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ROSS.

BIOLOGY

LIBRARY

G

THE

BIRDS OF CANADA:

WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THEIR

PLUMAGE, HABITS, FOOD, SONG, NESTS, EGGS,
TIMES OF ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE.

BY

ALEXANDER MILTON' ROSS,

M.D., M.A., M.R.S.L., ENG.

MEMBER OF THE ROYAL LINN^EAN SOCIETY OF BELGIUM ; MEMBER OF THE

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETIES OF ENGLAND, BELGIUM, UNITED STATES,

AND CANADA J CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE ZOOLOGICAL

SOCIETY OF ENGLAND, ETC.

SECOND EDITION.

ILLUSTRATED.

TORONTO :

ROWSELL AND HUTCHISON,
IS/2.

BIOLOGY

LIBRARY

G

Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one
thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, by ALEXANDER MILTON Ross, in
the Office of the Minister of Agriculture.

TORONTO :

PRINTED BY ROWSELL & HUTCHISON,
KING STREET.

PREFACE

TO THE FIRST EDITION.

MY object in presenting this volume to the
public is in some measure to supply a want long
felt by those interested in the study of Canadian
Ornithology.

This work is simply, as the title page states,
a description of the plumage, habits, food, song,
nests, eggs, times of arrival and departure of the
birds of Canada.

The birds described consist of the permanent
and summer residents, and also such birds as
regularly or accidentally stop in Canada during
the spring and autumn migrations.

I have in my collection a specimen of each
bird described, except a few of the sea birds
that frequent the coasts of New Brunswick and
Nova Scotia.

732989

iv Preface.

The information given as to the food and
habits of our birds may probably interest and
benefit the agriculturist. The great majority of
our feathered visitors are insectivorous, and con-
sequently good friends of the farmer, who should
extend his protecting care to these little insect-
destroyers.

Many of our Canadian birds are extremely
interesting ; and, in beauty of plumage and
sweetness and variety of song, equal, if they
do not surpass, the birds of any other country.

The arrangement and classification, and the
names that are given in this work, are those
which have been sanctioned by modern orni-
thologists.

Toronto, December, 1871.

PREFACE

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

THE First Edition of this work having been
exhausted within a few weeks of its appearance,
I have carefully revised this — the second.

Appended is a Classified Catalogue of the
Birds of Manitoba and British Columbia, Pro-
vinces which now form a portion of the Dominion
of Canada.

A Synopsis of the Birds of Canada, with
Common and Technical Names, will be found
at the end of the work.

I am much indebted to thos^of my scientific
and literary friends who have reviewed this work
favorably or otherwise, especially to the latter,
for many valuable suggestions.

With the hope that this edition will meet with
the same generous approval and patronage as
the first, I place it in the hands of my Publishers.

A. M. R.

EVERGREEN GROVE,

Toronto, July, 1872,

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION ... . xi

BIRDS OF* CANADA.

ORDER I. — Raptorcs (Birds of Prey) . i

ORDER II. — S-cansores (Climbers) . . 14

ORDER III. — Insessores (Perchers) . . 20

ORDER IV. — Rasores (Scratchers) . - 73

ORDER V. — Grallatores (Waders) . . 77

ORDER VI. — Natatores (Swimmers) . . 96

BIRDS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND MANI-
TOBA 127

SYNOPSIS OF THE BIRDS OF CANADA —
SCIENTIFIC NAM^S . . . .131

SYNOPSIS OF THE BIRDS OF CANADA -

COMMON NAMES . . .137

INTRODUCTION.

THE Birds of Canada may be divided into two
classes — Granivorous and Carnivorous. Some
of our birds, however, hold a middle nature, and
partake of both. They may also be divided
into six Orders — The Order of Raptores, or Birds
of Prey ; the Order of Scansores, or Climbers ;
the Order of Insessores, or Perchers ; the Order
of Rasores, or Scratchers ; the Order of Gralla-
tores, or Waders ; the Order of Natatores, or
Swimmers ; and again subdivided into Sub-
Orders, Families, and Sub-Families.

ORDER I. — RAPTORES or BIRDS OF PREY.

Are mostly birds of large size, having strong
hooked bills, sharp claws, great extent of wing,
and powerful muscles ; the females are generally
larger than the males. Birds of this Order live
in pairs, such as Eagles, Hawks, Buzzards, and
Owls.

x Introduction.

• FAMILY FALCONID^E. — The Falcons. — The
birds of this Family are characterized by a robust
and strong form ; short bill, curved downward ;
round nostrils ; wings long, pointed, adapted for
rapid flight. The claws are strong, large, and
very sharp. Plumage, generally mottled-grey,
black, brown, and white.

FAMILY STRIGID^E. — T/te Owls. — The Owls
have a large head, short and heavy form, and
some have tufts of feathers that somewhat resem-
bles the ears of quadrupeds. Their flight is slow,
but strong, and without noise ; their eyes very
large ; bill, powerful and curved ; legs, feathered
to the toes. Plumage, soft and mottled.

ORDER II. — SCANSORES or CLIMBERS.

Birds of this Order have their toes in pairs —
two in front and two behind — which especially
facilitate climbing. The Citculid&} or Cuckoo
Family, and the Picidcz, or Woodpecker Family,
belong to this Order.

FAMILY CUCULID^E. — The Cuckoos. — The
Cuckoos are characterized by a long clinical and
slender bill ; tail, has ten feathers of graduated

Introduction. xi

length ; wings, long ; plumage, olive-green above,
white beneath ; toes, two in front, and two
behind.

FAMILY PICID^E. — The Woodpeckers. — The
Woodpeckers have a strong, straight bill ; tongue,
long ; tail feathers, pointed and shafted ; toes,
two in front, and two behind ; wings, short and
rounded.

ORDER III.— INSESSORES or PERCHERS.

This Order embraces a greater number of
species than any other, and comprehends all
those birds which live habitually among trees,
with the exception of birds of prey and climbing
birds. All true perching birds have three toes
before, and one behind.

FAMILY HIRUNDINID^E. — The
The Swallows have a short, triangular bill ; large
mouth ; wings, long ; tail, more or less forked ;
legs, short and delicate ; toes, three in front, and
one behind ; plumage, bright metallic blue above,
white or reddish beneath.

FAMILY CAPRIMULGID^L. — The Goatsuckers. —
The three members of this Family that visit

xii Introduction.

Canada, are characterized by a very short tri-
angular bill ; gape, large ; the inner toe with
three joints, the others with four ; plumage, soft,
lax, and mottled like the Owls.

FAMILY COLOPTERID^. — The Flycatchers.—
The birds of this Family are noted for their
activity and courage. The bill is sharp, strong,
broad, and slightly bent down and notched.
Wings and tail, about the same length. Three
toes in front, and one behind. Plumage, shaded
black and gray.

FAMILY TURDID.E. — The Thrushes. — The
Thrushes have the wings and tail rounded, and
rather short, with one exception, that of the
Brown Thrush, which has a very long tail. The
plumage is brown above, and white-spotted with
black and brown beneath.

FAMILY SYLVICOLID.E. — The Warblers. — The
birds of this Family are quite numerous, small
in size, with sharp and short bills ; plumage,
variable ; legs, long and slender, hind toe shorter
than the middle one ; claws, curved and sharp.

FAMILY FRiNGiLLiDyE. — The Finches. — All
the birds of this Family are characterized by

Introduction. xiii

short and stout bills ; wings, long and pointed ;
legs, black and slender ; toes, three before and
one behind ; plumage, very variable.

ORDER IV. — RASORES or SCRATCHERS.

Comprises birds which live mainly upon the
ground, and feed principally upon berries, buds,
tender leaves, and grain ; such as Doves, Grouse,
Partridges, and Turkeys.

FAMILY TETRAONID^E. — The Grouse. — The
legs are densely feathered ; toes, naked ; tail, has
sixteen feathers, sometimes eighteen ; plumage,
black, brown, and mottled.

ORDER V. — GRALLATORES or WADERS.

Birds of this Order live near the water, and
comprise the Herons, Cranes, Bitterns, Plovers,
Snipes, Phalaropes, Sandpipers, and Rails.

FAMILY ARDEID/E.— The Herons.— The birds
of this Family have very long and strong bills ;
legs, very long and slender, middle toe con-
nected with the outer by a basal web ; head,
crested ; throat, tufted with long feathers.

xvi Introduction.

FAMILY STERINJZ. — The Terns.— The Terns
have slender, straight, and 'long bills, curved and
pointed ; tail, forked ; feet, webbed ; wings, very
long and pointed.

FAMILY COLYMBID.E. — The Divers. — Have
long, pointed, and compressed bills ; toes, long
and webbed ; legs, situated far behind ; tail,
short; wings, short.

The Sub-Family Podicipince, the Grebes, have
short wings ; sides of the head, tufted ; plumage,
soft ; bill, long and compressed ; tail, a mere
tuft of soft feathers.

FAMILY ALCIDJE.— Sub-Family Alcince.—The
Auks. — The Auks are characterized by a short,
broad, and strong body ; wings, short ; tail,
short ; bill, about as long as the head, and
hooked at the base ; legs and feet, stout and
strong ; toes, webbed.

Many species of birds that were quite common
in Canada at the beginning of this century, are
now rarely seen, and several have become extinct
in comparatively recent times.

BIRDS OF CANADA

ORDER L—*§%\rtm$. (giflfe flf fwj

FAMILY FALCONIDJ3.
Sub-Family FALCONING. — The Falcons.

PEREGRINE FALCON, ou DUCK HAWK.

Falco anatum. — The Peregrine Falcon.

This bold and spirited falcon arrives in Canada
about the last of March, and remains until late
in the fall. Color, above, bluish cinereous, with
transverse bands of brownish-black ; underneath,
yellowish-white, with spots of black on the breast
and abdomen ; bill, light blue ; legs and toes,
yellow. Length, twenty inches. Its food con-

2 Birds cf Canada.

sists principally of ducks and other water-fowl.
Nests, on a high rocky cliff; eggs, four, of a
redd'ish-browoi jcp-lo^ covered with dark blotches.

SPARROW HAWK.

Tinnunculus sparverius. — The Sparrow Hawk.

The Sparrow Hawk is a summer resident
of Canada. Color, above, light rufous or cinna-
mon ; underneath, pale rufous, spotted with
black ; quills, brownish-black, with white bars ;
legs, yellow ; bill, light blue. Nests, in a hollow
tree ; eggs, four, of a yellowish-buff color,
covered with spots of reddish-brown. Feeds
upon small birds, mice, and squirrels.

Falco columbarius. — The Pigeon Hawk.

This bird arrives in Canada about the middle
of March. Length, fourteen inches. Color,
above, bluish-slate ; forehead and throat, white ;

Birds of Canada. 3

under-parts, pale yellowish-white, every feather
with a line of brownish-black ; legs, yellow ;
quills, black ; bill, blue. Nests, in low fir-trees ;
eggs, three ; dull yellowish-brown, with reddish-
brown spots. Feeds upon sparrows, robins, and
other small birds.

Sub-Family AcciPlTRIN^E. — The Hawks.
Astur atricapillus. — The Goshawk.

This hawk is frequently a resident of Canada
throughout the year. Length, twenty inches.
Color, above, dark ashy-blue ; underneath, white,
mottled with ashy-brown ; feet, yellow ; bill,
black ; iris, reddish-orange. Builds its nest
upon the branches of a large tree, near the
trunk ; eggs, three or four in number, of a dull
bluish-white, slightly spotted with reddish-brown.
Feeds upon ducks and other water-fowl, as well
as pigeons, blackbirds, and squirrels.

Accipiter Cooperii. — Cooper's Hawk.

This pretty hawk is fifteen inches in length.
Color, above, dark ashy-brown ; underneath,
transversely barred with light rufous and white.
This bird is the smallest of the so-called " Hen
Hawks." It feeds upon poultry and small birds.
Usually builds its nest in the tops of tall pines ;
eggs, four in number, of a bluish-white, with
light brown* spots. This hawk is a summer
resident of Canada.

4 Birds of Canada.

Accipiter fuscus. — The Sharp-shinned Hawk.

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is twelve inches in
length. Color, above, brownish-black ; under-
neath, light rufous, with transverse bands of
white. Legs, slender ; tail, ashy-brown, tipped
with white. Feeds upon sparrows and other
small birds. This is one of the earliest arrivals
of spring, and remains until the last of November.
Nests, in a tree ; eggs, four, bluish-white.

Sub-Family BUTEONIN/E.— The Buzzard Hawks.
Buteo borealis. — The Red-tailed Hawk.

This fine hawk is a resident of Canada through-
out the year. Length, twenty-four inches. Color,
above, dark umber brown ; underneath, pale
yellowish-white, with lines and spots of reddish-
brown ; tail, bright rufous, tipped with white.
Feeds upon domestic fowls, partridges, and rab-
bits. Nests, in a large tree ; eggs, three in
number, of a yellowish-white, with dark blotches.

Butco lineatus. — The Red-shouldered Hawk.

The Red -shouldered Hawk is eighteen or
nineteen inches in length. Color, above, brown ;
underneath, orange-red ; tail, brownish-black ;
feet, yellow. Nests, in a tree ; eggs, five, pale
blue, with dark reddish spots. This hawk re-
mains in Canada throughout the year. Feeds
upon squirrels, poultry, and small birds,

Birds of Canada. 5

B. pennsylvanicus. — The Broad-winged Hawk.

The Broad-winged Hawk is eighteen inches in
length. Color, above, umber-brown ; underneath,
white, with reddish spots ; tail, dark brown. This
bird is a common resident of Canada during the
summer. Nests, in the top of a tall tree ; eggs,
four or five, of a yellowish-white color, with light
brown spots. Its food consists of small birds,
reptiles, and squirrels.

Archibuteo lagopus. — The Rough-legged Hawk.

This bird is twenty inches in length. Color,
light brown, mottled with reddish-brown and
white. Frequently remains in Canada through-
out the year. Nests, in a tall tree ; eggs, four
or five, of a bluish-white color, blotched with
brown.

A. sancti jokahnis. — The Black Hawk.

The specimen in my collection measures
twenty-four inches in length. Color, glossy
black, with a brownish tinge about the head
and neck. Tail, black, with bands of white.
Frequents marshes and swamps. Nests, in the
top of a large tree ; eggs, five, of a dirty white
color. Remains in Canada throughout the
year.

6 Birds of Canada.

Sub-Family MlLVIN^E. — The Kites.
Circus hudsonius. — The Marsh Hawk.

The Marsh Hawk is one of our most common
summer hawks. It arrives here from the south
about the first of May. Color, bluish-cinereous
above ; beneath, reddish-white. Nests, on the
ground ; eggs, four or five, of a dirty white color.
Feeds upon field mice, principally, and the num-
ber of these destructive little animals which it
devours during the breeding season is almost
incredible. It is consequently entitled to the
protection of the farmer.

Birds of Canada.
Sub-Family AQUILINE.— The Eagles.

Halicetus leucocepJialus. — The White-headed

Eagle.

This noble bird is frequently met with on the
high shore of Lake Ontario throughout the year,

8 Birds of Canada.

and is often seen in the Ottawa region, near the
interior lakes, and in the vicinity of the Rideau
canal. Feeds upon wild fowl and small animals,
and is equally partial to fish. The nest of this
species, formed of large sticks, sods, moss, and
hay, is usually found in a lofty tree, in a swamp
or morass, and, as it is increased or repaired
every season, becomes of great size ; eggs, two
or three, of a yellowish-white color, with brown
patches. General color, brownish-black ; head
and tail, white ; bill, feet, and iris, yellow.

Aquila canadensis. — The Golden Eagle.

This magnificent eagle is rarely met with
except in the interior of Canada. The general
color of the plumage is deep brown, mixed with
tawny on the head and neck, the feathers on the
back being finely shaded with a darker hue.
Feeds upon young fawns, raccoons, rabbits, and
large birds. Usually nests on the sides of steep
rocky crags ; eggs, three in number, of a dull
white, with patches of bronze.

Pandion carolinensis. — The Fish- Hawk.

This common and well known hawk is a summer
resident of Canada. Color, above, umber-brown ;
beneath, white ; bill and claws, bluish-black.
Nests, in a large tree, on the margin of the
lakes or rivers ; eggs, three in number, of a
reddish-cream color. Feeds entirely upon fish.

Birds of Canada.

FAMILY STRIGID.E. THE OWLS.
Sub-Family BUBONIN/E. — The Horned Oivls.

GREAT HORNED OWL.

Bubo virginianus. — The Great Horned Owl.

The Great Horned Owl is a permanent resi-
dent of Canada. It is very destructive to domestic
fowls, and consequently very obnoxious to the

io Birds of Canada.

farmer. Length, twenty- two inches. Color,
brownish-black, mottled with ashy-white. The
nest of this owl is frequently built in the top-
most branches of tall pines, and sometimes in
the top of a stub ; eggs, three or four, of a yel-
lowish-white.

Scops asio. — Mottled Owl, or Screech Owl.

This owl feeds upon mice and squirrels, small
birds, and beetles. Length, ten inches. Color,
pale ashy-brown. Breeds in Canada, Nests, in
a hollow tree ; eggs, four or five, white.

Otus Wilsonianus, — The Long-eared Owl.

The Long-eared Owl feeds upon small birds.
It rears its young in nests which it finds, seldom
making one for itself; eggs, four or five, of a
dirty white color. This owl lingers about moun-
tain streams. Its cry is prolonged and plaintive.
Breeds in Canada. Length, fifteen inches. Color,
brownish-black, mottled with ashy-white.

Br achy otus Cassinii. — The Short-eared Owl.

This Owl is a permanent resident of Canada.
Length, fourteen inches. Color, light brown,
mottled with gray. Builds its nest upon the
ground ; eggs, four in number,, pure, white.
Feeds upon mice and small birds.,

Birds of Canada. II

S Jib-Family SYRNIN^E. — The Gray Owls.
Syrnium nebulosum. — The Barred Owl.

This is one of our most common owls. Length,
twenty inches. Color, light ashy-brown. Feeds
upon small birds, mice, and reptiles. Nests, in
high trees ; eggs, three in number, white. Re-
mains in Canada throughout the year.

Syrnium cinereum. — The Cinereous Owl.

This is the largest member of the owl family.
Length, thirty inches. Color, ashy-brown, mot-
tled with ashy-white. Head, large ; eyes small.
Feeds upon rabbits, squirrels, and other small
animals. It is a rare visitor to this part of
Canada. This owl breeds in the far north.

Nyctale RicJiardsonii. — The Sparrow Owl.

This pretty little owl is a regular winter visitor.
It is eleven inches in length ; the color, above,
white ; legs and bill, light yellow. Breeds in
the north-west. Nests, in a tree ; eggs, four in
number, pure white. Its food consists of mice
and small birds. Seeks its prey by night.

Nyctale acadica. — The Saw-whet Owl.

This species is a permanent resident of Canada.
It is the smallest of the family, being only eight
and a-half inches in length. Color, above, red-

12 Birds of Canada.

dish-brown ; beneath, ashy-white, with spots of
rufous. It builds its nest in a stump or hollow
tree ; eggs, four in number, pure white. The
food of this owl consists of bats, mice, and small
birds.

Sub-Family NYCTEININ/K. — The Day Owls.
Surnia ^tlulu. — The Hawk Owl.

The Hawk Owl is a permanent resident of
Canada. It possesses many of the. characteristics
of a falcon. Length, eighteen inches ; the color,
pale ashy-brown ;, throat, white; a large brown
spot on each side of the breast. This bird seeks
its prey by day as well as by night. Nests, in a
tree ; eggs, two in number, pure white.

Birds of Canada.

SNOWY OWL.

Nyctca nivca. — The Snowy Owl.

This beautiful owl is a regular fall and winter
visitor in Canada. It is twenty-seven inches in
length ; the plumage is pure white, with a few
spots of dark brown on the back and wings. Its
food consists principally of rabbits, birds, and
fish, which it obtains by daylight as well as by
twilight. The Snowy Owl flies with great rapi-
dity, often capturing ducks and other water fowl
upon the wing, Breeds in the arctic regions.

14 Birds of Canada,

ORDER II.

FAMILY CUCULID^. THE CUCKOOS.

