus solitarius. SoLiIrARY SANDPIPER.—Rather common
migrant.

45. Actitis macularia. SporreD SANDPIPER.—Rather common sum-
mer resident.

46. AXgialitis vocifera. KILLDEER. —Common summer resident.
Usually arrives about March 15. None remain over winter.

47. Colinus virginianus. Bos-wnitr.—Formerly an abundant resi-
dent, but now rare. During the years 1883-1885, I do not think I saw
over a hundred Quail in the County. Hard winters and greedy pot-hun-
ters have about exterminated them.

48. Bonasa umbellus. Rurrep GrRousE.—A rare resident, small
numbers being found in certain localities that I know of. These are
usually in heavy undergrowth along the streams. March 7, 1878, one
shot. August, 1881, several seen. Several seen in the winter of 1881-S2.

49. Tympanuchus americanus. PRAIRIE CHICKEN.—Rare resident
in the northwest part of the County where they can be heard almost any
morning during the early spring. A few years ago they were occasionally
seen in the eastern part of the County.

50. Meleagris gallopavo. Witp TurKEey.—Up to about 1870 a com-
mon resident. During the winter it was a common practice to trap the
Wild Turkey in large rail pens. A trench was dug under one side of the
pen, and by scattering corn along it the birds were induced into the pen,
and when once inside they were unable to see the way out, a broad
board being placed over the trench just inside the rails.

The last that I saw or heard of in the County was in February, 1878,
near Camden.

51. Ectopistes migratorius. PASSENGER PIGEON.—Until within the
past fifteen years Wild Pigeons were very abundant during the spring
migrations, and again during the autumn when there was an abundance
of ‘mast.’ Then thousands were caught in nets, especially on the prairie
near Pittsburg. A few were killed in the autumn of 1883, and I saw two
on May 8, 1884, these being the last I have seen in the County. One
seen May 3, 1883. Several seen at Maxinkuckee April 6, 1885.

2. Zenaidura macroura. MourninGc Dove.—An abundant summer
resident, and occasionally a few remain all winter. They generally
arrive in the spring about March 16, and full sets of eggs are found as

350 EVERMANN, Birds of Carroll County, Indiana. [October

early as April 5. On May 9g, 1885, Ifound a nest of the Dove containing
three eggs,—the first instance that ever came under my observation of
more than two eggs in a nest.

53. Cathartes aura. TurKEY BuzzArp.—The Turkey Buzzard is a
common summer resident of Carroll County, arriving in the spring early
in March. Full sets of eggs were obtained April 23, and again on April
29. March 16, 1884; March 12, 1885.

54. Circus hudsonius. MaArsH HARRIER.—Spring visitant. I have
seen it but rarely. I think it breeds near Lake Maxinkuckee, as I have
seen it there in July.

55. Accipiter velox. SHARP-SHINNED HAwk.—A very rare resident,
seen oftenest in the spring. One gotten October 27, 1884.

56. Accipiter cooperi. Cooper’s HAwk.—A rare resident, especially
so in winter. Nest with full complement of eggs found May to, 1883.

57: Buteo borealis. RED-TAILED HAwk.—Our most abundant Hawk.
While it is resident asa species, yet the individual birds migrate more or
less. They appear most numerously in March and April, and again in
August and September. I have found young Hawks in the nest as early
as April 15.

58. Buteo lineatus. RED-SHOULDERED HAwk.—Resident, but less
common than the preceding. Breeds about the same time.

59. Buteo latissimus. BROAD-WINGED HAwk.—I have occasionally
seen this Hawk in spring and autumn. It appears to be rather rare.

60. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis. ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK.—A
rare winter visitant.

6t. Aquila chrysaétos. GOLDEN EAGLE.—A very rare winter visitor.
I know of one that was killed in the eastern part of the County in De-
cember, 1883.

62. Halizetus leucocephalus. BaLtp EAGLr. Rather frequent as a
winter visitor. Hardly a winter passes that two or three are not taken
in the County. Ihave noticed them oftenest along the Wabash and the
Tippecanoe near which they are said to have bred not many years ago.
I have a fine adult male that was caught in the southwestern part of the
County, February 20, 1885. Scarcely does an Eagle come into our State
now and get away alive, if he tarry more than a day or two.

63. Falco columbarius. Pr:GEON HAwk.—Perhaps a rare resident.

64. Falco sparverius. SparRow HAwk.—A common summer resi-
dent, and a few remain all the year.

65. Pandion haliaétus carolinensis. Fish HAwk.—The Osprey isa
rare spring and autumn visitant. September 21, 1883; April 22, 1884;
September 22, 1884.

65. Asio wilsonianus. LONG-EARED OwL.—Seemingly a rare winter
visitor. I have specimens obtained January 29, 1884, February 5, 1886,
and January 14, 1888.

67. Asio accipitrinus. SHORT-EARED OwL.—A very rare winter vis-
itant.

68. Syrniumnebulosum. BARRED OwL.—Resident. This is the most
common Owl in this part of the State.

1888. ] Benpire, the Nest and Eggs of Bachman’s Sparrow. 351

69. Nyctala acadica. SAw-wHeET OwtL.—Probably resident, — very
rare. The only timeI ever saw any Owls of this species in Carroll County
was on May 8, 1883. In an old thicket near Burlington, I found six young
Saw-whets in a hole ina deadelm. The hole was about twenty feet from
the ground, and the young Owls were able to fly quite well. I have heard
this Owl at various times in the spring, but these are the only ones seen.

70. Megascops asio. SCREECH OwL.—A common resident, but ap-
parently more abundant some years than others. They were particularly
abundant in the winter of 1878-79, and again in 1884-85. Perhaps half of
those taken in 1878-79 were of the red form, while nearly all those taken
since then were gray. A red male was caught at Burlington, January 14,
1888.

71. Bubo virginianus. GREAT HorNep Owr.—Next to the Barred
Owl, our most common resident.

72. Nycteanyctea. SNowy Owr.—An extremely rare visitant. One
was taken near Camden in the winter of 1865.

[Zo be continued. |

NOTES ON THE NEST AND EGGS OF PEUCLZA
ZESTIVALTS- BACHMANT AUD.,
BACHMAN’S SPARROW.

BY CAPT. CHAS. E. BENDIRE.

TuE life history of this interesting species is still rather im-
perfectly known, and as far as I am aware no authentic accounts
of its nest and eggs are to be found in any ornithological publi-
cations. Even its distribution is not well defined as yet. Mr.
William Brewster found it abundant near Charleston, South
Carolina, and this seems to be the only point on the Atlantic
coast where it has so far been taken. It is said to breed there.
See Auk, Vol. II, Jan., 1885, p. 106. According to Ridgway’s
Manual of North American Birds, its habitat is given as follows.
Southern Atlantic and Gulf States and lower Mississippi Valley,
north to North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, Kentucky, southern
Illinois and Indiana, west to middle northern Texas. Mr. Wm.
Lloyd, in his list of birds of Tom Green and Concho Counties,
Texas (Auk, Vol. IV, Oct., 1887, p. 292), says: ‘* Peucea
estivalis bachmant, Bachman’s Sparrow. Summer visitor in

352 BENDIRE, the Nest and Eggs of Bachman’s Sparrow. |October

eastern Concho County. Nests found May z0to Juner. Eggs
invariably four.” This is the only reference to the nest and eggs
of this form known to me, and is rather vague.

Through the kindness of Dr. Wm. C. Avery of Greensboro,
Alabama, an enthusiastic naturalist, who has devoted consider-
able labor and no little time to the study of the nesting habits of
this species, | am enabled to give what I consider the first reli-
able and accurate descriptions of the nest and eggs of Bachman’s
Sparrow. In addition to not less than five nests and several full
sets of eggs, adult birds, and young of the year, all generously
presented to the National Museum collection at Washington,
D. C., Doctor Avery has sent the writer small pen and ink
sketches of several of the nests and a beautifully executed crayon
drawing, natural size, by Miss M. Erwin, which shows the pecu-
liar and unique structure and shape of these nests as far as this
genus is concerned, perfectly, and enables me to give a better
pen picture of them than I could have done otherwise. Greens-
boro, Alabama, is situated in the central part of the State, about
140 miles north of Mobile.

All the nests of this bird vary totally in structure from those
of the other species of the genus Peuce@a, as far as known to me.
They are all distinctly roofed over or domed, a feature only
found in the nest of a closely allied species, Hmbernagra rufi-
virgata, the Texas Sparrow, which constructs a somewhat sim-
ilar nest. They are cylindrical in shape, about seven or eight
inches long by three inches in height, and four and one half
inches wide. The inner cavity is from three to four inches in
length, about two inches wide, and one and three quarters inches
high. The rear wall of the nest is about one and three quarters
inches thick, the sides about an inch, and the roof a little over
half an inch in thickness. These measurements vary somewhat
in different specimens. The nests are all constructed out of dry
grasses exclusively, and are lined with fine grass tops only.
Some are much more artistically and compactly built than others ;
the roof projects somewhat over the entrance in all cases. The
measurements are taken from the best preserved nest, No. 23,611,
National Museum Collection, obtained May 8, 1888, near Greens-
boro, Alabama, containing four nearly fresh eggs. The base of
the nest is always placed in a slight depression of the ground,
and the entrance is invariably canted upwards, at an angle of

1888. ] BENDIRE, the Nest and Eggs of Bachman’s Sparrow. 353
about 15°, in some instances the elevation is greater still. The
entrance to the majority of the nests found faced the west. The
above-mentioned nest was found on the side of a hill in a sparse
growth of old-field pines (Pas te@da), and was supported in
the rear by a tuft of grass (broom sedge).

A second one, found May g, in a patch of pine and plum
bushes (Pruzus chicasa) was held snugly between two tufts of
broom sedge. It contained three young birds nearly grown and
an addled egg. The parents were perched on a pine, about
fifteen steps from the Doctor, and manifested their alarm at his
presence by their nervous movements. A short search revealed
this nest. It resembled the one found on the Sth, except that the
entrance was somewhat more inclined upward, and was not
quite so well concealed.

A third nest was found May 23; concerning this Doctor Avery
wrote me as follows: ‘*Found nest of Bachman’s Sparrow today,
on the slope of a hill covered with old-field pines, in an open
space, under a fallen pine branch, some coarse grass growing
near it. The parent fluttered from under my feet, which had
disturbed the nest by striking the pine limb; my left foot touched
the right side of the nest and shook the limb before the bird
moved. She drew herself on the ground about a foot from me,
and then, literally trembling, every feather quivering in her
body, her tail spread and wings drooping, she ran along about
ten feet from me. There she remained in open view beside a
pine tree, till I at last discovered the nest under my very feet.
During all this time she uttered not a sound. When I moved
towards her she ran off through some thick weeds and briers,
and finally, I pursuing, she perched upon the limb of a tree and
began her ‘seep, seep,’ till, to make identification sure, I reluc-
tantly shot her.”’

On June 3 a fourth nest was found in a similar situation to the
last, and as in former cases, the noise made by the alarm of the
parent at the Doctor’s presence attracted his attention and indi-
cated to him where to search. Ina letter dated June 4 he writes me
regarding this find, as follows: ‘*Yesterday I found still another
nest of Bachman’s Sparrow, but it contained four fledglings instead
of eggs. I had been looking for nests of this bird for several
hours when, pausing a few moments to look at a tree called
here ‘mimosa’ (Adb¢zz¢a julibrissin) and wondering by what

354 BENDIRE, the Nest and Eggs of Bachman’s Sparrow. [October

agency it had been brought to this unusual spot amongst the
pines, my attention was attracted by a dark looking little object,
quadruped or reptile as I at first supposed, running through the
grass and uttering ‘chéiy, chiy,’ a sound more like the hissing of
a snake than the scolding of a bird. I soon discovered my mis-
take, however, for the Sparrow, a Bachman’s, remained about
ten feet from me until I found its nest. Its entrance faced me,
looking this time towards the north (the first three found all
faced the west). It required a close search to find this nest,
though I was standing not more than six feet from it when the
peculiar hiss, as it were, of the parent bird and its rustling in the
grass, startled me from my musings as to how the beautiful mi-
mosa had reached that desolate spot amongst the pines. A peep
into the cosy structure discovered the objects of my search; not
four glistening eggs this time, but four outstretched reptile-like
mouths and necks greeted my view. At my approach the old
bird did not fly, but ran away a few feet from the nest and
changed his scolding into an anxious ‘seep, seep’ till I turned
towards him, when he ran along ahead of me for some steps,
then rose and perched upon a fallen tree top, chipping and turn-
ing about much after the manner of a Wren. Here, while I
was examining him with my field glass, he surprised me by
bursting into song, soft, sweet, and full of gladness as that which
at times wells from his throat when the shadows of evening
begin to creep over his sombre pines. It was the male bird
that I surprised in the act of feeding his young, who thus ex-
pressed his satisfaction at having lured me from his nestlings.”
On June 6 Doctor Avery found another nest of Bachman’s
Sparrow, containing two eggs. It was domed like those pre-
ously found, but the roof was so thin and poorly constructed,
that the eggs could be seen through the latter, when standing
over and behind the nest. The parent ran from the nest and the
Doctor writes in this connection “I have yet to see one fly, as do
other birds when disturbed at incubation. They all run, some
showing greater alarm than others for the safety of their little
thatched domicile.” On June 23 a sixth nest, containing four
nearly fresh eggs, of Bachman’s Sparrow was found by an old
negro, and brought by him to Doctor Avery, who writes as
follows regarding it: ‘‘ ‘Doctor,’ said he (the old negro) ‘here
am one dem bird nessis you tole me to fetch, ef I fin’ any.’ Sure

1888. ] BENDIRE, the Nest and Eggs of Bachman’s Sparrow. 355

enough he had spread upon the bottom of the nest four eggs of
this Sparrow. The old man had been ploughing up a field
that had not been cultivated for years, and the oxen, said he, as
well as himself, were startled by the bird running from the nest.
He stated that he took the bird for a snake, and explained to me
that he was at first afraid to go to the spot where the Sparrow
was seen, and that he struck at the place first several times with
his whip, till he discovered the parent and then her nest.” This
seems to fully confirm the theory that Peucea estivalis bach-
mani imitates, as far as possible, the movements and hiss of a
snake, when disturbed on her nest, and tries to protect it there-
by, to some extent at any rate.

A day afterwards the Doctor in passing within thirty steps of
this last-mentioned nesting site, flushed four Sparrows which
he took for early birds of this species, probably hatched in April.
They rose like a covey of Bob-whites, all together, and with a
whirr. There seems to be little doubt but that two broods are
raised in a season, if not more. Bachman’s Sparrow is mainly
terrestrial in its habits, though when flushed it often alights in
trees. Frequently, when suddenly disturbed, it rises with an au-
dible whir.

Doctor Avery writes me that they sing at all hours of the day,
but their song is especially striking and attractive at twilight,
commencing with a prelude of some sweet, soul-stirring sounds,
then changing to a trill, louder and more melodious than that of
the Field Sparrow. This prelude is varied, and relieves the song
of monotony, the little musician seeming to endeavor to make
himself as entertaining as possible by frequent changes in the
introductory notes of his strain.

In order to show the radical difference in the structure
of the nest of Peucea estivalis proper and Peucea estivalis
bachmani, 1 will state that a nest of the first-mentioned
species, taken near Gainesville, Florida, on May 21, 1887,
by Mr. Frank M. Chapman, a reliable and well-known orni-
thologist, containing four eggs and positively identified, the
female having been shot, and which is now in his collection
(No. 858), a typical P. estivalis, is thus described by him ina
letter to the writer.

‘‘This nest was placed beneath a scrub palmetto, a growth
which everywhere here covers the ground, and was constructed

356 BENDIRE, the Nest and Eggs of Bachman’s Sparrow. [October

almost entirely of fine dry grasses. It was well made and quite
compact, and held well together when lifted from the ground.
It was not arched over in any way, was perfectly round, with
the sides or rims everywhere of equal height, in fact it was a
symmetrical nest and well-proportioned.” The eggs, of which
three are now before me, kindly presented to the National Mu-
seum collection by Mr. Chapman, are pure white in color,
slightly glossy, and rounded ovate in shape. They measure as
follows. No. 23,042 Nat. Mus. Coll., .71 x.61, .74.x.61 and .71
x.60 inches. The eggs of Peucea estivalis bachmanit, all
collected and presented to the National Museum by Dr. Wm.
C. Avery, are likewise pure white in color, with less gloss than
those of the preceding species, more of a dead white. They vary
in shape from a rounded ovate to ovate, and measure as follows.

No. 23,611, taken May 8, 1888, nearly fresh when taken, meas-
ures|ds follows: (572% .56, 275 X-555 .72% 555 «7 LX 55 Amel

No. 23,622, a single addled egg, found May 9, measures .71 X
-60 inch.

No. 23,626, taken June 23, eggs nearly fresk, measures .76 Xx
160;/. 70% 01, .74)X 160, .76,x).62 ineh:

No. 23,628, taken June 6, measures .79X.59, .76X.58 inch.

The last set, No. 23,647, taken June 23, measures .75 X .57, .75
% 160,677 4.015'.70 OL nneh,

The average measurement of the eggs of Peucea estivalis
bachmaniz is about .74 X .60 inch.

Doctor Avery believes that Bachman’s Sparrow is only a
summer resident in the vicinity of Greensboro, Alabama,
arriving early in the spring from a warmer latitude. He never
met with it in winter, although a few individuals may spend the
winter there.

1888. ] MERRILL oz Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. 357

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF FORT KLAMATH,
OREGON.

BODES JaGy MERRILE, \s) S. yA.
With remarks on certain species by William Brewster.
[ Concluded from p. 262.]

Coccothraustes vespertina.—A common resident. Several large flocks
arrived from the south early in March, and smaller ones were seen until
the middle of May, after which only pairs and single birds were observed.
During the spring I obtained specimens at short intervals, and from care-
ful dissections of them am convinced that in this vicinity the bird is a late
breeder, not depositing eggs before the latter part of June or the first of
July. At this time they are generally to be found in the largest firs, and
in these trees, rather than in pines, I think they build, at least about Fort
Klamath. Indeed, I have twice watched pairs carrying some building
material into a huge fir, but was unable to locate the nests exactly and,
even if I had, should probably have been unable to get to them, great as
the inducement would have been.

Their note is a loud whistling call that may be heard at a considerable
distance, and which is often repeated. In winter the crops were filled
with seeds and crushed buds, and often fine bits of gravel; in summer in-
sects, and especially caterpillars, were generally found.

It is rather difficult to prepare good specimens of this Grosbeak, for the
skin is very thin, tears easily, and many feathers drop out; when one is
shot, and in falling happens to strike a branch, so many feathers are gen-
erally knocked out that it is not worth skinning. In winter, when there
is snow on the ground, good specimens may be obtained by shooting
only such birds as will have a clear fall from the branch they are on
into soft snow.

There is considerable variation in the color of the bill, and this is inde-
pendent of sex; in some the entire bill is a clear light apple-green,
scarcely or not at all tinged with yellow; in others the maxilla is pale
yellowish tinged slightly with green, the mandible being horn color,
tinged with greenish yellow only at the tip and cutting edge, and there
are many gradations between these extremes. I have seen none in which
the bill was ‘‘dusky at the base,” as stated in ‘ History of N. A. Birds,’
and which is probably the result of drying.

Carpodacus purpureus californicus.—A single specimen killed March 1,
one of the next species being also obtained by the same discharge into a
small flock which had passed the winter in the valley.

Carpodacus cassini.—Cassin’s Purple Finch appears to be a resident
species, rare in winter, and arriving irregularly in spring in advance of
the general migration of the species, after which it becomes very common,

3 58 MERRILL oz Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. [October

Single birds were found April 1, in deep pine woods, their loud and beau-
tiful song attracting attention to them as they perched singly on the tops
of high dead trees; on this date a male, still in immature plumage, was
obtained with difficulty. They did not become common until May 13,
when they suddenly appeared in considerable numbers. The nests are
placed near the tops of young firs and pines.

Loxia curvirostra stricklandi.—Rather common resident, breeding
about the Fort and throughout the mountains. Though not shy they
were restless, often taking long flights, and were not easily shot. [The
single specimen taken by Dr. Merrill is inseparable, as far as I can see,
from Colorado and Arizona skins. For remarks on the latter vzde Bull.
N. O. C., Vol. VIII, pp. 160, 161, and Auk, Vol. III, pp. 260, 261.—W. B. }

Acanthis linaria.—Common during the winter, many remaining till
about the first of May.

Spinus —.—About the middle of August several families of a
species of Goldfinch came around the buildings in the Fort, but Iwas
about leaving and was unable to secure any of them for identification.
They were very likely S. ¢rzs¢zs, as this species is recorded by Dr. Mearns
as occurring here. A few days later I found S. fsaltrza very common
near Ashland on the other side of the range.

Spinus pinus.—Common resident, breeding abundantly in the sur-
rounding mountains.

Poocetes gramineus confinis.—Common, arriving about the first week
in April. Unlike my experience in Montana and other parts of the West,
the Bay-winged Bunting is not so numerous here as is the Savanna
Sparrow.

Ammodramus sandwichensis.—A male taken April 26, the only one
seen. It was in a meadow near the marsh, andas it was flushed at once
attracted attention on account of its large size as compared with the com-
mon form, which was very common in the same locality. [The single
specimen sent me by Dr. Merrill seems to be typical.—W. B. ]

Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus.—Very common summer visi-
tor. [A young @ in first plumage, taken July 18, differs from the corres-
ponding stage of A. s. savanna in being very much grayer, especially
above, where the light edges of the feathers are grayish white with scarce
a tinge of buffy or brownish. The dark streaks on the underparts are also
fewer and more restricted.—W. B. ]

Zonotrichia intermedia.—Common spring and fall migrant. Z. leuco-
phrys, given by Dr. Mearns, I did not obtain.

Zonotrichia coronata.—This is much the most common of the Zono-
trichias during the migrations, associating with the preceding species and
with the Passerellas. It arrived in the spring a little later than Z. ¢nter-
media, but both species were common by the latter part of April. The
song of coronata was first heard on May 11. Probably a few remain to
breed, but I have not observed any of the genus at that season. They
begin to return early in August.

Spizella socialis arizone.—First seen May 4, and common ten days
later; breeds abundantly.

1888. ] MERRILL on Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. 359

Spizella breweri.—Rather rare and local, but a few may be found in
open brushy plains among sage and greasewood. The exquisite song of
this species is utterly unlike the Coturniculus-like lisping trill of S. pal-
Zida, and is most often heard about twilight and dawn.

Junco hyemalis oregonus.—None were observed during the winter. A
small flock arrived March 6, after which it soon became extremely com-
mon, but comparatively few remained to breed.

Melospiza fasciata heermanni.—A few pass the winter in dense thickets
bordering the smaller streams, along the margin of which it finds an
abundance of food when snow covers the ground. Migrants return early
in March, andit soon becomes common, but is at all seasons closely con-
fined to the brush near water. [The five Song Sparrows (including one
in first plumage) taken by Dr. Merrillseem to be nearer heermanni than
to any other form, although they incline somewhat to guttata and mon-
tana also. They are evidently intermediates connecting at least two and
perhaps all three of the subspecies just mentioned.—W. B. ]

Melospiza lincolni.—A single specimen, shot March 14, was with a
troop of Mountain Titmice in a pine tree, the ground being still covered
with snow. The species was not again observed until May 5, whena female
was taken. Breeds not uncommonly among the willows bordering many
of the valley and mountain streams, when its sweet, somewhat wren-like
song is often heard.

Passerella iliaca unalaschcensis.

Passerella iliaca megarhyncha.—Both these forms occur as common
migrants. While it is probable that the latter may breed in this vicinity,
I obtained no evidence of its doing so.

Pipilo maculatus oregonus.—A pair seen and the male secured March 7,
the snow being still deep. These Towhees seem to be decidedly rare
about the Fort as but one other specimen was seen during the spring and
summer, although there is much cover apparently just suited to them.
[The male above mentioned has the rufous of the sides about as in Rocky
Mountain specimens of megalonyx, but the white markings of the back,
wings and tail are nearly as restricted as in true oregonus. Typical
examples of the latter seem to come only from the coast of Washington
Territory and northern Oregon, all the birds that I have seen from Cali-
fornia being very like this Klamath specimen.—W. B. ]

Pipilo chlorurus.—Rather common during summer, and not so closely
confined to brush and thickets as are others of the genus. Besides its
pleasant song and the alarm note, there is another, rarely ‘heard and ap-
parently only when the bird’s curiosity is excited without alarming it;
this is a loud and distinct mezw-wée, which is very characteristic.

Habia melanocephala.—A male killed June 11, the only one seen.

Passerina amcena.— Quite common, arriving about May 20, and breed-
ing among willows and manzanita bushes.

Piranga ludoviciana.—Arrives in the spring about the first of May, and
soon becomes very common among the firs and pines, in which the bril-
liant plumage of the males shows to great advantage. The song is much
like that of the Robin, but is more rapidly given. Here this Tanager is

300 MERRILL on” Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. [October

very tame and unsuspicious; it is an expert flycatcher, and also feeds
much on the ground. The nests are usually placed on the horizontal
branch of a fir or pine, sometimes but a few feet from the ground, at
others fifty or sixty feet above it. One nest found just outside the Fort
was in a young aspen about six feet from the ground; the foundation was
a mass of dry twigs, the lining being of rootlets and horsehairs; the
internal diameter was three, the depth one and a half inches. On June 20
the full complement of eggs was three, averaging .g1 X .62 inches; the
ground color isa clear green, sparingly spotted with brown which in one
specimen forms a ring at the larger end.

Petrochelidon lunifrons.—Common, nesting abundantly in the build-
ings about the Fort.

Chelidon erythrogaster.—Common.

Tachycineta bicolor.—Arrived April 4 in small flocks, and was common
by the middle of the month; breeds.

Tachycineta thalassina.—Very common at the outlet of Diamond Lake
early in August. Not noted in the immediate vicinity of the Fort, but
undoubtedly occurs there.

Stelgidopteryx serripennis.—A few pairs breed in the banks of the
streams near the Fort, but there are few suitable places, as the edges of
the streams are usually low and grassy. Nests examined June 18 con-
tained half-fledged young; the burrows were about two feet in length, and
were much larger than those dug by the Bank Swallow.

Ampelis cedrorum.—Three seen on May 25.

Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides.—Seen occasionally during autumn
and early winter. [No specimens taken. The form should perhaps stand
as L. Ll. gambeli.—W. B.]

Vireo gilvus swainsoni.—The Western Warbling Vireo arrives about the
middle of May, two weeks later than does the next species, and both are very
abundant during the summer; nowhere have I found any Vireo so com-
mon as are these species at Fort Klamath. They are readily identified by
their notes, which are characteristic and quite unlike. The present species
is partial to aspens, almost every group of which is the home of one or
more pairs.

Vireo solitarius cassinii.—Unlike most Vireos this one, as observed at
Fort Klamath, shows a marked predilection for pines and firs, and is found
almost everywhere among these trees. It is also found, but much less
frequently, in aspen groves with the Warbling Vireo. The nests are built
in low manzanita or buck-brush bushes that grow throughout the pine
woods.

Helminthophila celata lutescens.—First seen and several specimens ob-
tained on May 5; they soon became common, and rapidly passed on to the
north, though a few remained to breed.

Helminthophila ruficapilla gutturalis.—First taken May 26. The loud
song of the males betrays their presence and abundance, but they are
restless, shy, and very difficult to shoot. The song has some resemblance
to that of the Yellow Warbler, but once recognized it cannot be mistaken.
This species is quite common during the breeding season, preferring

1888. ] MERRILL on Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. 361

groves of aspens with pine trees growing among them. They feed
mostly among the aspens, searching for insects after the manner of their
allies; at intervals they fly up into the pines, but soon descend to renew
their search for food, sometimes visiting the wild currant bushes, but
rarely touching the ground. When alarmed, as they very easily are, the
males move rapidly through the trees, often flying a hundred yards or
more at once, and were it not that their constant song indicates their
movements, it would be impossible to follow them. I have frequently
followed one for half an hour or more before I could even catch a glimpse
of it, and my pursuit of any particular one was more often unsuccessful
than the reverse. Sometimes on being alarmed one would at once fly up into
a lofty pine, and far out of reach of small shot would remain quietly on one
branch, yet singing often, as long as I remained in the vicinity, and this
it would do whenever I visited its especial haunt. On the whole the
habits of the Calaveras Warbler in this locality are very characteristic,
and ina somewhat extended field experience I have never found a land
bird more wary and difficult to shoot. Butas soon as the young leave the
nest this extreme shyness disappears, and the parents are readily ap-
proached and observed as they busily search for food for their young family.

Dendroica zstiva morcomi.—Common, arriving early in May. One
nest was found in a young pine, although many aspens, in which they
generally build, were growing near.

Dendroica auduboni.—Extremely abundant during the migrations. A
few males were seen at Modoc Point on the 8th and gth of April, and at the
Fort on the 15th; by the zoth they were quite plentiful. A second “ wave”
composed of both males and females. which latter had not previously been
seen, arrived about the 4th of May, when they suddenly became more
abundant than ever, bringing D. @stiva morcomz and H. lutescens with
them. By the middle of the month there was a noticeable diminution in
their numbers, and ten days later they were rather uncommon, but a few
pairs remained to breed about the Fort and in the surrounding mountains.

Besides the common song Audubon’s Warbler has another, quite differ-
ent and more rarely heard, and which caused the sacrifice of several speci-
mens to identify the species; this seems to be reserved for the middle of
the day when, after a satisfactory morning’s search for insects, the bird
sits quietly for an hour or more on the same branch, occasionally uttering
the notes referred to. On two or three occasions I have heard a very
sweet and peculiar song by the female, and only after shooting them in
the act of singing could I convince myself of their identity.

Dendroica townsendi.—On the 14th of May I shot a male that was
searching for insects near the top of a fir.

Dendroica occidentalis.—A full-plumaged male taken May 12; the bill
of this specimen was dark olivaceous, not ‘‘ jet black” as stated in ‘ His-
tory of N. A. Birds.’ It is probable that this and the preceding species,
and also D. nigrescens, are not uncommon here during the migrations,
but their habit of frequenting the upper third of the highest firs renders
their collection a matter of great difficulty, and the height is too great to
identify them by sight. During the month of June I frequently heard

362 MERRILL oz Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. [October

and saw a bird at the head of Fort Creek that was certainly fa Dendroica,
and doubtless one of these three species, but it kept in the tops of the
highest firs and pines and I was unable to shoot it; the song was some-
thing like that of a Chipping Sparrow, but harsher and more run together.

Geothlypis macgillivrayi.—First seen May 11, and soon became abun-
dant, many remaining to breed. The song of the male is characteristic
and rather sweet, unlike that of G. phkzladelphia and yet having a certain
resemblance to it.

Geothlypis trichas occidentalis.—The habits of the Western Yellow-
throat in this vicinity, as regards its favorite resorts, are quite unlike
what I have elsewhere observed. Though the numerous streams offer it
the same rank undergrowth along their swampy edges that it in other
places prefers, yet it is rarely seen in such situations. A few are found
among the low willows growing in the marsh, but its favorite haunt, and
one in which it is very common, is among the tules in company with
Marsh Wrens and Yellow-headed Blackbirds. During the nesting season
the males frequently mount a few feet in the air, and exactly imitate the
eccentric movements of the Yellow-breasted Chat.

Sylvania pusilla pileolata.—Several seen May 6, and extremely com-
mon a few days later. Breeds in considerable numbers in the swampy
willow thickets along Wood River and Fort Creek, the loud, sharp notes of
the males indicating their abundance.

Anthus pensilvanicus.—Common during the migrations.

Cinclus mexicanus.—Not uncommon resident.

Troglodytes aédon parkmanii.—Common, but less so than I have
found. it in many parts of the West. [The single specimen in the Klamath
collection must apparently be referred to Jarkmaniz as now restricted, al-
though its coloring is darker and browner than in 7. aédon instead of
‘lighter or more tawny” as should be the case withtypical Jarkmanii,
according to Mr. Allen*.—W. B. ]

Troglodytes hiemalis pacificus.x—Common during autumn, and in
winter until the commencement of the January storms, the snow soon
covering its favorite brush piles and manzanita scrub, and probably
driving it south; but I did not detect it in the spring on its way north.
A pair were seen July 6 near the head of the east fork of the Des Chutes
River, at an altitude of about fifty-six hundred feet. [Dr. Merrill’s speci-
mens are typical Jaczficus.—W. B.]

Cistothorus palustris paludicola.—Very common in summer among
the tules in the marsh, and a few pass the winter in the same locality.
In August several pairs with young were found among the rank marsh
grass at the head of Diamond Lake at a height of over five thousand feet.
The breeding habits here are much as they are in the East; the nests
were usually among tules, more rarely among flags.

Certhia familiaris occidentalis.— In no part of the West have I found
the Creeper so abundant as at Fort Klamath. During the winter every
troop of Mountain Titmice, Kinglets, and Pygmy Nuthatches, and these

* See the Auk, Vol. V, p. 164.

1888.] MERRILL on Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon, 363

were very numerous, was accompanied by two or three Creepers. In
April they gradually became less common, many apparently going with the
Nuthatches into the mountains. Several pairs bred in the immediate
vicinity of the Fort, however, and during the winter I found several of
their characteristic nests, hidden by loosened scales of bark, usually on
pines but once or twice on aspens. On June 6I noticed a pair feeding
fledged young; one of the latter was at the entrance of aWoodpecker’s hole
in a pine tree about sixty feet from the ground, and was frequently visited
by the parents with food. It is probable that in this cavity the brood passed
the night, for I hardly think that the nest was in it, and the other young
birds were in the surrounding pines. On the same day another pair were
seen several times to pass under a large scale of bark on a dead pine ata
height of about fifty feet; their nest was doubtless there, but it was inac-
cessible.

[ The characters by which it has been proposed to separate the Creeper
of the Pacific Coast region, under the name occ¢dentalis, are strongly and
uniformly presented by the series of eighteen specimens taken by Dr
Merrill at Fort Klamath. Indeed, as Mr. Ridgway has asserted in rein-
stating the subspecies in the Manual (pp. 557, 558), occ¢dentalzs ‘‘ differs
quite as much from the typical (Eastern) bird as does the Mexican form, to
which it cannot be referred.”— W. B.]

Sitta carolinensis aculeata.—Common during winter, but breeding more
commonly in the higher mountains than about the Fort.

Sitta canadensis.— About as common as S. aculeata.

Sitta pygmza.—Very common during winter, the majority going higher
up the mountains to breed, but to no great distance, and at all seasons
it is more abundant near the Fort than either of the other Nuthatches.
Dr. Coues, in his ‘ Birds of the Colorado Valley,’ says that the iris of
this species is black; in all the specimens I have examined the iris was
brown. Here, as in other parts of the West, its habits are quite unlike those
of aculeata and canadensis, a dozen or more being generally found together,
noisy, restless, and actively searching for food near the extremities of pine
and fir branches, often picking off insects while fluttering and poised in
the air.

Parus gambeli.—Perhaps the most common resident species at Fort
Klamath, and in winter seldom out of sight or hearing. No formof either
rufescens or atricapillus was obtained, though carefully searched for.
The Mountain Chickadee has all the habits of its allies, with perhaps a
greater variety of notes. During the winter its hoarse dee-dee is the most
common, but as spring approaches this is less frequently heard, being
partially replaced by a variety of others. The most characteristic spring
note, which is occasionally heard throughout the year, is pe-wee, as
clear, soft and beautiful as that of the Wood Pewee, and which it much
resembles. Early in April they begin to separate in pairs, but small flocks
may be seen until May. As the nesting habits and eggs of this Tit are
not very well known, I will describe the five nests that I found. The
females usually sit very close, and when disturbed keep up a constant hiss-

364 MERRILL on Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. [October

ing, so much like that of sotme snakes that no prudent squirrel would
venture to enter the hole.

A nest found May 25 was in an old Woodpecker’s hole in an aspen stub
about ten feet from the ground. Five fresh eggs, averaging .62 by .47
inch, lay zz a thick bed of tufts of hair from some small mammal.

A set of six fresh eggs, taken June 1, average .65 by .51 inch. The nest
was at the bottom of a Colaftes excavation in a partially dead aspen, the
entrance being large enough to admit my arm. The usual thick mass of
fur was at the bottom, and zz the middle of thts mass, as in the first nest»
were the eggs. In the succeeding cases incubation had begun and the eggs
were upon the nest lining, exposed as usual; it may be that this species
is sometimes in the habit of burying its eggs in the lining until ready to
sit.

Six eggs were taken June 2 from a nest ina rotten pine stump about
three feet from the ground; there had been a natural opening in the bark
and stump, and the cavity had been enlarged and shaped by the
birds. The wide bottom of the excavation had been covered with a thick
level bed of fur in which was a sharply cupped cavity for the eggs,
which average .63 by .48 inch.

A fourth nest, found June 6, was ina Woodpecker’s cavity ina pine stump
about three feet from the ground. As I approached, the female appeared
for a moment at the entrance of the hole, but returned to the nest, from
which I had to lift her after splitting open the stump. The eggs were
six in number, and average .64 by .47 inch.

A nest found July 4, at Corral Spring, was in a pine, and about six feet
from the ground; the eight eggs average .66 by .50 inch.

A few feet from this nest was another of the same species containing
young.

Of these five sets of eggs two are entirely unspotted; in two, one or two
eggs are pure white, the others having faint light brown spots, mostly at
the larger end; in the other set two of the eggs are quite unmarked, but
the others have distinct reddish spots.

Psaltriparus ——--- .—A Least Tit was rather common during the
fall migration in August, but was not observed in spring. Although no
specimens were obtained, I think that all of those seen were either mznz
mus or californicus. Mr. Henshaw, however, found P. plumbeus “among
the barren pifion hills near Carson City,” Nevada.*

Regulus satrapa olivaceus. — Very common in autumn, and in winter
until the middle of January, when stormy weather began and continued
with scarcely an intermission until March. None were then seen until
March 18, but they soon became as abundant as before, and so continued
until about the middle of April; none were seen in the vicinity of the Fort
after April 25. In July and August this Kinglet was found quite abundant
in the mountains above 5500 feet, at that height entirely replacing the
next species. The males were still in full song, and with the females

* Wheeler's U.S, Geog, Surv. Rep. for 1879, p. 288.

1888. ] MERRILL on Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. 365

were feeding their young. [Two specimens, both males, are nearest ol/zva-
ceus, but still not typical of that form.—W. B. ]

Regulus calendula.— Very common during the migrations, arriving
March 21 and numerous three days later. They continued in great abun-
dance for about a month, when there was a diminution in their numbers.
Many pairs breed around the Fort, apparently placing their nests in dense
firs. On July 9, at Beaver Meadows, a female was noticed feeding six scarcely
fledged young that were sitting close together on a dead twig of a pine
tree, in which the nest was probably placed although,I could not find it.
In July and August this species was found in abundance in the mountains
north of the valley up to a height of about five thousand feet. Very few
of either species were seen in the next five hundred feet, above which only
olivaceus occurred. These heights were determined on several mountains
by barometric observations, and the distinct range of the two species was
very noticeable.

Myadestes townsendii.—A male taken May 3, and another seen two
days later. A few were noticed in July and August in the mountains,
where they probably breed. No song was heard. In flight and attitudes
this species reminded me much of a Bluebird.

Turdus ustulatus.—Arrived about May 20, a few nesting near the Fort
and in suitable situations in the mountains. Its loud, sweet song was
frequently heard about sunrise and sunset, but the birds were shy and
difficult to shoot. A nest found June 8, containing four fresh eggs, was in
a dense willow thicket, and placed on a horizontal branch about two feet
from the ground.

Turdus aonalaschkze.—A female taken April 29. Not again seen until
May 11, when after a few days of cold and stormy weather it was found
abundantly. They were silent, and rapidly passed on to the north, being
seen for about a week only. The basal half of the mandible varies from
pale flesh color to a decided yellow, but this is irrespective of sex. [Four
spring specimens (one taken April 29, the other three May 11) are well
within the maximum limits of size ascribed to aonalaschke (their wing
méasurements are: & gf’, 3.50, 3-55, 3-553 &, 3-23 inches), but their color-
ing is very much paler than in any of the California examples before me
and, in fact, quite as gray as in average Colorado specimens of auduboni.
- W. B.]

Merula migratoria propinqua.— Rare during the winter. Arriving
March 7, it became common in three or four days. By the first of May
many nests contained their full complement of eggs.

Hesperocichla nevia.— From various sources I learned that this bird
was rarely seen in autumn, but that in March it was generally very abun-
dant and tame, coming about the houses in the Fort as plentifully and as
fearlessly as the common Robin. I saw none in autumn, and in the spring
observed a single specimen only, a female, which I shot April 13, although
at both seasons I kept a sharp lookout for the bird.

Sialia mexicana.—First seen April 4, and three days later was common
in small flocks. Breeds about the Fort in greater numbers than does the
next species.

366 BENDIRE ox the Habits of Glaucidium. [October

Sialia arctica. —Common migrant; arrived March 27 in considerable
numbers. Breeds, but very sparingly, near the Fort; higher in the
mountains jt is common, and there replaces mexzcana.

Tringa minutilla. -—This species was accidentally omitted from the first
instalment of the present paper. I took a single specimen July to.

NOTES ON THE HABITS, NESTS AND EGGS OF
THE GENUS GZLAUCIDIUM BOIE.

BY CAPT, CHAS. E. BENDIRE.

THE GENUS Glauctdium was instituted by Boie in 1826. Only
two species and one additional subspecies are found within the
limits of the United States, as far as is known at present. These
are

Glaucidium gnoma Wagler, the Pyemy OwL.

Glaucidium gnoma californicum Sclater, the CALIFORNIA
Pycmy Ow.

Glaucidium phalzenoides (Daud.), the FERRUGINoUs PyGmMy
OwL.

The true G. gvoma is found in Mexico, throughout the
middle province of the United States, north to Oregon (Fort
Klamath and Camp Harney) and Colorado. G. gxoma cali-
fornicum is restricted to the Pacific Coast proper, between San
Francisco Bay and British Columbia, inclusive. These little
Owls, I believe, are resident throughout the year wherever
found.

The general habits of the Pygmy Owl are by this time pretty
well known, and there remains little for me to add to their life
history, that is really new. It is a well-established fact, that it
is quite diurnal, and hunts its prey, to a great extent at least,
during the daytime, its food consisting not alone of grasshoppers
and other insects, as some of the earlier naturalists surmised, but
also of birds and the smaller rodents, some of the latter consider-
ably heavier than itself.

1888. | BENDIRE ox the Habits of Glaucidium. 367

I presume that it is not at all uncommon throughout the entire
mountainous and timbered portions of the West; but from its
small size and retiring habits, generally being perched in dense
evergreen trees, it is not often noticed by the naturalist, and
usually only by accident. I have taken it personally in the Blue
Mountains in Washington Territory, and in several places in
Oregon, but have never met with more than one ata time. My
specimens were, with but a single exception, all found in or near
the pine timber. While hunting Sage Fowl ( Cextrocercus
urophasianus) on the morning of Feb. 5, 1875, in the vicinity
of Camp Harney, Oregon, I shot a female Pygmy Owl at least
five miles from the nearest timber. It was perched ona large
bowlder, lying at the foot of a basaltic cliff from which it had
broken off, and allowed me to approach quite closely. It had
just about finished its breakfast, furnished by a Western Tree
Sparrow (Sfzzella monticola ochracea), as indicated by the
feathers scattered about and on the rock. It was in prime con-
dition and exceedingly fat.

The first of these little Owls, coming under my observation,
was shot by Sergt. Smith, who used frequently to go gunning
with me. On the morning of Dec. 14, 1874, we were out hunt-
ing Sooty Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus fuliginosus) along
the southern slopes and amongst the foothills of the Blue Moun-
tains, a few miles north of Camp Harney, and had been quite
successful. The Sergeant was walking along the edge of a
mesa (tableland). while I was about a hundred yards below him,
hunting amongst some serviceberry bushes growing about half
way up the slope of the hill, and in which Grouse were usually
found feeding at that time of the year. Hearing the Sergeant
fire (he could not be seen from where I was at the time), I
called to him and asked what he had shot. His reply seemed at
the instant rather strange to me. It was ‘‘Captain, I shot a baby
Owl, riding on a rat; I have got them.” Had I not known the
Sergeant to be a strictly sober man, not at all addicted to drink-
ing, I should have readily agreed with him, that he had them,
and laid it to over indulgence in something stronger than water,
on that particular morning ; but when I climbed up to where he
was standing, the matter was fully explained.

It appears that a tall old pine tree had been uprooted years
ago by some of the heavy windstorms that occasionally sweep

368 BENDIRE 02 the Habits of Glaucidium. [ October

over that region, and the roots of it were lying partly under a
younger and bushy tree of the same species, that was taking the
place of the older one in the course of nature. The massive
trunk of the old tree was free from limbs for about forty feet, and
was slowly but surely decaying. A large-sized pocket gopher,
who perhaps found a congenial home amongst the roots of the
old tree, on hearing the noise the Sergeant made in his ap-
proach, had climbed up on to the trunk of the tree, possibly to
get a good view of the intruder and to warn the balance of his
family, when, quick as a flash, a little Pygmy Owl, that had been
securely hidden among the- branches of the growing pine,
dropped down with unerring aim on its victim and fastened its
sharp little talons securely into the astonished gopher’s back.
Sergeant Smith’s attention was drawn to the performance by a
squeak from the gopher which, in trying to escape, ran along on
top of the fallen pine almost its entire length, making rather
slow progress however, hampered by the Owl as it was, when the
Sergeant fired, killing both. During this time, nearly a couple
of minutes, the Owl sat upright on the gopher’s back, never
letting go its hold an instant, twisting its head nearly off the
body in trying to keep an eye on the Sergeant, who was
rapidly approaching, but apparently showing no uneasiness
whatever. He told me that the whole thing was done in such a
business-like manner, that it was evidently not the first ride of
the kind this little Owl had so taken. It held on to its prey even
in death. I published a short account of this occurrence at the
time, in the Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural His-
tory, Vol. XVIII, Oct. 6, 1875. Both specimens are in the
National Museum Collection.

I also met with the Pygmy Owl on several occasions at Fort
Klamath, Oregon. I remember quite distinctly seeing one
(presumably the same individual) several times at various hours
of the day sitting patiently, but wide awake, on a single long
and slender willow branch overhanging Fort Creek, but a little
distance from the Post. I refrained from shooting it, as I sus-
pected it nested in the vicinity, and it would also have been
rather difficult to secure. I can’t say so positively. but think it
used that particular perch for no other purpose than to catch
frogs. The willow overhung a marshy, reed-covered spot,
where the water was rather shallow, and which seemed to be a

1888. | BENDIRE ox the Habits of Glaucidium. 369

favorite resort for numbers of these batrachians. Small birds,
of which there were numbers about in the immediate vicinity in
the willow thickets bordering the stream, did not seem to resent
the presence of the little Owl, and paid no attention whatever to
it.

Its call notes may often be heard during the early spring
months while mating, and usually shortly after sundown. Its love
notes are by no means unmusical.. They resemble to a certain
degree the cooing of the Mourning Dove( Zexatdura macroura) ,
like ‘coohuh, coohuh,’ softly uttered, and a number of times re-
peated. Although I have not positively seen this bird while in
the act of calling its mate, I am quite certain that the notes
emanated from this little Owl and no other. I am familiar with
the notes of the Acadian and Kennicott’s Owls (Vyctala acadica
and Megascops asto kennicottiz), the only other of the small
Owls at all likely to be found there, but their notes are different,
and they were not met by me while stationed at Fort Klamath,
Oregon. —

Mr. Henshaw found the Pygmy Owls quite numerous in the
southern Rocky Mountains, and states that they are rather
sociable in disposition, especially during the fall months. He
says that he has imitated their call and readily lured them up
close enough to be interviewed. (See Auk, Vol. III, Jan.,
1886, p. 79.) Iam inclined to think that they are much more
common there than further north.

In regard to the nesting habits of the Pygmy Owl, but very
little is yet known, and as far as I am aware, but two nests, one
containing eggs, the other young, have been taken.