Coccygus americanus. — The Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is a rare visitor in
Canada. It is eleven inches in length. Color,

o

above, olive-green, tinged with ash near the bill ;
beneath, white ; tail, olive-green, with a border
of black tipped with white ; upper mandible,
black ; lower, yellow ; quills, orange-cinnamon.
This bird breeds in the United States. Its nest
is built in a low tree or shrub ; eggs, four, of a
bright green color. The song of this cuckoo is
discordant and harsh, and may be represented
by kow-kow, how-how. Its food consists of in-
sects and the eggs and young of other birds.

Coccygus erythrophthalmiis. — The Black-billed
Cuckoo.

This species is a regular summer visitor. It
arrives about the tenth of May, and remains
until the first of September. In size, color, and
characteristics, it closely resembles the preceding
bird. It differs only in having both mandibles
black. This cuckoo breeds in Canada. Nests
in a barberry bush or low tree ; eggs, four, of a
bright green color.

Birds of Canada. 15

FAMILY PICID^E. THE WOODPECKERS.

Sub-Family PICIN.E.
Picus villosus. — The Hairy Woodpecker.

The Hairy Woodpecker is a permanent resi-
dent of Canada. Its food consists principally
of insects and their larvae. Color, black and
white, spotted. Length, eleven inches. Nests,
in a hole in a tree ; eggs, five, pure white.

Picus pubescens. — The Downy Woodpecker.

This woodpecker is six inches in length. Color,
above, black, with a white band down the back ;
two white stripes on the side of the head ; the
lower parts white. Nests, in a hole in a tree ;
eggs, six, pure white. The food of this bird
consists entirely of insects and their larvae.

Picoides articus. — The Black-backed, Three-toed

Woodpecker.

This species is a permanent resident of Canada.
Its habits do not differ from those of other wood-
peckers. Back, black ; wings, spotted white and
black ; top of head, saffron color. Nests, in a
stump ; eggs, four, pure white.

Sphyrapicusvarius. — Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.

This pretty bird is a summer resident of Canada.
It is often seen in orchards, especially in apple-
trees. Feeds upon insects and their larvae. Back

1 6 Birds of Canada.

and wings, spotted black and white ; top of head
and throat, red ; belly, yellow. This bird is a
friend to the farmer, as it destroys immense
numbers of insects. Nests, in a decayed tree in
the woods ; eggs, five, pure white.

Centurees carolinensis. — The Red-bellied
Woodpecker.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a common
summer resident of Canada. It possesses all
the active and noisy habits characteristic of its
family. Length, ten inches. Color, above, black,
crossed with white ; wings, black, tipped with
bars of white ; head, neck, and shoulders, glossy
red ; cheeks and under sides of the neck, pale
buff; breast and abdomen, yellowish-ash, stained
with bright red ; legs and feet, bluish-green ;
iris, red. Nests, in a hollow limb ; eggs, four,
pure white. This species seldom appears about
orchards or open grounds ; but it often visits
corn fields in search of grain, of which it is
particularly fond. Its principal food is insects,
which it obtains from decayed trees after the
manner of other woodpeckers.

Picoides Jiirsutus. — The Banded Three-toed
Woodpecker.

This woodpecker is a permanent resident of
Canada. Length, nine inches. Black, above ;
white, beneath ; quills, spotted with white ; top

Birds of Canada. 17

of the head, spotted with white ; the crown of
the male, with a yellow patch. Nests, in a stump
or decayed tree ; eggs, four, creamy-white.
Hylatomus pileatus. — The Pileated Woodpecker.
This beautiful woodpecker is seldom seen in
the settled portions of Canada, although it is
frequently met with in the interior. It is the
largest and most powerful of the woodpecker
family. General color of body, wings, and tail,
greenish-black ; a narrow white streak just above
the eye to the occiput ; crown of head, bright
red. Length, eighteen inches. Nests, in a hole
in a tree or stub ; eggs, five in number, pure white.

RED-HEADED WOODPECKER.

Melanerpes crythrocephalus. — The Red-headed

Woodpecker.

This bird is one of our regular visitors. It
arrives here from the south about the middle

3

Birds of Canada,

1 8

of May. Its habits are the same as those of
the other species, except that he is a great
lover of fruit and grain. It is, however, a
question whether he is not a greater friend
than enemy to the farmer, as he kills great
numbers of insects. Back, black ; belly, white ;
head and neck all round, crimson. Length, ten
inches ; bill and feet, black. Nests, in a hole in
a stub or tree ; eggs, four in number, pure white.

GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER.

Colaptes auratus. — Golden-winged Woodpecker.

The Golden-winged Woodpecker is one of our

best known and most beautiful summer visitors.

Birds of Canada. 19

It is twelve inches long ; the wing six inches.
The top of the head, and the upper part of the
neck, bluish-ash ; a red crescent on the nape ;
the other upper parts, olive brown, with trans-
verse bands of black ; the lower parts, yellowish
white, tinged with a brownish, and ornamented
with circular black spots, and with a black cres-
cent on the breast ; the shafts and under surfaces
of the wings are gamboge yellow. This elegant
bird arrives in Canada from the south about the
twentieth of April, and returns late in the fall.
Nests, in a hollow tree ; eggs, six, pure white.
Feeds upon insects, berries, and grains.

2O Birds of Canada.

ORDER III.—

FAMILY TROCHILIDyE. THE HUMMING
BIRDS.

Trochilus colubris. — The Ruby-throated
Hummin Bird.

This beautiful little bird arrives here from the
south about the last of May. Nests, in a tree ;
eggs> two, pure white. Its food consists of in-
sects and the juice of sweet-scented flowers.

FAMILY CYPSELID^E. THE S WIFTS.
Chetura pelasgia.* — The Chimney Swallow.

This swallow arrives here about the last of
May. Leaves for the south about the first of
September. Color, sooty-brown. Nests, in hol-
low trees or unused chimneys ; eggs, five, pure
white. Feeds upon insects.

Birds of Canada.

21

FAMILY HIRUNDINID^E. THE
SWALLOWS.

BAIIN SWALLOW.

Hirundo americana. — The Barn Swallow.

The general color of this swallow is steel-blue
above ; beneath, light chestnut ; tail, forked.
Receives its name from its frequently attaching
its nest to the rafters in barns. Feeds upon
insects.

H. lunifrons. — The Cliff Swallow.

The Cliff Swallow is black, above ; white,
beneath ; tail, green. Builds its nest under pro-
jecting cliffs ; eggs, six, white, with a purplish
tint. Feeds upon insects.

22 Birds of Canada.

H. riparia. — The Bank Swallow.

This is the smallest of the swallows. Color,
above, grayish-brown ; beneath, pure white. It
takes its name from its habit of making deep,
winding holes in sand banks, in which it builds
its nest ; eggs, four, pure white. Feeds upon
insects.

H. bicolor. — The White-breasted Swallow.

This well-known swallow arrives here about
the middle of May. Color, above, metallic-
green ; beneath, white. Nests, in a hole in a
tree or stub, and sometimes in a martin's box ;
eggs, four, white. Feeds upon insects.

Prague purpurea. — The Purple Martin.

This pretty and interesting bird arrives in
Canada early in April. Color : the old males
are glossy steel-blue all over ; the females are
glossy steel-blue above, and pale brown beneath.
Two broods are raised during the season. Nests,
in a hole in a tree, or martin's box ; eggs, four
or six, pure white. Early in September the
martins leave for the south.

Birds of Canada.

FAMILY CAPRIMULGID^. THE GOAT-
SUCKERS.

WHIP-POOR-WILL.

Caprimulgus vociferus. — The Whip-poor-will.

The Whip-poor-will is a regular summer resi-
dent of Canada. It is ten and a-half inches
long ; bill, short, and bent at the point ; mouth,
very large, and beset along the sides with a
number of stiff bristles, which turn inwards ;
eyes, full and large ; the plumage is variegated
with black, pale cream-brown, and rust color.
The notes of the whip-poor-will are three, and
have a resemblance to the syllables " whip poor
will," from which it takes its name. It begins
its song soon after sunset, and continues till
late at night ; then remains silent till near the
dawn, when it resumes, and continues tiil sunrise.
During the day it sits in the most retired, solitary,
and deep-shaded parts of the woods, generally
on high ground, where it reposes in silence.

24 Birds of Canada.

When disturbed, it rises within a few feet, and
flies slowly through the woods for thirty or forty
yards, and generally settles on a low branch, or on
the ground. Its sight appears deficient during
the day, as it seems to want that vivacity for
which it is distinguished in the morning and
evening twilight. It does not perch, like other
birds, sitting across the branch, but lengthwise ;
and its hinder toe is capable of being turned
forward as well as backward. It is solitary in
its habits, and is generally seen alone. The
female begins to lay about the second week in
May, selecting for this purpose the most unfre-
quented part of the wood, often where some
brush, old logs, or heaps of leaves had been
lying, and always on a dry situation. The eggs,
usually two in number, greenish-white, are depo-
sited on the ground, or on the leaves, not the
slightest appearance of a nest being visible. Its
food consists entirely of night-flying insects.

Birds of Canada.

NIGHT HAWK.

Chordeiles popetue. — The Night Hawk.

This is a well known bird. It arrives here
from the south about the middle of May. The
colors of this bird, though plain, have a beautiful
effect from the elegance of their disposition : the
plumage being beautifully freckled, barred, and
spotted with brown, black, grey, and ferrugi-
nous, variously arranged and diversified. The
bill is small, flat, and hooked at the tip; the
eyes are large, full, and black ; the legs are
short, rough, and scaly, and feathered below the
knee. The male is distinguished from the female
4

26 Birds of Canada.

by an oval white spot, near the end of the first
three quill feathers. Nests, on the bare ground,
sometimes on a rock ; eggs, two, grayish-white,
spotted with brown and lavender. Its food con-
sists entirely of moths, gnats, beetles, and other
night insects.

C. carolinensis. — The Chuck-will's Widow.

The Chuck-will's Widow closely resembles
the Whip-poor-will in general appearance. This
interesting bird is a very rare visitor in Canada.
It derives its name from its repeated utterance
of a cry that exactly resembles the words "chuck
zvill's zvidozu" Like the other members of the
Goat Sucker Family, this bird seeks its food by
night. Nests, on the ground ; eggs, two, grayish-
white, mottled with buff.

Birds of Canada. 27

SUB-ORDER CLAMATORES.
(SCREAMERS.)

FAMILY ALCEDINID.E. THE KING-
FISHERS.

BELTED KINGFISHER.

Ceryle alcyon. — The Belted Kingfisher.

This bird is a very common summer resident
of Canada. It arrives here about the tenth of
April. The plumage of this pretty bird is bright
blue above, marked with a great number of dark
streaks caused by the blue-black shaft of each
feather. The wings are blackish-brown, bound
with white, and variegated with blue ; the head,
with a crest ; a band across the breast and sides
of the same color as the back ; the tail, with
transverse bands and spots of white. Length,
twelve inches. Nests, in a long winding hole in a
sand-bank; eggs, six, pure white. Feeds upon fish,

28 Birds of Canada.

FAMILY COLOPTERIDyE. THE FL Y-
CA TCHERS.

Sub-Family TYRANNIN^. — Tyrant Fly-catchers.

KING BIRD.

Tyrannus carolinensis . — The King Bird.

This brave little bird is a summer inhabitant
of Canada. Color above, dark bluish-ash, the
lower parts white ; the concealed crest, vermillion
and orange. Its favorite resorts are open fields
or orchards. Feeds upon insects. It is a
courageous little bird, and attacks hawks, crows^
and other large birds without the least hesitation.
Nests, in an orchard tree ; eggs, five, of a beau-
tiful creamy-white color, with spots and specks
of brown. Departs for the south, first September.

Birds of Canada. 29

Myiarchus crinitus. — The Great-crested Fly-
catcher.

This bird arrives in Canada about the middle
of May. The nest is placed in a hollow tree or
stub, and nearly always contains the cast-off skin
of a snake, which is coiled at the bottom ; eggs,
four, of a dull cream color, scratched with purple
lines. Feeds upon insects. The general color
of this bird is dull greenish-olive above ; under
parts, bright sulphur-yellow ; head, well defined
crest. Departs for the south first of September.

Sayornis fuscus. — The Phebe Bird.

This very common bird is too well known to
need a description. It arrives from the south
about the last of March, and departs the last of
October.

Contopus vircns. — The Wood Pewee.

This is a common summer resident of Canada.
It arrives here about the twentieth of May. Gen-
eral color, dark olive brown ; the lower parts,
pale-yellow. This bird loves the dark quiet
retreats of the forests. Here, sitting upon a
branch, it may be seen watching for insects,
uttering its low melancholy notes. Nests, in a
tree; eggs, four or five; light-yellow, spotted-
with red on the large end.

3o Birds of Canada.

Empidonax minimus. — The least Fly-catcher.

This active little bird arrives from the south
about the first of May. Color, above, olive-
brown ; beneath, yellowish-white ; length, five
inches. Usually nests in an apple tree; eggs,
four ; creamy-white color. Feeds upon insects
entirely.

SUB-ORDER OSCINES.

(SINGING BIRDS.)
FAMILY TURDID^E. THE THRUSHES.

WOOD THRUSH.

Turdus mustelinus. — The Wood Thrush.

This sweet songster is a common Canadian
visitor, arriving here about the twentieth of May.
The Wood Thrush delights in deep, shady places,
where there is a small brook. Its soft, half plain-

Birds of Canada. 3 1

tive notes excel in sweetness those of any other
Canadian bird. Color, above, clear cinnamon-
brown ; the under parts are white, tipged with
buff, marked with blackish spots. Nests, in a
low shrub in the deep woods ; eggs, four in
number, of a blue color, tinted with green. Feeds
upon insects.

T. palassii. — The Hermit Thrush.

The Hermit Thrush arrives in Canada about
the middle of May. Color, above, olive-brown ;
beneath, white ; length, eight inches. Nests, in
low trees or bushes ; eggs, four, of a light blue
color. In its habits and song it is similar to the
Wood Thrush. Feeds upon insects.

T.fuscesccns. — The Tawny Thrush.

This is a common summer resident of Canada.
Color, above, light reddish-brown ; below, white.
Nests, on the ground ; eggs, four, of a bluish-
green color. Feeds upon insects.

T. Swainsonii. — The Olive-backed Thrush.

This pretty bird is the least common of all the
thrushes. Color, olivaceous ; breast, white ;
throat and breast, spotted with brown. Nests,
in the deepest recesses of the forest ; eggs, four,
of a reddish-brown color. Feeds on insects.

32 Birds of Canada,

T. migrator ions. — The Robin.

This is one of the most common and interest-
ing summer residents. Color, above, olive-gray ;
top and sides of the head, black ; throat, white,
streaked with black ; under parts, chestnut-
brown ; length, ten inches. Its food consists of
caterpillars, earth-worms, and grubs of various
kinds. Nests, in a tree ; eggs, four, greenish-
blue. The popular prejudice against this bird
is unjust. It is a good friend to the farmer,
and should be protected.

Sub-Family MIMING.— Mocking Birds.

Harporhynchus rufus. — The Brown Thrush, or
Brown Thrasher.

This sweet songster is one of our most welcome
visitors. In the pleasant spring mornings, this
bird utters the sweetest melodies from the top-
most branches of some isolated tree. During the
day it prefers low thick bushes. The nest is
made in a clump of low bushes, a few feet from
the ground ; eggs, four to six, of a dull buff color,
sprinkled with brown. General color, above,
light cinnamon-red ; below, pale rufous white.
The Brown Thrasher arrives here about the last
of April, and departs for its southern home the
first week in October.

Birds of Canada, 33

CAT BIRD.

Galcoscoptes carolincnsis. — The Cat Bird.

This well known bird arrives in Canada about
the middle of May. Its habits are so well known
that a description is hardly necessary. General
color, dark plumbeous ; the under tail coverts,
dark brown. In spring its song is varied, mellow,
and sweet. It possesses to some extent the
power to imitate the notes of other birds.
Sometimes it mews like a cat, hence its name.
Nests, in low bushes ; eggs, four, sometimes six,
greenish-blue. It rears two broods in a season.
About the middle of October the Cat Bird goes
south.

FAMILY SAXICOLID^E. THE ROCK
INHABITERS.

Sialia stalls. — The Blue Bird.

The Blue Bird, is a common summer resident
of Canada. General color, above, azure-blue ;
beneath, reddish-brown. It is one of the earliest
arrivals, making its appearance about the middle

34 Birds of Canada.

of March. Nests, in a. knot-hole or martin's box ;
eggs, five in number, of a light-blue color. Feeds
entirely upon insects. Leaves for the south the
first of October.

FAMILY SYLVID^E. THE WOOD
INHABITERS.

Regulus calendula. — The Ruby-crowned Wren.

This pretty little wren is at once distinguished
by the crown, which has a concealed patch of
scarlet feathers, which are white at the base.
Its song is charming, and harmonious. Arrives
here about the middle of May, on its way north
to breed, and visits us again in September, while
migrating south. Feeds upon insects and their
larvae.

Regulus satrapa. — The Golden-crested Wren.

This wren is distinguished from the Ruby-
crowned, by a crest of orange-red, encircled by
yellow. Visits Canada in the spring and autumn.
Breeds north of Ontario. Feeds upon insects.

Regulns. cuvieri. — Cuvier's Golden-crested Wren.

This diminutive and beautiful bird differs from
the Regulus Satrapa in having two black bands
on the crown, separated by a white band. This
wren usually accompanies the two preceding
species, in their spring and fall migrations.

Birds of Canada. 35

FAMILY PARID^E.
Sub-Family PARING. — The Titmice.

Parus atricapillus . — The Black-cap Titmouse, or
Chick-a-dee.

This pretty little bird is one of the few species
that remain with us throughout the year. It
builds its nest in a hole in a stump or tree ;
eggs, six in number, white, with reddish-brown
markings at the larger end. Two broods are
raised in a season. General color, ashy-brown
above, and white beneath ; top of the head and
throat, black ; and the sides of the head between,
white. Feeds entirely upon insects and their
larvae.

P. hudsonicus. — Hudson's Bay Titmouse.

This bird is a permanent resident of Canada.
Color, olive brown above ; white beneath ; top
of the head, brown ; sides of the head, white.
Length, five inches. Nests in- a shrub; eggs,
four, pure white.

occ

36 Birds of Canada.

Sub-Family SITTIN/E. — The Nuthatches.

WHITE-BELLIED NUTHATCH.

Sitta carolinensis . — The White-bellied Nuthatch.

This nuthatch is one of our common summer
birds, and sometimes remains in Canada through
the winter. Color, ashy-blue above ; the under
parts, white ; top of the head and neck, black.
Nests, in a hole in a stump or tree ; eggs, six,
dull white. Feeds upon insects. At night it
attaches its feet to the bark of a tree, and sleeps
with its head downwards.

5. canadensis.—1\\Q Red-bellied Nuthatch. *

The Red-bellied Nuthatch is smaller than the
preceding species ; the belly, reclclish-brown ; in
other respects it is similar to the White-bellied
Nuthatch.

Birds of Canada. 37

FAMILY CERTHIAD^. THE CREEPERS.

r

AMERICAN CREEPER.

CcrtJiia americana. — The American Creeper.

This industrious insect-hunter is a permanent
resident of Canada. Color, above, dark brown,
each feather streaked with white ; the under
parts, rusty-brown ; a white streak over the eye.
Feeds upon insects and their larvae. Nests, in a
hollow tree ; eggs, six, dark gray.

FAMILY TROGLODYTID^E. THE WRENS.

Cistothorus palustris. — Long-billed Marsh Wren.

This species lives among the rank vegetation
growing in marshes and inlets to the lakes. Here
it builds its nest, and lays six eggs of a deep
chocolate color. This wren is five and a-half

38 Birds of Canada.

inches long ; the upper parts, dull reddish-brown ;
the under parts, and a streak over the eye, white.
Feeds upon insects. It arrives here about the
middle of May, and leaves for the south about
the last of September.

Troglodytes Jiy emails. — The Winter Wren.

The Winter Wren arrives in Ontario about
the first of October, and remains through the
winter, leaving early in the spring for the north,
where it breeds. Color, reddish-brown.

Troglodytes ccdon. — The House Wren.

This well known and interesting bird arrives
from the south the first week -in May. It lives
entirely upon insects, of which it destroys vast
numbers. This little wren delights in living
near the habitations of men, and builds its nest
in any hole in a tree or stump it finds ; eggs,
six, pale reddish-brown. Color, reddish-brown.-

FAMILY SYLVICOLID^. WARBLERS.

Sub-Family SYLVICOLINJE. — The Wood
Warblers.

Mniotilta varia. — The Black and White Creeper.

This is a regular summer resident, Nests, in
a low bush ; eggs, four, creamy- white. General

Birds of Canada. 39

color of the male, black ; the feathers broadly
edged with white. All the birds of this family
are insectivorous. I have thirty species of the
warbler family in. my collection.

Panda americana. — The Blue Yellow-backed
Warbler.

This warbler arrives here about the middle of
April, on its way to the north, and returns south-
ward about the middle of September. Color,
above, blue, with a yellow stripe on the middle of
the back ; beneath, yellowish-white. This species
utters a soft, prolonged twitter : its only song.

GeotJilypis tricjias. — The Maryland YellowThroat.

This very pretty warbler breeds in Ontario.
Color, above, olive-green, tinged with brown ;
throat and neck, bright yellow. Nests, in low
bushes ; eggs, four, creamy-white.

G. Philadelphia. — The Mourning Warbler.

Its note is a little chit, uttered in a soft, pen-
sive tone. General color, ash-gray above, and
black underneath, Breeds in Canada. Nests,
in a low bush ; eggs, four, bluish-white.

G. macgillvraii. — Macgillvray's Warbler.

This Warbler is five inches long, the wing less
than two and a-half inches ; the head and neck,

40 Birds of Canada,

ash, a narrow frontlet and space around the eye,
black ; the feathers of the forward under parts
really black, but appearing gray from the ashy
tips of the feathers ; the rest of the upper parts,
dark olive-green, and of the lower, yellow. Breeds
in Canada. Nests, in a low bush ; eggs, five,
flesh-colored.

Dendroica virens — The Black Throated Green
Warbler.

The Black-throated Green Warbler is five
inches long, the wings .over two and a-half inches;
the crown and back, olive ; the forehead, super-
ciliary and maxillary stripes, yellow. Breeds in
Canada. Nests, in a bush near the ground ; eggs,
five, bluish white.

D. palmarnm. — The Yellow Red-poll Warbler.

This bird is five inches long, the wing nearly
two and a-half inches, the crown, sides of the
head, and inferior streaks, yellow ; a white spot on
the end of the tail, superciliary streak and under
parts, yellow. Breeds in the interior of Canada.
Visits Ontario in May and September.

D. tigrina. — Cape May Warbler.

The Cape May Warbler is five and a-quarter
inches long, the wing nearly three inches, the
bill, acute and decurved ; the color, olive above,

Birds of Canada. 41

rump and under parts, yellow ; crown, blackish ;
sides of the head, chestnut. This pretty bird
breeds in northern Ontario.

D. canadensis. — The Black-Throated Blue
Warbler.

This bird is five and a-half inches long, the
wing, two and a-half ; the crown, black ; back,
ash ; maxillary stripe, white. Breeds in Manitoba.
Visits Ontario in the spring and fall.

D. coronata. — The Yellow-rump Warbler.

This Warbler is five and a-quarter inches
long, the wing three inches ; the color, slate blue
above ; throat, white ; head, blackish ; the sides
and rump, with a yellow patch. Breeds north
of Ontario.

D. blackburnice. — Blackburnian Warbler.
This is, without exception, the most beautiful
of all the warblers. Color : the back, black ;
throat, bright orange ; and a patch on the wing
and outer tail feathers, white. Breeds in the far
north. Remains for a few days in May and
October.

D. castanca. — The Bay-breasted Warbler.
This bird is five inches long; the head, chestnut ;
sides of the head, black ; and belly, white. Like
most of the family, this bird breeds in the north-
G

42 Birds of Canada.

ern part of this continent. During the spring
and fall migrations it stops for a few days in
Ontario.

D. pinus. — The Pine-creeping Warbler.
The Pine-creeping Warbler is five and a-half
inches long, and the wing, three inches ; olive-
green above, and yellow beneath ; two dull white
bands upon the wings. Breeds in northern
Canada. Nests, on the ground ; eggs, four,
bluish-white.

D. pennsylvanica— -The Chestnut-sided Warbler.

This species is five inches long ; the wing, two
and a-half inches ; the crown, yellow, encircled
with white ; sides of the head, black, enclosing a
white patch behind ; and sides of the body, chest-
nut. Breeds in northern Canada. Visits Ontario
in the spring and fall.

D. striata.—-Thz Black-poll Warbler.

This warbler is five and three-quarter inches
long; the wing, three inches; the crown and sides,
black ; the cheeks below the eye, white. Breeds
north of Ontario. Spring and autumn visitor.

D. csstiva. — The Yellow Warbler.

This species arrives here about the middle of
May, and breeds here. Nests, in a willow or
maple tree ; eggs, four, white, with brown blotches.
General color, yellow.

Birds of Canada. 43

D. inaculosa. — The Black and Yellow Warbler.

This bird is a summer resident of Canada.
Builds its nest in the willows that grow in low
marshy grounds ; eggs, four, pure white.

Myiodioctes canadensis. — The Canada Fly-
catcher.

The Canada Fly-catcher is about five and
a-third inches long, the wing, about two and
two-thirds inches ; the back, bluish ; streaks
upon the crown ; stripe on the side of the head
and neck ; and breast, black. Breeds in Canada.
Nests, on the ground, or in a low bush ; eggs,
four, pinkish-white.

M. mitratus. — The Hooded Warbler.

The Hooded Warbler is five inches long ; the
head and neck, black ; back, olive-green ; the
front, cheeks, and under parts, yellow. It is
very rarely seen in Ontario. Breeds in the
south. Visits Canada in the spring.

M. minutus. — The Small-headed Fly-catcher.

This little bird is four inches long ; olive, above ;
yellow, beneath ; and the wing, with two white
bands. Visits Canada in May and October.

M.pusillus. — The Green Black-cap Fly-catcher.

This Fly-catcher is four and three-quarter
inches long ; the upper parts, olive ; the forehead,

44 Birds cf Canada.

and under parts, bright yellow ; the crown, with
a black patch. Remains here for a few days in
May and August.

Helmitherus vermivoms. — The Worm-eating
Warbler.

The Worm-eating Warbler is five inches long.
Color, olive-green, above ; beneath, brownish-
yellow. Visits Canada during the spring and
summer migrations. Breeds in the far north.

Helminthopaga pinns. — The Blue-winged Yellow
Warbler.

This bird is four and a-half inches long ; the
wing, two and four-tenths inches, Color, above,
olive-green ; the wings and tail, bluish-gray ; the
crown and under parts, rich orange-yellow. Its
nest is elongated, and attached by its upper edge
to several stout stalks of grass ; eggs, four to six,
pure white, with a few pale red spots at the
larger end. Breeds in Canada.

H. cJirysoptera. — The Golden-winged Warbler.

This beautiful warbler is five inches long ;
upper parts bluish-gray ; head and under parts,
black and yellow. Breeds in the interior of
Canada. Remains in Ontario, a few days in the
spring and fall.

Birds of Canada. 45

H. ntficapilla.—'Tte Nashville Warbler.

The Nashville Warbler is over four and a-half
inches long ; the wing, two and three-fourths
inches ; the color, above, olive-green ; beneath,
dull white ; the color, olive-green above ; under
parts, deep yellow. Visits Canada in the spring
and fall.

H. peregrina. — The Tennessee Warbler.

The Tennessee Warbler is four and a-half
inches long ; the wing, two and three-fourths
inches ; the color, above, olive-green ; beneath,
dull white ; the top and sides of the head, ashy-
gray. Breeds in northern Canada. Spring and
fall visitor.

Ictcria mridis. — The Yellow-breasted Chat.

This bird is nearly seven inches in length ;
upper parts, olive-green ; under-parts gamboge-
yellow. Visits Canada in May and September.

SctopJiaga ruticilla. — The Red Start.

The Red Start arrives here about the middle
of May, and leaves about the fifteenth of Septem-
ber. It is live and a quarter inches long ; the
wing two and a half inches ; the general color,
black, the sides of the breast and base of the
quills and tail, reddish-orange, and the abdomen,
white. This is one of the prettiest and liveliest
birds of our forests. The nest is built upon a

46 Birds of Canada.

low bush ; eggs, four to six ; white, sprinkled
with ashy-gray.

Sciurus aurocapillus. — The Golden-crowned
Thrush.

This beautiful bird is a summer resident of
Canada. It arrives here about the last of April,
and departs the last of September. Color, above,
olive-green, with a tinge of yellow ; crown, with
two streaks of black, enclosing a broad orange
stripe ; beneath, white ; the breast and sides of
the body, black. It builds its nest on the ground,
in the form of an old oven ; eggs, five, creamy-
white.

5. noveboracensis. — The Water Thrush, or

Wagtail.

The Water Thrush arrives here about the first
of May ; departs twentieth of September. Color,
above, olive-brown ; beneath, pale sulphur-yel-
low, brightest on the abdomen. It can be found
near brooks, rivers, or ponds, wading in the shal-
low water in search of aquatic insects, continually
wagging its tail. Nests, in a swamp ; eggs, five,
reddish-brown.

Sub-Family TANAGRINJE. — The Tanagers.
Pyranga rubra. — The Scarlet Tanager.

This elegant bird is seven and four-tenths
inches long ; the wing, four inches ; the color,

Birds of Canada. 47

bright scarlet, wings and tail black. Nests, on a
low branch of a tree ; eggs, three to five ; dull,
greenish-blue, speckled with reddish-brown and
light purple. This is our most gaudy visitor. It
arrives from the south about the fifteenth of
May, and leaves early in September. This bird
thrives well in confinement, and makes a beau-
tiful pet. Feeds upon insects, berries, and grain.

Birds of Canada.

FAMILY BOMBYCILLID^E. THE CHAT-
TERERS.
Sub-Family BOMBYCILLIN^:. — The Wax Wings.

BOHEMIAN CHATTERER.

A mpelis garrulus. — The Bohemian Chatterer.

This very rare and beautiful bird appears in
Canada only in severe seasons. Length, seven
and a-half inches ; the wing, four and a-half
inches. The general color, brownish-ash ; pri-
maries and tail feathers, plumbeous-black, the
tail with a terminal band of yellow ; the head
and throat marked with black ; the wings with
white ; and the secondaries have red horny tips.

Birds of Canada. 49

They live in numerous flocks, keeping by pairs
only in the breeding season. Their food con-
sists chiefly of the buds and seeds of the pine,
cedar, and juniper. Their migrations extend
from Central Asia to the Arctic regions. They
breed in the northern part of British Columbia
and Alaska.

A. cedronnn. — The Cedar Bird, or Cherry Bird.

The Cedar Birds arrive here in flocks about
the second week in March. They generally
build their nests in orchard trees ; sometimes in
a cedar or other evergreen tree ; eggs, four or
five in number, of a light blue or clay-white
color, with a slight purple tint, with black spots.
Farmers manifest a great deal of ill - feeling
toward this bird, on account of its occasional
fondness for cherries and other small fruit. It
has, however, a much greater relish for cater-
pillars and the larvae of insects, of which it
destroys immense numbers, and thereby more
than compensates for the small quantity of
fruit it eats. The only note of the Cherry Bird
is twee-twee, uttered in a plaintive, soft manner.
The general color is reddish-olive above, passing
into yellow beneath ; the quills and tail, dark
plumbeous and dusky, tipped with yellow. The
plumage is very soft and delicate, and its tints
and shadings beautiful.
7

50 Birds of Canada.

FAMILY LANIID^E.
Sub-Family LANIIN^E.— The Shrikes.

GREAT NORTHERN SHRIKE.

Collyrio borealis. — The Great Northern Shrike, or
Butcher Bird.

The Butcher Bird is nine inches long ; the
color, above, light bluish-ash ; the under parts,
white ; the wings and tail, black. It feeds prin-
cipally upon insects, sparrows, and other small
birds. It can imitate the calls of other birds,
especially those indicating distress ; and has the
cruel habit of impaling its prey on sharp twigs
and thorns, and devouring it at leisure. Hence,
it has derived the name, Butcher Bird. The
nest is usually built in a thorn tree or low
shrub ; eggs, four or five in number ; of a
dirty lead-colored white, with spots of brown
on the large end.

Birds of Canada. 51

C. excubitorides. — The White-rumped Shrike.

The characteristics of this shrike are similar
to those of the preceding species, except that
the tail is shorter and the head larger.

Sub-Family VlREONlN,E. — The Vireos.
Vireo olivaceus. — The Red-eyed Vireo.

This is one of our most industrious and inter-
esting little visitors. It is six and a-half inches
long, the wing three and a-half inches. Color,
olive-green, above; white, below; the head, dark
ash ; and iris, red ; a whitish line from the bill
over the eye. The nest is generally suspended
from forked twigs ; eggs, four to six, spotted
with reddish-brown. Feeds entirely upon insects
and their larvae. The Red-eyed Vireo is one of
the earliest singers of spring, and the latest of
autumn. Its notes are loud, clear, and melodious.
Throughout the day he hops from branch to
branch, searching in the foliage for caterpillars
and noxious larvae, Arrives in Canada about
the tenth of May, and departs for the south
early in October.

V. gilvus. — The Warbling Vireo.

This pretty bird is five and a-half inches long;
the color, olive-green, above ; beneath, white,
tinged with yellow. Its song is very mellow and

52 Birds of Canada.

sweet. The nest is pensile, and usually built in
tall trees ; eggs, six ; white, with small red spots
on the large end. Arrives here about the first
of May, and leaves late in September.

V. noveboracensis. — The White-eyed Vireo.

This sweet songster frequents the thickest
bushes. It arrives in Canada about the first of
May, and remains until October. Color, bright
olive-green, above ; white, beneath ; iris, white.
Nests, in a brier or raspberry bush ; eggs, four
in number, reddish-brown. While in search of
insects it sings merrily and sweetly.

V.flavifrons. — The Yellow-throated Vireo.

This is a beautiful and rather uncommon bird
with us. It usually arrives here about the fif-
teenth of May. Color, olive-green above ; throat
and breast, bright sulphur yellow ; the remaining
under parts, white. It is quite impossible to say
too much in favor of this sweet songster. The
nest is built a few feet from the ground, and is
a beautiful specimen of nest-building ; the eggs
are four in number, pure white, spotted with
brown. .

F. solitarius. — The Solitary Vireo.

This beautiful and active fly-catcher is five
inches in length. Color, above, olive-green ;

Birds of Canada. 53

underneath, white ; sides, yellowish-green ; top
and sides of the head, bluish-ash. Breeds in
Canada. Nests, in the topmost branches of a
tree ; eggs, four, white.

FAMILY ALAUDID^E. THE SKYLARKS.

SHORE LARK.

Eremophila cormita. — The Shore Lark.

The Shore Lark arrives in Canada late in the
fall. Color, pinkish-brown ; the feathers of the
back, marked with dusky-brown ; the frorital
band and under parts, white ; neck and throat,
yellow ; a crescentric patch from the bill below
the eye, and along the side of the head, and a
black pectoral crescent. While on the wing
it sings sweetly. Its nest is always built on
the ground ; eggs, four in number, of a faint

54 Birds of Canada.

grayish-brown color. The Shore Lark is one of
our few winter birds ; in March it leaves for the
far north to breed.

FAMILY FRINGILLID^:.
Sub-Family COCCOTHRAUSTIN^:. — The Finches.

Pinicola canadensis. — The Pine Grosbeak.

This bird visits us during the severest seasons
only. Its habitat is the extreme northern part
of this continent. Large numbers visited this
section of Canada in the winter of 1867. The
Pine Grosbeak is eight and a-half inches long ;
beak, dusky, very thick at the base, and hooked
at the tip ; head, neck, breast, and rump, rose-
colored crimson ; back, black ; greater wing-
coverts, tipped with white, forming two bars on
the wing ; quills, black, edged with white ; belly,
straw-colored. The female is brownish above,
greenish-yellow beneath ; the top of the head
and rump, brownish gamboge-yellow. Feeds
upon the small buds which shoot out from the
branches of the fir and other trees.

Carpodacus purpurcus. — The Purple Finch.

The Purple Finch arrives here about the last
of April, in flocks of a dozen or more. It is six

Birds of Canada. 55

and a-half inches long; the color, crimson; belly
and under tail coverts, white ; two thin reddish
bands aross the wings. The female is olive-
brown above, and white beneath. Its song is
sweet and warbling. Nests, in a tree, a few
feet from the ground ; eggs, four in number, of a
bluish-green color. Its food consists principally
of the buds and blossoms of fruit trees.

CfirysomiWis tristis. — The Yellow Bird.

This is a well-known and common summer
visitor. Color, bright yellow ; crown, wings, and
tail, black. The nest is usually built in the
branch of a tree, twenty feet from the ground ;
eggs, four or five, white, tinged with blue, and
spotted with reddish-brown. Arrives here in
flocks early in May. In the fall its color is
changed to a greenish-olive, resembling the
female. About the last of September they
gather in flocks and move southward.

C. pinns. — The Pine Finch.

The Pine Finch arrives in Canada late in the
fall, and remains throughout the winter. It
frequents the pine forests. Feeds on the seeds
contained in the pine cones. Color, above,
brownish-olive ; beneath, whitish, streaked with

56 Birds of Canada.

dusky brown ; tail, forked. Breeds north of
Ontario.

Curvirostra amcricana. — The Red Crossbill.

The Red Crossbill is six inches long ; the
color, dull red ; the wings and tail, blackish-
brown. This bird is an inhabitant of the pine
forests of the far north, and usually visits us
during the winter. Its food consists of the seeds
of the pine and hemlock, which it detaches from
the cones and husks that enclose them with its
peculiarly shaped bill, which is crossed.

Curvirostra leucoptera. — The White-winged
Crossbill.

This bird has all the general characteristics of
the Red Crossbill, but is readily distinguished by
the white bands across the wings.

ALgiothus linaria. — The Lesser Red-poll.

This is a common winter visitor with us. It
is four and a-half inches long ; the color, above,
light yellowish, each feather streaked with dark
brown ; the crown, crimson ; upper parts of the
breast, tinged with light crimson ; white, under-
neath. Few birds manifest a more affectionate
disposition than the little Red-poll. I have often
seen a dozen or more sitting on a branch, feeding
each other, and exhibiting other marks of kind-
ness and affection. This bird breeds in the arctic

Birds of Canada. 57

Plectrophancs nivales. — The Snow Bunting.

This is another very common winter visitor in
this part of Canada. They move in large flocks,
and are sometimes accompanied by Red-polls
and Shore Larks. Color, above, black and white ;
underneath, white; head and rump, yellowish-
brown. They breed in Lapland and other parts
of the far north.

P. Lapponicus. — Lapland Bunting.

This Bunting breeds in Lapland. Head and
neck, black, with a red crescent on the hind
neck ; rest of upper parts, black ; lower parts,
white. Visits Canada during the fall migrations.

Sub-Family SPIZELLIN^. — TJie Sparrows.
Passcrcnlns savanna. — The Savannah Sparrow.

This sparrow arrives here about the middle of
April. Is five and a-half inches long ; the upper
parts streaked with dark brown, the crown with
a medium stripe of yellowish-gray ; eyelids, yel-
low ; the forepart of the breast, streaked ; the
under parts white. Nests on the ground ; eggs,
four to six, pale blue, mottled with purplish-
brown. Departs for the south early in October.
All the birds of this family feed upon insects
and seeds. Two broods are raised in a season.
It is a fme singer.
8

58 Birds of Canada.

Pooccetes gramineiis. — The Bay- winged Bunting.

The Bay-winged Bunting is six and a-quarter
inches long ; above, yellowish-brown ; the fea-
thers streaked abruptly with dark brown ; be-
neath, yellowish-white ; the breast and belly
streaked with brown ; the wings, light chestnut-
brown. Nests, on the ground ; eggs, four to six,
bluish-white, with reddish-brown blotches. It
arrives the first week in April, and leaves for the
south the last of September. The Bay-winged
Bunting sings, for an hour at a time, in a sweet,
tender strain.