Although mention is made in Baird, Brewer and Ridgway’s
‘History of North American Birds,’ Vol. III, p. 85, that this
Owl, according to J. K. Lord, lays two small eggs, white in
color, early in May, I think the credit of the discovery of the
nest and eggs of this species really belongs to Mr. George H.
Ready, of Santa Cruz, Cala., who on June 8, 1876, found a nest
containing three eggs, one of which was accidentally broken, in
a deserted Woodpecker’s burrow in an old isolated poplar tree,
growing on the banks of the San Lorenzo River near Santa
Cruz. The burrow was seventy-five feet from the ground. A
short account of this find was published by me in the Proceed-
ings of the Boston Society of Natural History, Vol. XIX, March

370 BENDIRE ox the Habits of Glaucidium. [ October

21, 1879, p. 132, and a somewhat fuller description of the same,
by W. C. Cooper, can be found in the Bulletin of the Nuttall
Ornithological Club, Vol. IV, April, 1879, p. 86.

The two eggs, of which drawings only are before me, are,
according to these, ovate in shape, dull white in color, with a
scarcely perceptible yellowish tinge. The surface is said to
be quite smooth, and to have the appearance of having been
punctured with a fine point over the whole egg. Judging from
the drawings they are decidedly pointed for Owl’s eggs, and
perhaps somewhat abnormal in this respect. Their size is given
as 1.18 X .go and 1.17 X .87 inches. According to the latest
classification these eggs would be referable to Glaucidium
gnoma californicum.

During one of my absences from Fort Klamath, on official
business matters, one of my men found on June 10, 1883, a bur-
row occupied as a nest by the true Glauctdium gnoma, which
at the time it was first discovered must have contained eggs.
The nest was not disturbed till the day after my return to the
Post, June 25, when he showed it to me. The nesting site used
was an old deserted Woodpecker burrow, in a badly decayed
but still living aspen tree. It was about twenty feet from the
ground. The cavity was about eight inches deep and three and
a half wide at the bottom. This tree, with two others of about
the same size, stood right behind, and but a few feet from a, tar-
get butt on the rifle range, which had been in daily use since
May 1, target firing going on from three to four hours daily.
Allthis shooting did not seem to disturb these birds, for the first
ege must necessarily have been deposited some two or three
weeks after the target practice season began, but the strangest
thing is that the Owls were not discovered long before, as two
men employed as markers were constantly behind the butt in
question during the firing and directly facing the entrance hole
of the burrow. When the nest was shown me I had it exam-
ined, and much to my disgust found it to contain, instead of
the much coveted eggs, four young birds from a week to ten
days days old perhaps. I took these; two of them are now in
the National Museum, the remaining two, in Mr. William
Brewster’s collection at Cambridge, Mass. The cavity was well
filled with feathers of various kinds, and contained, besides the
young, the female parent and a full grown Say’s chipmunk
(Tamias lateralis) that evidently had just been carried in, as

1888. BENDIRE ox the Habits of Glaucidium. 371

it was not touched yet. The cavity was almost entirely filled
up by the contents mentioned.

Judging from these accounts, the only reliable ones I know of,
it would appear that the Pygmy is one of the latest of the Owl
tribe to begin nidification, and it is not at all probable that more
than one brood is raised in a season, or that in both the instances
mentioned the first set of eggs had been destroyed. The young
Owlets, two of which I kept alive for several days, made a kind
of chirping noise like a cricket. The number of eggs to a set is
probably never more than four.

Glaucidium phalznoides Dawud. FrERRuGINous PyGmy
Ow. — This widely distributed species was first described by
Prince Max z. Wied in 1820. It inhabits the whole of tropical
America (the West Indies excepted), and is found to the north-
ward, along the southwestern border of the United States,
occurring in southern Texas and Arizona. It was first added
to our fauna by the writer, who took several in the heavy
mesquite thickets bordering Rillitto Creek, near the present site
of Camp Lowell, in the vicinity of Tucson, Arizona, in 1872.
The first specimen was taken Jan. 24, 1872, showing that it isa
resident throughout the year; other specimens were obtained
during the following spring and summer. Unfortunately I was
not an adept in taxidermy then; the skins made by me in those
days looked as if they had passed through the jaws of a hun-
gry coyote, and they were only useful in determining species.
Like G. gnoma, this little Owlis quite diurnal in its habits. Its
call, according to my own notes, is ‘chu, chu, chu,’ a number
of times repeated, and is most frequently heard in the evening.
According to Mr. F. Stephens, its note is a loud ‘cack’
repeated several times as rapidly astwice each second. He fur-
ther states that at each utterance the bird jerked his tail and
threw back his head. Occasionally a low chuck, audible for
only a short distance, replaced the usual call. Mr. Stephens’s
notes, come perhaps nearer the mark than my own; I know him
to be an exceedingly careful, conscientious, and reliable ob-
server. According to Prince Max z. Wied in Burmeister’s
‘Thiere Brasiliens,’ Vol. II, 1856, p. 142, its call is said to be
‘ keck, keck, keck.’

The best account of the life history of this little Owl, is found
in the ‘Journal fiir Ornithologie,’ Vol. XVII, 1869, pp. 244, 245,

272 BENDIRE on the Habits of Glaucidium. [October

under ‘ Notes on the Natural History of the Birds of Brazil,’ by
Carl Euler.

According to this authority, small as the Ferruginous Pygmy
Owl is, it has been known to carry off young chickens, and he
was informed by the natives that it even attacked Jact-hens
(Penelope), a bird of greater size than domestic fowls. It was
stated to him that the little Owl fastened itself under the
wings of the latter, gradually tearing it to pieces, and wearing
it out and eventually killing it. I am aware, from personal ob-
servations, that some of our small Owls are the peer, as far as
courage is concerned, of the noblest Falcon ever hatched,
but I should not quite care to father that story. Carl Euler
says further that in captivity, when fed on birds, it always
carefully removed all the larger feathers from the carcass,
before beginning its meal. Also that it was not at all afraid
of light, and that he met with it several times during bright
sunshiny days, sitting on perfectly bare and leafless trees. He
gives its call note as ‘khzw, khiw.’ Apparently none of us men-
tioned here, agree on the call note of this Owl, and I leave it to
the reader to take his choice.

Euler surmises that it rears two broods a season, one in Octo-
ber, the other in December. He met oncein March, a family of
four, two adult and two young, sitting close together on a limb
of a tree, waiting, as he says, for twilight. The nest is said to be
made in hollow trees; no mention is made of the eggs having
been found, however, and I cannot find any description of them
in any of the works accessible to me.

A nest containing two fully fledged young, found by me in an
old mesquite tree in the spring of 1872, in a chaparral thicket near
Camp Lowell, and referred to by me at the time as being that of
Micrathene whittneyz, may possibly, and probably, have been
one of this little Owl, as the Elf Owl seems to confine itself in its
nesting sites to burrows in giant cactus (Cereus giganteus: ?),
so far as known.

An additional new subspecies of Glauctdiwm has recently
been described in ‘The Auk,’ Vol. V, April, 1888, p. 136, by
William Brewster, under the name of Glauctdium gnoma hos-
kinsit Brewster, Hoskins’ Pygmy Owl, from the Sierra de la
Laguna, Lower California, and which properly also belongs to
our fauna. Nothing whatever is known respecting its habits as
yet.

1888. ] Scott, Birds of the Gulf Coast of Florida. 373

A SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS ON THE BIRDS OF
THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA.

BY W. E. D. SCOTT.

THE observations recorded in the following pages are based
on work covering, in period of time, the entire winters of 1879-
So, 1886-87, and 1887-58; the spring, summer and autumn of
1886, the spring and autumn of 1887, and the entire season of
1888 up to August 1, the date of this writing. All of these
seasons have been spent at some point on the Gulf Coast of
Florida south of Cedar Keys, and from that point to Key West
is the area it is proposed to treat of. Reference will also be
made to work done during January, February, and March, 1876,
at Panassofftkee Lake in Sumpter County, and to several short
trips inland to minor points.

Where information has been obtained through friends and
fellow-workers in this region it will be noted as coming from
such sources; and no information but such as seems absolutely

reliable has been admitted into the pages that follow.

Colymbus auritus. HorNeEp GresBe.— During the months of Decem-
ber and January, winter of 1887-88, this species was abundant in large
flocks in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of the Counties of Hillsboro
and Pasco. These flocks were most numerous from about a mile anda
half to three miles off shore. Single birds and pairs often came closer to
the land. Ihave no records of the species fromany of the fresh water
ponds, some of which are very close to the coast, where Podidlymbus
podiceps is to be found very commonly.

Podilymbus podiceps. PIED-BILLED GREBE.—A common winter visitor,
arriving early in the falland remaining till late in March in numbers.
I have notes of its occurrence in each of the months of June, July, and
August, and though rare at this time of year, I think it will be found ulti-
mately to breed in Hillsboro County. Most of the migratory birds assume
full nuptual plumage before leaving for the north. The species is abun-
dant in winter in both fresh and salt water at the several points I have
visited throughout the State.

Urinator imber. Loon.—This species is common during December and
January on the Gulf from Cedar Keys at least as far south as Tampa Bay.
Though most of the birds seem to prefer the waters of the Gulf, yet I
have many notes of their occurrence on the Anclote River, several miles
above its mouth. The birds that I have examined from these localities
are mostly young birds of the year, and I have never seen an individual
from these points in full plumage.

374 Scott, Birds of the Gulf Coast of Florida. [October

Urinator lumme. RED-THROATED Loon.— Of not infrequent occur-
rence in the colder months, December and January, near the mouth of the
Anclote River. I also took one near Clearwater Harbor in February,
18So.

Larus argentatus smithsonianus. AMERICAN HERRING GuLL.—A rather
common winter visitor on the Gulf Coast. I observed the species on
May 21, 1886, just outside of Clearwater Harbor on the Gulf. (See Auk,
Vol. IV, No. 4, October, 1887, p. 274.) Most of the individuals observed
or taken have been in the gray plumage.

Mr. John W. Atkins of Key West writes me: ‘In the winter and early
spring the Herring Gull is very plentiful in the harbor,” referring to the
harbor at Key West.

Larus delawarensis. RING-BILLED GULL.— A rather common winter
visitor on the Gulf Coast, and I have noticed it in numbers near Clear-
water Harbor as late as May 21, 1886. (See Auk, Vol. IV, No. 4, Octo-
ber, 1887, p. 274.) The birds observed have been about equally divided
in regard to immature and full plumage.

Larus atricilla. LAuGHING GuLL.— An abundant fall, winter, and spring
bird on the Gulf Coast, and breeds, but so far as I am aware, not abund-
antly. See notes made in May at Charlotte Harbor, Auk, Vol. IV, No. 4,
October, 1887, pp. 274, 278, 279. Mr. Atkins of Key West tells me that
this Gull is acommon resident and breeds both at Key West and in the
vicinity of Punta Rassa. From the same source I learn that this species
breeds at the Dry Tortugas.

Larus philadelphia. BoNAPARTE’s GULL.—This species is not common
on the Gulf Coast of Florida so far as | am aware. I took a single indi-
vidual at Panassoffkee Lake, in Sumpter County, in the winter of 1875-76,
and found a few at the mouth of the Withlacooche River in December and
January, 1879-80. I have no record of it in the immediate vicinity of
Tarpon Springs, and the only record south of that point is of a single
bird, apparently immature, taken at John’s Pass, Hillsboro County,
December 17, 1886.

Gelochelidon nilotica. GULL-BILLED TERN.—Apparently rare on the
portions of the Gulf Coast visited. The only record that I am aware of is
that of a male in winter plumage taken at John’s Pass (see Auk, Vol. IV,
No. 2, April, 1887, p. 133). Also see ‘Mammals and Winter Birds of East
Florida,’ J. A. Allen, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zodi., Vol. II, p. 366, April,
Si7ile

Sterna maxima. RoyaLt TERN.—A resident species, more abundant in
winter, and breeds commonly. On the low sand keys at the mouth of
Tampa Bay the breeding season begins about the middle of May, and is
at its highest three weeks later.

Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida. CaAsort’s TERN.—A migrant, and very
abundant as far north as Clear Water. The birds are not to be found as
far north as Tampa Bay in the winter, and if they occur on this coast at
all at that season it is much to the south of Charlotte Harbor. I found
the first migrating north at Gasparilla Key early in May, and I have

1888.] Scott, Birds of the Gulf Coast of Florida. 375

reason to believe that they arrive at this point about May1 tos, becoming
common in a few days.

At John’s Pass I found them in great numbers about June 1, 1886. The
percentage of adult birds to those in immature plumage at this time of the
year is quite remarkable. On June 3, 1886, at John’s Pass I took a series
of fifty-nine of these birds and saw many hundreds more of them. Of the
fifty-nine only six were in full plumage, and though all of the others were
at least a year old, not a few of them appeared from dissection as if they
would not have bred till at least another season. They breed in large
numbers on the sand beach near the point above indicated in June, and
are still abundant in the vicinity till about the last of September when
they begin to disappear. On September 20, 1886, I secured an additional
series of the species at the point in question. The birds had by that
time all assumed winter plumage except the young birds of the year.
These were in seven cases still in the frst plumage, and not quite fully
grown, indicating that probably more than one brood is raised, and show-
ing how late in the summer the last broods are hatched out.

Since writing the above, Mr. Atkins of Key West tells me that Cabot’s
Tern is quite common in Key West Harbor in winter.

Sterna forsteri. Forsrer’s TERN.—A rather common winter resident
(see Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VI, No. 1, January, 1886, p. 21), and
the species was observed by me at Casey’s Pass as late as May 28, 1886,
still in winter plumage. (See Auk, Vol. IV, No. 4, Oct., 1886, pp. 274,
278.) Later, June 3, of the same year, I found the species abundant at
John’s Pass and still in flocks, many of the birds being in winter plumage.
Tam inclined to think that the species will be found to breed in small
numbers near this locality on the Gulf Coast. Mr. Atkins took the spe-
cies commonly at Punta Rassa on July 18, 1886. Mr. Atkins also finds
this a common species at Key West in the winter.

Sterna hirundo. Common TERN:—The Common Tern is an abundant
bird during the spring, but I have no records of its occurrence in the
winter months north of Key West. During May and the early part of
June the birds were abundant in flocks from Boca Grande, the main inlet
to Charlotte Harbor, to John’s Pass. The majority of the birds were in
the plumage of the first year, and had the peculiar marking of that phase
of plumage, a prominent black or dusky band just back of the bones of
the forearm. About one bird in ten was in full plumage or assuming it,
and a few birds taken were moulting. Mr. Atkins of Key West has
found this species not uncommon at Punta Rassa in midsummer (July
18, 1886), and it seems probable that it breeds at some point on the Gulf
Coast.

Sterna dougalli. Rosratre TerN.—The only record of the species that
I have is a male bird, adult, No. 4860, taken at John’s Pass September 24,
1886. The bird is in worn plumage, and had not completed the fall
moult.

Sterna antillarum. Least TERN.—A common migrant, and breeds in
numbers at almost every point on the coast that I have visited. The

376 Scort, Birds of the Gulf Coast of Florida. [October

birds arrive at Tarpon Springs early in April, many pass on north, and
the breeding season is at its height late in May. They remain till
late in September commonly, and a few are to be seen until about No-
vember 1. I only noticed a single bird among many hundreds of this
species during the month of May, 1886, that still retained the plumage of
the first year.

Referring to this species on the Island of Key West, Mr. Atkins says:
‘«T have found the Least Terns breeding on the beach of a partially dried-
up pond in the woods.”

Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis. BLACK TERN.—This species was
abundant in large flocks at John’s Pass in the early part of June, 1886, and
equally common when I visited this point in September (12-24) of the
same year, About thirty per cent of the birds observed in the spring
were in adult breeding plumage. Mr. Atkins obtained the species in
midsummer at Punta Rassa commonly.

Rynchops nigra. BLACK SKIMMER. — An abundant migrant and com-
mon resident at points visited on the Gulf Coast. Many breed at suitable
localities.

In concluding my remarks on the Gulls and Terns of the Gulf Coast, I
wish to present to the reader some facts that have only recently been fully
authenticated by me, and which of course contradict in a certain sense
some of the foregoing remarks as to the points at which certain of the
species enumerated breed. Having heard of the wholesale destruction of
the Gulls and Terns on their breeding grounds at the mouth of Tampa
Bay on Passage Key, and on the low sand islands and bars off Pass Agrille,
I determined to look into the matter. I was familiar with both breeding
places where only a few years ago countless hosts of Terns, Gulls, and
Black Skimmers nested.

On July 2 of the present year] sent Mr. W. S. Dickinson and Mr.
Parkes to carefully look over these breeding grounds and to report to me
in detail. For this work Mr. Dickinson was well fitted and capable, hay-
ing had very considerable experience, working with me and under my
direction for an entire year.

The two gentlemen were gone six days and though the results of the
expedition were negative in one sense, they were conclusive and positive
in another.

Not a Tern of any kind was found breeding or with young at any of the
points in question. The only Terns seen were about fifty Sterna maxima,
a number of S. azxtiéllarum, twelve or fifteen Forster’s or Common Terns
that were so wild that it was impossible to identify them, and a flock of
some three hundred A. nigra surinamensis. About fifty Black Skimmers
were breeding and had fresh eggs on the beach near Pass Agrille, and
a dozen were found nesting at Passage Key.

This was @d/ that was left of a breeding colony that had once numbered
its tens of thousands, and the evidence tells its own story.

Not a single Cabot’s Tern was seen where they had once bred in great
numbers, and the birds that were seen were so wild and shy as to make
identification a very difficult task.

1888. ] Scott, Birds of the Gulf Coast of Florida. yi;

These results have been brought about by the persecutions of plume
hunters, for there had been great demand for the Terns for hats, and by
the depredations of egg hunters from Manatee, who find this a point from
which in years gone by they have been able tosupply the markets of the
towns near by with eggs for food.

The only Gulls that were noted on this expedition were a few Laughing
Gulls.

These breeding grounds are all easily accessible from Point Pinullas
and Prof. H. A. Smeltz, a resident till recently of that locality, assures me
that he has known the plume hunters of that region to ship to the New
York dealers seven barrels of plumes and flat skins ina single week during
the breeding season of the Herons, Gulls, and Terns; and I know person-
ally of a contract made by a New York house with two men of that local-
ity for 30,000 Terns’ skins to be delivered during a single season.

The methods of the egg hunters are of too great interest to be passed
over. The beaches where Terns’ and Gulls’ eggs were laid in great quan-
tities, were carefully scraped with boards used as brushes. Ad/ the fresh
eggs were selected after being swept into the water and those that had
been incubated allowed to drift away with the tide. But the work was
really done so that the egg robber might the next day get all the eggs
that had been laid in the interval.

Anhinga anhinga. ANHINGA.—A common resident, breeding from late
in March till the middle of July in the vicinity of Tarpon Springs. The
breeding season is, however, at its height in this locality about the last
week in April. The birds do not seem so gregarious at this or other sea-
sons of the year as do the Cormorants, and it is unusual to find more than
a dozen pairs at a ‘rookery,’ from two to four pairs being the ordinary con-
tingent. Almost every fresh water pond has its pair or more, and on the
larger lakes and streams they are plentiful. I have yet to find the species
breeding in a salt water rookery, or to see one in the pure salt water of the
Gulf, though they are occasional on the brackish bayous that connect’
with the Gulf.

Phalacrocorax dilophus floridanus. FLorRipA CoRMORANT.—An abun-
dant and conspicuous species at all seasons near the coast and on the
larger sheets of fresh water. Breeds in great colonies at suitable points
near both fresh and salt water, beginning to lay in the vicinity of Tarpon
Springs late in March and early in April. Generally two or three eggs
are laid, and two broods are reared.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN.—Though
observed in flocks of varying size throughout the year in the vicinity of
salt water, I have no records of the species breeding at any point visited.
The breeding, if it occurs in the region in question, seems unknown to
any of the native hunters I have talked to.

Pelecanus fuscus. BRowN PELICAN.—A common resident at most
points on the Gulf, and breeds in colonies, generally of great size, on the
mangrove islands in April, May, and June, according to the many notes
accumulated. .

378 Scotr, Birds of the Gulf Coast of Florida. {October

Fregata aquila. MAN-0’-warR Birp.—A resident species, but much
more abundant during the warmer months of the year. They do not, so
far as Iam aware, breed at any point north of Charlotte Harbor, nor at
that point.

Wherever there is a salt water rookery, particularly of Pelicans or Cor-
morants, these birds congregate in great numbers during the time the
young birds are being reared, and at this season act much as do the para-
sitic Gulls, stealing food from young and old birds. I have frequently
seen them preying on Gulls and Terns when fishing, just as the Jaegers
do.

Merganser serrator. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.—A common winter
resident at least as far south as the mouth of the Anclote River. Here
they arrive about the first of November and remain till late in February,
anda few are to be seen in March. They frequent almost exclusively
regions where oyster bars abound, especially such bars as are left bare or
nearly so by each receding tide.

Lophodytes cucullatus. HoopED MERGANSER.—A common _ winter
resident, and some breed. Unlike WZ serrafor, these birds seem to prefer
the ponds of fresh water near the coast, and I have never seen one in the
Gulf, though back in the country a mile from the salt water they are
common.

Anas boschas. MALLArRD.—The Mallard does not seem as abundant
at the several points visited on the Gulf Coast as it is on the East Coast,
according to authorities. In the region about Tarpon Springs, though
not rare, it isnot nearly so abundant as some of its congeners. Here it
is a regular winter visitor.

Anas fulvigula. FLor1ipA Duck.—Resident, but not at all common, in
the region about Tarpon Springs. At points on old Tampa Bay, I am in-
formed by Mr. Stuart of Tampa (who is well acquainted with the bird),
it is rather common and breeds.

I met with the bird once only in the Charlotte Harbor region, on May
21, 1886, when a single pair were seen, and so close at hand that there
could be no mistake as to their identity.

Anas americana. BALDPATE.—In December, 1879, I took at the mouth
of the Withlacooche River an adult male of this species in full plumage.
This is the only record I have of its occurrence on the West Coast, where
it is apparently rare.

Anas carolinensis. GREEN-WINGED TEAL.—A not very common winter
visitor in Hillsboro County. Frequents only fresh water in the vicinity
of Tarpon Springs. At Panassoffkee Lake in the winter of 1875-76 this
bird was very abundant.

Anas discors. BLUE-WINGED TEAL.—Rather more common in fall,
winter and spring than the last; this in the region about Tarpon Springs,
but at Panassoff kee Lake the reverse was true.

Dafila acuta. PinrarL.—A not uncommon winter visitor, at least as far
south as Tampa Bay. I have records of its occurrence each winter that I
have spent in the vicinity of Tarpon Springs, and it was a common Duck

1888. ] Scott, Birds of the Gulf Coast of Florida. 379

in the region about Panassoffkee Lake, Sumpter County, during a visit I
paid to that locality in the winter of 1875-76.

Aix sponsa. Woop Duck.—A common resident at all points visited,
and breeds in numbers, but is apparently more common in the colder
months of the year.

Aythya affinis. Lesser ScAup Duckx.—An abundant winter visitor in
the regions near the coast, at least as far south as Charlotte Harbor. The
birds begin to arrive early in November about Tarpon Springs, are
soon common, and remain in numbers till about May 1, after which
small flocks are not uncommon till about the 20th of that month, when all
seem to have departed.

On May 5, 1886, I noted three Ducks which I now believe to have been
this species, though then recordedas Aythya marila nearctica, near the
mouth of the Myiakka River at the head of Charlotte Harbor. (See
Auk, Vol. IV, No. 2, April, 1887, p. 141.)

On May g, 1886, at a point only six miles north of Punta Rassa I saw two
large flocks, not less than two hundred in each, of this species, and killed
birds for identification from each flock.

This was also the most abundant species at Panassoff kee Lake, Sumpter
County, during the winter of 1875-76.

Aythya collaris. RING-NECKED Duck.—Rare on the Gulf Coast about
Tarpon Springs where I have but a single record of its occurrence. At
Panassoff kee Lake in the winter of 1875-76 it was not at all uncommon,
and was associated in flocks with the foregoing species.

Glaucionetta clangula americana. AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE.—On Jan-
uary g, 1888, while in a boat fishing at the mouth of the Anclote River, a
single individual of this species flew by within twenty yards, making
the identity certain. It was a male bird in high plumage.

Charitonetta albeola. BuUrFLE-HEAD.—I have a number of records of
the occurrence of this species on the Gulf Coast during the winter months,
but it is even at this season a comparatively rare bird, and more frequently
represented by immature individuals.

Erismatura rubida. Ruppy Duck.—Of rather frequent occurrence in
the vicinity of Tarpon Springs in winter months.

Chen hyperborea nivalis. GREATER SNow GoosE.—The record already
published in ‘The Auk,’ Vol. V, No. 2, April, 1888, p. 183, is the only
authentic occurrence that has come to my knowledge to date. I am in-
debted to Mr. J. W. Atkins, of Key West, for the information then
published.

[Zo be continued. |

380 Harpy on the Great Auk. [October

TESTIMONY OF SOME EARLY VOYAGERS ON
THE GREAT AUK.

BY: FANNIE P. HARDY.

Mr. Lucas, in his recent article on the Great Auk, asks if the
“sreat Apponatz” of Hakluyt may not be either a misprint or a
wrong translation of “grasse Apponatz,” the fat Apponatz; and
further on supposes, for the sake of a question, that the Apponatz
is the Razor-bill, as if the “Apponatz” and the “great Apponatz”
were two different birds. That there is no mistake involved, and
that but one bird, the Great Auk, is meant, can be shown by
comparing the certain statements of early travellers.

Unfortunately the notes from which I draw my material were
taken for quite another purpose, and contain no extracts from
Cartier, and no copy of his works is at present accessible ; but
as every good library should contain at least the Tross reprints
of the ‘Bref Recit et Succinte Narration,’ the ‘Discours du Voy-
age fait (en 1534)’ and the ‘Relation Originale,’ his exact
words can be very easily determined. A few of the very best
libraries in the country may possibly contain the following as
well: ‘A short and || brief narration of the two || Navigations
to the Northwest partes called || Newe France :]|
First translated out of French into Italian by that famous |
learned man Gio: Bapt: Ramutius, and now turned || into English
by John Florio: worthy the rea || ding of all Venturers, Trauel-
lers || and Discouuerers’ || etc. This book, published in 1580, is
an English translation of Cartier’s work, and is in all probability
the one quoted by Hakluyt.

While these four books would decide the question of ovaxde
and grasse, far more valuable as evidence is a quotation from
one of them made by Mare Lescarbot in 1609. This I have not
compared with Cartier, but probably, like most of the quotations

and Discoueries

of that time, it is a paraphrase rather than a verbal reproduction.
Certainly it is much modernized in spelling. Yet that it is strik-
ingly accurate anyone may see by comparing the French as here
given with the English translation from Hakluyt, quoted in ‘The
Auk’ for April, p. 129. The great value of this extract as evi-

1888. ] HarbDy oz the Great Auk. 381

dence, lies in the fact that Lescarbot had travelled extensively in
this country, being as he said himself “temoin oculaire d’une
partie des choses ici recitées” ; and so able from his own experi-
ence to correct any misprint in Cartier’s work; and moreover
would not have hesitated to do this, as anyone who is acquainted
with the calm way in which these early travellers appropriated
each other’s observations will admit. The extract is as follows:

“ ....et approchames de trois iles, desquelles y en avoit deux
petites droites comme un mur, en sorte qu’il estoit impossible
d’y monter dessus, et entre icelles y a un petit escueil. Ces iles
estoient plus remplis d’oiseaux que ne seroit un pré @herbes,
lesquels faisoient 1a leur nids, et en la plus grande de ces iles y
en avoit un monde de ceux que nous appellions Margaux, qui
sont blancs et plus grands qu’ Oysons, et estoient separez en un
canton, et en l’autre part y avoit des Godets ; mais sur le rivage y
avoit de ces Godets et grands Apponaths semblables a ceux de
cette ile dont nons avons fait mention [probably his Ile des
Oyseaux, No. 3 of his chart; this Ile des Margaux is No. 46].
Nous descendimes au plus bas de la plus petite, et tuames plus
de mille Godets et Apponaths et en mimes tant que souloumes
en noz barques, et en eussions plus en moins d’une heure remplir
trente semblables barques. Ces iles furent appellées du nom de
Margaux.” (Lescarbot, Histoire de la Nouvelle France, Vol. I,
pe 231 et seq.; ed. 1609; p. 233 et seq., TEross edition.)

It is extremely improbable that the same verbal error should
find its way into the three different versions of Cartier and also into
the four editions of Lescarbot published during the latter’s lifetime.
Hence if Hakluyt, quoting a translation, said “great Apponatz,”
and Lescarbot, quoting Cartier either directly or indirectly, said
“orands Apponaths,” the chance that Cartier ever said or meant
to say “grasse” is exceedingly small. Whatever the bird was,
we must admit that it impressed the French as being large; and
we must remember that this is an absolute, not a relative term.

In one or two places Mr. Lucas writes ‘‘“Great Apponatz,”
beginning the adjective with a capital, as if there might be a
‘Lesser Apponatz,’ in comparison with which this was large.
That this could not have been the case, may be seen from the
fact that Apponatz, or Apponath, was an Indian name, not yet
naturalized, so that any adjective attached must have been purely
descriptive, never distinctive in its use. For any other bird some-

382 Harpy oz the Great Auk. [October

what resembling this, the French would have adopted the Indian
name already applied to it, instead of transferring this. But
there are other reasons why Apponath can refer to the Great Auk
only. Later, we find that the bird had French names given it,
and Apponath was retained only asa synonym. Frere Gabriel
Sagard Theodat, in his ‘Grand Voyage du Pays des Hurons’
(Paris, 1632), speaks of the bird as Guillaume, Tangeux, or Ap-
ponath, stating that the latter is the Indian name for it. He
describes this bird as being ‘‘large as a goose,” ‘‘black and
white,” ‘‘with a short tail and little wings.” Unquestionably,
this is the Great Auk, and his use of the word Apponath is such
that it must have been applied to this bird only. Aside from
this, there is another reason, partly negative, but having great
weight with those best acquainted with the zodlogical observa-
tions of this age, why the term Apponath could not have in-
cluded the Razor-bills. There is no evidence, I think, that the
French voyagers ever noticed the difference between the Razor-
bills and the Murres; I am not aware that any of the early
English observers made the distinction. The points most
important in scientific classification were passed by unnoticed,
differences of size, color and habit forming the basis of their dis-
tinctions. To them, birds as near alike in size, figure, habits
and general coloration, as the Murres and Razor-bills, would be
regarded as one and the same. It is almost a certainty that the
Godels (the Godetz of Cartier, Godets and Godes of Lescarbot)
which Sagard describes as similar to the Apponath but smaller,
include both the Murres and Razor-bills. Another reason for the
term Apponath not referring to the Razor-bill is that it is every-
where spoken of as being fat, ‘‘excessivement gras.” Murres
and Razor-bills, so far as my personal experience goes with
specimens killed in winter, are, contrariwise, excessively lean,
being shaped somewhat like a toy Noah’s Ark. But the Ap-
ponath, on the other hand, is invariably described as fat and
oily; and the term Tangeux which Sagard says was the sailor’s
name for the Guillaume or Apponath, although not in any
dictionary which I have consulted, seems to be equivalent to
“lumpers,” and to imply that the birds were short and fat.
What Guillaume signifies, not even Trevoux hints at. John
Josselyn in his ‘New England’s Rarities Discovered,’ etc. (Lon-
don, 1672), describing the Wobble, which is undoubtedly the

1888. | Harpy on the Great Auk. 383

Great Auk, calls it ‘‘an ill shaped Fowl, having no long feathers
in their Pinions, which is the reason they cannot fly, not much
unlike a Pengwin; they are ix Spring very fat, or rather oyly,
but pull’d and garbidg’d, and laid to the fire to roast, they
yield not one drop.”

More evidence might easily be collected from the narrations
of these early travellers, but in dealing with them care has to be
exercised to see that they are not quoting some earlier traveller
without giving him the credit due him.

As to the Great Auk breeding on the New England coast, the
statement of Josselyn already quoted, that they were taken at
Black Point (which was near Portland, Maine) zz the spring,
is an indirect testimony, the stronger for being undesigned.
Again in Archer’s ‘Account of Gosnold’s Voyage to Cape
Cod’ made in the spring and summer of 1602, he mentions
‘‘seeing petrels, coots, hagbuts, fexguznvs, mews, gannets, cor-
morants, gulls,” etc. These birds were seen in the months of
May and June in the region of Cape Cod; hence it is reasonable
to suppose that the Penguin, or Great Auk, was breeding there
at that time. Again, Brereton in his ‘Account of the Voyage of
Gosnold to Virginia’ speaks of the birds of the country, among
which he mentions ‘‘eagles ; hernshaws; cranes; bitterns; mal-
lards; teals; geese; fenguzns; osprays and hawks; crows;
ravens; mews; doves; sea-pies,” etc. Gosnold arrived in Vir-
ginia, April 26, 1607, and Brereton’s account was published the
following year, so that these ‘‘penguins” may have been seen
during the winter, though it is fully as probable that the list was
made soon after their arrival in the country. Throwing this out as
doubtful, at least two good references have been given to show
that the Great Auk was present on our coasts during the summer.
If they were there at that time, what could they have been there
for unless to breed?

In his article in ‘The Auk,’ Mr. Lucas says: ‘‘As for the bones
found in shell-heaps, they are probably those of birds taken
during their migrations southward, for the Great Auk was doubt-
less formerly as common on the New England coast during the
autumn and winter months as the Razor-bill isnow.” This cer-
tainly is a fair conjecture, and may be the correct one yet; con-
sidering the references already given which show that the Great
Auk was, for a period of seventy years at least, a summer resi-

384 HarpDy on the Great Auk. [October

dent, and also taking the formation of the shell-heaps into
account, it is quite as probable that these were summer speci-
mens. For, the popular opinion to the contrary, I can show the
best of reasons for believing that nineteen-twentieths of all the
clams and oysters represented by our shell-heaps were taken and
shelled during the summer months; that the Indians, instead of
living on the spot the year round, came down the rivers in the
summer in large numbers and madea business of gathering
clams and oysters; and that, instead of eating these on the spot,
they dried them in large quantities and carried them back up
river and into the country for winter food. If this be the cor-
rect solution of the formation of the shell-heaps, these heaps
must have accumulated rapidly during the summer, and slowly
(for undoubtedly some Indians remained there the year through)
during the rest of the year. Hence, most of the bones found in
the heaps are the kitchen refuse of those engaged in shelling
clams for winter use; hence, also, if the bones of the Great Auk
are found in numbers proportionate to the bones of other kinds
of animals, they are, presumably, the remains of birds taken by
summer occupants of the kitchen middings and were not fall
and winter specimens. That this is not mere theorizing the
statements of Archer and Josselyn show: for if the birds were
on the coast in summer at a date when the shell-heaps were ap-
proaching their completion, it is not illogical to suppose that
they were at least equally abundant at the same season while the
shell-heaps were growing most rapidly; and if the shell-heaps
received nearly all their additions during the summer months, as
can be shown to be true of the Maine heaps, the majority of the
Great Auk bones found in them may be confidently set down as
the remains of birds who had bred or were breeding on the
coast. It will yet be conclusively proved that the Great Auk
was resident the year round on the coasts of New England.

1888. ] Price, Westing of the Red-faced Warbler. 385

NESTING OF THE RED-FACED WARBLER (CAR-
DELLINA RUBRIFRONS) IN THE HUACHUCA
MOUNTAINS, SOUTHERN ARIZONA.

BY W. W. PRICE.

Tus beautiful Warbler is commonly met with in the pine
region of Southern Arizona, where, in the Huachuca Moun-
tains, on May 31, 1888, I had the good fortune to find its nest
and eggs, the first taken within the limits of the United States,
I believe.

Early on that morning I left the house at the mouth of the
Ramsey Canon, taking an old disused lumber road to the mills,
situated about three miles from my stopping place, and at an eleva-
tion of about 6500 feet, or some 2000 feet above the mesa at the
northern base of the range. I had secured a fine variety of birds
and was on my return, when I decided to leave the trail and
follow down the canon, which, below the point where
the road leaves it and crosses a spur of the mountains, is
extremely steep and rocky. As I was making my way slowly
down, I noticed a Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher (A/yzodynastes
lutetventrzs) perched on a branch of a maple, and while I was
trying to get a shot at it, a little bird flew from close to my
feet. On securing the Flycatcher I returned and searched for
some time in vain for my bird and nest, and was about to leave,
when a C. rubrifrons came chirping about. I secreted myself,
and the bird soon flew to a clump of columbine which grew on
the bank of the creek. I again flushed the bird, a female, and
secured it, and also found the nest, which was placed on sloping
ground in a slight hollow and contained four fresh eggs. A
few sprays of the columbine hid the nest so completely that had
not the bird been frightened directly off from it, I should not
have found it. Dissection of the female showed that the full
clutch had been laid. The structure was a very poor attempt at
nest-building, and made of such loose material that it crumbled
to fragments on being removed. The chief substance was fine
fibrous weed stalks, while the lining consisted of fine grass,
rootlets, plant fibres, and a few hairs. Skeleton leaves and bits
of fine bark were scattered sparingly throughout the nest.
Leaves and other rubbish had drifted with the wind or had been

386 BREWSTER on Birds of Winchendon, Massachusetts. (October

scratched up all around, to a level with the rim, so that one
could hardly see where the nest proper left off. Inside the
nest was about two and one half inches wide by one and
one half inches in depth; outside it was about five inches
wide by three inches in depth. The ground on which the
nest was placed was so damp that the bottom part of it was
badly decayed.

[The eggs of Cardellina rubrifrons, kindly presented by Mr. Price to the
National Museum collection at Washington, D. C., are new to science, I
believe. They are ovate in shape. Their ground color is a delicate
creamy white, and they are spotted with small blotches of cinnamon
rufous and a few dots of heliotrope purple and pale lavender. These
form a wreath around the larger end. They resemble the eggs of Hel-

minthophila lucte and H. vtrginie to a certain extent. They measure
.66 X .50, .67 X .50, .66 X .50 and .66 X .50 inch.—Cuas. E. BENDIRE. }

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF WINCHENDON, WOR-
CESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

In 1887 I spent three days (June 23 to 26), and in 1888 seven
days (June 11 to 18), investigating the bird fauna of the region
about Winchendon, a town near the northern border of Wor-
cester County, Massachusetts, about sixteen miles south of Mt.
Monadnock.

On the first trip I was accompanied by Mr. H. A. Purdie, on
the second by Messrs. H. M. Spelman and S. W. Denton;
while during both visits Mr. C. E. Bailey, a young local col-
lector, devoted his entire time to helping me, his intimate know-
ledge of the woods and swamps and the particular haunts of
some of the rarer birds proving of very great value. Upon
looking over the notes made during these trips I have decided to
omit in the present paper any detailed mention of birds whose
occurrence possesses no particular significance or interest, but a
nominal list is given of all the species observed.

Most of the notes relate, of course, to the presence of the
summer birds only, but a few captures of rare winter visitors
are given on Mr. Bailey’s authority.

1888. ] BREWSTER 02 Birds of Winchendon, Massachusetts. 387

The region about Winchendon — that is, within five or six
miles on every side — varies in elevation from about 850 to
1300 feet.* There are no mountains nearer than Monad-
nock, but the surface of the country is everywhere broken
and hilly, very wild and picturesque, and mainly wooded, the
farms being comparatively few and far between, and the forest
areas often miles in extent. On the hills and throughout the
drier portions of the lowlands, the forests are composed chiefly of
white pine, hemlock, and various deciduous trees. The swamps,
nearly without exception, are covered with a dense, almost im-
penetrable and rather stunted growth of black spruces, balsams,
and larches, with a very few white spruces. The black spruces
and balsams also grow abundantly about the edges of the hill
pastures, along the roadsides, and wherever there is young
second growth. On sandy levels in the valleys one finds a few
red and pitch pines. The hardwood timber on the uplands is
composed chiefly of beech, red and sugar maple, yellow and
paper birch, with a sprinkling of red oaks and basswoods, a very
few chestnuts, and more or less scattering, old-growth spruces.
The trees in these upland woods are often of large size, and
there are a few tracts which have never been touched by the
axe. The underwood is chiefly of hobble bush ( Vzburnum
lantanotdes) and striped and mountain maples, the last two
being especially abundant along the borders of streams and open-
ings. In places yew is also found, but I saw no extensive or
very vigorous beds of it. About the swamp edges the beautiful
pink azalia (A. zwdzflora) is everywhere common. Ferns of
various species flourish in great luxuriance wherever the soil is
damp enough for them, and a deep, soggy carpet of sphagnum
covers the ground in the swamps. On the hillsides, especially
under white pines, the exquisite little ZLznxx@a borealis is
frequently met with, and Clzztonza borealzs abounds everywhere.

In more general terms the flora may be characterized as
resembling that of the valleys and foot hills about the confines of
the White Mountains. It lacks, however, as far as I could learn,
one northern tree which is common and very generally dis-
tributed throughout northern New England, viz., the arbor vite.

* This generalization is based on the following altitudes furnished me by Mr. H. W
Henshaw from the Coast Survey records at Washington; ‘ Winchendon Centre, 1225
ft.; depot, 978 ft.; Bullardville, 845 ft.

388 BREWSTER on Birds of Winchendon, Massachusetts. [October

Of mammals the white hare and Canada porcupine are abun-
dant. Deer and bears have been exterminated (the latter less
than fifty years ago), but a ‘wild cat’ is occasionally seen. Red
squirrels are numerous, gray squirrels less so, but still not
uncommon. Foxes, raccoons, woodchucks, skunks and striped
squirrels abound.

The bird fauna, like the flora, is curiously mixed in character.
Thus, Brown Thrashers, Catbirds, Towhees, Meadowlarks,
and Baltimore Orioles occur with Winter Wrens, Golden-crested
Kinglets, Yellow-rumped and_ Black-and-yellow Warblers,
Juncos, and White-throated Sparrows. Unlike portions of
Berkshire County and the Catskills where these or equally
typical representatives of the Canadian and Alleghanian Faunas
are found near together, but respectively confined to different
altitudinal belts or areas and hence not to any considerable ex-
tent in actual company, the country about Winchendon seems to
form a neutral ground upon which the birds above-named inter-
mingle on the same levels, and often in the same thickets. If
altitude must be assumed to play any part in their distribution
its influence is directly contrary to the usual one, for most of the
northern birds, whether computed by species or individuals,
breed in the valleys, while the Alleghanian forms are certainly
not least numerously represented on the hill tops. This seem-
ing paradox is easily explained, however, when we reflect that
the woods in the low-lying swamps are closely similar to those
of northern New England, whereas the growth on the hills and
ridges is essentially the same as that of the lower portions of
Massachusetts. This is probably due to the fact that the ex-
tremes of elevation within the region are not sufficiently great to
overcome local influences, such as differences in soil, relative
amounts of moisture, etc. Be this as it may the birds evidently
settle wherever the woods, swamps, or fields are most to their
liking,
arouse suspicion as to the extent to which the distribution of
birds is directly governed by altitude, or its equivalent, latitude.
Is not the presence or absence of certain kinds of country, or of
particular trees or plants which furnish congenial food, shelter,

without regard to elevation. Such a case may well

or nesting sites more likely to be the determining factor, at least
iu very many cases? It would be interesting to plant a northern
forest in southern New England and await developments. If

1888. ]

BREWSTER 02 Birds of Winchendon, Massachusetts.

389

the spruces, balsams, etc., could be made to live and flourish, the
outcome of the experiment would at least go far towards settling

the question above proposed.

List of spectes ascertained to pass the breeding season near Winchendon.
(Those marked with an * are not common.)

1. Urinator imber.
2. Anas obscura.
3. Aix sponsa.*
4. Philohela minor.
5. Actitis macularia.
6. Bartramia longicauda.
7. Bonasa umbellus.
8. Ectopistes migratorius.*
g. Zenaidura macroura.*
10. Buteo borealis.

11. Syrnium nebulosum.

2. Nyctala acadica.

13. Megascops asio.*

14. Bubo virginianus.

15. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus.
16. Dryobates villosus.

17. Ceophleeus pileatus.*
18. Colaptes auratus.

1g. Antrostomus vociferus.
20. Chordeiles virginianus.
1. Chetura pelasgica.
22. Tyrannus tyrannus.
23. Myiarchus crinitus.*
24. Contopus borealis.*
25- % virens.
26. Empidonax minimus.
27. Cyanocitta cristata.
28. Corvus americanus.

29. Dolichonyx oryzivorus.
30. Agelaius phoeniceus.
31. Sturnella magna.*

32. Icterus galbula.
33- Quiscalus quiscula wneus.
34. Carpodacus purpureus.
35- Loxia curvirostra minor.
36. Spinus tristis.

37. Poocetes gramineus.
38. Ammodramus henslowi.*
39. Zonotrichia albicollis.*
40. Spizella socialis.

41. pusilla.

. Junco hyemalis.*

Melospiza fasciata.

. Melospiza georgiana.

Pipilo erythrophthalmus.
Habia ludoviciana.
Passerina cyanea.
Piranga erythromelas.
Progne subis.

. Petrochelidon lunifrons.
. Chelidon erythrogaster.
. Tachycineta bicolor.

Clivicola riparia.
Ampelis cedrorum.
Vireo olivaceus.

‘© gilvus.

ce

solitarius.

. Mniotilta varia.

Helminthophila ruficapilla.
Compsothlypis americana.

. Dendroica wstiva.

cerulescens.*
coronata.
maculosa.
pensylvanica.
blackburniz.
Ht virens.
Seiurus aurocapillus.

. Geothlypis trichas.
. Icteria virens.*

Sylvania canadensis.

. Setophaga ruticilla.
. Galeoscoptes carolinensis.

Harporhynchus rufus.

. Troglodytes hiemalis.*

Sitta canadensis.*
Parus atricapillus.

- Regulus satrapa.

Turdus fuscescens.

ce

aonalaschke pallasii.

. Merula migratoria.
. Sialia sialis.

390 BREWSTER ox Birds of Winchendon, Massachusetts. [October

»

Urinator imber.—One or more pairs of Loons breed regularly in every
pond of sufficient size near Winchendon. Mr. Albert Henry, of Gardner,
took a set of two eggs at Blue’s Reservoir in 1887. At Wellington’s Reser-
voir, a large sheet of water about five miles north of Winchendon, a
farmer living near the shore assured us that he saw several of the birds
daily through the entire summer. He thought that there were at least
three pairs in the pond in 1888.

Anas obscura.—Mr. Bailey sees a few Black Ducks every summer but
they are much less numerous at that season than in spring and autumn.
Early in June, 1888, he found on the bank of a brook, the shells of several
eggs that had probably hatched a few days before.

Nyctala acadica.—A common resident, doubtless breeding numerously,
although Mr. Bailey has not as yet succeeded in finding nests.

Surnia ulula caparoch.—In the winter of 1886-87 Mr. Bailey shot three
specimens, in that of 1887-1888 one. He thinks they occur regularly
every winter.

Dryobates villosus.—During my first visit to Winchendon I did not
find this species, but in 1888 we met with several. A pair seen June 16,
were feeding young which had evidently just left the nest.

Picoides arcticus.—Mr. Bailey killed four specimens in the winter of
1886-1887, and one during the following winter. He is very sure they
were visitors from the north, and that none breed near Winchendon.

Ceophleus pileatus.—Resident, but not common. Mr. Bailey sees only
two or three pairs each season but thinks that there are more in Win-
chendon than in any of the neighboring towns. About the middle of
June, 1887, one of his friends met with a brood of young in the woods. I
did not find the bird during either visit, but its unmistakable mortise-
shaped ‘ peck holes’ were frequently observed.

Contopus borealis.—June 26, 1887, we found two pairs of Olive-sided
Flycatchers in an extensive sphagnum swamp, and after a short search
discovered one of their nests near the top of a rather tall black spruce.
The female was sitting on three nearly fresh eggs. In 1888 I did not
revisit this swamp, but Mr. Bailey passed it a few days before my arrival
and heard the Flycatchers calling. We did not find the species else
where.

Loxia curvirostra minor.—A single pair seen in spruce woods June 13,
1888, and the male shot. His testes were of large, but not maximum size.
Mr. Bailey tells me that this Crossbill is numerous every winter, but he
has never seen it in summer before. Its occurrence at the latter season
does not prove, of course, that it breeds about Winchendon, although it
would be by no means surprising if a few pairs were found to nest there.

Ammodramus henslowi.—Several pairs breeding in a meadow about
three miles south of Winchendon.