Coturniculus passerinus. — The Yellow- winged
Sparrow.

This sparrow arrives in Ontario about the first
week in May, and leaves early in September.
It is about five inches long ; the feathers above,
brownish-rufous ; the crown, black, with a yel-
lowish-brown stripe ; the end of the wing, bright
yellow ; the lower parts are brownish-yellow.
Nests, on the ground ; eggs, six, dull white,
sprinkled with brown. Two broods are raised
in the same season.

ZonotricJda leucopJirys. — The White-crowned
Sparrow.

This bird visits us during the spring and
autumn migrations. It arrives here from the

Birds of Canada. 59

south about the middle of May, and returns
from the north, where it breeds, in October.
The song of the White-crowned Sparrow is
clear, musical, and plaintive. This bird is over
seven inches long, the wing three and a-quarter
inches ; the head above the upper half of the
loral region, and a line through and behind the
eye to the occiput, black ; a patch upon the
crown, white ; general color, pale ash above,
and white beneath. Feeds on insects, seeds,
and berries.

Z. albicollis. — The White-throated Sparrow.

The White-throated Sparrow is seven inches
long ; the crown with two black stripes, sepa-
rated by one of white ; a broad yellow stripe to
the middle of the eye, and white behind it ;
upper part of breast, dark ash ; edge of wing,
yellow ; the back, rufous-brown ; the belly, and
two bands across the wings, white. This beau-
tiful sparrow arrives in Ontario about the first
of May. Its song is indescribably sweet and
musical. I have frequently heard it at night,
when passing through the woods. Its food con-
sists of seeds, berries, and insects. They collect
in small flocks about the middle of October,
and leave for the south. Nests, on the ground ;
eggs, four, grayish -white.

60 Birds of Canada.

Jiinco hy emails, — The Snow Bird.

The general color of this bird is grayish or
ashy-black ; the breast, belly, and second exter-
nal tail feathers, white ; the third tail feather,
white, margined with black. Length, six inches.
This well-known bird arrives here in large flocks
during the winter, and is quite tame. Their
migrations extend from the arctic circle to the
Gulf of Mexico. Numbers of these birds remain
here through the summer ; they build their nests
in stumps, or in a clump of moss ; eggs, white,
spotted with reddish-brown and grayish-white.
There is a widespread impression that the Snow
Bird of winter is the Chipping Sparrow of the
summer. I am satisfied it is a mistake. The
Chipping Sparrow differs in plumage and size
from the Snow Bird.

Spizella monticola. — The Tree Sparrow.

The Tree Sparrow is six and a-quarter inches
long ; the feathers of the back, dark brown
centrally, then rufous, edged with white. The
head, chestnut ; the under parts are white, with
a blotch of brown on the chest. This bird
breeds in the northern forests.

S.pusilla. — The Field Sparrow.

The Field Sparrow arrives here about the
twentieth of April. Inhabits the pastures and

Birds of Canada. 61

low woods. General color, rufous red, the under
parts white, tinged before with yellow. Nests,
upon the ground ; eggs, four in number, of a
grayish-white, with blotches of lavender. The
Field Sparrows collect in flocks about the first
of September, and leave for the south.

S. sociallis. — The Chipping Sparrow.

This is one of our most common sparrows.
It arrives here the last of March, and leaves for
the south in October. It is five and a-half
inches long. Rump, back of neck, and sides of
neck and head, ashy ; crown, chestnut ; fore-
head, black, separated in middle by white ; a
white streak over the eye ; the under parts,
white. Builds its nest in low bushes ; eggs, four
in number, greenish-blue, with dark brown spots.
Feeds upon seeds, berries, and insects.

Melospiza melodia. — The Song Sparrow.

The Song Sparrow is rufous-brown above ;
the under parts, white ; the breast and sides of
the body and throat, streaked with dark rufous.
This sparrow is one of our most common birds,
and one of the sweetest songsters of the sparrow
family. It makes its appearance here about the
middle of March. The nest is usually built on
the ground, or in a low bush ; eggs, four or five
in number, bluish-white, and variously marked.
Two broods are raised in the season.

62 Birds of Canada.

M. palustris. — The Swamp Sparrow.

This sparrow arrives from the south about the
middle of April. It prefers low, swampy locali-
ties, and is seldom seen in the open fields. This
sparrow is six inches long ; the crown, chestnut ;
forehead, black ; ash-colored streak on the side
of the head and back ; under parts, whitish,
tinged with ashy. TJie nest is built at the foot
of a tuft of long grass ; eggs, four in number,
grayish-white, spotted with brown. Its food is
grass-seeds, berries, and insects. The Swamp
Sparrow has no song. Departs for the south
about the tenth of October.

*

Sub-Family PASSERELLIN^E. — The Buntings.

Passerella iliaca. — The Fox-colored Sparrow.

This sparrow is seven and a-half inches long.
Head, neck, rump, and middle of the back, dull
ash color ; each feather blotched with brownish-
red ; the tail, bright rufous ; the under parts of
the breast, sides, and throat, spotted with rufous.
Nests, under a low bush ; eggs, four or five, of a
greenish color, with blotches of brown.

Birds of Canada. 63

Sub-Family

Emberiza americana.— I\iz Black-throated
Bunting.

The Black-throated Bunting is a rare spring
visitor. Length, six and a-half inches ; sides of
the head, and sides and back of the neck, ash ;
middle of the breast, yellow ; under parts, white,
with a black patch upon the throat. Breeds in
Pennsylvania and Virginia.

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.

Guiraca ludoviciana. — The Rose-breasted
Grosbeak.

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak arrives in Canada
about the first of May, and remains until October,
when it goes south. General color, above, glossy

64 Birds cf Canada.

black ; a broad carmine crescent across the
breast, auxiliaries, and under wing coverts ; the
rest of the under parts, white. The song of this
beautiful and solitary bird is mellow, plaintive,
and loud. Perched upon the topmost branches
of a tree in the thickest of the wood, it wafts
forth its tender and affecting song for hours at a
time. Its food consists of berries and buds. The
nest is often built in a low shrub or tree ; eggs,
three or four in number, of a greenish-blue color,
covered with fine spots of umber-brown.

G. ccerula. — The Blue Grosbeak.

The prevailing color of this extremely beautiful
and graceful bird is a brilliant blue. Length,
seven and a -half inches. Habitat, British
Columbia, Manitoba, and the extreme western
part of the United States. A very rare visitor
in Canada.

Coccotliraustcs vcspcrtina. — The Evening
Grosbeak.

This Grosbeak is another rare visitor from the
western part of this continent. Head and neck,
black; remaining upper parts, yellow; abdomen,
yellowish-olive ; bill, stout.

C. cardinalis. — Cardinal, or Red Bird.

The general color of this gaudy bird is ver-
million ; a black band around the upper part of

Birds of Canada. 65

the throat and the base of the bill. Length, eight
and three-quarter inches. Habitat, Virginia and
the Carolinas. Occurs very rarely in Canada.

Cyanospiza cyanea. — The Indigo Bird.

This beautiful bird is five and a-half inches
long. The color, bright ultra-marine blue ; wing
feathers tinged with dull bluish-brown. This
bird prefers the skirts of the forests. Its song
is sweet and interesting. Nests, in low bushes ;
eggs> six J color, blue, with purple spots. It
arrives from the south about the twentieth of
May, and returns late in September. Feeds on
insects and berries.

Pipilo erythropthalmus. — The Ground Robin, or
Chewink.

This is a common visitor. It arrives in the
vicinity of Toronto about the twentieth of May ;
the males arriving about ten days before the
females. For two or three hours after sunrise,
the Chewink sits perched upon the top of a
small tree or bush, and sings with mellow sweet-
ness, which cannot fail to interest the hearer.
Nests, on the ground, beneath a tuft of grass ;
eggs, four in number, of a flesh color, with dark
spots. Two broods, and sometimes three, are
raised in the season. They collect in flocks about
the last of October, and leave for the south.
9

66 Birds of Canada.

THE BOBOLINK.

FAMILY

Sub- Family AGELAEIN^E. — The Starlings.
Dolichonyx oryzivorus. — The Bobolink.

This well-known and beautiful bird arrives in
Canada about the last of May. Length, seven
and three-quarter inches. Color, black, beauti-
fully marked with cream color and white. The
female is yellowish beneath ; above, dark brown.
The male assumes the color of the female in the
fall. Its cheerful, loud, and jingling song is
heard in every meadow in the summer, from
morning until evening. Nests, on the ground ;
eggs, four to six, of a light ashy-blue color, with

Birds of Canada. 67

spots of dark brown. This bird feeds on insects
and seeds. Early in September they collect in
large flocks and move southward.

MolotJirus pccoris. — The Cow Bird.

The Cow Bird is eight inches long. The
breast, neck, and lower half of the breast, light
brown ; the rest of the body, bright black.
During the summer, this bird frequents pasture
fields, where cattle are grazing. It builds no
nest, but secretly deposits its eggs in the nests
of other birds — usually in the nest of a Sparrow
or Blue Bird. It lays but one egg in each nest,
of a light grayish-blue, with brown spots. The
Cow Bird feeds on insects principally. About
the last of October they collect in large flocks,
and leave for the south.

Agelaius pJiceniceus. — The Red-winged

Black Bird.

This bird arrives here in small flocks about the
last of March. General color, lustrous black ;
the shoulders, vermillion or bright crimson.
Nests, in a low bush in a swamp or meadow ;
eggs, four in number, of a light blue color,
marked with brown spots. About the twentieth
of October the Red-winged Black Birds collect
in large flocks, and leave for their southern home.
Their food consists of the seeds of aquatic grasses
and grain, of which they are extremely fond, to
the injury of the farmer.

68 Birds of Canada.

MEADOW LARK.

Sturnella magna. — The Meadow Lark.

The Meadow Lark is one of our most common
and beautiful summer visitors. It arrives here
about the fifteenth of March. General color,
above, dark brown, with streaks of brownish-
white ; beneath, yellow, with a black pectoral
crescent. Nests, on the ground ; eggs, four or
five, pure white, slightly sprinkled with reddish-
brown blotches. Its food consists principally of
insects, worms, beetles, and grass seeds. Leaves
for the south about the first of November.

Sub-Family ICTERIN^E. — The Orioles.
Icterus spurins. — The Orchard Oriole.

The Orchard Oriole is seven and a-quarter
inches long ; the head, neck, and tail, black ;
under parts, brownish-chestnut ; a narrow white

Birds of Canada. 69

line across the wings. Nests, in orchard trees or
upon willows ; eggs, four to six, bluish-white,
sprinkled with dark brown. This oriole is a rare
visitor in Ontario. Feeds upon fruit, caterpillars,
and insects.

/. baltimore. — The Baltimore Oriole, or
Golden Robin.

This beautiful and well-known bird is one of
our' regular summer visitors. It arrives here
about the middle of May. General color, black;
the rump, upper tail coverts, lesser wing coverts,
the terminal portion of all but two tail feathers,
and the under parts, orange-red ; the edges of
quills, and a band across the tip of the greater
coverts, white. The nest of this oriole is a beau-
tiful piece of nest-architecture, and is usually
constructed on the outer drooping twigs of elm
or orchard trees ; it is a pendulous cylindric
pouch, of six or seven inches in depth ; eggs,
four or five, of a flesh color. The song of this
beautiful bird is loud, full, and mellow. About
the middle 'of September the Golden Robin
leaves for the south.

Sub-Family QuiSCALlN^. — The Crackles.
ScolecopJiagus ferrugineus. — The Rusty Grackle.

This bird arrives here about the last of March,
and retires to the low swampy thickets surround-

7O Birds of Canada.

ing marshes. General color, black, with purple
reflections. Nests, in low bushes near the water ;
eggs, four, bluish-white. It feeds upon the seeds
of aquatic grasses, insects, and worms.

Quiscalus versicolor. — The Purple Crackle.

The Purple Crackle arrives in Ontario about
the middle of April. General color, steel-blue,
with varied reflections of purple and bronze.
Nests, in a tree in or near a marsh or pond ;
eggs, four, light brown. Food consists of grubs,
worms, and grains. These birds prove very
injurious to the farmers in the fall, as they
collect in large flocks, and visit the corn-fields,
destroying great quantities of grain.

FAMILY CORVID^E.

Sub-Family CORVIN7E. — The Crows.
Corvus americanus. — The Crow.

This bird has a very unenviable notoriety. It
is an enemy to the farmer, and very destructive
to small birds, as it feeds upon their young.
Agricultural societies should offer a premium for
its destruction.

Corvus cor ax. — The Raven.

This interesting bird has become very rare
in Canada. A few specimens are occasionally

Birds of Canada. 71

seen in the vicinity of Niagara Falls and the
Welland Canal. The Raven is twenty-six inches
in length ; the bill is large and strong ; the
plumage, deep glossy black. This species is
found in every part of the world. Its food con-
sists of dead animal matter, and, like the common
crow, it devours the eggs and young of other
birds.

Sub-Family GARRULIN^E. — The Jays.

BLUE JAY.

Cyannrus cristatus. — The Blue Jay.

This elegant bird often remains in this section
of Canada throughout the year. It is, without
exception, our most beautiful bird. The head is
handsomely crested, with loose silky plumes ;
bill, black ; legs, brown ; the whole bird is of a
fine blue color, the under parts, with the wings
and tail, marked by bars ; neck, encircled with

72 Birds of Canada.

black ring. It has the cruel habit of destroying
the young of other birds. Its nest is usually
built in a small cedar or pine tree ; eggs, four in
number, of a light green color, spotted with
brown. The Blue Jay is one of the noisiest
birds of our forests, its notes being discordant
and harsh.

Perisoreus canadcnsis. — The Canada Jay.

This Jay is a rare visitor in Ontario. Its
habitat is Labrador and eastern Canada. Nests,
in a fir-tree ; eggs, four, of a light gray color.
The head, neck, and breast, are white ; rest of
upper parts, ashy-plumbeous ; beneath, .light
gray. It resembles the Blue Jay in motions and
note, and is equally rapacious and destructive.

Birds of Canada' 73

ORDER IV.—

SUB-ORDER COLUMB^.

FAMILY COLUMBID^:. THE DOVES.

Sub-Family COLUMBINE.

Ectopistes migratoria. — The Wild Pigeon.

This well-known bird is a resident of Canada,
except in the most severe cold weather. Its
migrations are made solely to obtain food. They
pass from one section of the continent to another
in immense flocks. The nests are usually built
in the forked branch of a tree. I have often
seen thirty or forty nests in one tree. The eggs
are two in number, pure white, with a slight red
tint. Feeds upon grain and seeds.

Zenaidura carolinensis. — The Carolina Dove.

The Carolina Dove is an irregular summer
visitor in Canada. Color, above, blue, overlaid
with olive-brown ; under parts, light reddish-
brown ; breast, purplish-red ; bill, black ; feet,
yellow. This dove sits upon the ground during
the night. Nests, in a tree ; eggs, two in
number, pure white.
10

74 Birds of Canada.

SUB-ORDER GALLING.
FAMILY TETRAONID^E. THE GROUSE.

Tetrao canadensis. — The Canada Grouse, or
Spruce Partridge.

This well-known bird is a permanent resident,
and may be found in large numbers in the back
settlements of Canada. It is stately and grace-
ful in its movements. General color of the head,
neck, and body of the male bird is transversely
barred with dusky and gray brown ; over the
eyelids is a bare red space ; nostrils covered Avith
black, with a small white spot on each side, and
one beneath ; throat, breast, and belly, black ;
the latter spotted with white, except the middle ;
sides of the body barred transversely with gray-
brown and dusky ; the feathers with a white
stripe near the tip ; under tail coverts, black and
white ; tail, black, tipped with rufous ; feathers
of the tarsi, gray-brown ; claws, gray ; beak,
black. Nests, upon the ground ; eggs, eight or
ten in number, of a light buff, with brown spots.

Birds of Canada. 75

RUFFLED GROUSE.

Bonasa umbellus. — The Ruffled Grouse, or
Partridge.

This Partridge is a permanent resident of
Canada. It is often found in the open woods
and evergreen thickets in well settled districts.
When walking it struts with a haughty step,
elevating its ruff, and spreading its pretty tail.
The habits of this Partridge are solitary ; it is
seldom found in coveys of more than six or
eight together. General color, above, reddish-
brown ; the back, with light brown ; beneath,
white, barred with dull brown ; the feathers of
the ruff, black ; tail, grayish, with a black bar
near the end. Nests, upon the ground, at the
foot of a bush, or under an old log ; eggs, eight
to twelve, of a yellow-white color.

Tctrao phasiancllus. — The Sharp-tailed Grouse.

Habitat, British Columbia and Manitoba.
Accidental in Canada. Color, above, yellowish-

76 Birds of Canada.

red and brownish-black ; throat, reddish-white,
with dusky spots ; breast and sides, covered with
dusky spots ; abdomen, white.

FAMILY PERDICID^E.
Siib-Family ORTYGIN^:.

Ortyx virginianus. — The Virginia Partridge,
or Quail.

The Virginia Partridge is brownish-red, above ;
underneath, white ; the head marked with white
and black. Length, ten inches. Nests on the
ground ; eggs, white, ten or more in number.
This beautiful Partridge has become almost
extinct in Canada. It is often called "Bob
White!' on account of its peculiar cry.

FAMILY PHASIANID^E.
Melcagris gallopavo. — The Wild Turkey.

This magnificent fowl is a permanent resident
of Canada. Color, copper-bronze, with green
reflections, each feather with a black margin ;
tail, chestnut, barred with black ; head, livid-
blue, and the legs, red. In other respects it
resembles the domestic turkey. The great
beauty and size of this bird, and the fact of its
being the origin of all the domestic varieties,
render it a most interesting species.

Birds of Canada.

77

ORDER V.— ^U

SUB-ORDER HERODIONES.
FAMILY ARDEID^E. THE HERONS.

GREAT BLUE HERON.

Ardca Jicrodias. — The Great Blue Heron.

The Great Blue Heron is a regular summer
visitor in Canada. It usually arrives here about

78 Birds of Canada.

the twentieth of April, and remains until the
tenth or fifteenth of October, when it leaves for
the south. The general color of this heron is a
delicate gray ; throat and neck, white, with
patches of dark bluish-gray ; a black line over
the eye; a pendant tuft at the junction of the
neck and breast ; a long plume of a bluish-black
color. This bird is extremely shy, and is ap-
proached with difficulty. It frequents marshes
and the borders of lakes and rivers, and feeds
upon reptiles and fishes. When standing erect
the Great Blue Heron will measure from four
and a-half to five feet ; its beak is seven to eight
inches in length, very strong, and can be used
with terrible force as an offensive weapon. The
nest of this bird is usually built in the top of a
large tree ; eggs, four or five, of a pale green
color.

Ardetta exilis. — The Least Bittern.

This bird is a frequent summer visitor to the
marsh, east of Toronto. It is solitary and noc-
turnal in its habits. General color, dark green,
above, and purplish-brown on the sides and
underneath. Length, thirteen inches; wing, four
and a-half inches. Nests, in low bushes on the
margin of ponds or marshes ; eggs, four in num-
ber, of a greenish-yellow color. Feeds upon
small reptiles and fish.

Birds of Canada.

79

GREAT BITTERN.

Botaurus lentiginosns. — The Great Bittern,
or Stake Driver.

The Great Bittern arrives in Canada about the
middle of April, and remains until late in Octo-
ber. The general color of this bittern is a rich
brownish-buff, covered with streaks and mottlings
of black, brown, gray, and chestnut. Nests, on
marshy ground ; eggs, four or five, pale brown.
Its food consists of reptiles and insects.

Butorides virescens. — The Green Heron.

The Green Heron is eighteen inches long ;
above, dark green ; wings and tail, green ; legs,
yellow ; belly, ashy-brown ; head, has a crest of

8o Birds of Canada.

glossy-green feathers. This Heron is occasion-
ally seen in Canada in the spring. Nests, in
trees in swampy woods ; eggs, four in number ;
of a pale light blue color. Feeds upon crabs,
frogs, and worms.

Nyctiardea Gardcnii. — The Night Heron.

The Night Heron arrives in the vicinity of
Toronto about the fifteenth or twentieth of April.
General color, above, steel-green ; wings and
tail, ashy-blue ; under parts and sides, a lilac
color. Length, twenty inches ; the bill is
slightly arched, strong, and black. During the
day this bird is often seen perched upon the
top of a tall tree in a swamp, but when night
approaches it begins its flight in pursuit of food,
which consists principally of insects, frogs, lizards,
and fish. The nest of the Night Heron is built
in a tree ; eggs, four ; of a greenish-yellow color.

FAMILY GRUID^E. THE CRANES.

Grus canadensis. — The Sandhill Crane.
The Sandhill Crane is an accidental visitor ;
a few specimens are occasionally seen during the
spring and autumn migrations. Breeds in Mani-
toba and British Columbia. Length, fifty inches ;
beak, four inches ; top of the head covered with
a red skin ; neck, gray ; belly, breast, sides, and
thighs, ash color ; tail, deep ash color ; legs and
bare part of the thigh, black.

Birds of Canada. 8 1

Grus americana. — The White Crane.

This magnificent bird occasionally visits West-
ern Canada. It is fifty-two inches in length ;
the plumage, pure white. Its migrations extend
from South America to the arctic circle.

Ibis falcincllus. — The Glossy Ibis.

This beautiful bird is an accidental visitor.
Head, glossy green, with purple reflections; neck,
back, breast, and abdomen, dark chestnut ; part
of breast shaded with green ; sides, dusky, tinged
with green ; edge of wings, dark red, upper parts,
dark green, glossed with purple. Breeds in Vir-
ginia and Florida.

SUB-ORDER ORALLY.
FAMILY CHAR ABRIDGE. THE PLOVERS.

Charadrius virginicus. — The Golden Plover.

This Plover passes through Canada about the
last of April, on its way north to breed. About
the first of September, they again visit Canada in
small flocks while migrating southward. Color,
above, brownish-black, with irregular spots of
golden-yellow ; beneath, black, with lustrous
brown. Nests, in the grass ; eggs, four, of a
light buff color,
l)

Birds of Canada.

vociferus. — The Kill-deer Plover.

The Kill-deer Plover is a summer resident of
Canada. Color, above, light brown ; rump,
rufous ; black band on the breast ; and around
the neck a black ring ; beneath, white. It is
called " Kill-deer" from its note. Nests, on the
ground ; eggs, four, light buff color.

^E. montanus. — The Mountain Plover.

The Mountain Plover is an accidental visitor
in Canada. Length, nine inches. Color, grayish-
brown. Breeds in Manitoba and British Columbia.

^E. Wilsonius. — Wilson's Plover.

This bird is occasionally met with in Canada
late in the fall. Breeds in Delaware, Virginia,

o

and the Carolinas. Color, ashy-brown above,
the feathers edged with pale ashy ; band on the
breast, brownish-black ; bill, black ; legs, yellow.
Length, eight inches.

^E. semi-palmatus. — Semi-palmated Plover.

This Plover breeds north of Ontario. Spring
and fall visitor. Color, above, light ashy-brown ;
beneath, white. Length, seven inches.

^E. melodus. — The Piping Plover.

The Piping Plover arrives from the south
about the last of April. It is a regular summer

• Birds of Canada. 83

visitor in t Canada. Color, above, light brown;
beneath, white ; length, eight inches. Nests, in
the sand ; eggs, four, light buff.

Squatarola helvetica. — The Black-bellied Plover.

This Plover breeds north of Ontario. Arrives
in Canada in September, in flocks. In their
habits they closely resemble the Golden Plover.
Color, above, white ; beneath, black ; sides of
the neck and rump, ashy ; bill and legs, black.
Length, eleven and a-half inches.

FAMILY H^EMATOPIDID^E. THE*
O YSTER-CA TCHERS.

Hcematopus palliatus, — The Oyster-catchers.

This species is a rare visitor in Canada. Head,
neck, upper part of breast, quill feathers, and
latter half of tail feathers, deep shining black :
the rest of the plumage is pure white ; bill,
three inches long, and flattened sideways.

H. niger. — Backman's Oyster-catcher.

The general color of this bird is dark brown ;
head and breast, brownish-black. It is occasion-
ally shot, in the fall, on the island opposite
Toronto.

84 Birds of Canada.

Strepsilas interpres. — The Turnstone.
The Turnstone breeds in Manitoba. Visits
Canada in small numbers in the spring and fall.
Color, black, rufous, and white, above ; abdomen,
white ; head and neck, marked with stripes of
brownish-black.

5. melanocepliala. — The Black Turnstone.

This species is an accidental visitor. Color,
darker than the preceding. Length, eleven inches.

FAMILY RECURVIROST-RID^E. THE

A VOSETS.
Recurvirostra americana. — The American Avoset.

The Avoset is quite accidental in Canada. On
the shores of the Caspian and the salt lakes of
Tartary they are very abundant. Specimens
have been shot late in the fall on the island,
opposite Toronto. Length, seventeen inches ;
The head and neck, pale reddish-brown ; back
and quills, black ; other parts, white. The bill,
which is three inches long, turns up like a hook,
and is flat, thin, and sharp.

FAMILY PHALAROPODIDyE. THE

PHALAROPES.
Plialaropus liyperboreus. — The Northern

Phalarope.

The Northern Phalarope is an occasional
spring and fall visitor in Canada. Breeds in

Birds of Canada. 85

Manitoba ; nests, on the ground ; eggs, four in
number, of a brownish-drab color. This beauti-
ful little bird is a swimmer as well as a wader :
its motions, while swimming and wading, are
exceedingly graceful and interesting. The migra-
tions of this species extend from Manitoba to
the Gulf of Mexico. Head and neck, sooty-
ash color; wings, back, and tail, brownish-black ;
abdomen, white ; legs and bill, dark ; throat and
breast, white ; and the neck, with a ring of bright
ferruginous.

P. Wilsonii. — Wilson's Phalarope.

Wilson's Phalarope is also an occasional visitor
in Canada. Color, dark above ; white, beneath ;
a stripe of bright reddish-brown around the neck,
running upwards to the back.

P.jnlicarins. — The Red Phalarope.

Several specimens of this rare and beautiful
bird have been shot near Toronto this fall. Gene-
ral color, deep slate, streaked with brownish-
yellow, and reddish-chocolate.

FAMILY SCOLOPACIDA THE SNIPES.

Philohela minor. — The Woodcock.
This well-known bird arrives here early in
March. Color, above, variegated with reddish-
black and ashy ; underneath, rufous ; legs, pale
red ; bill, dark brown. Nests, on the ground,

86

Birds of Canada.

beneath a log or bush ; eggs, four ; of a yellow-
ish-drab color, with dark brown blotches. Early
in November the Woodcock leaves for the south.

WILSON'S SNIPE.

Gallinago Wilsonii. — Wilson's Snipe.

Wilson's Snipe is a well-known summer visitor
in Canada. It arrives about the tenth of March.
Feeds upon earthworms principally. Nests, on
the ground ;'^ eggs, four, of an olive-drab color,
slightly marked with brown spots. General color,
above, brownish-black, marked with light rufous,
yellowish-brown, or ashy-white ; underneath,
white. Late in the fall this snipe goes south.

Birds of Canada. 87

Macrorhamplius griseus. — The Gray Snipe.

The Gray Snipe is dark-ashy above ; pale
reddish and black on the back ; rump and upper
tail coverts, white ; under parts, pale red and
brownish-black. This snipe arrives here about
the twentieth of April. Breeds in the north, and
again visits Canada about the first of September.

M. scolopaceus. — The Greater Longbeak.

This snipe is an irregular visitor in Canada.
Length, twelve inches ; color, above, brownish-
black, and yellow ; beneath, wood-brown, with
spots of umber.

Sub-Family TRINGINvE. — The Sandpipers,

Tringa canutus. — The Gray-back, or Robin
Snipe.

The Gray-back is a spring and fall visitor. It
is the largest of the Sandpipers. Upper parts,
light gray, with irregular spots of black ; under
parts, light reddish-brown. Breeds in the north.

T. Cooperii. — Cooper's Sandpiper.
This Sandpiper occasionally visits Canada
during the spring and fall migrations.

T. maritime*. — The Purple Sandpiper.
This pretty bird is frequently seen in Canada
in the fall. Breeds in the far north. Head and
upper parts, smoky-brown, with a purple tinge ;
under parts, white.

88 Birds cf Canada.

T. subarquata. — The Curlew Sandpiper.

The Curlew Sandpiper is a very rare visitor in
Canada. Upper parts, brownish-black, spotted
with bright yellowish-red ; under parts, dark
yellowish-rufous.

T. alpina. — The Red-backed Sandpiper.

This species visits Canada during the spring
and autumn in large numbers. Upper parts,
dark ash color ; abdomen, white ; breast, pale
ash, with streaks of brown.

T. maculata. — The Jack Snipe.

The Jack Snipe is a regular spring and fall
vititor, usually arriving in Canada early in May
and about the middle of September. It is com-
monly called " Grass Bird," by which name it is
generally known.

T. Wilsonii. — The Least Sandpiper, or Peep.

This Sandpiper is the smallest of the family.
It arrives in Canada about the middle of May,
and soon leaves for the interior of the country,
where it breeds.

T. Bonapartii. — Bonaparte's Sandpiper.

Bonaparte's Sandpiper is light ashy-brown,
above ; darker on the rump ; under parts, white.
Arrives here in small flocks during the spring
and fall migrations.

Birds of Canada. 89

Calidris arenaria. — The Sanderling, or
Beach-bird.

The Sanderling breeds in Manitoba. It has
all the characteristics of the Sandpipers. Upper
parts, light ashy ; under parts, pure white ; no
hind toe ; front toes rather long ; bill, straight
and rather thick. It visits Canada in small flocks
early in September.

Ereunetes petrificatus. — The Semi-palmated
Sandpiper.

This Sandpiper is six and a-half inches in
length, and has the feet semi-palmated. In other
respects it resembles the Least Sandpiper.
Breeds in Manitoba. It is accidental in Canada.

Micropalma himantopus. — The Stilt Sandpiper.

The Stilt Sandpiper is an occasional visitor
during the fall migrations.

Sub-Family ToTANlN^E. — The Stilts.

Sympliemia setnipalmata. — The Willet.

The Willet is dark ashy above ; rump and
under parts, white. Breeds in Canada. Nests,
on the sandy beach of an island ; eggs, four in
number, of a pale olive color.
12

9O Birds of Canada.

Gambetta melanoleuca. — The Greater Yellow-legs,
or Tell-tale.

This species breeds in Manitoba. Visits

Canada in the spring and fall. Entire upper

parts of the body, cinereous ; under parts,
white ; neck and legs, long ; legs, yellow.

G.flavipes. — The Yellow-legs.

The Yellow-legs is well-known in Canada as
a spring and fall visitor. It is smaller than the
preceding bird. Breeds in the northern part of
this continent.

Rhyacophilussolitarius. — The Solitary Sandpiper.

The Solitary Sandpiper is frequently called
"Wagtail," from its habit of nodding its head
and tipping up its tail. Remains in Canada
through the summer. Upper parts, greenish-
brown, with spots of ashy-white ; under parts,
white ; bill, curved upward from the middle.

Tringoides macnlarius. — The Spotted Sandpiper.

The Spotted Sandpiper arrives in Canada in
large flocks early in April, and remains through
the summer. Nests, in the sand ; eggs, four in
number, of a yellowish-buff color. Upper parts,
brownish -olive -green, with irregular spots of
brownish-black ; under parts, white.

Birds of Canada. 91

Actiturus Bartramius. — The Field Plover.

The Field Plover breeds in Canada. Fre-
quents grain fields and meadows. Upper parts
brownish-black, with a greenish lustre ; under
parts, pale yellowish-white ; middle tail feathers,
greenish-brown ; legs, light yellow. Nests, on
the ground ; eggs, four, of a creamy-drab color.

Tryngites rufescens. — The Buff-breasted
Sandpiper.

This species is frequently seen in Canada
during the fall migration. Breeds in the arctic
regions. Legs, long ; upper parts, pale ashy-
brown, with a yellowish tinge ; under parts, light
yellowish-red.

Limosa fedoa. — The Marbled Godwit.

The Marbled Godwit is a spring and autumn
visitor. Bill, long, curved upwards ; wings, long ;
tail, short ; legs, long ; upper parts, brownish-
black and pale reddish ; under parts, pale rufous,
with lines of brownish-black.

L. Jiudsonica. — The Hudsonian Godwit.

This bird is an irregular fall visitor. Color,
brownish-bl-ack above ; underneath, yellowish-
red ; feathers, tipped with white ; length, eighteen
inches ; bill, three inches.

Birds of Canada.

LONG-BILLED CURLEW.

Niimenius loiigirostris. — The Long-billed Curlew.
The Long-billed Curlew is a regular spring
and fall visitor in Canada. Bill, very long, and
curved downwards ; upper parts, pale rufous,
with lines of black on the neck and sides ; legs,
bluish-brown.

N. hudsonicus. — The Short-billed Curlew.
The Short-billed Curlew is also a spring and
fall visitor. Bill, smaller than the preceding ;
head, above, brownish-black ; other upper parts,
brownish-black, tinged with ashy.

N. borealis. — The Esquimaux Curlew.
This Curlew is not often seen in Canada, as it
merely remains for a few days during the spring
and fall migrations. They breed in the far north.
It is easily distinguished from the other two by
its smaller size, and its small and weak bill.

Birds of Canada, 93

Sub-Family RALLIN^:. — The Rails.
Rallns clcgans. — The Marsh Hen.

The Marsh Hen occasionally visits Canada in
the spring and autumn. Upper parts, olive-
brown ; underneath, chestnut.

R. crcpitans. — The Clapper Rail.

The Clapper Rail is a summer resident of
Canada. Color, above, light ashy-olive ; neck
and breast, tawny ; abdomen and sides, brownish-
black. Nests, on the ground, in or near a marsh ;
eggs, seven, of a creamy-drab color.

R. virginianus. — The Virginia Rail.

This species visits Canada in the spring, and
remains until September. Upper parts, olive-
brown, with stripes of brownish-black ; throat,
white ; breast, bright rufous. Nests, in low
meadows ; eggs, eight, of a deep buff color.
Food consists of insects and worms.

Porzana Carolina. — The Carolina Rail.

The Carolina Rail arrives in Canada about the
tenth of April, and frequents the marshes and
meadows. Upper parts, greenish-brown, with
bands of black ; the sides of the neck and breast,
bluish-ash ; bill, greenish-yellow ; legs, green.
Nests, on the ground ; eggs, eight in number, of

94 Birds of Canada.

a yellow-drab color, with an olive-tint. In Oc-
tober, or early in November, this species collect
in flocks and leave for the coasts of Florida and
Louisiana.

P.jamaicensis. — The Little Black Rail.

This pretty little Rail is an occasional fall
visitor in Canada. Length, five inches. Color,
blackish-brown.

P. noveboracensis. — The Yellow Rail.

This bird is a summer resident of Canada.
Nests, in the grass ; eggs, fourteen or fifteen,
pure white. The upper parts are yellow-ochre
color, with stripes of brownish-black ; neck and
breast, reddish-yellow ; abdomen, white.

Crex pratensis. — The Corn Crake.

The Corn Crake is accidental in Canada.
Color, blackish-brown. Length, ten inches. Bill,
greenish-black.

Fulica americana. — The Coot.

The Coot is fourteen inches long. Upper parts,
dark slate color, with an olive tint on the back
and rump ; head, black; abdomen, white. Breeds
in Canada. Nests, in a bog, or near a muddy
pond ; eggs, twelve, of a light buff color.

Birds of Canada.

95

PURPLE GALLINULE.

Gallinule martinica. — The Purple Gallinule.

The Purple Gallinule is twelve inches long.
Upper parts, dark olive-green ; bill, bright red,
tipped with yellow ; under parts, bluish-purple ;
legs, yellow. An occasional visitor to the marsh,
east of Toronto.

g6 Birds of Canada.

ORDER VI.— §»tet0ttjGi*

SUB-ORDER ANSERES.

Sub-Family CYGNIN^. — The Swans.

Cygnus americanus. — The American Swan.

This magnificent bird is rare in the eastern
part of Canada ; in the west it is occasionally
met with in the vicinity of the river St. Clair.
Several beautiful specimens were obtained near
Goderich in the summer of 1870. The adult
bird is pure white ; the bill and legs, black ; the
tail has twenty feathers. The young birds are
brown, with a reddish tint. Breeds in the north-
west. Nests, on the ground ; eggs, eight in
number, of an olive-green color. This swan is
fifty-four inches long.

C. buccinator- — The Trumpeter Swan.

This beautiful swan is an accidental visitor,
rarely seen east of Toronto. It is sixty-two
inches long. Pure white ; the bill and legs,
black. Its notes are loud and sonorous. Breeds
in the north-west.

Birds of Canada. 97

Sub-Family ANSERINE. — The Geese.

Anser liypcrboreus. — The Snow Goose.

The Snow Goose is an occasional visitor in
Canada. It is two feet eight inches in length,
and its extended wings are five feet. The bill
of this bird is very curious, the edges having
each strong projecting teeth ; and the tongue,
which is horny at the extremity, is armed on
each side with thirteen long and sharp teeth.
The upper mandible is bright red ; the lower,
white. The head, neck, and body of the adult
bird are pure white ; the quills are white for
half their length, the rest, black ; the legs are
deep red. The Snow Goose inhabits the arctic
regions, occasionally migrating to Canada and
the more temperate climes of Virginia and
Maryland.

A. Gambelli. — The White-fronted Goose.

The White-fronted Goose is an accidental
visitor. It is smaller than the Snow Goose.
Color, grayish ; forehead, white ; bill and legs,
red. The tail has' sixteen feathers. Breeds in
the far north.

A.frontalis. — The Brown-fronted Goose.

The Brown-fronted Goose is occasionally seen
in Canada. It inhabits the frozen regions of the
13

98 Birds of Canada.

north. It resembles the White-fronted Goose in
general appearance. The forehead, however, is
dark brown instead of white,

CANADA GOOSE.

Bernicla canadensis. — The Canada Goose,
or Wild Goose.

The Canada Goose is a well known spring and
fall visitor, passing here in flocks, in March or
April, for the northern part of this continent,
where it breeds, and remains until the hard frosts
begin, when they leave for a more temperate
climate. Immense flocks of these geese can be
seen almost daily on their way to the south,

Birds of Canada. 99

during the last of October and through the
month of November. Each flock is usually
attended by an old gander, who every now and
then calls out his well known " honk!' which is
replied to by several members of the flock. The
Canada Goose is thirty-five inches long. The
upper parts, brownish ; the lower, a pale brown,
with a tinge of purple-gray or smoky-brown ;
head, neck, bill, and feet, black ; a patch of
white on the cheek, behind the eye. Tail, of
eighteen feathers.

B. leucopareia. — The White-cheeked Goose.

The White-cheeked Goose is smaller than the
Canada Goose, and much darker in color. It is
distinguished by a white cheek. Accidental in
Canada. Habitat, British Columbia.

B. brenta. — The Brant.

This bird closely resembles the Canada Goose
in its habits. It is twenty-four inches long. Bill,
feet, head, tail, and neck, black. On each side
of the middle of the neck is a small white cres-
cent, streaked with black ; the belly, gray, pass-
ing into white behind.

Sub-Family ANATIN^:. — The River Ducks.

i

Anas bosclias. — The Mallard, or Green-head.
This well known duck breeds in Canada.
Nests, in a meadow, or near a pond ; eggs, ten

loo Birds of Canada.

or twelve, of a yellowish-white. The Green-head
is the original of our domestic duck.

A. obscura. — The Black Duck, or Dusky Duck.
The Black Duck is the most abundant of all
our ducks. Breeds in Canada. Nests, near a
pond or stream ; eggs, six, white. General color,
bluish-brown, tinged with black.

Dafila acnta. — The Pintail Duck.
This beautiful duck is a well known visitor in
Canada. Head and neck, pale brown ; sides of
the breast and part of the back, white, tinged
with pale buff; tail, pointed, the two middle
feathers five inches longer than the others, and
black ; legs, pale lead color. Breeds in the far
north.