Zonotrichia albicollis.—In 1887 I met with two males, and in 1888 one,
allin spruce swamps. They were in full song and evidently had mates
and nests, for they showed the utmost concern when their retreats were
invaded.

ad

1888.] BREWSTER 0x Birds of Winchendon, Massachusetts. 391

Junco hyemalis.—Apparently quite as uncommon as the White-throated
Sparrow, for we met with only three pairs, one in 1887, two in 1888. All
were on high ground in pine or hemlock woods. The males were singing,
and the actions of at least one of the females indicated that there were
eggs or young somewhere near.

Helminthophila chrysoptera.—A single male was obtained by Mr. Bailey
in May, 1888.

Dendroica czrulescens.—The only Black-throated Blue Warbler met
with during either year was a male shot June 17, 1888. This bird was
singing steadily in a dense growth of young hemlocks on a hillside. As
there were no beds of yew (the favorite nesting place of this species) in
the neighborhood, and as we had passed several previous mornings in the
same woods without hearing the bird, it is probable that he had strayed
some distance away from his mate and nest, or that he was a bachelor
wandering aimlessly about the country.

Dendroica coronata.—Rather common but nowhere very numerous.
Found chiefly in groves of white pines on high ground but also, to some
extent, in the spruce swamps. Although we failed to find any nests there
can be no doubt whatever that the birds seen were breeding.

Dendroica maculosa.—This Warbler breeds in about the same numbers
as the Yellow-rump. Both species were nearly sure to be seen daily, but
it was unusual to find more than one pair of either in any single tract of
woods, however large. The favorite haunts of the Black-and-yellow,
here, as in northern New England, are swamp edges, woodpaths, or bor-
ders of openings where the undergrowth is more or less intermixed with
young spruces and balsams. In such a place—within about ten yards of
a woodpath—we found a nest June 15, 1888, containing four nearly fresh
eggs. This nest was typical in position, being placed near the top of a
small spruce at a height of about five feet. In construction it differed
from Maine nests of this species only in respect to the lining, which was
largely of horse hair with, however, an admixture of black rootlets.

Dendroica blackburniz.— On both high and low ground, wherever there
were spruces in any numbers, whether by themselves or mixed with other
trees, and also to some extent where the growth was entirely of hemlocks,
the Blackburnian Warbler was one of the most abundant and character-
istic summer birds, in places even outnumbering the Black-throated Green
Warbler, although it shunned strictly the extensive tracts of white pines
which D. vzvens seemed to find quite as congenial as any of the other
evergreens. A set of four fresh eggs was taken June 26, 1887. The nest,
which was found by watching the female, was built at a height of about
thirty feet above the ground, on the horizontal branch of a black spruce,
some six feet out from the main stem. Its bottom rested securely near
the base of a short, stout twig. Above and on every side masses of dark
spruce foliage, rendered still denser by a draping of Uswea (which covered
the entire tree profusely), hid the nest so perfectly that not a vestige of it
could be seen from any direction. This nest is composed outwardly of
fine twigs, among which some of the surrounding Usmea is entangled and

392 BREWSTER on Birds of Winchendon, Massachusetts. [October

interwoven. The lining is of horse hair, fine, dry grasses, and a few of
the black rootlets used by D. maculosa. The whole structure is light and
airy in appearance, and resembles rather closely the nest of the Chipping
Sparrow. The eggs measure respectively: .68 X .49; .66 X.50; .69 X .49;
-68 X .51 inch. They are marked with pale lavender, vandyke brown,
mars brown, and black. Over most of the shell the markings are fine and
sparsely distributed, but about the larger end they become broad and
more or less confluent, tending to form a wreath pattern. Some of the
black markings are linear, resembling pen scratches. The ground color
of these eggs before blowing would have passed for dull white, but with
the removal of their contents a delicate, yet faint, greenish tinge appeared
and has since persisted. This greenish tinge was also a characteristic
feature of eight eggs (representing two sets) taken by Mr. Bailey at Win-
chendon before my arrival in 1887. Lest the identification of the above-
described set be questioned, IJ will add that the female was seen to enter
the nest, and that both she and her mate were shot and preserved.

Icteria virens.—Mr. Bailey shot a male of this species May 30, 1888.

Sylvania canadensis.—Throughout the spruce swamps the Canadian
Warbler was everywhere abundant. A brood of young barely able to fly
were met with June 25, 1887, and the next day Mr. Purdie took a set of
eggs rather far advanced in incubation. The nest was in the face of a low,
sphagnum-covered mound about eighteen inches above its base. In the
soft mould behind the outer covering of sphagnum the birds had excavated
a cavity about the size of one’s fist. In the bottom of this cavity was
the nest, a loosely formed, but nevertheless neat structure, composed out-
wardly of dry leaves, and lined with pine needles, black rootlets, and a
little horse hair. The bird entered by a smallround hole, the bottom of
which was about ona level with the top of the nest. All the nests (a
dozen or more) of this species which I have examined were built like the
one just described, although the height above the ground has varied, one
which I took at Lake Umbagog in 1879, being higher than my head in a
patch of moss that covered the face of a perpendicular cliff.. I have yet to
see a nest placed oz the ground and open at the top as most of the book
descriptions indicate.

Troglodytes hiemalis.—In the swamp where the Olive-sided Flycatchers
breed, we heard two Winter Wrens singing June 26, 1887. While trying
to get a sight at one of them I flushed and shot a young bird which could
not have been more than a day or two from the nest, as it was unable to
fly more than a few yards ata time. There were many fallen trees in the
vicinity, and their upturned roots, laden with earth and overgrown with
moss, afforded numberless nesting sites. As already stated, Idid not
revisit this swamp in 1888, but Mr. Bailey tells me that he heard the
Wrens singing there a few days before our arriyal.

Sitta canadensis.—Besides the Winter Wren and Olive-sided Flycatcher
the spruce swamp just mentioned furnished another species not found
elsewhere, viz., the Red-bellied Nuthatch. We saw only a single pair
which, attracted by the outcry made by the Canadian Warblers as we were

1888. } CHAPMAN, Additions to North American Avtifauna. 393

taking their nest, came into the trees overhead, uttering their peculiar nasal
whining. Doubtless they were breeding somewhere in the neighborhood,
although I have no positive proof of this.

Regulus satrapa.—My experience with this species at Winchendon is
given fully in another article in this number of ‘The Auk.’

Turdus aonalaschke pallasii.—An abundant bird throughout the entire
region, haunting by preference dry, rather open, white pine woods.

LIST OF ADDITIONS TO THE NORTH AMERICAN
AVIFAUNA AND OF ELIMINATIONS AND
CHANGES IN NOMENCLATURE PRO-
POSED SINCE THE PUBLICA-

TION OF THE! A.'O.U:

CHECK-LIST.

BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN.

Since the publication of the ‘ Check-List’ in March, 1886, the
additions and corrections to our avifauna have been so numerous
it has been considered advisable to collate them, and the follow-
ing compilation is presented with a hope that it may be of some
service to the many workers in North American Ornithology.

It may be well to add that the compiler has made it an object to
include a/7 the additions and changes which have been made
without reference to their tenability.

I. ADDITIONS.

Spectes and subspecies which have been described as new, ‘revived,’ or
recorded as North American.

1. Larus barrovianus Azdgw. Point Barrow GULL.

Ripeway, Auk, III, July, 1886, p. 330.

Has. ‘‘Bering’s Sea and contiguous waters, northeastward to
Point Barrow ; southwestward to Japan (in winter).”

2. Larus minutus fell. LirrLe GuLi.—Recorded from
Long Island, New York, by Dutcher in Auk, V, April, 1888,

p- 171.

394 CHAPMAN, Additions to North American Avifauna. (October

3. Diomedea exulans Zzzz. WaANnpDERING ALBATROSS.—
Recorded from Florida (mouth of St. Johns River, Tampa Bay)
and coast of Washington Territory. (Cf. Cowes, Auk, II, Oct.
1885, p- 387, and Azdgway, Manual North American Birds, 1887,
p- 51.)

4. Diomedea melanophrys Soze. SpEcTACLED ALBA-
TROSS.—‘‘Casual off coast of California.” (Cf. Ridgway, Manual
IN. AY Birds, 1867, p-. 52-)

5. Oceanodroma leucorhoa macrodactyla JSryant.
GUADALOUPE PETREL.

BRYANT, Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. I, No. 8, 1887.

Has. ‘‘ Guadaloupe Island, Lower California.”

6. Chen czrulescens (Zzzz.). BLuE Goose.

Revived by Ridgway in Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 115.

Has. ‘‘Interior of North America, east of Rocky Mountains,
breeding on the eastern shores of Hudson’s Bay ; migrating south,
in winter, through Mississippi Valley to the Gulf Coast, occa-
sional on Atlantic Coast” (Azdgway, l.c.). (= No. 8 of the
‘Hypothetical List’ of the A. O. U. Code and Check-List of
North American Birds.)

7. Ardettaneoxena Cory.

Cory, Auk, III, April, 1886, p. 262.

Has. ‘Florida, Okeechobee region?”

8. Ardea wuerdemanni Gazrd. WuERDEMANN’S HERON.

Admitted by Ridgway in Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 128,
and Appendix, p. 583. (= No. 9 of the ‘ Hypothetical List’ of
the A. O. U. Code and Check List.)

Has. ‘Florida Keys and Cape Florida; Jamaica?; acci-
dental in Southern Illinois.” (Azdgway, @.c.)

g. Ardea virescens frazari Grewst. FRazar’s GREEN
HERON.

Brewster, Auk, V, Jan. 1888, p. 83.

Has. ‘Near La Paz, Lower California.”

10. Rallus longirostris caribzeeus Azdg.—Recorded from
Texas (Corpus Christi and Galveston) by Sennett in Auk, V,
July, 1888, p. 319.

11. Rallus longirostris scottii Sez. ScorTt’s Rat.

SENNETT, Auk, V, July, 1888, p. 305-

Has. ‘+ West Coast of Florida.”

12. Tringa damacensis (/orsf.). LoNnc-ToED STINT.—

1888.] CHapMAN, Additions to North American Avtfauna. 395

Recorded from Alaska (Otter Island, Bering’s Sea) by Ridgway
in Auk, III, April, 1886, p. 275.

13. Symphemia semipalmata inornata Brewst. WeEs-
TERN WILLET.

BrewstTER, Auk, IV, April, 1887, p. 144.

Has. ‘‘Interior of North America between the Mississippi
and the Rocky Mountains, wintering along the coasts of the
Gulf and Southern States (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina).”

14. Hematopus frazari Brewst. FRaAzar’s OYSTER-
CATCHER.

BREWSTER, Auk, V, Jan. 1888, p. 85.

Has. ‘Pacific and Gulf Coasts of Lower California.”

(15. Colinus virginianus cubanensis (Gould). CuBAN
Bos-wuiTE.—Included by Ridgway in Manual N. A. Birds,
1887, p. 188.

Has. ‘*Cubaand Southwestern Florida.” (zdgway, /.c.)

16. Columba fasciata viosce Lrewst. Vuiosca’s PIGEON.

BrewsTEr, Auk, V, Jan. 1888, p. 86.

Has. ‘Lower California.”

17. Columbigallina passerina pallescens (Zazrd.)
Mexican Grounp Dove.—Revived by Ridgway in Manual
N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 586, Appendix.

Has. ‘‘ Southwestern United States (Texas to Arizona and
Lower California), and south through Mexico (both coasts), to
Central America.” (Azdgway, l. c.)

18. Falco esalon Zath. Merrviin.—Recorded from Green-
land by Kumlien in Auk, IV, Oct. 1887, p. 345.

19. Falco tinnunculus Zzzz. Kesrre_.—Recorded from
near Nantasket Beach, Massachusetts, by Cory in Auk, V,
Jan., 1888, p. 110. (See also Zézd, V, April, 1888, p. 205.)

20. Glaucidium gnoma hoskinsiu Arewst. Hoskins’s
Picmy Ow t.

BrewstTER, Auk, V, April, 1888, p. 136.

Has. ‘* Lower California.”

21. Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha (Swaznvs.). Tuick-
BILLED PARRoT.—‘‘ Southwestern Texas and Southern New
Mexico.” (Cf. Ridgway, ManualN. A. Birds, 1857, p. 269.)
(= No. 16 of the ‘ Hypothetical List’ of the A. O. U. Code
and Check-List.)

396 CHAPMAN, Additions to North American Avifauna. [October

22. Coccyzus americanus occidentalis Azdgw. CAti-
FORNIA Cuckoo.

RipGway, Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 273.

Has. ‘‘ Western United States, north to Oregon, east to New
Mexico and Colorado, south over tablelands of Mexico.”

23. Coccyzus maynardi Aédgw. Maynarn’s Cuckoo.

RipGway, Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 274.

Has. ‘¢ Bahamas and Florida Keys.”

24. Phalenoptilus nuttalli nitidus Grewst. FRostTep
POOR-WILL.

Brewster, Auk, IV, April, 1887, p. 147.

Has. ‘* Texas and Arizona.”

25. Phalenoptilus nuttalli californicus Aidgw.

RipGway, Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 588, Appendix, foot-note (pro-
visional description).

26. Chordeiles virginianus sennetti ( Cowes) Chamberlain.

Chordiles popetue sennettt Cours, Auk, V, Jan. 1888, p. 37.

Chordeiles virginianus sennetti CHAMBERLAIN, Systematic Table of
Canadian Birds, 1888, Appendix A, p. 14.

Has. ‘‘ Dakota to Texas, in any treeless country.”

27. Chordeiles virginianus chapmani (Sezzett) Scott.

Chordiles popetue chapmani Cours, Auk, V, Jan. 1888, p. 37-

Chordeitles virginianus chapmani Scorr, Auk, V, April, 1888, p. 186.

HAs. §"Plorida to! Pexas:”

28. Trochilus floresii (Gouw/d). FLoresi’s HummMInc-
BIRD.—Recorded from California by Bryant in ‘Forest and
Stream,’ XXVEI, June 24, 1886, p. 426.

29. Trochilus violajugulum Fe/frzes.

Jerrries, Auk, V, April, 1888, p. 168.

Has.-. ‘‘ Santa Barbara, Cal.”

30. Empidonax cineritius Brewst. Str. Lucas Fty-
CATCHER.

Brewster, Auk, V, Jan. 1888, p. go.

Type from La Laguna, Lower California.

31. Cyanocitta stelleri annectens (azrd). Brack-
HEADED JAy.—Revived by Ridgway in Manual N. A. Birds, p.
354-

Has. ‘Northern Rocky Mountains, south to Wasatch
Range (near Provo, Utah), west to eastern Oregon and Wash-
ngton Territory.” (Azdgway, Zl. c.)

32. Aphelocomainsularis Hexsh.

HensuHaAw, Auk, III, Oct. 1886, p. 452.

Has. ‘¢ Santa Cruz Island, California.”

1888. ] CHAPMAN, Additions to North American Avtfauna. 397

33. Aphelocoma californica hypoleuca Azdgw. Xan-
THUS’s JAY.

RipGway, Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 356.

Has. ‘* Lower California (vicinity of Cape St. Lucas).”

34. Corvus corax principalis Azdgw. NORTHERN RAVEN.

RipGway, Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 361.

Corvus corax carnivorus BAIRD, P. R. R. Surv. IX, 1858, p. 560. (Cf.
Allen, Auk, IV, 1887, p. 335.)

Has. ‘* Northern North America, from Greenland to Alaska,
south to British Columbia, Canada, New Brunswick, etc.”

35. Corvus americanus hesperis Aidgw. CALIFORNIA
Crow.

RrpGway, Manual N. A. Birds,'1887, p. 362.

Has. ‘‘ Western United States, north to Washington Terri-
tory (Puget Sound), Idaho, Montana, etc., south to Northern
Mexico, east to Rocky Mountains.”

36. Agelaius phoeniceus bryanti Riédgw. BAHAMAN
REDWING.

RipGway, Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 370.

Has. ‘* Bahamas and Southern Florida (Miami, Key West,
Gites).

37. Agelaius phceniceus sonoriensis ?z7dgw. SONORAN
REDWING.

RipGway, Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 369.

Has. ‘‘ Northwestern Mexico and lower Colorado Valley,
in Southern California and Arizona; south to Mazatlan.”

38. Pinicola enucleator kodiaka Azdgw. MKoriakx PINE
GROSBEAK.

RipGway, Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 388.

Has. ‘Kodiak to Sitka, Alaska. (Also probably south-
ward to higher Sierra Nevada of California.)”

39. Carpodacus frontalis ruberrimus /’7dew.

RipGway, Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 391, foot-note.

(Provisional description of the Lower California bird.)

40. Plectrophenax nivalis townsendi Azdgw. PryBILor
SNOWFLAKE.

RipGway, Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 403.

Has. ‘Prybilof Islands, Alaska, and Commander Islands,
Kamtschatka.”

41. Ammodramus caudacutus subvirgatus Dwight.
ACADIAN SHARP-TAILED SPARROW.

Dwieut, Auk, IV, July, 1887, p. 233.

398 CHAPMAN, Additions to North American Avifauna. [October

Has. ‘‘Marshes of southern New Brunswick, Prince Ed-
ward Island, and probably Nova Scotia, and southward in
migration along the Atlantic Coast.”

42. Ammodramus maritimus peninsulz Allen. Scorrt’s
SEASIDE SPARROW.

ALLEN, Auk, V, July, 1888, p. 284.

Has. ‘‘Southwestern Florida (Tarpon Springs and Cedar
Keys), and Louisiana (Grand Isle).”

43. Ammodramus maritimus sennetti Ad/ex. Trxan
SEASIDE SPARROW.

ALLEN, Auk, July, 1888, p. 286.

Has. ‘‘Gulf Coast of Texas (Corpus Christi).”

44. Ammodramus australis A/ayzx.

MayNarp, Am. Ex. and Mart and Household Journal, III, Feb. 5, 1887,
p- 69.

Has. ‘‘Rare in the Bahamas but constantly resident in
Florida.”

45. Spizella pusilla arenacea Chadd. WerEsTERN FIELD
SPARROW.

CHADBOURNE, Auk, III, April, 1886, p. 248; MEeRr1AM, Auk, V, Oct.
1888, p. 402.

Has. Migratory or perhaps resident in winter in southern
Texas. In summer northward to Dakota.

46. Junco hyemalis carolinensis Grewst. CaRoLina
JUNCO.

Brewster, Auk, III, Jan. 1886, p. 108.

Has. “Mountains of Western North Carolina.”

47. Junco hyemalis shufeldti Cca/e.

Coa.eE, Auk, IV, Oct. 1887, p. 330.

Type from Fort Wingate, New Mexico.

48. Peuczea ruficeps scottii Sezz. Scorr’s Sparrow.
SENNETT, Auk, V, Jan. 1888, p. 41.

Peucea homochlamys SHARPE, Cat. Bds. Brit. Mus. XII, 1888, 713.

Has. ‘‘Highlands of Arizona, New Mexico (Silver Springs) ?
and Western Texas (Presidio and Mitchell Counties) ?”

49. Pyrrhuloxia sinuata beckhami Azdgw. Arizona
PyRRHULOXIA.

RipGway, Auk, IV, Oct. 1887, p. 347-

Has. ‘Southern Arizona and New Mexico and contiguous
portion of northern Mexico.” ;

50. Pyrrhuloxia sinuata peninsula Azdgw. Sr. Lucas
PYRRHULOXIA.

1888. } CHAPMAN, Additions to North American Avifauna. 399

Ripeway, Auk, IV, Oct. 1887, p. 347.

Has. ‘‘Lower California.”

51. Guiraca czerulea eurhyncha Cowes. WESTERN BLUE
GrosBEAK.—Revived by Ridgway in Manual N. A. Birds, 1887,
Pp: 445:

Has. ‘‘Western United States, north to Colorado, California,
etc., south throughout Mexico” (/tzdgway, l.c.).

52. Passerina versicolor pulchra Azdgw. BEAUTIFUL
BUNTING.

RipGway, Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 448.

Has. Lower California and western Mexico (vicinity of
Mazatlan).

53. Euetheia canora (Gmel.). — Recorded from Florida
(Sombrero Key) by Merriam in Auk, V, July, 1888, p. 322.

54. Piranga rubriceps Gray. — Recorded from California
(Das Pueblo, Santa Barbara Co.) by Bryant in Auk, IV, Jan.
13075 Pp. 79:

55. Progne cryptoleuca Bazrd. Cuspan Martin.—Re-
vived by Ridgway in Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 459.

Has. ‘‘Cuba and southern Florida; Honduras?” (Azdg-
way, l.c.)

56. Lanius ludovicianus gambeli Rzdgw. CALIFORNIA
SHRIKE.

RipGway, Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 467.

Has. ‘California, especially coast district.”

57- Vireo gilvus swainsoni (4azrd.) WrsTERN War-
BLING VrREoO. -— Revived by Ridgway in Manual N. A. Birds,
1887, p-. 472.

Has. ‘‘Western United States, east to Rocky Mountains ;
south through central and western Mexico in winter.” (/e7dg-
way,l.c.) (See also Allen, Auk, V, Jan. 1888, p. 32.)

58. Vireo solitarius alticola Brewst. Mountain SO.i-
TARY VIREO.

Brewster, Auk, III, Jan. 1886, p. 111.

Has. ‘‘Mountains of western North Carolina.”

59. Vireo noveboracensis maynardi Brews. Kry West
VIREO.

Brewster, Auk, IV, April, 1887, p. 148.

Has. ‘‘Key West, Florida.”

60. Dendroica zestiva morcomi Coale. WESTERN YEL-
Low WARBLER.

400 CHAPMAN, Additions to North American Avifauna. [October

CoaLE, Bull. Ridgway Ornithological Club, No. 2, April, 1887, p. 82.

Has. ‘*The Western Province of North America.”

61. Dendroica zestiva sonorana Brewst. SonoRA YELLOW
WARBLER.

BrewstTeEr, Auk, V, April, 1888, p. 137.

Has. ‘Southern Arizona, western Texas (Frontera), and
Sonora, Mexico.”

62. Troglodytes aédon aztecus Sard. WersTERN
House Wren.— Considered by Allen to be the form occupying
the Middle Province. (Adlen, Auk, V, April, 1888, p. 164.)

63. Cistothorus palustris paludicola SBazrd. Tue
WrEN.— Revived by Ridgway in Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p
550.

Has. ‘‘Western United States, east to Rocky Mountains (to
Great Plains?) ; south in winter over tablelands of Mexico to
Guatemala” (Ridgway l.c.).

64. Cistothorus mariane Scott. Marran’s MarsH WREN.

Scott, Auk, V, April, 1888, p. 188.

Type from Tarpon Springs, Florida.

65. Parus bicolor texensis Sexzz. TExan TurTep Tir-
MOUSE.

SENNETT, Auk, IV, Jan. 1887, p. 29.

Has. “Bee Co., Southern Texas; Brownsville.”

66. Parus atricristatus castaneifrons Sezz. CHESTNUT-
FRONTED TITMOUSE.

SENNETT, Auk, IV, Jan. 1887, p. 28.

Has. Bee Co., Texas.

67. Parus carolinensis agilis Sex. PLumBEous CuiIcKa-
DEE.

SENNETT, Auk, V, Jan. 1888, p. 46.

Has. ‘‘Texas (Bee, Victoria, and Concho Counties).”

68. Parus stoneyi Ridgw. Kowak CHICKADEE.

RrpGway, Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p. 591, Appendix.

Type from ‘‘Kowak or Putnam River, northwestern Alaska.”

69. Psaltriparus lloydi Sezz. Lioyp’s Busu-tir.

SENNETT, Auk, V, Jan. 1888, p. 43.

Has. ‘*Mountains of Western Texas, between the Pecos and
Rio Grande Rivers.”

The following species, given in the ‘Hypothetical List’ of the
A. O. U. Check-List, are included by Mr. Ridgway in his
‘Manual’ without the appearance of further evidence of their va-
lidity or claim to rank as North American.

1888. ] CHAPMAN, Additions to North American Avifauna. 401

Echmophorus clarkii (ZLawr.).
Cepphus motzfeldi (Benzck.).
Xema furcata (Ved.).
Oceanodroma hornbyi (Gray).

Phalacrocorax perspicillatus Pad.

Ardea pealei Bonap.
Tringa cooperi Bazrd.
Buteo cooperi Cass.

Buteo fuliginosus Sel.
Acanthis brewsterii Rzdgw.

Spiza townsendi (Azd.).
Helminthophila lawrencei (/er-
rick).

Helminthophila leucobronchialis
(Brewst.).
Helminthophila cincinnatiensis
(Langd.).

Dendroica carbonata (Azd.).
Sylvania microcephala Ridogw.
Regulus cuvieri Aud.

II. ELImMInaTIONS.

Spectes and subspecies, which, as subsequent tnvestigation has shown,
should now be withdrawn from the A, O. U. Check-List.

22. Synthliborhamphus wumizusume ( 7emm.).— The
claim of this species to rank as a North American bird appears
to have been based on winter specimens of Syxthliborhamphus
antiquus. (Cf. Stejneger, Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. IX, 1886,
P- 524.)

290. Colinus graysoni (Lawr.).— The North American
record proves to have been based on specimens of Colzxus ridg-
wayt. (Cf. Allen, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. I, No. 7, July,
1886, p. 273, and also Ridgway, Manual N. A. Birds, 1887, p.
585, Appendix. )

519 a. Carpodacus frontalis rhodocolpus (Caé.).—‘ This
proves to be an individual color phase of C. fromtalis (or C.
mexicanus frontalis).” (Cf. Ridgway, Manual N. A. Birds,
1887. p. 391, foot-note, and Appendix, p. 594.

576. Peucea arizone Aidgw.—‘‘ This proves to be the same
as No. 577, P. mexicanus (Lawr.)....” (Cf. Ridgway, Manual
N. A. Birds, 1887, Appendix, p. 594.)

589 6. Peucza ruficeps eremceca Lrown. — This proves
to be the same as No. 580 a, Peucea ruficeps boucardi (Scl.).
(Cf. Sennett, Auk, V, Jan. 1888, p. 40, and Skarfe, Cat.
Bds. Brit, Mus. XII, 1888, p. 714.)

III. CHANGES IN NOMENCLATURE.

The table presented by Mr. Ridgway on page 594 of his
‘Manual’ comprises so large a proportion of the recent changes
in nomenclature that it will be necessary to include here only
those changes made since the publication of his work.

402 MERRIAM on Sfizella arenacea. [October

52. Larus cachinnans Pa//. — Considered by Stejneger to
be Larus vege (Palmén). (Cf. Steyneger, Auk, V, 1888, p. 310.)

[288]. Jacana gymnostoma (Wag/.) — Considered by
Elliot to be Facana spinosa (Linn.). (Cf. Hllzot, Auk, V,
July, 1888, p. 297.)

306. Tympanuchus cupido (Zzzz.). Renamed by Coues
Cupidonia cupido brewsteri. (Cf. Coues, Key, 1887, Appen-
dix, p. 884.)

419. Nyctidromus albicollis ( Gme/.).—The Rio Grande
Valley form has been described as Wyctédromus albicollis mer-
villi Senn. (Cf. Sennett, Auk, V, Jan. 1888, p. 44.)

602. Sporophila morelleti (ozap.). — The Rio Grande
Valley bird is considered by Sharpe to be Spermophila parva
Lawr. (Cf. Skarfe, Cat. Bds. Brit. Mus. Vol. XII, 1888, p. 124.)

706. Harporhynchus longirostris (Zafr.).— The Texan
bird has been described as Harporhynchus longirostris sennettt
Ridgw. Cf. Rédgway, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1887, p. 506.)

719 6. Thryothorus bewickii bairdi (Sa/v & Godm.).—
Now known as 7hryothorus bewicktt murinus (Hartl.). (Cf.
Ridgway, Auk, IV, Oct. 1887, p. 349.)

DESCRIPTION OF THE BREEDING PLUMAGE OF
CHADBOURNE’S FIELD SPARROW (SPIZELLA
ARENACEA), WITH EVIDENCE OF
ITS SPECIFIC DISTINCTNESS.

BY DR. C. HART MERRIAM.

Two years ago Dr. Arthur P. Chadbourne described* a new
Spizella from southern Texas. His description was based on
specimens in winter plumage, from which he assumed the new
form to be merely a subspecies of Spzzella pusilla. Mr. Ridg-
way redescribed the bird in his new ‘ Manual of North American
Birds,’ but was no better off for material, all of his specimens
being in fall or winter plumage (though not so stated in the
Manual). Mr. Vernon Bailey has recently sent me an adult

* Auk, ILI, April, 1886, 248.

1888. ] MERRIAM on Spizella arneacea. 403

male Sfzzella in breeding plumage from Fort Pierre, Dakota,
which proves to be widely different from any known species of
the genus. It is appreciably larger than S. pzszd/a, and its
entire head and nape are clear ash-gray, with but a faint wash
of rusty over the sides of the crown. Comparison with speci-
mens of a@renxacea in the collection of the United States National
Museum leads to the belief that the present specimen represents
the previously unknown breeding plumage of that bird. It is
so totally unlike Sfzzella puszlla or any other known species
of the genus that it cannot for a moment be regarded as only
subspecifically separable. At first glance the bird looks like an
overgrown specimen of Sfzzella atrigularis of the second
year, excepting that the colors are everywhere lighter and
clearer.

Description of specitmen.—(No. 113,893, U. S. Nat. Mus.) Head and
neck all around clear grayish ash, paler below, nearly white under the
chin; sides of crown faintly washed with rusty; no rusty spot on side
of breast, nor buffy suffusion anywhere on breast; interscapulars pale,
the rusty being confined mostly to the scapulars; outer edges of wing
feathers whitish; wing-bars barely distinguishable; otherwise much as
in the fall specimens from Texas described by Dr. Chadbourne.

Measurements.* — Culmen from base, 10 mm.; culmen from nostril,
7mm.; wing, 68 mm.; tail, 67 mm.

Remarks. — Two additional specimens, also both males, collected at
Valentine, Nebraska. June 21, 1888, agree with the above in all respects,
except that there is little more rusty on the sides of the crown and
interscapulars.

Culmen,

Catal. No. s o ? Pa = (| from
UaSeNee Nice [po SET: | Date: = a acta pee
113,893 & |Ft. Pierre,Dak.| May 29, 1888. | 68 |67 | 10 | 7
113,894 & |Valentine,Neb.| June 21, 1888. | 68 |68.5] 9.5 | 7

3b cs ce ce 6c“ 65 10 7

|

* The wing measurement is taken with dividers, the primaries in their natural posi-
tion, z. e., not straightened. The tail measurement is taken with dividers, and is made
from the point of insertion of the two middle tail feathers to the tip of the longest
feather.

404 LAWRENCE on a new Wren from Tobago W. 7. [October

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF WREN FROM
THE ISLAND OF TOBAGO, WEST INDIES.

BY GEORGE N. LAWRENCE.
Troglodytes tobagensis.

The upper plumage is rufous brown, of a brighter rufous on the rump;
the back is crossed with narrow, dusky, nearly obsolete bands; the wings
are of a brighter color than the back, and are closely crossed with very
distinct narrow blackish bars; the tail is of a brighter rufous brown than the
back and wings, with transverse blackish bars, which are bordered on one
side with clear, pale rufous; lores and a streak running back from the eye,
of a very pale rufous white; entire sides and under tail-coverts of a rather
light, bright rufous; throat, breast, and abdomen very pale rufous white ;
upper mandible brown, the lower whitish horn color; tarsi and toes light
brown.

Length (skin), 4.75 inches; wing, 2.25; tail, 1.65; bill, 0:63; tarsus,
0.70.

Hasitat. Island of Tobago, where it is known as ‘* God
Bird.”

Type in American Museum of Natural History, formerly in
my collection.

It was kindly presented to me by Mr. F. A. Ober, by whom
it was collected. !

Remarks. The color of the upper plumage of this species is
much like that of 7. strzatulus, but the bars on the wings and
tail are much more strongly marked; the under plumage is
much lighter in color; it is considerably larger ; the bill is con-
spicuously longer and stronger.

DESCRIPTION OF AN APPARENTLY NEW
POOCATES FROM OREGON.
BY G. S. MILLER, JR.
Poocetes gramineus affinis, subsp. nov.

Sussp. Cu.—(Type No. 2503, Coll. G. S. Miller, Jr.; Salem, Ore., May
29, 1887). Similar to Poocetes gramineus confinzs Baird in respect to the
slender bill and narrow dark dorsal streakings, but differing in being

‘

1888.] Coves, Nesting of the Prairie Warbler. 405

smaller and having the ground color above buffy-brown rather than
grayish-brown. All the lighter areas of the plumage (including crissum,
under wing-coverts and lining of wings) suffused with pinkish buff.
Dimensions (average of eight adults): wing, 3.04; tail, 2.46; tarsus,
0.79; culmen, 0.46; bill from nostril, 0.31 inch.
HasiTat. Salem, Oregon.

NESTING OF THE PRAIRIE WARBLER, (DEWN-
DROICA DISCOLOR) IN THE VICINITY
OF WASHINGTON, D. C.

BY ELLIOTT BAIRD COUES.

ALTHOUGH common throughout the District of Columbia, this
beautiful little bird nests more abundantly in certain suitable
localities than in others. One of these breeding-places was dis-
covered by my friend, Mr. T. W. Richards. and myself last
spring, and I have pleasure in laying before the readers of ‘The
Auk’ the results of our joint observations.

The locality is along the Potomac River, on the Virginia side,
about seven miles from the city, among some small hills from
which all the large trees have been cut away, and which are
now grown up to a thick scrub of hickory, dogwood, and
laurel (Kalmza latzfolta), with here and there a few young
pines and cedars. Here were found breeding within a small
area an astonishing number of the birds, perhaps more than fifty
pairs. On reaching the place, they could be heard singing on
all sides, sometimes several at the same moment. Among them
were a few Yellow-breasted Chats (/cterza viérens), but our
whole attention was directed to the Warblers. On our first
visit, May 22, we found one nest; but on two subsequent visits,
a week later, many more than we cared to take were easily
found, with full sets of eggs. They were so numerous and so
readily discovered that to take all we desired was simply a mat-
ter of walking about in the bushes. The nests were only a few
feet from the ground, and were placed preferably in the hickory
and dogwood bushes. Only three nests were found in the young
pines, and one in a cedar bush. During the heat of the day the

406 Cours, Nesting of the Prairie Warbler. [ October

birds—the males at any rate—seemed to seek the shade of the
larger pines bordering the clearing where the nests were placed,
as we heard many singing from the neighboring woods while
we were rambling through the scrub.

From among the large number of nests taken I select for
description five which illustrate the variations in construction
and situation, adding some remarks on the behavior of the birds
as they were robbed of their pretty homes in the necessary in-
terests of science.

Nest No. 1. This is evenly placed upright in the triple prong
of a low laurel bush, about two and a half feet from the ground.
From among twelve nests, it is the only one symmetrically
placed in a crotch, the others being all irregularly supported by
twigs either branching at varying angles from a main stem, or, as
in some cases, coming to the support of the nest from a different
part of the bush. It is composed chiefly of dandelion down, in
which are woven a few thin straws and dry leaves. It is lined
with very fine bits of straw and a little horsehair. The brim is
firm) and smooth, as is the rule with the nests of the Prairie
Warbler, but a little higher on one side than elsewhere, and is
evenly turned of the same materials as the lining. The inside
measurement is just about one and three quarters inches both in
depth and in width. It contained four fresh eggs. The birds
quickly returned after flushing, and while I was wrapping the
eggs in cotton, preparatory to removing them with the nest,
both parents hopped about very near me, showing apparently
little anxiety for the fate of their treasures.

Nest No. 2 is particularly neat and compact, with an even and
exceptionally firm brim. It is made almost entirely of dandelion
down, closely felted, and further secured with a few straws, and
is stuccoed over outside with small dry leaves. The inside is
copiously lined with red cowhair, making a marked color con-
trast with the other materials. It was placed about five feet
from the ground, and fixed rather lightly in an irregularly three-
pronged crotch, being further fastened to a spray of blackberry
bramble which passed under it and between its side and one of the
prongs of the crotch. The owners of this nest seemed much more
concerned at the rifling of their home than the first pair, and
fluttered close about my head, incessantly reiterating a single
sharp note of distress. The nest contained four eggs.

1888. ] Cougs, Nesting of the Pratrie Warbler. 407

Nest No. 3 was placed in a very young pine, about one and a
half feet from the ground. It is built against the upright main
trunk (which is about as thick as one’s finger), and is supported
by two small diverging twigs, one of which is nearly under the
nest, the other rising on one side of it. The body of this nest is
of cotton-wool—probably some dropped by ourselves in an ear-
lier visit; and with this as a basis are woven fine, white, silken
fibres of some unidentified plant. Some of the green pine
needles also grow out through the substance of the nest and
others again are turned back and woven into the cotton, the
whole effect being very pretty. Close to the brim a few fine
straws are wreathed about, and the lining consists of extremely
fine fibres. The inside dimensions are one and a half inches in
depth and width. This nest contained four incubated eggs ; they
closely resemble a set of Field Sparrow’s eggs in my collection.
The birds were quite shy in this case, and it was only by close
watching that they were identified.

Nest No. 4 is situated also in what seems to be the usual posi-
tion, against the side of the upright stem of a little hickory bush,
firmly supported by three small twigs coming off irregularly
from the main stem, about half an inch apart, at different angles.
It is made less neatly than usual, of a quantity of plant-fibres, a
little cedar bark in fine strips, one dried leaf, and several pro-
jecting white feathers. This nest is lined with fine straws, a
little hair, and a few small feathers. The inside measurements
are the same as those of No. 3. There is a considerable gap in
the brim where it rests against the upright support, and the
whole structure is less cleanly cupped than in other cases. The
nest contained four fresh eggs. I almost touched the mother bird
before she would fly. She left without a sound, and did not
return during the few moments I was there. Perhaps she went
with the news in search of her mate, who may have been
amusing himself in the shady woods at some distance.

Nest No.5. This specimen is at once the most compactly
woven and most irregularly shaped of the five. The situation
also is unusual; it is placed in a mass of grapevine twigs, about
three feet from the ground. It is composed of the usual silky
plant fibres (perhaps of a species of Asclepzas), thin shreds of
inner cedar bark, and fine grass straws, and is lined with still
finer straws and a little horsehair. Besides being the most

408 Cours, Nesting of the Prairie Warbler. [October

irregular, it is also the shallowest nest I have seen, being only
about one inch deep inside by one and three-quarters inches across.
The shape of the construction no doubt depends upon the site, as
the bunch of grapevine twigs affords a foundation very different
from an upright or oblique crotch. The brim is also exception-
ally formed of seven comparatively large brown feathers about
three inches long, all woven in for about two-thirds of their
length, excepting one which is woven only at the tip, the rest of
its length being simply laid down upon the brim of the nest.
Thus six of the feathers protrude for about an inch above the
brim, giving it a rough, bristling appearance, especially since it
is the quill-end of each of these feathers that sticks up. This
nest contained three eggs, incubation of which had just begun.
The bird left it quietly on my near approach, and with her mate
was seen hopping unconcernedly about as long as I stayed.

The nests here described and also others examined have nearly
the same capacity (average depth and diameter both about one
anda half inches), but vary considerably in outside measurements,
owing in part to the different thickness of the walls, in part to
their shape as a whole; the latter is influenced in every case, to
a greater or less extent, by the direction of the supporting twigs.
Exceptions aside, the Prairie Warbler’s nest may be characterized
as a neat, cup-shaped structure with a firm, somewhat contracted
brim, composed of vegetable down or soft fibre mixed with
some fine straws and a few leaves or feathers, lined with hair
and very fine straws, and placed in an upright or oblique crotch,
preferably one formed in part by the main stem of a bush, from
one and a half to five feet from the ground, in a rather open,
scrubby, hilly locality. The eggs appear to be oftenest four in
number, sometimes only three. In no case were five found.
They are too well-known by descriptions in standard works to
require notice here. I need only add that the identification of the
specimens above described is absolute, and that they now form
part of my collection.

1888] PRecent Literature. 409

RECENT LITERATURE.

Turner’s Report of his Ornithological Observations in Alaska.*—We
welcome with great pleasure Mr. Turner’s long-looked-for report on his
ornithological work in Alaska during the seven years (May, 1874-August,
1881) spent there by him as an observer for the U. S. Signal Service.
His report covers a wide range of field work and indicates diligent and
intelligent labor in an interesting region. The report consists first of the
‘ Letter of Transmittal,’ dated April 25, 1882, the letter being in the nature
ofa preface or introduction, stating where and under what conditions the
work was done, with acknowledgments of assistance in the determination
ofspecimens,etc. From this it appears that the collections were made chiefly
at St. Michael’s (May 25, 1874-July 14, 1887), Unalashka, and Attu
Island. ‘ Part 1.—General Description,’ is devoted to an account of the
physical characteristics of the country (pp. 13-16). ‘ Part Il.—Meteorology,’
is the reporton the meteorological observations (pp. 17-59). ‘ Part III.—
Plants,’ gives an annotated list of Alaskan plants (pp. 61-85), based largely
on Dr. J. T. Rothrock’s ‘ Sketch of the Flora of Alaska,’ published in 1867,
with, however, numerous and important additions, ‘ Part IV.— Fishes,’
(pp. 87-113, with 15 uncolored plates) has the authority of Dr. T. H.
Bean’s determinations, with copious and important field notes by the
author. ‘ Part V.—Birds,’ occupies pp. 115-196, with 10 colored plates,
and is the part of special interest in the present connection. ‘ Part VI.—
Mammals’ (pp. 197-208), and a very full index, conclude the volume,
which is printed with remarkable accuracy throughout, as regards
technical names, for a public document.

Mr. Turner’s work on the birds of the region visited was performed
under many limitations and difficulties consequent upon the engrossing
nature. of his other duties. The notes given are, ‘‘except in a few
instances, the results of my [his] own observations in the field.” Several
species collected proved new to the North American fauna, and others
had previously been special desiderata. The Part devoted to birds con-
Sists of two distinct lists, the first, numbering 168 species, and copiously
annotated, constitutes the report upon his own special field work; the
other is a ‘ List of the Birds of Alaska,’ without notes, and containing all
the species ‘‘ authentically known and recognized” as Alaskan, 269 in
number. None ave included of which there is ‘‘no recorded instance of
their occurrence in Alaska.”

Mr. Turner’s annotations are not to any large extent technical, relating

*Contributions | to the | Natural History of Alaska. | — | Results of Investigations
made chiefly in the Yukon | District and the Aleutian Islands; conducted | under
the auspices of the Signal Service,| United States Army, extending | from May,
1874, to August, 1881. | Prepared under the direction of | Brig. and Bvt. Maj. Gen
W. B. Hazen, | Chief Signal Officer of the Army, | by | L. M. Turner. | — | No. II. |
Arctic Series of Publications issued in connection with the Signal Service, U. S.
Army. | With 26 Plates, | — | Washington: | Government Printing Office. | 1886[=
1888]. 4to., pp. 226, pll, 26.—Birds, pp. 115-196, with 10 colored plates,

410 Recent Literature. [ October

mostly to distribution and habits, with occasionally descriptions of bill
feet, iris, etc., from fresh specimens, and of plumage, with frequently ex-
planations and comment on the native names, and notes on the uses of
the birds made by the natives. The remarks cn the breeding habits of many
of the species contain much that is new and important. The colored
plates, drawn by Messrs. Robert and John L. Ridgway, add greatly to the
interest of the work. The species figured, some of them for the first
time, are the following: (1) Whiskered Auklet (Szmorhynchus pygmeus ;
(2) Kittlitz’s Guillemot (Brachyramphus kittlitzit; (3) Turner’s Ptar-
migan (Lagopus rupestris atkhensis, 8 and 9); (4) Lapp Owl (Ulula
cinerea lapponica); (5) Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula); (6) White-winged
Crossbill (Loxza leucoptera, juv., first plumage) ; (7) Cassin’s Bullfinch
(Pyrrhula cassin¢); (8) Aleutian Leucosticte (Leucosticte grisetnucha) ;
(9) Swinhoe’s Wagtail (Motactlla ocularis); (10) Meadow Pipit (Azthus
cervinus); (11) Alaskan Wren (Tvroglodytes alascensts); (12) Siberian
Chickadee (Parus cinctus obtectus); (13) Hudsonian Chickadee (Parus
hudsonicus).

Although the report was transmitted for publication in 1882, in nomen-
clature and other technical points it appears to have been brought down
to the date of printing (1886) given on the title page, the nomenclature
and classificatlon of the A. O. U. Check-List* having been adopted for
the birds. Obligations for assistance and facilities in the preparation of
this part of the report are made to Mr. R. Ridgway, Dr. L. Stejneger, and
the late Professor Baird.

In closing this notice of Mr. Turner’s important contribution to North

American ornithology, it gives us pleasure to announce that other belated
reports on ornithological work done under the auspices of the U.S. Signal
Servce Bureau may yet be expected, the volume before us announcing as
‘in course of preparation”? a ‘ Report upon Natural History Collections
made in Alaska in 1887-1881,’ by Mr. E. W. Nelson; a ‘ Report of the
Expedition to Lady Franklin Bay,’ by Lieut. (now Gen.) A. W. Greely;
and a ‘ Report of Observations made in Ungava and Labrador,’ by Mr. L.
M. Turner, author of the Report now under notice. While it is to be re-
gretted that these reports become so largely shorn of their freshness and
interest by these long delays in making them public, it is gratifying to
know that the work of these intrepid explorers is not to be wholly lost to
science.—J. A. A.

Sharpe’s Catalogue of the Family Fringillide.t—In a thick volume

*The numbering of the ‘Check-List’ is also preserved. On this point we beg to
suggest that a continuous serial numbering would in all similar cases be preferable,
since it shows ata glance, and without the labor of counting, the number of species
treated, while the statement that the A. O. U. nomenclature is followed renders the
use of the A. O. U. numbers superfluous.

+Catalogue | of the | Passeriformes, | or | Perching Birds, in the | Collection | of the

| British Museum. | — | Fringilliformes: Part III. | Containing the Family | Fringil-

lidae. | By | R. Bowdler Sharpe. | London: | Printed by order of the Trustees, | 1888.
8vo. pp. xv + 871, pll. xvi, Forming Vol, XII of ‘ Catalogue of the Birds in the British
Museum,’

1888. | Recent Literature, 4II

of nearly goo pages, with 16 colored plates, Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, the
indefatigable custodian of the unrivalled collection of birds in the British
Museum, has attempted the herculean task of describing and arranging in
due systematic sequence the species of the immense family Fringillide,
numbering, according to Mr. Sharpe’s reckoning, 559 species. All but 30
of these are represented in the collection under his charge, which in-
cludes ‘‘ the types of no less than 125 species,” and 9443 specimens. With
such rich material at his command, including many additional specimens
loaned to him for use in the preparation of his great work, he still ex-
presses himself as unable to arrive at satisfactory conclusions respecting
‘* the value of the various subspecies and varietal forms found in North
America.” With the acquisition of the Henshaw Collection of North
American birds, recently purchased by the British Museum, doubtless
Mr. Sharpe will be able to settle, at least to his own satisfaction, many of
these doubtful points, on which it is to be hoped he will soon give us his
revised opinions, whatever they may prove to be.

Respecting the relation of the Finches and Tanagers, Mr. Sharpe ob
serves: ‘‘ The line of demarcation between the families Frixgillide and
Tanagride seems to be an extremely arbitrary one, and many genera
included by me as Finches are just as likely Tanagers, if there is really a
definable character for the separation of the two families. Some dis-
tinctive characters may ultimately be discovered in the anatomy of the
Fringillide and Tanagride which will serve to separate them; but at
present the whole classification of these birds is highly unsatisfactory ”—
an opinion we believe to be widely shared by other ornithologists. Re-
specting genera and higher divisions Mr. Sharpe says: ‘‘ No one as yet °
has propounded a satisfactory classification of the Fringillide, the difti-
culty consisting in the complete connection which exists between the
various Finches and Buntings. Any one who has worked upon a large
fragment of the family must acknowledge that the definition of the genera
is difficult and the recognition of subfamilies almost impossible. The
Fringillide naturally group themselves into three divisions — Grosbeaks,
Finches, and Buntings; but numerous forms connect them, being refera-
ble to the confines of any of the three groups.” He deems it possible,
however, that their osteology and general anatomy, when fully examined,
may afford additional generic characters.

In general character the present volume, in respect to methods of
treatment and principles of nomenclature, is so strictly similar to other
volumes of this series by Mr. Sharpe, already noticed at length in this
journal, that nothing further on these points need be said. We notice
that 4 genera, 13 species, and 11 subspecies are characterized as new or
renamed, as follows: Genera: (1) Rhodospiza, gen. nov; type and
sole species Fringilla obsoleta Licht. (2) Pseudochloris = Orospiza
Cab., 1883, zec Kaup. 1829. (3) Sckéstospiza, gen. nov.; type Emberiza
griseocristata D’Orb. & Lafr. (4) Rhodospingus, gen. nov.; type Tiarés
cruenta Less.—Species: (1) Sfermophila albitorquis, sp. nov., ex
Mexico — ‘‘ similar to S. ¢orgueola.” (2) Amaurospiza equatorialis, sp,

AI2 Recent Literature. [October

nov., ex Ecuador, and (3) A. axillaris, sp. nov., ex Brazil, both similar to
A. concolor. (4) Fringilla maderensts, sp. nov., ex Madeira. (5) Chry-
somttrts sclatert, sp. nov. = C. tctericapt. Scl. (6) C. stejnegeri = C.
xanthogastra Scl. & Salv., nec Du Bus. (7) Sycalis taczanowskit =
Guathospiza ratmondi Tacz., nec Sycalis ratmondi'Tacz. (8) Carpoda-
cus rosetpectus = C. frontalis Bp. & Schl. (xec Say) and C. hemorrhous

cl. (zec Wagl.) (9) Zonotrichia whttit = Z. strigiceps White nec
Gould. (10) Porphyrospiza pulchra = Cyanospiza cyanella Pelz. =?
Emberiza cyanella Sparrm. (11) Poosfiza boliviana, sp. nov., ex Bo-
livia. (12) Pseudochloris mendoze, sp. nov., ex Mendoza—‘‘ similar to
P. auvetventris.” (13)Rhodospingus mentalis, sp. nov., ex Puna Island—
similar to A. cruentus.—Subspectes: (1) Gutraca argentina, sub G;
cyanea. (2) Spermophila whtteleyana, and (3) S. colombtana, both sub
S. plumbea. (4) S. poltonota, sub S. cucullata. (5) Chrysomitris
boliviana = C. magellanica D’Orb. & Lafr., nec Vieill. (6) C. lon-
gtrostris = Fringilla magellanica Vieill.!—‘‘ merely a connecting link

between C. icterica [Licht. = C..magellanica auct. pl.] and C.
stemtvadzkit.” (7) Passer grtsetgularts, sub. Passer domesticus. (8)
Sycalis jamaice, = Crithagra |= Sycalis| brasiliensis Gosse, nec Gm.

(9) Pyrrhospiza humit = P. punicea Bidd., nec Hodg. (10) Peucea
homochlamys (= P. ruficeps var. boucardi Hensh. nec Scl. = P. r. scottit
Sennett, Jan. 1888, ex ‘‘Southern New Mexico and Arizona.” (11)
Phrygilus saturatus, sub P. aldunatii—*‘ a form of P. punensis [Ridg.],”
connecting the latter with P. atriceps.
_ Respecting nomenclatural matters, relating more especially to North
American birds, the following points may be noted: Hesferiphona and
Passerculus, treated as subgenera in the A. O. U. Check-List, are ranked
as full genera; Hedymeles is preferred to Habia, Phonipara to Euethia,
and Cyanospiza to Passerina; Leucosticte is treated as.a synonym of
Montifringillat Pipilo chlorurus is referred tothe genus A¢alaptes Wagl. ;
Spermophila morelleti is restricted to Yucatan, Guatemala, Honduras,
and Costa Rica, and the Texan and Mexican birds, separated as a distinct
species, under thename Sfermophila parva Lawr. From the material
we have examined we should consider the Rio Grande form as at best
only a subspecies of S. moredlett7, under the name S. morelleté parva
(Lawr.). No reference is made, even in the synonymy, to Guzraca
cerulea var. euryncha Coues, now, and as we believe properly, recognized
by Ridgway as a tenable subspecies. Spznus notatus, of our Check-List
(Carduelis magellanicus Aud.) is referred to Chrysomitris icterica
(Licht.) Scl. (= C. magellanicus, auct. pl.), a South American species,
not found north of Brazil, Mr. Sharpe stating (p. 218, footnote) that the
bird figured by Audubon is ‘‘undoubtedly C. zcterica or C. capitalis [a
subspecies of C. zcferica], and not the black-winged C. notata, which at
present is not known to occur within North American limits.”

In respect to subspecies of North American birds, Mr. Sharpe, ad-
mittedly in some instances, follows American writers, not having sufficient
material to reach an independent conclusion; in others he ignores them,

1888.] Recent Literature. 413

agreeing with them, however, frequently, but often differing from them,
with the result of admitting some of our weakest claimants to recognition,
while some of those best entitled to such treatment are reduced to pure
synonyms! In not a fewinstances, however, he has exercised his conser-
vatism with excellent discrimination. As in former volumes, binomials
are applied alike to species and subspecies, the latter being distinguished
by the prefix ‘‘ Subsp.” and a Greek letter. This is the case when the
latter are recognized only provisionally, even as ‘‘ races,” and affirmed to
be merely ‘‘connecting-links.”

Here and there are to be noticed some singular rulings involving the prin-
ciple of priority, as for example, at p. 175, where Fringilla maderensis
is described as a new species, to be followed on the next pages by ‘‘ sub-
species,” described thirty to sixty years earlier, of this new ‘‘ species,”
namely: ‘‘Subsp. a. Fréngilla morelleti [Pusch. 1859,” ], and ‘‘Subsp. B.
Fringilla canarvensis | Vieill. 1817 ],” all being insular forms of a common
stock. We have also Acanthis exilipes (Coues, 1861), with a subspecies
of it, hornnemannii (Holbeell, 1834), described nearly thirty years earlier!

The volume, however, like its long series of predecessors, is too valu-
able a hand-book, and in general too excellently done, to render criti-
cism a gracious task.—J. A. A.

Shufeldt on the Osteology of the Icteridze and Corvide.—In a memoir
of some 40 pages, illustrated with two beautiful plates, Dr. Shufeldt
describes in detail the skeleton of our Western Meadowlark (Sturnedlla
magna neglecta) and compares its osteology with that of other forms of
the Icteridae and Corvide.* Selecting the genus Sturwella as a standard,
he extends his comparison to not only various other forms of the Icteridx
but to the leading types ot the Corvide, as represented in North America.
The ‘‘most useful and essential characters” of some half-dozen species in
each family, and also of the Fringilline genus Calamospiza, are tabulated,
and a series of ‘conclusions’ are given based on the data thus provided.
He expressly states that these conclusions are based wholly on osteological
characters, but is careful to record his conviction that the ‘‘true affinity of
forms can only be arrived at through a correct appreciation of the entire
structure after proper comparisons have been made.” He considers that
NXanthocephalus is the nearest ally of Sturnella, and Icterus spurius the
most remote, among strictly Icterine birds, while outside of the family
Sturnella ‘‘finds its nearest relation probably in Cyanocephalus cyano-
cephalus.” Icterus finds, as would be expected, ‘‘its nearest allies in the
genus Agelaius.” ‘‘Molothrus,” he says, ‘“‘is a genus of Finches, and as
such should be placed in the family Fringillide, where it more properly
belongs,” and where he has ‘‘no doubt.... Dolichonyx also belongs...

*On the Skeleton in the Genus Sturnel/a, with Osteological Notes upon other North
American /cferide,and the Corvide. By R. W. Shufeldt, M. D., C. M.Z.S., M.A
O. U., Memb. Am. Soc. Naturalists, etc. Journ, Anat. & Phys., Vol, XXII, pp. 309-
350, pll. xiv, xv.

4 I 4 Recent Literature. [October

Osteologically, Molothrus and Pzfzlo are not so very unlike.” While all
this may be true, so far as the skeleton may afford a clue to affinities,
other features, we are convinced, obviously point to a decidedly Icterine
affinity, rather than Fringilline, for both Molothrus and Dolichonyx, par-
ticularly the texture and general character of the plumage, their musky
Icterine odor, pose, carriage and adb/tus in general. These in themselves
are but superficial indices and traits of character, so to speak, which point
to an Icterine ancestry, and general Icterine structure. It should be further
noted that some of the exotic species of Molothrus make a close approach
to the genus Ageladus, and‘that Meospar, Cure@us, and Lezstes are not far
removed.

Among the Oscines we should not, @ przorz, look for evidence in the
skeleton to decide nice points in affinity so much as to other and more
superficial clues to relationship. In further illustration of this general
point is Dr. Shufeldt’s conclusion that the true affinities of the Magpie are
Corvine and not Garruline, although this bird may be, as Dr. Shufeldt
puts its, ‘‘so farasits skeleton is concerned ....a@ Crow, pure and simple.”
While it is important to compare birds of allied groups in respect to
minute osteological differences and resemblances, the results are obvious-
ly, as Dr. Shufeldt so strongly affirms, to be correlated with the general
structure, and conclusions, respecting affinities, to be final, must rest on
more than a single system of characters.

The plates give figures of skull and pelvis of Sturnella m. neglecta
and Pica pica hudsonica, the pelvis of Corvus americanus, and the skull
of Nanthocephalus xanthocephalus (two examples).—J. A. A.

Shufeldt on the Skeleton of the Carolina Rail. —Another recent paper
by Dr. Shufeldt contains a detailed description of the osteology of Porza-
na cavolina,* with figures of the principal elements of the skeleton. The
pelvis is found to possess many points in common with that of Geococcyx,
each having a probosis and the same peculiar pattern of the pre-acetabular
portion of the ilium. Various rather peculiar modifications of other skel-
etal elements are pointed out.—J. A. A.

Vernacular Ornithology.t — This is a wonderful world of checks,
balances, compensations, and reactionary running-gear. For exam-
ple, the A. O. U. Committee has upset all the technical names of
birds that could thus hardly be dealt with, and Mr. Trumbull has set up
all the vernacular names that could be treated understandingly. Thus
ornithology fattens and flourishes, as on loaves and fishes; for has not
our author wrought a veritable miracle; namely, the filling of a ‘long-felt

*Osteology of Porzana carolina, (The Carolina Rail.) By R. W. Shufeldt, M.D.
C.M.Z.S. 8vo, pp. 16, with 7 cuts in the text. Reprinted from the ‘Journal of Com-
parative Medicine and Surgery,’ July, 1888.

t+ Names | and | Portraits of Birds | which interest gunners | with descriptions | In
language understanded of the People | by Gurdon Trumbull | New Vork | Harper &
Brothers, Franklin Square | 1888 | 1 vol. 8vo. pp. vili, 222.

1888.] Recent Literature. ATS

want’ ? (Not that any one has actually felt that want until the void has
been filled; but it existed, and only needed filling to be felt and grow
by what it fed upon.) Even ornithologists, however hopelessly mired
down in the mazes of their ‘shoptalk,’ as our irreverent friend terms
their technical vocabulary, may find in this book much to their profit.
Seeing that theirs is not the only language that is weighted with synony-
matic woe, they may take heart again. Many of them have ‘viewed with
alarm,’ as the politicians say, the great load of wordy rubbish that our
science carries; the spectacle of a bird with half a dozen generic, a dozen
specific names, and several dozen combinations of these two terms has a
chastening effect upon the mind. But now, with risen spirits, we can
‘point with pride,’ like statesmen, to the synonymatic confusion worse
confounded which our mother tongue offers to console us, if not to absolve
us from our sins. For here we have a thousand and more names. for
three-score birds! £¢ tu Brute, Mr. Trumbull?

But to be serious, as befits the rich embarrassment with which the author
endows us, let us examine this remarkable work. It treats all the game-
birds of Eastern North America—the natatorial, gallinaceous, limicoline
and paludicole birds ordinarily pursued, for sport by ‘‘that helpless but
interesting creature, ‘the true sportsman,’” or for profit by ‘‘our gunners, a
class of men who earn a livelihood by shooting birds.” ‘These we find to
be sixty-one in number. They are first named in strict accord with the
rules and regulations for such cases made and provided by the A. O. U.
Committee, the dogmas of which deathless doers of deeds nomenclatura}
are accepted by Mr. Trumbull with orthodox humility. Then comes a
brief description, in language ‘understanded of the people,’ together with
a statement of habitat in each case, the range being usually drawn from
the same fountain of infallibility whence the sacred scientific names
issue: for in the beginning was the word, and the word was with the
Committee. With these data comes a portrait in each case —a striking
silhouette, or symphony in black and white, struck by the well-known
hand of Mr. Edwin Sheppard, who has made better likenesses of more
birds than any other American artist now living. Having thus marked
down his bird, so to speak, Mr. Trumbull proceeds to bag his game with
a wealth and ingenuity of device that excite our unbounded admiration.
It is truly an infinite variety that neither age can stale nor custom wither
—a bounteousness, a plenitude, a very plethora, the fulness whereof is ex-
haustless. Allah is said to be invoked by the pious Mussulman under
ninety and nine aliases, and history but repeats itself in the myrionymy
of the game birds of America. A thousand names, for three-score birds,
by a single prophet!

The index occupies a little less than 11 pages, 3 columns to a page, over
50 names to a column. Were it solid, this would represent about 1881
names for the 61 birds; but some are entered twice or thrice, and some
columns are not full. Making the very wide allowance of 881 names, there
may be supposed to be at the least a thousand, or an average of about six
teen vernacular names to every bird,

41 6 Recent Literature. {October

It is instructive as well as entertaining to analyze some of the cases, to
see exactly how such a result is reached: for it is a lesson in the very
genesis of language. The origin of the native names of birds is an illus-
tration of the way names of any other things come to be. Grammar and
science and such like have nothing to do with making speech; they talk
about it when it has been made; they are the offspring, not the parents,
of language —a fact in natural history which some grammarians might
ponder to their advantage. Savages and other animals are the real masters
of words, — of words which tyrannize over nobody but philologists — of
words, which lexicographers fancy they use, when in fact the words are
using them all the time, and sometimes very badly. We speak feelingly,
being under dictionary bonds ourselves: but let us turn from this digres-
sion to the Ruddy Duck, for an example of what we mean.

Erismatura rubida was first called ruddy duck in the books by Wilson
in 1814; Mr. Trumbull finds for it sixty-six vernacular names. Some of
these, it is true, are mere variants or doublets of one another, like droad-
billand broadbilled dipper or dapper or dopper; but at least forty of the
lot are fairly separate and distinct designations developed from almost as
many origins, etymologically speaking. They fall in several categories or
series, in the examination of which it would appear that almost every
personal peculiarity of the fowl, in points of size, shape, dress, manners
and habits has been pitched upon for an epithet by somebody, some-
where. Thus, this bird is a blwe-bzll,a broad-bill,a hard-headed broad-
bill, a sleepy broadbill ; it is a broad-billed dipper, and a mud-dipper, and
a horseturd dipper—a dipper, a dapper, a dopper, unqualifiedly. Itis a
coot, a boobycoot, a bumblebee coot, a horseturd coot, a creek coot, a sleepy
coot. Itisa sleepyhead, a sleepy duck, a sleepy brother. It isa spoonbill
and a butterball ; a spoonbilled butterball, and a butterduck, butterbowl,
butterscoot, blatherscoot, bladderscoot, and generally a blatherskite. It
is a fool-duck, a deaf-duck, a daub-duck ; a bull-neck, shot-pouch, stub-and-
twist, steel-head, tough-head, hickory- head anda regular hardhead. It
is a bristle-tail, pin-tatl, quill-tail, spinetatt, stick-tatl, stiff-tail, and a
heavy-tatled duck altogether. It is a dunbird, dun-diver, ruddy diver,
diptail diver; a brown diving teal, a saltwater teal, a goose-widgeon,
a widgeon-coot, and absolutely a wédgeon ; likewise, a water-partridge ;
item,.a /eather-back and a paddywhack; it is hardtack and a light-wood
knot ; a dinkey anda dickey, a greaser, a paddy, a noddy, and a rook. All
of these and other things too, is this worse than dodecasyllabified fowl
—this Erésmatura.rubida, which, to crown all with a subtle pleasantry,
Mr. Turnbull tells us is even known by its proper book name of ruddy
duck among the market gunners and city sportsmen.

No one who is familiar with the bird can fail to see instantly some point
about it which has been seized upon instinctively by popular apprehen-
sion. As the New York ‘Nation’ recently remarked, these names are
such as any son of Adam out of Eden might have pitched upon, had he
been set to the same task that our first parent is alleged to have had im-
posed upon him. The further we follow our agreeable author, the more
impressed we are with the patness and transparent originality of these

1888. ] Recent Literature. 417

popular designations. Like other nicknames and byewords they ‘‘just
growed.” Let us try once more, and take the case of the Scoters which
are socommon along our Atlantic Coast, confining ourselves to one point,
the beak. This is all ‘out of perspective,’ so to speak, and fantastic in
color decoration besides, so that it catches the eye at first sight. This
vivid impression upon the thinking-cap of the natural man is instantly
translated into speech, and from his tongue-telephone fly such winged
words as skunk-bill, muscle-bill, plaster-bill, picture-bill, blossom-b/ll,
butter-bill, butterboat-bill, hollow-bill, copper-bill, and broad-bill, mo-
rocco-jaw, goggle-nose, butternose, snuff-taker, and so on. And it goes
without saying that the bill is not the only point about these birds that is
available for like purposes.

We do not propose to import Mr. Trumbull’s book bodily into ‘The
Auk,’ for that would be to deprive our readers of the pleasure they will
find out for themselves in handling this delightful accession to our shelves.
Nor would we excite needless alarm: yet, which one of us, though pretty
knowing in birds, can identify all the following names without our
author’s assistance? Alwar grim, assemblyman, badger, barren hen,
beetle, blackjack, booby weakhorn, broady, brownie, bunty, caloo, chuck-
atuck cockawee, cowfrog, darcall, dunter, earl, fizzy, fute, granny, hound,
humility, iron pots, jingler, krieker, looby, lord, lousybill maggot snipe?
mealybird, mommy, mosshead, mowyer, night-peck, noddy, old smoker?
pelick, pike-tail, pilot, pishaug, pulldoo, quandy, quink, rodge, scoldenore,
shrups, simp, skirl-crake, smee, smoker. snowl (it makes one creepy to
think what a terrible thing a ‘snowl’ must be!), southerland, sparling
fowl, split-tail, squam, stib, timber-doodle, triddler, tweezer, wamp,
weaser, whiffler, velper.

Next after the scholarly, literary complexion of this book the thing we
admire most is the author’s care in sorting out the names and affixing
them to the right bird. A living language is even more elusive and illu-
sory than the dead speech of our technical treatises. if happily such acme
of mirage be a natural possibility, and it must have taken a great deal of
close work to arrange the synonymy and homonymy. It is not always a
case of sixteen names per bird: it is sometimes a matter of sixteen birds
of one name. It is the very gist of dialecticism that it shall be pliable,
yielding to every impress of geographical environment. A word is a very
different thing when twanged through the nose of a Down-east fisherman
and smacked by the lips of a Southern darkey; besides which orthoepic
changes, different sets of people think differently about the same thing,
and consequently call it differently. So it may be said of our game birds,
with slight paraphrase of a saying of one of the friends of our youth,
‘Snomen non animum mutunt, gui trans mare volant. In every case, Mr.
Trumbull has been at pains to pin the name down to its proper habitat;
a matter, the importance of which to his success in this venture he has
evidently appreciated. And not only this: for, since time as well as space
has to be taken into the total reckoning, words that are at their full vigor
of life are properly distinguished from those that are dead or dying of
old age, and those that are just coming into existence.

415 Recent Literature. { October

The serious defects and very numerous faults of this treatise are those
which we have not discovered and therefore decline to mention. The
wingshooter does not live who never made a miss. On the contrary,
plenty of critics continue in existence who do not find what they want in
books because they do not know what they ought to want. Our advice
to all such, were it asked, would be, to waste none of their precious time
in finding fault with anybody until after they have done better themselves.
This practice would greatly promote industry among critics, and might
convert some of them into authors in due course of time, besides sparing
us much illiterate literature. Those who like to sample a bushel of wheat
by the grain of chaff which may reward their diligent search will continue
to amuse themselves in this manner until they discover the first rudiments
of sound book-reviewing. It is a young rooster that would rather put on
than take off his gaffs.—E. C.

Allen on the Emargination of the Primaries.—A recent episode, not lack-
ing interest to one with any sense of humor, has recalled attention to the
mechanism of the wing and the mechanics of the flight of birds, and has
had one useful end in explaining the purpose of the emargination of the
primaries in Hawks and many other birds. It seems that Professor W. P.
Trowbridge, of New York, eminent in many walks in science, conceived
the idea, groundless in point of fact, that the emargination served to
‘interlock’ the primaries under some circumstances; and in this novel
notion he received the support of Professor J. S. Newberry, the distin-
guished geologist and naturalist. The subject was laid before the New
York Academy of Sciences, at a meeting held Oct. 17, 1887,* and resumed
Dec. 12, 1887, when considerable discussion was elicited, and at the same
time papers appeared elsewhere.{ At the meeting of the Academy of
Dec. 19, 1887, the subject was resumed, eliciting a warm discussion among
the members present.§ The ornithologists, without. exception, declined
to consider the interlocking theory in any other light than that of a
mistake. The outcome of the affair, which has closed the subject to date,
was an address by Professor J. A. Allen, before the Academy, Jan. 9,

* Trowbridge, W. P. “A discovery by C. C. Trowbridge regarding the purpose of
emargination in the primary wing-feathers of certain birds.” ‘Trans. N. Y. Acad. Sci.
VII, Oct.-Nov. 1887, pp. 19-21.

t Trowbridge, W. P., Newberry, J.S.,and others. “The Mechanism of Flight in
Soaring Birds.” Trans. N. Y. Acad. Sci., VII, Dec. 1887-Mar. 1888, pp. 75-78.

t Newbury, J.5S., “ The Flight of Birds,” Science, Dec. 16, 1887, p. 290.

Coues, E., “The Mechanism of the Flight of Birds,” Science, Dec. 30, 1887.

Newberry, J.S., “ The Flight of Birds,” Science, Jan. 6, 1888, pp. 9, 10, and Trow-
bridge, W. P., Id., ibid., p. to.

§ “ Discussion of the Mechanics of Bird Flight,” by Professors Trowbridge, Newberry
Allen, Messrs. D. G, Elliot, G. B. Sennett, E. E. Thompson, and N. L. Britton, and
notes on the “ Soaring of Birds,” by Dr. J. B. Holder. Trans. N. Y. Acad. Sci., Dec,
1887-Mar. 1888, pp. 80-87.

188 Recent Literature. 419

1888.* This important paper, the special subject of the present review,
has three main heads :—1r. It discusses the general problem of flight, and
especially of soaring flight, taking the usual position, that the mechanics
of soaring are referable to those of the paper kite, in which the figure of
the bird compares to the body of the kite, and its weight to the resistance
of the string of the kite. This proposition was very fully discussed and
illustrated in an unknown paper by an unknown man, thirty years ago.
2. Aconcise description of the eighteen known muscles of the forearm
and manus of birds, and their effect in moving the parts upon which they
lie.{— 3. The special consideration of the emargination of the primaries,
forming the body of the paper. This matter is so interesting, not only in
reference to the ‘ interlocking’ theory, but in its general bearing, that we
transcribe it in full for the readers of ‘ The Auk,’ who will no doubt agree
with us as to its entire soundness :

‘It has been intimated that the emargination in the primaries of hawks
and other soaring birds gives evidence of interlocking, being apparently
a provision for this purpose. That it has suggested the theory of inter-
locking is quite evident, but it has no further bearing on the subject. That
it is not distinctively characteristic of soaring birds has been abundantly
shown. The purpose of this structure evidently varies in different birds.

‘“In some birds, as the woodcock, various genera of pigeons, fly-
catchers, and humming-birds, the falcate tips of the outer primaries give
rise to musical sounds, of somewhat varying character in different species,
due to the rapidity and angle with which they strike the air in rapid flight,
the emission of the sound being voluntary on the part of the bird, and
often forming a part of its amatory demonstrations, as does song or certain
peculiar notes in many song-birds. In herons, many water-birds, hawks,
eagles, owls, vultures, etc., it is apparently the elimination of a part of
the vane which, if present, would prove only an impediment and an ob-
struction in flight. The emargination extends, it will be observed, from
the point where, in the fully extended wing, the inner vane fails to fill the
entire space between two contiguous quills. The vane becomes very
weak and flexible along its edge, and requires the support of the overly-
ing feather to keep it smooth and intact, so that were the vane to retain
its full width to the tip of the feather, on which the air impinges with the
greatest force in flight, it would have no support from the contiguous
feather, and would be too weak to resist the air; it would consequently be
more or less rolled upward at its free edge and prevent the free closing of
the tips of the feathers; it would not be firm enough to give much sus-
taining power, would be in the way, and become folded and rumpled in
the closing of the wing. Therefore just that useless and obstructive

* Allen, J.A., “ On the Structure of Birds in Relation to Flight, with Special Reference
to Recent Alleged Discoveries in the Mechanism of the Wing,” Trans. N. Y. Acad.
Sci., Dec. 1887-Mar. 1888, pp. 89-100.

+ Davidson, R. O., “A New Theory of the Flight of Birds,” 8vo., paper. Washing.
ton, 1858, pp. 28, plate.
+ See paper in present Auk, p. 435.

420 Feecent Literature. | October

portion is the part eliminated by the emargination of the vane. To give
the portion of the vane thus cut away sufficient strength and breadth to
add its share to the sustaining power of the wing, the vane would have to
be thickened to make it more rigid, and broadened to fill the wide interval
between the tips of the feathers, thus making a heavy club-shaped clumsy
tip to the feather, and obviously decreasing the efficiency of the wing as
an organ of flight.

‘« Further evidence of the pertinency of this explanation of emargina-
tion is afforded, when we recall the fact that emargination is confined to
a certain type of wing, and that when absent the wing is of an entirely
different type as regards its general form. The wing of the frigate-
bird well illustrates the form of wing in which there is no such
emargination. It isa very long, acutely pointed wing, in which the first
primary is the longest, the second, third, and all of the following being
successively shorter, and all sharply pointed, so that when the wing is
fully extended there is practically no open space between the tips of any
of the primaries.

‘« There are three principal types of wing in relation to its form:

‘“‘T, A very long, pointed wing, in which the first primary is the
longest, and all the outer primaries are narrowed toward the tip, and
successively decrease rapidly in length, rendering no emargination neces-
sary. Examples: man-of-war birds, albatrosses, shearwaters, gulls, terns,
plovers, sandpipers. swallows, swifts, etc.

“TI. A short, rounded wing, in which the tip is formed by the four
or five outer primaries, which are sub-equal in length. Here, owing to
the shortness of the wing, the tips of the primaries are not separated when
the wing is fully extended. Here no emargination is necessary, and none
exists. Examples: sparrows, and the smaller song-birds in general; also
rails, quails, tinamous and many grouse. :

“III. A long, pointed wing, but in which the tip is formed not by
either the first or second primaries, but by the third, fourth, and fifth,
and in which the six or seven outer primaries form the point of the wing,
and are graduated in length from the longest, which is about the fourth
or fifth, outwardly to the first, and inwardly to about the seventh or
eighth. This form of wing, in which emargination is present, is typically
exemplified in hawks, eagles, buzzards, vultures, ravens, crows, etc.

‘‘ Between these types of wing there is every stage of intergradation,
with corresponding variation in the emargination of the primaries, in the
form of wing characterized by this structure. The true falcons have a
very pointed wing, in which the longest primary is the second; the first is
somewhat shorter, and is the only quill showing emargination. In this
the emargination is slight, and extends for only about two inches. If we
remove the first primary, we have a wing in which the outer primary is
the longest, the next succeeding primaries being each shorter than the
one next in front, resulting ina long pointed wing, in which the primaries
are narrowed toward the tip, and recede successively in length, giving
the same form of wing we have in the man-of-war birds, in swallows,

1888. | Recent Literature. 421

swifts, humming-birds, night-hawks, etc., in which there is never any
emargination.

‘* Again, the emargination varies in extent, being limited in many birds
to the first primary alone, and to the extreme apical portion of this; in
others it occurs on the apical portion only, say for two to four inches, of
perhaps the outer four to six primaries; while in very many birds, includ-
ing the turkey buzzard and its allies, and many hawks, it extends to the
basal third or fourth of all the outer primaries.

‘* Having now shown that interlocking does not and cannot take place,
it may be worth while further to point out that it is unnecessary.

‘‘In a soaring bird, no great muscular tension is called into action.
The large pectoral muscles, which move the wings up and down, are in a
state of equilibrium, and under very slight tension, not more than are the
muscles of a man’s arm when the arm is in an ordinary position of rest.
The mechanism of the bony framework is such, as has been already
shown, that the wing is kept extended in such a way that there can be
only very slight strain on any of the numerous muscles of the wing itself.
The extension of the primaries is automatically effected by the extension
of the wing, and results in no special strain, when once the wing is fully
extended, upon any of the muscles whose function is to flex and extend
the outer or phalangeal segments of the pinion. Hence the comparison
made at the meeting of December 12th, of a man’s arm held extended
at a right angle to the body, in an unnatural position, with a bird’s wing
held extended in soaring, in a perfectly natural position, was wholly
irrelevant.

‘The hypothesis of the interlocking of the primaries during protracted
soaring, to conserve energy and lessen fatigue, has not only no basis in
fact, but is entirely gratuitous.”—E. C.

Birds of Morris County, New Jersey. — Nearly a year ago the list to
which attention is now called* was published in a local newspaper, and
as the distribution of New Jersey birds is known inferentiallyrather than
by any recent and reliable published information, such an excellent list
as the present one seems worthy of wider notice. It is the result of over
four years’ work in the northern part of the State and numbers 205 species
and subspecies, not a large number, to be sure, but it must be remembered
that Morris county is inland, and the usual array of water birds that
goes to swell many lists is therefore wanting, although some occur as
stragglers. The summer residents are mostly Alleghanian with a con-
siderable sprinkling of Carolinian forms, such as Cardinals cardinalis,
Seturus motacilla, Mimus polyglottos, Thryothorus ludovicianus, Parus
hicolory, and others less distinctive, while little needs be said of the
migrants and accidental visitors recorded. Few local lists can boast of
two species relegated to the hypothetical list of the A. O. U. Check List
A specimen of Helminthophila lawrencet, and two of HZ. leucobronchialis

*A List of Birds of Morris County, New Jersey. By E. Carleton Thurber, True
Democratic Banner, Morristown, N. ]., Nov. Io, 17, 24, 1887.

42 2 Recent Literature. [October

are here recorded, and reference is made to the type of the former species
secured just over the line, in Essex County. The brief annotations refer
mostly to the abundance of the species and the dates of rare captures are
usually given. There are four species that one.would expect to find in-
cluded which have evidently not been met with by our auther, ¢.e, Empe-
donax pustllus traillii, E. acadicus, Geothlypis formosa, and Turdus
alicte (including, perhaps, déckvellz). These are found near New York
City. where the fauna may be said to be almost identical with that of
Morris County, but with these exceptions the list seems complete save for
the probable future records of accidental visitors. Though Porzana
carolina is called a ‘‘common migrant,” it has been known to breed in
the County near Whippany, and it may breed abundantly. Ammodramus
caudacutus is said to be ** not uncommon.” Occurring as it does on fresh
water marshes, the question naturally suggests itself, may this not be
nelsont 2 Further comment seems unnecessary. The list bears evidence
of unusual care in its compilation, and is worthy of more prominence
than is found in the columns of a local newspaper. —J. D., JR.

Publications Received.— Blasius, Rudolf. (1) Die Vogelwelt der Stadt
Braunschweig und ihrer nichsten Umgebung. (Verein fiir Naturw. zu
3raunschweig, V Jahresber. fiir 1886-87, pp. 59-116.) (2) Mergus anota-
yius Eimbeck, ein Bastard zwischen Mergus albellus Linn. und Glaucion
clangula Linn. (Monatschrift des Deutschen Vereins zum Schutze der
Vogelwelt, XII Jahrg., 1857, No. 14.)

Blasius, R., A. Reichenow, u. and. X. Jahresbericht (1885) des Aus-
schusses fiir Beobachtungsstationen der V6gel Deutschlands. (Journ. ftir
Orn., Oct. 1887. pp. 337-648. ) ,

Blasius, Wilh. (1) Die Végel von Palawan. (Ornis, 1888.) (2)
Beitriige zur Kenntniss der Vogelfauna von Celebes. III. (Zeitschrift fiir
die ges. Ornithologie, 1886, Heft 3.)

Eyvermann, B. W., and O. P. Jenkins. Ornithology from a Railroad
Train. (Orn. & OGl., May, 1888.)

Lucas. F. A. The Home of the Great Auk. (Pop. Sci. Monthly, Aug.
1888, pp. 456-464.)

Ramsey, E. P. Catalogue of the Australian Accipitres or Diurnal
Birds of Prey inhabiting Australia, in the Collection of the Australian
Museum at Sidney, N.S. W. 8vo., 1876. (From Australian Museum,
with eight other publications of the Museum.)

Shufeldt, R. W. Osteology of Porzana carolina. (Journ. Comp. Med.
& Surg., July, 1888.)

Tschusi zu Schmidhoffen, Victor Ritter von. Die Verbreitung und der
Zug des Tannenhehers (Muctfraga caryocatactes L.), mit besonderer
Beriicksichtigung seines Auftretens im Herbste und Winter, 1885, und
Bemerkungen iiber seine beiden Varietiiten: Muct/raga caryocatactes
pachyrhynchus und leptorhynchus R. Blas. (Verhandl. derk. k. zoologisch-
botanischen Gesells. in Wien, Jahrg. 1888, pp. 407-506, pl. xi.) (2) Die
ornithologische Literatur Oesterreich-Ungarns, 1887. (Mitth. des Orn.

1888. | General Notes. 423

Vereins in Wien, 1888.) (3) Ornithologische Notizen aus Salzburg
(1887). (Ibid., 1888.) (4) Neue Arten und Formen der Ornis Austro-
Hungarica, mit genauen Nachweisen und kritischen Bemerkungen,
(Ibid., 1888S.) (5) Alpenmauerlaiufer (Z%chodroma murarta L.). Ibid.
1888. )

Tschusi zu Schmidhoffen, V. Ritter von, und K. v. Dalla-Torre.
Vierter Jahresbericht (1885) des Comité’s fiir ornithologische Beobach-
tungsstationen in Oesterreich-Ungarn. (Ornis, Jahr. 1888. Also sep-
arate, Svo., pp. xii + 306.)

American Field, XXIX, Nos. 24-26, XL, Nos. 1-9, 1888.

American Journ. Sci., XXXVI, June-Sept., 1SSS.

American Naturalist, XXII, May-July, 1888.

Audubon Magazine, II, July—-Sept., 1888.

Bay State Odlogist, I, No. 6, June, 1888.

Canadian Record of Science, III, No. 3, July, 1888.

Forest and Stream, XXX, Nos. 21-26, XXXI, Nos. 1-6, 1888.

Naturalist, The, a Month. Journ. Nat. Hist. for North of England, Nos,
156-157.

Odlogists’ Exchange, I, No. 8, Aug., 1888.

Ornithologist and Odlogist, XIII, Nos. 6-8, June-Aug., 1888.

Ornis, Jahrg. IV, Heft. 3, July, 1888.

Ottawa Naturalist, II, Nos. 3-5, June-Aug., 1888.

Proceedings Elliott Soc. Sci. & Art., II, pp. 161-200, Jan., 1888.

Report Commissioner of Agriculture, 1887. Washington, 1888.

Swiss Cross, IV, Nos. 1-3, July--Sept., 1888.

West American Scientist, IV, No. 38, June, 1888.

Zoologischen Anzeiger, Nos. 281-286, 1888.

Zoologist, XII, Nos. 138-140, June-Sept., 1885.

GENERAL NOTES.

Note on the Correct Name of Symphemia semipalmata inornata Brewst.
—In‘The Auk’ for April, 1887 (Vol. IV, p. 145), Mr. Brewster described
the western form of the Willet under the name Sym4hemia semipalmata
tnornata. In discussing the synonymy of the new form he concludes ‘‘ (4)
that Totanus speculiferus Cuvier (R.A., I, 1817, 351 [lege R. A. 2ded., I,
1829, §31] ) and Pucheran (R. et M. Z., III, 1859, 569 [Zege R.et M. Z.
2° sér., III, 1859, 369] ) isnot now determinable.” It turns out, however,
thatthe two forms of the Willet had long since attracted the attention of Dr.
Sclater (Ibis, 1862, p 199, footnote), who, in examining specimens taken
in Florida by Mr. G. C. Taylor, was ‘‘inclined to consider them distinct.
The larger variety,” he adds, ‘‘seems to have already been called by

424 General Notes. | October

Cuvier Totanus speculiferus (Regn. An. ed. 2,i, p. 531; Pucheran, Rev.
et Mag. de Zool, 1851, p. 369), and should therefore be termed Symphemia
speculifera.”’ On referring to Cuvier I find that this author gave only a
very brief description of the specimen which served as the basis of his
Totanus speculiferus, although he says it stands higher on the legs and has
alonger bill than 7. semifalmatus. Pucheran, however, in 1851, in his
important paper ‘Etudes sur les types peu connus du Musée de Paris,’
described with great detail Cuvier’s type, which description shows it to be
beyond doubt a winter example of Mr. Brewster’s subspecies ¢zornata.
He especially says it is to be distinguished from ‘‘7Zo¢anus semipalmatus
Tem.” by the length of the bill, while his measurements of the specimen
nearly equal the maximum for zvornata, as given by Mr. Brewster.

It may be noted that none of the American citations of Cuvier and
Pucheran, as given above, prove to be correct, indicating that these refer-
ences have been generally given without verification.

The Totanus crasstrostris Vieill. (1816), as Mr. Brewster claims, is un-
‘identifiable, though pointing to speculzfera, the bill being given as 2.50
inches long. The larger Western Willet should therefore stand as Sym-
phemia semipalmata speculifera (Cuv.).—J. A. ALLEN, Am. Mus. Nat
Hist., New York City.

A Second Maine (and Fourth New England) Specimen of Swain-
son’s Hawk (Buteo swatnsoni).—Through the kind offices of Mr.
Manly Hardy I have just secured a Swainson’s Hawk, which was killed
about eight miles from Bangor in the town of Glenburn, Maine, May 19,
1888. Like the Gouldsboro (Maine) specimen which I obtained last year,*
it is of the melanistic type, but not entirely black. It was sent in the
flesh to Mr. S. L. Crosby of Bangor, and was examined by Mr. Hardy
before the skin was removed.—WILLIAM BrEwsSTER, Cambridge, Mass.

Nesting of the Black Swift.—On June 6, 1888, I collected a set of five
eggs of the Black Swift (CyAselo¢des niger). As far as I am aware, this
is the first set of this species collected. ‘The nest was in the cornice of a
small wooden building on Yesler’s Wharf of this city. The cornice was of
the kind usually known as store cornice, the interior being divided into
compartments by the rough brackets to which the planceer, facure, and
deck were nailed. At one end of the cornice the deck or top was sprung
up so as to leave an opening into the first compartment, in which the nest
was made. The compartment was about twenty inches square.

The nest was composed of leaves, which were yet green, bits of paper,
chips from a planing-mill near by, a few horsehairs, and straw, and was
surrounded by a large quantity of loose straw. The leaves and paper
formed the lining of the nest.

The eggs were white and were fresh, the birds having been sitting only
two or three days. As will be seen, they are very uniform in size: they
measure I.00 X .71, 1.00 X .70, 1.02 X .70, .g6 X .68, .g6 X .68 inch.

*Auk, [V, 1887, p. 160.

1888. ] General Notes. 425

On June 28 I collected another set of four eggs of the Black Swift. This
set was taken from the same nest as the former one, and presumably from
the same pair of birds. Incubation had commenced, the embryos having
just begun to form. The nest was composed of the same kind of materials
as before, with the addition of a small piece of the tinfoil used to cover
tobacco. The dimensions of the eggs are as follows: .96 X.67,.98X.71,
-99 X 69, 1.00 X .71 inch.

When this second set was taken the female had to be pushed off the
nest in order that the eggs might be obtained.

In neither of these nests were the materials glued together with saliva,
there being no trace of saliva about the nests. The nests were put to-
gether so loosely that they could not be preserved. Portions of the
materials of which they were composed were, however, collected.

These birds are rather abundant here, and usually nest in the cornices
of buildings near the water front, in the business part of the city. I have
known of several nests which were built in galvanized iron cornices. It is,
however, usually impossible to get at tnese places. I have tried for
several years to obtain specimens of the eggs, but till now have found it
impossible, although I have torn open three different cornices in hopes of
getting them. — M. H. GorMtey, Seattle, Washington Territory.

Xantus’s Becard (Platypsarts albtventr7s) in the Huachuca Mountains,
Southern Arizona.—On June 20, 1888, I secured an adult male, in breed-
ing plumage, of this species in the pine forests of the Huachuca Mountains,
at an elevation of about 7500 feet, and seven miles north of the Mexican
boundary. (See Ridgway’s ‘ Manual of North American Birds,’ p. 325.)
I am certain there were a pair of these birds, as I heard their very pe-
culiar notes in different places at the same time, but the locality being
so extremely rough and broken I only secured the one above recorded.
Several times while collecting at high altitudes I have heard bird notes
that I thought were these, but they were always on almost inaccessible
mountain sides. Their note reminds one of the song of Stephens’s Vireo
(Vireo huttonti stephens7), but is not so long continued, and is harsher.
From observing the actions of the bird I killed, I am sure its mate was
in the vicinity, and probably nesting, although I have since carefully
searched the place without success. This species will doubtless be found
breeding in Arizona, as was Trogon ambiguus.— WILL. W. PRICE,
Riverside, Cala.

Coccothraustes vespertina in Nebraska.—On March 12, 1886, a flock of
eight Evening Grosbeaks appeared in this locality, and these are the only
ones that have been observed by myself, or by anyone so far as I know.

I first observed them about g A.M. They were then feeding on the
samare of the box elders, and were very easy to approach. The flock
consisted of seven females and but one male. I secured the male and one
female. The contents of both their stomachs consisted entirely of box

42 6 General Notes. [October

elder seeds. Their habits of feeding were exactly as given by Mr. Keyes
in the January ‘Auk’ (p. 114). The remaining flock of six females
stayed for three weeks and then departed.—Gro. A. CotEMAN, London,
Nemaha Co., Nebraska.

Tameness of the Pine Siskin. —On April 29, 1888, while walking
near Oak Hill in Newton, Mass., I noticed two Pine Siskins (Spznus
Pinus), about a heap of hops by the roadside. One of them flew away at
my approach, but the other remained there feeding, and. though perfectly
able-bodied and in good condition, was remarkably tame. I stood watch-
ing him some time. After a while I reached out and stroked him, and
finally succeeded in catching him in one hand. When I let him go, he
flew off to some distance.. Before I caught him, he went and perched in a
bush near by and apparently went to sleep, putting his head over his left
wing under the scapulary feathers, so that it was completely hidden.
When I approached too near, he would take his head out and look at me
and then put it back again when I drew back. The ground about there
was sprinkled with droppings, showing that the birds had probably been
there for some time. Was this bird affected by the hops, or is there any
other explanation of his curious conduct? The hops were to be used as
dressing for a field of grass. —FrAncis H. ALLEN, West Roxbury, Mass.

Further Notes on Seaside Sparrows.—A series of six specimens of Sea-
side Sparrows kindly loaned me for examination by Mr. G. S. Miller, Jr.,
of Peterboro, N. Y., includes four specimens from Sapelo Island, coast of
Georgia, one from Cedar Keys, and one from Corpus Christi, Texas.
The Corpus Christi specimen (male, May 26, 1886) is typically Ammo-
dramus maritimus sennett2; the Cedar Keys example (female, Jan. 30,
1880) is typical A. m. peninsule@, as is also one of the four specimens from
Sapelo Island, the other three being A. marztimus. All of the Sapelo
Island specimens were taken in December, examples of both forms being
labelled Dec. 14, 1887. Mr. Miller kindly wrote me concerning the Sapelo
specimens before sending them, as follows: ‘‘They all seem to be trite
A. maritimus, excepting one female taken Dec. 14, which is, so far as I
can see, typical Jenzusule. It agrees in almost every particular with a
specimen taken at Cedar Keys, Fla., which I should refer without hesita-
tion to this form. Should the Sapelo Island specimen prove to be fenzn-
sule, it would extend the range of that form considerably.”-—J. A. ALLEN,
Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York City.

A Second Instance of the Breeding of the White-throated Sparrow —
in Eastern Massachusetts.—On the 13th and 14th of June (1888) I
found a White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albtcollis) singing in
Wakefield, Mass.; and on the 16th and 17th, in the same spot (a bushy
roadside swamp), I saw a female of the same species. The male was in
full plumage, and the identification was absolute in every case. I saw
nothing more of either bird, as I left home on the 18th and did not return

1888. ] General Notes. 427

till July 11; but the presence of the pair (within a radius of two or
three rods) for five days in the middle of June would seem to leave no
doubt of their breeding. The only previous record of such an occur-
rence, so far as I am aware, is that of Mr. Browne, in the ‘Bulletin of
the Nuttall Ornithological Club,’ Vol. V, p. 52. —BrapForpD Torrey,
Melrose Highlands, Mass.

A Third Specimen of Lawrence’s Warbler.—While collecting in a piece
of low, swampy woods at Rye, Westchester Co., N. Y., on Aug. 31, 1888,
I shot a Warbler, which, on the identification of Prof. J. A. Allen, proved to
be a Lawrence’s Warbler (Helminthophila lawrence?). This bird, an adult
male, is in excellent plumage. In comparison with the specimen in the
American Museum of Natural History, taken at Hoboken, N. J., the throat
patch is a more intense black while the black stripe through the eye is
broader, being of exactly the same extent asin H. chrysoptera. In its
actions it resembled HZ. pzwus, though, of course, I did not wait long to
study its actions. The stomach contained very small beetles and larve.

This is the third specimen of this bird to date.—CLARK G. VOORHEES,
New York City.

Notes on Helminthophila leucobronchialis.—On May 26, 1888, I cap-
tured a male Helminthophila leucobronchialis which from comparison
with the original description appears to be typical. Length 4.80, spread
7.60 inches. The testes were 5-16 inch long. The stomach contained
insects only. Attracted by a new song, I found it among the branches of
an apple-tree close by. Apparently it was alone. During the half-hour
I watched it, it alighted in the apple-trees in the orchard it was in every
time but one, then, for a moment only, on a small hickory. The locality
was dry, all the neighborhood being scrubby pasture with very little
woodland.

On May 29 I heard this song again, and soon found the bird among the
branches of a gigantic and solitary hickory ina high, dry, scrubby pas-
ture-lot. It was extremely shy, but was unwilling to leave the spot. On
the 31st I again saw it, feeding and singing in the same tree, and equally
shy. Patient watching during three hours revealed nothing more than
occasional short and apparently inquisitive flights to several hickory sap-
lings growing about a hazel thicket in the edge of a bushy tract adjoining
this pasture. Its errand there-seemed to be more with an eye to some-
thing below in the bushes than for the sake of feeding. June 3, after
ascertaining the bird’s presence, I secreted myself and waited. Several
times did it come in my vicinity, but only casually as it were, never
evincing the least alarm; yet it certainly made the rounds of the afore-
mentioned saplings more frequently than before. At last with more
eagerness than usual it descended, and disappeared in the bushes (an
unusual occurrence) where it apparently took possession of its nest, as in
less than half a minute thereafter an H/. pznus, the first I had seen in the
neighborhood, flew hastily from about the same place. This occurred at

42 8 General Notes. [October

about sunset, and between that and dark /eucobronchtalis did not again
appear in sight. I had previously had it in view, or could hear its song,
almost continuously. On several days following I searched this thicket
thoroughly, as it seemed, and once succeeded in flushing a fAzuus, but
could not even then find its nest. In company with pznus, leucobronchialis
cautiously approached and surveyed me for a short time, then departed
with no apparent misgivings. At all other times leucohbronchialts was
near by and always reconnoitred the track of my careful search when I
had moved to some distance, then, apparently satisfied, pursued its avoca-
tions as before.

I was not able to visit the spot again until June 17, and neither then nor
since have I found this leucobronchialzs, but I did find a brood of several
young being fed by an H. fpznus, possibly the result of a union between
the two. These two birds were the only ones of the genus which I had at
any time detected in the locality.

During this time I had seen four other H. leucobronchialis (z. €. six in
all, this season), and in widely separated localities, as follows:

June 1, one was seen for a moment only in a hickory tree whence it flew
into an adjoining alder swamp. It was never seen afterward.

June 4, one in the edge of a dry woodland was watched some time, but
never seen again, although upon a subsequent visit some time was spent
in hunting for it.