Nettion carolinensis. — The Green-winged Teal.
This pretty fowl is very abundant in Canada
in the spring and fall. It frequently breeds here.
Nests, on the ground, in close proximity to a
pond or stream ; eggs, seven or eight in number,
of a dusky-white color. This Teal is about
fifteen inches in length ; the head is dusky ; the
top of the head, cheeks, and neck are chestnut-
red ; the throat is black ; a broad green band
extends from the eye to the nape ; the lower
part of the neck, back, and sides, are alternately
striped with lines of white and black ; the breast
is. reddish, and spotted ; the belly, a yellowish-
white.

Birds of Canada. 101

Querquedala discors. — The Blue-winged Teal.

The Blue-winged Teal is a regular spring and
fall visitor. This species is smaller than the
preceding ; the bill is long, and of a dark dusky
slate color ; the front and upper part of the
head are black ; from the eye to the chin is a
large crescent of white, the rest of the head and
half the neck are of a dark slate, richly glossed
with green and violet ; remainder of the neck
and breast is black or dusky ; belly, pale brown,
barred with dusky, in narrow lines ; back, deep
brownish-black, each feather waived with large
semi-ovals of brownish-white ; lesser wing coverts,
a bright light blue. Habits similar to those of
the Green-winged Teal.

Q: cyanoptcra. — The Red-breasted Teal.

This pretty fowl occasionally visits our waters
in company with the other Teals.

Spatula clypeata. — The Shoveller, ,pr. Spoonbill.

The Spoonbill breeds in, the north-west. Visits
Canada in the spring a^d/autumch ; |}ea<3; ^and
neck, green ; forepart, and sides of the breast,
white ; rest of under parts, purplish-chestnut.

Chaitlelasmus streperus. — The Gadwall, or
Gray Duck.

This species breeds in the far north. Visits
Canada during the spring and fall migrations.

IO2 Birds of Canada.

Head and neck, brownish-white ; forepart of
breast and back, blackish ; underneath, plum-
beous-gray.

Mareca americana. — Baldpate, or American
Widgeon.

This beautiful fowl breeds in Manitoba. Visits
Canada in company with Teals and Canvass-
back Ducks. Head and Neck, gray, spotted
with • black ; a broad green patch around and
behind the eye ; top of the head, nearly white.

SUMMER DUCK.

Aix sponsa. — The Summer Duck, or Wood Duck.

This bird is, without exception, the most beau-
tiful of all our ducks. It builds its nest in a

Birds of Canada. 103

hollow tree, or on a, limb that hangs over water ;
eggs, twelve or thirteen, of a yellowish-white
color. The Wood Duck is easily domesticated,
and becomes quite tame, breeding, and soon
acquiring all the habits of the common duck.
Head and crest, greenish-purple, with white lines;
throat, white ; breast, reddish-brown, marked
with white ; wings and back, green, with purple
reflections ; sides, ashy-gray ; abdomen, white ;
tail, purplish-green above, brown beneath ; the
whole plumage beautifully variegated with pur-
ple, green, chestnut, white, and ashy.

Sub- Family FULIGULINJC. — The Sea Ducks.

Fulix collaris. — The Ring-necked Duck.

This duck is distinguished by a chestnut
collar around the middle of the neck. Color,
above, black ; beneath, white. Frequents the
Lower St. Lawrence in the fall.

F. marila. — The Scaup Duck, or Blue Bill.

The Scaup Duck breeds in the north-west.
Visits Canada during the spring and autumn
migrations, in small flocks. Head, neck, shoul-
ders, back, and tail, black ; under parts, white ;
bill, blue ; legs plumbeous ; iris, yellow.

104 Birds of Canada.

F. affinis.—The Little Black-head Duck.

This pretty and well known bird sometimes
breeds in Canada. It is often called " Blue-bill
Coot " by our sportsmen. Head, neck, shoulders,
lower part of back and tail, black ; belly, sides,
and inner wing surfaces, pure white ; wings,
blackish, with purple reflections.

Aythya americana. — The Red-head Duck.

This fine duck is generally very abundant in
Canada. It breeds here. Head and neck, for
more than half its length, brownish-red ; rest of
neck and body anterior to the shoulders, and
lower part of the back, black ; beneath, white.

A. vallisneria. — The Canvass-back Duck.

This much esteemed Duck is becoming quite
rare in Ontario, where it was, a few years since,
abundant. This duck is twenty-three or twenty-
four inchest long ; beak, large and black ; the
head and part of the neck, of a rich, glossy red-
dish chestnut, ending in a broad span of black
that covers the upper part of the breast ; back,
scapulas, lower part of the breast, and belly,
white ; tail, short and pointed ; legs and feet,
pale ash. Breeds in northern Canada.

Birds of Canada. 105

BucepJiala islandica. — Barrow's Duck.

This duck breeds in the arctic regions. Visits
Canada late in the fall. Head and neck, violet-
blue ; a large white patch anterior to the eye ;
lower neck and under parts, white ; a narrow
white patch on the middle wing coverts ; rest of
upper parts, black.

B.amcricana. — The Golden-eye, or Whistle Wing.

This duck breeds in Canada. Nests, in a tall
dead tree, or in the top of a stub ; eggs, six or
eight, of a greenish-blue color. Head and upper
part of neck, green ; back and tail, black ; under
parts, white.

B. albeola. — The Buffle-head, or Dipper.

This is a common and well known bird. It
breeds in Canada. Nests, in the holes of dead
trees ; eggs, six, of a yellowish-blue color. Color,
above, black ; beneath, white ; in front of the
eye and on the sides of the collar behind, rich
green ; a patch of white on each side of the head.

Histrionicus torquatus. — The Harlequin Duck.

The Harlequin Duck breeds in the far north.

Visits Canada in the fall. Head and neck, dark

blue ; sides and upper parts, light blue, becoming

darker near the tail ; under parts generally white.

14

io6 Birds cf Canada.

Harelda glacialis. — The Long-tailed Duck, or
Old Wife. :

This duck is a frequent visitor during the
spring and fall migrations. Breeds in the north-
ern part of this continent. Head, neck, and
breast, blackish-brown ; sides of the head and
body, bluish-gray ; under parts, white.

Melanetta velvet in a. — The Velvet Duck, or
White-winged Coot.

The Velvet Duck is a regular fall visitor,
usually arriving in October. General color,
black ; a white patch around and behind the
eye, and a large white speculum on the wing.

Pelionctta perspicillata. — The Surf Duck.

The Surf Duck breeds in the northern part of
Canada. Color, black, with a greenish lustre ;
a white patch on the top of the head.

Oidemia americana. — The Black Scoter.

The Black Scoter is an irregular visitor in
Canada. General color, black.

Soniatcria mollissima. — The Eider Duck.

This well known duck breeds in abundance in
Labrador and in northern Canada. During the

Birds of Canada. 107

fall and early winter it is occasionally shot near
Toronto. Color, above, white ; beneath, black ;
forehead and sides of the head, black.

5. spcctabilis. — The King Duck, or King Eider.

This is a more northern species than the
preceding. It is seldom seen in Ontario. Speci-
mens are occasionally obtained in the Gulf of
St. Lawrence. Length, twenty-one and a-half
inches. Body and wings, black ; throat, white,;
top of head, bluish-ash ; sides of the head,
green.

Sub-Family ERISMATURIN^E.

Erismatura rubida. — The Ruddy Duck, or
Dipper.

The Ruddy Duck is a spring and fall visitor.
Length, sixteen inches ; color, chestnut-red
above ; grayish-white below ; top of head, black.
Visits Canada during the fall migrations.

E. dominica. — The Black-masked Duck.

This species is an accidental visitor in Canada.
Its habitat is Labrador, the Lower St. Lawrence,
and Lake Champlain.

io8 Birds of Canada.

Sub-Family MERGING. — The Sheldrakes.
Mergus serrator. — The Red-breasted Merganser.

The Red-breasted Merganser breeds in Canada.
The head and neck is dark green ; under parts,
yellowish-white. Head with a conspicuous crest.
Nests, in a marsh, or on an island ; eggs, ten,
light drab.

M. americanus. — The Goosander, or Fish Duck.

This beautiful fowl frequently breeds in On-
tario. It builds its nest on the top of a tall
stump, or on the branch of a dead tree ; eggs,
eight in number, of a pale creamy white. Head
and neck, green ; back, black ; under parts,
salmon color ; wings, white, crossed by a band
of black.

HOODED MERGANSER.

Lophodytes cucullatus. — The Hooded Merganser.

Thiss elegant bird is not so common as the
other Mergansers. It breeds in Canada. Nests,

Birds of Canada. 109

in the top of a stub or in a tall pine ; eggs,
twelve or fourteen in number, of a clear white
color. This species is eighteen inches long ; the
head, neck, and tail, black ; the under parts and
centre of the crest, white.

SUB-ORDER GAVI^E.
FAMILY PELICANID^E. THE PELICANS.

Pelicanus fiiscus. — The Brown Pelican.

The Brown Pelican is fifty-six inches long ;
bill, thirteen and a-half inches ; color, dark.
Several specimens of this fine bird have been
shot in Ontario within the last two years.
They are accidental visitors.

P. erytlirorhynchus. — The Rough-billed Pelican.

This magnificent bird is seventy inches in
length ; the prevailing color, white. It is an
occasional visitor in Ontario.

FAMILY SULID^. THE GANNETS.
Sula bassana. — The Common Gannet.

This species breeds on the coast of Labrador
and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Visits Ontario

no Birds of Canada.

in the fall, in flocks of twenty or thirty. Length,
thirty eight inches ; general color, white. Feeds
upon fish, which it obtains by plunging from a
height, often remaining under water for several
minutes. The nest of the gannet is made of
sea-weed and grasses, placed on the rocks near
the sea coast. It lays but one egg, of a pale
green color.

FAMILY GRACULID^E. THE
CORMORANTS.

Graculus carbo. — The Common Cormorant.

This species breeds in Canada. They are
quite common in the interior of the country.
Nests, in the crevices of rocks ; eggs, three of a
bluish-green color. Among the whole of the
web-footed birds which prey on fish, there arc
none so voracious as Cormorants. They are
most excellent divers, and pursue their prey
with astonishing facility beneath the surface of
the water, but upon land they are extremely
awkward in their movements, owing to their legs
being placed so far backwards : they, however,
fly with rapidity ; and the tail being rather long,
and furnished with strong feathers, it helps to
support the body while walking. As soon as
winter approaches, they are seen dispersed along
the sea shores, entering the mouths of fresh-water

Birds of Canada. 1 1 1

rivers, and threatening destruction to all the
finny tribe. The Common Cormorant is thirty-
seven inches in length ; the color, bluish-black,
gular sac, yellow, with a broad white band at
the base.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT.

Gracnlns dilophus. — The Double-crested
Cormorant.

This species is not so well known as the pre-
ceding. Its habits are similar to the Common

o

Cormorant. Breeds in Labrador. The head,
neck, lower part of the back, and entire under
surface, is greenish-black ; upper mandible, dark
brown ; lower, yellow ; iris, green ; legs and feet,
black ; gular sac, orange ; behind each eye is a
tuft of loose feathers, which form the crest.

1 1 2 Birds of Canada.

FAMILY LARID^E. THE GULLS.

Sub-Family LESTRIDINyE. — The Skua Gulls.

Stcrcorarius parasiticus. — The Arctic Skua.

The Arctic Skua breeds in the northern part
of this continent. During the winter it frequents
the sea coast of Canada. Length, twenty-two
inches ; color, above, brownish-black ; beneath,
white.

S. pomariuus. — The Pomarine Skua.
This species breeds in the far north. It is
much more common than the preceding. Color,
dark brown, tinged with black, above ; beneath,
white. Length, twenty inches. A regular visitor
to the sea coast of Nova Scotia and Newfound-
land.

Sub-Family LARIN^:. — The Gulls.
Larus marinus. — The Great Black-backed Gull.

This fine. bird is twenty-six inches in length ;
the bill is pale yellow, thick and strong ; upper
parts of the back and wing, black ; all the other
parts of its plumage, white ; legs, pale flesh color.
Breeds in Labrador. Is a fall, and, sometimes,
winter visitor in Canada.

Larus Sabiuii. — The Fork-tailed Gull.
This gull frequents the coast of New Bruns-
wick and Nova Scotia. Head and upper part of

Birds of Canada. 1 1 3

neck, blackish-gray ; lower neck, lower parts,
and tail, white ; back and wings, bluish-gray ;
tail, long and forked.

L. Rossii. — Ross's Gull.

The habitat of this pretty gull is the arctic
regions. During the fall and winter a few
specimens are occasionally seen in the Gulf of
St. Lawrence, and on the coast of Nova Scotia
and Newfoundland. Back and wings, grayish-
blue ; neck, lower parts, and tail, white ; bill,
black ; feet, red. Discovered by Sir James
Clark Ross, the navigator.

L. Franklinii. — Franklin's Gull.

This gull is a rare visitor x in Canada. Its
habitat is the arctic regions. Bill and feet,
vermillion ; neck, rump, tail, and under plumage,
white ; black hood on nape ; upper parts, bluish-
gray ; quills, terminated with white.

L. argentatus. — The Herring Gull, or Silvery
Gull.

The Silvery Gull is a regular visitor in Canada.
It is twenty-four inches long ; bill, yellow ; head,
neck, and tail, white ; the back and wing coverts,
bluish-ash ; legs, pale flesh color. Breeds in the
north.
15

114 Birds of Canada.

L. canus. — The Common Gull.

The Common Gull is the most numerous of
the family. It is seventeen inches long ; bill,
yellow ; head, neck, tail, and whole under side
of the body, white ; the back and coverts of the
wings are gray.

L. glaucus. — The Glaucous Gull.

This gull breeds in the arctic regions. An
accidental visitor in Canada.

L. leiicopterus. — The White-winged Gull.

This species breeds in the far north. A rare
visitor.

Z. delawarensis. — The Ring-billed Gull.
This gull is a rare visitor in Canada.
L, eburneus. — The Ivory Gull.

This beautiful gull is very common in the
arctic regions, and occasionally visits Canada
in the fall and winter.

Crcagrus furcatus. — The Swallow-tailed Gull.

This pretty gull is an accidental visitor in
Canada. Its habitat is the Pacific coast.

CJiroicoccphalus atricilla. — The Laughing Gull.

This little gull is a summer resident of Canada.
The head and upper part of the neck is blackish-

Birds of Canada, 115

gray ; lower part of neck and entire under
plumage, pure white ; back and wings, grayish-
lead color. Breeds in Canada. Nests, in marshes;
eggs, three, of an olive-drab color.

C. Philadelphia* — Bonaparte's Gull.

This well known gull is a summer resident of
Canada. Back and wings, clear bluish-gray ;
under plumage, rump and tail, white ; length,
fourteen inches.

Rissa tridactyla. — The Kittiwake Gull.

The Kittiwake Gull occasionally visits Lake
Ontario during the fall. The head, neck, and
under plumage is pure white ; back and wings,
light bluish-gray ; bill, greenish-yellow ; legs,
brownish-black.

Sub-Family STERIN^. — TJie Terns.
Sterna aranea. — The Marsh Tern.

This pretty tern is a regular visitor. Head,
black ; back and wings, light bluish-gray ; under
plumage, pure white ; bill, legs, and feet, black.

6\ caspia. — The Caspian Tern.

The Caspian Tern is a fall and winter visitor.
Head, black, glossed with green ; back and

n6 Birds of Canada.

wings, light bluish-ash ; under plumage, pure
white ; bill, and inside of mouth, bright red ;
legs and feet, black.; tail, forked. Breeds in the
northern regions.

S. Wilsonii. — Wilson's Tern.

This is the most common species in Canada.
Head, deep black, tinged with brown ; back and
wings, light grayish-blue ; breast and abdomen,
clear pearl gray. Breeds on the sea coast of New
Brunswick.

ARCTIC TERN.

5. arctica. — The Arctic Tern.

The Arctic Tern is a fall and winter visitor
in Ontario. Breeds on the sea coast of Nova
Scotia. Head and neck, black ; back and wings,

Birds of Canada. 117

light grayish-blue ; under parts, bluish-gray, of
a lighter shade than the back ; legs and feet,
crimson ; bill, deep carmine.

S.frenata. — The Least Tern.

The Least Tern is an irregular visitor. Breeds
on the sea coast. Length, nine inches ; color,
bluish-gray above ; underneath, white ; bill,
orange ; legs and feet, orange-red.

S.fnliginosa. — The Sooty Tern.

This tern is a regular summer visitor. Head,
neck, and abdomen, black ; back and wings,
plumbeous:gray.

5. paridisea. — The Roseate Tern.

The Roseate Tern is an irregular summer
visitor in Canada.

RhyncJiopsnigra. — Black Skimmer, or Sheerwater.

This fowl occasionally visits Lake Ontario in
the spring, retiring south to breed in June.
Color: head, neck, and wings, black; throat,
breast, and abdomen, white ; legs, scarlet ;
length of the upper mandible, three inches and
a-half ; of the lower, four inches and a-half.
The peculiar formation of its bill, the lower
mandible being one inch longer than the upper,
enables it easily to obtain its food while skim-
ming over the surface of the water.

Ii8 Birds of Canada,

Sub- Family COLYMBIN.E. — The Loons.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER.

Colymbus torquatus. — The Great Northern Diver,
or Loon.

The Great Northern Diver is a resident of
Canada. Nests, on an island, or in a meadow or
marsh, near the borders of the interior lakes ;
eggs, two or three in number, of a reddish brown
color, with an olive tint. This bird is twenty-
eight inches in length. Head and neck, bluish-
green ; upper plumage and wing coverts, deep
glossy black, marked with white spots.

C. septentrionalis. — The Red-throated Diver.

This species is not so common as the Great
Northern Diver, usually arriving here in October

Birds of Canada. 1 1 9

from the coast of Labrador, where it breeds.
Color, above, brownish-black, tinged with green ;
underneath, white ; bill, bluish-black; iris, bright
red ; feet, brownish-black.

Sub-Family PODICIPIN^E.— The Grebes.
Podiceps griseigena. — The Red-necked Grebe.

The Red-necked Grebe breeds in the far
north ; visits Canada in the fall. Upper parts,
blackish-brown ; lower parts, pure white ; bill,
black ; feet, greenish-black. Length, eighteen
inches.

P. cristatus. — The Crested Grebe.

This Grebe is a common summer resident of
Canada. It is chiefly valued for the plumage
of its breast, the flesh being rank and nauseous.
Color, above, umber-brown ; beneath, pure white ;
long tufts on each side of the head, of umber-
brown color. Nests, in a swamp or marsh ; eggs,
four in number, white.

P. cornutns. — The Horned Grebe.

The Horned Grebe breeds in northern Canada.
Visits Ontario in the fall. Color, above, brown-
ish-black ; breast, bright chestnut ; abdomen,
white ; bill, bluish-black ; feet, dark gray.

I2O Birds of Canada.

Podilymbus podiceps. — The Pied-billed Grebe.

This species is a common summer resident of
Canada. Upper parts, dark brown ; breast and
abdomen, grayish-white, mottled with dusky
spots.

FAMILY PBOCELLARID^E. THE
PETRELS.

TJialassidroma Leaehii. — Leach's Petrel.

Leach's Petrel breeds on the sea coast of New
Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The general color
of this bird is sooty-brown ; bill and feet, black.
Length, eight inches. Nests, in the crevices of
rocks. Lays one pure white egg.

STORMY PETREL.

T. Wilsonii.— Wilson's Stormy Petrel.

This Petrel is seven inches in length. Color,
deep sooty-black ; tail, green ; wings reaching a

Birds of Canada. 121

little beyond its tip ; tarsus, one • and a-half
inches in length. Breeds on the small islands off
the coast of Nova Scotia. Its habits and gene-
ral color are similar to those of Leach's Petrel.
This is the bird so much dreaded by sailors as
the harbinger of a storm, and to which they
have given the name of " Mother Carey's
Chicken." It is met with on every part of the
ocean, diving or skimming over the surface of
the rolling waves of the most tempestuous sea.
Captain Sir James Clark Ross, in his ''Voyage
to the Antarctic Regions," observes that, when
in lat. 47° if S., long. 58° 50' E., "we were
accompanied on our course by petrels of two
or three different kinds. These birds added a
degree of cheerfulness to our solitary wanderings,
which contrasted strongly with the dreary and
unvarying stillness of the tropical region, where
not a sea-bird is to be seen, except only in the
vicinity of its few scattered islets, which is the
more remarkable where the ocean abounds so
plentifully with creatures fit for their food."