June 10, two were seen by a friend and myself. One, among the
branches of the taller trees in a pasture-lot adjoining a dry wood, was
again seen June 19 and July 7, this being the latest date I have heard its
song or seen the species. The other was seen about one hour later in a
similar situation, but fully three-quarters of a mile from the first. I saw
this one again June 22. It was always in full song, otherwise I might
never have detected it.

The peculiarities of the species are numerous, especially its song, so
that, aided by my field-glass, identification was perfectly satisfactory to me
in each instance. Moreover, its leisurely movements in conspicuous
places always gave good opportunity for study. By actual count all these
birds with the exception of the one shot May 26 were seen in hickory trees
seven times to three in trees of all other species combined. Its flight on
many occasions was protracted to at least 400 feet, always, when so con-
tinued, to a tree towering far above the surroundings.

I have heard of one other /7/. leucobronchialis taken in Connecticut
this year, at Stamford by a Mr. Hoyt.—Epwin H. Eames, Seymour, Con-
necticut.

Bachman’s Warbler (Helminthophila bachmani) at Key West, Florida,
in July and August.—The following extracts are from two letters received
by the writer from Mr. J. W. Atkins, of Key West, dated July 30 and
August g of the present year.

“T have the pleasure of announcing the capture on the 26th and 28th
(July) and to-day of nine Bachman’s Warblers, seven of the nine being

1888. | General Notes. 429

well-marked examples, the other two being undoubtedly young birds
without any black on the throat and breast, and two other birds taken in
company with the foregoing about which I am doubtful.

“*On the first mentioned date (26th July) I saw about two dozen of the
birds, and could have taken more of them if I had been better prepared,
but I had a large gun and mutilated several birds beyond use besides the
four taken in a preservable condition. On the 28th I got one finely
marked adult male, two young females without black on throat or breast,
and two others of the genus that may not be Bachman’s Warblers. The
same day I saw two others. To-day (July 30) I took two fine adult males
and saw two others.

‘“The Bachman’s Warbler collected last year was taken on August 30,
which would seem to give the species something more than a month's
time to pass at this place; perhaps longer, as I had not been in the woods
for ten days previous to the 26th (July), the first day they were noticed
this year.”

Mr. Atkins then expresses regret at the probability of his being unable
to collect or observe further, at least for the present, his duties in connec-
tion with cable service to Cuba and the West Indies demanding his con-
stant attention. ,

Happily, however, he was able to make further investigations and the
following quotations from his letter of August 9, 1888. speak for them-
selves:

“tT could not resist the temptation to follow up the beginning made with
the Bachman’s Warblers, so I took an hour with them at break of day on
the 6th, 8th, and today (August 9).

‘-On the 6th (August) I got two birds and saw about two dozen others;
broke my gun and had to leave them unmolested. On the 8th (August) I
got five and saw about a dozen beside, not more than that number though.
This morning (August g) I got two and saw another half dozen. I found
yesterday’s [August 8] and today’s [August g] birds in a wild fig tree,
feeding upon its fruit, and a walk over the ground where they had been
seen on the other occasions failed to disclose any others. Yesterday there
were quite a number of other Helminthophile seen with the Bachman’s
Warblers, today not more than a dozen were seen. I do not know what
they were; didn’t collect any of the others because I could not have taken
care of the skins. The call-notes made by both the Bachman’s Warblers and
the other Helminthophile were similar, being a sharply uttered ¢wee or
chee. Jam certain the Bachman’s Warblers did not breed on this island.
As to their having bred on the outlying and adjacent islands, I, of course,
cannot say, but I believe them to have bred further away. For if they had
bred near Key West I ought to have found them earlier than July 26, it
being natural to suppose that, being so near, a few stragglers, at any rate,
would have come along earlier than the main body, which seems to be
passing now. I believe these early birds bred somewhere on the East
Florida Coast —that is, if they are too early to be identified with those
birds found as reported in the last ‘Auk’ (Vol. V, p. 323) at Lake Pont-

430 General Notes. f October

chartrain, and which were said to have passed on to the northward from
there. Two years ago, perhaps not so long (not having’ my ‘Auk’ to refer
to I cannot tell), a Bachman’s Warbler was sent to Washington from
Sombrero Light House by its keeper, and as the Sombrero is eastward and
north of Cape Sable, this would show a tendency of the species to migrate
up the East Coast, taking Cape Sable and its vicinity as the diverging
point.

‘“‘T will send you the entire series of Bachman’s Warblers in a few days;
the collection now numbers sixteen well marked adults, two young females.
and two others that I at first thought to be Bachman’s Warblers, but now
feel sure are not.”

Mr. Atkins concludes his letter of August 9 with some very instructive
notes on the migrations of other Warblers, Vireos, and the like, at the
point where he is located, which notes I hope to present to the readers of
‘The Auk’ at an early day in a more detailed manner than present space
permits.—W. E. D. Scorr, Tarpon Springs, Florida.

Dendroica coronata at Key West in Summer.—Mr. J. W. Atkins has
forwarded to me for examination an individual of this species taken by
him at Key West, Florida, on July 28, 1888. It is an adult female bird in
very worn plumage.—W. E. D. Scorr, Tarpon Springs, Florida.

Breeding of the Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea) in Niagara
County, New York.—On May 30, 1888, while passing through a large wood,
IT noticed a nest on a fork of a horizontal limb of a small basswood tree,
which I took to be the nest of the Least Flycatcher (Ampzdonax minimus).
I also saw a pair of birds in a large tree, near the one containing the nest,
but I was unable to identify them. On June 81 found the bird on the nest,
and on its leaving I shot it and was surprised to find that it was a temale
Dendroica cerulea. The nest contained three eggs when secured, but one
or two fell from the nest when the bird left it. Incubation was nearly com-
plete, and it was with difficulty that I succeeded in saving two good speci-
mens and the broken shell of the third. I did not succeed in securing the
male, butan hour before in another piece of woods half a mile distant I
had shot by mistake another male of this species, which was also a surprise,
as I had found but two of this species during ten years’ collecting in this
County, and they were both male birds, taken May 10, 1882, and May 11,
1883, and not over ten rods apart. I had come to the conclusion that they
were to be found here only during migration, and rarely then. On
leaving the woods after securing this nest, we passed into an old pasture
lot or clearing in which were a few small trees left standing, and while
digging out a set of four eggs of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (SAhyra-
picus varius) I noticed another pair of D. cerulea, and on watching them
found they were building a nest in a small basswood, also on the fork of
a horizontal limb, about twenty feet from the ground and eight feet out
from the trunk. I am so particular in describing the position of these
nests, as in ‘North American Birds,’ Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, Vol. I,

1888. ] General Notes. 431

p- 236, Audubon is quoted as finding one ‘‘ placed in the forks of a low
tree or bush, partly pensile, projecting a little above the twigs to which it
is attached, and extending below them nearly two inches,” while these are
placed on the top of the limb, which is from one half to three quarters of
an inch in diameter, and the nest does not extend below the centre. The
dimensions of the nest are outside two and a half inches across by two
inches deep, inside one and seven eighths by one and a quarter inches.

Audubon is also quoted as saying, ‘‘ The eggs are five in number, of a
pure white with a few reddish spots about the larger end,” while these
are bluish white with a wreath of reddish brown and lilac spots about the
larger end, and small brown dots over the whole egg. The dimensions
of the two saved are .7o X .52 and .71 X .52 inches. I sent the male and
female D. cerulea to Dr. A. K. Fisher, of Washington. On June 23 I
secured the second nest and eggs, also the female, but did not succeed in
finding the male. The nest contained three eggs, also one egg of the
Cowbird. These eggs are not as large as the first, measuring only
-64 X .50, .63 X .49, -64 X .50 inches. The general color is the same, but
the wreath about the large end is not as distinct. The nests are made of
the fibre of the thistle and sparingly covered with lichens, and lined with a
brown hair-like substance that I do not know the name of. On June 30 I
found another nest in a piece of woods about one mile from where I took
the others, but it was too high to be secured, and from the action of the
female I concluded it contained young. On July 41 secured three adult
birds, one male and two females, also three young; all but one female
were taken within twenty rods of where I secured the two nests and eggs.
One female and two young were sent to Dr. A. K. Fisher, and one male
and female and one young were sent to the Smithsonian Institution.
July 7 I visited the same place and saw another brood of three young
which seemed to be able to fly as well as the adults, although the old
birds were feeding them; I did not try to secure any of these. July 14 I
could not find one of this species at the same place. July 21 I founda late
brood, but secured only the adult female and one young which I sent to
the American Museum of Natural History, New York City, at the request
of Mr. J. A. Allen. All the young of this species taken resemble the adult
female with the exception that they have yellowish downy feathers on the
breast and edge of wing.

On July 28 IL again visited the same place, but did not see a Blue War
bler and came to the conclusion that they had moved southward.

In ‘North American Birds’ Dr. Brewer says that he has been informed
that this species ‘‘abounds and breeds in the vicinity of Niagara Falls,”
although he does not say that any nests or eggs were secured, and as he
also says ‘little is known of its breeding habits,” I have here been more
explicit in regard to my observations than I otherwise should have been.—
J. L. Davison, Lockport, Niagara County, N. Y.

Dendroica cerulea at Seymour, Connecticut.—On May to, 1888, I shot
a fine adult female Cerulean Warbler from a flock of Parula Warblers

432 General Notes. | October

with which it seemed to be associating. The locality was dry and
somewhat elevated, with a growth of high hard-wood trees and but little
underbrush. With its companions, the bird kept chiefly among the top-
most branches where I watched it for twenty minutes until, leaving the
Parulas, it gradually descended into the lower branches to some fourteen
feet from the ground, when I shot it.

It measured: length 4.60, spread of wings 7.55 inches. Its stomach
contained insects only. The largest ova in the ovary were about the size
of No. 12 shot.—EpwIn H. Eames, Seymour, Conn.

An Albino Blackpoll Warbler.—A male specimen of Dendroica striata

taken by the writer at Upper Chichester, Delaware Co., Penn., May 12,

1888, during migration, displays such a remarkable variation of plumage
as to merit special mention.

The entire crown, with the exception of three or four small black feath-
ers over the eyes, is pure white, the edges of the feathers tipped with cream
color which is more decided fringing the neck. The upper tail-coverts
and rump are pure white, extending high up on the back and passing
irreguiarly through the interscapulars and joining the white on back of
neck and crown; rather silky across the rump. The interscapulars form
an irregular bar across the shoulders. The scapulars and tertiaries are
sparsely spotted with white, most prominent on the right side. The sides
of breast are streaked as usual, although of a rusty color, rather obsolete
as they approach the chin which is pure white. The throat and breast are
ochroleucous. Otherwise the plumageis natural. The upper and lower
mandibles, legs and feet, are deep yellow. The white feathers are im-
maculate from the quills out, none being edged or spotted with the natu-
ral colors.—J. HarRIs REED, /?/dley Park, Penn.

Cistothorus palustris marianz on the Coast of Georgia.—Of seven
Long-billed Marsh Wrens taken by Mr. W. W. Worthington at various
dates during November and December, 1887, and January, 1888, on Sapelo
Island, Georgia, six prove to belong to the lately described C. £. maré-
ane Scott. The seventh bird is atypical palustr7s.—WILLIAM BREW-
STER, Cambridge, Mass. / | dpe Ve S&S

Capture of the Brown-headed Nuthatch near Elmira, N. Y.— While
making some observations on the migration of birds, this spring, for the
Division of Economic Ornithology of the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
I had the good fortune to procure a specimen of Sztta pusilla, Brown-
headed Nuthatch. I can find no record of its being taken in New York
State before, and Dr. A. K. Fisher, of the Department, to whom I sent
the bird for examination, says he can find no record of its being taken in
our State. The bird is a fine adult male, and was taken at the Mountain

-

House near this city, May 24, 1888.—EpWARD SwirFt, Elmira, N. Y.

Impeded Migration and Destruction of Birds at Chicago. — Usually at
this time of year (May 20) the small land birds have passed us on their

1888. ] General Notes. 433

northward migration, but this spring the weather has been so unfavorable
that they have been much delayed, the Warblers, especially, and have
suffered great loss of life.

While it is usual to see many of these birds passing from tree to tree in
the city, this spring on May 12 they were observed in great numbers scat-
tered over the ground in open lots, and on the larger prairies within the
city. Many were likewise noticed in the thronged thoroughfares in the
business part of the town where some were run down by passing vehicles,
and others met their death under the feet of pedestrians. They would
permit a close approach, but when almost stepped upon would make
a spasmodic effort to mount into the air, only to find themselves drop-
ping back to the ground again, helpless, weak, and benumbed by the cold.
This strange effect of the weather on the birds extended over many miles
of country and across Lake Michigan to the east. ‘The shores between
Lake Forest, Evanston, and Chicago were bestrewn with lifeless birds
which had been washed up by the waves.

Up to May 11 the weather, as recorded in my diary, was very changeable
with spells of rain and cold. On that day it became bright, the mean
temperature of the twenty-four hours being about 7o° F., wind N. W.,
with a velocity of about sixteen miles an hour. This favorable day brought
with it the usual influx of migrants from the south. They were especially
numerous, flying all day, and at night the notes of Warblers were plainly
heard on the streets below. But May 12 a decided fall in the temperature
(the mean was 42° F.) with alternate cloudiness and sunshine, and a wind
blowing about twenty-four miles an hour caught the birds en route and
checked their further efforts to proceed north. On this day a few minutes’
observation on the ground in the nearest vacant lot or street would reveal
Black-and-yellow, Parula, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Yellow-rumped,
Bay-breasted, and Black-throated Blue Warblers, with an occasional male
and female of the American Redstart, and to make the sight more pleasing
the gorgeously colored male of the Scarlet Tanager. Not satisfied with
such observations, on the next day, May 13, with the thermometer rang-
ing between 34-45° F., I made a trip of a few hours with Mr. H. K. Coale
to the south of the city where the houses are not built so closely, and
found the birds similarly distributed.

With the exception of the White-bellied Swallow, which was seen flying
South in small flocks, and the Black-and-white Creeper which was noticed
engaged in its usual mission of climbing up the trunks of trees, the fol-
lowing birds were all noticed on the ground along our line of travel :

Tyrannus tyrannus. Dendroica pensylvanica.
Dendroica maculosa. Dendroica castanea.
Setophaga ruticilla. Dendroica coronata.
Sylvania pusilla. Melanerpes erythrocephalus.
Dendroica virens. Regulus satrapa.

Dendroica estiva. Sialia sialis.

Dendroica palmarum. Actitis macularia.

434 General Notes. [October

Troglodytes aédon. Zonotrichia albicollis.
Empidonax minimus. Zonotrichia leucophrys.
Galeoscoptes carolinensis. Seiurus aurocapillus.
Merula migratoria. Vireo olivaceus.

Turdus ustulatus swainsonii. Seiurus noveboracensis.
Geothlypis trichas. Tachycineta bicolor.
Geothlypis philadelphia (@ ). Anthus ludovicianus.
Harporhynchus rufus. Mniotilta varia.

It is hardly necessary to state that many of the above species are com-
monly found on the ground, but all of these birds were profoundly affected
by the weather, allowing an approach which would be next to impossible
under ordinary conditions. The Warblers could easily have been taken
in a small hand net.—JosEPH L. Hancock, Chicago, Illinois.

Reason or Instinct ?—I made some observations last summer on the
habits of the Blue Jay (Cyanocztta cristata) which, if not showing reason,
certainly show a degree of sympathy and kindness worthy of imitation by
animals of a higher order. Last August (1887) on an old farm in Jeffer-
son County, Wisconsin, my attention was attracted by the notes of a Blue
Jay, not the ordinary cry, which could be heard at almostany time, as they
are very numerous there, but a series of regular calls followed by answers
from a neighboring tree. There was something so peculiarly suggestive
of a communication of thought about the sound, that I went to the place,
and saw an old Blue Jay perched on a fence some distance from a tree
where there were several others.

On my nearing the bird, the calls from the tree became more frequent
and loud, changing from a low, pleasant, communicative tone toa shrill
alarm which became more frequent and intense as I approached. Think-
ing that he must be injured in some way, I went cautiously up to him
when I found that he wasat least partially blind. The eyes were blurred and
dim, and the lids nearly closed. I had little difficulty in catching him and
found him to be an old and helpless creature with scarcely a vestige of his
former beauty. The beautiful blue feathers were much faded, in fact, the
general appearance of the bird was so different as to be apparent ata
glance. The claws were very much worn, the bill dulled, and the prima-
ries and tail-feathers ragged. Every feature suggested old age and feeble-
ness. Yet he was cared for and watched as tenderly as was ever a young
bird in the nest. No sooner had I caught him than there were at least a
dozen Jays close at hand, whose sympathy and interest were manifested
as plainly as could be without words. After a thorough examination, I
liberated him, when he flew in the direction of the sound of the others but
did not succeed in alighting among the smaller branches of the tree and
finally settled on a large limb near the ground. I saw him every day after
that (from August 10 to August 17), and never did his companions desert
him; some one of them being always near and warning him of approach-
ing danger; whereupon he would fly in the direction indicated by the

1888. ] General Notes. 435

sound of their voices. They guided him regularly to a spring near by
where I saw him bathe daily, always, however, with some of his compan-
ions close by. They not only watched and guided him but they fed him.
I had noticed some days previously some Jays carrying food, and thought
it strange at that season, as there were no young then to feed, but found
afterwards, to my surprise and pleasure, that the poor old blind bird was
being fed by those whom he could no longer see.

About a week after first noticing this bird I was compelled on account
of sickness in the family to relinquish my observations. There is no
doubt whatever that the bird was an old one. The young of the year are
easily recognized, not alone by their plumage but by their peculiar teas-
ing, whining notes, unmistakable to anyone familiar with the species.—
FRITHOF KUMLIEN, Milwaukee, Wis.

[My attention has just been called by my friend Prof. G. W. Peckham
to some notes in Darwin’s ‘Descent of Man,’ 1875, pp. 102, 103. The ex-
istence of these observations was entirely unknown to my brother (the
writer of the above, now recently deceased) or to me at the time his notes
were made. I quote from Darwin, p. 102: ‘‘Capt. Stansbury found on a
salt lake in Utah an old and completely blind pelican, which was very
fat, and must have been well fed for a long time by his companions.”*
Also foot-note on same page: ‘‘Capt. Stansbury also gives an interest-
ing account of the manner in which a very young pelican, carried away
by a strong stream, was guided and encouraged in its attempts to reach
the shore by half a dozen birds.” Darwin adds: ‘“‘Mr. Blyth, as he in-
forms me, saw Indian crows feeding two or three of their companions
which were blind.”—Lupwic KuMLIEN, Milwaukee, Wis. ]

Notes on the Nomenclature of the Muscles of Volation in Birds’
Wings.—Mr. Allen’s interesting papert calls up some points regarding
_the names of the 18 muscles of the antebrachium and manus of the bird.
It may be safely assumed that these represent the usual or normal mus-
culation of the parts, though I should be far from presuming that no
additional ones, or no different specializations of these, occur in the class
Aves. They have been named from time to time, by different persons,
upon no system whatever, like most other anatomical structures. It may
not be easy to refer the highly specialized musculation of the wing in de-
tail to any system based upon the state of the parts in Homo sapiens,
but Iam able to indicate some of the homologies concerned with the
muscles of the human forearm and hand. These I will note, according
to the system of neuromyology of Coues and Shute.t I take them up in
the order in which they are presented by Mr. Allen.
1. ‘Flexor carpi ulnaris.” A muscle which has ‘‘its origin at the internal
condyle of the humerus, and its insertion on the ulna at the wrist” is

* See H. Stansbury, ‘Exploration and Survey of the Valley of the Great Salt Lake of
Utah, &c.’ Phila., 1852, p. 193.— ED.

+ See this number of The Auk, p. 418.

+N. Y. Medical Record, XXXII, 1887, pp 93-98, 122-126.

43 6 General Notes. [October

certainly not the one so named in human anatomy, which passes from the
entocondyle to the carpal sesamoid (pisiform) and so on to the fifth
metacarpal. But I think there has been a slip here, the muscle in ques-
tion really going to the manus for insertion. If so, it is correctly named
and identified as the flexor (meta-)carpi ulnaris (see ‘ Key,’ fig. 8g, no.
36), or simply fexor ulvarisof C. and S.

2. ‘Musculus ulni-metacarpalis ventralis.’

3. ‘Musculus ulni-metacarpalis dorsalis.’

These two muscles I cannot at present writing bring into satisfactory
positions in my system. They both appear to belong to the fexor set;
but as there is neither flexion nor extension in a bird’s wrist-joint (motions
of adduction and abduction being substituted), one cannot proceed too
carefully in identifying the muscles by their action. I see nothing ulno-
metacarpal in man to which to refer these muscles. They may turn out
to belong to two different groups, despite their concurrent action, and I
do not venture to rename them at present.

4. ‘ Extensor metacarpi radialis... This appears to correspond to doth
the radial wrist-extensors of anthropotomy, the ‘longior’ and ‘brevior,’ and
the supinator longus may also be in question here. It is the muscle call-
ed (in the ‘Key,’ fig. 89, no. 32), after Carus, extensor metacarpi longus.

5. ‘Extensor metacarpi ulnaris... No doubt the muscle so called in
man, and that called extensor metacarpi brevis in the Carus figure, ‘Key,’
No. 33.

6, 7. ‘Flexor digitorum sublimis’ and ‘ profundus.’ These correspond
to the muscles of the same name in man, also called flexor perforatus
and ferforans respectively.

8. ‘Extensor digitorum communis.’ This is said, by aslip, to originate
on the ‘head’ of the humerus, covdyle being obviously meant. It is the
muscle of the same name in man. It appears to be wrongly named in
the Key, ‘‘34a@ flexor digitorum sublimis,” after Carus.

g. ‘Extensor pollicis longus.” This may or may not correspond to
one. or to two, or to all three of the thumb-extensors of man. That
depends, first, upon whether the so-called thumb of a bird’s hand be the
first or the second digit, and next, upon how many of the human muscles
are represented in or by the single one of the bird. This thumb muscle I
do not recognize in the figure in the ‘ Key.’

10. ‘Extensor indicis longus.’ The final determination of this muscle
depends upon the same considerations that affect the recognition of No. 9g.
In the ‘Key’ figure, it appears to be that one called ‘‘ 344 flexor* digitorum
profundus.”

11. ‘ Musculus interosseus dorsalis.’ This is one of the muscles called
dorsosset byC.andS. As it appears to be the only metacarpal dorsosseus,

*As long ago as 1871 I had an idea that the ‘flexors’ and ‘ extensors’ of the forearm
required to be revised in name to bring them into correspondence with their
apparent representatives in the leg, and I used frequently to exploit the notion. This
accounts for the use of ‘flexor’ in the cases of numbers 8 and Io.

1888. ] General Notes. 437

it may be conveniently and appropriately called by this shorter name,
without prejudice to the question, which of the four human dorsossei it
represents—apparently the ¢fert2us or guartus.

12. ‘Abductor indicis.’ A dorsosseus apparently secundus or tertius.

13, 14. ‘Flexor’ and ‘ adductor pollicis. Two small thumb muscles situ-
ated upon the back of the manus, of uncertain systematic position. One
of them may be really a dorsosseus; but that depends, as before, upon to
which digit of the pentadactyl hand the thumb of a bird’s tridactyl hand
corresponds. One of these muscles is displayed in my Carus figure, ‘ 34c
flexor brevis pollicis.’

15. ‘Musculus interosseus palmaris.’ This muscle, which has been
specially drawn upon in the controversy elsewhere alluded to,* is situate
on the ‘internal’ (that is, the palmar) aspect of the manus; it is therefore one
of the three Jal/mossez of C. & S., but which one, remains to be decided.

16, 17. ‘Extensor’ and ‘adductor pollicis brevis.’ Two ‘pollical’
muscles, to which the same remarks apply as to Nos. 13 and 14. It would
seem thata bird’s thumb, aside trom its ‘long’ muscle which comes trom
the forearm, is exclusively actuated by four ‘short’ muscles, which flex,
extend, abduct, and adduct it. Such regular musculation should not
be difficult to homologize, but we must first settie the status of the digit
itself. Ifa bird’s hand be no exception to the probably invariable rule in
mammals, that, when digits are reduced in number from five, the reduction
is from each side alternately, so that digits land V are the missing ones
in a tridigitate member, then obviously, the three digits of a bird are IT,
III and IV corresponding to ourindex, middle and ring fingers. But if, in
a bird, two digits have gone from the ulnar side, then the bird’s three digits
are I, II, III, corresponding to our thumb, index and middle fingers. I
think that very likely a careful dissection of the two main weyvous trunks
of the forearm would throw a light upon the question which perhaps the
examination of the embryonic carpus and metacarpus has not hitherto
afforded.

18. ‘Flexor digiti tertii... Apparently one of the hypothenar subgroup
of C. and S., but possibly a palmosseus: its identification depends upon
that of the digit in question.—ELLiorr Cougs, Washington, D. C.

*This number of The Auk, p. 418.

—————===

4 e 8 Correspondence. { October

CORRESPONDENCE.

[ Correspondents are requested to write briefly and to the potnt. No attention wril
be paid to anonymous communications. |

The Osteology of Habia melanocephala, with Comparative Notes upon
the Skeletons of certain other Conirostral Birds and of Tanagers.

To THE EDITORS OF THE AUK :—

Dear Sirs:—To none others better than yourselves is the fact -well
known, that whosoever has undertaken to compare the skulls of several of
the more nearly allied genera of our fringilline birds, with the view of
discovering distinctive characters among them, how next to hopeless that
person has found such a task to be. Among a large series of skeletons
before me I find such species represented as Zonotrichia coronata, Chon-
destes grammacus, Habia melanocephala, Pipilo m. megalonyx, Pipilo
chlorurus, Ptranga ludovictana, Calamospiza melanocorys, Icteria v.
longicauda, Calcarius lapponicus, besides a host of other Passeres, in-
cluding the majority of the Crows, Jays, Orioles and their allies, Spar-
rows, Finches, and others, and it is truly wonderful to note the manner in
which the cranial characters, indeed the skull as a whole, in these numer-
ous genera, morphologically shades from one series of the more intimately
related forms into the group next most nearly allied, and soon, along
different lines, diverging as they do, from any well-defined genus we may
elect as our primary one for initial comparison. True as this is, however.
I find it none the less true that if we critically compare the skeleton of.
some Finch, for instance, at one extremity of sucha series, with the
skeleton of another conirostral species chosen from the other, important
differential characters may not infrequently be detected, which characters
are constant for the species, and of great value to the taxonomist of this.
in many cases, puzzling group of birds. It is my object in the present
connection to point out some of the more available characters, such as I
refer to, and which I have met with in my osteological studies of this ex-
tensive group. In Habéa melanocephala the skull as a whole bears a very
striking, though superficial, resemblance to that part of the skeleton in
certain Parrots, and when compared with the skull in such a form as
Pipilo m. megalonyx, for example (Figs. 1 and 2), presents us with some
excellent differential characters. Chief among them we find in the Gros-
beak to which IJ have invited attention that, in addition to its far more
massive osseous superior mandible, it possesses a complete bony septum
nast; the infero-external angle of a pars plana meets the jugal bar be-
neath it, and is produced backwards to no inconsiderable extent; the tym-
panic bulla are inconspicuous; the frontal region between the margins
of the orbits on the superior aspect of the skull is unusually broad; the
antero-external angles of the vomer are commonly produced, and fuse

1888. ] Correspondence. 439

with the maxillary and premaxillary on either side (there may be excep-
tions to this, but it never happens in Prfz7o); the postero-external angle
of either palatine is distinctly bifurcated; the palatine, on either side, de-
velops a secondary palatine process (sf.f., Fig. 1), extending backwards
from a point to the outer side of where the anterior palatine limb fuses
with the premaxillary;* and finally, the interorbital septum is performed
entirely in bone, though the foramina for the exit of the first pair from
the cranium merge, and the vacuity is of some considerable size.

Fig. 1. Basal view of the skull of Had7a melanocepha/la, adult 2, X 2, and mandible
removed.

Fig. 2. Basal view of the skull of P’Alo m. megalonyx, adult &, X 2, and mandible
removed. fmx, premaxillary; /, lacrymal; mx, maxillary; m2. £, maxillo-palatine ;
pt, pterygoid; sf, secondary palatine process; v, vomer; //, palatine; 7, jugal; sa,
squamosal process; g, quadrate; 8, foramen for glossopharangeal and vagus nerves;

g/, quadrato-jugal.

*These processes are well shown in Figure 1, and as I have never met with a former
description, I have designated them by the above-given name. Not having examined
the young of 7. melanocepha/a, itis just possible that these interesting projections may
be developed on the part of the premaxillary, but the adult skull does not seem to so
indicate. The name I have bestowed upon them will answer very well in either
event. They are absent in such a form as Coccothraustes vulgaris (See Huxley, P.Z.
S., 1867, p. 452, fig. 33), and very likely in our C. vespertina, though I have not ex-
amined the skeleton of that species,

440 Correspondence. [October

Now inthe skull of the PzfJz7o, which I have chosen for comparison,
each and all of these characters are just the reverse. There we find not
even a vestige of an osseous nasal septum; nor does the pars plana so
much as reach the jugal bar; nor are the postero-external angles of the
palatines bifurcated, but are on the other hand distinctly truncated from
without inwards and backwards; while in addition we find in this species
very conspicuous tympanic bulle, a large vacuity in the interorbital
septum, a narrow frontal region, and the secondary palatine processes
absent (Fig. 2). Both of these birds possess an elliptical vacuity in the
ramus of the mandible, on either side, but in Hadza this bone is far
stronger with much deeper sides than we find it in P/fzlo, and withal
is not a little different in shape, In both of these Finches, too, the
squamosal processes are very large (sa); while I may add that thus far it
is only in Habta melanocephala, of all our Conirostres that I have de-
tected the secondary palatine processes. The characters of the skull in
Pipilo m. megalonyx are almost exactly repeated in the skulls of Prpclo
chlorurusand Zonotrichia coronata, though the skull in the first-named
species is considerably larger, and has the tympanic bullz markedly more
prominent; while in the case of the two species last named, both in point
of size and in all other details, it lies next to an impossibility to distin-
guish them. All North American Fringillide have an extraordinarily
minute occipital condyle, as compared with the size of the skull (see figs.
I and 2).

By the easiest sort of intergradation the skull of Zonotrichia shades
into the skull of Chondestes, and an attempt to define the differences
between them would simply result in an enumeration of insignificant
details. As we pass to such a skull, however, as we find in Calcarzus
lapponicus, a specimen of which species I collected in Wyoming in 1880,
and now have its skeleton before me, a few of the modifications in char-
acters so faintly forecast in Zonoftrichia, are here completed and stereo-
typed. The delicate, mesial ends of the maxillo-palatines are now
enlarged and paddle-shaped; the antero-external angles of the vomer are
curled upwards and inwards; the palatines are well separated from each
other the ex¢/re length of the rostrum of the sphenoid, and their postero-
external angles each terminate in a needle-like point; and lastly, the
tympanic bull cease to be a striking feature of the skull. And for
conirostral birds, the gap indicated by the characters of this part of the
skeleton, between such a type as Calcarfus and Haba, is now of no
inconsiderable extent; I was almost about to say of family distinction.

To see the typified fringilline skull, however, we can turn to no better
example than exists in Ca/amospiza melanocorys,—a true Bunting, if there
ever was one. Compact to a fault, and with all the bones stouter and
thicker than in any of the foregoing species, the skull of Calamospiza is
easily distinguished from the skull either of P7A7/o or of any of the true
Sparrows. In it the external nasal aperture upon either side, is circular
rather than elliptical, as it is in the Towhees and Zonotrichta. Compared
with its allies its characters are of excellent generic rank, if we may be

1888. ] Correspondence. 441

permitted to judge from the skull alone; there is nothing especial though
in this part of the skeleton in Calamosp/za that at all reminds one of the
skull in Habia melanocephala.

Elsewhere I have shown that Alolothrus ater was by its skeleton a Finch,
though the most icterine of all our Fringillide, with the exception perhaps
of Dolrchonyx, aform which I have not yet osteologically examined, but
judging from what I found in A/olethrus, 1am strongly inclined to believe
that it too belongs on the fringilline side of the line. Barring the broad
frontal region in the first-named species, its skull approaches in its general
Jacées the skull in the Towhees and their more immediate allies, and from
them it shades beautifully into the Icteridie.

Passing for a moment to the skull in another family, the Tanagride,
we meet with the extreme modification of the conirostral type in another
direction, so profound a change, indeed, that I am not familiar with the
skull of any true fringilline, that the skull of such a species, for instance,
as Prranga ludoviciana could be confused with, or would in its entirety
resemble. In the Tanager to which I refer the nostrils are large and ellip-
tical; there isa total absence of an osseous nasal septum; as compared
with an average Finch the skull iselongated, and the brain-case relatively
smaller; its palatines are of the most marvelously delicate construction,
and their postero-external angles drawn out into long hair-like spicule ;
the pterygoids are markedly slender; and finally, the presence of secon-
dary palatine processes plainly points to its affinity with such a Grosbeak
as Habia melanocephala among the Fringillide. So far as the skull goes,
the Tanagers are remotely linked with the Mniotiltide through Jcferza,
and in Ucterta virens longicauda the skull presents some few striking differ-
ences from that part of the skeleton in Prranga ludoviciana, for not only
does it seem to exceed it in frailty and delicacy of construction with
respect to the bones composing it, but in the skull of the Chat to which I
refer we find that the secondary palatine processes are absent; the pos-
tero-external angles of the palatines are produced as blunt apophyses, and
the anterior projecting limbs of these bones are conspicuously slender
and widely separated; the ramal vacuity of the mandible is large, elon-
gated, and elliptical in outline, while the sides of this bone are shallow,
and its entire make impresses us with its weakness. Omitting, however,
the mandible, the palatines, the acuteness of the superior osseous mandible,
we should have remaining in the rest of the skull of JZc¢ferza a structure
that without the slightest violence could be appropriated by any true
Pirangine avian type.

Turning again to the skeleton of Habia melanocephala, we find that it
possesses nineteen vertebra between the cranium and the pelvis, all freely
movable upon each other; of these the ultimate fve connect with the
sternum through costal ribs, while just anterior to them are two vertebrz
which support free ribs (the anterior pair being very minute), and finally,
there is a pair of sacral ribs, the hamapophyses to which fail to connect
with the sternum. This arrangement of the ribs and vertebrz also obtains
in Prpilo, Zonotrichia, Icterta, and other forms, and is undoubtedly the

=

442 Correspondence. [October

typical plan for the vast majority of average Passeres. A difference is met
with though in the tail vertebra, for in the specimens at my hand Hada
possesses seven free caudals and the pygostyle, while P¢fzlo has but szx
and the terminal piece. In Péranga, too, we find but six caudal vertebra,
and the pygostyle, while this also seems to be the number in /c/erza, and
in a former memoir I recorded the same in Molothrus ater.

With barely an apology of a structural difference between them upon
which to base a substantial distinction, the fe/vzs in Habéa sees almost
its exact counterpart in the corresponding bone in the skeleton of PrAz/o
m. megalonyx. Both are typically passerine, and so well known is the
passerine pelvis in such genera as these, that to enter upon its description
is by no means necessary. Pzfilochlorurus has a pelvis which differs from
the pelvis in P. m. megalonyx, as well as from the pelvis in Zonotrichia
coronata, in that in it is the fourth sacral vertebra, counting from the
last forward, that extends its diapophysial braces opposite the acetabula,
instead of the third as in the excepted species, and a difference of arrange-
ment also exists in that an additional vertebra, anteriorly, extends its
lateral processes to meet the ilium upon either side, there being three
each in P. m. megalonyx and Zonotrichia, and four in P. chlorurus. 1
should like to examine more material before pronouncing upon the sig-
nificance of this departure, and more especially skeletons of Embernagra
rupivirgata. Piranga ludoviciana and Icteréa have pelves almost iden-
tically alike, it being in each case the fifth from the last sacral vertebra
that throws out the long strut-like apophysial arms to act as braces oppo-
site the acetabula. Ca/lamospiza possesses the same arrangement of the
vertebre in its pelvis, but here the bone is apparently not as wide for its
length as it is in Had/a, though no satisfactory differences exist between
several of these pelves, upon which to base strong family, or even generic
lines.

Few differences again are to be found in the sterxmum of the species we
have under consideration ; the common pattern of the bone as seen among
the smaller average passerine birds of this country is well shown in my
figures of it in Otocor/s (Osteology of E. alfestris, figs. 22, 24, 27, and 38) ;
in Habza the anterior carinal angle is pointed and the keel itself is but of
moderate depth, while among the P7fzlos, and in Zonotrichza, the anterior
carinal angle is rounded, and the keel much shallower, markedly so in the
ground-loving species of the first-named genus. I am strongly inclined,
however, to attribute this last character to physiological adaptation rather
than to an evidence of affinity. These Towhees spend much of their time
hopping about beneath the shrubbery of their places of resort, and by no
means use their wings in flight so often as other fringilline species, and
consequently develop less their pectoral muscles, which are attached, in
part, as we know, to the sternal carina. True Tanagers, as I have else-
where pointed out, have an osseous bridge extending across the top of the
manubrium to the anterior margin of the body of the sternum, and if it be
constant, it is an excellent character for this family. It is absent in such
a genus as Zc¢erfa, and in all the Fringillide now at my hand.

1888.] Correspondence. 443

My plate o the osteology of Ofocorzs, cited above also presents good
figures of the bones of the shoulder girdle, and when we come tocompare
them among these smaller passerine types it is truly wonderful how well
they agree with each other. We have examined them in many species
representing a host of different genera, and yet who has been enabled to
base a single, covstant, differential character upon the elements of this
arch? Slenderer here, a little shorter there. a somewhat longer and more
quadrilateral hypocleidium in this form than in that, still in all essential
particulars, coracoid, scapular, and os furcula in Piranga are the same as
we find them in fHadra, or in Prpzlo, or in Molothrus, Progne, Lantus
(1 have elsewhere figured it for this genus), Merwla, in short a perfect
phalanx of other forms among our smaller Passeres.

What I have just said in reference to the shoulder girdle applies with
equal force and truth to the skeleton of the Pectoral and felvic limbs ot
these birds, which parts have been likewise figured in my memoirs upon
Otocoris and Lantus. One may go carefully over, with lens in hand, for
hours, studying the limb bones of these particular genera of passerine
birds, and yet signally fail to select a reliable set of characters in any
genus that can be depended upon to distinguish it from another. Differ-
ences, of course, yes, constant differences, do exist, but they are not of the
kind which can be powertully brought into play by the taxonomist, who in
searching for differential skeletal characters in these several groups must
rely almost entirely upon what he finds in the skull, the vertebral column,
and occasionally in the pelvis and sternum. Still, minor differences,
which are sometimes presented, may, by the careful classifier, be mentally
added to the more salient distinguishing features, and thus be allowed
their weight in his final decisions, where they might not be of sufficient
importance to warrant a published description or special record. This
has been the writer’s habit when dealing with such characters. To the
practised eye, and an unbiased and mature judgment, the general /aczes
presented by the skeleton of the wing or leg of a small passerine bird will
sometimes assist, and properly so, in one’s forming a final opinion, when
these facts are being compared with similar parts in a different species.
and where affinities are being searched after.

In conclusion, I would remark that having carefully gone over and
thoroughly studied and weighed the characters of the species now under
consideration, and many others not enumerated above, | am prepared to
say that, in so far as the skeletons seem to indicate, the following
deductions can be drawn. First, Habca melanocephala possesses characters
in its skeleton not shared by any other fringilline bird known to me. out-
side the Grosbeaks. which characters are of family rather than generic
rank. Essentially conirostral, and a seed-eater with a big beak, but
for all that with an osséfed nasal septum, with secondary palatine pro-
cesses, anda vomer generally fused with the surrounding bones, antert-
all of which characters are disreputably unfinch-like, and entitle
their owner fully as much to family distinction as any set of skeletal
characters we might array chosen from S/#rnus does that form; and
how about Modothrus and Dolichonyx ? .

orly,

i|

444 Correspondence. [October

As for Prpilo chlorurus, its skeleton is quite the counterpart of the skel-
eton in Zonotrichia coronata, and is readily distinguished from the
skeleton of Prpzlo m. megalonyx, Which is by no means an easy task in
the case of the first-mentioned species. I believe, from my studies of the
anatomy of this form, that it has more Zonotrichine stock in its economy
than it has Towhee kinship to boast of, and it sees its nearest affinity in
the family among the ‘ Crown Sparrows.’

Osteologically, Calcaréus, Spinus, and Acanthis are more or less closely
affined genera, nor does the genus Plectrophenax stand between them as
at present represented in our Check-List. Calamospiza, as I havealready
remarked, is a true ‘ Bunting.’ but not especially related to the Grosbeaks
by any skeletal affinity, and it characterizes a strong genus with well-
defined osteological features. Judging from such a form as Ptranga
ludoviciana, 1 would say that osteologically the Tanagers form a good-
family, and through certain Grosbeaks are linked with the Fringillide,
more, though only a littlke more, remotely through J/cferza with the
* Wood-Warblers.’

These groups and their kin will bear far more extended anatomical
study, which some dayI hope to bestow upon them. In closing, it gives.
me pleasure to thank Mr. C. A. Allen, of Nicasio, California, for his-
kindness in collecting and sending me the specimen of Zovnotrichia
coronata ; it was received in April, 1881, seven years ago.

Very respectfully yours,
R. W. SHUFELDT.
Fort Wingate, New Mexico, July 14, 1888.

How far West has Anas obscura been found?
To THE Epirors oF THE AUK :—

Szrs:—In my Revised Catalogue of the Birds of Kansas I said ‘‘ Anas
obscura Gil. Black Duck. Entered in first catalogue as ‘migratory ; rare’;
but since, on comparing the specimens captured in the State, that I
have seen, with Eastern ones, they prove to be the ‘Florida Duck.’ Other
writers claim that the birds have been taken in the State, also in Texas,
and west to Utah, and I am inclined to think that further investigation
will prove it to be the case. With this explanation I let the bird stand as
first entered.”

I now desire to say that further examination tends to convince me that
the birds do not come as far west as this, and leads me to think it probable
that all specimens taken west of the Mississippi River, will prove upon
comparison to be the Florida Duck. A set of eight eggs collected near
Corpus Christi, Texas, May 27, 1882, and reported to me as of this species,
are in dimensions altogether too small, viz.,—2.08 X 1.62, 2.12 X 1.62,
2.10 X 1.59, 2.12) X 1-60, 2.02 X 1.59; 2-08 X 1,02) 2.10) <1. O0n 2 Ooms @
inches. In color they are cream or pale buff white.

Any information that will aid in determining their western limits will
be gratefully received.

N. S. Goss.
Topeka, Kansas. ly,

18SS. ] Notes and News. 445

NOTES AND NEWS.

CHARLES WICKLIFFE BECKHAM was born near Bardstown, Kentucky,
August 1, 1856, and died there at his home June 8, 1888. His father was
a lawyer and member of the Legislature of Kentucky at the time of his
decease, some eight or ten years ago. His mother, who survives him,
was a daughter of the late Governor Charles C. Wickliffe, of Kentucky.
Mr. Beckham was educated at a private school near Bardstown, and when
seventeen years old was for one or two years a student at the University
of Virginia. After that he was attached to the Geological Survey of Ken-
tucky under Professor Shaler, for about two years. He then followed

.Professor Shaler to Harvard University where he spent a vear in scientific
studies. He was then appointed, by the Hon. J. Proctor Knott, of Ken-
tucky, clerk of the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives,
at Washington, where he remained tor four years. Afterwards he went
to Pueblo, Colorado, where for about a year he engaged in mercantile
pursuits; thence returned to Washington and became connected with the
National Museum. While clerk to the Judiciary Committee of the House
of Representatives he studied law. attending for a portion of the term, the
Columbia Law School in Washington. About two years before his death
he was induced to turn his attention to the practice of law, as a patent
solicitor, and entered the office of Mr. Pollock, where he was engaged
with great promise of success when his fatal disease began to develop
itself.

Mr. Beckham’s talent for mathematical and physical science. united to
other qualities, formed a rare combination trom which his triends argued
that he would win success. But Providence decreed otherwise. It was
in the effort to throw off disease that he spent a winter in Texas, employ-
ing his time making a collection of birds, a fine series of which he pre-
sented to the National Museum. Returning trom Texas fora few months.
he resumed his labors at Washington, but again attacked by illness he went
to Louisiana and spent the winter with his uncle, Governor R. C. Wick-
liffe, near St. Francisville. Growing worse, he returned, with his mother,
to Bardstown, where he died, after extreme suffering. ‘* All that friends
and relatives and medical skill could do were of no avail. He died with-
out an enemy, and was followed to the grave by the tears and tender

>

re srets of all who had ever known him.” During his connection with the
Department of Birds of the National Museum, Mr. Beckham proved an
intelligent and able assistant, while his gentle. genial, and unassuming
manners, and gentlemanly deportment won for him the genuine regard of
his associates. Owing to his ill health, he was not able to devote much
of his leisure time to the labor of original research in his favorite study,
but he managed to write several papers, each of which is a valuable con-
tribution to the subject to which it relates, being characterized by an
unusual degree of painstaking care and unbiased judgment; and had he
been able to write more would undoubtedly have won for himself a: high
yank among ornithologists.

4 46 Notes and News. [October

A nearly complete list of Mr. Beckham’s ornithological papers is sub-
joined herewith :

e hort Notes on the Birds of Bayou Sara, Louisiana. Bull. Nuit. Orn.
Club, Vol. VII, 1882, pp. 159-165.

The Black-throated Bunting in Florida. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol.
VII, 1852, p: 250.

A List of the Birds of Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky. Fourn.
Cincinnati Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. V1, pp. 136-147. July, 1883.

List of the Birds of Nelson County [Kentucky]. Aextucky Geological.
Survey. Sept., 1885.

Notes on Some of the Birds of Pueblo, Colorado. The Auk. Vol. II,
1885, pp- 139-144-

A White-winged Junco in Maryland. Zhe Auk, Vol. II, 1885, p. 306.

Remarks on the Plumage of Regulus calendula. Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus., Vol. VIII, No. 40, Dec. 7, 1885, pp. 625-628.

Changes in the Plumage of Geothlypis trichas. The Auk, Vol. Ill,
1886, pp- 279-281.

First Plumage of the Summer Tanager. The Auk, Vol. III. 1886, p.
487. [Here described for the first time. ]

The Red-breasted Nuthatch in Kentucky in Summer. Zhe Auk, Vol.
III, 1886, p. 489.

Scarcity of Adult Birds in Autumn. The Aus, Vol. 1V, 1887, pp. 79-So.

Additional Notes on the Birds of Pueblo County, Colorado. The Auk,
Vol. IV. 1887, pp. 120-125. [The list published in a previous number
(Vol. II, pp. 139-144) increased from g1 to 112, and ‘‘ additional notes’
given on 29 species mentioned in the first list. |

Additions to the Avifauna of Bayou Sara, La. The Auk, Vol. IV, 1887.
pp. 299-306. [Very interesting remarks on the birds of that locality,
including 27 additions to an earlier list (Budd. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VU,
1882, pp. 159-165. ]

Occurrence of the Florida Blue Jay (Cyanocttta cristata florincola) in
Southwestern Texas. The Auk, Vol. V, 1888, p. 112.

A Philadelphia Vireo and a Cobweb. The Auk, Vol. V, 1888, p. 115.
[‘Phe Vireo entangled in and held fast by the cobweb. |—R. R.

Puitie Henry Gosse, F. R.S., well known as an English naturalist of
note, died in London, August 27, at the age of seventy-eight years. He
spent much of his early life in America, visiting Newfoundland when
seventeen years of age, and spending many subsequent years here, in
Lower Canada, and the United States, and later in Jamaica. Besides
publishing many standard works and papers on British marine zodlogy,
he was the author of several works of travel relating to the natural history
of the countries he visited, including his ‘Canadian Naturalist’ (1840),
‘Letters from Alabama on Natural History’ (1859), and ‘ A Naturalist’s
Sojourn in Jamaica’ (1851). He was also the author of * The Birds of

Jamaica’ (1847), and ‘Illustrations of the Birds of Jamaica’ (1849), works

giving him an established position as an ornithologist, besides various

1888S. ] Notes and News. 447

minor papers on ornithological subjects. He was the father of Edmund
W. Gosse, the critic and poet.

THe S1IxTH Congress of the American Ornithologists’ Union willbe held
in Washington, D.C., beginning Nov. 13. A circular of information will
soon be sent to members by the Secretary, giving information as to where
the sessions will be held, etc. The meeting promises to be one of unusual
importance and interest.

THe British Museum has recently made an important addition to its
collection of North American birds through its purchase of Mr. H. W.
Henshaw’s fine series, numbering about 12,000 specimens. The Henshaw
collection, having been carefully revised by Mr. Ridgway, thus carrying
his identifications, transfers to the British Museum an authoritatively
labelled collection of North American birds, which will be of great assist-
ance to our English friends in determining just what American ornithol-
ogists mean by the names they give to American birds.

THE Report of the U. S. Commissioner of Agriculture for the year
1887, recently issued, contains an interesting report (pp. 399-456) on the
work accomplished by the Division of Economic Ornithology and Mam-
malogy. Besides a general statement of the progress of the work by
Dr. C. Hart Merriam, Chief of the Division, the report contains the fol-
lowing special papers: (1) ‘Food of Hawks and Owls,’ by Dr. A. K.
Fisher, Assistant Ornithologist; (2) ‘Experiments in Poisoning,’ by the
same author; (3) ‘Some of the Results of a Trip through Minnesota and
Dakota,’ by Vernon Bailey, Special Field Agent; (4) ‘Notes on the Depre-
dations of Blackbirds and Gophers in Iowa and Southern Minnesota,’ by
Dr. Fisher. Two ‘ Bulletins’ are in press, one on the English Sparrow,
and one on Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley, the latter by Professor
W. W. Cooke. The English Sparrow report is based on replies received
>in answer to circulars and ‘schedules
sent out by the Department asking for information. The preparation of
this large amount of material for publication has been assigned to
Professor W. B. Barrows, Assistant Ornithologist.

‘*from more than 3,000 persons,’

Dr. M. A. MENZBIER has issued a prospectus of a work on the ‘ Orni-
thologie du Turkestan et des pays adjacents,’ to be issued in parts, large
quarto in size, with colored plates. The work will form six volumes with
eighty to ninety plates, and will be based on the collections and notes
made by the late Dr. N. A. Sewertzow, during his eight expeditions,
under the auspices of the Russian government, during the years 1857
to 1878. The territory explored extends from Mount Tarbogataé on the
east to the Volga on the west, and from Western Siberia on the north to
the Hindoo-Koosh on the south. The work will be based on ample
material and its publication is expected to extend over five or six years.
The specimen pages and plates issued with the prospectus indicate care
and thoroughness in the preparation of the work, for which the author
is eminently qualified. The cost of the complete work will be about $150,

448 Notes and News [ October

FOREIGN ornithologists are responding liberally to the call for funds fer
the erection of the proposed monument to Audubon, their gifts beine
often accompanied by expressions of hearty appreciation of the great
naturalistand his work. An eminent German ornithologist writes : ‘*E1n-
closed in this letter I send you. . . as a small contribution for the monu-
ment to Audubon, whose memory is so dear and so much venerated by
all who have worked in ornithological science.” Another says: *‘* By
Imperial post I have the honor tosend you... . as a small contribution
for the Audubon Monument in the hope that even so small a sum will be
kindly received as a sign of the high esteem for the great American orni-
thologist, so much admired in Europe and by all brother ornithologists.”
If Americans feel the same interest and respect for Audubon they are cer-
tainly slow in manifesting it in the same substantial way as foreign
ornithologists are doing, as shown by the following list of contributions
submitted by the Chairman of the A. O. U. Audubon Committee ( Mr.
Wm. Dutcher, 51 Liberty St., New York City), as covering the period
from June 11 to September 14: O. F., Bremen, $4.71; Dr Aj wonpeele
zeln. $5; Prof. F. Ferrari-Perez, $10.00; 8B. H. Dutcher, $1.00; W. Dutch-
er, $3.00. Total, $133.71.—In the July Auk (p. 336) the credit to ‘‘ Dr. R.
Blasius, $8.00,” should stand as follows: Dr. W. Blasius, $3.00; Dr. R.
Blasius, $5.00.

3ESIDES the continuation of Professor Evermann’s paper on the birds
of Indiana, and Mr. Scott’s article on the birds of Southern Florida, the
following papers are in hand awaiting publication in future numbers of
‘The Auk’: ‘ Notes on the Habits, Nests, and Eggs of the Subgenus Pass-
erella,’ by Capt. Charles E. Bendire; ‘ Notes on the Habits, Nests, and
Egos of Dendragapus obscurus fuligrtnosus, by Capt. Charles E. Bendire ;
‘On the Summer Birds of Berkshire County, Massachusetts,’ by Walter
Faxon; ‘ Odlogical System,’ by Josiah Hoopes; ‘ An Account of the Breed-
ing Habits of Pufinus audubonz in the Island of Grenada, West Indies,’ by
George N. Lawrence; ‘Remarks upon Abnormai Coloring of Plumage
observed in some species of Birds,’ by George N. Lawrence; ‘On the
Subdivisions of the Family Cypselide,’ by Frederic A. Lucas; ‘Notes on
the Birds of White Top Mountain, Virginia,’ by William C. Rives, Jr.,
M. D.; ‘Revision of the Clapper Rails,’ by George B. Sennett; ‘On the
Position of the Genus Chame@a in the System,’ by R. W, Shufeldt; ‘The
‘Booming’ of the Bittern’, by Bradford Torrey. Also numerous ‘Gen-
eral Notes,’ and reviews of ornithological publications.

1888. } BERLEPSCH. Descriptions of New Neotropical Birds. 449

SUPPLEMENT.

DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES AND SUB-
SPECIES;-OF BIRDS FROM -THE
s NEOTROPICAL REGION.

BY HANS VON BERILEPSCH.

1.° Campylorhynchus zonatus costaricensis, subsp. nov.

C. zonatus SHARPE, Cat. Birds, VI, p. 195, pt. (descr. @ ex Parita, Costa
Rica).

DraGn. —C. zonato simillimus sed multo minor, pilei plumis purius
griseo terminatis, remigibus angustius et purius albo fasciatis, rectricibus
mediis distinctius et regulariter transfasciatis necnon abdomine intensius
brunneo-cinnamomeo distinguendus.

Typ. in Mus. H. v. B., No. 2964: Costa Rica (O. Nanne coll.).

Long. tot. al, caud, rostr.culm. tars.
C. zonatus costaricensts 168 70 694 194 224 mm,
C. zonatus, Guatemala (Mus.

H. B.), in worn plumage 175 844 794 24 26," <
C. zonatus, Honduras (Mus.

H. B.), ex Whitely 200 854 894 223 265.8
C. zonatus, Mexico(Mus. Kiel) 219 934 93 26 Ps ae

The Costa Rica form of C. zonxatus may be easily dis-
tinguished from the typical bird of Mexico by its much inferior
size. In fact it is a dwarf edition of true zovatus. On looking
over Mr. Sharpe’s description of the C. zonvatus in Cat. Birds
Brit. Mus. VI, p. 195, I find that he describes the Costa Rican
form of this species. The dimensions noted by him and taken
from an adult male collected at Parita, Costa Rica, 5th April,
1857, by J. Carmiol, are just the same as those of my Costa
Rican bird.

Regarding coloration, there seems to be very little difference
between the new form and true zovatus, but it appears that the
former has the feathers of the top of the head tipped with a purer
and clearer ash (not so brownish as in zozatus). The light bands
on the quills are narrower and whiter. The light and black
bands on the middle tail-feathers are also more regular on the

450 BeRLEPSCH, Descriptions of New Neotropical Birds. {October

inner web, where they are quite obsolete in true zovatus. The
black spots on throat and breast may be larger and more irregular.
The vent and under tail-coverts are of a much deeper and browner

cinnamon rufous.
2. Certhia mexicana albescens, subsp. nov.

DraGn.—C. mexicanz similis sed differt capite supra et dorso striis
latioribus et purius albis, nec rufescenti-albis, signatis, eae subtus
purius albo, nec fulvescenti-albo, uropygio intensius castaneo, necnon
rostro longiore.

Typ. in Mus. H. v. B., No. 8513, g ad. Ciudad, Durango, N. W. Mexico,
16th October (Alph. Forrer coll.).

Long. tot. 123, al. 65, caud. 624, culm. 164, tars. 14 mm.

The bird just described differs in several important characters
from two specimens collected on the tableland or eastern part of
Mexico in Mus. H.v. B., and I have little doubt belongs to a
new subspecies, which is perhaps more strongly marked than
other races of Certhte. At the first sight the Durango bird
differs by its much lighter and less rufescent coloration. The
spots on the head above and on the back are much broader and
more Clearly defined. They appear to be nearly white, while they
are light rufescent in true mexécana. In the same way the
markings on the sides of the head and on the wings are much
whiter and less rusty. The under parts, which in true mex¢cana
are so much suffused and mixed with fulvous, in the new form
appear nearly pure white or grayish white. The rump is of a
darker chestnut. The outer margins of the outer webs of the tail-
feathers are: more grayish or less rufescent. The bill is much
longer, measuring on the culmen 16} (instead of 14 to 15) mm.

3. Basileuterus godmani, sp. nov.

Dracn.—B. culicivoro affinis, sed major, alis caudaque multo longiori-
bus, pilei plumis rufo-cinnamome is olivaceo terminatis (nec sulphureo-
flavis tantummodo rufescente variegatis et griseo-olivaceo terminatis)
-dorso alis caudaque extus magis olivaceo lavatis, sane diversus.

Hasirat: Veragua (specimina duo in Mus. H. v. B. (ex Staudinger &
Whitely) asservantus et Costa Rica (fide Baird et Salv. & Godm.).

Long. tot. al. caud, culm. tars.
B. culictvorus godmant 120 654, 644 584, 564 104 184 mm.
B. culicivorus, three speci-

mens from Guatemala in
Mus. H. v. B. 100-105 534to 544 47 to 48 g4 to 104 17 to 18 *

1838. | BERLEPSCH, Descriptions of New Neotropical Birds. 451

Messrs. Salvin & Godman have already remarked the difference
in colors between specimens from Veragua and Costa Rica as
compared with the northern birds, but they say nothing regarding
the great difference in size which I believe is a very important
character. They say: ‘‘Avis ex Costa Rica et Panama pileo
medio paulo magis aurantiaco et dorso olivascentiore forsan dis-
tinguenda” (cf. Biolog. Centr. Am. Aves p. 171). In fact, the
larger size, combined with the marked difference in colors.
induces me to describe the southern bird as a new species, which
I have the honor to call after my distinguished friend Mr. F.
Du Cane Godman of London.

The differences in colors were first pointed out by the late Prof.
Baird, but he regarded them as perhaps seasonal.

4. Eucometis spodocephala pallida, subsp. nov.
5. Eucometis spodocephala stictothorax, subsp. nov.

6. Eucometis cristata affinis, subs. nov.

A careful study of specimens of Hwcometis trom diflerent
localities has convinced me that there are several geographical
races of these birds, hitherto overlooked, which nevertheless are
quite distinguishable as subspecies. Prof. Ridgway having been
kind enough to send me for examination four specimens of true
£. spodocephala Bonap. from Nicaragua, belonging to U. S.
Nat. Mus. [I am now able to point out more properly the differ-
ences of the two new races, which may be described as follows:

Eucomctis spodocephala pallida Berl.—E. spodocephalae ex Nicaragua
affinis sed minor, rostro alis caudaque multo brevioribus. Pectore et ab-
domine reliquo clare et pure flavis, pectore vix saturatiore minime aurantio
vel ochraceo tincto. Dorso alis caudaque extus clarius et purius olivaceo-
viridibus. Gula juguloque clarius albo-griseis.

PMABIDAT: Yucatan (coll. G. F. Gaumer). Type in Mus:
eset.

Eucometis spodocephala stictothorax Berl.—E. ab E. spodocephala ex
Nicaragua dorso et alis caudaque extus olivaceo-viridibus (nec flavo- vel
brunneo-olivaceis), colore gulae cinereo obscuriore magis ad jugulum vel
pectus producto, pectore et lateribus sordidius aurantiis, pectore distincte
olivaceo fummulato, subalaribus cum margine alarum sordidius flaves-
centi-olivaceis, etiam rostro paullo longiore distinguenda.

Hasitrat: Veragua (e Staudinger). Typein Mus. H. v. B.

Thetype of 2. spodocephala Bp. having come from Nicaragua

452 BERLEPSCH, Descriptions of New Neotropical Birds. (October

through Delattre, I wanted to see specimens from that very
locality and therefore am much obiiged to Prof. Ridgway, who
sent me for examination all the four skins collected by Nutting
at Sucuya, Nicaragua, for U. S. National Museum. All these
skins agree very well among themselves and are c: aracterized
by the deep orange or ochraceous shade of the yellow on the
upper breast and sides of the body (somewhat as in £:-
cristata of Bogota): while the middle of the abdomen is of a
purer and clearer yellow. The olive-green of the upper parts pre-
sents a somewhat yellowish or brownish shade. The cinereous
color of the head has a slight greenish admixture, and the gray
of the throat is dark but with a slight yellowish suffusion.

E. spodocephala pallida of Yucatan differs from the birds
just described very decidedly in its much smaller size, shorter
wings, tail, and bill, the latter being pale at the tip of the under
mandible. The colors of the body are also very much lighter.
The yellow of the under parts is very clear and quite uniform,
perhaps a little darker on the upper breast, but never of an orange
or ochraceous shade. The gray ofthe throat is much paler, more
whitish gray, and the olive-green of the upper parts is very much
clearer and purer without the yellowish or brownish tint to be
seen intrue spodocephala. The upper part of the head is nearly
of the same tint as in true spodocephala, but it appears that this
color is more restricted on the neck, as well as the gray on the
throat below.”

E. spodocephata stictothorax, of which I have examined five
specimens collected at Chiriqui, Veragua, is of nearly the same
size astrue &. spodocephala. It nevertheless ditters by having
the upper part of the breast flammulated with olive-green, of
which there is no. trace inthe Nicaragua specimens. The gray of
the throat is much darker, without the yellowish suffusion , and is
much more extended to cover the whole jugulum. The upper
part of the head is perhaps a little darker, and the remaining
upper parts are of a dark olive-green without the yellowish or
brownish tint of &. spodocephala. The under wing-coverts and
the bend of the wing are a rather duller greenish yellow. The
bill is evidently stronger and longer.

Prof. Ridgway also sent me a skin of Hzcomet¢s from Belize,
Honduras (coll. Blancaneaux) which appears to be somewhat
intermediate between true spodocephala of Nicaragua and &. s,

1888. ] BERLEPSCH, Descriptions of New Neotropical Birds. 453

stictothvrax of Veragua. This bird being moulting is perhaps not
in very normal plumage, and it will be necessary to examine a
larger series from that locality. The specimen is of nearly the
same size as the Nicaraguan examples, but the bill appears to be
rather slender or more compressed laterally. The breast and the
sides of the body are not so deep orange or ochraceous yellow,
and in the same way there is hardly an indication of the
olivaceous flammulations to be seen in &. s. stéctothorax. The
upper part of the head is still of a purer and darker cinereous
than in the latter bird, while the gray of the throat is lighter and
not so much extended over the jugulum. The olive-green of the
upper parts is just the same as in the Veraguan race, perhaps
a shade lighter.
MEASUREMENTS.

Long.

rr al. caud.culm. tars.

1. BE. spodocephala pallida,
Yucatan (Gaumer) Mus.
H. v. B. LO7! Sle | x 144 20} mm.

2. E. spodocephala, § Sucuya,

Nicaragua, Jan’y 26, 1883 U.S.Nat.Mus.
(C. Nutting) go835 1504 89 774 144 21 *

3. E. spodocephala, § Sucuya,

Nicaragua, Feb’y 10, 1883
(C. Nutting) g0832 ‘160 924 S80 14% 213
4. E. spodocephala, 2 Sucuya,
Nicaragua, Feb’y 10, 1883
(C. Nutting) 90833 145 854 744 «15% 214

5. E.spodocephala, 2 Sucuya,

Nicaragua, January 10, 1883

(C. Nutting) 90834 1544 854 754 154 214
6. E. spodocephala? Belize,

Honduras(coll. Blancaneaux go48S8 1748 87 73% 154 214
7. E. spodocephala stictothorax, Chiriqui, Gnoulting)

Veragua, Mus. H. v. B. 162 go 78s 184 23
8. E. spodocephata stictothorax, Chiriqui,

Veragua, Mus. H. v. B. 163)" Sos" 79." 17 - 22k
9. E. spodocephala stictothorax, Chiriqui,

Veragua, Mus. H.v. B. 1448 85 734 17 234
10. E.spodocephala stictothorax, Chiriqui,

Vergua, Mus. H. v. B. 1414 Sis 724 17 224
11. E.spodocephala stictothorax, Chiriqui,

Veragua, Mus. H. v. B. P26. | /Szeed73h, 416 »,) 23) 5°

Eucometis cristata affints Berl.—Simillima E. cristatae ex Columbia,
sed paullo minor, pectore abdomineque pure aureo-flavis nec aurantio- vel
ochraceo-flavis. Gula clariore grisea nec ut in E. cristata obscurius
flammulata. _

WawiTaT: Pto. Cabello, Venezuela (Mus. H. v B.).

454 BERLEPSCH, Descriptions of New Neotropical Birds. [October

Long. tot. 150-175, al. 854-94, caud. 724-824, culm. 154-169, tars.
204-22 mm.

Of this form I have examined no less than eleven specimens,
all of them collected in the neighborhood of Pto. Cabello,
Venezuela. They agree pretty well among themselves in color-
ation and in all characters by which they are different from true
cristata of Bogota, viz.: the paler and purer yellow of the breast
and abdomen and the lighter throat, which is not so distinctly
flammulated with darker stripes as in the bird of Colombia. The
lores and the region round the eye are not so black as in the
latter, and the crest seems to be always shorter. It is also a bird
of somewhat inferior size. j

I got a specimen from Baranquilla on the coast of Colombia
which agrees best with a Bogota skin, viz. true crzstata of
Dubus. Nevertheless it has the small dimensions of the Pto.
Cabello bird.

7. Icterus gularis yucatanensis, subsp. nov.

Dracn.—I. gulari Wagl. ex Mexico merid. occ. affinis, sed minor. rostra
imprimis breviore. Colore corporis avis adultae aurantiaco intensiore
potius rubro-aurantio splendidissimo.

Long. tot. 222-224, al. 107-119, caud. 101-1124, culm. 224-238, tars
28-295 mm.

This I consider to be a strongly marked race of the common
Icterus gularts, being apparently a representative form of it
and confined to tke peninsula of Yucatan.

I. gularis has been described by Wagler as a bird of Mexico
from a specimen in the Berlin Musuem. Being aware of this
fact and having convinced myself that four specimens from
Yucatan in my collection agreed in several characters by which
again they were different from two skins of Z. galarzs from
Guatemala and Tehuantepec, Western Mexico, I forwarded my
skins to Prof. Cabanis of Berlin asking him to compare them with
Wagler’s type of /. gularis.

My respected friend, having accomplished my wishes with his
usual kindness, replied as follows: ‘*Wagler’s type of /. gwlards
agrees perfectly with your skins (from Tehuantepec and Guate-
mala) both in coloration and size, and is of the same origin
(viz. Tehuantepec).”

Some time later I asked Prof. Ridgway what was his opinion

1888S. | BERLEPSCH, Descriptions of New Neotropical Birds. 455

about my proposed Yucatan race of /. galarzs,and he kindly
replied: “There can be no doubt that your proposed separation
of the Yucatan bird as a subspecies is justifiable; for all the
Yucatan specimens are alike in much smaller measurements, as
described in your letter.” Prof. Ridgway informed me that the
National Museum’s series consisted of the following specimens,
viz.: from Yucatan, 4 adults; Tehuantepec, 4 adults ; Guatemala,
2 adults; Salvador, 1 adult. At the same time he most obligingly
sent me for inspection one very pale colored specimen from
Yucatan, and a very intensely colored one from San Salvador,
the latter approaching my Yucatan specimens in its coloration.

The results of my studies in this connection are that in Yucatan
occurs a dwarf race of /, gular7s Wagl. differing from the
typical bird of Mexico, which also inhabits Guatemala and San
Salvador, in its much inferior size, and perhaps in getting, when
fully adult, a much finer and rather splendid fiery orange tint of
the yellow plumage.

Regarding the last named distinction it appears that 7. galarés
yucatanensts differs in the same way from true gelard/s as 1. cucul-
latus tgneus Ridgw., from the same locality, does from
I. cucullatus of the tableland of Mexico. It is true that
the immature bird from Yucatan is of a pale orange yellow, as
is the rule with adults of true ea/ar/s. Thus I believe the
Yucatan bird, sent me by Prof. Ridgway for examination, to be
in immature dress. It shows yellowish olive margins to the tips
of the black feathers of the upper back, which I regard to bea
sign of immaturity, not to be found in the adults of my collection.
At the same time it may be admitted that the San Salvador skin
belonging to U.S. National Museum shows somewhat of the
fiery orange color which is so remarkably shown by the adults
of the Yucatan race. Nevertheless this coloration in the Salva-
dor bird is of a less intense and splendid character. Professor
Cabanis also tells me that out of two specimens of Oaxaca,
Southern Mexico, belonging to the Berlin Musuem, one is in
yellow, the other in orange-red dress.

Notwithstanding these facts, for the present I am inclined to
think that true ea/ar¢zs never attains such a splendid and deep
fiery plumage as it is certainly the rule with the Yucatan bird.
Regarding the San Salvador bird, Prof. Ridgway suggested to me
that it might perhaps constitute a third race, characterized by

456 BERLEPSCH, Descr‘ptions of New Neotropical Birds. [October

combining the large size of “the one form with the intense colors
of the other.” This should be made out with a larger series of
skins, bnt I find that the plumage of the last-named bird is but
a little more reddish orange or fiery than in my specimen from
Tehuantepec. I nevertheless should remark that it has the bill
much more slender and rather more curved than in either of my
specimens from Tehuantepec and Guatemala, which possess
rather stronger and quite straight bills.

My four skins from Yucatan in general agree very well
among themselves regarding colors. Onehas the rump and the
abdomen slightly varied with a paler orange yellow, while
another, which from its small measurements I regard to be an
adult female, differs from the presumed males by showing a
darker and less reddish orange color of the body, and has the
orange of the middle back (near the black mantle) soiled with
ochraceous brown.

I may add that in the new form the wings, bill, and legs (with
the claws also) are invariably shorter, but that the tail is quite
of the same length as intrue gv/ar7s. Perhaps the white of the
inner webs of the quills is a little purer, and the black of the
throat runs rather more to a point on the jugulum instead of
being rounded beneath.

MEASUREMENTS.

Long.
tot.

1. Icterus gularts, ad., Tehuantepec, Mus.

H. v B. No. 2604. 228 127 108 254 294 mm.
2. Icterus gularts, ad. Vera Paz, Guate-

mala (Sarg. colls), Mus. H. v. Bo No:

al. caud. culm. tars.

4188 232, 124 TI 2a eee
3. Icterus gularis? & San Salvador (Capt.

Dow), U.S. Nat. Mus. No. 29443 238 1218 107) )200 20am
4. Icterus gularis yucatanensis (&) ad.

Yucatan (Gaumer), Mus. H. v. B. 232; 116 £06) 2230 s25emee
5. Icterus gularis yucatanensis (@) ad.

Merida, Yucatan, June, Mus. H. v. B. 244. 119 TOO. 234 cone
6. Icterus gularis yucatanensts (8) ad.

Merida, Yucatan, June, Mus. H. v. B. 2325 T17) 112s @ee) ees
7. Icterus gularis yucatanensis (9) ad.

Merida, Yucatan, June, Mus H. v. B. 222 107. 101 22e5eccuumue

8. LIcterus gularts yucatanensis, imm.
Merida;*Dec. 23, 64, A. Schott, U. S.
Nat. Mus. No. 36837 228 /Tlié 103) 22 >) 2oneee

1888. ] BerLepscu, Descriptions of New Neotropical Birds. 457

8. Myiobius ridgwayi, sp. nov.

Dr1aGc.—M. capite supra cum dorso superiore brunneo-olivaceis, captit
viridescentiore. Uropygio et corpore subtus unicolore sordide ochraceo-
flavis. Remigibus cum alarum tectricibus superioribus brunneo-nigris
brunneo-olivaceo marginatis et lavatis. Cauda unicolore nigra. Pilei
medii plumis in mare adulto aureo-flavis.

Oss. M. xanthopygo (Spix) ex Bahia affinis sed colore uropygii (in M.
xanthopygo sulphureo) et colore corporis inferioris ochraceo unicolore (in
M. xanthopygo—nisi jugulo lateribusque ochraceo brunneis— pallide
sulphureo) necnon colore capitis et dorsi olivaceo brunnescentiore primo
visu distinguendus.

HABITAT: Prov. Rio de Janeiro, S. Brazil: Petropolis (gad. in Mus. H.
v. B. ex Rey) (9) ‘‘ South America” (Rio by make) U. S. Nat. Mus. No.
24005 (Cruise of the Delaware. Dr. G. R. Horner).

dad. Long. tot. 122, al. 614, caud. 624, culm. 94, tars. 174 mm.

I have long had a AMyzobcus from Petropolis, Prov. Rio
(received from Dr. E. Rey of Leipzig), in my collection which I
regarded as quite distinct from JZ. xanthopygus Spix, but
having seen only one specimen, and being at that time somewhat
uncertain about Spix’s bird, I was unwilling to describe it asa
new species. Now Prof. Ridgway lately sent me for examination
another example of the same species which, although the exact
locality is not stated, I should think from the make up of the skin
is also a Rioskin. It agrees very well with my Petropolis speci-
men with the exception that it has no yellow on the vertex, from
which I believe it to be a female or immature bird. The wing
and tail-feathers are moulting, and consequently it presents some-
what smaller dimensions. Atthe same time I have been able to
examine in the Munich Museum the type of Platyrhynchus
xanthopygus Spix, said to be from Rio de Janeiro*, which I
found to be quite identical with Bahia skins in my collection.

Now JZ. ridgwayz, which I have named in compliment to my
illustrious friend Prof. Robert Ridgway, differs very decidedly
from two specimens in my collection from Bahia, viz., true
xanthopygus Spix, in the following points of distinction.

In AZ. redgway?d the rump and all the underparts of the body,
including under wing- and tail-coverts, are of a nearly uniform
ochraceous yellow, and there is no trace of darker coloring on
the jugulum (or upper breast), sides of body, and under tail

» This may be an erroneous locality ; there is no locality noted in Spix’s work, Vol. II,
Pr 9.—H. v. B,

458 BERLEPSCH, Descriptions of New Neotropical Birds. [October

coverts. In AZ. xanthopygus the latter parts are decidedly suf-
fused with ochraceous brown, while the throat, the belly, and the
rump show a pure and clear sulphur yellow. The olive-green
of the head above and of the upper back presents more a brownish
or ochraceous shade in AZ. r¢zdgwayz, while these parts are of a
purer green in JZ. xanthopygus. The tail-feathers in the former
are of a much deeper black, while they appear brownish black
with greenish margins in the Bahia skins. The bill is not so
broad in the new species, and the under mandible is darker,
being nearly white with a blackish tip in the other bird. The
wings in my Rio bird are a little shorter, the tail much longer,
than in the Bahia skins. Some time since when Mr. Sclater
wrote his ‘Catalogue of the Tyrannidz of the British Museum,’ I
communicated my Rio specimen to him, pointing out in what
way it differed from JZ. xanthopygus (Spix), but my English
friend could not satisfy himself of its distinctness. He even does
not admit AZ, xanthopygus as a species, which is different from
MW. barbatus by its brownish jugulum, sides of body, and under
tail-coverts, etc. Nevertheless, I am fully satisfied with the valid-
ity of all these species, and I trust Prof. Ridgway supports
this opinion.

9. Synallaxis coryi, sp. nov.

D1aGn.—S. corpore supra saturate brunneo, pileo obscuriore vel minus
rufescente. Stra superctléaré supra oculos incipiente lata ad nucham ducta
cum cafit?s et colli lateribus (his sordidius) rufo-badizs. Corpore subtus
sordide brunneo-griseo, gula abdomineqae pallidioribus fere albo-griseis.
Mento rufo tincto. Remigibus earumque tectricibus superioribus rufo-
brunneo marginatis. Rectricibus externis—nisi pogonis interno parte
basali fusco marginato—fere omnino rufo-brunneis, mediis pogonio in-

erno fusco, externo rufo-brunneo. ‘Tectricibus alarum inferioribus et
remigum margine basali intus rufis. Rostro—nisi mandibulae dimidio
basali flavo—et pedibus corneis.

Rectricibus omnibus in parte apicali angustatis barbis decompositis
fere ut in S. fuliginosa, cui affinis videtur haec nova species.

Hapsitat: Merida, Venezuela, duo specimina in Mus. H. vy. B. asser-
vantur.

Long. tot. 166-183, al. 55-58%, caud. 98-62, culm. 124-124, tars. 22-23
mm.

This new species, which I have named in honor of my re-

spected friend, Mr. Charles B. Cory, of Boston, does not resemble

1888. ] BERLEPSCH, Descriptions of New Neotropical Birds. 459

intimately any of the known species of Syzallaxzs. Mr. Sclater,
who has examined one of my specimens, agrees with me that it
is quite a new bird. One of my two specimens has longer wings
and tail than the other. The larger-sized bird seems to be the
younger one, as it shows an unmistakable character of immaturity
in its fluffy plumage. The smaller-sized specimen, however,
possesses all characters of maturity.

Regarding colors, there is hardly any difference between these
specimens, with the exception that the smaller bird presents one
feather of orange rufous on the chin, while in the larger bird the
whole chin is slightly suffused with rufous. Perhaps when quite
adult this species may get an orange rufous chin spot, as in many
species of Syzallaxis.

The nearest ally of S. coryz may perhaps be S. fal/ginosa Lafr.
of Colombia, which presents quite the same form and general
structure of the tail-feathers, but is quite different in its colora-
tion.

In S. fuliginosa both webs of all the tail-feathers are of a uni-
form dark rufous brown, inclining to chestnut. In S. coryz the
two or four middle tail-feathers have their inner webs uniform
dusky or blackish brown, only the outer webs being rufous
brown, as in S. fuligénosa.

The outer tail-feathers in the same way show more or less of
blackish brown on the inner margins of the basal portion on their
inner web, while the outermost are uniform rufous brown, as in
the Bogotan species.

The upper parts of the body in‘ S. cory are of a very dark and
sombre sepia or bistre brown with a slight admixture of rufous
brown. The upper part of the head is a little darker and blacker
or less rufescent than the back. In S. faud¢gznosa all the upper
parts of the body are clear rufous brown (perhaps burnt umber
of Ridgway’s nomenclature), the top of the head being still
brighter and more rufescent than the back.

The chzef distinguishing character of S. coryz consists in its
cinnamon rufous superciliary or postocular stripe, which begins
just above the eye and runs to the sides of the neck. The sides
of the head and neck are also varied with cinnamon-rufous, but
a little darker and less vivid than the stripe behind the eye. In
fuligtnosa there isa grayish superciliary stripe, the upper ear-
coverts are brown, the under ones dark gray, as well as the re-
maining portion of the sides of the head and neck.

460 RIDGWAY on the Genus Psittacula. [October

The under surface of the body in S. coryz is much lighter
thanin S. falégz¢nosa, being whitish on the throat and the middle
of the abdomen, and brownish gray on the breast and sides of
the body, while in S. fadzg¢nosa nearly all the under surface of the
body is of a uniform, dark cinereous, and the chin never shows
any rufous suffusion, as is the case in S. cory.

The outer aspect of the wing in S. coryz is rather darker
rufous brown, and the under wing-coverts and inner margins of
the quills are a uniform cinnamon rufous, being grayish with a
slight admixture of rufous in S. faul¢gznosa.

The bill in S. coryé is slightly longer and the base of the under
mandible is yellow toa much greater extent.

The wings and the tail are much shorterthan in S. ful¢ginosa.

SUPPLEMENTARY REMARKS ON THE GENUS
PSTIRTAGOGEA BRISSON.

BY ROBERT RIDGWAY.

In a collection of birds from Bahia recently received at the
National Museum are eight specimens of Pszttacula passer-
tna vivida, for the first time described in my recently published
review of this genus.* There are five adult males and three
adult females, and all exhibit the distinctive characters of the
new race as compared with the true P. fasserixa (Linn.),
from the more northern provinces of Brazil. Some of the males
show, more or less strongly, a bluish tinge across the hind-neck,
this in one of them intensified just behind and above the auricu-
lars into a rather distinct bluish spot. The fifth specimen lacks
the bluish tinge on the hind neck and is somewhat lighter colored
throughout, thus approaching true P. passercna.

Since the above specimens were received, Dr. Sclater has
kindly called my attention to an important paper on species of
this genus by Dr. Hartlaubt which I had entirely overlooked in

* A Review of the Genus Psittacula Brisson. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. Vol. X, 1887,

pp: 529-548.
+ On a new Species of Parrot of the Genus Psétfacuda. By Dr. G. Hartlaub, F. M,

Z.S. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1885, pp. 613-615, pl. 38, figs. 1, 2.

1888. ] RIDGWAY on the Genus Psittacula.

401

the preparation of my ‘Review’
gretted but unavoidable, since at that time no copy of the volume

an oversight much to be re-

containing the paper in question was accessible to me.

The two species particularly treated by Dr. Hartlaub are his
new P. spengelt (misspelled sfengler? on the plate), from
Baranquilla, Columbia, and P. cyanochlora (Natt., MS.), from
the Rio Branco (a northern tributary of the Lower Amazon).
The former is probably the same as my P. exguds¢ta, from Car-
tagena, and the latter may be the same as my /?. del7céosa, from
Santarem and Diamantina, although there are points in Dr.
Hartlaub’s descriptions which render the matter uncertain until
type-specimens can be actually compared. For example, regard-
ing P. spengelé he says that the bill is ‘*much larger,” than in
P. cyanopyga, whereas in the type of P. exguzs¢ta it is rather
smaller than in that species ; the inner webs of the primaries are
said to be black in P. spengelz, whereas in P. exguistta they
are dull green, but little darker than the outer webs; the upper
tail-coverts are said to be turquoise-blue, whereas in P. exgz7s¢ta
The hab-

itats of the two birds are so close together, however (both being

they are all pure light yellowish green, like the tail.*

in the delta of the Magdalena River) that there is very little
likelihood of the two birds proving distinct, notwithstanding these
apparent differences, which may be found to disappear when
specimens are compared.

The bird described by Dr. Hartlaub as P. cyanochlora (ex
Yes

delictosa,and possibly the same ; but several discrepancies indicate

Natterer, MS.), seems to be very closely allied to my

its probable distinctness, at leastas a subspecies. These discrep-

ancies are as follows:

In P. cyanochlora, In P. delrciosa,

, dilute yellowish green,| vivid Paris-green, like

Sides of head

Upper tail-coverts

Size

like under parts.

fine emerald green, like
rump.

‘altogether a larger bird,
with a much_= smaller
beak” (as compared with
P. spengelt).

forehead.

clear yellowish green, like
tail.

slightly smaller, with the
bill hardly smaller though
somewhat narrower (as
compared with type of P.
exquisita).

* In the rather poor figure (pl. 38, fig. 1), however, they are colored green, while the
lower tail-coverts are colored pure yellow in strong contrast!

462 RipGway oz the Genus Psittacula. [October

A specimen mentioned by Dr. Hartlaub under P. cyanochlora
as a supposed young male of P. fasserzna, from Caracas, is an
adult male of P.guzanensis Swains. This species agrees with
P. cyanochlora in nearly everything except the coloration of the
under wing-coverts, which is like that of P. sfexge/z in the re-
stricted area of dark blue feathers, P. cyanochlora (like P.
delictosa, if distinct), having not only the entire under wing-
coverts (except narrow outer margin) but also the whole of the
axillars uniformly of this rich dark blue color. In other words,
the adult male of P. guzanens7s combines the bicolored wing-
lining of P. spengel? with the emerald-green rump of P. cyan-
ochlora.

Granting that the nearness of the two localities represented re-
spectively by P. spengelé and P. exguisita (Baranquilla and Car-
tagena) preclude the probability of their being separable as races
even, butgiving due weight to the comparatively wide separation
of P. cyanochlora and P. deliciosa (the broad Amazon river, and
more than four hundred miles of territory intervening) together
with apparent differences of size and coloration noted above, we
would have for the region between the Lower Amazon and the
Magdalena delta four definable forms, forming a graded series
as follows:

Rump turquoise-blue ; under wing-coverts bicolored (greenish turquoise-
jovi \yvndow Clehdle jolhbie joker) GA oo 6 ho oo 5 oc 1. P. spengeli
(Magdalena delta).

Rump emerald-green.
Under wing-coverts bicolored (as in P. spengeli); sides of head
yellowish Sfeen®. :05 ss ete <2 2 see ore 2. . P. gutanensts
(Venezuela and Guiana).

Under wing-coverts unicolored (wholly rich dark blue).
Sides of head yellowish green as in P. gutanensts. 3. P. cyanochlora
(Rio Branco).
Sides of head vivid Paris-green ........... 4. P. deliciosa
(Lower Amazon).

INDEX TO

ACANTHIS brewsterii, 401.
exilipes, 413.
hornemannii, 413.
linaria, 358.

Accentor, Golden-crowned, 315.

Accipiter atricapillus — striatulus,
145.
cooperi, 20, 145, 246, 271, 316,
350.

VeElOxyeZOw 045.) 2710, 250.
Actitis macularia, 20, 145, 149, 151,
270; 349; 389, 433-

Actodromas couesi, 197.

/Echmophorus clarkii, 4o1.
occidentalis, 15, 140, 201.

/Egialitis meloda circumcincta, 147.
mongola, 197.
nivosa, I10.
pyrrhothorax, 197.
semipalmata, 327.
vocifera, 20, 145, 270, 349.
wilsonia, 186.

@strelata hasitata, Sr.
jamaicensis, 81.

Agelaius gubernator, 139.
phoeniceus, 22, 150, 152, 154,

207.) 262, 272; 315, 389-
phoeniceus bryanti, 397.
pheeniceus sonoriensis, 397.
tricolor, 262.

Agyrtria alleni, 263.

Aimophila cahooni, 93, 94-
mcleodii, 92, 94.
rufescens, 94.

Aix sponsa, 18, 65, 142, 269, 346,

378, 389.

Ajaja ajaja, 269.

Alauda arvensis, 18o.

Albatross, Spectacled, 394.
Wandering, 394.
Yellow-nosed,-107, 318.

Alca impennis, 329.
torda, 134, 135, 281, 382.

VOLUME: V.

Allen, F. H., Tameness of the Pine
Siskin, 426.

Allen, J. A., descriptions of two new
subspecies of the Seaside Sparrow
(Ammodramus marttimus), 284;
description of a new species of the
genus J7vtyra trom Ecuador, 287;
notes on Louisiana birds, 324;
notice of his paper ‘On the Struc-
ture of Birds in relation to Flight,’
418; note on the correct name of
Symphemtasemtpalmata tnornata
Brewst., 423; further notes on
Seaside Sparrows, 426; see also
Faxon, W., and Scott, W. E. D.

Amaurospiza zquatorialis, 411.

axillaris, 412.

American Ornithologists’ Union,
fifth meeting of the, 95.

Ammodramus australis, 274, 398.

caudacutus, 422.

caudacutus nelsoni, 422.
caudacutus subvirgatus, 397.
henslowii, 22, 210, 389, 390.
leconteii, 210.

maritimus, 285, 286, 426.

maritimus peninsule, 284-
287, 398, 426. ;
maritimus sennetti, 286, 287,

398, 426.
nigrescens, 284, 285.
sandwichensis, 358.
sandwichensis alaudinus, 358.
sandwichensis brunnescens,
265.
sandwichensis savanna, 150,
152,154, 273, 326.
savannarum .passerinus, 22,
272.
savannarum perpallidus, 15.
Ampelis cedrorum, 23, 31, 150, 152,
275, 360, 389.
Anas acuta, 62.

464

Anas albeola, 67.
americana, 63, 141, 269, 346,
375.
arborea, 59.
autumnalis, 60.
bahamensis, 62.
boschas, 17, 61, 141, 268, 312,
313, 344, 316, 346, 378.
ce rulescens, 59.
canadensis, 59.
carolinensis, 17, 64, 141, 269,
346, 378.
clypeata, 64.
collaris, 66.
cyanoptera, 141.
discors, 17, 63, 269, 346, 378.
dominica, 68.
fimbriata, 62.
(Fuligula) rufitorques, 66.
fulvigula, 61, 108, 378, 444.
ilathera, 62.
jacquini, 59.
marila, 65.
maxima, 61.
mexicana, 64.
obscura, 61, 268, 312, 346, 389,
B90 At
perspicillata, 67.
(Querquedula) discors, 64.
rubida, 68.
rubirostris, 62.
spinosa, 68.
sponsa, 65.
strepera, 61, 141, 173, 268.
urophasianus, 62.
vallisneria, 66.
viduata, 60.
Anhinga anhinga, 71, 268, 377-
Anhinga, 268. 377.
Anous stolidus, 80.
Anser albifrons, 58, 311.
albifrons gambeli, 58,142,143,
Billie
cerulescens, 59.
gambeli, 58.
hyperboreus, 58.
pictus, 311.
Anthus cervinus, 307, 410.
pensilvanicus, 159, 276, 362,
qa
pratensis, 307-
spraguel, 15.
Antrostomus carolinensis, 272.
vociferus,21, 149, 151, 272, 389.
Aphalus capensis, 292. 293, 30I.
Aphelocoma californica hypoleuca,

insularis, 396.

Aquila chrysaétos, 145, 313) 3151350

Index.

[October

Aramides maculatus, 52.
Aramus giganteus, 50, 51.
guarauna, 50.
pictus, 51.
scolopaceus, 51.
scolopaceus giganteus 51.
Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis,
145, 350-
Ardea bahamensis, 83.
cerulea, 268, 269.
candidissima, 268,269.
egretta, 19, 143, 268, 269, 348.
exilis, 50.
herodias, 143, 183, 268, 269,
She
lentiginosa, 49.
nevia, 49.
nycticorax, 49.
occidentalis, 195.
pealei, 184, 4or.
purpurea, 196.
rufa, 184.
rufescens, 184.
tricolor ruficollis, 268, 269.
violacea, 48.
virescens, 19, 84, 144, 269,
_ ,348.
virescens frazari, 83, 394.
wardi, 183, 195.
wuerdemannl, 195, 394.
Ardeola exilis, 50.
Ardetta eurhythma, 196.
exilis, 50.
neoxena, 394.
Arenaria interpres, 110, 147.
Asio accipitrinus, 146, 350.
wilsonianus, 20, 146, 350.

Atkinson, G. F., notice of his ‘Pre-
liminary catalogue of the birds
of North Carolina,’ 311.

Auk, Great, 278, 330. 331, 380, 422.

Auklet, Whiskered, 410.

Auriparus flaviceps, 166.

Averill, C. K., Jr., feeding habits
of Svtta canadensts, 118; the
Yellow Rail in Connecticut, 319.

Avocet, 16

Aythya affinis, 65, 142, 203, 269,

346, 379-
americana, 66, 142.
collaris, 66. 142, 269, 379.
marila nearctica, 18, 142, 379.
vallisneria, 66, 142.
Aythyia vallisneria, 66.

BarrD, Spencer Fullerton, me-
morial address upon, I.

Baldpate, 269, 346, 378.

Bartramia longicauda, 145, 270,

389,

18SS. |

Basileuterus culicivorus, 450.
culicivorus godmani, 450.
godmani, 450.

Becard, Xantus’s, 425.

Beckham, C. W., occurrence of the
Florida Blue Jay ( Cyanocitta
cristata florincola) in Southwest-
ern Texas, 112; a Philadelphia
Vireo and a cobweb, t15; death
of, 445.

Bendire, C. E., eggs of the Ivory
Gull (Gavia alba), 202; notes on
the habits, nests, and eggs of the
genus Sfhyrapficus Baird, 225;
notes on the nest and eggs of
Peucea esttvalis bachmant Aud.,
Bachman’s Sparrow, 351; notes
on the habits, nests and eggs of
the genus Glaucidium Boie, 366.

Bennett, A. L., Surf Scoter (Ozde-
mia perspicillata) in Kansas,
203.

Berlepsch, H. v., descriptions of
new species and subspecies of
birds from the neotropical re-
gion, 449.

Berlepschia, 194.

Bernicla canadensis, 59.

Bird, Inca, 27.

Man-of- war, 170, 173, 319, 378.

Red-billed Tropic, 241.
Bittern, 268.

American, 269, 347.

Least, 19.

Blacicus flaviventris, 158.
martinicensis, 158.

Blackbird, Brewer’s, 15.

Crowes. 113:

Red-winged, 22, 150, 272, 315.
Rusty, 273.

Yellow-headed, 362.

Blue Peter, 270.

Bluebird, 22, 25, 151, 153, 277-
Mountain, 168.

Western, 167.
Bobolink, 150, 151, 272.
Bob-white, 20, 317, 349.

Cuban, 395.

Florida, 270.

Bogdanow, M. N., death of. 333.

Bonasa umbellus, 20, 149, 151, 153,

314, 338, 339) 349, 349, 389.
umbellus sabini, 145.

Booby, Blue-footed, 241.
Brewster’s, 241, 242.

Botaurus exilis, 19.
lentiginosus, 49, 143, 268, 269,

328, 347-

Index.

465

Botaurus minor, 49.
Brachyrhamphus kittlitzii, 410.
Brant, Black, 143.

Branta canadensis, 17, 59, 143, 347-
canadensis hutchinsii, 143.
canadensis minima, 143.
canadensis occidentalis, 143.
hutchinsil, 311.
nigricans, 143.

Brewster, W., descriptions of esup-
posed new birds from Lower
California, Sonora, and Chihua-
hua, Mexico, and the Bahamag,

2; the Prairie Horned Lark ( Ofo-
corts alpestris praticola) on the
coast of Massachusetts, I11; on
three apparently new subspecies
of Mexican birds, 136; Quzscalus
quiscula agleusat Charleston,
South Carolina, 208; breeding
of the Golden-crested Kinglet
(Regulus satrapa) in Worcester
County, Massachusetts, with a
description of its nest and eggs,
3373; notes on the birds of Win-
chendon, Worcester County, Mass-
achusetts, 386; a second Maine
(and fourth New England) speci-
men of Swainson’s Hawk (Bzuteo
swatnsont), 424; Crstothorus pal-
ustris martane on the coast of
eee 432; see also Merrill,

Brodie, W., bird notes from Toron-
to, 211.

Brown, H., Jonornts martinica in
Arizona, 109; on the nesting of
Palmer’s Thrasher, 116.

Brown, J.C., Carfodacus purpur-
~eus at Portland, Maine, in winter,
209.

Bubo virginianus, 18, 271, 313, 351;

cue
virginianus subarcticus, 146.

Bucephala albeola, 67.

Buffle-head, 347, 379.

Bullfinch, Cassin’s, 410.

Bunting, Bay-winged, 150.

Beautiful, 399.
Cow, 207.
Indigo, 22, 152, 274.

Bush-tit, Lead-colored, 166.

Lloyd’s, 43, 400.
Butalis griseisticta, 197.
Buteo borealis, 18, 149, 223,
350, 389.
borealis calurus, 145, 205.
cooperi, 401.

271,

466

Buteo fuliginosus, 185, 401.
latissimus, 20, 350.
lineatus, 20, 271, 350.
pennsylvanicus, 247.
swainsoni, 145, 424.

Butler, A. W., ona new subspecies
of Ammodramus sandwichensis
from Mexico, 264.

Buzzard, Turkey, 245, 248, 316, 350.

CAIRINA moschata, 63.

Calamospiza melanocorys, 438-444.

Calcarius lapponicus, 181, 438, 440,

ornatus, 14, 321.

Calidris arenaria, 179.

Callipepla elegans bensoni, 194.

Calliste cucullata, 157.

Campephilus principalis, 185, 186.

Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus,

116, 162.
zonatus, 449.
zonatus costaricensis, 449.

Canvasback, 142.

Carbo mexicanus, 71.

Cardellina rubrifrons, 36, 385.

Cardinal, 22, 119, 274.

Texas, 119.

Cardinalis cardinalis, 22, 119, 274,

421i.

Carduelis elegans, 211.

magellanicus, 412.