Sub-Family PUFFINUS.
Puffinus cinereus. — Wandering Shearwater.

This bird frequents the sea coast of the

maritime provinces. Upper parts, deep brown ;

lower parts, grayish-white ; bill, yellowish-green ;

feet, light greenish-gray ; length, twenty inches.

16

122 Birds of Canada.

Puffinus major. — The Greater Shearwater.

The Greater Shearwater frequents the extreme
eastern coast of Canada. Length, twenty inches ;
brownish-ash, above ; grayish-white, below ; bill,
compressed near the end ; a straight spur in
place of a hind toe.

Puffinus anglorum. — Mank's Shearwater.

Habitat, the coast of New Brunswick, Nova
Scotia, and Newfoundland. Upper parts, brown-
ish-black ; lower, white ; bill, greenish-black.
Length, fourteen inches. Breeds in burrows ;
lays one white egg.

Puffinus obscurus. — Dusky Shearwater.

This bird frequents the coast of New Bruns-
wick and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Upper
parts, sooty-black ; lower, white ; bill, light blue.
Length, eleven inches.

FAMILY ALCID^E.
Sub-Family ALCIN.E. — The Auks.

A lea impcnnis. — The Great Auk.

The Greak Auk is becoming very rare : a few
specimens are occasionally seen on the coast of
Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Color : head,

Birds of Canada. 123

neck, and upper parts, black ; lower parts,
white. Nests, on the sand ; eggs, two, reddish-
brown.

Alca.torda.—rT\\Q Razor-billed Auk.

The Razor-billed Auk is seventeen inches in
length. The general form of this bird is short
and heavy ; bill, long ; upper parts, brownish-
black ; under parts, white. Frequents the sea
coast of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Breeds
in the arctic region. They build no nests, but
lay their eggs upon the bare edges of lofty
rocks overhanging the sea. Large numbers of
these birds are killed on the coast for the sake
of their breast feathers.

Mormon glacialis. — Large-billed Puffin.

This bird frequents the Bay of Fundy and
the sea coast of New Brunswick. Bill and feet,
orange-yellow ; sides of the head and lower
parts, white ; a dark grayish color extends to
the lower mandible.

124

Birds of Canada.

ARCTIC PUFFIN,

Mormon arctica. — The Arctic Puffin.

This exceedingly quaint looking bird is twelve
inches in length. It has a very large bill, which
has the appearance of a sheath slipped over both
mandibles ; it is curved towards the point, com-
pressed vertically, and transversely furrowed on
the sides ; the chin and cheeks are white, bor-
dered with gray, the latter much puffed up with
feathers, which makes the head look large and
round. The crown of the head and upper part
of the plumage are black, and a collar of the

Birds of Canada, 125

same color encircles the neck ; the under parts
are white, and the legs are orange. The female
deposits her single whitish-colored egg in a hole
dug out and formed in the ground by her mate
and herself, or in one ready-made by the rabbits,
which they easily dislodge. Puffins are met with
on almost all the rocky cliffs on the coasts of
Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and on many
of the surrounding islands. They are gregarious
and migratory.

Sub-Family URIN^E. — The Guillemots.

BLACK GUILLEMOT.

Uria grylle. — The Black Guillemot.

The Black Guillemot is thirteen inches in
length. Color, black ; a white patch on each
wing. This bird is a resident of eastern Canada
throughout the year. It breeds on the rocky
islands off the coast of New Brunswick ; eggs,
three in number, pure white.

126 Birds of Canada.

Uria lomvia. — The Foolish Guillemot.

This species is seventeen inches in length.
The head, neck, back, wings, and tail, are of a
slate color ; the breast and abdomen, white.
This bird is very common on the coast of New
Brunswick, where they occasionally breed.

Uria Brunswickii. — Large-billed Guillemot.

This Guillemot frequents the coast of New
Brunswick. Color, above, grayish-black ; abdo-
men and edges of the wings, white ; bill, black ;
feet, dusky ; eggs, three, bluish-green, laid in
the sand.

Uria ringvia. — The Murre.

The Murre is the same size as the preceding ;
upper parts, dark brown, with a tinge of ash ;
under parts, white. Frequents the coast of Nova
Scotia and New Brunswick.

Mergulus alle. — The Arctic Sea Dove.

This species is only eight inches in length.
Color, brownish black, above ; white, beneath.
This bird is a winter visitor to the sea coast of
Canada.

BIRDS

MANITOBA AND BRITISH COLUMBIA.

As the Provinces of British Columbia and
Manitoba now form part of the Dominion of
Canada, I append a classified catalogue of those
birds whose migrations extend from South
America, California, and the Great Plains, to
British Columbia and Manitoba, not including
those already mentioned in the body of this
work, whose migrations extend eastward from
the above Provinces.

RAPTORES, OR BIRDS OF PREY.

Falco vulgaris — Common Buzzard.
Stix cunicularia — Burrowing Owl.
" passerinoides — Columbia Day Owl.

INSESSORES, OR PERCHERS.

Hirundo thallasima — Violet-green Swallow.
Miisicicapcs vcrticalis — Arkansas Flycatcher.

" nigricans — Rocky Mountain Ely-

catcher.

" PJicebe — Short-legged Pewit.

1 28 Birds of Canada.

I N SE SSORES — Continued.

Musicicapcz Trailli — Traill's Flycatcher.

" pusilla — Least Pewee.

Ptilogonys Townsendi — Townsend's Ptilogonys.
Turdus navius — Varied Thrush.
" nanus — Dwarf Thrush.
" montanus — Mountain Mocking Bird.
Cinclus americanus — American Dipper.
Sylvia; Audubonii — Audubon's Warbler.
" Townsendii — Townsend's Warbler.
" vccidentalis — Hermit Warbler.
Troglodytes obsoletus — Rock Wren.

Parkmanii — Parkman's Wren
Sialia occidentalis — Western Blue Bird.

" arctica — Arctic Blue Bird.
Parus minimus — Chestnut-crowned Tit.
" Hudsonicus — Hudson's Bay Tit.
Fringilla Townsendii — Townsend's Finch.

cinera — Brown Finch.
" Mortonii — Morton's Finch.

Oregonii— Oregon Snow Bird.
" frontalis — 'Crimson-fronted Finch.
" bcphrocotis — Gray-crowned Finch.
Entcriza pallida — Clay-colored Bunting.

lapponica — Lapland Lark Bunting.
" ornata — Chestnut-colored Lark Bunting.
Spiza amce'na — Lazuli Painted Bunting.
Cardnelis psaltcri — Arkansas Goldfinch.
Pipilo arcticns — Arctic Ground Finch.

Birds of Canada. 129

INSESSORES— Continued.
Corydalina tricolor — Prairie Lark Finch.
Coccotliraustes melanocepJialus — Black-headed

Grosbeak.
" vespertina — Evening Grosbeak.

ccerulea — Blue Grosbeak.
Icterus Bullockii — Bullock's Hangnest.

" xanthrocephalus — Saffron-headed Black-
bird.
Corvus Nuttallii — Yellow-billed Magpie.

" Bullockii — Columbian Magpie.
Garrulus S teller i. — Steller's Jay.

ultramarinus. — Ultramarine Jay.
TrocJdlus Anna — Anna Humming Bird.

" rufus — Rufous-ruffed Humming Bird.

SCANSORES, OR CLIMBERS.

Picus lineatus — Lineated Woodpecker.
" canadensis — Canadian Woodpecker.
" Plarrissii — Harris's Woodpecker.
" Gardner ii — Gardner's Woodpecker.
" ' arcticus — Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker.
" mexicans — Red-shafted Woodpecker.

RASORES, OR SCRATCHERS.

Tetrao Icucurus — White-tailed Ptarmigan.
" rupestris — Rock Ptarmigan.
" mutus — American Ptarmigan.

PJiasiancllus — Sharp-tailed Grouse.
17

130 Birds of Canada.

Tctrao urophasiamis — Cock of the Plains.

" obscurus — Dusky Grouse.
Ortyx plumifera — Plumed Partridge.
Columba fasciata — Band-tailed Pigeon.

GRALLATORES, OR WADERS.

Scollopax Dntmmondii — Drummond's Snipe.
H&matopus Townsendii — Townsend's Oyster-

catcher.

Aphriza Townsendii — Townsend's Surf Bird.
Charadrius montanns- — Rocky Mountain Plover.

NATTATORES, OR SWIMMERS.

Uria Townsendii — Slender-billed Guillemot.
" occidentatis — Horn-billed Guillemot.
" antiqua — Black-throated Guillemot.
Phaleris nodirostris — Knob-billed Phaleris.

'" cristaletta — Curled-crested Phaleris.
Procellaria tenuirstris — Slender-billed Fulmar.
" pacifica — Pacific Fulmar.

gigantica — Gigantic Fulmar.
Diomeda fusca — Dusky Albatross.

chlorrorhynclms — Yellow-nosed Alba-
tross.

PJialacrocorax resplendens — Violet-green Cormo-
rant.

Townsendii — Townsend's Cormo-
rant.

Fuligula despar — Western Duck.

Anser Hiitchinsii — Hutchin's Goose.

SYNOPSIS

BIRDS OF CANADA

SCIENTIFIC NAMES.

ORDER I.— RAPTORES.

Falco anatum.

" columbarius.
Tinnunculus sparverius.
Astur atricapillus.
Accipitcr Coopcrii.

" fuscus.
Buteo borealis.

" lineatus.

" pcnnsylvanicus.
Archibuteo lagopus.

" sancti johannis.
Circus hudsonius.
Haliaetus leucocephalus.

Aquila canadensis.
Pandion carolinensis.
Bubo virginianis.
Scops asio.
Otus Wilsonianus.
Brachyotus Cassinii.
Syrnium nebulosum.

" cinereum.
Nyctale Richardsonii.

" acadica.
Nyctea nivea.
Surnia ulula.

ORDER II.— SCANSORES.

Coccygus americanus.

" crythropthalmus.
Picus villosus.

" pubescens.
Picoides arcticus.
" hursutus.

Sphyrapicus varius.
Hylatomus pileatus.
Melanerpes erythrcce-

phalus.

Colaptes auratus.
Centurecs carolinensis.

132

Synopsis.

ORDER III.— INSESSORES.

Trochilus colubris.
Chetura pelasgia.
Hirundo americana.

lunifrons.
" riparia.
" bicolor.
Progne purpurea.
Caprimulgus vociferus.
carolinensis.
Chordeiles popetue.
Ceryle alcyon.
Tyrannus carolinensis.
Myiarchus crinitus.
Sayornis fuscus.
Contopus virens.
Empidonax minimus.
Turdus mustelinus.
pallassii.
fuscescens.
Swainsonii.
migratorius.
Harporhynchus rufous.
Galeoscoptes carolinen-
sis.

Sialia sialis.
Regulus calendula.
Regulus satrapa.
Regulus Cuvieri.
Parus atricapillus.
Sitta carolinensis.
" canadensis.
Certhia americana.

Cistothorus palustris.
Troglodytes hyemalis.

sedon.

Mniotilta varia.
Parula americana.
Geothlypis trichas.

philadelphiae.
Macgillvrai.
Sylvia trichas.
Dendroica virens.

palmarum.
" tigrina.

canadensis.

coronata.

Blackburniae.

castanea.

pinus.

p e n n s y 1 -

vanica.
striata.
aestiva.
maculosa.

Myiodioctes canadensis.
mitratis.
minutus.
pusillus.
Helmitherus vermivo-

rus.
Helminthopaga pinus.

chrysoptera.
" ruficapilla.

Synopsis.

133

ORDER III.— INSESSORES— Continued.

Helminthopaga pere-

grina.

Icteria viridis.
Setophaga ruticilla.
Seiurus aurocapillus.

" noveboracensis.
Pyranga rubra.
Ampelis cedrorum.
Collyrio borealis.

" excubitorides.
Vireo olivaceous

" gilvus.

" noveboracensis.

" flavifrons.

" solitarius.
Eremophila cornuta.
Pinicoja canadensis.
Carpodacus purpureus.
Chrysomitris tristis.
" pinus.

Curvirostra americana.
" leucoptera.

^Egiothus linaria.
Plectrophanes nivalis.

Lapponicus.
Passerculus savanna.
Poocsetes gramineus.
Coturniculus passerinus.
Zonotrichia leucophrys.

Zonotrichia albicollis.
Junco hyemalis.
Spizella monticola.

pusilla.
" socialis.
Melospiza melodia.
palustris.
Passerella iliaca.
Emberiza americana.
Guiraca Ludoviciana.

" coerula.
Coccothraustes vesper-

tina.

cardinalis.
Cyanospiza cyanea.
Pipilo erythropthalmus.
Dolichonyx oryzivorus.
Molothrus pecoris.
Agelaius phceniceus.
Sturnella magna.
Icterus spurius.

baltimore.
Scolecophagus ferrugi-

neus.

Quiscalus versicolor.
Corvus americanus.

" corax.
Cyanurus cristatus.
Perisoreus canadensis.

134 Synopsis.

ORDER IV.— RASORES.

Ectopistes migratoria.

Zenaidura carolinensis.
Tetrao canadensis.
Bonasa umbellus.

Tetrao phasianellus.
Ortyx virginianus.
Meleagris gallopavo.

ORDER V.— GRALLATORES.

Ardea herodias.
Ardetta exilis.
Botaurus lentignosus.
Butorides virescens.
Nyctiardea Gardenii.
Grus canadensis.
" americana.
Ibis falcinellus.
Charadrius virginicus.
^Egialitis vociferus.

" Wilsonius.

" semi-palmatus.

" melodus.

" montanus.
Squatarola helvetica.
Haematopus palliatus.

" niger.

Strepsilas interpres.

" melanocephala.
Recurvirostra ameri-
cana.

Ph alar op us hyper-
boreus.
Wilsonii.

" fulicarius.

Philohela minor.

Gallinago Wilsonii.
Macro rhamphusgriseus.
" scolopaceus.
Tringa canutus.
Cooperii.
maritima.
subarquata.
alpina.

" maculata.
Wilsonii.
" Bonapartij.
Calidris arenaria.
Ereunetes petrificatus.
Micropalma h i m a n -

topus.
Symphemia semi - pal-

tnata.
Gambetta melanoleuca.

flavipes.

Rhyacophilus solitarius.
Tringoides macularius.
Actiturus Bartramius.
Tringitcs rufescens.
Limosa fedoa.
" hudsonica.

Synopsis. 1 3 5

ORDER V.— GRALLATORES.— Continued.

Nurnenius longirostris.
" borealis.
" hudsonicus.
Rallus elegans.
" crepitans.
" virginianus.

Porzana Carolina.

" noveboracensis.

" jamaicensis.
Crex pratensis.
Fulica americana.
Gallinule martinica.

ORDER VI.— NATATORES.

Cygnus americanus.

buccinator.
Anser hyperboreus.

" Gambelli.
frontalis.
Bcrnicla canadensis.

" leucopareia.

" brenta.
Anas boschas.

" obscura.
Dafila acuta.
Nettion carolinensis.
Querquedula discors.

" cyanoptera.

Spatula clypeata.
Chaulelasmus streperus.
Mareca americana.
Aix sponsa.
Fulix marila.

" affinis.

" collaris.
Aythya vallisneria.

" americana.

Bucephala islandica.
Bucephala albeola.
Histrionicus torquatus.
Harelda glacialis.
Melanetta velvetina.
Pelionetta perspicillata.
Oidemia americana.
Somateria mollissima.
spectabalis.
Erismatura rubida.

dominica.
Mergus serrator.

americanus.

Lophodytes cucullatus.
Pclicanus fuscus.

" crythrorhynchus.
Sula bassana.
Graculus carbo.

dilophus.

Stercorarus parasiticus.
pomarinis.
Larus marinus.
" argentatus.
" Rossii.

136

Synopsis.

ORDER VI. — NATATORES. — Continued.

Larus Franklinii.

" Sabinii.

" canus.

" leucopterus.

" delawarensis.

" eberneus.
Creagrus furcatus.
Chroicocephalus a t r i -

cilia.

" Philadelphia.
Rissa tridactyla.
Sterna aranea.

" caspia.

" Wilsonii.

" arctica.

" frenata.

" fulignosa.

" paridisea.
Colymbus septentrio-

nalis.

Colymbus torquatus,
Podiceps griseigena.
" cristatus.
cornutus.

Podilymbus podiceps.
Thalassidroma Wilsonii.
Leachii.
Puffinus major.
" cinereus.
" anglorum.
" obscurus.
Alca impennis.

" torda.
Mergulus alle.
Mormon arctica.

" glacialis.
Uria grylle.
" lomvia.
" ringvia.
" Brunswickii.

SYNOPSIS

BIRDS OF CANADA

COMMON NAMES.

ORDER L— BIRDS OF PREY.

Peregrine Falcon, or

Duck Hawk.
Sparrow Hawk.
Pigeon Hawk.
Goshawk.
Cooper's Hawk.
Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Red-tailed Hawk.
Red-shouldered Hawk.
Broad-winged Hawk.
Rough-legged Hawk.
Black Hawk.
Marsh Hawk.
White-headed Eagle.

ORDER II. —

Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

Black-billed Cuckoo.

Hairy Woodpecker.

Downy Woodpecker.

Black-backed Three-
toed Woodpecker.

Banded Three - toed
Woodpecker.

Pileated Woodpecker.
18

Golden Eagle.

Fish Hawk.

Great Horned Owl.

Mottled Owl, or Screech

Owl.

Long-eared Owl.
Short-eared Owl.
Barred Owl.
Cinereous Owl.
Sparrow Owl.
Saw-whet Owl.
Snowy Owl.
Hawk Owl.

CLIMBERS.

Yellow - bellied Wood-
pecker.

Red - headed Wood-
pecker.

Golden-winged Wood-
pecker.

Red - bellied Wood-
pecker.

138

Synopsis.

ORDER III.— PERCHERS.

Ruby - throated Hum-
ming Bird.

Chimney Swallow.

Barn Swallow.

Cliff Swallow.

White-breasted Swal-
low.

Bank Swallow.

Purple Martin.

Whip-poor-will.

Chuck- Will's Widow.

Night Hawk.

Belted Kingfisher.

King Bird.

Great - crested Fly-
catcher.

Phebe Bird.

Wood Pewee.

Least Flycatcher.

Wood Thrush.

Hermit Thrush.

Tawny Thrush.

Olive-backed Thrush.

Robin.

Brown Thrasher.

Cat Bird.

Blue Bird.

Ruby-crowned Wren.

Golden-crested Wren.

Cuvier's Golden-crested
Wren.

Black-cap Titmouse.

White-bellied Nuthatch.

Red-bellied Nuthatch.

American Creeper.

Long - billed Marsh
Wren.

Winter Wren.

House Wren.

Black and White
Creeper.

Blue Yellow - backed
Warbler.

Maryland Yellow-
throat.

Mourning Warbler.

Gray-headed Warbler.

Macgillivray's Warbler.

Black - throated Green
Warbler.

Yellow Red-poll Warb-
ler.

Cape May Warbler,
i Black - throated Blue
Warbler.

Yellow-rump Warbler.

Blackburnian Warbler.

Bay-breasted Warbler.

Pine-creeping Warbler.

Chestnut-sidedWarbler.

Black-poll Warbler.

Yellow Warbler.

Black and Yellow
Warbler.

Canada Flycatcher,

Hooded Warbler.

Synopsis,

139

ORDER III. — PERCHERS. — Continued.

Small - headed Fly-
catcher.

Green Black-cap Fly-
catcher.

Worm-eating Warbler.

Blue - winded Yellow
Warbler.

Golden-winged Warb-
ler.

Nashville Warbler.

Tennessee Warbler.

Yellow-breasted Chat.

Red Start.

Golden - c r o w n e d
Thrush.