Carpodacus cassini, 412.
frontalis, 412.
frontalis rhodocolpus, 401.
frontalis ruberrimus,397.
heemorrhous, 412.
mexicanus frontalis, 401.
purpureus, 12, 150, 152, 154,

209, 273, 389-
purpureus californicus, 357.
roseipectus, 412.

Carpodectes antoniz, 194.

Cassique, Yellow-tailed, 27.

Catbind 24 estos reer soo

Catharista atrata, 270.

Cathartes aura, 18, 145, 179, 245,
248, 270, 316, 350.
Catherpes mexicanus conspersus,

162.

Cedarbird, 150, 152.

Centrocercus urophasianus, 367.

Centurus blakei, 159.

caymanensis, 158.
nyeanus, 159.
Ceophleeus pileatus, 111, 149, 240,
271, 313, 389, 390.

Cepphus mandtii, 311.
motzfeldi, 401.

Certhia familiaris americana, 19,

153%

Index.

[October

Certhia familiaris mexicana, 165.
familaris occidentalis, 362.
mexicana, 450.
mexicana albescens, 450.

Certhiola sharpei, 157.

Ceryle alcyon; 21, 149; “351,) 253%

sii, Afi

Chadbourne, A. P., Puffinus borealis
at Gardiner’s Bay, N. Y., 202;
Molothrus ater again in Massa-
chusetts in winter, 207.

Chetura brachyura, 158.

cinereiventris, 158.

pelagica, 21, 149, I51, 154,
272, 389.

vauxi, 256.

Chamberlain, M., the Yellow-nosed
Albatross (Tkhalassogeron culmi-
natus) in the Gulf of St. Law-
rence,107 ; notice of his ‘Catalogue
of Canadian birds,’ 189; notice of
his ‘Systematic Table of Cana-
dian Birds,’ 108.

Chapman, F. M., observations on
the nocturnal migration of birds,
37; a list of birds observed at
Gainesville, Florida. 267; Ovde-
mia perspicillata in Florida, 319;
birds at Aiken, S. C., 3243) list
of additions to the North Ameri-
can avifauna and of eliminations
and changes in nomenclature
proposed since the publication of
the A. O. U. Check-List, 393.

Charadrius dominicus, 308-310.
dominicus fulvus, 309, 310.
fulvus americanus, 192.
fulvus dominicus, 192.
fulvus virginicus, 192.
squatarola, I10.
virginicus, 309.

Charitonetta albeola, 67, 142, 203,

ISS, oles) ha

Chasiempsis dolei, 197.

Chat, Long-tailed, 36.
Yellow-breasted, 24, 116, 405.

Chaulelasmus_ streperus, 6r.

Chelidon erythrogaster, 23,

150, 152, 154, 360, 389.

Chen cerulescens, 59, 311, 394-
hyperborea, 58, 142.
hyperborea nivalis, 183, 379.

Chickadee, 151, 153.

Carolina, 25, 277.
Hudsonian, 410.
Kowak, 400.
Mountain, 118.
Plumbeous, 46, 400.
Siberian, 410.

31,

1888.]

Chicken, Prairie, 349.
Chloephaga poliocephala, 198.
Chondestes grammacus, 186, 438.
Chordeiles popetue, 37, 154.
popetue chapmani, 37, 396.
henryi, 37.
sennetti, 37, 396.
virginianus, 21,149, 151, 256,
314, 389-
virginianus chapmani, 186,
272, 3960.
virginianus henryi, 256.
virginianus sennetti, 256, 396.
Chrecocephalus atricilla, 75.
Chroicocephalus atricilla, 75.
Chrysomitris boliviana, 412.
capitalis, 412.
icterica, 412.
longirostris, 412,
magellanica, 412.
notata, 412.
sclateri, 412.
siemiradzkii, 412.
stejnegerl, 412.
xanthogastra, 412.
Chrysotis caymanensis, 159.
Chuck-will’s-widow, 272.
Cinclus mexicanus, 362.
Circus hudsonius, 145,
350-
Cistothorus mariane, 188, 400.
palustris, 24.
palustris mariane, 432.
palustris paludicola, 165, 362,
400.
Clangula albeola, 67.
americana, 67.
glaucion, 67.
glaucion americana, 67.
glaucium, 67.
hyemalis, 203.
Clark, H. L., notice of his ‘Birds of
Amherst.’ 105.
Clivicola riparia, 23, 31, 152, 154,
329, 389. :
Coccothraustes vespertina, 113, I14,
208, 357+ 425, 439-
vulgaris, 439.
Coccyzus americanus, 20, 271.
" americanus occidentalis, 396.
erythrophthalmus, 21, 149,
151, 389.
maynardi, 159. 396.
minor, 185.
Colaptes auratus, 21, 149, I51, 154,
271, 325.18 80-
cafér, 16, 240, 256.
gundlachi, 159.

TS Tau 7) Lis

Index.

467

Coleman, G. A., Coccothraustes
vespertina in Nebraska, 425.

Colinus graysoni, 4o1.

ridgwayl, 401.

virginianus, 20, 313, 316, 349.

virginianus cubanensis, 395.

virginianus floridanus, 270.
Collocalia fuciphaga, 333, 335.
Columba fasciata vioscz, 86, 395.

leucocephala, 185.
Columbigallina passerina, 270.

passerina pallescens, 395.
Colymbus auritus, 373.

carolinensis, 156.

dominicensis, 155.

dominicus, 155.

holboellii, 156.

podiceps, 156.

Comeau, N. A., the Yellow-nosed
Albatross (Thalassogeron culmt-
natus), 318.

Compsothlypis americana, 24, 150,

152, 275, 326, 389, 431. 433-

Contopus borealis, 148, 151, 154,

257, 389, 390.
richardsoni, 257, 258.
Virens, 21, 150, 151, 154, 272
389.

Conurus carolinensis, 148, 185.

Coot 726753273;

American, 270, 348.

Corethrura cayennensis, 54.

guatemalensis, 54.

Cormorant, Florida, 377.

Corvus americanus, 21, 150, 151,

154, 179, 312, 316, 389, 414.
americanus floridanus, 272.
americanus hesperis, 262.397.
corax carnivorus, 397.
corax principalis, 397.
corax sinuatus, 198, 241, 262,
329-
corone orientalis, 196.
levaillantii, 196.
ossifragus, 21, 272.

Cory, C. B., description of a sup-
posed new form of Margarops
from Dominica, 47; an appar-
ently new -laznea from Barba-
does, West Indies, 47; the birds
of the West Indies, including the
Bahama Islands, the Greater and
the Lesser Antilles. excepting
the Islands of Tobago and Trini-
dad, 48, 155; the European Kes-
trel in Massachusetts, 110; the
European Kestrel in Massachu-
setts—a correction, 205; descrip-

468 Index. [October

tion of a new Myzarchus from
the West Indies, 266.

Corydomorphe, 207.

Cotinga ridgwayl, 194.

Coturnix coturnix 314.

Coues, E., new forms of North
American Chordtles, 37; notice
ot his ‘Key to North American
Birds,’ 101; note on Rostratul-
ine, 204; Corydomorphe, 207;
notes on the nomenclature of the
muscles of volation in birds’
wings, 435.

Coues, E. B., nesting of the Prairie
Warbler (Dexdroica discolor) in
the vicinity of Washington, D.
C405:

Cowbird, 15, 21, 151, 272.

Crane, Sandhill, 205, 348.

Creciscus jamaicensis, 55.

Creeper, Black-and-white, 150, 433.

Brown, 19, 153.
Mexican, 165.
Crex crex, 177.
galeata, 56.
minuta, 54.

Crithagra brasiliensis, 412.

Creecocephalus minutus, 171.

Crossbill, 324, 325.

American, 22, 152, 317.
Mexican, 114.

Red, 115, 208, 340.
White-winged, 152, 410.

Crow, 150, 179, 312, 316.
American, 21, I51.
California, 397.
Clarke’s, 262.

Fish, 22, 272.
Florida, 272.

Crybastus gossil, 54.
minutus, 55-

Cuckoo, Black-billed, 21, 149, 151.
California, 396.
Mangrove, 185.
Maynard’s, 396.
Yellow-billed, 20, 271.

Cupidonia cupido brewsteri, 402.

Curlew, 14.

Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus, 262,

413.
Cyanocitta cristata, 21, 150, I51,
154, 389, 434-
cristata florincola, 112, 272,
324.
stelleri, 261.
stelleri annectens, 396.
stelleri frontalis, 261.
Cyanolesbia nehrkorni, 200.

Cyanopterus clypeata, 65.
discors, 63.
inornatus, 63.

Cyanospiza cyanella, 412.

Cypseloides niger, 424.

Cypselus apus, 329.

DAFILA acuta, 62, 142, 269, 316,

346, 378.
bahamensis, 62.
urophasianus, 62.

Daption capensis, 1098.

Davison, J. L., breeding of the
Cerulean Warbler (Dendrorca
cerulea) in Niagara County,
New York, 430.

Demiegretta ringeri, 196.

Dendragapus canadensis, 317.

obscurus fuliginosus, 145, 367.

Dendrocincla castanoptera, 195.

lafresnayei, 195.
rufo-olivacea, 194.
Dendrocygna arborea, 59.
autuimnalis, 60.
viduata, 60.
Dendrocygnus arborea, 60.
spinosa, 68.
sponsa, 65.
viduata, 60.
Dendroica estiva, 16, 21, 24, 150,
152, 154, 389, 433-
zstiva morcoml, 34, 138, 361,
a2:
zstiva sonorana, 137, 400.
auduboni, 16, 34,361. —
blackburniez, 150, 153, 326,
389, 391, 433-
cerulea, 323, 325, 430, 431.
cerulescens, 149, 150, 153,
154, 276, 326, 389, 391, 433-
carbonata, 401.
castanea, 153, 326, 433-
coronata, 16, 34, 149, I50,
153, 154, 276, 326, 388, 389,
OLB Oran
discolor, 22, 24, 276, 405.
dominica, 276.
dominica albilora, 276.
graciz, 34.
kirtlandi, 148.
maculosa, 153, 326, 388, 389,
391; 433:
nigrescens, 34, 104, 361.
occidentalis, 35. 361.
olivacea, 34.
palmarum, 170, 182, 276, 324,
326, 433-
palmarum hypochrysea, 182,

27:

1888. ]

Dendroica pennsylvanica, 150, 153,
154, 326, 389, 433-
striata, 153, 182, 276, 326, 432.,
tigrina, 187, 211, 275.
townsendi, 35, 361.
vigorsii, 24, 276, 326.
virens, 150, 153,154, 326, 389,
391, 433-
vitellina, 157.
Dickcissel, 2
Die Dipper, 268.
Diomedea exulans, 394.
melanophrys, 394.
Diplopteryx chirurgus, 292.
Diver, Red-throated, 171.
Dolichonyx oryzivorus,
154, 272, 314, 389.
Dove, 270.
Carolina, r19.
Ground, 270.
Mexican Ground, 395.
Mourning, 20, 270, 349.
Turtle; 17.
Dowitcher, 110.
Long-billed, 147, 184.
Dryobates borealis, 271.
pubescens, 16).20, (151. 054,
Bits
pubescens
25 le 252)
villosus, 21, 149, 151, 154, 389,
390.
villosus audubonii, 271.
villosus harrisii, 213, 214, 218,
240, 251.
villosus hyloscopus, 252.
Duck, American Scaup, 18.
Black, 108, 268, 346, 390, 444.
Blue Mountain, Sr.
Buflehead, 203.
Florida, 378, 444.
Florida Black, 268.
Gadwall, 173.
Golden-eye, 203.
Isle of Shoal, 175.
King Eider, 175-
Lesser Black-head, 203.
Lesser Scaup, 269, 346, 379.
Long-tailed, 203.
Ring-necked, 269, 379.
Ruddy. 269, 347; 379, 416.
Shoveller, 17.
Wood, 18, 269. 346. 379.
Dutcher, W., bird notes from Long
Island, N. Y., 169.
Dwight, J., Jr.. two records for
Long Island, New York, 324.
Dysporus cyanops, 71.

USO) LTS 1s

gairdnerli, 240,

Index.

Dysporus fiber, 72.
hernandezi, 73.
leucogaster, 72.
piscator, 73.
sula, 72.

EAGLE, Bald, 18, 149, 271, 350.
Golden; 31035 315, 350:
Eames, E. H., notes on Helm/n-

thophila leucobronchialis, 427;
Dendroica cerulea at Seymour,
Connecticut, 431.

Ectopistes migratorius, 270,

349; 389.

Egret, American, 19, 269, 348.
Great White, 268.
Little White. 268.
Reddish, 184.

Eider, King, 174.

Elainea barbadensis, 47, 158.
pagana, 158.

Elanoides forficatus, 270.

Elliot, D. G., description of a new

species of Hummingbird of the
genus Agyrtria, 263; the Jaca-
nide, 288.

Emberiza aldunatei, 194.
cyanella, 412.

Embernagra rufivirgata, 352, 442.

Emmet, R. T., the Black Duck in

Chihuahua, 108.

Empidonax acadicus, 21,
cineritius, 90, 396.
difficilis, 90, 91, 258.
flaviventris, 3, 151.
hammondi, 258.
minimus, 3, 150, 151, 389, 434.
obscurus, 258.
pusillus, 258.
pusillus traillii, 151, 154, 422.

Eremophila alpestris, 111.

Ereunetes occidentalis, 184.
pusillus, 185, 349.

Erismatura dominica, 68.
rubida, 68, 142, 269, 347, 379,

416.
spinosa, 68.

Erythra minuta, 54.

Eucometis cristata, 454.
cristata affinis, 451, 453.
spodocephala, 451-453.
spodocephala pallida, 451-453.
spodocephala stictothorax,

451-453;

Euetheia canora, 322, 399.

Euryzona sepiaria, 196.

Evermann, B. W., birds of Carroll

County, Indiana, 344.
Faxco esalon, 395.

314,

2)

2i72)5 AD)

470 Index. | October

Falco columbarius, 146, 271, 350.
columbarius suckleyi, 146.
mexicanus, 139.
peregrinus anatum, 146.
rusticolus, 197.
sparverius, 20, 146, 271, 350.
tinnunculus, I10, 205, 395.

Faxon, W., and Allen, J. A., notes

on the summer birds of Holder-
ness, Bethlehem, and Franconia,
INS Ele, 140:
Finch, Grass, 18.
Bine; 209,325.
Purple; 12, 050; 052..200, 273.
Rufous-crowned Summer, 40.
Fisher, A. K., Rallus longirostrts
crepitans breeding on the coast
of Louisana, 108; Megascops asitv
floridanus in Louisana. 111;
Quiscalus quiscula agleus in
Louisana, 113.
Fisher, G. J., polydactylism in
birds, 218.

Fishhawk, 350.

Flicker, 21, 271.

Red-shafted, 16.

Flycatcher, Acadian, 21, 272.
@rested i215 sr4o sensu) 272:
Great-crested. 200.
Hammond's, 258.

Least, 150, 151.
Olive-sidéd, 151, 390.
St. Lucas, go, 396.
Slender-billed, 137.
Traill’s, 151.
Wright’s, 258.
Yellow-bellied, 151.

Fowl, Sage, 367.

Fratercula arctica, 134, 135, 171.

Fregata aquila, 69, 170, 173, 378.

Fringilla canariensis, 413.
gayi, 194.
maderensis, 412, 413.
morelleti, 413.

Fulica americana, 57, 144, 267. 270,

273,348.
atra, 57.
caribea, 58.
martinica, 57.
noveboracensis. 56.
spinosa, 289, 290, 292, 297,
298, 299.

Fuligula affinis. 65.
americana, 66.
collaris, 66.
ferina var. americana, 66.
marila, 65.
mariloides, 66.

Fuligula rubida, 68.
rufitorques, 66.

Fulix affinis, 65.
collaris, 66.

GADWALL, 173, 268.

Galbraith, C. S., Bachman’s Warb-
ler (Helminthophila bachman‘)
in Louisiana, 323.

Galeoscoptes carolinensis, 24, 151,

153,154, 277, 329, 388, 389,

434-

Galinuela galeata, 56.

Gallinago delicata, 144, 270, 328,
330, 331, 348.

Gallinula chloropus, 56. ,
galeata, 56, 270, 328, 348.
galeata sandvicensis, 197.
martinica, 57.

Gallinule, Florida, 270, 328, 348.
Purple, 109, 270.

Gannet, 130-135, 278, 282.

Gavia alba, 202.

Gelochelidon anglica, 76.
aranea, 76.
cayennensis, 77.
nilotica, 76, 374.

Geothlypis agilis, 187, 323, 326.
coryl, 157.
formosa, 24, 422.
macgillivrayl, 35, 362.
philadelphia, 153, 323, 434.
tanneri, 157.
trichas, 24, TSI, 153, 1545270;

326, 389, 434.

trichas occidentalis, 35, 362.

Glaucidium gnoma, 146, 366. 370.
gnoma californicum, 366, 370.
gnoma hoskinsii, 136, 372,

395°,
phalenoides. 366, 371.
Glaucion clangula, 422.
Glaucionetta clangula americana,
15, 67. 142. 203, 347-
islandica, 16, 142, 347-
Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 25, 166,

277.

Plumbeous, 166. ,
Gnathospiza raimondi, 412.
Godwit, Marbled, 349.
Golden-eye, American, 15, 347, 379:

Barrow’s, 16, 347.
Goldfinch, 150, 207.

American, 22, 152, 273.

European, 211.

Goose, Blue. 394.

Canada, 17, 347-

Greater Snow, 183, 379.

White-fronted, 143.

1888.]

Gormley, M. H.,
Black Swift, 424.

Goss, N. S., feeding habits of Pede-
canus erythrorhynchos, 25; notes
on Gymnostinops montezume, 27;
new and rare birds found breeding
on the San Pedro Martir Isle, 240;
how far West has Anas obscura
been found?, 444.

Gosse, P. H., death of, 446.

Grackle, Boat-tailed, 273.

Bronzed. 19, 113, 208, 324.
Florida, 113, 208, 273.
Eurple, 19, 22, 324:

Graculus dilophus var.

70.

floridanus, 70.

mexicanus, 71.
Grassquit, Melodious, 322.
Grebe, 203.

Horned, 373.

Pied-billed, 268, 345, 373.

Western, I5, 201.

Grosbeak, Blue, 22, 119.

Evening, 113, 114, 208, 425.
Kodiak Pine, 397.

Pine, 321.

Rose-breasted, 150, 152.
Western Blue, 399.

Grouse, Canada, 317.

Ruffed, 20, 149, 151, 314, 338-
349, 349-
Sooty, 367.

Grus canadensis, 50, 144.
mexicana, 50, 144, 205, 348.
poliophea, 50.

Guara alba, 269.

Guillemot, Kittlitz’s, 410.

Guiraca argentina, 412.
erica: 22.
cerulea eurhyncha, I19, 399-

aro
cyanea, 412.

Gull, American Herring, 345, 374.

Bonaparte’s. 345, 374:
Great Black-backed, 107, 318.
Herring, 107.
Ivory, 202.
Laughing, 107, 374, 377:
Little, 170, 171, 393-
Point Barrow, 393.
Ring-billed, 107, 345, 374-
Western, 241.
Gymnostinops montezume, 27, 99.
HaBia ludoviciana, 150, 152, 154,
327, 389.
mélanocephala, 359, 438-444.
Hematopus frazari, 84, 395-

nesting of the

floridanus,

Index.

471

Hematopus galapagensis, 85.
palliatus, 85, 86.

Haliwetus leucocephalus, 18, 145,

149; 2715 550:

Haliplana anestheta, 77.
discolor, 77.
fuliginosa, 78.

Hancock, J. L., the northern range
of Oporornis formosa in Illinois,
210; impeded migration and de-
struction of birds at Chicago, 432.

Hardy, F. P., testimony of some
early voyagers on the Great Auk,
380.

Harporhynchus, bendirei, 116, 117,

ios Ome
crissalis, 161.
curvirostris palmeri, 116, 161.
rufus, 16, 24, 151, 154, 277,
325, 385, 389, 434-

Harrier, Marsh, 350.

Harris, G. E., early nesting of
Otocorts alpestris praticola, 320.

Hasbrouck, E. M., Dendroica
cerulea in the District of Colum-
bia, 323.

Hawk, American Sparrow, 20, Dies
Broad-winged, 20, 350.
Cooper’s, 20, 246, 271, 316,

350-
Hen, 149.
Little Black, 185.
Marsh, 151, 271.
Pigeon, 271, 350.
Red-shouldered, 20, 271, 350.
Red-tailed, 18, 271, Aen
Rough-legged, Ne
Sharp- -shinned,
Sparrow, 350.
Swainson’s, 424.
Western Red- tailed,

271, 350.

| Helinaia swainsonii, 187, 32 =n 326.

Helminthophila bachmanii,

ee 428.

celata, 275, 323.

celata lutescens, 34, 360, 361.

chrysoptera, 391.

cincinnatiensis, 401.

lawrencei, 401, 421, 427.

leucobronchialis, 115,
AOI, 421, 427.

luciz, 33.

peregrina, 152

187,

148,

5 Usha eater

pinus, 24, 427.
ruficapilla, 150, 152, 323, 326,
389.

ruficapilla gutturalis, 33, 360.
virginiz, 33.

47 fd Index. { October

Helmitherus vermivorus, 23, 275.
Heron, Bahama Green, 83.
Black-crowned Night, 20,
268, 269, 348.

Frazar’s Green, 83, 394.

Great Blue, 268. 269, 347.

Green, 19, 269. 348.

Little Blue, 268, 269.

Louisiana, 268, 269.

Night, 327, 328.

Snowy, 269.

Ward's, 183.

Wuerdemann’s, 195. 394.
Hesperocichla nevia, 365.
Heteractitis incanus, 237.
Himantopus knudseni, 197.
Himatione parva, 197.

Holder, J. B., death of. 220.
Hopkins. C. L., notes relative to
the sense of smell in the Turkey
Buzzard (Carthartes aura), 248.
Fudson;, Wi. ls.ssee oclater, blo.
Hummingbird, Floresi’s, 396.

Ruby-throated, 21, 151, 272.
Hydralector cristatus, 299, 302.

gallinaceus, 290, 292, 293,

302.

nove-hollandiz, 303.
Hydrochelidon fissipes, 79.

fuliginosa, 78.

lariformis, 79.

nigra, 79.

nigra surinamensis, 79, 140,

376.

plumbea, 79.

surinam, 79.
Ilydrophasianus chirurgus, 289,

297, 292, 293, 294, 303, 304.

sinensis, 304.

Isrts, White, 269.
Icteria virens, 24. 116; 389, 392, 405.

virens longicauda, 36, 438,

441-444.
Icterus bairdi, 158.
bullocki, 119, 262.
Sallbmilaye 225 i505 25054)
273, 388, 389.

gularis, 454-456.

gularis yucatanensis, 454-456.

spurius, 22, 119, 186, 211, 273,

413.

wagleri, 92.

wagleri castaneopectus, 91.
Ictinia mississippiensis, 270.
Indigo-bird, 150.

Ionornis martinica, 57, 109, 270.
JACANA gymnostoma, 402.
indica, 292.
jacana, 291, 292, 294, 295.

Jacana nigra, 292, 294, 295, 296, 297.
spinosa, 289, 290, 292, 294,
297, 402.
violacea, 51.

Jay, Black-headed, 396.

Blue. 21, 150, 151, 434.
Canada, 316.

Florida Blue, 112, 272, 324.
Oregon, 226.

Xantus’s, 397-

Jeffries, J. A., a description of an
apparently new species of Z'ro-
chilus from California, 168.

Johnson. H. P., the Yellow-breasted
Chat breeding in Malden, Mass.,
116.

Joncas 274%

Junco hyemalis, 149, 150, 152, 154,

325, 388, 389, 391.
hyemalis carolinensis, 398.
hyemalis oregonus, 359.
hyemalis shufeldti, 398.

Junco, 325, 388.

Carolina, 398.

KESTREL, 395-

European, 110, 205.

Keyes, €. R, occurjencesons@ac-
cothraustus vespertina in lowa,
114; Blackbird flights at Burling-
ton, lowa, 207; Dendroica tigre-
na at Iowa City in November,
211.

Killdeer, 20, 270, 349.

Kingbird, 21, 149, 151, 200, 272.

Kingfisher, 149.

Belted sai. myn 2iite

Kinglet, Golden-crested, 15, 337,

388.

Golden-crowned, 153.

Ruby-crowned, 15, 166, 277.
Kite, Mississippi, 270.

Swallow-tailed, 270.

Kittiwake, 134.

Knot, 110.

Kumlien, F., reason or instinct?,
Aire :
Kumlien, L., observations on bird
migration at Milwaukee, 325;

see also Kumlien, F., 434-435-
LaAGopus rupestris atkhensis, 410.
Lanius ludovicianus, 275, 312.
ludovicianus excubitorides,

31, 360.

ludovicianus gambeli, 360,

399-
Lark, Horned, 181.
Prairie Horned, 111, 170, 180,
206.

Larus affinis, 197.

1888. ]

Larus argentatus, 7
argentatus ‘smithsonianus,
107, 345, 374-
argentatus var. vege, 310.
atricilla, 75, 107, 374, 377-
barrovianus, 393.
cachinnans, 310, 402.
delawarensis, 107, 345, 374-
franklinii, 75.
marinus, 75, 107, 318.
minutus, 170, 171, 393-
occidentalis, 241.
philadelphia, 76,
374:
schistisagus, 197.
smithsonianus, 75.
vege, 310.
zonorhynchus, 75.

Lateriallus gossei, 54.

Lawrence, G. N., description of a
new species of Wren from the
Island of Tobago, West Indies,
404.

Leucosticte griseinucha, 410.

Leucosticte, Aleutian, 410.

Limnopardalus variegatus, 52.

Limosa fedoa, 349.
limosa melanuroides, 197.

Linden, C., death of, 220.

Loggerhead, 275.

Longspur, Chestnut-collared, 14,

21.
Lapland, 181.
McCown’s 14, 321.

Loomis, L. M., notice of the pres-
ence of Quiscalus guiscula eneus
in upper South Carolina, 113;
on the further occurrence of Ofo-
corts alpestris praticola in Ches-
ter County, South Carolina, 206;
Seturus noveboracensis notabilis
in South Carolina, 324.

Loon, 149, 268, 345, 373, 390-
Red-throated,147,149,170,374-.
Sheldrake, 171.

Lophodytes cucullatus, 69, 141, 268,

346, 378.
Loxia curvirostra minor, 22, II5,
152, 154, 208, 317, 324, 325;
340, 389, 390.
curvirostra_ stricklandi,
358.
leucoptera, 152, 410.

Loxigilla barbadensis, 158.
richardsoni, 58.

Lucas, F. A., the Bird Rocks of the
Gulf of St. Lawrence in 1887,
129; notice of his ‘Notes on the

ite

345)

114,

Index.

473

Osteology of the Spotted Tina-
mou (Mothura maculosa), 198;
Great Auk notes, 278; abnor-
malities in the ribs of birds, 329.

Lunda cirrhata, 328.

MACRORHAMPHUS griseus, I10.
scolopaceus, 147, 184.

Magpie, American, 317.

Mallard, 17, 268, 313, 314, 346, 378.

Mareca americana, 63.

Margarops montanus

057s
montanus rufus, 47, 157.

Martin, Cuban, 399.

IPOS, Mery Sis wifey, wise, Aris

Mcllwraith, K. C., Prothonotary

Warbler in Ontario, 3 BD De

Meadowlark, ie 22% 388.
Mexican. 273.
Western, 413.

Megalopterus stolidus, So.

Megascops asio, 20, 351, 389.
asio floridanus, III, 271, 324.
asio kennicottii, 146, 369.
asperus, 87.
hastatus, 194.
vermiculatus, 194.
vinaceus, 88.

Melanerpes carolinus, 21, 271.
erythrocephalus, 21, 271, 433.
formicivorus bairdi, 240.
torquatus, 240, 255.

Melanoptila glabrirostris, 329.

Meleagris gallopavo, 18, 204, 27c,

314, 349-
Melospiza fasciata, 22, 150, 152,154,
211, 274, 326, 389.
fasciata guttata, 359.
fasciata heermanni, 359.

albiventris,

fasciata montana, 17, 139,
359-

georgiana, I50, 152, 274, 327,
328, 389.

lincolni, 18, 148, 359.

Merganser americanus, 141, 346.

serrator, 141, 346, 378.

Merganser, American, 346.

Hooded, 268, 346, 378.
Red-breasted, 346, 378
Mergus albellus, 422.
anotarius, 422.
cucullatus, 69.

Merlin, 395.

Merriam, C. H., what birds indicate
proximity to water, and at what
distance, 119; Fuetheta canvra
from Sombrero Key, Florida,
322; description of the breeding

474 Index. [October

plumage of Chadbourne’s Field
Sparrow (Sfizella arenacea),
with evidence of its specific dis-
tinctness, 402.

Merrill, J. C., notes on the birds of
Fort Klamath, Oregon, with
remarks on certain species by
William Brewster, 139, 251. 357-

Merula migratoria, 25, 151, 153;

155, 211, 277, 316, 327, 389,
oe
migratoria propinqua, 167,

Be
Metopidius zneus, 299.
africanus, 289, 292, 293, 301.
albinucha, 293, 300.
gallinaceus, 293.
indicus, 293, 299.
cenea, 289.
Micrathene whitneyi, 372.
Micropalama himantopus, 110.
Miller, G. S. Jr., description of an
apparently new VPoocetes from
Oregon, 404.
Milvulus tyrannus, 158.
Mimocichla ravida, 156.
Mimus caudatus, 160.
polyglottos, 24, 119, 159, 183,
276, 314, 421.
Mitrephanes pheocercus, 137.
pheocercus tenuirostris, 137.
Mniotilta varia, 23, 150, 152, 275,
_ 326, 389, 433, 434:
Mockingbird, 24, 119, 159, 183, 276,

314.
Molothrus ater, 15, 21, 151, 207,
272; 441-443.

Moore, H. F., Protonotaria cttrea
in Montgomery County, Penn-
sylvania, 210.

Morris, R. O., Larus atricilla at
Springfield, Mass., 107.

Motacilla ocularis, 410.

Murre, 131-135, 281, 382.

Muscisaxicola occipitalis, 194.

Myadestes townsendii, 167, 365.

Myiarchus berlepschii, 266.

CHIMILIS Heat Oe GIG Ae
272, 389.
cristatus, 200.
denigratus, 158.
Myiobius ridgwayi, 457.
xanthopygus, 457.

Myiodynastes luteiventris, 385.

NANNOCNUS, 196.

Nettion carolinensis, 64.

Nighthawk, 21, 149, 151, 314.

Chapman’s, 186, 272.

Nomonyx dominicus, 68.

Nonpareil, 119.

Norton, R., Ceophlaus pileatus in
Franklin County, Massachusetts,
ITI.

Notherodius scolopaceus, 51.

Northura maculosa, 106, 198.

Nucifraga caryocatactes leptorhyn-

chus, 422.
caryocatactes pachyrhynchus,
Numenius cyanopus, 197.
longirostris, 14, 145.
Nuthatch, Brown-headed, 277, 432.
Pygmy, 165, 362.
Red-bellied, 118, 393.
Red-breasted, 153, 165.
Slender-billed, 165.
White-breasted, 25, 153, 277.
Nyctala acadica, 146, 351, 369, 389,
320:
Nyctanassa, 196.
Nyctea nyctea, 315, 351.
Nyctherodius violaceus, 48.
Nyctiardea gardeni, 49.
grisea nevia, 49.
violacea, 48.

Nycticorax americanus, 49.
gardeni, 49.
nycticorax nevius, 20, 49,

144, 198, 269, 327, 328, 348.

violaceus, 48.
vulgaris, 49.

Nyctidromus, 205.

Nyctidromus albicollis derbyanus,

46.
albicollis merrilli, 44, 402.

Nyroca affinis, 66
americana, 66.
collaris, 66.
ferruginea, 64.
vallisneria, 66.

OCEANITES oOceanicus, 8o.
wilsoni, 80.

Oceanodroma hornbyi, 4or.
leucorhoa, 132, 250.
leucorhoa macrodactyla, 394.

(Estrelata caribza, 81.
hesitata, 81.
jamaicensis, 8r.

Oidemia perspicillata, 67, 202, 203,

3109.

Old-squaw, 203.

Old-wife, 203.

Olor buccinator, 143, 347.
columbianus, 143, 176, 347.

Onychoprion fuliginosus, 78.

Oporornis formosa, 210.

1888. ]

Oreomyza bairdi, 197.
Oriole, Baltimore, 22,
388.

Bullock’s, 119.
Chestnut-breasted, gI.
Orchard, 22, 119, 186, 273.
Oropendula, 27.
Oroscoptes montanus, 159.
Ortygometra carolina, 55.
flaviventris, 54.
jamaicensis, 55.
minuta, 54.
Osprey, 350.
Osprey, American, 271.

150, 152, 273,

Otocoris alpestris, 111, 148, 181, 442, i

443-
alpestris arenicola, 15,
260.
alpestris practicola, 111,
170, 180, 206, 320.
alpestris strigata, 259.
Otophanes mcleodii, 89.
Oven-bird, 24, 150, 153, 276,

259,

148,

338,

Boo:

Owl, Acadian, 369.
American Barn, 20, 180, 271.
American Long-eared, 20.
Barred, 20, 248, 350.
California Pygmy, 366.
Chihuahua Screech, 88.

Bf, 272.

Ferruginous Pygmy,366, 371.

Florida Barred, 271, 324.

Florida Screech, 111,
324.

Great Gray, Ilo.

Great Horned, 18, 271, 313,
Bom

Hawk, 410.

Hoskins’ Pygmy,

271,

136, 372,

395

Kennicott’s, 369.

Lapp, 410.

Long-eared, 350.

Pygmy, 366.

Saw-whet, 351-

Screech, 20, 351-

Short-eared, 350-

Snowy. 315; 35!-

Spotted Screech, 87.
Oyster-catcher, Frazar’s, 84, 395-
PALMEN, J. A., notice of his con-

tributions to the knowledge of
the bird fauna of the Siberian
coasts of the Arctic Sea, 306.
Palmer, W., see Smith, H. M.
Pandion haliaétus carolinensis,
146, 271, 350-

Index.

i jacana, 51, 289,

415

Parauque, Merrill’s, 44.

| Pardirallus variegatus, 52.
| Park, A. F., breeding of the Prairie

Horned Lark in Eastern New
York—a correction, 111.
Paroquet, Carolina, 148, 185.
| Parra enea, 299.
| africana, 289, 290, 292, 301.
albinucha, 289, 290, 300.
atrata, 299.
atricollis, 300.
brasiliensis, 28g, 290, 296.
capensis, 290, 292, 301.
chilensis, 290.
chirurgus, 289.
cordifera, 289, 290, 297.
cristata, 289, 290, 299, 303.
cuprea, 299.
gallinaceus, 289, 290, 292, 302.
gymnostoma, 51, 289, 290,
297, 298.
hypomelzna, 290, 296.
indica, 289, 290, 299.
intermedia; 290, 294.
290, 292, 294,
295, 296, 297, 298.
luzoniensis, 289, 304.
meianochloris, 299.
melanopygia, 290, 296, 297.
melanoviridis, 299.
nigra, 289, 290, 296, 297.
noveguinex, 290, 303.
cenea, 289.
pheenicura, 304.
sinensis, 289, 304.
spinosa, 289, 290.
superciliosa, 299.

variabilis, 289, 297, 298, 299.
violacea, 51, 290, 297, 299.
viridis, 289, 290, 296.
Parrot, Thick-billed, 395.
Parus atricapillus, 151, 153, 155,
363, 389.
atricapillus septentrionalis,
T19.
atricristatus, 119.
atricristatus castaneifrons,
400.

bicolor, 25, 277, 421.
bicolor texensis, 400.
carolinensis, 25, 277-
carolinensis agilis, 46, 400.
cinctus obtectus, 410.
gambeli, 118, 359, 362, 363-
hudsonicus, 153, 410.
rufescens, 363.

stoneyl, 400.
wollweberi, 166.

476

Passer domesticus, 22, 152, 200, 312,
314) 315, 412-

griseigularis, 412.

montanus saturatus, 196.
Passerella iliaca, 18.

iliaca megarhyncha, 359.

iliaca unalaschcensis, 359.
Passérina ameoena, 359.

ciris, I1g.

cyanea, 22, 150, 152, 154, 274,

389-
versicolor pulchra, 399.
Pediocetes phasianellus colum-

bianus, 145.

Pelecanus aquilus, 69.

erythrorhynchos, 25, 99, 141,

147, 346, 377-

fuscus, 25, 70, 377-

leucogastra, 72.

piscator, 72.

sula, 72.

Pelican, American White, 346, 377.

Brown, 25, 70, 377-

Frigate, 173.

White, 25, 99-

Peocilonetta bahamensis. 62.
Perisoreus canadensis, 316.

obscurus, 226, 261.
Petrel, Guadaloupe, 394.

Leach’s 132, 280.
Petrochelidon lunifrons, 23, 31,
150, 152, 154, 360, 359.

Peucea estivalis, 274, 355.

zstivalis bachmanil, 274, 351.

arizone, 401.

homochlamys, 398, 412.

mexicanus, 401.

ruficeps, 40, 41.

ruficeps boucardi, 40, 41, 42,

401.

ruficeps eremceca, 40, 41, 401.

ruficeps scottil, 41,42, 398, 412.

ruficeps var. boucardi, 412.
Pewee, Richardson’s, 258.

Wood, 21, 150, 151, 272.
Phacellodomus inornatus, 194.
Phzornis myiadestina, 197.
Pheospiza thomensis, 317.
Phaéthon ethereus, 74.

flavirostris, 73.

Phaéton ethereus, 74, 241, 244.

flavirostris, 73-

Phainopepla nitens, 31.
Phainopepla, 31
Phalacrocorax dilophus cincinatus,
141.
dilophus floridanus, 70, 377.
floridanus, 70.

Index.

[ October

Phalacrocorax mexicanus, 71.
perspicillatus. gor.
resplendens, 71.
townsendi, 71.

Phalenoptilus nuttalli californicus,

396.
nuttalli nitidus, 396.

Phalarope, Wilson’s, 177.

Phalaropus tricolor, 144, 177.

Phasianurus vigorsil, 62.

Pheasant. Golden, 315.

Philacte canagica, 311.

Philohela minor, 20, 270, 330, 331,

348, 389.

Phebe 217.050) mGi. 272

Phoyx, 196.

Phrygilus aldunatii, 412.
atriceps, 194, 412.
formosus, 194.
gayi, 194.
punensis, 194, 412.
saturatus, 412.

Pica pica hudsonica, 261, 317, 414.

Picicorvus columbianus, 262.

Picoides arcticus, 151, 240, 254, 390.

Picolaptes rikeri, 194.

Picumnus minutus, 212.

Picus auratus, 212.
benyalensis, 2
carolinus, 212.
luridus, 212, 214.
macei, 212.
martius, 212.
medius, 212.
tridactylus, 212.
villosus harrisii, 228, 254.
viridis, 214.

Pigeon, Passenger, 270,349.
Viosca’s, 86, 395.
White-crowned, 185.

Wild, 314, 349-
Pindar, L. O., Pine Grosbeak in
Fulton Co., Kentucky, 321.

Pinicola enucleator, 321.
enucleator kodiaka, 397.

Pintail, 269, 346, 378.

Pipilo chlorurus, 359. 412, 438-444-
erythrophthalmus, 22, 150,

207, 274, 388, 389.
erythrophthalmus alleni, 274.
maculatus arcticus, 16.
maculatus megalonyx, 139,

359, 438-444-
maculatus oregonus, 359.

Pipit, American, 159, 276.
Meadow, 410.

Piranga erythromelas, 23, 30, 150,

152, ISI, 322732753009 449

I2.

Piranga hepatica, 30.
ludoviciana, 29, 359. 438, 441-
444-
rubra, 23, 30, 181, 274.
rubra cooperi, 30.
rubriceps, 399.
Platypsaris albiventris, 425
Platvrhynchus xanthopygus, 457.
Plautus impennis, 278, 331, 380, 422
Plectrophenax nivalis ane
397:
Plotus anhinga, 71.
Plover. Black-bellied, 110
Golden, 308.
Snowy, I10.
Podiceps dominicus, 155.
holbolli, 156.
Podilymbus carolinensis, 156.
dominicus, 155.
podiceps, 140, 156, 268,

-

345;

i .
Polioptila caerulea. 25,
? 324-
eS iies cesiogaster, 157.
plumbea, 166.
Poocetes gramineus, 22,
273, 389-
gramineus aflfinis, 404.
gramineus confinis, 18,

Poor-will, Frosted, 396.

Poospiza boliviana, 412.

Porphyrio martinica, 57.

Porphyrospiza pulchra, 412.

Porphyrula martinica, 57.

Porzana alfari, 194.

carolina, 20, 38. 39, 55,
269, 328, 348, 414, 422.

concolor, 54.

flaviventer, 55.

flaviventris, 54, 55-

jamaicensis, 55-

minuta, 55-

noveboracensis, 56, 147, 177,
319.

pheopyga, 196.

Price, W. W., occurrence of Vireo
flavoviridis at Riverside, Califor-
“nia, 210; nesting of the Red-faced
Warbler (Cardellina rubrifrons)
in the Huachuca Mountains,
Southern Arizona, 385: Xantus’s
Becard (Platypsaris albtventris)
in the Huachuca Mountains,
Southern Arizona, 425.

Procellaria diabolica, 81.

hasitata. 81.
jamaicensis,
obscura, 82.

NOON 27175

WSO, 1525

Ge
ON
we

1445

81.

Index

sei

Procellaria oceanica, So.

Progne cryptoleuca, 399.
SuUbIS, 23, 315 1501527

Protonotaria citrea, 170, 18

275, 322, 325-

Payer tenons ndeathvots
Psaltriparus lloydi, 43, Hoda
melanotis, 44.
minimus, 364.
minimus californicus, 364.

plumbeus, 44. 166, 364.

Pseudochloris mendoze, 412.

Psittacula cyanochlora. 461, 462.
delicings., 461, 462.
exquisita, 461. 462.
gulanensis, 462.
passerina, 460, 462.
passerina vivida, 460.
spengeli, 461, 462

Psittirostra psittacea, 197.

Ptarmigan, Turner’s, 410.

Pterocyanea discors, 63.

Pterodroma caribbza, Sr.

Publications received, 106, 200, 317,

Ip)

ufin; 1345 lass01 ees

Puffinus ecdubods SIano2 se L7ige
borealis, 108. 170, 173,
major, Sr.
obscurus, St.
stricklandi, Sr.

Pyrrhospiza humii, 412.
punicea, 412.

Pyrrhula cassini, 197, 410.
cineracea, 197.
griseiventris, 197.
kurilensis, 197.
pyrrhula europea, 197.
pyrrhula kamtschatica, 197.
rosacea, 197.

Pyrrhuloxia sinuata, 119.
sinuata beckhami, 308.
sinuata peninsulz, 308.

Pyrrhuloxia, Arizona, 308.

St. Lucas, 398.

QUAIL. Messina, 314.

Querquedula carolinensis, 64.
clypeata, 65.
cyanoptera, 64.
discors, 63.
inornata, 64.

Quiscalus cavmanensis, 158.
major. 273.
purpureus, 329.
quiscula. 19; 22, 113. 208, 324.
quiscula eneus. 15, Ig, 113,

207, 208, 324. 389:
quiscula agleus, 113, 208, 273.

275,389
2, 2:0,

202.

478

Rai, Carolina, 38. 39, 328, 414-
King, 20, 176, 269.
Scott’s, 305, 394.
Virginia, 20.
Yellow, 147, 177, 319-
Rallina castanea, 54.
Rallus carolinus, 55.:
concolor, 54.
coryi, 53-
crepitans, 53.
elegans, 20, 52, 53, 176, 269.
flaviventer, 54.
giganteus, 50.
jamaicensis, 55-
lariformis, 7y-
longirostris, 53-
longirostris caribeus, 53, 319;
394- : ‘
longirostris crepitans, 53.
longirostris scottii, 305, 394.
longirostris var. caribeeus,
a3"
maculatus, 52.
minutus, 54.
superciliaris, 54-
variegatus, 52.
virginianus, 53-
Raven, 329.
Mexican, 241.
Northern, 399.
Razorbill, 134, 135, 382-
Recurvirostra americana, 16.
Redstart, 151.
American, 24, 36, 153, 276,
41310)"
Painted, 36.
Redwing, Bahaman, 397:
Sonoran, 397-
Reed, js b-, an albino Blackpoll
Warbler, 432.
Regulus calendula,
365.
cuvieri, 401.
satrapa, 15, 153, 326, 337. 388,
389, 393; 433:
satrapa olivaceus, 364.
Rhamphastos cuvieri, 122.
Rhamphocinclus sancte-lucie, 157.
Rhoads, S. N.. occurrence of Larus
martaus on the southern coast of
New Jersey, 318.
Rhodospingus cruentus, 411.
mentalis, 412:
Rhodospiza obsoleta, 411.
Rhyncaspis clypeata, 64. _
Rhynchophanes mccownll, 14, 321.
Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha, 395.
Richmond, C. W., an annotated list

I'5)) LOO 277i.

Index.

{October

of birds breeding in the District
of Columbia, 18.

Ridgway, R.. Spencer Fullerton
Baird, 1; notice of his descrip-
tions of new American birds, 194;
notice of his ‘Notes on Ardea
wuerdemannt’, 195; notice of his
paper on ‘Trogon ambiguus
breeding in Arizona,’ 195; de-
scription of a new Tvtyra from
western Mexico, 263; supplemen-
tary remarks on the genus Psz¢/a-
cula Brisson, 460.

Rissa pollicaris, 310.

tridactyla, 134, 310.

Rives, W..:C., Jr., Cory’s Shear-
water at Newport, R. I., 108.

Robin, 151, 316, 327.

American, 25, 153, 277-
Western, 167.

Roddy, H. J., feeding habits of
some young Raptores, 244.

Rostratula, 204.

Rufirallus concolor, 54.

Rynchops nigra, 74, 376.

SALPINCTES obsoletus. 162.

Sanderling. 179.

Sandpiper, Bartramian, 270.

Least, 349.

Pectoral, 349.

Purple, 178, 184.

Semipalmated, 349.

Solitary, 270, 330, 349.

Spotted, 20, 149, 151, 2470;
Sg:

Stilt, ro.

Western, 184.

| Sapsucker, Red-breasted, 229.

Red-naped, 226.
Williamson’s 235.
Yellow-bellied, 225, 271, 430

Saunders, W. E., first occurrence
of the Western Red-tail in Onta-
rio, 205; the Evening Grosbeak
in Ontario, 208.

Sayornis phaebe, 21, 150, 151. 272;

Schistospiza griseocristata, 411.

Sclater, P. L.. and Hudson, W. H..
notice of their ‘Argentine Orni-
thology,’ 199.

Scolecophagus carolinus, 207, 273.

cyanocephalus, 15, 262.

Scoter, Surf, 202, 203.

Scott. W. E. D., on the avifauna
of Pinal County with remarks on
some birds of Pima and Gila
Counties, Arizona, with annota-
tions by J. A. Allen, :29, 159;

1988.]

supplementary notes from the
Gulf Coast of Florida, with a de-
scription of sa.» new
Marsh Wren, 183; a summary of
observations on the birds of the
Gulf Coast of Florida, 373; Bach-
man’s Warbler (Helminthophila
bachmant) at Key West, Florida,
in July and August, 428; Den-
drotca coronata at Key West in
summer, 430.

Seebohin, H., notice of his ‘Geo-
graphical Distribution of the
Charadriidz’, 189.

Seiurus aurocapillus, 24, 150, 153,

154, 276, 315, 326, 327, 338,
389, 434-
motacilla, 24, 276, 421.
noveboracensis, 150, 153, 326,
Sei Gee i
noveboracensis notabilis, 35,
148, 324.

Sennett, G. B., notes on the Peuceu
ruficeps group, with description
of a new subspecies, 40; descrip-
tions of a new species and two
new subspecies of birds from
Texas, 43; unexpected occurrence
of certain shore birds in Texas
in midsummer and in breeding
plumage, 110; dichromatism in
the genus Wyctidromus, 205; a
new form of Clapper Rail, 305;
an addition to the list of North
American birds, 319.

Setophaga picta, 36.

ruticilla, 24, 36, 151,
- 276, 326, 389, 433-

Sharpe, R. B., notice of his cata-
logue of the family Fringillidz,
410.

Shearwater, Audubon’s, 173.

Cory’s, 108, 170, 173, 202.

Shorelark, 15.

Shoveller, 269, 346. :

Shrike. Loggerhead, 275, 312.

White-rumped, 31.

Shufeldt, R. W., notice of his ‘ Re-
view of the muscles used in the
classification of birds,’ 104; notice
of his report on birds’ sterna and
skulls collected by Dr. Streets,
198; observations on the ptery-
losis of certain Picidz, 212; notes
on Melanerpes torquatus, 319;
osteological notes upon Puffins
and Ravens, 325; the sternum
in the Solitary Sandpiper and

153. 154,

Index.

species of |

4T9

other notes, 330; notice of his
paper on the osteology of the
Icteride and Corvide, 413; notice
of his * Osteology of Porzana
carolina, 414; the osteology of
Habta melanocephala with com-
parative notes upon the skeletons
of certain other conirostral birds
and of Tanagers, 438.

Sialia arctica, 168, 366.
mexicana, Lei 365, 366.
Sialis;, 225925, SIU | pls ete

\ 277) 389, 433-

Simorhynchus iene 410.

Siskin, Pine, 152, 426.

Sitta canadensis, 8; 153, 165, 363,

359, 393:

155;

carolinensis, 25, 153, 277.
carolinensis aculeata, 165,
363.

pusilla, 277, 432.

pygmea, 165, 362, 363.
Skimmer, Black, 376.
Skylark, 180.

Missouri, 15.
Slade. D. D., the Wild
Massachusetts, 204.
Smith, H. M., and Palmer, W., ad-
ditions to the avifauna of Wash-

ington and yicinity, 147.

Smythe, E. A., Jr., the Old-squaw
(Clangula hyemalis) in South
Carolina, 203.

Snipe, 331.

English, 328.

Wilson’s S, 270, 330, 348.
Snow, F. H., notice of his descrip-

tion of a new ornithichnite, 105 5
LEichmophorus occidentalis in
Kansas, 201.

Snowbird, 149, 150, 152.

Snowflake, Prybilof, 397.

Solitaire, Townsend’s, 167.

Somateria spectabilis, 174.

Sora, 20, 269, 348.

Sparrow, Acadian Sharp-tailed, 397.
Bachman’s, 274, 351.
Bay-winged, 152.

Boucard’s, 42.

Cahoon’s, 93.

Chadbourne’s Field, 402.

Chipping, 22, 150, 152, 274.

English, 315.

European, 200.

European House, 22.

Field; 22, 150, 152% 244.

Fox-colored, 18.

Grasshopper, 22, 273.

Turkey in

480

Sparrow, Henslow’s, 22, 210.
House, 152.
Intermediate White-crowned,
eye
Leconte’s, 210.
Lincoln’s, 18.
McLeod’s, g2.
Pine-woods, 274.
Plateau, 265.
Rutous-crowned, 41.
Savanna, 150, 152, 273.
Scott’s, 42, 398.
Scott’s Seaside, 284, 287, 398.
Song, 17, 22, 150, 152, 274.
Swamp, 150, 152, 274.
Texan Seaside, 286, 398.
Texas, 352-
Vesper, 22, 273-
Western Field, 398.
Western Tree, 367.
Western Yellow-winged, 15.
White-crowned, 181.
White-throated, 17, 149, 150,
52, 274, 385, 426.
Spatula clypeata, 17, 64, 65, 142,
269, 346.
Spermophila albitorquis, 411.
colombiana, 412.
cucullata, 412.
gutturalis, 158.
morelleti. 412.
morelleti parva, 412.
parva, 402, 412.
plumbea, 412.
polionota, 412.
whiteleyana, Ue
Sphyrapicus ruber,
240, 255-
thyroideus, 228, 235, 240, 254,
255:
varius, 151, 154, 225. 240, 271,
3257 430°
varius nuchalis,
240, 255, 332-
williamsoni, 235.
Spindalis salvini, 157-
zena townsendi, 157, 1
Spinus notatus, 412.
pinus, 152, 209, 325, 358. 426.
psaltria, 358.
tristis, 22, 150, 152, 154, 207,
273: 355; 389:
Spiza americana, 23.
townsendi, 401.
Spizella arenacea, 402.
brewerl, 359-
monticola ochracea, 367.
pallida, 311.

226, 229, 236,

214, 216, 226,

Index.

[ October

Spizella pusilla, 22, 150, 152, 274,
389.
pusilla arenacea, 398.
socialis, 22, 150, 152, 154, 274,
389.
socialis arizonz, 358.

Spoonbill, Roseate, 269.

Sporophila morelleti, 402.

Stejneger, L., propatagialis cucul-
laris, 120; notice of his papers on
Japanese birds, 195; notice of his
papers on Hawaiian birds, 196;
notice of his ‘ Catalogue of the
Birds inhabiting the Commander
Islands.’ 197; notice of his ‘Notes
on the Northern Palzarctic Bull-
finches’, 197; Palmén’s contribu-
tions to the knowledge of the bird
fauna of the Siberian coasts of
the Arctic Sea, 306.

Stelgidopteryx serripennis, 23, 31,

360.
Stercorarius parasiticus, 197.
Sterna acuflavida, 77.
anglica, 76.
anostheta, 77.
(Anous) stolida, 8o.
antillarum, 79, 141, 375, 376°
argentea, 79.
cantiaca, 77.
cayennensis, 76.
dougalli, 78, 375.
fonsteniges 7/593 70s
fuliginosa, 78.
hirundo, 77, 346, 375, 376-
maxima, 76, 374, 376.
minuta, 79.
minuta americana, 79.
nigra, 79.
nilotica, 76.
paradisea, 78.
regia, 76.
sandvicensis acuflavida, 77,
374 376.
stolida, 80.
superciliaris, 79.
surinamensis, 79.
wilsoni, 77.
Sternula antillarum, 79.
frenata, 79.

Stint, Long-toed, 394.

Stones aVWiw Helminthophila leuco-
bronchialis in Pennsylvania, 115;
Sylvania mitrata at German-
town, Pennsylvania, in Novem-
ber, 116; an abnormal Scarlet
Tanager, 322.

Strix pratincola, 20, 180, 271.

1888. |

Sturnella magna, 22, 211, 388, 389.
magna mexicana, 273.
magna neglecta, 15, 262, 329,

413, 414-
Sula bassana, 130, 131, 132
Ih 2 7Onzo2.
brewsteri, 241, 242.
cyanops, 71.
dactylatra, 71.
fiber, 72.
fusca, 72.
gossi, 241.
leucogastra, 72.
parva, 72.
piscator, 72, 73-
Sulay 72:

Surnia ulula, 410.
ulula caparoch, 390.

Swallow, Bank, 23, 31, 152.

Barn, 23, 31, 150, 152.

(Givag, Deis Byes dyer

Eave, 152.

Rough-winged, 23, 31.

Tree, TOY, Bay 7/5

Violet-green, 16, Bike

White-bellied, 16, NSO sn i525
433°

Swan, Trumpeter, 347-

Whistling, 176, 347-

Swift, Black, 424.

Chimney, 21, 149, 151. 272.
Vaux’s, 256.
Swift, E., capture of the Brown-

91339 1349

headed Nuthatch near Elmira,
N. Y., 432.
Swinburne, J., breeding of the

Evening Grosbeak (Coccothr aus-
tes vespertina) in the White
Mountains of Arizona, 113; Oc-
currence of the Chestnut-collared
Longspur (Calcarius ornatus)
and also of McCown’s Longspur
(Rhyncophanes mccownt?) in
Apache Co., Arizona, 321.
Sycalis brasiliensis, 412.
jamaice, 412.
raimondi, 412.
taczanowskii, 412.
Sylbeocyclus carolinensis, 156.
dominicus, 155.
Sylvania canadensis, 151, 153, 389,

392, 393-
microcephala, 401.
mitrata, 116, 276.

pusilla, 323, 433-
pusilla pileolata, 36, 362.

Symphemia semipalmata, 18s.

Index.

481

Symphemia semipalmata inornata,
145, 185, 395, 423-
semipalmata speculifera, 424.
speculifera, 424.

Synallaxis coryi, 458.
fuliginosa, 459.

Synthliborhamphus antiquus, 4oT.
Wumizusume, 401.

Syrnium maingayi, 201.
nebulosum, 20, 248, 350, 389.
nebulosum alleni, 271, 324.

TACHYCINETA bicolor, a. TOS ls
150, 152, 275, 360, 389, 433,
apa
thalassina, 16, 31, 360.

Tachypetes aquilus, 69, 319.

Tanager, Cooper’s, 30.

Hepatic, 30.
Louisiana, 29.

Scarlet; 23, 150, 152, 181,
322; 433:
Summer, 23, 181, 274.
Tattler, Wandering, 237.
Teal, Blue-winged, 17, 269, 346,
37°:
Green-winged, 17, 269, 34;

378.
Tern, Black, 376.
Cabot’s, 374, 376
Common, 346, 315: 376.
Forster’s, 375, 376
Gull-billed, 374.
Least, 375-
Roseate, 375-
Royal, 374-
Thalasseus acuflavidus, 77-
cayanus, 76.
regius, 76.
Thalassidroma wilsonii, 80.
Thalassogeron culminatus, 107, 318.
Thaumatias ceruleiceps, 264.
Thorne, P. M., abnormal plumage
of Xanthocephalus xanthocepha-
lus, 112.
Thrasher, 277.
Bendire’s, 116, 117, 118, 161.
Brown, 24, 151, 277, 388.
Crissal, 161.
Palmer’s 116, 161.
Sage, 159-
Thrush, Audubon’s Hermit, 167.
Bicknell’s, 153-
Brown, 16, 325.
Dwarf Hermit, 167.
Gray-cheeked, 277.
Hermit, 151, 153, 277; 338-
Olive-backed, 153-

482

Thrush, Willow, 167.
Wood, 25.

Thryothorus bewickii, 324.
bewickii bairdi, 402.
bewickii murinus, 163, 402.
guadeloupensis, 157.
ludovicianus, 24, 183, 277,421.
ludovicianus berlandieri, 277.
ludovicianus miamensis, 187.

Thurber, E. C., notice of his ‘List
of Birds of Morris County, New
Jersey,’ 421.

Tichodroma muraria, 423.

Tinamou, Spotted, 106, 108.

Titmouse, Black-capped, 119.

Bridled, 166.
Chestnut-fronted, 400.
Hudsonian, 153.
Mountain, 359, 362.
Texan Tufted, 400.
Muatted>) 25512772

Tityra albitorques, 287.

nigriceps, 287.
personata, 287.
personata griseiceps, 263.

Torrey, B., a second instance of
the breeding of the White-
throated Sparrow in Eastern
Massachusetts, 426.

Totanus crassirostris, 424.

flavipes, 270, 327, 330, 331,
332, 349:

melanoleucus, 110, 145. 327,
339, 331; 349:

echropus, 330, 332.

solitarius, 144, 270, 330, 349.

speculiferus, 423.

Towhee, 16, 22, 150, 207, 274, 388.

White-eyed, 274.

Townsend, C. H., notice of his
‘Field-notes on the mammals,
birds, and reptiles of Northern
California’, 104.

Treat, W. E., Helminthophila ce-
lata in Connecticut, 323.

Tringa alpina, 307.

alpina pacifica, 307.
canutus, IIo.
chirurgus, 289, 292, 303.
cooperi, 401.
damacensis, 394.
maculata, 349.
maritima, 178, 184.
minutilla, 308, 349, 366.
ruficollis, 308.
temminckii, 308.

Trochilus alexandri, 169.

anna, 168.

Index.

{ October

Trochilus calliope, 257.
colubris, 21, 151, 154, 272,320.
floresii, 396.
lucifer, 169.
rufus, 257.
violajugulum, 168, 396.
Troglodytes aédon, 24, 155, 164,
277: 326, 434-
aédon aztecus, 164, 400.
aédon mariane, 163.
aédon parkmanii, 16,
164, 362.
alascensis, 410.
americana, 164.
cahooni, 94.
hiemalis, 153, 155, 388, 389,
Soo.
hiemalis pacificus, 362.
tobagensis, 404.
Trogon ambiguus, 195.
Trumbull, G., notice of his ‘Names
and Portraits of Birds,’ 414.
Turdus aliciz, 277, 310, 422.
aliciz bicknelli, 153, 422.
aonalaschke, 167, 365.
aonalaschke auduboni, 167,

163,

365. i

aonalaschke pallasii. 151,
153, 155, 277; 3275 328, 338,
389; 393:

celzenops, 196.
fuscescens, 151, 153, 155, 399-
fuscescens salicicolus, 167.
jouyl, 195.
mustelinus, 25.
ustulatus, 365.
ustulatus sSwainsonli, 153,
434-

Turkey, Wild, 18, 204, 270, 314.
349- Bid
Turner, L. M., notice of his ‘Con-

tributions to the Natural History
of Alaska,’ 409.
Turnstone, 110, 147.
Turtur stimpsoni, 197.
Tympanuchus americanus, 349.
cupido, 402.
Tyrannus carolinensis, 200.
tyrannus, 21, 121, 149, 151,
154, 272, 389, 433-
verticalis, 257-
ULULA, cinerea, 110.
cinerea lapponica, 410.
Uria lomvia, 331.
troile, 131-135, 281, 382.
Urinator imber, 140, 149, 268, 345,
373, 389, 390:
lumme, 147, 170, 374-

1SS8. ]

Index. 483

VANELLUS chilensis, 290.
Veery, 151, 153-
Verdin, 166.

Vireo

Vireo,

alleni, 157.

altiloguus barbatulus, 185,
186.

belli pusillus, 33.

caymanensis, 157.

crassirostris favescens, 157.

flavifrons, 23, 275.

flavoviridis, 210.

gilvus, 23, 150, 152, 327, 389.

gilvus swainsoni, 32, 25
360, 399-

huttoni stephensi, 32.

noveboracensis, 23, 275.

noveboracensis =maynardi,
187, 399.

Olivyaceus; 21, 22.6050; 1152.
154, 2755 327+ 389, 434-

philadelphicus, 115, 152.

solitarius, 152, 275, 389.

solitarius alticola, 275, 324,
Shoo) | ;

solitarius cassinii, 32, 258,
360.

solitarius plumbeus, 32.

vicinior, 33.

Black-whiskered, 186.

Blue-headed, 152. 275.

Cassin’s, 32, 258.

Gray, 33-

Key West, 187, 399.

Least, 33.

Mountain Solitary, 275, 399.

Philadelphia, 115, 152.

Plumbeous, 32.

Red-eyed, 23, 150, 152, 275.

Stephens’s, 32.

Warbling. 23, 150, 152, 258.

Western Warbling, 32, 399.

White-eyed, 23, 275.

Yellow-throated, 23, 275.

Volatina jacarina, 158.

Voorhees, C. G.. a third specimen
of Lawrence’s Warbler, 427.

Vulture, Black, 270.

Turkey, 18, 179, 270.

WacTAIL, Swinhoe’s 410.
Warbler, Audubon’s 34, 361.

Bachman’s 187, 323, 325, 428.

Bay-breasted. 153, 433-

Black-and-white, 23, 152, 275.

Black-and-yellow, 153, 388,
433:

Blackburnian, 1§0, 153, 433-

Blackpoll, 153, 182, 276, 432.

| Warbler, Black-throated Blue, 149,
150, 153, 276, 391, 433-
Black-throated Gray, 34, 104.
Black-throated Green, 150,
Tika.
Blue, 431.
Blue Yellow-backed, 150, 152.
Blue-winged, 24.
Calaveras, 33, 361.
Canadian, I51, 153, 392, 393.
Cape May, 187, 210, 275.
Cerulean, 324, 431.
Chestnut-sided, 150, 153, 433-
Connecticut, 187, 323.
Grace’s, 34.
Green Blackcap, 323.
Hermits:
Hooded, 116, 276.
Kentucky, 24.
Kirtland’s, 148.
Lawrence’s, 427.
Lucy’s, 33-
Lutescent, 34.
Macgillivray’s, 35.
Mourning, 153. 323.
Myrtle, 276.
Nashville, 150, 152, 323.
Olive, 34.
Orange-crowned, 275.
Palm, 170, 182, 276.
Parula, 24, 275, 431, 433.
Pileolated, 36.
Pine, 24, 276.
Prairie, 24, 276, 405.
Prothonotary, 170, 182, 210,
275) 322, 325-
Red-faced, 36, 385.
Sonora Yellow, 137, 400.
Swainson’s 187, 323, 325-
Tennessee, 152, 187.
Townsend’s, 35.
Virginia’s, 33-
Western Yellow, 34, 399-
Worm-eating, 23, 275-
Yellow, 16, 24, 152.
Yellow Palm, 276.
Yellow-rumped, 16, 34, 149,
150, 153, 388, 433-
Yellow-throated, 276.
Water-thrush, 150, 153-
Grinnell’s, 35, 148, 324.
Louisiana, 24, 276.
Waxwing, Cedar, 23, 31, 275-
Wayne, A. T., habits of the Purple
Gallinule (Jonornts martinica),
109; Loxia curvirostra_ minor
again at Yemassee, S. C., 1153

484

Loxta curvirostra minor taken
again at Yemassee, S. C., 208;
Ammodramus lecontet at Yemas-
see, S. C., 210; Ammodramus
henslowtt wintering in large
numbers at Yemassee, S. C., 210.
Whip-poor-will, 21, 149, 151, 272.
Eared, 89.
Willet, Western, 185, 395.
Williams, R. S., Upper Missouri
River birds, 14; spotted eggs of
Parus gambelz, 118.
Wood, A. H., Ulula cinerea in
Steuben Co., New York, rio.
Woodcock, 20, 330, 331.
American, 270, 348.
Woodpecker, Arctic Three-toed,151.
Downy, 16, 21, 151, 2471.
Golden-winged, 149, 151.
Hairy, 21, 149, 151.
Harris’s, 213,214, 218, 252.
Lewis’s, 319.
Pileated, 111, 149) 271, 313.
Red-bellied, 21, 271.
Red-cockaded, 271.
Red-headed, 21, 271.
Red-naped, 216.
Southern Hairy, 271.
White-headed, 253.
Yellow-bellied, 151, 325.
Wren, Alaskan, 410.
Baird’s, 163.
Cactus, 116, 162.
Cahoon’s, 94.
Cafion, 162.

Index.

{ October

Wren, Carolina, 24, 183, 274.
Florida, 187.
House, 24, 2747.
Long-billed Marsh, 24, 165.
Marian’s, 163.
Marian’s Marsh, 188, 4oo.
Parkman’s, 163.
Rock, 162.
Tule, 400.
Western House, 16, 400.
Winter, 153, 388, 392.
Wood. 165.
XANTHOCEPHALUS xanthocephalus,
112, 262, 262) Ara.
Xema atricilla, 75.
furcata, 401.
Xenopicus albolarvatus, 240, 253.
YELLOWBIRD, Summer, 150.
Yellow-legs, 270, 349.
Greater, 110, 349.
Yellow-throat, Maryland, 24, 151,
What, ArKO
Western, 35.
Yunx torquilla, 212.
ZENAIDURA macroura, 17, 20, 119,
145, 270, 349, 389.
Zonotrichiaalbicollis, 17, 149, 150,
152, 154, 274, 383, 389, 390,
. 26, 434:
boucardi, 41.
coronata, 358, 438-444.
intermedia, 17, 358.
leucophrys, 139, 181, 434-
strigiceps, 412.
whitii, 412.

ERRATA.

Page 299, line 13 from top, for Metopidius indicus read Jacana indica.
Page 346, lines 7 and 14 from top, for Mergus read Merganser.

| CONTINUATION OF THE New
} Series,

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Vol¥:

ak

a Quarterly Fournal of Ornithology

1.V —JANUARY,1888— No.1

PUBLISHED FOR

The American Ornithologist
y qursonlan Institue;

»
= ?

SEP 12 1904

CONTENT 3:

PAGE
SPENCER FULLERTON /BATRD.. cBy fMobert RiG2Zway a © 4-0 3-)tee ee I
Upper Missouri RIVER Brrps. By Robert S. Williams . och wage Seen cone nae 14
AN ANNOTATED LisT OF BIRDS BREEDING IN THE DistTRICT OF CoLumMBIA. By Charles

Weaphiach ond tr ae criearsy caret trate Coa = ne : oa Sar es - 18
FEEDING Habits oF Pelecanus erythrorhynchus. By N. S.Goss.. . . . . . . 25
NoTEs ON Gymnostinops montezume. By N. S. Goss Bon gies certs tea ie 27
ON THE AVI-FAUNA OF PINAL COUNTY, WITH REMARKS ON SOME BIRDS OF PIMA AND

GiLaA CounTIES, ARIZONA. By W. £. D. Scott. Ae ner 3 rr Rs on 29
NEw Forms oF NoRTH AMERICAN Chordiles. By Elliott Coues . . . . . . 39
OBSERVATIONS ON NOCTURNAL MIGRATION OF Birps. By Frayk M. Chapman. hee a /
Nores OE THE Peucea ruficeps GRouP, WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SUBSPECIES. By

George B. Sennett. eh. me er eat eerie Seen te
DESCRIPTIONS OF A NEW SPECIES AND Two NEw SUBSPECIES OF BIRDS FROM TEXAS.

By George Bb. Seunett. aX se ese Ge ae) gt eke pet See LS Dre aS 43
DESCRIPTION OF A SUPPOSED NEW Form oF Margarops FRoM Dominica. By Charles

PA COVY Bie os ke ogists een AR a at seine fe tile ie tes Oyen AaSN ya) ae kn ae
AN APPARENTLY New £/atnea FROM BARBADOES, WEST INDIEs. By Charles B. Cory. 47
THE BIRDS OF THE WEST INDIES INCLUDING THE BAHAMA ISLANDS, THE GREATER AND

LESSER ANTILLES, EXCEPTING THE ISLANDS OF TOBAGO AND TRINIDAD. By Charles

Bi COny pas ; oP og rn Se ne Bette, et fel Sa) St een ol ee
DESCRIPTIONS OF SUPPOSED NEW BIRDS FROM LOWER CALIFORNIA, SONORA, AND CHI-

HUAHUA, MEXICO, AND THE BAHAMAS. By William Brewster . 2) 2 one eee
FirtH MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION . . . . . . . 5

RECENT LITERATURE.—Coues’s ‘Key to North American Birds’ New Edition, 101; Townsend’s
Field-notes on the Birds of Northern California, 104; Shufeldt’s Contributions to Avisection,
104; A New Ornithichnite, 105; Clark’s ‘Birds of Amherst’, 105; Publications Received.

GENERAL Notes.—Larus atricill/a at Springfield, Mass., 107; The Yellow-nosed Albatross ( Tha/-
assogeron culminatus) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 107; Cory’s Shearwater at Newport, R. 1.,
108; Rallus longirostris crepitans Breeding on the Coast of Louisiana, 108; Jonornis martinica
in Arizona, 109; Habits of the Purple Gallinule (Jonornis martinica), 109; Unexpected Occur-
rence of Certain Shore Birds in Texas in Midsummer and in Breeding Plumage, 110; The
European Kestrel in Massachusetts, 110; U/ula cinerea in Steuben Co., New York, 110; Mega-
scops asto floridanus in Louisiana, 111; Ceophleus pileatus in Franklin County, Massachusetts, -
111; Breeding of the Prairie Horned Lark in Eastern New York—A Correction, 111; The
Prairie Horned Lark ( Ofocorts alpestris praticola) on the Coast of Massachusetts, 111; Occur-
rence of the Florida Blue Jay (Cyanocttta cristata florincola) in Southwestern Texas, 112;
Abnormal Plumage of Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus, 112; Notice of the Presence of Quiscalus
quiscula agleus Louisiana, 113; Breeding of the Evening Grosbeak ( Coccothraustes vesperlina)
in the White Mountains of Arizona, 113; Occurrence of Coccothraustes vespertina in Iowa,
114; Loxta curvtrostra minor again at Yemassee, S. C., 115; A Philadelphia Vireo and a
Cobweb, 115; Helmitnthophila leucobronchialis in Pennsylvania, 115; The Yellow-breasted
Chat Breeding in Malden, Mass., 116; Sylvania mitrata at Germantown, Pennsylvania, in
November, 116; On the Nesting of Palmer’s Thrasher, 116; Feeding Habits of Svtta canadensis,
118; Spotted Eggs of Parus gambelz, 118; What Birds indicate Proximity to Water, and at —
What Distance, 119.

CORRESPONDENCE.— Propatagtalts cucullaris, 120.

Notes AND NeEws.—The Audubon Monument, 123; The Bird Collection of the British Museum,
124; Seebohm’s ‘Geographical Distribution of the Charadriide,’ 125; Editorship of ‘The Auk,’
126; ‘Discovery’ in regard to the Soaring of Birds, 126; Destruction of Birds in Florida, 128.

AppENDIX.—By-Laws and Rules of the American Ornithologists’ Union, ix; Lists of Officers and
Members of the American Ornithologists’ Union, December, 1887, xix.

‘THE AUK,’ published as the Organ of the AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’
Union, is conducted as a Magazine of General Ornithology. In general
character it differs little from the late ‘BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL
ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,’ of which it forms virtually a Second Series.

‘THe Aux’ is edited by Mr. J. A. ALLEN, with the assistance of Mr. C.
F. BATCHELDER.

TERMS :— $3.00 a year, including postage, strictly in advance. Single num-
bers, 75 cents. Free to Honorary Members, and to Active and Associate Members
of the A.O.U. not in arrears for dues.

Subscriptions and Advertisements should be addressed to the publisher,
L. S. FOSTER, 35 Pine StrREET, NEw York, N. Y. Foreign Subscribers
may obtain ‘ THE Auk’ through GURNEY AND JACKSON, 1 PATERNOSTER
Row, Lonpon.

All articles and communications intended for publication, and all books and
publications for notice, should be sent to J. A. ALLEN, AMERICAN MUSEUM OF
Naturawt History, CentTrat Park, NEW YorkK Ciry.

Pe eee

CONTINUATION OF THE { New
11

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB rat

‘The Auk

a Quarterly Fournal of Ornithology

1. V — APRIL, 1888 — Wo. 2

The American Ornithologik ts’ sBplon 2
904

No,
tional Musev™>

NEW YORK

L. S. FOSTER

CONTE Wales

PAGE
THE BirD ROCKS OF THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE IN 1887. By Frederic A. Lucas. 129
ON THREE APPARENTLY NEW SUBSPECIES OF MEXICAN BrrDs. By William Brewster... 136
NOTES ON THE BiIrDs OF ForT KLAMATH, OREGON. By Dr. F. C. Merrill, U. S. A.

With Remarks on Certain Species by W liam Brewster. . 139
NOTES ON THE SUMMER BIRDS OF HOLDERNESS, BETHLEHEM, AND F RANCONIA, N. H.
By Walter Faxonand F. A. Allen . . 149

THE BirpDs oF THE WEST INDIES, INCLUDING THE ‘Banama ISLANDS, “THE Guraten AND
THE LESSER ANTILLES, EXCEPTING THE ISLANDS OF TOBAGO AND TRINIDAD. By
Charles B. Cory. (Concluded) . Sr ete 155
ON THE AVI-FAUNA OF PINAL gn eee WITH REMARKS ON SOME Brrps OF PrMa ‘AND
GiLa CountTiEs, Arizona. By W. £. D. Scott, With Annotations by F. A. Allen.

(Concluded). Pr eee SST OF ce ee
A DESCRIPTION OF AN APPARENTLY ‘NEw SPECIES OF Trochilus FROM+CALIFORNIA.

By $. Amory Feffries . ASE ie Agia Grae
Birp Nores FROM LONG ISLAND, N.Y. By William Dutcher om 69
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES FROM THE GuLr Coast oF FLoripa, WITH bn DESCRIPTION OF

A NEw SPECIES OF MarSH WREN. By W..2.-D! Scott 4 3. =)

Recent Lireratur&.—Chamberlain’s Canadian Birds, 189; Seebohin’s ‘Geographical Distribu-
tion of the Chare udriidee,’ 18g; Ridgway on New or Little-known American Birds, 194; Ridgway
on Wuerdemann’s Heron, 195; Ridgway on the Breeding of Trogon ambiguus in Arizona,
195; Stejneger on Japanese Birds, 195; Stejneger on Hawaiian Birds, 196; Stejneger on Birds
of the Commander Islands, 1073 Stejneger on Palearctic Bullfinches, 197; Lucas on the
Osteology of the Spotted Tinamou, 19S; Shufeldt on Bird Skulls and Sterna collected by Dr,
Streets, 198; Chamberlain’s ‘Systematic Table of Canadian Birds,’ 193; Sclater and Hudson’s
: Argentine Ornithology,’ 199; Publications Received, 200.

GENERAL Notes.—&chmophorus occidentalis in Kansas, 201; Pufinus borealis at Gardiner’s
Bay, 202; Eggs of the Ivory Gull, 202; The Old-squaw ( Clang gula hyematlts) in South Carolina,
203; Surf Scoter (Ofdemia per spicillata) in Kansas, 203; ‘Note on Rostratuline, 204; The
Wild Turkey in Massachusetts, 204; The European Kestril in Massachusetts—A Correction,
205; First Occurrence of the Western Red-tail in Ontario, 205; Dichromatism in the Genus
Nyctidromus, 205; On the Further Occurrence of Ofocoris alpestris pr aticola in Chester County,
South Carolina, 206; Corydomorphe, 297; Molothrus ater again in Massachusetts in Winter,
207 5 Blackbird Flights at Burlington, Lowa, 297; Qurscalus guiscula agleus at Charleston,
South Carolina, 208; The Evening Grosbeak in Ontario, 2.8; Lowxla curvirostra minor taken
again at Yemassee, S. C., 208; Carpodacus purpureus at Portland, Maine, in Winter, 209;
Ammodramus leconteii at Yemasee, S. C., 210; Ammodramus henslowii wintering in large
numbers at Yemassee, S. C., 210; Occurrence of Vireo Alavoviridis at Riverside, Cal., 2105
The Northern Range of Oporornis formosa in Illinois, 210; Protonotaria citrea in Mont-
gomery County, Pennsylvania, 211; Dendroica tigrina "at Iowa City, in November, 211;
Bird Notes from Toronto, 211.

CORRESPONDENCE.—Observations on the Pterylosis of Certain Picidw, 212; Polydactylismin Birds
218.

Nores AND News.—Obituary,—Dr. Joseph B. Holder, Prof. Charles Linden, 220; The Audubon
Monument, 221; A, O. U. ‘By-Laws and Rules and List of Members,’ 221; A. O. U. and ‘Auk’
Matters, 222; Ornithological Societies, 222; American Museum Collection of Birds, 223;
‘Interlocking’ of the Primaries in Birds, 223; New Ornithological Periodicals, 224; Ornitho-
logical Explorations in Mexico, 224.

‘THE AUK,’ published as the Organ of the AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’
Unron, is conducted as a Magazine of General Ornithology. In general
character it differs little from the late ‘BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALE
ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,’ of which it forms virtually a Second Series.

‘THe Auk’ is edited by Mr. J. A. ALLEN, with the assistance of Mr. C.
F. BATCHELDER.

‘TERMS :— $3.00 a year, including postage, strictly in advance. Single num-
bers, 75 cents. Free to Honorary Members, and to Active and Associate Members
of the A.O.U. not in arrears for dues.

Subscriptions and Advertisements should be addressed to the publisher,
L. S. FOSTER, 35 Pine StreeT, New York, N. Y. Foreign Subscribers
may obtain ‘THe Auk’ through GURNEY AND JACKSON, 1 PATERNOSTER
Row, Lonpon.

All articles and communizations intended for publication, and all books and
publications for notice, should be sent to J. A. ALLEN, AMERICAN MUSEUM OF
NaATurRAL Histrory, Cenrrat Park, New YorkK CIty. a

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Series;

CONTINUATION OF THE New
Vol. V

{

‘The Auk

4 Quarterly Fournal of Ornithology

Vol. V _ JULY, 1883 — No. 3

x

| . fa ——
f

NEW YORYX

CONT ENSES:

PAGE
Nores ON THE Hapirs, NESTS AND EGGS OF THE GENUS Sfhyrapicus BaiRD. By Capt.

Charles E. Bendire . . Parco wn tea 5 «Sloe ) en
NEw AND RARE BIRDS FOUND eee ON THE San eee Mice ee By N.S. ;

GOsspoter., (aa ene c + Sf ot noise heel
FEEDING HABITS OF SOME GUNG ener ee Hl, “Sfustin Rage Roe - 244
Notres RELATIVE TO THE SENSE OF SMELL IN THE TURKEY BuzzarpD (Cathar ies sires

By C.L. Hopkins . . : 30) Jeu) Siok SG ae Sea
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF Fort aed Gane By ie F.C, Merrill, OSA 251
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW Tityra FROM WESTERN Mexico. By Robert Ridgway . . . 263
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF HUMMINGBIRD OF THE GENUS Agyrtria. By D. G.

BOLT Ae iW ORCL, OPN Me aa ; ! : . 263
On A NEW SUBSPECIES OF Ammodramus casa ete FROM fae nes. By Aiea W. Bunce 264
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW MyZsarchus FROM THE WEST INDIES. Ry Charles B. Cory . . 266
A List OF BIRDS OBSERVED AT GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA. By Frank M. Chapman... 267
Great AuK Notes. By Frederick A. Lucas. 5 -o. 2
DESCRIPTIONS OF Two NEW SUBSPECIES OF THE Sass Seago eA rs maritt-

WLU) ots Yonf eels ALLETE ee te ete +)" ns OR ahaa ee
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF THE Genus Tityr @ FROM piegamens By F. A. Allen . 237
THE JACANIDH. By D.G. Elliot, F.R. S.E. . . ote “RTE tore api reine a ee
A New Form or Crapper Ratt. By George B. Seanel ROTO rn SS

RECENT LITERATURE.—Palmén’s Contributions, to the Knowledge of the Bird Fauna of the Si-
berian Coasts of the Arctic Sea, 306; A Catalogue of the Birds of North Carolina, 311; Mion
Ornithological Publications, 312; Publications Received, 317. 5

GENERAL Notes.—Occurrence of Larus marinus on the Southern Coast of New Jersey, 318; The
Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassogeron culminatus),318; Oidemia perspictllata in Florida,
319; An addition ts the List of North' American Birds, 319; The Yellow Rail in Connecticut,
319; Notes on Melanerpes torquatus, 319; Early Nesting of Ofocoris alpestris praticola, 3203
Pine Grosbeak in Fulton Co., Kentucky, 321; Occurrence of the Chestnut-collared Longspur
(Calcarius ornatus) and also of Maccown’s Longspur (Rhyncophanes maccownii) in Apache
Co., Arizona, 321; Euetheta canora from Sombrero Key, Florida.—A Bird New to the United
States, 322; An Abnormal Scarlet Tanager, 322; Prothonotary Warbler in Ontario, 322; Bach-
man’s Warbler (Z/elminthophila bachmantz) in Louisiana, 323; Helminthophila celata in Con-
necticut, 323; Dendroica cerulea in the District of Columbia, 323; Seiurus noveboracensis nota-—
b7lis in South Carolina, 324; Two Records for Long Island, New York, 324; Birds at Aiken,
S.C., 324; Notes on Louisiana Birds, 324; Observations on Bird Migration at Milwaukee, 325)
Gsteaianical Notes upon Puffins and Ravens, 328; Abnormalities in the Ribs of Birds, 329.

CoRRESPONDENCE.—The Sternum in the Solitary Sandpiper, and other Notes, 330.

Notes AND NEws.—Obituary,—Henry James Stovin Pryer, 332; Dr. Modest N. Bogdanow, 3333.
Bird Destruction, 334; Edible Birds’-nests, 335; Explorations in the West Indies, 335; Subd
scriptions for the Audubon Monument, 336.

‘THE AUK,’ published as the Organ of the AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’
Union, is conducted as a Magazine of General Ornithology. In general
-character it differs little from the late ‘BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL
ORNITHOLOGICAL CLusB,’ of which it forms virtually a Second Series. i

‘THe AUK’ is edited by Mr. J. A. ALLEN, with the assistance of Mr. Ci
F. BATCHELDER. 3

TERMS :— $3.00 a year, including postage, strictly in advance. Single num-
bers, 75 cents. Free to Honorary Members, and to Active and Associate Members
of the A. O.U. not in arrears for dues. a

Subscriptions and Advertisements should be addressed to the publisher,
L. S. FOSTER, 35 Pine Street, New York, N. Y. Foreign Subscribers »
may obtain ‘THe Auk’ through GURNEY AND JACKSON, 1 PATERNOSTER
Row, Lonpon.

All articles and communications intended for publication, and all books and |
publications for notice, should be sent to J. A. ALLEN, AMERICAN MUSEUM OF
NatTurRAt History, CENTRAL PARK, NEw YORK Crry. a

CONTINUATION OF THE . New

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB ee

‘The Auk

a Quarterly Fournal of Ornithology

— OCTOBER, 1888 —

NEW YORK

L. S. FOSTER

CON TEDES:.

4
BREEDING OF THE GOLDEN-CRESTED KINGLET (/tegu/us satrapa) IN WORCESTER COUNTY,
MASSACHUSETTS, WITH A DESCRIPTION OF ITS Nest aND Eoos, By William Brewster .
BirDs Or CARROLL County, LNDIANA. By Barton W. Evermann * ise eee he mais
NOTES ON THE Ntsv AND EGGs or Peucea estivalis bachmanii AUD., BACHMAN’S SPARROW.
By. Capt. Charles i. i Bem Lene) | gi. ete Fi et iP yea ye Sag TD oe OS ee
Notes ON THE Birps oF Fort KLAMATH, OREGON. By Dr. ¥. C. Merrill, U.S. A. With
Remarks on certain Species by William Brewster «+. . . . . + Gas
NOTES ON THE HaBits, NESTS AND EGGS or THE GENUS G/laucidium BOoOt.k. By Capt.
Charles E. Bendire Tee ee eK eae eee ee ACRE te mee
A SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS ON THE BIRDS OF THE GULF Coast oF FLoripa. By W,
E. D. Scott OR TADET eC hat i Renee AML gon tar tee St aa
TrEsTIMONY OF SOME EARLY VOYAGERS ON THE GREAT AUK. By Faunie P. Hard Pee
NESTING OF THE RED-FACED WARBLER (Cardellina rubrifrons) iN THE HuAcHUCA Moun.
TAINS, SOUTHERNIARIZONA. By Wie WOIPrick Ate ie, Wel 8) eis te ee
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF WINCHENDON, WoRCESTER County, Massacuuserrs. By Wil-
fram Brewster Se el ee ee the ar abbas Hayes poesia aloe, bea at Rpty ale a ae ar
List or ADDITIONS TO THE NorkTH AMERICAN AVIFAUNA AND OF ELIMINATIONS AND
CHANGES IN NOMENC..AIURE MADE SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE A.O. U. CHECK-
List. By Frank M. Chapman a ee Meee oer RE aie
DESCRIPTION OF THE BREEDING PLUMAGE OF CHADBOURNE’S FIELD Sparrow (Sf/zella
arenacea), WITH EVIDENCE OF ITS SPrCIFIC DISTINCTNESS. By Dr. C. Hart Merriam
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF WREN FROM THE ISLAND OF TOBAGO, WES? INDIES. By

Gesrge N. Lawrence . ETE aes ee an Lee OL iM Ee SS

DESCRIPTION OF AN APPARENTLY NEW Pooce/es FROM OREGON. By G. S. Miller, Fr. .

NESTING OF THE PRATRIE WARBLER (Dendroica discolor) 1N THE VICINITY OF WASHING-
Ton, D. C. By L£ilrott Batrd Coues : nf OS

RECENT LITERATURE.—Turner’s Repoit of his Ornithological Observations in Alaska, 40
Sharpe’s Catalogue of the Family Fringillide, 410; Shuteldt oh the Osteology of the I@terid
and Corvide, 413; Shufeldt on the Skeleton of the Carolina Rail, 414; Vernacular Ornithslog
414; Allen on the Emargination of the Primaries, 418; Birds of Morris County, New Jerse
421; Publications Received, 422. :

‘GENERAL Notes.—Note on the Correct Name of Symphemta semtpalmata tnornata Brewst
423; A Second Maine (and Fourth New England) Specimen of Swainson’s Hawk (But
swainsont), 424, Nesting of the Black Swift, 424; Xantus’s Becard (Platypsaris albiventris)
the Huachuca Mountains, Southern Arizona, 425; Coccothraustes vespertina in Nebraska, 426
Tameness of the Pine Siskin, 425; Further Notes on Seaside Sparrows, 426; A Second Instane
ofthe Breeding of the White-throated Sparrow in Eastern Massachusetts, 426; A Thin
Specimen of Lawrence’s Warbler, 427; Notes on Helmintnophila leucobronchialis, 42%
Bachman’s Warbler Helminthophila bachmani at Key West, Florida, in July and Aucust, 425}
Dendroica coronata at Key Westin Summer, 439; Breeding of the Cerulean Warbler (Den
droica cerulea) in Niagara County, New York, 430; Dendroica cerulea at Seymour, Connecti
eut, 431; An Albino Blackpoll Warbler, 432; C/stothorus palustris mariane on the coast ¢
Georgia, 432; Capture of the Brown-headed Nuthatch near Elmira, New York, 432; In
peded Migration and Destruction of Birds at Chicago, 432; Reason or Instinct?, 434; Notes 0
the Nomenclature of the Muscles of Volation in Birds’ Wings, 435.

CORRESPONDENCE.—The Osteology of Habia melanocephala with Comparative Notes upon tl
Skeletons of certain other Conirostral Birds and of Tanagers, 438; How far West has Aza
obscura been Found?, 444.

Notes anD News.—Obituary—Charles Wickliffe Beckham, 445; Philip Henry Gosse, 446; Th
Sixth Congress of the American Ornithologists’ Union, 447; The Henshaw Collection, 44%
Report of the Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy, 447; Dr. Menzbier’s ‘Orn
thologie du Turkestan,’ 447; Audubon Monument, 448; Papers awaiting Publication in th
Auk, 448. :

SUPPLEMENT :—

DESCRIPTION OF NEW SPECIES AND SUBSPECIiS OF BIRDS FROM THE NEOTROPICAL
REGION. “By ¥/ans: wos Berlepsch. 6.62 | etre onion eo igen take pe en

SUPPLEMENTARY REMARKSON THE GENUS Psittacu/a Brisson. By Robert Ridgway .

TINDER" as) aed asco ee

ERRATUM

UNION, is conducted as a Magazine of General Ornithology. {n genera
character it differs little from the late ‘BuLLETIN of THE NUTTAL
ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,’ of which it forms virtually a Second Series.
‘THe Aux’ is edited by Mr. J. A. ALLEN, with the assistance of |
F. BATCHELDER. ;
TERMS :— $3.00 a year, including postage, strictly in advance. Single
bers, 75 cents. Free to Honorary Members, and to Active and Associate M
of the A.O.U. not in arrears for dues.
Subscriptions and Advertisements should be addressed to the p
L. S. FOSTER, 35 Prine Street, New Yorxk, N. Y. Foreign Sut
may obtain ‘ THE AuK’ through GURNEY AND JACKSON, 1 PATER
Row, Lonpon.
All articles and communications intended for publication, and all boo
publications for notice, should be sent to J. A. ALLEN, AMERICAN MUSE
NATURAL History, CENTRAL PARK, NEW YorK CIty.

i

‘= = PAP hae = \S SY = =

me Fat = SAL aig gy = gs SS peas z
i fp § 3’ BY 3 Qe. 3 =

sh G -- S) Myf < EK, fe) Ke

Hip 27 Ee ee ‘s

—_— = ~G = = :

op aoe Y * Fa ”

RARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILNLILSNI NVINOSHLINS S3IYV

ne z wi S Ne ”)
Pie. es se. oe cs. WAS es 7
PU _ mi = Wa o> ¥
ti. o SE
< “iy 3 5 WY =
— “ou oe oO pes :
=I z 4 Zz Sed eae
NLILSNINVINOSHLIWS _S 3 IYVYUdIT LIBRAR! ES__ SMITHSON a
a
am O =e o) wi ar
sed < se ow = o
me) We a 20 es ee)
= Ae = S
is SNS E = a =
SX ap) * :
A SI: , = o

RARIES SMITHSONIAN NVINOSHLINS S3IYV

” = n z= wn a
= < = < =
= = er] z =
SN a oO a : O pa 3
WH , Ww A A ; WY w
‘\ VS Ss = A NS . = me =
we 8 a = =
a ae = ” =

AALILSNI_ NVINOSHLINS S3IYVYEIT LIBRARIES INSTIT

4 > wo =
Y a 2 7)
= 4 vi aa
= e.
os c = ‘a
4 4 A
fe) o ao fs)
= Pe! ell a

RARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILNLILSNI NVINOSHLINS S3IYV

JALILSNI NVINOSHLINS S3IYVYUEIT LIBRARIES

S3INVUSIT LIBRARIES

INSTITUTION

INSTITUTION
XN
INSTITUTION

SMITHSONIAN INSTITU
RNG

NVINOSHLINS S3I1u¥vugtil

SMITHSONIAN
NVINOSHLIWS
SS
NGS

ay
SMITHSONIAN
SMITHSONIAN

*

RARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILNLILSN! NVINOSHLINS S31¥YN

<x 3

Pea bor co = a

a 5 2 3 c

mt - Zz ; ia re =, a
LNLILSNI” NVINOSHLINS_S3IYVUAIT LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITL

w — w — to w

: 5 : = GY >

> K > ee ye LL, >

a - a Pe YG if

m 7 mi ne :

fp a Fal m > m

w = wo = wn
RARI ES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILNLILSNI _» NVINGSR ENS are luv
= Sune < ‘, z Ly Ly, S y
sg = FE") 5 SYQ ZF GHG 5 (AMD =

ey,
Ch :
NVINOSHLII

»

ARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILMLILSNI

S
SMITHSON,

SMITHSONI/

NVINOSHLIIP

SMITHSONIF

a - Sy
ik. shh z :
BS <Ytg 2 < : <
wy Ge § z a “
ir ue = iol Zz aul
RLIZSNI NVINOSHLINS SSIYVYUSIT LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN_INSTITUTI!
a i S — 6 L :
ao ai w San OD
2 We 5 2 E 2
FS VOSS E > = ‘>
DD WAS & Ee — 9
= NS i ss a =
m SW S m a m
w ie: = w = w
ARI ES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILNLILSNI NVINOSHLINS Sa 1yuVuUd
4 _ “ee w P
= 2 Ny 3 2 Y%
AD Ww) m WAN wn” Ww J Yip
2) za BS WS oO Oo fe} /-
2 = AS 2, ae #
> ey ere oe >"
Pn PTs) ae = el

ALILSNI_ NVINOSHLINS S31YVYalt LIBRARIES INSTITUTI!

ra

ARIES SMITHSONIAN

LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN

NOILALILSNI
NOILNLILSNI
NOILMLILSNI

INSTITUTION NOILNLILSNI NVINOSHLINS SA1YUVUt

SAUIYVYUPGIT LIBRARIES

INSTITUTION

INSTITUTION

INSTITUTION

INLILSN! NVINOSHLINS SAINYVYEIT LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUT!

NVINOSHLINS S31u¥vual

H = g aa <a z
i z + ,4f Ay 2 YS ra
4 SLY 3 N: y Ne
= 2 Ly z WS, =
= > & = ? =
1s wn za wo a ”n
Se fee SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION | NOLENLILSWI NVINOSHLINS SIJIYVYE
2 3 sen: a
ox! 7) pe a) RNS na
c S, jeg a SYP YS fe
< ad < = RW Me ae
a a A ow
oO a a iN rr)
nr ye oO oe fo) ae
; tT) < =a = . sa)
ILSN! NVINOSHLINS S3SIYVYPIT LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN _INSTITUT
=e ES i = a
bas Ss = i os
> rm > os <>
Can La zs —.. pts
ash) m 2) m ”) m
RARIES = SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILONLILSNI NVINOSHLIWS
SL a, ee a
Ce —_ 4 _— 30 No —
a or Ly Z KAR s

WANT MI

3 9088 00983 783

: reat ¢ .
5
“i 3 :
1 }: ‘ ‘
LF Eat :
‘ A. ( t
(el '
' ‘ ' \j : i
pee rr LL! v Fi '
nM ‘ ‘i r)
Pitry uieg t " i t
: i ‘ , '
é i: \ tetany :
1 pecioy