Water Thrush, or Wag-
tail.

Scarlet Tanager.

Bohemian Chatterer.

Cedar Bird, or Cherry
Bird.

Great Northern Shrike.

White-rumped Shrike.

Red-eyed Vireo.

Warbling Vireo.

White-eyed Vireo.

Solitary Vireo.

Yellow-throated Vireo.

Shore Lark.

Pine Grosbeak.

Purple Finch.

Yellow Bird.

Pine Finch.

Red Crossbill.

White-winged Crossbill.

Lesser Red-poll.

Snow Bunting.

Savannah Sparrow.

Bay-winged Bunting.

White - crowned Spar-
row.

White - throated Spar-

. row.*'

Snow Bird.

Tree Sparrow.

Field Sparrow.

Chipping Sparrow.

Song Sparrow.

Swamp Sparrow.

Fox-colored Sparrow.

Rose - breasted Gros-
beak.

Indigo Bird.

Ground Robin, or Che-
wink.

Bobolink.

Cow Bird.

Red-winged Blackbird.

Meadow Lark.

Orchard Oriole.

Baltimore Oriole.

Rusty Grackle.

Purple Grackle.

Crow.

Blue Jay.

Canada Jay.

140

Synopsis.

ORDER IV.— SCRATCHERS.

Wild Pigeon.
Carolina Dove.
Spruce Partridge.
Ruffled Grouse, or Par-

tridge.

Virginia Partridge, or

Quail.
Wild Turkey.

ORDER V.— WADERS.

Great Blue Heron.
Least Bittern.
Great Bittern.
Green Heron.
Night Heron.
Sandhill Crane.
White Crane.
Golden Plover.
Kill-deer Plover.
Mountain Plover.
Wilson's Plover.
Semi-palmated Plover.
Piping Plover.
Black-bellied Plover.
Oyster-catcher.
Backman's Oyster-
catcher.
Turnstone.
Black Turnstone.
American Avoset.
Northern Phalarope.
Wilson's Phalarope.
Red Phalarope.
Woodcock.
Wilson's Snipe.

Gray Snipe.

Longbeak.

Gray- back, or Robin
Snipe.

Cooper's Sandpiper.

Purple Sandpiper.

Curlew Sandpiper.
! Red-backed Sandpiper.
! Jack Snipe.
| Least Sandpiper.

Bonaparte's Sandpiper.

Sanderlinsr.

<^>

Semi - palmated Sand-
piper.

Stilt Sandpiper.

Willet.

Tell-tale.

Yellow Legs.

Solitary Sandpiper.

Spotted Sandpiper.

Field Plover.

Buff - breasted Sand-
piper.

Marbled Godwit.

Hudsonian Godwit.

Synopsis.

141

ORDER V. — WADERS. — Continued.

Long-billed Curlew.
Short-billed Curlew.
Esquimaux Curlew.
Marsh Hen.
Clapper Rail.
Virginia Rail.

Carolina Rail.

Little Black Rail.
I Yellow Rail.
1 Corn Crake.

Coot.

Purple Gallinule.

ORDER VI.— SWIMMERS.

American Swan.
Trumpeter Swan.
Snow Goose.
Canada Goose, or Wild

Goose.

White-fronted Goose.
Brown-fronted Goose.
White-cheeked Goose. |
Brant.

Green-head Duck.
Black Duck.
Pintail Duck.
Green-winged Teal.
Blue-winged Teal.
Red-breasted Teal.
Shoveller Duck.
Gadwall, or Gray Duck.
Baldpate, or American

Widgeon.
Wood Duck.
Scaup Duck.
Little Black-head Duck.
Red-Head Duck.
Canvas-backed Duck.
Golden Eye, or Barrow's

Duck.

Whistle Wing Duck.

Buffle-head, or Dipper.

Harlequin Duck.

Long-tailed Duck, or
Old Wife.

Velvet Duck, or White-
winged Coot.

Surf Duck.

Eider Duck.

King Duck, or King
Eider.

Ruddy Duck.

Black-masked Duck.

Red-breasted Mergan-
ser.

Goosander, or Fish
Duck.

Hooded Merganser.

Brown Pelican.

Rough-billed Pelican.

Common Gannet.

Common Cormorant.

Double-crested Cormo-
rant.

Great Black-backed
Gull.

142

Synopsis.

ORDER VI. — SWIMMERS. — Continued.

Herring Gull.
Arctic Skua.
Pomarine Skua.
Glaucous-winged Gull.
Ross's Gull.
Franklin's Gull.
Fork-tailed Gull.
Common Gull.
Glaucous Gull.
White-winged Gull.
Ring-billed Gull.
Swallow-tailed Gull.
Ivory Gull.
Laughing Gull.
Bonaparte's Gull.
Kittiwake Gull.
Marsh Tern.
Caspian Tern.
Wilson's Tern.
Arctic Tern.
Least Tern.
Sooty Tern.
Roseate Tern.

Great Northern Diver.
Red-throated Diver.
Red-necked Grebe.
Crested Grebe.
Horned Grebe.
Pied-billed Grebe.
Leach's Petrel.
Wilson's Petrel.
Greater Shearwater, or

Petrel.

Wandering Shearwater.
Mank's Shearwater.
Dusky Shearwater.
Great Auk.
Razor-billed Auk.
Little Auk.
Arctic Puffin.
Large-billed Guillemot.
Large-billed Puffin.
Black Guillemot.
Foolish Guillemot.
Murre.
Arctic Sea Dove.

INDEX

Avoset, American . . . . .84

Auk, Great 122

" Little 126

" Razor-billed . . . .123

Bittern, Great . . . . . -79

Least . . . . . .78

Blackbird, Red-winged ... 67

Blue Bird '.33

Bobolink . 66

Brant . . . . . . . - 99

Bunting, Bay-winged 58

Black-throated . . . .63
Lapland . 157

Snow 57

Cardinal, or Red Bird . . . .64

Cat Bird 33

Catcher, Oyster 83

Backman's Oyster . . . .83
Cedar, or Cherry Bird . . . .49

Chat, Yellow-breasted . . . .45

Chatterer, Bohemian 48

Chewink 65

Chick-a-dee 35

Coot 94

Cormorant, Common . . . . no

Crested . \ Iu

144 Index.

PAGE

Cow Bird 67

Crake, Corn 94

Crane, Sandhill 80

White 8 1

Creeper, American . . . . -37

Black and White . . . .38

Crossbill, Red . . . . . -56

White-winged . . . . 56

Crow . 70

Cuckoo, Black-billed .14

Yellow-billed. .... 14
Curlew, Esquimaux . . . . .92

Long-billed . . . . .92

Short-billed . ' . ! . .92

Diver, Great Northern . . . .118

" Red-throated 118

Dove, Carolina 73

Duck, Barrow's . . . . . .105

" Black ... . ioo

Black-masked . . . .107

" Buffle-head 105

" Canvass-back 104

Eider 106

" Eider, or King Eider . . .107
" Gadwall's Gray . . . . 101

" Green-head . . . . 09

" Harlequin . . . . .105

" Little Black-head .... 104
Long-tailed, or Old Wife . . . 106
•' Pintail . , . . . .100
" Red-head ...... 104

" Ruddy 107

Scaup , . . . . .103
" Shoveller . . 101

Index. 145

PAGE

Duck, Surf 106

" Velvet, or White-winged Coot . .106

Whistle Wing 105

" Wood 1 02

Eagle, Golden 8

White-headed 7

Finch, Pine . . . . . . -55

" Purple 55

Flycatcher, Canada 43

" Great-crested . . . -43

Green Black-cap . . -43

Least 30

" Small-headed . . . -43

Gallinule, Purple 95

Gannet, Common 109

Godwit, Hudsonian 91

" Marbled 91

Goshawk 3

Goosander 108

Goose, Brown-fronted 97

" Canada 98

Snow ...... 97

•" White-cheeked . ... 99

" White-fronted 97

Grackle, Purple 70

" Rusty 69

Grebe, Crested 119

" Horned 119

Pied-billed . . . . .120

" Red-necked 119

Grosbeak, Blue 64

19

146 Index.

PAGE

Grosbeak, Evening . . . .64

Pine ...... 54

" Rose-breasted . . . .63

Grouse, Sharp-tailed . . . . -75

Guillemot, Black 125

Foolish 126

Large-billed . . . .126

Gull, Bonaparte's 115

" Common . . . . . . 1 14

Fork-tailed 1 1 2

Franklin's 113

Glaucous . 1 14

Great Black-backed . . . .112

Herring . . . . . . 1 1 3

Ivory . ..... 114

Kittewake 115

Laughing 114

Ring-billed 114

Ross's 113

Swallow-tailed 114

White-winged . . . . % .114

Hawk, Black . . , . . .5

Broad-winged 5

Cooper's 3

Duck I

Fish 8

Marsh 6

Night ...... 25

Pigeon . . 2

Red-shouldered ...» 4

Red-tailed 4

Rough-legged ..... ^

Sharp-shinned , . 4

Index. 147

PAGE

Hawk, Sparrow ...... 2

Hen, Marsh . 93

Heron, Great Blue . . . . -77
Green . . . . -79

Night 80

Humming Bird 20

Ibis, Glossy 81

Indigo Bird . . . . . -65

Jay, Blue 71

" Canada . . . . . -72

Lark, Shore . . . . . -53

" Meadow 68

Legs, Yellow 90

Mallard 99

Martin, Purple ...'... 22

Merganser, Hooded 108

Red-breasted . . . .108
Murre . . .126

Nuthatch, Red-bellied . . . . 36

White-bellied . . . .36

Oriole, Baltimore ..... 69
Orchard 68

Owl, Barred 1 1

" Cinereous 1 1

" Great Horned . . , . -9
" Hawk. 12

148 Index.

PAGE

Owl, Long-eared . . . . .10

" Saw-whet 11

" Screech 10

" Short-eared 10

" Sparrow . 1 1

" Snowy . . . . . -13

Oyster-catcher 83

Backman's . , . .83

Partridge, Ruffled . 75

Spruce 74

" Virginia . . . . .76

Pelican, Brown 109

" Rough-billed 109

Petrel, Greater Shearwater, or . .122

'Leach's 120

Wilson's Stormy . . . .120
Pewee, Wood . . . . .29

Phalarope, Northern 84

Red 85

Wilson's 85

Phebe Bird 29

Pigeon, Wild 73

Plover, Black-bellied . . . . .83

Field . . ... . . 91

Golden . . . . . .81

Kill-deer ... .82

Mountain 82

Piping 82

Semi-palmated . . . .82

Wilson's 82

Puffin, Arctic . . . , . .129
Large-billed 123

Index. 149

PAGE

Rail, Carolina 93

" Clapper . . . . . -93
" Little Black : . . . .94
" Virginia . . . . . -93

" Yellow 94

Raven 70

Red-poll, Lesser . . . ... .56

Red-start -45

Robin . . . . . . . -32

Sandpiper, Bonaparte's . . . .88
Buff-breasted . . . .91

" Cooper's 87

Curlew . . . . .88

Least 88

Purple 87

Red-backed . . . 88

Semi-palmated . . . .89

Solitary 90

Spotted 90

Stilt . . . . ' . .89

Yellow-legged . . . .85

Sanderling .."•.. . . . . .89

Sea Dove, Arctic . . . . .126

Sheerwater, Black . . . . . 117

Dusky 122

Greater 122

" Manks 122

" Wandering . . . .121

Swan, American ... . . . .96

" Trumpeter 96

Skua, Arctic 112

" Pomarine . . . . . .112

Shrike, Great Northern . . . . 50

150 Index.

PAGE

Shrike, White-rumped . . • . - . 5 1

Snipe, Gray 87

" Gray-back 87

<: Jack 88

" Longbeak 87

Tell-tale 90

Wilson's 86

Snow Bird . . . . ."- . . 60

Sparrow, Chipping 61

Field . . ; . . . .60

Fox-colored . . . . .62

Savannah . . . . -57

Song -. . . . . . 6 1

Swamp . . . . . .62

Tree . . . ^. . . .60

White-crowned' v. . . . 58

" White-throated . . . -59
Yellow-winged . . . .58

Swallow, Bank . . . . .22

Barn . ..-•-. . . .21

" Chimney . . . . .20

" -Cliff . . . " \. ;- . 21

White-breasted '. . . . 22

Tanager, Scarlet . ; . - . . . .46

Teal, Blue-winged . .. . . . 101

" Green-winged .- ' .. . . .100

" Red-breasted ' , -...-- . . . 101

Tell-tale . ; 90

Tern, Arctic * . .' . . . .116

" Caspian . . . . . . 1 15

" Least . . . . . . . 117

" Marsh . . . . 115

'• Roseate ii£

" Sooty .117

Index. i 5 1

PAGE

Tern, Wilson's . . . . .116

Thrush, Golden-crowned . . . .46

" Hermit 31

Olive-backed 31

" Tawny . . . . . .31

" Wood -3O

Titmouse, Hudson's Bay . . . -35
Thrasher, Brown . . . . . • 3-
Turkey, Wild . . . . . 76

Turnstone 84

Black 84

Vireo, Red-eyed . . . . . . 51

" Solitary . . . . . 52

Warbling 51

" White-eyed 52

Yellow-throated . . . . 52

Woodpecker, Banded Three-toed . .16
Black-backed . . . .15
Downy . . , . .15
Golden-winged . . .18

Hair? 15

Pileated 17

Red-bellied . . . .16
Red-headed . . . .17
Yellow-bellied . . .15

Widow, Chuck- Will's 26

Whip-poor-will . '. . . -23

Wren, Cuvier's Golden-crested . . -34

" Golden-crested 34

" House , - . . *. .38

Winter 38

" Long-billed 37

152 Index.

PAGE

Wagtail, or Water-Thrush . . . .46

Warbler, Bay-breasted . . . .41

Black and Yellow . . . .43

Blackburnian . . . ' 41

Black-poll 42

Black-throated Blue . . .41
Black-throated Green . . .40
Blue-winged Yellow . . -44
Blue Yellow-backed . . . 39

Cape May 40

Chestnut-sided . . . .42
Golden-winged . . . -44

Hooded 43

McGillivray's . . . -39
Maryland Yellow-throat . . 39

Mourning 39

Nashville 45

Pine-creeping . . . .42

" Tennessee 45

Worm-eating . . . -44
Yellow . . . . . .42

Yellow-rump . . . 41

Yellow Red-poll . . . .40

Widgeon, American 102

Willet . 89

Woodcock -85

Yellow Bird. ... .55

OPINIONS

OF THOSE QUALIFIED TO JUDGE OF THE
MERITS OF THE WORK.

REV. EGERTON RYERSON, D.D., LL. D.,
Chief Superintendent of Education, of Ontario,
says : — " I have seen nothing of the kind on the
birds of Canada equal to your excellent book,
either in regard to the number and description
of Canadian Birds, the beauty of the illustrations,
or the mechanical execution of the whole work.
I shall recommend it to be placed on the cata-
logue of Canadian, school, prize, and library
books."

REV. JOHN McCAUL, LL. D., President of
University College, Toronto, andProfessorof Clas-
sical Literature, Logic, and Rhetoric, says: — " It is
an excellent manual of Canadian Ornithology."

J. W. DAWSON, LL. D., F. R. S., F. G. S.,

Principal and Professor of Natural History,
University of McGill College, Montreal, says : —

"Your interesting book on " Birds" will emi-
nently advance the interests of popular Natural
History."

REV. N. BURWASH, M. A., Professor of
Natural Sciences and Chemistry, University of
Victoria College, Cobourg, says : — "I have already
recommended your elegant little volume of the
"Birds of Canada" to my class, as a convenient
manual for the study of our native birds ; and I
regard it as a most welcome and valuable sup-
plement to our larger text-books, in which only
Families, or at most Genera, are described."

H. ALLEYNE NICHOLSON, M.D., D. Sc., M.A.,
Ph.D., F.R.S., and F.G.S., Eng., Professor of
Natural History, University College, Toronto,
says : — " I am much pleased with your work on
the " Birds of Canada." It will be of great ser-
vice to all interested in the Ornithology of the
Dominion, and it fills a very decided want. I
am glad to learn that it has met with, such a
hearty welcome, and I hope soon to hear of the
appearance of the second edition."

N. B. DUPUIS, M. A., F. B. S., Professor of
Natural History, University of Queen's College,
Kingston, says : — "I am well pleased with your
work on Canadian Ornithology."

DANIEL WILSON, LL.D., Prof essor of History
and English Literature, University College, To-
ronto, says: — "It supplies such a book of refer-
ence as was much needed, in a neat and handy
form, and I am sure will be highly acceptable to
Canadian Ornithologists."

JOHN MACOUN, M.A., Professor of Botany
and Geology, Albert University, Belleville, says : —
" I have gone over it carefully, and am satisfied
it will be exceedingly useful. To Canadian
Ornithologists it will always be a welcome com-
panion. I have shewn it to many persons well
qualified to judge of its merits, and all were
pleased with its appearance, and spoke highly of
its contents."

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.

"Thisinterestingworkon Canadian Ornithology
is got up in elegant style mechanically, and reflects
great credit upon the industry and Ornithological
knowledge of the author, who is one of the most
laborious and successful of our Canadian Natural-
ists. This work, which must have cost Dr. Ross
much time and patient observation, will be wel-
comed by all who feel any interest in the Natural

History of Canada. How few Canadians in the
rural districts, where birds abound, know much
about their feathered neighbours ! A careful
perusal of Dr. Ross's little book would give them
a new interest in those beautiful and musical
tribes of the air,—

" ' Who wander through the realms of space,
Free guests of earth and air.' "

— CJiristian Guardian.

" In this little book we have a pleasantly written
account of the characters, habits, food, nests, eggs,
times of arrival and departure of the Canadian
birds. As a contribution to local Natural His-
tory this work must prove very useful, and it
will no- doubt tend to promote a fondness for
Ornithology in particular. * * * The work
deserves, and will doubtless receive, a cordial
reception from the Canadian public." — Globe.

" Those of our readers who wish to make
themselves acquainted with the Ornithology of
Canada, will find this book just what they require.
It is beautifully got up." — Evangelical Witness.

"Dr. A. M. Ross, the author of this little
work, has done good service by his recent con-
tribution to the literature of Canadian Natural
History. The book gives brief descriptions of

upwards of three hundred birds, natives of the
country, or regular or occasional visitors, with a
record of the times of arrival and departure of
those who are not permanent residents ; and
these, as every Canadian knows, comprise nearly
the whole number, for the feathered tribes are
very scarce with us in winter, and even the birds
we see at that season are mostly migrants. The
work is well printed on tinted paper, and contains
numerous woodcuts. Dr. Ross, we understand,
has other works in preparation on some in-
teresting branches of Canadian Entomology."
— Canada Farmer.

" The work is designed, as the author states in
his preface, to supply in some measure a want long
felt by those interested in the study of Canadian
Ornithology ; and it must be confessed that this
"want" has been well and ably supplied therein
by Dr. Ross. We do not marvel, however, at
the fund of information presented in " The Birds
of Canada," as Dr. Ross is a gentleman who has
made ornithology the study of many years. He
has in his collection (which has been made in this
Province) specimens of almost all the birds which
he describes ; and this it is which gives him such
rare advantage in treating accurately and elabo-
rately his cherished subject. The first edition of
the work is drained to the last copy — a fair cri-

terion of its p^ularity and usefulness : but a
second edition will be -issued, and this, too, we
hope, will meet with a like reception." — Irisli
Canadian.

" It speaks well for the general interest taken
in our feathered visitors, that a thousand copies
of this carefully written and well executed little
work have been sold since Christmas. A more
ambitious work would have doubtless found a
ready sale, and the author evinces every qualifi-
cation for the task. Meantime we cordially wel-
come his elementary treatise. Dr. Ross's book
is embellished with about fifty illustrations of
the birds of Canada, is well printed, elegantly
boun4, and is placed .at the moderate price of
one dollar. — Mail.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY
BERKELEY

Return to desk from which borrowed.
This book ^s DUE on the last date stamped below.

JUN 6 - 1951

MAY 2 3 1951
QCT 20 1960
Oc6'60GO

LD 21-95m-ll, '50 (2877sl 6)476

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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY