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FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL
HISTORY

ZOOLOGICAL SERIES
Volume IX

Chicago, U. S. A.
1909

Field Museum of Natural Hlstory. .
Publication 131.
Zoological Series. Vol. IX.

Since the completion of the present work the following changes
in nomenclature have been adopted by the Committee of the American
Ornithologists' Union :

Page 491. Genus GLAUX Morris again becomes CRYPTOGLAUX
Rich., which necessitates the following changes in names
of species :
No. 178. Cryptoglaux fiDicrca ricJiardsoiii (Bonap.).
No. 179. Cryptoglaux acadicus (Gmel.).
Page 527. Genus TROCHILUS Linn, becomes ARCHILOCHUS
Reichenbach, and No. 202 becomes Arcliilochus coliibris
(Linn.).
Page 585. Genus COTURNICULUS Bonap. becomes AMMODRA-
MUS Swainson.
No. 250 is changed to Ain})wdra))ius savaiuiaruDi australis
Maynard.
Page 586. In changing the name AMMODRAMUS to PASSERHER-
BULUS at the last moment before going to press, the
author failed to do so in Nos. 251 and 252, which should
read :
No. 251. Passcrhcrbidus hcnslozvi {/KuAubon).
No. 252. Passcrhcrbulus Iccontcii (Audubon).
Page 656, No. 319. Dcndroica blackbuniicc (Gmel.); this becomes
Dendnnca fuse a (Miiller).

Field Museum of Natural History. .
Publication 131.
Zoological Series. Vol. IX.

<rf, n (77.3)

THE BIRDS OF ILLINOIS

AND WISCONSIN xn^^a^^J

1

BY

. Charles B. Cory
Curator of Department of Zoology.

Chicago, U. S. A.
1909

t\. ^(ia^j/^^c^/^

PREFACE.

The present work includes, as far as known, all species and sub-
species of birds which occur in Illinois and Wisconsin, the total num-
ber being 398, with descriptions of their various plumages, nests
and eggs, and geographical distribution, together with more or less
brief biographical notes concerning them.

The keys to families and species are practically the same as those
which first appeared in the author's Birds of Eastern North America,
revised to meet their present needs. These should enable the stu-
dent to readily identify a bird, the species belonging to the different
families being arranged according to the length of the wing (measured
from carpus to tip). A key to the eggs of our more common species
is also included.

Careful comparison of large series of specimens has shown that
while adult birds of the same species diifer considerably in length,
the wing measure is very constant, the variation in a large ntimber
of specimens being so small that, allowing for possible extremes, we
may safely arrange our birds in groups, using the length of the
wing as a basis. The identification of any species then becomes a
comparatively simple matter, as usually the birds contained in each
group are so few in number that characteristic differences are easily
indicated.

Let us, for example, assume we have a bird before us which we
wish to identify; we should first learn to which family it belongs.
Turning to the Key to Families, we find this a simple matter (as the
families are few and the illustrated differences in the bills and feet
very characteristic), we discover our bird to be a duck. Having as-
certained the family to which the bird belongs, we turn to the Key to
Species. We have, of course, measured the wing and found it to
be 5.90 inches long, measured from the carpus (bend of wing) to
tip. (See illustration, "How to Measure a Bird," on page 20.)

We now turn to the Ducks, and discover they are divided into
subfamilies, the Bay and Sea Ducks having a flap or lobe on the hind
toe, and the fresh-water ducks, or River and Pond Ducks having no
large flap on the hind toe. Our bird has a flap on its hind toe, and is
evidently a salt-water duck, belonging to the subfamily FuligulincE.

5

6 Preface.

This subfamily, we find, contains two sections: Section i, having the
tail feathers not stiff and pointed, and Section 2, tail feathers stifT and
pointed. Our duck has stiff, pointed tail feathers, and therefore be-
longs in Section 2. Section 2 contains two species, one having
whole front of head and cheeks black, the other, with sides of head
more or less white. As our duck has a patch of white on the side of
the head, it must therefore be the Ruddy Duck, Erismatura jamai-
censis, No. 66, the number indicating its location in the main body
of the work, where the different species and subspecies are treated
in their proper order and more amplified descriptions of the various
plumages are given.

All measurements of birds are given in inches and fractions of an
inch. The diagrams on page 20 will illustrate how a bird should be
measured, and the chart (page 12) will be useful to the student
of ornithology who may not be familiar with the technical terms used
in describing birds. Such terms as primaries, axillars, carpus, etc.,
should be learned at once. It is customary to indicate the sexes by
the signs of Mars and Venus; the male, of course, being given that
of Mars, 6^, and the female, Venus, 9 .

In preparing the present work I have made free use of previous

put)lications by various authors, due credit being given in such cases,

and I wish to express my acknowledgments and thanks to Mr. Isaac

E. Hess, Mr. Ruthven Deane, Mr. Frank M. Woodruff, Mr. R. Magoon

Barnes, Mr. Girard A. Abbott, Mr. H. K. Coale, Mr. J. Grafton Parker,

Mr. B.. T. Gault, Mr. H. S. Swarth and Mr. John F. Ferry, for many

notes, and records, and to Mr. Wni. J. Gerhard, Assistant Curator

of Entomology, for valuable assistance in reading and correcting

the proofs.

C. B. C.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Title-page i

Preface 5

Contents 7

Glossary 11

Topography of a Bird 12

Introduction 13

What a bird is . 13

The wing 13

The tail 15

The leg and foot 16

The bill 17

How to Measure a Bird 20, 21

Index to Key to Families. Water Birds .... 22

Key to Families. Water Birds 23

Group i. Toes, four, with lobate webs, or webs on sides

of toes 23

Group 2. Toes, four; front toes, palmate (full webbed);

hind toe not connected with front ones by web 24
Group 3. Toes, four, full webbed; hind toe connected

with front ones by web 27

Group 4. Toes, four, not full webbed; small webs be-
tween toes at base, or toes entirely without web 28
Section i. Hind toe, raised above level of front toes 28
Section 2. Hind toe, on level with front toes . . 30
Group 5. Toes, three, full webbed; no hind toe ... 32
Group 6. Toes, three; a small web between toes, or

entirely without web S3

Key to the Species of Water Birds of Illinois and

Wisconsin 35

Family Colymbid^. Grebes 3", 275

Family Gaviid^. Loons 37, 2S2

Family Alcid^. Auks, Murres, etc 39, 279

Family Stercorariid-^. Skuas and J^gers 41, 286

Index to Key to Family Larid^ 42

7

8 Contents.

Family Larid^. Gulls and Terns 43, 288

Subfamily Larin^. Gulls 43, 289

Subfamily Sternin^. Terns 47, 297

Family Anhingid^. Darters, Snake Birds .... 50, 307

Family Phalacrocoracid^. Cormorants 51, 308

Family Pelecanid^. Pelicans 52, 311

Family Fregatid^. Man-of-war Birds 53, 314

Index to Key to Family Anatid^ 54

Family Anatid^. Ducks, Geese, and Swans ... 56, 316

Subfamily Merging. Mergansers, Sheldrakes . . 56, 316

Subfamily Anatin^. River and Pond Ducks . . 58, 319

Subfamily Fuligulin^. Bay and Sea Ducks . . 62, 331

Subfamily Anserine. Geese 71, 347

Subfamily Cygnin^. Swans 73, 354

Family Plataleid^. Spoonbills 75, 357

Family Ibidid^. Ibises 76, 358

Family Ciconiid^. Storks and Wood Ibises . . . 77, 360

Family Ardeid^. Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns . . 78, 362

Family Gruid^. Cranes 84, 375

Family Aramid^. Courlans, Limpkins 85, 379

Family Rallid^. Rails, Gallinules, and Coots . . 86, 380

Subfamily Rallin^. Rails 87, 381

Subfamily Gallinulin^. Gallinules 89, 386

Subfamily Fulicin^. Coots 89, 387

Family Phalaropodid^. Phalaropes 93, 389

Family Recurvirostrid^. Avocets and Stilts ... 95, 392

Index to Key to Family Scolopacid^ 91

Family Scolopacid^. Snipes, Sandpipers, Curlews, etc. 96, 395

Family Charadriid^. Plovers iii, 425

Family Aphrizid.-e. Turnstones 114, 430

Index to Key to Families. Land Birds .... 115

Key to Families of Land Birds 117

Group i. Birds having wings less than 1.75 inches long;
measured bend of wing (carpus) to tip of longest

feather 117

Group 2. Birds having wings 1.75 to 2.75 inches long . 117
Section i. First primary, less than half as long as

third 117

Part I. Tip of upper mandible with small but

distinct hook or notch 117

Part 2. Upper mandible without notch or hook

at tip .. 118

Contents. 9

Section 2. First primary more than half as long as

third 119

Part I. Tip of upper mandible with small but

distinct hook or notch 119

Part 2. Tip of upper mandible not notched or

hooked 120

Group 3. Birds having wings measuring from 2.75 to

3.25 inches long 121

Section i. First primary, less than half as long as

third 121

Part I. A small but distinct hook or notch at

tip of upper mandible 121

Part 2. Tip of upper mandible not notched or

hooked 121

Section 2. First primary, not short, always more

than half as long as third 122

Part I. Tip of upper mandible with small but

distinct hook or notch 122

Part 2. Tip of upper mandible not notched . 122

Group 4. Birds having wings 3.25 to 9.50 inches long . 124

Section i. Bill with strong hook claws armed with

talons 124

Section 2. Upper mandible with distinct hook or

notch at tip, but feet not armed with talons . . 125

Section 3. Upper mandible not notched or hooked

at tip 126

Part I. First primary less than half as long as

third 126

Part 2. First primary more than half as long as

third 128

Group 5. Birds having wings over 9.50 inches long . 133
Key to the Species of Land Birds of Illinois and Wis-
consin 136

Family Tetraonid^. Grouse, Quail, etc 136, 432

Subfamily Perdicin^. Quail and Partridges . . 136, 432

Subfamily Tetraonin^. Grouse and Ptarmigan . 136, 435

Family Phasianid^. Pheasants, Turkeys, etc. . . 139, 442

Subfamily Meleagrin^. Turkeys 139, 442

Family Columbid^. Pigeons and Doves .... 139, 444
Family Cathartid^. American Vultures .... 141, 448

Index to Key to Family Falconid^ 143

Family Falconid^. Hawks, Falcons, Eagles, etc. . 145, 451

io Contents.

Family Aluconid.^. Barn Owls 157,484

Family Strigid.^. Horned Owls, Hoot Owls . . . 155,486

Family Psittacid^. Parrots 160, 501

Family Cuculid^. Cuckoos 161, 504

Family Alcedinid^. Kingfishers 162, 506

Family Picid^. Woodpeckers 163, 508

Family Caprimulgid^. Night-hawks, Whip-poor-wills 168, 521

Family Micropodid/E. Swifts 169, 525

Family Trochilid^. Humming-birds i6g, 527

Family Tyrannid^. Flycatchers 170, 529

Family Alaudid^e. Larks 175, 540

Family Corvid.*;. Crows, Jays, etc 176, 542

Subfamily GarrulinvE. Jays and Magpies . . . 176, 543

Subfamily Corvine. Crows and Ravens . . . .178, 546

Family Icterid^. Blackbirds, Orioles, Meadowlarks . 179,550

Index to Key to Family Fringillid^ 190

Family Fringillid^e. Sparrows, Finches, Crossbills,

Buntings, etc 192, 565

Family Tangarid^. Tanagers 220, 614

Family HirundinidtE. Swallows 222, 618

Family Bombycillid^. Waxwings and Cedar Birds . 225, 624

Family Laniid^. Shrikes 226, 627

Family Vireonid^. Vireos . . 227, 631

Index to Key to Family Mniotiltid.^ 231

Family Mniotiltid^. Warblers 233, 638

Family Motacillid.-e. Pipits and Wagtails .... 261,678

Family Troglodytid^. Wrens 262, 684

Family Mimid^. Thrashers, Catbirds, Mockingbirds . 265, 680

Family Certhiid^. Creepers 266, 693

Family Sittid^. Nuthatches 267, 694

Family Parid^. Titmice and Chickadees .... 268, 697

Family Sylviid^. Kinglets and Gnatcatchers . . 269, 702

Family Turdid^. Thrushes, Blue-birds, etc. . . ■ . 271,705
The Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin Systematically

Arranged 275

Index to Key to Eggs 716

Key to the Eggs of the more Common Birds Known to

Breed in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin 719

Bibliography 740

Index 751

Map of Illinois and Wisconsin 767

GLOSSARY.

Nearly all the terms used in describing a bird may be more easily
and clearly understood by examining the illustrations of "bird topo-
graphy," on page 12, than from a written description; a few, however,
may require a word of explanation.

Culmen. — The ridge of the upper mandible.

Cere. — A hard skin-like covering on the base of the upper man-
dible (Parrots, Hawks, etc.).

Mandibles. — Some authors use the word maxilla for the upper half
of the bill, and mandible for the lower. I prefer, however, to describe
the two halves of the bill as upper and lower mandible.

Gonys. — Bend of under mandible, usually used to include the
outline of under mandible from angle to the tip.

Unguis. — The nail on the end of the upper mandible; very pro-
nounced in several families of water birds (Ducks, Pelicans, and
Petrels ) .

Axillars or Axillary Plumes. — Several elongated feathers at the
junction of the wing and body. (Lat. axilla, the arm-pit. )

Carpus or Carpal Joint. — Bend of the wing. The third segment
of the wing, corresponding to the wrist (see illustration ) .

Speculum. — A wing band or patch (usually of a different color
from the rest of the wing), formed by the terminal portion of the
secondaries; very noticeable in the Ducks.

Tarsus. — Extends from the root of the toes to the end of the
tibia (what appears to be the bend of the leg or knee; but which is,
in reality, the heel joint). See illustration.

Toes Syndactyle. — Outer and middle toes more or less joined to-
gether (Kingfisher, etc.).

Toes Zygodactyle. — Arranged in pairs, two in front, two behind
(Cuckoos, etc. ).

Tarsus Reticulate. — Covered with numerous small, uneven scales,
usually more or less rounded (Plovers, Geese, etc. ).

Tarsus Scutellate. — Comparatively large, somewhat square-cut
scales, one above the other, covering the front of the tarsus.

12 Glossary.

Booted Tarsus. — Scales fused together on greater portion of
tarsus so as to be indistinct or invisible except on lower part (Robins,

etc. )•

Superciliary Stripe. — Stripe over the eye.

Under Primary ^ CoverU

Culmen

/ \ Superciliary Sfripi

Upper Mandible ^orea X'rafn
\ ' Forehead '

ZiOVfer Mandible^.-''
Gapt
Bub-maxillary
lAne

JuguUi

Carpal Joint "'*
Leaser Wing Coverts
Middle Wing Coverts

Greater Coverts- —

Occipiij

.A'lriculars or Ear Coverts

. „ ^ IVing of Duck ihowtug speculum.

Black-breast Plover.

MddU Toe -

TOPOGRAPHY OF A PLOVER

INTRODUCTION.

A bird is a feathered vertebrate animal; or, to describe it more
fully, it is an air-breathing, warm-blooded, feathered, oviparous (egg-
laying), vertebrate animal, having a four-chambered heart, and a
complete double circulation. Birds occupy a place in nature inter-
mediate between the mammals and the reptiles, and many naturalists
consider a bird to be merely a modified reptile.

These feathered vertebrates are recognized by zoologists as be-
longing to a Class named Aves to distinguish them from other animals,
and the Class is separated into subclasses, which in turn are again
subdivided into orders, suborders, families, subfamilies, genera and
subgenera and finally into species and subspecies.

Birds belonging to the same family, but which show decided and
constant differences, are recognized as species, whereas if the differ-
ences in color or size are not very great and intermediate forms occur
showing an intergradation from one to the other, they are called races
or subspecies. Races or subspecies are really species in process of
development, and are caused by difl^erence in climate, food, etc.

It should be borne in mind, however, that the line of demarkation
between a species and a subspecies is a purely arbitrary one, and is
largely a matter of individual opinion. Subspecies are distinguished
by a third name; for example, Detidroica palmarum hypochrysea
is a race or subspecies of Dendroica palmarum.

Having learned something as to what a bird is, let us take up in
order the more important external parts, such as the wing, tail, bill,
and feet.

THE WING.

As an aid to identification, the wing characters are most impor-
tant. The terms primaries, secondaries, axillars, wing coverts, etc.,
are constantly used in describing birds, and the student should learn
to recognize them at a glance.

13

14 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Carpus

The Rem-
iges are the
flight feathers
of the wing,
and the Tec-
trices are the
small feathers
covering the
upper part of
the wing or
shoulder (see
illustration),
and are usually
called coverts.
The r emi ges
are divided
into primaries,
secondaries, and tertials, according to the location in the wing.

The Primaries are the feathers growing from the outer section
of the wing; that is to say, from the outer bend of the wing (carpus )
to tip, C to D, the number ranging from 9 to 10 (and rarely 11 ) in
various families. iVt first, it is not always easy to distinguish the
last primary from the first
secondary; but experience is A

the best teacher, and the point
can always be settled by exam-
ining the roots of the feathers.
The Secondaries are the
remiges attached to the ulna
or forearm, B to C (see illus-
tration ) ; they number from
6 to 40 in the various families,
the Humming-bird having the
smallest number, and the Al-
batross more than 40.

The Tertials are the few remaining remiges which grow from the
humerus, A to B.

The Tectrices, or Wing Coverts, are small feathers covering the
larger wing feathers; the feathers lining the edge of the under surface
of the wing are called under wing coverts. The outer wing coverts
are divided and described as greater wing coverts, middle wing coverts,
and lesser wing coverts, respectively. (See illustration.)

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

CTnder Primary ^ Coverts
Jfnder Wing CoverU

Carpnt — f _-

15

AxiUart or Axillary Plumes

Under Surface of Wing.

The Speculum. A term used to indicate a patch or band on the
wing (usually of different color from the rest of the feathers), formed
by the terminal portion of the secondaries, very noticeable in the
Ducks. (See illustration, page 12.)

The Axillary Plumes, or Axillars, are an important aid in the iden-
tification of many species; these are several rather elongated feathers
growing from the armpit {axilla), at the junction of the wing and
body.

THE TAIL.

The Rectices, or Tail Feathers, proper, number from 8 to 24, and
in some very few cases even more. By far the greater number of
birds, however, have 12 rectices. The small feathers overlapping
the rectices are called upper tail coverts, while those below are the
under tail coverts or crissum, although the latter term is often used
to include the region immediately about the vent.

TrunccUe or sqxuari taH

Pointed or cuneate tail

Forked tail

Oraduated tail

i6 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

THE LEG AND FOOT.

A bird's leg may be briefly described as having only the knee
downward exposed; the true thigh is concealed, but may be felt
under the skin on the side of the body. The true knee is close to the

Booted Tarsus ScuScUaa Tarsus

body just under the skin. The first exposed joint, which is apparently
the knee, is really the heel. (See illustration.) The bird does not
walk on the foot (from the heel downward), but merely walks on its
toes.

Types of Feet. — Water Birds.

Ja\.. 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

17

The Tarsus, which is measured from the bend of the leg (end of
tibia ) to the roots of the toes (C to D in illustration ) , is an important
factor in the identification of many species. The feet are very variable
in shape and arrangement of the toes. These variations are of the
greatest importance, representing generic and, often, family differences.

The Toes are usually three or four (the Ostrich has but two),
the greater number having three in front and one behind; sometimes
two in front and two behind (Zygodactyle); two in front and one
behind; or, in one family (not North America), all four turned for-
ward. Some families have the outer and middle toes joined or fused
together for part of their length (Syndactyle), as in the Kingfisher.
Some species have webbed feet, others have the toes armed with
curved talons, and so on; but the various differences with which we
wish to become familiar can better be illustrated than described.

Foot of Sparrow

Foot of three-toed Woodj^ecker TvpCS of Fcct. Land Birds.

THE BILL.

The Bill consists of an upper and a lower mandible, both of which
are movable. The shape is of great assistance in determining the
family to which the species belong. Four principal types are recog-
nized: —

I. Epignathous. Upper mandible longer than lower; the tip
bent or hooked over the end of lower mandible. (Examples: Hawks,
Gulls, Petrels, Parrots. )

i8 Field Museum of Natural History — Zo(')logy, Vol. IX.

2. Hypognathous. Lower mandible longer than upper man-
dible. (Example: Black Skimmers, Rhynchops.)

3. Paragnathous. Both mandibles of about equal length.

4. Metagnathous. Mandibles crossed. (Example: Crossbill,
Loxia. )

The shape and size of the bill vary greatly, as will be seen by the
following illustrations representing fifteen of the principal types
among our birds : —

Dentirosti-al Bill of ShrJce

Conimstral bill of Song Sparrm« Cutlrirustrat bill of Lfa.sl Bittern

LamelUroatral biU of Duck

BUI of Woodpecki

am of Heron

Cere. A membrane (usually hard), which covers the base of the
upper mandible. (Hawks, Parrots, Jaegers. )

Nasal Fossa, or Nasal Groove. Groove in which the nostrils open.

Gonys. Bend of lower mandible; usually used to include the
outline of the under mandible, from the angle to the tip.

Culmen. The ridge of the upper mandible.

Jan., 1Q09. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. ig

Unguis. The nail on the end of the upper mandible. Very pro-
nounced in some families of Water Birds. (Ducks, Pelicans, and
Petrels.)

Mandibles. — Some authors use the word maxilla for the upper
half of the bill, and mandible, for the lower. I prefer, however, to
describe the two halves of the bill as upper and lower mandible.

HOW TO MEASURE A BIRD.

Ungth

Wing

For description, see page 21.

HOW TO MEASURE A BIRD.

See illustration, page 20.

Wing. — Distance from carpal joint C (bend of wing) to the tip
of the longest primary D. See cut on page 20.

Length. — Distance in a straight line from the end of the bill to
the tip of the longest tail feather. (Occasionally the middle
feathers are much elongated, as in the Old Squaw and Pintail
Duck, and in other families of birds, such as PhcBthon and Stercora-
rius. In such cases it is well to give the length from bill to longest
tail feather, and also to end of outer tail feather. )

Tail. — Distance from the tip of the longest tail feather to its base
(the point where it enters the body ) .

Bill. — The distance in a straight line from where the bill (upper
mandible) joins the skin of the forehead (A) to the tip (B).
(There are a few exceptions to this rule, in some families, such as
birds with frontal plate, etc. Some curved bills are measured along
the curve of the culmen, and at times it is advisable to measure from
the nostril to the tip of the bill, but in such cases it should always be
so stated. )

Tarsus. — Distance in front of the leg from what appears to be the
knee joint (end of tibia) to the root of the middle toe.

All measurements are given in inches and fractions of an inch.

INDEX TO KEY TO FAMILIES.
WATER BIRDS.

Group I. Toes, four, with lobate web or web on sides of toes.
See page 23.

Group 2. Toes, four; front toes, palmate (full webbed ); hind toe,
not connected with front ones by web. See page 24.

Group 3. Toes, four; totipalmate (all toes full webbed
toe, connected with front ones by web. See page 27.

hind

Group 4. Toes, four, not full webbed; small web between toes
at base, or toes entirely without web; hind toe, sometimes very small.
See page 28.

Section i . Hind toe, raised above level of front toes. See page 28.
Section 2. Hind toe, on same level with front toes. See page 30.
Group 5. Toes, three, full webbed; no hind toe. See page 32.
Group 6. Toes, three, not full webbed; a small web between
toes at base, or toes entirely without web. See page 33.

WATER BIRDS-

KEY TO FAMILIES.

GROUP 1. Toes, four; with lobate webs, or webs on sides

of toes.

Bill, pointed; feet, placed far back, near tail; underparts, silvery
white: tail, very short. Family COLYMBID^. Grebes.

See page 35.

Forehead, with bare shield; bill, rather short; general color,
slaty gray; toes, with lobate webs.

Family RALLID^. Subfamily FULICINiE. Coots.

See page

23

24 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Hind toe, elevated above the level of the others; bill, slender;
nostrils, opening through slits; sides of toes, webbed.

Family PHALAROPODIDiE. Phalaropes.

See pages 91, 93.

GROUP 2. Toes, four; front toes, palmate (full webbed);
hind toe, not connected with front ones by web.

Bill, straight and point-
ed; tarsus, flattened; hind
toe, with flap or lobe; feet,
■■ ' f^^ placed far back near the
-'"""^ *, tail; tail, very short.

Family GAVIID^. Loons.
. -*^;,«..,,^,aj»»«--i=j. See page 37.

Nostrils, separate, not tubular; bill, with cere (a horny or skin-
like covering on base of upper mandible) ; hind toe, sometimes very
small; end of upper mandible (unguis), swollen and somewhat
rounded; back and wings, always dark, sometimes sooty, sometimes
barred with brown; tail, never white or gray, usually very dark;

■^s^

middle tail feathers, longest, but only very long in adult birds, some-
times only slightly longer than rest of tail feathers in immature birds.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

25

In brown plumages, the axillars (feathers extending from armpit)
are heavily barred, brown and white; in other plumages, the axillars
and under wing coverts are sooty brown or dark slaty brown.

Family STERCORARIIDiE. Skuas and Jaegers.

See page 41.

Nostrils, separate, not tubular; bill, without cere; hind toe, some-
times very small; upper mandible, curved; unguis (end of bill),
not swollen; middle tail feathers, about equal in length to the others;
tail, rarely dark, although sometimes tipped with black or brown;
axillars and under wing coverts, white or gray, sometimes with narrow
gray lines or faint wavy bars.

Family LARID^. Subfamily LARINiE. Gulls.

See page 42.

Nostrils, separate, not tubular; hind toe, sometimes very small;
upper mandible, nearly straight, not hooked or decidedly rounded near
tip; outer tail feathers, usually longer than middle feathers.

Family LARID.^. Subfamily STERNIN^. Terns.

See page 42.

Bill, long and narrow, having tooth-like serrations on edges;
toes, four, the front ones, full webbed; hind toe, with flap.

Family ANATID^. Subfamily MERGING. Mergansers.

See pages 54, 56.

Top of bill of Merganser.

Side of bill.

26 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

/ / Bill, not narrow; tarsus, scutellate in front

(transverse scales); toes, four, the front ones, full
webbed; hind toes, without decided flap or lobe.

Family ANATIDiE. Subfamily ANATINiE.
River and Pond Ducks.
See pages 54, 58.

Ducks.

Bill of Duck.

Bill, not narrow; tarsus, scutellate in front (trans-
verse scales ) ; toes, four, the front ones, full webbed;
■^ hind toe. with flap or lobe.

Family ANATIDiE. Subfamily FULIGULINiE.

Sea Ducks.
See pages 54, 62.

Lores, feathered; tarsus, reticulate (scales rounded ) ; wing, more
than thirteen incJics long; toes, four, the front ones full webbed.

Family ANATIDiE. Subfamily ANSERINiE. Geese and Brant.

See pages 55, 71.

Geese and .Swan.

Lores, partly bare; tarsus, recticulate (scales rounded); size,
large; neck, long; wing, over eighteen inches long; plumage, white
or gray. Family ANATID^. Subfamily CYGNIN^. Swans.

See pages 55, 73.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

27

GROUP 3. Toes, four, totipalmate (front toes, full
webbed); hind toe, connected with front ones by web.

Bill, sharp-pointed and slender; chin, bare; neck,
long and slender; toes, four, all connected by webs;
middle tail feathers, corrugated or fluted.

Family ANHINGIDiE. Darters, Snake Birds.

See page 50.

Bill, hooked at tip, over twelve inches
long and having a large pouch; lores, bare;
toes, four, all connected by webs.

Family PELECANID^. Pelicans.

See page 52.

Bill, hooked at tip, and less than twelve inches long; bare skin

at base of bill and chin; lores, bare; toes, four, all connected by webs.

Family PHALACROCORACID^. Cormorants.

See page 51.

Bill, hooked at tip; lores, feathered; upper
plumage, entirely black; toes, fpur, all con-
nected by w^ebs; tail, forked; wings, very long.

Family FREGATIDiE. Man-of-war Birds,
Frigate Birds. See page 52.

28 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

GROUP 4. Toes, four, not full webbed; small webs be-
tween toes at base, or toes entirely without webs;
hind toe, sometimes very small.

SECTION 1. Hind toe, raised above level of front toes.

Avocet.

Avocet.

Tarsus, over 3.50 inches long; bill, curved upward or straight.

Family RECURVIROSTRIDiE. Avocets.

See pages 91, Q5.

Tarsus less than 3.50 inches long, with transverse scales in front;
middle toe and claw together shorter than bill, except a few of the
small species, which have middle toe and claw equal to or longer than
bill ; but all such have the belly and under tail coverts pure white in
most plumages.

Family SCOLOPACID.^. Snipe, Curlews, Sandpipers, etc.

See pages 91, 96.

Turnstone (bill).

Turnstones.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

29

Hind toe, higher than front ones; lower back and rump, white,
with black band across rump. Family APHRIZIDiE. Turnstones.

See pages 92, 1 14.

Hind toe, higher than front ones; hind toe, very small, hardly
noticeable; bill, black, rather short and stout; all other species be-
longing to this family (in North America) have but three toes.

Family CHARADRIID^. Black-bellied Plover.

{SquatcroLa squaterola.)
See page 113.

t

r

Plover.

Black-beJlied Plover.

Hind toe, above level of front toes; bill, less than 3
inches long; toes, four, no comb-like edge on inner side
of middle toe nail; middle toe and claw together not
shorter than bill, usually decidedly longer; under
tail coverts, not white.

Family RALLID^E. Rails, etc.
See pages 86, 87.

King Rail.

*%;

Virginia Rail.

Rails.

Hind toe, above level of front toes; ■■'

bill, over 3 inches long; wing, over 16
inches; tarsus, over 7 inches; toes, four, _|
no comb-like edge on inner side of middle

toe nail; lores, with hair-like bristles. Family GRUIDiE. Cranes.

See page 84.

30 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Hind toe, above level of front toes; bill, over 3
inches long; tarsus, under 7; wing, under i6; toes,
four, no comb-like edge on inner side of middle toe
nail; under mandible, often slightly twisted near tip;
plumage, dark brown with white streaks.

Family ARAMID^. Courlans.
See page 85.

SECTION 2. Hind toe, on level with front toes.

Toes, long and slender; bill, short and pointed; a bare shield or
plate on forehead; wing, about 7 inches long, carpus (bend of wing)
to tip; under tail coverts, white.

Family RALLIDiE. Subfamily GALLINULINiE.
Purple Gallinule, or Florida GaUinule.
See page 89.

/f^-^

.T^ii^

asftaiia-'

Herons and Bitterns.

Jan., 1Q09. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

31

Bill, nearly straight and sharply pointed; inner side of middle toe
nail, with distinct comb-like edge; toes, four, all on same level. Bit-
terns, tail with ten feathers. Herons, tail with twelve feathers.

Family ARDEID^E. Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns.

See page 78.

Greater part of plumage, white; bill, very
large and stout, rounded and somewhat curved;
tarsus, always over five inches long; toes, four, all
on same level; no comb-like edge on inner side of
middle toe nail; Iwing, over 16 inches long.

Family CICONIID.^. Storks and Wood Ibises.

See page 77.

Bill, long, rather slender, and de-
cidedly curved downward; tarsus,
always less than five inches long; toes,
four, all on the same level; no comb-
like edge on side of middle toe nail.

Family IBIDID^. Ibises.

See page 76.

\2 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

1 -^w-j^^f ■;

Bill, flat, paddle shaped at the end; toes, four,
all on same level; wing (carpus to tip), over
twelve inches long.

Family PLATALEID^. Spoonbills.

See page 75.

GROUP T). Toes, three, full webbed; no hind toe.

Nostrils, separate, not opening into one double-barrelled tube
upper mandible, curved near tip; bill, yellowish, or greenish yellow
an indication of a hind toe, in the form of a small
knob without nail; tail, entirely white, or white
with black band near tip. This is the only North
American gull lacking a hind toe.

Family LARIDiE. Rissa tridactyla.
Kittiwake Gull.
See page 44.

Murres.

Murre.

Legs placed far back near the tail; bill, black or brownish; wing,
over 6.50 inches long, carpus (bend of wing) to tip.

Family ALCID.^. Auks and Murres.
See page 39.

Size, small; tail, very short; bill, black or
brownish; wing, less than 6.50 inches long.

Family ALCIDiE. Murrelet, Dovekies, etc.

See page 39.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — ^Cory.

33

GROUP 6. Toes, three; a small web between toes, or, en-
tirely without web.

Toes, three; bill, slender; wing, about 5 inches; bill, about one
inch; this is the only representative of this family with three toes,
all others have four; tarsus, less than 1.50 inches long.

Family SCOLOPACIDiE. Calidris leucopkcEa.

Sanderling Sandpiper.
See page 103.

Toes, three, partly webbed; tarsus, over 3 inches long; general
plumage, black and white; legs, pink red in life.

Family RECURVIROSTRIDiE. Stilts.
See pages 91, 95.

34 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Plovers.

Toes, three; front of tarsus with smah rounded scales; bill,
short; some species have bill less than three-quarters inch long; none
have bill over two inches long.

Family CHARADRIIDiE. Plovers.
See pages 92, iii.

WATER BIRDS.

KEY TO THE SPECIES.

Family COLYMBIDiE. The Grebes.

Special Characters: Bill, straight and pointed; toes, four, with
lobate webs; hind toe elevated above the rest; tail feathers appar-
ently wanting; legs placed far back.

Grebes.

Toes, four; three in front, one behind, with lobate webs.

Podilymbus

podiceps.

35

36 Field Museum of Natural History- — Zoology, Vol. IX.

*GROUP 1. Wing, less than 6.50 inches long.

Depth of bill at base of culmen, over .40. Upper parts, glossy
brownish black; sides of body and neck, tinged with brown, belly
white.

In summer: Bill, with black band; throat, black. In winter:
Bill, without black band; throat, white. Podilymbus podiceps.

Pied-billed Grebe. Hell Diver.
See No. 5.

Depth of bill at base of culmen, less than .40; upper mandible,
nearly straight and decidedly flattened at nostril; under mandible,
straight for about three-fourths of its length and then sharply
ascending. Colymhus nigricollis californicns.

American Eared Grebe.
I See No. 4.

Depth of bill at base of culmen, less than .40; top of upper
mandible (culmen), curved and not flattened at nostrils; under

mandible, not as sharply ascending near
the tip. While the summer plumages of
californicus and auritus are very different,
the winter plumages are similar.

In summer: Two small tufts of grayish-
brown or buff-colored feathers, behind the
eye; crown, nape, and throat, black.

In winter: Plain colored, without black or
buff on head; upper plumage, grayish
black; under parts, silvery white, often tinged with ash gray on
throat and sides; no developed plumes behind the eye.

Colymbus auritus.
Horned Grebe.
See No. 3.

* GROUP 2. Wing, over 6.50 inches long.

Nostril to tip of bill, less than 2 inches ; tarsus with middle toe and
claw together, less than 5.50.

In summer: Crown, black; upper throat, gray; lower throat and
breast, chestnut rufous; rest of underparts, silvery grayish white.

*For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.
In winter: No rufous brown on throat or breast.

37

Colymbus holbcellii.
Holboell's Grebe.

See No. 2.

Nostril to tip of bill, over 2 inches ; tarsus and middle toe with claw
together, over 5.50 inches.

In winter'. Ends of primaries brown, shading into white at base;
upper plumage, dark; vmder parts, silvery white.

.■EchmophorMS occidentalis.
Western Grebe.
See No. i.

Family GAVIIDtE. Loons.

Special Characters: Bill, straight and pointed; tail, short; toes,
four ; front toes, palmate (full webbed ) ; tarsus, flattened ; hind toe,
with flap or small lobe; legs placed far back near the tail.

Summer

Loons.

Winter.

38 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

*GROUP 1. Wing, 9.50 to II inches long.

Back, with white spots; throat, white or whitish (immature or
winter ) . Gavia stellata.

Red-throated Loon.

See No. 9.

Back, without distinct white spots; the feathers, edged with ashy;
throat, white or dusky (immature or winter). Gavia arctica.

Black-throated Loon.
See No. 8.

Head, ashy gray; throat, black (adult). Gavia arctica.

Black-throated Loon.

See No. 8.

Throat, gray; front of neck, chestnut brown (adult).

Gavia stellata.
Red-throated Loon.

See No. 9.

*GROUP 2. Wing, 11 to 15 inches long.

SECTION 1. Depth of bill at base, more than .85.

Head, black (adult). Gavia immer.

Loon-
See No. 7.

Top of head, grayish; throat, white (immature or winter plum-
age). Gavia immer.

Loon.
See No. 7.

SECTION 2. Depth of bill at base, less than .85.

Head, ash gray; throat, black (adult). Gavia arctica.

Black-throated Loon.
See No. 8.

Throat, gray; front of neck, chestnut brown (adult ) .

Gavia stellata.

Red-throated Loon.

See No. 9.

♦For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., igoq. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsi'n — Cory. 39

Back, with white spots; throat, white or whitish (immature or
winter). Gavia stellata.

Red-throated Loon.
See No. 9.

Back, without distinct white spots; the feathers, edged with ashy;
throat, white or dusky (immature or winter). Gavia arctica.

Black-throated Loon.

See No. 8.

'''GROUP 0. Wing, over 15 inches long.

Feet, webbed; head, black, in adult; head, gray; throat, whitish,
in immature. Gavia immer.

Loon.
See No. 7.

Family ALCID^^. Auks, Murres, etc., etc.

Y Toes, three ; no hind toe (hallux ) ; toes, palmate (full

webbed ) ; nostrils, separate, and not tubular.

*GROUP 1. Wing, less than 6 inches long.

Summer plumage: Sides of neck and stripe on side of occiput and
through the eye, white; rest of head, black; back, plumbeous, with
lateral streaks of white; under parts, white.

Winter plum-age: Head, dusky; back, plumbeous; throat and
under parts, white. Length, about 10 inches; wing, 5.40; bill, .65.

Synthliborampli its antiquus.
Ancient Murrelet.
See No. 6.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

40 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Murres.

Winter plumage: Upper parts, black, or blackish;
under parts, white; length, about 8 inches; wing, about
4.50; bill, .50. AUe alle.

Dovekie, or Little Auk.
See No. 61.

*GROUP 2. Wing, over 6.50 inches long.

Summer plumage: Length, about 16; wing, about 8; head, back,
wings, and tail, dark sooty brown; under parts and tips of secondaries,
white. Winter plumage: Under parts, white, more or less marked
with sooty brown or blackish about the throat, belly, and flanks;
bill, usually over 1.60. Maritime species — not recorded from Illinois
or Wisconsin. Uria troile.

Murre.

Similar to Uria troile, but has the head darker than the throat;
size slightly larger; length, about 16.50; wing, about 8.20; bill,
usually under 1.60. No record for Illinois or Wisconsin, but has
been taken in Indiana, Michigan, etc. Uria lomvia.

Briinnich's Murre.

*For directions for measurement, see page 21.

See page 281.

ORDER LONGIPENNES.

LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS. J^GERS, GULLS, TERNS, ETC.

Family STERCORARIID^. The Skuas

and Jaegers.

Special Characters: Nostrils, separate and not tubular; bill,
with cere; front toes, palmate (full webbed); hind toe, small, but
always present and without web ; end of upper mandible (unguis ) ,
swollen and somewhat rounded; plumage, always dark, sometimes
sooty, softietimes barred with brown; tail, never white or gray;
middle tail feathers, longest. The cere, a hard skin-like covering on
base of upper mandible, well distinguishes them from the Gulls.

*GROUP 1. Wing, ii to 15 inches long.

Under parts, not entirely pure white; bill, over 1.35; tarsus, over
1.80; middle tail feathers, not pointed; plumage, sometimes dark
brown; sometimes mixed gray, brown, and white.

Stercorariiis pomarinus.
Pomarine Jaeger.
See No. 10.

Bill, under 1.35; tarsus, under 1.80; middle tail feathers, pointed;
base of unguis to frontal feathers, less than length of unguis ; shafts of
primaries, yellowish white. Stercorariiis longicaiidus.

Long-tailed Jaeger.

See No. n.

Bill, under 1.35; tarsus, under 1.80; middle tail feathers, pointed;
base of unguis to frontal feathers, greater than length of unguis;

shafts of primaries, yellowish white. Stercorarius parasiticus.

Parasitic Jaeger.

See page 288.

* For directions for measurement see page 2 1 .
41

INDEX TO KEY.

Family LARID^. Gulls and Terns.

Subfamily LARINi^.

Tail, usually nearly square.

Gulls.

Group 1. Wing, q.50 to ii inches long
Group 2. Wing, 11 to 13 inches long .
Group 3. Wing, 13 to 15 inches long .
Group 4. Wing, 15 to 17 inches long .
Section 1. Length, over 21; bill, over

See page 43.
44-

" " 44-

" " 45-
2; under parts, white See page 45

Section 2. Length, over 21 ; bill, over 2; under parts, not white
Section 3. Length, over 2 1 ; bill, under 2 ; under parts, white .
Section 4. Length, over 2 1 ; bill, under 2 ; under parts, not white.
Section 5. Length, under 21 .
Group 5. Wing, over 1 7 inches long ......

Subfamily STERNINiE.

Tail, usually forked.

Terns.

Group 1.

Group 2.

Group 3.

Group 4.

Group 5.

Group 6. Wing, 13 to 17 inches long
Group 7. Wing, over 17 inches long

Wmg, 5.50 to 7.50 inches long
Wing, 7.50 to 8.50 inches long
Wing, 8.50 to 9.50 inches long
Wing, 9.50 to 1 1 inches long .
Wing, II to 13 inches long .

See

47-
48.
48.
48,
48.
49-
49-

42

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

43

Family LARID^. Gulls and Terns.

Subfamily LARIN.^. Gulls.

Upper mandible, curved; unguis (end of bill), not swollen; nos-
trils, near middle of upper mandible ; middle tail feathers, about equal
in length to the others ; tail, rarely dark, although
sometimes tipped with black or brown; hind toe,
small, but always present except in one genus; bill,
without cere.

Glaucous Gull.
Herring Gull.

Great Black-backed Gull.
Bonaparte's Gull.

*GROUP 1. Wing, 9.50 to 11 inches long.

Under parts, white; inner web of first primary, white, with black
spot near the end; the tip, white; shaft of feather, white; adult birds
have the bill dark red; in immature birds it is brownish.

Larus franklinii.
Franklin's Gull.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

See No. 19.

44 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Under parts, white; inner web of tirst primary, white; the tip,
black; bill, black; shaft of feather, white. Lams pJiiladclphia.

Bonaparte's Gull.
See No. 20.

Under parts, white; inner web of first primary, about half white;
shaft of feather, dark brown on upper surface. In the adult the bill is
black, tipped with yellow. Xema sahinii.

Sabine's Gull.

See No. 2 [.

*GROUP 2. Wing, 11 to 13 inches long.

Shafts of primaries, black or dark brown; under parts, not pure
white (immature ) . Larus atricilla.

Laughing Gull.
See No. 18.

Under parts, pure white; inner web of first primary, white, with
black spot near the end, the tip, white; shaft of feathers, white.
Adult birds have bill dark red; in immature birds it is brownish.

Lams fraiikliini.
Franklin's Gull.
See No. 19.

Under parts, white; first primary, entirely black or dark brown
(adult). Lams atricilla.

Laughing Gull.

See No. 18.

Back, pearl gray; inner web of primary, white, broadly tipped
with black; a small rudimentary hind toe, without nail.

Rissa tridactyla.
Kittiwake Gull.
See No. 12.

*GROUP 0. Wing, 13 to 15 inches long.

Under parts, white; first primary entirely black, or dark brown.

Lams atricilla.
Laughing Gull.
See No. 18.

*For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Corv. 45

Under parts, white; inner web of primary, white, broadly tipped
with black; a small rudimentary hind toe, without nail.

Rissa tridactyla.
Kittiwake Gull.
See No. 12.

Under parts, white; terminal portion of first primary, black, with
white spot near tip. Larus delawarensis.

Ring-billed Gull.

See No. 17.

Primaries, pale pearl gray, becoming white at tip; bill, over 1.50;
wing, over 14. Lams leucopterus.

Iceland Gull.

See No. 14.

*GROUP 4. Wing, 15 to 17 inches long.

SECTION I. Length, over 21; bill, over 2; under parts, white.

No black on primaries (adult). Larus hyperbo reus.

Glaucous Gull.
See No. 13.

Back, slaty black; primaries, black with more or less white,
(adult). Larus marinus

Great Black-backed Gull.

See No. 15.

Back, pale bluish, gray, or pearl gray; primaries, dull black or
brownish black, more or less marked with white.

Larus argentatus.
American Herring Gull.

See No. 16.

SECTION 2. Length, over 21-, bill, over 2; under parts, not white.

Outer webs of primaries, ash color (immature).

Larus hyperboreus.
Glaucous Gull.
See No. 13.

*For directions for measurement, see page 21.

46 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Outer webs of primaries, dark brown; wing, over 17.50; depth
of bill at angle, over .90 (immature). Lams marinus.

Great Black-backed Gull.

See No. 15.

Outer webs of primaries, dark brown; depth of bill at angle, under
.90; wing, under 17.50 (immature). Larus argentatus.

American Herring Gull.
See No. 16.

SECTION 3. Length, over 21; bill, under i; under parts, white.

Back, grayish blue, more or less black on primaries.

Larus argeyitatus.
American Herring Gull.
See No. 16.

Back, pale pearl color; primaries, whitish or pearl color, shading
to white at the tips. Larus leucopterus.

Iceland Gull.
See No. 14.

SECTION 4. Length, over 21; bill, under 2; under parts, not white.

Outer webs of primaries, dark brown; bill, over 1.90 (immature).

Larus argentatus.
American Herring Gull.

See No. 16.

Outer webs of primaries, ash color (immature).

Larus leucopterus-
Iceland Gull.
See No. 14.

SECTION 5. Length, under 21.

A band of black on the bill (adult); bill, dull yellow, tipped
with black (immature ) . Larus delawarensis .

Ring-billed Gull.

See No. 17.

Jan., 1909. Birds op Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

47

*GROUP 5. Wing, over 17 inches long.

Primaries, marked with more or less black. Larus marinus.

Great Black-backed Gull.

See No. 15.

No black on primaries. Lams hyperhoreus.

Glaucous Gull.

See No. 13.

Subfamily STERNINi^. Terns.

Upper mandible, nearly straight, not hooked or decidedly rounded
near tip; nostrils, in basal half of bill; outer tail feathers, usually
longer than middle feathers; toes, four; front toes, webbed; hind
toe, small, but well developed.

Common Tern.

*GROUP 1. Wing, 5.50 to 7.50 inches long.

Forehead, white; bill, black; under parts,
white; back, pearl gray; crown, black (adult
in summer); back and crown, mottled (im-
mature). Sterna antillarum.

Least Tern.

See No. 28.

*Por directions for measurement, see page 21.

48 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

*GROUP 2. Wing, 7.50 to 8.50 inches long.

Head and under parts, black (adult). A patch of black behind
the eye; back of head, dusky; rest of head, white (iinmature ) .

Hydrochelidon nigra surinaniensis .
Black Tern.
See No. 29.

*GROUP 3. Wing, 8.50 to 9.50 inches long.

Inner web of outer tail feather, gray; entire under parts, white.

Sterna forsteri.
Forster's Tern.
See No. 25.

*GROUP 4. Wing, 9.50 to 11 inches long.

Outer web of outer tail feather, darker than inner web; back,
pearl gray; breast, washed with pearl gray; bill in adults, red, tipped
with black; tarsus, usually over .70. Sterna hirundo.

Common Tern. Wilson's Tern.

See No. 26.

Inner web of outer tail feather, darker than outer web ; back, pearl
gray; bill in adults, black, slightly yellowish at tip; entire under
parts, white. Sterna forsteri.

Forster's Tern.

See No. 25.

Outer web of outer tail feather, darker than inner web ; back, pearl
gray; breast and under parts, pearl gray; bill, in adults, entirely red;
tarsus, usually less than .70. Sterna paradiscea.

Arctic Tern.
See No. 27.

* GROUP 5. Wing, II to 13 inches long.

Bill, black, not tipped with yellow; feet, blackish; back, pearl
gray; bill, comparatively short and stout. Gelochelidon nilotica.

Gull-billed Tern.

See No. 22.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 49

Bill, red, tipped with black; feet, orange red; back, pearl gray or
gray and buff. Sterna hirundo.

Common Tern. Wilson's Tern.
See No. 26.

'•'GROUP 6. Wing, 13 to 17 inches long.

Bill, orange or yellowish; tarsus, less than 1.50; inner web of
outer primary, usually with more or less white. Sterna maxima.

Royal Tern.

See No. 24.

Bill, red or reddish; tarsus, over 1.50; inner web of outer primary,
usually without white. Sterna caspia.

Caspian Tern.
See No. 23.

* GROUP 7. Wing, over 17 inches long.

Bill, red or reddish. Sterna caspia.

Caspian Tern.

See No. 23.

*For directions for measurement, see page 21.

ORDER STEGANOPODES.

TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS. ANHINGAS, CORMORANTS,
PELICANS, ETC.

Family ANHINGID^. Darters, Snake Birds.

Bill, sharp-pointed and slender ; chin, bare ; neck, long and slender ;
toes, four, all connected by webs; middle tail feathers, corrugated or
fluted.

*GROUP I. Wing, 12.50 to i 5. 50 inches long.

Neck, long, snake-like; head and neck, black in male, brown in
female; outer webs of two middle tail feathers, "fluted."

Anhinga anhinga.
Anhinga. Water Turkey.
vSee No. 31.

*For directions for measurement, see page 21.

50

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin —Cory.

51

Family PHALACROCORACI Dv^.

7

Cormorants.

Bill, hooked at tip, and less than twelve inches

"^'^ long ; bare skin at base of bill and chin ; lores, bare ;

toes, four, all connected by webs ; tail feathers, stiff.

Double-crested Cormorant,

Mexican Cormorant.

* GROUP 1. Wing, II to [5 inches long.

Plumage, variable at different seasons; but wing, always over 11

inches long. Phalacrocorax anritus, and races.

Double-crested Cormorant and Florida Cormorant.

See Nos. 32 and 32a.

* GROUP 2. Wing, less than 10.50 inches long.

Adult: With white line bordering the bare skin on throat; imma-
ture: showing throat pale, but white line not clearly defined.

Phalacrocorax vigua niexicanus .

Mexican Cormorant.

See No.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

52 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Family PELECANID^E. Pelicans.

Bill, hooked at tip, over twelve inches long and having a large pouch
attached to the under mandible; lores, bare; toes, four, all connected
by webs.

American White Pelican.

* GROUP 1. Wing, over 17 inches long

General plumage, white.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos .
American White Pelican.

See No. 34.

General plumage, not white (coloration very variable according
to age and season, but never white). Pelecanus occidentalis.

Brown Pelican.
See No. 35.

Family FREGATID.^. Man-of-war Birds.

Frigate Birds.

Bill, hooked at tip ; lores, feathered ; upper plumage, entirely
black ; toes, four, all connected by webs ; tail, forked ; wings, very long.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

53

* GROUP 1. Wing, over 21 inches long.

Size, large; length, 3 feet or more; wing, over 20 inches; entire
plumage, black or brownish black (adult, male); general plumage,
black; belly, white (female); head and neck, whitish; belly, white;
rest of plumage, black (immature). Fregata aquila.

Man-of-war Bird.
See No. 36.

Man-of-war Bird.

*For directions for measurement, see page 21.

INDEX TO KEY.

Family ANATID^. Ducks, Geese, and

Swans.
Subfamily MERGINiE. Mergansers.

Fish-eating Ducks having narrow bills with tooth-like serrations on edges ;
tarsus, scutellate (transverse scales) in front.

Group 1. Wing, 6.50 to 8.50 inches long .... See page 56.
Group 2. Wing, 8.50 to 12 inches long . . . . . " " 57.

Subfamily ANATINi^. River and Pond Ducks.

Ducks having hind toe without well developed membraneous lobe or flap ;
tarsus, scutellate (transverse scales) in front.

Group 1. Wing, 5 to 7.50 inches long ..... See page 58.

Group 2. Wing, 8 to 10 inchfes long . . . . . " " 59.

Section 1. Belly, white . . . . . . . " " 59.

Section 2. Belly, not white . . . . . . " " 59-

Group 3. Wing, 10 to 14 inches long . . . . . " " 60.

Section 1. Belly, white, or tinged with dusky or gray on

lower part .... ...."" 60.

Section 2. Belly, not white . . . ■ . . . " " 61.

Subfamily FULIGULINiE. Bay and Sea Ducks.

Ducks having a flap or membraneous lobe on hind toe; tarsus, scutellate
(transverse scales) in front.

Group 1. Wing, 5 to 6.50 inches long ..... See page 62

Section 1. Tail feathers, not stiff and pointed . . . " " 62

Section 2. Tail feathers, stiff and pointed . . . " " 62

Group 2. Wing, 6. 50 to 7 . 50 inches long . . . . " " 63

Section 1. Belly, white . . . . . . " " 63

Section 2. Belly, not white . . . . . . " " 64

Group 3. Wing, 7.50 to 8.50 inches long . . . . " " 64

Section 1. Head, with more or less white or brownish white; belly, white,

sometimes tinged with dusky or gray on lower part . See page 64
Section 2. No white or grayish white on head ; belly, white, sometimes

tinged with grayish white on head .... See page 65

Section 3. Belly, not white . . . . . . " " 65

54

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — ^Cory. 55

Group 4. Wing, 8.50 to 10 inches long. See page 66.

Section 1. Hind toe, with flap or lobe; belly, white, sometimes tinged

on lower part with dusky or gray; head, marked with more or less white,

or brownish white. See page 66.
vSection 2. Belly, white, sometimes tinged on lower part with gray or

dusky; no white or grayish white on head. See page 66.
Section 3. Belly, not white; head, marked with more or less white, or

grayish white. See page 67.
Section 4. Belly, not white; no white on head. See page 68.
Group 5. Wing, 10 to 14 inches long. See page 68.

Section 1. Head, with more or less white, or grayish white; belly, black.

See page 68.
Section 2. No white on head; belly, black. See page 69.
Section 3. Head, with more or less white, or grayish white ; belly, mottled

brown, or grayish brown, or slaty. See page 69.
Section 4. No white on head; belly, mottled brown, or grayish brown.

See page 70.

Subfamily ANSERINiE. Geese.

Lores, feathered; tarsus, reticulate (scales rounded).

Group 1. Wing, 12 to 14 inches long. See page 71.
Group 2. Wing, 14 to 20 inches long. See page 71.

Section 1. Head and neck, black or blackish, marked with more or less

white; bill and feet, black. See page 71.
vSection 2. Head, white, sometimes tinged with brownish orange; bill
and feet, pink or flesh color in life, yellowish or pale brownish in dried
skin. See page 72.
Section 3. Head, brownish or grayish, sometimes marked with white;
bill, pinkish; feet, yellow or pink. See page 72.

Subfamily CYGNINi^. Swans.

Bare skin between the bill and eye; tarsus, reticulate (scales rounded);
neck, very long; wing, over 19 inches long. See page 73.

ORDER ANSERES.

LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS.

Family AN ATI D^^. Ducks, Geese, and

Swans.

Subfamily MERGINi^. Mergansers.

Fish-eating Ducks having narrow bills with tooth-like serrations on
edges, and the tarsus, scutellate in front.

* GROUP 1. ^ying, from 6.50 to 8.50 inches long; bill,
narrow, with tooth-like serrations.

Lophodytes cucullatus (male). Lophodytes cucullatus.

Head, brownish or grayish ; breast and belly, white ; sides, rufous
brown, narrowly barred with black; tarsus, less than 1.50; crest, small
(female and immature ) . Lophodytes ciicullatus.

Hooded Merganser.
See No. 39.

Head, with black and white crest; lower breast and belly, white;
sides, grayish brown; tarsus, less than 1.50 (male).

Lophodytes cucullatus.
Hooded Merganser.

See No. 39.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.
56

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

57

* GROUP 2. Wing, from 8.50 to 12 inches long; bill, narrow,
with tooth-like serrations.

Male

American Mergancer.

Female.

Top of bill.
Mergus americanus.

Distance from nostril to tip of bill, less
than 1.50; head and neck, greenish black ;
under parts, creamy white, tinged with sal-
mon color; feet, red (male).

Mergus mnericanus .
American Merganser. Sheldrake.
See No. 37.

Distance from nostril to tip of bill, less
than 1.50 ; head, rufous brown ; upper throat,
white; feet, orange red (female).

Mergus americanus.
American Merganser. Sheldrake.
See No. 37.

Distance from nostril to tip of bill, more
than 1.50; head, black, tinged with green;

breast, rufous, streaked with black (male).

Mergus serrator.
Red-breasted Merganser.

See No. 38.

■ * For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Mergus serrator.

58 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Distance from nostril to tip of bill, more than 1.50 ; head, brownish,

palest on the throat; speculum, white (female). Mergus serrator.

Red-breasted Merganser.
See No. 38.

Subfamily ANATINiE. River and Pond Ducks.

Ducks having hind toe without mem-
braneous lobe or flap; tarsus, scutellate in
front.

Querquedula discors.

* GROUP 1. Wing, 5 to 7.50 inches long; hind toe, without

flap or lobe.

Large patch pale blue

on wing (coverts ) ; white
crescent on face (male ) ; no
white crescent, face speck-
led ; chin whitish (female ) .

Common in Eastern United States.

Querquedula discors.
Blue-winged Teal.
See No. 46.

Large patch of pale blue on wing (coverts); head and breast,
rufous brown; crown, blackish (male); sides of head, speckled (dull
white, dotted with black) ; chin and throat, dusky, tinted with rufous
(female). Western species, rare east of the Mississippi River.

Querquedula cyanoptera.
Cinnamon Teal.
See No. 47.

No blue patch on wing; head, rufous brown, with large patch of
green through eye to nape; speculum, black and green (male ) ; head,
speckled. No blue patch on wing (female). Nettiou carolinensis.

Green-winged Teal.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

See No. 45.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

59

* GROUP 2. Wing, from 8 to 10 inches long.
SECTION 1. Belly, white; no flap or lobe on hind toe.

Aix sponsa.

Head, green, purple, black, and white; chin and upper throat,
white; feet, yellow in life (male). Aix sponsa.

Wood Duck. Summer Duck.

See No. 50.

Head, grayish brown, with white stripe through the eye; chin and
upper throat, white; toes, dull yellow in life (female). Aix sponsa.

Wood Duck. Summer Duck.

See No. 50.

Head, brown; chin, not wdiite; a white stripe on sides of the neck;
tail, pointed (male). Dafila acuta.

Pintail Duck.

See No. 49.

SECTION 2. Belly, not white; hind toe, without membraneous lobe

or flap.

Bill, more than one inch wide near
tip; head, green or greenish ; speculum,
metallic green; axillars, white; feet,
orange red in life (male).

Spatula clypeata.
Shoveller Duck. Broad-bill.
See No. 48.

Bill, more than one inch wide near
tip ; head, narrowly streaked and speckled
with brown and dull white; speculum,
metallic green ; feet, orange red in life; ax-
illars, white (female). Spatula clypeata.
Shoveller Duck. Broad-bill.

T^W^

Spatula clypeata.

See No. 48.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

6o Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Bill, less than one inch wide near tip; head, lined and speckled
with brown and brownish white; speculum, not ■metallic green; axillars,
white, barred with brown; rump and tail coverts, brown, narrowly-
edged and banded with white; feet,
»^^^fc dusky (female). Dafila acuta.

Pintail Duck.

Axillar. Dafila acuta. ScC No. 49.

Belly, white, with more or less brown spots; axillars, white; bill,
less than .90 wide at widest part (female).

Chaulelasmus streperus.
Gadwall.
See No. 42.

Belly, more or less spotted; throat, white; rump, olive brown;
secondaries, metallic green, tipped with white; axillars and under
wing coverts, heavily barred; toes, yellowish in life (female).

Aix spans a.
Wood Duck. Summer Duck.
See No. 50.

* GROUP 0. Wing, from to to 14 inches long.

SECTION 1. Hind toe, without membraneous lobe or flap; belly,
white, sometimes faintly tinged with dusky or gray on lower part.

Axillars, white; the shafts, white; ex-
posed speculum, black and white; head,
tawny brown; cheeks and throat, tawny,
speckled with brown (male).

Chaulelasmus streperus.
Gadwall. Creek Duck.
See No. 42.

Axillars, white; the shafts, white; head,
speckled; exposed speculum, black and white
(female).

Chaulelasmus streperus.

Gadwall. Creek Duck.

See No. 42.

■For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 61

Axillars, white, with shafts dark near the tips; speculum, green
and black; white patch on shoulder; top of head, white, more or less
green behind the eye (male).

Mareca americana.
American Widgeon. Baldpate.
See No. 44.

Axillars, white, with shafts dark near the tips; no white shoulder
patch; head, speckled (female).

Mareca americana.
American Widgeon. Baldpate.

See No. 44.

Axillars, thickly speckled and faintly barred with gray; head,
speckled (female ) ; head and upper neck, brown ; top of head, white
or whitish.

Mareca penelope.
European Widgeon.
See No. 43.

Axillars, grayish white ; head, brown, not speckled ; stripe of white
on sides of neck; tail, pointed; middle feathers, long (male).

Dafila acuta.
Pintail Duck,

See No. 49.

SECTION 2. Hind toe, without membraneous lobe or flap; belly,

not white.

Speculum, bluish purple, edged with white ;
head, green; a white ring around neck;
breast, chestnut; belly, grayish white; feet,
orange red; axillars, white (male).

Anas platyrhynichos.
Mallard Duck.

See No. 40. Anas platyrhynchos.

Belly, white, showing more or less brown spots; axillars, white;
bill, less than .90 wide at widest part; speculum, black and white
(female). Chaulelasmus streperus.

Gadwall.

See No. 42.

62 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Speculum, bluish purple, edged
with white and black; greater
wing coverts, with broad band of
white; head, tawny brown,
streaked with dark brown; belly,
pale buff, mottled with brown;
feet, orange red; axillars, white
(female). Anas platyrhynchos.

Mallard Duck.
See No. 40.

Mallard Duck.

Male.

Speculum, purplish blue; no white band on greater wing coverts;
head and throat, streaked; throat, not buff; no black spot at base of
bill; feet, olive (sometimes red); axillars, white; Eastern North
America. Anas riibripes.

Black Duck. Dusky Duck.
See No. 41.

Subfamily FULIGULIN^. Bay and Sea Ducks.

Ducks having flap or membraneous lobe
on hind toe; tarsus, scutellate (transverse
scales) in front.

* GROUP 1. Wing, from 5 to 6.50 inches long.

SECTION 1. Tail feathers, not stiff and pointed.

Head, greenish purple, with white patch (male); head, grayish
brown, with white patch (female or immature); no dark stripes on
cheek; bill, less than three-fourths inch wide. Charitonetta albeola.

Buffle-head Duck. Dipper Duck.

See No. 58.

SECTION 2. Tail feathers, stiff and pointed.

No greenish or purple on head; throat, whitish; cheeks, white
or whitish; bill, broad, three-quarters inch or more wide.

Erismatura jamaicensis.
Ruddy Duck.

See No. 66.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 63

Front of head, including cheeks, black (adult); head with black
stripes on side (female or immature). Tropical species, accidental
in the United States. Nomonyx doniinicus.

Masked Duck.
See No. 67.

* GROUP 2. Wing, from 6.50 to 7,50 inches long.
SECTION 1. Bellv, white.

Head, greenish purple, no white on head; back, barred black and
white ; speculum, white (male ) . Marila affinis.

Lesser Scaup Duck. Blue-bill.

See No. 54.

Head, brownish, a patch of dull white at base of bill; no white
on ear coverts; speculum, white (female).

Marila affinis.
Lesser Scaup Duck. Blue-bilL

See No. 54.

Head, greenish purple, no white on head; back, dull black;
speculum, gray (male ) . Marila collaris.

Ring-necked Duck.

See No. 55.

Head, dull brown, brownish white at base of bill and below eye;
speculum, gray (female ) . Marila collaris.

Ring-necked Duck.

See No. 55.

Head, greenish purple, a large patch of white on back of head
(male ) . Charitonetta albeola.

Buffle-headed Duck.
See No. 58.

Head, dark brown or dusky, a patch of white behind the eye (on
ear coverts); no white or brownish white at base of bill; speculum,
white (female). Charitonetta albeola.

Buffle-headed Duck.

See No. 58.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

64 Field Museum of Natural History — -Zoology, Vol. TX.

SECTION 2. Belly, not white.

Plumage, variously marked with white, slate-color, and chestnut
(male). Histrionicus histrionic us .

Harlequin Duck.
See No. 60.

General plumage, dull brown, mottled on the under parts (female ) .

Histrionicus histrionicus .
Harlequin Duck.

See No. 60.

* GROUP 0. Wing, from 7.50 to 8.50 inches long.

SECTION 1. Head, marked with more or less white or brownish

white; belly, white, sometimes tinged with dusky or

gray on lower part.

Head, brownish; a patch of dull white on
face at base of bill ; speculum, white (female ) .

Alarila marila.
Scaup Duck. Bluebill.

See No. 53.

Speculum, white, similar to preceding but somewhat smaller (fe-
male). More common in the South than the Greater Scaup Duck.

Marila afjinis.
Lesser Scaup Duck.
See No. 54.

Speculum, gray; head and neck, brownish; chin and anterior
portion of lores, brownish white or whitish (female); resembles fe-
male Red-head, but is smaller. Marila collaris.

Ring-necked Duck.
See No. 55.

A patch of white or grayish white on the head, including the eye ;
no speculum; under tail coverts, white; adult males have the tail
feathers long and pointed. Harelda hyemalis.

Old-squaw. Long-tailed Duck.

See No. 59.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 65

SECTION 2. Belly, white, sometimes tinged on lower part with
duskv or gray; no white or grayish white on head.

Head, brown; a distinct wing band of white (female).

Clangula clangula ameri'cana.
American Golden-eye.
See No. 56.

Head, black, glossed with green; speculum, white; back, grayish
white, finely lined with black (male).

Marila marila.
Scaup Duck. Bluebill or Blackhead.

See No. 53.

Head, black, glossed with purple, finely lined with black; specu-
lum, white; back, grayish white; smaller than the preceding species,
but resembles it closely (male).

Marila affinis.
Lesser Scaup Duck. Bluebill or Blackhead.

See No. 54.

Head, black, with violet or bluish gloss, a spot of white on the
chin; speculum, gray; back, dull black (male).

Marila collar is.
Ring-necked Duck.

See No. 55.

SECTION 3. Bellv, not white.

Plumage, variously marked with white, slate-color, and chestnut;
speculum, bluish; top of head and wing coverts, not white (male).

Hist rionicus histrionicus .
Harlequin Duck.
See No. 60.

Top of head and wing coverts, not white; plumage, dull brown,
mottled on the under parts (female).

Histrionicus histrionicus.
Harlequin Duck.
See No. 60.

66 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

* GROUP 4. Wing, 8.50 to 10 inches long.

SECTION 1. Hind toes, with well defined membraneous lobe or flap;

belly, white, sometimes tinged on lower part with dusky or gray;

head, marked with more or less white, or brownish white

Head, brownish ; a patch of dull white on
face at base of bill; speculum, white (fe-
male). Marila marila.
Scaup Duck. Bluebill. Blackhead.

See No. 53.

Marila marila.

Head and neck, dark glossy green ; a nearly round patch of white
on cheek at base of bill; back, black; speculum, white (male).

Clangula datigula americana.
American Golden-eye. Whistler.
See No. 56.

Head, bluish black, or purplish blue; an irregular white patch on
cheek at base of bill (male). Clangula islandica.

Barrow's Golden-eye.

See No. 57.

Top of head, brown; sides of head, brownish white; speculum,
gray; bill, more than one and a quarter inches long (female).

Marila americana.
Redhead Duck.

See No. 51.

Bill, not over 1.25 long; a patch of white, or grayish white, on the
head, including the eye; no speculum; under tail covert, white;
adult males have the tail feathers long and pointed. Harelda hyemalis.

Old-squaw. Long-tailed Duck.
See No. 59.

SECTION 2. Hind toe, with well defined membraneous lobe or flap;

belly, white, sometimes tinged on lower part with dusky or

gray; no white, or grayish white, on head.

Head, black, glossed with green; back, grayish white, finely lined
with black; speculum, white (male). Marila marila.

Scaup Duck. Bluebill. Blackhead.

See No. 53.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

67

Head, cinnamon brown; upper breast and back, ashy gray, not
barred; speculum, white (female); very similar to female Barrow's
Golden-eye, but slightly smaller. Much more common than the next
species. Clangula clangula atnericana.

American Golden-eye. Whistler.
See No. 56.

Head, cinnamon brown; upper breast and back, ashy gray, not
barred; speculum, white (female); very'similar to preceding species,
but slightly larger. Clangula islandica.

Barrow's Golden-eye.

See No. 57.

Head, rufous brown; crown, blackish;
breast, black; lower back, ashy white, finely
lined with black (male); bill, very different
from that of Red-head. (See cut.)

Marila vallisneria.

Canvas-back Duck.

See No. 52.

Marila vallisneria.

Head, neck, and upper breast, dull cinnamon brown, palest on
throat; lower back, dull brown, barred with fine, wavy, white lines
(female ) ; easily distinguished by shape of bill. (See cut.)

Marila vallisneria.
Canvas-back Duck.
See No. 52.

Head, reddish brown; crown, not blackish;
breast, black; lower back, grayish, finely lined
with black (male); bill, very different from
that of Canvas-back. (See cut. )

Marila americana.

Red-headed Duck.

Marila americana.

See No. 51.

SECTION 3. Hind toe, with well defined membraneous lobe or flap;
bellv, not white; more or less white, or grayish white, on head.

General plumage, black; a patch of white

on front of crown and nape; bill, large, marked

with orange, red, black, and white; no white

on wings (male). Oidemia perspicillata.

Surf Scoter. Skunk-head Coot.

See No. 65.

68 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

General plumage, brown; top of head and wings, dark; a spot of
dull white at base of bill and behind eye; no white on wings (female ).

Oidemia perspicillata.
Surf Scoter. Skunk-head Coot.
See No. 65.

SECTION 4. Hind toe, with well defined membraneous lobe or flap;
belly, not white; no white on head.

Axillars, brown; secondaries, white, forming a white wing patch;
upper parts dark brown; under parts, sometimes brown, sometimes
grayish (female). Oidemia deglandi.

White-winged Scoter. White-winged Coot.

See No. 64.

* GROUP 5. Wing, 10 to 14 inches long.

SECTION 1. Hind toe, with well defined membraneous lobe or flap;
head, with more or less white, or grayish white; belly, black.

General plumage, black ; speculum, white ; spot under eye, white;
axillars, black; bill, orange at base (male). Oidemia deglandi.

White-winged Scoter. White-winged Coot.

See No. 64.

General plumage, black ; head, black, with patch of white on
crown and nape; no white on wing; axillars, black; bill, orange,
black, and white (male). Oidemia perspicillata.

Surf Scoter. Skunk-head Coot.

See No. 65.

American Eider Duck.
Somateria dresseri.

Northern Eider Duck.
Somateria mollissima borealis.

♦For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

69

Top of head, black, divided on crown ; more or less green on head ;

throat, white; axillars, white; bill (culmen), divided and rounded at
base (male). (See cut of bill. ) Somateria dresseri.

American Eider Duck.
See No. 61.

Top of head, black, divided on crown; more or less green on head;
throat, white; axillars, white; culmen, divided and pointed at base
(male). (See cut of bill.) Arctic species; not recorded from Lake
Michigan region. Somateria molHssima borealis.

Northern Eider Duck.

Top of head, slate color; cheeks, greenish; throat, white, with
large, black, V-shaped mark (male). Somateria spectabilis.

King Eider Duck.
See No. 62.

SECTION 2- Hind toe, with well defined membraneous lobe or flap;
no white on head; belly, black.

General plimiage, black ; axillars, black; no
white on wing; bill, orange at base; feathers
on bill, more than one-half inch from nostril
( male) . Oidemia americana.

American Scoter. Black Coot. Butter-bill
Coot. See No. 63.

SECTION 3- Hind toe, with well defined membraneous lobe or flap;
head, marked with more or less white, or grayish white; belly,
mottled brown, or grayish brown, or slaty.

General plumage, brownish; no white on wing; feathers on bill,
more than one-half inch from nostril (female and immature ) .

Oidemia americana.
American Scoter. Butter-bill Coot.

See No. 63.

General plumage, grayish brown; speculum, white; feathers on
bill, less than one-half inch from nostril (female and immature ) .

Oidemia deglandi.
White-winged Scoter. White-winged Coot.

See No. 64.

70 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. TX.

General plumage, grayish brown; feathers extending on upper
part of bill more than on the sides; no white on wing; feathers on
bill, less than one-half inch from nostril (female ) .

Oidemia perspicillata.
Surf Scoter. Skunk-head Coot.
See No. 65.

SECTION 4. Hind toe, with well defined membraneous lobe or flap;
no white on head; belly, mottled brown, or grayish brown.

General plumage, brownish; no white on wings; axillars, black;
feathers on the bill, more than one-half inch from nostril (female ) .

Oidemia americana.
American Scoter. Butter-bill Coot. Gray Coot.

See No. 63.

Head, dark brown or black; feathers on bill, less than one-half
inch from nostril; axillars, black; no white on wings (immature
male ) . Oidemia perspicillata.

Surf Scoter. Skunk-head Coot.

See No. 65.

A patch of white on the wings; back and upper parts, dark brown;
feathers on the base of bill, extending to within one-half inch of nos-
tril (female ) . Oidemia deglandi.

White-winged Scoter.
See No. 64.

Head, tawny, streaked with brown; axillars, white, or grayish
white; throat, streaked; feathers on bill, within one-fourth inch from
nostril; decided difference in bill from next species (female). (See
cut. ) Eastern North America. Somateria dresseri.

American Eider Duck.
See No. 61.

Head, tawny, streaked with brown; axillars, white, or grayish
white; throat, streaked; feathers on bill, within one-fourth inch
from nostril; decided difference in bill from preceding species (fe-
male). (See cut.) Eastern North America. This is given for
comparison; the species has not yet been recorded from the Lake
Michigan region. Som-ateria mollissima borealis.

Northern Eider Duck.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

71

Head, tawny, streaked with brown; axillars, white, or grayish
white; throat, not streaked; feathers on bill, more than one-fourth
inch from nostril (female). Somateria spcctabilis.

King Eider Duck.

See No. 62.

Subfamily ANSERINE. Geese.

Special Characters;
late (scales rounded )

Size, large; lores, feathered; tarsus, reticu-

hind toe, without flap.

* GROUP 1. Wing, 12 to 14 inches long.

Bill and feet black; head and neck, black; sides of neck (not
front, mottled with white; no speculum; lower breast, grayish; no

white on head. Branta bernicla glaucogastra.

Brant.
See No. 72.

A patch of white on side of head, extending to throat; rest of head
and neck, black. Branta canadensis minima.

Cackling Goose.

See No. 71b.

* GROUP 2. Wing, from 14 to 22 inches long.

SECTION I. Head and neck, black or blackish, marked with more
or less white; bill and feet, black.

Head and neck, black; a patch of white on each

cheek, extending to upper throat; no white on neck.

Branta canadensis, and races.

Canada Goose.

See Nos. 71, 71a, 71b.

Head and neck, black; side (not front) of neck, speckled with
white; upper belly, whitish. Common on Atlantic coast.

Branta bernicla glaucogastra.
Brant.

See No. 72.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

72 Field Museum of Natural History — ^Zoology, Vol. IX.

SECTION 2. Bill and feet, pink or flesh color in life; head, white,
sometimes tinged with brownish orange.

Entire plumage, white; primaries, black; smaller than C. h.
nivalis; bill, over 1.90; tarsus, over 2.80; middle toe, over 2.10
(adult ) . Chiefly Pacific coast to Mississippi Valley, rare on Atlantic
coast. Chen hyperborea.

Lesser Snow Goose.
See No. 68.

Entire plumage, white; primaries, black; resembles preceding
species but is larger (adult). Eastern North America, south in
winter on Atlantic coast to Florida and Cuba.

Chen hyperborea nivalis.
Greater Snow Goose.
See No. 68a.

Back, slaty brown; belly and rump, gray ; the feathers, not barred;
terminal half of tail, not white (adult). Chen ccerulescens.

Blue Goose.
See No. 69.

SECTION 3- Bill, pinkish; feet, yellow or pink; head, brownish or
grayish, sometimes marked with white.

Forehead and feathers at base of bill, white ; nail of bill (unguis ) ,
whitish; bill, yellowish in dried skin; breast, grayish, more or less
marked or spotted with black (adult ) .

Anser albifrons gambeli.
American White-fronted Goose.
See No. 70.

No white on forehead or base of bill; bill, yellowish in dried skin;
nail of bill (unguis), dusky; rump, slaty brown; wing coverts, edged
with white (immature). Anser albifrons gambeli.

American White-fronted Goose.

See No. 70.

General plumage, grayish; rump, white; smaller than C. h. niva-
lis; bill, over 1.90; tarsus, over 2.80; middle toe, over 2.10 (imma-
ture). Chiefly Pacific coast to Mississippi Valley; rare on Atlantic
coast. . Chen hyperborea.

Lesser Snow Goose.
See No. 68.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

73

General plumage, grayish; rump, white; larger than C. hyper-
borea (immature ) . Eastern North America, south in winter to
Florida and Cuba. Chen hyperborea nivalis.

Greater Snow Goose.
See No. 68a.

Head, brownish gray; chin, white; rump, gray; unguis (nail of
bill), yellow; wing coverts, grayish, showing very little white on the
edge of the feathers (immature ) . Chen ccerulescens.

Blue Goose.
See No. 69.

Subfamily CYGNINi^. Swans.

Size, very large ; bare skin, between the bill and eye ; tarsus, reticu-
late (scales rounded); neck, very long; wing, over 19 inches long;
hind toe, without flap.

General plumage, white; bill, black, with yellow spot (adult);
distance from tip of bill to nostril, less than distance from nostril to
eye (immature birds are gray or brownish gray ) . Olor columbianus.

Whistling Swan.
See No. 73.

Whistling Swan.

General plumage, white; bill, black, showing no yellow; distance
from tip of bill to nostril, more than distance from nostril to eye.
Chiefly found in the interior of North America; (immature birds are
gray or brownish gray ) . Olor buccinator.

Trumpeter Swan.
See No. 74.

74 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

General plumage, gray, or brownish gray; distance from tip of
bill to nostril, less than distance from nostril to eye (immature).

Olor columbianus .
Whistling Swan.

See No. 73.

General plumage, gray or brownish gray; distance from tip of bill
to nostril, more than distance from nostril to eye (immature).

Olor buccinator .
Trumpeter Swan.
See No. 74.

ORDER HERODIONES.

HERONS, IBISES, SPOONBILLS, ETC.

Suborder I BIDES.

IBISES AND SPOONBILLS.

Family PLATALEID^.. Spoonbills.

Bill, wide, flat, and rounded at the end; toes, four, all on same
level.

Wing, 13 to 17 inches long.

Bill, flat, widened and rounded at end; general plumage, pink
and white in the adult. Ajaia ajaia.

Roseate Spoonbill.

See No. 75.

75

76 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Family IBIDID^. Ibises.

Bill, long, rather slender, and decidedly curved downward; tarsus,
always less than five inches long ; toes, four, all on the same level, no
comb-like edge on side of middle toe nail; wing, from 8.50 to 13 inches
long.

Wing, less than 10.50 inches long.

General plumage, dark chestnut; feathers, at base of bill, not
white. Plegadis autumnalis.

Glossy Ibis.

See No. 77.

Immature. White Ibis. Adult.

General plumage, white ; primaries, blackish (adult ) . Guara alba.

White Ibis.
See No. 76.
General plumage, brownish or grayish, often more or less mixed
brown, gray, and white; rump, white (immature). Guara alba.

White Ibis.
See No. 76.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

77

Suborder CICONIv?^.
STORKS, ETC.

Family CICONIID^., Storks and Wood

Ibises.

Subfamily MYCTERIINi^. Wood Ibises.

Greater part of plumage, white ; bill, rounded and somewhat
curved, very thick and strong ; tarsus, always over 5 inches long ; toes,
four, all on same level ; no comb-like edge on inner side of middle toe
nail; front toes, with small webs at base; wing, 17 to 19 inches long.

Wood Ibis.

yS Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

General plumage, white; the wings and tail, more or less Ijlack;
head and upper neck, bare in adult, feathered in immature birds.

Mycteria americana.
Wood Ibis.

See No. 78.

Suborder HERODII.
HERONS, EGRETS, BITTERNS, ETC.

Family ARDEID^^. Herons and Bitterns.

Special Characters: In the true Herons there are three pairs of
thick tracts of concealed feathers known as powder down tracts,
one on the lower back, one on the belly, and one on the breast. The
Bitterns lack the down patch on the breast, having only two. Bill,
straight, stout, and sharp pointed, having a groove on the side of the
upper mandible; lores, with bare space variable in size; tail, short,
usually 12 feathers in the Herons and 10 in the Bitterns; hind toe,
on level with the front ones ; inner side of middle toe nail, with distinct
comb-like edge.

Tail feathers, 10; two pairs of powder down tracts (concealed
feathers). Subfamily Botaurince.

Bitterns.

Tail feathers (usually), 12; three pairs of powder down tracts.

Subfamily Ardeince.
Herons.

* GROUP 1. Wing, less than 6 inches long.

Least Bittern.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

79

Under parts and sides of the head and throat, buff white ; a black
patch on sides of the breast. Ixobrychus exilis.

Least Bittern.

See No. 80.

Under parts and sides of the head and throat, rufous chestnut;

under tail coverts, dull black. Ixobrychus iieoxemts.

Cory's Least Bittern.

See No. 81.

* GROUP 2. Wing, 6 to 7.50 inches long.

Crown, greenish or greenish black; legs, orange yellow in life.

Butorides virescens.
Green Heron.

See No. 87.

* GROUP 3. Wing, 8.50 to 11 inches long.

Greater part of plumage, slaty blue; belly, slaty blue; head,
tinged with purplish brown (adult). Florida ccBtidea.

Little Blue Heron.
See No. 86.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

8o Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

General plumage, white; tips of primaries, tinged with slaty blue;

legs, yellowish olive (immature). Florida c a; rule a.

Little Blue Heron.

See No. 86.

General plumage, white; ends of primaries, not tinged with slaty
blue; legs, black; feet, yellow. Egretta candidissima.

Snowy Heron. Snowy Egret.

See No. 84.

General plumage, tawny brown, mottled and streaked with dark
brown; upper surface of primaries, blackish.

Botaurus lentiginosus .
American Bittern.

See No. 79.

Bill, large; top of head, black; back, green (adult) ; culmen, about
as long as tarsus. Nycticorax nycticorax ncevius.

Black-crowned Night Heron.

See No. 88.

Bill, large; top of head, white or whitish; back, not green (adult) ;
culmen, much shorter than tarsus. Nyctanassa violacea.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron,

See No. 8g.

Bill, large; general plumage, mottled, and streaked brown and
white; outer edge of primaries, reddish brown (immature); culmen,
about as long as tarsus. Nycticorax nycticorax ncevius.

Black-crowned Night Heron.

See No. 88.

Bill, large; general plumage, mottled and streaked brown and
white; primaries, slaty brown (immature); culmen, much shorter
than tarsus. Nyctanassa violacea.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron.
See No. So.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 81

Bittern.

Middle Claw.

Black-crowned Night Heron,

82 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

* GROUP 4, Wing, ii to i 5 inches long.

Bill, stout; top of the head, black; back, dark green; culmen,
about as long as tarsus (adult).

Nycticorax nycticorax ncevius.
Black-crowned Night Heron.

See No. 88.

Bill, stout; top of head, white or whitish; back, not green; cul-
men, much shorter than tarsus (adult).

Nvclanassa violacea.
Yellow-crowned Night Heron.
See No. 89.

Bill, stout; general plumage, mottled and streaked brown and
white; outer edge of primaries, reddish brown; culmen, about as long
as tarsus (immature ) . Nycticorax nycticorax ncevius.

Black-crowned Night Heron.

See No. 88.

Bill, stout; general plumage, mottled and streaked grayish brown
and white; primaries, slaty brown; culmen, much shorter than tarsus
(immature). N vctanassa violacea.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron.
See No. 80.

American Egret.

General plumage, white; bill, yellow; legs, black.

Herodias egretta.
American Egret.

See No. 83.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 83

General plumage, white; legs, dark olive; terminal half of bill,
black ; basal half, flesh color (white phase ) .

Dichromanassa rufescens.
Reddish Egret.

See No. 85.

Head and neck, rufous chestnut; rest of plumage, slate color, or

slaty gray. Dichromanassa rufescens.

Reddish Egret.

See No. 85.

General plumage, yellow brown, mottled and streaked with dark
brown; upper surface of primaries, blackish.

Botaurus lentiginosus.
American Bittern.
See No. 79.

* GROUP 5. Wing, over 15 inches long.

Plumage, entirely white; wing, less than 17 inches long; bill,
under 5.50; tarsus, under 7.25. Herodias egretta.

American Egret.
See No. 83.

Greater part of upper plumage, bluish gray or slaty gray; adults
in breeding have middle of crown and throat, white; bill, less than
(j.25; immature birds have the top of the head, black.

Ardea herodias.
Great Blue Heron.
See No. 82.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

ORDER PALUDICOL^,

CRANES, RAILS, LIMPKINS.
Suborder GRUES. CRANES.

Family GRUID.^. Cranes.

)/

/ (

Whooping Crane.

Special Characters: Size, large; lores, with hair-like bristles; bill,
over 3 inches long; wing, over i6 inches; tarsus, over 7 inches; toes,

84

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 85

four, no comb-like edge on inner side of middle toe nail ; hind toe, ele-
vated above level of front toes; tarsus, broadly scutellate (transverse
scales) in front.

Adult: General plumage, white; wing, over 22 inches long; bill,
5.20 to 6; tarsus, 11 inches or over. Immature birds are whitish;
often washed with pale rusty; head, entirely feathered.

Grus americana.
Whooping Crane.
See No. 90.

General plumage, slaty gray; bare skin on head of adult, red (in
life ) ; immature birds are brownish ; distinguished from the next by
its size. Wing over 20 (21 to 22.50); bill, 5 to 6 ; tarsus, 10 to 10.75
inches. Grus mexicana.

Sandhill Crane.
See No. 92.

General plumage, slaty gray; resembles G. mexicana but smaller;
wing, less than 20 inches (17 to 19.75); tarsus, always less than
9.00 (6.60 to 8.75); bill, 3 to 4.50 inches. Northwestern species;
accidental straggler in Wisconsin. Grus canadensis.

Little Brown Crane.
See No. 91.

Suborder RALLI.
LIMPKINS, RAILS, GALLINULES, COOTS, ETC.

Family ARAMID^E. Courlans, Limpkins.

Bill, over 3 inches long; tarsus, under 7; wing, under i6; toes,
four, no comb-like edge on inner side of middle toe nail; hind toe,
raised above level of front toes. j

General plumage, dark olive brown, streaked and marked with
pure white; tail, purplish brown, showing metallic gloss when held
in the light; feathers of the back, breast, and wing coverts, brown,
with stripe in middle of each feather; tip of lower mandible slightly

86 Field Museum op Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

twisted. Occurs in Atlantic States only in Florida; accidental in
Illinois. Aramus vociferus.

Limpkin.
See No. 93.

Limpkin.

Family RALLID^^. Rails, Gallinules, and

Coots.

In North America the Rallidas are subdivided into three well-
marked groups, which may be characterized as follows:

Key to subfamilies and genera.
I. No frontal shield; toes, long; tail, short; wings, short and
rounded. Subfamily RALLIN^E. Rails.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory.

87

A. Bill, slender, longer than head. RALLUS.

B. Bill, comparatively stout, shorter than head.

PORZANA.

2, A horny frontal plate or shield; toes, without large lobate
webs. Subfamily GALLINULINiE. Gallinules.

A. Toes, without narrow lateral margin. lONORNIS.

B. Toes, with narrow lateral margin. GALLINULA.

3. A horny frontal shield; toes, with large lobate webs.

Subfamily FULICINiE. Coots.

A. General plumage, slate color; pale on under parts.

FULICA.

Subfamily RALLINiE. Rails.

Birds which frequent marshy places. Toes, long; wings, short
and rounded ; bill, shorter than middle toe and claw together.

Virginia Rail.

King Rail.

Black Rail. Bora Rail.

88 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

GROUP 1. Wing, less than 3.75 inches long.

Throat, breast, and sides of head, slaty gray; primaries, with more
or less white spots. Frequents marshes. Creciscus jamaicensis.

Black Rail.

See No. 98.

Throat, breast, and sides of the head, tawny brown, no white spots
on primaries. Coturnicops noveboracensis .

Yellow Rail.

See No. 97.

* GROUP 2. Wing, from 3.75 to 4.75 inches long.

Back, black or fuscous, the feathers edged with brownish or grayish
olive; under parts, cinnamon rufous, whitish on the throat; bill,
slightly curved. Rallus virginianus.

Virginia Rail.

See No. 95.

Back, with more or less white streaks; breast, gray or tawny,
according to age; lower belly, dull white. Porzana Carolina.

Carolina Rail or Sora.
See No. 96.

* GROUP 3. Wing, over 4.75 inches long.

Breast tinged with rufous; feathers on back, dark olive, edged
with gray; cheeks and ear coverts, pale cinnamon rufous, sometimes
blackish in young birds; bill, over 1.25 inches long. Found in fresh
water marshes. Rallus elegans.

King Rail.
See No. 94.

♦For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Ja.n., 1909 Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

89

Subfamily FULICIN^. Coots.

Bill, short and pointed; forehead, with more or less of a shield;
toes, with large lobate webs; head, blackish; back, dark slaty gray;
under parts, dark ash gray, whitish on abdomen.

Fulica americana.
American Coot. Mud Hen. Blue Peter.
See No. loi.

Subfamily GALLINULINiE. Gallinules.

"^ ( M

^

Toes, not webbed; no white on sides of body; head and breast,
purplish blue ; back, greenish. lonornis martinica.

Purple Gallinule.
See No. 99.

90 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Head, smoky black; breast,
dark gray; toes not webbed; more
or less white on sides of body.

Gallinula galeata.
Florida Gallinule.
See No. loo.

Coot.

Gallinule.

INDEX TO KEY.

ORDER LIMICOL^.

SHORE BIRDS.
Hind toe, when present, always elevated above level of front toes.

Family PH ALAROPODID^E. Phalaropes.

Sides of toes with rounded lobes or narrow webs. See page 93.

Family RECURVIROSTRl D^. Avocets

and Stilts.

Toes, more or less webbed (not lobate) ; tarsus, over 3.50; bill curved upward
or straight. See page 95.

Family SCOLOPACID^.

SNIPE, SANDPIPERS, CURLEWS, WOODCOCK, GODWITS,
WILLETS, ETC.

Tarsus, less than 3.50 inches long; sides of toes, without lobate webs; toes,
four (one exception, the Sanderling) ; front of tarsus, with transverse
scales.

Group i. Birds having wings from 3 . 25 to 3 . 75 inches long . See page 96

Group 2. Birds having wings from 3 . 75 to 4. 50 inches long " " 97

Section i. Toes, four, with small web (not lobate at base). " " 97

Section 2. Toes, four, without web . . . . " " q8

Section 3. Toes, three; bill, over .75 . . . " " 98

Group 3. Birds having wings from 4.50 to 5.50 inches long . " " 99
Section i. Toes, four, a small web between toes; bill, less

than -75 . . • • ■ • . " " 90
Section 2. Toes, four, a small web between outer and middle

toes; bill, over 1.75 - ■ • • " "100

Section 3. Toes, four, without web; bill, over 2 inches long " " 100
Section 4. Toes, four, without web; bill, over i.io and

less than 1.90 . . . . . . .""loi

Section 5. Toes, four, without web; bill, under i. 10 . " " 102

Section 6. Toes, three; bill, over .60 inch long . . " " 103

91

92 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Group 4. Birds having wings from 5.50 to 6.75 inches long . See page 103.
Section i. Toes, four, a small web between outer and

middle toes; bill over 1.80 . . . " " 103.
Section 2. Toes, four, a small web between outer and

middle toes; bill under 1.80 . . . . " " 104.

Section 3. Toes, four, without web; bill, over 2 inches long " " 105.

Section 4. Toes, four, without web; bill, under 2 . . " " 105.

Group 5. Birds having wings from 6.75 to 9 inches long . " " 106.

Section i. Toes, four, with more or less web; bill,

curved upwards or straight ; bill, over 2 . 60 inches . " " 106.
Section 2. Toes, four, with small web; bill, slightlj'-

curved upward or straight ; bill, under 2.60 and

over 1.50 inches long . . . . . " " 108.
Section 3. Toes, four, with stnall web; bill, nearly

straight; bill, less than i . 50 inches long . . . " " 108.
Section 4. Toes, four, with small web; bill, curved

downward; bill, over 2 inches long . . . " " 108.

Group 6. Birds having wings from 9 to 12 inches long . . " " no.

Section i. Toes, four; bill, curved downward . . . " " no.

Section 2. Toes, four; bill, curved upward or nearly straight " " in.

Family CHARADRIID^. Plovers.

Toes, three (one exception. Black-bellied Plover) ; bill, comparatively short and

thick; front of tarsus, with small rounded scales . See page in.

Group i. Wing, 3.75 to 4.50 inches long; toes, three, no

hind toe . . . . . . " " 112

Section i. Bill, under .60 inch long . . . . " " 112

Group 2. Wing, 4.50 to 5. 50 inches long; toes, three, no hind toe " " 112

Section i. Bill, under .60 inch long . . . . " " 112

Group 3. Wing, 5. 50 to 6. 7 5 inches long; toes, three, no hind toe " " 112

Group 4. Wing, over 6. 75 inches long . . . . " " 113

Section i. Toes, three, no hind toe . . . . " " 113

Section 2. Toes, four . . . . . . . " " 1x3

Family APHRIZID^. Turnstones, etc.

Bill, shorter than head and homy at tip; toes, four; lower

back and rump, white, with black band .... See page 1 1 4.

ORDER LIMICOL^.

SNIPES, PLOVERS, SANDPIPERS, CURLEWS, PHALAROPES, ETC.
Hind toe, when present, always elevated above level of front toes.

Family PHALAROPODID^.

PHALAROPES.

Sides of toes, with lobes or narrow marginal webs; tarsus, com-
pressed; nostrils, near base of bill.

-*>.^

Wilson's Phalarope.

Red Phalarope. Winter plumage.

93

94 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology. Vol. IX.

Phalaropus fulicarius.

Back, heavily streaked with black and tawny; belly, reddish
brown, showing more or less white; toes, with small lobate web;
wing, 5.20 to 5.50. Phalaropus fulicarius.

Red Phalarope.

See No. 102.

Northern Phalarope.

Lobipes lobatus

Back, grayish, streaked with tawny; belly, white; toes, partly
webbed; bill, under 1.05; tarsus, under i; wing, 4 to 4.50.

Lobipes lobatus.
Northern Phalarope.

See No. 103.

Wilson's Phalarope.

Steganopus tricolor.

Back, grayish, marked with chestnut brown; belly, white; bill,
over 1.05; tarsus, over i; toes, with narrow web on sides; wing, 5.10
to 5.40 (female). Steganopus tricolor.

Wilson's Phalarope.

See No. 104.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

95

Back, grayish, mottled with dusky or whitish; bill, over 1.05;
tarsus, over 1 inch; toes, with narrow web on sides; wing, 4.75 to
4.95 (male). Steganopiis tricolor.

Wilson's Phalarope.
See No. 104.

Family RECURVIROSTRID^.

AVOCETS AND STILTS.

Legs, long ; tarsus over 3.50 inches ; bill, curved upward or straight.

Bill, curved upward; head and neck, pale rufous (summer),
white or grayish (winter); back and tail, white; axillars, white;
belly, white; first primary, dark with dark shaft; toes, four; toes,
webbed. Recnrvirostra aniericana.

American Avocet.
vSee No. T05.

Avocet.

Stilt.

96 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Bill, nearly straight; top of head and nape, black; general upper
plumage, glossy black; front of head and front of neck, rump, and
under parts, white; axillars, white; first primar3% dark, with dark
shaft; legs, very long, rose pink in life; toes, three.

Himantopus mexicanus.
Black-necked Stilt.
See No. 106.

Family SCOLOPACIDt?:.

SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, CURLEWS, ETC.

Toes, four (one exception, the Sanderling Sandpiper) ; bill, com-
paratively slender and soft skinned; nasal grooves, narrow and long
(from one-half to two-thirds the length of the bill ) ; nostrils, narrow
slits; tail, short; wing (inmost species), long and pointed; hind toe
(when present ) , always elevated above the level of the front toes;
tarsus, with transverse scales.

* GROUP 1. Wing, from ^-'^S to3-75 inches long.

Pisobia minutilla.

No web between toes; belly, white.

*For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Pisobia minutilla.
Least Sandpiper.

See No. 117.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory,
Toes, with small web;, bill, usually under .85.

97

Ereunetes pusillus .
Semipalmated Sandpiper.

See No. 119.

Ereunetes pusillus
(Foot.)

Toes, with small web; bill, usually over .85.

Ereunetes mauri.
Western Sandpiper.

See No. 120.

*GROUP 2. Wing, 3.75 to 4.50 inches long.
SECTION 1. Toes, four, with small web at base.

Bill, under .85; back, not greenish olive; bill,
entirely black. Ereunetes pusillus.

Semipalmated Sandpiper.
See No. 119.

Ereunetes pusillus.

Bill, over .85 ; back, not greenish olive; bill, black; no white patch
on inner web of third primary. Ereunetes mauri.

Western Sandpiper.

See No. 120.

*For directions for measurement, see page 21.

98 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Small web between outer and middle toe; bill, over .85; back,
greenish olive, sometimes banded; under mandible, pale yellow
(in life ) ; third primary and inner primaries wath patch of white on
inner web. Actitis macularia.

Spotted Sandpiper.
See No. 130.

SECTION 2. Toes, four, without web.

Belly, white; bill, black.

Pisobia miu ittilla.
Least Sandpiper.

See No. 1 1 7.

Pisobia minu'.illa.

SECTION 3. Toes, three; bill, over .75 inches long.

Sanderling Sandpiper.

Belly, white; basal half of outer webs of inner primaries, white;
back, mixed rufous, black and white, or grayish brown, or entirely
black (breeding), according to season; bill, about one inch long.

Calidvis leiicophcea.
Sanderling Sandpiper.
See No. T 2 1 .

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

99

* GROUP 3. Wing, 4.50 to 5.50 inches long.

SECTION 1. Toes, four, a small web between toes; bill, under 1.75.

Bill, under 1.75; tarsus, over 1,30. All other species in this sec-
tion have the tarsus less than 1.30. Micropalama himantopus.

Stilt Sandpiper.
See No. iii.

Axillars, Helodromus
solitarius.

Tarsus, under 1.30; back, dark olive spotted with
white, or brownish gray spotted with dull white
according to season. Axillars, heavily barred;
a small web between the outer and middle toe.

Helodromas solitarius.
Solitary Sandpiper.
See No. 126.

Back, greenish olive, sometimes barred with black; axillars, white;
without bars. At some seasons under parts with round black spots,
a small web between the outer and middle toe. Actitis maciilaria.

Spotted Sandpiper.

Sec No. 130.

Summer. Spotted Sandpiper. Winter

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

loo Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

SECTION 2. Toes, four, a small web between outer and middle toes;

bill, over 1.75.

Macrorhamphus griseus.

Macrorhamphus griseus.

Bill, over 1.75; axillars, white, barred with dark brow^n; rump and
tail, white, spotted and banded with black; a small web between
outer and middle toes.

Macrorhamphus griseus. Dowitcher. Red-breasted Snipe.
I Macrorhamphus scolopaceus. Long-billed Dowitcher.

See Nos. log and iio.

SECTION 3. Toes, four, without web; bill, over 1 inches long.

Axillars, rufous brown, without bars; belly, buff color.

Philohela minor.
Woodcock.

See No. 107.

Axillars, barred black and white ; belly, white;
upper tail coverts and tail, tawny, more or less
marked with black; no web between toes.

Gallinago delicata.
Wilson's Snipe. Jack Snipe.
See No. 108.

Gallinago delicata.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

lOI

SECTION 4. Toes, four, without web; bill, over i.io; and
less than i .90.

Summer.

Red-backed Sandpiper.

Winter.

Pelidna alpina sakhalina

Bill, decurved near tip; one or more of
inner secondaries, almost entirely white ; upper
tail coverts, not white, barred with black; legs
and feet, black. Spring birds have black on
the belly, and back, rufous brown and black.
Fall birds have the belly white and back gray.
Pelidna alpina sakhalina.
Red-backed Sandpiper. American Dunlin.

See No. 118.

Tail and upper tail coverts.
Pisobia maculata.

Bill, nearly straight; back, marked
with tawny and black; breast with nu-
merous narrow, brown streaks; none of
inner secondaries almost,
entirely white; lower rump
and upper tail coverts,
black, the feathers more or less tipped
with buff; two middle tail feathers, longer
than the others. Pisobia maculata.

Pectoral Sandpiper. Grass Bird.
See No. 114.

I02 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Purple Sandpiper.

Bill, nearly straight; back, dark;
feathers, edged with ashy or buflf;
breast, grayish, without brown
streaks; one or more of inner
secondaries almost entirely white;
legs and feet, yellow in life, pale
brown in dried skin.

Arquatella maritim.a.
Purple Sandpiper.
See No. 113.

SECTION 5. Toes, four, without web; bill, under i.io.

Upper tail coverts, white;

inner webs of primaries,
not speckled.

Pisobia fuscicollis .
White-rumped Sandpiper.

See No. 115.

Pisobia fuscicollis.

Middle upper tail coverts, smoky or dusky,

often tipped with buff; inner webs of
primaries not speckled; sides, white;
middle toe and claw, less than .95; legs
and bill, blackish. Pisobia bairdii.

Baird's Sandpiper.
See No. 116.

Pisobia bairdii.
Tail and upper tail coverts.

Pisobia maculata.
Tail and upper tail coverts.

Middle upper tail coverts, black, often
narrowly tipped with brownish buff; inner
webs of primaries, not speckled; middle
toe and claw, over .95; middle tail fea-
thers decidedly longer than the rest; legs,
__ - ^\ yellowish olive; base of bill, dull olive;
^ tip, black. Pisobia maculata.

Pectoral Sandpiper. Grass Bird.
See No. 114.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and WiscoxNSIn — Cory.

103

Inner web of primaries
speckled.

Tr viigitcs snbnificollis.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
See No. 129.

Tryngites subruficollis.

First primary.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper.

SECTION 6. Toes, three; bill, over ,60 inch.
/

^ Bill, black; shoulder (lesser and middle wing

coverts), brown; no web between toes; legs,
black; no hind toe. Calidris lettcoplm-a.

Sanderling Sandpiper.

See No. 121.

'Calidris leucophasa.

* GROUP 4. Wing, 5.50 106.75 inches long.

SECTION 1. Toes, four, a small web between outer and middle toe;

bill, over 1.80.

Upper tail coverts and axillars, white,
spotted or barred with dusky; bill, nearly
straight. Macrorham f>Jms grisens.

Dowitcher. Red-breasted Snipe.
See No. 109.
Macrorham phiis scolopaccus.
Long-billed Dowitcher. Western Red-breasted
Snipe. See No. no.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

M acrorharaphus griseus.

I04 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

SECTION 2. Toes, four, a small web between outer and middle toe-,

bill, under 1.80.

Tarsus and middle toe together, more
than 2.60 inches long; outer primary, slate
brown, without bars; rump and upper tail
coverts, white, more or less barred with
brown; legs, yellow. Totanus fiavipes.

Summer Yellow-legs.

See No. 125.

Totanus flavipes.

"^^^^^ ^ J>'^

t*ii)^ Stilt Sandpiper.

Tarsus and middle toe together, less than 2.60; upper tail coverts,
white, or white barred with black; outer primary, slate brown, without
bars. Micropalama himantopus.

Stilt Sandpiper.
See No. iii.

Bartr3,mian Sandpiper.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

105

Outer primary, whitish, barred with dark brown.

Bariramia longicauda.
Bartramian Sandpiper. Upland Plover.

See No. 128.

SECTION 3. Toes, four, without web; bill, over 2 inches long.

Lower belly, whitish or white; axillars,
barred black and white. Gallinago delicata.
Wilson's Snipe. Jack Snipe.
See No. 108.

Gallinago delicata

Belly, buff color; axillars, rufous brown.

Philohela minor.
Woodcock.

See No. 107.

SECTION 4. Toes, four, without web; bill, under 2 inches long.

Rump, gray; upper tail coverts, whitish, band-
ed or marked with black; inner webs or primaries,
not speckled.

Tringa canutus.
Knot.
See No. 112.

Tringa canutus.

io6 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Pisobia maculata.

Rump, blackish ; middle upper tail
coverts, black (not banded ) ; inner web
of primaries, not speckled.

Pisobia maculata.
Pectoral Sandpiper. Grass Bird.
See No. 114.

Inner webs of primaries,
speckled.

Tryngites subruficoUis .
Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
See No. 129.

Tryngties subruficoUis.

* GROUP 5. Wing, 6.75 to 9 inches long.

SECTION 1. Toes, four, with more or less web; bill, curved up
wards or straight; bill, over 2.60.

Willet.

Catoptrophorus semipalmalus.

Axillars, smoky black; belly, white; terminal third of outer pri-
mary, black; the rest, white; bill, nearly straight.

Catoptrophorus semipalmalus.

Willet.

Catoptrophorits semipalmatus iiwniatiis.

Western Willet.

See Nos. 127 and 127a.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

107

Hudsonian Godwit.

Axillars, dark gray, or sooty gray; belly, grayish white; first
primary, dark slaty brown, with white shaft; bill, curved upward;
upper tail coverts mostly white.

Limosa hccniasHca.
Hudsonian Godwit.
See No. 123.

Marbled Godwit.

Axillars, rufous brown; upper tail coverts, not white; belly, buff,
sometimes barred with dark brown; primaries, pale rufous brown,
with numerous dark dots; shaft of primaries, white; bill, curved
upward. Limosa fedoa.

Marbled Godwit.
See No. 122.

io8 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

SECTION 2. Toes, four (with small web); bill, slightly curved up-
ward or straight; bill, under 2.60 and over 1,50.

Axillars, smoky black ; belly, white; outer
primary terminal third, black, rest white;
rump, gray; upper tail coverts, white.

Catoptrophorus semipalmatus.
Willet.
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus .
Western Willet.
See No. 127 or 127a.

Axillars, white, banded with brown; belly, white; outer primary,
black; shaft, white; rump, grayish brown; feathers, tipped with
white ; upper tail coverts, white, more or less barred with dark brown ;
legs, bright yellow. Totanus melanoleucus.

Greater Yellow-legs. Winter Yellow-legs.

See No. 124.

SECTION 3. Toes, four, with small web; bill, nearly straight; hill,

under 1.50.

Axillars, white, banded with brown; first primary, brown, with
white bars on inner web; tip, dark. Bartram-ia longicauda.

Bartramian Sandpiper. Upland Plover.

See No. 128.

SECTION 4. Toes, four, with small web; bill, curved downward;
bill, over 2 inches long.

First primary.

Primaries, barred; axillars barred. Numenius hiidsonicus.

Hudsonian Curlew. Jack Curlew.
See No. 132.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 109

First primary

Primaries, without bars; axillars, barred. Ntimenius borealis.

Eskimo Curlew. Dough Bird.
See No. 133.

Long-billed Curlew.

Eskimo Curlew.

Hudsonian Curlew

no Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

* GROUP 6. Wing, 9 to t2 inches long.
SECTION 1. Toes, four; bill, curved downward.

Axillars, reddish brown, with narrow black marks; belly, buff;
bill, usually over four inches. Nnmenius ainericanus.

Long-billed Curlew. Sickle-bill Curlew.

See No. 131.

First primary.

Htidsonian Curlew.

Axillars.

Axillars, banded with slaty brown and dull white; belly, whitish;
bill, under four inches. Xiiinenius hndsonicns.

Hudsonian Curlew. Jack Curlew.

See No. 1^2.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

SECTION 2. Toes, four; bill, curved upward or nearly straight.

Axillars, rufous; primaries, rufous, dotted with black.

Liiiiosa fedoa.
Marbled Godwit.

See No. 122.

Family CHARADRIIDiE.

PLOVERS.

Toes, three, no hind toe; bill, comparatively short and soft; front
of tarsus, with small rounded scales.

The Plovers are a cosmopolitan family, numbering something less
than one hundred species, fifteen of which occur in North America,
including exotic stragglers. As a rule they have but three toes, al-
though two genera, Sqiiatarola and Vanelhis, have four. The tar-
sus is reticulate and the toes are partly webbed.

A(J t-/=»\^

Black-bellied Plover (Winter). Piping Plover. Semipalmated Plover.

112 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

* GROUP 1. Wing, 3.75 to 4,50 inches long.
SECTION 1. Bill, under .60.

Bill, orange at base, the tip, black; legs, dull flesh
color; a black stripe from bill passing under each eye.

Mgialitis semipalmata.
Semipalmated Plover.

See No. 137.

semipalmata.

Bill, orange at base, the tip, black; legs, orange yellow; two middle
tail feathers, tipped with white; no black stripe from bill to eye ; more
or less of a black breast band. Mgialitis meloda.

Piping Plover.

•See No. 138.

* GROUP 2. Wing, 4.50 to 5.50 inches long; toes, three, no

hind toe.

SECTION 1. Bill, under .60 inch long.

Bill, orange at base, the tip, black; legs, dull flesh color; a black
stripe from bill passing under eye. Mgialitis semipalmata.

Semipalmated Plover. Ring Neck.

See No. 137.

Bill, orange at base, the tip, black; legs, orange yellow; no black
stripe from bill to eye; black breast band, not confluent; two middle
tail feathers, tipped with white. Eastern species not found west of
Rocky Mountains. ALgialitis meloda.

Piping Plover.
See No. 138.

* GROUP 3. Wing, 5.50 to 6.75 inches long; toes, three,

no hind toe.

Breast, with two black bands; under parts, white; rump and
tail coverts, orange brown. Oxyechus vociferus.

Killdeer Plover.

See No. 136.

*For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

113

* GROUP 4. Wing, over 6.75 inches long.
SECTION 1. Toes, three.

Black axiUars of Black-bellied Plover.

Gray axillars of Golden Plover.

Axillars, gray; rump, not orange brown.

Charadrius dominicus.

Golden Plover.

See No. 135.

Charadrius dominicus.

Axillars, smoky black; rump and upper tail coverts, not orange
brown. Squatarola squatarola.

Black-bellied Plover.
See No. 134.

The Black-bellied Plover has four toes (the hind toe being so small that it
often escapes notice), and properly belongs in Section 2, but owing to the fact
that it is constantly looked for among the three-toed species it is included in
both sections.

Rump, orange brown; under parts, white, with two black bands
on the breast; axillars, pure white. Oxyechus vociferus.

Killdeer Plover.
See No. 136.

SECTION 2. Toes, four.

Axillars, smoky black; tarsus, over 1.70; hind
toe, very small. Squatarola squatarola.

Black-bellied Plover.
See No. 134.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

114 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Family APHRIZID^.

SURF BIRDS AND TURNSTONES.

Subfamily ARENARIINi^. Turnstones.

Bill, shorter than head and horny at tip; toes,
four ; lower back and rump, white, with black band ;
legs, comparatively short and stout.

Summer. Turnstone. Winter.

Adult in summer: General upper parts, mottled and variegated
with black, white, rufous, and tawny; throat and breast, black and
white; rest of under parts, white; tail, with subterminal band of black,
tipped with white.

Adult in winter: Above, light, streaked and dashed with dark
brown; an imperfect band of dark brown on the jugulum; chin and
upper part of the throat, white; sides of breast, like the back; rest
of under parts, white; a distinct white band on the wing; rump, white,
with a broad patch of black on the upper tail coverts; tail, dark
brown, the tips and basal half of the inner feathers, and nearly two
thirds of the outer feathers, white; legs, reddish orange; bill, black.

Length, 8.65; wing, 5.70; tail, 2.60; tarsus, i; bill, .95.

Arenaria inter pres morinella.
Turnstone.
See No. 139.

INDEX TO KEY TO FAMILIES.
LAND BIRDS.

Group I. Birds having wings less than 1.75 inches long. See

page 117.
Group 2. Birds having wings from 1.75 to 2.75 inches long. See

page 117.
Section i. First primary less than half as long as third. See
page 117.
Part I. Tip of upper mandible with small but distinct hook

or notch. See page 117.
Part 2. Upper mandible without notch or hook at tip. See
page 118.
Section 2. First primary more than half as long as third. See
page 119.
Part I. Tip of upper mandible with small but distinct hook or

notch. See page iig.
Part 2. Tip of upper mandible, not notched or hooked. See
page 120.
Group 3. Birds having wings measuring from 2.75 to 3.25 inches

long. See page 121.
Section i. First primary less than half as long as third. See
page 121.
Part I. A small but distinct hook or notch at tip of upper

mandible. See page 121.
Part 2. Tip of upper mandible not notched or hooked. See
page 121.
Section 2. First primary not short, always more than half as long
as third. See page 122.
Part I. Tip of upper mandible with small but distinct hook or

notch. See page 122.
Part 2. Tip of upper mandible not notched or hooked. See
page 122.
Group 4. Birds having wings measuring from 3.25 to 9.50 inches

long. See page 124.
Section i. Bill with strong hook, toes armed with talons. See
page 124.

115

ii6 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Section 2. Upper mandible with more or less hook, but toes

not armed with talons. See page 125.
Section 3. Tip of upper mandible not notched or hooked. See
page 126.
Part I. First primary less than half as long as third, some-
times very small. See page 126.
Part 2. First primary more than half as long as third. See
page 128.
Group 5. Birds having wings over 9.50 inches long. See page 133.

LAND BIRDS.

KEY TO FAMILIES.

* GROUP 1. Birds having wings' less than 1.75 inches long.

Smallest of our birds; bill, very slender; primaries, 10; rectices,
10; feet, very small and weak.

Family TROCHILIDiE. Humming Birds.
See page 169.
Tail, rounded; the outer feathers, shorter
than middle ones; first primary, less than
two thirds as long as third; second primary,
much shorter than third; tarsus, scutellate.

Family TROGLODYTIDiE. Wrens.
See page 262.

* GROUP 2. Birds having wings from T.75 to 2.75
inches long.

SECTION 1, First primary, less than half as long as third.

PART 1. Tip of upper mandible, with small but distinct hook or notch.

Toes, joined at base. Plain colored birds, usually greenish or
grayish, but often show a faint wash of yellow on under parts; tail,
always without white spots.

'Fmc

\

Family VIREONIDiE. Vireos.

See page 227.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.
117

ii8 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

PART 2. Upper mandible without notch or hook at tip.

Bill, as illustrated; back, gray or
bluish gray; bill, over .50; nostrils, con-
cealed by bristly tufts ; tarsus, scutellate ;
tail feathers, not stiff or pointed.

Family SITTID^. Nuthatches.
See page 267.

Bill, as illustrated; back, bluish gray; bill, ^
'■ less than .50; size, small; length, less than

5.50; first primary, very short. ^^^''^-

Family SYLVIID^. .^" / -J
Subfamily POLIOPTILIN^. Gnatcatchers

See page 270.

Bill, as illustrated; throat, black ; nostrils,
concealed by tufts of bristly feathers.

Family PARID^E. Titmice, Chickadees.

See page 268.

Bill, as illustrated; back, brown or brown streaked; tail feathers,
not sharp pointed; outer tail feathers, shortest; tarsus, scutellate;
first primary, short.

Wren.

Bill of Wren.

Family TROGLODYTIDiE. Wrens.

See page 262.

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

119

Bill, as illustrated; back,
streaked; tail feathers, stiffened
and sharply pointed.

Creeper.

Family CERTHIID^. Creepers.

See page 266.

M

Bill, as illustrated; back, olive green;
bill, less than .50 inch long. Two species:
both males and one of the females have bril-
liant red or yellow crown patch; the other
female has crown, dull green, like back.

Family SYLVIID^. Subfamily REGULIN^. Kinglets.

See page 269.

SECTION 2. First primary, more than half as long as third.

PART 1. Tip of upper mandible, with small but distinct hook or notch.

Bill, flattened, wide at base; tip, with small hook; numerous black
bristles at base of bill; back of tarsus, rounded; wings, longer than
tail; first primary, never very short.

Top of bill. Side of bill.
Flycatcher.

Flycatcher.

Family TYRANNID^E. Flycatchers.

See page 170.

Bill of Vireo.

Vireo.

I20 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Bill, very slightly hooked, not wide and flat at base, as in the
Flycatchers; toes, joined together at base. Plain colored birds, usu-
ally greenish or grayish, but often show a faint wash of yellow on
under parts; tail, always without white spots; first primary, variable,
very short in some species, in others nearly as long as second.

Family VIREONIDiE. Vireos.
See page 227.

PART 2. ' Tip of upper mandible, not notched or hooked.

First primary, not short, never less than two thirds as long as
second or third; bill, stout and conical; nostrils, high near the cul-
men; primaries, 9; tarsus, flattened behind.

/^'

Side of bi//. '*"

Family FRINGILLIDiE. Sparrows, Finches, Buntings, etc.

See page 190.

First primary, not short, never less than
two thirds as long as third, and often nearly
the same length; bill, slender and pointed;
back of tarsus, thin and sharp, not rounded
as in front; hind toe and claw, not longer
than middle toe and claw.

Family MNIOTILTIDiE. Warblers.

See page 231.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

121

* GROUP 3. Birds having wings measuring from 2,75 to 3.25

inches long.

SECTION 1. First primary less than half as long as third.
PART 1. A small but distinct hook or notch at tip ot upper mandible.

Bill, very slightly hooked; primaries, 10, the first often very short;
toes, joined together at base. Plain colored birds, usually greenish or
grayish, but often show a faint wash of yellow on underparts; tail,
always without white spots. Family VIREONID^. Vireos.

See page 227.

PART 2. Tip of upper mandible, not notched or hooked.

Bill, as illustrated ; back, brown ;
rump, with concealed white spots;
outer tail feathers, shortest; tarsus,
scutellate.

Family TROGLODYTID^. Wrens.
See page 262.

Bill, as illustrated; back, gray or
bluish gray; nostrils, concealed by tufts
of bristly feathers.

Family SITTIDiE. Nuthatches.

See page 267.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

122 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

■"^i^^ •) Bill, as illustrated; throat, black; crown,

I black and no rufous brown on sides (Chick-

■ adee ), or forehead, black; sides, with rufous

brown (Titmouse ) .

Family PARID^E.
Titmice and Chickadees.
See page 268.

SECTION 2. First primary, not short, always more than half as

long as third.

PART 1. Tip of upper mandible, with small but distinct hooic or notch.

Bill, flattened and wide
at base; numerous black
bristles at base of bill;
back of tarsus, rounded;
wing, longer than tail.

Family TYRANNID^. Flycatchers.
See page 170.

Top of bill.

Side of bill.

Bill, very slightly hooked or notched at tip; not flattened at base,
as in the Flycatchers; toes, joined at base. Plain colored birds,
usually greenish or grayish, at times, with wash of yellow on under
parts; no white on tail. Family VIREONID^. Vireos.

See page 227.

PART 2. Tip of upper mandible not notched or hooked.

Toes, 4; nostrils, opening
into a soft, fleshy membrane;

tarsus, usually shorter than

toes. \

Family COLUMBIDiE.

Pigeons and Doves.

See page 139.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

123

Bill, pointed; first primary, not short;
base of bill, extending upon and dividing the
feathers of the forehead; nostrils, exposed;
outer tail feathers, shorter than middle
feathers. Family ICTERID^E. Orioles.

See page 179.

Oriole.

First primar3^ not short, never less than two thirds as long as
second or third; bill, stout and conical; nostrils, near the culmen;
primaries, 9; tarsus, flattened behind.
Family FRINGILLID^. Sparrows, Finches, Crossbills, and Buntings.

See page 190.

First primary, never less than two thirds

*"- as long as third, and often nearly the same

length; bill, slender and pointed; back of

tarsus, thin and sharp, not rounded, as in front; hind toe and claw,

not longer than middle toe and claw.

Family MNIOTILTIDiE. Warblers.
See page 231.

Bill, slender; first primary, not short, the first, second and third
being about equal in length; hind toe and claw, longer than middle
toe and claw; hind toe nail, long, in this somewhat resembling Larks,

124 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

but no tufts of hair-like feathers over nostrils. Usually observed
in small flocks on the ground in open places.

Family MOTACILLIDiE. Wagtails, Pipits, Titlarks, etc.

See page 261.

Titlark.

Titlark.

* GROUP 4. Birds having wings from 3.25 to 9.50 inches long.
SECTION 1. Bill, with strontr hook; toes armed with talons.

Eyes, not surrounded by radial disk of feathers, as in the Owls;
toes, armed with talons; head, not bare.

Family FALCONID^. Hawks, Falcons, Eagles, etc.

See page 143.

Eyes, surrounded by radiated disk of feathers; plumage, soft;
bill, hooked; toes, armed with talons.

Family STRIGID^. Horned Owls, Hoot Owls.

See page 155.

*For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

125

SECTION 2. Upper mandible, with distinct notch and hook at tip,
but feet, not armed with talons.

Toes, four, zygodactyle (two in front, two behind); bill, with
cere (skin-like covering over base of bill ) .

Family PSITTACID^. Parrots and Paroquets.

See page 160.

Bill, strong, notched near the end, and decidedly
hooked; tarsus, scutellate; tail, rounded. But two
species occur with us, both grayish birds with blackish
wings and tail, and a dark stripe through the eye.

Family LANIID^E. Shrikes.
See page 226.

Bill, flattened and wide at base; tip, with small hook; numerous
black bristles at base of bill; back of tarsus, rounded; wings, longer
than tail; first primary, not very short, usually longer than the sixth.

Flycatcher.

Family TYRANNIDiE. Flycatchers.

See page 170.

126 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

SECTION 3. Upper mandible, not notched and hooked at tip.
PART 1. First primary, less than one-half as long as third.

Toes, four, two in front and two behind; or toes, three, two in
front and one behind; tail feathers, stiff and pointed. (If tail
feathers are not stiff and pointed, see Nuthatches, next family.)

Order PICI. Woodpeckers. Family PICID^. Woodpeckers.

See page 163.

Bill, as illustrated; nostrils, con-
cealed by bristly tufts; tarsus, scutel-
late; first primary, very short; tail
feathers, not stiff and pointed. (If tail
feathers are stiff and pointed, look for
the bird under Family Picidae. )

Family SITTID^. Nuthatches.
See page 267.

Bill, as illustrated; nostrils, concealed by
bristly tufts of hair-like feathers; first primary,
short; forehead, black; back, gray; head, with
more or less crest; sides of body, washed with
brown (Tufted Titmouse ) .

Family PARID^. Chickadees and Titmice.'

See page 268.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory

127

^.

#*-.

First primary, about one-
half as long as third, feet,
zygodactyle (toes, two in front,
two behind ) ; outer tail
feathers, very much shorter
than middle feathers. f^^^^'^^^^

Family CUCULID^. Cuckoos.
See page 161.

Bill, stout and strong; the nostrils con-
cealed by coarse hair-like feathers; outer
tail feathers, shorter than middle feathers;
first primary, decidedly less than half as
long as third; tail, over seven inches long
(Magpies ) ; first primary, about half as
long as third; tail, less than seven inches
long (Jays).

Family CORVID^. Subfamily
GARRULINiE. Magpies and Jays.
See page 176.

Tail, rounded; the outer feathers, shorter than middle ones; first
primary, less than two-thirds as long as third; second primary, much
shorter than third; tarsus, scutellate.

Family MIMID^. Thrashers, Mocking-birds, Cat-birds, etc.

See page 265.

First primary, very short ; tarsus, booted (no scales showing, except
near the toes) ; bill, shorter than head; wing, over 3.50 inches long.

128 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Family TURDID^. Thrushes, Robins, Bluebirds.

See page 271.

PART 2. First primary, more than half as long as third.

Toes, four, hind toe not elevated above the rest; nostril, opening
into a soft fleshy membrane; tarsus, usually shorter than the toes.

Family COLUMBID.S. Pigeons and Doves.

See page 139.

Toes, four, the hind toe elevated above the rest; bill, rather short
and stout; wing, short and somewhat rounded, the outer primaries
curved.

'\tj,i7^>-

Family TETRAONID^. Grouse and Quail.

(a) Tarsus, feathered; wing, over 5.50 inches long.

Subfamily TETRAONIN^. Grouse.

See page 136.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

129

(b) Tarsus, bare; wing, less than 5.50 inches long.

Subfamily PERDICINiE. Quail. Partridges.

See page 136.

Feet, small and weak; front toes, sometimes webbed at base;
primaries, ten; mouth, large; bill, very small in comparison with
size of bird; middle toe nail, with comb-like edge.

Un %^. W^

Family CAPRIMULGID^.

Whip-poor-wills, Nighthawks, etc.

See page 168.

Bill, small, flattened, and somewhat triangular in shape, the gape
very wide; wings, very long, usually extending beyond the tail.

(Chimney Swifts, which belong to a
' \ \ very different family, are often mis-

taken for Swallows when seen flying
about ; they are smoky black and the
shafts of the tail feathers extend in
spines be^^ond the webs. See next
Family. )

Swallow.

Swallow.

Swallow.

Martin.

Family HIRUNDINIDiE. Swallows and Martins.

See page 222.

Plumage, smoky black; shafts of tail feathers, extending beyond
the web in sharp spines. Sometimes mistaken for Swallows by per-
sons unfamiliar with birds.

130 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

^

Family MICROPODIDiE. Swifts.

See page 169.

First primary, about half as long as third ;
feet, zygodactyle (toes, two in front, two be-
hind) ; outer tail feathers, very much shorter
than middle feathers.

Family CVCVLWJE. Cuckoos.
See page 161.

Feet, syndactyle; toes, four, the middle and outer ones joined,
being fastened together for more than half their length.

Family ALCEDINIDiE. Kingfishers.

See page 162.

First primary, much shorter than second, always less than three-
fourths as long as third; fourth, or fifth primary, longest; bill, stout
and strong; the nostrils, concealed by coarse, hair-like feathers;
outer tail feathers, shorter than middle feathers.

Family CORVID^. Subfamily GARRULINiE. Jays.

See page 176.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 131

First primary, never less than three-fourths as long as third ; base
of bill, extending backward, forming a point, dividing the feathers
of the forehead; nostrils, exposed; outer tail feathers, shorter than
middle feathers.

Family ICTERIDiE. Blackbirds, Orioles, Meadowlarks.

See page 179.

First primary, not short, never less than two-thirds as long as sec-
ond or third; bill, stout, and conical; nostrils, high, near the cul-
men; primaries, nine; tarsus, flattened behind.

Family FRINGILLIDiE. Sparrows, Finches, Crossbills, Buntings, etc.

See page 190.

132 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Bill, somewhat fringilline, but having a small

' tooth, "near the middle of the edge of upper mandible ;

^^^ primaries, nine; tarsus, scutellate. But two species (a

"^ third accidental): Males, bright red, one with black

wings; one female is olive green above, and yellowish

green below; the other is olive green above, and the under parts,

dull orange yellow or buff yellow. (If bird does not agree with

above description, see Fringillidae.)

Family TANGARID^. Tanagers.
See page 220.

Bill, without notch; head, with crest; pri- ..'-':^"-^--:r ....

maries, ten; tarsus, shorter than middle toe and
claw; a black stripe from forehead through the
eye; inner primaries and tail feathers, often tipped
with little hard red bits, like minute drops of seal-
ing wax; general plumage, vinaceous gray brown;
tail, tipped with yellow.

Family BOMBYCILLID^. Waxwings, Cedar Birds.

See page 225.

Bill, pointed, and somewhat rounded;
back of tarsus, rounded; hind toe nail,
elongated, ec^ual or longer than the toe;
nostrils, nearly or quite concealed by tufts
of hair-like feathers; wing, over 4 inches
long. Family ALAUDID^E. Larks.

See page 175.

Bill, slender; first primary, not short, the first, second, and
third, being about equal in length; hind toe nail, long, in this
somewhat resembling the larks, but no tufts of hair-like feathers over
nostrils ; wing, less than 4 inches long.

Family MOTACILLIDiE. Wagtails, Pipits, Titlarks, etc.

See page 261.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

133

Small birds, wing, less than 3.75 inches long; first primary, not
short, never less than two-thirds as long as third, and often nearly
the same length; bill, slender and pointed; back of tarsus, thin and
sharp, not rounded as in front; hind toe and claw, not longer than
middle toe and claw.

t<^

Family MNIOTILTID^. Warblers.

See page 231.

* GROUP 5. Birds having wings over 9.50 inches long.

Wing, less than 12 inches long; toes, four; hind toe, elevated above
the rest; bill, stout; wing, rounded, the outer primaries curved,
body feathers, double. Family TETRAONID.E. Grouse.

See page 136.

Grouse.

Turkey.

Wing, over 12 inches long; toes, four, the hind toe elevated above
the rest; bill, rather short and stout; wing, short and somewhat
rounded, the outer primaries curved.

Family PHASIANIDiE. Subfamily MELEAGRINiE. Turkeys.

See page 139.

* Fo: directions for measurement, see page 21.

134 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Size, large; eyes, not surrounded by radiated disk of feathers;
plumage, black or dark brown; hind toe, short; claws, not sharp;
head, bare in adult. Family CATHARTID^E. Vultures.

See page 141.

^#^. ...

AIR?

Eyes, not surrounded by radiated disk of feathers, as in the Owls;
toes, armed with talons; head, not bare.

Family FALCONID^. Hawks, Falcons, Eagles, etc.

See page 143.

Eyes, surrounded by
radiated disk of feathers;
plumage, soft; bill, hooked;
toes, armed with talons.

(a) Middle toe nail with comb-like edge.

FAMILY ALUCONID^. Barn Owls.

See page 157.

(b ) Middle toe nail without comb-like edge.

Family STRIGIDiE. Horned Owls, Hoot Owls.

See page 155.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

135

Toes, four, two in front and two behind
(zygodactyle) ; tail feathers, stiff and pointed.

Family PICID^E. Woodpeckers.

See page 163.

Plumage, glossy black; first primary, much
shorter than second, not exceeding half as long
as third; fourth, or fifth primary, longest; bill,
stout and strong; the nostrils, concealed by
coarse, hair-like feathers; outer tail feathers,
shorter than middle feathers.

Family CORVID^. Crows and Ravens.
See page 178.

LAND BIRDS.

KEY TO THE SPECIES.

Family TETRAONID.E. Grouse, Partridges,

Qiiails, etc.

Toes, four, the hind toe elevated above the rest; bill, rather short
and stout; wing, short and somewhat rounded, the outer primaries
curved; wing, less than 12 inches long; body feathers, double. In
Eastern North America divided into two subfamilies, which may be
recognized as follows:

(a) Tarsus, not feathered; wing, less than 6 inches long (carpus
to tip). Subfamily PERDICINiE. "Quail" and Partridges.

(h) Tarsus, more or less feathered; wing, more than 6, but less
than 12 inches long.

Subfamily TETRAONINiE. Grouse, Ptarmigan, etc.

GROUP 1. Wing, less than 5 inches long.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

137

Under parts, white, black, and rufous; throat, white (male);
throat, buff brown (female). Colinus virginianus, and races.

Quail. Bob-white.
See No. 140.

* GROUP 2. Wing, more than 5 inches long.

SECTION 1. The following species do not have the greater portion
of the primaries white : —

Ruffed Grouse.

A tuft of black feathers on sides of the neck; tarsus, not entirely
feathered; axillary plumes, white, barred with brown.

Bonasa nmbellns. and races.
Ruffed Grouse. " Partridge."

See Nos. 142, 142a.

Tarsus, entirely feathered; axillary plumes, entirely white; no

elongated tufts of feathers on sides of neck; tail, pointed.

Pedicecetes phasianellus campestris.
Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse.

See No. 145.

Tarsus, entirely feathered; axillary plumes, white; sometimes
with faint bars near tip; a tuft of ten or more elongated feathers on
each side of the neck; tail, not pointed. Tympanuchus aniericamis.

Prairie Hen. Pinnated Grouse.
See No. 144.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

138 Field Museum of Natural History — -Zoology, Vol. IX.

nl^>

H^V

Canada Grouse (Male).

Tarsus, entirely feathered ; axillary plumes, smoky gray, with
white shafts, and tipped with white; the male has the breast black;

the female has the breast tawny brown, black, and white.

Canachites canadensis.
Canada Grouse. Spruce Partridge.

See No. 141.

SECTION 2. The following species have the greater portion of the

primaries white : —

Ja.n., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 139

Winter plumage, mostly white ; no black on lores or shafts of
secondaries; summer plumage, a mixture of black, rufous, tawny,
and bufify white; depth of bill, at base .40 or more.

Lagopus lagopiis.
Willow Ptarmigan.
See No. 143.

Family PHASIANID.^. Pheasants,
Turkeys, etc.

Subfamily MELEAGRINvE. Turkeys.

Toes, four, the hind toe elevated above the rest; bill, rather short
and stout; wing, short and somewhat rounded, the outer primaries
curved; wing, more than 12 inches long.

Resembles domestic Turkey, but legs usually pink red; primaries,
broadly barred with white; upper tail coverts and tail, tipped with
chestnut brown. Meleagris gallopavo silvestris.

Wild Turkey.

See No. 146.

Family COLUMBID^. Pigeons and Doves.

Toes, four, hind toe not elevated above the rest; nostril, opening
into a soft fleshy membrane; tarsus, usually shorter than the toes;
wings, rather long and flat.

GROUP 1. Wing, less than 6.50 inches long.

SECTION 1. Primaries, dark slaty brown or blackish.

Upper parts, grayish olive; rump, grayish olive; crown, tinged
with slate color; sides of neck, with purplish metallic reflections; a
bluish black spot on lower edge of ear coverts ; tail, pointed ; middle
tail feathers, much longer than outer feathers; length, less than 13
inches. Zenaidura macroiira carolinensis.

Mourning Dove.
See No. 148.

I40 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Mourning Dove.

*GROUP 2. Wing, over 6.50 inches long.

Passenger Pigeon.

Decidedly larger than the Mourning Dove; length, over 14 inches;
wing, over 7 inches; most of back and rump, bluish slate color; tail,
pointed and rather long; under tail coverts, white; under parts
vinaceous, shading into white on the lower belly (male). Female,
similar, but duher; breast, pale grayish brown; immature birds have
the primaries marked with rufous. Ectopistes migratorius.

Passenger Pigeon.
See No. 147.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

141

Family CATHARTID^. American
Vultures.

Size, large; plumage, black or dark brown; hind toe, short; claws,
not sharp ; head, bare in adult ; nostrils, large.

GROUP 1. Wing, from 14 to 21 inches long.
SECTION 1. Wing, less than 17 inches long.

Black Vulture.

Head and fore-neck, bare; skin of head, blackish; general plumage,
black; primaries, hoary white beneath. Catharista iinibu.

Black Vulture. Carrion Crow.
See No. 150.

142 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

SECTION 2. Wing, over 17 inches long.

Turkey Vulture.

Head and fore-neck, bare; skin of head, red; general plumage,
brownish black or dark brown; bill, whitish; immature birds have
the head feathered. Cathartes aura septentrionalis.

Turkey Vulture. Turkey Buzzard.
See No. 149.

INDEX TO KEY.

Family FALCONID.^. Hawks, Falcons,
Eagles, Kites, etc.

Group i. Wing, less than 8.50 inches long. See page 145.
Group 2. Wing, 8.50 to 9.50 inches long. See page 146.
Group 3. Wing, 9.50 to 13 inches long. See page 147.

Section i. Species having second primary longest. See page 147.
Section 2. Species having third primary longest. See page 147.
Section 3. Species having fourth primary longest. See page 147.
Group 4. Wing, 13 to 15 inches long. See page 148.

Section i. Second primary, longest; first and second primaries, emar-

ginate or notched. See page 148.
Section 2. Third primary, longest; face, bare. See page 149.
Section 3. Fourth primary, longest; upper tail coverts, white. See page

149.
Section 4. Fourth primary, longest; upper tail coverts, not white. See

page 140.
Group 5. Wing, 15 to 17 inches long. See page 150.

Section i. Second primary, longest; only first primary, notched. See

page 150.
Section 2. Second primary, longest; first and second primary, notched.

See page 151.
Section 3. Third primary, longest. See page 151.
Section 4. Fourth primary, longest; four or five outer primaries, notched;

upper tail coverts, white. See page 152.
Section 5. Fourth primary longest; four or five outer primaries, notched;

upper tail coverts, not white; tarsus, partly feathered. See page 152.
Section 6. Fourth primary, longest; four or five outer primaries, notched;

tarsus, entirely feathered. See page 152.
Section 7. Fourth primary, longest; three outer primaries, notched. See

page 153.
Group 6. Wing, 17 to 21 inches long. See page 153.

Section i. Third primary, longest; tarsus, wholly feathered. See page

153-
Section 2. Third primary longest; tarsus, no< wholly feathered. Seepage

153-
Section 3. Fourth primary, longest; tarsus, partly feathered. See page

154-
Section 4. Fourth primary, longest; tarsus, entirely feathered. See page
154.
Group 7. Wing, over 21 inches long. See page 155.

143

First primary, emarginate or notched.
Duck Hawk, etc.

First two primaries, emarginate.
Swallow-tailed Kite, etc.

First three primaries, emarginate.
Swainson's Hawk, etc.

First four primaries, emarginate.
Rough-legged Hawk, etc.

First five primaries, emarginate.
Bald Eagle, etc.

Types of emarginate or "notched" primaries.

144

Family FALCONID.^. Hawks, Falcons,
Eagles, Kites, etc.

Toes, four, three in front, one behind; toes, with strong, curved
talons or claws; bill, with cere (hard skin-like covering at the base
of upper mandible through which the nostrils open); bill, hooked.

GROUP 1. Wing, less than 8.50 inches long.

Male. Sparrow Hawk. Female.

Rump and upper tail coverts, rufous brown; tail, more or less
marked with rufous brown; tarsus, less than 1.50; second primary,
longest. Falco sparverius.

American Sparrow Hawk.

See No. 171.

Rump and upper tail coverts, slaty brown; tarsus, over 1.50,
fourth primary, longest. Accipiter velox.

Sharp-shinned Hawk.
See No. 155.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

146 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Rump and upper tail coverts, dark brown; breast, streaked with
dark brown; no rufous brown on tail; second primary, longest
(immature); back and rump, slate color (adult).

Falco columbanus, and races.
Pigeon Hawk.
See Nos. 170, 170a.

GROUP 2. Wing, 8.50 to 9.50 inches long.

Second primary, longest. Falco columbarius, and races.

Pigeon Hawk.

See Nos. 170, 170a.

Fourth primary, longest; outer tail feather, three-quarters inch
or more shorter than middle feather; tail, usually more than 7.25
long. Accipiier cooperii.

Cooper's Hawk.
See No. 156.

Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Fourth primary, longest; outer tail feather, less than three-quar-
ter inch shorter than middle feather; tail, usually less than 7.25 long.

Accipiter velox.
Sharp-shinned Hawk.
See No. 155.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 147

GROUP 3. Wing, 9,50 to 13 inches long.
SECTION 1. The following species have the second primary longest : —

Upper parts, ash gray; head, nearly white; shoulder, black; iris,
red ; upper surface of inner web of first primary, without bars ; breast
and belly, white. Elanus leucurus.

White-tailed Kite.
See No. 152.

Upper surface of inner web of first primary, barred with white;
breast and belly, streaked. Falco mexicanus.

Prairie Falcon.
See No. 168.

Upper surface of inner web of first primary, barred with pale
rufous brown; breast and belly, streaked, Falco peregrinus anatum.

Duck Hawk. Peregrine Falcon.
See No. 169.

SECTION 2. The following species have the third primary longest : —

Belly, slaty gray (adult), or buffy streaked more or less with pale
brown (immature) ; upper tail coverts, not white; no white band on
tail. Ictinia mississippiensis .

Mississippi Kite.
See No. 153.

Third and fourth primaries, about equal length; upper plumage,
slaty gray; tail, black, banded with white (adult); wing, always
less than 12 inches long. Asturina plagiata.

Mexican Goshawk.
See No. 162.

Third and fourth primaries, about equal length; upper plumage,
dark brown; tail, grayish brown, banded with black (immature);
wing, always less than 12 inches long. Asturina plagiata.

Mexican Goshawk.
See No. 162.

SECTION 3. The following species have the fourth primary longest : —

Upper tail coverts, white; wing, less than 12 inches long; tail,
less than 8.25; a Mexican species; accidental in Illinois (only one
record). Asturina plagiata.

Mexican Goshawk.
See No. 162.

148 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Upper tail coverts, white; tarsus, over 2.25; wing, over 12 inches
long; third and fourth primary, nearly the same length; a common
species in Illinois. Circus hudsonius.

Marsh Hawk.
See No. 154.

Fourth outer primary, not decidedly notched; no white on upper
surface of outer webs of primaries; under surface of primaries, not
strongly barred with dark brown and white ; tail, less than 9.50 ; upper
tail coverts, not white. Bnteo platypterus.

Broad-winged Hawk.
See No. 161.

Fourth outer primary, decidedly notched ; under surface of outer
primaries, not heavily barred with dark brown and white; tail, 9.50,
or over; wing, over 11.50. Astur atricapillus, and races.

American Goshawk.

See Nos. 157, 157a.

Fourth outer primary, decidedly notched; under surface of outer
primaries, not heavily barred with dark brown and white; tail, less
than 9.50 ; upper surface of tail, with distinct white bars.

Bnteo lineattis.
Red-shouldered Hawk.
See No. 159.

Under surface of primaries, heavily barred with dark brown and
white; wing, under 11.50. Accipiter cooperii.

Cooper's Hawk.
See No. 156.

GROUP 4. Wing, 13 to 15 inches long.

SECTION 1. Second primary, longest; first and second primaries,
emarginate, or notched.

Length, always under 19; primaries, hoary gray, without bands;
breast and belly, white ; a patch of black on the shoulder.

Elanus leucurus.
White-tailed Kite.

See No. 152.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 149

First primary, pale brown, with numerous bands on inner web;
length, usually under 19 (some females are longer) ; upper plumage,
grayish brown. Falco mexicayius.

Prairie Falcon.

See No. 168.

Length, always over 19; under tail coverts, spotted, or washed
with dusky; upper parts, grayish, barred and marked with white;
under parts, white, streaked and spotted with blackish.

Falco rusticolus.
Gray Gyrfalcon.
See No. 167.

SECTION 2. Third primary, longest; face, bare.

Throat, white or buff; upper surface of tail, grayish brown, with
numerous bars; three outer primaries, emarginate, or notched.

Btiteo swainsoni.
Swainson's Hawk.
See No. 160.

SECTI(3N 3. Fourth primary, longest; upper tail coverts, white.

Upper tail coverts, white; under surface of tail, white or pale
lufous, with several bands of dark brown. Circus hudsonitis.

Marsh Hawk.
See No. 154.

SECTION 4. Fourth primarv, longest; upper tail coverts, not white.

Upper surface of tail, bright rufous brown, with or without bands
(adult ) . Buteo borealis, and races.

Red-tailed Hawk.
See Nos. 158, 158a, 158b, 158c.

Upper surface of inner webs of outer tail feathers, barred with
brown and white; tail feathers, more or less tinged with pale rufous;
primaries, not tinged with rufous (immature).

Buteo borealis, and races.
Red-tailed Hawk.
See Nos. 158, 158a, 158b, 158c.

Upper surface of inner web of outer tail feathers, barred with
brown and white ; tail feathers, more or less tinged with pale rufous ;
primaries, more or less tinged with rufous (immature).

Buteo lineatiis.
Red-shouldered Hawk.
See No. 159.

150 Field Museum of Natural History — -Zoology, Vol. IX.

Upper surface of tail, dark brown, barred with white (adult).

Buteo lineatus.
Red-shouldered Hawk.
See No. 159.

Throat, white; breast, dull brown; thighs, barred rufous brown
and white ; three outer primaries, emarginate, or notched (adult ) .

Buteo swainsoni.
Swainson's Hawk.
See No. 160.

Throat, buff or buff white; breast, heavily marked with dark
brown; thighs, pale rufous or buff with or without bars; three outer
primaries, emarginate, or notched (immature). Buteo swainsoni.

Swainson's Hawk.
See No. 160.

Throat and under parts finely barred with gray and dull white,
the feathers with dark shafts; thighs, barred and mottled with gray
and white; tail, 9.50 or over; wing, over 11.50 (adult).

Astur atricapillus, and races.
American Goshawk.
See Nos. 157, 157a.

Throat and under parts and thighs, white, or tawny white,
streaked with dark brown; tail, strongly barred (immature).

Astur atricapillus.
American Goshawk.

See No. 157.

GROUP 5. Wing, 15 to 17 inches long.

SECTION 1. Second primary, longest; only first primary, emarginate,

or notched.

Length, under 19; primaries, dark brown, banded on inner web
with pale rufous. Falco peregrinus anatum.

Duck Hawk.

See No. 169.

Length, over 19 ; under tail coverts, marked with dusky or spotted ;
general plumage, gray and white, with more or less black marking;
primaries, not dark brown. Falco rusticolus.

Gray Gyrfalcon.

See No. 167.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 151

SECTION 2. Second piimarv, longest; first and second primaries,
emarginate, or notched.

Back, entirely brown; belly, white, without streaks; under tail
coverts, pure white; tarsus, nearly bare.

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis .
American Osprey. Fish Hawk.

See No. 172.

Back, slaty brown and white; under tail coverts, spotted or
marked with dusky. Falco rusticolus.

Gray Gyrfalcon.
See No. 167.

SECTION 3. Third primary, longest.

Four outer primaries, notched; basal portion of inner webs of
primaries, largely white, without bars; thighs, tawny or buff, more
or less barred; tarsus, thickly feathered.

Archibuteo lagopiis sancti-johannis .
American Rough-legged Hawk.
See No. 164.

Four outer primaries, notched; basal portion of inner webs of
primaries, largely white, without bars; thighs, tinged with deep
rufous, heavily barred; tarsus, thickly feathered.

Archibuteo ferrugineus .
Ferruginous Rough-legged Hawk.
See No. 163.

General plumage, entirely sooty brown, or black; four outer

primaries, notched; primaries and tail, with more or less white, or

gray; tarsus, thickly feathered. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis.

American Rough-legged Hawk (black plumage).

See No. 164.

Three outer primaries, notched; belly and thighs, not white,

Buteo swainsoni.
Swainson's Hawk.

See No. 160.

Three outer primaries, notched; a part of inner web of outer
primaries, white, showing numerous imperfect bars; belly and thighs,
pure white; back, dark brown. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis.

American Osprey. Fish Hawk.

See No. 172.

152 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Two outer primaries, notched; |)riniaries, dark slaty blue, show-
ing greenish tinge when held in the light; tail, long and forked;
under parts and thighs, white. Elanoides forficatus.

Swallow-tailed Kite.
See No. 151.

SECTION 4. Fourth primary, longest; four or five outer primaries,
emarginate, or notched; upper tail coverts, white.

Upper tail coverts, white; under surface of tail, white or pale ru-
fous, with several bands of dark brown. Circus hudsonius.

Marsh Hawk.
See No. 154.

SECTION 5. Fourth primary, longest; four or five outer primaries,

emarginate, or notched; upper tail coverts, not white; tarsus,

partly (but not entirely) feathered.

Tail, bright rufous brown (adult ) ; tail, whitish or grayish, with
numerous brown bars (immature.) Buteo borealis, and races.

Red-tailed Hawk.
See Nos. 158, 158a, 158b, 158c.

General plumage, dark sooty brown, sometimes with under parts
pale, more or less streaked and spotted. Buteo borealis harlani.

Harlan's Hawk.
See No. 158c.

SECTION 6. F'ourth primary, longest; four or five outer primaries,

emarginate, or notched; tarsus, entirely feathered; upper tail

coverts, not white.

Thighs, tawny, more or less streaked or barred.

Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis .
American Rough-legged Hawk.

See No. 164.

General plumage, sooty brown or black (black plumage).

Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis.
American Rough-legged Hawk.
See No. 164.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 153

Thighs, tinged with deep rufous, with numerous bars.

.4 rchibuteo fernigineus.
Ferruginous Rough-legged Hawk.

See No. 163.

SECTION 7. Fourth primary, longest; three outer primaries,
emarginate, or notched.

Tarsus, partly feathered; throat, white (adult); throat, tawny
or buff (immature). Biiteo swaiiisoui.

Swainson's Hawk.
See No. 160.

GROUP G. Wing, 17 to 21 inches long.

SECTION 1. Third primary, longest; tarsus, wholly feathered.

Basal portion of inner web of primaries, largely white, without
bars; thighs, tawny or buff, more or less barred; tarsus, thickly
feathered. Archibnteo lagopus sancti-johannis.

American Rough-legged Hawk.

See No. 164.

Basal portion of inner web of primaries, largely white, without
bars; thighs, tinged with deep rufous, heavily barred.

^4 rchibuteo fernigineus .
Ferruginous Rough-legged Hawk.

See. No. 163.

General plumage, entirely sooty brown or black; primaries and
tail, with more or less white or gray.

Archibnteo lagopus sancti-johannis .
American Rough-legged Hawk (black plumage).

See No. 164.

SECTION 2. Third primary, longest; tarsus, not wholly feathered.

Wing, from 16.90 to 21; a part of inner web of outer primaries,
white, showing numerous imperfect bars; three outer primaries,
notched; belly and thighs, pure white; back, dark brown.

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis.
American Osprey. Fish Hawk.
See No. 172.

154 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Head, neck and entire under parts, pure white; rest of plumage,
glossy bluish black; wing, less than 19; primaries, dark slaty, show-
ing greenish tinge when held in the light ; two outer primaries, notched ;
tail, long and forked. Elanoides forficatus.

Swallow-tailed Kite.
See No. 151.

Wing, always over 18.50; belly and thighs, never white; only
adult birds have the hood and tail white. HalicEetus leucocephalus.

Bald Eagle.
See No. 166.

SECTION 3. Fourth primary, longest; tarsus, partly (not entirely)

feathered.

Tail, rufous brown (adult); tail, whitish or grayish, with numer-
ous brown bars (immature). Buteo borealis, and races.

Red-tailed Hawk.
See Nos. 158, 158a, 158b, 158c.

General plumage, dark sooty brown, sometimes with pale under
parts, more or less streaked and spotted. Buteo borealis harlani.

Harlan's Hawk.

See No. 158c.

Wing, always over 18.50; only adults have head and tail white.

HalicBetus leucocephalus.
Bald Eagle.
See No. 166.

SECTION 4. Fourth primary, longest; tarsus, entirely feathered.

Thighs, tawny, more or less streaked or barred.

Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis.
American Rough-legged Hawk.

See No. 164.

General plumage, sooty brown or black (black plumage).

Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis.
American Rough-legged Hawk.
See No. 164.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 155

Thighs, tinged with deep rufous, with numerous bars.

Archibuteo ferrugineus.
Ferruginous Rough-legged Hawk.
See No. 163.

GROUP 7. Wing, over 21 inches long, (Eagles.)

General plumage, fuscous brown ; tarsus, entirely feathered ; head
and terminal portion of tail, never white. Immature birds have the
basal half or more of the tail feathers white. Aquila chrysaetos.

Golden Eagle.
See No. 165.

Tarsus, not entirely feathered; head and tail, more or less white
in old birds ; younger birds have no white on head, and very little on
the tail, but the partly bare tarsus will always distinguish immature
birds of this species from the Golden Eagle ; fully adult birds have the
head, neck, and tail entirely white and the bill yellow.

Haliceetiis lencocephalus.
Bald Eagle.
See No. 166.

Family STRIGID^. Owls.

Radiated disk of feathers surrounding the eye; plumage, soft;
toes, armed with strong curved talons ; bill, hooked.

* GROUP 1. Wing, less than 8.50 inches long.

SECTION]. Toes, thickly feathered.

Wing, less than 6.10; upper plumage, dark cinnamon brown,
more or less marked with white; under parts, whitish, streaked with
brown ; adult birds have much white about the face ; immature birds
have the face dusky, but the eyebrows white. Glaux acadicus.

Saw-whet Owl. Acadian Owl.
See No. 179.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

156 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Richardson's Owl

Wing, over 6.10; upper plumage, dark cinnamon brown, more or
less spotted with white; under parts, brown and white.

Glaux jnnerea richardsoni.
Richardson's Owl.

See No. 178.

SECTION 2. Toes, nearly bare, or but thinly feathered.

Tarsus, thickly feathered ; head with two horn-like tufts of feathers ;
general plumage, sometimes gray, sometimes rufous brown, more or
less streaked and spotted. Otus asio.

Screech Owl.

See No. 180.

GROUP 2. Wing, 8.50 to 11 inches long.

Primaries, dark brown, more or less marked with tawny brown;
head with ear tufts an inch or more long. Asio wilsoiiiaiius.

American Long-eared Owl.

See No. 174.

Primaries, dark brown, more or less marked with pure white;
no horn-like tufts of feathers on head. Surnia iilula caparoch.

American Hawk Owl.

See No. 183.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 157

GROUP 3. Wing, 11 to 13 inches long.

Back, not heavily barred or mottled with whitish ; first and second
primaries, "notched" or emarginate ; ear tufts, very small, hardly
noticeable. Asio flammeus.

Short-eared Owl.

See No. 175.

Back, finely mottled with whitish (not heavily barred); head,
with ear tufts an inch or more long; first primary only, "notched."

Asio wilsonianus.
American Long-eared Owl.

See No. 174.

General plumage, umber brown, mottled and barred with whitish;
belly, streaked dark with brown and whitish; toes, feathered; no
ear tufts. Strix varia.

Barred Owl.
See No. 176.

Barn Owl.
About one seventh natural size.

Under parts, white, or tawny white, with more or less small spots
of brown; middle toe nail, with comb-like edge. (This species
belongs in Family Aluconidae, the Barn Owls having been separated
from the Strigidas. ) Aluco pratincola.

Barn Owl.
See No. 173.

158 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

GROUP 4. Wing, 13 to 15 inches long.

SECTION 1. Second primary, decidedly shorter than fourth.

Under parts, white, barred and streaked with brown; toes, more
or less feathered. Strix varia.

Barred Owl.

See No. 176.

SECTION 2. Second primary, about equal in length to fourth.

Two large, ear-like tufts of feathers above the eyes.

Bubo virginianus, and races.
Great Horned Owl.
See Nos. 181, i8ia.

SECTION 3. Second primary, decidedly longer than fourth.

Short-eared Owl

Under parts, streaked; feet, thickly feathered.

Asia flammeus.
Short-eared Owl.

See No. 175.

Under parts, white or buff white, more or less spotted; feet, nearly
bare; middle toe nail, with comb-like edge. Aluco pratincola.

Barn Owl.
See No. 173.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

159

GROUP 5. Wing, over 15 inches long.

Bill, black; general plumage, tawny, black and white; horn-like
tufts of feathers over the eyes. Bubo virginianus, and races.

Great Horned Owl.
See Nos. 181, i8ia.

Bill, black; general plumage, white, usually more or less marked
with slate brown, or dark brown; no horn-like tufts of feathers over
the eyes. Nyctea nyctea.

Snowy Owl.
See No. 182.

Bill, yellowish; no horn-like tufts of feathers over eyes; general
plumage, gray mixed with white and dark brown.

Scotiaptex nebulosa.
Great Gray Owl.

See No. 177.

Great Homed Owl.

i6o Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Family PSITTACIDiE. Parrots and
Paroquets.

Toes, four, two in front and two behind (zygodactyle) ; bill, with
cere (a skin-like covering over base of mandible).

General plumage, green; head and neck, yellow, becoming orange
on the forehead and cheeks; bend of wing, yellow. Immature birds
have but little yellow on the head. Conuropsis carolinensis.

Carolina Paroquet.
See No. 184.

Once common in Southern States and as far north as Illinois;
apparently now restricted to Florida and Indian Territory.

Jan., tqoq. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

i6i

Family CUCULID.^. Cuckoos.

Feet, zygodactyle (two toes in front, two behind) ; first primary,
about half as long as third ; outer tail feathers, much shorter than
middle ones.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

U|)]jer parts, ^)r<)^vnish i^ray, with faint gloss of greenish; under
mandible, mostly yellow ; greater portion of primaries, rufous brown,
tipped with grayish oHve; under [)arts, dull white; outer tail feathers,
l^lack, tipped with white. Coccyzns anien'caiins.

Yellow-billed cuckoo.
See No. 185.

Upper parts, grayish brown, with faint gloss of green; bill, black;
no rufous brown on primaries; tmdcr parts, dull white; outer tail
feathers, like back in color. Coccyzns ervtlirophthalinus.

Black-billed Cuckoo.
See No. 186.

i62 Field Museum of Natural History — -Zoology, Vol. IX.

Family ALCEDINID^. Kingfishers.

Bill, long and straight; feet, syndactyle ; toes, four, the middle
and outer ones joined, being fastened together for more than half
their length ; tarsus, very short and reticulate (scales rounded) in
front.

Sl^v^

Back, bluish gray; throat and belly,

white; a band of bluish gray on the

^^v^ breast (male); under parts, without

^^— chestnut brown; sides of the body and

a band i)n the belly, chestnut (female).

Ceryle alcyon.
Belted Kingfisher.
See No. 187.

^v,"

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

163

Family PICIDiE. Woodpeckers.

Bill, strong and sharp; toes, four or three, never more than two
in front; nostrils, partly concealed by small bristly feathers; tail
feathers, stiff and pointed. Woodpeckers are commonlv seen climb-
ingf about on trunks of trees.

'^ GROUP 1. Wing, less than 4.25 inches long.

Back, black, streaked with
white; crown, with red nuchal
patch (male) ; without red nu-
chal patch (female); tail feath-
ers, stiff and pointed ; toes, four,
two in front, two behind.
Dryobates puhescens medianus.
Downy Woodpecker.
See No. 190.

GROUP 2. Wing, 4.-25 to 5.1^0 inches long.

SECTION 1. The following species have three toes; no trace of red
on the crown or nape: —

Toes, three; crown, with patch of yellow; back, black, without
white (male ) . Picoides arcticus.

Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker.

See No. 191.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

164 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Toes, three; crown, black; back, black, without white.

Picoides arcticus (female).
Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker.
See No 191.

Picoides americanus.

Toes, three; crown, yellow; back, black and white.

Picoides americanus (male).
American Three-toed Woodpecker. Banded-backed Woodpecker.

[■ See No. 192.

Toes, three; crown, black, marked with white; back, black and

white. Picoides americanus (female).

American Three-toed Woodpecker. Banded-backed Woodpecker.

See No. 192.

SECTION 2. The following species have four toes; no trace ol red

on crown or nape : —

Ear coverts, black;

no white on inner
web of two middle
tail feathers; middle
of back, more or less
white, but not heavi-
ly banded as in borea-
lis; lower rump and
upper tail coverts,
black.

Dryobates villosus (fe-
male ) .

Hairy Woodpecker.
See No. i8q.

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

165

Rump and upper tail coverts, pure white ; greater portion of tertials
and secondaries, white; the shafts, black; inner webs of two middle
tail feathers, not marked with white. Adult birds of both sexes
have the head red; immature birds have the head dark brownish
gray. Melanerpes erythrocephalus (inttnature ) .

Red-headed Woodpecker.
See No. 195.

Inner webs of two middle tail feathers, heavily marked with white ;

belly, usually tinged with pale yellow.

Sphyrapicus varius {immature).
Yellow-belHed Woodpecker.

See No. 193.

SECTION 3. The following species have four toes, and more or less
red on crown or nape : —

Crown, black; a patch of red on the occiput (back of the head) ;
ear coverts, black ; no white on inner webs of two middle tail feathers ;
back, black, with white patch in middle, but not heavily banded with
black and white; wings, with round white spots; upper tail coverts,
black. Dryobates villosus {male).

Hairy Woodpecker.
See No. 189.

Crown, red; throat, red (male); crown, red; throat, white (fe-
male); belly, tinged with yellow; two middle tail feathers, heavily
marked with white on the inner webs; a patch of black on the breast,
varying in size, according to age and season.

Sphyrapicus varius {adult).
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.
See No. 193.

i66 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Crown, red (male); crown, ashy gray, nape, red (female) ; throat
and under parts, pale ash gray, the belly tinged with red or buff, accord-
ing to season. Centunis carolinus.

Red-bellied Woodpecker.

See No. 196.

Rump and upper tail coverts, pure white ; greater part of second-
aries and tertials, white, with black shafts (sometimes with one brown
band near tip ) ; entire head and throat, red (adults) ; immature
birds have the head brownish gray, speckled and marked with dull
black, but usually showing more or less red in places.

Melanerpes erythrocephalus .
Red-headed Woodpecker.
[ ' See No. 195.

GROUP 3. Wing, 5.50 to 8.00.

Under surface of wings and tail, yellow; a band of red on the nape,

and a black molar stripe (male ) ; similar but without the black molar

stripe (female). Colaptes auratus luteus.

Northern Flicker. Golden-winged Woodpecker.

See No. 197.

Rump and upper tail coverts, pure white; greater portion of
tertials, white, the shafts, black; middle tail feathers, not marked
with white; belly, white. Adult birds of both sexes have the entire
head red ; immature birds have the head dark brownish gray.

Melanerpes erythrocephalus.
Red-headed Woodpecker.
See No. 195.

Middle tail feathers, marked with white; under parts, ashy, tinged
with red or buff on the belly; back barred with black and white;
whole top of head, red (male ) ; top of head, ash gray, nape red
(female). Centum s carolinus.

Red-bellied Woodpecker.
See No. 196.

Throat, red (male) or white (female), not gray; belly, tinged
with yellow; wing coverts, mostly white. Sphyrapicus varius.

Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.
See No. 193.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

167

Yellow-ijcllieJ Woodpecker.
(Adult male.)

GROUP 4. Wing, over 8.00.

Bill, dark slaty, or blackish; upper plumage, blackish; basal half
of wing feathers, white; whole crown, scarlet red (male); front of
crown, not red (female) ; size, large, length over 15 inches.

Phloootomus pileatus albieticola.
Northern Pileated Woodpecker.
See No. 194.

Bill, yellowish white; greater portion of plumage, black; greater
portion of secondaries, and tips of inner primaries, white; a white
stripe extends down sides of the neck to the back; crest, bright red
(male); crest, black (female). Formerly found in Illinois, but now
occurs only in Florida, and a few localities along the Gulf coast;
very rare. Campephilus principalis.

Ivory-billed Woodpecker.
See No. 188.

i68 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Family CAPRIMULGID^. Nighthawks,
Whip-poor-wills, etc.

Feet, small and weak ; mouth, very large ; bill, small ; middle toe
nail, with fine comb-like edge ; front toes, connected at base.

A band of white on the wing; tail feathers, not tipped with white.

Chordeiles virginianus, and races.
Nighthawk.
See Nos. 200, 200a.

No white on the wing; primaries, banded with rufous brown
and black; wing, over 7.50 in. long. Antrostomus carolinensis.

Chuck-will's-widow.
See No. 198.

No white on wing; outer tail feathers,
broadly tipped with white; wing, under 7.50
in. long. Antrostomus vociferus.

Whip-poor-will.

See No. 199.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

169

Faonily MICROPODID^. Swifts.

Bill, small and weak; mouth, large; feet, small; tail feathers,
with sharp spines extending beyond the tips.

General plumage, sooty brown, showing a faint greenish tinge on
the upper parts; throat, ashy white; tail feathers, with sharp spines,
or points formed by the shafts of the feathers, extending beyond the
webs. The Swifts are widely separated generically from the Swallows;
but persons unfamiliar with birds might look for them under the same
family. Chcstura pelagica.

Chimney Swift.
See No. 201.

Family TROCHILID^. Hummingbirds.

Smallest of Birds. Wing less than 1,75 inches long (carpus to tip).

l/y

V

Throat, ruby red; back, golden green (male); no red on throat
(female and young male). Trochilus cohibris.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

See No. 202.

170 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Family TYRANNID^- Flycatchers.

* GROUP 1. Wing, 2.13 to 2.37 inches long.

Bill, broad and flattened, with numerous small black bristles at
base of upper mandible; tip, with small but distinct hook; tarsus,
rounded, not flattened and sharp at the back as in the Vireos.

^ Top of bill. Side of bill.

First primary shorter than fifth; bill, with small hook at tip,
flat and wide at base; back, olive green; belly, not yellow, or only
faintly tinged with yellow; eye ring, whitish. Empidonax ■minimus.

Least Flycatcher.

See No. 215.

Back, olive green; belly, clear yellow. Empidonax flaviventris.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.

See No. 212.

GROUP 2. Wing, 2.37 to 2.75 inches long.

First primary, about as long as fifth; under mandible yellowish

white; throat, dull white; breast and belly, dull white, tinged with

pale yellow; back, olive green. Empidonax virescens.

Green-crested Flycatcher. Acadian Flycatcher.

See No. 213.

Under mandible, yellowish white; throat and under parts, yellow
or greenish yellow; back, olive green. Empidonax flaviventris.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.

See No. 212.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

171

Flycatcher.

First primary, shorter than fifth; under mandible, pale yellowish
white, or brownish white; back, tinged with olive brown; wing, over
2.60; eye ring and wing bars, whitish. Enipidonax traillii, and races.

Traill's Flycatcher.

See Nos. 214, 214a.

Eye ring, whitish; first primary, shorter

than fifth; under mandible, usually pale

-> brown or brownish white; wing, under 2.60.

Empidonax minimus.
Least Flycatcher.
See No. 215.

GROUP

W

inj

2.75 to 3.25 inches long.

Bill, flat and wide, with small hook at tip,
and black bristles at base.

Wing, under 3.05; under mandible, yel-
lowish white; throat and under parts, pale
greenish yellow ; back, olive green. Empidonax flaviventris.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.
See No. 212.

172 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX,

Wing, usually under 3.05 ; under mandible, straw color or yellowish
white; throat, white; belly, whitish, faintly tinged with yellow;
back, olive green; first primary, about as long as fifth. •

Empidonax virescens.
Green-crested or Acadian Flycatcher.
See No. 213.

Wing, under 3.05; upper parts, tinged with olive brown; throat,
white; under mandible, yellowish white; eye-ring and wing bars, pale

tawny; first primary, shorter than fifth. Empidonax traillii, and races.

Traill's Flycatcher.

See Nos. 214, 214a.

GROUP 4. Wing, 3.25 to 3.75 inches long.

Both mandibles, blackish; back broWnish olive,
under tail coverts, pale yellowish white.

Sayornis phcebe.
Phoebe Flycatcher.

See No. 207.

Wood Pewee.

Wing, longer than the tail;] under mandible, pale, usually yellow-
ish, or yellowish brown; back, dull olive; breast and sides, olive gray.

Myiochanes virens.
Wood Pewee.
See No. 210.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

173

GROUP 5. Wing, 3.75 to 4.25 inches long.

Bill, with small hook at tip, and black bristles at base; back of
tarsus, rounded.

Throat, grayish; belly, yellow; back, dull olive; more or less ru-
fous brown on the tail feathers. Myiarchus crinitus.

Crested Flycatcher.

See No. 206.

Throat, grayish olive ; belly, pale rufous brown ; upper parts, olive
gray. Sayomis say a.

Say's Phoebe Flycatcher.

See No. 208.

Wing, longer than tail ; throat and middle of belly, white, some-
times tinged with yellow; under mandible, pale at base; upper parts,
brownish olive; greater portion of breast, and sides of the body,
brownish olive; upper mandible, black; a tuft of whitish fluffy fea-
thers on the flanks. Nnttallornis borealis.

Olive-sided Flycatcher.
See No. 209.

GROUP 6. Wing, 4.25 to 4.75 inches long.

Back, blackish ; a con-
— ^-». - cealed patch of fiery red

""<V^^^ on crown; tail, tipped with

vX\ white; belly, white.

Tyrannus tyrannus.
Kingbird.
See No. 204.

Kingbird.

Crown and back, dull olive; throat, gray; belly and under tail
coverts, yellow; tail feathers, heavily marked with rufous.

Myiarchus crinitus.
Crested Flycatcher.

See No. 206.

174 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Crown, dull olive gray; throat, olive gray; belly, rufous brown;
tail, black. Sayornis saya.

Say's Phoebe Flycatcher.

See No. 208.

Upper plumage, brownish olive, or dull, grayish olive; throat and
middle of belly, white, sometimes tinged with pale yellow; breast
(except middle) and sides of body, dull grayish olive; under mandible,
pale. Nuttallornis borealis.

Olive-sided Flycatcher.
See No. 209.

Crown and back, ashy; throat and breast, ashy white; sides of
breast and body, orange red; tail, forked, very long, rarely less than
four and one half inches. Muscivora forficata.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

See No. 203.

GROUP 7. Wing, 4.75 to 5.50 inches long.

Top of bill.

Back, blackish ; a concealed patch of fiery red on the crown ; tail,
black, tipped with white ; belly, white. Tyrannus tyrannus.

Kingbird.

See No. 204.

Back, olive gray; a concealed orange patch on the crown; throat,
gray; belly, yellow; outer web of outer tail feather, white; a western
species which has occasionally been taken east of the Mississippi.

Tyrannus verticalis.
Arkansas Kingbird.
See No. 205.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

175

Crown and back, ashy; throat and breast, ashy white; sides of
breast and body, orange red ; tail, very long, rarely less than four ami
one half inches. A southwestern species, several examples of which
have been taken in eastern North America, from Ontario to Florida.

Miiscivora forficata.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
See No. 203.

Family ALAUDID^. Larks.

Bill, pointed, and somewhat rounded ; back of tarsus, rounded ;
hind toe nail, elongated, equal or longer than the toe ; nostrils, more
or less concealed by tufts of hair-like feathers ; wing, 3.75 to 4.50,

%s,^-r^^/>

"~^,

*S-'X

^■^

■IJ^V/

<vj .<^-- _-:.^;.:

Horned Lark.

Upper throat and line over the eye, yellow, or yellowish white;
a .stripe from bill below the eye, and a patch on breast, black, or black-
ish; belly, white; upper parts, brownish, more or less streaked;
hind toe nail long, and nearly .straight; greater portion of outer web

176 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

of outer tail feather, white. In immature and winter birds, the horn-
Hke tuft of feathers is lacking, or indistinct.

Otocoris alpestris, and races.
Horned Lark.
See Nos. 216, 216a, and 216b.

Family CORVIDi^:. Crows, Jays, etc.

Subfamily GARRULIN^. Magpies and Jays.

First primary, much shorter than second, always less than three
fourths as long as third ; fourth or fifth primary, longest ; bill, stout
and strong ; the nostrils, concealed by coarse hair-like feathers ; outer
tail feathers, shorter than middle feathers.

* GROUP 1. Wing,^less than 5.50 inches long.

Upper parts, pale blue or }nirplish blue; tail,
l)nght blue, barred with black and (except middle
feathers) tipped with white; wings, blue, marked
with white; under parts, ashy white; breast with
1)1 ack band. Cyanocitta cr is tat a.

Blue Jay.

See No. 218.

* For ilirections for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

Canada Jay.

177

No blue on pkimage anywhere; greater part of crown, dusky;
breast and belly, gray; throat, lighter. Perisoreiis canadensis.

Canada Jay.
See No. 219.

GROUP 2. Wing, 5.50 to 6.50 inches !ong.

Upper parts, pale blue, or purplish blue; tail, bright blue, barred
with black and (except middle feathers) tipped with white; wings,
bk:e, marked with white; under parts, ashy w'hite; breast, with black
band. Cyanocitta cristata.

Blue Jay.
See No. 218.

Forehead, throat, and sides of head, dull white; back of crown
and nape, blackish; back, gray; under parts, ashy, palest on the
throat. Perisoreiis canadensis.

Canada Jay.
See No. 219.

GROUP 3. Wing, 6.50 to 8.50 inches long.

Head and breast, black; tail, long, showing more or less green
and purple reflections. Pica pica Jindsonica.

American Magpie.
See No. 217.

General plumage, ash gray, becoming white on front of head;
most of tail, white except the two middle feathers which are black;

lyS Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

wings, black; wing, from 7.20 to 8; tail, about 5.25; belongs to the
subfamily Corvinae. Nucifraga columhiana.

Clarke's Nutcracker.
See No. 222.

Subfamily CORVINiE. Crows and Ravens.
* GROUP 4. Wing, 9.50 to 15 inches long.

Crow

Plumage, black; wing, over 11.50; tarsus, over 2,10; bill, over
J ^80. Corvus brachyrhynchos.

American Crow.

See No. 221.

GROUP 5. Wing, over 15 inches long.

General plumage, black; feathers on throat, narrow and pointed,

size alone will distinguish it from the Crow.

Corvus corax principalis.
Northern Raven.
, See No. 220.

♦For directions for measurement see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 179

Family ICTERIDt^. Blackbirds, Orioles,
Meadowlarks, etc.

Bill, usually acute ; first primary, not short, about the same length
as second ; base of bill slightly dividing the feathers of the forehead ;
nostrils exposed ; outer tail feathers, shorter than middle feathers.

* GROUP I. Wing, less than 3.75 inches long.

SECTION I. The following species have the under parts more or less
marked with either yellow, orange, or chestnut brown : —

Head and throat, black; under parts, orange yellow; back, black.

Icterus galhula {male ) .
Baltimore Oriole.

See No. 230.

Head, more or less marked with black; back, blackish; under
parts, orange, paler than the male. Icterus galhula {female).

Baltimore Oriole.
See No. 230.

Crown and back, dull olive, faintly tinged with yellow on rump;
under parts, pale yellow, usually with faint orange tinge; wing, over
3.45. Icterus galbula (immature).

Baltimore Oriole.
See No. 230.

Head and back, black; rest of under parts, chestnut brown.

Icterus spurius {male ) .
Orchard Oriole.
See No. 229.

Crown and back, greenish, without stripes; under parts, yellow
(not orange); wing, under 3.45. Icterus spurius {female).

Orchard Oriole.

See No. 229.

*For directions for measurement, see page 21.

i8o Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Male.

Orchard Criolp.

Crown, with yellow buff in center, bordered by black; back,
streaked with black; under parts, pale yellow, tinged with buff; tail
feathers, pointed. Dolichonyx oryzivorus {female).

Bobolink. Rice Bird.
See No. 223.

SECTION 2. The following species have the under parts black, or
heavily streaked with black or dark brown : —

Bobolink.

Under parts, black, often showing more or less whitish on tips of
feathers; head, black; back of neck, tawny, or tawny white; back,

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 181

black, shading into gray and white on rump and upper tail cov-
erts. Dolichonyx oryzivoms {male. )

Bobolink. Rice Bird.

See No. 223.

Red-winged Blackbird (female.)

Under parts, whitish or buffy, streaked with black.

Agelaius phceniceiis {female), and races.
Red- winged Blackbird.
See Nos. 226, 226a.

GROUP 2. Wing, 3.75 to 4.25 inches long.
First primary, never less than three fourths as long as third.

Blackbird.

Grackle, or Crow Blackbird. Oriole.

Meadowlark.

i82 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Oriole.

Blackbird.

Meadowlark.

SECTION I. The following species have under parts with more or

less yellow : —

Baltimore Oriole (male).

Head and back, black; throat, black; rest of under parts, orange.

Icterus galbitla (male).
Baltimore Oriole.

See No. 230.

Head and back, brownish black; throat, black; rest of under parts,
paler than the male. Icterus galbula (female).

Baltimore Oriole.

See No. 230.

Upper plumage, dull brownish olive ; rump, yellowish olive; entire
under parts, yellowish white or pale buffy yellow, faintly tinged with
orange. Icterus galbula (immature ) .

Baltimore Oriole.

See No. 230.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

183

Under parts, pale buff yellow or tawny yellow; whitish on chin;
sides, streaked with black; crown, blackish, with tawny stripe in
center ; back, streaked ; tail feathers, very pointed.

Dolichonyx oryzivorus {female ) .
Bobolink. Rice Bird.
See No. 223.

Throat and under parts, yellow ; breast,

li^ with more or less black; crown brownish

^v^ black, with buff white stripe in center.

/ Sturnella magna, and races.

k Meadowlark.

See Nos. 227, 227a, and 228.

SECTION 2. The following species have no yellow on the under

parts : —

Bobolink (male).

Bobolink (male).

Under parts, black, generally with more or less feathers tipped
with dull white; crown, black; back of the neck, tawny; tail feathers,
very pointed. Dolichonyx oryzivorus .

Bobolink. Rice Bird.

See No. 223.

184 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Under parts, heavily streaked with black ; throat, tinged with
tawny. Agelaius phceniceus {female).

Red-winged Blackbird.

Sec No. 226.

Head and throat, brown; rest of plumage, glossy greenish black.

Molothi'Hs atcr {male).
Cowbird.
See No. 224.

Under parts, brownish gray; upper parts, pale grayish brown.

Molothrus ater {feniale).
Cowbird.

See No. 224.

GROUP ■-). Wing, 4.25 to 4.75 inches long.
First primary, never less than three fourths as long'^as third.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

\ ^^S^iBWi ^ ^ IBM

i«5

General plumage, black; a patch of scarlet on the shoulder.

Agelaius phcenicens {male), and races.
Red-winged Blackbird.

See Nos. 226, 226a.

?1^/-

Rusty Blackbird.

General plumage, black; no red shoulder patch; head, not tinged
with purple. Enphagiis caroliniis {male).

Rusty Blackbird.

See No. 231.

General plumage, black, glossed on the head with purplish or
violet black, and back and under parts, tinged with metallic green;
no red on shoulder; wing, rarely less than 5 inches long.

Euphagus cyanocephalus {male ) .
Brewer's Blackbird.
See No. 2^2.

i86 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

General plumage, black, tinged with rusty brown on the crown and
back; the feathers on the under parts, tipped with rusty brown; under
parts, not streaked; no red on shoulder.

Euphagus carolinus {female and immature in fall).

Rusty Blackbird.
See No. 231.

General plumage, black, more or less streaked and marked with
brown, buff, and dull white; lesser wing coverts (shoulder), dull red.

Agelaiiis phceniceus {young m.ale).
Red-winged Blackbird.

See No. 226.

Upper parts, blackish, streaked with brownish buff; under parts,
streaked with black ; no red patch on shoulder.

A gelaius phceniceus {female), and races.
Red-winged Blackbird.

See Nos. 226, 226a.

Cowbird.

Head and breast, chocolate brown; rest of plumage, glossy black.

Molothrus ater {male).
Cowbird.

See No. 224.

General plumage, gray; palest on the throat.

Molothrus ater {female).
Cowbird.

See No. 224.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

187

Throat, yellow; belly, black; adult males have the entire head
yellow; females and immature birds have the crown often blackish.
Xanthocephaliis xanthoccphalits (female).

Yellow-headed Blackbird.
See No. 225.

Meadowlark.

Throat and belly, yellow; breast, with more or less black.

Sturnella magna, and races.
Meadowlark.

See Nos. 227, 227a, and 228.

General plumage, dark slate or brownish slate color; under parts,
inclining to plumbeous.

Euphagus carolinus {female) {adult in summer).

Rusty Blackbird.

See No. 231.

GROUP 4. Wing, 4.75 to 5.50 inches long.

First primary, not short; base of bill, dividing the feathers of the
forehead; nostrils, exposed; outer tail feathers, shorter than middle
feathers.

i88 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Bill of Bronzed Crackle.

X

General plumage, metallic green, purple, and bronze.

Quiscalus quiscula ccneus.
Bronzed Grackle.

See No. 233.

General plumage, black; a patch of scarlet red on the shoulder.

Agelaius phccnicens [adult male).
Red-winged Blackbird.

See No. 226.

General plumage, black, more or less streaked and marked with
buff, brown, and dull white; traces of more or less red on the shoulder
(lesser wing coverts). Agelaius phceniceus, and races (immature).

Red-winged Blackbird.

See Nos. 226, 226a.

Adult birds entirely lustrous black; no red
shoulder patch. Immature birds have the upper
parts more or less rusty brown and the feathers on
the under parts, tipped with brown.

Euphagus carolinus {male, and immature) .

Rusty Blackbird.
See No. 2 ?i-

General plumage, dark slate or brownish slate color; under parts,

plumbeous slate color. Euphagus carolinus (female, in summer).

Rusty Blackbird.
See No. 2?i.

Jan., 1Q09. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 189

General plumage, black, glossed on the head with purplish or
violet black; the back and under parts, tinged with metallic green;
no red on shoulder. Western species rare in Eastern United States.

Euphagus cyanocephalus {male).
Brewer's Blackbird.
See No. 232.

Throat, yellow; belly, black; amount of yellow on head varies
according to age and season.

X anthocephalus xanthoccphalits (female ) .
Yellow-headed Blackbird.

Sec No. 225.

Throat and belly, yellow; breast, with more or less black.

Sturnella magna, and races.
Meadowlark. Marsh Quail.

See No. 227, 227a, and 228.

GROUP 5. Wing, 5.50 to 6.50 inches long.

General plumage, black, showing metallic, reflections of green,
purple, and bronze, when held in the light.

Quiscalus quiscula ameus.
Bronzed Grackle.

See No. 233.

Head and throat, yellow, belly, black (male); throat, yellow,
belly, grayish brown (female). Xanthocephalns xantJwcephalus.

Yellow-headed Blackbird.

See No. 225.

Throat, yellow; belly, yellow; a black crescent on the breast.

Stiirnella magna, and races.
Meadowlark.

See No. 227, 227a, and 228.

INDEX TO KEY.

Family FRINGILLID^. Sparrows, Finches,
Crossbills, Buntings, etc.

Group i. Wing, 1.75 to 2.13 inches long. See page 192.
Group 2. Wing, 2.13 to 2.37 inches long. See page 193.

Part I. Breast, more or less streaked; carpal joint, edged with yellow.

See page 193.
Part 2. Breast, more or less streaked; carpal joint, not yellow. See

page 193.
Part 3. Breast, not streaked; carpal joint, edged with yellow. See

page 193.
Part 4. Breast, not streaked; carpal joint, not edged with yellow. See

page 194.
Group 3. Wing, 2.37 to 2.75 inches long. See page 194.

Part I. Throat or under parts, more or less blue, red, dull green, or bright

yellow. See page 194.
Part 2. Throat or under parts, not marked with red, blue, yellow, or green,

breast, distinctly streaked; carpal joint, edged with yellow. See page

195-
Part 3. Under parts, not inarked with red, blue, yellow, or green; breast

distinctly streaked; carpal joint, not edged with yellow. See page 196.
Part 4. Under parts, not marked with red, blue, yellow, or green; breast;

not streaked; bend of wing (carpal joint), edged with yellow. See

page 19 7-
Part 5. Under parts, not marked with red, blue, yellow, or green; the

breast, not distinctly streaked, and no yellow on bend of wing. See

page 198.
Group 4. Wing, 2.75 to 3.25 inches long. See page 199.

Part I. Throat or under parts, more or less red, blue, green, or yellow

See page 199.
Part 2. No blue, red, green, or yellow on the under parts; more or less

of throat, black (sometimes only the chin); breast and sides, not dis-
tinctly streaked. See page 202.
Part 3. No blue, red, green, or yellow on the under parts; throat or chin,

not black; breast or sides, not distinctly streaked; tail feathers, marked

with more or less white. See page 203.
Part 4. No blue, red, green, or yellow on the under parts; throat or chin,

not black; breast or sides, not distinctly streaked; no white on tail

feathers. See page 204.
Part 5. No red, blue, green, or yellow on the under parts; throat, more

or less (sometimes only the chin) black; breast or sides, distinctly

streaked. See page 206.

190

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 191

Part 6. No red, blue, green, or yellow on the under parts; throat or chin,
not black; breast, distinctly streaked or spotted. See page 207.
Group 5. Wing, 3.25 to 3.75 inches long. See page 209.

Part I . More or less of either red, blue, yellow, or green on the under parts.

See page 20Q.
Part 2. No red, blue, yellow, or green on the under parts. See page 211.
Group 6. Wing, 3.75 to 4.25 inches long. See page 215.

Part I. More or less red on the under parts. See page 215.

Part 2. More or less yellow, orange, or green on the under parts. See

page 216.
Part 3 . No red , yellow, orange, or green on the under parts. See page 217.
Group 7. Wing, 4.25 to 4.75 inches long. See page 219.

Family FRINGILLID.^:. Sparrows, Finches,
Crossbills, etc.

Primaries, consisting of 9 feathers; first primary, not short, never
less than two-thirds as long as second or third ; bill, stout and conical ;
nostrils, high, near the culmen ; tarsus, flattened behind.

* GROUP 1. Wing, 1.75 to 2.15 inches long.

Top of head, blackish, with tawny stripe in
^X. middle, and tawny stripe over each eye; tail
\V -^i^ ^.^^"^ usually longer than wings.

iv\Vo:^c:j^ Cotuniiculns leconteii.

\^^\^^~\;/ Leconte's Sparrow.

See No. 252.

Coturnicvilus leconteii.

Passerherbulus candacntns nelsoni.

Top of head, brownish and slate color; a tawny stripe over each
eye; no tawny stripe on middle of crown.

PasscyJicrhiilns caitdacntus nelsoni.
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow.

See No. 253.

Top of head and nape, pale olive green,
mixed with black; no tawny stripe over

eye. Coturnicuhis henslowii.

Henslow's Sparrow.
See No. 251.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.
1Q2

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory.

193

GROUP 2. Wing, 2.15 to 2.37 inches long.

PART 1. The following species have the breast more or less streaked;
carpal joint (bend of wing), edged with yellow: —

Bill, dark; sides of head, tawny bufif

enclosing a patch of gray behind the eye;

heavy tawny buff superciliary stripe.

Passerherbulus caudacutus nelsoni.

Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow.

See No. 253.

Bill, pale horn color; sides of head and nape, tinged with olive
green. Coturniculus henslowii.

Henslow's Sparrow.

See No. 251.

PART 2. The following species have the breast more or less streaked;
carpal joint (bend of wing), not yellow: —

Breast, very faintly streaked; middle tail feathers, rufous brown,
with black stripe in middle, including the shaft; wing coverts and
secondaries, edged with rufous brown. Melospiza georgiana.

Swamp Sparrow.
See No. 269.

Breast, sharply streaked with

black; shafts of tail feathers, not

black. Melospiza lincolnii.

Lincoln's Sparrow.

See No. 268.

PART 3. The following species have the breast not streaked (in the
adult*); carpal joint (bend of wing), edged with yellow: —

Top of head, black with tawny stripe in center; an orange brown
spot over, and somewhat in front of, the eye; bend of wing, yellow.

Coturniculus savamiarum australis.
Grasshopper Sparrow. Yellow-winged Sparrow.

See No. 250.

* In several species, very young birds in first plumage have the breast streaked.

194 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Top of head and back, rufous brown with more or less gray on
feathers; sides, without spots; tail feathers, narrow; tail much
rounded, the outer feathers being half an inch or more shorter than the
middle feathers. Aimophila cBstivalis hachmanii.

Bachman's Sparrow.
See No. 266.

PART 4. The following species have the breast not streaked (in the
adult); carpal joint (bend of wing), not edged with yellow:- —

Wing coverts and secondaries, edged with rufous brown; flanks,
brownish olive. Melospiza georgiana.

Swamp Sparrow.
See No. 269.

Wing coverts and secondaries, edged with* pale tawny bufif; tail
feathers, brown, narrowly edged with brownish white; flanks, pale
buffy white. Splzella pallida.

Clay-colored Sparrow.
See No. 261.

GROUP 3. Wing, 2.37 to 2.75 inches long.

PART 1. The following species have the throat or under parts more
':^or less marked with either blue, red, dull green, or bright yellow: —

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory.

195

Under parts, entirely yellow (male), or throat, yellow; under parts,
dull olive gray (female); wings and tail, black, marked with white;
yellow on under parts varies much, according to age and season.

Astragalinus tristis.
American Goldfinch. Yellowbird.
See No. 242.

Under parts, bright red, or tinged with red; back, green; crown,
blue. Passerina ciris {male).

Painted Bunting. Nonpareil.
See No. 277.

Under parts, greenish; back, green.

Passerina ciris (female ) .
Painted Bunting.

See No. 277.

Under parts, blue; general plumage,

blue;] wings and tail, black, edged with

blue. Passerina cyanea (male).

Indigo Bird. Indigo Bunting.

See No. 276.

Under parts, more or less blotched with blue.

Passerina cyanea {immature).
Indigo Bird.
See No. 276.

PART 2. The following species have the under parts not marked with

red, blue, yellow, or green; breast, distinctly streaked; carpa

joint (bend of wing), edged with yellow: —

Sharp tailed Sparrow.

196 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Breast and flanks, tawny; a tawny stripe over the eye; outer tail
feathers, decidedly shorter than middle ones.

Passerherbidus caudacutus nelsoni.
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow.

See No. 253.

Breast and flanks, white streaked with brown; a yellow spot in
front of eye (absent in some plumages); rump, pale brown, marked
with dark brown; outer tail feathers, not shorter than middle ones;
under tail coverts, white. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna.

Savanna Sparrow.
See No. 249.

PART 3. The following species have the under parts not marked with

red, blue, yellow, or green; breast, distinctly streaked; carpal

joint (bend of wing), not edged with yelloW : —

Forehead, reddish brown; crown, brown, with imperfect gray
streak in middle, and blackish dots; no yellow in front of eye ; breast,
white, heavily streaked with dark brown; outer tail feathers, shortest.

Melospiza melodia.
Song Sparrow.
See No. 267.

Crown, brown, streaked with
black; breast, buff, streaked with
black; back, streaked; outer tail
feathers, shortest.

Melospiza liucolnii.
Lincoln's Sparrow.
See No. 268.

Crown, black, streaked with pale brown; a yellow spot in front of
eye (wanting in some plumages); breast, white, streaked with dark
brown; back, streaked; outer tail feathers, not shorter than middle
ones. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna.

Savanna Sparrow.
See No. 249.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory.

197

Wings and tail, dark brown,
more or less margined with yellow ;

the bases of the feathers, pale
yellow; under parts, heavily
streaked with brownish black;
crown and back, brownish olive,
heavily streaked with black.

Spinus pinus.
Pine Siskin.
See No. 243.

Crown and back, brown, without streaks; under parts, pale buff
brown, faintly streaked on breast and sides.

Passerina cyanea {female ) .
Indigo Bunting.
See No. 276.

PART 4. The following species have the under parts not marked with

red, blue, yellow, or green, and the breast not distinctly streaked,

but have the carpal joint (bend of wing) edged with yellow : —

Crown, black, with pale tawny buff stripe on middle; ear coverts,
tawny buff; middle back, blackish; feathers, edged with buff; tail
feathers, very pointed; tail, less than 2.25 long.

CotMrniculus savannarutn australis.
Grasshopper Sparrow. Yellow-winged Sparrow.

See No. 250.

Crown, grayish, without tawny stripe
in middle; ear coverts, gray; back,
olive and gray; a distinct superciliary
stripe of buff or yellowish.

Passerherbulns caudacutus nelsoni.
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow.
See No. 253.

Crown and back, rufous brown, the feathers, more or less marked
with black, and edged with gray; no tawny stripe on middle of crown;

198 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

tail feathers, not pointed; tail, over 2.25 long, and much rounded,
the outer feathers half an inch or more shorter than the middle
feathers. Aimophila cBStivalis hachmanii.

Bachman's Sparrow.
See No. 266.

PART 5. The following species have the under parts not marked with

red, blue, yellow, or green; the breast, not distinctly streaked,

and no yellow on the carpus (bend ot the wing): —

Crown and back, the same color, brown without streaks.

Passerina cyanea {female).
Indigo Bunting.

See No. 276.

Crown and back, bright olive green, without streaks.

Passerina ciris {female ) .
Painted Bunting. Nonpareil.

See No. 277.

Back, streaked with black; rump, olive brown, streaked with
black; wing coverts and secondaries, broadly edged with rufous
brown; sides of body, clear olive brown ; middle of belly, whitish.

Melospiza georgiana.
Swamp Sparrow.
See No. 269.

Bill, black or dark brown; back, streaked
with black; rump, slate gray; adult birds
have the crown rufous.

Spizella passerina.

Chipping Sparrow.

^,„Ai#^^^^' See No. 260.

^:>.^^ ^

Bill, reddish brown; crown and back, ru-
fous brown; back, streaked with black; rump,
pale grayish brown. Spizella pusilla.

Field Sparrow.

See No. 262.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin- — Cory.

199

Bill, pale brown (not reddish brown ) ; un-
der parts, dull white (not grayish on sides as
in the Chipping Sparrow ) ; crown and back,
pale grayish brown, streaked with black;
rump, grayish brown (not slate gray as in the
Chipping Sparrow). Spizella pallida.

Clay-colored Sparrow.
See No. 261.

* GROUP 4. Wing, 2.75 to 3.25 inches long.

PART 1. The following species have the throat, or under parts, more
or less red, blue, green, or yellow: —

Mandibles, crossed; general plumage, dull red; wings, brownish;
no white on wings (male). Loxia curvirostra minor.

American Crossbill.

See No. 238.

Mandibles, crossed; no white on wings; under parts, greenish.

Loxia curvirostra minor (female).
American Crossbill.

See No. 238.

Mandibles, crossed; more or less red on under parts, head, and
back; wing bars, white. Loxia leucoptera {male).

White-winged Crossbill.
See No. 239.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

200 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Mandibles, crossed; wing bars, white; under parts, greenish.

Loxia leucoptera (female ) .
White-winged Crossbill.

See No. 239.

Mandibles, not crossed; breast and
crown, rose red; back, brown, tinged
with red ; chin, not black.

Carpodacus purpureus {male).
Purple Finch.
See No. 236.

Redpoll.

Mandibles, not crossed; chin, blackish; breast, rose red; front
crown, metallic red; rump, streaked. Acanthis linaria, and races.

Redpoll.

See Nos. 241 , 241a.

Mandibles, not crossed; chin, blackish; under part, whitish,
with faint tinge of pink on breast; rump, white, without streaks,
sometimes tinged with rose color. Acanthis hornemannii cxilipcs.

Hoary Redpoll.
See No. 240.

Mandibles, not crossed; under parts, yellow; back, yellow; wings
and tail, black, marked with white. Astragalinns tristis {male).

American Goldfinch. Yellowbird.

See No. 242.

Mandibles, not crossed; throat, yellow; rest of under parts, gray-
ish olive; tail and wings, black, marked with white.

Astragalinns tristis {female).
American Goldfinch. Yellowbird.
See No. 242.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory.

Mandibles, not crossed; chin, white; throat, black; breast,
yellow; belly, white; back, streaked with black; shoulder, chestnut.

Spiza americana.
Dickcissel. Black-throated Bunting.
See No. 278.

Mandibles, not crossed; under parts, red; crown and sides of head,
blue; back, green. Passerina ciris (male).

Painted Bunting. Nonpareil.

See No. 277.

Mandibles, not crossed; under parts, tinged with red; upper parts,
bright olive green; no white on wings or tail.

Passerina ciris {young male ) .
Painted Bunting.
See No. 277.

Mandibles, not crossed; under parts, greenish yellow; upper
plumage, bright olive green; no white on wings or tail.

Passerina ciris (female ) .
Painted Bunting.

See No. 277.

Mandibles, not crossed; general plumage,

blue, with black wings and tail, edged with

blue. Passerina cyanea {adult male).

Indigo Bunting. Indigo Bird.

See No. 276.

202 Field Museum of Natural History- — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Mandibles, not crossed; general plumage, brownish, blotched
with blue. Passerina cyanea {young male).

Indigo Bunting. Indigo Bird.

See No. 276. ,

PART 2. The following species have no red, blue, green, or yellow

on the under parts; more or less of the throat, black (sometimes

only the chin); breast and sides, not distinctly streaked :■ — •

Head, back, throat, and upper
breast, black; sides of body, ru-
fous brown; wings and tail, black,
marked with white; bill, dark.
Pipilo erythrophtiialmns {male).
Towhee Bunting.
See No. 271.

English Sparrow (male).

Throat, black; crown, gray; malar region, white; occiput, chest-
nut brown; rump, olive gray; bill, black. Passer domesticus {male).

English Sparrow. House Sparrow.

See No. 237.

Chin, black; throat, white, slightly tinged with tawny; rest of
under parts, white; crown, fiery red; rump, white, not streaked.

Acanthis hornemannii exilipes.
Hoary Redpoll.

See No. 240.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 203

Head, face, and throat, black; tail, grayish brown; bill, pale red;
back, brown, streaked with black; wing, over three inches long.

Zonotrichia querula.
Harris's Sparrow.

See No. 255.

Head and throat, slaty gray; belly,

white; back and rump, grayish brown;

bill, pale; outer tail feather, entirely

white. J unco hy emails.

Slate-colored Junco. Snowbird.

See No. 263.

f

PART 3- The following species have no red, blue, green, or yellow,

on the under parts ; throat or chin, not black ; and the breast

or sides, not distinctly streaked ; tail feathers,

marked with more or less white : —

-^^v

Kttx/v,.

Throat, grayish brown; sides of body, deep rufous brown; back,
not streaked; belly, white; bill, black. Pipilo erythrophthalmus.

Towhee. Towhee Bunting.

See No. 271.

Head and throat slate gray, belly, white; back and rump, grayish
brown; back, not streaked; bill, pinkish white.

Junco hyemalis, and races.
Slate-colored Junco. Snowbird.

See No. 263.

204 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Resembles common Junco, but sides, pinkish brown; head, neck,
and chest, slate gray. Junco hyemalis montanus.

Montana Junco.

See No. 264.

Similar to last, but has head, neck, and chest, black or blackish;
sides, pinkish brown. Junco oregonus shufeldti.

Shufeldt's Junco.

See No. 265.

Throat, white ; crown, brown, with whitish stripe through middle ;
back, streaked; tail feathers, broadly tipped with white.

Chondestes granimacus.
Lark Sparrow.

See No. 254.

Throat, ashy white; belly, white, tinged with pale buff on sides;
crown, bright rufous; tail feathers, very narrowly edged with white;
upper mandible, blackish; lower mandible, pale yellowish white,
with dark tip; back, streaked. Spizella monticola.

Tree Sparrow.
See No. 259.

Throat and under parts, pale buffy white or ashy white ; crown and
back, dull brown; back, streaked with blackish; tail, very narrowly
edged with buffy white; bill, reddish brown; rump, brownish.

Spizella pusilla.
Field Sparrow.
See No. 262.

Throat, white; crown, rufous; a white stripe over the eye; outer
tail feather, very narrowly edged with whitish on inner web; bill,
black; back, streaked; rump, slaty gray. Spizella passerina.

Chipping Sparrow.

See No. 260.

PART 4. The following species have no red, blue, green, or yellow

on the under parts ; throat or chin, not black, and the breast

or sides, not distinctly streaked; no white on

breast or the tail feathers : —

Crown, green, like back; throat and under parts, pale buff; back,
green, without streaks. Passerina ciris {immature ) .

Painted Bunting. Nonpareil.

See No. 277.

Jan., iQog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 205

Crown, brown, like back ; throat and under parts, pale brown ;

whitish on belly; breast, usually with indistinct streaks; back,
brown, without streaks. Passerina cyanea {female).

Indigo Bird. Indigo Bunting.

See No. 276.

Crown, black, with white stripe in center; stripe over eye, white;
usually more or less yellow in front of eye; throat, white; breast,
grayish; carpal joint (bend of wing), pale yellow; back, streaked.

Zonotrichia albicollis.
White-throated Sparrow.
See No. 258.

Crown, black, with white stripe in center; no yellow in front of
eye ; no distinct white patch on throat ; carpal joint (bend of wing ) ,
not yellow; back, streaked. Zonotrichia leucophrys.

White-crowned Sparrow.

See No. 256.

Crown, brown, with grayish brown center; no yellow in front
of eye; nape, gray; bill, reddish brown; back, streaked; wing coverts,
tipped with white. Zonotrichia leucophrys {immature).

White-crowned Sparrow.

See No. 256.

Crown, light chestnut brown (streaked with black in young birds ) ;
rump, slaty gray; bill, black; back, streaked. Young birds in fall
have the bill brownish. Spizella passerina.

Chipping Sparrow.

See No. 260.

2o6 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Crown, rufous brown; rump, pale olive brown; upper mandible,
black; under mandible, pale, with dark tip; back, streaked.

Spizella monlicola.
Tree Sparrow.

See No. 259.

Crown, black and white ; no yellow on crown or in front of the eye ;
lores, gray; throat, ash gray; edge of wing, yellow. Western species
of possible accidental occurrence within our limits.

Zonotrichia leiicophrys gambelii.
Gambel's Sparrow.
See No. 256a.

Crown, pale chestnut brown; rump, olive brown; bill, reddish
brown; back, streaked. Spizella pusilla.

Field Sparrow.

See No. 262.

PART 5. The following species have no red, blue, green, or yellow

on the under parts ; throat, more or less (sometimes only chin)

black, and the breast or sides distinctly streaked: —

A black spot on the chin; crown, with more or less metallic red;

rump, streaked; bill, yellowish, with dark tip. Common on Atlantic
coast. Acanthis linaria, and races.

Redpoll.

See Nos. 241, 241a.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin- — Cory.

207

A black spot on the chin ; crown, with more or less metallic red ;
rump, white, usually without streaks; bill, yellowish, with dark tip;
plumage, much whiter than linaria. Rarely occurs south of Labrador.

Acanthis hornemannii exilipes.
Hoary Redpoll.
See No. 240.

PART 6. The following species have no red, blue, green, or yellow

on the under parts; throat or chin, not black, and the

breast, distinctly streaked or spotted : —

Savanna Sparrow.

Crown feathers, blackish, narrowly edged with light brown ; an

imperfect buff white line through center of crown; tail, usually under
2.20; wing, usually under 2.90 (more or less yellow over and in front
of eye in some plumages ) ; outer tail feathers, not shorter than middle
ones; a black streak on sides of upper throat; back, streaked; breast,
streaked with dark brown ; outer web of outer tail feather, edged with
dull white. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna.

Savanna Sparrow.
See No. 249.

Rump and upper surface of tail feathers, rufous brown.

Passer ella iliaca.
Fox Sparrow.

See No. 270.

2o8 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Bill, large; depth of bill at base,
about equal to length of culmen; crown
and back, brownish olive, streaked with
blackish; throat, streaked dark olive
brown, not black; middle tail feathers,
shorter than outer feathers.

Carpodacus purpureus (female).
Purple Finch.
See No. 236.

.^

Outer tail feathers, decidedly shorter
than middle ones; crown, dull rufous
brown, streaked with black and show-
ing a grayish stripe in the center;
under parts, white; the breast, heavily
streaked with black; carpal joint, not
edged with yellow; outer tail feathers,
not half white (the breast and sides,
often faintly tinged with tawny and
black striping on breast, often mixed
with more or less rufous brown) ; back, streaked. Melospiza melodia.

Song Sparrow.
See No. 267.

Vesper Sparrow.

Shoulder (lesser wing coverts), rufous brown; at least half of
outer tail feathers, white ; back, streaked. Pocecetes gramineus.

Vesper Sparrow.

See No. 248.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

209

Back, tinged with rufous brown,
and streaked with black; carpal
joint (bend of wing), edged with
.>- pale yellow; tail, over 2.50; usually
an indication of yellow in front of the
eye; no white on tail feathers.

Zonotrichia alhicollis.
White-throated Sparrow.
See No. 258.

Bill, sharp; tail, under 2 inches; entire upper plumage, olive buff,
streaked with black; under plumage, buffy white, or ashy white,
heavily streaked with black; more or less yellow on edge and base of
wing feathers, and base of tail feathers. Spinus pinus.

Pine Siskin. Pine Finch.
See No. 243.

Crown and back, dull brown, without streaks; under parts, brown-
ish, whitish on belly; breast streaks, not very pronounced, often

ndistinct (female). Passerina cyanea.

Indigo Bird. Indigo Bunting.

See No. 276.

GROUP 5. Wing, 3.25 to 3.75 inches long.
PART 1. The following species have more or less of either red, blue,
yellow, or green on the under parts*: —

* If a bird is red or olive green, with wing measuring between 3.35 and 4 inches long (carpus to
tip) and cannot be found in this section, see Family Tanjaridse. The bill of a Tanager somewhat
resembles that of a Finch.

2IO Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

General plumage, red; crown and under parts, bright red; crown,
with crest; throat, black; wings, not black (male).

Cardinalis cardinalis.
Cardinal Grosbeak.
See No. 273.

General plumage, red; back, streaked; belly, whitish (male).

Carpodacus purpureus.
Purple Finch.
See No. 236.

Crown, rump, and under parts, rose red; more or less white on
wing; mandibles, crossed. Loxia leucoptera {male).

White-winged Crossbill.

See No. 239.

Crown, rump, and greater part

of under plumage, dull red; no white

on the wing; mandibles, crossed.

Loxia curvirostra minor {male ) .

American Crossbill.

See No. 238.

Wings, with more or less white; general plumage, grayish olive,
or olive green, more or less strongly tinged with yellowish green on
rump; mandibles, crossed. Loxia leucoptera {female).

White-winged Crossbill.

See No. 239.

Under parts, tinged with green, or olive green ; yellowish green
on rump; no white on wings; mandibles, crossed.

Loxia curvirostra minor {female).
American Crossbill.
See No. 238.

Crown, olive gray; chin, white; throat, black; breast, yellow;
belly, white; shoulder (wing coverts), chestnut brown; back,
streaked with black; more or less yellow over the eye.

Spiza americana.
Dickcissel. Black-throated Bunting.
See No. 278.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 211

Under parts, dull buffy yellow; more or less black streaks on sides
crown, blackish, with tawny buff stripe through center; back, heavily
streaked with black; tail feathers, very pointed. (This bird belongs
in Section 8, as it is not a Tanager or a Finch, but the bill might appear
Fringilline to beginners. ) Dolichonyx oryzivoriis {female).

Bobolink.
See No. 223.

Blue Grosbeak.

General plumage, more or less blue.

Guiraca ccerulea.
Blue Grosbeak.

See No. 275.

Under parts, brownish white, tinged with blue on the breast;

head, rump, and lesser wing coverts, usually tinged with blue.

Guiraca ccerulea {female.)
Blue Grosbeak.

See No. 275.

PART 2. The following species have no red, blue, yellow, or green

on the under parts : —

Under parts, brownish white; crown and back, brownish gray,
usually tinged with more or less blue on the head, rump, and lesser
wing coverts ; middle wing coverts, edged with rufous brown.

Guiraca ccerulea {immature ) .
Blue Grosbeak.

See No. 275.

212 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

'it ' '/7''1/-

Crown and back, black; throat, black; sides of body, rufous
brown; belly, white. Pipilo erythrophthalnins (male).

Towhee Bunting.

See No. 271.

Head and entire under parts, black; a tawny white patch on the
back of the neck; back, black; rump, whitish. (This species belongs
in the family Icteridae (see Section 8 ) , but to the uninitiated the bill
has a slight resemblance to birds in this class.) Dolichonyx oryzivonis.

Bobolink.
See No. 223.

Crown, black, mixed with buffy white; a nuchal collar (back of
neck), chestnut; back, streaked; breast, more or less marked with
black; belly, white; hind toe nail, long; an oblique white patch on
outer tail feather. Calcarius lapponicus.

Lapland Longspur.
See No. 245.

Top and sides of the head, black (in sum-
mer); ear coverts and superciliary stripe,
white; back, streaked; under parts, buff; hind
toe nail, long; in winter without black head,
and markings different, but the tawny buff
under parts will distinguish it from the other
Longspurs. Calcarius pictus.

Smith's Longspur.
See No. 246.

Smith's Longspur.

AN., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory

213

McCown's Longspur.

Top of head, black; wing coverts, heavily
marked with chestnut ; throat and belly, white ;
a large patch of black on the breast; most of
the tail feathers, white, tipped with dark
brown . Rhyncho phanes mccownil.

McCown's Longspur.
See No. 247.

Lark Sparrow.

Crown, chestnut, with stripe of white in center (male) , or dull olive,
streaked with Ijlackisli (female); back, streaked; under parts, white
(pale brownish olive on sides of body) ; a short streak of dark brown
or black on each side of white throat; tail feathers, tipped with white.

Chondesles grammacus .
Lark Sparrow. Lark Finch.
See No. 254.

Head, face, and throat, Ijlack; tail, grayish brown; bill, pale red;
back, brown, streaked with black; wing, about 3.35.

Zonotrichia qiierula .
Harris's Sparrow.

See No. 255.

214 Field Museum of Natural History. — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Crown, black, with white stripe in middle; under parts, ashy.
shading to pale buff on the flanks; no white on tail feathers; no
yellow in front of eye, or on bend of wing. Zonotrichia leucophrys.

White-crowned Sparrow.
See No. 256.

Crown and back, grayish or bufify, streaked
with black; shoulder (lesser wing coverts),
rufous brown; breast, streaked; greater part
of outer tail feather, including outer web,
white. Pocccetes graniincus.

Vesper Sparrow. Bay-winged Bunting.
See No. 248.

Crown and back, slaty brown, or
dull rufous brown ; rump, and upper
surface of tail feathers, light rufous
brown ; under parts, white, heavily
streaked and spotted on breast and
sides with rufous brown.

Passer ella iliaca.
Fox Sparrow.
See No. 270.

Crown and back, dark brown, with indistinct streaks; no white
on tail; under parts, white, with numerous brown spots or streaks
(female) ; middle tail feathers, shorter than outer feathers.

Carpodacus purpureus.
Purple Finch.
See No. 236.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

215

Crown, with crest of red feathers; back, olive; under parts, tawny,
shading to olive on the sides ; under surface of wing, red (female ) .

Cardinalis cardinalis .
Cardinal Grosbeak.

See No. 273.

Crown, with fiery red patch; a black spot on the chin; belly,
white; rump, white. Acanthis hornemannii exilipes.

Hoary Redpoll.

See No. 240.

GROUP 6. Wing, 3.75 to 4.25 inches long.

PART 1. The following species have more or less red on the

under parts*: —

^--

General plumage, rose red, usu-
ally mixed with more or less gray ;

wing coverts, edged with pinkish
white.

Pinicola enucleator leucura.
Pine Grosbeak.
See No. 235.

Pine Grosbeak.

Throat and base of bill, black; general plumage, red; crown, with
more or less of a crest : wings and tail, not black (male ) .

Cardinalis cardinalis.
Cardinal Grosbeak.

See No. 273.

* If bird is red or olive green, with winn between 3.35 and 4 inches long (bend of wing to tip),
see Family Tanagrids. The bill of a Tanager somewhat resembles that of a Finch.

2i6 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Head and back, black; breast and under wing coverts, rose red;
belly, white (male). Zamclodia liidoviciana.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

See No. 274.

PART 2. The following species have more or less yellow, orange, or
green on the under parts: —

Forehead, yellow ; crown, black ;

rump, greenish yellow; tertials,
heavily marked with white; under
parts, dark olive yellow on belly.
Hesperiphona vespertina (male).
Evening Grosbeak.
See No. 234.
Under parts, gray, faintly
tinged with greenish yellow ; back,
gray, more or less tinged with
green ; wings and tail, black,
marked with white.
Hesperiphona vespertina (feynale).
Evening Grosbeak.
See No. 234.

Under parts, pale tawny yellow, more or less streaked with black
on sides of body; crown, black, with brownish buff stripe in center;
tail feathers, sharp pointed. (This species belongs in Family Icteridae,
but might be looked for under this section.)

Dolichonyx oryzivoriis {female).
Bobolink.
See No. 223.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory.

217

PART 3- The following species have no red, yellow, orange, or green
on the under parts : —

Under parts, gray; upper parts, gray, tinged
with green; wings and tail, black, heavily marked
with white; bill, yellowish.

Hesperiphona vespertina {female).
Evening Grosbeak,
')i See No. 234.

>'.:^^«^
;^^^

General plumage, gray; crown
and rump, tinged with yellowish
green; bill, dark; no white on
tail feathers; wing coverts and
tertials, edged with white.
Pinicola enucleator leucura

{female) .
Pine Grosbeak.
See No. 235.

Crown, brownish black, with whitish streak in
center; under wing coverts, orange yellow; breast,
streaked with dark brown.

Zamelodia ludoviciana {female).
Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
See No. 274.

Head and entire under parts, black; back of neck, tawny buff;
back, black, mixed with buff; rump, gray; tail feathers, very pointed.
[This species belongs in Family Icteridae (Section 9), but might be
looked for under this section.] Dolichonyx oryzivorus {male).

Bobolink.
See No. 223.

Head and throat, dull chocolate brown; rest of plumage, greenish
black; no white on wings or tail. (See Section 9, Family Icteridse,
where it belongs.) Molothriis ater {male).

Cowbird.
See No. 224.

2i8 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

General plumage, brownish gray; no white on wing coverts or tail
feathers. (This species belongs in Family Icteridae, but the bill is
somewhat Finch-like in appearance, and the bird might be looked for
under this section.) Molothrus ater (female).

Cowbird.
See No. 224.

Head, with crest; breast, grayish buff or light tawny; back,
olive gray, without streaks; rump and upper surface of tail, not
rufous brown. Cardinalis cardinalis {female).

Cardinal Grosbeak. Cardinal.

See No. 273.

Crown, brown, with white stripe in middle ; a black stripe on each
side of throat; under parts, soiled white; tail feathers, broadly tipped
with white; rump and upper surface of tail, not rufous brown.

Chondestes grammacus.
Lark Sparrow. Lark Finch.
See No. 254.

Rump and upper surface of tail feathers, rufous brown ; under parts,
white, more or less spotted or streaked with brown. Passerella iliaca.

Fox Sparrow.

See No. 270.

Entire head and back, brown (female) or black (male); belly,
white; sides of body, bright, rufous brown. Pipilo erytlirophthalmus.

Towhee Bunting.
See No. 271.

Snow Bunting.
Summer Plumage.

Under parts, white, often tinged with light brown on the breast ;
greater part of outer tail feathers, white ; a large white patch on wing ;
back rusty brown (not black) in winter. Plectrophenax nivalis.

Snowflake. Snow Bunting.

See No. 244.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

219

GROUP 7. Wing, 4. 25 to 4.75 inches long.

First primary, not short, never less than two-thirds as long as
second or third ; bill, stout and conical ; nostrils, high, near the cul-
men ; primaries, nine ; tarsus, flattened behind.

Evening Grosbeak (male).

Throat, brownish olive, shading to yellowish green on the belly;

wing, black, with patch of white; bill, yellowish; forehead, yellow;
crown, black (male); forehead and crown, grayish (female).

Hesperiphona vespcrtina.
Evening Grosbeak.
See No. 234.

General plumage of body, rose

red, more or less mixed with gray;

tail, dark brown; wings, brown,

tjv, the coverts and tertials, edged

"'^""" with white.

Pinicola enucleator leucura (male).
Pine Grosbeak.
See No. 235.

General plumage, gray ; the crown and rump, tinged with yellow-
ish olive; wings, dark brown; the coverts and secondaries, edged
with white. ' Pinicola enucleator leucura (female).

Pine Grosbeak.
See No. 235.

220 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Under parts, white ; breast, usuall}' niorc or less tinged witli pale
brown in winter; greater part of outer tail feathers, white; baek
and crown, rusty brown, a large part of the wings white, very con-
spicuous when flying. Plectrophenax nivalis.

Snowflake. Snow Bunting.
See No. 244.
Head, chocolate brown ; rest of plumage, greenish black (male) ;
general plumage, gray, palest on the throat; no white on w4ng coverts;
crown and rump, like back (female). (This species .belongs in
Section 10, under Family Icteridse, but might be looked for under
this family by mistake.) Molothrus ater.

Cowbird.
See No. '224.

Family TANGARID^:. Tanagers.

Bill, somewhat fringilline, but having a small

"tooth" near the middle of the edge of upper mandible;

tj primaries, 9 ; tarsus, scutellate ; males, bright colored.

V

GROUP 1. Wing, 3.25 to 4.25 inches long.

PART 1. The following species have more or less of either red, blue,
yellow, or green on the under parts: —

Louisiana Tanager.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 221

Head and throat, orange red; bright red on crown; rest of under
parts, bright yellow; back, wings, and tail, black; rump, yellow
(male ) . Piranga ludoviciana.

Louisiana Tanager.
See No. 279.

General plumage, scarlet red; wings
and tail, black; throat, not black
(male ) . Piranga erytkromelas.

Scarlet Tanager.

See No. 280.

General plumage, red; no black on throat; wings and tail, not
black; back, not streaked; belly, not whitish (male). Piranga rubra.

Summer Tanager

See No. 281.

Under parts, yellowish green, or greenish yellow; back, grayish;
greater wing coverts and tertials, edged with dull white, or yellowish
white; mandibles, not crossed (female). Piranga ludoviciana.

Louisiana Tanager.

See No. 279.

Under parts, yellowish green, or greenish yellow; back, light olive

green; no white on wing coverts; wings and tail, fuscous brown (fe-
male); wings and tail, black (young male); inner webs of inner
primaries and secondaries, edged with white; mandibles, not crossed
(female). Piranga erytkromelas.

Scarlet Tanager.
See No. 280.

No white on wing coverts ; under parts, pale orange yellow ; upper
parts, olive green, with faint tinge of orange; mandibles, not crossed
(female). Piranga rubra.

Summer Tanager.

See No. 281.

Under parts, bright yellow; throat, reddish orange; crown and
sides of head,' orange red; back, wings, and tail, black; rump, yellow
(male). Piranga ludoviciana.

Louisiana Tanager.

See No. 279.

222 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Family HIRUNDINID^. Swallows.

Bill, small and flattened, somewhat triangular in shape ; gape, very
wide; wings, long, usually extending beyond the tail.

* GROUP 1. Wing, 3.25 to 4.75 inches long.

1 \-

^^i /-^ ' -^^ W\iU^^

Bank Swallow.

Throat and belly, white; a distinct band of grayish brown on the
breast; upper plumage, brownish gray. Riparia riparia.

Bank Swallow.

See No. 287.

Under parts, brownish gray, gradually

shading into whitish on the belly ; upper

^s, parts, grayish brown; no distinct breast

^ ' band. Stelgidopteryx serripennis.

Rough-winged Swallow.

Vv^\k^V'' See No. 288.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

223

Upper plumage, rich green, showing more or less purple on upper
tail coverts; under parts, white; western species, only once taken in
Illinois. Tachycineta thalassina lepida.

Northern Violet-green Swallow.
See No. 286.

Tree Swallow.

Entire under parts, white ; upper plumage, metalUc steel blue ;

young birds have the upper plumage brownish gray, but the under
plumage is pure white. Iridoprocne hicolor.

Tree Swallow. White-bellied Swallow.

See No. 285.

Upper throat and sides of the head,
chestnut brown; belly, whitish; forehead,
whitish; crown and back, dark steel blue;
upper tail coverts, pale rufous brown.

Petrochelidon hinifrons.
Cliff Swallow.

See No. 283.

Throat, chestnut; belly, pale brown;

entire upper plumage, steel blue; tail
forked; upper tail coverts, steel blue.

Hirundo erythrogastra.
Barn Swallow.

See No. 284.

224 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

GROUP 2. Wing, 4.75 to 5,50 inches long.

Male: General plumage (including belly), bluish black, or dark
steel blue.

Female: Back, like male; under parts, grayish brown, shading
into dull white on the belly. Immature birds have the upper plumage,
brownish; under parts, brownish on the breast; dull white on the
belly. Progne subis.

Purple Martin.
See No. 282.

Back, steel blue; belly, white. Iridoprocne bicolor.

Tree Swallow. White-bellied Swallow.

See No. 285.

Back, steel blue; under parts, cinnamon brown; tail, very deeply
forked. Hirundo erythrogastra.

Barn Swallow.

See No. 284.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory

225

General plumage, sooty brown,

showing a faint greenish tinge on the
upper parts; throat, ashy white;
tail feathers, with sharp spines, or

points formed by the shafts of the
feathers, extending beyond the webs.
The Swifts belong to the family
Micropodidas and are widely sepa-
rated generically from the Swallows;
but persons unfamiliar with birds might look for them under the
same family. Chcetura pelagica.

Chimney Swift.
See No. 201.

Family BOMBYCILLID^. Waxwings and

Cedar Birds.

Bill, without notch; head, with crest; primaries, ten; tarsus,
shorter than middle toe and claw ; a black stripe from forehead through
the eye ; inner primaries and tail feathers, often tipped with little hard
red bits, like minute drops of sealing wax.

:;:.,#

Cedar Bird.

226 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Upper parts, grayish brown; crown and breast, pale chocolate
brown; a black streak in front of eye; tail, tipped with yellow; belly,
yellowish; wing, less than 4.20 inches long; under tail coverts, white.

Bombycilla cedroruwi.
Cedar Waxwing. Cedar Bird. Cherry Bird.

See No. 290.

General plumage, pale choc-
olate brown; forehead, tinged
with rufous; chin, black; under
tail coverts, rufous; tail, tipped
with yellow; wing, over 4.20
inches long.

Bombycilla garrida.
Bohemian Waxwing.
See No. 280.

Family LANIIDiE. Shrikes.

Bill, strong, notched near the end, and decidedly hooked; tarsus,
scutellate ; tail rounded. But two species occur with us, both grayish
birds with blackish wings and tail and a stripe through the eye.

Crown and back, gray; under
parts, white; a patch of black on
the sides of the head; wing, less
than 4.15 inches long.

Lanius ludovicianus.
Loggerhead Shrike.
See No. 292.

Jan., 1909. Birds op Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

227

J

Northern Shrike.

Upper plumage, ash gray or gray tinged with buff; under parts,
ashy white, the feathers showing numerous faint narrow black bars;
a black streak from bill through the eye; wing, more than 4.15 inches
long. Lanius borealis.

Northern Shrike.
See No. 291.

Family VIREONIDtE. Vireos.

upper mandible, with very small hook at tip; first primary, very
short in some species, in others nearly as long as second ; toes, joined
at base; tarsus, flattened and sharp behind, not rounded as in front;
plain colored birds, usually greenish or grayish, but often showing a
faint wash of yellow on under parts; tail, always without white spots.

GROUP 1. Wing, less than 2.37 inches long.

Crown, grayish; orbital ring, dull white ; no yellow in front of eye.

Vireo hellii.
Bell's Vireo.

See No. 299.

228 Field Museum of Natural History — -Zoology, Vol. IX.

^^

y

Bell's

Vireo

Crown, grayish, often tinged with oHve; orbital ring and lores,
yellow. Vireo griseus.

White-eyed Vireo.

See No. 298.

White-eyed Vireo.

GROUP 2. Wing, from 2.37 to 2.75 inches long.

First primary, very short; lores and eye ring, whitish; throat,
whitish; breast and sides, faintly tinged with yellow; no wing bars;
crown, nearly the same color as back. Vireosylva gilva.

Warbling Vireo.

See No. 295.

First primary, short, but longer than
in V. gilva; lores and eye ring, yellow;
back, olive; wing coverts, edged with
white, forming wing bars.

Vireo griseus.
White-eyed Vireo.
See No. 208.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

229

First primary, not short (at least as long as fifth); lores and eye
ring, dull white; under parts, washed with very pale greenish yellow;
no wing bars. Vireosylva philadelphica.

Philadelphia Vireo.
See No. 294.

GROUP •>. Wing, from 2.75 to 3.25 inches long.

Bill, with small but distinct hook; no streaks on back or breast;
breast or throat, never spotted.

,^^'

• ; "X

First primary, not shorter than fourth; back and rump, olive;
crown, plumbeous gray, or bluish gray; no dusky streak from base of
bill on sides of throat ; under parts, white, tinged with pale yellowish
green on sides of body. Vireosylva olivacea.

Red-eyed Vireo.
See No. 293.

First primary, very short and narrow; crown and back, grayish
olive; under parts, dull white, faintly tinged with olive, or yellowish
on sides ; no white wing bars. Vireosylva gilva.

Warbling Vireo.

See No. 295.

r^,\

^^^

First primary, short; crown, gray;
back, olive; rump, olive green; throat
and belly, white; sides of body, green-
ish yellow; lores, white; sides of head,
gray; wing bars, white.

Lanivireo solitarins.
Blue-headed Vireo. SoUtary Vireo,
See No. 297.

230 Field Museum of Natural History- — Zoology, Vol. IX.

First primary, not short; lores and eye ring, yellow; throat and
breast, yellow; belly, white; wing bars, white. Lanivireo flavifrons.

Yellow-throated Vireo.
See No. 296.

First primary, equal to fifth; lores and orbital ring, dull white;
upper plumage, light olive, tinged with ashy on the crown ; under parts,
washed with very pale yellow ; no white wing bars.

Vireosylva philadelphica.
Philadelphia Vireo.
See No. 294.

INDEX TO KEY.
Family MNIOTILTID^. Warblers.

Group i. Wing, less than 2.37 inches long. See page 234.

Part I. Throat, breast, and belly, yellow; breast, more or less streaked;

some tail feathers, marked with white. See page 234.
Part 2. Throat, breast, and belly, yellow; breast more or less streaked;

no white on tail feathers. See page 235.
Part 3. Throat, breast, and belly, yellow without streaks; some tail

feathers, marked with white. See page 235.
Part 4. Throat, breast, and belly, yellow, without streaks; no white on

tail feathers. See page 235.
Part 5. Throat, yellow; belly, not yellow; tail feathers, marked with

more or less white. See page 236.
Part 6. Throat, yellow; belly, not yellow; no white on tail feathers.

See page 237.
Part 7. Throat, not yellow; belly, yellow; no white on tail feathers.

See page 237.
Part 8. No yellow on throat or belly; no white on tail feathers. See

page 237.
Part 9. No yellow on throat or belly; more or less white on tail feathers.

See page 238.
Group 2. Wing, 2.37 to 2.75 inches long. See page 239.

Part I. Throat, breast, and belly, yellow; breast, more or less streaked;

some tail feathers marked with more or less white. See page 239.
Part 2. Throat, breast, and belly, yellow; breast, more or less streaked;

no white on tail feathers. See page 241.
Part 3. Throat, breast, and belly, yellow, without streaks; some tail

feathers marked with more or less white. See page 241.
Part 4. Throat, breast, and belly, without streaks; no white on the tail

feathers. See page -^42.
Part 5. Throat, yellow; belly, not yellow; tail feathers marked with

more or less white. See page 244.
Part 6. Throat, not yellow; belly, yellow; no white on tail feathers.

See page 245.
Part 7. Throat, not yellow; belly, yellow; more or less white on the tail

feathers. See page 246.
Part 8. Throat, not yellow; belly, not yellow; no white on the tail

feathers; breast, streaked or spotted with black or dark brown. See

page 247.
Part 9. Throat, not yellow; belly, not yellow; no white on the tail

feathers; breast, not' streaked or spotted with black or dark brown.

See page 247.

231

232 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Part 10. Throat, not yellow; belly, not yellow; more or less white on
the tail feathers; sides of breast and body, with distinct black or black-
ish streaks. See page 248.

Part II. Throat, not yellow; belly, not yellow; more or less white on
the tail feathers; sides of breast and body, not marked with numer-
ous distinct black streaks. See page 250,
Group 3. Wing, 2.75 to 3.25 inches long. See page 253.

Part I. Throat, breast, and belly, yellow; breast, more or less streaked;
some tail feathers, marked with white. See page 253.

Part 2. Throat, breast, and belly, yellow; breast, more or less streaked;
no white on the tail feathers. See page 254.

Part 3. Throat, breast, and belly, yellow, without streaks; more or less
white on the tail feathers. See page 254.

Part 4. Throat, breast, and belly, yellow, without streaks; no white on
the tail feathers. See page 255.

Part 5. Throat, yellow; belly, not yellow; tail feathers, marked with
more or less white. See page 255.

Part 6. Throat, not yellow; belly, yellow; no white on the tail feathers.
See page 257.

Part 7. Throat, not yellow; belly, yellow; more or less white on the tail
feathers. See page 257.

Part 8. Throat, not yellow; belly, not yellow; no white on the tail
feathers; breast not streaked or spotted with black or dark brown.
See page 257.

Part 9. Throat, not yellow; belly, not yellow; no white on the tail
feathers; breast, streaked or spotted with black or dark brown. See
page 258.

Part 10. Throat, not yellow; belly, not yellow; more or less white on
the tail feathers; sides of breast and body, marked with numerous
distinct black or blackish streaks. See page 258.

Part II. Throat, not yellow; belly, not yellow; more or less white on
the tail feathers; breast and sides of the body, not marked with dis-
tinct black streaks. See page 259.
Group 4. Wing, 3.25 to 3.75 inches long. See page 260.

Family MNIOTILTID.E. Warblers.

First primary, not short, never less than two-thirds as long as third,
and often nearly the same length ; bill, slender and pointed ; back of
tarsus, thin and sharp, not rounded as in front; hind toe and claw,
not longer than middle toe and claw.

Setophaga ruticilla.

Dendroica.

Seiurus.

Wilsonia.

Dendroica.

Helmitherus

"^^

Geothlypis

Seioph.n,^'.!.

234 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

* GROUP 1. Wing, less than i.';i^'] inches long.

PART 1. The following species have the throat, breast, and belly,

yellow ; breast, more or less streaked ; some tail feathers,

marked with white: —

Prairie Warbler.

Wing coverts, broadly bordered with yellow; under surface of
wing, yellow; white on tail feathers, extending to tip of inner web;
crown, not chestnut brown. Dendroica discolor.

Prairie Warbler.
See No. 325.

Wing coverts, not bordered
with yellow; under tail coverts, yel-
low. Dendroica palmaruni.
Palm Warbler.

See No. 324.

Dendroica palmarum.

Wing coverts, showing much
white; under surface of wing, white;
tail, with band of white, no white at
tip; rump, yellow.

Dendroica magnolia.
Magnolia Warbler.

Dendroica magnolia. See No. 314.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 235

PART 2. The following species have the throat, breast and belly,
vellow; breast, with more or less streaks; no white on tail feathers —

More or less yellow, on inner webs of primaries and tail feathers.

Dendroica cBstiva.
Yellow Warbler.

See No. 311.

PART 3. The following species have the throat, breast, and belly,
yellow without streaks; some tail feathers marked with white: —

Crown and sides of head, grayish or slate color; no yellow on fore-
head; adult birds have patch of chestnut on crown; some tail feathers,
very narrowly edged with white; under wing coverts, yellow; no
black streaks on sides of body. Vermivora rubricapilla.

Nashville Warbler.

See No. 306.

Wing bars, white; under wing coverts, white; some tail feathers
with much white on inner webs ; adult birds have forehead and more
or less of crown yellow; immature birds have crown yellowish green.

Verfnivora pinus.
Blue-winged Warbler.
See No. 304.

Wing bars, yellowish; sides of body, more or less streaked with
black. Dendroica discolor.

Prairie Warbler.
See No. 325.

PART 4. The following species have the throat, breast, and belly,
yellow without streaks ; no white on tail feathers : —

Crown and back, greenish yellow; more or less yellow on inner
webs of primaries and tail feathers; crown, yellowish green.

Dendroica cestiva (female or immature ) ,
Yellow Warbler.

See No. 311.

Crow^n, slate color, with patch of chestnut in some plumages; sides
of head, slate color; wing, longer than tail; lower belly, tinged with
white; rump and upper tail coverts, bright yellowish green.

Vermivora rubricapilla.
Nashville Warbler.
See No. 306.

236 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Crown, dull olive; throat, bright yellow; belly, much paler, often
whitish; tail, brownish olive, without yellow; wing, not longer than
tail; males have black patch on face (forehead and sides of head)
which is lacking in females. Geothlypis trichas.

Maryland Yellow-throat.
See No. 332.

Throat and belly, nearly the same color; crown, glossy black
(male ) , or olive green like back (female ) ;
tail feathers, slaty brown faintly washed with
olive on outer webs; numerous small black
bristles at base of bill. Wilsonia pusilla.

Wilson's Warbler. Wilson's Blackcap.
See No. 335.

Entire under parts, yellow; brightest on the belly; wing, longer
than tail; crown, grayish; back and rump, dull olive; tail feathers,
not marked with yellow. Oporornis Philadelphia {young female) .

Mourning Warbler.

See No. 331.

PART 5- The following species have the throat, yellowy belly, not
yellow ; tail feathers, marked with more or less white : —

Back, black or dark; tail, black,

with broad band of white; rump,

yellow. Dendroica magnolia.

Magnolia Warbler.

See No. 314.

Tail of Magnolia Warbler.

Back, slaty blue, often showing yellowish olive; rump, slate color;
sides of head, grayish or slaty blue.

Compsothlypis americana, and races.
Parula Warbler. Blue Yellow-backed Warbler.

See No. 309.

Back, dull green; throat, faintly washed with greenish yellow;
rump, green; sides, not streaked. Vermivora peregrina.

Tennessee Warbler.

See No. 308.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

237

Back, greenish; rump, greenish; cheeks, yellowish; sides, show-
ing more or less dark streaks. Dendroica virens.

Black-throated Green Warbler.

See No. 321.

PART 6. The following species have the throat yellow ; belly, not
yellow ; no white on tail feathers : —

Throat, briglit yellow; shading to

ix whitish or olive on belly; forehead and

Z^'' sides of head, black (male); no black

on head (female ) ; wing, not longer

than tail. Geothlypis trichas.

Maryland Yellow-throat.

See No. 332.

Throat, showing faint tinge of greenish yellow; throat and sides
of body, nearly same color; wing, considerably longer than tail.

VeriJiivora peregrina.
Tennessee Warbler.

See No. 308.

PART 7. The following species have the throat, not yellow; belly,
yellow; and no white on the tail feathers : — ■

Head, grayish; back, olive green; belly, bright yellow; throat,
blackish (male); throat, grayish (female); legs, pale; tail feathers,
olive green; under tail coverts, yellow. Oporoniis Philadelphia.

Mourning Warbler.

See No. 331.

Back, grayish brown; belly, faintly tinged with yellow; under tail
coverts, yellow. Dendroica palntanim.

Palm Warbler.

See No. 324.

PART 8. The following species have no yellow on the throat or
belly, and no white on the tail feathers : —

Wing, less than 2.25; under parts, whitish, tinged with olive on
sides; throat, with faint wash of yellowish buff, almost white; crown,
dull olive; tail, entirely olive green.

Geothlypis trichas (young bird in fall) .
Maryland Yellow-throat.
See No. 332.

238 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Wing, over 2.25; entire under parts, whitish or slightly olive;
crown, slaty; back, green; no yellow or orange on tail feathers.

Vermivora peregrina.
Tennessee Warbler.
See No. 308.

Entire under parts, dull olive or olive green; crown, with partially
concealed patch of orange brown (sometimes wanting) ; no yellow
or orange on tail feathers. Vermivora celata.

Orange-crowned Warbler.

See No. 307.

L'5'&i-v*n

End of tail, brown; basal por-
tion of tail feathers, reddish orange
(male), or pale yellow (female);
more or less black bristles at base
of bill. Setophaga riiticilla.

Redstart.
See No. 337.

PART 9- The follownig species have no yellow on the throat or
belly, and more or less white on the tail feathers: —

Wing coverts, broadly edged with yellow; crown, greenish yellow;
back, tinged with slate color; tail feathers, marked with white to the
tips of inner webs. Vermivora chrysoptera.

Golden-winged Warbler.

See No. 305.

Wing coverts, not yellow; crown, grayish or greenish; back,
yellowish green; some tail feathers, narrowly edged with white near
tips of inner webs. Vermivora peregrina.

Tennessee Warbler.

See No. 308.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

239

GROUP 2. Wing, from 2.37 to 2.75 inches long.

PART ]. The following species have the throat, breast, and belly,
ye!low; breast, more or less streaked; some tail feathers,
marked with more or less white: —

Kirtland's Warbler.

Under parts, pale yellow; sides of breast, streaked with black;
under tail coverts, white; crown, grayish; back and rump, ashy,
streaked with black. Dendroica kirtlandii'

Kirtland's Warbler.

See No. 322.

Under parts, yellow; sides of breast, streaked with olive; under
tail coverts, ashy; crown, back, and rump, olive green.

Dendroica vigorsii.
Pine Warbler.

See No. 323.

Head and tail of Magnolia Warbler.

240 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Under parts, bright yellow; breast, heavily streaked with black;
under tail coverts, white; crown, slaty; back, black; rump, yellow.

Dendroica magnolia.
Magnolia Warbler.

See No. 314.

Under parts, very pale yellowish, almost yellowish white, faintly
streaked with black; under tail coverts, white; crown, back, and
rump, olive, streaked with black. Dendroica striata (female).

Black-poll Warbler,

See No. 318.

Head and tail of Blackburnian Warbler.

Throat and breast, orange; belly, pale yellow; sides of breast
streaked with black; crown, black, streaked with dull white; rump,
black; under tail coverts, white. Dendroica blackhurnicB.

Blackburnian Warbler.

See No. 319.

Under parts, yellow; throat, some-
times marked with rufous brown ; breast,
streaked with black; crown, black or
olive gray; back, olive green, marked
with black; rump, yellow; under tail
coverts, yellowish white.

Dendroica tigrina.
Cape May Warbler.
See No. 310.

Under parts, very pale yellow,
streaked with dark brown; under tail
coverts, yellowish white; crown, back,
and rump, dark olive.

Seiurus novehoracensis.
Water-thrush. Water Warbler.
See No. 327.

Jan., 1Q09. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory.

241

PART 2. The following species have the throat, breast, and belly,
yellow; breast, more or less streaked ; no white on tail feathers : —

Breast, streaked with rufous brown; major portion of inner webs
of tail feathers, yellow. Dendroica cestiva.

Yellow Warbler.

See No. 311.

Breast, with black or dusky streaks;
tail feathers, entirely dull brown.

Wilsonia canadensis.
Canadian Warbler.
See No. 336.

PART 3- The following species have the throat, breast, and belly,

yellow, without streaks; some tail feathers marked with more

or less white : —

Throat and tnider parts, yellow; under tail coverts, yellow; crown,
gray; no yellow about eyes; sides of head, gray; back and rump, olive
green; outer tail feathers, very narrowly edged with white (male has
a chestnut brown patch on crown). Vermivora ruhricapilla.

Nashville Warbler.
See No. 306.

Tail r)f Magnolia Warbler.

Crown, dull gray; back, ohve green; rump and belly, yellow;

tail feathers, with white area in the middle (see illustration).

Dendro ica magi lolia .

Magnolia Warbler.

See No. 314.

Under parts, bright yellow; crown, yellow; back and rump,
bright olive green; a narrow black streak from bill to eye.

Vermivora pinus {male ) .
Blue-winged Warbler.

See No. 304,

242 Field Museum of Natural History — -Zoology, Vol. IX.

Crown, olive green (sometimes with
forehead yellow) ; under parts, greenish
yellow; back and rump, olive green;
terminal third of inner webs of outer tail
feathers, white.

Vermivora pinus {female and immaUire).
Blue-winged Warbler.
See No. 304.

Under parts, tinged with greenish yellow; under tail coverts,
white; crown, back, and rump,f olive green; outer tail feathers very
narrowly edged with white (entirely absent in some specimens).

Vermivora peregrina ■ [female in fall and immature).

Tennessee Warbler.

See No. 308.

Under parts, yellow, washed with olive on sides; sides of head and
lores, yellow; crown, olive green; back and rump, olive green; under
tail coverts, pale yellow.

Wilsonia citrina {female in fall and immature ) .

Hooded Warbler.
See No. 334.

Under parts, yellow; sides, streaked with black; crown, slaty gray ;
back and rump, ashy, streaked with black; lores, black.

Dendroica kirtlandii .
Kirtland's Warbler.
See No. 322.

Crown, greenish blue; wing coverts, edged with white; back,
greenish blue, without streaks; under tail coverts, whitish; under
parts, tinged with pale yellow.

Dendroica cerulea {female and immature).
Cerulean Warbler.
See No. 315.

PAR r 4. The following species have the throat, breast, and belly,
yellow, without streaks, and no white on the tail feathers: —

Crown, slate color, with patch of chestnut (male), or crown, olive
gray (female); rump and upper tail coverts, yellowish green; auricu-
lar region (sides of head), grayish; under tail coverts, yellow.

Vermivora ruhricapilla.
Nashville Warbler.
See No. 306.

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

243

Under parts, faintly washed with yellow, or yellowish white; crown,
grayish olive; back and rump, olive green; under tail coverts, white;

no yellow on tail feathers. Vermivora peregrina {female in fall).

Tennessee Warbler.
See No. 308.

Crown, back, and rump, yellowish green; major part of inner webs
of tail feathers, yellow. Dendroica cestiva {female).

Yellow Warbler.

See No. 311.

Sides of head, yellowish; crown, glossy
black (male ) ; crown, bright olive green,
like back (female); back and rump, bright
olive green; under tail coverts, yellow.

Wilsoiiia pnsilla.
Wilson's Warbler.
See No. 335.

Crown, grayish; back and rump, dull olive green; entire under
parts, yellow, palest on throat; no yellow on tail feathers; chin, not
whitish; no buff-white stripe over eye.

Oporornis Philadelphia {young female).
Mourning Warbler.
See No. ;^i.

Crown, grayish; back and rump, green; under parts, pale yellow;
chin, whitish; a buff-white stripe over the eye. (This bird belongs
in Section 4, but might be mistaken for a w'arbler by the novice. )

V ireosylva ph ila delph ica .

Philadelphia Vireo.

See No. 294.

Crown and sides of head, with more
or less black ; a yellow superciliary stripe ;

back and rump, olive green.

Oporornis formosa.
Kentucky Warbler.

See No. 329.

Under parts, yellowish olive ; crown, with partly concealed orange
brown spot; under tail coverts, greenish yellow. Vermivora celata.

Orange-crowned Warbler.

See No. ^07.

244 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

PART 5. The following species have the throat, yellow; belly, not
yellow ; tail feathers, marked with more or less white : —

Back, green, streaked with black; outer web of outer tail feather,
not edged with white; no yellow stripe over eye; chin, whitish; sides
of breast and body, streaked. Dendroica striata (female).

Black-poll Warbler.
See No. 318.

Crown, black, with patch of orange yellow in center; back and
rump, black, with more or less white; throat, orange; sides, streaked
with black; for illustrations of head and tail, see page 240.

Dendroica blackhtirnice {adult male ) .
Blackburnian Warbler.
See No. 319.

Throat, yellow; sides of breast, streaked with blackish; crown,
olive, dotted with blackish; back and rump, olive gray, streaked with
black ; usually a trace of yellow in middle of crown ; basal portion of
narrow outer web of outer tail feather, edged with white.

Dendroica blackburnice {female, and immatm-e).

Blackburnian Warbler.
See No. 319.

■>^?~^~

Crown, ash gray; forehead, black-
ish; throat, yellow; bordered by
black; sides of breast, streaked with
black; back and rump, slaty gray,
not streaked ; no white on outer web
of outer tail feather.

Dendroica dominie a albilora.
Sycamore Warbler.
See No. 320.

Crown, slaty blue; back, tinged
with greenish yellow; rump, like
crown; no black streaks on sides of
throat, back, or under parts.
Compsothlypis americana, and races.
Parula Warbler.
See No. 309.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 245

Crown, back, and rump, green (tinged with gray ) , without streaks ;
two outer tail feathers with obUque white spots; lores, yellow.

Dendroica vigorsii.
Pine Warbler.

See No. 323.

Crown, back, and rump, green; sides of head, yellowish; at least
half of outer web of outer tail feather, edged with white ; sides more
or less faintly streaked; rump, same color as back.

Dendroica virens {female and fall plumage).
Black-throated Green Warbler.
See No. 321.

Crown, olive; more or less speckled with black; back, olive;
rump, yellow or greenish yellow; breast with numerous streaks; no
white on outer web of outer tail feathers ; sides of head and neck, more
or less tinged with yellow.

Dendroica tigrina {female and immature at some seasons).

Cape May Warbler.
See No. 310.

PART 6- 1 he following species have the throat not yellow ; belly,
yellow, and no white on the tail feathers: —

Throat, grayish or brownish; eye
ring, white; back, olive green.

Oporornis agilis.
Connecticut Warbler.

See No. 330.

Throat, grayish or ashy, chang-
ing to blackish on breast in adult
male birds; no white eye ring.

Oporornis philadelph ia .
Mourning Warbler.
See No. 331.

246 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

PART 7. The following species have the throat not yellow; belly,
yellow, and more or less white on tail feathers : —

Crown, blackish; cheeks, chestnut; breast, yellow, streaked with
black; back, greenish; rump, yellow; much white on wing coverts.

Dendroica tigrina (adult male).
Cape May Warbler.

See No. 310.

Throat, black; forehead and sides
of head, yellow; crown, black.

]]'ilsonia citrina.
Hooded Warbler.

See No. 334.

Palm Warbler,

Throat, dull white; breast, faintly streaked; under tail coverts,
yellow; wing coverts, tipped with brownish; crown, often marked
with more or less rufous brown. Dendroica palmarmn.

Palm Warbler. Red-poll Warbler.

See No. 324.

Crown, bluish green; wing coverts, tipped with white; under tail
coverts, whitish; under parts, pale yellowish white.

Dendroica cerulea (female or immature).
Cerulean Warbler.

See No. 315.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

247

PART 8- The following species have the throat, not yellow; belly,

not yellow, and no white on the tail feathers; breast, streaked,

or spotted with black, or dark brown : —

Crown, brownish orange ; back, olive

green; bill, pale. Seiunis aurocapillus.
Oven-bird. Golden-crowned Thrush.

See No. 326.

Oven Bird.

Crown and back, olive brown; bill, dark.

Seiiirus noveboracensis, and races.
Water-thrush.

See No. 327.

PART 9. The following species have the throat, not yellow ; belly,

not vellow, and no white on the tail feathers; breast, not

streaked, or spotted with black, or dark brown: —

Crown, with stripe of tawny buff,

^^^ bordered by black stripes; a black
stripe through the eye; under parts,
buffy white; olive on sides.

Helmitheros vermivorus.
Worm-eating Warbler.
See No. 303.

Crown and back, black; throat,
black; a patch of orange on sides of
-^Tl breast, and a patch of orange red on
'^v^ wings, and tail.

Setophaga ruticilla (male).
Redstart.
See No. 337.

248 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Crown, slaty olive; back, dull olive; under parts, white; a patch
of yellow on sides of breast; outer tail feathers, yellow, tipped with

brown. Setophaga ruticilla (female).

Redstart.
See No. 337.

Crown, grayish olive, usually with partly concealed orange brown
spot; no yellow on tail feathers; under parts, yellowish green.

Vermivora celaia.
Orange-crowned Warbler.

See No. 307.

PART 10. The following species have the throat not yellow ; belly,

not yellow, and more or less white on tail feathers ; sides of breast

and body with numerous distinct blacic or blackish streaks: —

Throat, bright orange; crown, black, streaked with white.

Dendroiea blackburnice {adult male).
Blackburnian Warbler.
See No. 319.

Tail of Blackb'.irnian Warbler.

Crown, back, and rump, bright olive green ; sides of head, yellowish ;

throat, usually with more or less indications of black in most speci-
mens; inner webs of two outer tail feathers, white.

Dendroiea virens {fall and immature).
Black-throated Green Warbler.
See No. 321.

Crown, black; back, grayish olive,

streaked with black; rump, like back.

Dendroiea striata.

Black-poll Warbler.

See No. 318.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory

249

Crown and back, blue; the back, streaked with black; rump,
slaty blue. Dendroica cerulea.

Cerulean Warbler.

See No. 315.

Crown, dull olive green, dotted with black; back, grayish oHve,
streaked with black; rump, like back.

Dendroica striata (fall and immature).
Black-poll Warbler.

See No. 318.

Middle of crown, rump, and sides of

the breast, with more or less yellow.

Dendroica coronata.

Myrtle Warbler.

Yellow-rumped Warbler.

See No. 313.

Black and White Warbler.

Crown, black, with white stripe in middle; entire plumage, black

and white. Mniotilta varia.

Black and White Warbler. Black and White Creeper.

See No. 300.

Crown and back, grayish olive; rump, yellowish; a patch of white
near the tips of outer tail feathers on the inner webs.

Dendroica tigrina (immature female) .
Cape May Warbler.

See No. 310.

250 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

PART 11. The following species have the throat, not yellow; belly,

not yellow, and more or less white on the tail feathers ; the

sides of breast and body, not marked with numerous

distinct black streaks: —

Male.

Black-throated Green Warbler.

Female.

Throat, black; crown, olive green; sides of head, yellow^; wing
bands, white. Dendroica virens {adult male) .

Black-throated Green Warbler.

See No. 321.

Throat, black; ear coverts, black; crown, yellowish; wing bands,
yellow. Vermivora chrysoptera {male ) .

Golden-winged Warbler.

See No. 305.

Throat, black; crown, dull blue;

■J^ sides of breast, bluish black; a patch of
white at base of primaries.

Dendroica ccerulescens {adult male ) .
Black-throated Blue Warbler.
See No. 312.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

251

Throat and sides, chestnut; crown,
chestnut.

Dendroica castanea {adult male).
Bay-breasted Warbler.
See No. 317.

Throat and sides, more or less marked with chestnut; crown, ohve
green, streaked with black; back, grayish ohve, streaked with black;
(crown, with indications of chestnut); belly, cream white.

Dendroica castanea {female ) .
Bay-breasted Warbler.
See No. 317.

Throat and under parts, cream white, shading into pale buff; white
on flanks; crown and back, green, indistinctly streaked with black;

wing bars, white. Dendroica castanea {immature).

Bay-breasted Warbler.

See No. 317.

Throat and under parts, pale yellowish white; crown and back,
green, indistinctly streaked; wing bars, white; often very difficult
to distinguish from immature specimen of D. castanea.

Dendroica striata {immature).
Black-poll Warbler.
See No. 318.

Throat and under parts, white ; ashy
on the sides; crown, slaty gray; back,
green; under tail coverts, white.

Vermivora peregrin a {adult male).
Tennessee Warbler.
See No. -,08.

Throat and under parts, white; wing bars, yellow; crown, and
back, bright green. Dendroica pensylvanica {immature) .

Chestnut-sided Warbler.

See No. 316.

252 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Throat and under parts, white ; sides,
more or less marked with chestnut;

crown, greenish yellow; back, greenish,
streaked with black; wing bars, yellow-
ish. Dendroica pensylvanica.
Chestnut-sided Warbler.
See No. 316.

Throat and under parts, cream white ; crown and back, greenish
blue; rump, like back; wing coverts, edged with white; tinder tail
coverts, whitish. Dendroica cerulea {female).

Cerulean Warbler.

See No. 315.

Throat and under parts, dull white; crown and back, grayish olive;
wing bars, wdiite; an oblique white spot on inner webs of two outer
tail feathers; rest of tail feathers, without white; under tail coverts,
whitish. Dendroica vigorsii {fall and immature).

Pine Warbler.
See No. 323.

Tail of Palm Warbler.

Throat and under parts, whitish, faintly tinged with yellow; breast,
with rather indistinct dusky streaks; crown, grayish olive, usually
with at least an indication of chestnut; back, grayish olive; rump,
olive green; under tail coverts, yellow. Dendroica palmar um,.

Palm Warbler. Red-poll Warbler.
See No. 324.

Throat and under parts, dull yellowish green; crown, green, with
partly concealed orange brown patch in center (wanting in young
birds ) ; outer tail feathers, narrowly edged with white on inner web ;

rest of tail feathers, without white; no white spot at base of primaries.

Vermivora celata.
Orange-crowned Warbler.

See No. 307.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 253

Throat and under parts, buffy white; crown and back, olive green;
bases of primaries, white, forming a small spot on wing (female).

Dendroica cccrulescens.
Black-throated Blue Warbler.

See No. 312.

Throat, gray; belly, white (breast, often washed with yellow);
crown, yellowish green; wing coverts, broadly tipped with yellow
(female). Vcrniivora chrysoplcra.

Golden-winged Warbler.

See No. 305.

GROUP 3. Wing, 2.75 to 3.25 inches long.

PART 1. The following species have the throat, breast, and belly,

yellow; the breast, more or less streaked; some tail feathers,

marked with white : —

Under parts, pale yellow; sides of breast, more or less streaked
with black; under tail coverts, white; crown, grayish; back and
rump, ashy gray, streaked wnth black. Dendroica kirtlandii.

Kirtland's Warbler.

See No. 322.

Tail of Blackburnian Warbler.

Throat and breast, orange, belly, pale yellow; sides of breast,
streaked with black; crown, black, with orange spot in center; back,
black, streaked with whitish; rump, black; under tail coverts, white.

Dendroica blackburnice.

Blackburnian Warbler.

See No. 319.

Under parts, very pale yellowish, almost yellowish white, faintly
streaked with black; under tail coverts, white; crown, back, and
rump, olive green, streaked with black. Dendroica striata (female).

Black-poll Warbler.

See No. ^18.

254 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Under parts, yellow; sides of breast, streaked with olive; under
tail coverts, ashy; crown, back, and rump, olive green (not streaked).

Dendroica vigor sii.
Pine Warbler.

See No. 323.

Under parts, yellow; ear coverts, rufous chestnut; breast, streaked
with black; crown, black, or olive gray; back, olive green, marked
with black; rump, yellow; under tail coverts, yellowish white; a
patch of white on wing coverts. Dendroica tigrina.

Cape May Warbler.
See No. 310.

Under parts, very pale yellow, streaked with dark brown; under
tail coverts, yellowish white; crown, back, and rump, dark olive.

Seiurus iioveboraccnsis.
Water-thrush.

See No. 327.

PART 2. The following species has the throat, breast, and belly,

yellow ; breast, more or less streaked, and no white on the

tail feathers: —

Breast, with black or dusky streaks; tail, dull brown.

Wilsonia canadensis.
Canadian Warbler.
See No. 33b.

PART 3. The following species have the throat, breast and belly, yel-
low, without streaks, and more or less white on the tail feathers : —

Head, neck, and under parts, bright orange yellow ; palest on the
belly; back, olive green; rump, gray. Protonotaria citrea.

Prothonotary Warbler.

See No. 301.

Crown, brownish; under parts,
white, faintly tinged with pale yellow,
sides, grayish; back and rump, olive
brown or grayish brown; a white
stripe over the eye.

Helinaia swainsonii.

Swainson's Warbler.

See No. ^02.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 255

Under parts, yellow; sides, streaked with black; crown, slaty gray;
back and rump, ashy, streaked with black; lores, black.

Dendroica kirtlandii .
Kirtland's Warbler.

See No. 322.

Under parts, yellow, washed with olive on the sides; sides of head
and lores, yellow; crown, olive green; back and rump, olive green;
under tail coverts, pale yellow. Wilsonia citrina.

Hooded Warbler.

See No. 334.

PART 4. The following species have the throat, breast and belly,
yellow, without streaks ; no white on the tail feathers : —

Crown and sides of head, with more or
less black ; a yellow stripe over the eye ;

back and rump, olive green.

Oporornis fonnosa.
Kentucky Warbler.
See No. 329.

PART 5- The following species have the throat, yellow; belly, not
yellow ; tail feathers, marked with more or less white: —

Back, green, streaked with black; outer web of outer tail feather,
not edged with white; no yellow stripe over eye; chin, whitish; sides
of breast and body, streaked. Dendroica striata (immature).

Black-poll Warbler.

See No. 318.

Crown, black, with patch of orange yellow in center; back and
rump, black, with more or less white; throat, orange; sides streaked
with black. Dendroica hlackburnicB {adult male).

Blackburnian Warbler.

See No. 319.

Throat, yellow; sides of breast, streaked with blackish; crown,
olive, dotted with dull black, and usually showing a trace of yellow in
center; back and rump, olive gray, streaked with black; basal portion
of narrow outer web of outer tail feather, edged with white.

Dendroica hlackhurnicc {female and immature).
Blackburnian Warbler.
See No. 319.

256 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX,

Crown, ash gray; forehead, blackish; throat, yellow, bordered
by black; sides of breast, streaked with black; back and rump, slaty
gray, not streaked ; no white on outer web of outer tail feather.

Dendroica dominie a albilora.
Sycamore Warbler.
See No. 320.

Crown, back, and rump, green (tinged with gray ) , without streaks;
two outer tail feathers, with oblique white spots; lores, yellow.

Dendroica vigorsii.
Pine Warbler.

See No. 323.

Crown, olive, more or less speckled with black; back, olive;
rump, yellow, or greenish yellow; breast, with numerous streaks;
no white on outer web of outer tail feather; sides of head and neck,
more or less tinged with yellow. Dendroica tigrina {immature) .

Cape May Warbler.
See No. ^10.

Yellow-breasted Chat.

Throat and breast, bright yellow; lower belly, white; crown and
back, olive green; lores and eye ring, white; tail, over 2.50 inches
long. Icteria virens.

Yellow-breasted Chat.

See No. 2)2)2)-

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

257

PART 6. The following species has the throat, not yellow; belly,
yellow, and no white on the tail feathers : —

Throat, grayish or brownish; eye ring, white, or whitish; back,
oHve green. Oporornis agilis.

Connecticut Warbler.
See No. 330.

PART 7- The following species have the throat, not yellow; belly,
\ ellow, and more or less white on the tail feathers : —

Tliroat, black; forehead and sides
of head, yellow; crown, black.

Wilsonia citrina.
Hooded Warbler.
See No. 334.

Hooded Warbler.

Upper throat, tinged with chestnut; breast, streaked with black;
back, greenish; rump, yellow; wing coverts, showing much white.

Dendroica tigrina {adult male).
Cape May Warbler.
See No. 310.

PART 8. The following species have the throat, not yellow ; belly,

not yellow, and no white on the tail feathers; breast, not
„.. ,„,.»»„j ...:..u ki.,„i j.,..i, 1

streaked or spotted with black or dark brown

Crown, with stripe of tawny buff, bordered by black stripe;
ipe through the eye. Helmitheros vermivor

_ — .. — , .... — _...^_ „. .«.,.,

black stripe through the eye.

a

Helmitheros vermivor lis.
Worm-eating Warbler.

See No. 303.

Crown, dull cinnamon brown; a white stripe over the eye; under
parts, white, faintly tinged with yellow; sides, tinged with grayish
olive. Helinaia swainsonii.

Swainson's Warbler.

See No. 302.

258 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

PART 9. The following species have the throat, not vellow ; belly,

not yellow, and no white on the tail feathers; breast, streaked

or spotted with black or dark brown : —

Crown and back, olive brown; bill, dark; under parts, white,
tinged with yellow, and streaked with black (including throat).

Seiurus noveboraceiisis, and races.
Water-thrush.

See No. 327.

Crown and back, olive brown; under parts, white, tinged with
buff, and streaked with black; throat, not streaked.

Seiiints mot ac ilia.
Louisiana Water-thrush.

See No. 328.

Crown, brownish orange ; back, olive green; bill, pale.

Seiurus aurocapillus.
Oven-bird. Golden-crowned Thrush.

See No. 326.

PART 10. The following species have the throat, not yellow ; belly,

not yellow; more or less white on the tail feathers; sides of

breast, and body, marked with numerous distinct black

or blackish streaks: —

Crown, black, with white stripe in the middle; entire plumage,
black and white. Mniotilta varia.

Black and White Warbler.

See No. ;oo.

Jan., 1909- Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — ^Cory. 259

Crown and back, grayish olive; rump, yellowish; a small patch
of white near the tips of outer tail feathers on the inner webs.

Dendroica tigrina {inunatnre female ) .
Cape May Warbler.
See No. 310.

Middle of crown, rump, and sides of the breast, more or less yellow.

Dendroica coroiiata.
Myrtle Warbler. Yellow-rumped Warbler.

See No. 313.

Crown, back, and rump, dull olive or brownish olive; under parts,
buffy or gravish, streaked with brown on breast and sides ; outer tail
feathers, mostly white, including the outer web; hind toe nail, as long
as the toe. (This species is not a Warbler, and belongs in Family
Motacillidae, p. 261, but it might be mistaken for one by the
uninitiated. ) Anthiis rubescens.

American Pipit. Titlark.
See No. 338.

Crown, dull olive green, dotted with black; back, grayish olive,
streaked with black; rump, like back; outer tail feather, with patch
of white on inner webs. Dendroica striata (female ) .

Black-poll Warbler.

See No. 318.

Throat, bright orange; a patch of orange on the crown.

Dendroica blackhurnice {adult male).
Blackburnian Warbler.
See No. 319.

PART 11. The following species have the throat, not yellow; bellv,

not yellow, more or less white on the tail feathers; breast and sides

of body, not marked with numerous distinct black streaks: —

Throat and sides, chestnut; crown, chestnut.

Dendroica castanea.
Bay-breasted Warbler.
See No. 317.

Throat and sides, more or less chestnut; crown, olive, streaked
with black (usually with trace of chestnut); back, grayish olive,
streaked w4th black. Dendroica castanea {female ) .

Bay-breasted Warbler.

See No. 317.

26o Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Throat and under parts, cream white, shading to pale buff on
flanks; crown and back, green, indistinctly streaked with black;

wing bars, white. (Often difficult to distinguish from female of
Black-poll Warbler, D. striata, which resembles it very closely in
immature plumage, but has the under parts usually yellowish.)

Dendroica castauca (immature).
Bay-breasted Warbler.
See No. 317.

Throat and under parts, dull white; crown and back, grayish olive;
wing bars, white; an oblique white spot on inner webs of two outer
tail feathers, rest of tail feathers, without white; under tail coverts,
whitish. Dendroica vigor sii {fall, a^id immature).

Pine Warbler.
See No. 323.

Throat and under parts, whitish,
faintly tinged with yellow; breast,
with rather indistinctly dusky
streaks; crown, grayish olive, usu-
ally with an indication of chest-
nut; back, grayish olive; rump,
olive green; under tail coverts,
yellow. Dendroica palmarum.

Palm Warbler. Red-poll Warbler.
See No. 324.

Tail of Palm Warbler.

GROUP 4. Wing, 3.15 to 3.75 inches long.

Under parts, white, faintly yellowish, streaked with brownish
black; throat, showing more or less dots or streaks; no white on tail
feathers. Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis.

Grinnell's Water-thrush.

See No. 327a.

Throat, white; under parts, white, faintly tinged with tawny;
breast and sides of body, streaked with dark brown; throat, not
streaked; no white on tail feathers. Seiurus motacilla.

Louisiana Water-thrush.

See No. 328.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

261

Under parts, grayish white or buffy white, more or less streaked
with dark brown; greater portion of outer tail feathers, white; hind
toe, with claw longer than middle toe, with claw. (Belongs in Family
Motacillidae, and is very different from a Warbler, but might be mis-
taken for one by the novice.) Anthus rubescens.

American Pipit. Titlark.
vSee No. 338.

Throat, faintly yellow; under parts, not streaked; more or less
black on cheeks and breast; hind toe nail, straight and long. (This
species belongs in Family Alaudidse, but is included here as well
as in its proper place for the benefit of persons unfamiliar with birds,
who might look for it under this section.)

Otocoris alpestris praticola.
Prairie Horned Lark.
See No. 216a. ■

Family MOTACILLID^. Wagtails,
Pipits and Titlarks.

Bill, slender; first primary, not short, the first, second, and third,
being about equal in length; hind toe and claw, longer than middle
toe and claw; hind toe nail, long, in this somewhat resembling larks,
but no tufts of hair-like feathers over nostrils.

Titlark

262 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Crown, back, and rump, dull
olive, or brownish olive; under
parts, buffy, or grayish, streaked
with brown on throat and sides;
outer tail feather, mostly white,
including the outer web; much
less white on second feather; hind
toe nail, usually as long as the
toe. Aiithiis nibescens.

American Pipit. Titlark.
See No. 338.

. Family TROGLODYTID^. Wrens.

Small, plain-colored birds ; first primary, less than two-thirds as long
as third ; outer tail feathers, decidedly shorter than middle ones, vary-
ing from one-eighth to one-half inch or more shorter in different species ;
toes, not deeply cleft, the inner and middle toes being joined near the
base; no noticeable rictal bristles.

* GROUP 1. Wing, less than 3.1^ inches Jong,
PART 1. The following species have the crown or upper back

without white streaks or dots : —

Thryomanes bewickii.

Outer tail feathers, broadly

tipped and marked with grayish

white. Thryomanes bewickii.

Bewick's Wren.

See No. 343.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

Jan'., 1909. Birds of Illinois 'and Wisconsin — Cory

263

Under parts, grayish; belly,
grayish, not speckled; outer
tail feathers, not broadly tipped
with grayish white; tail, over 1.25
inches long; outer webs of pri-
maries, showing narrow bars.

Troglodytes aedon, and races.
House Wren.
See No. 344 and 344a.

Winter Wren.

Under parts, distinctly brownish, dotted and speckled with brown
on flanks and abdomen; tail 1.25 or less; outer tail feathers, not
broadly tipped and marked wdth grayish white ; outer webs of pri-
maries, with narrow bars. Nanniis hiemalis.

Winter Wren.
See No. 345.

PART 2. The following species have the crown or upper back
showino; more or less white streaks or dots : —

Rump and upper tail coverts, barred
with black; bill, shorter than middle toe
(without claw).

Cistothorus stcllaris.
Short-billed Marsh Wren.
See No. 346.

264 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

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/ ' I'

-^;.

Rump and tail coverts, without black bars; bill, longer than
middle toe (without claws). Telmatodytes palustris, and races

Long-billed Marsh Wren.

See No. 347.

Canjlina Wren.

Back, chestnut brown; nearly
concealed white spots on rump ; a
long white or whitish stripe over
the eye.

Thryothoi'HS liidovicianus .
Carolina Wren.
See No. 342.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

265

Family MIMID^^^. Thrashers, Mockingbirds,

Catbirds, etc.

Special Characters: Bill, as illustrated; first primary, less than
two-thirds as long as third; outer tail feathers, shorter than middle
ones ; tarsus, scutellate in front ; toes, deepl/ cleft.

* GROUP 1. Wing, from 3.25 to 5.50 inches long.

Catbird.

Mockingbird.

General plumage, dark slaty gray; under parts, slaty gray; under
tail coverts, dark chestnut brown; crown, blackish; first primary,
short. Dumetella carolinensis .

Catbird.

See No. 340.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

266 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Upper plumage, ashy gray; basal portion of primaries, white,
forming a white wing patch; under parts, ashy white, without streaks.

Mimus polyglottos.
Mockingbird.

See No. 339.

Entire upper plumage, rufous
brown; under parts, buffy white,
streaked with dark brown; wing co-
verts, tipped with w^hite; tail, more
than four inches long.

Toxosioma rufum.
Brown Thrasher. Brown Thrush.
See No. 341.

Brown Thrasher.

Family CERTHIIDi^. Creepers.

Bill, slender and decurved; tail feathers, stiff and pointed (see
cut ) ; nostrils, exposed ; tarsus, scutellate ; first primary, very short.
But one species occurs in Eastern North America — a small bird ;
wing, less than three inches ; length, less than six inches.

Brown Creeper.

Jan., igoq. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 267

Tail feathers, stiff and pointed; bill, curved; upper parts, streaked;
under parts, white; rump, dull rufous brown.

Certhia familiaris americana.
Brown Creeper.

See No. 348.

Family SITTID^. Nuthatches.

lite-breasted Nuthatch.

Bill, as illustrated; nostrils, con-
cealed by bristly tufts ; tarsus, scutellate ;
first primary, very short ; tail feathers, not
stiff and pointed. The White-breasted
Nuthatch is sometimes mistaken by the
novice for a small Woodpecker. If tail
feathers are stiff and pointed, look for
the bird under Family Picidae.

Crown, black; back, gray, with-
out white; wings, not heavily spotted
with white ; tail feathers, not stiff or
pointed; toes, four, three in front,
one behind; wing, 3.50 to 3.75 inches
long. Sitta carolinensis.

White-breasted Nuthatch.
See No. 349.

Bill, more than three-eighths
inch long; under parts, pale rufous
brown; crown, black (male j ; crown,
bluish gray (female); wing, 2.60 to
2.85 inches long. Sitta canadensis.
Red-breasted Nuthatch.

See No. 350.

Bill, more than three-eighths inch long; crown, grayish brown;
under parts, dull grayish white; wing, 2.40 to 2.70 inches long.

Sitta pusilla.
Brown-headed Nuthatch.

See Nos. 35°-3S^-

268 Field Museum of Natural History — ^Zoology, Vol. IX.

Family PARID^^. Titmice and Chickadees.

Small birds, less than 6.50 inches long; wing, less than 3.50 in the
largest; first primary, very short and small; bill, short and stout (as
illustrated ) ; nostrils, concealed by bristly feathers ; throat, black ;
crown, black ; front toes, joined near the base ; wing, less than 3 inches
long (Chickadee), or forehead, black; sides, with rufous brown;
wing, over 3 inches long (Titmouse ) .

GROUP 1, Wing, less than 3 inches long.

Chickadee.

Bill, less than three-eighths inch long; crown and throat, black;
greater wing coverts, edged with white ; breast, white; belly and sides,
pale buff. Penthestes atricapillus, and races.

Chickadee. Black-capped Titmouse.

See No. 352.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

269

Bill, less than three-eighths inch long; crown and throat, black;
greater wing coverts, not edged with white; breast, white; belly and
sides, pale buff. Peuihestes carolinensis.

Carolina Chickadee.

See No. 353.

Throat, black; sides of body, chestnut brown.

Penthestes Jiudsonicus.
Hudsonian Chickadee.

See No. 354-

GROUP 2. Wing, over 3 inches long.

Throat and under parts, dull white ;

sides of body, tinged with rufous

brown; crown, gray, with more or

less of a crest; forehead, black, in

adults.

BcrolopJins bicolor.

Tufted Titmouse.

See No. 351.

Tufted Titmoiise,

Family SYLVIID^. Kinglets and
Gnatcatchers.

The Sylviidae are divided into three subfamilies, one of which,
the Sylviinae or Old World Warblers, is not represented in eastern
North America. The other two may be summarized as follows: —

Subtamilv REGULINi^.

Kinglets.

Size, small; length, less than 4.75; wing, less than 2,50 inches;
tarsus, booted ; wings, longer than tail ; tail, emarginate ; males, with
crown of the head showing red or yellow; 8 species, two of which
occur in eastern North America.

270 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Subfamily POLIOPTlLINiE. Gnatcatchers.

Size, small; length, less than 4.75; wing, less than 2.50 inches;
tarsus, not booted ; wings, longer than tail ; tail, somewhat rounded ;
color, bluish ash; about 15 species, all American, of which one oc-
curs in eastern North America.

Gnatcatcher.

Kinglet.

Back, bluish gray; outer tail feathers
mostly white; wing, less than 2.50.

Polioptila cccrulea.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

See No. 357.

Back, olive; no white patch on tail; crown, with patch of bright
red (male); crown, olive (female); wing, less than 2.50.

Regnlns calendula.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
See No. 356.

Back, olive; no white patch on tail;
crown, with patch of orange edged wath yellow
and black (male); crown, with yellow patch
edged with black (female) ; wing, less than
2.50. Regiiliis satrapa.

Golden-crowned Kinglet.
See No. 355.

\v'\^^

^^

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

271

Family TURDIDi^. Thrushes, Bluebirds, etc.

First primary, very short; tarsus, booted (no scales showing, ex-
cept near the toes ) ; bill, shorter than head ; tip of upper mandible
with small notch.

* GROUP 1. Wing, from 3.25 to 4.75 inches long.

PART 1. The following species have the under parts more or less
streaked or spotted : —

Thrush.

Back, rump, and upper tail coverts, olive, about the same color;
eye ring, cheeks, and lores, pale buff ; no white on wing coverts.

Hylocichla ustulata swainsonii.
Olive-backed Thrush.

See No. 362.

* For directions for measurement, see page 21.

272 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Upper plumage, brownish olive;
ends of upper tail coverts and tail,
rufous brown, much more rufous than

the back; no white on tail; first prim-
ary, very small and narrow.

H ylocichla guttata pallasii.
Hermit Thrush.
See No. 363.

Back, rump, and upper tail coverts, olive, about the same color;
eye ring and lores, white, sometimes faintly tinged with buff, but the
eye ring never decidedly buff, as in swainsonii; no white on wing
coverts. Hylocichla alici<B, and races.

Gray-cheeked Thrush.
See No. 361.

\ ^ ■.N -^^

Crown and back, dull cinna-
mon brown, shading to brownish
olive on the upper tail coverts;
breast and belly, marked with
round brownish black spots;
no white on wing coverts.

Hylocichla miistclina.
Wood Thrush.
See No. 359.

Crown, back, and upper tail
coverts, pale cinnamon brown,
nearly uniform in color; breast and
sides of throat, tawny brown,
marked with small cinnamon
brown spots and streaks; belly,
whitish, without spots; no white
on wing coverts.

Hylocichla fuscescens, and races.
Wilson's Thrush.
See No. ^60.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

273

Wings and tail, tinged more or less with blue (immature).

Sialia sialis.
Bluebird.
See No. 365.

PART 2. The following species have no streaks or spots on the

under parts : —

Bluebird.

Upper plumage, blue; breast and sides of body, cinnamon rufous;
belly, white (male). Sialia sialis.

Bluebird.

See No. 365.

Upper plumage, ashy gray, with bluish tinge, shading to blue on
rump, tail, and wings; breast and sides, pale cinnamon brown; belly,
white (female). Sialia sialis.

Bluebird.

See No. 365.

Entire plumage, gray or brownish gray, palest on the throat;
a distinct white ring around the eye; tip and outer web of tail
feathers, ashy white; western species; one Illinois record.

Myadestes townsendii.

Townsend's Solitaire.

See No. 358.

274 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

GROUP '2. Wing, from 4.75 to 5,50 inches long.

Upper plumage, grayish
olive; throat, white, streaked
with black; rest of under
parts (except lower belly ) ,
pale chestnut rufous; young
birds haye the under parts
spotted.

Planesticiis migratorius
Robin. American Robin.
See No. 364.

THE BIRDS OF ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN

WATER BIRDS.

ORDER PYGOPODES.

DIVFNG BIRDS.
Suborder COLYMBI.

Family COLYMBID^. Grebes,

Holboell's Grebe.

Pied-billed Grebe.

The Grebes comprise a small cosmopolitan family, numbering
about 25 species. They are lobe-footed water birds and dive with
great dexterity, often remaining under water for a considerable time
with only the bill and a small portion of the head protruding above
the surface. They feed principally upon small fish. Half a dozen
species are found in North America, of which the following are
accredited to Illinois and Wisconsin:

275

276 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus ^CHMOPHORUS Coues.

I. iEchmophorus occidentalis (Lawr. ).
Western Grehe.

Geographical distribution: Western North America, east to Man-
toba and south to Mexico ; accidental east of Nebraska.

Special characters, adult: Top of head and back of neck, sooty
black; rest of upper plumage, slaty gray; forehead and lores, ashy
white; primaries, dark chocolate, showing white at the bases; neck
(except the back) and under parts, glossy white.

Length, 23 to 29; wing, 7 to 8.40; bill, 2.40 to 3.

According to Kumlien and Hollister, this western species has been
taken in Wisconsin. A specimen was killed on Lake Koshkonong,
January 4, 1878, by L. Kumlien, and another in the same locality,
October, 1881. (Bull. Wis. Nat. Hist. Soc, 1903, p. 5.) x^s far as
we know it has not as yet been observed in Illinois.

Genus COLYMBUS Linn.

2. Colymbus holboellii (Reinh.).
Holbcell's Grebe.

Disir.: North America in general, breeding chiefly north of the
United States.

Adult in summer: Top of head, small crest and back of neck,
greenish black, or glossy black; throat and sides of the head, silvery
white, or whitish ash; most of neck, rufous brown, shading into silvery
white on the lower breast and belly; back, black, some of the feathers
with grayish edgings; primaries, chocolate brown, the shafts, black.

Adult in winter: Above, blackish; crest, nearly or quite absent;
front and sides of neck tinged with pale brown; throat, white; under
parts, white. Immature birds have the upper parts dull black; the
throat and under parts, silvery white, and the neck, grayish (not
tinged with brown).

Length, 18 to 20; wing, 7.35 to 8; bill, 1.75 to 2.30.

Holbcell's Grebe is rare in Illinois and casual in Wisconsin during
late fall and early spring, and a few remain in winter. Mr. E. W.
Nelson gives it as a "rather uncommon winter resident upon Lake
Michigan." (Birds N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. no.) Kumlien and Hol-
lister say, "Holboell's Grebe is found sparingly in March and early
April on most of the larger inland lakes and rivers, as well as on Lake
Michigan, and again from September, but more often from October,

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

277

until the ice forms. Where there is open water, both on Lake Michi-
gan and in the interior, many remain all winter." (Birds of Wiscon-
sin, 1903, p. 5. )

3. Colymbus auritus Linn.
Horned Grebe.
Distr.: Northern Hemisphere, breeding from the northern United
States northward.

Adult in summer: Bill, deeper than wide at base; top of head,
back of neck and throat, greenish black; lores, pale chestnut brown;

a tuft of ochraceous feathers on sides of
head behind the eye; front of neck and
breast, chestnut brown; sides of body,
chestnut brown; belly, white.

Adult in ivinter, and immature : Upper
parts, blackish or grayish black; under
parts, silvery white, often tinged with
gray on throat and breast; no developed
tufts behind the eye.

Length, about 14 inches (12.60 to 15 ) ;
wing, about 5.70; bill, about .90.

The Horned Grebe is apparently not
uncommon at times in Illinois and
Wisconsin during the migrations, and a
few remain to breed. It arrives from
the south in April and breeds in May and June.

"Occurs commonly during the migrations — breeds sparingly in
the small lakes." (Nelson, Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 150.) "Still
fairly common as a spring and autumn migrant; not infrequently
nests in the northern part of the state as it formerly did even in the
southern tier of counties. Young, a few days old, were procured at
Lake Koshkonong during June, 1880." (Kumlien and Hollister,
Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 5. )

The nest of the Horned Grebe is a mass of weeds in shallow water,
sometimes floating attached to reeds, and again placed on a nearly
submerged tussock. The eggs are usually 4 to 7, dull white, more or
less stained with brown. They measure about 1.75 x 1.15 inches.

Colymbus auritus.
(Breeding plumage.)

4. Colymbus nigricollis californicus (Heerm.).
American Eared Grebe.
Distr.: Northern and western North America, from the Missis-
sippi Valley west to the Pacific, south to Central America (Guatemala).

278 Field Museum of Natural Hlstory — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Adult: Very similar to the preceding species in winter ]3lumage
(quite different in summer), but the pecuhar shape of the bill will
distinguish it. The upper mandible is much flattened at the nostril
(the width at this point being greater than the depth), and nearly
straight from nostril to tip (not decurved as in C. auritns) ; under
mandible straight for about three-fourths of its length and then
sharply ascending. Size nearly the same as C auritns.

A western species, which is claimed to occur occasionally in
Illinois and Wisconsin during the fall and winter. It resembles the
Horned Grebe in winter plumage, but the shape of the bill will dis-
tinguish it. " Not uncommon in winter upon Lake Michigan." (Nel-
son, Birds N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 151. )

A. W. Butler states it has twice been taken in Indiana, and W. W.
Cooke records it from St. Louis, Mo. Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister
say, "Very rare in Wisconsin. We have received two spring speci-
mens from near Iron River, Bayfield County, but have never person-
ally come upon or taken one in Wisconsin. Mr. H. A. Winkenwerder,
of Watertown, Wis., has sent us a wing of this species, which is said
to have come from a bird shot at that place." (Birds of Wisconsin,
1903, p. 6.)

Great care should be taken in identifying this species. Several
specimens sent to me for examination, which were supposed to be the
Eared Grebe, proved to be the Horned Grebe, C. auritus, which it
closely resembles in winter plumage.

Genus PODILYMBUS Lesson,,

5. Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.).

Pied-billed Grebe.

Distr.: North America in general, from British Provinces south
to South America (Chili), including the West Indies and Bermuda;
breeds nearly throughout its range.

Adult in summer: Throat, black; a black band on the bill; no tufts
on the sides of the head in any plumage; upper plumage, brownish
black; front and sides of the neck and sides of the body tinged with
brown; rest of under parts, silvery white.

Adult in winter: Throat, grayish white; no black band on the bill;
sides of body, faintly washed with pale brown.

Length, variable, but about 13.50; wing, 4.50 to 5.10; bill, .75;
depth of bill at nostril, about .40.

The Pied-billed Grebe is a common summer resident in both Illi-
nois and Wisconsin, breeding in suitable localities throughout both

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 279

states; nidification begins in May. The nest is in a pond, river, or
slough, and is usually a mass of floating vegetation among reeds.
The eggs are 4 to 8 in number, dull white, usually more or less stained
and soiled, and measure about 1.75 x 1.20 inches.

id: ■

Pied-billed Grebe.

The Field Museum possesses a set of 5 eggs of this species taken
in the vicinity of Calumet Lake, Chicago, June 4, 1904.

Suborder CEPPH I. Loons and Auks.

Family ALCID^E. Auks, Murres, etc.

The Auks are confined to the northern hemisphere, many species
being found in very high latitudes. They range along the northern
coasts of both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and occasionally wander
to temperate regions, but never very far south, as they are "cold
weather birds." They are gregarious, especially during the breeding
season. One species, the Great Auk, was at one time common along
the Atlantic coast from northern New England northward, but owing
to its total inability to fly and the destruction of its eggs by fishermen
and others, it was entirely exterminated during the last century.

28o Field Museum op" Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Subfamily iETHIIN^E. Auklets, Guillemots, etc.
Genus SYNTHLIBORAMPHUS Brandt.

6. Synthliboramphus antiquus (Gmel.).

Ancient Murrelet.

Adult in siiinmer: Size, small; depth of bill, more than half its
length; sides of neck and stripe on side of occiput and through the
eye, white; rest of head, black; back, plumbeous, with lateral streaks
of white; under parts, white.

Adult in winter: Head, dusky; hack, phmiheous; throat and under
parts, white.

Length, about lo inches; wing, 5.40; bill, .65.

Mr. Geo. B. Sennett states that he examined an adult mounted
specimen of this species at " Koshkonong Place," which was killed
late in October, 1882, on Lake Koshkonong, Wisconsin, by Rev. G. E.
Gordon (Auk, 1884, p. 98 ). The occurrence of a bird of this species
in Wisconsin is, of course, most extraordinary. Its true habitat is
the North Pacific ocean, from Vancouver Island northward.

Subfamily ALLINiE. Dovekies.

Genus ALLE Link.
6-1. Alle alle (Linn.).

Dovekie. Little Auk.
Distr.: Coasts of north Atlantic and eastern Arctic oceans; casual
in winter on the Atlantic coast as far south as New Jersey; accidental
in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Dovekies.

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

281

Winter plumage, adult: Upper parts, black or blackish; under parts,
white; smaller than the preceding species.

Length, about 8; wing, about 4.50; bill, .50.

Prof. Henry L. Ward records the capture of a single specimen of
this northern maritime species near Port Washington, Wisconsin,
some twenty-five miles north of Milwaukee. It was shot by a boy,
January 11, igo8, on Lake Michigan. The specimen is preserved in
the Milwaukee Public Museum. (The Auk, Vol. XXV, igo8, p. 215. )

It has also been taken in Michigan, a bird of this species having
been killed on the Detroit River, November 30, 1881. (O. and O.,
Vol. VII, p. III.)

Briinnich's Murre, Uria lomvia {Linn.). During the winter of
iSgd-gy, a ntimber of Briinnich's Murres w^ere taken in different
parts of Indiana, Michigan (Detroit), Ohio, and Iowa. At least ten
were recorded from Indiana (one of them from Newton County),
although so far as we know none were actually taken in Illinois. As
the birds were all observed about the same time, it would seem likely
that they were driven from their usual hab-
itat by stress of weather. It is probable
that these birds arrived by way of Lake Erie,
but in this connection a statement by Messrs.
Kumlien and Hollister is of interest. They
say, "We are confident that some species of
Guillemot occur on Lake Superior in winter
and possibly also on Lake Michigan. There
is no positive evidence of a specimen ever
having been taken in Wisconsin waters, however." (Birds of Wiscon-
sin, 1903, p. i2g. ) Those desiring further information are referred to
the following papers: A. W. Butler, Birds of Indiana, 1897, p. 564;
lb.. The Auk, Vol. XIV, 1897, p. ig7; F. M. Woodruff, The Auk,
i8g7, p. 228; Anderson, Birds of Iowa, 1907. p. 152.

Murres.

Bill of Murre.

282 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Family GAVIID^. Loons.

The Loons are a small family, consisting of one genus and five
species, three of which occur on Lake Michigan. They feed prin-
cipally upon fish and are expert divers and swimmers, rarely leaving
w^ater, except during the nesting season.

Summer

Loons.

Wintsr.

Genus GAVIA Forster.

7. Gavia immer (BRiJNN.).
LooN.

Urinator imber (Gunn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 3.

Distr.: Ranges throughout the northern part of the northern
hemisphere, breeding from the northern United States northward;
south in winter to the Gulf of Mexico and Lower California.

Adult in summer: Head and neck, black, showing green in some
lights; a patch of white, streaked with black, on the throat and sides
of the neck ; under parts, white ; back, streaked and spotted with white.

Adult in winter, and immature: Head, grayish; throat, white or

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

283

grayish white; back and wings, blackish, the feathers often witli gray-
ish edgings but not spotted or streaked with white.

Its large size will distinguish this species.

Length, about 31; wing, 13 to 15; bill, 2.80 to 3.40; tarsus, about

3-35-

Loon.

The Loon is a summer resident, and breeds in northern Illinois
and Wisconsin. It arrives early in spring and leaves late in the fall;
although a few remain on Lake Michigan all winter. It has a peculiar
loud, resonant cry, and the "laugh" of the Loon is a familiar sound
on pond and lake. It breeds in May and June. The eggs are usu-
ally 2, pale olive brown, marked with irregular spots of black. They
are deposited on the ground near water, sometimes on a mat of leaves
or grass, but usually with little or no attempt at a nest. The eggs
measure 3.50 x 2.25 inches.

284 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

8. Gavia arctica (Linn.).

Black-throated Loon.

Urinator arcticits (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 4.

Distr.: Northern part of the northern hemisphere; south in winter
to the northern United States, east of the Rocky mountains.

Adult in summer: Top of head and nape, gray; throat, black;
upper phnnage, black, glossed with purplish reflections; sides of neck
with longitudinal white streaks; rest of under parts, white.

Adult in winter, and immature: Upper parts, blackish, many
feathers with grayish edgings; throat and under parts, white.

Length, about 27; wing, 11.50 to 13.15; bill, 2.55 to 2.80; depth
of bill at base, about .78.

The Black-throated Loon is a boreal species which occasionally,
but rarely, occurs on Lake Michigan in late fall and winter.

"Avery rare winter visitant on Lake Michigan." (Nelson, Birds
N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 150.) "This is certainly a very rare bird
in Wisconsin, occurring only as a straggler in late fall or winter.
We have access to but three unquestionable records." (Kumlien
and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 7.) "Exceedingly rare;
Lake Michigan; winter." (A. J. Cook, Birds of Michigan, 1893, P- 3°-)

9. Gavia stellata (Pontoppidan).
Red-throated Loon.

Urinator litmme (Gunn. ), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 4.

Distr.: Northern North America, breeding north of the United
States, south in winter occasionally as far as the Gulf of Mexico.

Adult in summer: Back, fuscous, spotted with white; throat and
fore neck, plumbeous gray ; middle of fore neck with a patch of rich
chestnut; back of neck, black, streaked with white; rest of neck and
head, plumbeous gray; breast and belly, white.

Adult in winter, and immature: Similar to the winter plumage of
the Black-throated Loon, but the back is spotted with white; fore
neck and throat, white or grayish white, without chestnut.

Length, 25; wing, 10.50 to 11.50; bill, 2.30; tarsus, 2.75

While this species varies greatly in size, and size and shape of the
bill, it is never as large as G'. immer, and may be distinguished from
G. arctica in the adult by the chestnut red throat and in the immature
birds by the white spotting of the upper parts. These spots are most
numerous in the upper back and wing coverts and less numerous
but larger on the scapulars and tertials. On the middle of the back
they are comparatively few and scattered, sometimes ahnost wanting.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

28s

The Red-throated Loon is not uncommon on Lake Michigan dur-
ing the late fall and winter. " Very common winter resident on Lake
Michigan." (Nelson, Birds N. E. Illinois.) "Not uncommon during
winter." (Hoy, Wisconsin.) "A regular and common resident of
Lake Michigan in winter." (Kumlien and HoUister, Birds of Wiscon-
sin.) " Dispersed in winter irregularly over the northern half of the
Mississippi valley." (W. W. Cooke.) " A rare winter resident."
(Butler, Indiana.) " Rather common." (A. J. Cook, Michigan.)
Mr. H. K. Coale procured a specimen near Chicago in February, 1885.

Red-throated Loon.
The patch on the throat is rich chestnut, not black as might be suggested by the illustration.

ORDER LONGIPENNES.

LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS.

Family STERCORARIID^. Skuas
and faegers.

Jx'ger (adult).
(Immature birds lack the long middle tail feathers.)

The Jaggers are pelagic species, although they occasionally occur
on the Great Inland Lakes. They feed principally upon fish, much
of which they obtain by chasing and robbing the gulls and terns of
their prey. Six species are recognized, four of which occur in the
northern hemisphere and two in the southern.

Genus STERCORARIUS Brisson.
10. Stercorarius pomarinus (Temm.).

POMARINE JvEGER.

Distr. : Seas and inland waters of northern part of northern hemi-
sphere; south in winter to Africa and Australia. Its winter range in
America is uncertain.

Adult (light phase of plumage): Bill, over 1.35, tarsus, over 1.75,
upper parts, slaty gray, a tinge of pale yellow on the sides of the head
and neck; crown of the head and lores, sooty black; under parts,
white, shading into slaty gray on sides and lower belly; ends of two
middle tail feathers, rounded.

Adult {dark phase): General plumage, sooty brown, slightly
paler below; crown, dark brown.

Immature {light phase): Head and neck streaked with buff or
gray; under parts mottled and barred with slaty gray; upper parts,
dark gray; some of the feathers edged with buff.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 287

Immature {dark phase) : General color, slaty brown; neck marked
with white; feathers on the belly barred with dull white. The two-
middle tail feathers are rounded at tip, and project more or less be-
yond the others and the tarsus is black in freshly killed specimens.

Length, 20 to 22; wing, 13.25 to 14; bill, 1.40 to 1.65; tarsus,
1.40 to 1.50.

The records for Illinois are not very satisfactory and at most it
is a rare straggler on Lake Michigan. Nelson saw one near Chicago-
in 1876, and was told of another having been seen. (Bull. Essex
Inst., Vol. VIII, p. 145, 1877.) For Wisconsin, Kumlien and Hollis-
ter state that three were seen on Green Bay in October, 1879, and L.
Kumlien secured one on Lake Koshkonong about the same time.

M. Stercorarius longicaudus Vieill.
Long-tailed J^ger.

Distr.: Northern part of northern hemisphere, breeding in high
latitudes; south to Gulf of Mexico in winter.

Adult: Bill, less than 1.35 ; cere (the hard skin-like covering on base
of upper mandible), shorter than the distance from its anterior end to
tip of bill; tarsus, blue in freshly killed specimens; feet, black; above
slaty gray; top of head and lores, dull black; sides of the head and
neck, pale yellow; under parts, dark slate color; chest and upper
belly, whitish ; middle tail feathers pointed.

Immature: Resembles the preceding species in color; but differs in
length of bill and having the middle tail feathers pointed.

Length, 19 to 23; wing, 12.50; tail (adult), 12.50, (immature),,
6; tarsus, 1.65; bill, i.io.

Long-tailed Jaeger has but a slight claim to be included in the
avifauna of Illinois and Wisconsin, although the occurrence of occa-
sional stragglers of this species on Lake Michigan is not unlikely.
A specimen identified as the Long-tailed Jaeger was picked up dead
on the shore of the Mississippi River near Cairo, 111., by Mr. W. H..
Ballou, in November, 1876. It was badly decomposed and after being
examined by Mr. Ballou and another gentleman, was thrown away.
(Ridgway, Orn. of 111., Vol. II, p. 218.) This seems to be the onlv
record for either Illinois or Wisconsin, but Mr. Rudolph M. Anderson
records a specimen captured near Lone Tree, Johnson County, Iowa,,
in June, 1907. (The Auk, Vol. XXV, 1908, p. 215.)

Parasitic Jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus (Linn.). While there is
no actual record of the occurrence of this species within our limits,
according to Prof. Ridgway, it is of "occasional occurrence on Lake

288 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Michigan during winter." (Ornithology of IHinois, 1895, p. 217.) A
bird of this species was shot on the Mississippi River near Keokuk,
Iowa, October 6, 1896; and the speciinen is preserved in the collection
of Mr. William G. Praeger. (Anderson, Birds of Iowa, 1908, p. 153. )

The Parasitic Jaeger may be distinguished from the Pomarine
Jaeger by its shorter bill (less than 1.35) and having the middle tail
feathers pointed, not rounded at the ends as in S. pomariniis , and from
the Long-tailed Jaeger bv having the cere longer than the distance
from its end to tip of bill.

Skua, Megalestris skua (Bruiin.). Mr. Ridgway included this
species in his Ornithology of Illinois (1895, p. 212), but I find no
record of its occurrence in Illinois. It is a north Atlantic species,
which is rare on the Atlantic coast of North America.

Family LARIDt^. Gulls and Terns.

The Gulls and Terns are a cosmopolitan family, numbering about
seventy species. They are true water birds, being rarely found away
from its vicinity. Many species occur both along the coasts and on
the lakes of the interior. They usually breed in colonies, making their
nests upon the ground or on ledges of rocks and cliif s (rarely in trees ) .
They feed principally upon fish, but at times some species eat the
young and eggs of other birds, and occasionally small mammals. The
Gulls are in most cases larger than the Terns and much less graceful.

|-,laiu-i.,s Gull.
llernnL' Gull.

Great Black-backed Gull.
Bonaparte's Gull

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 289

Subfamily LARIN.^. Gulls.

Genus RISSA Stephens.

12. Rissa tridactyla (Linn.).

KiTTiWAKE Gull.

Distr.: Arctic regions, south in winter to the middle states,
accidental on Lake Michigan.

Adult in summer: Hind toe, very small, without nail; head,
neck, and tail, white, rest of upper plumage, pearl gray; under parts,
white; outer v/eb of first primary, black; second and third primaries,
tipped with black; ends of third, fourth, and fifth, black, tipped with
white.

Adult in winter: Differs in having the crown and nape pearl gray,
and a sooty plumbeous mark on side of the head in front of and
behind the eye.

Immature birds somewhat resemble the winter plumage of the
adult, but differ in having a patch of dusky or black on the lower
part of the back of the neck, more or less black on the lesser wing
coverts, and a broad black band at the tip of the tail.

The rudimentary hind toe will distinguish this species.

Length, about 16.50; wing, about 12.20; bill, about 1.45; tarsus,
1.32.

The Kittiwake Gull must be considered a rare straggler on Lake
Michigan. Mr. J. Grafton Parker informs me that he has a specimen
in his collection, which he killed near Meredosia, Morgan Co., Illinois,
on November 25, 1898. Mr. Frank M. Woodruff writes, "An adult
male of this species was taken by Mr. Christopher Wagner, who was
shooting from a boat on Lake Michigan near what is known as Jack-
knife Bridge in Lincoln Park. The bird was purchased for the col-
lection of the Chicago Academy of Sciences by Mr. Chas. M. Higgin-
son." (The Auk, 1897, p. 228.) Nelson (in his Birds of Northeastern
Illinois, 1876, p. 46) states, "A rare winter visitant to Lake Michigan.
Dr. Hoy writes that in the winter of 1870 a single specimen of this
species kept about the harbor for several days, but was too shy to be
shot. He is quite certain of his identification, as he examined the
bird carefully with a large field glass while it was standing upon a
piece of ice just out of gun shot." Mr. W. W. Cooke says, "A northern
species coming south in winter to the Great Lakes. It has been
noted from Minnesota (Hatch) and Illinois (Nelson) and March 17,

290 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

1884, one was seen by Dr. P. R. Hoy, at Racine, Wisconsin." (Bird
Migr. Miss. Valley, 1888, p. 55.)

Genus LARUS Linn.
13. Larus hyperboreus Gunn.
Glaucous Gull.

Larus glauciis Briinn., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 16.

Distr.: Arctic regions, south in winter to New England, New York,
and the Great Lakes.

Adult in summer: General plumage, except back and wings, white;
back, pale pearl gray; wings, pearl gray; primaries, pearl gray, shad-
ing into white on the edges of the inner webs and at the tips.

Adult in winter: Siinilar, but having the head and neck streaked
with pale gray.

Immature birds have the upper plumage pale gray or whitish,
heavily marked and barred with pale brown and gray; under parts
ash gray or grayish white, often marked with buff.

Length, about 27 to 32; wing, 17 to 18.70; bill, about 2.50.

The Glaucous Gull is a rare winter visitant on Lake Michigan.
Both this and the Iceland Gull have the primaries white, pearl white,
or pale ash color, never marked with dark brown or black.

"A rather rare winter visitant to Lake Michigan." (Nelson.)
"Occasionally visits Lake Michigan in winter." (Ridgway.) Mr.
Frank M. Woodruff states that he killed a bird of this species on Lake
Michigan near Millers, Indiana, on August 8, 1897, describing it as "in
the pure white plumage of the young of the second year." (The Auk,
Vol., XV, 1898, p. 61. ) "In the Milwaukee Public Museum are three
specimens procured at Milwaukee, January 8, 12, and 14, 1895."
(Kumlien and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 9.)

14. Larus leucopterus Faber.

Iceland Gull.

Distr.: Arctic regions, south in winter to New England and the
Great Lakes, and occasionally further south.
Adult: Similar to Glaucous Gull, but smaller.
Length, 24 to 26; wing, 15 to 16.60; bill, 1.60 to 1.75.
Apparently a rare winter visitant to Lake Michigan.
"Rare." (A. J. Cook, Birds of Michigan.) " An occasional winter

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 291

visitor to the northern part of the state." (A. W. Butler, Birds of
Indiana, 1897, p. 571.) "A regular and not uncommon winter resi-
dent on Lake Michigan." (Nelson, Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 145.)
"A regular winter visitant on Lake Michigan, but by no means com-
mon, although occurring more frequently than glaiicus." (Kumlien
and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 9.)

15. Larus marinus Linn.
Great Black-backed Gull.

Diiir.: North Atlantic ocean, south in winter to the middle states
and the Great Lakes, and occasionally inuch further south (accidental
in Florida ) .

Adult in summer: Whole back, dark slate color; outer primaries,
black (slaty black when held in the light), tipped with white; head,
tail, and under parts, white; bill, chrome yellow, with red spot on
lower mandible.

Adult in winter: Similar, but with head and neck streaked with
pale brownish gray.

Immature: General plumage mottled and streaked with gray and
pale brown, many feathers with pale edges; primaries, brownish black,
the inner ones narrowly tipped with white; bill, blackish.

Length, 28 to 31.50; wing, 17.50 to 19.50; bill, 2.42 to 2.55;
greatest depth of bill, .92 to 1.05.

Although apparently not very common, this species occurs on
Lake Michigan in the late fall and winter. "Not an uncommon
winter resident upon Lake Michigan. The immature young are
greatly in excess of the adult." (Nelson, Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p.
145. ) "We have seen this well marked species on Lake Michigan at
the Milwaukee Light House, midwinter, 1880-81, and on at least two
occasions, out on the Lake. It is, however, rare." (Kumlien and
Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 9.)

16. Larus argentatus Pontoppidan.
Herring Gull.

Larus argentatus Briinn., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 18.

Distr.: Nearly the whole of North America, south to Cuba in
winter; breeds from the latitude of Maine and Wisconsin northward.

Adult in summer: Back, pale bluish gray, or pearl gray; primaries,
brownish black, more or less marked with white; rest of plumage,
white; bill, yellow, a red spot on lower mandible at the angle.

292 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Adult in winter: Similar, but with head and neck streaked and
spotted with brownish gray; tail feathers marked with more or less
dusky; bill, yellowish.

Immature: Bill, dull flesh color, the terminal third, black; general
plumage mottled and streaked with gray and pale brown, the feathers
on the back margined with gray; primaries, dark brown.

Length, 22 to 25.50; wing, 16.20 to 17.50; bill, 1.90 to 2.50;
greatest depth of bill, .70 to .85.

The Herring Gull is common on Lake Michigan in winter and dur-
ing the migrations and is often seen on the Lake near Chicago. It
breeds in Wisconsin.

"Very abundant winter resident upon Lake Michigan and occurs
throughout the state." (Nelson.) "As a rule it is found in winter
throughout Illinois and thence southward to the Gulf of Mexico."
(W. W. Cooke.) "Very common on Lake Michigan at almost all
seasons and a common migrant on all suitable waters of the state of
Wisconsin. Nests commonly on different islands of Green Bay and
on the north shore of Lake Michigan." (Kuinlien and Hollister,
Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 9. )

It breeds in May or early in June. The nest is composed of grass
and moss on the ground or rocks (very rarely in trees). The eggs
are from 2 to 3, pale olive brown, blotched and lined with chocolate
brown, and measure about 2.80 x 1.90 inches.

17. Larus delawarensis Ord.

Ring-billed Gull.

Distr. : Nearly the whole of North America, south in winter to
Mexico and Cuba.

Adult in summer: Back and wing coverts, pearl gray; terminal
portion of inner primaries, black, tipped with white; terminal portion
of first primary, black, with large white spot near the tip; head, tail,
and under parts, white; bill, greenish yellow, with a black band.

Adult in winter: Similar, but having the head and neck streaked
with gray; black band on the bill much less distinct.

Immature: General plumage, whitish, more or less mottled and
streaked with gray and brownish gray; tail feathers marked with more
or less brownish black, forming a broad, irregular black band with
narrow white tips; primaries, blackish, only the inner ones tipped
with white; bill with basal portion, brownish yellow and the entire
end from the nostril, black.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory.

293

^

r

ii

Bonaparte's Gull.

Herring Gull.

Ring-billed Gull.

Length, 18.10 to 20.25; wing, 13.50 to 15.75; bi^^- i-5° ^o i-7o;
greatest depth of bill, .52 to .68.

The Ring-billed Gull is a common species in Illinois and Wisconsin
during the migrations and occasionally a few remain on Lake Michigan
all winter. A few pairs occasionally breed in Wisconsin, but the great
majority of them go much farther north.

294 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

" Common migrant along the Lake, very rarely remains through
winter." (Nelson, Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 146.) A common migrant,
spring and fall. Formerly bred on Spider and Strawberry Islands,
Green Bay, from which localities we have eggs." (Kumlien and Hol-
lister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 10.)

18. Larus atricilla Linn.

Laughing Gull.

Distr.: Atlantic and Gulf coasts of United States, occasionally
north to Maine and even Nova Scotia; south in winter to West Indies,
Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.

Adult in summer: Bill, dark red; head and throat, dusky black;
a white spot on each eyelid; outer primaries, brownish black; back,
slaty gray; under parts, white; tail, white.

Adult in winter: Similar, but has the head and throat white, and
at times the crown and back of the neck streaked with gray.

Immature: Bill, blackish; upper plumage and most of head and
neck, gray, mixed with pale buff; forehead, whitish; tail feathers,
gray, with broad, subterminal band of dark brown, and narrowly
tipped with white.

The color and markings of the primaries and larger size will dis-
tinguish this species from Franklin's Gull.

Length, 14.75 to 17; wing, 12.10 to 13.15; bill, 1.45 to 1.75.

While rarely found in the interior, the Laughing Gull has been
given a place in the avifauna of both Illinois and Wisconsin. If
it occurs at all it must be considered an accidental straggler within
our limits.^ When not actually taken, its resemblance to Franklin's
Gull might lead to error in identification.

" Very abundant on the Great Lakes." (Dr. Morris Gibbs, List
of Birds of Michigan, Bull. U. S. G. and G. Survey, No. 3, 1879.)
This is undoubtedly an error. "Summer visitant." (Ridgway,
An. N. Y. Lyceum Nat. Hist., 1874, p. 391.) "Probably only an
irregular or casual visitor to the Mississippi Valley." (Ridgway,
Orn. of Illinois, Vol. II, 1895, p. 234.) "A few pass up the Missis-
sippi during the summer as far as southern Illinois." (Cooke.)
" The only known Wisconsin record for this species is that of Thure
Kumlien, who shot a single specimen on Lake Koshkonong in July,
i860." (Kumlien and Hollistcr, Birds of Wisconsin, 1803, p. 10.)

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 295

19. Larus franklinii Sw. & Rich.
Franklin's Gull.

Distr.: Interior of North America, chiefly west of the Mississippi
River; breeding from Manitoba, western Minnesota, and Dakota
northward; south in winter to Central and South America to Peru.
Rare on the Atlantic coast. This species occurs on Lake Michigan
and in the interior during the migrations.

Adult in summer: Bill, red; head and upper throat, plumbeous
black; a white spot on each eyelid; under parts, white, usually tinged
with rose color; back and wings, pearl gray; tail, white; first primary,
pale grayish white, almost white; the outer web, black, except near
the tip; a patch of black on the inner web about an inch and a half
from the tip; the second, third, fourth, and fifth primaries with white
tips and a subterminal band of black.

Adult in winter: General plumage and markings similar, but has
the head and neck white marked with more or less dusky gray on the
top and sides of the head; bill, blackish.

Immature: Bill, dark brown or blackish; under parts, white; crown
and sides of head, dusky; the gray of back and wings mixed with
pale brown; primaries, grayish dusk}^, darkest on outer webs; all
primaries tipped w^th white, but at times so narrowly on the first
and second as to be hardly noticeable.

Length, 13.40 to 14.75; wing, 10.80 to 11.30; bill, 1.15 to 1.25.

Franklin's Gull must be considered a rare bird in Illinois. Mr.
Chas. K. Worthen, of Warsaw, Illinois, writes, " There is a beautiful
adult male of this species mounted in the State Museum at Spring-
field, which I took in May, 1875. It was flying over a pond in the
Mississippi bottom three miles below here." (Ridgway, Bull. Nutt.
Orn. Club, 1880, p. 32.) "A rare visitant to Lake Michigan." (Nel-
son, Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 146.) " Not common but of regular
occurrence in the eastern part of the state as a fall migrant. * * *
On Lake Michigan it is less common than anywhere in the interior.
* * * It seems remarkable that so few spring specimens are obtained
in eastern Wisconsin." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin,
1903, p. 10.)

This species should be looked for along the Mississippi River, as
it is a not uncommon summer resident and breeds in Minnesota.

296 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Bonaparte's Gull. Summer.
Bonaparte's Gull loses the black head in

20. Larus Philadelphia (Ord).
Bonaparte's Gull.
Distr.: North America, breeding chiefly north of the United States;
south in winter to the Gulf coast.

Adult in summer: Bill, black; whole head, including throat, dark
sooty plumbeous; a white spot on the eyelids; back, pearl gray,

shading into white at the base of the
neck; under parts, white; feet, orange
red; tail, white; first primary, white,
with outer web and tip, black; second
primary, white, tipped with black;
rest of primaries with subterminal
band of black tipped with white.

Adult in winter: Similar, but
having the head and throat white,
and the crown and sides of the head

winter.

showing more or less gray.

Immature: Upper plumage mixed with more or less gray and pale
brown; under parts, white; tail with black band narrowly tipped with
white.

Length 12.10 to 14; wing, about 10.25; bill, about 1.15.

This species is abundant at times on Lake Michigan and in the
interior during the migrations in spring and fall. The majority arrive
from the south early in April.

" Exceedingly abundant migrant. * * * In very mild winters a
few remain during the season." (Nelson.) "A transient migrant in
Illinois, occasionally wintering in the southern part of the state."
Ridgway.) "Winters along the Gulf of Mexico and southward and
sometimes in Illinois." (Cooke.) "The systematic slaughter of this
beautiful gull for millinery purposes has so reduced its numbers that
we can no longer claim it as our most abundant species." (Kumlien
and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 11.)

Genus XEMA Leach.

2L Xema sabinii (Sab.).
Sabine's Gull.
Distr.: Arctic regions, south in winter occasionally to New York,
the Great Lakes, and Great Salt Lake. Stragglers have been taken
in Kansas, Iowa*, Bahama Islands, and Peru, S. A.

* Dr. Paul Bartsch records two immature specimens taken near Burlington, Iowa. (The Auk,
Vol. xvi, 1S99. P- 86.)

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 297

Adult ill summer: Bill, shorter than tarsus; tail, somewhat forked;
legs and feet, black; head and upper neck, plumbeous, bordered

around the neck by a black collar;
outer primaries, black; rest of plum-
age, white; bill, black, tipped with dull
yellow; inner web of first primary,
about half white; shaft of feathers,
dark brown on upper surface.

Adult ill winter: Similar, but hav-
ing the head and neck white; marked
Sabine's Gull. On back of head, neck, and ear coverts

wdth dusky.
Length, 12.75 to 14; wing, 10 to 11.20; bill, about i; tarsus, 1.20.
Sabine's Gull is an Arctic species, accidental or very rare on Lake
Michigan. Mr. E. W. Nelson states, "Exceedingly rare visitant
to Lake Michigan. While collecting on the lake shore near Chicago
the first of April, 1873, I saw a specimen of this bird in a small pool
of water on the beach. At first I supposed it was a Bonaparte Gull
and was about passing it when it arose and as it passed towards the
Lake I saw it was something new to me and fired. It flew a few rods
and fell into the Lake abotit 30 yards from shore. It was in perfect
breeding dress, as was shown by the black markings of the head each
time it was raised while struggling in the water. A gale from off
shore soon drifted it from sight." (Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 147.)
According to Kumlien and Hollister: "A young male was shot on
Delavan Lake, Walworth Co., October 7, 1900, by Mr. H. P. Hare, and
is now preserved in the collection of N. Hollister. This is probably
the only authenticated Wisconsin specimen extant. * * *

In x'Vpril, 1897, we examined and identified two fresh wings of this
species brought by a taxidermist in Janes ville to be prepared for a hat.
The bird was killed on Rock River near that city." (Birds of Wis.,
1903, p. 12.)

Subfamily STERNINiE. Terns.

The Terns have the upper mandible nearly straight, not hooked
or rounded at the tip as in the Gulls. The outer tail feathers are
usually decidedly longer than the middle ones. With few exceptions
the North American Terns are smaller than the Gulls.

298 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus GELOCHELIDON Brehm.

22. Gelochelidon nilotica (Hasselq.).
Gull-billed Tern.

Distr.: Nearly cosmopolitan ; occurs in North America chiefly along
Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coast as far north as New Jersey (ac-
cidental in Massachusetts) ; winters from the West Indies and Mexico
south to Brazil.

Adult in summer: Top of head and nape, black; upper part, includ-
ing rump and tail, pearl gray; under parts, white; bill and feet, black,

the former comparatively short
and stout.

Adult in winter : Similar, but
having the head and neck white,
the nape, ashy, and a dusky
patch in front of the eye.

Length, 14; wing, 12; tail,
5.50; bill, 1.40; tarsus, 1.30.

It is far easier to establish a
record than it is to reject one,
because we must assume that an
author who makes the statement that a bird occurs in a certain
locality must have a satisfactory reason for so doing. It is not
given on hearsay evidence, but is a plain statement of fact, or must
be accepted as such until we have good reason to doubt it. There-
fore, although I have never seen a specimen of this Tern taken
either in Illinois or Wisconsin, and can find no record of its actual
capture in either state, I include it upon the authority of the
following published statements.

"An exceedingly rare visitant during summer." (Nelson, Birds
N. E. 111., 1876, p. 147.) "Rare summer visitor." (Ridgway, Cat.
Birds Illinois, 1881, p. 202.) " Rather common." (A. J. Cook, Birds
Michigan, 1893, p. 34.) Also included in Prof. Ridgway's Ornithology
of Illinois, probably on some other authority, as he makes no remarks
whatever concerning it. It was included by Dr. Hoy in his list of
Wisconsin Birds of 1852. Kumlien and Hollister say: "We know
of no actual record for Wisconsin and have never seen the bird in
the north." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 130.)

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

299

Genus STERNA Linn.

23. Sterna caspia Pallas.
Caspian Tern.

Sterna tschegrava (Lepech), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, P- 23.

Distr.: A nearly cosmopolitan species; in North America breed-
ing along the middle Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in parts of the
interior.

Adult in spring: Entire top of head, black, the black extending
below the eye; the occipital feathers, lengthened, extending to the

Caspian Tern.

nape; back and wings, pale pearl gray; rest of plumage, white; pri-
maries, ash gray; no white on inner webs; bill, red; feet, black.

Adult in winter, and in summer after the breeding season: Similar,
but has the head streaked with black and white.

Immature: Differs in having the head spotted and streaked with
black and white, the upper parts more or less marked with brown
and dusky; tail with irregular bars of black.

Length, about 20 to 23.50; wing, 15.25 to 17 ; tail, 5 to 6.25; tar-
sus, r.50 to 1.60; bill, 2.60 to 2.90; depth of bill at base, about .90.

The Caspian Tern occurs casually on Lake Michigan in summer
and occasionally in winter, and has been found breeding on islands in
Green Bay, Wisconsin. The nest is merely a depression in the sand
with little or no lining. The eggs are 2, dull white or whitish with

300 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

small spots or marks of chocolate brown, and measure about 2.75 x
1.80 inches.

" An irregular but not uncommon visitant during the migrations
and in winter upon Lake Michigan." (Nelson.) " Not common,
except perhaps on northern Lake Michigan and Green Bay. Breeds,
or did in 1879-80-81-84 and 1893, on different islands in Green
Bay and on the north shore. Frequently found on Lake Michigan in
winter." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 12.)

Prof. Henry L. Ward found this species breeding in company
with Herring Gulls on Gravel Island, Dove County, Michigan, in July,
1905. (Bull. Wisconsin Nat. Hist. Soc, Vol. IV, No. 4, 1906, p. 113.)

24. Sterna maxima Bodd.
Royal Tern.

Distr.: Tropical America and warmer parts of North America,
casually as far north as Massachusetts and perhaps the Great Lakes.

Adult in spring: Entire top of head, black, including but not ex-
tending below the eye; the black occipital feathers lengthened like

Royal Tern.
Top of head is at times entirely black.

a crest; back and wings, pale pearl gray; rest of plumage, white;
greater portion of the inner web of the outer primaries, white; bill,
orange red; feet, blackish, becoming dull yellow on the soles.

Adult in winter, and in summer after the breeding season: Similar,
but the top of the head streaked with black and white.

Immature: Head spotted and streaked black and white; the gray
upper parts marked with buff, pale brown, and blackish.

Aside from the difference in size, the white markings on the outer
primaries will distinguish this species from the Caspian Tern in any
plumage.

Length, 18 to 20; wing, 13.75 to 15 ; tail, 6 to 8; bill, 2.45 to 2.70;
depth of bill at base, about .70; tarsus, 1.30 to r.35.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 301

If the Royal Tern occurs in Illinois or Wisconsin or even on Lake
Michigan, it is a very rare bird. We have no positive evidence of its
having been taken in either state.

"A summer visitant in Illinois." (W. W. Cooke, Bird Migration
Mississippi Valley, 1888, p. 57.) "Although accredited to Illinois as
an irregular or casual summer visitor, it is possible that individuals
of the Caspian Tern have been mistaken for it." (Ridgway.) "An
exceedingly rare summer visitant to Lake Michigan. A specimen
was taken at Milwaukee many years since and preserved in a museum
there (Hoy)." (Nelson, Birds N. E. Ilhnois, 1876, p. 147.) "The
only reference to this species as a bird of Wisconsin that we know of
is that of Dr. Hoy. ■-'= * * Dr. Hoy does not mention caspia,
which makes us suspicious that the specimen referred to was of that
species. Furthermore, we carefully went through the Natural His-
tory Society's collection at Milwaukee a number of times between
1873 and 1875, ^^^ although there used to be an old specimen of
caspia there, we never saw or heard of a specimen of maxima."
(Kumlien and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 130.) "Rare
spring and summer; Lake Michigan." (A. J. Cook, Birds of Michigan,
1893. P- 34-)

25. Sterna forsteri Nutt.
Forster's Tern.

Distr.: North America in general, migrating to the West Indies
and South America in winter; breeds on the Atlantic coast as far
north as Virginia and in the interior from Texas to Manitoba.

Adult in sum-mer: Crown, black; upper parts, pearl gray; under
parts, white; inner web of outer tail feather darker than outer web; bill,

reddish orange, tipped with black;
feet, yellowish.

Adidt in fall and winter: Bill,

dark brown; feet, brown; head,

/ grayish; a dusky black patch on

I sides of the head, enclosing the eye.

I Immature in winter : Upper parts,

' mottled with pale brown or buff.

Length, 15; wing, 10.25; ^^^^^

Forster's Tern. Fall plumage. i -n

6.60; tarsus, .90; bill, 1.50.

Forster's Tern is a common summer resident in both Illinois and

Wisconsin, its numbers being augmented dtiring the migrations in

spring and fall. Those that remain to breed generally build their

nests in the small interior ponds and lakes. The nest is composed of

302 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX

weeds and grass, usually in a marsh. The eggs are three (rarely 4)
in number, pale olive gray (sometimes buffy white ) , marked and
blotched with chocolate brown, and measure about 1.85 x 1.30
inches.

"Rather common summer resident in this portion of the state,
breeds in the numerous small reedy lakes." (Nelson, Birds N. E. 111.,
1876, p. 147.) " Although the larger part are migratory, a good many
still nest within the state." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds of Wiscon-
sin, 1903, p. 12.)

26. Sterna hirundo Linn.
Common Tern.

Distr.: Ranges throughout eastern North America, breeding nearly
throughout its range from Florida to the Arctic ocean; winters from
Virginia southward.

Adult in- summer: Bill, red, broadly tipped with black; feet, red;
crown, black; upper parts, pearl gray; under parts, pale ashy gray;
feet, orange red.

Adult in winter: Forehead and crown, white or grayish white;
under parts, white; bill, blackish. Immature specimens have the
upper parts mottled with buff or pale brown. The outer web of outer
tail feather is darker than the tuner iveb at all seasons.

Length, about 15; wing, about 10.30; tail, 5.50; tarsus, about
75; bill, 1.45.

Common Tern.

The present species is not uncommon at times on Lake Michigan
during the migrations, and a few remain to breed in Wisconsin. The

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 303

eggs are 3 or 4, pale gray or buff white (sometimes faintly greenish ) ,
marked and blotched with chocolate brown similar to forsteri, but
at times showing a more greenish tinge than those of that species.
They measure 1.82 X 1.30 inches. " Very abundant migrant. * * '•=
A few still breed on small islands at the northern end of the Lake."
(Nelson.) "More common on Lake Michigan than forsteri and more
abundant here than in the interior of the state, preferring the gravelly
or sandy islands of the Lake and Green Bay for nesting places rather
than the smaller inland lakes." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds of
Wisconsin, 1903, p. 13.)

27. Sterna paradisaea Brunn.
Arctic Tern.

Distr.: Northern hemisphere, breeding in North America from
Massachusetts northward to the Arctic regions, south in winter to
the middle Atlantic states and California.

Adult ill summer: Similar to the Common Tern, but differs in
having the tarsi shorter and the bill usually entirely red, not broadly
tipped with black. The white on the inner webs of the first and second
primaries extends considerably nearer to the tip of the feathers than
in 5. hirundo.

Length, about 15.25; wing, 10.25; bill, 1.25 to 1.35; tarsus, about
.65 (less than .70).

This species has not apparently been observed in Illinois. Kum-
lien and Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 13) state, " A somewhat
irregular migrant, at times fairly common and again quite the oppo-
site. We have taken it nesting in Green Bay, 1879; and in June, 1891,
procured a set of eggs (the parent shot on the nest ) at Lake Kosh-
konong. These nesting records are, however, to be considered ex-
ceptional. * * * * Less common in the fall than in the spring, less
often met inland in the fall than the two preceding, and not as abun-
dant as either at any time or place in the state."

Subgenus STERNULA Boie.
28. Sterna antillarum (Less.).

Least Tern.

Disir.: Ranges from Labrador to northern South America, and
in the interior west to Dakota and Mississippi Valley, breeding nearly
throughout its range.

304 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Adult in summer: Bill, yellow, tipped with black; forehead, white;
crown and lores, black; upper parts, pearl gray; under parts, white;

outer primaries, brownish black on outer
webs and inner half of inner webs; tail,
white; feet orange, yellow.

Adult in winter: Forepart of crown,
white, marked with black; occiput,
black. Immature birds have the upper
parts mottled with buff and the bill
dark brown.
Least Tern. Length, 9. 50; wing, 7; tail, 3.50;

tarsus, .60; bill, 1.20.
Although this species occurs on Lake Michigan, and occasionally
on the inland waters of Illinois and Wisconsin, it is apparently by no
means common. "Occurs in summer, nearly throughout the Missis-
sippi Valley." (Ridgway.) "A very rare summer visitant in this
vicinity. -'■= * * * A fine male specimen is in the collection of the
Chicago Academy of Sciences, obtained June 11, 1876, upon the Calu-
met marshes." (Nelson, Birds of N. E. 111., 1876, p. 149.) "Chiefly
coastwise but passes up the Mississippi Valley to Dakota and Minne-
sota; breeds abundantly along the Gulf coast in Louisiana and Texas,
also in the interior; known to breed in Kansas and Dakota." (W.
W. Cooke, Bird Migration Mississippi Valley, 1888, p. 58.) Kumlien
and Hollister say, "This species can be considered only as a very rare
summer visitor from the south." They mention half a dozen speci-
mens taken in Wisconsin, three of which were shot by L. Ktimlien on
Lake Koshkonong in June, 1893. (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 13.)

Genus HYDROCHELIDON Boie.

29. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (Gmel.).

Black Terx. Marsh Tern.

Distr.: Temperate and tropical America, from Alaska to the Fur
Countries south to South America; breeding from the middle United
States west of the Alleghanies, northward.

Adult in spring: Head and under parts (except under tail coverts),
black; back, wings and tail, slaty gray; under tail coverts, white;
primaries, dusky slate color, palest on the inner webs, the shafts of
the feathers, brownish white; bill and feet, black.

Adult in fall and winter: Forehead, back of the neck, and under
parts, white or whitish; back of the head, black, mixed with white;
wings and back, gray.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

305

"^"^m

Spring.

Black Tern.

Immature: Upper plumage more or less mixed with buff and pale
brown; under parts, white; the sides, gray; usually more or less black
about the eye; shafts of the primaries, brown.

During changes of plumage the head and under parts show mixed
black and white markings.

Length, about 9.30; wing, about 8.25; tail, 3.80; bill, i to 1.20;
tarsus .50.

Immature birds are smaller.

The Black Tern is a common summer resident in Illinois and
Wisconsin and breeds in both states, in May and June, usually pre-
ferring the smaller inland lakes. While it does occasionally eat small
fish, the greater portion of its food consists of insects such as dragon
flies and beetles, which it pursues and captures while on the wing
with great dexterity, turning and twisting in a manner suggesting the
flight of a swallow. The nest is built in a marsh or on the edge of
some grassy pond, and is composed of grass and reeds, sometimes a
mass of floating vegetation. The eggs are 2 or 3, pale olive brown,
heavily marked with chocolate. They measure about 1.40 x i inches.
There are several sets of eggs in the Field Museum collection taken
at Fox Lake, Lake County, 111., June 6, 1903.

Regarding its occurrence in Wisconsin, Kumlien and HoUister
say: "A very common summer resident in all the inland ponds.

3o6 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

sloughs, wet marshes and lakes, but seldom found on Lake Michigan,
and probably only during migrations; arrives in Wisconsin, of an
average year, the first few days of May — dates of arrival for a num-
ber of years at Lake Koshkonong range from April i6 to May ii —
and departs early, few being seen after the middle of September.
When they arrive in the spring all are in the black, full breeding
plumage; and all are in the white winter plumage before they leave;
in fact, a great many begin to assume their winter plumage before
they are through nesting." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 14.)

30. Hydrochelidon leucoptera (Meisn. & Schinz).
White-winged Black Tern.

Distr.: Eastern hemisphere, accidental in North America (one
record, Wisconsin).

Special characters, adult: Head, neck, and under parts, black;
upper parts, plumbeous; entire tail and upper and lower tail coverts,
white; anterior lesser wing coverts, white; legs and feet, red.

Length, about 9; wing, about 8; bill, about .90.

"The only known instance of the occurrence of this European
species on the Western Continent is that of a breeding female shot by
L. Kumlien in a large marsh near Black Hawk Island, Lake Kosh-
konong, July 5, 1873. The specimen was sent freshly skinned to Dr.
Brewer, and was presented by him to the National Museum." (Kum-
lien and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, Bull. Wisconsin Nat. Hist.
Soc, 1903, p. 14. )

ORDER STEGANOPODES.

TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS. ANHINGAS, CORMORANTS,
PELICANS, ETC.

Family ANHINGID^, Darters, Snake Birds.

Of the four known species of this family, only one occurs in the
United States. It was at one time not tmcommon in southern Illinois
and is still to be found in the extreme southern portion of the state.
They are fish eaters and expert divers, often remaining for a consider-
able time under water with the head and perhaps a portion of the
neck exposed above the surface.

Genus ANHINGA Bnss.

31. Anhinga anhinga (Linn.).
Anhinga.

Local names: Water Turkey. Snake Bird.

Distr.: Tropical and subtropical America, north in the United
States to the Carolinas, southern Kansas, and southern Illinois.

Adult male in breeding plumage: Head and neck, black, showing
a greenish gloss; back of the head and neck showing lengthened hair-
like feathers of dull white; back mottled and streaked with white;
upper mandible, olive, edged with yellow; lower mandible, yellow,
shading into green at the tip; gular sac, yellow. In winter the male
loses the white hair-like feathers on the neck; middle tail feathers
showing transverse fluting.

Adult female: Head, neck, and breast, buff color, darker on the
nape.

Length, 33.50; wing, 13.50; tail, 10.50; tarsus, 1.35; bill, 3.25.

The Anhinga, commonly called Water Turkey or Snake Bird,
occurs more or less commonly in summer in the extreme southern
portion of Illinois and may breed there, although I find no actual
record of its having done so.

"In summer it passes north regularly to southern Illinois."
(Cooke.) "The Anhinga appears to be a regular summer resident
in the extreme southern portion of Illinois, since Mr. Kennicott found

307

3o8 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Anhinga.

it to be common in the vicinity of Cairo in 1865, while Mr. Nelson
observed it in the same locality twenty years later." (Ridgway,
Orn. of Illinois, 1895, p. 209.) "Common in summer near Cairo, and
seen by Mr. Ridgway near Mt. Carmel." (Nelson, Birds N. E. 111.,
1876, p. 151-) There is apparently no satisfactory record of its oc-
currence in northern Illinois or Wisconsin. A bird was described to
Mr. W. E. Snyder as having been shot in Dodge Co., Wisconsin, which
he believed to be this species. (Bull. Wis. Nat. Hist. Soc, April, 1892.)

Family PH ALACROCORACID^.

Cormorants.

Cormorants are maritime birds, but often occur in numbers on
some of the larger inland lakes and rivers. They feed principally
upon fish and are usually found in colonies. About thirty species
are recognized, of which ten occur in North America.

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 309

Double-crested Cormorant.

Genus PHALACROCORAX Brisson.

32. Phalacrocorax auritus (Lesson).
Double-crested Cormorant.

Phalacrocorax dilophus (Swain.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 42.

Local name: Nigger Goose.

Distr.: Eastern North America, breeding from the latitude of
Minnesota, Dakota, and the Bay of Fundy northward; south in
winter to the Gulf of Mexico.

Adult in spring: Head, neck, and under parts, glossy black; scap-
ulars and wing coverts, brownish gray, edged with black; tail, black,
having 12 feathers; a tuft of black feathers over the eyes ; gular sac
and lores, orange yellow.

Adult in fall and winter: Similar, but lacking the tufts of feathers
on sides of head, and the gular sac varies in color.

Immature: General plumage, grayish brown, becoming pale on the
breast, sometimes whitish; many of the back feathers and scapulars
with dark edges; no tufts of feathers on sides of head.

Length, about 30; wing, 12 to 13.20; bill, 2.10 to 2.50.

This species occurs in both Illinois and Wisconsin during the
migrations. It is not improbable that a few pairs may breed in
northern Wisconsin. Mr. Chas. F. Carr (Wisconsin Naturalist, Sept.

3IO Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

I, 1890) says, "They breed about some of the larger isolated lakes
in the northern and central part of the state."

32a. Phalacrocorax auritus floridanus (Aud.).

Florida Cormorant.

Phalacrocorax dilopJiiis jioridauiis (Aud.), A. O. U. Check List,
1895, p. 42.

Distr.: South Atlantic and Gulf states, northward along the
Mississippi Valley to southern Illinois.

The Florida Cormorant is merely a rather small, southern form of
the preceding species; the plumage is similar.

Length, less than 30 inches; tarsus, 2 inches or less.

"In summer, north to Illinois, sometimes winters in southern Illi-
nois." (Cooke.) "Common in early spring on the Wabash River
as far north as Mt. Carmel." (Ridgway, Orn. of 111., 1895, p. 205.)
" A regular summer resident in southern Illinois, occasionally straying
to the northern part of the state." (Nelson, Birds N. E. 111., 1876,
p. T45.) It has not been observed in Wisconsin.

f-?'!!?!'?®*^?!^

Double-crested Cormorant.

Mexican Cormorant.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 311

33. Phalacrocorax vigua mexicanus (Brandt).
^Iexicax Cormorant.
PJialacrocorax mexicanus (Brandt), A. O. U. Check List, 1895,

P- 43-

Distr.: Central America and the West Indies to southern United
States, casual or accidental north to Kansas and southern Illinois.

Special characters, adult: Smaller than the preceding species. In
the adult breeding plumage the Mexican Cormorant may be dis-
tinguished by the narrow edging of white feathers bordering the
brownish yellow gular sac, and also by the lack of any definite tufts
on the head, which are replaced by long, filamentous white feathers,
and in winter by its small size.

Length, about 25; wing, 10 to 10.60; bill, 1.70 to 2.

The Mexican Cormorant is probably of accidental occurrence in
the extreme southern portion of Illinois. It is easily recognized by
its small size (the wing being always less than 10.50 inches) and the
white line bordering the base of the gular pouch.

" A very common resident along the coast of Texas, occurs in the
Mississippi Valley as far north as southern Illinois and Kansas."
(W. W. Cooke, p. 59.) "Mr. Worthen reports that last spring he
received a skin of this species labelled 'Near Cairo, Illinois.' It was
in summer (not adult) plumage. He was not able to trace the speci-
men, so there is room for doubt as to the locality." (Ridgway, Bull.
Nutt. Orn. Club, Jan., 1880, p. 13.)

Family PELECANID.^. Pelicans.

Pelicans are large birds, frequenting the warmer portions of the
world. Of the twelve known species, three occur in North America
and two of these in eastern United States.

They are gregarious, usually nesting in large colonies. Their
food consists almost entirely of fish, which they capture with great
dexterity. The White Pelicans scoop up their food while swimming,
but the Brown Pelican will often dive headlong into the water, while
on the wing, sometimes disappearing entirely beneath the surface.

312 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

J

White Pelican.

Genus PELECANUS Linn.

34. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Gmel.
American White Pelican. .

Distr.: Temperate North America, north in the interior to about
latitude 6i°, breeding chiefly from about the latitude of Minnesota
northward; south in winter to Mexico and Central America. It is
still abundant in many parts of the interior and along the Gulf coast
to Florida and on the coast of California; very rare on the Atlantic
coast north of Florida.

Adult in breeding plumage: General plumage, white; bill, yellow-
ish, with horny protuberance on the top (this is lacking in winter);
primaries, black; pouch is lemon yellow and the legs, pale yellow;
iris, straw color.

Length, 60; wing, 24.50; tarsus, 4.45; bill, 12.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and WiscoxNsin — Cory.

313

This species occurs in Illinois and Wisconsin during the migrations,
usually in April, September, and October. It is not improbable that
a few pairs may still breed in the northern part of Wisconsin.

"At present an exceedingly rare visitant during the migrations.
Formerly they were regular and rather common migrants. Still mi-
grate along the Mississippi River." (Nelson, Birds N. E. 111., 1876,
p. 144.) According to Kumlien and Hollister, White Pelicans nested
in Wisconsin as late as 1883 and 1884, but they believe that "pro-
bably few, if an3^ nest in the state at the present time." (Birds of
Wisconsin, 1903, p. 15.)

35. Pelecanus occidentalis Linn.
Brown Pelican.

Pelecanus juscits (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 46.

Distr. : Atlantic coast of tropical and subtropical America ;
abundant in Florida and along the Gulf coast, casual north to the
Carolinas and accidental in southern Illinois.

■'""■^skS

"•*»« \

Brown Pelican.

314 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Adult in breeding plumage: Neck, chestnut brown; head and hne
at the base of the pouch, yellowish white; upper parts, ashy gray,
some of the feathers edged with brownish; bill, brownish white,
marked with red in spots; pouch, dark greenish black; bare space in
front of the eye, bluish; tail, consists of twenty-two feathers. The
immature bird has the head and neck brownish gray.

Length, 50; wing, 20; tarsus, 2.90; bill, 11.

"The Brown Pelican has a soinewhat doubtful claim to be in-
cluded among the birds of Illinois. Apparently the only record is
that given by Mr. Chas. K. Worthen in a letter to Prof. Ridgway,
who writes: "Saw a specimen of this bird flying over Lima Lake,
a large, shallow body of water ten miles below here (Warsaw, Illinois),
in October, 1873. The bird was not over a hundred yards from myself
and two or three others and we watched it for several minutes. '■' * *
It had the color, bill, and size of that species." (Ridgway, Bull.
Nutt. Orn. Club, 1880, p. 31.)

Family FREGATID^. Man-of-war Birds.

The Fregatidte are a family of maritime and pelagic birds, com-
prising one genus and only two known species, inhabiting the warmer
portions of the globe.

Genus FREGATA Lacepede.

36. Fregata aquila (Linn.).

Man-of-war Bird.

Distr.: Tropical and subtropical coasts and islands. In America
north to Florida and Texas, and casually to Nova Scotia, Wisconsin,
Indiana, etc.

Adidt male: Entire plumage, brownish black, showing a greenish
reflection on the head, and purplish upon the back; tail, forked and
composed of twelve feathers; gular sac, pale orange; iris, brown.

Adult female: Differs from the male by having a white patch on
the breast, which extends along the sides of the neck and around it
near the middle.

Length, 43; wing, 25; tail, 19; tarsus, i; bill, 6.

Stragglers of this strictly maritime species have been recorded
from various localities in the interior. Specimens have been taken
in Kansas, Ohio, and Indiana (2).

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

315

It has not been observed in Illinois, but Kumlien and Hollister
state that a bird of this species "was shot in the Milwaukee River at
Humbold, near the city of Milwaukee, in August, 1880. * * * *
The specimen is now mounted in the Milwaukee Public Museum."
(Bull. Wisconsin Nat. Hist. Soc, 1903, p. 16.)

~-:^-' i^-Al

Maa-of-war Bird.

ORDER ANSERES. ,

LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS.

Family ANATIDiE. Ducks, Geese,
and Swans.

This large family contains nearly 200 species, distributed through-
out the world. They are subdivided into several well marked groups
or subfamilies.

Subfamily MERGINiE. The Mergansers or
Sheldrakes.

The Mergansers or Sheldrakes are fish eaters, and the flesh of the
adults of most species is strong and unpalatable. The Hooded Mer-
ganser is an exception, however, and it is an excellent table bird when
properly prepared. Three species occur in Illinois and Wisconsin.
They are easily recognized by their long narrow bills edged with
small tooth-like serrations.

Male.

American Merganser.
316

Female.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 317

Genus MERGUS Linn.

37. Mergus americanus Cass.
American Merganser. Sheldrake.

Merganser americanus (Cass.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 47.

Distr.: General North America, breeds from northern Wisconsin
and Pennsylvania northward. It ranges in winter as far south as
Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, northern Mexico, and Lower California.

Adult male: Bill, red, long and narrow, with tooth-like serrations
on edges; head and neck, greenish black; under parts, creamy white,
tinged with salmon color; tail, gray; feet, red; distance from anterior
end of nostril to the tip of the bill, less than i.jo inches.

Length, 26; wing, about 11; tarsus, 2; bill, 2.10.

Adult female: Upper throat, white ; breast and head, rufous brown ;
belly, white; speculum, white; feet, reddish orange; distance from the
anterior end of nostril to tip of bill, less than 1.50 inches.

Length, about 24.50; wing, about 9.75; tarsus, 1.90; bill, 2.

Immature males resemble the female.

The distance from the anterior end of nostril to the tip of the bill
is less than 1.50 inches in this species, and the female may be dis-
tinguished from the Red-breasted Merganser by this character, as
in that species the distance from the anterior end of nostril to tip of
bill is more than 1.50 inches.

This species is common in Illinois and Wisconsin, during the mi-
grations, and at times a number remain during the winter. It does
not breed in Illinois, and I find no satisfactory record of its having
done so in Wisconsin, although Kumlien and Hollister say: "Said to
nest in the extreme northern end of Door County." (Bull. Wiscon-
sin Nat. Hist. Soc, p. 16.) Both this and the next species are known
to the local gunners by the name of "Sheldrake."

38. Mergus serrator Linn.
Red-breasted Merganser. Sheldrake.

Merganser serrator (^Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 47.

Distr.: Northern portions of the northern hemisphere, breeding
from northern Illinois northward; winters throughout the United
States from Lake Michigan and New England to the Gulf coast, Cuba,
and Lower California.

Adult male: Head and upper throat, black, tinged with greenish;
a white ring around the neck, not always well defined; breast, rufous.

3i8 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

streaked with black; lower
breast and belly, white; the
sides and rump, delicately-
pencilled black ; distance from
nostril to tip of bill, more
than 1.50.

Length, 23; wing, 9; tar-
sus, 1.90; bill, 2.30.

Female and young male:
Head, brownish; throat, pale
buff; back, gray; under parts of the body are white, and speculum is
white.

Length, 21; wing, 8.80; tarsus, 1.90; bill, 2.50.
Although not abundant, the Red-breasted Merganser is not un-
common at times on Lake Michigan and the inland waters of Illinois
and Wisconsin during the migrations. A few remain to breed in
northern Illinois and it breeds regularly in Wisconsin. The nest is
on the ground, composed of moss and grass lined with down and
carefully concealed. The eggs are from 7 to 12, pale buff color, and
measure abotit 2.50 x 1.75 inches.

"Winter resident throughout Illinois and breeds from the northern
portion of the state northward." (Ridgway, Orn. 111., 1895, P- i9°-)
"The rarest species of the genus in this vicinity. Frequents small
reedy lakes where it is a summer resident. Nests upon old muskrat
houses. * ''' ''' '•' A very rare winter resident. During the height
of the migrations it is rather common upon Lake Michigan, in small
flocks." (Nelson, Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 44.) "Common during
migrations, but not in as great numbers as the preceding. A regular
breeder about Green Bay and Lake Superior." (Kumlien and Hol-
lister. Birds Wisconsin, 1903, p. 17.)

Genus LOPHODYTES Reich.

39. Lophodytes cucullatus (Linn.).

Hooded Merganser.

Distr.: North America in general, south to Cuba and central
Mexico, breeding nearly throughout its range.

Adidt male: Head ivith large black and ivhite crest; upper parts,
black; under parts, white, having the sides brownish, delicately
barred with black.

Length, 19.50; wing, 7.75; tarsus, 1.30; bill, 1.50.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

319

Adult female: Head and
neck, brownish, shoAving a
slight crest, but not nearly as
large as in the male; under
parts, white.

Length, 18.50; wing, 7.75;.
tarsus, 1.30; bill, 1.50.

The young bird resembles-
the female, but has no crest.
Lengtli, 1 8. 50; wing, 7.70; tarsus, 1.25; bill, 1.50.
The Hooded Merganser is an abundant migrant and a not un-
common summer resident in both Illinois and Wisconsin. It fre-
quents the ponds and streams during the breeding season and
builds its nest in a hollow tree near water. The eggs are 7 to 10,
buff white, and measure about 2.05 x 1.75 inches. Its food consists,
of roots, seeds, small fish, and occasionally insects. The young are
taken from the nest in the bill of the mother. Nidification begins in
May.

"Very abundant migrant; common winter resident upon Lake
Michigan; breeds sparingly throughout the state." (Nelson, Birds.
N. E. 111., 1876, p. 44.) "Very common. * * =■= * Breeds sparingly
in suitable localities." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds Wisconsin,.
1903, p. 17.)

Subfamily ANATIN^E. River and Pond Ducks.

These ducks, while often found in numbers on salt water, seem to.
prefer (with few exceptions) the lakes, rivers, and ponds. The food
consists of mollusks, small crustaceans, fish, and insects, as well as the
roots of aquatic plants and seeds. The members of this subfamily
have the bill broad (not narrow as in the Mergansers ) , and no flap^
or web on the hind toe.

320 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Female.

Mallard Duck.

Male.

Genus ANAS Linn.

40. Anas platyrhynchos Linn.
Mallard Duck.

Anas bosckas Linn., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 48.
Distr.: Northern hemisphere, breeding nearly throughout the tem-
perate zone; south in winter to Cuba, Lower CaHfornia, Mexico, and
Central America to Panama.

Adult male: Head and neck, dark green,
with a white ring on the neck; under parts,
whitish or ashy white; breast, rich chestnut
brown; under tail coverts, black; upper tail
coverts are also black with central feathers
elongated and curved upwards; speculum,
purple, bordered with black and white; feet,
orange red; bill, yellowish olive.

Adult female: Speculum, purple, bordered with black and white;
head, brownish buff; belly, buffy brown, usually mottled; feet,
orange red.

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory. 321

Length, 23; wing, 10.50; bill, 2.20.

An abundant species in Illinois and Wisconsin during the migra-
tions, and a number remain to breed in suitable localities in both
states. The nest is usually placed on the ground near water, and is
composed of grass and weeds and lined (not always) with down
feathers. The eggs are 7 to 10, pale greenish white, and measure
about 2.25 X 1.70 inches.

Ridgway states: "It has been known, in rare instances, to nest
in a tree, in such cases occupying the deserted nest of a hawk, crow,
or other large bird." (Orn. of Illinois, 1895, p. 129.)

41. Anas rubripes Brewster.
Red-legged Black Duck.

Distr.: Eastern North America, north to Ungava and Hudson
Bay, and west to the Manitoba region and the Mississippi Valley;
winters from Massachusetts and Illinois southward.

Adult: Head and neck, pale brown, finely dotted and streaked

with dark brown; top of the head darker than the cheeks; general

plumage, dark brown; feathers, edged with pale

buff; speculum, purple, edged with black; bill, yel-

•■^^ lowish green, with dark nail, no black at the base;

legs and feet, olive, with dusky webs.

Length, 22; wing, 11; bill, 2.10; tarsus, 1.75.
This species may always be distinguished from
the female of the Mallard by the absence of
white on the speculum.

The Red-legged Black Duck is not uncommon

in Illinois and Wisconsin during migrations.

Kumlien and Hollister consider it the common form in the latter

state, and the writer has examined a number of specimens offered for

sale at different times in the Chicago markets.

41a, Anas rubripes tristis Brewster.
Black Duck.

Anas obscura Gmel., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 48.

Distr.: Eastern North America, north to Labrador, and west to
Minnesota and Mississippi Valley, Breeds from Maryland and Illinois
northward; winters from southern Illinois and Massachusetts to the
South Atlantic and eastern Gulf States to the West Indies.

322 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

The Black Duck differs from the red-legged form in its being
somewhat smaller, and having the legs oliv?, and bill, not so yellow.
The sexes are similar.

Length, about 21; wing, about 10.75; bill, 2.10.

This species is at times fairly common during the migrations in
both Illinois and Wisconsin and a few remain to breed in both states.
The nest is on the ground. The eggs are 8 to 12, pale greenish
white or bluish white, and measure 2.45 x 1.80 inches. The note of
the male is something like ''Drake, drake, drake, drake," and also
" Shwipe," in a husky voice; the female, "quacks."

" An uncommon migrant with the preceding and a very rare sum-
mer resident. * * * * One or two pairs nest each year on the
Calumet marshes. " (Nelson, Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 139.)

Genus CHAULELASMUS Bonap.

42. Chaulelasmus streperus (Linn.).

Gadwall.

Anas strepera Linn., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 49.

Local names: Gray Duck. Creek Duck.

Distr.: Nearly cosmopolitan. In North America it breeds chiefly
from the northern United States (Nebraska, northern Wisconsin,
etc. ) to Hudson Bay and Manitoba. Ranges from Hudson Bay and
Lesser Slave Lake to the Gulf coast, Lower California, and southern
Mexico, Florida, and Cuba.

Adult male: Top of head, brownish, finely streaked and mottled
with black and dark brown; neck and breast, mottled (black and
white), the feathers being black, having a central white mark; under
parts, white (sometimes grayish white); under tail coverts, black;
upper tail coverts and rump, black; speculum-, black and white; the
lesser wing coverts, chestnut; bill, black; feet, orange; axillars, white,
with white shafts.

Length, 19.50; wing, 10; bill, 1.60.

Adult female: Somewhat resembles the male, but has the under
wing coverts pure white, and usually little or no chestnut on the lesser
wing coverts.

Length, 19; wing, 10.15; bill, 1.55.

This species is common in Illinois and Wisconsin during the mi-
grations. It apparently does not breed in Illinois, but it still does
so in northern Wisconsin. The nest is placed on the ground and is
composed mostly of feathers and down. The eggs are 9 to 12, uni-

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

323

Gadwall Duck.

form cream color or pale buffy white, and measure about 2.10 x 1.50
inches.

The Gadwall is known to gunners as Gray Widgeon and Creek
Duck. " Very common during the migrations from the middle of
October to the last of November and from the first to the last of April."
(Nelson, Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 139.) "Found principally as a
migrant during April and October. Not nearly as common as for-
merly, in fact at the present time not at all common. Known to nest
sparingly near Lake Koshkonong, twenty-five or more years ago.
Capt. Goss found it breeding in Horicon Lake (now Horicon marsh).
Mr. C. F. Carr records it as breeding in the extreme northern part of
the state." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds of W^isconsin, 1903, p. 18.)

Genus MARECA Stephens.

43. Mareca penelope (Linn.).

European Widgeon.

Anas penelope Linn., A. 0. U. Check List, 1895, p. 49.

Distr.: Old World species, accidental in the United States.
Numerous records from widely separated localities; Alaska, British
Columbia, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Massachusetts, Nova
Scotia, Florida, etc., etc.

Adult male: Somev/hat resembles the American Widgeon, but has
the crown buff cream color and the rest of the head and neck rufous

324 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

brown, except the throat, which is dusky; back
marked with fine wavy Hnes.

Adult female: Whole head and throat, rusty
brown, finely marked with black; greater wing
coverts, grayish brown, tipped with black.
Length, about 19; wing, 10.50; bill, 1.40.
At least three specimens of the European
Widgeon have been taken in Illinois and several in
Wisconsin, two of which, according to Kumlien and Hollister, were
killed at Lake Koshkonong.

Mr. Ruthven Deane records 20 birds of this species having been
killed in interior states, many of them in Indiana. (See Auk, 1899,
p. 270; lb., 1903, p. 303; lb., 1905, p. 76; lb., 1905, p. 206.)

44. Mareca americana (Gmel.).

American Widgeon. Baldpate.

Anas americana Gmel., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 49.

Distr.: North America generally; breeds chiefly north of the
United States; south in winter to the Gulf coast. West Indies,
Mexico, and Guatemala.

Adult male: Head, speckled black and white; top of head, white;
a broad stripe of greenish from eye to the occiput; chin, blackish;
upper breast, pale ashy lilac or vinaceous; rest of under parts, pure
white; crissum and under tail coverts, black; back, ashy vinaceous.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

325

finely pencilled with black; a broad patch of white on the wing;
most of the secondaries. have the outer web black, edged with white;
the inner webs are grayish towards the tip ; speculum, black and green ;
axillary plumes, white, with dark shafts.

Adult female: Head and throat, whitish or buffy white, streaked
and mottled with black; back, grayish brown; tertials, dusky, edged
with whitish.

Length, 19; wing, 10.50; tarsus, 1.60; bill, 1.40.

This species is common in Illinois and Wisconsin during the mi-
grations. It is barely possible a few may still breed in northern
Illinois, and, according to Kumlien and Hollister, it formerly bred in
Wisconsin as far south as Lake Koshkonong and still does so in the
less settled portions of the state. The nest is placed on the ground
and is mostly composed of feathers and down. The eggs are buffy
white, 8 to 12 in number and measure about 2.15 x 1.45 inches.

"A very abundant species during the migrations and not very rare
summer resident." (Nelson, Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 140.) W. W.
Cooke states it has been known to breed in Illinois. (Report of Bird
Migration in Mississippi Valley, 1888, p. 66.)

Genus NETTION Kaup.

45. Nettion carolinensis (Gmel.).

Green-winged Teal.

Anas carolinensis Gmel., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 50.
Distr.: North America in general, breeding chiefly north of the
United States; south in winter to Mexico, Central America and the
West Indies.

Adult male: Head and neck, chestnut brown; a patch of green
behind the eye extending to the nape; crown feathers are somewhat

elongated, forming a small crest;
sides and back, pale, marked with
narrow fine lines of black; under
parts, white, shading into pale brown
or buff on the breast, which is also
spotted with black; speculum, green,
bordered with black and chestnut.
Adult female : Top of head, brown-
ish, margined with reddish brown; throat and side of neck, white,
spotted with black; breast, brownish, with black spots; rest of under
parts, white, sometimes showing black spots on the under tail coverts.

326 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Length, 14.50; wing, 7.20; tarsus, 1.20; bill, 1.45.

The Green-winged Teal is common in Illinois and Wisconsin dur-
ing the migrations and is claimed to breed sparingly in both states.

The nest is placed on the ground and is thickly lined with down.
The eggs are 6 to 12, usually 9 or 10, pale buff or cream buff in color,
and measure about 1.80 x 1.20 inches.

In Illinois it has been found breeding in the northern portion of the
state, " Rockwood, Lacon, and Fernwood." (Cooke, Bull. Biological
Survey, 1906, p. 31.) "Breeds sparingly." (Nelson, Birds N. E'.
Illinois, 1876, p. 140.) "Formerly bred sparingly even in southern
Wisconsin, eggs having been taken on Black Hawk Island, Lake
Koshkonong, by L. Kumlien, in May, 1870. At least two other au-
thentic nesting records at this place are known. Further north they
breed more plentifully, but the larger nuinber pass beyond our
border." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 19.)

Genus QUERQUEDULA Oken.

46. Querquedula discors (Linn.).-
Blue-winged Teal.

Anas discors Linn., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 50.

Distr.: North America in general, but chiefly eastward, breeding

northward from Kansas and southern Illinois to Alaska; south in

winter to the West Indies, Central and South America as far as Chili.

Adult male: Head, gray, with purplish gloss, darkest on top;

a white patch resembling a crescent in front of the eye; greater and

middle wing coverts, pale grayish
blue, forming a grayish blue patch
on the wing; speculum, rich green;
under parts, purplish gray, spot-
ted on the breast with black; the
flanks are narrowly barred with
black; bill, black; feet, yellow.
Adult female: Showing a blue
patch on the shoulder which distinguishes it from other teals, ex-
cept the female of Q. cyanoptera, which has the chin dusky; and
the upper throat often tinged with rufous. The locality where it is
taken should also be considered.

Length, about 15.75, wing, 7.25; tarsus, 1.20; bill, 1.60.
The Blue-winged Teal is a common summer resident in Illinois
and Wisconsin, and breeds in May and June in suitable localities

'•^S!^yi'

9

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 327

throughout the states. The nest is a mass of feathers thickly hned
with down, placed on the ground, usually more or less concealed.
The eggs are from 7 to 12, pale buff or cream buff in color, and
measure about 1.80 x 1.30 inches.

47. Querquedula cyanoptera (Vieill.).
Cinnamon Teal.

Anas cyanoptera Vieill., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 50.
Distr.: Western America from the Rocky mountains and Texas
to the Pacific, and from British Columbia south through Middle Amer-
ica and South America to Patagonia and Falkland Islands; casual
in the Mississippi Valley and Florida.

Adult male: Head, neck, and upper parts, chestnut brown, the
crown somewhat darker than the sides of the head; under parts,
brownish, showing dusky on the belly; rump,
olive brown, feathers becoming lighter on the
edges; wing coverts, blue gray; speculum, green,
the general coloration of the wing being similar to
the Blue-winged Teal, but the coloration of the
body is so different that it should never be con-
founded with that species.

Adult female: Resembles the female of the Blue-
winged Teal, although somewhat larger; the bill is larger, and the
under parts usually show at least a trace of the chestnut marking of
the male; the throat, more speckled; chin, dusky and often with
rufous tinge, otherwise apparently similar to Q. discors.
Length, 16; wing, 7.50; bill, 1.75; tarsus, 1.30.
Ridgway says: "It is of irregular and uncertain occurrence, hav-
ing been only once or twice taken in Illinois." "An occasional visitant
in Manitoba, Minnesota, Nebraska, Illinois, and Louisiana." (W. W.
Cooke, Bird Migr. Miss. Val., 1888, p. 68.)

For Wisconsin Kumlien and Hollister record two specimens taken
at Lake Koshkonong and add: "There are several more or less au-
thentic records among well-informed sportsmen in different parts of
the state and at the Club House on Lake Koshkonong." (Birds of
Wisconsin, 1903, p. 20.)

328 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus SPATULA Boie.

48. Spatula clypeata (Linn.).

Shoveller Duck.

Local names: Spoon-bill. Broad Bill.

Distr.: Northern hemisphere, breeding chiefly (in North Amer-
ica) from the Canadian border to the Saskatchewan region, although
it breeds more or less commonly much farther north and south. It
has been known to nest in Alaska and also as far south as Texas.
It winters from southern Illinois and the Carolinas southward. Very
abundant in Florida and along the Gulf coast, while a great many con-
tinue their migration as far south as South iVinerica (Bogata). It
also occurs in more or less numbers in the West Indies, Mexico, and
Central America.

Adult tnale: Bill, very much broadened; head and neck, dark green;
breast, pure white, shading into purplish chestnut on the belly;

wing coverts, blue ;
speculum, green,
edged with white;
feet, orange red.

Length, 20;
wing, 9.50; bill,
2.70; tarsus, 1.50.
$ Adult female:

Head and neck,
mottled and streaked with pale brown and dark brown or black;
under parts, brownish, mottled and spotted with fuscous, scarcely
showing on the middle of the belly; speculum and wing coverts
as in the male.

Immature male: Intermediate in plumage between the adult male
and female, but the speculum shows but little green, and the wing
coverts are slaty gray; the head is often blotched and mottled when
changing to adult plumage.

Length, 19.50; wing, 9.50; bill, 2.60; tarsus, 1.50.
The Shoveller Duck is abundant during the migrations and a few
may still breed in Illinois. It is a not uncommon summer resident
in Wisconsin.

The nest is composed of feathers and down placed on the ground.
The eggs are 7 to 10, pale buff white, and measure about 2.10 x 1.45
inches.

"An abundant migrant and rather common summer resident.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

329

Breeds in much the same locahties as the preceding {Q. discors).
Its eggs are deposited early in May. Arrives the last of March and
the larger number pass north before April 20th." (Nelson, Birds
N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 140.) " It is still a common duck but can hardly
be called abundant. * -"•= * Essentially a duck of the large marshes
and shallow lakes in these localities. Considerable numbers still nest
within the state, even in the most southern counties." (Kumlien and
Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 20.)

Genus DAFILA Steph.

49. Dafila acuta (Linn.).
Pintail Duck.

Local names: Sprig-tail. Pheasant Duck.

Distr.: A cosmopolitan species, inhabiting the Northern hemis-
phere, breeding (in North America ) from the northern United States
northward and ranging south in winter to the Gulf coast, the West
Indies, Mexico, and Central America to Panama; abundant in Florida.

Pintail DulI

Adult male: Bill, lead color, the base and a stripe along the culmen,
black; head and neck, rich brown, sometimes showing a faint gloss
of green on the feathers; sides of the neck showing a stripe of
white, and a stripe of black extending down the back of the neck;
under parts, white, showing faint, wavy, fine lines of dusky on the

330 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

sides; crissum, black, edged with white; central tail feathers, very
much elongated in the male; feet, lead color.

Length, 28; wing, 9.50; tail, 7; bill, 2.

Adult female: Tail feathers, not so much elongated as in the male,
but broad and pointed; crown and sides of the head, streaked with
dusky and pale brown; breast, spotted with dark brown or black;
under parts, white; abdomen and sides showing faint lines of dusky;
under wing coverts, fuscous, edged with white; axillary plumes,
white, barred with dark brown; speculum, grayish brown, edged with
white. The immature male shows considerable variation in plumage,
the under parts being usually more streaked or spotted than the adult
female, which it otherwise somewhat resembles.

Length, 22; wing, 9.25; tail, 3.50; bill, 2.

This species is abundant during the migrations in Illinois and Wis-
consin, and is claimed to breed. casually in Wisconsin and occasionally
in northern Illinois. The nest is of grass and sedge, sometimes lined
with feathers and down and often without. The eggs are 8 to 12,
pale buff white (sometimes showing a faint bluish tinge), and measure
about 2.25 X 1.50 inches.

"Very abundant migrant and rare summer resident. * '^ * *
Every year a few pairs breed upon the marshes in this vicinity.
* * * - In the spring of 1875, several pairs of these birds nested in
the prairie sloughs near the Calumet River, and on the 29th of May I
found a nest containing three freshly laid eggs." (Nelsons, Birds
N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 139.) "An abundant migrant. A few still
nest within the state, but they are being gradually pushed further and
further north for the summer season." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds
of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 20.)

Genus AIX Boie.

50. Aix sponsa (Linn.).

Wood Duck.

Local name: Summer Duck.

Distr.: Temperate North America, breeding throughout its range
from Nova Scotia and southern British Columbia south to Cviba and
southern California (Mexico, one record from Mazatlan).

Adult male: Bill, red, marked with rose-white, and a black stripe
on the middle of the upper mandible and tip; under mandible, black;
head, with decided crest which shows white, metallic green, and
purple; a narrow superciliary line from the bill to the occiput and

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

33^

another stripe of white behind the
eye, extending to the nape; chin
and throat, white, extending up-
wards in a streak on sides of the
head .0 the ear coverts; sides and
front of the lower neck and under
breast, purphsh chestnut, dotted
with white spots; under parts,
white, sides sometimes grayish,
showing faint pencilhng of dusky
lines; upper parts showing bronze-green and purple; speculum,
bluish green, edged with black and white.
Length, 18.50; wing, 9.50; bill, 1.40.

Adult female: Crest, small, but the feathers somewhat lengthened;
head and neck, grayish, whitening on the chin and front of the eyes;
front of the neck and breast, pale brown, mottled with grayish; the
breast showing numerous brown spots, which fade away on the lower
breast; belly, white.

Length, 18; wing, 9.30; bill, 1.35.

The Wood Duck is a common summer resident in parts of Illi-
nois and Wisconsin, but like most other species it is decreasing in
numbers. It breeds in both states in suitable localities, preferring
wooded streams and ponds to the larger lakes. The nest is placed in
a hole in a tree or large stump, from which the female carries the
young in her bill down to the water. The eggs are from 8 to 12,
sometimes 14, pale buff white, and measure about 2.05 x 1.50 inches.
"Common migrant and rather common summer resident in se-
cluded localities and is especially abundant in the 'bottoms' along
the rivers in the southern part of the state." (Nelson, Birds N. E. Illi-
nois, 1876, p. 140.) "Formerly a very common summer resident in
all heavily wooded regions about streams; at the present time more
common during the migrations, spring and fall. =•= ='= * * Consider-
able numbers still nest in favorable localities in the central and
northern parts of the state and in a few places in southern Wisconsin,
as about Delavan Lake." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds Wisconsin,
1903, p. 20.)

Subfamily FULIGULINiE. The Sea Ducks.

The members of this subfamily have the bill broad, and a flap or
membranous lobe on the hind toe. Although classed as "sea ducks"

332 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

because they are partial to salt water, many
of the species occur in large numbers on
the interior lakes, rivers, and marshes. Their
food consists of mollusks, small fish, and
crustaceans, as well as the roots of aquatic
plants and seeds. Their nests are usually
placed on the ground or among rocks, al-
though a few species, such as the Golden-eye, Buffle Head, etc., lay
their eggs in hollow trees.

.:^

Genus MARILA Oken.

51. Marila americana (Eyton).

Redhead.

Aythya americana (Eyt.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 52.
Local name: Redhead Duck.

Distr.: North America, breeding from Maine, northern Michigan,
Wisconsin, and California northward. Winters in numbers from
Chesapeake Bay to Florida and along the Gvilf coast to Texas, casual
as far south as Mexico and Jamaica.

Adult male: Head and neck, brownish chestnut; lower neck and
upper breast, blackish; back, apparently grayish, being white pencilled

with fine, wavy lines of
black; speculum, gray-
ish ; upper feathers
edged with black, the
rest narrowly tipped
with white.

Length, 21; wing,
8.40; tarsus, 1.60; bill,
2.20.
Q Adidt female: Bill,

bluish, showing an in-
distinct bar near the end; head and neck, reddish brown, palest on the
sides of the head, becoming ashy on the sides of the head; upper
throat, white; breast and sides, brownish; belly, white; under tail
coverts and lower belly, sometimes washed with pale brownish.
Length, 20.50; wing, 8.30; tarsus, 1.60; bill, 2.20.
A common species in Illinois and Wisconsin during the migrations
and, according to Kumhen and Hollister, a few pairs still breed in
Wisconsin in the marshes about Lake Koshkonong.

The nest is in a marsh, made loosely of grass and usually lined

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

333

with feathers and down. The eggs are cream white or grayish white,
and measure about 2.35 x 1.40 inches.

52. Marila vallisneria (Wils.).

Canvas-back Duck.

Aythya vallisneria (Wils.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 53.
Distr.: North America, breeding chiefly from North Dakota,
Alberta, and southern Canada, and northwest to Alaska, migrating
south in winter to the southern and southeastern United States from
Chesapeake Bay and the Carolinas along the Gulf coast to Texas and
Mexico; accidental in Cuba.

Adult male: Head and neck, rufous brown, becoming dusky on
the crown and chin; the breast and upper portion of the back,

blackish; rest of upper parts
and wing coverts showing fine,
wavy lines of black, general
appearance being grayish;
belly, white, the lower portion
faintly lined with dusky;
sides, white, showing the
delicate lines as on the back,
but very much fainter and
sometimes wanting.

Adult female- Head and
neck, cinnamon brown, paler
on the throat; belly, white or grayish white.

Length, 20 to 22; wing, 8.75 to 9.25; bill, .75 to ,80; tarsus, 1.70.
The peculiar form of the bill will always distinguish the Canvas-
back from the Redhead, which is the only species with which it could
be confounded. This species is still common during the migrations
in both Illinois and Wisconsin. Although it may have formerly
bred occasionally in Wisconsin, it is doubtful if it does so at the
present time. Messrs. Kumlien and HolHster write: "We know of
three instances of females being seen with nestlings but incline to
the opinion that the birds were winged and could not continue the
journey northward." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 22.)

53. Marila marila (Linn.).

Scaup Duck.

Aythya marila nearctica Stejn., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, P- 53-
Local nam.es: Bluebill or Blackhead.

334 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Distr.: Northern hemisphere, breeding chiefly (in North America)
from North Dakota to Alaska and casually to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The greater number go south in winter to the Gulf states, Mexico, and
the West Indies.

Adult male: Head and neck and upper breast, black, showing green-
ish reflections; back, grayish white, delicately lined with fine, wavy
lines of black, giving it a grayish appearance;
speciiliDii, zvhite; under parts, white, the lower
belly showing grayish tinge. Length, 19; wing^
8.50; tarsus, 1.50, bill, 2.

Adult female: Patch at
the base of the bill, white or
grayish white; rest of the
liead and neck, breast, and
upper back, brownish; belly,
white; speculum, white.

Length, 17.75; wing, 8.25;
tarsus, 1.30; bill, 1.60'.
The Scaup Duck occurs on Lake Michigan and waters in the in-
terior of Illinois and Wisconsin during the migrations. More or less
common, varying in different seasons, but rare in comparison with
next species.

54. Marila affinis (Eyton).
Lesser Scaup Duck.

Aythya affinis (Eyt.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 53.
Local name: Bluebill.

Distr.: North America in general, breeding chiefly north of the
United States; south in winter to the Gulf coast and West Indies,
Mexico, and Central America to Panama.

Adult male: Resembles the male of the preceding species, but is
somewhat smaller in size; the head generally shows a faint gloss
of purplish, which in the Scaup Duck is usually
greenish, and the wavy black bars on the flanks-
are more distinct and heavier; speculum, ivhite.

Length, about 17; wing, about 8.10; tarsus-
1.50; bill, 1.75.

Adult female: Similar to the female of the pre-
ceding species, except that it is smaller.

The white speculum (band on the wing) will
always distinguish this species in any plumage from
the Ring-necked Duck, which has the speculum gray.
Length, about 16.25; wing, about 7.75; bill, about 1.55.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

335

The Lesser Scaup Duck is abundant on Lake Michigan and in the
interior waters of Ilhnois and Wisconsin during the migrations. It
may occasionally breed in Illinois, and, according to Kumlien and
Hollister, it breeds in Wisconsin. The nest is on the ground, usually
composed of grass and lined with down. The eggs are 7 to 10, grayish
buff or olive buff, and measure about 2.25 x 1.60 inches.

"An exceedingly abundant migrant, and in years when the Lake
does not become frozen over, is a resident through the year. '■'■'• * ■'•= *
About the time they leave for more northern breeding grounds, they
congregate in very large flocks on rivers or small lakes and soon
all have disappeared from these haunts, and none, except the
comparatively few which remain to breed, are found there again
until they return in Autumn, about the 5th to loth of October."
(Nelson, Birds of N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 141.) "An exceedingly
abundant migrant both spring and fall. * * "•= * To a limited extent
a breeding species even in southern Wisconsin, having been known to
nest anywhere from the southern counties northward." (Kumlien
and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 23.)

55. Marila collaris (Donov.).

Ring-necked Duck.

Aythya collaris (Donov.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, P- 53-
Distr.: North America, breeding chiefly from North Dakota to
the Athabaska region and migrating south in winter to the Gulf
coast, the Greater Antilles, Lower California, and Mexico.

Adult male: Head and neck, upper breast, and tipper hack, black,

usually showing faint bluish reflections when -held in the light. In

the breeding season the male has an orange

chestnut collar, which is usually lacking later in

the season^; belly, white, with

the lower belly finely lined with

blackish; speculum, gray; bill.

dusky, showing a faint bluish

gray band near the end.

Adult female: Head, brown-
ish, the sides mixed with grayish
brown shading into whitish on
face about base of the bill; belly, whitish, becoming grayish on the
lower portion; bill, as in the male. Resembles the female Redhead
Duck, but is smaller.

Length, 17; wing, 8; bill, 2.

The Ring-necked Duck is common in Illinois and Wisconsin

336 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

during the migrations. It breeds more or less commonly in Wisconsin
and also does so (or did) in northern Illinois. The nest is built on
the ground, usually in marshes or at least near water. The eggs are
from 8 to 12, pale buff or olive buff in color, and measure 2.25 x 1.65
inches.

"It often passes the winter in the southern portions of Illinois."
(Ridgway.) "This species also breeds about the marshes in north-
eastern Illinois." (Nelson.) "Very common during spring and fall
and to some extent a summer resident. '•■ * '^ Even at the present
day some few nest regularly as far south as Rock County and more in
the less settled regions." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin,
1903, p. 23.)

Genus CLANGULA Oken.

56. Clangula clangula americana (Bonap.).
American Golden-eye.

Glancionetta clangula americana (Bonap.), A. O. U. Check List,
1895, p. 54.

Local names: Whistler. Golden-eye Duck.

Distr.: North America, breeding chiefly from Maine and North
Dakota northward and westward to Alaska; winters from the Great
Lakes and New England coast south as far as Cuba, Lower Cali-
fornia and Mexico.

Adult male: Head and throat, glossy dark green; a patch of white
on cheeks at the base of the bill, rather round in form; lower throat

and under parts, white, encir-
cling the neck and extending
slightly upon the upper back;
back, black; wings, black; many
of the secondaries, white, and
the wing coverts, heavily marked
with white, giving the appear-
ed ? ance of a very broad white patch

on the wing.
Length, 19.50; wing, 9; bill, 1.50; side of bill, 1.90; tarsus, 1.70;
tail, 3.80.

Adult female: Head and throat, hair -brown; neck, whitish; upper
breast and sides of the body, strongly tinged with gray, the ends of
the feathers being whitish; rest of the under parts, white; back,
brownish black; wings, black; secondaries, mostly white, forming a
broad, white wing band; wing coverts, tipped with gray.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 337

Length, 16.50; wing, 8.25; bill, 1.30; side of bill, 1.80; tarsus,
1.25; tail, 3.75.

This species is common on Lake Michigan during the migrations
and in winter. It occurs both in Illinois and Wisconsin and is
claimed to breed in the latter state. The Golden-eye Duck usually
builds its nest in a hollow tree. The eggs are 7 to 10, pale grayish
green or grayish blue in color, and measure about 2.30 x 1.70 inches.

"Common migrant throughout the state and abundant on Lake
Michigan, where it is usually a winter resident." (Nelson, Birds of
N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 141.) "Common migrant and winter resident
wherever there is open water. There are several breeding records for
northern Wisconsin and we have ourselves seen adult males at various
northern points during the summer, but found no actual evidence of
nesting." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 24.)

57. Clangula islandica (Gmel.).

Barrow's Golden-eye.

Glaucionetta islandica (Gmel.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, P- 54-
Distr.: Iceland, Greenland and northern North America, breeding
from the Gulf of St. Lawrence northward; south in winter to New
York, Utah, and California.

Adult male: Head and neck, dark bluish purple; rest of under

parts, white; a crescent-shaped spot of white on the cheeks at base of

^^^^ bill; a band of white about two inches wide

^^^^^Bk passes round the neck and joins the white of the

^^^^HHp\^ sides and breast; rest of upper parts, black; wings,

^^^^H^(£^^ black; and wing coverts, heavily marked with

^^^^W white, and many of the secondaries, white; tail,

black.

-^ Wing, 9.20 (male), 8.70 (female); bill, 1.25, on

side, 2; tail, 4; tarsus, 1.50.

Adult female: Resembles the female American Golden-eye, but

is somew^hat larger; head, dark cinnamon-brown; lower throat and

under parts, white, tinged with gray on the upper breast and sides of

the body; back, gray, slightly mottled with brown, shading into brown

on the rump; wnngs, black; many of the secondaries, white, and the

greater and lesser wing coverts, tipped with grayish white ; bill shorter

and narrower at tip than in C. c. ainericana.

Barrow's Golden-eye is a rare winter visitant to Lake Michigan.
Mr. Frank M. Woodrufif procured two specimens on Lake Michigan
near the Daily News Sanitarium, Dec. 11, 1896. (The Auk, 1897,

338 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

p. 227-288.) "It is a rare winter visitant, reaching here about
the southern limit of its distribution." (Ridgway, Ornithology of
Ilhnois, 1895, p. 170.) "A winter resident upon Lake Michigan and
found irregularly throughout the state at that season. A speci-
men was obtained at Mt. Carmel on the Wabash River, in Decem-
ber, 1874, by Prof. F. Stein, and I have observed it at Chicago."
(Nelson, Birds N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 142.) Mr. J. G. Parker, Jr. has
a specimen taken at Fox Lake, Illinois, January 2, 1889. (Butler,
Birds of Indiana, 1897, p. 622.) "Actual records for the state are
not many. Reported from Racine in i860 by Dr. Hoy. One speci-
men was sent to Thure Kumlien from Edgerton in 1877, and one was
shot by L. Kumlien, Nov. 14, 1896, on Lake Koshkonong." (Kumlien
and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 24.)

Genus CHARITONETTA Stejneger.
58. Charitonetta albeola (Linn.).

BUFFLE-HEAD.

Local names: Butter-ball. Dipper. Buffle-headed Duck.

Distr.: North America, breeding from Maine and Montana north-
ward to Labrador and Alaska ; south in winter to the United States,
and occasionally as far as Cuba (one record) and Mexico.

Adult male: A very small duck; head, tipper neck, and throat,
greenish purple, showing various reflections of bluish and greenish;
a large white patch on the head, from the eye backwards; back, black;

Buffle-head.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

339

under parts, white; bill, lead color; feet, flesh color; wing coverts,
and some of the secondaries, heavily marked with white, forming a
broad, white wing patch.

Length, 12.75; wing, 6; tarsus, 1.20; bill, i.

Adult female : Head and upper parts, brownish, showing a grayish
white patch on the side of the head; under parts, white; speculum,
white.

Length, 12.50; wing, 5.75; tarsus, 1.20; bill, i.

This species, like the Golden-eye, builds its nest in a hollow tree
or stump. It is common in Illinois and Wisconsin during the migra-
tions and in winter. There is no authentic record of its nest having
been found in either state, although according to Kumlien and Hol-
lister: "Young still unable to fly have been shot on Pewaukee Lake
by B. F. Goss." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 25.)

Genus HARELDA Stephens.
59. Harelda hyemalis (Linn.).

Old-squaw.

Clangula hyemalis (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 55.
Local names: Old Wife. Long-tailed Duck.

Distr.: Northern hemisphere, breeding from Hudson Bay and
northern Labrador north to about latitude 82; winters in eastern
United States from New England to the middle states and casually
to Florida, on the Pacific side to California and Texas.

Adult male in wiyiter: Central tail feathers, black, much elongated;
outer tail feathers, white; top of the head and back of the neck to

back; white; a patch of grayish on
the sides of the head, including the
eye, which is succeeded by a patch
of black on the sides of the neck,
bordered on the lower throat by an
indication of brown; throat and
upper breast, pure white; breast
and upper belly, black, the black
continuing over the back in a band;
lower belly and under tail coverts, white; wing coverts, black; quills,
brown; a pale yellowish band across the end of the bill.

Adult male in spring: Head, smoky brown or black; crown, black;
a white patch on the face including the eyes; entire neck and breast,
smoky brown or black; rest of under parts, dull white; feathers of the
upper back and scapulars edged with rufous.

340 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

-^.s

Kg

Adult female in winter: Head, dull white on the crown, and a
patch on the side of the back of the head, smoky black or brownish
black; under parts, fuscous; breast, grayish; belly, white; tail
feathers, pointed, but not elongated as in the male.

Length (including tail), 21; wing, 8.50; bill, i.io.

Abundant on Lake Michigan in the late fall and winter and occurs

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

341

occasionally on inland waters in both Illinois and Wisconsin. Nelson
records it from Mt. Carmel. " Small flocks are occasionally seen
during the fall migration at St. Louis, Mo." (Cooke.)

Genus HISTRIONICUS Less.

60. Histrionicus histrionicus (Linn.).
Harlequin Duck.

Disir.: Northern North America and eastern Asia; south to middle
Atlantic states, California and Japan in winter; breeds in Labrador,
Greenland, Great Bear Lake, and intermediate localities about latitude
65°. Nests in hollow stumps and trees.

Adult male: Head, variously marked with gray, white, rufous
brown, and black; a collar of white edged with black passes around
the neck; a broad band of white edged with
black commences on the sides of the breast and ex-
tends upwards; under parts, grayish brown; sides
heavily marked with rufous brown ;
back, dark slate; the scapularies
and tertials marked with white;
speculum, very dark blue; under
tail coverts, bluish black, showing
a spot of white on the sides; tail,
pointed.

Wing, 7.50; bill, i; sides of bill, 1.35; tail, 4.50; tarsus, 1.25.
Adult female: Head, grayish brown; face, whitish; spot of white
on the ear coverts; entire upper plumage, dull brown; some of the
feathers slightly washed with grayish; breast, grayish brown; rest of
under parts, mottled grayish brown; wings and tail, brown, without
white.

The Harlequin Duck is a rare winter visitant on Lake Michigan.
" Rather rare winter resident upon Lake Michigan." (Nelson, Birds
N. E. 111., 1876, p. 142.) "The Harlequin Duck is a winter visitant
or resident in Illinois, but is probably not at any time a common
species." (Ridgway, Orn. of Illinois, 1895, p. 173.) ''Rare winter
straggler to Lake Michigan. Dr. Hoy obtained at least four specimens
at Racine." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 25.)
"Very rare; admitted in Gibbs' Birds of Michigan. * * * '^' Prof.
Ludwig Kumlien writes me that he has taken two specimens in
Jefferson Co., Wisconsin." (A. J. Cook, Birds of Michigan, 1893, p.
44.) A bird of this species was killed in 1880 on a small lake in
Marion Co., Illinois, about seven miles from St. Louis, and recorded

342 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

by Mr. Julius Hurter. (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, 1881, p. 124.) "It
is found throughout Illinois in winter and has been taken at St. Louis,
Mo." (W. W. Cooke, Bd. Migr. Miss. Val., 1888, p. 73.)

Genus SOMATERIA Leach.

6L Somateria dresseri Sharpe.
American Eider Duck.
Distr.: Atlantic coast of North America, from Maine to Labra-
dor, south to Delaware and west to the Great Lakes in winter.

Adult male: Top of head, black, with a stripe of white on the
middle of the crown; occiput, pale green, the color extending on the

sides of the neck; rest
of head, breast and back,
white, faintly tinged
with dull pinkish on
the breast; rest of the
under parts, black; tail,
black; point of the di-
vided culmen extending
upon the forehead, blunt
and rounded.
Adult female: General color, pale rufous brown, mottled and
banded with black; head, tawny brown, faintly lined and dotted with
black; some of the secondaries tipped with white.

Length, about 23; wing, about 11; tarsus, 1.75; bill, 2.10.
The American Eider Duck closely resembles the Northern Eider,
the principle difference being in the shape of the divided culmen, the
points of which are broad and rounded,' and not pointed as in the
latter species. The Northern Eider, however, has not as yet been
recorded from the Lake Michigan region, although it occurs commonly
in Hudson Bay.

A rare resident on Lake Michigan in winter. A young male bird
of this species was shot by a fisherman on the Lake front in Chicago,
Dec. I, igo8. The specimen was purchased by Mr. J. L. DeVine who
kindly loaned it to me for examination.

" Not a very rare winter resident upon Lake Michigan and prob-
ably occurs in suitable places throughout the state. In my collection
is an immature specimen obtained near Chicago, in December, 1874."
(Nelson, Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 142.) "Lake Michigan in winter,
rare. Recorded at Racine in winter, 1875, by Dr. Hoy. Two spec-
imens were also taken at Milwaukee and were preserved in the Public
Museum. The only positive record for the interior that we are aware

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 343

of is one specimen, a female, shot on Lake Koshkonong in November,
1891." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 25.)

Subgenus ERIONETTA Coues.

62. Somateria spectabilis (Linn.).

King Eider Duck.

Distr.: Arctic regions, south in winter occasionally as far as the

Great Lakes and Virginia. It is found on the Pacific side among the

Aleutian and Kadiak Islands, accidental as far south as San Francisco.

Special characters, adult male: Top and back of the head and

nape, pale bluish gray; a black V on the upper throat; feathers

bordering the upper mandible and a spot below

the eye, black; sides of head below the eye,

whitish, more or less tinged with green; throat,

white; breast and upper back, pale buff; rest

% .^00''^ °^ under parts, black; middle and greater wing

^ ' coverts, white; rest of wings, tail and lower

back, black; upper back, white; axillars, white.

Length, 24; wing, 11.25; tarsus, 1.90; bill,

\

\

c?

1.30

Special characters, adult female: Resembles in
general coloration the Northern and American Eiders but may always
be known by the peculiar shape of the upper mandible.

Length, 21 to 24; wing, 10.50 to 11.30; tarsus, 1.80; bill, 1.25.

The King Eider is a rare winter resident on Lake Michigan.
" Rare winter visitant, perhaps winter resident to Lake Michigan and
other parts of the state. An adult female obtained at Chillicothe on
the Illinois River in the winter of 1874 has been sent to the National
Museum by W. H. Collins, Esq., of Detroit, Mich. (Ridgway. ) " (Nel-
son, Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 143.) Mr. Wm. E. Praeger records a
male specimen of this species shot in the Mississippi River near Keo-
kuk, Iowa, in November, 1894. (The Auk, 1895, P- ^6.) Kum-
lien and Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin, p. 26) mention 6 specimens as
having been taken in Wisconsin: Racine i, Milwaukee 4, Lake She-
boygan I, and others were observed.

Genus OIDEMIA Fleming.

63. Oidemia americana Sw. & Rich.
American Scoter Duck.

Local name: Butter-bill Coot.

Distr.: Northern North America, breeding from latitude 52° north-

344 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

ward; winters from New Foundland to North Carolina and casually
to Florida; on the Pacific side from Aleutian Islands to California.

Adult male: General plumage, entirely black; bill, black, the upper
mandible being yellowish orange at the base ; jeathers on the bill more

than one-half inch from the nostril;
no white on the wing.
'^\ Adult female: Brownish, or

sooty brown ; paler on the under
parts, becoming grayish white on
the belly; sides of the head,
whitish; feathers on the bill more
than one-half inch from nostril;
no white on the wing. The

1 A jr

'^.-

*'K

^~ 9

female is smaller than the male.

Length, 19; wing, 9.10; tarsus, 1.65; bill, 1.80.

The American Scoter Duck is a common winter resident on Lake
Michigan, its numbers varying with different seasons. Arrives in
November and leaves early in x^pril.

Subgenus MELANITTA Boie.
64. Oidemia deglandi Bon a p.

White-winged Scoter.
Local names: White-winged Coot. Velvet Duck.
Distr.: Northern North America, breeding from North Dakota and
Labrador north to Hudson Bay and the Arctic coast; winters from the
Gulf of St. Lawrence to South Carolina and casually to Florida, and
on the Pacific side from Alaska to Lower California.

Adult male: General plumage, black; upper mandible, orange,
blackish at the base; a white spot under the eye and a broad patch

of white on the wing;
feathers on. the bill less
than one-half inch from
the nostril.

Adult female: Is gray-
ish brown, showing a
wash of grayish white
at the base of the bill
and behind the ears ; the
speculum is white, which is a good distinguishing character.

Length, 21; wing, 11.15; tarsus, 2; bill (culmen), 1.75; side
measure, 2.75.

Ik'-M

9 ^'

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

345

A coninion winter resident on Lake Michigan and on the larger
waters in the interior of Illinois and Wisconsin and abundant during
migrations.

Subgenus PELIONETTA Kaup.

65. Oidemia perspicillata (Linn.).
Surf Scoter.

Local names: Skunk-head Coot. Goggle-nose.

Disir.: Northern North America, breeding from Newfoundland
west to Alaska; winters from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to South
Carolina and casually to Florida, and on the west coast from the
Aleutian Islands to Lower California.

Adult male: General plumage, black, no white on the iving; head,
black, with a white patch on the forehead and nape; feathers on the

hill, less than one-half
inch from the nostril.

A peculiar highly
colored bill is one of
the distinguishing
marks of the male of
this species, it being
orange, yellow, black,
and white, the feathers
on the top of the bill extending much farther forward than on the
sides.

Female and immature: Brownish, showing a whitish spot at the
base of the bill, and back of the eyes; the female having the upper
parts, brownish; under parts, ashy gray, shading into whitish on the
belly.

Length, 20.50; wing, 9.60; tarsus, 1.65; bill (culmen), 1.50;
side measure, 2.35.

This species may always be distinguished from O. americana by
the forward extension of the feathers on the top of the bill, and from
0. deglandi by the absence of the white wing patch.

Abundant on Lake Michigan in fall and winter, and in many of the
interior waters of Wisconsin and Illinois until ice forms. Leaves for
the north the last of March.

346 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus ERISMATURA Bonap.

66. Erismatura jamaicensis (Gmel.).
Ruddy Duck.

Erismatura riibida (Wils.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, P- 59-
Distr.: North America in general, from Hudson Bay, British Col-
umbia and Great Slave Lake to the West Indies, Mexico, Lower
California, and Central America; breeds nearly throughout its range.
Adult male in breeding plumage: Top of head and nape, black;
sides of head, white; chin, whitish; throat, breast, and sides of body,

flanks and rest of upper parts, deep
rufous brown; wings, brown, with-
out white patch; axillars, grayish
white, with pale brown or grayish
brown shafts; tail, black, the
feathers stiff and pointed.

Adult female: The general color
of the upper parts is brownish gray; sides of the head and throat,
whitish, shading into gray on the lower throat and upper breast;
under parts, silver white, as in the male.

Length, 15.30; wing, 6; tarsus, 1.20; bill, 1.50.
The Ruddy Duck may easily be distinguished from other species
by its small size, and stiff, pointed tail feathers. It is common during
the migrations in spring and fall, and a few remain in summer, and
breed in both Illinois and Wisconsin.

Nelson mentions young birds of this species having been seen in
northern Illinois, and Cooke states that it is known to breed casually
in Ohio and Illinois. (Bull. Biol. Survey, No. 26, 1906, p. 63.) It
breeds regularly in southern Minnesota and casually in Wisconsin.
Kumlien and Hollister state: "A few breed in the state, as about
Lake Koshkonong, Pewaukee Lake, Lake Horicon, etc., but sparingly
of late." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 27.)

^

Genus NOMONYX Ridgway.

67. Nomonyx dominicus (Linn.).
Masked Duck.

Distr.: Tropical America in general, including West Indies,
ranging north as far as southern Texas, accidental in eastern North
America. Stragglers have been taken in Massachusetts, New York,
and Wisconsin.

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 347

Special characters, adult male: Front of head and face, black;
back of head and neck, rich rufous brown, shading into pale chest-
nut, or tawny brown on the under
parts; basal portion of wing coverts,
white, forming a ivhite patch on the
wing; primaries, brown; feathers of
the back, black, edged with rufous
brown; tail, black, the feathers stiff
and pointed; axillars, white; upper
mandible, light blue in life, showing a narrow middle stripe of black;
feet, gray.

Adult female: Top of the head, and a stripe through the eye,
and a cheek stripe, black, or brownish black; rest of the head, and
upper throat, pale buff color, whitish on the chin; breast, tawny,
mottled with black; rest of under parts, washed with tawny brown,
shading into grayish on the abdomen; back, dark brown, the feathers
tipped with pale brown, or tawny brown; wings and tail, as in the
male; axillars, white.

This tropical species has been taken in Wisconsin; the record is
as follows: "A single female was procured by Thure Kumlien, on
Rock River near Newville, November, 1870, and is now preserved
in the collection of the Boston Society of Natural History." (Kum-
lien and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 27.)

Subfamily ANSERINiE. Geese.

Geese are gregarious, especially during migrations. When flying
the flock assumes a V-shaped form and is led (it is claimed) by an old
gander. They feed principally upon roots, seeds of aquatic plants,
and grain and are often found in the grain fields in large numbers.
The sexes are similar.

Genus CHEN Boie.

68. Chen hyperborea (Pall.).
Lesser Snow Goose.

Local name: White Brant.

Distr.: North America, breeds from Melville Peninsula to Vic-
toria Land and probably north to latitude 74°; winters from southern
Illinois, lower Mississippi Valley, Louisiana, and Texas to Mexico and
Guatemala, casually to New England.

348 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology. Vol. IX.

Adult: General plumage, white; primaries, black; and primary
coverts, pale ash. The immature bird has the head, neck, and upper
parts, inottled gray and white; the rump and tail are white; under
parts, white.

Length, 23 to 28; wing, 14 to 17; bill, 2 to 2.35; tarsus, 2.90 to
3.20.

The Lesser Snow Goose is more or less common in Illinois and
Wisconsin during the migrations, apparently much more numerous
along the Mississippi Valley than on Lake Michigan.

68a. Chen hyperborea nivalis (Forst.).
Greater Snow Goose.

Local name: White Brant.

Distr.: Northeastern North America, breeds in the far North.
It is known to winter in numbers in the lower Mississippi Valley and
on the coast of North Carolina and Chesapeake Bay. Casual or
accidental as far south as Cuba and Jamaica.

Snow Goose.

Adult: Resembles the Lesser Snow Goose, but is larger. Wing,
17 to 17.75; bill, 2.50 to 2.70; tarsus, 3.10 to 3.50. Not uncommon

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

349

in Illinois and Wisconsin during the migrations. More common along
the Mississippi Valley.

69. Chen caerulescens (Linn.).
Blue Goose.

Local name: Bald Brant. Blue Brant.

Distr.: Northeastern interior of North America, probably breed-
ing north and east of Hudson Bay: nest and eggs as yet unknown.
Winters from southern Illinois throughout the lower Mississippi
Valley, Louisiana, and Texas; accidental in California, Cuba, and the
Bahamas.

Adult: Head and neck, white or white, tinged with orange brown,
or white tinged with grayish; back and breast, dark slaty brown;

Blue Goose.

the feathers margined with lighter brown; wing coverts and concealed
portion of primaries and secondaries, slaty gray; exposed portion
of primaries and secondaries, brownish black; greater portion of the
shafts, white; lower back and rump, slaty gray; under parts, dull
slaty gray, the feathers margined with pale brown or rusty browm;
axillars, hoary gray, with grayish brown shafts.

350 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Wing, 16.25; tail, 5.75; tarsus, 2.75; bill (culmen), 2.37; bill,
(nostril to tip), 1.37.

The Blue Goose is not uncommon along the Mississippi Valley
during the migrations and occurs both in Illinois and Wisconsin,
usually associated with White-fronted Geese or Snow Geese.

Genus ANSER Brissoii.

70. Anser albifrons gambeli (Hartl.).
American White-fronted Goose.

Local names: Brant. Speckle-belly. Yellow-legged Goose.

Distr.: Northern North America, rare on the i\tlantic coast;
breeds in Alaska and winters in southern United States from southern
Illinois southward and west to Texas, Mexico, and Lower California.

Adult: Forehead and base of bill, zvhite; the rest of the head,
brownish; neck, grayish brown, shading into dull white in front;

White-fronted Goose.

under parts, whitish, the breast showing black markings; back, ashy
gray, the feathers edged with brown on the upper part; shafts of
quills, white; bill, pinkish or reddish or pale white; feet, yellow.

The immature bird is similar, but shows no white on the base of
the bill, or black markings on the breast.

Length, 28; wing, 16; bill, 2; tarsus, 2.90.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illixois and Wisconsin — Cory.

351

This species is much less common than formerly, but still occurs
in more or less numbers in Illinois and Wisconsin during the migra-
tions.

Genus BRANTA Scopoli.

71. Branta canadensis (Linn.).
Canada Goose.

Distr.: Temperate North America, breeding chiefly from the Sas-
katchewan and Alberta, Minnesota and North Dakota northward;
south in winter from the middle Atlantic coast and Gulf states as far
as Jamaica and on the west side from British Columbia to Mexico.

Adult: Head and neck, black; a patch of white on the side of the
head behind the eye extending to the chin; back and wings, grayish

Canada Goose.

brown; breast and under parts, dull grayish white, becoming white
on the belly; tail, black.

The immature bird is similar, but has the throat and cheeks
sometimes mottled.

Size, large; length, 35 to 44; wing, 15.75 "to 21; tarsus, 2.50 to
3.75; bill, 1.50 to 2.75.

352 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

The Canada Goose is common during the migrations in Illinois
and Wisconsin, and once bred in numbers along the upper Mississippi
Valley, but at the present time a few pairs make their nest occasionally
in Michigan and Wisconsin, and possibly a very few in Illinois. The
nest is a mass of sticks on the ground (very rarely in trees). The
eggs are usually 4 to 5, cream white or ivory white in color, and
measure about 3.20 x 2.25.

The following varieties or subspecies are recognized. There are
apparently no well marked differences to separate them, except that
of size, and, while the extremes are easily recognized, intermediate
specimens are numerous.

71a. Branta canadensis hutchinsii (Sw. & Rich.).
HuTCHiNs's Goose.

Distr.: Arctic America, south to Virginia, the Mississippi Valley,
Lower California, and Mexico in winter; breeds in the far north from
Melville Peninsula to Alaska.

Adult: Plumage, similar to B. canadensis; size, medium; length,
25 to 34; wing, 14.75 ^o ^7i tarsus, 2.30 to 3.20; bill, 1.20 to 1.90.

The Hutchins's Goose is merely a small form of the Canada Goose,
interinediate in size between it and the Cackling Goose. Common in
winter from southern Illinois, Louisiana, and Texas, and at times
abundant in Illinois and Wisconsin during the migrations.

71b. Branta canadensis minima Ridgw.
Cackling Goose.

Distr.: Northwest coast of Alaska and Lower Yukon, where it
breeds. Winters from southern British Columbia to California;
stragglers occur in the Mississippi Valley and Wisconsin.

Adult: Breast and upper belly often darker, being brownish instead
of gray; size, small; length, 21 to 25 inches; wing, 13.60 to 14.50;
tarsus, 2.30 to 2.75; bill, .95 to 1.15.

If this form occurs in Wisconsin or Illinois, it must be considered
as accidental.

"Occasional migrant to Mississippi Valley, Wisconsin, Michigan,
Illinois (mentions specimen from Andalusia, Illinois)." (Ridgway,
Orn. of Illinois, 1895, p. 123.) "Sometimes reaches the Mississippi
Valley; has been killed as far east as Wisconsin." (W. W. Cooke,
Bird Migration Mississippi Valley, 1888, p. 78.) Messrs. Kumlien
and Hollister say: "Credited to the fauna of Wisconsin in Ridgway 's

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 353

Manual of North American Birds, The A. O. U. Check List, and other
works, as a straggling migrant. A small goose with short neck,
minimum amount of black, dark under parts, and distinct white
crescent at the forward lower part of black neck marking, is of fre-
quent occurrence in Wisconsin, sometimes in large flocks made up of
this kind entirely, and again in company with geese of every varying
degree of size and marking.

" Specimens of this character have been examined of barely
six pounds weight, and in the collection of Mr. Skavlem is a specimen
weighing five and one-half pounds, which we think could be called
typical iiiiiiinia. These birds are locally known as 'bull necks'
by the sportsmen. As with the case of hutchinsii compared with
canadensis, there are also intermediates of every varying degree
between this form and both the others. There are occasionally large
geese with dark under parts, slender necks, and a distinct collar of
white on lower neck. The cheek patches appear to be indifferently
separated by black on throat or unbroken among geese of all sizes,
shape, and coloration. We have examined carefully many dozens of
fresh specimens killed at all times from early fall until late spring and
frankly admit our inability to satisfactorily unravel the ' goose ques-
tion ' in Wisconsin." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 29.)

72. Branta bernicla glaucogastra (Brehm).
Brant.

Branta bernicla (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 63.

Distr.: Arctic regions, breeding in the far north; south in winter
along the Atlantic coast to the Carolinas, casual in Florida and acci-
dental in the West Indies. Stragglers have been recorded from Indi-
ana, Wisconsin, and Nebraska.

Adult: Whole of the head, neck, and upper breast, black, except
the sides of the neck, which are speckled with white; back, grayish
brown; longer tail coverts, white; lower breast, grayish, shading into
white on the belly.

Length, 25; wing, 13; tarsus, 2.25; bill, 1.30.

The Brant must be included upon the authority of various writers,
but if it occurs at all so far in the interior, it is merely an accidental
straggler. Hearsay evidence is of little or no value as regards this
species, as many of the smaller geese are called Brant by the "gunners. ' '

Prof. Ridgway includes it in his Ornithology of Illinois on the
authority of Prof. Cooke. " During the winter of 1883-84, this species
was represented from Illinois southward by a few rare visitants.

354 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

There is much uncertainty in using the records concerning this
species, because it is so commonly confounded with the Snow
Goose, which is locally known as Brant all through the West." (W.
W. Cooke, Report on Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley,
1888, p. 78. ) "Probably a rare visitant, but the only instance known
to me of its capture in this portion of the country is a specimen taken
by Dr. Hoy from a flock of three upon the Lake shore near Racine."
(Nelson, Bds. N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 138.) "The Brant has been
listed as a bird of Wisconsin for a great many years, but when all rec-
ords are sifted we have left as authentic only the one of Dr. Hoy, a
single specimen taken at Racine many years ago. This was one of
three from the shore of Lake Michigan. For the past 30 years we
have run down ' Brant ' records innumerable to find that in every
case it proved to be something else, varying from the common Canada
Goose to a female Eider Duck." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds of
Wisconsin, 1903, p. 30.) There are several supposed Michigan records
(A. J. Cook, Birds of Michigan, 1893, p. 47), and it has also been
given from Indiana (A. W. Butler, Birds of Indiana, 1897, p. 639),
but these authorities do not record it from personal observation.

Subfamily CYGNIN.^. Swans.

During the migrations, swans are found in Illinois and Wisconsin.
They are easily recognized by their large size and long necks. The
adults (in the two species which occur in Illinois ) are white and the
immature birds, gray. When migrating the flocks assume a V shaped
form like the geese. Their food consists of aquatic plants and roots
and occasionally small mollusks.

Genus OLOR Wagler.

73. Olor columbianus (Ord).
Whistling Swan.

Distr.: North America, breeding in high latitudes; south in win-
ter to the Carolinas and occasionally to Florida. It is common on
the Gulf coast of Louisiana and Texas and a few occasionally winter
in southern Illinois. On the Pacific side it winters from British
Columbia to southern California, accidental in northern Mexico.

Adult: General plumage, white; bill and feet, black; a. small yellow
spot (which is not always present) on bare loral skin at the base of

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

355

Whistling Swan.

the bill in front of the eye; the distance from the front angle of the
eye to the back edge of the nostril is more than the distance from the back
edge of the nostril to the end of the bill; this is one of the characters by
which it may be distinguished from the Trvimpeter Swan, which also
averages larger; bill, and feet, black.

The immature birds are usually pale, plumbeous gray, with a
brownish wash on the head and upper neck; feet, pale yellowish, some-
times pale flesh color or grayish.

Length, 53; wing, 21.50; bill, 4; tarsus, 4.20.

This species is not uncommon in Illinois and Wisconsin during the
migrations, being more often observed on the inland waters than on
Lake Michigan. It grows to a large size, a weight of twenty-five
pounds being not uncommon, and the flesh of the immature birds
is excellent. Its flight is very rapid, much faster than the Wild
Goose and it is claimed a speed of one hundred miles an hour is not
unusual. When flying the flocks assume a V-shaped form.

Baird, Brewer and Ridgway state: "The age of this swan may be
known by the color of the feathers, the yearling being of a deep
leaden tint, with a delicate red bill. In the second year it has a

356 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

lighter color and a white bill. In the third season the bill has be-
come jet black and about one- third of its plumage is still tipped
with gray; and until it is fully five years old an occasional feather
will present this tint."

74. Olor buccinator (Rich.).
Trumpeter Swan.

Distr.: Chiefly interior of North America. In early days it
bred commonly, at least as far south as Dakota. At present its
nesting range appears to be from southern British Columbia north-
ward; winters on the Gulf coast of Louisiana and Texas and from
western British Columbia to southern California. In mild winters
a few may remain as far north as southern Illinois.

Adult: General plumage, white; bare loral skin in front of eye,
not yellow; bill and feet, black; the distance from the front angle of the
eye to the hack edge of the nostril is equal or less than the distance from the
back edge of the nostril to the end of the bill.

Immature birds are ashy gray, often tinged with brownish on the
head and neck; bill and feet, dull yellowish brown, tinged with olive.

Length, about 63; wing, 21 to 26; bill, about 4.50.

The Trumpeter Swan occurs sparingly in Illinois and Wisconsin
during the migrations. It is fast becoming a very rare bird, at least
east of the Mississippi.

ORDER HERODIONES.

HERONS, IBISES, SPOONBILLS, ETC.
Suborder I BIDES. Spoonbills and Ibises.

Family PLATALEID^. Spoonbills.

A peculiar family comprising half a dozen species and having rep-
resentatives in both the Old and New World. They resemble Ibises
in habits and structure, except the flattened bill curiously paddle-
shaped or spoon-shaped at the end, which is characteristic and from
which their name is derived. One species occurs in North America.

Genus AJAIA Reichenbach.

75. Ajaia ajaia (Linn.).
Roseate Spoonbill.

Ajaja ajaja (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 67.

Distr.: South Atlantic and Gulf states southward through South
America to Patagonia and Falkland Islands.

Adult: Back and wings, a delicate rose white; under parts showing
rose color; bare skin of the head, greenish and yellow; bill, widened
at the tip, somewhat spoon-shaped but flat, tinted with greenish
and yellowish; legs, dull red. Very old birds have the lesser wing
coverts and upper tail coverts brilliant carmine red.

The immature bird has general plumage pale pinkish white, with
no red on the lesser wing coverts.

Length, 31; wing, 15; tarsus, 4.10; bill, 6.30.

Although there are no recent records of the occurrence of the
Roseate Spoonbill in Illinois, it was apparently not uncommon fifty
years ago in the southern part of the state.

Ridgway states he was informed that several specimens were
killed in the Mississippi bottoms near St. Louis, about 1859. Nelson
states that it "used to occur in the bottoms opposite St. Louis."
"It has been recorded in early days in Indiana." (Butler.) In A. C.
Barry's list (Wisconsin, 1854) he states that it was "found along the
Mississippi within the bounds of our state and occasionally about

357

358 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

V

5^f^

Roseate SpoonbilL

our small lakes in the interior." Kumlien and Hollister (Birds
of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 32) state: "The sole, actual and positively
authentic record, however, entitling the Spoonbill to a place in the
present list is from the fragments, head, wing, and leg of a specimen
procured by Indians at Indian Ford on Rock River, near Janesville,
in August, 1845, 3.nd preserved by Thure Kumlien. These remains
are still extant in the Kumlien collection."

Family IBIDID^. Ibises.

Ibises are restricted to the warmer parts of the world. Of the 30
or more known species, three occur in North America. They are gre-
garious, usually being found in colonies. They frequent the salt
water marshes and lagoons as well as inland swamps, rivers, and
ponds, being rarely found away from the vicinity of water. Their
food consists of fish, frogs, lizards, and small crustaceans. They
nest both in trees and marshes.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

359

Genus GUARA Reich.

76. Guara alba (Linn.).

White Ibis.

Distr.: South Atlantic Gulf states and West Indies, Lower Cali-
fornia and southward to northern South America.

Immature.

White Ibis.

Male.

Adult: General plumage, white; the four outer primaries, black;
bare skin at base of bill, orange red in life.

Immature: Head and neck, dull white, or brownish white, streaked
with grayish brown; wings and back, grayish brown; rump, white;
under parts, white.

Length, about 25; wing, 10.50 to 11.50; tarsus, 3.50; bill, 5 to 7.

Casual or rare in summer in the extreme southern portion of Illi-
nois. Mr. Ridgway states (Orn. of Illinois, 1895, P- i°9) that while
in company with Mr. William Brewster, he observed a flock of seven
or eight examples flying along the Wabash River near Mt. Carmel
in May, 1878. It has not been observed in Wisconsin.

360 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus PLEGADIS Kaup.

77. Plegadis autumnalis (Hasselq.).

Glossy Ibis.

Distr.: Warmer portions of eastern hemisphere. In America
found casually in southeastern United States and the West Indies.
Stragglers have been taken as far north as New England, Illinois,
and W^isconsin.

Adult: General plitinage, chestnut; wing coverts, back and front of
head showing greenish and sometimes bronzy reflections.

The immature birds have the plumage more brownish and the front
of the head slightly mottled; the back, greenish; under parts, dusky
brown.

Length, 25; wing, 11.25; bill, 5.40.

Mr. Julius Hurter (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, 1881, p. 124) records
an immature specimen taken in Marion Co., 111., near St. Louis, in
February, 1880, which was identified by Prof. Ridgway as this species,
but later Mr. Ridgway (Ornithology of 111., 1895, P- ^12) suggests
the possibility of its being an immature specimen of guarauna on
account of the coloring of the legs and bare skin in front of the eye
in life, as described to him in a letter from Mr. Hurter. Nelson
writes: " A very rare visitant. I know of but two or three instances
of its occurrence." In Wisconsin, according to Kumlien and Hol-
lister, seven specimens have been observed and one shot on Lake
Koshkonong in 1872, and another was killed on Horicon Marsh, in
1879. It has also been recorded from Michigan (Cook), and Iowa
(Anderson).

Suborder CICONItE. Storks.

Family CICONIID^. Storks and Wood

Ibises.

Two species of this family occur in North America and one of
these, the Wood Ibis, has been taken in Illinois and W^isconsin. They
are gregarious, nesting in colonies usually (but not always) in high
trees. They frequent heavily timbered swamps, wooded rivers, and
lagoons

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

361

Subfamily MYCTERIINiE. Wood Ibises.

Genus MYCTERIA Linn.
78. Mycteria americana Linn.
Wood Ibis.
Tantalus loculator Linn., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 69.
Distr.: Southern United States, CaHfornia to the Carolinas and
southward, Middle America to the x^rgentine Republic; common
in Florida and some of the Gulf states; casual north to Pennsylvania,
New York, and Illinois; accidental in Wisconsin.

Wood Ibis.

Adult: Head and neck, bare (bluish in life, black in dried skins);
bill, brownish yellow; legs, bluish; toes, black, the webs, yellowish;
general plumage, white; primaries, primary coverts and tail, black.

362 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Young birds have the head and neck covered with downy feathers
and the general plumage, dark gray; wings and tail, blackish; sexes
similar.

Length, about 48 inches; wing, about 18; bill, about 8.50; tar-
sus, 8.

The Wood Ibis is apparently not uncommon in late summer in
southern Illinois, where it was frequently observed by Prof. Ridgway,
near Mt. Carmel, and Mr. J. Hurter (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, 1881, p.
124) found it numerous in August, 1888, in Madison Co., 111., near
St. Louis. Dr. Hoy (1853) records a specimen in the Museum of the
Wisconsin State Historical Society at Madison, which was shot near
Milwaukee, in September, 1852. Kumlien and Hollister consider it a
very rare midsummer straggler in Wisconsin and say that in a letter
to L. Kumlien, Dr. Hoy stated he had procured a specimen at Racine
in September, 1868. They also record a third specimen killed on
Rock River between Janesville and Edgerton. (Birds of Wisconsin,
1 903- P- 33-)

Suborder HERODII. Herons, Egrets, Bitterns, etc.

Family ARDEID^^. Herons and Bitterns.

About 70 known species belong to this family distributed through-
out the world. Many of the true herons are gregarious, while others

Great Blue Heron. Least Bittern.

American Bittern.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 363

are only occasionally so, if at all. When undisturbed they usually
nest in colonies or "rookeries," as their breeding places are some-
times called, three or four species often occupying the same tree.

The Bitterns are not gregarious in the true sense of the word,
although during the breeding season numbers of nests of the smaller
species may often be found in close proximity to each other. The
American Bittern is more solitary in its habits. When feeding they
frequent the shores of rivers and ponds as well as marshes and
lagoons. The food consists largely of fish, frogs, and small reptiles,
which they catch with great dexterity.

Subfamily BOTAURINiE. Bitterns.
Genus BOTAURUS Stephens.
79. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.).
American Bittern.

Local names: Stake-driver. Thunder-pump.

Distr.: Temperate North America, south to Guatemala, Cuba,
and Jamaica.

Adult: Upper parts, brown; wing coverts, edged and mottled
with tawny and buff and washed with ashy; top of the head and nape,
slaty, with black streak on sides of the upper neck; neck and under
parts, tawny white; feathers, edged with dusky and dull brown; legs,
greenish yellow; a loral stripe of dark brown; bill, yellowish, with a
dark streak at the top.

Length, 27; wing, 11.50; bill, 3; tarsus, 3.40.

The female is smaller than the male and the bird varies in size.

A common summer resident in Illinois and Wisconsin and breeds
in suitable localities, building its nest in marshes. The nest is a
mass of grass, loosely put together. The eggs are 4 or 5, pale olive
buff color, and measure about 1.95 x 1.45 inches.

The peculiar "booming" notes made by this species, on account
of which it has acquired such local names as Stake-driver, Thunder-
pump, etc., are admirably described by Mr. Bradford Torrey. (The
Auk, 1889, p. I.) In the same article he prints an interesting letter
from Mr. William Brewster, from which I quote the following: "The
bird was well out in the open meadow among short, green grass, grow-
ing in perhaps two inches of surface water. I got within less than
thirty yards of him before he took alarm and crouched. Previous
to this he favored me with several performances in plain sight.

364 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

He would extend his neck, then drawing in his head suddenly, would
throw it out with a jerk as if he were affected with violent nausea
or were trying to get rid of some obstruction in his throat, at the same
time uttering the peculiar pump-er-lnnk. After repeating the move-
ment and its accompanying vocal notes several times in rather quick
succession, he would stand nearly erect for a few moments before
beginning again. As he stood with his back partly towards me, I
could not see his breast or throat distinctly, but I am sure he did not
fill the latter with water while I was watching him, for not once did
his bill descend low enough to get even a hurried sip."

The writer has on one occasion had the pleasure of observing
this interesting performance, and can add his testimony to the effect
that the bird in question did not at any time lower his bill below the
level of the body, certainly not low enough to reach the water, which
at that place, upon later investigation, proved to be about two inches
deep.

Genus IXOBRYCHUS Billberg.

80. Ixobrychus exilis (Gmel.).

Least Bittern.

Ardetta exilis (Gmel.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 70.

Distr.: Temperate North America, from British Provinces south
to West Indies and South America; less common on the Pacific
coast.

Adult male: Crown of the head, black, extending into a small crest;
back and tail, black, with a greenish tinge back of the neck; wing
coverts, chestnut brown; some of the wing coverts, tawny yellow;
front and sides of the neck and under parts, yellowish brown, showing
white on throat; a patch of brownish black on the sides of the breast;
bill, yellowish, dusky on the top; legs, green, yellow on the back;
toes, yellow.

Adult female: Having the back and crown purplish chestnut
instead of black.

Length, 12.50; wing, 4.50; bill, 2; tarsus, 2.10.

The Least Bittern is a common summer resident in Illinois and
Wisconsin, breeding throughout both states in suitable localities.
The nest is usually built in rushes and reeds in ponds or marshy
places, rarely in bushes. The eggs are bluish white, from 4 to 7 in
number, and measure 1.20 x .95 inches. The Field Museum possesses
several sets of eggs of this species taken in the vicinity of Calumet
Lake, Chicago, between June 15th and June 29th.

Jan., igoq. Birds of Illinois axd Wisconsin — Corv.

365

Least Bittern.

81. Ixobrychus neoxenus (Cory).

Cory's Least Bittern.'''
Ardetta neoxena Cory, A. 0. U. Check List, 1895, p. 70.
The type of this species was taken in the marshes southwest of

*When I described this bird in i8S6, I gave it no English name, simply calling it neovrwa
(new and strange). The committee of the American Ornithologists' Union have since honored me
by giving it my name.

366 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Lake Okeechobee, in 1886, and since then half a dozen specimens
have been killed in that locality and several in Canada, Michigan,
and elsewhere, including two in Wisconsin. It has not as yet been
observed in Illinois.

Adult: Top of the head, back, and tail, dark greenish black, show-
ing a green gloss when held in the light. Sides of the head and throat,
rufous chestnut, the feathers on the back of the neck showing greenish
black tips; breast and under parts, nearly uniform chestnut, shading
into dull black on the sides; wing coverts, dark rufous chestnut; all
the remiges, entirely slaty plumbeous; under tail coverts, dull black.

Wing, 4.30; tarsus, 1.40; bill, 1.80.

An adult male was killed at Lake Koshkonong, Wisconsin, May
22, 1893, by C. E. Akeley. (No. 2041, Field Museum of Natural His-
tory.) What is supposed to have been a bird of this species is given
by Kumlien and Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 34) who write:
" In June, 1845, Thure Kumlien found some Indian children playing
with a small headless heron, using it as a target for bow and arrow
practice. This was on an Indian encampment on Black Hawk
Island, Lake Koshkonong. The bird was new to him and he secured
it and later sent a color sketch to Dr. T. M. Brewer. Brewer pro-
nounced it some southern species or a different plumage of the Least
Bittern. A copy, or in fact the original sketch, is still in our posses-
sion and it plainly shows the specimen to have been a typical
A rdetta neoxena . ' '

Subfamily ARDEIN^. Herons and Egrets.

Genus ARDEA Linn.

82. Ardea herodias Linn.
Great Blue Heron.

Distr.: North America, from the Arctic regions south to the West
Indies and northern South America; also recorded from Bermuda
and the Galapagos Islands.

Adult: Crest, lengthened; bill, yellow, dark brown on top; legs
and feet, dark brown; soles of the feet, yellow; a streak from the
forehead to the middle of the crown, white; sides of the crown and
crest feathers, black; neck, grayish purple mixed with black and white ;
chin and part of the cheeks, whitish, extending in a tawny line on the
throat; neck plumes; belly, black, streaked with white; back and

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

367

Great Blue Heron.

upper parts, bluish slate or gray. The immature birds show a great
variety of color in the plumage.

Length, 48; wing, 20; tail, 7; tarsus, 6.50; bill, 5.50.

The Great Blue Heron is a common summer resident in Illinois
and Wisconsin, breeding throughout both states. It usually arrives
from the south in March or early in April. It breeds in May. The
nest is a mass of sticks, usually in large trees. The eggs are three or
four, pale blue in color, and measure about 2.50 x 1.50 inches.

Genus HERODIAS Bole.

83. Herodias egretta (Gmel.).

American Egret.

Ardea egretta Gmel., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 71.

Distr.: Temperate and tropical America, from New Jersey, Illi-
nois, and Oregon south to Patagonia; accidental as far north as
Minnesota and Nova vScotia.

Adult: Entire plumage, white, having in the breeding season long
graceful plumes on the back, which extend beyond the tail; bill,
yellow; legs and feet, black; lores, pale orange, edged with greenish.

Length, 38; wing, 16; tarsus, 5.80; bill, 4.80.

The American Egret was at one time a common summer resident
in Illinois and not uncommon in Wisconsin, but it is now rare.

"A rather common summer visitant throughout northern Illinois.
* * '■' * * Breeds in southern Illinois and perhaps in other parts of

368 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

the state." (Nelson, Birds of N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 131.) "Twenty-
five to fifty years ago the egret was a common bird on the larger
marshes and swamps bordering the inland lakes and rivers. * * * *
* * A few single birds or small flocks rarely visit Delavan Lake during
early fall. * * * '•' '•' '^ Young unable to fly were taken from a colony
in a tamarack swamp near Jefiferson in July, 1863. It was found
breeding with a large colony of great blue herons to the westward of
Two Rivers in June, 1880. Also reported as nesting near Waukesha
in 1866." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 35.)

Genus EGRETTA Eorst.

84. Egretta candidissima (Gmel.).
Snowy Heron.

Ardea candidissima Gmel., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 72.

Distr.: Temperate and tropical North America, from Long Island
and Oregon south to Argentine Republic and Chili. Formerly abun-
dant in parts of the Gulf coast and Florida; accidental as far north
as Nova Scotia and southern British Columbia.

Adult: Entire plumage, pure white, having in the breeding season
extended plumes on the back and also feathers on the crest lengthened ;

Snowy Heron.

bill, black, becoming yellowish at the base; lores, yellow; legs, black;
feet, yellow.

Length, 22; wing, 11; tarsus, 3.50; bill, 3.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin-^Cory. 369

The Snowy Heron is of accidental occurrence in Illinois and Wis-
consin, although at one time it was apparently not uncommon in
southern Illinois. The species is now raie, having been nearly exter-
minated in the southern states.

Nelson states that it was much less common in Illinois than
egretia and occurred about the same time (late summer). Kumlien
and Hollister say: "A rare and irregular visitor from the south during
August and September. * *>;:** j^ August, 1886, Mr. H. L.
Skavlem shot six of these birds from a flock of egrets also on Lake
Koshkonong. This is the last authentic record of any numbers that
we know of. Of late years very rare." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903,
P- 35-)

Genus DICHROMANASSA Ridgw.

85. Dichromanassa rufescens (Gmel.).
Reddish Egret.

Ardea rufescens Gmel., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 72.

Distr.: Ranges from the Gulf states, north to southern Illinois,
west to Lower California, south to Mexico (both coasts) and Guate-
mala, also Cuba, Jamaica, and the Bahama Islands.

Adult in colored phase: Head and neck, lilac brown; rest of plu-
mage, dark slate color. This species has the long plumes extending
from the scapular region of the back during the breeding season; legs
and feet, bluish, showing dusky on the scales of the tarsus; bill, black
on the terminal third, the balance, flesh color; lores, flesh color.

White phase: Entire plumage, white; bill, black on the terminal
third; balance, flesh color; legs, greenish.

Length, 29; wing, 14; tail, 4; tarsus, 5. 30; bill, 3.90.

At one time the white and colored birds of this species were con-
sidered distinct, but in June, 1879, while in the Bahama Islands, the
writer took both white and gray, young birds from the same nest.

This southern species was given by Nelson as: "Quite common in
the vicinity of Cairo during the last week in August, 1875." (Bull.
Nutt. Orn. Club, 1876, p. 40.) It has not been observed in northern
Illinois or Wisconsin and there is apparently no record of its occur-
rence in Illinois since that given by Mr. Nelson.

370 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus FLORIDA Baird.
86. Florida caerulea (Linn.).

Little Blue Heron.

Ardea ccerulea Linn., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 73.

Distr.: Eastern United States, from New Jersey, Illinois, and Kan-
sas, southward through Mexico and Central America to northern
South America, also West Indies; accidental as far north as Maine
and Wisconsin.

Adult: Head and neck, purplish red or maroon, rest of plumage,
grayish blue; bill, black at the end; basal portion and loral space,
blue; legs and feet, black.

Little Blue Heron.

Immature birds are pure zvhife, except a faint wash of grayish
blue near the tips of the primaries; legs, olive or yellowish, and the
basal half of the bill, greenish.

Young birds of this species are sometimes confounded with the
Snowy Egret, but may easily be distinguished from that species by
the slight wash of blue on the ends of the primaries and by the color
of the legs and bill.

Length, about 23; wing, 11; tarsus, 3.60.

The Little Blue Heron is not uncommon in late summer in southern
Illinois. Accidental stragglers have also been taken in Wisconsin.
"A common bird during the latter part of summer, particularly dur-
ing August, when (in 1875) Mr. E. W. Nelson found it exceedingly
abundant near Cairo. Considerable numbers make their appearance
along the Wabash River, at least as far north as Mt. Carmel and
doubtless it occurs generally throughout the state." (Ridgway,

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

371

Orn. Illinois, 1895, p. 130.) " Rare accidental straggler. A single
individual was shot on Root River, Racine Co. (Wisconsin), August
28, 1848, by Dr. P. R. Hoy. A single wing of a decomposed specimen
was preserved by Thure Kumlien. This was found on the shores of
Lake Koshkonong in the early fifties." (Kumlien and Hollister,
Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 35.)

Genus BUTORIDES Blyth.

87. Butorides virescens (Linn.).

Green Heron.

Ardea virescens Linn., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 73.

Distr.: Temperate North iVmerica, from Ontario and Oregon
south to the West Indies, Middle America, and northern South Amer-
ica. In the United States, breeding' throughout the greater part of
its range.

Green Heron.

Adult: Feathers on top of the head extending in a small crest, dark
green; neck, chestnut; throat, marked heavily with white; under
parts, pale purphsh or ashy, marked with white; back, greenish, show-
ing tinge of slate color; wing coverts, green, feathers edged with buffy
white; bend of wing, whitish; tail, greenish, upper mandible, black;
lower mandible, mostly yellow, dark on the top; legs, yellowish green.

372 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Length, i6 inches; wing, 6.50; tail, 2.40; tarsus, 1.85; bill, 2.30.

The Green Heron is a common summer resident in Illinois and Wis-
consin and breeds throughout both states in suitable localities.
Nidification commences in May. The nest is a mass of small twigs
placed in a bush or low tree near water. The eggs are 4 to 6, pale
blue or greenish blue, and measure 1.50 x 1.15 inches. An admirable
article on the breeding of this species in Wisconsin is given by Mrs.
Irene G. Wheelock in The Auk, Vol. XXIII, 1906, p. 432, to which
those interested are referred.

Genus NYCTICORAX Forster.
88. Nycticorax nycticorax naevius (Bodd.).
Black-crowned Night Heron.

Local name: Quawk.

Distr.: Whole of America, from Ontario and Manitoba south to
the West Indies and South America to the Falkland Islands.

Adult: Crown, head, back, and scapulars, greenish black; fore-
head, lores, most of the neck and under parts, white or ashy white;
wings and tail, gray; legs and feet, yellow; two or three very long
occipital plumes, white in the breeding season.

^

Adult.

Black-crowned Night Heron.

Immature.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 373

Length, 24 to 26; wing, 11; tarsus, 3.10 to 3.40; tail, 4.20 to 5.30.

The immature bird has the general plumage mottled dark brown
and gray, the feathers marked and streaked with pointed blotches of
grayish or buff; outer web of primaries, buff color; under parts,
streaked with black and white.

A common summer resident in Illinois and Wisconsin, breeding in
colonies, usually in trees but at times in swampy places among reeds.
Nelson states he found them nesting in a dense growth of wild rice.
The eggs are 4 or 5, sometimes 6 in number, pale blue, and measure
about 2 X 1.45 inches. It arrives from the south late in April and
the eggs are laid in May and early in June.

Genus NYCTANASSA Stejneger.

89. Nyctanassa violacea (Linn.).
Yellow-crowned Night Heron.

Nyctirorax violaceus (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 74.

Distr.. Tropical and subtropical America, from the Carolinas,
southern Illinois, the lower Ohio Valley, and Lower California south
to Brazil; accidental or casual north to Massachusetts and Colorado.

Adult: Top of the head, whitish buff', extending into a crest;
sides of the head, black; throat, black; breast and under parts, grayish
plumbeous; back, plumbeous; two or three very long feathers extend-
ing as long plumes from the crest; legs, greenish.

Length, about 23; wing, 13.20; tail, 4; tarsus, 3.70; bill, 2.60.

Immature birds have the crown dusky, streaked with white or
buffy white, the rest of the plumage heavily mottled, blotched with
pointed marks of brown; also marked with buff and dull white; pri-
maries, slate color, showing no rufous. The immature birds of this
species somewhat resemble those of the Black-crowned Night Heron,
but differ from it, having the head darker and no rufous on the pri-
maries.

The Yellow-crowned Night Heron seems to be of regular occur-
rence in southern Illinois, where it is claimed to breed. The nest is
a mass of sticks usually in a tree near water. The eggs are 4 or 5,
pale blue in color, and measure about 1.95 x 1.40 inches. As far as
knowm it has not been observed as far north as Wisconsin.

Ridgway states (Ornithology of Illinois, p. 136): "The Yellow-
crowned Night Heron occurs during summer throughout at least the
southern third of Illinois, though of course only in such localities as
are suited to it. These consist of timbered swamps, where the princi-

374 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

pal food of the species, consisting of crawfish, frogs, and the smaller
reptiles, is to be found in abundance. It first became known to the
writer as an Illinois bird through Mr. Samuel Turner of Mt. CarmeL,
who obtained specimens of the bird and its eggs in the coffee flats a
few miles south of that place." According to Nelson it breeds at
least as far north as Wabash County, Illinois." (Birds of N. E.
Illinois, 1876, ]). 151.)

Yellow-crowned Night Heron (adult).

ORDER PALUDICOL^.

CRANES, RAILS, ETC.
Suborder GRUES. Cranes.

Family GRUID^. Cranes.

Three species of Cranes (not Herons, which are sometimes wrongly
called by that name ) occur in North America. During the migrations
they are more or less gregariovis, but at other times are usually found

NJ^.^i

Whooping Crane.

375

376 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

in pairs. They frequent both plains and marshes, but are more com-
monly found in the open woods and prairies. Their food consists
of small animals, such as lizards, frogs, mice, and snakes, as well as
seeds and grain. The loud note of the Sandhill Crane is peculiar,
somewhat resembling the sounds made by a block when hoisting a
sail. The nest is large, built on the ground. The eggs are two in
number.

Genus GRUS Pallas.

90. Grus americana (Linn.).
Whooping Crane.

DisU'.: Interior of North America, from the Fur Countries to
Florida, Texas, and Mexico and from the Mississippi Valley to
Colorado. Apparently no longer found on the Atlantic coast,
except possibly in Florida, where it has become very rare.

Adult: Bare part of the head, hairy; plumage, white; primaries,
black; bill, greenish; legs, black; bare skin on the head, carmine red.
The immature birds have the head feathered and the general plumage
tinged with pale tawny.

Length, 52; wing, 23.50; tail, 8.40; bill, 6.10; tarsus, 12.

The Whooping Crane was formerly an abundant species in Illinois
and Wisconsin, but is now rare. Even in 1876, according to Nelson,
it was no longer common. He writes: " Once an abundant migrant,
but is now of rare occurrence in this vicinity. Along the Illinois
River and more thinly settled portions of the state, it is still common
during the migrations and a few pairs breed upon the large marshes
in Central Illinois." (Birds N. E. IlHnois, 1876, p. 133.) In Wis-
consin, Kumlien and Hollister consider it a rare bird at the present
time. They say: "Formerly of regular occurrence in the southern
and western part of the state during migrations, unquestionably
breeding to some extent. Thirty or forty years ago it was not rare
to see a few among the enormous flocks of Sand Hill Cranes during the
October migrations, and even flocks composed entirely of this species.
Of late years adults are exceedingly rare and the last record we have
of a Wisconsin capture was in October, 1878, when a fine old bird was
shot in Green Co., and sent to Thure Kumlien. ****** Among
the flights of the common crane that often remain upon the larger
dry marshes for two weeks or more in October, there are noticed a
few large ' yellowish ' specimens that are presumably the young of
the year of the Whooping Crane, but they are so shy that approach
is practically impossible." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 36.)

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 377

91. Grus canadensis (Linn.)-

Little Brown Crane.

Distr.: Arctic and subarctic America, breeding from the Fur
Countries northward; south in winter into western United States.

Adult: Resembles the next species, but may be recognized by
its small size, the wing (carpus to tip) being less than 19 inches,
and the bill less than 4 inches.

While there is no record of the occurrence of this species in Illinois,
it has twice been taken in Wisconsin. Kumlien and Hollister state
(Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 37) : " Rare straggler during spring and
late fall. During the latter part of March and the first part of April,
1894, a lone crane kept with a flock of Canada Geese on Rock Prairie,
near Johnstown, Rock County, for some days, and appeared to act as
chief sentinel while the geese fed in the fields, always flying away with
the geese when alarmed. This bird was killed on April 4, (1904) by
L. Kumlien and proved to be a fine plumaged male of this species —
and very small. It is now preserved in the Museum of the White-
w^ater Normal School. At least one other that we are positive of was
shot in Dane Co., late in the fall of 1879, and came into the possession
of Thure Kumlien, frozen stiff. This specimen was formerly in the
Museum of Albion Academy."

92. Grus mexicana (Mull.).

Sandhill Crane.

Distr.: Southern half of North America; now rare on the Atlantic
coast, except in Georgia and Florida. Occurs in Wisconsin and
Illinois during the migrations but much less common than formerly.

Adult: Front of head, bare, the skin, red; general plumage, brown-
ish gray, showing more or less bufly gray on the back. The sexes
are similar.

Immature birds have the head feathered and general plumage,
buff gray.

Length, 40 to 47; wing, 21 to 24; bill, 5 to 6; tarsus, 9 to 10.

Its large size will distinguish it from the Little Brown Crane which
it resembles in color, the wing (carpal joint to tip) being always more
than 19 inches and the bill over 4.50 inches.

Ridgway states (Orn. of Illinois, 1895, p. 100): "Sandhill Cranes
usually arrive in Illinois on their way northward during the latter
half of March, and return in October or November. Formerly large
numbers remained within the state to breed, but so thickly has the

378 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Sandhill Crane.

country become settled that those which now do so are very few
indeed, at least in comparison with former years. As long ago as
1876 Mr. Nelson stated that while formerly nesting abundantly on all
the large marshes, but few then bred except on one or two large
marshes in the central part of the state, where he was informed
they were still quite numerous. Just where the large marshes in
question are located, Mr. Nelson has not told us." Regarding its
occurrence in Wisconsin, Kumlien and Hollister say: "Although at
the present time entirely absent from most thickly settled portions
of the state, there are still many localities, even in southern Wis-
consin where it occurs regularly in good numbers. On the "Big
Marsh" near Delavan cranes occur every spring and fall in numbers
from one hundred to two hundred and fifty, remaining for nearly
three weeks at a time. A nest of two eggs was procured on this
marsh, May 30, 1883. * * * * * They were reported as nesting on
the immense marsh near Palmyra in 1898 and a few certainly bred
near Mauston in 1896. The last authentic record for nesting in
southeastern Wisconsin was of two pair which bred near Jefferson
in 1900." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 37.)

The nest is a large affair, composed of weeds, rushes, and small
sticks, built on the ground, usually in marshy places. The eggs are
two, grayish olive, spotted and blotched with brown. They measure
about 3.85 X 2.40 inches.

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

379

Suborder RALLI. Rails, Galliniiles, Coots, etc.

Family ARAMID^. Courlans or Limpkins.

The Limpkins are closely allied to the Cranes osteologically, but
differ widely in habits, in the latter resembling both the Rails and
Herons. They frequent swamps and streams and like herons are
perfectly at home in trees. Their cry is a mournful wailing note,
from which it is called "crying bird" in some parts of the south, espe-
cially in Florida, where it is also known as Limpkin, from its peculiar
style of walking. They eat large numbers of land snails (Ampullaria) .
The tip of the lower mandible is bent sideways, caused, it is claimed,
by forcing the bill into the spiral shell to extract the animal. The
single genus belonging to this family comprises but two known species.

Limpkin.

380 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus ARAMUS Vieill.
93. Aramus vociferus (Latham).

LiMPKIN.

Aramus gigantens (Bonap.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, P- 76-

Distr.: Both coasts of Central America and Mexico to the Rio
Grande, also the Greater Antilles; common in Florida.

Adult: General plumage, dark olive brown, striped with white,
the stripes on the body being much heavier than those on the head
and neck; wing and tail showing bronzy reflections when held in the
light; under mandible, slightly twisted near the tip.

Length, 27.50; wing, 13; tarsus, 4.35; bill, 4.50.

I include this species upon the authority of Mr. Isaac E. Hess
who writes me: "A limpkin was taken here (Philo, Champaign Co.,
111. ) in 1896. I have the wings of this bird yet." This is apparently
the only record for Illinois and far north of its usual range. It inust
of course, be considered an accidental straggler within our limits.

Family RALLID^. Rails, Gallinules,
Coots, etc.

A large family, nearly 200 species, being known throughout thse
world, 17 of which occur in North America. They frequent the
marshes and grassy edges of ponds and rivers. Their food consists
principally of aquatic animals and vegetable substances, seeds, etc.
Among the true rails, the power of flight is not strong and they rarely
take wing unless forced to do so, preferring to run and hide in the grass
and weeds to escape danger.

The Coots, belonging to the subfainily Fulicincs, although ana-
tomically allied to the true rails, are very different in appearance and
habits. They often gather in large flocks and swim about in open
water, at a distance resembling flocks of ducks.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

381

Subfamily RALLIN.^. Rails.

Genus RALLUS Linn.

94. Rallus elegans Aud.
King Rail.

Distr.: Fresh water marshes of eastern United States, north to
the Middle states and Wisconsin, IlHnois, Indiana, Kansas, etc.,
casual to Massachusetts and Ontario.

Adult: Upper parts, dark brown; throat, white; breast, reddish
brown ; sides, darker, barred with white ; back and scapulars, brownish,

^^^^Ssy'

King Rail.

margined with olive gray; wings and tail, dull brown or olive brown;
wing coverts, rufous brown.

Length, 15.40; wing, 6.55; tarsus, 2.25; bill, 2.50.

The King Rail is a summer resident in Wisconsin and Illinois and
breeds in both states in suitable localities. Nests in fresh water
marshes. The eggs are 8 to 12, buffy white, spotted and speckled
with rufous brown, and measure about 1.70 x 1.20 inches.

382 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

95. Rallus virginianus Lixn.
Virginia Rail.

Distr.: North America in general, from the British Provinces
south to Guatemala and Cuba.

Adult: Having somewhat the appearance of a very small King
Rail; upper parts, dusky or blackish; feathers, edged with grayish

Virginia Rail.

brown; wings, brownish; under parts, dark rufous brown; throat,
white; lores, ashy white, shading into gray on the cheeks; flanks
and under tail coverts, barred and spotted with white and black.

Length, 9.40; wing, 4.25; tarsus, 1.35; bill, 1.55.

A common summer resident in Illinois and Wisconsin, breeding
throughout both states. Inhabits swamps and marshes. Nests
on the ground. The number of eggs varies from 7 to 12. They are
pale buff color, spotted and speckled with rufous brown, and meas-
ure about 1.25 X .95 inches. In northern Illinois the eggs are laid
late in May or early in June.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 383

Genus PORZANA Vieill.

96. Porzana Carolina (Linn.)-

SoRA OR Carolina Rail.

Distr.: Temperate North America, south to West Indies, Cen-
tral America, and northern South America.

Adult: Above, reddish brown, streaked with black and some of
the feathers edged with white; flanks and linings of the wings, barred

Carolina Rail.

with white and black; abdomen, dull white; a stripe of black passing
from the bill down the center of the throat but not reaching the breast;
whole of the breast, a cheek patch and superciliary line, slate color;
crowm, chestnut, with a black stripe through the center; carpus, edged
with white; crissum, rufous, shading into w^hitish.

Length, 7.75; wing, 4.20; tail, 2; tarsus, 1.38; bill, .75.

The Carolina Rail is an abundant summer resident in Illinois and
Wisconsin, breeding everywhere in suitable localities. The nest is
of grass in swampy places. The eggs are from 8 to 14, pale buffy
white, spotted and marked with rufous brown, and measure about
1.20 X .90 inches. In northern Illinois incubation begins early in May,
but is somewhat later in Wisconsin. There is a set of eggs in the Field
Museum collection, taken at Goose Lake, Waseca Co., Minnesota,
June 3, 1892.

384 Field Museum of Natural History — ^Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus COTURNICOPS Bonap.

97. Coturnicops noveboracensis (Gmel.).
Yellow Rail.

Porzana noveboracensis (Gmel.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 79.

Distr.: Chiefly eastern North America, north to Nova Scotia
and Hudson Bay, casually west to Nevada and California; accidental
in Cuba and Bermuda.

Adult: Above, streaked with blackish and yellowish brow^n;
feathers, barred and mottled with white; under parts, yellowish

\\^^

w

Yellow Rail.

brown, palest on the belly; feathers of the breast, tipped with dark
browm; under surface of wings, white; a pale yellowish brown super-
ciliary stripe.

Length, 6; wing, 3 to 3.50; tarsus, .90 to i.oo.

The Yellow Rail is a summer resident in both Illinois and Wisconsin.
It is not uncommon but is seldom seen in comparison with other
species, if we except the Little Black Rail. It breeds in Wisconsin
and at least in the northern part of Illinois.

Mr. Nelson gives it as "not very rare" and states that a set of six
eggs were taken with the bird, May 17, by Mr. J. W. Tolman at Winne-
bago, 111., and are now in the possession of the Smithsonian Institution.
Kumlien and Hollister give it as a summer resident in Wisconsin.
They say: "Not nearly so rare as generally supposed, though by no
means common. We have authentic records from Racine, Milwaukee,
Elm Grove, Delavan, Janesville, Milton, etc., and even breeding records
as far north as Brown Co." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 39.)

This species builds its nest in a well-covered marsh. The eggs are
six or more, buffy white, spotted heavily on the larger end with
brown. They measure about i.io x .85 inches.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 385

Genus CRECISCUS Caban.

98. Creciscus jamaicensis (Gmel.).
Black Rail.

Porzana jamaicensis (Gmel.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 79.
Distr.: Temperate North America, from Massachusetts, Illinois,
and Oregon south to the West Indies and Guatemala.

Adult: Top of the head, dusky; nape and upper back, brownish
chestnut; rest of back and upper tail feathers, dusky or smoky brown,
f^., finely barred with white; throat, gray or ash

gray; belly, gray; flanks and lower belly and
undertail covers, banded with white; bill, black.
Length, 5; wing, 2.50 to 3.20; tarsus .85 to
.90.

The Black Rail is a regular summer resident
in Illinois and perhaps in southern Wisconsin,
but on account of its small size and retiring
habits it is rarely seen.
1, According to Nelson, it is not very rare in

Black Rail. northern Illinois and breeds. He records the

finding of a set of ten eggs of this species by Mr. Frank Dewitt, near
the Calumet River, June 19, 1875. (Birds N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 134.)
Kumlien and Hollister say: "The only record we are aware of is the
following: August 20, 1877, a Marsh Hawk was killed by Frithiof
Kumlien from a muskrat house on the border of Lake Koshkonong.
When noted first it was eating something and this proved to be a
little black rail. We are quite sure of having seen it on one occasion,
but the above is probably the only authentic record for the state as
yet." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 39.)

The nest is of grass, built on the ground. The eggs are 8 to 10,
creamy white or dull white, and measure about i x .80 inches. An
admirable account of the breeding and distribution of this species is
given by Dr. J. A. Allen in the Auk, Vol. XVII, 1900, p. i.

386 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Subfamily GALLIN ULINiE. Gallinules.
Genus lONORNIS Reich.

99. lonornis martinica (Linn.).

Purple Gallinule.

Distr.: Southern United States, West Indies, Middle Aniei-ica,
and northern South America, casual as far north as Maine and Wis-
consin.

Adult male: Head, neck, and under parts, bluish purple, grading
into black on the belly; above, olive; wing coverts, bluish; back, olive;
crissum, white; frontal plate of the bill, blue; bill, red, tipped with
yellow; legs, yellow.

Length, 11; wing, 6.50; tail, 2.65; tarsus, 2.30.

The Purple Gallinule is of rare occurrence in Illinois in summer,
and a straggler in Wisconsin. Butler (Birds of Indiana, 1897)
states that it "breeds northward to southern Illinois," but I find no
record of the eggs having been taken there. Nelson (Birds N. E.
111., 1876, p. 135) mentions a specimen taken near Chicago, by Mr.
C. N. Holden, Jr., in May, 1866; and Mr. Ruthven Deane records a
second Illinois specimen killed by Mr. T. G. Windlass, near Coal City,
Grundy Co., on April 24, 1900. (The Auk, Vol. XIX, 1902, p. 77.)
Kumlien and Hollister give three records for Wisconsin, including
one by Dr. Hoy, Janesville, Milwaukee and Racine. It has also
been taken in Missouri, Iowa and Ohio.

Genus GALLINULA Brisson.

100. Gallinula galeata (Light.).
Florida Gallinule.

Distr.: Temperate and tropical America, from Canada to Brazil
and Chili, including the West Indies.

Adult: Head, blackish; bill, tipped with green, rest of bill and
frontal plate, deep red; upper back, slaty; lower back and wings, olive
brown; under parts, dark slate color; lower belly, grayish; feathers,
faintly tipped with white; some of the feathers on the sides have the
inner webs white near the tip, giving the appearance of white stripes;
under tail coverts, black; tail, white and black; legs, olive green, red-
dish near the body.

Length, 13; wing, 6.60; tail, 3.10; tarsus, 2; bill, including frontal
shield, 1.75; bill, from gape, 1.25.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 387

Florida Gallinule.

This Species is a common summer resident in Illinois and the
greater part of Wisconsin, and breeds in both states. The majority
of them arrive early in May and the eggs are laid in June. The nest
is a mass of reeds and weeds in a swamp or marsh. The eggs are 8 to
12 in number, buff white, spotted and speckled with brown, and meas-
ure 1.80 X 1.25 inches. The Field Museum possesses a set of 11 eggs
taken June 6, 1903, at Fox Lake, 111., and another set taken in a marsh
near Chicago, May 30, 1888.

Subfamily FULICINiE. Coots.

Genus FULICA Linn.

lOL Fulica americana Gmel.
American Coot.

Distr.: North America, from Greenland and Alaska south to the
West Indies and Veragua, in winter.

Adult: General plumage, dark slate color; head and neck, black-
ish; bill, whitish, marked with reddish black on the upper mandible;
frontal plate, brownish white ; legs and feet, dark olive, the toes having
peculiar semicircular flaps or webs; abdomen, grayish; edge of wing
and ends of secondaries, white.

388 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

American Coot.

Length, 14.75; wing, 7-45; tail, 2.30; bill, from front edge of
frontal plate, 1.40.

The Coot or Mud-hen, as it is often called, is a common summer
resident in Wisconsin and Illinois, breeding in suitable localities.
It may always be distinguished from the Gallinule by the peculiar
lobate or scalloped webs on the toes. It breeds in May and early
June. The nest is built in a marsh or swampy place in the vicinity
of ponds and small lakes and is composed of reeds and grass. The
eggs vary in number from 9 to 14. They are pale buff or buffy white,
finely speckled with dark brown, and measure about 1.85 x 1.28
inches.

ORDER LIMICOL^

SHORE BIRDS AND MARSH BIRDS.

Family PHALAROPODID^. Phalaropes.

Phalaropes somewhat resemble sandpipers in appearance, but
unlike them, are fond of swimming about on the water like miniature
ducks. One species is often seen in flocks far out at sea. The inland
forms frequent the ponds, lakes, and rivers. The female, contrary
to the usual rule (in birds), is more highly colored than the male
and is larger. All of the three species comprising this small family
occur in North America. The marginal webs on the toes will distin-
guish them from the sandpipers.

^-

Wilson's Phalarope.

Red Phalarope.

Winter plumage.

389

390 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus PHALAROPUS Brisson.

102. Phalaropus fulicarius (Linn.).
Red Phalarope.
Crymophilus fulicarius (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 82.
Distr.: Arctic regions, south in winter, chiefly along the coast,
to the Middle states in eastern North America and Lower California
in the West.

Adult male in summer: General under parts and sides of the neck,
purplish brown; upper tail coverts, purplish brown, slightly darker
than the under parts; crown of the head and
base of the bill, smoky black; sides of the head,
white, extending to the nape; rump, white;
back, black; feathers, edged with tawny brown;
primaries, dusky, the shafts being white, and
the base of the feathers, white; some of the
^, , r ,• ■ secondaries, white; bill, yellowish brown, dark

Phalaropus fulicarius. -^

on the tip; feet, dull yellow.

Adult in winter: Head and under parts, white; a small patch
around the eye and a nuchal crest, dusky; the under parts of the body
are tinged with ashy gray on the sides; upper parts, grayish ash color;
wings, showing a distinct white bar; bill, dusky; feet, brownish.

Length, 7.70; wing, 5.10; tail, 2.50 bill, .94; tarsus, .80.

The Red Phalarope is a comparatively rare bird in Illinois and
Wisconsin. Small flocks occasionally occur on Lake Michigan and
some of the inland waters during the migrations.

Ridgway includes it as a rare migrant. Nelson in his Birds of
Northeastern Illinois (1876, p. 125) says: "Exceedingly rare, occurs
only during the migrations." Kumlien and Hollister (Birds of Wis-
consin, 1903, p. 41) state that small flocks may be met on Lake
Michigan and Lake Superior in autumn and occasionally straggling
individuals wander to the inland lakes. They also give several re-
cords of specimens killed in the state.

Genus LOBIPES Cuvier.

103. Lobipes lobatus (Linn.).
Northern Phalarope.
Phalaropus lobatus (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 82.
Distr.: North portion of northern hemisphere, breeding in Arctic
latitudes; south in winter to the tropics.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory

391

Lobipes lobatus.

Adult female in summer: Upper plumage, dark
plumbeous; the back, streaked with buff; sides and
front of the neck, rufous brown; greater wing coverts,
tipped with white; belly, white.

Adult male in summer: Similar to the female but

paler; little, if any, rufous on the front of the neck.

Winter plumage: Upper plumage, grayish; forehead, sides of the

neck, cheeks, and under parts, white; top of the head, dull gray; the

feathers edged with dull white; a dusky spot on side of head and in

front of the eye; breast, tinged with gray.

Length, 7.50; wing, 4.25; tarsus, .80; tail, 2; bill, .80 to .90.
The Northern Phalarope occurs in Illinois and Wisconsin during
the migrations, and although there are numerous records of its capture
in both states, it is by no means common. Kumlien and Hollister
state that it is frequently taken on Lake Koshkonong in August.
Mr. G. A. Abbott informs me that he killed a specimen on Lake Calu-
met near Chicago, in September, 1903.

Genus STEGANOPUS Vieill.

104. Steganopus tricolor Vieill.
Wilson's Phalarope.

Phalaropus tricolor (Vieill.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 83.
Distr.: Chiefly interior of North America, breeding from northern
Illinois northward; south in winter to South America. Common
along Mississippi Valley during migrations, rare or casual on the
Atlantic coast.

Adult female in summer: Crown and middle
of back, pearl gray; nape, white; superciliary
stripe, white; a dusky or black streak from the
eye to the sides of the neck; sides of upper back,
chestnut, bordering the gray; middle throat and
breast tinged with pale rufous brown; chin,
white; belly, white.

Adult male in summer: General resemblance
to the female, but smaller and much paler in coloration; the crown
and back, more brownish.

Adult in winter: Upper plumage, the feathers more or less edged
with white; wings, fuscous, or gray brown; coverts, edged narrowly
with white; under parts, white.

steganopus tricolor.

392 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Female: Length, 9.10 to 10.05; wing, 5.20 to 5.40; tarsus, 1.25
to 1.40; bill, 1.25 to 1.40.

Male: Length, 8.40 to 9.10; wing, 4.60 to 4.90; tarsus, 1.20 to
1.30; bill, 1.20 to 1.30.

Wilson's Phalarope is a rather common summer resident and breeds
in northern Illinois and Wisconsin. The male of this species, as in
the other Phalaropes, is smaller than the female and not so highly
colored; he also takes upon himself many domestic duties usually
assumed by the female; he sits on the nest, contrary to the usual
custom, and devotes himself to the young chicks. The nest is merely
a slight depression in the ground, more or less lined with grass. The
eggs are usually four, cream white, heavily blotched with dark brown,
and measure about 1.25 x .95 inches.

Family RECURVIROSTRID.E. Avocets

and Stilts.

A small family characterized by long slender legs and extreme
slenderness of bill. Two species occur in eastern United States.
They are usually seen in flocks wading about in shallow water, but
they are expert swimmers as well as waders.

Genus RECURVIROSTRA Linn.

105. Recurvirostra americana Gmel.
American Avocet.

Distr.: Temperate North America, north of the Saskatchewan
and Great Slave Lake, south to Guatemala and the West Indies in
winter; rare in eastern United States.

Adult in summer: Bill, very slender and curved upwards; feet,
partly webbed; general plumage, white, becoming cinnamon brown
on the head and neck, but remaining whitish at the base of the bill;
primaries, black; most of the secondaries, white, forming a broad
white patch on the wing; tail, ashy gray; legs, bluish; bill, black.

Adult in winter: Head and most of the neck, ashy gray; tail,
ashy gray; rest as in summer plumage.

Length, 18 to 20; wing, 7.50 to 9; tail, 3.50; bill, 3.25 to 3.75;
tarsus, 3.60.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

393

Avocet.

The Avocet is of occasional occurrence in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Nelson says (Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 124) : "A rare migrant, gener-
ally occurs in small parties the last of April and the first or May and
during September and the first of October. Frequents the borders
of marshy pools." Regarding its occurrence in Wisconsin, Kum-
lien and Hollister say: "Specimens of this peculiar wader were taken
by Thure Kumlien at different times from 1844 to 1875. Three were
shot on Lake Koshkonong, September, 1873. Bred in Green Bay
in 1879, where downy young were seen in the possession of a taxider-
mist, by L. Kumlien. Those taken by Thure Kumlien were more
often taken in September and October and were principally young
birds. A specimen in the Milwaukee Public Museum is labelled
'Wis.' At the present time it must be considered as exceptionally
rare." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 42.) "East of the Mississippi
it breeds from Illinois northward." (W. W. Cooke, Bird Migr.
Miss.' Val., 1888, p. 90.)

The nest is merely a depression in the ground in marshy places.
The eggs are three or four, olive clay color, marked and spotted with
chocolate brown, and measure about 2 x 1.40 inches.

394 Field Museum of Natural History — -Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus HIMANTOPUS Brisson.

106. Himantopus mexicanus (Mull.).
Black-necked Stilt.
Distr.: Temperate North America, from northern United States
southward to the West Indies, northern Brazil and Peru; rare in
eastern United States, except in Florida, where it breeds.

Adult: Top and sides of the head and back of the neck and back,
black; under eyelid and a spot above and behind the eye, forehead,
and sides of the head under the eye, white; rest of under parts, with
the rump and upper tail coverts, white; tail, ash gray or pearl gray;
bill, black; legs, red in life.

The immature bird has the upper parts brownish; feathers, edged
with whitish; wings, blackish, some of the feathers, tipped with white;
wing coverts, edged with buff or tawny brown; under parts, white,
mottled with black and tawny brown.

Length, 15.50; wing, 9; tail, 3; tarsus, 4.25; bill, 2.70.

The Black-necked Stilt is of casual occurrence in southern Illinois,
although probably rare at the present time. Nelson considered it
an exceedingly rare visitant in- northern Illinois and states there is a

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 395

fine specimen taken in McLean County, Illinois, in the collection of
the Illinois Natural History Society at Normal, 111. Ridgway says
(Orn. of 111., 1895, p. 76): "While on record only as a summer
visitant, the Stilt undoubtedly breeds in some portions of the state."
In Wisconsin, it is a very rare straggler, the only known record being
that of Dr. Hoy (Transactions of the Wisconsin Agri. Soc, Vol. II,
1852, p. 355) who says: "Met a small flock of these singular birds
near Racine, in 1847."

This species is given in Gibbs's Birds of Michigan as a "rare tran-
sient."

Family SCOLOPACID^. Snipes,
Sandpipers, etc.

The Scolopacidae comprise a large family, a hundred or more species
being known from various parts of the world. Nearly 50 species
occur in North America. The greater portion of these birds frequent
the beaches and marshes, some, however, are partial to open fields.
The majority of them procure their food by probing with their sensi-
tive bills in mud or sand. Their flesh is excellent and they are much
sought after by sportsmen during the migrations.

Genus PHILOHELA Gray.

107. Philohela minor (Gmel.).
Woodcock.

Distr.: Eastern North America, from British Provinces westward
to North Dakota and Kansas and south to the Gulf of Mexico.

Adult: Bill, long, corrugated near the end; upper parts variegated
with tawny rufous, brown and black; head, rufous brown, banded
on the occiput with alternate bands of black and tawny brown; a
line of black from the eye to the bill ; a narrow patch on the sides of the
lower head, blackish; throat, pale rufous or rufous white; under parts
of the body, pale rufous; quills, brownish; three outer primaries, very
narrow; tail feathers, dusky, tipped with ash; bill, pale brown, yellow-
ish at the base; legs, reddish; bill, light brown, paler and yellowish
at base.

Length, 11.50; wing, 5.45; tarsus, 1.30; bill, 2.90 to 3.05.

396 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Woodcock.

A common summer resident in Illinois and Wisconsin, breeding in
timbered swamps and in the bottom lands along rivers and streams.
Its presence is often indicated by numerous holes in the soft ground
made by its bill when probing for its food. Arrives from the south
late in March or early in April. The whistling sound made by this
bird when suddenly "flushed" is caused by the rapid movement
through the air of the stiff, narrow outer primaries and is not vocal
as some suppose.

Mrs. Irene G. Wheelock writes me regarding the unusual occur-
rence of a bird of this species in Wisconsin in winter, stating that on
January 3, 1908, a Woodcock was flushed in a clump of spruce trees
on the grounds of Mr. Charles L. Hutchinson at Lake Geneva. The
mud in the sun warmed hollow showed numerous "borings."

The nest is usually a mat of leaves placed on the ground. The
eggs are four, pale buff color with more or less distinct markings of
rufous brown. They measure about 1.60 x 1.25 inches. The Field
Museum collection contains a set of four eggs taken by Mr. G. A.
Abbott in Cook County, Ilinois, April 12, 1903.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

397

Genus GALLINAGO Koch.

108. Gallinago delicata (Ord).
Wilson's Snipe.

Local names: English Snipe. Jack Snipe.

Distr.: North America, breeding from northern United States
northward; south to the West Indies, Middle America, and northern
South America, in winter.

Adult: Bill, long and straight, being slightly enlarged near the
tip and showing numerous small pits; no web between outer and mid-

.^>"

Wilson's Snipe.

die toes; general upper parts, dark brown, tawny brown, pale yellow,
dull white; top of the head, black, with middle stripe of tawny brown;

398 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

outer web of first primary, white; greater wing coverts, brownish
or dusky, with white tips; axillars and under surface of wings, barred
with black; upper tail coverts, tawny brown, barred with black;
tail feathers, chestnut brown, with subterminal black bar; tips, white,
and feathers marked with black at the base; under parts, white;
breast and throat, speckled and lined with brown; sides of the body,
brownish, barred with dull black.

Length, 11; wing, 5; tail, 2.20; tarsus, 1.25; bill, 2.40 to 2.60.

This species is abundant in Illinois and Wisconsin during the
migrations, and some remain to breed in both states, but more com-
monly in Wisconsin than in Illinois.

The nest is on the ground. The eggs are usually four, grayish
or brownish olive, heavily blotched with chocolate brown mostly at
the larger end. They measure 1.65 x 1.20 inches.

An interesting account of the breeding of this species in Illinois
and Indiana is given by Mr. Ruthven Deane (The Auk, Vol. XVI,
1899, p. 270). He states that it must breed more commonly in Illi-
nois and Indiana than is generally supposed, as he found them very
numerous at English Lake, Indiana, in the latter part of July and
early in August and refers to numbers of specimens having been taken
near Davis Station, Ind., and near Waukegan, 111.

In some localities in the Southern States, during the winter months,
thousands of these birds are killed on the marshes where they collect
on some especially good feeding ground. When first disturbed they
utter a peculiar cheep as they rise from the ground, often repeated
during their flight, which is very irregular, making them one of the
most difificult birds to shoot.

Genus MACRORHAMPHUS Forster.

109. Macrorhamphus griseus (Gmel.).
DowiTCHER. Red-breasted Snipe.

Distr.: Eastern North iVmerica, breeding far north; south to the
West Indies and Brazil, in winter.

Adult in summer: A small web between the outer and middle
toes; upper parts, blackish; feathers, edged with tawny brown; top
of head, blackish, mottled with tawny brown; under parts, red brown,
banded on the sides; throat and breast only, slightly spotted, entirely
without spots in some plumages; tail and upper tail coverts, barred
with black; bill, dark olive.

Adult in ivintcr: Upper parts, grayish, the feathers showing

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

399

■^

Dowitcher.

faint edges of buff on the back; chin and superciliary stripe, dull
grayish white; breast, gray, showing slight traces of tawny (often
entirely absent); rest of under part, dirty white, mottled on the
crissuni; tail, banded dark brown or black and white.

Length, 10.30; wing, 5.70; tarsus, 1.30; bill, 2.20 to 2.50.

The Dowitcher was at one time common, but now occurs only
as a rather rare migrant in Illinois and Wisconsin. It is difficult to
determine the relative abundance of this species in comparison with
the next, from the fact that the ordinary sportsmen, as a rule, do
not recognize them as different.

110. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say).

Long-billed Dowitcher.

Distr.: Western North America, breeding from Alaska to the
Arctic coast; south from the United vStates and Mexico in winter;
casual on the i\.tlantic coast.

Adult: Resembles the preceding species, but the bill is longer,
and in breeding plumage, the sides of the body are more distinctly
barred with black; the throat and breast more rufous, and the general
plumage more highly colored.

In winter the principal difference is one of size.

Length, 11; wing, 6.05; tarsus, 1.55; bill, 2.20 to 2.60.

This species is still more or less common in Illinois and Wisconsin
during the migrations. It is (or was ) a well-known bird to sportsmen,
and its long, snipe-like bill will always distinguish it from other species
of shore birds, except the Wilson's Snipe, from which it may be known
at a glance by the small web between the outer and middle toes, and
by its differently marked tail and tail coverts. It occurs in flocks, and
where it has not been persecuted by gunners, is very tame and unsus-
picious. It was formerly very abundant, but being easy to kill, great

400 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

numbers of them were shot by market hunters, until now it is almost
a rare bird in localities where it was once exceedingly numerous.

Kumlien and Hollister state (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 44):
"Young still unable or barely able to fly were taken on several oc-
casions. There is positively no question that considerable numbers
bred in Wisconsin from 1865 to 1875 and in 1872 and 1873, as far south
as Lake Koshkonong. In August the fully fledged young return from
the north in great flocks." This is out of its usual breeding range and
apparently its eggs were not actually found. It is well to note,
however, that Cook in his Birds of Michigan (1893, P- 5^) says:
"Prof. Ludwig Kumlien writes me that it breeds in the Northern
Peninsula. Davie, page iii, states that this species breeds on the
border of Lake Superior and north."

Genus MICROPALAMA Baird.

III. Micropalama himantopus (Bonap.).
Stilt Sandpiper.

Distr.: Northeastern North America, breeding from the southern
shores of Hudson Bay to the Mackenzie region and northward; south
in winter to the West Indies, Central and South America.

Adult in summer: Legs, dull olive green; entire plumage, dull
white and dark brown, being banded on the under parts with dark
brown, and the upper parts, streaked with dark brown; a stripe of
chestnut brown above and below the eye, the former extending back-
wards and joining at the occiput; secondaries, edged with tawny
brown.

Adult in winter: Upper plumage, gray; feathers on the back,
edged with white; breast, pale bufif, slightly mottled, shading into
dull white on the upper throat; belly, dull white; bill, black.

Length, 8.20; wing, 5; tarsus, i.6y, bill, 1.60.

The Stilt Sandpiper can not be considered a common species either
in Illinois or Wisconsin, but it occurs regularly in both states during
the migrations and is apparently more numerous in late summer than
in spring.

Nelson (Birds N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 126) considers it "of rare
occurrence" and says: "On the 8th of August, 1873, I saw a single
specimen on the Lake shore near Chicago, and the loth of Sep-
tember, the same year, R. P. Clark obtained a specimen at the
same place."

Mr. Frank M. Woodruff writes: "I have observed a large number

Jan.. 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 401

of this species, and can positively say that they are a rare spring
migrant, and a common fall visitant. It is very hard to distinguish
them in the fall plumage from the young of Totanus flavipes. I
have one in the breeding plumage taken at South Chicago on the
Calumet River in April, 1890; also one in the light plumage taken
at Mud Lake, September 23, 1893. Mr. J. G. Parker, Jr., has a bright
female taken from a flock of four at Mud Lake, July 25, 1893; also
a young bird from the same locality. On August 24, 1895, Mr.
J. F. Ferry of Lake Forest, 111., and myself shot four Stilt Sandpipers
from a flock of fifty or more at Liberty ville, 111." (The Auk, Vol.
XIII, 1896, p. 180.)

Kumlien and Hollister say (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 44): "It
is a migrant and doubtless a former summer breeder to a limited
extent. "'■' * ■' * During the seventies they were rather common
about Koshkonong, especially during the latter part of July, August,
and well into September. We have taken young barely able to fly,
readily running them down. These had the head and upper neck
still in the natal down, and if they were not hatched at Lake Kosh-
konong, certainly they could have come but a short distance."
This is interesting from the fact that the limit of its supposed breeding
range is very much farther north. It will be noted, however, that
there is no record of the nest and eggs having been taken in the
state.

Genus TRINGA Linn.

112. Tringa canutus Linn.
Knot.

Distr.: A cosmopolitan species, breeding in high latitudes, mi-
grating south to the southern hemisphere in winter.

Adult in summer: Top of the head, buffy white, mixed with
blackish; upper plumage, variegated with black, white, and buff;
upper tail coverts, barred with black and white, often marked with
buff; entire under parts, except the lower abdomen, rufous brown;
lower abdomen, white; axillars, white, with long, arrow-shaped mark-
ings of dark gray.

Adult in winter: Entire upper plumage, ashy gray, the feathers
having pale, brownish shafts, showing indistinct fine lines; upper tail
coverts, white, banded with brown; under parts, white; the breast
and sides with indistinct, irregular dots and bands of brownish gray;
belly, and under tail coverts, pure white; axillars, white, with irreg-
ular, arrow-shaped, brownish gray marking.

402 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

rS^

Knot. Upper tail coverts.

Length, 10.60; wing, 6.70; tarsus, 1.25; bill, 1.30.

The Knot occurs sparingly in Illinois and Wisconsin during the
migrations. Nelson gives it as a regular migrant, but not common.
Kumlien and Hollister say : "Thirty years ago a rather common mi-
grant in May and June and more sparing in Autumn. Of late years
decidedly rare at any season." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 45.)

Genus AROUATELLA Baird.

113. Arquatella maritima (Brunn.).

Purple Sandpiper.

Tringa maritima Brunn., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 87.

Distr.: Northern portions of northern hemisphere; in North
America chiefly in the northeastern portion, breeding in high latitudes
and migrating south in winter to the middle Atlantic states and the
Great Lakes; accidental in Florida.

Adult in summer: Top of head, dark gray; back, blackish, the
feathers edged with grayish white; rump and upper tail coverts,
black or brownish black; a small black spot in front of the eye;
breast, grayish, having the appearance of being spotted with black,
which black spotting also appears on the sides of the body. This
is caused by the feathers of the breast being dark at the base, tipped
with white, and on the sides of the body the feathers are white with
black spots near the tips; axillars, white.

Adult in winter : Similar, but lacking the black spots on the breast
and sides, which are replaced by pale gray; bill, yellowish at base.

Length, 9.25; wing, 5; tarsus, .92; bill, 1.30.

This species is a rare straggler in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Nelson records a specimen taken on the Lake shore near Chicago,

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

403

Purple Sandpiper.

November 7, 187 1, which he states is preserved in the collection of
Dr. J. W. Velie. Mr. Frank M. Woodruff writes: "I have a specimen
of this bird taken at South Chicago, in June, 1895. This with Dr. J. W.
Velie's specimen taken November 7, 1891 (sic), are the only records
I can find of the Purple Sandpiper in Cook County." (The Auk,
Vol. XIII, 1896, p. 180.) Kumlien and Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin,
1903, p. 45) state: "In the collection of the Oshkosh Normal School
is a specimen which is said to have been taken at Bay View (Door
County), in May, 1881." Dr. Hoy gives it in his list of Wisconsin
birds (1853) as "greatly abundant from 15th of April to 20th of
May." This would seem very unlikely.

Genus PISOBIA Billberg.

114. Pisobi-a maculata (Vieill.).

Pectoral Sandpiper.

Triiiga maculata Vieill., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 88.

Local names: Grass-snipe. Grass Bird.

Distr.: The whole of North America, breeding in the Arctic
regions; south in winter to West Indies and South America.

Adult in summer: Head and upper parts, dark brown, the feathers
edged with tawny; throat and belly, white; breast, pale brown, the

404 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Pectoral Sandpiper.

feathers narrowly streaked with dark brown or blackish; upper tail
coverts, black; two middle tail feathers longer than the others; basal
half of bill, dull greenish yellow.

Winter plumage: Breast, brownish buff, and upper parts, more
brownish.

Length, 9; wing, 5.25; tarsus, 1.05; bill, 1.15.

Common in Illinois and Wisconsin during the migrations, but not
nearly as abundant as formerly. A few remain during the summer.
but they are probably sterile birds, as none have been found breeding.

115. Pisobia fuscicollis (Vieill.).
White-rumped Sandpiper.

Tringa fuscicollis Vieill., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. SS.

Distr.: Eastern North America, breeding in the far north; south
to the West Indies, Middle America and South America (to Falkland
Islands) in winter.

Adult in summer: Top of the head and back, mottled with black,
dull white, and buff; throat, white; breast, finely lined with dark
brown; belly, white; an imperfect superciliary line of dull white;
rump, dusky gray, and most of upper tail coverts, white.

Adult in winter: Top of the head and back, grayish, some of the
feathers marked with dark brown, giving it a slightly mottled appear-
ance on the back and top of the head; upper throat, white; breast,
ashy gray, the shafts of the feathers showing brown; belly, white;
forehead, whitish, extending in an imperfect superciliary line.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

405

Length, 6.85; wing, 4.95; tarsus, .95; bill, .95.

This species is not common, occurring irrregularly in Wisconsin
and Illinois during the migrations.

Mr. T. M. Woodruff considers it "a very rare migrant" in the
Chicago area and states he has taken it at Meredosia, Illinois. (Birds
of Chicago Area, 1907, p. 69.) Nelson procured a specimen and saw
a number of others on the Lake shore near Waukegan, 111., on June
9, 1876; he also states that Mr. R. P. Clarke had taken it late in
the autumn near Chicago. (Birds of N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 127.)

Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister give it as occuring regularly in
Wisconsin but by no means abundant. They say: "Small flocks of
a dozen or less are sometimes found about Lake Koshkonong until
the middle of June, and they are back again with barely full-fledged
young by August i." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 46.)

116. Pisobia bairdii (Coues).
Baird's Sandpiper.

Tringa bairdii (Coues), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 88.

Distr.: Arctic interior of North America where it breeds; migrat-
ing south through the interior to southern South America (Patagonia);
rare on the Atlantic coast, and not recorded from the Pacific coast of
the United States.

Adult in summer: Crown, dark brown, mixed with buff; nape
and upper back, narrowly streaked with buff and dark brown; the

Baird's Sandpiper.

Tail and upper tail coverts.

feathers of the back, dark brown, narrowly edged with white; upper
tail coverts, blackish, the feathers usually narrowly tipped with buff;
two central tail feathers, very slightly longer than the others (not
decidedly longer, as in Pisobia maculata); chin, white; breast, brown-
ish buff, showing very faint and narrow streaks of brown; under parts,
buffy white, with a faint tinge of buff, sometimes entirely white.

4o6 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Adult in ivinter: Similar, but paler.

Immature: Resembles the adult, but has the feathers of the back
and wing coverts tipped with white.

Length, 7.40; wing, 4.50 to 4.90; tarsus, i; bill, i.

Baird's Sandpiper occurs regularly in small numbers in Illinois
and Wisconsin during the migrations in spring and fall, usually in
May, August and September.

117. Pisobia minutilla (Vieill.).

Least Sandpiper.

Tringa minutilla Vieill., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 89.
Local name: Peep.

Distr.: North America; south throughout South America in win-
ter, breeding chiefly north of the United States.

Adult in summer: Very small; upper parts, marked with tawny
black and pale bufi^; under parts, whitish on the throat, shading into
ashy gray, and showing faint brownish lines on the breast; rest of the
under parts, white; bill, dull black; no web between toes.

Adult in winter: Similar to the above, but
grayer in color.

Length, 5.50 to 6.50; wing, 3.60; tarsus,
.75; bill, .85.

This species is common during the migrations
in May and August in Illinois and Wisconsin,
and occasionally birds remain during the sum-
mer and may have bred. We have no pub-
lished record of the eggs actually having been taken in either state.
On June 5, 1875, M^- Nelson observed a bird of this species build-
ing a nest near the Calumet River. It was not completed but "The
birds were noticed several times in the vicinity and they probably
had a nest in some safer spot." (Birds N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 127.)
Kumlien and Hollister say: "We have known of at least two in-
stances of this bird nesting within the state and from specimens seen
in various parts of the north and central portions of the state, suspect
that at least twenty years ago it bred in some numbers." (Birds of
Wisconsin, 1903, p, 47.)

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

407

Genus PELIDNA Cuvier.

118. Pelidna alpina sakhalina (Vieill.).

Red-backed Sandpiper.

Tringa alpina pacifica (Coues), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 89.
Distr.: North America and eastern Asia, breeding in the Arctic
regions; south to Mexico and Central America, in winter.

Summer.

Red-backed Sandpiper.

Winter.

Adult in summer: Bill, slightly bent down near the tip; the
feathers on the top of the head and back, bright rufous brown, heavily-
blotched with black on the central part of each
feather; throat, whitish; breast streaked with
black; belly, black on the upper part; lower
belly and crissum, white; bill, black.

Adult in winter: Upper parts, gray, slightly
mottled; throat, white; breast, gray, the shafts
of the feathers dark brown; belly and under
tail coverts, pure white; a faint, dull white
superciliary line.

Length, 8; wing, 4.75; tarsus, i.io; bill, 1.65.
The Red-backed Sandpiper is abundant in May and common in late
August and September, during the migrations in Illinois and Wis-
consin.

4o8 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus EREUNETES Illiger.

I 19. Ereunetes pusillus (Linn.).

Semipalmated Sandpiper.

Local name: Peep.

Distr.: Eastern North America, breeding north of the United
States; south in winter to the West Indies and South America.

Adult in summer: Heavily marked with dark brown and tawny
on the top of the head and back; forehead, whitish; under parts and

Semipalmated Sandpiper.

throat, white; breast, mottled with grayish; belly, white; toes, with
small web.

Adult ill winter: Upper parts, grayish,
mottled with brown on the head, and the
feathers showing dark brown, edged with
white on the back; throat, white; breast,
very faintly washed with gray, which is some-
times very indistinct; belly and under tail
coverts, white; toes, with small web.

Length, 6; wing, 3.75; tarsus, .75; bill,
.80.
Abundant in Illinois and Wisconsin in May and September during
the migrations. Occasionally birds remain during the summer, but
there is not the slio^htest evidence that these ever breed.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 409

120. Ereunetes mauri Cabanis.

Western Sandpiper.

Ereunetes occidentalis Lawr., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, P- 9^^-

Distr.: Chiefly western North America, breeding in high latitudes;
not uncommon on the Atlantic coast; south in winter to Middle and
South America.

Adult: In summer plumage this species may be distinguished
from E. piisillus by its longer bill (which is oftentimes 1.25 inches
in length, while E. pusilliis rarely, if ever, has the bill one inch),
by its decidedly streaked breast, and the feathers of the back being
margined with rufous. The winter plumages, however, differ but
little, if any, and occasionally specimens of the Western Sandpiper
occur which have the bill less than one inch, and in such cases it
is almost impossible to distinguish them from winter examples of
E. pusillus; therefore it is perhaps as well to consider all of those
birds having bills less than .90 in length to be E. pusillus, and
if it is important to have the identification absolutely accurate, they
could easily obtain the opinion of some professional ornithologist to
decide such a fine point.

Length, 6; wing, 3.85; tarsus, .82; bill, .90 to 1. 15.

Common in Illinois and Wisconsin during the migrations, but
much less numerous than the preceding species.

Genus CALIDRIS Illiger.

121. Calidris leucophaea (Pallas).
Sanderling.

Calidris arenaria Linn., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 91.

Distr.: Northern hemisphere; in America breeding in the Arctic
and subarctic regions; south in winter as far as southern South
America (Patagonia), also India and South Africa.

Adult in summer: Head, throat, and upper parts, except rump,
reddish brown, black, and white; throat and breast, pale rufous
brown, with more or less dark spots; belly and under parts, pure
white; bill and feet, black; toes, three.

Adult in winter: Top of the head and back, ash gray, the shafts
of the feathers being brown; forehead and entire under parts white;
bill, black.

Length, 8.10; wing, 5.05; tarsus, i; bill, i.

4IO Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Sanderling.

The Sanderling occurs more or less commonly in Illinois and Wis-
consin during the migrations in May, and again from August to
October.

Genus LIMOSA Brisson.

122. Limosa fedoa (Linn).
Marbled Godwit.

Distr.: Chiefly interior of North iVmerica, breeding from Iowa
north to the Saskatchewan; south in winter to Cuba and Central
America.

Adult in summer: Bill, curved slightly upward; upper parts,
mottled with black and tawny; upper throat, white, rest of throat
finely streaked with brown; breast, pale tawny, the feathers banded
irregularly with brown; belly, tawny, sometimes without bands;
bill, dull flesh color in its basal half, the rest blackish; inner webs
of outer primaries, speckled with black; tail, barred with black;
axillars, irregularly banded with dark slaty brown, in some instances
merely showing an indication of bands but always with more or less
irregular marks or dots where the bands are not perfect.

Adult in winter: Top of the head, brown, streaked with pale brown;
feathers of the back, dark brown, edged with tawny; chin, white;
throat, pale buff, faintly barred with brown; inner webs of outer
primaries, speckled with black.

Length, 19; wing, 8.80; tarsus, 2.80; bill, 3.50 to 4.50.

The Marbled Godwit was once a common species in Illinois and

Jam.. 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

411

Marbled Godwit.

Wisconsin during the migrations, but is now rare. At the present
time the few which occur within our limits are practically restricted
to the region along the Mississippi River. According to Kumlien
and Hollister it was known to nest on two occasions in Wisconsin,
some fifty years ago, once near Stoughton and once near Lake Kosh-
konong. They also state: "Mr. H. Nehrling gives it as breeding in
the northern peninsula of Michigan and it used to nest in Iron County,
Wisconsin, and almost certainly along Green Bay." (Birds of Wis-
consin, 1903, p. 48.)

123. Limosa haemastica (Linn.).

HUDSONIAN GODWIT.

Distr.: Northeastern North America; south in winter throughout
Middle and South America; breeds in high latitudes.

Adult in summer: Upper parts, dark brown, the feathers showing
spots of pale rufous brown on the edges; rump, white; tail, black,
tipped with whitish; chin, whitish, with pale rufous; rest of under

412 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Hudsonian Godwit.

parts, dark rufous brown; the feathers of the throat, more or less
streaked with black, and the feathers of the breast and belly, faintly-
edged with black; axillars, very dark slate color, almost black.

Adult in winter: Upper plumage, dull gray; feathers of the back,
more or less edged with dark brown; chin, whitish; breast, pale gray;
shafts of the feathers on the sides of the breast, brownish; belly,
grayish buff, sometimes buffy white; under tail coverts, whitish;
axillars, dark, smoky gray.

Length, 15; wing, 8 to 8.60; tarsus, 2.40; bill, 2.80 to 3.40.

In former years the Hudsonian Godwit was not uncommon in
Illinois and Wisconsin during the migrations, but at the present
time it is a rare bird, at least east of the 95th meridian. It is still
moderately common in Dakota, Nebraska, and Texas during the migra-
tions, but its numbers are fast decreasing. Mr. F. M. Woodruff
states he killed a pair of these birds at Grass Lake, Illinois, in June,
1892 (Bull. Chicago Acad. Sciences, No. 6, 1907, p. 72).

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

413

Genus TOTANUS Bechstein.

124. Totanus melanoleucus (Gmel.).
Greater Yellow-legs.

Local names: Winter Yellow-leg. Stone Snipe. Telltale.

Distr.: Greater portion of America, breeding from Wisconsin and,
perhaps northern Illinois, northward, and migrating south in winter
to Middle and South America as far as Chili and Argentine Republic
and the West Indies.

Greater Yellow-legs.

Adult in sununer: Bill, nearly straight; upper plumage, mottled
with white and black; upper tail coverts, white, barred with black;
throat, white, streaked with black; chin, whitish; breast, white,
heavily streaked with black; rest of under parts, white, irregularly
marked with black; middle of belly, nearly always pure white; bill,
black, and legs, yelloiv.

Adult in winter: Top of the head and neck, streaked white and
dark brown; back, brown, the feathers narrowly edged with whitish;
chin, white; breast, white, narrowly lined with dark brown; rest of
under parts, white; bill, black, and legs, yellow.

Length, 14; wdng, 7.75; tarsus, 2.45; bill, 2.30.

This species is a common migrant and casual summer resident in
Illinois and Wisconsin. It may breed in northern Illinois and there
is little doubt that it does so in Wisconsin. The clear, sharp, whistling
note, repeated rapidly four or five times, descending in semi-tones

414 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

down the scale, is known to "gunners" throughout the land. Al-
though not as abundant as in former years, it is still numerous in
many locations during the migrations.

Mr. E. W. Nelson writes: "A common migrant and regular summer
resident. Breeds. Arrives about the middle of April, the larger
portion passing north early in May. * '■' * * In June, 1875, I found
several pairs of these birds about the Calumet marshes, where from
their actions I was certain they were breeding, but was not fortunate
enough to find their nests. The loth of June, 1876, Mr. Rice observed
a pair about a prairie slough near Evanston. A few days later a set
of four eggs were brought him from a similar situation a few miles
northwest of that place and from the description of the parent bird
— driven from the nest — he decided they must belong to this species."
(Birds N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 128.) Regarding its occurrence in Wis-
consin, Kumlien and Hollister say: "A common migrant, spring and
fall, and also a summer resident. '•' '■' * * At Lake Koshkonong it
bred at considerable distance from the lake far out in the iniry
marshes and did not often visit the lake shore until the young were
nearly full grown." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 49.) They also
state that downy young were procured by L. Kumlien near Minnesota
Junction in 1882.

The nest is composed of grass on the ground. The eggs are four,
pale brown or buff color, spotted and marked with dark brown.
They measure about 1.45 x 1.20 inches.

125. Totanus flavipes (Gmel.).

Yellow-legs.

Local names: Summer Yellow-legs. Little Telltale.

Distr.: North America, south in winter to South America,
breeds chiefly north of the United States; more common in eastern
than in western North America.

Adult: Upper parts, grayish brown, mottled with whitish on the
back; chin, white; throat, white, streaked with pale grayish brown;
breast, mottled; belly, white; tail feathers, banded brown and white;
upper tail coverts, white, more or less barred with black; axillars,
white, barred with broivn; bill, black; legs, yellow.

Reseinbles the Greater Yellow-legs, but is smaller.

Length, 10.80; wing, 6.45; tarsus, 2.10; bill, 1.45.

This species is still common during the migrations in Illinois and
Wisconsin, and a few remain during the summer; but non-breeding
or wounded birds of many species are found far south of their usual

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 415

range during the summer months and the fact that they are in breed-
ing plumage is not sufficient evidence that they are nesting. That
a few may do so, however, is shown by Nelson's statement in his Birds
of N. E. Illinois (Bull. Essex Inst., VIII, 1876, p. 128 ) where he says:
"A few breed. I obtained the young barely able to fly near a prairie
slough the first of July, 1874, a few miles from Chicago, and have
since observed several pairs during the breeding season about the Calu-
met marshes." Kumlien and Hollister state: "Formerly bred at
Lake Koshkonong, Horicon Lake, about Lake Pacana, and presum-
ably in other localities. '■= '•' '^ * "= * Young still unable to fly are
yet obtainable about Lake Koshkonong in July, but of late years
not commonly." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 49.)

The eggs are three or four, pale brown or buff, irregularly marked
with dark brown, and measure about 1.70 x 1.15.

Genus HELODROMAS Kaup.

126. Helodromas solitarius (Wils.).
Solitary Sandpiper.

Totanus solitarius (Wils.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 94.
Distr.: North America, chiefly east of the Rocky Mountains; south
in winter to Argentine Republic and Peru; breeds from northern
United States northward.

Adult in summer: Top of head and back, and
upper tail coverts, bronzy green, dotted with white;
under parts, white; the breast, thickly streaked
Axiiiars. ^j^(-j dotted brown ; bill, greenish brown (in life),

dusky, terminally; axiiiars, white, heavily barred with smoky black.

Adult ill winter: Upper parts, including upper tail coverts,
olive brown, showing a faint, greenish gloss when held in the light,
the feathers faintly dotted with dull white; throat, white; breast,
streaked with brown; rest of under parts, white; axiiiars, heavily
barred.

Length, 8.50; wing, 5.30; tarsus, 1.20; bill, j .30.
The Solitary Sandpiper is a rather common migrant in Illinois
and Wisconsin and a casual summer resident in both states, frequent-
ing the shores of the rivers and ponds. Although the eggs have never
been taken within our limits it undoubtedly breeds.

Nelson writes (Birds of N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 129): "Common
migrant. Arrives about the first of May and remains until about the

4i6 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX. '.

25th, when the majority go further north. I have several times taken
young of this species just able to fly and I have observed the adults
throughout the breeding season. I do not think there is the slightest
doubt of its breeding in this vicinity." Kumlien and Hollister say:
"There is no Wisconsin bird of which we have so diligently and
systematically sought the eggs and without success as this Sandpiper.
Numbers of times we have found the young just hatched and judging
from the actions of the parents, have often been near the eggs."
(Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 50.)

Genus CATOPTROPHORUS Bonap.
127. Catoptrophorus semipalmatus (Gmel.).

WiLLET.

Symphemia semipalmata (Gmel.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 94.

Distr.: Eastern North America, from New Jersey (rarely Maine)
to Florida; south in winter to West Indies and eastern South America
to Brazil.

Adult in sinnuier: Upper plumage, gray, streaked on the head
with dark brown, and the central portion of many of the feathers has
the back blotched with brown; chin, white; throat, white, dotted

^lia^yfP^'

Willet.

with brown; under parts, dull white, the feathers on the sides barred
with brown and washed with tawny; axillars, black; bill, bluish,
dusky toward end;]'[middle tail feathers, ashy, indistinctly barred with
blackish.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 417

Adult in winter: Bill, nearly straight; upper plumage, gray, show-
ing indications of grayish white on the tips of some of the feathers
on the back; chin, whitish; throat, ashy gray; the rest of under parts,
white, showing ashy on the sides of the body; axUlars, smoky black.
The broad, white band on the wings is a distinguishing character of
this bird when flying.

Length, 15.00; wing, 8.10; tarsus, 2.30; bill, 2 to 2.30.

This species has been given by various authors as occurring in
Illinois and Wisconsin, but we have very little definite information
concerning it, on account of the comparative rarity of Willets in this
region together with the fact that both forms are considered the
same by the average sportsman. All specimens taken within our
limits which I have examined proved to be inornatus.

Ridgway writes that he is unable to state whether or not semi-
palmatus occurs in Illinois. Nelson, of course, considered them all
semipalmatiis , as at that time (1876) the two forms had not been
separated. A. J. Cook (Birds of Michigan, 1893, p. 61) includes this
species as a "rare summer resident" and does not mention inornatus.
A. W. Butler (Birds of Indiana, 1897) gives. both semipalmatus and
inornatus as rare migrants, possibly rare summer residents. W. W.
Cooke (Bird Migration Mississippi Valley, 1888, p. 96) does not
mention semipalmatus , but gives inornatus. Kumlien and Hollister
(Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 50) include this species as "A rare wader
in Wisconsin," but suggest that inornatus might occur in the state
"if only as a rare straggler during migrations."

127a. Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus (Brewst.).
Western Willet.

Symphemia semipalmaia inornata Brewst., A. O. U. Check List,
1895, P- 95-

Distr.: Western North America, east to Mississippi Valley and
Gulf states and casual on southern Atlantic coast; south in winter
to Mexico; breeds from Texas to Manitoba.

Adult: The Western Willet is very similar to the eastern form,
but may be distinguished from it in summer plumage by the absence
of the bars on the middle tail feathers. Size, slightly larger; wing,
about 8.50; tarsus, about 2.50 inches; middle tail feathers, without
bars. In winter plumage, the two forms can not be distinguished
with any certainty.

This form occurs in Illinois and probably Wisconsin, but is by no

4i8 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

means common. There are numerous records for Illinois. Butler
(Birds of Indiana, 1897) states that Mr. F. M. Woodruff obtained
five from a flock of eight at Millers (Ind. ), i\ugust 14, 1897. W. W.
Cooke (Bird Migration Mississippi Valley, 1888, p. 96) gives this
form and does not mention semipalmatus. He says: "Occurs during
migration throughout the Mississippi Valley. * * * * It breeds
throughout Illinois. * * * * It was seen at Chicago, 111., May 13th,
though of course this record must not be considered that of first
arrival."

The eggs are deposited in a depression in the sand. They are
from 3 to 4 in number, pale yellowish brown or buff color, marked
with chocolate brown chiefly at the larger end, and measure about
2.10 X 1.56 inches.

Genus BARTRAMIA Lesson.

128. Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.).
Bartramian Sandpiper.
Local names: Upland Plover. Field Plover.

Disir.: North America, mainly east of the Rocky Mountains, noi'th
to Nova Scotia and Alaska, breeding throughout most of its North
American range; south in winter to Brazil and Peru.

Adult in summer: Upper plumage, dark brown, or brownish black,
the feathers edged with pale buff; upper throat, white; lower throat,

Bartramian Sandpiper.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 419

pale buff, lined with dark brown; breast, pale buff", with arrow-shaped
markings of dark brown; belly, pale buff; axillars, banded with dark
slaty brown and white; outer primaries, white, banded with brown
on the inner webs.

Adult in winter: Similar, but paler.

Length, 11.75; wing, 6.60; tarsus, 1.90; bill, 1.20.

A summer resident in Illinois and Wisconsin, formerly very abun-
dant, but now only moderately common and becoming less so every
year.

The nest is placed on the ground usually in a field or pasture. The
eggs are 4 or 5, buff white, spotted with reddish brown, the markings
heavier and more numerous at the larger end. They measure 1.80
X 1.25 inches.

Genus TRYNGITES Cabanis.

129. Tryngites subruficollis (Vieill.).
Buff-breasted Sandpiper.

Distr.: General North America, more common in the interior;
breeds from Alaska and British America northward; south in winter
to South America as far as Peru and Uraguay; not common in eastern
United States.

Adult in summer: Upper plumage, buff, mottled with black;
the feathers on the back, black, edged with buff; under parts have a
mottled buff and white appear-

ance, caused by the exposed por-
tion of the feathers being buff,
narrowly tipped with white ; the F'^s* primary,

feathers are dark slate-color at base, but the slate-color is entirely
concealed; inner web of first primary, white, speckled with dark brown;
the inner primaries and secondaries, narrowly tipped with white, show-
ing a sub-terminal band of black; axillars, white.

Adult in winter: Similar, but paler.

Length, 8; wing, 5.30; tarsus, 1.25; bill, .85. ■

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper is usually a rather rare migrant in
Illinois and Wisconsin, although in one instance at least, it was
abundant in one locality.

W. W. Cook writes: "Dr. A. K. Fisher tells me that in August,
1874, he saw hundreds of Buff-breasted Sandpipers on the dry prairie
at Maywood, Cook County, 111., only ten miles from Chicago and that
he shot numbers of them." (Report Bird Migration Mississippi Valley,
1888, p. 97.) Mr. Wm. A. Bryan mentions a specimen taken near

420 Field Museum of Natural History — -Zoology, Vol. IX.

Calumet Lake, Cook Co., 111., Sept. 1898. (The Auk, Vol. XVI, 1899,
p. 276.) It has occasionally been taken in Wisconsin, but Kumlien
and HoUister consider it a "rare migrant."

Genus ACTITIS lUiger.

130. Actitismacularia (Linn.).

Spotted Sandpiper.

Distr.: North and South America, from Alaska to the West
Indies, Middle America and Brazil; breeds throughout temperate
North America.

Adult in summer: Top of the head and back, olive green, showing
bronzy reflections when held in the light; some of the feathers on the
back irregularly marked with brown; under parts, white, marked
with large, round black spots.

-'jLi't'

s^'jj

Summer.

Spotted Sandpiper.

Winter.

Adult in ivinter: Above, olive, showing a faint bronzy luster
when held in the light; feathers on the back, faintly tipped with
dusky; wing coverts, narrowly banded with tawny; throat, white;
breast, faintly tinged with ashy; under parts, including belly and
under tail coverts, white; mandible and edge of the maxilla, pale
wax yellow (in life), rest of bill, black.

Length, 8; wing, 4.20; tarsus, i; bill, i.

This well known species is a very common summer resident in
Illinois and Wisconsin and breeds in suitable localities. It is often
seen along the banks of rivers and ponds. The nest is at times a
shght structure of grass, while at others it is a mere depression in the
ground with a little loose grass and leaves.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 421

The eggs are four, buff white or cream white, spotted with choco-
late brown more pronounced at the larger end. They measure about
1.30 X .95 inches. There are several sets in the Field Museum collec-
tion taken in northern Illinois between June 8th and i6th, and a set
from Oconto County, Wisconsin, taken June 11, 1889.

Genus NUMENIUS Brisson.

Long-billed Curlew.

Eskimo Curlew.

Hudsonian Curlew.

131. Numenius americanus Bechstein.
Long-billed Curlew.

Numenius longirostris Wils., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 97.

Local name: Sickle-bill.

Distr.: Temperate North America, migrating south as far as Ja-
maica and Guatemala, in winter; breeds in the south Atlantic states
and in the interior throughout most of its North American range.

Adult in Slimmer: Upper parts, marked with buff and black;
tail feathers, alternately banded with tawny buff and brown; throat,

422 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

whitish; rest of under parts, pale reddish brown, becoming very Ught
on the belly; breast, narrowly striped with brown on the middle of the
feathers; bill, very long; axillars, rufous broivn.

Axillars and first primary of Long-billed Curlew.

Adult in winter: General plumage, tawny brown; the back,
blackish, mottled with buff; top of the head, dark brown; the feathers
edged with tawny; throat, white; under parts, pale buff brown;
feathers on the lower throat and upper breast, finely lined with dark
brown; bill, very long and curved downward; bill, black, becoming
dull lilac brown on basal half of the mandible; axillars, rufous brown.

Length, 26; wing, 10.50; tarsus, 2.30; bill, very variable, meas-
uring from 2.3 to 9.

The immature of this species has the bill nearly straight, but quite
short, sometimes not exceeding two inches in length.

The Long-billed Curlew was once a common migrant in Illinois
and Wisconsin, but is now rather rare.

Mr. Nelson states that a pair nested on the Calumet Marshes,
near Chicago, in 1873. It arrives about the last of April and leaves
for the south early in October. According to Kumlien and Hollister,
it was once very abundant in Wisconsin and bred in numbers. They
say: "As an illustration of the former numbers of the curlew, Mr.
Skavlem tells of his boyhood experiences in the early fifties when he
was set to following the plows when breaking up the virgin prairie
sod and gathering up the eggs for the house." (Birds of Wisconsin,

1903. P- 52.)

The eggs of the Long-billed Curlew are three or four in number,
grayish green or pale olive buff, blotched and marked with chocolate
brown, and measure about 2.55 x 1.85 inches.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin^Cory.

423

132. Numenius hudsonicus Lath.
HuDSONiAN Curlew.

Local name: Jack Curlew.

Distr.: All of North and South America, including the West
Indies; breeds in the far north; winters chiefly south of the United
States.

Adult in summer: Bill, curved downward, top of the head, brown,
with a stripe of buffy white through the middle; rest of upper parts,
dark brown; feathers, pale on the edges, giving a slightly mottled
appearance to the back; chin, w^hite; throat and breast, streaked
and faintly barred with brown and white; belly, dull white; an imper-
fect superciliary stripe; axillars, pale buff, barred with slaty brown;
first primary, barred on inner web.

First primary.

Axillars.

Adult in winter: Similar to the last, but showing much more
tawny, mottled on the upper parts, and the under parts, paler; a
superciliary stripe of dull white; axillars, pale buff, barred with slaty
brown; first primary, barred on inner web.

Length, 17.50; wing, 9.20; tarsus, 2.30; bill, 3 to 3.75.

Although once common, the Hudsonian Curlew is now a rare
bird in Illinois and Wisconsin during the migrations.

133. Numenius borealis (Forst.).
Eskimo Curlew.

. Local name: Dough Bird.

Distr.: Eastern North America, breeding in high arctic latitudes;
south in winter to southern South America.

Adult in summer: Bill, curved downward; general plumage above,

424 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

mottled black and tawny; chin, whitish; throat and under parts,
tawny buff, marked on the throat with dark brown, and on the breast
with arrow-like brown markings; flank and sides of the body, tawny,
the arrow-like marks being much heavier and larger; top of the head
showing no central stripe of buffy white; inner web of first primary,
without bars; axillars, barred with slaty brown.

First primary.
Eskimo Curlew

Axillars.

Adult in winter: Lacking the tawny color of the summer plumage;
more whitish on the under parts, otherwise the markings being similar.

Length, 13; wing, 8.10; tarsus, 2; bill, 2.75 to 3.50.

The Eskimo Curlew may still occur during the migrations in Wis-
consin and Illinois, but is becoming very rare and the species is appar-
ently fast disappearing. Prefers the fields and highlands to the
marshes. Formerly abundant and as late as 1895 it was not un-
common in some localities.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

425

Family CHARADRIID^. Plovers.

Most Plovers are gregarious. They vary considerably in their
habits in different species; some prefer the beaches and marshes while
others frequent the fields and plains. Of the hundred or more known
species, 15 occur in North America and 9 in the eastern United States.
Their flesh is excellent, especially in the fall, when they are usually
very fat.

Black-bellied Plover (winter'

Piping Plover.

Semipalmated Plover.

Genus SOUATAROLA Cuvier.

134. Squatarola squatarola (Linn.).

Black-bellied Plover.

Charadrius squatarola (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 99.

Local names: Beetle-head. Black-breast.

Distr.: Nearly cosmopolitan, chiefly in northern hemisphere;
breeds in the far north; south in winter to the West Indies, Brazil,
and Colombia.

Adult male in summer: Upper parts, smoky black; feathers,
edged with dull white; breast and most of belly, black in highest

426 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Black-bellied Plover (summer plumage).

plumage, but usually showing traces of whitish on the feathers;
abdomen and under tail coverts, white; forehead, white; axillars,
smoky black.

Adult ill winter: Throat and breast, not
black; upper plumage, brownish, mottled with
gray; under parts, white; breast and sides,
streaked with ashy brown; bill, black; under
parts sometimes showing traces of blackish,
but not black; as in the breeding plumage.
Unlike our other Plover this species has a
rudimentary hind toe.

Length, 11.25; wing, 7.45; tarsus, 1.85; bill, i.io.

The Black-bellied Plover is more or less common in Illinois and
Wisconsin during the migrations. As is the case with a number of
species, a few non-breeding birds remain throughout the summer.
The black axillary plumes and rudimentary hind toe are good
distinguishing characters in any plumage.

Black-bellied Plover.

Genus CHARADRIUS Linn.

135. Charadrius dominicus Mull.
American Golden Plover.

Local names: Green Plover. Prairie Pigeon.

Distr.: Arctic America (except the shores of Bering Sea), mi-
grating through North America to southern South America, in winter;
breeds in the far north.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

427

Adult in summer: Back and upper parts, smoky black, feathers
marked and edged with yellow and brown; sides of the breast, whitish;
rest of under parts, throat, and sides of the head, including eye, black;
forehead, whitish, a white stripe extending backwards over the eye
and down the sides of the neck; bill, black; axillars, gray.

Breeding plumage.

American Golden Plover.

Fall and winter plumage.

Adult in ivinter: Upper parts, brownish, feathers marked with
dull tawny yellow or buff; under parts are dull white, streaked with
ashy brown or gray on the breast and sides.

Length, 10.25; wing, 7; tarsus, 1.55; bill, .92.

This species may be distinguished from the Black-bellied Plover
in any plumage by its gray axillars and the absence of the rudimentary
hind toe.

The Golden Plover was at one time abundant and is still more or
less common in Illinois and Wisconsin during the migrations. Arrives
from the south the latter part of April and from the north in
September. As is the case with others of its family, its numbers are
decreasing year by year.

Genus OXYECHUS Reich.

136. Oxyechus vociferus (Linn.).

KiLLDEER Plover.

j^gialitis vocifera (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 100.

Distr.: Temperate North America; south in winter to the West
Indies, Middle America, and South America; breeding throughout
its North American range as far north as Newfoundland and Mani-
toba.

428 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Adult: Crown and back, brownish gray, feathers tipped with
rufous; a ring around the neck, lores, and a patch on the breast,

black; forehead, white; throat

and spot behind the eye and

\ a band around the neck,

white ; lower breast and belly,

white; tail coverts and rump,

bright rufous; tail, rufous and

gray, tipped with black and white; bill,

black.

Length, 10.65; wing, 6.55; tarsus,
1.40; bill, .75.

This species is a common summer
resident in Wisconsin and Illinois, breed-
ing in suitable localities. It arrives in
March and remains until cold weather
sets in. It breeds in April and May.
The nest is merely a depression in the ground with, at times, a
slight lining of grass. The eggs are usually four, pyriform in shape,
dull white, blotched and spotted with chocolate brown, more numer-
ous at the larger end, and measure 1.65 x 1.15 inches.

Killdeer Plover.

Genus ^GIALITIS Boie.

137. iEgialitis semipalmata Bonap.
Semipalmated Plover.

Local name: Ring-neck.

Distr.: Arctic and subarctic America, breeding from Labrador
northward, migrating south to the West Indies, Brazil, Peru, and the
Galapagos Islands, in winter.

Adult in summer: Forehead, white, S'ac-
ceeded by a band of black; rest of head,
back, and wings, ashy gray; a dull stripe of
blackish passing from the bill under the eye
to the sides of the neck; a small patch of
white back of the eye; a broad band of
black on the breast; rest of under parts,
white; throat, white, extending around the
neck and joining at the back in a very narrow
stripe; secondaries, tipped with white; bill^
black, orange at the base; a bright orange ring
Semipalmated Plover. around tlic cyc ; toes wcbbcd at basc.

Jan., 1909. ■ Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 429

Adult ill ivinter: Similar, but the black marking replaced by
brownish or gray.

Length, 6.80; wing, 4.75; tarsus, .93; bill, .50.

The Semipalmated Plover or "Ring-neck" is common in Illinois
and Wisconsin during migrations and a few birds remain during the
summer. Mr. Nelson obtained specimens near Chicago, July ist.

Kumlien and Hollister state: "Numbers remain about the larger
lakes and Lake Michigan during the summer. W"e procured the young
still unable to fly at Lake Koshkonong on one occasion." (Birds of
Wisconsin, 1903, p. 54. ) It will be noted that the nest and eggs have
not actuallv been found.

138. iEgialitis meloda (Ord).
Piping Plover.

Local name: White Ring-neck.

Disir.: Eastern North America, breeding from northern Illinois and
Virginia northward to Labrador, Newfoundland, Lake Winnipeg,
and Assiniboia.

Adult in siininicr: Upper parts, ashy; forehead, white, separated
from the ash color of the head by a narrow patch of black; a band on

the side of the breast, black; under
parts and a ring around the neck,
white.

Adult in ivinter: Similar to the
summer plumage, but the black
marking replaced by grayish buff,
or ashy gray, instead of black; bill,
orange at base, tipped with black.
Length, 7.20; wing, 4.80; tar-
sus, .90; bill, .50
„. . ^, ' The Piping Plover occurs more

Piping Plover. r o

or less commonly during the mi-
grations in Illinois and Wisconsin, and a few remain as summer
residents and breed.

Nelson found it breeding commonly on the flat, pebbly beach
between the sand dunes and the shore of Lake Michigan. Mr. John F.
Ferry procured young birds unable to fly at Beach, Lake County,
Illinois, in June, 1906, and Mr. F M. Woodruff found it breeding and
took a set of eggs at Millers, Indiana, June 13, 1902 (Birds of - the
Chicago Area, 1907, p. 81). Kumlien and Hollister state that it
formerly bred in Wisconsin, about Lake Koshkonong and near She-

430 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

boygan on the Lake shore, but is now ahiiost entirely absent, except
a Hmited number during migrations (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 54).
The nest is merely a depression in the sand. The eggs are three
or four in number, cream white, speckled with chocolate brown.
They measure about 1.25 x .96 inches. The subspecies .4. m. cir-
cumcincta is no longer recognized as separable.

Family APHRIZID^. Surf Birds and

Turnstones.

Three of the four known species are found in North America, but
only one is known to occur in Illinois. They are plover-like in
appearance, frequenting the beaches and sand flats in company with
other waders. The name Turnstone is supposed to be derived from the
habit of turning over small stones while searching for food.

Subfamily ARENARIINiE. Turnstones.
Genus ARENARIA Brisson.

139. Arenaria interpres morinella (Linn.).

Turnstone.

Arenaria interpres (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 103.

Local names: Calico-back. Brant Bird.

Dist.: Northern North America, chiefly east of the Mackenzie
River basin, breeding in high latitudes; south to Patagonia in winter;
rare on the Pacific coast.

Adult in summer: General upper parts, mottled and variegated
with black, white, rufous and tawny ; throat and breast, black and
white; rest of under parts, white; tail, with subterminal band of
black, tipped with white.

Adult in winter: Above, light, streaked and dashed with dark
brown; an imperfect band of dark brown on the
jugulum; chin and upper part of the throat, white;
sides of breast, like the back; rest of the under parts,
white; a distinct white band on the wing; rump,
white, but with a broad patch of black on the
upper tail coverts; tail, dark brown, the tips and basal half of the
inner feathers, and nearly tw^o-thirds of the outer feathers, white;
legs, reddish orange; bill, black.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

431

Summer.

Turnstone.

Winter.

Length, 8.65; wing, 5.70; tail, 2.60; tarsus, i; bill, .95.

The Turnstone is not uncommon in Illinois and Wisconsin dur-
ing the migrations, principally on the shores of Lake Michigan. It
has received its name from the manner in which it turns over small
pebbles and shells while searching for the small crustaceans and in-
sects upon which it feeds.

LAND BIRDS.

ORDER GALLING.

GALLINACEOUS BIRDS.
Suborder PHASIANI. Pheasants, Grouse, Partridges, etc.

Family TETRAONIDtE. Grouse, Partridges,

etc.

This large family contains nearly two hundred species, represented
in eastern North America by two subfamilies; the Perdicin(S or
"Quail" and Partridges, and the Tetraonince, the Grouse, Ptarmigan,
etc. Some, like the Prairie Hen, frequent open plains and fields,
while others, like the Ruffed Grouse, prefer the woods. With few
exceptions they are not migratory. After the nesting season they
are found in flocks or "covies."

Subfamily PERDICINi^. Quail and Partridges.

Genus COLINUS Lesson.

140. Colinus virginianus (Linn.).

Quail -•-' or Bob-white.

Distr.: Eastern United States, from southern Maine and southern
Ontario to the Gulf states. Has been introduced in a number of
western states, California, New Mexico, Oregon, etc.

Adult male: Throat, white, bordered by black mixed with chest-
nut and white on sides of the neck; a stripe of white from the fore-
head over the eye; a streak of black below the eye, separating it from
the white throat; under parts, dull white, the feathers with narrow
bands of black; sides of the body streaked with chestnut; feathers of
the upper back, pale chestnut brown, bordered with gray, showing

* Although birds belonging to the genus Colinus are not true '■ Quail "_ from a scientific
standpoint they are so widely known and generally recognized by that name it seems undesirable
to change it.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

433

Quail.

narrow dusky bars; primaries, grayish brown; crown showing more
or less black mixed with chestnut brown; bill, black.

Adult female: Similar, but has the throat and the line over the
eye tawny buff instead of white, and little or no black on the breast.

Length, about 10; wing, about 4.50; bill, about .45; tarsus, i.

This species is a common resident throughout Illinois and Wiscon-
sin, except in the northern part of the latter state. It is found in
small flocks and is terrestrial, although when frightened will occasion-
ally alight in trees. The note is a clear loud whistle, crudely described
as hu-hui or hu-huit, which by a slight effort of the imagination is
supposed to sound like the words Bob-white. The loud notes are
often preceded by a short low one, which can only be heard at a com-
paratively short distance.

It breeds throughout its range, nidification commencing about the
first of May. The nest is on the ground, usually in open places, such
as grassy fields. The eggs are white or creamy white, and number
from 10 to 15 (occasionally more); they measure about 1.20 x .95
inches.

Specimens are often taken in southern Illinois, which are somewhat
dark and small and which are apparently intermediate between C.
virginianus and the Florida form C. v. floridanus.

434 Field Museum of Natural History- — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Prairie Hen. Ruffed Grouse. Quail.

(Illustrating comparative difference in size.)

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory.

435

Subfamily TETRAONINi^. Grouse, Ptarmigan, etc.

Genus CANACHITES Stejneger.

141. Canachites canadensis canace (Linn.).
Canada Grouse. Spruce Partridge.

Dendragapus canadensis (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, P- m-
Distr.: New Brunswick and northern New York and southern

Canada, west to northern Minnesota; accidental or casual in northern

Wisconsin.

Adult male: Bare skin above the eye, red (in life) ; upper plumage,

gray, barred with black; top of head, gray, mottled with], black;

throat, black, mixed with white; feathers on base of bill, black, a nar-

-"TTi

Canada Grouse (male).

row white line extending back of the eye; breast, black; rest of under
parts barred with black and white; axillars, slaty gray, the shafts of
the feathers and the tips, white; first primary, grayish brown, the rest,
grayish brown with outer webs mottled with pale buff; tail, brownish
black, tipped with rufous.

Adult female: Head and upper back, marked with rufous, gray
and black; lower back and rump, gray, with narrow black bars on the

436 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

feathers; throat and breast, rufous, mottled and barred with black;
feathers of the under parts barred with pale rufous, black and white;
tail, brownish black, mottled and barred with pale rufous brown, the
outer feathers, broadly tipped with pale rufous; axillars, as in the
male.

Length, about 15.25; wing, 6.60; bill (from end of nostril), .40.

This species is not uncommon in northern Wisconsin, but does
not occur in Illinois.

"A very common resident in the coniferous forests of northern
Wisconsin, where it is partial to swamps." (F. H. King, Geology
of Wisconsin, Vol. I, 1883, p. 591.) "Fairly common resident in the
pine regions of the state, but so far as we can learn has never been
found south of the pine belt. * * * In some sections of our extreme
northern counties many still remain." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds
of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 56.)

The nest is built on the ground. The eggs are 10 to 16 in number,
buff color, speckled and spotted with dark brown, and measure about
1.70 X 1.20 inches.

Genus BONASA Stephens.

142. Bonasa umbellus (Linn.).
Ruffed Grouse. Partridge.

Distr.: Eastern United States and southern Canada, west to
Minnesota; also mountainous regions of Georgia, Mississippi, and
Arkansas.

Adult male: Upper plumage, mixed gray, tawny brown and
black; some scapulary feathers, broadly marked with buffy white;
throat, pale tawny brown, sometimes with narrow indistinct bars of
black; feathers on the lower breast and belly, broadly tipped with
white and barred with black or brown; inner webs of primaries, gray-
ish brown; outer webs, barred with buff white or dull white; tail,
pale brown, irregularly barred with gray and black, and with a broad
subterminal band of black or brown, the feathers tipped with gray;
a tuft of black feathers on the side of the neck, edged with iridescent
green; axillars, barred with brown and white. Plumage very vari-
able, often with a rufous brown tinge to the feathers ; some specimens
have the ruffle or tufts of feathers on the sides of the neck chestnut
brown, with iridescent edges instead of black, and the bands on the
tail, brown.

Adult female: Similar, but slightly smaller and has the tufts of
feathers on the neck smaller and browner.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

437

Ruffed Grouse.

Length, about 16.50; wing, about 7.50; bill (end of nostril to tip),
.50; tarsus, 1.55.

The Ruffed Grouse is a common resident in wooded portions of
Illinois and Wisconsin, and abundant in northern Wisconsin. The
nest is built on the ground, usually in woods. Nidification commences
in Illinois the latter part of May (sets of eggs taken May 27th and
June I .) . The eggs are brownish buff", from nine to thirteen or four-
teen in number, and measure about 1.50 x 1.12 inches.

The peculiar drumming sounds made by the male are produced by
rapidly beating his wings against his body.

142a. Bonasa umbellus togata (Linn.).

Canadian Ruffed Grouse.

Distr.: Northern New England and New York, throughout Brit-
ish Provinces, west to the Pacific; casual in extreme northern United
States.

The Canadian Ruffed Grouse may be distinguished from B. umbel-
lus by the under parts being gray, instead of rufous brown, the breast
and belly being distinctly barred, and the throat usually barred with
dusky.

This form is included by Kumlien and Hollister in their Birds of
Wisconsin, but they appear somewhat doubtful as to its occurrence,
as they write: "Typical togata is rare in Wisconsin. A number of

438 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

grouse supposed to be of this form appear to be only intermediates,
and typical umbellus occurs in the most northern counties." (p. 56.)
I have never seen a typical specimen of togata from Wisconsin, all
specimens examined being nearer to umbellus than to the northern
form.

Genus LAGOPUS Brisson.

143. Lagopus lagopus (Linn.).

Willow Ptarmigan.

Distr.: British Provinces to Arctic regions; accidental in northern
New England and probably in other parts of the northern boundary
of the United States.

t -S-

Willow Ptarmigan.

Winter plumage, male and fetnale: General plumage, pure white;
primaries, white, the shafts, blackish; most of the tail feathers, black,
tipped with white; feet, entirely feathered.

In summer both sexes assume a barred and mottled plumage of
rufous brown, black, and bufify white.

Length, 15 to 17.25; wing, 7.10 to 7.60; bill (nostril), .40.

The Willow Ptarmigan must be considered a rare bird in extreme
northern Wisconsin in winter and it may have occurred in Illinois
during the past century, as Robert Kennicott states:* "Sometimes
found in the timber along Lake Michigan." Dr. R. P. Hoy procured

♦Catalogue of the Animals observed in Cook Co., Illinois. Trans. 111. State Agricultural Soc,
Vol. I, 1853, p. 580.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

439

two specimens near Racine, Wisconsin, in December, 1846. (Trans.
Wisconsin vState Agri. Soc, Vol. 11, 1852, p. 341.) Kumlien and Hol-
lister give two additional records from northern Wisconsin and say :
"It is certain, however, that the ptarmigan occurs as a rare winter
visitor in the northern peninsula of Michigan and formerly at least
reached Wisconsin during the severest weather." (Birds of Wisconsin,
1903. P- 57-)

Genus TYMPANUCHUS Gloger.

144. Tympanuchus americanus (Reich.).
Prairie Hen. Pinnated Grouse.

Distr.: Prairies of United States, from Texas, Nebraska, and Kan-
sas, east to Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan, and from Ontario
and Michigan to Missouri and Louisiana.

Adult male: Sides of neck with tufts of ten or more stiffened
feathers marked with rufous and bufEy white, the greater portion of the
longer feathers, brownish black, and showing bare skin beneath;
upper plumage, mixed pale brown, black and buffy white, the feathers
broadly barred; throat, pale buff or buffy white; under parts barred
with brown and white; most of the tail feathers, plain slaty brown,
tipped with white, the middle feathers marked with more or less pale
brown; middle tail feathers, not decidedly longer than the others.

Adult female : Similar, but having the tail barred with black and
tawny buff, and the neck tufts, smaller.

Prairie Hen.

440 Field Museum of Natural History^Zoology, Vol. IX.

Length, about 17 ; wing, 8 to 9; bill (end of nostril to tip), .50.

The Prairie Hen was formerly very abundant in Illinois and Wis-
consin and is still not uncommon in prairie lands of the less settled
portions. Breeds in May in open prairies and fields. The eggs are
ten to fourteen, olive buff or greenish gray in color, usually unmarked
but occasionally finely specked with brown. They measure about
1.65 X 1.22 inches.

Regarding the curious "booming" sounds made by the cock bird
and its strange antics during the mating season, Mr. Frank M. Chap-
man writes as follows: "At short range the bird's note suggested the
mellow resonant tone of a kettledrum. * '•= * *

"As a rule each bird had its own stand separated by about ten
yards from that of his neighbor. The boom is apparently a challenge.
It is preceded by a little dance in which the bird's feet pat the ground
so rapidly as to produce a rolling sound. This cannot be heard at
a greater distance than thirty yards. It is immediately followed by
the inflation of the great orange air sacks at the side of the neck, which
puff out as quickly as a child's to}'- balloon whistle; the tail is erected
and widely spread, the wings drooped, the neck-tufts are raised
straight upward, giving the bird a singularly devilish look, then with a
convulsive movement of the lowered head the boom is jerked out and
at its conclusion the air sacks have become deflated.

"One might imagine that after so violent a performance the bird
would feel a certain sense of exhaustion or at least quiescent relief,
but his excess of vitality seeks still other outlets. Uttering hen-like
calls and cracks he suddenly springs a foot or more straight into the
air, whirling about as though he were suffering from a combined
attack of epilepsy and St. Vitus's dance.

"But all this activity is only a prelude to the grand finale of actual
combat. Like a strutting turkey cock, the neighboring birds go
toward each other by short little runs, head down, the orange eyebrow
expanded and evident, pouches inflated, neck tufts and tail straight
up, and looking like headless birds with two tails. Their meeting is
followed by no make-believe duel, but an actual clash of wings. Utter-
ing a low, whining note they fight as viciously as game-cocks, and the
number of feathers left on the ground testifies to effective use of bills
and claws." (The Outing Magazine, November, igo8, p. 224.)

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 441

Genus PEDICECETES Baiid.

145. Pedioecetes phasianellus campestris (Ridgw.).
Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse.

Distr.: Prairies east of Rocky Mountains, to Illinois and Wiscon-
sin, and from Manitoba south to New Mexico.

Adult male : No noticeable tufts of feathers on sides of the neck, as
in the Prairie Hen; middle tail feathers, about an inch longer than
the others; back and upper parts, marked with tawny buff and black,
the feathers, irregularly barred; wnng coverts, spotted with white;
outer webs of primaries, barred with white, the first with buffy white;
throat, pale buff; feathers on the breast marked with white, centres
and edges with arrow shaped markings of dark brown; belly, white,
with a few brown marks; sides of body, rufous, black and white;
axillars, white.

Adult female : Similar, but smaller and somewhat lighter.

Length, about 17 ; wing, 8 to 9; bill (from end of nostril), .50.

The Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse was formerly not uncommon in
northern Illinois and Wisconsin. It still occurs in northwestern Wis-
consin, but none have been observed in Illinois for many years.

Mr. E. W. Nelson writes (Birds N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 121):
"The last record of its occurrence in this vicinity is furnished by my
friend, Mr. L. H. Douglass, who informs me that in the fall of 1863 or
1864, while two gentlemen were shooting Prairie Chickens near Wau-
kegan, they found and secured a covey of these birds numbering four-
teen individuals. They had in all probability been raised in the
immediate vicinity." Kennicott gives it as formerly not uncommon
in Cook Co., 111.

In Wisconsin, according to F. H. King (Geology of Wisconsin, 1883,
p. 591), it was "Resident from Berlin northward and was abundant in
the vicinity of Lake Flambeau, in October, 1877." According to
Kumlien and Hollister: "A few sharp-tails were found about Stevens
Point in 1898 and scattered records have been received from Markesan
and other points in the north central part of the state." (Birds of
Wisconsin, 1903, p. 58.)

The nest is placed on the ground. The eggs are from 12 to 14 in
number, pale olive buff or pale buff in color, and measure about 1.70
X 1.20 inches.

442 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Family PHASIANID.^. Pheasants
Turkevs, etc.

The family Phasianidae contains nearly one hundred species and
includes the Jungle Fowl, the Asiatic Pheasants, some of them of
gorgeous plumage, and the well known Peacock; also in America the
splendid Ocellated Turkey of Yucatan and the Wild Turkey, from
which our domestic race is supposed to have descended. In the United
vStates the Wild Turkey is becoming less and less common every year
and is fast becoming rare or has entirely disappeared in many local-
ities where it was once abundant. Several subspecies are recog-
nized.

Subfamily MELEAGRIN.^. Turkeys.
Genus MELEAGRIS Linn.

146. Meleagris gallopavo silvestris (Vieill.).
Wild Turkey.

Distr. : Eastern United States (except southern Florida, where it is
replaced by the Florida Wild Turkey), north to Virginia, Wisconsin,
Michigan, and Kansas.

The Wild Turkey resembles the domestic turkey, but differs in
having the upper tail coverts and tail tipped with chestnut, the prima-
ries more broadly barred with white, and the legs decidedly pink red;
bare skin of head, pale blue, the excrescences, purplish red.

Length, 40 to 50 inches; wing, 20 to 22 ; tail, about 18.

Wild Turkeys were formerly abundant in Wisconsin and Illinois,
but for many years none have been observed in the former state.
Kumlien and Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin, p. 58) say: "Residents
of the extreme southwestern counties claim that a few were found
among the bluffs near the river as late as 1894."

It has apparently disappeared from northern Illinois, but is
still to be found in the heavily wooded districts in the southern
portion of the state*. Mr. Ferry reports a flock having been seen
near Olive Branch in February, 1907.

Regarding the occurrence of Wild Turkeys in the vicinity of Chi-
cago, Mr. H. K. Coale having kindly placed his journal at my dis-
posal, I quote the following: "March 23, 1878, met several hunters

*Mr. A. H. Felger states that five Wild Turkeys were killed in Clinton Co., southern Illinois,
in October, 1903. (The Auk, Vol. xxvi, 1909, p. 78.)

Jax., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

443

who came over from the Ten Mile House and Englewood in search of
Wild Turkeys. They had shot eight in the vicinity of the Ten Mile
House; and had seen nearly a hundred, probably driven in by the
severe snow storms out west. The balance of the flock scattered off
in the direction of South Chicago; and although the hunters had been
looking for them all day, they had not seen any more. One shot
two Wild Pigeons and a Crow."

The nest is built on the ground. The eggs are pale buff color,
finely speckled with brown. They number from ten to thirteen or
fourteen, and measure about 2.50 x 1.95 inches.

Wild Turkeys.

ORDER COLUMB^.

PIGEONS.

Family COLUMBID^. Pigeons.

The Pigeons are a very large family, numbering about 300 species,
distributed in different parts of the world, about a dozen of which
are found in North America. Their habits vary with different species,
but they are all decidedly monogamous. In feeding the nestlings the
macerated food is mixed with a milky fluid secreted in the gullet and
is given to the young birds by regurgitation. When first hatched the
young are naked. At one time flocks numbering tens of thousands
of Wild Pigeons passed through Illinois, but they have now disap-
peared and the species is on the verge of extinction.

Genus ECTOPISTES Swains.

147. Ectopistes migratorius (Linn.).

Passenger Pigeon. Wild Pigeon.

Distr.: Eastern North America, north to Hudson Bay, west to
the plains; breeds in Canada and northern border of United States;
now very rare or extinct in localities where it was once very abundant.

Adult male: Upper plumage, including head, slaty blue; rump,
bluish slate color; back and wings tinged with grayish olive; wing

Passenger Pigeon.
444

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 445

coverts with numerous black spots; sides of neck with metalHc reflec-
tions of gold and violet; throat and breast, pale purplish chestnut,
shading into white on the lower belly; sides of body, grayish slate
color; primaries, blackish, edged with brownish white; two middle
tail feathers, dusky, the rest shading from bluish gray to white at the
tips, but marked with more or less chestnut and dusky at the extreme
bases; bill, black; feet, red; skin about the eye, red.

Adult female: Somewhat smaller, the metallic reflections on the
neck, paler, and the forehead and breast tinged with grayish brown.

Immature birds have the primaries marked with rufous brown.

Length, 16 to 18; wing, 8 to 8.60; bill, .75; tarsus'^!.

The size and bluish gray rump will always distinguish this species
from the Mourning Dove.

As late as the year 1882, Wild Pigeons were very abundant in
Illinois and Wisconsin; but about that time their numbers began to
decrease very rapidly. Besides the thousands which were shot,
immense numbers were caught in nets on their breeding grounds, with
the result that in 1895 it had become a rare bird. At the present
time the species is practically extinct.

To appreciate the slaughter of these birds in early days, I quote a
statement by Prof. H. B. Roney (Chicago Field, Vol. X, p. 345) :
"The number of dead birds sent by rail was estimated at 12,500 daily
or 1,500,000 for the summer, besides 80,352 live birds and an equal
number was sent by water."

Kumlienand Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin, p. 59) say: "Mr. J. M.
Blackford, now residing at Delavan, states that the last large catch of
the netters was in 1882. The following spring but one hundred and
thirty-eight dozen were taken in the best pigeon grounds in the state,
and this was practically the end."

Mr. Ruthven Deane (Auk, 1898, p. 184) states that Mr. A. Fugle-
berg, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, observed a number of flocks of Wild
Pigeons near Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, on August 16, 1897. He
estimated that six or more flocks contained from 35 to 80 pigeons
each. He also records a flock of from 75 to 100 birds observed by
Mr. W. F. Rightmire near Cook, Johnson Co., Nebraska, on August 17,
1897.*

Mr. John F. Ferry informs me that Mr. F. C. Farwell killed a Wild
Pigeon and observed two others near the Desplaines River in Lake Co.,

♦Those who desire further information regarding the history and destruction of this species
are referred to Mr. Ruthven Deane's valuable papers in The Auk, Vol. Xll, 1895, p. 298, and
Vol. XV, 1898, p. 184; also to one by Mr. William Brewster, The Auk, Vol. VI, 1889, pp. 285-
291, entitled " The present status of the Wild Pigeon {Ectopistes migratorius) as a bird of the
United States, with some notes on its habits."

446 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Illinois, early in September, 1893, and Mr. Ferry has a female specimen
in his collection killed at Lake Forest, Illinois, August 7, 1895.

The following are among the late records given by Mr. Otto Wid-
mann of its occurrence in Missouri.

"1894, April 15. Mr. E. S. Currier sent ten pigeons to Keokuk, his
first since 1888.

1896, May 19. The same sees one among doves, and again one
October 18, of the same year.

1896, September 17. Mr. W. Praeger shoots a male near Keokuk.

1896, December 17. Out of a flock of fifty near Attick, Oregon
Co., Mo., Mr. Chas. U. Holden, Jr., kills a pair and sends them in the
flesh to Mr. R. Deane of Chicago.

1897, August 17. A flock of 75-100 is seen twenty-five miles west
of our state line in Johnson Co., Neb.

1902, September 26. Last seen at New Haven by Dr. Eimbech."
(Birds of Missouri, 1907, p. 84.)

The nest is composed of sticks and twigs built in a tree. The eggs
are white, one or two in number (often only one), and measure about
1.45 X 1.05 inches.

Genus ZENAIDURA Bonap.

148. Zenaidura macroura carolinensis (Linn.).

Mourning Dove.
Zenaidura macroura (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 121
Distr.: United States and southern Canada, Central America

and West Indies; breeds throughout its range.

Adult male: Upper plumage, grayish brownish olive; crown, slate

color, shading into vinaceous on the forehead, a purplish black spot

Mourning Dove.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 447

above the ear; sides of neck showing metallic reflections; breast,
vinaceous, shading into pale buff on the belly; outer tail feathers
tipped with dull white and barred with black; bare skin around the
eye, bluish; feet, red.

Adult female: Similar, but paler and somewhat smaller; the pur-
plish tinge of the breast replaced by grayish brown.

Length, about 12; wing, 5.75; bill, .52; tarsus, .80; tail, 5.40.

The Mourning Dove is a common summer resident in northern
Illinois and Wisconsin and a few remain during the winter. In south-
ern Illinois it is a permanent resident. The mournful note of the
male suggests its name.

The nest is a mat of twigs usually in a tree, occasionally on the
ground. The eggs are white, two in number, and measure about 1.05
X .85 inches. The Field Museum collection contains a series of sets
of eggs ot this species taken in northern Illinois, between May loth
and June 2gth.

ORDER RAPTORES.

BIRDS OF PREY.
Suborder SARCORHAMPH 1. American Vultures.

Family CATHARTIDiE. American

^y

Vultures.

The Vultures are scavengers. The presence of a dead animal is
often indicated by numbers of them roosting in trees or circling slowly
about in its vicinity. Except during the nesting season, they are
usually found in flocks. Their sense of sight is very keen, enabling
them to distinguish objects at great distances.

Turkey Vulture.
448

Jax., 1909. Birds of Illixois axd Wiscoxsix — Cory. 449

Genus CATHARTES Illiger.

149. Cathartes aura septentrionalis (Wied).
Turkey Vulture. Turkey Buzz.\rd.

Distr.: Greater part of North, Central and South America, from
New Jersey and British Columbia to Patagonia; accidental in New
England.

Adult: General plumage, sooty brown, the feathers being black,
edged with dark grayish brown; head and neck, bare, the skin, red ;
bill, brownish white; tail, black, with light brown shafts.

Immature birds have the head and neck covered with grayish
brown, downy feathers.

Length, 28 to 30; wing, 22 to 24; bill, 2.35.

The Turkey Buzzard is an abundant resident in southern Illinois.
It is rather rare in the northern part of the state, but has been
observed on several occasions in the vicinity of Chicago. * Mr.
Ruthven Deane informs me he observed a bird of this species at
Highland Park. Illinois, on June 28, 1908. It occurs more or less
regularly in Wisconsin, and according to Kumlien and Hollister:
"Undoubtedly breeds sparingly in the southwestern part of the state."
Mr. Isaac E. Hess informs me he has taken eleven sets of eggs of
this species in May and June near Philo, Champaign Co., Illinois.

In southern Illinois it nests on the ground or on partly hollow
logs (some writers claim in stumps of trees). The eggs are usually
two, dull white, blotched and spotted with chocolate browm. They
measure about 2.75 x 1.90 inches.

Genus CATHARISTA Vieill.

150, Catharista urubu (Vieill.).

Black Vulture. Carrion Crow.

Catharista atrata (Bartr.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 125.

Distr. : Southern portion of North America, West Indies, Central
and greater portion of South America; breeds in eastern United States
from North Carolina and Illinois to the Gulf; accidental in New
England.

Aduli: General plumage, black; head and neck, bare, the skin
black; under surface of wings tinged with hoary white; shafts of
primaries, white; bill, blackish.

* Dunn, The Auk, iSos, P- .■i94- Gault, Wilson Bull., No. o, iSg6, p. 3, etc.

450 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Sexes similar.

Length, 23 to 26; wing, 16 to 17.50: bill, 2.20.

The Black Vulture is not uncommon in southern Illinois, and ac-
cording to Prof. Ridgway (Orn. of Illinois, Vol. I, 1889, p. 492) occurs
at least as far north as Mt. Carmel. It has apparently not been taken
in Wisconsin.

Kumlien and Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 131.) write:
"We do not consider the records of this species for Wisconsin
sufficiently authentic to warrant us in giving it a place at the present
time."

1

Black Vulture.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 451

Suborder FALCON ES. Hawks, Falcons, Eagles, Kites, etc.

Family FALCONID^. Hawks, Falcons,
Eagles, Kites, etc.

About 350 species belong to this family, widely distributed
throughout the w^orld. As a rule they do not feed on dead animals
unless forced by himger to do so, but delight in the pursuit and cap-
ture of their prey. Their choice of food differs with various species,
but the majority of them kill birds, mammals and small reptiles.
The Bald Eagle has a partiality for fish, which he occasionally catches
for himself or finds dead on the shore, but a large portion of his larder
is supplied by the Fish Hawks or Ospreys, which are forced after
catching their prey to give it up to their more powerful rival. While
hawks may occasionally kill a few chickens and song birds, the greater
portion of them are a decided benefit to the agriculturist. They
are not gregarious, but a few species associate in flocks during the
migrations. As a rule the females are larger than the males.

Subfamily BUTEONINiE. Hawks, Kites,
Eagles, etc.

Genus ELANOIDES Vieill.

151, Elanoides forficatus (Linn.).

Swallow-tailed Kite.

Distr.: Central and South America and southern United States;
casual as far north as Carolina and Minnesota; accidental in New
England; breeds in southern United States southward, and casually
as far north as Wisconsin and Illinois.

Adult: Back, tail, and wings (except some of the tertials), bluish
black, glossed with purple; head, neck, rump, and under parts, pure
white; tail, forked and usually over 12 inches long.

Immature birds have the head streaked with dusky and the prima-
ries and tail feathers narrowly tipped with white.

Length, 20 to 25; wing, about 16 to 17; outer tail feathers, about
12.50 to 14; bill, .75.

452 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Swallow-tailed Kite.

The Swallow-tailed Kite is more or less common in Illinois and
casual in Wisconsin, where according to Kumlien and Hollister it
was found breeding near Fort Atkinson in the summer of 1854. Dr.
Hoy gives it as nesting near Racine in 1848. A specimen is preserved
in the Milwaukee Public Museuin, shot in Milwaukee County, May 1 5 ,
1888.

There are numerous records of its occurrence in Illinois. Prof.
Ridgway shot one near Mt. Carmel and states that in former years it
was common throughout the state. (Orn. of 111., Vol. I, 1889, p. 445.)
Mr. Frank M. Woodruff writes (Birds of Chicago Area, 1907, p. 91.):
"Mr. J. Grafton Parker, Jr., shot one at Lake Villa, a few miles from
Chicago, on June 5, 1895. Mr. Henry K. Coale reports the taking of
three adult specimens at Highland Park in April, 1905."

The nest is a mass of sticks and grass placed in a tree, usually at a
considerable distance from the ground. The eggs are 4 to 6, dull
white, speckled and blotched with chocolate brown, and measure
about 1.90 X 1.50 inches.

Jan., i90() Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

453

Genus ELANUS Savig.

152. Elanus leucurus (Vieill.).
White-tailed Kite.

Distr. : Southern United States, from South CaroHna and southern
lUinois to Central and South America. Breeds in southern United
States southward.

Adult: Upper parts, ashy gray; primaries, ashy gray; head,
mostly white ; a large black patch on the shoulder (wing coverts) ;

White-tailed Kite.

tail and under parts, white; a black spot in front of the eye; iris, red;
bill, black; cere, yellowish; feet, yellow.

The sexes are similar, but the female is slightly larger than the
male.

Immature birds show more or less rusty brown; wing feathers
tipped with white and the breast is marked with pale rusty brown;
middle tail feathers, grayish, varying with age.

Length, 15 to 16.50; wing, 11.75 ^o i3-5°; tail, about 6.50; bill,
.70; tarsus, 1.30.

This beautiful species is included on the authority of Prof. Ridg-
way, who states that a pair was "observed near the river at Mt. Car-
mel, during the summer of 1863 or 1864" and he considers it, "very
likely of not uncommon occurrence during the summer in suitable
places in the extreme southern counties of the state." (Orn. of 111.,
Vol. I, 1889, p. 447.)

454 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

153. Ictinia mississippiensis (Wils.).
Mississippi Kite.

Distr.: Southern United States, east of the Rocky Mountains
from South CaroHna and IlUnois to Central America.

Adult: General plumage, plumbeous gray, palest on the head
and darkest on the wings and tail; inner webs of primaries marked
with rufous; no white on tail.

Mississippi Kite.

Immature birds have the head, neck, and under parts, whitish or
bufify white, striped and spotted with dusky brown; upper plumage,
dusky brown, the feathers marked with bufify white or whitish; tail,
dusky, narrowly barred with dark gray (outer webs) and grayish
white (inner webs) ; under wing coverts marked with reddish brown.

Length, 13.50 to 15; wing, 10.50 to 12; tail, 6.50.

The Mississippi Kite is not uncommon in southern Illinois in sum-
mer.

Nelson gives it as an "abundant summer resident in the southern
portion of the state, probably occurs in northern Illinois." Ridgway
states (Orn. of Illinois, 1889, p. 449): "In August, 1871, it was very
plentiful on Fox Prairie." In Wisconsin Kumlien and Hollister do
not include it as having been taken, although a number of the older

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 455

writers mention it as liaving been seen. If it occurs at all it is an
accidental straggler in Wisconsin.

The nest is built in a tree. The eggs are three or four in number,
brownish white or whitish overlaid and mottled with madder brown,
and measure about 1.65 x 1.30 inches.

Genus CIRCUS Lacepede.

154. Circus hudsonius (Linn.).
Marsh Hawk.

Distr. : North America, from Fur Countries to the Gulf, breeding
throughout its range; south in winter to Cuba and Central America.

Special characters, adult juale: General plumage, ashy gray; upper
tail coverts, white; belly and flanks, white, spotted with pale tawny
brown; wing, 13 to 15 inches; tail, over 8.25 inches.

Fefnale and immature male: Upper parts, brown, showing more
or less tawny rufous; upper tail coverts, white; under parts, tawny;

Marsh Hawk.

the belly and flanks, without bars or spots; wing, 13 to 16 inches;
tail, more than 8.25 inches long.

The Marsh Hawk is a common summer resident in Illinois and
Wisconsin. It frequents the fields and open marshes and may be
recognized by its conspicuous white upper tail coverts.

456 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

In southern Illinois it occurs more or less commonly in winter.
W. W. Cooke says: "During the winter of 1884-85 the Marsh Hawk
was plentiful at Paris, 111." (Bird Migr. Miss. Val., 1888, p. 113.)

The nest is placed on the ground in grassy marshes. The eggs
are usually 4 or 5, dull white or faintly tinged bluish or greenish, and
measure about 1.85 x 1.45 inches. The Field Museum collection
contains sets of eggs of this species taken between May 14 and June
15. Although the majority breed in May and June, eggs have been
taken in northern Illinois during the latter part of April.

Genus ACCIPITER Briss.

155. Accipiter velox (Wils.).

Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Distr.: North iVmerica, breeding nearly throughout its range;
in winter south to Mexico and Central America.

Special characters : Fourth primary, longest; tail, nearly square,
the outer tail feather being less than three-quarters of an inch shorter
than the middle feathers; under surface of primaries, dull white,
barred with grayish brown.

Adult male and female: Upper plumage, slaty gray; tail with
broad alternate bars of light ash gray and dark slaty gray, tipped with

Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 457

white; throat, whitish, narrowly streaked with dusky; rest of under
parts, barred with pale rufous brown and white, the shafts of the
feathers dusky, showing fine hair-hke Hnes; under tail coverts, white.

Male: Length, 11; wing, 6.70; tail, 5.60; tarsus, 1.90.

Female: Larger; length, 12.50 to 13.50; wing, 6.50; tarsus, 2.05.

Immature: Upper plumage, fuscous brown, the feathers often
edged with rufous; wings and tail marked as in the adult, but of a
more brownish tinge; under parts, whitish, streaked with brown,
the shafts of the feathers dusky, showing hair-like lines.

The "square" tail and smaller size will always distinguish this
species from the Cooper's Hawk.

A common species during the migrations in April, May, Septem-
ber and October. The majority of them go farther north, although
a few are summer residents in Illinois and probably breed. In Wis-
consin it is more common in summer. Kumlien and Hollister have
found it nesting at Milton in two instances and have breeding records
from many localities throughout the state.

The nest is built in a tree (sometimes on a ledge of rocks) and is
composed of sticks, moss, and grass. The eggs are usually four or
five, pale bluish white or buffy white, blotched and washed with vari-
ous shades of brown. They measure about 1.50 x 1.20 inches. The
nesting season lasts from April until Tune.

156. Accipiter cooperii (Bonap.).

Cooper's Hawk.

Distr. : North America and Mexico, breeding throughout its range.

Special characters : Fourth primary, longest; tail, rounded, the
outer tail feather being three-quarters of an inch or more shorter than
the middle feather.

Adult and immature birds of this species resemble the Sharp-
shinned Hawk, but may easily be distinguished by the larger size
and more rounded tail. In the adult the crown is usually darker.

Male: Length, 14.25 to 16.75; wing, 8.90 to 9.40; tail, 7.75 to
8.25; tarsus, 2.30 to 2.50.

Female: Length, 17.50 to 19.50; wing, 10 to 11; tail, 9 to 10.30;
tarsus, 2.60 to 2.80.

The Cooper's Hawk is a common summer resident in Illinois and
Wisconsin. It is commonly known as Hen Hawk or Chicken Hawk,
and undoubtedly deserves the name more than several other species
to which it is applied. Dr. A. K. Fisher states that "of 133 stomachs
examined, 34 contained poultry or game birds; 52, other birds; 11,
mammals; i, frog; 3, lizards; 2, insects; and 39 were empty."

458 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Cooper's Hawk.

The nest is built in a tree, usually at a considerable distance from
the ground (from 30 to 60 feet^. The eggs are usually 3 or 4 in number,
and measure about 1.95 x 1.50 inches. They are grayish white, some-
times pale bluish white, as a rule without markings, although occa-
sionally showing a few pale brown spots.

The following sets of eggs are contained in the Field Museum col-
lection: 5 eggs, Chicago, 111., May 18, 1904; i egg. Lake Forest, 111.,
May 18, 1903; 4 eggs, Grinnell, Iowa, May 4, 1893; 4 eggs. Lake
Forest, 111., May 16, 1907.

Genus ASTUR Lacepede.

157. Astur atricapillus (WiLS.).

American Goshawk.

Accipiter atricapillus (Wils.). A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 129.

Distr. : Greater portion of North America north of the Middle
states; breeds from northern border of United States northward.

Adult male and female : Back and wings, slaty gray, the shafts of the
feathers on the back darker; entire under parts, thickly barred with
gray and white, the shafts of the feathers, dusky, showing fine lines;
upper surface of primaries showing faint, indistinct, grayish brown
dark bars, and marked with more or less white on the inner webs;
top and sides of head, dusky, a whitish streak extending backwards
from above the eye; tail feathers with imperfect, indistinct, dusky
bars and narrowly tipped with whitish; bill, lead color; feet, yellow-
ish.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — ^^Cory.

459

Goshawk (adult).

Immature: Upper plumage, brown, the feathers narrowly mar-
gined with bufE and huffy white; crown, tawny, streaked with brown;
under parts, buffy white, streaked with dark brown; upper surface
of primaries barred with darker brown; under surface of primaries
barred with brown and brownish white; tail with broad bars of
brownish gray and dark brown, usually with white tips.

Male: Length, 20 to 23; wing, 12 to 13.40; tail, q.6o to 10.50;
tarsus, 2.65 to 3.

Female: Length, 22 to 25; wing, 13.25 to 14.25; tail, 11 to 12.25;
tarsus, 2.70 to 3.10.

The large size of this hawk will distinguish it from others which
somewhat resernble it in immature plumage.

This fine, large Hawk is a rather rare winter visitant or resident
in Illinois and Wisconsin, although apparently more common in the
latter state. There are numerous records of its occurrence and cap-
ture and the writer saw an adult bird of this species in Jackson Park,
Chicago, in February, 1907. According to the older writers it was
formerly more common. Barry states that in the early fifties a friend
of his shot twenty in one season.

Mr. E. W. Nelson took a specimen at Waukegan, May 3, 1876, and
states that Dr. A. L. Marcy found it quite plentiful near Evanston
during the winter of 1870-1871. Mr. Frank M. Woodruff took an adult
male at Beverly Hills, March 30, i88q (Birds of the Chicago Area,

460 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

1907, p. 93). While it may possibly breed in northern Wisconsin,
there is no record of its having done so. Messrs. Kumlien and
Hollister and Mr. Clark give it as a regular but by no means a com-
mon winter resident in Wisconsin.

157a. Astur atricapillus striatulus Ridgw.
W^ESTERN Goshawk.

Distr.: Western North America, from Idaho and Nebraska to
California and Alaska; accidental as far east as Mississippi Valley.

Special cliaracters : The Western Goshawk may be distinguished
from the eastern bird by its sooty back and generally darker upper
plumage. In the immature bird, the black stripes on the under parts
are decidedly broader than in .4. atricapillus and the thighs are marked
with large black spots.

Mr. Chas. K. Worthen writes me he has taken this bird near War-
saw. Its occurrence in Illinois must be considered as accidental.

Genus BUTEO Cuvier.

158. Buteo borealis (Gmel.).
Red-tailed Hawk.

Distr.: Eastern North America and Canada, south to Mexico;
breeds nearly throughout its range.

Adult male and female : Size, large; four outer primaries, notched;
upper surface of tail, rich rufous brown, with or without one or more
black bars, and tipped with white; some specimens have the tail
without bars, others with several (the latter seem more commonly to
be females) ; upper plumage, dark brown, mixed with whitish and
pale rufous brown; under parts, white; the feathers marked with pale
rufous brown on sides of neck, breast, and body; upper surface of
primaries, brown, faintly barred with dusky and becoming white on
the basal portion of the inner webs.

Immature : General markings similar to adult, but differs in color;
the rufous brown replaced by cinnamon brown on the sides of throat,
breast, and body, and the under parts with more or less brown mark-
ings on the belly; the breast, usually plain white; tail quite different
from the adult, grayish brown, mixed with tawny and banded with
dark brown, the feathers tipped with white, and usually with more
or less white on the inner webs of the outer feathers, varying accord-
ing to age.

Jax., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory

461

Cooper's Hawk.
Red-tailed Hawk.

Illustrating comparative difference in size

Red-shouldered Hawk.

Male: Length, 19 to 22.50; wing, 13.50 to 16; tail, 8.60 to 10;
tarsus, 2.50 to 3.

Female: Length, 20.50 to 24; wing, 14.75 to 17.50; tail, 9 to 10.50 ;
tarsus, 2.75 to 3.10.

This is the common form of Red-tailed Hawk in Illinois and Wis-
consin and breeds in both states. The adult may be easily recog-
nized by its size and rufous red tail. The immature bird has the
tail brownish gray with numerous bars. The large size and stout

462 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Red-tailed Hawk.

tarsus partly covered by feathers and the entire absence of any tinge
of red on the shoulder or upper wing coverts should aid in distinguish-
ing it from other eastern species.

The nest is large, built in a tree, and composed of sticks, twigs,
moss, and leaves. The eggs are usually three, dull white, sometimes
with a faint v/ash of pale brown and occasionally blotched and marked
with cinnamon brown. They measure about 2.40 x 1.95 inches.

Nidification usually commences in March in this latitude, although
nests are found in April. There is a set of 3 eggs in the Field Museum
collection taken at Grinnell, Iowa, May 3, 1893. Mr. Isaac E. Hess
informs me he has in his collection seven sets of two eggs and one of
three eggs taken near Philo, Champaign Co., Illinois.

According to Dr. H. K. Fisher, in 562 stomachs of this species
examined by him, 54 contained poultry or game birds ; 5 1 , other birds ;
278, mice; 131, other mammals; 37, batrachians or reptiles; 47, insects;
8, crawfish; i, centipede; 13, offal, and 89 were empty.

158a. Buteo borealis kriderii Hoopes.
Krider's Red-tailed Hawk.

Distr.: Ranges from Wyoming, Dakota, and Minnesota to Texas;
casual in Iowa and Illinois.

Differs from B. borealis in being much paler, and showing more

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 463

white on the plumage; the head, sometimes ahnost white; under parts,
white; tail, pale rufous, sometimes but not always showing the dark
subterminal bar. Size of B. borealis.

This western form is casual or accidental in Illinois and Wiscon-
sin. Mr. H. K. Coale records a specimen taken near Halfday, Illinois
(Auk, 1885, p. 109), and states that it was shot near the Desplaines
River, thirty miles northwest of Chicago, July 25, 1876. Kumlien
and Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 63) record a specimen
shot by Mr. J. N. Clark at Meridian, Dunn Co., Wisconsin, Oct. 22,
1892, and state that three others have been taken at Lake Kosh-
konong during the past few years.

158b. Buteo borealis calurus (Cass.).

Western Red-tailed Hawk.

Distr. : " Western North i\merica, from the Rocky Mountains to
the Pacific, south into Mexico; casual east to Illinois." (A. O. U.)

Adult birds differ in having the plumage very dark, sometimes
sooty, except the tail which is rufous. Some specimens have the
general plumage dark and the whole breast rufous brown, the tail
showing one or more black bars. Measurements the same as B.
borealis.

Stragglers occasionally occur in both Illinois and Wisconsin. Mr.
Nelson states: "In my collection is a fine adult specimen of this variety
obtained near Chicago in April, 1873, by my friend, Mr. C. H. Smith."
(Birds of N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 119.) Mr. Charles K. W^orthen
writes me it has been taken near Warsaw, Illinois. Kumlien and
Hollister consider it rare, "but of regular occurrence in Wisconsin in
the late fall. Six or eight specimens were procured about Lake
Koshkonong by Thure and L. Kumlien." They also record a speci-
men from Delavan killed Oct. 19, 1901, and another taken by Mr.
J. N. Clark at Meridian, Oct. 23, 1893.

158c. Buteo borealis harlani (Aud.).

Harlan's Hawk.

Distr. : Ranges from Gulf states north to Iowa, Kansas, and Missis-
sippi Valley; casual east to Pennsylvania; south in winter to Cen-
tral America.

Special characters : A very dark form. Adult birds have the head
and neck sooty brown, often streaked with whitish; the general
plumage above is dark sooty, sometimes almost black, but showing

464 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

inore or less streaks, the concealed portion of the feathers being white;
under parts, more or less white with various markings. The tail,
instead of being rufous, is thickly mottled with gray, dusky, and white,
and tipped with whitish, at times showing a tinge of rufous, but
often without. The immature bird has the tail banded with grayish
and dusky brown.

Adult male: Length, about ig; wing, about 15.50.

Adult female: Length, about 20.50; wing, about 16.50.

Harlan's Hawk is of casual or accidental occurrence in Illinois.
Mr. Chas. K. Worthen shot an adult male bird of this species near
Warsaw, 111., March 18, 1879 (Ridgway, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol.
V, 1880, p. 31). Mr. Worthen records a second specimen, which had
been caught in a trap by a farmer near Warsaw, January 19, 1899
(The Osprey, Vol. Ill, 1899, p. 94). A third specimen was secured
by Mr. Frank M. Woodruff, who purchased it from a hunter who
had shot it near Calumet Lake, Chicago, Oct. i, 1895 (Birds of the
Chicago Area, 1907, p. 95).

It does not appear to have been observed in Wisconsin.

159. Buteo lineatus (Gmel.).

Red-shouldered Hawk.

Distr.: Throughout eastern North America, north to Manitoba,
breeding throughout its range; south to the Gulf states, Texas, and
Mexico.

Adult: 'Four outer primaries notched, a rufous brown patch on
the ''shoulder'' formed by the lesser wing coverts; upper plumage,
dark brown, mixed with rufous and showing more or less white on the
wing coverts; primaries, dark brown, with large broken bars of white
edged with pale rufous; most of under parts, rufous brown, with
numerous pale bars; the shafts of the feathers, dark, forming narrow,
longitudinal, dusky streaks; tail, slaty brown, banded with white;
feet and cere, greenish yellow.

Immature: Above, dark brown, mixed with rufous and dull white;
under parts, buffy white, streaked with dark brown; thighs, pale ru-
fous, spotted with brown; terminal portion of primaries, dark brown,
the basal poi'tion, pale rufous shading into white on the inner webs,
and with imperfect bars of dark brown; tail, with rather faint bars
of slaty brown, dark brown and pale rufous; the inner webs of most
of the feathers marked with more or less white; rufous "shoulder
patch" of the adult broken and not pronounced, but usually more or
less indicated.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

465

Red-shouldered Hawk (adult).

Male: Length, 18 to 20.50; wing, 11.60 to 13.25; tail, 7 to 8.50;
tarsus, 2.75 to 3.10.

Female: Length, 19.50 to 22.50; wing, 12 to 14.25; tail, 8.25 to
9.25; tarsus, 3.00 to 3.25.

The Red-shouldered Hawk is a common summer resident in Illinois
and not uncommon in Wisconsin. The immature birds somewhat
resemble those of B. borealis, but besides other differences they are
smaller and the tarsus more slender and less feathered than in that
species.

Usually nests in a large tree. The eggs are 3 to 5, rarely six,
dull white, spotted and marked various shades of brown. They
measure about 2.10 x 1.70 inches. Incubation usually commences in
late April or May in this latitude.

160. Buteo swainsoni BoNAP.

Swainson's Hawk.
Distr.: Ranges from Wisconsin, Illinois and Mississippi Valley
west to the Pacific Ocean, and from the Fur Countries south to South

466 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

America (Argentine Republic). Breeds nearly throughout its North
American range.

Adult male: Three outer primaries, notched; upper plumage,
dark brown, mixed with rufous brown and buff; primaries, dark

■"~-3sL.,

J

Adult.

Swainson's Hawk.

Immature.

brown, without bars; throat, white; a large rufous brown patch on
the breast; belly, buff white or w^hitish, marked with dusky and ru-
fous brown; tail, grayish brown, with indistinct dark bands.

Adult female: Similar, but has the under marking darker and the
breast about the same color as the back.

Melanistic plumage, male and female: Very dark or blackish;
specimens of this species are often taken in which the whole plumage
is sooty brown; usually the under tail shows pale rufous or whitish
markings, but specimens are common representing innumerable
different phases of plumage between the light and dark forms.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cdry. 467

Immature: Upper parts, dark brown, mixed with rufous brown
and buff; head, neck, and under parts, pale buff; the head, streaked,
and the under parts more or less spotted with dusky.

Male: Length, about 20; wing, 14.50 to 16; tail, 8 to 9; tarsus,
about 2.50.

Female: Length, 20 to 22; wing, 14.60 to 17; tail, 8.50 to 10;
tarsus, 2.50 to 2.85.

While the various color differences in this Hawk may be confusing,
it may be distinguished from other Hawks except the Broad-winged
Hawk, which is much smaller, by having only the three outer primaries
notched.

Swainson's Hawk is of casual occurrence during migrations in
Illinois, and according to Mr. Nelson it breeds in southern Illinois and
probably does so occasionally in other parts of the state. Ridgway
states (Orn. of Illinois, p. 475) : "Mr. Nelson found it breeding on Fox
Prairie, in Richland Co., during the summer of 1875, and obtained
specimens." Mr. Charles K. Worthen has taken it at Warsaw, 111.
Mr. Isaac E. Hess informs me that a set of three eggs of this species
was taken by Mr. Jessee, at Lynn Grove, near Philo, Champaign Co.,
111., in 1902.

In Wisconsin it is not common, but can hardly be called rare, espe-
cially during the fall migrations. I have been unable to find any rec-
ord of its breeding in Wisconsin, although it probably occasionally
does so, as it is a common summer resident in Minnesota and breeds
regularly in that state.

In wooded countries the nest is usually built in large trees, but it
also nests on the ground and on cliffs. The nest is a mass of sticks,
leaves, and grass or moss, according to locality. The eggs are usually
two, rarely three; dull white, sometimes washed (rarely spotted)
with brown. They measure about 2.25 x 1.75 inches.

Subgenus TACHYTRIORCHIS Kaup.

I6L Buteo platypterus (Vieill.).
Broad-winged Hawk.

Buteo latissimus (Wils.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 133.

Distr. : Throughout eastern North America, breeding from Canada
to the Gulf states; south in winter to West Indies, Middle America, and
South America.

Adult male and female : Three outer primaries, notched; primaries,
dark brown, having the greater portion of the inner webs wh;te, with

468/[FiELD Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

a few imperfect brown bars, the upper surface of outer webs, entirely
without white; upper parts, dark brown, the feathers margined with
pale brown and pale rufous brown; tail, dark brown, with two grayish
white bars and tipped with whitish ; feathers of the under parts heav-
ily barred with reddish brown and dull white.

Immature: Differs from the adult in having more buff about the
head; under parts, buffy white, streaked with dark brown; tail,
grayish brown, with several rather obscure and irregular bands of
dark brown, the tips, whitish.

The size, combined with having only the three outer primaries
notched, will distinguish this species.

Male: Length, 13.30 to 15.00; wing, 10.00 to 11; tail, 6.25 to 7;
tarsus, 2.40.

Female: Length, 15.50 to 17.50; wing, 1 1 to 11.50; tail, about
7.50; tarsus, 2.50.

Broad-winged Hawk (adult).

The Broad-winged Hawk is common during the migrations and
a more or less common summer resident in Illinois and Wisconsin, and
breeds in many localities. Nests in trees, usually at a considerable
height from the ground. The eggs are three to five, dull white or pale
buff, blotched and washed with different shades of brown. They meas-
ure about 2.05 X 1.60 inches. Incubation usually begins in May in
this latitude. There is a set of three eggs in the Field Museum col-
lection taken at Joliet, 111., May 10, 1906.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 469

Genus ASTURINA Vieill.

162. Asturina plagiata Schlegel.
Mexican Goshawk.

Distr. : Mexican species, ranging from southwestern United
States throughout Mexico and Central America to Panama. Casual
or accidental as far east as Illinois.

Special characters, adult: Upper plumage, slaty gray; upper tail
coverts, white; under parts, gray, the feathers banded with white,
giving a barred appearance to the entire under parts; a broad white
band on the tail and also a second white band narrower and more im-
perfect; wing, 9.40 to 11.75, always less than 12.25; tail, less than
8.25 inches long.

Immature: Upper plumage, brown; upper tail coverts, white;
tail, grayish brown, w4th numerous dark brown bands; under parts
white, the feathers of the breast and belly marked with large dark
brown spots; flanks barred with dark brown; wing, 9.40 to 11.75,
always less than 12.25 inches long; tail, less than 8.25 inches long,
usually about 7.50 inches.

The only known record of the occurrence of this species in Illinois
is that of Prof. Ridgway (Orn. of Illinois, p. 463), which is as follows:

"A specimen of this tropical species was seen by the writer on
Fox Prairie, in Richland Co., on the 19th of August, 187 1. It several
times came so near that its peculiar markings could be seen with per-
fect distinctness and, the writer having previously handled many
stuffed specimens, there cannot be the slightest doubt as to the cor-
rectness of its identification." Mr. R. M. Anderson records a pair
of these birds taken by Mr. Walter G. Savage in Van Buren Cotmty,
Iowa, May 25, 1895. (Birds of Iowa, 1907, p. 251.)

Genus ARCHIBUTEO Biehm.

163. Archibuteo ferrugineus (Light.).
Ferruginous Rough-legged Hawk.

Distr.: North America, chiefly w^est of Mississippi Valley, breed-
ing from Utah northward; south in winter to Mexico; casually as
far east as Illinois.

Special characters : Entire front of tarsus thickly feathered. This
species occurs in both light and dark phases of plumage, the former
the more common; but the feathering of the tarsus and its size are
good diagnostic characters.

470 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Adult, light phase: Upper parts, bright rufous brown, mixed with
dark brown, the centers of the feathers being the latter color; crown

\ \

Ferruginous Rough-legged Hawk.

and upper back mixed with more or less white; primaries, dark slaty
brown, the basal portion of the inner webs, white; under parts, white
or buffy white, sometimes almost unmarked but usually showing
streaks of rufous brown on the breast; belly heavily barred with
dark brown and rufous; thighs, deep rufous brown, barred with black
or dark brown; tail, ashy white below, above pale ashy, shading into
white at the base and tip, and more or less edged with rufous brown.

Adult, dark phase: General plumage, dark brown; wings and tail
similar in marking to the light phase but darker.

Immature : Upper parts, dark brown, mixed with tawny and buff;
under parts, white, streaked and spotted with dark brown; tail,
without bars, the color variable, the greater portion, usually ash gray
becoming white at the base.

Male: Length, about 22; wing, 16.50; tail, 9.20; tarsus, 2.70.

Female: Length, about 23; wing, 16.75 ^o ^1-lS'' ^^i^' 9-5°-
tarsus, 2.90.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 471

This fine Hawk appears to be of accidental occurrence in Illinois.
Dr. Coues saw one in Illinois a few miles east of the Mississippi River
(Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, 1877, p. 26). Kumlien and Hollister record
three specimens taken in Wisconsin, two at Lake Koshkonong on
November 10, 1893, and another in October, 1894. Nelson (Birds
N. E. 111., 1876, p. 151) gives it as having been observed by Dr. Coues
on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River near Rock Island, in the
autumn of 1876, and undoubtedly refers to the single specimen
observed by Dr. Coues mentioned in his note in Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club,
1877, previously mentioned. W. W. Cooke records a specimen
taken by Mr. Bolmer at Paris, 111., on January 19, 1886, and states
that it "has been found nesting at Vermillion, Dakota, and Grinnell,
Iowa." (Bird Migr. Miss.Val., 1888, p. 117.)

164. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis (Gmel.).
American Rough-legged Hawk.

Distr. : North America, from Gulf states northward; breeds chiefly
north of the United States.

Light phase, adult: Four outer primaries, notched; entire front of
tarsus, thickly feathered; upper plumage, dark brown, the feathers
margined with tawny buff and buffy white; primaries, grayish brown.

American Rough-lejged Hawk.
(Dark phase.)

472 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

the basal portion of inner webs white; upper portion of tail, whitish,
lower portion, dark, with whitish bars; under parts, white or buff,
more or less streaked and spotted; belly, heavily marked with black-
ish and buff, forming an irregular dark band; thighs, tawny or
brownish buff, more or less barred with black, but not ferruginous or
deep rufous brown, as in A. ferrugineus.

Immature : Resembles the normal adult, but the terminal portion
of tail not barred; the under parts more heavily marked and the
blackish band on the belly broader and more perfect.

Dark phase, adult and immature: General plumage, blackish, or
dark brown, with the exception of forehead and inner webs of anterior
portion of primaries; primaries and tail, with pale bars.

Various intermediate plumages, too varied to be described, occur
between the light and dark forms.

Adult male: Length, about 20; wing, 16 to 18; tail, 9 to 10.75.

Adult fem,ale: Length, about 22.50; wing, 16.25 to 18.25; tail,
9.25 to I I.

The American Rough-legged Hawk is not uncommon in Illinois
in spring and fall during the migrations, and a few remain during the
winter. Although the majority go farther north it has been known
to breed in Wisconsin.

Kumlien and Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 64) state:
"In May, 1872, a pair of these hawks was found nesting in the
eastern part of Dane County, by L. Kumlien. The nest was placed
in a low burr oak, about eight feet from the ground, and contained

Genus AQUILA Brisson.

165. Aquila chrysaetos (Linn.).

Golden Eagle.

Distr.: North America and part of Mexico (also parts of Europe,
Asia, and Africa) ; breeding nearly throughout its range, usually in the
mountainous parts of unsettled localities.

Adult: Tarsus, entirely feathered; general plumage, dark brown,
lighter brown on the wing and tail coverts; feathers on back of head
and nape, golden brown; primaries, dark brown; tail feathers, dark
brown, more or less variegated with lighter brown and grayish at the
bases.

Immature: Similar to the adult, but somewhat darker and the
basal two thirds or less, of the tail feathers, white; feathers of the tarsi,
pale brown or whitish.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

473

Golden Eagle.

Male: Length, 30 to 36; wing, 22.50 to 25; tail, 14.50; tarsus,
3.60 to 3.75.

Female: Length, 35 to 39; wing, 24 to 26.50; tail, 15; tarsus,
4.05 to 4.25.

The Golden Eagle was formerly not uncommon in winter in Illi-
nois and Wisconsin, but is now rare.

Mr. Isaac E. Hess informs me he has a Golden Eagle in his collec-
tion taken near Philo, Champaign Co., Illinois, May 13, 1899; he also
states that two others have been taken in that vicinity during the
last seven years. Mr. E. W. Nelson writes (Birds N. E. Illinois, 1876.
p. 120): " Not very uncommon during wnnter. Arrives in November
and departs early in spring. Formerly nested throughout the state."

I can find no record of the eggs having been actually taken in
Illinois and only one for Wisconsin, that of Dr. Hoy, (Trans. Wis-
consin Agricultural Society, Vol. I, 1852) who describes the nesting
of a pair in a large oak tree near Racine, in 1851.

The nest is a very large structure, sometimes in the top of a tall

474 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

tree, but more commonly on a rocky cliff. The eggs are froin two
to four, dull white or washed and marked with brown. They meas-
ure about 3 X 2.35 inches.

Genus HALIi^ETUS Savigny.

166. Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Linn.).
Bald Eagle.

Distr.: North America from northern Mexico to British Columbia
and Ungava (a subspecies occurs in Alaska), breeding throughout its
range.

Adult: Tarsus, not entirely feathered as in the Golden Eagle;
head, neck and tail, white; general plumage, dark brown; primaries.

y'/

Bald Eagle.

black or blackish; bill and feet, yellow; iris, yellow. The sexes are
similar but the female is larger than the male. The adult does not
assume the perfect white head and tail until the third year.

Immature (first year) : Very dark brown, the bases of the feathers,
white, and showing more or less in the plumage; bill, black; iris,
brown; feet, yellowish.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 475

Immature (second year) : General plumage, dark grayish brown,
the concealed bases of the feathers, white, and more or less exposed
in places; feathers on back of head, tipped with light brown; tail,
brownish black, the feathers more or less blotched and speckled with
white on the inner webs; bill, blackish; feet, yellowish.

Male: Length, 37 to 38.50; wing, 22.50 to 24.50; bill, 2.50.

Female: Length, 38 to 42.50; wing, 24 to 26.50; bill, 2.50 to 2.80.

The Bald Eagle occurs more or less commonly throughout Illinois
and Wisconsin in the more unsettled localities, and breeds through-
out its range. Numerous nesting records.

The location of the nest varies with different localities, either in
large trees or on rocky cliffs and even on the ground, according to Mr.
Harry C. Oberholser, who writes (Bull. U. S. Dept. of Agriculture,
1906, p. 9) : " Where there are no trees, a rock or a niche in a cliff
serves the purpose, while along the coast of Texas nests have be'en
found even on the ground of low islands^"

The eggs are usually two, dull white, and measure about 3 x 2.50
inches. Nidification commences late in February or in March in
this latitude.

Subfamily FALCONINi^. Falcons, etc.

Genus FALCO Linn.

Subgenus HIEROFALCO Cuvier.

167. Falco rusticolus Linn.
Gray Gyrfalcon.

Disir.: Arctic America, accidental or casual in winter to northern
border of United States.

Adult: Size, large; length, over 20 inches; wing, over 13; tar-
sus, feathered, at least half way down on front and sides; second
primary, longest; first primary, shorter than third; upper plumage,
mixed slaty brown and white, the feathers being barred and edged
with grayish white or buffy white; under parts, white, streaked and
marked with dusky; under tail coverts, spotted and barred with
dusky; tail with numerous bands.

Male: Length, about 21; wing, 13.50 to 1-5; tail, 8 to 9; bill,
about .95; tarsus, about 2.35.

Female: Length, 23; wing, 15 to 17; tail, 9 to 10; bill, about i;
tarsus, about 2.50.

47^ Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Grav Gvrfalcon.

Mr. W. E. Snyder records the capture of a bird of this species
(Auk, Vol. 22, T905, p. 413) in Wisconsin by Mr. Fred Dean, near
"Skunk Island," on Nov. 27, 1904, and states that the specimen
was examined by Prof. Robert Ridgway of the Smithsonian Institu-
tion, who identified it as an immature Falco rusticolus .

The above seems to be the only authentic record of the occurrence
of a Gyrfalcon in Wisconsin, although Kumlien and Hollister write
(Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 132): "Some species of gyrfalcon has
been credited to the fauna of Wisconsin in an early day, a thing by
no means impossible or unlikely, but there is no actual record
obtainable at present."

It has not been observed in Illinois. W. W. Cooke records a
specimen taken at Manhattan, Kansas, December i, 1880 (Bird
Migr. Miss. Val., 1888, p. 118).

Although, so far as known, the Gray Gyrfalcon is the only one
which has been observed within our limits, it is not unlikely that other
forms may occur, as the Gyrfalcon and Black Gyrfalcon have been

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 477

recorded from Dakota and Minnesota (W. W. Cooke, Bird Migration
Miss. Val., 1888, p. 118).

The following brief synopsis of the two forms may be useful:

Gyrfalcon. Falco rusticolus gyrfalco (Linn.).

Size of Gray Gyrfalcon; back, grayish, the barring irregular,
sometimes wanting; tail, like back, showing imperfect pale bars;
head, streaked; under parts, heavily streaked with whitish and brown-
ish gray.

Specimen taken at Vermillion, Dakota, Oct. 21, 1880, by Dr.
Agersborg (Cooke).

Black Gyrfalcon. Falco rusticolus ohsoletus (Gmel.).

Size about the same as preceding; general color above and below,
dusky or dusky slate color, without bars; the dark under parts more
or less marked with buff.

"Has been taken in Minnesota a few times as a rare winter visi-
tant. A specimen has been examined by Mr. Ridgway." (Cooke.)

168. Falco mexicanus Schleg.
Prairie Falcon.

Distr.: Western species, ranging from the plains to the Pacific,
south to Mexico; accidental as far east as Illinois.

Adult: First primary, notched; second primary, slightly notched
about one and a quarter inches from tip ; second primary, very slightly
longer than third; upper plumage, grayish brown, the feathers edged
and more or less barred with buff or pale rusty brown; tail, pale
brownish gray, most of the feathers barred with brownish white;
primaries, grayish brown, with numerous white bars on the inner webs
which do not reach the shaft of the feathers and the inner portion
of these white marks tinged with pale brown; under parts, dull white,
streaked and spotted with dark brown, heaviest on sides; a brown
stripe on sides of throat.

Immature : Upper plumage, grayish brown, the feathers edged
with rusty brown; under parts, buffy white or pale buff, streaked
with dusky; axillars, plain dusky, without bars.

Male: Length, 16.75 ^o 18; wing, 11.50 to 12.50; tail, 7; tarsus,
about 2.

Female: Length, 18 to 19.50; wing, 12.50 to 14; tail, 8.50; tar-
sus, 2.25.

This species is of accidental occurrence in Illinois. Ridgway
writes (Orn. of Illinois, p. 431) : "A specimen was obtained at Rock
Island by Mr. I. D. Sargent of Philadelphia, and by him presented to

478 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

the Academy of Natural Sciences in that city; while it has been
observed on two occasions by the writer, once near Mount Carmel
and once in Lawrence County (near the town of Bridgeport), both
during the month of September, 1871."

There is no satisfactory record for Wisconsin. According to
Kumlien and Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 132) a bird came
into the possession of Thure Kumlien in a badly decomposed state
sometime in the early sixties, " which was never satisfactorily identi-
fied otherwise than as a young prairie falcon."

Subgenus RHYNCHODON Nitzsch.

169. Falco peregrinus anatum (Bo nap.).
Duck Hawk. Peregrine Falcon.

Distr.: North America, breeding in many parts of the United
States; south in winter as far as Chile, South America.

Adult. Crown, blackish, rest of upper plumage, slaty plumbeous,
or dark bluish ash color, the edges of the feathers, paler; under parts,
varying from white to buff, barred and spotted with blackish, except
on the throat and breast, which are usually free from markings; sides
of face below the eye, black; primaries, blackish, barred on inner webs
with buffy white; upper surface of tail, faintly barred with gray, the
tips, whitish; under surface of tail feathers, grayish brown; barred
with whitish; most of bill, black, the cere and base of bill, yellow;
feet, dull yellow.

Immature : Crown, tawny, streaked with dark brown, rest of upper
parts, dark slate color, mixed with rusty brown and rufous; under
parts, tawny or ochraceous buff, streaked (not barred) and marked
with dark brown, except on the throat which is usually immaculate
or at most marked with a few hair-like lines; a black streak below
the eye, extending down sides of throat; inner webs of primaries,
barred with buff; tail, grayish brown, with irregular bars of pale
rufous, the tips, white.

Male: Length, 16.50; wing, 12 to 13; tail, 6.50; tarsus, 1.70.

Female: Length, 18.50; wing, 13 to 14.75; ^^^^^ 7 to 8; tarsus,
1.80.

Although by no means common, the Duck Hawk occurs in Illinois
and Wisconsin during the migrations in spring and fall and a few re-
main during the summer. Prof. Ridgway found several pairs nesting
in the neighborhood of Mt. Carmel, 111. (Orn. of Illinois, p. 1889, p. 433).
Kumlien and Hollister state that it formerly bred at Racine, Wis-
consin.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

479

Duck Hawk.

The nest is placed on cliffs or in hollows in branches of large trees.
It has also been known to nest on the ground. The nests found near
Mt. Carmel were placed in cavities in the tops of very large sycamore
trees. The eggs are two to four, rarely five. They are dull white,
washed and blotched with different shades of brown, and measure
about 2.20 X 1.70 inches.

Subgenus TINNUNCUI.US Vieill.

170. Falco columbarius Linn.
Pigeon Hawk.
Distr. : North America, West Indies, south to northern South
America; breeds from the northern border of United States north-
ward.

Adult: Second primary but slightly longer than the third; upper
plumage, slate color; back and sides of neck, marked with tawny

480 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Pigeon Hawk.

and buff; primaries, slaty brown, barred with white; on inner webs,
brownish black, barred and tipped with grayish white; under parts,
tawny buff, thickly streaked with brown except on the throat.

Immature: Upper plumage, dark grayish brown; crown with
narrow dark streaks; throat, whitish; under parts, tawny or buffy
white, streaked w4th brown; primaries, barred with pale rufous buff;
tail, barred with pale buff and tipped with dull white.

Male: Length, 10.25 to 11.25; wing, 7.45 to 7.80; tail, about 5;
tarsus, 1.35.

Female: Length, 12 to 13; wing, 8.25 to 8.50; tail, about 5.40;
tarsus, 1.55.

The Pigeon Hawk is not uncommon during the migrations in
spring and fall in Illinois and Wisconsin and it has occasionally been
observed in summer. Kumlien and Hollister consider it "A rare
summer resident in southern Wisconsin, but it not infrequently re-
mains in the central and northern parts of the state. Dr. Hoy speaks
of its nesting near Racine in 1852." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 66.)

Nests on cliffs or in hollows in large trees. The eggs are four or
five, very variable in color, ranging from dull white, faintly spotted,
to brown, either washed or heavily blotched with different shades of
reddish brown or dark brown. They measure about 1.60 x 1.25 inches.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 481

170a. Falco columbarius richardsonii (Ridgw.)-
Richardson's Pigeon Hawk. Richardson's Merlin.

Falco richardsonii Ridgw., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 139.

Distr.: North America, west of the Mississippi Valley, from the
Saskatchewan to Arizona and west to the Pacific coast; accidental
in Wisconsin.

This western form may be distinguished from F. columbarius by
its lighter color, the tail banded by six pale and five darker bands;
and outer webs of primaries, distinctly spotted.

Mr. Charles K. Worthen WTites me he has killed a bird of this
species at Warsaw^ 111., and according to Kumlien and Hollister a
number of specimens have been taken in Wisconsin. They write:
" We have two specimens from Stevens Point and have taken it
several times during the past ten years at Lake Koshkonong.
* * * * A fine specimen in Mr. Skavlem's collection was shot near
Janesville in the fall of 1886." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 67.) It
has also been recorded from Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, and
Iowa.

Subgenus CERCHNEIS Boile.

171. Falco sparverius Linn.
American Sparrow Hawk.

Distr.: "North America, east of the Rocky Mountains, and from
Great Slave Lake south to northern South America." (A. O. U.)

Adult male: Top of head, bluish slate color, with a spot of rufous
brown on back of crown; back, rufous brown, banded with black;
ramp and tail, rufous brown, irregularly marked with more or
less black and having a broad subterminal band of black tipped with
white; wing coverts, slate color, marked with black; primaries, dark
grayish brown, banded with white on the inner webs; a stripe of black
extending from beneath the eye down the side of the throat; throat,
whitish; breast, brownish bufif; sides of belly, buffy white, spotted
with black.

Adult female : Crown, rufous; the nape, slate color; rest of upper
parts, rufous brown, banded with black; upper surface of tail, bright
rufous brown, with numerous narrow bands of black, and narrowly-
tipped with buffy white; primaries, banded with brown and white
and with more or less rufous bordering the shafts; under parts, dull
white or buffy white, streaked with pale brown.

482 Field Museum of Natural History^ Zoology, Vol. IX.

American Sparrow Hawk.

Female.

Male: Length, 8.60; wing, 6.60 to 8; tail, 4.40; tarsus, 1.35.

Female: Length, 10 to 12; wing, 7 to 8.20; tail, about 4.50;
tarsus, 1.40.

The Sparrow Hawk is a common summer resident in IlHnois and
Wisconsin, arriving from the south in late March or early in x^pril, and
leaving in October. The birds build no nest, the eggs being deposited
in hollow trees (sometimes deserted woodpeckers' holes) or occasion-
ally on a ledge of rocks.

The eggs are five to seven, pale brownish or creani buff, blotched
and spotted with dark brown, varying from this to buff white or dull
white and showing a few faint spots of pale brown. They measure
about 1.30 X 1. 1 5 inches.

The following sets of eggs from northern Illinois are contained in
the Field Museum collection: 4, Joliet, 111., May 16, 1906; 5, Lake
Forest, 111., May 23, igo6; 4, Joliet, 111., June ig, 1906.

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

483

Subfamily PANDIONINiE. Ospreys, Fish Hawks.
Genus PANDION Savig.

172. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis (Gmel.).

American Osprey. Fish Hawk.

Distr. : Greater portion of North America, the West Indies and
northern South America; common in the eastern United States;
breeds nearly throughout its range.

Adult: Head and neck, white, the crown streaked with dusky,
and a blackish stripe from the eye to the nape; upper plumage,

American Osprey.

fuscous brown, the feathers more or less edged with white; tail, dark
brown, barred with dusky and tipped with white, and all but the mid-
dle feathers barred with white on the inner webs; under parts, white;
bill, dark; feet, grayish blue.

Immature birds are darker on the upper parts and show less white.

484 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Length, 21 to 26; wing, 17.50 to 20.50; tail, 7.25 to 10; tarsus,
1.90 to 2.30.

The Osprey, or " Fish Hawk " as it is often called, is a summer
resident in Illinois and Wisconsin. While not rare it can not be con-
sidered as common. Its food consists of fish which it captures with
great dexterity.

The nest is a large mass of sticks mixed with weeds, usually in a
tree or on the top of a dead stump, rarely on rocks or ground. The
eggs are from two to four, dull white or buff white, washed and
blotched with chocolate and other shades of brown. They measure
about 2.45 X 1.80 inches. In Illinois nidification commences the
latter part of March, the breeding season lasting until May and occa-
sionally later. Birds of this species when not disturbed return to the
same nesting gro.und year after year.

Suborder STRIGES. Owls.

Owls are nocturnal birds of prey. There are about 200 species
of cosmopolitan distribution, of which some 20 or more occur in North
America. Their food consists principally of mammals, but they also
kill birds. Some species nest in holes in trees, while others build a
rough nest of sticks. The Burrowing Owl deposits its eggs in holes in
the ground and the Short-eared Owl chooses a grassy marsh for its
breeding place. The eggs of all species are usually two and always
white.

Family ALUCONID.^.. Barn Owls.

Genus ALUCO Fleming.

173. Aluco pratincola (BoNAP.).

Barn Owl.

Strix pratincola Bonap., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 142.

Distr.: Throughout United States, Mexico, and northern West
Indies, more common in southern states, rarely as far north as southern
Canada; breeds casually as far north as latitude 40°.

Adult: Upper plumage, tawny or tawny buff, the feathers beauti-
fully variegated with gray and spotted with brown and white; upper

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

485

Barn OwL

parts ranging in different specimens from pure white to buff, marked
with scattered spots of brown; facial disks varying from white to
tawny and bordered with buff, or in some cases dark brown; a brown
spot in front of the eye; primaries, tawny, shading to white on the
inner webs and banded with dark brown; tail, varying from white to
tawny, usually mottled and banded with brown; iris, black.

Length, 15 to 20; wing, 12.25 ^o i3-75; bill, .95; tarsus, about
2.60.

The Barn Owl is of casual occurrence in northern Illinois and has
been taken several times in Wisconsin. It probably breeds regularly
in southern Illinois. There are a number of records of its having been
taken in the state, among which is that of an adult male killed in
Jackson Park, Chicago, August 15, 1896. The specimen is now in
the collection of the Field Museum of Natural History. Mr. Charles
W. Douglass of Waukegan, 111., has a mounted specimen in his col-
lection, taken near that city.

Although rather rare in Wisconsin, according to Kumlien and
Hollister, specimens have been taken near Racine (Hoy) and in Jef-
ferson County, Janesville, La Crosse, and Ripon. "The only authentic
breeding record we have for the state (Wisconsin) is furnished us
by Mr. H. H. T. Jackson of Milton, who saw in Green County, in
April, 1899, a live female with three eggs, which had been taken
from a hollow burr oak tree." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 68.)

486 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Nests in a hollow tree or bank, sometimes in buildings. The eggs
are usually six to nine, dull white or yellowish white, and measure
about 1.75 X 1.25 inches.

Family STRIGID^.. Horned Owls, Screech

Owls, etc.

Genus ASIO Brisson.

174. Asio wilsonianus (Pall.).

American Long-eared Owl.

Distr.: Temperate North America to Mexico; breeds throughout
its range.

Adult: Ear tufts, very noticeable, usually an inch or more long;
first primary only, notched or emarginate; upper plumage, dark

brown, finely mottled with gray-
ish white; bases of the feathers,
tawny; under parts, buft' and
dull white, streaked with dark
brown on the breast; belly and
sides, barred with dark brown;
facial disk, pale brown, edged
with blackish; tail, with numer-
ous dark brown bars.
Sexes similar.

Length, about 14.50; wing,
11.80; tail, 6.

This species is a not uncommon summer resident in Illinois and
Wisconsin, and breeds in suitable localities in both states.

It nests in various places, sometimes in a hollow tree or among
the branches, at others on rocks or even on the ground. It often uses
an old deserted nest of a crow or hawk. The eggs are white, five to
seven in number, and measure about 1.55 x 1.35 inches. The breed-
ing season lasts from late March until May. There is a set of 5 eggs
in the Field Museum collection taken at Grinnell, Iowa, May i, 1893.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 487

Screech Owl.
Great-homed OwL

Barred Owl.
Snowy Owl.

Saw-whet Owl.
Short-eared Owl.

Illustrating comparative difference in size.

Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

175. Asio flammeus (Pontoppidan).
Short-eared Owl.

Asio accipitrinus (Pall.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 142.

Disir.: North America; breeds from about latitude 39° north-
ward.

Adult: Ear tufts, very short, hardly noticeable in some specimens;
first and second primaries, notched; general plumage, streaked and

Short-eared Owl.

marked with dark brown and tawny; belly, streaked; primaries and
tail, barred with dark brown and tawny; facial disk, whitish, more
or less speckled and marked wath black around the eye; iris, yellow.

Sexes, similar.

Length, about 14.75; wing, 12 to 13; tail, 6.

This species is common in spring and fall in Illinois and Wisconsin
during the migrations, and a not uncommon resident throughout
the year. It frequents the prairies and marshes. It has been found
nesting in Cook County, Illinois (Kennicott), and Mr. F. M. Woodruff
found it breeding "a few miles south of Chicago, at Lowell, Indiana."
(Bull. Chicago Acad, of Sciences, No. VI, 1907, p. 102.)

The nest is usually built on the ground and consists of a little grass

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

489

and feathers. The eggs are white, four to seven in number, and meas-
ure about 1.55 X 1.25 inches. Breeds late in April or in May.

Genus STRIX Linnaeus.

176. Strix varia Barton.
Barred Owl.

Syniium )iebnlosum (Forst.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 143.

Distr. : Southern and eastern United States, north to Nova Scotia
and Canada; breeds throughout its range.

Adult: No ear tufts; toes, feathered; tail, rounded; upper plumage,
umber brown, thickly barred with buff and whitish; breast, the same;

arred Owl.

belly, wdiitish, heavily streaked (not barred) with dark brown; wings
and tail barred with gray and pale brown, many of the bars edged with
whitish; facial disk with circles of brown around eyes; iris, brownish
black.

Length, 17.50 to 20; wing, 12.75 "to 13.50; tail, 9 to 10.25.

The Barred Owl is a common resident in wooded localities in Illi-
nois and Wisconsin. The nest is in a hollow tree, or sometimes a

490 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

deserted crow's or hawk's nest is used. The eggs are white, two to
four in number, and measure about 2 x 1.75 inches. Breeds in March
and April and farther south somewhat earher. There is a set of 3
eggs in the Field Museum collection taken in Clark Co., Missouri,
March i, 1896.

The "hoot" of the Barred Owl may be described as hoo-hoo.
h-hoo-hoo, ho-hoo-0-0. The notes are as a rule several tones higher
than those of the Great Horned Owl and the hoot is longer. It also
utters a wild scream.

Genus SCOTIAPTEX Swauison.

177. Scotiaptex nebulosa (Forster).
Great Gray Owl.

Scotiaptex cinerea (Gmel.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 144.
Distr. : Arctic species which occurs in winter as far south as New
England and Illinois.

Great Gray Owl.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 491

Adult: The largest of our owls; no ear tufts; feet thickly feathered;
general plumage, dark brown, mottled and marked with grayish
white; facial disk, gray, marked with fine dark brown rings concen-
tric with each eye; under parts, more heavily streaked on the breast;
iris and bill, yellow.

Length, about 25 to 29; wing, 16.25 to 18.25; tail, about 12;
bill, I.

The Great Gray Owl is of rare occurrence in Illinois. Kennicott
(1854) records it from Cook County, and Mr. E. W. Nelson (Birds N.
E. Illinois, p. 116) gives it as "a very rare winter visitant."

In Wisconsin Dr. Hoy gives it as having been taken near Racine
in 1848. Kumlien and Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin, p. 70) write:
" Two specimens were sent Thure Kumlien from Bark River woods,
Jeflferson County, about the same time (1848). We have received
two specimens from Iron River, taken in November, 1891. * * * '^=
If we could trust reports from hunters and' residents in the Lake
Superior region, we would say that it is not rare in winter in that
section, particularly during severe weather." King (Geology of
Wisconsin, 1883, p. 580) gives it as a winter resident.

Genus GLAUX Morris.

178. Glaux funerea richardsoni (Bonap.).

Richardson's Owl.

Nyctala iengmalmi richardsoni (Bonap.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895,
p. 144.

Distr. : Arctic America; casual in winter in northern United States
as far south as New England and Illinois; breeds north of the United
States.

Adult : Upper plumage, dark cinnamon brown, more or less marked
with white; under parts, streaked with white; top of head with white
spots; a black spot in front of the eye; more or less white on the face;
primaries, brown, marked with pure white irregular spots; tail,
brown, with imperfect bands of white; toes, thickly feathered; legs and
feet, more or less marked with dark brown.

Length, 9.50 to 12 ; wing, 6.50 to 7.50; tail, about 4.40.

Richardson's Owl must be considered a rare bird within our limits.
Mr. J. E. Deckinson records the capture of a bird of this species
in Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois (Ornithologist and Oologist,
March, 1885 p. 47) as follows: "Captured one Richardson's Owl,
October 15, 1884. He flew against a store window and was slightly

492 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Richardson's Owl.

stunned." Mr. Ruthven Deane states (Auk, 1903, p. 305): "I am
indebted to Mr. Robert H. Van Schaack for the following informa-
tion: 'The Richardson's Owl was shot by my son, Louis F. Van
Schaack, Dec. 26, 1902, in Kenilworth, 111. He found the bird along
a small ditch that drains from the Skokie Swamp. He shot the
owl with a toy air-gun. I examined the specimen while in the
possession of the taxidermist who mounted it, who informed me that
he had mounted another specimen of this species about the same time,
which was said to have been shot not far from Chicago.' "

In a later article Mr. Deane writes (Auk, 1903, p. 443) : "In record-
ing the second capture of this owl from the state, I mentioned that
another specimen had been reported, but that I was then unable to
get any definite information as to locality and date. Through the
kindness of Mr. Frederick C. Pierce of Chicago, I am now enabled to
record a third specimen which was taken in Cicero, in December, 1902,
and is now in his possession."

In Wisconsin Dr. Hoy and Mr. King include it in their lists of
Wisconsin birds. Kumlien and Hollister state (Birds of Wisconsin,
1903, p. 70): "A very rare visitant in southern Wisconsin during
winter. Probably occurs more frequently in the northern part of
the state. Dr. Hoy records a single specimen taken at Racine, Nov.
30, 1850. Thure Kumlien procured three or four specimens in Dane
and Jefferson Counties during nearly fifty year's residence in those
parts. L. Kumlien has taken two, one in Dane County, 1869, and one

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory

493

at Fort Atkinson, August, 1872. Mr. J. N. Clark, of Meridian, Dunn
County, took one specimen, February 24, 1893, capturing it in his
hands from the side of a straw stack. One specimen (no record) is
preserved in the Milwaukee Public Museum."

179. Glaux acadicus (Gmel.).
Saw-whet Owl. Acadian Owl.

Nyctala acadica (Gmel.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, P- i45-
Distr. : Throughout North America, breeding from the middle

states northward; occurs in mountainous districts in the West as far

south as Mexico.

Adult: Decidedly smaller than Richardson's Owl, which is the

only species with which it might be confounded; top of head, streaked

Immature.

Saw-whet Owl.

Adult.

(not spotted); upper plumage, dark cinnamon brown, more or less
marked with white, but mostly on the nape and upper back; tail and
wings, cinnamon brown, marked with white; legs and feet, plain buff
or buffy white, without dark spots or marks.

Immature birds have the face dusky and a white streak over the
eye.

Length, 7.20 to 8.50; wing, 5.20 to 5.85; tail, about 3.

This interesting little species is not uncommon in Illinois and
Wisconsin. Numerous specimens have been taken in and about
Chicago, more commonly in winter. While it has occasionally been
observed in summer, there are no records of its breeding in Illinois.

494 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

It is known to breed in Wisconsin, where it is not uncommon, and is
resident throughout the year.

Dr. Hoy states that its eggs have been taken near Racine. Kuin-
Hen and Holhster write: "It certainly used to breed in Jefferson
County and Thure KumHen took specimens in May and at least
once in August." S. E. Willard states that it breeds in Brown and
Outagamie Counties (Trans. Wis. Acad. Sciences, Vol. VI, 1883,
p. 188).

Nidification usually begins in April. The nest is placed in a hole
in some tree or stump, occasionally a deserted woodpecker's nest
being used. The eggs are white, from three to five in number, and
measure about 1.20 x i ' inches.

Genus OTUS Pennant.

180. Otus asio (Linn.).
Screech Owl.

Megascops asio (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 145.

Distr. : Eastern North America, Canada to Georgia; breeds nearly
throughout its range.

• Adult (gray plumage): Toes with small, scattered, bristly feathers;
not thickly feathered; well developed ear tufts, sometimes an inch long,
differing in this from the other small owls; upper plumage, brownish
gray, mottled with buff and streaked with black; under parts, gray
on the breast and dull white on the belly, streaked with black and
finely barred with buff and dusky; under surface of primaries, brown,
barred with brownish white.

Adult {fufescent plumage) : Upper plumage, bright rufous brown,
with a few small black streaks, mostly on the crown and wing cov-
erts; under parts, whitish, mixed with rufous brown and streaked
with black; ear tufts, like back; face showing more or less white.

Length, about 8.25 to 10; wing, 6 to 7 ; tail, 2.90.

The Screech Owl is a common resident in Illinois and Wisconsin,
and is a familiar bird in wooded districts where, from its partiality
to mice and English sparrows, it is a decided benefit to the agricultur-
ist. While the majority of birds of this species appear to be gray,
it is dichromatic, having two distinct phases of plumage, one grayish
and the other bright rufous brown, which apparently have no relation
to age or sex, both red and gray birds being found occasionally in the
same nest.

It utters a soft, trilling note, and again a harsh screech, varying

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

495

Screech Owl.
Abohl onc-qiiartcr natural size.

in intensity arid at times somewhat resembling the cry made by a cat
when expressing his disapprobation of a rival. Taken when young
they are easily tamed and made amusing pets.

The eggs are deposited in holes in trees. They are pure white,
four to six in number, and measure about 1.40 x 1.20 inches. Nidifi-
cation usually commences in April.

Genus BUBO Dumeril.

181. Bubo virginianus (Gmel.).
Great Horned Owl.

Distr.: Eastern North America, north to Labrador; breeds
throughout its range.

Adult: Ear tufts, large; general plumage, mixed tawny black and
white, the tawny color predominating; a white patch on the throat.

The Conspicuous ear tufts and coloration will always distinguish it
from our other large owls, and its size from the smaller species.

Length, about 23; wing, 14.20 to 16; tail, about 9.

496 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Great Horned OwL

The Great Horned Owl is rather common throughout heavily
wooded portions of Illinois and Wisconsin. Formerly quite common
in the vicinity of Chicago, but now rare. It breeds in suitable local-
ities in both states. The "hoot" is usually a loud hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo,
hoo, shorter and deeper toned than that of the Barred Owl. It also
utters a varietv of unearthly screams.

Mr. Woodruff (Birds of the Chicago Area) states that "in 1890
Mr. Ned Pratt collected several sets of the eggs of this owl near Lake
Forest, a short distance north of Chicago."

Kumlien and Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin) state that it "breeds
as early as the middle of February" and is " usually more plenty in
the hardwood timber of bottom lands along streams."

Nests in a hollow tree or in an old hawk's, crow's, or squirrel's
nest. The eggs are white, from two to three in number, and measure
about 2.20 X 1.82 inches. Nidification begins in February or early in
March. Eggs have been taken as early as February first. The Field
Museum collection contains a set of 3 eggs taken at Grinnell, Iowa,
February 29, 1893.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 497

1 8 la. Bubo virginianus subarcticus (Hoy).
Arctic Horned Owl.

Distr.: Interior of northern British America, Hudson Bay to the
Mackensie River region, south to the northern United States in
winter.

This northern form differs from our common species, B. virginia-
nus, in being much paler, the general coloration more gray and white,
with decidedly less brownish or ochraceous buff.

It must be considered as merely an accidental straggler in Illinois
and a rare winter visitant in Wisconsin.

Nelson includes it in his Birds of N. E. Illinois as a rare winter
visitant and says: "Have a fine specimen in my collection taken the
last of December, 1874. It was given by Dr. Hoy as having been
taken at Racine, Wisconsin." Kumlien and Hollister state:
"Taken by Hoy at Racine and by Kumlien at Lake Koshkonong,
both at an early day, a fine specimen preserved in the Milwaukee
Public Museum was procured at Ashland, January, 1886."

It is not improbable that the Western Horned Owl, B. v. palles-
cens, may occur within our limits, as it has been recorded from North
Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. It is darker than virginianus and the
under parts are more heavily barred.

There has been more or less confusion as to name of this sub-
species. Swainson's name arcticus, as has been shown by Dr. Rich-
mond, is preoccupied and untenable and he has revived subarcticus
of Hoy for the northern form.

Genus NYCTEA Stephens.

182. Nyctea nyctea (Linn.).

Snowy Owl.

Distr.: Arctic regions; south in winter in North America to mid-
dle states; accidental as far south as Carolina, Texas, and California;
breeds north of the United States.

Adult: Varying from pure white to white, spotted and barred
with grayish brown or dusky; no ear tufts; feet, thickly feathered;
bill, black; iris, yellow. Pure white specimens are rare.

Length, about 24; wing, 16 to 17.50; tail, about 9.50.

The Snowy Owl is a winter visitant, varying in numbers in differ-
ent years; at times not uncommon.

Mr. E. W. Nelson gives the Snowy Owl as a regular winter resident

498 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Miowy Uv\l.

in Illinois, "more numerous in the vicinity of the lake. Arrives in
November and a few remain as late as the first of May." (Birds N. E.
111., 1876.) Mr. Frank M. Woodruff writes (Birds of the Chicago Area,
1907, p. 107) : " Mr. J. Grafton Parker, Jr., informs me that on Nov. 3,
1885, he observed two Snowy Owls perched on the chimney tops of
a residence in Grand Boulevard near 35th St." According to Robert
Kennicott* in early days it was common in Cook Co., Illinois, in win-
ter. He writes, " Common in winter. Last winter during the very
cold and stormy weather, I frequently saw them capture prairie hens."
In Wisconsin Kumlien and Hollister give it as a "Winter resident of
irregular occurrence. Some winters the snowy owl is quite common.
* * * * When these owls reach Lake Koshkonong during open
water, they persistently hunt along the edge of the rushes for
wounded ducks and at times, apparently from choice, as other food
is plenty, will catch fish." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 72.)

♦Catalogue of Animals observed in Cook Co., 111. Trans. 111. State Agri. Soc, 1853-54,
p. 581.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

499

Genus SURNIA Dum6ril.

183. Surnia ulula caparoch (Mull.).

American Hawk Owl.

Distr.: Arctic North America; south in winter to northern bor-
der of United States and casually as far as Illinois and New England;
breeds north of United States.

Adult: No ear tufts; upper plumage, dark brown (brownish
black on the head), finely spotted with white on the head, and blotched
and barred with white on the back; primaries with white spots on both

Hawk Ow

webs; tail, unevenly barred with whitish; face, grayish white, bor-
dered by a streak of black behind the ear; a dusky patch on chin and
middle throat, rest of under parts, barred with white and dark brown;
tail, rounded, the outer feathers being decidedly shorter than the
middle feathers; eyes and bill, yellow.

Length, about 15; wing, about 9; tail, about 7.

A very rare winter visitant in both Illinois and Wisconsin.

Robert Kennicott included it in his list of the birds of Cook County,

500 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

111., (1853-54). Nelson gives it as " a rare winter resident" and writes:
" Dr. J. W. Velie tells me that he obtained a specimen in Kane
County. 111., the first of September, 1869." (Birds. N. E. 111., 1876,
p. 117.)

Kumlien and Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin, p. 72) give it as "A
very rare winter visitant in southern Wisconsin, more frequent in the
northern part, especially of late years. Recorded from Racine by
Dr. Hoy and from the same place by Thure Kumlien, who received
a specimen from there killed in the winter of 1869. Several were also
taken about Lake Koshkonong at an early day. Mr. J. N. Clark
has taken the Hawk Owl twice at Meridian, in April, 1885, and in
December, 1900. In the winter of 1892, we received three specimens
from Bayfield County. A specimen in the Milwaukee Public Museum
is labelled. Fox Point, Milwaukee, Wisconsin."

Unlike our other owls, the Hawk Owl is diurnal in its habits, and
in its home in the far north it may be observed in the daytime,
perched after the manner of a hawk on some commanding stump,
watching for its pray. Dr. C. Hart Merriam in writing of the
species says: " In the vicinity of Hudson Bay during the winter
season, the White Ptarmigan {Lagopiis albus) constitutes its chief
article of diet; and it is said to follow the hunter, pouncing upon
his game before he has time to reach it." (Review of Birds of Conn.,
1877, p. 73-)

ORDER PSITTACI.

PARROTS, PAROQUETS, ETC.

Family PSITTACID^. Parrots and
Paroquets.

A very large family numbering some 360 species, the majority
being distributed throughout the tropical parts of the world. But
one species properly belongs in the United States, the Carolina
Paroquet. This beautiful bird was at one time abundant throughout
southeastern North America, but has now disappeared except in
a few localities in Florida and the Indian Territory.

Genus CONUROPSIS Salvador!.
184. Conuropsis carolinensis (Linn.).
Carolina Paroquet.

Conurus carolinensis (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 152.

Distr.: Formerly southeastern United States, as far west as
Texas and Colorado and north to New York; now occurs only regu-
larly in parts of Florida and Indian Territory, although stragglers
are occasionally taken in southern Missouri and Kansas; apparently
fast becoming extinct.

Adidt: Forehead and cheeks, deep reddish orange, rest of head
and neck, yellow; bend of wing and tibia, yellow, tinged with orange;
rest of plumage, green; lighter green on under parts; outer webs of
primaries, green, yellowish at bases; inner webs, dark brown; upper
surface of tail feathers, green, with brown shafts.

Immature birds have the orange on the face and forehead the
same, but the rest of the head is green, instead of yellow, and there is
no yellow or orange on the bend of the wing or tibia.

Length, about 12; wing, 7.30; tail, 6.40; bill (straight line), .87;
tarsus, .65.

During the early part of the last century. Paroquets were not
uncommon in Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Wilson found them
abundant in the neighborhood of the Ohio River and lower Mississippi,
and Audubon, in 1831 (Ornithological Biography, p. 138) writes:

501

502 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

K ^\v^

Carolina Paroquet.

"Our paroquets are very rapidly diminishing in number and in some
districts where twenty-five years ago they were plentiful, scarcely
any are now to be seen. At that period they could be procured as
far up the tributary waters of the Ohio as the Great Kenhawa, the
Scioto, the heads of the Miami, the mouth of the Manimee at its junc-
tion with Lake Erie, on the Illinois River, and sometimes, as far east as
Lake Ontario and along the eastern districts as far as the boundary
line between Virginia and Maryland. At the present day very few
are to be found higher than Cincinnati, nor is it until you reach the
mouth of the Ohio that paroquets are met with in considerable num-
bers. I should think that along the Mississippi there is not now half
the number that existed fifteen years ago."

Ridgway writes (Birds of Illinois, 1889, P- 397)" "The avifauna
of Illinois has lost no finer or more interesting member than the pres-
ent species which is probably now everywhere extinct within our
borders, though fifty years ago it was of more or less common occur-
rence throughout the state. The National Museum possesses a fine
adult example from Illinois (Cat. No. 12272), another from Michigan,
and several from the Platte River in Nebraska. Now, however, it
appears to be quite exterminated except in isolated and rapidly con-
tracting areas in Florida and thence westward to the lower Mississippi
Valley. Its present northern limit in the interior is uncertain, but

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 503

so far as known, is the eastern part of Indian Territory and portions
of Arkansas."

The latest record of its occurrence in any northern locaHty seems
to be that given by Dr. EHot Coues in his Birds of the Northwest
(1874, p. 296). He writes: "In Iowa, according to Mr. Trippe,
the Parrot still occurs. A resident of Decatur County told me that
he had several times seen a flock of Parrots in the southern part of
the county on a tall, dead cottonwood tree, known to the neighboring
inhabitants as the "parrot tree" from its having been frequented at
intervals by the same flock for several years." In a previous article
(Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XV, 1872, p. 237), he quotes the
same authority and adds "he had shot one of them on one occasion."

In 1863 Dr. F. V. Hayden (Trans. Am. Philos. Soc, XII, 1863, p.
154) states that Paroquets were "very abundant in the Mississippi
Valley along the thickly wooded bottoms as far up the Missouri as
Fort Leavenworth."

Mr. Rudolph M. Anderson in his Birds of Iowa (Proc. Daven-
port Acad, of Sci., Vol. XI, 1907, p. 271) writes: "A series of about
a dozen specimens in the University Museum were taken by D. H.
Talbot's collectors at the mouth of the Arkansas River in 1882."

Mr. A. W. Butler (Birds of Indiana, 1897, p. 819) gives an inter-
esting account of the history and distribution of Paroquets in Indiana
and states that it "bred at least north to the vicinity of Indianapolis."

Mr. Otto Widmann states that as late as July 18, 1905, a Paroquet
was seen at Notch, Stone Co., Missouri, and another killed in August,
the previous year, near Potter, Kansas, opposite Platte Co., Missouri.
(Birds of Missouri, 1907, p. 116.)

ORDER COCCYGES.

CUCKOOS, KINGFISHERS, TROGONS, ETC.
Suborder CUCULI. Cuckoos,

Family CUCULIDi^. Cuckoos, Anis, etc.

The family Cuculidas contains about i8o species from different
parts of the world, and of these 9 (including subspecies) occur in
North America. They are rather solitary birds and are rarely found
away from trees. Unlike the European species, the American
Cuckoos build their own nests, although occasionally their eggs are
found in the nests of other birds. Its peculiar note suggests its name,
and is a familiar sound to those who wander in the woods and fields.
They are of great value to the agriculturist, as besides other insects
they destroy immense numbers of caterpillars, including the Canker
Worm, and the Tent Caterpillar, Clisiocanipa atnericana.

Subfamily COCCYGINi^. American Cuckoos.

Genus COCCYZUS Vieill.

185. Coccyzus americanus (Linn.).
Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

Distr.: Eastern North America, from the plains to the coast and
Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, breeding throughout its range. Occurs
in winter in West Indies and Central America.

Adult: Under mandible, mostly yellow; upper mandible, dark;
upper parts, brownish gray, with a faint gloss of greenish; under
parts, dull white; greater portion of primaries, rufous brown, tipped
with grayish olive; outer tail feathers, black, tipped with white.

Length, 11 to 12; wing, 5.60 to 6; tail, about 6; bill, about i.

A common summer resident in' Illinois and Wisconsin. Arrives
from the south in May and remains until October. Apparently less
common in northern Wisconsin.

The nest is a mat of twigs and small sticks, built in a bush or the
lower branches of a tree, rarely more than six or eight feet from the

504

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

505

Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

ground. The eggs are 3 to 5, pale greenish blue or bluish white, and
measure about 1.20 x. 90 inches. Mr. H. S. Swarth found it breeding
at Joliet, Illinois, June i, 1906.

The notes of the Cuckoo are pleasing, but rather monotonous and
not particularly musical. They vary somewhat but the most charac-
teristic is the familiar cii-cu, cu-cu, repeated several times, from
which it has derived its name.

186. Coccyzus erythropthalmus (Wils.).
Black-billed Cuckoo.

Distr.: Eastern North America, from Rocky Mountains to the
coast; breeds in eastern United States and north to Labrador; south
in winter to West Indies and northern South America.

Adult: Bill, brownish black (occasionally with a tinge of yellow
at base of lower mandible) ; upper plumage, grayish brown, with a
faint gloss of green; under parts, dull white; tail feathers, color of
back, tipped with white; primaries, pale olive brown, shading into
whitish at bases of inner w^ebs; eyelids, red.

Length, 11 to 12; wing, about 5.25; tail, 6.25; bill, .75.

Easily distinguished from the Yellow-billed Cuckoo by the black
lower mandible, absence of rufous on primaries, and the color of the
tail.

The Black-billed Cuckoo is a common summer resident in Illinois
and Wisconsin. Arrives from the south in May and remains until
October. Kumlien and Hollister consider it more common than the

5o6 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

yellow-billed species in Wisconsin, while the opposite seems to be the
case in Illinois.

The nest is a mat of small sticks and twigs built in low trees or
bushes. The eggs are pale greenish blue, three or four in number,
and measure about 1.15 x .85 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains several sets of eggs of this
species taken near Joliet, 111., between June 8 and 11, 1906.

Suborder ALCYONES. Kingfishers.

Family ALCEDINID^. Kingfishers.

But one species of this large family occurs in eastern North Amer-
ica. It is a familiar bird, being common wherever there is water.
They are solitary birds, being usually found singly or in pairs. The
nest is built in a hole in some bank near a stream or pond. There are
about 125 known species, those fotmd in America being fish eaters,
while many of the Australian and Indian forms are insectivorous
and live in forests, nesting in holes in trees.

Genus CERYLE Boie.

187. Ceryle alcyon (Linn.).

Belted Kingfisher.

Distr. : The whole of North America and south to the West Indies
and Mexico, and Central America to Panaina.

Adult male: Upper parts, bluish gray, the elongated feathers of
the crown, blackish; wing coverts with small spots of white; terminal
third of primaries, black; the rest, heavily inarked with white, and
rest of feathers narrowly edged with bluish gray, the centers of the
feathers, black, spotted and banded with white; a white spot in front
of the eye; throat, white; a band on the breast and sides of body,
bluish gray (tinged with rufous brown in immature specimens), rest
of under parts, white.

Adult, female : Similar to the male, but having the sides of the body
and a band on the upper belly rufous brown.

Length, 12; wing, 6 to 6.40; bill, 1.90; tail, 3.50

The Kingfisher is a common summer resident in Illinois and Wis-
consin. It arrives in April and remains with us until October, and

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory

507

.^

=-=^~^

Belted Kingfisher.

is a familiar bird with us wherever there is water. The note is harsh
and loud — a peculiar sound not unlike the noise made by a watch-
man's rattle. The nest is in a deep hole in a bank, usually about
six or more feet from the entrance. The eggs are from six to
eight in number, pure white, and measure about 1.35 x 1.05 inches.

ORDER PICI.

WOODPECKERS, WRYNECKS, ETC.

Family PICID.^. Woodpeckers.

Of the three hundred and fifty or more known species of wood-
peckers, some 35 (including subspecies) occur in North America.
They are wood birds and may often be seen climbing about the trunks
of trees in search of their food, and their stiff tail feathers pressed
against the bark greatly assists in supporting them. Woodpeckers
are of decided benefit to the agriculturist, for while they occasionally
destroy a little fruit, they eat great quantities of injurious insects
and larvce. The tongue is eminently adapted for extracting larvae
from the crevices in the bark, being very long and slender and tipped
with a sharp, hard point edged with minute bristle-like hooks.
Their presence in the woods is often indicated by their loud rapid
tapping on trees. Their eggs are laid in holes in trees.

Subfamily PICINtE.

Genus CAMPEPHILUS Gray.
188. Campephilus principalis (Linn.).

IVORY-BILLED WoODPECKER.

Distr.: Formerly south Atlantic and Gulf states, from Texas to
the Carolinas and north to southern Illinois and Indiana; now occurs
only in isolated localities in some of the Gulf states and Florida.

Adult male: Greater portion of plumage, black; a brilliant scarlet
crest covered on top by the elongated black feathers of the crown, a
white stripe extending down each side of the neck to the middle off
the back; terminal half, or more, of secondaries and tips of inner
primaries, white; under wing coverts, white; entire under parts,
black; nostril bristles, white; hill, dull white.

Adult female: Similar, but without the scarlet crest.

Length, about 19.50; wing, 10; bill, 2.50; tail, 7.

Jan., 1909. Birds op Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory

509

Ivory-billed Woodpecker.

While it is probable that the Ivory-billed Woodpecker does not
occur in Illinois at the present time, it was once not uncommon in the
heavily timbered regions of the southern part of the state.
Audubon found it along the Ohio River near its junction with the
Mississippi, during the early part of the last century and mentions
its breeding in Indiana and Kentucky.

Prof. Ridgway states (Birds of Illinois, 1889, p. 375) : "The writer
has a distinct recollection of what he believes to have been this
species in White County, some 40 miles south of Mount Carmel,(Ill.),
but never observed it in the vicinity of the latter place." Mr. Otto
Widmann states that a male bird of this species was killed near
Morley, Scott Co., Missouri, Nov. 8, 1895. (Birds of Missouri,
1907, p. 119.)

5IO Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Pileated Woodpecker. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker,

Red-bellied Woodpecker. Red-headed Woodpecker (adult and immature).

Hairy Woodpecker. Downy Woodpecker. Flicker.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

511

Genus DRYOBATES Boie.

189. Dryobates villosus (Linn.).

Hairy Woodpecker.

Distr.: Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Nova Scotia, west
to Kansas and Nebraska.

Adult male: Crown and greater portion of upper plumage, black;
a scarlet nuchal band; a white stripe over the eye, bordered below

Hairy Woodpecker.

by a black stripe through the eye, then another white stripe bordered
below by a black one on the sides of the throat; a patch on side of
neck and middle of back, white; wings, heavily spotted with white;
under parts, white; middle tail feathers, black; outer tail feathers,
white.

Adult female: Similar, but without scarlet on back of the head.

Young birds have the crown more or less tinged with red, and occa-
sionally dull yellow.

Length, about 9.45; wing, 4.50 to 5 ; tail, 3.25; bill, 1.25.

The Hairy Woodpecker resembles the Downy Woodpecker in
plumage, but is much larger, and the outer tail feathers are white, not
irregularly barred with black, as in the latter species.

It is a common species in Illinois and Wisconsin, being a resident
in both states throughout the year. A number of specimens in the
Field Museum collection, taken in northern Wisconsin in winter,
proved to be this form.

The nest is generally in a hole in a dead tree. The eggs are from
4 to 6, pure white, and measure about .96 x .76 inches. Nidification
usually commences in Illinois the latter part of April.

512 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

189a. Dryobates villosus leucomelas (Bodd.).
Northern Hairy AVoodpecker.

Distr.: "Northern North America, south to about the northern
border of the United States." (A. O. U.)

Special characters: Similar to D. villosus, but larger and showing
more hoary white in the plumage; wing, 5.02 to 5.45, not less than 5;
bill, 1.40 to 1.60, not less than 1.40.

The Northern Hairy Woodpecker is said to occur occasionally
in northern Wisconsin in winter. Kumlien and Hollister state that
"up to 1875 it was a regular visitor in winter in the tamarack swamps
in north Jefferson County. During the past ten or fifteen years not a
specimen has been taken and Hairy Woodpeckers collected in winter
and late fall in northern Wisconsin have all proved to be typical
villosus." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 74.)

190. Dryobates pubescens medianus (Swains.).

Downy Woodpecker.

Distr.: Eastern and northern United States, from the Rocky
Mountains to the Atlantic, and from about the latitude of South
Carolina north to Newfoundland and southern Canada.

Adult male: Resembles the Hairy Woodpecker, except that it is
much smaller, and has the white outer tail feathers marked with more
or less imperfect bars oi\ spots of blackish.

Adult female: Similar, but
without the scarlet nuchal patch.
Length, 5.90 to 7; wing, 3.45
to 4; tail, 2.70; bill, about .62.
The Downy Woodpecker is a
common resident in Illinois and
Wisconsin. Specimens taken in
extreme southern Illinois aver-

Downy Woodpecker. i • i

age smaller than northern birds.
The majority breed in May. The nest is in a hole in a tree, usually
a dead stump. The eggs are white, from 4 to 6 in number, and meas-
ure about .75 X .60 inches.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 513

Genus PICOIDES Lac6pede.

191. Picoides arcticus (Swains.).

Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker.

Distr.: Northern North America, from the Arctic regions south
to the northern United States; New England, Michigan, Wisconsin,
etc.

Adult male: Toes, three; upper plumage, glossy bluish black;
a patch of ^^ellow on the crown; front of forehead, white, extending

in a white stripe below the eye to side of neck; throat, breast, and
middle of belly, white; sides of body, black, barred with white; middle
tail feathers, black; outer tail feathers, white, except at the base.

Adult female: Similar, but without yellow on the crown.

Length, 9.45; wing, 5.25; tail, 4.05; bill, 1.20.

The Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker is a rare winter visitant in
Illinois. Mr. Isaac E. Hess writes me he has taken a specimen near
Philo, Illinois. Mr. Nelson writes (Birds N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 115):
"A specimen was shot from a telegraph pole in Chicago a few years
since by Dr. Velie. It is a common species in northern Wisconsin,
and before the pines along the Lake were destroyed, was probably a
regular winter visitant in this state." Mr. Woodruff (Birds of the
Chicago Area, 1907, p. no) records the occurrence of a bird of this
species on the authority of Mr. Eliot Blackwelder at Morgan Park,
Illinois, Dec. 29, 1894.

It is more or less common in northern Wisconsin in winter and
may be resident, as Kumlien and HoUister state (Birds of Wisconsin,
1903, p. 75): "This species undoubtedly breeds in the northern part

514 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

of the state, as there are several records of specimens taken during
summer months. We have seen it at Merrill and near Wausau in
June, and near Oconto (several specimens) in early August."

Mr. John F. Ferry procured three adult birds and three young
not long out of the nest, near Woodruff , Vilas County, Wisconsin, dur-
ing the last week in June, 1908.

192. Picoides americanus Brehm.
American Three-toed Woodpecker.
Distr. : Northern North America east of the Rocky Mountains,
from the northern border of the United States to the Arctic regions;
accidental as far south as Massachusetts and New York.

Adult male: Toes, three; upper plumage, black, a patch of yellow
on the crown; back, banded with ivhite; under parts, white; the sides,

American Three-toed Woodpecker.

banded with black; primaries, spotted with white, middle tail
feathers, black, outer ones, marked with black at the bases, but the
the tips, broadly white.

Adult female: Similar, but no yellow on the head; crown, black,
finely spotted with white.

Length, 8 to g; wing, 4.50 to 5; tail, 3.30; bill, .95.

Not recorded from Illinois, and apparently a rare winter visitant
in Wisconsin. Kumlien and Hollister state (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903,
p. 75): "Records of this woodpecker for Wisconsin are very few.
From i860 to 1870 several specimens, about a dozen all told, were
taken by Thure and L. Kumlien in the large tamarack wood near
Jefferson. Dr. H. V. Ogden and Dr. E. Copeland have taken two
specimens in Iron County, a male and a female, taken respectively
Sept. 30 and Sept. 25, 1898, and preserved in the collection of E.
Copeland and H. Russel at Milwaukee; and it has been reported from
the upper peninsula of Michigan by Mr. H. Nehrling."

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

515

/j

Genus SPHYRAPICUS Baird.
193. Sphyrapicus varius (Linn.).

Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.
Distr.: Eastern North America; south in winter to West Indies,
Mexico and Central America; breeds from Massachusetts and north-
ern border of eastern United States northward.

Adult male: Toes, four; top of head and throat, red; a white
stripe over, and another below the eye; a black stripe through the

eye, extending to the sides of the

neck; breast, with large black

patch, bordered with yellow and

white; belly, pale yellow; sides,

^ marked with white and dusky;

^ back, irregularly marked with black

I and dingy yellowish white; wing

coverts, heavily marked with white,

forming a conspicuous wing bar;

primaries, black, spotted with

white; tail feathers, black, the

outer ones edged with white, and

/ '" s ' / / the inner webs of middle feathers

' broadly barred with white.

Adult female: Similar, but the
throat white, instead of red, and
the red on the crown less extended.

Immature birds have the crown dusky, the throat whitish or
grayish, and breast, gray, mottled with dusky.

The white wing bar and the yellowdsh tinge of the plumage will
distinguish this species.

Length, about 8.50; wing, about 5; tail, 3.15; bill, .90.
The Yellow-bellied Woodpecker is a common spring and fall mi-
grant in Illinois and Wisconsin, and an occasional summer resident
in northern Illinois and Indiana. It is a common summer resident
in Wisconsin, where according to Kumlien and Hollister, it breeds in
considerable numbers as far south as Lake Koshkonong (Birds of
Wisconsin, 1903, p. 76). Mr. John F. Ferry procured a nest of young
birds at Woodruff, Wisconsin, June 25, 1908. It occurs more or less
commonly as a winter resident in southern Illinois.

The nest is a hole in some large tree or stump, usually 30 or more
feet from the ground. The eggs are white, six or seven in number,
and measure about .85 x .66 inches.

Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.

5i6 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus PHLCEOTOMUS Cabanis.

194. Phloeotomus pileatus albieticola (Bangs),

Northern Pileated Woodpecker.

Distr. : Heavily wooded regions of North America, from the Alle-
ghanies and middle United States northward.

Adult male: General color, dull black; top of head and a cheek
patch beginning at base of lower mandible, bright scarlet; throat, a

Northern Pileated Woodpecker.

stripe behind the eye, and a larger one extending from the nostril along
side of head and neck, and breast, white; terminal half of primaries,
brownish black, the basal half, white (at times tinged with pale yel-
low), forming a conspicuous white wing patch when flying; tail,
black; bill, brownish black, paler below.

Adult female: Similar, but only back of head scarlet, the front
crown, brownish black, and without scarlet red patch at base of under
mandible.

Length, about 17.50; wing, about 9; tail, 6.60; bill, 1.90.

This species is resident and not uncommon in southern Illinois, and
occurs sparingly in wooded districts of northern Illinois and Wisconsin.
Mr. E. W. Nelson gives it in his Birds of Northeastern Illinois as "A
rare winter visitant. Two specimens were taken near Chicago during
the winter of 1873." Mr. Frank M. Woodruff writes: "Mr. George

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

S17

Clingman reports the taking of a specimen at Half Day, Illinois, on
Dec. 30, 1893." (Birds of the Chicago Area, 1907, p. iii.)

Regarding its occurrence in Wisconsin, Kumlien and Hollister
write: "Going back to 1870 and earlier, it was not at all an uncommon
bird in Bark River Woods in Jefferson County, where it bred regularly
as late as 1872, and sparingly even later. * * * * One was shot in
Jefferson County in 1877 in late fall, the last record for the section.
One was seen in Walworth County in May, 1889. In the central and
northern part of the state it is still fairly common, especially in the
heavily timbered hardwood districts. * * * * y^q received a speci-
men in October, 1898, which had been killed by a boy with a sling
shot in Lincoln Park, Chicago."

Nests in a hole in a tree, usually fifty or more feet from the ground.
The eggs are white, five or six in number, and measure about 1.30 x
.95 inches.

Genus MELANERPES Swainson.

195. Melanerpes erythrocephalus (Linn.).
Red-headed Woodpecker.

Distr.: Eastern United States, from Rocky Mountains to Florida
and north to about latitude 50°; casual east of the Hudson River.

Adult male and female : Back, tail and most of wing, bluish black;
whole of head and throat, including upper breast, crimson red;

greater portion of secondaries and wing
coverts, pure white; under parts, white,
more or less tinged with buff; tail, black,
the outer feathers more or less margined
with white; bill, slaty brown or horn
color. The sexes are similar.

Immature : Head and neck, brownish
gray, streaked with dusky; feathers of the
back, blackish, faintly tipped with gray-
ish white; primaries, brownish black;
secondaries, broadly but irregularly
barred with black and white; tail, black,
most of the feathers tipped with white;
under parts, whitish, streaked with dusky,
most heavily on the throat and breast.
Length, 9; wing, 5.25; tail, 3.40; bill, i.
The Red-headed Woodpecker is an
Red-headed Woodpecker abundant summcr resident in Illinois and

5i8 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Wisconsin and a regular winter resident in southern Illinois. A few
remain during the winter in southern Wisconsin and northern Illi-
nois, but the great majority go south.

Nests in a hole in a dead tree or stump. The eggs are white, five
or six in number, and measure about .98 x .75 inches. Breeds in May
and June.

Genus CENTURUS Swamson.
196. Centurus carolinus (Linn.).

Red-bellied Woodpecker.

Melanerpes carolinus (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 166.

Distr. : Eastern and southern United States, from New York,
Michigan, and Ontario to the Gulf states; west to Nebraska, Kansas,
and Texas; not numerous in northern part of its range.

Adult male: Top of head and nape, scarlet red, becoming pale
on the forehead; back and wings barred with black and white; under

Red-bellied Woodpecker.

parts, ashy gray, more or less tinged with olive gray on the sides;
middle of belly, red, and breast sometimes tinged with red; tail, black,
the outer feathers and inner webs of middle feathers irregularly barred
with white; basal half of primaries, white, marked with black;
terminal half, dark brown.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 519

Adult female: Similar, but only the nape and feathers about the
nostrils, red; the crown, ashy gray.

Immature birds have the belly tinged with buff.

Length, 9.40; wing, 5.10; tail, 3.25; bill, i.io.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a rather uncommon resident in
northern Illinois and Wisconsin, but common in southern Illinois,
Mr. H. K. Coale observed a pair in Lincoln Park in July, and a few
are observed every year in and about Chicago.

According to Kumlien and Hollister it has been found breeding
several times in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. "The nesting sites
were always in large, dead trees overhanging water and generally at
a considerable height and very hard to reach. Mr. W. E. Snyder
records three specimens from Dodge County in June, October, and
November. We took a single specimen in Milwaukee County in
May, 1882, but in no part of the state have we found it as plenty as
along the bottom lands of Koshkonong Creek, Jefferson County."
(Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 77.)

Breeds from April 15 to June i ; nests in holes in trees and stumps.
The eggs are white, four to six in number, and measure about 1.05 x
.75 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains a set of 3 eggs taken at Joliet,
Illinois, May 26, 1906.

Genus COLAPTES Swainson.

197. Colaptes auratus luteus Bangs.
Northern Flicker.

Distr.: "Eastern and northern North America, south to North
Carolina, west to the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains; occasional
on Pacific slope from California northward." (A. O. U.)

Adult male : Top of head and sides of neck, ashy gray; a band of
scarlet on back of the head (nuchal band ) ; sides of head, whole throat
and upper breast, lilac brown; a broad black band on the breast; a
black submaxillary stripe (on the cheeks extending to base of the bill) ;
back and exposed wing coverts, olive brown, with bars of black;
under parts, whitish, shading to buffy white on the sides and marked
with numerous round, black spots; upper surface of primaries, dark
brown; the shafts of the feathers bright yellow; under surface of
primaries, golden yellow; upper surface of tail feathers, blackish,
some of them edged with buffy white spots, the shafts, yellow; under
surface of tail, golden yellow, tipped with black; rump, pure white
(conspicuous when flying) ; bill, horn color.

520 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Northern Flicker.

Adult female : Similar, but lacking the black streaks on the cheeks.

Immature birds are similar, but often show more red on the head.

Length, 12.50; wing, 6.10; tail, 4.50; bill, 1.40.

An abundant summer resident in Illinois and Wisconsin, the
majority arriving early in April and remaining with us until October.
A few remain in northern Illinois all winter, and it is common in win-
ter in the southern part of the state. Specimens are occasionally
taken having the yellow on the tail feathers replaced by orange red,
possibly due to reversion or hybridization of the eastern form with
the red-shafted western species.

It breeds in May and early June. The nest is usually built in a
hole in a tree, but occasionally in such places as hollow piazza posts
or holes in roofs of summer houses. The eggs are usually from six to
nine in number, pure white, and measure about 1.08 x .85 inches.

This species is known by various local names, such as High-hole,
Yellow-hammer, Golden-winged Woodpecker, etc. The cry is loud
and piercing, and it has a curious song or call which may be poorly
described as wick-er-ivick-er-wick-er-wick-er-ivick-er.

ORDER MACROCHIRES.

GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, ETC.
Suborder CAPRI MULGI. Goatsuckers, etc.

Family CAPRIMULGIDiE. Nighthawks,
Whip-poor-wills, etc.

Between 85 and 90 known species belonging to this family are
distributed throughout the warmer parts of the globe. They are
nocturnal in their habits, being rarely seen in the day time except
when frightened from their hiding places in some wood or thicket.

Our species are strictly insectivorous, and they capture their
food while on the wing. Their notes are characteristic and varied,
some like the Whip-poor-will being well known. On account of
their small and comparatively weak feet they rest lengthwise on a
branch and do not perch in the manner of other birds.

Genus ANTROSTOMUS Bonap.

198. Antrostomus carolinensis (Gmel.).
Chuck- will's- WIDOW.

Distr.: Southern United States, north to Virginia, southern Illi-
nois, and Kansas; south to Cuba, Central America, and Colombia in
winter.

Adult male: Plumage, soft; mouth, large; bill, small; lateral
filaments to the bristles of the mouth; general color, pale rufous, or
tawny brown, mottled with black, buff and dull white; crown,
streaked with black feathers; throat, with a bar of buffy white;
breast, darker than belly, but the entire under parts variegated with
tawny, black and buff white, the prevailing color being tawny; prima-
ries, black, heavily marked with rufous brown; tail feathers (except
the four middle ones), with large spaces of plain white on upper sur-
faces.

Adult female: Similar, but no white on tail, the feathers being
tawny rufous irregularly mottled and barred with black; breast
band, tawny buff instead of whitish.

521

522 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Length, about 1 2 ; wing, 8.25; tail, 5.50; bill, .45.

The Chuck- will's- widow is a southern species which occurs casu-
ally in southern Illinois. Ridgway found it not uncommon as far
north as Mount Carmel. (Orn. of Illinois, 1889, p. 367.)

Mr. Otto Widmann states it is a fairly common summer resident
in Missouri "from Perry County southwestward along the southern
slope of the Ozark Mountains, from the latter part of April to the
end of September" (Birds of Missouri, 1907, p. 128). It has not been
observed in Wisconsin.

199. Antrostomus vociferus (Wils.).

Whip-poor-will.

Distr.: Eastern North America, from Great Plains to the Atlan-
tic, and from southern Canada to Mexico, Central America, and
northern West Indies.

Adult male: Smaller than the preceding species, bristles of the
mouth, without lateral filaments; plumage, soft; bill, small; mouth,

Whip-poor-will.

large; general plumage, mixed gray, tawny and black; the crown,
streaked with black; throat, blackish, mixed with tawny; a narrow
white band on the breast; belly, tawny buff, irregularly marked with
black; primaries, dark brown, marked with imperfect rufous bars;
tail, grayish, mottled with black and buffy white; the three outer
feathers broadly tipped with white (the second and third for about two
inches) .

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory

523

Adult female : Similar, but outer tail feathers narrowly tipped with
tawny, and throat band, pale buff instead of white.

Length, 9.50; wing, 6.10; bill, .35; tail, 4.75.

The Whip-poor-will is a summer resident in Illinois and Wisconsin,
where its familiar note is often heard, although the bird itself is rarely
seen on account of its nocturnal habits. It usually arrives from the
south late in April and nidification commences early in May.

The eggs are two in number, deposited on the ground. They are
grayish white, faintly washed in places with pale lilac and showing
a few pale brown spots. They measure about 1.20 x .85 inches.

Genus CHORDEILES Swainson.
200. Chordeiles virginianus (Gmel.).

NiGHTHAWK.

Distr.: Eastern North America, west to the Great Plains, and
from Labrador to the Gulf of Mexico ; south to Argentine Republic in
winter.

Adult male: Upper plumage, black, mottled more or less on the
back with pale rufous, and on the wing coverts with gray and buffy

Nighthawk.

white; throat, white; breast, blackish, marked with pale rufous;
belly, barred with black and white, and tinged with buff; primaries,
blackish, with a single broad white bar (forming a conspicuous wing
band when flying) ; tail, brownish black, more or less marked with
buff and with a broad subterminal, imperfect band of white.

524 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Adult female : Similar, but without white tail band, and the throat,
tawny instead of white.

Length, about 9; wing, 8; tail, 4.55; bill, .25.

The Nighthawk is a common summer resident throughout Illi-
nois and Wisconsin, arriving in May and leaving again in September.
As soon as the sun goes down, it may be observed flying about in
pursuit of insects, uttering at frequent intervals a loud, harsh " peet, "
the cry being immediately preceded by two or three hurried strokes
of the wings. During the mating season the male makes a peculiar
"booming" sound preceded by a downward rush or drop from a
considerable height.

The majority breed in June and July. The eggs are two in number
and are deposited on the ground or flat rock, occasionally on the roof
of a house, without any attempt at a nest. They are dull white,
speckled and marked with pale brownish gray, and measure about
1. 18 X .85 inches.

200a. Chordeiles virginianus sennetti (Coues).
Bennett's Nighthawk.

Distr.: Great Plains region, from Texas to the Saskatchewan.

Sennett's Nighthawk differs from the eastern form in having the
upper parts paler and the under parts showing more white. Most of
the specimens of the Western Nighthawk, C. v. henryi, which have
been recorded as taken in Illinois and Wisconsin, are probably sennetti ,
although the variation in plumage is such that individuals occur
which might be referable to either form. The range of the Western
Nighthawk, C. v. henryi, is supposed to be from the Rocky Mountains
to the Pacific Ocean, but prior to the year 1888 its range extended to
Illinois, as the "plains" form, now known as sennetti, had not been
recognized as separable from it.

In 1875 Nelson found what he considered to be C. V. henryi breed-
ing in considerable numbers among the sand hills near Waukegan
(111.), but Ridgway (Cat. Bds. 111. 1881) states they were "merely
somewhat pale examples of the eastern bird."

The late Captain Charles Bendire gives henryi as the prevailing
form throughout the prairie regions of northern and central Illinois
(Life Hist. Am. Bds., 1895, p. 168) but as he does not recognize sen-
netti, the statement is open to question.

Kumlien and Hollister give henryi as occurring in Wisconsin, stat-
ing that there were three specimens in the Kumlien collection, one
of which was sent to Dr. Coues for identification and pronounced
typical henryi, but at that time sennetti was not recognized.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 525

A specimen labelled henryi in the Field Museum collection from
Mr. C. K. Worthen taken at Fox Island, Missouri, is much nearer
sennetti, and judging from specimens available for examination, the
occurance of henryi, at least in Illinois, requires further confirmation.

Sennett's Nighthawk has been recorded from Iowa (Bartsch, Auk,
1899, p. 86), Minnesota (Lano, Auk, 1898, p. 54), and has been found
not uncommon in North Dakota (Bishop, Auk, 1896, p. 134).

The three forms may generally be recognized by the following
characters, although there is often much variation in plumage:

C. virginianiis : General plumage, dark, the black predominating
on upper parts; under parts, barred with black and white in about
equal amounts; very little rufous shown anywhere.

C. V. sennetti: Much paler; grayish white and brown, on upper
parts; under parts, white, barred with narrow imperfect dark bars,
the white predominating; very little or no rufous noticeable any-
where.

C. V. henryi: Upper plumage showing considerable tawny rufous
marking; under parts, marked with tawny white and dusky black.

Suborder CYPSELI. Swifts.

Family MICROPOD I D.^. Swifts.

Swifts are often mistaken for swallows by those unfamiliar with
birds, but are widely separated from them both in habits and struc-
ture. The sharp spines extending from the tail feathers and sooty
brown plumage will readily distinguish the species which occurs in
eastern North America.

A peculiar feature of this family is the wonderful development
of the salivary gland, enabling the birds to salivate the material of
which the nest is formed, not only sufficiently to glue it together but
to attach it to a rock or brick wall, often-times a chimney. The young
are fed by regurgitation. The edible birds' nests of China are made
by birds of this family. About 50 species are known from various
parts of the world.

526 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Subfamily CHiETURINiE. Sharp-tailed Swifts.

Genus CHiETURA Stephens.
201. Chaetura pelagica (Linn.).
Chimney Swift.

Distr. : Eastern North America, north to Labrador, and the Fur
Countries, west to the Great Plains and south to Central America
in winter.

Adult: General plumage, sooty brown, showing a faint greenish
tinge on the upper parts; throat, grayish or pale ashy; a black spot

Chimney Swift.

in front of the eye; tail feathers with sharp spines at the ends,
formed by the shafts of the feathers extending beyond the webs.

Length, about 5.50; wing, 4.90; tail, 1.85; bill, .18.

The Chimney Swift is a common summer resident in Illinois and
Wisconsin, usually aiTiving in April and leaving for the south in
September or early in October.

Nests in chimneys and hollow trees. The nest is made of twigs
glued together and fastened to the side of the chimney or tree by
secretion from the bird's salivary glands. The eggs are white, usually
five or six, and measure about .85 x .50 inches. Nidification usually
commences in May.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — ^Cory.

527

Suborder TROCHILI. Hummingbirds.

Family TROCHILID^. Hummingbirds.

Hummingbirds are peculiar to America, ranging from Alaska
to southern South America. More than 400 species are recognized,
most of which are restricted to tropical parts of South and Central
America. Some 18 species occur in North America, but only one is
found in eastern United States. When flying the rapid movements
of the wings produce a distinct humming sound. The food consists
largely of insects, but they also eat the juices of flowers.

>^

Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Female. Male.

Genus TROCHILUS Linn.

202. Trochilus colubris Linn.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Distr. : Eastern North America, from the Great Plains to the
Atlantic coast, breeding from Labrador to Florida; south in winter
to Cuba and Mexico.

Adult male: Upper plumage, golden green; wings and tail, dusky
brown, tinged with purple when held in the light; throat, metallic

528 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

ruby red, bordered with whitish on the breast; rest of under parts,
dusky gray, tinged with green on the sides; tail, forked.

Adult female: Similar, but no red on throat; throat and under
parts, whitish; tail with more or less black bars, the outer feathers
tipped with white.

Immature males have the throat white, streaked with dusky, and
the feathers of the upper parts more or less tipped with buff.

Length, 3.20; wing, 1.65; bill, .65; tail, 1.20.

This beautiful little species is a common summer resident in both
Illinois and Wisconsin, arriving i-n May and the majority leaving for
the south early in September. During the summer months they are
often seen darting from flower to flower, thrusting their bills into the
blossoms, extracting the honey and feeding upon the minute insects
found therein. They show a partiality for the trumpet-shaped kinds
such as the honeysuckle and begonia. They also catch very small
insects with great dexterity while on the wing, and from time to
time will perch to rest on some slender twig of bush or tree. The
note is a faint cheep.

It breeds in late May and June. The nest is a dainty, little struc-
ture composed of plant down and lichens and built on a limb, usually
from ten to twenty feet from the ground. The eggs are two, pure
white, and measure about .48 x .35 inches. The young are fed by
regurgitation.

ORDER PASSERES.

PERCHING BIRDS.
Suborder CLAMATORES. Songless Perching Birds.

Family TYRANNID^. Flycatchers.

Some 350 species of Flycatchers are known belonging to this fam-
ily and between 35 and 40 of these occur in North America. They
frequent wooded localities, being rarely found away from trees or
bushes. They are insectivorous, catching their prey while on the
wing with great dexterity. They are pugnacious, especially during
the breeding season, fighting among themselves and fearlessly attack-
ing much larger birds which approach too closely the vicinity of their
nests. The Kingbird seems to have an especial antipathy for the
Crow, which it often pursues for a considerable distance.

Genus MUSCIVORA Lac6pede.
203. Muscivora forficata (Gmel.).

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER.

Milvitlus jorficatiis (Gmel.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 180.

Distr.: "Texas, Oklahoma, Indian Territory, southern Kansas,
and southwestern Missouri, south through eastern Mexico to Costa
Rica; accidental in southern Florida (Key West), New Jersey, New
England and at York Factory, Hudson Bay." (A. O. U.)

Adult: Tail, very long and forked; concealed crown patch, orange
scarlet; head and back, pale gray; rump, grayish brown; throat and
breast, white, shading into pink on the belly and sides; a patch of
bright scarlet on the sides; wings, blackish brown, with pale edges
to inner webs; the long outer tail feathers, pinkish white for two-
thirds of their length, the ends, dark brown; first primary, emargi-
nate near the tip.

Length, 9.50; wing, 4.60; tail, 6 to 10 (length very variable);
bill, .65.

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher must be considered an accidental
straggler in Wisconsin. Not recorded from Illinois.

529

530 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

V

<if

Scissor tailed Flycatcher.

Kumlien and Hollister state: " The only record of the occurrence
of this bird in Wisconsin is that of the single adult male taken by L.
Kumlien, near Milton, Rock County, October i, 1905. The bird was
perched on a fence by the roadside and was shot as it flew away.
Although a cold, blustering day, it seemed entirely at ease and
was in perfect condition, being very fat. The specimen is preserved
at Milton." ( Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 80.)

Genus TYRANNUS Cuvier.

204. Tyrannus tyrannus (Linn.).

Kingbird.

Distr.: "North America, from the British Provinces south, in
winter, through eastern Mexico, Central and South America. Less
common west of the Rocky Mountains." (A. O. U.)

Adult: Top and sides of head, blackish, shading into dusky slate
on the back; a concealed crown patch of fiery orange red; throat,
white; breast, ashy, rest of under parts, white; first and second pri-

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

531

Kingbird.

maries, emarginate or "notched" near the ends; primaries, dark
brown; tail, black, tipped with white. The sexes are similar.

Immature birds are without the orange red crown patch, and
the outer primaries, not emarginate.

Length, 8; wing, 4.50; tail, 3.50; bill, .60.

The Kingbird is a common summer resident in Illinois and Wiscon-
sin, arriving from the South late in April. It may often be observed
perched upon a dead twig, watching for insects which it dashes after
and catches with great dexterity while on the wing, when it will usually
return to the same post of observation. The notes are a series of
loud sharp twitters.

It breeds in May and June. The nest is composed of dry weeds,
grass and moss, built on a limb, usually from ten to twenty feet
from the ground. The eggs are four or five, dull white, spotted
with dark brown, and measure about i.oo x .75 inches. There are
contained in the collection of the Museum several sets of eggs taken
at Joliet and about Chicago between June 12 and 16.

205. Tyrannus verticalis Say.
Arkansas Kingbird.

Distr.: Western United States, from British Columbia to Mexico
and Guatemala; accidental in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Maryland,
New Jersey, New York, and Maine.

Adult: Top and sides of head, gray, a concealed patch of fiery
orange red; chin, whitish, rest of throat, gray; back, grayish olive;

532 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

belly, yellow; primaries, dark brown, the first very much attenuated,
the others gradually less so; outer web of outer tail feather, entirely
white, rest of tail, dull black; bill, dark brown.

Immature birds lack the orange red patch on the head, and the
primaries are not attenuated.

Length, 9.00; wing, 4.45; tail, 4; bill, .70.

The single specimen of this western species which has been taken
within our limits is recorded by Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister:
"An adult female was shot near Albion, Dane County, Wisconsin,
June II, 1877. The specimen is preserved in the Museum of Milton
College." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 80.)

Genus MYIARCHUS Cabanis.

206, Myiarchus crinitus (Linn.).

Crested Flycatcher.

Distr.: "Eastern United States and southern Canada, west to
Manitoba and the Plains, south through eastern Mexico to Costa
Rica, Panama, and Colombia. Breeds from Florida northward."
(A. O. U.)

Adult: Crown and back, dull olive; throat and upper breast, gray;
belly and under tail coverts, yellow; primaries, brown, edged with

Crested Flycatcher.

pale rufous; middle tail feathers, brown, rest of tail feathers have the
inner webs rufous, the outer webs, brown.

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 533

Length, about 8.50; wing, 4; tail, 4; bill, .75.

The Crested Flycatcher is a regular although not a common sum-
mer resident in northern Illinois and Wisconsin; more numerous in
southern Illinois. The nest is placed in a hole in a tree, sometimes a
deserted woodpecker's nest is used. The eggs are from four to six
in number, dull white or cream white, streaked with chocolate brown.
They measure about .90 x .70 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains a nest and egg taken at
Joliet,Ill., June 12, 1906, and a set of five eggs at New Lenox (Chicago),
111., June 27, 1905.

Genus SAYORNIS Gray.

207. Sayornis phoebe (Lath.).
Phcebe Flycatcher

Distr. : Eastern North America, west to Colorado and Texas, and
from the British Provinces south to Mexico and Cuba in winter.
Breeds from about the latitude of South Carolina northward.

Adult: Both mandibles, blackish; upper plumage, olive brown;
the top and sides of the head, decidedly darker than the back; under
parts, dull whitish, faintly tinged with very pale yellow, at times
hardly noticeable; sides of breast, grayish brown; wings and tail
dusky brown, the secondaries and outer tail feathers narrowly edged
with white; a somewhat obscure whitish ring around the eye; pri-
maries, not emarginate.

Length, about 7; wing, 3.25; tail, 3.15; bill, .50.

The Phoebe Flycatcher, or Phoebe as it is usually called, is an
abundant summer resident in Illinois and W^isconsin, breeding
throughout both states. In connection with its size, the dark brown
or blackish lower mandible and the white outer vane of the outer tail
feather will easily distinguish it from other local species.

It arrives from the south early in April and at once begins mating.
The nest is rather large, composed of moss, grass and mud, and lined
with hair and feathers. It is built on rocks, beams of old buildings,
bridges, etc. The eggs are 5 or 6, usually pure white, but sometimes
showing a few dots or spots of brown. Size about .82 x .56 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains the following sets of eggs
from northern Illinois, i egg, Joliet, 111., May 8, 1906; 5 eggs,
Chicago, 111., May 11, 1904; 5 eggs, Joliet, 111., June 17, 1905; 5 eggs,
Joliet, 111., June 17, 1906; 2 eggs, Chicago, 111., June 27, 1905.

534 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

208. Sayornis saya (Bonap.).
Say's Phcebe Flycatcher.

Distr.: Western United States, from Dakota and Nebraska to the
Pacific, and from Arctic Alaska south to southern California and Mex-
ico; accidental in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Massachusetts.

Adult: Upper parts, grayish olive brown; the head, darker, the
feathers on the crown with dark centers; throat and breast, olive
gray, shading into cinnamon brown on the belly; wings, brownish
black, edged with whitish on the coverts and inner feathers; under
wing coverts, buffy white; tail, entirely black; bill, black.

Length, about 7 ; wing, 3.75 to 4.30; bill, .55.

An accidental straggler in Illinois and Wisconsin. Mr. E. W.
Nelson records two specimens in the Northwestern University at
Evanston from West Northfield, 111., (Birds N. E. Illinois, 1876, p.
112); and Dr. T. M. Brewer states (Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway, N.
A. Birds, Vol. II, 1874, p. 349): " This species has been observed as
far to the east as Racine, Wisconsin, where it was taken by Dr. P.
R. Hoy. This specimen was sent to Mr. Cassin and its identity fully
established."

Genus NUTTALLORNIS Ridgw.

209. Nuttallornis borealis (Swains.).

Olive-sided Flycatcher.

Contopus borealis (Swains.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 185.

Distr.: Distributed throughout North America, breeding from
the mountainous regions of the United States to British Columbia,
and accidental to Alaska and Greenland; in winter south to Central
and South America as far as Peru.

Adult: Wing, longer than tail; upper parts, brownish olive;
throat and middle of belly, whitish, usually faintly tinged with yellow;
greater portion of breast and sides of body, brownish olive, the breast
faintly streaked; primaries, dark brown; the secondaries and tertials,
narrow, tipped or edged with whitish; tail, brownish black; upper
mandible, brownish black; under mandible, mostly dull yellowish;
a tuft of fluffy whitish feathers on the flanks, the last being a good
character by which this species may be distinguished.

Length, about 7 ; wing, 3.85 to 4.30; tail, 3; bill .70.

The Olive-sided Flycatcher occurs as a rather uncommon migrant
in Illinois and southern Wisconsin; and a casual summer resident in
northern Wisconsin, where it breeds in the coniferous forests.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 535

The nest is composed of twigs and moss placed in a tree, usually
near the extremity of a limb. The eggs are from four to five, pale
lavender white, spotted at the larger end with rusty brown and lilac
gray, and measure about .84 x .62 inches.

Genus MYIOCHANES Cabanis & Heine.

210. Myiochanes virens (Linn.).

Wood Pewee.

Contopus virens (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 186.

Distr.: Eastern North America, from the Plains to the Atlantic
and from southern Canada to the Gulf; south in winter to Mexico,
Central America, and northern South America. Breeds in eastern
North America from Florida to Newfoundland.

Adult: Wing, longer than tail; under mandible, pale yellowish
brown; upper mandible, brownish black; back, brownish olive;
crown, dark olive brown, shading into the lighter color of the back;
throat and belly, dull yellowish white; breast and sides of body, gray
or olive gray; wings and tail, dark brown, the wing coverts narrowly
edged with whitish.

Immature birds have the wing coverts edged with pale buff.

Length, 6.60; wing, 3.30; tail, 2.60; bill, .50.

The Wood Pewee Flycatcher is a common summer resident in
Illinois and Wisconsin, usually arriving about the first of May.

It breeds in June. The nest is on a limb of a tree, usually from
20 to 30 feet from the ground, and is composed of grass, twigs, and
moss, covered with green and gray lichens. The eggs are 3 to 4 in
number, cream white or buff white, spotted at the larger end with
umber brown and lilac gray, and measure about .70 x .54 inches.
The Field Museum collection contains several sets of eggs taken in
northern Illinois between June 2 and June 23. The notes of the
Wood Pewee are very varied, but the most characteristic is the oft-
repeated, high, plaintive whistle, Pee-e-wee, from which it has derived
its name.

2M. Myiochanes richardsonii (Swains.).

Western Wood Pewee.

Contopus richardsonii (Swains.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 186.

Distr.: "Western United States, from the Plains to the Pacific,
north to British Columbia and the interior of British America, south
through Central America to Colombia." (A. O. U.)

536 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

The Western Wood Pewee differs from M. virens in being darker
and less olivaceous above, and having the wings and tail averaging
longer. While generally recognized as distinct, the differences
between this and the preceding species are very slight.

Wing, 3.20 to 3.50; tail, 2.55 to 2.95.

This species, if it occurs at all, can only be considered as an acci-
dental straggler within our limits. It has apparently not been ob-
served in Iowa or Illinois, although it is known to occur in western
Nebraska and western Kansas.

It is included by Kumlien and Hollister who state: "Several
typical western wood pewees have been taken at Lake Koshkonong.
One pair with nest and eggs were identified by Dr. Coues as unques-
tionably of this species. Not reported by other observers at any
point in the state and we can add nothing to the above bare facts.'
(Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 82.)

Genus EMPIDONAX Cabanis.

212. Empidonax flaviventris Baird.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.

Yellow-bellied Flvcateher.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 537

Distr.: "Eastern North America, west to the Plains, and from
southern Labrador south through eastern Mexico to Panama, breed-
ing from the Northern States northward. Casual in Greenland."
(A. 0. U.)

Adult: Upper mandible, brownish black; under mandible, yellow-
ish white; upper parts, olive green; throat mid under parts, greenish
yelloiv, tinged with olive on the breast and sides; wing coverts, tipped
with yellowish white (buff in immature birds), forming distinct bands;
eye ring, pale yellow.

Length, 5.60; wing, 2.60; tail, 2.18; bill, .37.

A not uncommon migrant in Illinois and Wisconsin and an occa-
sional summer resident in the latter state, where it is known to breed.
Thure Kumlien is recorded as having taken three nests and eggs from
i860 to 1864, and L. Kumlien procured a nest in a tamarack swamp
near Albion, June 25, 1891.

The nest of this species is composed of moss and grass placed on an
old log or mossy bank. The eggs are usually four, dull white, marked
with cinnamon brown more heavily at the larger end. They measure
about .72 X .52 inches.

213. Empidonax virescens (Vieill.).

Green-crested Flycatcher. Acadian Flycatcher.

Distr.: "Eastern United States, north to southern New York
and southern Michigan, west to the Plains, south to Cuba and Costa
Rica. Rare or casual in southern New England (Hyde Park, Mass.)."
(A. O. U.)

Adult: First primary, about as long as fifth; upper mandible,
dark brown; under mandible, dull whitish or pale flesh color in life;
upper plumage, clear olive green; under parts, whitish, washed with
olive on sides of body and on the breast; throat, whitish; belly,
generally tinged with pale yellow; eye ring and wing bars, buffy white
or pale tawny Avhite. Fall birds have the yellow somewhat brighter-
Length, 5.75 to 6.20; wing, 2.80 to 3 ; tail, 2.50 to 2.75 ; bill, .50.
The Green-crested Flycatcher is a rather common summer resi-
dent throughout Illinois, where it breeds. Kumlien and Hollister do
not include this species in their Birds of Wisconsin, but this Museum
possesses a nest and eggs taken by Mr. John F. Ferry near Lake Forest,
Illinois, and several specimens have been taken so near the Wisconsin
line that there is little doubt of its occurrence, at least in the extreme
southern portion of that state.

The majority breed in June in this latitude. The nest is a flat

538 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

structure, usually placed near the end of a branch. The eggs are
three to four (usually three) in number, cream white, speckled or
spotted chiefly at the larger end with rusty brown, and measure about
.72 X .52 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains the following sets of eggs
from northern Illinois: 3 eggs, Joliet, 111., June 6, 1906; 3 eggs,
Joliet, 111., June 8, 1906; 3 eggs, Joliet, 111., June 9, 1906; 3 eggs,
Joliet, 111., June 16, 1906; 3 eggs, Joliet, 111., June 24, 1907; 3 eggs,
Lake Forest, 111., June 27, 1906.

Length, 5,50 to 6.10; wing, 2.70 to 2.85; tail, about 2.35 to 2.50;
bill, about .45.

214, Empidonax traillii (AuD.).

Traill's Flycatcher.

Distr.: "Western North America, from the Mississippi Valley
(Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan) to the Pacific, and from the Fur
Countries south into Mexico." (A. O. U.)

Adult: First primary, decidedly shorter than fifth; eye ring, and
wing bars (formed by the pale tips of the greater and lesser wing
coverts), ashy white; upper mandible, brownish black; under mandi-
ble, pale brown or horn color; upper plumage, olive brown, darker
on the head; throat, whitish; breast and sides of body, washed with
olive gray; belly, whitish, faintly tinged with pale yellow.

Length, 5.50 to 6.10; wing, 2.70 to 2.85 ; tail, about 2.35 to 2.50;
bill, about .45.

Traill's Flycatcher differs from the eastern race (E. t. alnormn)
in having the upper parts brownish olive (instead of greenish olive).
There are other slight characters which are apparently inconstant,
such as somewhat larger bill and browner wing bands.

A regular, but by no means common summer resident in Illinois
and of casual occurrence in Wisconsin. Mr. F. M. Woodruff records
a brood of young birds observed near Calumet Lake, Chicago, June 10,
1896. Mr. Robert Ridgway found it breeding near Mt. Carmel,
111., and Mr. B. T. Gault procured a nest and four eggs in Dupage
Co., 111. Kumlien and Hollister state (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p.
83): "A specimen taken at Delavan (Wisconsin), August i, 1907,
has been identified by Mr. Brewster as typical traillii. Perhaps occurs
as a regular summer resident in parts of southern and southwestern
Wisconsin; but more specimens will be necessary to satisfactorily
determine its range and abundance."

The nest is cup shaped and is usually built in forks of upright
branches of bushes or small trees. The eggs are from 3 to 4, cream

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 53g

white, spotted and marked with rusty brown chiefly at the larger end,
and measure about .71 x .52 inches.

214a. Empidonax traillii alnorum Brewster.
Alder Flycatcher.

Distr.: Eastern North America, from the Maritime Provinces
and New England westward at least to Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illi-
nois, breeding from the southern edge of the Canadian fauna (and
probably northern Wisconsin) northward; south in winter to Central
America.

Similar to Traill's Flycatcher, E. traillii, but differs in being more
greenish olive above (instead of brownish olive as in traillii) , the hind
neck rather more gray and having the bill averaging smaller. The
differences are slight and specimens occur which might be difficult
to determine with certainty. Such specimens should be sent to a
specialist for identification.

The Alder Flycatcher, while not common, occurs regularly in
Illinois and Wisconsin during the migrations, and probably breeds
in the northern portion of the latter state. Kumlien and Hollister
state they have taken specimens in Wisconsin (identified by Mr.
Brewster) in late May and June. In Illinois it seems to be more com-
mon in spring and fall than traillii. The Museum collection contains
a number of specimens of this form taken in Illinois.

215. Empidonax minimus Baird.

Least Flycatcher.

Distr.: " Chiefly eastern North America, west to eastern Colorado
and central Montana, south in winter to Central America. Breeds
from the Northern States northward." (A. O. U.)

Adult: Very similar to E. traillii, but smaller; wing less than 2.60
inches long (averaging about 2.45); first primary, shorter than fifth;
eye ring and wing bars (ends of greater and lesser wing coverts) , ashy
white; upper mandible, brownish black; under mandible, pale brown-
ish or horn color; upper plumage, olive brown; throat and belly, dull
white, the latter with a trace of pale yellow; breast and sides of body,
more or less tinged with brownish olive; primaries, dark brown, the
edges of the inner webs, pale; tail, dark brown, but slightly lighter
than the wings.

Length, about 5 to 5.50; wings, 2.30 to 2.58; tail, 2.05 to 2.40;
bill, about .37.

540 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

An abundant migrant in Illinois and a rather common summer
resident in the northern part of the state. It is a common summer
resident in Wisconsin, usually arriving early in May and leaving for
the south in September.

It breeds in May or early in June. The nest is cup shaped, placed
in the fork of a branch in bushes or low trees. The eggs are usually
four, dull white, unmarked but sometimes showing a faint tinge of
buff. They measure about .62 x .50 inches.

Suborder 0SC1NE:S. Song Birds.

Family ALAUDID^. Larks.

The Larks form a comparatively small family of terrestrial birds
frequenting the open plains and fields. They are gregarious except
during the nesting season and have a pleasing song, although some
species are much more gifted vocalists than others. The famous
European Skylark belongs to this family.

Genus OTOCORIS Bonap.
216. Otocoris alpestris (Linn.).
Horned Lark. Shore Lark.

Distr.: Northeastern North America, Greenland, and northern
Europe, south in North America to Missouri and the Carolinas in
winter.

Adult male: Forehead, throat, and line over the eye, yellow;
front of crown, a stripe from bill below the eye and a shield-shaped
patch on the breast, black; a small tuft of elongated feathers on

each side of the head (hence the name,
Horned Lark); back of crown, nape and
rump, dull vinaceous; back, dull vinaceous,
mixed with gray and more or less streaked
with dark brown; lesser wing coverts, deep
vinaceous or pinkish brown, forming a
"shoulder" patch of that color; tail feathers,
except the middle pair, black, the outer
feather edged with whitish; outer primaries,
fuscous brown, the outer web of the first
primary, whitish.

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 541

Female: Slightly smaller and plumage slightly duller. In fall
plumage the black feathers on the breast are tipped with yellowish
white.

Length, 6.80 to 7.50; wing, about 4.40; tail, 2.80; bill, .45.

The Horned Lark may usually be distinguished from the prairie
form, 0. a. praticola, by its larger size, the yellow stripe over the eye,
and somewhat browner coloration.

It occurs as a winter visitant in Illinois and Wisconsin, but can
not be considered common. Nelson states that " it arrives in large
numbers with the Longspurs in October and disperses over the prai-
ries"; but Mr. Woodruff considers it a rare winter visitant in north-
eastern Illinois, which agrees with my experience, as the Museum does
not possess a specimen of this species taken in the state.

In Wisconsin Kumlien and Hollister state that it is " found on the
prairies during winter, ofttimes in considerable numbers."

In a series of eastern specimens the wing measurements are as
follows :

Males, wing (carpus to tip), 4.25 to 4.50 inches.

Females, wnng (carpus to tip), 4.05 to 4.40 inches.

216a. Otocoris alpestris praticola Hensh.
Prairie Horned Lark.
Distr. : Upper Mississippi Valley and the Great Lakes region,
breeding eastward to New England, south in winter to South Carolina,
Texas, etc.

' - • ' , A.

"^

^

. /•

■<5"

Horned Lark.

The Prairie Horned Lark differs from the eastern form, O. alpestris,
in having the line over the eye whitish (not yellow) , the throat but
faintly tinged with yellow and in being somewhat smaller and paler.
Wing, (carpus to tip) males, 4 to 4.25 inches; females, 3.75 to 4.20
inches.

542 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

It is a common resident throughout the year in Illinois and Wis-
consin, and is one of the few birds which may be observed in flocks
on the open fields and prairies during the winter. It breeds in Illinois
from March to May, more commonly in April, although the late
Captain Charles Bendire states that it has been found breeding near
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as early as February 23. The nest is composed
of grass placed on the ground. The eggs are 3 to 5, pale olive or olive
white, speckled and finely marked with pale olive brown, rarely with
cinnamon brown. They measure about .85 x .60 inches.

216b. Otocoris alpestris hoyti Bishop.
Hoyt's Horned Lark.

Distr.: British America, from Hudson Bay to Mackenzie River
and from Athabaska Lake to the Arctic coast; south in winter to
Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

This form differs from the Prairie Horned Lark, 0. a. praticola,
in being larger and the vinaceous markings darker. The line over
the eye (superciliary stripe) is whitish as in praticola, not yellow as
in alpestris. Wing (males), 4.25 to 4.50 inches. The females are
smaller and are often difficult to distinguish from the prairie form.

Hoyt's Horned Lark has not been taken in Illinois, but may occur
as a straggler in winter, as it has been recorded from Michigan, Wis-
consin, and Iowa.

Kumlien and Hollister state (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 84):
"Have carefully gone over our series from many parts of the state.
We find, as a consequence, no less than three perfectly typical
specimens of 0. a. hoyti, all procured in winter in Rock County,
from large flocks of alpestris. The birds are doubtless of rare but
regular occurrence as late fall stragglers in many open prairie sections
of the state."

Family CORVIDi^. Crows, Jays, Magpies.

The Corvidas are a large family numbering about 200 species dis-
tributed throughout the world. In North America they are repre-
sented by two subfamilies: Garrulince, containing the Magpies and
Jays, and the Corvince, or Crows and Ravens. The latter, although
constantly persecuted by man, seem to be abundantly able to take
care of themselves, as their numbers apparently do not materially
decrease.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 543

The members of the family which occur within our limits prefer
wooded parts of the country. They are omnivorous, eating grain,
seeds, insects, and fruit, as well as eggs and young birds, etc.

Subfamily GARRULIN^. Magpies and Jays.

Genus PICA Brisson.

217. Pica pica hudsonica (Sab.).

American AIagpie.

Disir.: Greater portion of western North America, principally
in sparsely wooded districts, from southern Arizona and New Mexico
to northwestern Alaska, east to Lake Winnipeg and the western por-
tion of the Great Plains; accidental in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois,
Nebraska, and Iowa.

Adult male : Whole head, neck, breast and back, black, tinged with
purple and gold when held in the light; belly, white; lower belly and
crissum, black; a large white shoulder patch; outer primaries, mostly
white, rest of quills, steel blue and greenish on outer webs; tail, very
long, showing iridescent blue, green and purple; bill, black.

Not to be confounded with any other species except the western
yellow-billed species, from which it differs in the color of bill.

Wing, about 8; tail, 11 to 12 inches long; bill, 1.15.

The American Magpie is of accidental occurrence in northern
Illinois and Wisconsin. Kennicott * in 1854 considered it " not un-
common in winter" in Cook Co., Illinois. Mr. James O. Dunn in the
Auk (Vol. XII, 1895, p. 395) states: "On the morning of Oct. 17,1892,
Mr. Wallace Craig observed a magpie (F^'ca pica hudsonica) in a small
grove not far from the World's Fair (Chicago). It was rather shy and
was followed from tree to tree by some Blue Jays and House
Sparrows. It may have been an escaped cage bird."

According to Kumlien and Hollister it is a rare winter visitant
in Wisconsin. They write:

" The Magpie was doubtless formerly of more frequent occurrence
in Wisconsin than during recent years. Dr. Hoy states that two
were shot at Caledonia in December, 1848, and one was obtained at
Bailey's Harbor on Lake Michigan, November 15, 1849, t>y a gentle-
man from Racine. Mr. J. N. Clark of Meridian writes us that one
was captured in a trap in Dunn County in 1870 and that he himself
saw one in the same locality, at close gun range, in February, 1884.

♦Trans. IlL State Agr. Soc. for 185,^-54-55. P. 585.

544 Field Museum of Natural History — -Zoology, Vol. IX.

In the winter of 1859-60, Thure Kumlien made a number of ineffectual
attempts to shoot a specimen that came daily to feed on some hog oflfal
that had been hung upon a neighbor's fence when butchering. He
saw the bird plainly on two or three occasions when he did not have
a gun. This was in Jefferson County. A specimen was also taken
near Ashland in 1880. Deer hunters from northern Wisconsin report
seeing specimens, but very rarely. During severe winters they are
sometimes seen about lumber camps. A pine-land hunter with whom
we were acquainted, said he had seen perhaps half a dozen in all his
experience of many years in northern Wisconsin." (Birds of Wis-
consin, 1903, p. 84.)

Genus CYANOCITTA Strick.

218. Cyanocitta cristata (Linn.).
Blue Jay.

Distr. : Eastern North America to the Plains and from the Fur
Countries south to eastern Texas, the Gulf coast and northern Florida.

Adult: Crown, bluish purple, the feathers elongated in the form
of a crest and tipped with black; forehead and spot in front of the eye,
black; back, bluish purple; throat, whitish; a stripe of black from

Blue Jay.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

545

the head down sides of neck and joining, on the breast forming a black
band; rest of under parts, buffy white, or grayish white; under tail
coverts, white; wings, blue, banded with black, and the tips of the
coverts and secondaries, white; tail, blue, middle feathers strongly
banded with black; rest of tail feathers showing more or less black
bands and broadly tipped with white; bill, black.

Length, 11 to 12; wing, 5 to 6; tail, about 5.30; bill, 1.05.

The Blue Jay is a common resident throughout the year in Illinois
and Wisconsin, being one of our most familiar birds. In addition
to its harsh cry it has a peculiar bell like note, and on rather rare
occasions, a delightful warbling song. The nest is usually built in
the crotch of a tree and is composed of small interwoven twigs.
The eggs are from 3 to 6 in number, pale olive or pale bufT color
with scattered markings and speckles of brown. They measure
about 1. 10 X .82 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains a number of sets of eggs
taken in northern Illinois between May 8 and June 10.

Genus PERISOREUS Bonap.

219. Perisoreus canadensis (Linn.).

Canada Jay.

Distr.: Northern border of the United States, from Wisconsin to
the Atlantic Ocean northward to Arctic iVmerica.

Adult: Plumage, soft; back, dusky gray; forehead, sides of head
and neck, and throat, whitish; back of head and nape, sooty black;
lower breast and belly, ashy or ashy bull; primaries, dark brown; the

Canada Jay.

546 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

outer webs, slate gray and narrowly tipped with white; tail, ashy
gray; tipped with white.

Length, about 10.50; wing, 5.50 to 5.80; tail, 6; bill, .72.

The Canada Jay, while it is not known to range as far south as
Illinois, is a common winter visitant in the pine regions of northern
Wisconsin and accidental as far south as Racine. It may breed in
northern Wisconsin as it has been found nesting near Mahoning,
northern Michigan, by Mr. O. B. Warren (Auk, Vol. XVI, p. 12), and
in northern Minnesota (Cook, Bird Migr. Miss. Val., 1888, p. 158).

This is a familiar bird about logging camps in the north woods,
where it is known by the name of " Camp-robber " and " Whiskey
Jack. "

Subfamily CORVIN^E.

Genus CORVUS Linn.

220. Corvus corax principalis Ridgw.
Northern Raven.

Distr. : Northern North America, south to British Columbia
Michigan, Wisconsin, New Brunswick, and Maine, casual in Illinois.
Replaced by the American Raven (C. c. sinuatus) in the western
United States, from Missouri, southern Illinois, and central Missis-
sippi Valley west to California and south to Mexico and Guatemala.

Raven.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 547

Adult: Entire plumage, blue black; throat feathers, elongated
and attenuated; sexes, similar.

Length, 21 to 25 or more; wing, 16 to 18; tail, about 10; bill, 2.50.

The difference between the Northern and American Ravens is
mainly one of size, the northern form being larger and the bill
relatively larger and broader; but intermediate specimens occur
which are apparently indistinguishable. Under the circumstances,
for the present at least, until a series of specimens can be obtained
from the different localities, it may be well to consider Wisconsin and
northern Illinois specimens as principalis and those from southern
Illinois as sinuatus.

According to Mr. Nelson (Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 112) the Raven
was "formerly a not uncommon resident, now only occurs in winter
and is rare. Frequents the sand hills along the lake shore from the
last of October until spring. The first of November, 1875, I saw
several specimens near Waukegan, where they were repeatedly seen
flying along the lake shore and also eating the dead fish found there."
Mr. Frank M. Woodruff procured a bird of this species at Meredosia,
111., on Oct. 23, 1892. The specimen was examined by Prof. Ridg-
way and pronounced principalis (Auk, 1896, p. 83). The form which
occurs in Missouri, however, is apparently the American Raven
(C. c. sinuatus), as Mr. Otto Widman gives it as formerly a perma-
nent resident in that state and records a set of five eggs having been
taken by Mr. Philo W. Smith, Jr., at Hahatonka, Camden Co., Mis-
souri, on April 5, 1901 (Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis, 1907, p. 147),
so that it is not unlikely that both forms may still occur in Illinois.

Mr. Ridgway states (Birds of Illinois, 1889, p. 331) : " The Raven is
a very local and nowhere abundant bird in Illinois. The writer has
seen it only in the bottoms of Big Creek and about the borders of
Fox Prairie, in Richmond Co., where up to 1871 at least one or two
pairs might be seen at almost any time, usually soaring in circles
over the timber." Mr. H. K. Coale writes me he observed a Raven
at Highland Park, 111., in the spring of 1908.

In Wisconsin according to Kumlien and Hollister, the Northern
Raven (C c. principalis) is not uncommon. They write (Birds of Wis-
consin, 1903, p. 85): "Steadily decreasing in numbers, but yet rather
a common species in the less settled portions of northern Wisconsin.
Dr. Hoy, in 1852, gave it as more numerous than the next at Racine.
It has always been considered as more common along Lake Michigan
than in the interior, except in the northern part of the state. * * *
King gives it as 'common the whole length of the Flambeau River,
October and November, 1877, several seen daily.' Willard reports

548 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

but one specimen from Brown County, and Grundtvig, one from
Outagamie County, in 1882. Grundtvig, on the authority of residents,
states that it was formerly common in that county. Thirty to forty
years ago the raven was not a rare winter visitant to southern
Wisconsin, but of late years it is rarely seen. A single specimen shot
at Lake Koshkonong, November, 1891, by L. Kumlien and mounted
for Albion Academy, is the last real record we have, although others
have been 'seen.' We have met it at several points in northern
Wisconsin in late fall and winter, but more often along Lake Michi-
gan and Lake Superior than elsewhere. It is really common at
several points along Lake Superior, where it seems to replace the
Crow entirely. It is commonly found around the lake fishing sta-
tions." Mr. J. B. Mann of Woodruff, Vilas County, Wisconsin, who
is well acquainted with the Raven, informs me that a few are seen
every winter in that vicinity.

The nest is large and bulky, composed of sticks and weeds, usually
built on trees or rocky cliffs. The eggs are from 3 to 7, greenish or
pale olive, thickly marked with brownish and olive. They measure
about 2.03 X 1.37 inches.

22 L Corvus brachyrhynchos Brehm.
American Crow.

Corvus americanus Aud., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, P- 200.

Distr.: North America, from British America to the Gulf of Mexico.

Adult: General plumage, shiny black, the head, rather dull black;
the female is similar to the male, but smaller.

Length, 17 to 19; wing, 12 to 13.50; tail, 6.50 to 8; bill, 1.70 to 2.

This well known species is an abundant resident in Illinois and
Wisconsin. In spite of his reputation as an undesirable citizen and
although every man's hand is against him, the Crow seems eminently
able to take care of himself, and his numbers do not appear to
inaterially lessen.

They seem to entertain an intense dislike to certain animals, espe-
cially an owl. Often the peaceful quiet of the woods is suddenly
broken by the harsh excited "cawing" of a flock of crows, who have
discovered a bird of that species quietly enjoying his diurnal siesta,
and the din rarely ceases until the hated bird has been driven from
his concealment and forced to seek other quarters.

It breeds in April and early in May. The nest is a bulky structure,
composed of sticks and grass, placed in a tree, usually at some dis-
tance from the ground. The eggs are 4 to 6, usually bluish green or

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 549

American Crow.

grayish green, thickly marked with different shades of duh brown,
and measure about 1.64 x 1.20 inches. The Field Museum collection
contains a number of sets of eggs taken in northern Illinois between
x\pril 17 and May 19.

Genus NUCIFRAGA Brisson.
Subgenus PICICORVUS Bonap.
222. Nucifraga columbiana (Wils.).
Clarke's Nutcracker.
Distr.: "Higher coniferous forests of western North America,
from the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, and
from Putnam River, Alaska, south to Arizona and northern Lower
California. Accidental in Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas," (A. O. U.)
Wisconsin.

Adult: General plumage, pale ashy gray; dull white on forehead,
chin and about the eyes; primaries and middle tail feathers, black,
more or less tinged with blue black; tips of secondaries and outer
tail feathers, white; bill, black.

Length, about 12.50; wing, 7.50; tail, 5.20; bill, 1.40.

550 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

This western species is included in our list upon the authority of
Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister, who state: "A specimen of Clarke's
crow was shot by Mr. Hawley, in the western outskirts of Mil-
waukee (Wisconsin) in the late fall of 1875. The bird was too badly
shot to make a good skin and it came into the possession of Dr. G.
W. Peckham, who made a skeleton of it himself. The specimen,
with the exact date, etc., was later destroyed by the disastrous high
school fire in that citv-" It has not been observed in Illinois.

Family ICTERID.^. Blackbirds, Orioles, etc.

The Icteridae are an American family, comprising about 1 50 species,
varying much in appearance and habits. The Blackbirds, Meadow-
larks, etc., are more or less gregarious, while the Orioles are rather
solitary. Some species (the Orioles) build a pensile nest attached to
branches; others, like the Marsh Blackbirds prefer swamps, while
the Meadowlark makes its nest on the ground in open fields and plains.

All are vocalists of more or less excellence. Their food consists
of seeds and insects, although at times they eat fruit. One species,
the Bobolink, becomes very fat while in the south, where it is known
as Rice Bird and Reed Bird, and is there considered a great delicacy.

Red-winged Blackbird.

Crackle.

Oriole.

Meadowlark.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

551

Genus DOLICHONYX Swainson.

223. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.).

Bobolink.

Distr. : Ranges in North America from the Atlantic coast west to
Utah and Montana, north to Ontario, south to Florida and the Gulf
coast; winters in South America.

Adult male in spring: Head, throat and under parts, black; the
feathers of under parts, either edged with pale buff or entirely black,

according to season; a patch of pale tawny or tawny buff on back of
neck; upper back, black, with tawny streaks down into the middle;
most of scapulars, lower back and rump, whitish; primaries and tail
feathers, black, the latter narrowly tipped with gray and the middle
feathers sharply pointed.

Adult female in spring: Upper parts, olive buff, streaked with
black; a streak of olive buff on middle of crown; under parts, yellow-
ish buff; the throat, pale; sides of body, streaked with black. Some-
what smaller than the male.

Adult male in fall: Plumage similar to the spring female, but rather
more buffy.

Male: Length, 7 to 7.40; wing, 3.60 to 3.80; tail, 2.75 to 3;
bill, .50.

Female: Length, 6.60 to 7.10; wing, 3.30 to 3.60; tail, 2.80;
bill, .45.

The Bobolink is an abundant migrant in southern Illinois, and

552 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

a cbmmon summer resident in northern Illinois and Wisconsin, breed-
ing in open meadows. It arrives from the south about the first of
May and nidification commences the latter part of May or early in
June. The song of the Bobolink is a delightful medley impossible to
describe and is often uttered while the Ijird is poised high in the air
or slowly descending to the groimd.

The nest is of grass, built on the ground or in a tussock of grass
in fields and meadows. The eggs are 4 to 7, dull wdiite or buffy
white, thickly blotched and spotted with dark brown and a few lines
and spots of blackish, and measure about .82 x .62 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains a number of sets of eggs of
this species taken in the vicinity of Joliet and Chicago, 111., between
May 28 and June 8.

Genus MOLOTHRUS Swainson.
224. Molothrus ater (Bodd.).

COWBIRD.

Distr.: Whole of the United States, and north to southern British
America; south to Mexico in winter.

Adult male : Head, neck, and breast, seal brown; rest of plumage,
bluish black, w^th purplish and greenish reflections; bill and feet,
black.

Adult female: General plumage, brownish gray, darker above than
belows throat, pale ashy gray, decidedly lighter than rest of under
parts; wings and tail, dark brown.

Length, 7.85; w4ng, 4.28; tail, 3; bill, .62.

Cowbird (male).

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

553

The Cowbird is a common summer resident throughout Ihinois
and Wisconsin. The female builds no nest of her own, but deposits
her eggs in the nests of other birds, usually selecting that of some bird
smaller than herself.

The Yellow Warbler, which is included in the list of desirable
species by the Cowbird mother to relieve her of domestic cares, often
gets the better of her undesirable visitor by building a second story
to her nest, thereby covering the despised egg. Instances are known
where the rightful owner, to avoid being forced to start an avian elee-
mosynary institution, was compelled to build a third and even a fourth
story to her nest before she was left in peace to attend to her own
family duties. Usually one, sometimes tw^o, and rarely three or four
eggs are left to be incubated and the young reared by the foster
mother. A nest of the Scarlet Tanager, taken by Dr. N. Dearborn
at Fox Lake, 111., on June 14, 1903, contained the remarkable number
of six, well incubated Cowbird's eggs and none of the rightful owner.
When found, the female Tanager was on the nest. The eggs are dull
white, or pale buff, irregularly and thickly marked with brown, and
measure about .87 x .66 inches.

Section of four-story nest of Yellow Warbler in which Cowbird's eggs have been deposited.

554 Field Museum of Natural History — ^ Zoology, Vol. IX.

The Field Museum collection contain nests and eggs of the follow-
ing species in which one or more eggs of the Cowbird have been
deposited:

Scarlet Tanager (2 nests), Song Sparrow (5 nests). Yellow War-
bler (3 nests), Bobolink, Bell's Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, and Maryland
Yellow-throat. The late Captain Charles Bendire in his Life Histories
of North American Birds gives a list of 91 different species in whose
nests Cowbird's eggs have been found, including among them —
Mourning Dove, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Kingbird, and, strange to
say, Red-headed Woodpecker.

Genus XANTHOCEPHALUS Bonap.

225. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (Bonap.).
Yellow-headed Blackbird.

Distr. : Western North America, from Indiana, Illinois, and Wis-
consin west to the Pacific coast, north to British Columbia and south
to Mexico; accidental on the Atlantic coast.

Adult male: Whole head, neck, and breast, orange yellow; chin,
and around the eye, black; primary and greater secondary coverts,
white, forming a white wing patch; rest of plumage, black.

Yellow-headed Blackbird (male).

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 555

Adult female: Smaller than the male; general plumage, dark
brown; a line over the eye; cheek patch and throat, including upper
breast, washed with dull yellow; wing and tail, dark brown; lower
breast usually with more or less dull white streaks; no white on the
wing.

Male: Length, about 10; wing, 5.60; tail, 4.50; bill, .78.

Female: Length, about 8; wing, 4.90; tail, 4; bill, .66.

The Yellow-headed Blackbird is a summer resident in northern
Illinois and Wisconsin, breeding in open swampy places. It seems to
be somewhat local in its distribution, being common in some locali-
ties and rare or absent in other and intermediate points, where the
conditions are apparently the same. This species was once abundant
in the vicinity of Chicago about Calumet Lake and is still not un-
common in that locality. Numerous colonies were found breeding
near Fox Lake in 1907 and 1908.

Kumlien and Hollister state that it breeds abundantly in Wiscon-
sin in some sections of the State, while in others it seems to be
totally absent.

The nest is composed of grass and weeds attached to reeds or in
low bushes in swamps or marshes. The eggs are from 3 to 6, grayish
or grayish white, speckled with pale cinnamon brown and occasion-
ally with a few fine irregular lines of black, and measure about i.oo
X .71 inches.

Genus AGELAIUS Vieill.

226. Agelaius phceniceus (Linn.).

Red-winged Blackbird.

Disir.: Eastern United States and southern British provinces,
except the Gulf coast and Florida; west to the great plains.

Adult male: General plumage, glossy black; lesser wing coverts,
scarlet red, bordered with buffy white, forming a brilliant red " shoul-
der " patch; bill and legs, black.

Adult female: Upper plumage, rusty brown and black; the ex-
posed portion of the feathers of the back being black edged with rusty;
a buffy stripe over the eye; under parts, dull white or buffy white,
streaked with black; wing, dark brown, edged with buff; tail, dark
brown.

Male: Length, about 8.25; wing, 4.50 to 4.80; tail, 3.60; bill,
.80 to .92.

Female: Length, about 8; wing, 3.84 to 4.05; tail, 3.50; bill,
.68 to .80.

556 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Female.

Red-vvmged Blackbird fmale).

The Red-winged Blackbird
is an abundant summer resi-
dent in Illinois and Wisconsin,
frequenting swampy places
and breeding throughout both
states. It arrives from the
south in March and leaves in
October. The note is a loud
chuck, while its song is a medley
of metallic vocal sounds beyond
description.

The nest is of dry grass, built in reeds or on branches of bushes
and low trees bordering marshes or ponds. The eggs are from 3 to
5 in number, pale blue or grayish marked and scrawled with black,
dark brown, and purplish gray. They measure about .98 x .70
inches.

The Field Museum collection contains a number of sets of eggs of
this species taken near Joliet, Illinois, between May 21 and June 14.

226a. Agelaius phoeniceus arctolegus Oberholser.
Arctic Red-winged Blackbird.

Distr.: " Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and northern Michi-
gan; north to Kewatin, Athabaska, and Mackenzie; in migration south
to Colorado, Texas, Illinois, and probably Ohio." (Oberholser,
Auk, 1907, p. 332.)

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 557

Mr. Oberholser has lately described this geographical race of the
Red-winged Blackbird, which is apparently indistinguishable from
the eastern form, except by size. According to Mr. Oberholser,
A. p. fortis Ridgway occupies the plains from northwestern Texas
to Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming, and the large form which has
been recorded from Illinois is arctolegns. In a series of specimens
representing the two forms the measurements are as follows:

Agelaius phoeniceus, d^, wing, 4.50 to 4.80; culmen, .81 to .92.

Agelaius phceniceus, ? , wing, 3.84 to 4.05; culmen, .68 to .80.

Agelaius p. arctolegus, c?, wing, 4.78 to 5.12; culmen, .90 to 1.02.

Agelaius p. arctolegus, 9 , wing, 3.82 to 4.21; culmen, .67 to .81.

Such geographical races are only of value to the specialist; but
for that reason great care should be taken in their identification.
The student should bear in mind that while the northern form arc-
tolegus averages larger than phoBuiceus, individual variation is consider-
able and it does not necessarily follow that a large New England spec-
imen should be recognized as arctolegus merely because its measure-
ments agree with one of medium size taken in Alberta. It is far bet-
ter to err on the side of conservatism than to burden Ornithological
literature with questionable records.

Mr. Oberholser gives arctolegus as having been taken in Illinois
near Jacksonville and Bloomington, and the Museum possesses a male
specimen (No. 30358) taken near Chicago, Oct. 15, 1903, which might
be referred to this subspecies. The measurements are as follows:

Wing, 5.08; culmen, .96; depth of bill at base, .48.

Genus STURNELLA Vieill.

227. Sturnella magna (Linn.).

Meadowlark.

Distr.: "Eastern United States and southern Canada to the
Plains. Breeds from the Gulf of Mexico northward." (A. O. U.)

Special characters : Upper plumage, black, bordered and tipped
with buff and rufous brown; crown with buff line through the center;
breast and upper portion of belly, bright yellow; yellow of throat
not extending over malar region; greater portion of under parts,
gamboge yellow; throat and breast separated by a crescent shaped
patch of black; flanks and under tail coverts, tinged with buflf;
middle tail feathers and tertials with imperfect brown bars, which run
together along the shaft, not clearly separated; distinct bars extend-
ing across the feather as in the Western Meadowlark.

Male: Wing, 4.50 to 5.10 inches; bill, 1.22 to 1.42 inches.

558 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Female: Wing, 4.14 to 4.50 inches; bill, 1.05 to 1.26 inches.

The Meadowlark is a common summer resident throughout Illi-
nois and Wisconsin, frequenting the open fields and prairies. A few-
remain during the winter, but the majority arrive in March and leave
for the south again late in the fall. Its song is clear and rather
plaintive, and is subject to considerable variation.

It breeds in May. The nest is built on the ground and is composed
of dry grass. The eggs are white, sparsely marked and speckled
with brown and lilac gray. They are from 4 to 6 in number, and
measure about 1.12 x .80 inches.

227a. Sturnella magna argutula (Bangs.).

Southern Meadowlark.

Distr. : Southeastern United States, from Florida to Louisiana
and north through the lower Mississippi Valley to southern Illinois
and western Indiana.

Special characters : Similar to 5. magna, but smaller and some-
what darker, the back generally showing more black; the imperfect
barring of middle tail feathers and tertials as in magna.

Male: Wing, 4.25 to 4.65; bill, 1.22 to 1.40.

Female: Wing, 3.75 to 4.05 ; bill, 1. 10 to 1.20.

Specimens of this southern race contained in the Field Museum
collection were taken at Grand Chain, Pulaski County, southern Illi-

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 559

nois, in April, 1897. Others from the same locality are apparently
intermediate in size and coloration between this and S. magna.

The measurements of four selected specimens are as follows :

No. 5737, male, April 16, 1897; wing, 4.44; bill, 1.25.

No. 5735, male, April 14, 1897; wing, 4.54; bill, 1.27.

No. 5733, male, April 16, 1897; wing, 4.63; bill, 1.24.

No. 5734, male, April 17, 1897; wing, 4.65; bill, 1.25.

228. Sturnella neglecta Aud.
Western Meadowlark.

Disir.: "Western United States, southwestern British Provinces
and northwestern Mexico; east to prairie districts of Mississippi Valley
in Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Indian Territory, and Texas; occa-
sionally to Illinois, Wisconsin, and southern Michigan." (Ridgway.)

Special characters : General plumage, grayer and paler than in
5. magna; yellow of the under parts, paler, the yellow of throat usu-
ally extending laterally more or less upon the malar region; middle
tail feathers and tertails with distinct and separate bars extending
across the feather and not broken at the shaft. General upper plu-
mage, paler and grayer; the rufous and black markings of 5. magna
replaced by gray and dark brown; flanks and under tail coverts,
whitish.

Male: Wing, 4.60 to 5.09; bill, 1.20 to 1.44.

Fem.ale: Wing, 4.12 to 4.55; bill, 1.08 to 1.26.

The Western Meadowlark is apparently of rather rare occurrence
in Illinois, but more common in Wisconsin. Nelson records a speci-
men taken near Chicago the last of May, 1876. Ridgway states that
he has heard its unmistakable song on the prairies of Richland Co.,
(111.), but was unable to obtain a specimen (Orn. of 111., Vol. I, 1889,
p. 317). In Wisconsin Kumlien and Hollister cite numerous records
and state: " In many parts of the state the western meadowlark breeds
more or less commonly." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 88.)

The song of the Western Meadowlark is quite different and readily
distinguishable from that of the eastern bird.

560 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus ICTERUS Biisson.

229. Icterus spurius (Linx).

Orchard Oriole.

Distr.: Whole of eastern United States, west to the plains and
southwest through Texas, Mexico, and Central America to Panama.

Adult male: Whole head, throat, upper breast, and most of back,
black; rest of under parts, and rump and upper tail coverts, chestnut;
wings and tail, dark brown, more or less tipped with brownish white.

Male.

Orchard Oriole.

Female.

Adult female: Upper plumage, dull olive yellow, faintly tinged
with grayish olive on the back; under parts, yellow; wing coverts,
edged and tipped with dull white; tail, olive yellow.

Immature male, first year: Resembles adult female, but back more
grayish brown.

Immature male, second year: Similar to adult female, but throat,
black, and with or without patches of chestnut on the under parts.

Length, about 6.75; wing, 3.20; tail, 2.80; bill, .62.

The Orchard Oriole is a common summer resident in Illinois and
southern Wisconsin at least as far as Dunn Co., and according to
Kumlien and Hollister it occasionally occurs as far north as the shores
of Lake Superior. Its delightful whistling notes are uttered more
rapidly than those of the Baltimore Oriole and are somewhat sharper.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 561

It breeds in May and June; the nest, which is built in a tree, is
composed of grass, occasionally more or less pendulous, but usually
supported in a crotch near the extremity of a branch. The eggs are
3 to 5, bluish white or dull white, scrawled and marked with dark
brown and lilac gray, and measure about .80 x .58 inches.

Subgenus YPHANTES Vieill.

230. Icterus galbula (Linn.).

Baltimore Oriole.

Distr. : Eastern United States and southern Canada, from the
Atlantic coast west to the eastern border of the Rocky Mountains,
south to Central America and northern South America; breeds
from Texas, Kansas, Mississippi, and the Carolinas northward.

Adult male : Whole head, neck and back, black; rump and under
parts, except throat, bright orange; middle tail feathers, black,
rest of tail feathers, orange yellow; wings, black, the middle and
greater coverts more or less edged with white; bill, lead color.

Adult males in full plumage sometimes show a tinge of red on the
breast.

Adult female: Upper plumage, dull olive yellow, more or less
mixed with dusky; under parts, dull orange; throat, more or less
marked with dull black; tail and upper tail coverts, dull yellowish
orange, the middle tail feathers, darker.

Immature males resemble the female, but have no black on the
throat, and are more highly colored.

Length, 7.50; wing, 3.60; tail, 3; bill, .63.

The Baltimore Oriole is a common summer resident in Illinois
and Wisconsin, arriving from the south in May (earliest Chicago
record, April 26). Wherever there are woods and orchards his loud
clear whistle, consisting of two or three notes, may be heard.

The nest is usually suspended from twigs near the end of a branch
of a tree, usually at a considerable distance from the ground. This
pensile basket like structure is finely woven of grass, plant fibre,
hair, etc. The eggs are dull white, sparsely scrawled and marked
with dark brown or blackish. They are from 4 to 6 in number and
measure about .92 x .61 inches.

562 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Baltimore Oriole.

Genus EUPHAGUS Cassin.

231. Euphagus carolinus (Mull.).
Rusty Blackbird.

Scolecophagus carolinus (Mtill.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, P- ~°9-

Distr.: Eastern North America from the Atlantic coast to the

Great Plains and from the Gulf of Mexico to Ungava and the Arctic

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

563

coast; breeds from the northern border of the United States north-
ward. (Northern Michigan, New York, Maine, etc.)

Adult male in summer: Entirely lustrous black, with greenish
reflections; head nearly or quite the same color (never purplish blue) ;

wing, less than 5 inches long
(measured from carpus to
tip); iris, pale yellow; bill
and feet, black.

Adult female in spring:
General plumage, slate color;
wings and tail, darker and
more or less glossy.

Adult male in fall and
winter: Plumage, black, but
feathers widely tipped above
with ferrugineous or rusty;
feathers of • tmder parts, tipped with buff brown.

Adult female iu fall: Feathers of the upper parts, broadly tipped
with ferrugineous or rusty, often almost entirely concealing the gray
bases of the feathers on the head and upper back; a buffy superciliary
line; feathers of under parts, tipped with pale tawny brown.
The females are smaller than the males.
Male: Length, 9; wing, 4.75; tail, 3.50; bill, .75.
Female: Length, 8.50; wing, 4.45; tail, 3.40; bill, .65.
This species is an abundant migrant in spring and fall in Illinois
and Wisconsin. Kumlien and Hollister state that formerly it oc-
cured as a summer resident in Wisconsin, but only a single instance of
its breeding within our limits is on record: "A set, nest and eggs taken
at Storrs' Lake near Milton, June, 1861, is now in the Kumlien col-
lection." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 89.)

Rusty Blackbird.

232. Euphagus cyanocephalus (Wagl.).
Brewer's Blackbird.

Scolecophagus cyanocephalus (Wagl.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895,
p. 209.

Distr.: Western United States, from the British Provinces to
Central America; accidental as far east as Illinois and Wisconsin.
Breeds from southern Texas northward to i\.lberta, Manitoba and the
Saskatchewan and east to Minnesota and Nebraska.

Adult male in summer: Bill, stouter than E. carolinus; general
plumage, lustrous greenish black; wdiole head and throat, steel bluish

564 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

or purplish; bill, black; iris, pale yellow; wing over 5 inches long
(measured from carpus to tip).

Adult female ivi summer : Dark grayish brown, tinged with greenish
on the back, wings, and tail; under parts, grayish brown, becoming
dusky brown on the belly.

Adult female in fall: Similar, but feathers more or less inconspicu-
ously edged with light grayish brown.

The females are smaller than the males, approaching in size the
female Rusty Blackbird, but the difference in shape of the bill and
the grayish brown (not rusty brown) edgings to the feathers, and ab-
sence of pale superciliary stripe will distinguish it in fall plumage.

Male: Length, 9.50; wing, 5.05 to 5.25; tail, 4.00; bill, .75.

Female: Length, 9; wing, 4.50 to 4.95 ; tail, 3.70; bill, .75.

Brewer's Blackbird must be considered an accidental straggler
within our limits. Nelson considered it "a very rare visitant" in
Illinois. Ridgway records a female shot at Mount Carmel, 111., in
December, 1866.

In Wisconsin Mr. F. H. King records a specimen from Green Lake
County: "A single mature male obtained in July, on the large marsh
just east of Princeton." (Natural History of Wisconsin, 1883, p.
551.) Kumlien and Hollister state: " The only known instance of its
nesting in the state was at Lake Koshkonong, June 14, 1862. Two
or three specimens besides these have been taken at the same locality
in the past sixty years." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 89.)

Genus QUISCALUS Vieill.

233. Quiscalus quiscula aeneus (Ridgw.).
Bronzed Grackle. Crow-blackbird.

Distr. : United States, from the eastern border of the Rocky
Mountains to the New England coast. Apparently absent from the
southeastern coast states from New Jersey to Florida; breeds from
Pennsylvania, northern Mississippi, and Louisiana northward to New-
foundland, southern Labrador, and the Great Slave Lake region.

Adult male : Whole head, neck, and upper breast, iridescent bluish
purple; back and under parts, bronze green; wings and tail, blackish,
tinged with purple; bill and feet, black; iris, pale yellow.

Adult female : General plumage, black, much duller than the male
and showing comparatively little iridescence.

Length, 11.25 'to 13; wing, 5.60; tail, 5.10; bill, 1.15.

The Bronzed Grackle is a common summer resident in Illinois

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

565

Bronzed Grackle.

and Wisconsin. The majority arrive the first of April and leave again
in October (First Chicago record, March 16).

It breeds from April to June. The nest is a rather large structure
of coarse grass, usually built in trees, but occasionally in cavities or
openings in dead trees and stumps. The eggs are from 3 to 6 in num-
ber, pale bluish or greenish, marked and scrawled with dark brown
and black, and measure about 1.16 x .82 inches.

Family FRINGILLID^ Finches, Sparrows,
Crossbills, etc.

The Fringiliidae comprise the largest known family of birds, con-
taining over 500 species and distributed nearly throughout the world
(except Australia). They are granivorous, being principally seed
eaters, although they also feed upon buds, fruits, and insects. With
few exceptions they are not gregarious, although often seen in flocks.
Their nesting habits vary with different species.

566 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus HESPERIPHONA Bonap.

234. Hesperiphona vespertina (Coop.).
Evening Grosbeak.

Coccothraitstcs vespertiiius (Coop.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 211.
Distr.: Interior of eastern North America, from New York and
New England west to the Rocky Mountains and north to the British
provinces (Saskatchewan) ; south in winter to Ohio, Kansas, Wis-
consin, northern Ilhnois, and northern Indiana. Breeding range
unknown.

Adult male: Bill, very large and thick, pale greenish yellow in
color; forehead, yellow, the color extending back in a line over the

eye; crown, blackish; sides of
head, grayish olive brown; upper
back, brownish olive; breast,
yellowish olive, shading into
~^^ yellow on the belly and under
. tail coverts; rump, yellow;
wings and tail, black, the ter-
minal half of the secondaries
and coverts, pure white.

Adult female: General plu-
mage, grayish brown, darkest,
on top and sides of head; upper throat, whitish; sides of body and
under wing coverts, more or less tinged with yellow; wings and tail,
black, marked with more or less white, the tail feathers being tip-
ped with white on ianer webs.

Length, 7.25 to 8.50; wing, 4.10 to 4.60; tail, 2.75; bill, .70.
This fine species is a not uncommon winter visitant in Wisconsin
and occurs occasionally in winter in northern Illinois. Mr. E. W.
Nelson states: "A winter visitant occurring at irregular intervals. In
the winter of 187 i they wer equite common throughout the northern
portion of the state." Mr. F. M. Woodruff considers it a very irreg-
ular winter visitant to northeastern Illinois. He procured a speci-
men at River Forest on January 13, 18S7, and another at Englewood,
March, 1888. He writes: " Mr. B. T. Gault informs me that on
December 25, 1886, he observed five in Garfield Park, Chicago, where
they were feeding upon the keys of the box elder. * * * * ^'^ Mr.
H. K. Coale has furnished me with the following interesting record:
" On Febr. 11, 1887, Mr. E. A. Colby shot twelve Evening Grosbeaks
in Chicago, which he presented to me in the flesh; he also saw several
flocks during the winter feeding on the buds of trees." (Birds of the

Male.

Jan., igoq. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

567

Chicago Area, 1907, p. 126.) There are numerous other IlHnois re-
cords, flocks have been seen in northern Illinois late in April, and
it has been taken in northern Indiana as late as Mav 13.

In the more central portions of Illinois it is rare. Specimens
have been taken by Mr. Charles K. Worthen at Warsaw, 111., and
Mr. O. P. Hay records taking six birds of this species near Eureka,
Woodford Co., in the fall of 1872. (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, July,

Pine Grosbeak.
(Male and female.

White-winged Crossbill.
(Male and female.)

American Crossbill.
(Male.)
Evening Grosbeak.
(Male and female.)

568 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

1881, p. 179.). According to Mr. L. O. Pindar a flock was seen at Hick-
man, Kentucky, on the Mississippi River, between Cairo and New
Madrid. Three specimens were taken (Widmann, Birds of Missouri,
1907, p. 166).

Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister include this species (Birds of
Wisconsin, 1903, p. 90) as a " common winter visitant, usually found
in good numbers any time from December on."

Genus PINICOLA Vieill.

235. Pinicola enucleator leucura (Muller).

Pine Grosbeak.

Distr.: Northeastern North America, from about longitude 95°

to the coast; breeding from northern Maine and New Hampshire,

Quebec and Ontario northward to the limit of coniferous trees; ranges

south in winter to northern Illinois, northern Missouri, and Iowa.

Adult male : Bill, stout; gen-
eral plumage, rosy red, the
feathers of back with dusky gray
centers; lores, dusky; wings,
dark brown, the secondaries and
coverts, more or less edged with
white; some of the primaries,
narrowly edged with white.

Adult female: General plum-
age, ashy gray; the head, upper
back, and rump, dull saffron
same; more or less black in front

Pine Grosbeak.

yellow; breast with faint tinge of
of eye; wings, as in the male.

Immature birds resemble the female.

Length, about 8; wing, 4.55; tail, 4; bill, .50.

The Pine Grosbeak is an irregular winter visitant to northern
Illinois, but is common in winter in Wisconsin, especially in the
northern part of the state. Mr. Frank M. Woodruff records a speci-
men taken by him at River Forest, January, 1887. Mr. John F.
Ferry procured several specimens from a flock at Lake Forest in the
winter of 1895. The Field Museum collection contains two specimens,
a male and a female, taken by Mr. W^. Kennicott and Mr. John Dear-
love at " The Grove," Cook County, 111., on Nov. 23, 1903, and a male
taken by Mr. John F. Ferry at Beach, Lake Co., 111., Nov. 17, 1906.

Kumlien and Hollister state that it is a common winter bird in
northern Wisconsin.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 569

Genus CARPODACUS Kaup.

236. Carpodacus purpureas (Gmel.).
Purple Finch.

Distr. : North America, from the Atlantic coast to the Rocky
Mountains and from the Gulf of Mexico to British Columbia, northern
Quebec, and Labrador. Breeds regularly in coniferous trees from
northern Wisconsin northward.

Adult male: Tail, very slightly forked; general plumage, more or
less rose red, deeper red on the head, and mixed with brown on the

back; throat and breast, rose red, shad-
ing to white on the belly; wings and
tail, dark brown, with narrow pale edg-
ings.
v^^~ Adult female : Upper plumage, dark

^^ brown, streaked with dusky brown;

^^"^ under parts, white, streaked irregularly

^^ with dark brown; rump, more or less

Purple Finch. tinged with dull olive.

The female of this species may be distinguished from other spar-
rows and finches by the slightly forked tail and the small tufts of
feathers over the nostril.

Length, 5.75 to 6; wing, 2.90 to 3.25; tail, 2.35; bill, .40.
This handsome species is a common migrant in spring and fall in
Illinois and a not uncommon winter resident, especially in the south-
ern part of the state. Authentic breeding records for Illinois are
very rare. In 1876 Nelson included it in his Birds of northeastern
Illinois as "A common winter resident, a few breed." Mr. Frank
M. Woodruff considers it "i\.n irregular migrant and a not uncommon
winter resident." Mr. W. W. Cook states: " It breeds regularly from
northern Minnesota and Dakota northward, but has also been found
breeding in northern Illinois. Mr. Kline has taken one set of eggs
at Polo, Illinois." (Bird Migration Mississippi Valley, 1888, p. 179.)
Nehrling states that it has been taken at Waukegan, 111., during the
breeding season, (Our Native Birds, etc., 1896, p. 29), and there is
an egg in the Thomas H. Douglass collection at Waukegan, labelled
as having been collected by him in that locality on May 13, 1875.

In Wisconsin Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister consider it a more or
less common migrant in spring and fall and state they have observed
it in summer; but give no definite nesting records of their own. Dr.
Hoy found it breeding near Racine about 1850, and F. L. Grundtvig

570 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

tound the nests of three pairs near Shiocton in 1883. It probably
breeds regularly in the northern part of the state, as Mr. John F.
Ferry found it not uncommon near Woodruff, Vilas County, during
the last week in June, 1908.

The nest is built in trees, usually at a considerable distance from
the ground. It is composed of grass, twigs, and hair. The eggs
are from 4 to 6, clear blue, spotted and marked about the larger end
with dark brown, and measure about .80 x .56 inches.

Genus PASSER Brisson.

237. Passer domesticus (Lixn.).
English Sparrow. House Sparrow.

Adult: Top of head, gray; nape, sides of neck, and stripe from'
the eye backward, rich chestnut; cheeks and sides of throat, white;

English bparro\\ (male).

front of eye, throat and breast, black; upper back, chestnut, with
black streaks; lower back and rump, gray; belly, white; wing, dark
brown, more or less edged with pale rufous brown; tail, brown.

Adult female: Upper plumage, dark grayish brown; the middle
of the back, dull tawny brown, streaked with black; under parts,
pale, dull whitish on belly and the breast; sides of body, washed with
pale grayish brown; middle wing coverts, tipped with whitish; rest
of wing feathers, more or less edged with pale brown.

Length, about 6; wing, 3; tail, 2.40; bill, .42.

The English Sparrow is an Old World species, which was intro-
duced into this country some years ago and has now unfortunately
become very numerous throughout the greater portion of the United
States.

It destroys but few insects and is most pugnacious, driving away

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 571

our native insectivorous birds, and lias proved itself a most undesir-
able addition to our avifauna.

The nest is a mass of loose grass, leaves, or almost any soft sub-
stance easily procured. It builds anywhere, but usually about build-
ings. The eggs are variable, but the majority are dull white with
scattered markings of olive brown (occasionally nearly pure white
and again thickly blotched with dark brown). They number from
4 to 7, and measure about .84 x .62 inches. They are very prolific,
the breeding season lasting from February until September or Octo-
ber and several broods are raised in a year.

The European Tree Sparrow, Passer uioiitanns, is not uncommon
ii the vicinity of St. Louis, Mo., where it was introduced in 1870.
It has increased in its numbers and according to Mr. Otto Widmann:
" It has left the thickly settled parts of St. Louis; but is found scatter-
ingly throughout the outskirts and suburbs, spreading to neighboring
cities." (Birds of Missouri, 1907, p. 172.) It is probable that it will
be observed in Illinois in the near future.

Genus LOXIA Linn.

238. Loxia curvirostra minor (Brehm).

American Crossbill. Red Crossbill.

Distr.: Northern North America, in coniferous forests. Breeds
from northern Michigan and northern Wisconsin northward. In the
Eastern states has been found breeding- as far south as Tennessee and
the Alleghanies; ranges in winter south to Louisiana and South Caro-
lina, and on the Pacific coast to Lower California.

Adult male: Mandibles, crossed; general plumage, red, brightest
on head and rump ; feathers of the back, more or less faintly marked
with dusky olive; wings and tail, dark brown.

Adult female : Mandibles, crossed; upper plumage, greenish olive,
mixed with grayish and dusky, becoming clear olive yellow on the
rump; under parts, gray, more or less washed with yellowish olive.

Immature males show various mixed plumages of red and green
during the change to the adult stage.

Length, 6; wing, 3.48; tail, 2.50; bill, .60 (length of bill very
variable).

The Red Crossbill is a regular, but by no means, common winter
visitant in Illinois and a common winter resident in Wisconsin. Ac-
cording to Kumlien and Hollister it breeds irregularly in the northern
part of the state. Mr. John F. Ferry obtained young birds not long

572 Field Museum of Natural History — -Zoology, Vol. IX.

American Crossbill

out of the nest near Woodruff, Vilas Co., Wisconsin, during the last
week in June, 1908.

The nest is built in coniferous trees and is composed of grass,
rootlets, or small twigs and moss. The eggs are 3 to 4, pale green or
greenish white, marked and dotted chiefly at the larger end with
brown and lilac gray, and measure about .76 x .58 inches.

This species is well represented in the collection of the Field Muse-
um of Natural History by a series of specimens taken in northern
Illinois in winter and spring, some of them as late as June i .

Loxia curvirostra bendirei Ridgway is no longer considered sepa-
rable from this species.

239. Loxia leucoptera Gmel.
White-winged Crossbill.

Distr. : Northern North America, breeding from northern New
England and northern Michigan (Mackinac Island) northward; south
in winter to middle United States (Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas,
etc.).

Adult male: Mandibles, crossed; general plumage, crimson red,
or deep rosy red; inner secondaries and greater and middle wing
coverts, tipped with white, forming a noticeable white wing patch,
rest of wing, black; middle of belly, brownish gray, streaked with
dusky; tail, blackish.

Adult female : Mandibles, crossed; upper plumage, grayish olive,
streaked with dusky; rump, tawny yellow; under parts, grayish.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 573

the breast and sides of body more or less washed with pale tawny,
and faintly marked with dusky; l)elly, grayish white; wing markings,
as in the male.

Immature males assume various plumages from dusky gray with
whitish streaks to the bright red of the adult, including the mixed
red and grayish olive stages.

Length, 6; wing, 3.50; tail, 2.40; bill, .60.

This species is an irregular winter visitant in Illinois and Wiscon-
sin, varying in numbers from year to year. It was common in north-
eastern Illinois during the late fall of 1906.

Mr. Frank M. Woodruff states that: " In the year 1904, from the
ninth to the twentieth of November, enormous flocks of these Cross-
bills passed along the lake shore and many were shot with slingshots
by boys." (Birds Chicago Area, 1907, p. 130.) It occurs as a winter
visitant in Wisconsin but as far as known there is no record of its
breeding in the state, although W. A. Oldfield records it nesting
September 28, 1888, at Keweenaw Point, Michigan (Orn. and Ool.,
1889, p. 43).

Genus ACANTHIS Bechstein.

240. Acanthis hornemannii exilipes (Coues).

Hoary Redpoll.

Distr.: Arctic America and northeastern Asia, occasionally south
in winter to the northern border of the United States; breeds in the
far north (Ungava, northern Alaska, etc.).

Male in winter plumage: General plumage, pale, whitish or light
gray prevailing; rump, plain white, without streaks, often tinged with
rose-pink; under tail coverts, white, occasionally showing a few indis-
tinct streaks; breast, more or less strongly tinged with rose-pink;
sides showing a few narrow brownish dusky streaks or at times without
streaks; rest of under parts, white; crown, with more or less metallic
red; a black spot, on the chin; bill, yellowish with the tip dark.

Female in winter plumage. Similar but smaller and lacks the
rose-pink on the breast.

The unstreaked rump will distinguish this from the next species.

Male: Wing, 2.95 to 3.10; tail, 2.48 to 2.55; culmen, .30; depth
of bill, .20 to .25.

Female: Wing, 2.85 to 3.05 ; tail, 2.35 to 2.55 ; culmen, .30; depth
of bill, .20 to .24.

The Hoary Redpoll is a rare winter visitant to Illinois. Prof.
Ridgway writes: " I have seen specimens in the collection of Mr. E.

574 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

W. Nelson that were collected in the vicinity of Chicago, but I am
unable to give dates of their capture. The National Museum like-
wise possesses specimens from Mount Carmel, collected by Dr. H.
Skinner." (Orn. of Illinois, 1889, p. 232.)

According to Kumlien and Hollister, it is an irregular winter visi-
tor in Wisconsin, usually rare, although they state that: " During Jan-
uary, February, and March, i8g6, Mr. J. N. Clark found these birds
tolerably common in Dunn County," where he procured thirty spec-
imens during the three months. There are numerous other Wiscon-
sin records.

241. Acanthis linaria (Li.w.).
Redpoll.

Distr.: Northern portions of northern hemisphere; breeds in the
far north (Ungava, Alaska, etc.) ; south in winter to South Carolina,
northern Alabama, Kansas, Colorado, etc.

Male in winter plumage:
General plumage, streaked, de-
cidedly darker than exilipes and
the tail, shorter; upper parts,
brownish or grayish brown,
streaked with dusky; rump,
streaked with dusky, usually
more or less tinged with rose or
pink; breast and upper belly,
rosy or pink; under parts, whit-
ish or white; sides and flanks,
broadly streaked with dusky;
under tail coverts, streaked; crown, with more or less metallic red;
a black spot, on the chin; bill, yellowish, with the tip dark. The
female is similar but lacks the pink on the breast and rump; young
birds have no red on the crown.

Male: Wing, 2.85 to 3.05; tail, 2.20 to 2.50; bill, .32 to .37;
depth of bill, .22 to .26.

Female: Wing, 2.75 to 2.95; tail, 2.20 to 2.44; bill, .30 to .36;
depth of bill, .22 to .25.

The Redpoll is a common winter visitant in Illinois and Wiscon-
sin from November until March. When the snow is on the ground
flocks of these little birds may often be seen flying about among the
bushes. They are usually very tame and unsuspicious.

Redroll.

Jan.. 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 575

241a. Acanthis linaria holboellii (Brehm).
Holboll's Redpoll.

Distr.: Northern parts of northern hemisphere, breeding in the
Arctic regions, occasionally south in winter to northern United States
(New York, Massachusetts, Illinois).

Similar to .4. linaria, but averaging larger, and the bill proportion-
ally longer, the difference being merely one of size and by no means
constant; identification is often difficult. It is apparently inter-
mediate between linaria and rostrata.

Male: Wing, 2.85 to 3.05 ; tail, 2.25 to 2.50; bill, .36 to .42; depth
of bill, .25 to .30.

Female: Wing, 2.80 to 3; tail, 2.25 to 2.48; bill, .35 to .42; depth
of bill, .25 to .30.

There has been more or less confusion as to Illinois records of this
form. Mr. H. K. Coale records a female (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club,
Vol. VIII, 1883, p. 239) shot in Chicago by Mr. Geo. F. Klingman,
Nov. 2, 1878, which was identified by Mr. Ridgway as holbcsllii.

Mr. W\ W. Cooke (Bird Migration Mississippi Valley, 1888, p.
181) writes : " Mr. Ridgway kindly informs me that he examined speci-
mens from northern Illinois," and later Mr. A. W. Butler (Birds of
Indiana, 1897, p. 924) mentions a specimen taken by Mr. Coale,
Nov. 21. 1878, in Cook Co., 111., near the Indiana line, which he
states was the first Illinois record {sic) and adds that while it was
reported as .4. /. holba:llii it was evidently rostrata. He does not,
however, inform us how he arrived at this conclusion. To further
complicate matters the only reference for Illinois given by Mr.
Ridgway in his "Birds of North and Middle America" in the synon-
omy under holboellii is that of Mr. W. W^. Cooke as cited above, the
others being given under rostrata.

Assuming that "the specimens examined by Mr. Ridgway from
northern Illinois," were those taken by Mr. Coale and which he now
evidently considers to be rostrata, the number of Illinois records for
this form becomes decidedly reduced.

According to Kumlien and Hollister, Holboll's Redpoll is a rare
winter straggler in Wisconsin. They write: " One specimen was
shot at Lake Koshkonong, January 22, 1867 (L. K.), and identified
by Prof. Baird in 188 1. In a series of redpolls taken during January,
February, and March, 1896, by Mr. J. N. Clarke at Meridian, are four
specimens easily referable to this race. Mr. Clarke has kindly sent

576 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

one of these to us for examination which has been marked as holhoellii
by Ridgway and Fisher, who identified a number of redpolls for him
at the time." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 93.)

241b. Acanthis linaria rostrata (Coues).

Greater Redpoll.

Distr. : Greenland (where it breeds) and northeastern North
America; accidental or casual in winter in northeastern United States
(Illinois, Michigan, New England, etc.).

Winter plumage: Larger than holboellii or linaria; wing, not less
than 3.06; the marking of the plumage, darker and stripes on the
under parts, larger; the bill, heavier; rump and under tail coverts
streaked distinctly with dusky; sides and flanks streaked; breast,
rose-pink; rest of under parts, white or whitish; a black spot on the
chin; crown with more or less metallic red; bill, yellowish, with dark
tip. Female similar, but lacking the pink tinge on the breast.

Male: Wing, 3.06 to 3.30; tail, 2.35 to 2.70; bill, .32 to .42;
depth of bill, .25 to .32.

Female: Wing, 3 to 3.25; tail, 2.40 to 2.60; bill, .32 to .42;
depth of bill, .25 to .30.

A rare winter straggler to Illinois, although apparently more com-
mon in Wisconsin. Mr. W. W. Cooke writes: " The only instance of
its capture within the Mississippi Valley is the record of a specimen
taken Nov. 2, 1878, at Chicago, by Mr. H. K. Coale." (Bird Migration
Mississippi Valley, 1888, p. 182.) Mr. Ridgway writes: "Mr. H. K.
Coale has taken this bird near Chicago and has kindly sent me for
examination the specimens which he secured." (Orn. of 111., 1889,
p. 235.) In the catalogue of Birds of the British Museum (Vol. XII,
1888, p. 251), Dr. Sharpe includes in his list of specimens of this spe-
cies the following: o" ad., Chicago, 111., Nov. 2, 1873 {sic) (H. K. Coale)
(wing T,.^). Mr. F. M. Woodruff states: " There is a specimen in the
collection of the Chicago Academy of Sciences taken in the seventies
by Mr. C. N. Holden, which is in the plumage of the young male."
(Birds Chicago Area, 1907, p. 131.)

Regarding the occurrence of the Greater Redpoll in Wisconsin,
Messrs. Kumlien and HoUister state: "Winter visitant. Mr. Clark
collected over thirty of these birds in Dunn Co., during the winter of
1895-6. '^ * * * * A series sent us by Mr. Clark at the time, in
the flesh, all proved to be of this variety, and specimens of this and
the other races were identified for him later by Prof. Robert Ridgway.
Specimens have also been received from Stevens Point and Iron

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

577

Co., and others have been taken quite regularly at Lake Kosh-
konong, especially during winters of heavy snow fall. Here they
have never been found except as associated with linaria." (Birds
of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 93.)

Genus ASTRAGALINUS Cabanis.

242. Astragalinus tristis (Linn.).

American Goldfinch. Yellowbird.
Spinus tristis (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 218.
Distr.: United States, east of Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic
coast, north to Manitoba and northern Canada, south to the Gulf
coast, including Florida and Texas (replaced from Rocky Mountains
westward by several subspecies) . Breeds from middle United
States, Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas, etc., northward.

Adult male in spring: General plumage, bright yellow; crown,
black; wings, black, the secondaries and coverts, tipped with white;

tail, black, with more or less white
on inner webs; upper tail coverts,
white. In fall the black cap is
absent, and the general plumage is
buff y brown above and pale brown-
ish white on under parts, with
more or less yellowish; head,
tinged with yellow.

Adult female: Upper parts,
pale brownish olive; under parts,
dull white, tinged with buff on
sides and breast, and showing
more or less yellow, especially on
the throat; wings and tail, dusky;
the feathers, with whitish edgings.

Very young birds are strongly tinged with buft'y and the wing
feathers edged with tawny buff".

Length, 4.90 to 5.15 ; wing, 2.70 to 2.85; tail, 2; bill, .42.
The American Goldfinch is an abundant summer resident in Illi-
nois and Wisconsin and a few occasionally remain during the winter.
The majority arrive from the south about May ist, although a few
return much earlier. Adult spring males of this species may be readily
recognized by the bright yellow plumage and black wings and tail.

The song of the male is a musical chee-wee or chee-e-wee , and at
times a faint whistle and twitter. The flight is a series of undu-

American Goldfinch.

578 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

lations, usually accompanied on the downward swing by the familiar
chee-e-wee .

Nidification begins in May. The nest is built in large bushes or
low trees, and is woven of grass and plant fibre, lined with thistle
down. The eggs are from 3 to 6, pale blue or bluish white in color,
and measure about .66 x .47 inches.

Genus SPINUS Koch.

243. Spinus pinus (Wils.).

Pine Siskin.

Distr.: " North America generally, breeding in the British Prov-
inces, Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and high mountains of
Arizona, south to Lower California and the mountains of Mexico to
Orizaba. Also breeds sparingly in northeastern United States."
(A. O. U.)

Adult: Upper plumage, streaked w4th pale brown and dark brown;
under parts, grayish white, streaked with dusky; rump, yellow,

Pine Siskin.

Streaked with dusky; at times the whole plumage faintly tinged with
yellow and again hardly noticeable; basal portion of quills and tail,
yellow.

Sexes, similar.

Length, 4.75; wing, 2.77; tail, 2; bill, .35.

The yellow markings at the base of the wing and tail feathers
will distinguish this species.

This species is common in Illinois and Wisconsin during the mi-
grations and a more or less common winter resident, especially in

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

579

IHinois. It was not uncommon about Chicago during the latter part
of January of the present year, and on February 14, the winter saw a
large flock in Jackson Park and two others containing from 15 to 20
individuals at Burnside. The notes are somewhat similar to those
of the Goldfinch but are not so loud. It is supposed to breed in
Wisconsin, but I find no authentic record of its having done so. Dr.
Hoy "supposed" it to breed in the pine regions, but did not appar-
ently find a nest. Kumlien and Hollister have never taken it in
Wisconsin in summer. Mr. Norman A. Wood found it common in
Ontonagon Co., Michigan, from Julv 15 to August 14, 1904. (The
Auk, Vol. XXII, 1905, p. 177.)

Genus PLECTROPHENAX Stejneger.

244. Plectrophenax nivalis (Linn.).
Snowflake. Snow Bunting.

Distr.: Northern parts of northern hemisphere (Arctic Europe,
Asia, and North America), south in winter in United States as far as
Illinois, Kansas, etc.; breeds in the far north (Ungava, Greenland,
etc.).

Adult in winter: Crown and cheeks, dull chestnut brown; back,
mixed black, buff, and chestnut; under parts, white; breast, with

more or less of a band
of chestnut brown; sides,
washed with pale brown;
basal portion of primaries
and most of secondaries,
white ; the terminal portion
'■ of most of the primaries,
black, tipped with white;
the inner secondaries,
mostly black (when flying,

greater portion of wing

Snow BunUn-. appears whitc) ; thrcc outcr

tail feathers, mostly white, rest of tail feathers, blackish, tipped with
ashy wdiite or buffy white; bill, yellowish.

The summer plumage is black and white, but the species does not
occur within our limits at that season.

Length, 6.50; wing, 4.15; tail, 2.75; bill, .38.

A common winter resident in Wisconsin and northern Illinois. It
is gregarious and frequents open fields and prairies.

580 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus CALCARIUS Bechs.
245. Calcarius lapponicus (Linn.).

Lapland Longspur.

Distr.: Northern portions of northern hemisphere, south in win-
ter to the Carohnas, Arkansas, and northeastern Texas; breeds in
the far north.

Adult male in spring: Hind toe nail, long; head, throat, and
breast, black, a streak of buff from the eye backward; a chestnut col-
lar around back of neck; upper parts,
streaked with black and buff; under
parts, white, with more or less black
streaks on sides; primaries, dusky
brown, the feathers with pale edgings;
tail, blackish; outer tail feather, with
narrow dusky streak along the shatt
near the tip, the rest of the end, white,
extending up the feather in an oblique

Male. , ' , ^

and gradually narrowmg patch and
separating the black on the inner web from the shaft for a con-
siderable distance.

Adult female in spring: Upper plumage, streaked with buff, black,
and pale rufous; a rather faint, buffy chestnut collar on back of neck;
head, buffy and black; under parts, white; breast, with more or less
black.

Adult male in winter: Crown, black, more or less mixed with
buffy, a buffy streak from the eye backwards; throat and breast,
mixed black and white; chestnut collar on back of neck, mixed with
gray; rest of plumage resembliig spring female.

Adult female in winter: Similar to summer plumage, but plumage
duller and collar on the nape faintly indicated.

Length, 6.25; wing, 3.60; tail, 2.60; bill, .38.

Abundant during migrations in late fall and spring, and a common
winter resident both in Illinois and Wisconsin. It frequents the
fields and prairies, usually in flocks. The majority leave for the north
in April, although it is not uncommon in Wisconsin in May.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 581

246. Calcarius pictus (Swains.).
Smith's Longspur.

Distr.: Interior of North America; south in winter to IlHnois and
Texas; breeds from the latitude of the Great Slave Lake northward
to the Arctic Ocean.

Adult male in fall and winter : Hind toe nail, long; two outer tail
feathers, largely white; under parts, entirely tawny buff, showing more

or less small, dusky spots on the breast; upper
plumage, including crown, streaked with black
and grayish buff; nape with faint indications
of a tawny buff collar; most of wing coverts,
edged with pale brown and tipped with whit-
ish; sides of head, with more or less dusky;
feet, pale.

In summer plumage the male has the
crowm and sides of the head black.

Adult female in fall and winter: General
resemblance to the male in winter, but slightly paler.
Length, 6.50; wing, 3.70; tail, 2.60; bill, .38.

Smith's Longspur is an irregular but, at times, a not uncommon
migrant in spring and fall in Illinois and probably in southern Wis-
consin, frequenting the open plains.

Nelson states he observed a flock of some seventy-five individuals
near Lake Calumet. Mr. Frank M. Woodruff found it abundant,
May 5, 1893, in the vicinity of Worth Township, and states that in
the year 1896 they seemed to be quite abundant. Mr. A. W. Butler
records flocks being seen in Cook Co., 111., in April, 1896, and again
in October of that year (Birds of Indiana, 1897, p. 932).

Kumlien and Hollister consider it "as rare and of extremely
erratic occurrence in Wisconsin" having " found it but a few times
and never in flocks of any size."

Several specimens in the Field Musetim of Natural History col-
lection were taken at Worth, Illinois, May 3, 1894.

Genus RHYNCHOPHANES Baird.
247. Rhynchophanes mccownii (Lawr.).
McCown's Longspur.
Distr. : Interior of North America, from the Saskatchewan to
Texas and northern Mexico; breeds from Kansas and Nebraska

582 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

McCown's Lonsispur.
(Tail and upper tail coverts.)

northward through the Dakotas, Wyoming, and Montana to the Sas-
katchewan; accidental in Ilhnois.

Adult male in summer: Hind toe nail, long; crown, black; a
white line over the eye (superciliary line); sides of head, pale ashy;
a black malar stripe (extending from lower
mandible); throat, white; a large crescent
shaped black patch on the breast; rest of
under parts, whitish; back, grayish, streaked
with dusky and buff; a conspicuous chestnut
patch on the ''shoulder'' formed by the median
coverts; all tail feathers except the tw^o middle
ones, mostly white, tipped with dark brown.

Adult male in fall and winter: No black
on crown; breast patch, only slightly in-
dicated; head, buffy, the crown streaked
with dark brown; belly, whitish or white. It may be recognized by
the chestnut "shoulder" patch, and the characteristic marking of
the tailfeathers.

Adult female in fall and winter: Upper plumage, mixed buff and
dark brown; a rather faint, pale buff streak over the eye; throat,
buffy white; breast, pale tawny buff, at times tinged with dusky;
sides of body, washed with tawny buff; belly, whitish; chestnut shoul-
der patch (median coverts) of the male replaced by pale rufous brown;
tail markings, as in the male.

Length, about 5.50 to 6; wing, 3.50; tail, 2.45; bill, .38.
McCown's Longspur is an accidental straggler in Illinois. The
only record I have been able to find of its occurrence in the state is
that of Mr. H. K. Coale in the Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological
Club, 1877, p. 52, in which he states: " While looking over a box of
Snow Buntings and Shore Larks in the market, January 15, 1877, I
found a specimen of Plectrophanes m,ccowni shot at Champaign, Illi-
nois. January 17, another box containing Lapland Longspurs was
sent from the same place and among them was a second specimen of
P. m,ccowni, which is now in the collection of C. N. Holden, Jr., Chi-
cago. January 19, I obtained a third specimen from the same source,
which has been sent to Mr. E. W. Nelson of this city. They were
all males, showing plainly the chestnut coloring on the bend of the
wing and the peculiar white markings of the tail."
It has not been observed in Wisconsin.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

583

Genus POCECETES Baird.

248. Pooecetes gramineus (Gmel.).
Vesper Sparrow.

Distr.: Eastern North America, from Dakota and Nebraska to
the Atlantic coast, north to Ontario and Quebec and south to the Gulf
coast; breeds from Missouri and Kentucky northward.

Adult: Upper plumage, grayish brown, streaked with black, some
of the feathers edged with pale rufous brown; under parts, w'litish;

Tail of Vesper Sparrow.

Vesper Sparrow.

the sides of throat, breast, and sides of body streaked with dark brown
and pale buff; lesser wing coverts, rufous brown; tail, dark brown,
the outer feathers mostly white (see cut, in Key to Species).

Length, 6; wing, 3; tail, 2.45; bill, .38.

An abundant summer resident in Illinois and Wisconsin, arriving
from the south the latter part of March or early in April. (First Chi-
cago record, March 20). The song, which is very sweet and plaintive,
is often heard after sundown.

The breeding season lasts from May until July. The nest, which
is built on the ground in open places, is composed of dry grass and
small rootlets. The eggs are from 4 to 6, usually dull white or pink-
ish white, marked and scrawled with black and pale purplish brown,
and* measure about .82 x .61 inches.

584 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus PASSERCULUS Bonap.

249. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna (Wils.).
Savanna Sparrow.

Ammodraniiis sandwichensis savanna (Wils.), A. O. U. Check List,
1895, p. 224.

Distr. : Eastern North America, from Dakota and Nebraska to
the Atlantic coast and from Labrador and Ungava south to the Gulf
of Mexico, Florida, Cuba, and Yucatan; breeds from Illinois, Wiscon-
sin, and Pennsylvania northward to limit of ifs range (Cape Eskimo,
Ungava, Labrador, etc.).

Adult: A superciliary line and bend of the wing, pale yellow,
on the latter so pale at times as to be hardly noticeable; all tail

Savanna Sparrow.

feathers, dark grayish brown and rather pointed; upper plumage,
streaked, mixed black, ashy and pale rufous brown; under parts,
white, streaked on breast and sides with browmish black; belly, gener-
ally without streaks; wings, dark slaty brown, the coverts and inner
secondaries, brownish black, edged with pale rufous brown.

Length, 5.60; wing, 2.65; tail, 2.15; bill, .38.

The Savanna Sparrow is a common summer resident in northern
Illinois, and Wisconsin, from April until October. Frequents fields
and prairies. A few remain in southern Illinois during the winter.

The note is a faint trill preceded by peculiar rasping sounds some-
what resembling those of the Grasshopper Sparrow.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 585

It breeds in May and June. The nest, which is placed on the
ground, is made of dry grass. The eggs are from four to five, pale
bluish or bufTy white, speckled and blotched (sometimes washed)
with cinnamon brown or dull rufous brown, nearly obscuring the
ground color. They measure abovit .77 x .56 inches.

Genus COTURNICULUS Bonap.

250. Coturniculus savannarum australis (Maynard).

Grasshopper Sparrow.

Ammodramus savannanvii passcriniis (Wils.), A. O. U. Check List'
1895, p. 226.

Local name: Yellow-winged Sparrow.

Distr. : Eastern United States, from the Great Plains to the At-
lantic coast, north to southern Canada and south in winter to Cuba,
Porto Rico, and Central America; breeds from Missouri and the Caro-
linas northward.

Adult: Crown, brownish black, with a pale buffy white streak
in centre; an orange yellow spot above the eye; bend of wnng, clear
'yellow; feathers on the back, dark brown, edged with rufous and gray;
under parts, pale tawny buff, shading into whitish on the belly, usually
without streaks; primaries and tail feathers, dusky, with very narrow
pale edgings, the outer tail feather, pale, but not white.

Very young birds in August have the breast streaked or spotted
with dusky and show no yellow above the eye or on bend of wing.

Length, 5; wing, 2.45; tail, 1.80; bill, .40.

A common summer resident in Illinois and Wisconsin, from late in
April until September or October.

Breeds from May to July. The nest is built on the ground and is
composed of dry grass, sometimes more or less arched over at the top.
The eggs are from 3 to 5 in number, pure white, speckled and spotted
with reddish brown, chiefly at the larger end, and occasionally showing
small markings of black and dull lavender. They measure about
.73 X .56 inches.

Mr. Frank M. Chapman says: " its fine insect-like notes give it
the name of Grasshopper Sparrow. They may be written pit-tuck,
zee-e-e-e-e-e-e-e. Under favorable circumstances they can be heard
by an attentive listener at a distance of two hundred and fifty feet,
but the casual observer would pass within ten feet of a singing bird
and be none the wiser." (Handl 00k Bds. Eastern N. A., 1895, p. 294.)

586 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

251. Coturniculus henslowii (Aud.).
Henslow's Sparrow.

Anunodranms Jienslowii (Aud.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, P- 226.

Distr.: Eastern United States, from the Atlantic coast west to
the plains, and from southern New England and southern Ontario to
the Gulf of Mexico; breeds from Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri
northward.

Adult: Greater portion of head and nape, dull olive green; crown,
black, with olive green stripe in centre; feathers of the back, rufous

Tail ami bill. Henslow's Sparrow.

brown, with black centres, and narrowly edged with ashy white;
throat, whitish or bufify white; breast, pale buff, streaked with black;
belly, dull white ; sides of body, bufif, streaked with black ; tail feathers,
narrow and pointed, the two middle feathers, rufous brown, wnth a
dai'k brown streak in the centre bordering the shafts.

Length, 5, or less; wing, 2.15; tail, 2; bill, .36.

This species is a rather common summer resident in suitable
localities in Illinois and Wisconsin, arriving the latter part of April
and leaving for the south early in October. Frequents open prairies,
fields, and marshes.

Breeds in May and June. The nest is placed on the ground, and
is composed of dry grass, often lined with fine grass or hair. The
eggs are grayish white, thickly spotted and speckled wdth light
rufous brown, from 4 to 5 in number, and measure about .76 x .57
inches.

252. Coturniculus leconteii (Aud.).

Leconte's Sparrow.

Aniiiiodraniits leconteii (Aud.), A. 0. U. Check List, 1895, p. 227.
Distr. : From the Great Plains eastward to Illinois, Indiana, and
Kentucky, and from Manitoba to the Carolinas, Florida, and Texas

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 587

in winter; breeds from Iowa northward through Minnesota and the
Dakotas to Manitoba.

Adult: Top of head, blackish, with a grayish bulif streak in the cen-
tre; a tawny bufT stripe over the eye; feathers of the back, brownish
black, edged with pale rufous and buff; throat,
buffy white; breast and sides, pale bufT, streaked
with dull black; tail feathers, narrow and point-
ed, the shafts, dark.

Length, 5 or less; wing, 2.10; tail, 2; bill, .33.,
Leconte's Sparrow is a more or less com-
mon migrant in Illinois and Wisconsin and
some years abundant in some localities. Ridg-

Leconte's Sparrow. . , .. , i , . , .

way considers it an abundant migrant in some
localities and states that in the latter part of October, 1882, he " found
it numerous in meadows on Sugar Creek prairie, Richland Co., in
company with C. henslowiy

Nelson considered it a rare migrant in northeastern Illinois. Mr.
Frank M. Woodruff gives it as a rare migrant in the vicinity of Chi-
cago. Specimens were taken by Mr. Nelson near the Calumet River.
It has been observed on several occasions near Worth, 111., and Mr.
H. S. Swarth procured a specimen there on October 12, 1905.

In a note regarding its occurrence near Warsaw, 111., Mr. Chas.
K. Worthen states: " I have taken in the last two years on the prai-
ries here some twenty specimens; have taken them both in fall and
spring as well as during the summer, and am satisfied they breed
here, though I have not been able to find their nests or eggs. I have
found them on low swampy prairies in the Mississippi bottoms and
on dry prairies on the bluffs, but generally in swampy or marshy
ground." (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. V, 1880, p. 32.)

According to Kumlien and Hollister it is abundant at times in
Wisconsin. They state: " This species was taken at Lake Koshko-
nong but three or four times, but always in the autumn, from 1842
to 1890. One specimen was taken near Milwaukee in the fall of 1879.
In September, 1894, numbers were procured at Lake Koshkonong and
at the same date in 1895 five hundred could have been taken. In
1896 but few were seen, and in 1897 none were procured. Since 1897
but a few each fall could be found. One was taken at Delavan in
September, 1900, and others noted. We are at a loss to account for
its great numbers in 1895, when a series of sixty skins were secured
in two days, and as many more could easily have been taken. It is
also rather remarkable that the closest search has failed to produce
a single specimen in spring, none having been noted before August."
(Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 96.)

Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus PASSERHERBULUS Maynard.
253. Passerherbulus caudacutus nelsoni (Allen).
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow.

Anunodramus caudacutus nelsoni Allen, A. O. U. Check List,
1895, p. 227.

Distr. : Breeds from northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana
northward through the Dakotas and Manitoba to Athabaska; south
in winter to Texas. Occurs on Atlantic coast from New England to
South Carolina and northern Florida during migrations; frequents
fresh water marshes.

Adult: Crown, dark olive brown, with a grayish streak through
the centre; an orange buff streak over the eye; a patch of gray on the

ear coverts, and cheeks bor-
dered by orange buff below;
nape, tinged with grayish
olive; feathers of the back,
grayish olive, sometimes
brownish olive, margined with
gray or pale buff; throat, pale
buff or buffy white; breast
and sides of body, ochraceous
buff, faintly streaked with
dusky; middle of belly, white
or whitish; bend of wing,
tinged with yellow; tail feathers, narrow and pointed, dull brown
in color; the shafts of tail feathers, dark brown, and usually (but
not always) with numerous indistinct narrow dusky bars, giving
them a "watered" appearance; primaries, brown; greater coverts
and inner secondaries, dark brown, broadly edged with rufous brown
and pale buff.

Length, 5.40; wing, 2.20; tail, 2; bill, .45.

Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, or Sharp-tailed Finch as it is often
called, is abundant at times in Illinois during the migrations, but ap-
parently much less common in spring than in the fall. A few remain
to breed in the state, although the majority go further north.

Nelson states: "The 12th of June, 1875, I saw several of
these birds in the dense grass bordering Lake Calumet, where they
were undoubtedly breeding." (Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 107.) Mr.
Frank M. Woodruff writes, " I have taken the nest and eggs of this
species from near Calumet Lake." (Birds of the Chicago Area, 1907,
p. 138.) Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister consider this species an

Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory

589

abundant migrant in Wisconsin in the fall, but have not observed
it in spring. They found it " exceedingly abundant about Lake
Koshkonong in September and early October." (Birds of W^iscon-
sin, 1903, p. 93.)

Nest in marsh, composed of coarse grass and weeds, usually sup-
ported between upright reeds or stalks of coarse grass, but often on
the ground and rarely in low bushes. The eggs are from 3 to 5, dull
white, speckled and spotted with brown, and measure about .76 x .57
inches.

Genus CHONDESTES Swainson.

254. Chondestes grammacus (Say).
Lark Sparrow.

Distr.: Central portion of United States, common from Dakota,
Nebraska, and Kansas to Michigan and Illinois, but found occa-
sionally as far east as the Atlantic coast; breeds from Texas to north-
ern Wisconsin and North Dakota and casually east to New York
and New England; south in winter to Florida and the Gulf states.

Adult: Sides of crown and a patch on the ear coverts, chestnut;
forehead, black, with a whitish spot in centre, shading into an ashy

strip through the middle of the
crown; a whitish streak in front
of and below the eye; a buffy
white stripe behind the eye,
extending to the neck; throat,
white, with a black line on each
side; back, grayish, streaked with
black; a black spot on the middle
of the breast; rest of under parts,
white, faintly tinged with brown-
ish gray; wings, brown; middle tail
feathers, dark brown like the
Lark Sparrow. wiugs, the othcrs black, tipped

with white; the outer tail feathers, white for at least three-fourths
of an inch from the tip, the extent of the white marking decreas-
ing on each succeeding feather.

Length, 6.20; wing, 3.50; tail, 2.80; bill, .40.

This melodious songster is a more or less common summer resident
in Illinois and Wisconsin, being more numerous in the western than
in the eastern parts of both states and apparently of rather local
distribution. It arrives from the south in Aoril. It is one of our

59° Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

most delightful songsters, the notes being strikingly clear and melo-
dious. As Mr. Ridgway describes it "This song is composed of a
series of chants, each syllable rich, loud, and clear, interspersed with
emotional trills.

It breeds in May and June. The nest is built on the ground or in
low trees or bushes, and is composed chiefly of dried grass. The eggs
are 3 to 5, white or faintly bluish white, marked, speckled and lined
chiefly at the larger end with black and dark brown; size about .70 x
.50 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains the following sets of eggs
of this species taken in northern Illinois: 4 eggs, Joliet, May 21,
1906; 5 eggs, Chicago, May 20, 1905; 4 eggs, Chicago, May 20, 1905.

Genus ZONOTRICHIA Swainson.

255. Zonotrichia querula (Nutt.).

Harris's Sparrow.

Distr. : Middle United States, from Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa,
west to middle Kansas, the Dakotas, and plains east of the Rocky
Mountains, and from Texas north to Hudson Bay and Assiniboia;
breeds north of the United States.

Adult male: Crown and throat, black; sides of head, grayish buff;
back, brown, streaked with dark brown; sides of body, olive buff,
streaked wath dusky; belly and lower breast, white; under tail
coverts, pale buff; bill, reddish brown.

Female: Similar, but with much less black marking on head and
throat, often broken and irregular.

Length, 7.25; wing, 3.40; tail, 3.50; bill, .45.

Mr. E. W. Nelson considered this species a rare visitant in north-
eastern Illinois. Prof. Ridgway (Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornitholog-
ical Club, 1880, p. 30) records two specimens taken by Mr. W. H.
Garman in Illinois, one at Bloomington in the spring of 1877 a-id
another at Normal on the 14th of November, 1879. He also states
that according to Mr. H. K. Coale, three specimens were collected at
La Crosse, Wisconsin, October 3, 1883 (Orn. of Illinois, Vol. I, 1889,
p. 267). Mr. James O. Dunn procured a specimen east of Riverdale,
Illinois, which he observed in a growth of small willows (Auk, 1895,
p. 395). Mr. Frank M. Woodruff quotes Mr. Ruthven Deane as hav-
ing observed a male of this species feeding with a flock of sparrows
in the south end of Lincoln Park, May 11, 1904 (Birds of the Chicago
Area, 1907, p. 139). Mr. Otho C. Poling states he procured two

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

591

specimens in Adams County, Illinois (The Auk, Vol. VII, 1890, p. 241).
Mr. Isaac E. Hess writes me he has taken it at Philo, Illinois, and Mr.
Frank S. Daggett records a specimen taken by Mr. L. E. Wyman at
Beach Lake Co., Illinois, October 13, 1907 (The Auk, Vol. XXV,
1908, p. 82). Mr. Chas. K. Worthen informs me he has taken it near
Warsaw, 111.

Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister give numerous records of the
occurrence of this species in different parts of Wisconsin, and state
that in their opinion the bird " is becoming more common in Wis-
consin than formerly." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 98.)

256. Zonotrichia leucophrys (Forst.).

White-crowned Sparrow.

Distr.: North America and northern Mexico; breeding in the
Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Nevada, and from the extreme northern
border of the United States to Ungava, Labrador, and probably
Greenland.

Adult male: No yellow anywhere on head or edge of carpus;
crown, black, divided in the centre by a broad white stripe, a white

line from above and somewhat
behind the eye extends backward,
bordered below by a black streak;
nape, gray; back, grayish, streaked
with brown; rump, grayish olive;
throat, ashy, shading to grayish
on the breast; belly, white; flanks
and under tail coverts, pale olive
buff; edge of carpal joint, whitish
or white; primaries and tail, gray-
ish brown; wing coverts, tipped
with white; sexes, similar.
: ; tail, 3.10; bill, .38.

White-crowned Sparrow.

Length, about 6.50; wing,

A common spring and fall migrant in Illinois and Wisconsin and
has been known to breed in Wisconsin. Messrs. Kumlien and Hol-
lister say: "The white-crown is a common migrant, usually in the
scattered flocks of white-throats, fox and other hedge and brush-lov-
ing sparrows. It also nests very sparingly in the state. Dr. Hoy
reported that a few nested near Racine. It was also taken at Cedar-
burg in June, 1882, when two of the five young barely able to fly were
taken. In 1873 it nested on the north shore of Lake Monona, at Mad-

592 Field Museum of Natural Historv — -Zoology, Vol. IX.

ison, and it has been known to remain through the summer a number
of times at Lake Koshkonong." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 98.)

The nest is placed in low bushes or on the ground. The eggs are
from 4 to 5, pale greenish blue or pale brown, spotted and speckled
chiefly at the larger end with rufous brown, and measure about .88 x
.62 inches.

256a. Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii (Nutt.).

Gambel's Sparrow.

Zonotrichia leucophrys intermedia Ridgw., A. O. U. Check List,
1895, p. 230.

Distr. : Western North America, breeding from Montana to Alaska ;
south in winter to northern Texas and northern Mexico; casual or
accidental during migrations in Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

Gambel's Sparrow is similar to the White-crowned Sparrow, but
differs from it in having the lores, grayish (without black), while leu-
cophrys has a black stripe from the front of the eye to the bill. Z.
/. gambellii also has the edge of the carpal joint yellowish instead of
white as in leucophrys.

I can find no satisfactory record of the occurrence of this species
in Illinois, but according to Mr. Nelson it has been taken in Wiscon-
sin. He states: "The 20th of April, 1871, a specimen of this form
was obtained near Racine by Dr. Hoy. The specimen has been
kindly loaned to me for examination ani is without doubt a per-
fectly authentic example of this variety." (Birds N. E. 111., 1876,
p. 107.) Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister state that "specimens have
been taken a number of times about Lake Koshkonong which were
almost, if not quite, typical gaynbelii." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p.

99-)

This form is often referred to as "Intermediate Sparrow."

257. Zonotrichia coronata (Pall.).
Golden-crowned Sparrow.

Distr.: Pacific coast region of the United States; breeds in Alas-
ka; south in winter to southern California; accidental in Wisconsin.

This species somewhat resembles the White-crowned Sparrow,
Z. leucophrys, but differs in having the front of the middle crown
yellow and the carpal joint tinged with yellow. There are various
other differences, but the above should be sufficient to recognize it.

Length, about 7 ; wing, 3; tail, 3.25; bill, .40.

The Golden-crowned Sparrow has not been recorded from Illinois,

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory

593

but is included as a rare straggler in Wisconsin. Dr. Hoy claims to
have taken several specimens near Racine from 1853 to 1858.
Mr. E. W. Nelson says: "A beautiful male specimen of this species
was obtained the middle of April, 1858, by Dr. Hoy in his garden at
Racine. The specimen was first identified by Mr. Cassin. This
specimen was loaned me with the preceding and upon comparison I
find it differs but very slightly from California specimens of the same
species in my collection." (Birds N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 108.)

258. Zonotrichia albicollis (Gmel.).

White-throated Sparrow.

Distr. : North America east of the Rocky Mountains, from the
gulf coast to Athabaska. Ungava, and Labrador; accidental or casual
on the Pacific coast; breeds from Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York,
northward.

Adult: Crown, black, divided by a white stripe through the centre;
a yellow streak in front of the eye; a white stripe extending back-
ward from above the eye to base
of the crown, bordered below by a
black stripe; chin and upper
throat, white; lower throat and
upper breast, grayish, shading into
white on the lower breast and belly ;
sides of body, pale olive buff; edge
of carpal joint (bend of wing), yel-
low; back, rufous brown, streaked
with black, some of the feathers,
edged with ashy; primaries and
tail, grayish brown; most of secondaries, dark brown, edged, with
rufous; greater and middle wing coverts, dark brown, more or less
edged with rufous and tipped with white.

Adult female in fall: Similar, but more or less brown instead of
black on the crown.

Immature birds have the black on the crown replaced by brown,
the yellow spot in front of the eye paler and smaller, and the yellow
on the carpal joint much paler; the breast sometimes with obscure
streaks.

Length, 6.70; wing, 2.85 to 3.10; tail, 3; bill, .38; tarsus, .87.
The White-throated Sparrow is an abundant migrant in Illinois
and Wisconsin in spring and fall and, according to Kumlien and Hol-
lister, a not uncommon summer resident in the latter state, breeding

White-throated Sparrow.

594 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

rr rrrcr

in favorable localities. Mr. John F. Ferry found four young birds of
this species unable to fly near Woodruff,
Vilas Co., Wisconsin, on June 20, 1908.

The song is characteristic and verv
pleasing, a clear musical whistle, a sug-
gestion of which may be had by playing
the following notes on a fife:

The nest is on the ground or in low trees or bushes. The eggs are
4 to 5 in number, pale brown or greenish blue, spotted and speckled
with reddish brown, and raeasur.^ about .82 x .60 inches.

J rr E£r tLT^

Genus SPIZELLA Bonap.

259. Spizella monticola (Gmel.).
Tree Sparrow.

Distr. : " Eastern North America, west to the Plains, and from the
Arctic Ocean south, in winter, to the Carolinas, Kentucky, and east-
ern Kansas. Breeds north of the United States, east of the Rocky
Mountains." (A. O. U.)

Adult: Top of head, rufous brown, a gray stripe over the eye and
a narrow rufous stripe extending from the eye backward; a short

Tree Sparrow.

narrow streak of rufous on side of throat, from base of lower mandi-
ble; back, streaked with rufous brown, black and pale buff; rump,
brownish gray; breast, grayish white, with an obscure dusky mark
or small irregular spot in the middle; belly, dull white; sides of body,
pale brownish buff; wing coverts, with black centres broadly edged
with rufous and tipped with white, forming a noticeable white wing

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

595

bar; tail feathers, dusky brown, narrowly edged with whitish; upper
mandible blackish; lower mandible, mostly yellow; sexes, similar.

Length, about 5.90; wing, 2.90; tail, 2.75; bill, .30.

An abundant migrant and common winter resident in both Illi-
nois and Wisconsin, possessing musical ability above the average.
Its song is delightful, but difficalt to describe. The notes are loud
and clear, usually ending with a warble. It arrives in October and
leaves for the north in April.

260. Spizella passerina (Bechst.).
Chipping Sparrow.

Spizella socialis (Wils.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, P- 232.

Distr.: "Eastern North America, west to the Rocky Mountains,
north to Great Slave Lake, and south to eastern Mexico, breeding
from the Gulf States northward." (A. O. U.)

Adult: Crown, chestnut rufous; forehead, blackish, with a spot of
gray on the centre joining base of culmen; a grayish superciliary
stripe and a narrow black line
extending from the eye back-
wards; bill, mostly black; under
parts, ashy, shading into whitish
on throat and belly ; back, streak-
ed with black, dull rufous and
grayish brown; greater and
middle wing coverts, narrowly
tipped with white; rump, ashy
or grayish, sometimes streaked;
primaries and tail feathers,
dusky brown, with very narrow
pale edges; sexes, similar.

Young birds have the crown streaked like the back (without ru-
fous) and the breast and sides streaked with dusky.

Length, 5.25; wing, 2.75; tail, 2.25; bill, .35.

The Chipping Sparrow or " Chippy," as it is often called, is one of
our most familiar birds. It is a common summer resident in Illinois
and Wisconsin, arriving in April and leaving for the south in October.
It is a cheerful but not a particularlv good songster, the usual notes
being a rather long trill combined with the familiar and oft repeated
chip.

It breeds in May and June. The nest is in a tree or bush, and is
composed of grass and plant stems, usually line 1 with horse hair,

1/

' /''V

Chipping

Sparro .v.

596 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

when in the vicinity of dwelUngs. The eggs are from 3 to 5, pale
greenish blue or pale blue, speckled and marked with brown and black,
chiefly at the larger end, and measure about .68 x .50 inches.

261. Spizella pallida (Swains.).

Clay-colored Sparrow.

Distr. : Interior of North America , from Wisconsin and Illinois west
to the Rocky Mountains, north to Saskatchewan and Athabaska
region, and south in winter to Mexico and Lower California; breeds
from Iowa, Wisconsin, and Nebraska northward.

Adult: Crown, streaked with pale brown and black, and an irreg-
ular gray stripe through the centre; a whitish stripe over the eye
and a dark stripe from the eye backward; side of head (loral and
auricular region), buffy brown, bordered below with dusky; throat,
white, with a narrow dusky maxillary streak; back, clay brown,
streaked with black; rump, brownish gray; under parts, white, more
or less faintly tinged with pale ashy brown on breast and sides; upper
mandible, dark; under mandible, pale; legs and feet, pale.

Length, about 5.10; wing, 2.45; tail, 2.40; bill, .36.

The Clay-colored Sparrow is not uncommon during migrations
and may be considered a summer resident in northern Illinois. It
is more common in Wisconsin. Nelson considered it " a rare summer
resident about the borders of prairies. Specimens are in Mr. Holden's
collection taken near Chicago." (Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 108.) Mr.
O. C. Poling met with this species occasionally during migrations
near Quincy, 111., and says: " Early in May, 1887, I collected a num-
ber of specimens and found them quite common in pasture and stub-
ble fields near the city." (The Auk, 1890, p. 242.)

Regarding its occurrence in Wisconsin, Kumlien and HoUister write :
"An irregularly distributed summer resident from the southern part
of the state northward. * * * * * Has been taken nesting at Lake
Koshkonong, where it occurs as a regular summer resident. More
common about Stevens Point than any other locality we know of."
(Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 100.)

The nest is in low bushes or on the ground, and is composed of
grass. The eggs are 3 to 5, pale greenish blue, speckled and marked
chiefly at the larger end with dark brown, and measure about .66
X .50 inches.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 597

262. Spizella pusilla (Wils.).
Field Sparrow.

Distr.: Whole of eastern United States, from the Dakotas and
Kansas to the Atlantic coast, and from the Gulf of Mexico to south-
ern Canada; breeds from northern Florida, Alabama, Louisiana
and Texas northward.

Adult: Bill, reddish brown; crown, rufous chestnut; a gray
superciliary stripe and post-ocular patch of rufous chestnut; back,

rufous chestnut, narrowly streaked
with black and the feathers edged
^^-^-^^. with ashy; rump, brownish gray, some-

^x^ times showing a faint olive tinge; under

parts, white, without streaks, but
washed with pale brown on breast and
sides; wing coverts and inner second-
aries, brownish black, broadly edged
with pale rufous and tipped with white,
forming two narrow white bands; tail,
grayish brown.
Sexes similar.
Length, 5.55; wing, 2.40; tail, 2.50; bill, .35.

The Field Sparrow is a common summer resident in Illinois and
Wisconsin, arriving in April (earliest Chicago record, March 22) and
leaving for the south in October. It is a pleasing songster, the song
consisting of several short notes followed by a musical trill.

It breeds in May and June. The nest is composed of grass, either
on or near the ground. The eggs are from 3 to 5, dull white or green-
ish or pale buff, marked with brown, chiefly at the larger end, and
measure about .68 x .50 inches. The Field Mtiseum collection con-
tains a series of sets of eggs taken in northern Illinois between May
9 and June 18.

Genus JUNCO Wagler.

The species and subspecies of Juncos or Snowbirds which occur
within our limits may be recognized by the following characters:

Junco hyenialis: General plumage, slate gray; the head darker,
sometimes blackish in front and again often tinged with brownish
in immature feinales; belly and outer tail feathers, white; sides (in
adult), gray like the chest; bill, pinkish white. Immature birds
have the vipper part, throat and breast streaked with blackish.

Wing, 2.95 to 3.20; tail, 2.70 to 2.90; bill, .46 to .52 in.

598 Field Museum of Natural Hlstoxv — Zoology, Vol. IX.

J unco hyemalis uiontaniis: General appearance c)f _/. hyciiialis. but
differs in having the sides distinctly pinkish Ijrown, the color well
defined, and the entire head, neck and chest, slate-gray.

Jtmco oregoniis shufeldti: Similar to _/. h. montanns, but differs in
having the head, neck and chest black or blackish; sides, pinkish
brown or vinaceous as in nioutanus.

' P' .Iv

r

263. Junco hyemalis (Lixn.).
Slate-colored Juxco. Sxowbird.

Distr.: Occurs nearly throughout the whole of North America,
but chiefly east of the Rocky Mountains, south to Florida, the Gulf
coast, Texas, and California in winter; breeds from the mountains of
New England, northern Wisconsin and Minnesota northward.

The Junco is an abundant migrant and a more or less common
winter resident throughout Illinois. Although it does not breed in

Illinois, stragglers are occasionally
observed late in the spring. Prof.
S. A. Forbes procured a specimen
near Elizabethtown, Hardin Coun-
ty, in southern Illinois, June 9,
1881 (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, 1881,
p. 180).

In Wisconsin it is an abundant
F^ migrant and a common winter

resident and also a more or less
common summer resident, and breeds in the northern part of the
state. Mr. John F. Ferry procured three nests of this species, two
containing four eggs and the third containing a 3^oung bird and two
eggs, near Woodruff', Vilas County, during the last week in June, 1908.
Kumlien & Hollister sa}": "Nests sparingly in northern Wiscon-
sin. Three sets were taken at Oconto in Ma^^ 1882 (coll. of L. K.).
The nests were placed on the ground among spagnum moss. Dr.
Hoy mentions its breeding on the shores of Lake Superior. In rare
instances the junco breeds in southern Wisconsin. Young barely
able to fly have been taken near Jefferson, which is the most southern
point for which we have any record, and this must be taken as an ex-
ceptional case." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 100.)

The nest is placed on the ground, composed of grass and often
lined with animal hair. The eggs are from 4 to 5, greenish white and
spotted and blotched with brown. Size about .75 x .58 in.

Jax., 1909. Birds of Illinois axd Wisconsin — Cory. 599

264. Junco hyemalis montanus (Ridgway).
Montana Junco.

Distr.: Rocky Mountain region, from Alberta to western Texas
and northern Mexico, breeding from northern Idaho and northwest-
ern Montana north to Alberta; accidental in Illinois, Wisconsin,
Indiana, Michigan, etc.

Similar to Shufeldt's Junco, but the adults with head, neck and
chest slate-gray instead of black; the pale pinkish brown or vinaceous
color on the sides will distinguish it from the adult vSlate-colored
Junco.

This species, like the preceding, is an accidental straggler in
Illinois and Wisconsin. The records are as follows:

A specimen was killed by Mr. H. K. Coale in Chicago, Oct. 14,
1875; identified by Mr. Nelson as Junco oregonus (Bull. Nutt. Orn.
Club, Vol. II, 1877, p. 82): now referred to as niontaiius by Mr. Ridg-
way (Birds of North and Middle Am., 1901, p. 290).

A specimen was killed by Mr. F. S. Dayton on October 21, 1898,
west of North Evanston, 111. The identification was confirmed by ^Ir.
Ridgway (F. M. Woodruff, Birds of the Chicago Area, 1907, p. 141).
The bird is now in the collection of the Chicago Academy of Sciences.

Regarding its occurrence in Wisconsin, Kumlien & HoUister write;
"A single female of this species was taken at Delevan, October 23,
1898, and is now in the Hollister collection. Mr. Wm. Brewster,
who has kindly examined the skin, writes: 'This bird matches per-
fectly a specimen in my collection from Illinois identified by Mr.
Ridgway as typical montanus.' Doubtless occurs as a straggling
migrant anywhere in southern Wisconsin. The various old records
of Junco oregonus, J. o. sliufeldti, J. li. connectcns, etc., probably
belong here." (Birds Wisconsin, 1903. p. loi.)

White-winged Junco, Junco aikeni Ridgw. In the Auk for
January, 1885, page 32, Prof. W. W. Cooke recorded a bird of this
species taken in Jefferson, Wisconsin, but according to Kumlien 8z
Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903 p. 133) Mr. Cooke now considers
the record untrustworthy.

265. Junco oregonus shufeldti (Coale).
Shufeldt's Junco.

Junco hyemalis sliufeldti Coale, A. 0. U. Check List, 1895, p. 235.

Distr.: Ranges from Montana, Wyoming and Colorado west to

Nevada and Oregon, north to British Columbia, and south to Texas

6oo Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

and northern Mexico; breeds from Idaho and Oregon northward,
accidental in Illinois.

Special characters: General appearance of the Slate-colored Junco,
J. hyemalis, but differs in having the sides pale pinkish brown, the
back browner and the head, neck and chest black or blackish, not
grayish or slate color.

Shufeldt's Junco must be considered an accidental straggler in
Illinois. There is a specimen of this form in the Field Museum col-
lection (No. 4959), an adult male taken by Mr. H. K. Coale at Wauke-
gan. 111., February 20, 1887.

Mr. Wm. E. Praeger states: "On the i6th of December, 1892, 1
shot a specimen of Junco hyemalis shujeldti on the Illinois shore just
opposite this city (Keokuk, Iowa). It was with several other Juncos,
all as far as I could tell of the common variety." (The Auk, 1895, p.
85.)

Mr. A .W. Butler (Birds of Indiana, 1897, p. 965) records a speci-
men taken at West Lafayette, Indiana, January 20, 1891.

Genus AIMOPHILA Swainson.

266. Aimophila aestivalis bachmanii (Aud.).

Bachman's Sparrow.

Peuccea ccstivalis bachmanii (Aud.), A. 0. U. Check List, 1895, p. 239.

Distr.: Southeastern United States, from southern Iowa and
central Illinois south to Texas and the Gulf, and east to the Atlantic
coast ; from Maryland southward ; breeds nearly throughout its
range, except in Florida.

Adult: Whole of upper plumage, chestnut rufous, the feathers
edged with ash gray, forming irregular streaks; a grayish buff super-
ciliary line; edge of wing at carpal joint, yellow; middle of belly,
whitish ; breast and sides of body, dull brownish ash ; no streaks on
under parts except occasionally on sides of breast; tail, much rounded,
the outer feathers being half an inch or more shorter than the middle
feathers.

Sexes similar.

Length, about 5.85 ; wing, 2.50; tail, 2.55; bill, .44.

Bachman's Sparrow occurs in Illinois, in the southern and cen-
tral portion of the state, but has not been recorded from northern
Illinois or Wisconsin. Ridgway states: "Bachman's Sparrow first
came under my observation early in June, 187 1, when several were
seen and others heard about half way between Mount Carmel and

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

601

Olney, the former in Wabash, the latter in Richland county, Illinois."
(Orn. of 111., 1889, p. 281.) Mr. Nelson gives it as "common locally
in Wabash, Richland, and adjoining counties" (Birds N. E. 111., 1876,
p. 151), and Mr. O. C. Poling shot three birds of this species in an
apple orchard at Quincy, 111., in May, 1887. (The Auk, 1890, p. 242.)

Mr. Isaac E. Hess found a nest and four eggs of this species at
Philo, 111., Champaign Co., on May 26, 1896 (Nidologist, Vol IV,
1897, p. 45)-

The nest is made of grass and is built on the ground. The eggs
are from 3 to 5, pure white or pale bluish white, and measure about
.74 X .60 inches.

Genus MELOSPIZA Baird.

267. Melospiza melodia (Wilson).
Song Sparrow.

Melospiza jasciata (Gmel.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, P- 241.

Distr.: United States and British Provinces, east of the Rocky
Mountains; breeds from Kansas, southern Illinois and South Caro-
lina northward.

Adult: Crown, dark rufous chestnut, streaked with gray in the
centre; a gray superciliary line and a post-ocular line of chestnut;

Song Sparrow.

back, streaked with dark brown, dull chestnut and grayish; throat,
whitish, heavily streaked with blackish brown on the sides; breast,
buify white or grayish white, streaked with dark brown, often run-

6o2 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

ning together and fv.)rming what appears to be a dark patch (notice-
able in the living bird ^vhen seen at a short distance) ; sides of bodv,
streaked with dark brown and pale rufous brown; middle of belly,
white; middle tail feathers, tinged with dull rufous brown; rest of
tail feathers, grayish brown, more or less faintly edged with rufous.

Length, about 6.10; wing, 2.65; tail, 3; bill, .38.

The Song Sparrow is an abundant summer resident in Illinois
and Wisconsin, and a not uncommon winter resident in southern
Illinois. The majorit}^ arrive from the south in March and leave
again in October, although specimens have occasionally been taken
as far north as southern Wisconsin in mid-winter.

The song is loud and pleasing but two varied to be properly de-
scribed. The more comrron form begins with a clear note, repeated
three times, and followed by a complicated warbling trill.

The nest is built on the ground or in low bushes and is made of
dry grass, shreds of bark, etc. It breeds from May until July. The
eggs are 4 to 5 in number, pale bluish white or dull white, thickly
marked and spotted with rufous brown; size about .78 x .59 inches.
The following records are selected from sets of eggs in the collection
of the Field Museum of Natural History: 4 eggs, Joliet. 111., May 3,
1906; 4 eggs, Joliet, 111., May 7, 1906; 4 eggs. Fox Lake, 111., June
8, 1907; 5 eggs, Milton, Wisconsin, July 9, 1S95.

268. Melospiza lincolnii (Aud.).

Lixcolx's Sparrow.

Distr.: " North America at large, breeding chiefly north of the
United States (as far north as Fort Yukon) and in the higher parts
of the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada; south, in winter, to
Panama." (A. O. U.)

Adult: Crown, chestnut brown, streaked with black and with
a grayish stripe through the centre, partially obscured by the black

streaks ; a gray stripe over the eye ;
^y^^'^'^^^^^^v ^ post-ocular black streak and an-

other black streak from the lower

■ ^^^^ mandible, the latter often not clearly
>^ dehned; back, grayish olive brown,
streaked with black ; the inner second-
aries and some of the wing coverts
edged with pale rufous; primaries,
grayish brown, faintly edged with a
dull rufous browm; middle of throat.

Jax., igog. Birds of Illixois axd Wiscoxsix — Cory. 603

white, streaked with Ijlack; sides of throat and breast, taivny b'tfj.
with narrow black streaks ; sides of body pale, brownish buff, streaked
with black; belly, white. The amount of buff and white on the
under parts is variable, but the tawny buff pectoral band is a good
diagnostic character.

Sexes similar.

Length, 5.70; wing, 2.50; tail, 2.45; bill, .37.

Lincoln's Sparrow is a not uncommon migrant in parts of Illinois
and Wisconsin, and a winter resident in southern Illinois. It is an
occasional summer resident in northern Illinois and Wisconsin, and
has been known to breed.

Mr. E. W. Nelson writes: "Common during the migrations from
May 8 to 20 and Sept. 20 to Oct. 15th. Have seen several speci-
mens during the breeding season, and the last of May, 1875, as I was
walking through a patch of weeds, a female started from a few feet
in advance of me, while my attention was attracted in another di-
rection and ran off with half-spread wings. It was shot and showed
unmistakable signs of incubation, but a protracted search failed to
reveal the nest. Specimens were taken in July, 1S75, near Waukegan
by Mr. Rice." (Birds of N. E. 111., 1876, p. 109.)

Mr. Ridgway states: "Instead of being the rare bird that it is
commonly supposed to be, Lincoln's Sparrow is at times almost as
numerous as the Swamp Sparrow; and the fact that it associates
freely with the latter species, which it closely resembles in habits
and general appearance, may in a measure account for its supposed
scarcity. In the southern part of the State a greater or less number
usually pass the winter in company with M. georgiana, in the dense
brushwood and rank dead herbage of swamps and marshes, in the
bottom lands." (Orn. of 111., 1889, p. 285.)

Mr. Frank M. Woodruff says: "A rare summer resident and a not
uncommon spring and fall migrant. Mr. Geo. K. Cherrie obtained
a young bird just out of the nest at Worth, Illinois, on June 30, 1896,
and on July 16, 1896, Mr. Cherrie and Mr. J. Grafton Parker, Jr.,
obtained an adult and a nestling near Lake Calumet." (Birds of
the Chicago Area, 1907, p. 143).

Cook (Bird Migration Miss. Valley, 18S8, p. 209) states: "Breeds
but sparingly in the United States. For a long time Racine, Wis.,
was the southernmost point at which it was known to nest, but
recently nests have been found in northern Illinois."

In Wisconsin Dr. Hoy found it nesting near Racine (1852).
Kimilien & Hollister write: "A somewhat irregularly distributed
species, even during the migrations. Nowhere very abundant, but

6o4 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

occurs more plentifully than generally supposed. Mr. Clark calls it
an irregular migrant in small numbers in Dunn County. Dr. Hoy
did not consider it rare about Racine and stated that a few nested.
Dr. Ogden reports it rather plenty at Milwaukee. A regular inigrant
at Lake Koshkonong, especially in spring and sometimes a summer
resident, though no nests have been found. Appears to be rather rare
at Delavan and not noted, as yet, except in spring." (Birds of Wis-
consin, 1903, p. lOl).

The nest is on the ground, composed of grass and shreds of bark
and occasionally lined with hair. The eggs are from 4 to 5, pale
greenish or buff white, marked and spotted with rufous brown and
lilac brown, and measure about .78 x .60 inches.

269. Melospiza georgiana (Lath.).
Swamp Sparrow.

Distr.: Eastern North America, from the Plains to the Atlantic
coast, south in winter to the Gulf of Mexico; breeds from Iowa,
northern Illinois and Ohio northward to Athabaska and Labrador,
accidental in Utah.

Adult in summer: Crown, bright chestnut, becoming blackish
on the forehead, usually with narrow black streaks and an irregular
median line of ashy (these sti'eaks occasionally absent), an ashy gray
superciliary line and a dusky post-ocular stripe, a dusky maxillary
streak often imperfect; nape with more or less ashy; back, streaked
with black, buff, and rufous chestnut; primaries, secondaries and
coverts, edged with chestnut rufous, giving a general rufous brown
appearance to the wing when closed; throat and belly, whitish; breast,
ashy; sides of body tinged with olive buff; tail, brown, narrowly
edged with rufous brown on outer webs.

Adult and immature in fall and winter: Similar, but differs in
having the crown deep chestnut, heavily streaked with black, and
the median line dull olive gray; nape showing scarcely any gray;
breast and sides tinged with brown, especially on the flanks.

Length, about 5.75; wing, 2.40; tail, 2.40; bill, .40.

The Swamp Sparrow is a common summer resident in Illinois and
Wisconsin and a winter resident in southern Illinois. It arrives from
the south late in March and leaves again in October. While not as
often heard as that of many of our Sparrows, the song is sweet and
musical. It has a delightful little trill, most often heard in the spring
and occasionally a soft warble.

The nest is built on the ground and is composed of dry grass and

Jax., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 605

shreds of bark. The eggs are 4 to 5, dull greenish white or bluish
green, thickly and heavily marked with brown, and measure about
.76 X .56 inches.

Genus PASSERELLA Swainson.

270. Passerella iliaca (Merr.).
Fox Sparrow.

Distr.: Eastern North America, from the Plains to the Atlantic
coast, south in winter to Texas and the Gulf states, accidental in
California; breeds chiefly north of the United States, from northern
Manitoba to Alaska and from northeni Maine to Labrador.

Adult: General color above, rusty brown, mixed with gray, the
back showing imperfect streaks of rusty; tail and tail coverts, rufous

brown, the latter often with narrow

pale edgings; under parts, white,

more or less heavily and irregularly

" marked, except on the belly and

crissum, with rusty brown; wings

appear rufous brown when closed,

caused by the slaty brown feathers

being heavily margined with that

color; greater and middle wing

coverts, more or less faintly tipped

with white (absent in immature birds) ; upper mandible, dark; lower

mandible, yellow, except at tip.

Sexes similar.

Length, about 7; wing, 3.45; tail, 3.10; bill, .43.
The Fox Sparrow is common during the migrations in Illinois
and Wisconsin and is a winter resident in southern Illinois. Fre-
quents thickets and shrubbery, and is rather retiring in its habits.
It has a charming song, perhaps, unsurpassed by any of our sparrows.
Its loud, clear whistling notes, however, are so varied as to make
any attempt at description unsatisfactory.

Genus PIPILO Vieill.
271. Pipilo erythrophthalmus (Linn.).

TOWHEE. TOWHEE BuNTING.

Distr.: " Eastern United States and southern Canada, west to the
Plains, breeding from the lower Mississippi Valley and Georgia north-
ward; in winter from the middle districts southward." (A. O. U.)

6o6 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Adult iiuilc: Whole head, throat and back, black (occasionally
the feathers of the back with narrow rufoas brown edgings); belly.

white; sides of body and flanks, rufous chestnut; crissum, tawny
brown; primaries and inner secondaries, black, marked with white
on outer webs, forming a conspicuous white patch; tail, black, the
three outer tail feathers, broadly tipped with white, the outer feather
with about the terminal third of inner web, white, the white patch
decreasing in size on the second and third; iris, red; bill, black.

Adult jc]]iale: General markings as in the male, but differs in
having the head, throat, back, wings and tail, grayish brown, often
with a faint tinge of olive.

Very young birds in first plumage have the back and under parts
streaked with dusky.

Length, about 8; wing, 3.30; tail, 3.60; bill, .50.

The Towhee Bunting is a common summer resident in Illinois
and Wisconsin, frequenting the hedges and thickets, from April until
October (earliest Chicago record, March 16). The characteristic note
of this species is a loud, clear chee-we or che-iviiik.

It breeds from the latter part of April until July. The nest is
built on or near the ground and is composed of leaves, strips and
shreds of bark, etc., and lined wdth fine grass. The eggs are from
3 to 5, white or pinkish white or buff white, speckled all over with
brown, occasionally showing a few blotches at the larger end; size
about .95 X .71 inches.

Jax., igog. Birds of Illinois axd Wisconsin — Cory. 607

272. Pipilo maculatus arcticus (Swainson).

Arctic Towhee.

Distr.: "Plains of the Platte, Upper ;\liss3,iri, Yellowstone and
vSaskatchewan Rivers, west to the eastern slope of the Rockv .Moun-
tains, south in winter to Kansas, Colorado and Texas." (A. O. U.)

The Arctic Towhee resembles the common Towhee, P. ervtJiroph-
thaluius, but differs from it in having the upper plumage dull black
(not clear black), tinged with olive on the rump, and the scapulars
and interscapulars marked and streaked with white. The female has
the upper plumage dusky brown, more or less tinged with olive and
the forehead tinged with gray; feathers of the back (interscapulary
region) edged with more or less white.

Length, about 8.15; wing, 3.40; tail, 3.65; bill, .50.

The Arctic Towhee is an accidental straggler in Illinois and Wis-
consin. In a foot-note in his Birds of Northeastern Illinois, p. no,
Mr. Nelson states: "Through Dr. Hoy I learn that two specimens of
P. arcticus have been taken in Wisconsin, one near Milwaukee, where
it is now preserved, and a second opposite Dubuque, Iowa. He
has seen both specimens and is positive of their identity."

Another specimen is recorded by Mr. Frank M. W^oodruff, who
writes: "The only record that I have found of the taking of the
Arctic Towhee within our limits is that of Mr. F. S. Dayton, who
shot one of these birds in the woods west of North Evanston, Illinois,
on October 24, i8g8, near the same locality wdiere he obtained speci-
mens of Junco montanus three days before. The specimen is in the
collection of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, having been donated
by Mr. Dayton. It is the skin of a typical adult male." (Birds of
the Chicago Area, igoy, p. 144.)

Kumlien & Hollister state: "One specimen, an adult male, has
been shot (b}' L. K.) in Jefferson County. This specimen was sent
to Prof. Sundevall and the record can not be found at present.
There was also a specimen — - formerly preserved in the old Wiscon-
sin Natural History Society collection — which was taken near Mil-
waukee about 1867 or 1868. One was noted by Dr. Hoy in a col-
lection of birds at Dubucjue, Iowa, which had been taken on the Wis-
consin side of the river." (Birds of Wisconsin, igo3, p. 102).

6o8 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus CARDINALIS Bonap.

273. Cardinalis cardinalis (Linn.).
Cardinal. Cardinal Grosbeak.

Distr.: Eastern United States, from the Plains to tiie Gulf of
Mexico and Atlantic coast, north to southern New York, southern
Wisconsin and southern Minnesota; breeding throughout its range.
Resident in Bermuda; accidental in Maine, New Brunswick and
Colorado.

Cardinal (male).

Adult male: General plumage, bright red; head with elongated
crown feathers forming a crest; throat and face, including area around
the base of the bill, black; feathers of the back, tinged with olive
gray; bill, red.

Adult female and immature male: Crest, wings and tail, tinged
with dull red; throat and face, dusky; back, ashy olive brown;
under parts, pale buff, whitening on the belly; breast, more brownish
and often tinged with red; under surface of wing, bright ros}^ red.

Length, 8.50; wing, 3.60; tail, 4.25; bill, .60.

The Cardinal is a very common permanent i^esident in southern
Illinois, and a rather uncommon summer resident in northern Il-
linois and Wisconsin.

Nelson considered it "a rare and irregular summer resident" in
northeastern Illinois in 1:876. Mr. Frank M. Woodruff writes: "Some
years ago I found a nest of the Cardinal at River Forest, Illinois.
Mr. O. M. Schantz informs me that in the year 1904 there were two

Jax., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 609

pairs nesting at Ri\'erside, Illinois, and that they arrived in that
locality on the 17th of April." (Birds of the Chicago Area, 1907, p.
145.) Mr. Otto C. Poling found it "an abundant resident" in the
vicinity of Quincy, Adams County, Illinois. (The Auk, 1890, p. 243).

In Wisconsin it is rare. Dr. Hoy (1852) states that a few speci-
mens formerly nested near Racine. Messrs. Kumlien & Hollister
(Birds of Wisconsin. 1903, p. 102) record three specimens from the
vicinity of Milwaukee and one or two others which they suppose
might have been escaped cage birds.

The nest is a comparatively small structure of rootlets, shreds
of bark, etc., built in a low tree or bush. The eggs are 3 or 4, variable
in color, white or buff white or greenish white, marked, spotted and
speckled with various shades of brown and lilac gray, and measure
about I X .74 inches. There is a set of three eggs in the Field Museum
collection, taken at Poland, Ohio, May 19, 1891.

Genus ZAMELODIA Coues.
274. Zamelodia ludoviciana (Linn.).

RoSE-BREASTED GrOSBEAK.

Habia ludoviciana (Linn.), A .0. U. Check List, 1895, p. 250.

Distr.: Eastern North America, and southern Canada, west to
Athabaska and Saskatchewan, south in winter to Central and north-
ern South America; breeds from North Carolina, Ohio, Illinois and
Nebraska northward.

Adult male: Whole head, throat and back, black ; breast and under
wing coverts, brilliant rosy red, rest of under parts, white; wings.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male).

6io Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

wing coverts and tail, black, more or less marked with white;
the primaries and outer tail feathers, heavily marked with white;
rump, white; upper tail coverts, black, tipped with white; bill,
brownish white.

Adult female: Under wing, coverts, bright safifron-yellow ; upper
parts, grayish brown, streaked with dusky brown and more or less
tinged with olive brown on the rump; crown and sides of head, dark
grayish brown, a whitish streak in centre of crown and a white super-
ciliary stripe; wings and tail, grayish brown; wing coverts, tipped
with white; throat, breast and sides of body, tinged with pale bufl
and streaked with dusky; belly, whitish.

Length, about 8; wing, 4; tail, 3; bill, .65.

This beautiful species is a common summer resident in northern
Illinois and Wisconsin, and occurs during migrations in southern
Illinois. It is one of the most beautiful of our birds and of special
value to the agriculturist as, besides other insects, it eats the potato
beetle. The male is one of our most gifted songsters, its delight-
ful warble being varied and very sweet.

It breeds in May and June. The nest is in bushes or low trees
and is composed of rootlets and dry stalks of weeds, etc. The eggs
are from 3 to 4, rarely 5, pale greenish blue or bluish green, marked
and speckled with various shades of brown, and measure about .96
X .67 inches.

Genus GUIRACA Swainson.

275. Guiraca caerulea (Linn.).

Blue Grosbeak.

Distr.: Eastern United States, southern Illinois, Nebraska and
southern New Jersey to Florida and the Gulf states, south in winter
to Cuba and eastern Mexico (Yucatan) ; breeds throughout its
United States range.

Adult male: General plumage, dark blue; chin and region about
base of bill, black; wings and tail, blackish brown; middle and
greater wing coverts, tipped with chestnut, forming wing bars.
(In assuming adult plumage the feathers of the back are edged with
chestnut, and the feathers of under parts narrowly edged with
whitish).

Adult female: Upper parts, brown, the head, clear brown, shading
to grayish brown on the rump; under parts, buffy brown, palest on
throat and belly; wing and tail, grayish brown, the greater and
middle wing coverts, edged and tipped with tawny brown.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

611

Immature males at first resemble the female, but later assume a
mixed plumage of brown and blue.

Length, 6.60; wing, 3.40; tail, 2.80; bill, .63.

The Blue Grosbeak occurs in southern Illinois and is an accidental
straggler in Wisconsin. Both Ridgway and Nelson state that it is

Blue Grosbeak.

a rare bird in Illinois, even in the southern half of the state, but give
no definite records of its capture. W. W. Cooke says: "In its mi-
gration it reaches southern Illinois and southern Nebraska." (Bird
Migration Miss. Valley, 1888, p. 218.)

Kumlien & Hollister state: "A rare straggler in Wisconsin.
Thure Kumlien captured a pair near Lake Koshkonong in June, i860.
It was also taken at least once by Dr. Hoy and there was also a
Milwaukee specimen, which seems to have entirely disappeared."
(Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 102.)

Genus PASSERINA Vieillot.
276. Passerina cyanea (Linn.).

Indigo Bunting. Indigo Bird.

Distr.: Eastern United States, from Kansas and Nebraska east-
ward, north to Minnesota, Ontario and Quebec, and south in winter
to Cuba and Central America to Panama; breeds from the Gulf
states northward.

Adult male: General plumage, blue; clear indigo-blue on head,
throat and breast; lighter blue on back and with the blue of the
flanks tinged with greenish; lores, black; wings and tail, blackish,
more or less ed^ed with greenish blue.

6i2 Field Museum of Natural History — -Zoology, Vol. IX.

Adult female: Upper plumage, brown; under parts, grayish
brown, indistinctly streaked with darker brown; throat, brownish
white or whitish.

Immature male: At first similar to the female, but later mixed
blue and brown; the under parts mixed with whitish.
Length, 5.50; wing, 2.70; tail, 2.20; bill, .38.

A common summer resident in Illinois and Wisconsin, being es-
pecially noticeable on account of the brilliant blue plumage of the male.

It arrives from the south in May and re-
mains until the latter part of September
and sometimes later.

The song is varied and sweet but not
loud. Alexander Wilson in describing it,
writes: "It mounts to the highest tops of
a large tree and chants for half an hour at
a time. Its song is not one continuous
strain, but a repetition of short notes,
commencing loud and rapid, and falling by almost imperceptible
gradations for six or eight seconds, till they seem hardly articulate,
as if the little minstrel was quite exhausted; and after a pause of
half a minute or less, commences again as before * * * His usual
note when alarmed by an approach to his nest, is a sharp chip, like
that of striking two hard pebbles smartly together." (Am. Orn.,
1877, p. 100.)

The nest is in a bush, composed of grass, leaves and shreds of
bark. The eggs are from 3 to 4, usually pale bluish white in color,
but occasinally showing a few brown spots. Size, about .73 x .54
inches.

The Field Museum collection contains a series of sets of eggs
taken in northern Illinois between June 4 and Jvme 24.

277. Passerina ciris (Linn.).

Painted Bunting. Nonpareil.

Distr.: South Atlantic and Gulf states to western Texas, north
to North Carolina and casual or accidental to southern Illinois and
Kansas; in winter south through Mexico and Central America to
Panama.

Adult male: Whole head (except throat) and sides of breast,
indigo-blue; back and scapulars, golden green; throat and under
parts, vermilion red; wings, dark fuscous brown, more or less glossed
with green; tail, fuscous brown, faintly washed with red.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory. 613

Adult female: Upper parts, olive green; under parts, pale green-
ish yellow, without streaks; tail, dark brown, more or less edged with
olive green.

Immature males in early stages similar to the female, but later
variegated with colors of the male.

Length, 5.35; wing, 2.75; tail, 2.25; bill, .40.

The only record of the occurrence of this bird within our limits is
that given by Prof. Ridgway, who states he observed a female bird
of this species in Wabash Count}^ 111., June 10, 1871, "under cir-
cumstances which allow of no doubt as to correct identification."
(Orn. of 111., 1889, p. 302.)

Genus SPIZA Bonap.

278. Spiza americana (Gmel.).

DicKcissEL. Black-throated Bunting.
Distr.: "Eastern United States to the Rocky Mountains, breeding
from Texas north to Massachusetts, New York, southern Ontario,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota; south in winter through
Central America to northern South America; southwest in migra-
tions to Arizona. Now rare or entirely absent east of the Alle-
ghanies." (A. O. U.^

DickcisseL

Adult male: Crown, olive yellow, shading to ashy on the nape;
sides of head, ash gray; chin, white; throat, black, a yellow super-
ciliary line and maxillary spot; breast and more or less of middle
belly, yellow; back and rump, ashy brown, tinged with rufous and
streaked with black on the interscapulary region; carpal joint,

6i4 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

edged with bright yellow; wings and tail, fuscous brown; middle
and lesser wing coverts, bright chestnut, forming a chestnut "shoul-
der" patch; belly and crissum, whitish; sides of body, washed with
gray.

Adult female: Similar to the male, but smaller and paler, and with-
out the black patch on the throat ; breast more or less streaked with
blackish.

Length, about 6.60; wing, 3.25; tail, 2.50; bill, .52.

This species is a common summer resident in Illinois and Wis-
consin, arriving from the south in May and breeding throughout
both states. Wherever it occurs it makes its presence known, as it
is a persistent songster. The notes are strong and clear and may be
described as see-see, dick-cissel, cissel. Prof. Ridgway says:

"The location of the nest varies much with locality, though
probabl}^ not more than in the case of many other species. At
Mount Carmel. all that I found w^ere in clover fields, and built upon
or very close to the ground. In Richland County they were almost
invariably built in small clumps of coarse weeds, at a height of about
a foot above the ground. In Wisconsin, however, according to Dr.
Brewer (Hist. N. Am. B., Vol. II, p. 68), Dr. P. R. Hoy, of Racine,
has never found a nest within one foot of the ground, some of them
being as elevated as six feet. Of nineteen nests discovered by Dr.
Hoy during one season, 'ten were built in gooseberry bushes, four
on thorn bushes, three among blackberry bushes, one on a raspberry
bush, and one on a wild rose.' " (Orn. of 111., 1889, p. 304.)

The nest is composed of leaves and grass, often in meadows and
prairies and at times in bushes. The eggs are 4 to 5, pale blue in
color, and measure about .80 x .60 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains the following sets of eggs
taken in northern Illinois and Wisconsin: 3 eggs, Joliet, 111., May 26,
1906; I egg, Joliet, 111., May 28, 1906; 4 eggs, Joliet, 111., June 4,
1906; 4 eggs, Columbus, Wisconsin, May 25, 1892.

Family TANGARIDtE. Tanagers.

The Tanagers number some 300 species, most of which are found
in Central and South America. They are arboreal, frequenting
wooded localities and are both frugivorus and insectivorous. Most
of the males are highly colored. A single genus (Piranga) occurs
in eastern North America, two species of which are found in Illinois,

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

615

and a third has been recorded from Wisconsin. As a rule they are
fair, but not powerful, songsters. The nest is built in trees.

Genus PIRANGA Vieill.

279. Piranga ludoviciana (Wils.).
Louisiana Tanager.

Distr.: Western United States, from western Texas, Kansas, and
western Dakota to the Pacific coast, north to Ontario and British
Columbia, south in winter to Guatemala; breeds from western Texas,
New Mexico, and Arizona northward; accidental in Louisiana, Wis-
consin, New York, Maine, etc.

Adult male: Head and throat, red; nape, rump, and under parts,
yellow; wings and tail, blackish; back, black; greater and middle
wing coverts, broadly tipped with yellow or yellowish.

Louisiana Tanager.

Adult female: Above, olive green, brightest on rump and top of
head; under parts, olive yellow, palest on belly; under tail coverts,
yellow; greater and middle wing coverts, tipped with yellowish white,
forming wing bars.

The wing bars will distinguish the female of this species from that
of our other Tanagers.

Length, about 7; wing, 3.50 to 3.85; tail, 2.90; bill, .60.

The only records of the occurrence of this handsome Tanager,
either in Illinois or Wisconsin, are the following by Messrs. Kumlien
& Hollister:

6i6 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

"During the latter part of May, 1877, Thure Kumlien found this
species nesting within a few rods of the Kumlien homestead in Jeffer-
son County. Nest, eggs and parents were secured, and are now pre-
served in the Museum of the State University at Madison. The nest
was not especially different from that of P. erythromelas and was
placed well out on a horizontal branch of a large white oak. This
is without doubt the easternmost breeding record for the species,
although stragglers are reported even from New England. A second
male was procured the next June (1878) ; and in July, 1891, another,
also an adult male, was shot in the same locality by L. Kumlien."
(Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 103.)

280. Piranga erythromelas Vieill.

Scarlet Tanager.

Distr.: Eastern United States, from the Plains to the Atlantic

coast, north to Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba, south in winter to

West Indies, Central America, and South America to Peru; breeds

from Kentucky, southern Illinois, and southern Missouri northward.

Adult tnale: General plumage,
scarlet; wings and tail, black; under
v^^" wing coverts, white.

Adult female: Upper plumage,
olive green; under parts, greenish
yellow; wings and tail, grayish
brown, faintly edged with greenish;
no wing bars.

Immature male: Resembles the
female, but when changing shows irregular blotches of red and
green. Adult male not infrequently shows abnormal coloring, such
as a different shade of red or even orange.
Length, 6.80; wing, 3.75; tail, 2.90; bill, .50.

This beautiful species is a common summer resident in Illinois
and Wisconsin from about the first of May until September. The
song somewhat resembles that of the Robin, but is more shrill. The
male does not assume its full perfect red plumage until the spring of
the third year.

It breeds in May and Jvme. The nest is on the limb of a tree, and
is composed of grass, flower stems, etc. The eggs are 3 to 5, pale
bluish or greenish, spotted and speckled with brown, and measure
about .92 X .66 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains sets of eggs taken in north-
ern Illinois between May 281 and June 14.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and AVisconsin — Cory. 617

281. Piranga rubra (Linn.).

Summer Tanager.

Distr.: "Eastern United States, to the Plains, north to southern
New Jersey and southern Illinois, casually north to Massachusetts
and Ontario, and accidentally to Nova Scotia.' In winter, Cuba,
eastern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America to
Peru." (A. 0. U.)

Adult male: General plumage, rich rose-red; wings and tail,
fuscous brown, edged with rose-red; bill, pale.

Adult female: Upper plumage, brownish olive; under parts, pale
brownish orange; no wing bars; under wing coverts, dull buffy
yellow.

Length, 7.25; wing, 3.80; tail, 3; bill, .53.

The Summer Tanager is a common summer resident in southern
Illinois, but is a rare summer resident in northern Illinois and Wis-
consin.

Kennicott states that about the middle of the last century it
nested in Cook County. Prof. Ridgway found it common and breed-
ing at Mt. Carmel, 111. Mr. Nelson gives it as "A rare summer resi-
dent" in northeastern Illinois. ^Ir. Frank M. Woodruff records a
specimen seen by Mr. O. M. Schantz at Morton Park, Illinois, in
April, 1904. (Birds of the Chicago Area, 1907, p. 147.)

Kumlien & Hollister say: "Rare, but evidently a regular summer
visitor in southern Wisconsin. It has been taken near Janesville
by Mr. H. L. Skavlem; and near Albion, twdce at least, by Thure
Kumlien. In the Johnstown woods, between Milton and Johns-
town, it appears to occur regularly every summer, we having seen it
on a number of occasions, and taken specimens. Reported from
Racine by Dr. Hoy, and two specimens taken near Milwaukee, were
mounted by local taxidermists and were formerly in the old Natural
History Society collection." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 204.)

6i8 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Family HIRUNDINI D.E. Swallows.

Some 85 or 90 species of Swallows are known from different parts
of the world. They are insectivorous birds and therefore migratory.
Being strong flyers, they are able to travel great distances with
surprising swiftness. They usually assemble in large flocks just
prior and during the migrations. The nesting habits vary with
different species; some nest in holes in trees, others in banks, while
still others build their nests on rafters in barns and outbuildings.

Genus PROGNE Boie.

282. Progne subis (Linn.).
Purple Martin.

Distr.: Breeds throughout whole of United States (except Cali-
fornia) and northern Mexico, north to southern Quebec and south-
ern Athabaska region ; south in winter to Central America and north-
ern South America.

Adult male: Brilliant dark steel-blue; wings and tail, dark fus-
cous, tinged with bluish; bill, black.

Purple Martin.

Adult female: Upper plumage, dark steel-blue; forehead, gray-
ish; throat, breast, and sides, brownish gray, the feathers edged with
whitish; middle of belly, white.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 619

Young birds resemble the adult female. In changing to adult
plumage the male shows irregular patches of steel-blue.

Length, 7.50; wing, 5.75; tail, 3.60; bill, .40.

The Purple Martin is a common summer resident throughout
Illinois and Wisconsin, arriving from the south in April.

Breeds in May and June. The nest is in holes in trees or about
houses or in boxes. The eggs are pure white, usually from 4 to 5
in number, and measure about .98 x .72 inches.

Genus PETROCHELIDON Cabanis.

283. Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say).
Cliff Swallow.

Distr.: Whole of North America, north to Ungava and Alaska,
breeding throughout its North American range; south in winter to
Mexico, Central and South America.

Adult: Forehead white or brownish white; crown, back and a
small patch on middle of lower throat and upper breast, dark steel-
blue; chin, throat, and sides of the head,
rufous chestnut; shorter upper tail cov-
erts, dull rufous brown; breast and
sides, grayish, tinged with rusty brown,
whitening on the belly; under tail coverts,
long, extending to within half an inch or
less of end of tail feathers.
Sexes similar.
Length, 5.25; wing, 4.40; tail, 2.50; bill, .30.

An abundant migrant and a common summer resident, arriving
from the south in April or early in May and leaving again in Sep-
tember.

The nest is gourd-shaped, composed of mud and dry grass and
attached underneath overhanging cliffs or the eaves of buildings.
The eggs are 4 or 5 in number, pure white, and measure about .81
X .54 inches.

620 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus HIRUNDO Linn.

284. Hirundo erythrogastra Bodd.
Barn Swallow.

Chelidon erythrogastra (Bodd.), A. (J. U. Check List, 1895, p. 258.

Distr.: Whole of North America, north to Ungava, Hudson Bay
and Alaska, breeding throughout its North American range and in
northern Mexico; south in winter throughout Central America, the
West Indies, and a considerable portion of South America.

Adult male: Tail, much forked; upper plumage, lustrous dark
steel-blue; forehead and throat, rufous chestnut; rest of under parts,

Barn Swallow.

pale brown or buffy brown, varying in intensity; outer tail feathers,
much elongated; tail, fuscous, tinged with blue, all but the central
feathers with broad white spot on inner web.

Adult female: Similar, but duller.

Immature birds have the tail less forked, the outer tail feathers
less elongated, the general plumage duller, and the upper parts
tinged with browm.

Length, 6 to 7.10 (varying according to length of tail); wing,
4.50 to 510; tail, 2.75 to 4.50; bill, .30.

The Barn Swallow is a common summer resident in Illinois and
Wisconsin, from May until September, breeding throughout both states.

The nest is cup-shaped, composed of mud .and straw and lined
with feathers. It is usually built on rafters of barns, or when away
from buildings, attached to side or in crevices of a cliff or in caves.
The eg£;s are 3 to 5, white, spotted with various shades of brown and
often pale lilac, and measure about .78 x .54 inches.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

62 1

Genus IRIDOPROCNE Coues.

285. Iridoprocne bicolor (Vieill.).
Tree Swallow. White-bellied Swallow.

Tachycineta bicolor (Vieill.), A. O. U. Check List, 1S95, P- 258.

Distr.: Whole of North America, north to Ungava, Hudson Bay,
and Alaska, sOuth in winter to Cuba and Central America; breeds
from iVlabama and Texas northward throughout its range.

Adult male: Upper plumage, glossy greenish blue or steel-blue,
showing a greenish gloss when held in the light; under parts, white;

Tree S.vallow.

wings and tail, blackish, with faint greenish gloss; tail, slightly
emarginate, the outer feathers being only ^ of an inch or less longer
than the middle feathers. In fall plumage the inner secondaries
are edged and tipped wath white.

Adult female: Similar, but duller.

Young birds in first plumage on leaving the nest have the upper
parts, including the wings and tail, slaty gray; under parts, wdiite,
more or less washed w^ith ashy; feet, yellow.

Length (adult), about 6; wing, 4.50 to 4.90; tail, 2.50; bill, .28.

The Tree Swallow is a common summer resident throughout
Illinois and Wisconsin from the latter part of April until September.
Late in August they congregate in large flocks preparatory to the
southern migration.

The nest is usually in hollow trees, but sometimes in buildings
or on the sides of a cliff. The eggs are from 4 to 6, pure white, and
measure about .75 x .54 inches.

622 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus TACHYCINETA Cabanis.

286. Tachycineta thalassina lepida (M earns).
Northern Violet-green Swallow.

Disfr.: Western United States, from western Nebraska to the
Pacific coast, north to Alaska and south to Central America in win-
ter; breeds from Arizona, New Mexico, and northwestern Texas
northward.

Adult male: Upper parts, rich deep green, tinged with purple
on the upper tail coverts; under parts, white; a patch of pure white
on flanks, extending upon sides of rump.

Adult female: Similar, but duller.

Length, 4.75 to 5.50; wing, 4.50; tail, 2.20; bill, .25.

The Northern Violet-green Swallow must be considered an acci-
dental straggler within our limits. According to Mr. F. M. Woodruff,
a male bird of this species was taken by Mr. George Clingman at
South Kenwood, Illinois, on May 4, 1897, (Birds of the Chicago
Area, 1907, p. 149).

There is apparently no other record of its occurrence in Illinois
or Wisconsin, but it is known to breed in Nebraska, and has been
taken in southeastern Dakota (Cooke) and in Minnesota (Hatch).

Genus RIPARIA Forster.

287. Riparia riparia (Linn.).
Bank Swallow.

Clivicola riparia (Linn.), A. O U. Check List, 1895, P- 259-

Distr.: Whole of North America, south in winter to Central
America, the West Indies, and South America; breeds from the Gulf
states, Texas, and Arizona north to northern Alaska, Melville Island,
northern Labrador, and the far north.

Adult: Upper plumage, grayish brown; a dusky spot in front of
the eye ; breast with a broad band of grayish brown ; rest of under
parts, white; a few very small feathers on the tarsus near base of
hind toe. In fall plumage the secondaries are tipped with white.

In some cases a few feathers on the middle breast below the
pectoral band are grayish brown.

Length, about 5.10; wing, 4; tail, 2; bill, .23.

This species may be distinguished from the Rough-w^inged Swal-
low by the distinct breast band of grayish brown, the rest of the
under parts being white.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

623

\\\\\\ \\ \\^\iim\\ \\\

Bank Swallow.

The Bank Swallow is a very common summer resident in Illinois
and Wisconsin from May until about the first of September.

The majority breed early in June. The nest is in a hole in the
side of a steep bank. Where sand banks are available, they usually
breed in colonies. The eggs are from 3 to ■6, ptire white, and measure
about .69 X .48 inches.

Genus STELGIDOPTERYX Baird.
288. Stelgidopteryx serripennis (Aud.).
Rough-winged Swallow.
Disir.: Breeds throughout whole of United States (except por-
tions of the extreme northern border), northern Mexico and south-
ern British Columbia; south in winter to Mexico and Central America
to Costa Rica.

Special characters: Resembles the
Bank Swallow, but has no distinct band
-ri on the breast, the under parts being

brownish gray, gradually shading into
white on the lower belly and under tail
^ coverts. In the adult bird, the edge of

'\Kv^^ ^he outer web of the outer primary is

^ '' rough, the feathers being recurved and

resembling a series of little hooks.

Length, about 5.60; wing, 4.20; tail, 2.10; bill, .25.

The Rough-winged Swallow is a common summer resident

\

624 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

throughout Illinois and southern Wisconsin from May until Septem-
ber. In northeastern Illinois it breeds about Fox Lake, Joliet, and
other localities. Often confused by the ordinary observer with the
Bank Swallow.

Breeds during the latter part of May and in June. The nest is
usually in a hole in a bank, although at times in stone walls or under
bridges.
.72 X .51 inches

The eggs are from 3 to 6, pure white, and measure about

Family BOMBYCILLID^. Waxwings, etc.

This small family contains but two genera and three species.
Two of these, comprising the subfamily Ampelince or Waxwings,
occur within our limits. They are gregarious during inigrations and
attract attention by their faint whistle, which appears to be their
only note. Their food consists of fruit, berries and insects, and they
build their nests in trees.

Genus BOMBYCILLA Vieill.

289. Bombycilla garrula (Linn.).

Bohemian Waxwing.
Ampelis garndus Linn., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 260.
Distr.: Northern parts of northern hemisphere; south in winter
to Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Kansas; breeds north of the United
States from about the latitude of Hudson Bay northward.

.4 c/m//.- Crown with crest; chin,
throat, and a narrow frontal streak
extending backward through the
eye, black; forehead tinged with
rufous chestnut; general color
above, rich grayish brown; grayish
on the upper tail coverts; breast,
grayish brown, shading to grayish
on belly; under tail coverts, rufous
chestnut; most of the primaries
tipped with clear yellow or yellow-
ish white on outer webs, and tipped
with white on inner webs; secondaries with outer webs, tipped with
white; primary coverts, tipped with white; tail, with terminal band
of vellow; shafts of secondaries and sometimes tail feathers, with

Bohemian Waxwing.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 625

hard, red elongated tips, resembling bits of sealing-wax; while usually
confined to the secondaries, these sometimes appear on some of the
primaries or coverts.

Immature birds show pale streaks.

Sexes similar.

Length, 7.50; wing, 4.50; tail, 3.50; bill, .38.

This fine species is an irregular but occasionally a not uncommon
winter visitant or resident as far south as northern Illinois and acci-
dental in southern Illinois.

Mr. E. W. Nelson states, "Arrives in December and sometimes
remains until April. The winter of 1875-76 they were unusually
numerous. In a letter dated March 16, 1876, Mr. Charles Douglass,
of Waukegan, describes an immense flock of these birds which he
observed the day previous, upon the lake shore near the town."
(Birds of N. E. 111., 1876, p. 103.) Mr. Frank M. Woodruff writes:
"On January i, 1896, I obtained a fine pair at Lake Forest, Illinois,
and saw about twenty more." Mr. John F. Ferry has also taken
specimens in that locality. Prof. S. A. Forbes procured a specimen
in southern Illinois at Villa Ridge, Pulaski Co., on December 18,
1879 (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. V., p. 118.).

According to Mr. Butler (Birds of Indiana, 1897, p. 1002) they
were numerous at Whiting, Lake Co., Indiana, on March 30, 1880,
and "on December 4, 1880, Mr. R. A. Turtle shot thirty or forty
specimens out of a large flock at Whiting, Indiana."

It is a regular winter visitant in Wisconsin and according to
Kumlien & Hollister "of much more regular occurrence from the
central part of the state northward." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 106.)

290. Bombycilla cedrorum Vieill.

Cedar Waxwing.

Ampelis cedrorum (Vieill.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 260.

Distr.: Whole of the United States and north to Ontario, Quebec,
and Athabaska, breeding from the Carolinas, Kentucky, Missouri
and Kansas northward; south in winter to the West Indies and
Central America to Costa Rica.

Special characters: Much smaller than the Bohemian Waxwing;
belly, tinged with yellow; under tail coverts, white.

Adult: Head, with small crest; upper plumage, rich grayish
brown, brightest on the head and shading into gray on the rump
and upper tail coverts; a line of black across forehead at base of bill,
extending backward in a stripe through the eye; throat and breast,
grayish brown, shading into pale yellow on the belly; under tail

626 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

coverts, ivhite; sl short
white line from base of
under mandible and a
very narrow white line
separating the black fore-
head from the grayish
brown crown; primaries,
slate-gray; tail, slate-
gray, shading to blackish
at the ends and tipped
with yellow; shafts of se-
condaries and sometimes
tail feathers with hard,
red, elongated tips re-
sembling bits of sealing-
wax; the location of
these varies, as in B.
garrula, and are some-
times entirely lacking in
apparently adult birds.
Immature birds show
more or less pale streaks, especially on the breast and sides of body.
Length, 6.25 to 7.25; wing, 3.50 to 3.75; tail, 2.20; bill, .34-
The Cedar Waxwing or Cedar Bird is a common summer resi-
dent in Illinois and Wisconsin and a more or less common winter
resident, varying in numbers according to the severity of the season.
In the fall they are usually observed in flocks and their peculiar hiss-
ing or "wheezy" notes are unmistakable.

It breeds from June until August. The nest is large, built in a
tree and composed of twigs, shreds of bark, leaves, moss, etc. The
eggs are from 3 to 5, pale bluish gray, spotted, and marked with dark
brown and black, and measure about .88 x .61 inches.

Cedar Waxwing.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory.

627

Family LANIIDi^. Shrikes.

The Shrikes are a large family, containing some 200 species
mostly exotic. Two species occur in Illinois and Wisconsin, both
grayish birds with dark wings and tail, and a noticeable stripe through
the eye. They are pugnacious and savage, preying upon animals
as well as insects. They have the singular habit of impaling small
birds and animals upon sharp twigs and thorns, and it is not uncom-

Northern Shrike.

628 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

mon to find bushes ornamented in this manner with the bodies of
their victims. The nest is a large rough structure, placed on a crotch
or branch of some tree.

Genus LANIUS Linn.

291. Lanius borealis Vieill.
Northern Shrike. Butcher Bird.

Distr.: Northern North America, breeding in the far north (Lab-
rador, Ungava, Alaska, etc.); south in winter to southern Illinois,
Kansas, Arizona, etc.

Adult: Upper plumage, clear ash-gray, tinged with whitish on
rump and scapulars; under parts, dull wdiite, marked with numerous
narrow wavy bars of dusky; a black stripe through the eye on sides
of head, and a narrow while mark above the eye; primaries, blackish,
with white band; tail, blackish, the four oviter feathers, tipped with
white, the outer feather having the terminal third and the entire
outer web, white.

Sexes similar.

Immature: Markings similar to adult, but upper plumage, brown-
ish gray; black streak on sides of head replaced by dusky.

Length, 9.30 to 10.30; wing, 4.50; tail, 4.15; bill, .60.

This species is a common winter resident in northern Illinois
and Wisconsin, from the latter part of October until March; and
casual or rare in southern Illinois.

It is hawk-like in disposition and well deserves the name of
Butcher Bird, as it delights in killing small birds and animals and
impaling them upon thorns and sharp twigs.

292. Lanius ludovicianus Linn.
Loggerhead Shrike.

Distr.: Southern United States, from Texas eastward and north
to Arkansas, Tennessee, and Illinois (replaced in the northern states
by the Migrant Shrike).

Special characters: Upper parts, slate-color; under parts, almost
white, with no decided tinge of gray; bill, stout and large; tail,
longer than the wing (carpus to tip).

Adult: Upper plumage, slaty gray; a black stripe on sides of
head through the eye and continuing in a very narrow black line
across the forehead at base of bill; under parts, white, often faintly

Jan., lyoQ. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

629

LogEjerhead Shrike.

tinged with ashy; inner secondaries, black, tipped with white; pri-
maries, fuscous brown, the bases, wdiite; tail, blackish, the outer
feathers with the ends largely white.

Sexes similar.

Immature birds have the under parts marked with wavy, dusky
lines, as in L. borealis.

Length, about 8.75; wing, about 3.80; tail, 3.90; bill, .50.

The Loggerhead Shrike is a summer resident in southern Illinois
and perhaps farther north ; but is replaced in northern Illinois and
Wisconsin by the form, now recognized as a migrans. In a series
of specimens from various localities in Indiana and Illinois, the
majority are intermediate between ludovicianns and migrans; but
three from southern Illinois may be referred to liidovivianus.

Perched on a stump or a commanding branch, the Loggerhead
watches for and swoops down upon his prey. Birds, beetles, grass-
hoppers, or even small mice are killed and hung in his larder.

It breeds in May and June. The nest is a large rough structure,
composed of dry grass, small sticks, and feathers, built in a low tree
or hedge. The eggs are from 4 to 6, dull white, thickly spotted and
marked with brown and purplish gray, and measure about .98 x .74
inches.

630 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

292a. Lanius ludovicianus migrans Palmer.
Migrant Shrike.

Distr.: Eastern United States, north of Soutli Carolina, Alabama,
and Mississippi, and from Arkansas, Iowa, and Minnesota eastward
to the coast.

Special characters: Very similar to the Loggerhead Shrike, but
supposed to differ in having the upper parts more bluish gray ; under
parts washed with slaty gray; bill, more slender; and tail, shorter
than the wing (carpus to tip).

A common summer resident in Illinois and Wisconsin. Inter-
mediates occur between ludovicianus and migrans which might be
referred to either form. The majority arrive in northern Illinois
late in March or early in April (earliest Chicago record, March 8).

Kumlien and Hollister state that it is "Not as common north of
the central part of the state as south of it, except toward the north-
west, where it appears to be found more or less to the extreme north
portion." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 107.)

Habits, nest, and eggs are similar to those of the Loggerhead
Shrike.

The Field Museum collection contains the following sets of eggs
from northern Illinois: 4 eggs, Chicago, April 26; 6 eggs, Joliet,
May 3 ; 5 eggs, Joliet, May 11 ; 2 eggs, Joliet, May 11 ; 6 eggs, Joliet,
May 26; also a set of eggs taken at Grinnell, Iowa, June 12.

Jan , 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

631

Family VIREONID^. Vireos.

The Vireos number about 60 species confined to the Americas
and adjacent islands. They are insectivorous birds, usually dull
colored, inhabiting woodland and shrubbery, and build their nests
in trees or bushes. The song is a pleasing warble.

Analysis of the Species.

A. Wing without bars.

Throat and under parts, more or less pale yellow; first primary, not short,
at least as long as fifth.

Philadelphia Vireo.

Throat, breast, and belly, not yellow; crown nearly same color as back;
first primary, spurious; less than an inch long.

Warbling Vireo.

Throat, breast, and belly, not yellow; sides of body, olive green; crown
very different from back; a blackish streak on sides of crown, and a whitish
streak over eye, first primary about as long as fifth.

Red-eyed Vireo.

B. Wing with white or whitish bars.

(Formed by coverts being tipped with white or yellowish white.)
Eye ring, yellow; throat and breast, yellow; rump, grayish.

Yellow-throated Vireo.

Eye ring, yellow; a spot ni front of eye, yellow; throat, white or buffy
white; sides of body, yellow or greenish yellow.

White-eyed Vireo.

Eye ring, white; crown and sides of head, slaty or plumbeous; wing, over
2.50 inches long, first primary very short.

Blue-headed Vireo.

Eye ring, white or whitish, sometiines indistinct; wing, under 2.50 inches
long; first primary, small, about half as long as third; wing bar, narrow.

Bell's Vireo.

Philadelphia Vireo.
(Showing long first primary.)

Blue-headed Vireo.
(Showing short first primary.)

632 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus VIREOSYLVA Bonap.

293. Vireosylva olivacea (Linn.).

Red-eyed Vireo.

Vireo olivaceus (Linn.), A .0. U. Check List, 1895. p. 263.

Distr.: North America, from Colorado, Utah, western British
Columbia and Northwest Territory, eastward to the Atlantic coast;
breeds throughout its North American range; south in winter to
northern South America.

Adult: Crown, gray, bordered by a black line; a whitish stripe
over the eye and a dusky stripe through the eye; back, olive green;
sides, olive green, rest of under parts, white; wings and tail, slaty
brown, edged with greenish; iris, red.

Sexes similar.

Length, about 6; wing, 3.25; tail, 2.15; bill, .50.

^^^^_^ , ^ ^x^^.

^.

Red-eyed Vireo.

A common summer resident throughout Illinois and Wisconsin
from May until October.

It breeds in May and June. The nest is a pensile structure,
finely made of shreds of bark, vegetable fiber, and plant down, and
is attached to a branch of a tree. The eggs are 3 to 4, white,

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 633

with a few scattered spots of black or dark brown, and measure about
.82 X .56 inches.

The song of the Red-eyed Vireo is a melodious and often-repeated
warble.

294. Vireosylva philadelphica Cass.
Philadelphia Vireo.

Vireo philadclphicus (Cass.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 203.

Distr.: United States and British Provinces, from Kansas, the
Dakotas, and Athabaska eastward, breeding from the northern edge
of the United States northward and occasionally farther south.

Adults: Upper parts, grayish olive, the crown, slightly grayer
than back; a pale line over the eye; wings and tail, slaty brown,
faintly edged with olive green; under parts, pale greenish yellow;
chin and belly, often whitish ; first primary as long or longer than
fifth.

Sexes similar.

Length, 4.70; wing, 2.55; tail, 2; bill, .36.

A rather common migrant in Illinois and Wisconsin, but owing
to its plain colors often overlooked. It has not as yet been found
nesting within our limits, but may do so in northern Wisconsin and
perhaps farther south.

]\Ir. E. W. Nelson found it abundant in the vicinity of Waukegan.
He says: "They were so numerous near Waukegan about the twen-
tieth of May, 1876, that a dozen specimens might have been obtained
in an hour. The first of July, 1874, I found two pairs of these birds
in a dense thicket bordering Mazon Creek about 60 miles south of
Chicago. Upon my approach the birds showed great anxiety, utter-
ing a short, complaining cry and coming within a few feet of me.
That they had young in the vicinity I was sure, but owing to the
character of the covert they were not found." (Birds of N. E. 111.,
1876, p. 102.)

295. Vireosylva gilva (Vieill.).
Warbling Vireo.

Vireo gilvus (Vieill.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, P- 264.

Distr.: United States and British Provinces east of the Rocky
Mountains, from Kansas, Wyoming, Montana, and Saskatchewan
eastward to the Atlantic coast, breeding throughout its range, except
in southern Florida.

Adult: Upper parts, ash-gray, faintly tinged with olive; no white
bars on wings; throat, whitish; rest of under parts, whitish, faintly

634 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

tinged with pale olive yellow, more especially on the sides; wings
and tail, slaty brown, more or less faintly edged with olive; first pri-
mary, very short, less than an inch long.

Sexes similar.

Length, 5.60; wnng, 2.90; tail, 2.20; bill, .40.

The Warbling Vireo is a common summer resident in suitable
localities in Illinois and Wisconsin, arriving in May and leaving for
the south in September. The song somewhat resembles that of the
Red-eyed Vireo but is sweeter and not so loud.

The nest is pensile, usually attached to a forked branch of a tree.
The eggs are 3 to 4, pure white, with a few scattered spots of black
and brown chiefly at the larger end, and measure about .75 x .54
inches.

Genus LANIVIREO Baird.

296. Lanivireo flavifrons (Vieill.).
Yellow-throated Vireo.

Vireo flavifrons Vieill., A. O. U. Check List, 1S95, P- 264.

Distr.: Breeds in United States and southern British Provinces,
from Texas, Kansas, the Dakotas, north to southern Manitoba, and
eastward to the Atlantic coast; south in winter to Cuba, Mexico,
Central America, and Colombia, S. A.

Adult: Wing coverts, tipped with white, forxiiing wing bars;
upper parts, olive green, shading to grayish on the rump; eye ring,
yellow or yellowish; throat and breast, yellow; belly, white; inner
secondaries, edged with white.

Sexes similar.

Length, 5.80; wing, 3; tail, 2; bill, .38.

A common migrant and not uncommon summer resident in
wooded districts in Illinois and Wisconsin, although apparently rather
rare in the vicinity of Chicago. It arrives from the south, late in
April, and the majority have gone by October i.

Mr. Frank M. Woodruff records a nest and eggs of this species
taken June 8, 1885, in Lake County, Illinois, by Mr. B. T. Gault.

The nest is attached to the branch of a tree, usually in woods, and
is composed of grass, lichens, shreds of bark, and plant fibers. The
eggs are three or four, pure white, with a few scattered spots of black
and brown, chiefly at the larger end. Size, about .80 x .59 inches.

\i

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois axd Wisconsin — Cory. 635

297. Lanivireo solitarius (Wils.).
Blue-headed Vireo.

Vireo solitarius (Wils.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 264.

Distr.: United States and British Provinces east of the Rocky

Mountains, south in winter to^Cuba and Central America; breeds

from southern New England, Wisconsin, and Minnesota northward.

Adult: Crown and sides of head, slaty or plumbeous; eye ring,

white; back and rump, olive green; throat, breast, and middle of

^^.,^g_=,^ belly, white; sides of body, olive,

^, " -3^ shading into olive yellow on flanks;

^ greater and middle wing coverts,

tipped with white, forming wing

^ bars; inner secondaries, edged with

_____ ■ white; first primary, very short and

■^^.^^^ small, less than % inch long; tail

feathers, more or less edged with

Xi.x>^. white. Sexes similar.

Length, 5.50; wing, 2.95; tail,

2.18; bill, .37.

The Blue-headed Vireo is a common migrant in Illinois in May

and September and a more or less 'common summer resident in

W^isconsin. The song is a melodious warble, somewhat similar but

softer than that of the Red-eyed Vireo.

Kumlien and Hollister say : " A common migrant in May and Sep-
tember and a regular summer resident in limited numbers. Dr.
Hoy reported it as nesting at Racine and we haA^e noted it as a sum-
mer resident at Madison, Two Rivers, Milwaukee, and Jefferson.
We have, however, found but one nest (Bark River woods, Jefferson
County) and this contained young almost able to fly." (Birds of Wis-
consin, 1903, p. 108.)

The nest is built in the lower branches of a small tree or in large
bushes. The eggs are 3 or 4, pure white, with a few scattered spots
of black and brown, chiefly at the larger end, and measure about
.79 .X .55 inches.

636 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus VIREO Vieill.

298. Vireo griseus (Boddaert).
White-eyed Vireo.
Vireo novehoracensis (Gniel.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 266.
Distr.: United States east of the Rocky Mountains, south in
winter to Cuba and Mexico; breeds throughout its United States
range.

Adult: Upper plumage, including rump, olive green, more or less
tinged with gray; forehead, yellowish green; a line from eye to nos-

%^<#"

tril and a ring around the eye, clear
yellow; wings with bars formed by
the greater and middle wing coverts
being tipped with yellowish white;
wings and tail, fuscous brown, edged
with olive green ; first primary, very
short, less than an inch long; throat
and belly, whitish; breast and sides of body, greenish yellow; iris,
whitish.

Sexes similar.

Length, 5.20; wing, 2.45; tail, 2; bill, .38.

The White-eyed Vireo is a very common summer resident in
southern Illinois, but of only casual occurrence in northern Illinois,
and a rare summer resident in southern Wisconsin.

Mr. E. W. Nelson gives it as a rather rare summer resident in
northeastern Illinois. Mr. Frank M. Woodruff considers it a rare
bird in the " Chicago Area" and records a specimen taken by Mr.
B. T. Gault at Glen Ellyn, May 24, 1898. Prof. Ridgway found
it "an abundant species in suitable localities" in southern Illinois,
and Mr. John F. Ferry found it common in the vicinity of Henry,
Marshall Co., Illinois. It has been found breeding at Fairbury,
Livingston Co., Illinois. (Mundt, Orn. and Ool., Vol. VIII, 1883,
p. 10.) And there is an egg in the Thomas H. Douglass collection at
Waukegan, Lake Co., Illinois, labeled as having been collected by
him in that locality. May 13, 1875.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Corv. 637

Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister consider it "A rare summer resident
in southern Wisconsin." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. loS.)

The nest is pensile, usually suspended from the fork of a branch
in bushes or low trees. The eggs are 3 or 4, white with a few scat-
tered spots of black and brown chiefly at the larger end, and measure
about .75 X .54 inches.

299. Vireo bellii Aud.
Bell's Vireo.
Distr.: " Upper Mississippi Valley and Great Plains, from Dakota,
Minnesota, Illinois, and western Indiana, southwestward to Mexico."
(A. O. U.).

Adult: Size, small ; back and rump, olive green ; crown, olive, tinged
with ashv, but slightlv different from the color of the back; under

BfU's Vireo.

parts, pale greenish yellow, deepest on the sides and flanks, and shad-
ing to whitish on the chin and middle of the belly; inner quills, with
pale edges; first primary, about half as long as second; greater and
middle wing coverts, narrowly edged with whitish, forming incon-
spicuous wing bands, one of which is at times hardly noticeable.

Sexes similar.

Length, 4.75; wing, 2.20; tail, 1.90; bill, .36.

Bell's Vireo is a not uncommon summer resident in Illinois. Both
Prof. Ridgway and Mr. Nelson record specimens taken on Fox Prairie,
Richland Co., Illinois.

Mr. H. S. Swarth found it not uncommon and breeding near
Joliet, Illinois, in June, 1906. Several nests were taken, one con-
taining four eggs. Mr. Isaac E. Hess informs me he found a nest with
four eggs on July 4, 1899, near Philo, Champaign Co., Illinois. Mr.
E. W. Nelson procured a specimen near Chicago, June 25, 1875,
and the same year Mr. H. K. Coale obtained a specimen, which
had been shot by a boy in Chicago.

638 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

There are apparently no satisfactory records of its occurrence
in Wisconsin. Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister say (Birds of Wiscon-
sin, 1903, p. 133): "This bird has been taken within a few miles of
the Wisconsin line in Illinois, and near Chicago, by Nelson. Al-
though it has been credited to the fauna of Wisconsin the proof is
still lacking. A specimen sent to us for the purpose of verifying the
record proved to be V. novehoracensis. In the early forties Thure
Kumlien procured specimens of a vireo which he called belli, of which
he had no description, simply to distinguish it from gilvus. This led
to some confusion with Lawrence, Baird, and others who had not
seen the specimens. The bird referred to was later described by
Cassin as V. philadelphicus."

The nest is a pensile structure, composed of plant fibers, grass,
and shreds of bark finely interwoven and attached to the fork of a
branch in bushes or low trees. The eggs are 5 or 6, white, marked
with a few scattered spots of black and brown, chiefly at the larger
end, and measure about .67 x .49 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains two nests and sets of eggs
of this species taken by Mr. Swarth, June 16 and 26.

Family MNIOTI LTID^. Wood Warblers.

The Mniotiltids or Wood Warblers are an x\merican family,
numbering upwards of 100 species, about 70 of which occur in North
America. They frequent woodland and shrubbery and are strictly
insectivorous. During migrations they at times assemble in large
flocks, several species being often represented. The song is sweet,
but not loud, varying with different species.

Genus MNIOTILTA Vieill.

300. Mniotilta varia (Linn.).
Black and White Warbler.

Distr.: United States and British Provinces east of the Rocky
Mountains; breeds from North Carolina, Illinois, and Kansas north
to Quebec, Athabaska, and the Mackenzie region.

Adult male: General plumage, black and white; back, black,
streaked with white; crown, black, with a white stripe through the
centre and another over the eye; under parts, white, heavily streaked

Jam., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

639

with black except on middle of the belly; greater and middle wing
coverts, broadly tipped with white, forming two conspicuous wing

bands; wings, fuscous brown, the in-
ner secondaries edged with white;
middle tail feathers, blackish, edged
with gray; outer tail feathers, broadly
marked with white on terminal por-
tion of inner webs.

Adult female: Similar, but paler
and with sides more or less tinged
with buffy brown.

Length, 5.20; wing, 2.65; tail,
1.85 ; bill, .40.

The Black and White Warbler is
very common during the migrations
in Illinois and Wisconsin, and a summer resident in the latter
state, and may often be seen climbing about the trunks of trees
much in the manner of a Creeper. It is possible it may occasionally
nest in northern Illinois, but I find no record of its having done so,
although Mr. E. W. Nelson, in his Birds of Northeastern Illinois,
gives it as "not an uncommon summer resident."

Regarding its occurrence in Wisconsin, Messrs. Kumlien and Hollis-
ter say (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 109) : "An abundant inigrant, and
tolerably common summer resident. This species is one of the first
of the warblers to arrive, appearing in the southern part of the state
with the myrtle and palm warblers during the latter part of April.
It is common from then until close of the breeding season, when its
numbers are greatly diminished. On the southern migration it
begins to increase in numbers in August and is again abundant until
October."

The nest is on the ground and carefully hidden. The eggs are
3 to 5, cream w^hite, spotted and speckled with brown, chiefly around
the larger end, and measure about .67 x .56 inches. The song of
this species is a penetrating but rather faint, see, see, see, see.

640 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus PROTONOTARIA Baird.

301. Protonotaria citrea (Bodd.).
Prothonotary Warbler.

Distr.: Eastern United States, from Kansas and Nebraska to
the Atlantic coast, north to southern Michigan and southern Wis-
consin; breeding throtighout its United States range, except in south-
ern Florida; south in winter to Yucatan, Central America, and north-
ern South America.

Adult male: Crown, olive yellow, shading to yellow on forehead;
back, yellowish olive, shading to slaty gray on the rump; under

parts, clear orange yellow ; primaries,
fuscous brown, the outer webs nar-
rowly edged with slaty gray, inner
>^ webs, edged with white; greater por-
tion of inner webs of tail feathers (ex-
. . cept the middle ones) white, tipped

^ with blackish; outer webs, dark; un-

der tail coverts, mostly white.

Adult female: Similar, but the
yellow markings paler.
Length, 5.40; wing, 2.80; tail, 1.90; bill, .50.

A common summer resident in Illinois south of the Kankakee
River and of irregular occurrence as far north as southern Wisconsin.
Mr. Isaac E. Hess informs me he has found this species nesting
commonly in Piatt Co., Illinois, and abundantly along the Illinois
River in Putnam Co.

Grundtvig records it as far north as Shiocton, Outagamie County
(Trans. Wis. Acad. Sci. Arts & Let., Vol. X, p. 140). Messrs. Kum-
lien and Hollister say: " In suitable localities in the southern and
western parts of the state the prothonotary warbler is not a rare
summer resident."

Breeds in May and June. The nest is of moss, usually in a hole
in a dead tree or stump. The eggs are 3 to 6, white or faintly buff,
irregularly marked with various shades of brown, and measure about
.69 X .55 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains a set of 6 eggs taken at
Lima, 111., May 22, 1889, and another of 4 eggs taken at English Lake,
Lake Co., Indiana, June 30, 1907.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

641

Genus HELINAIA Audubon.

302. Helinaia swainsonii i\uD.
Swainson's Warbler.

Distr.: Southeastern United States, from eastern Texas and
Arkansas to the Atlantic coast, north to southern Indiana, breeding
throughout its United States range, except in southern Florida;
south in winter to southern Florida, Cuba, Jamaica, and eastern
Mexico (Vera Cruz).

Adult: Upper plumage, dark olive brown; crown and wings,
tinged with cinnamon-brown; tail, dark olive brown, without any

white marking; a dull yellowish
white stripe over the eye; under
parts, yellowish white, tinged with
brownish olive on the sides; bill, pale
brown.

Sexes similar.

Length, 5.25; wing, 2.60; tail, 2;
bill, .50.

It is doubtful if this species has ever actually been taken in
Illinois, although it undoubtedly occurs in the southern portion of the
state. Mr. Ridgway in his Notes on Birds observed at Mt. Carmel,
southern Illinois, in the spring of 1878 (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, 1878,
p. 163) states: "In the cyprus swamp a bird was several times no-
ticed by Mr. Brewster and myself, which we both agreed must be
this species. It was well seen on several occasions and its song
heard, while one specimen was shot, but unfortunately could not be
found." In the synonomy of his Birds of North and Middle America
(1902, p. 438) he refers to this record as from "Knox Co., Indiana,"
from which it would appear that the birds were observed on the
Indiana side of the Wabash River.

Mr. Otto Widmann gives Swainson's Warbler as a summer resi-
dent in southeast Missouri (Birds of Missouri, 1907, p. 214).

Mr. Alfred O. Gross records having seen a Swainson's Warbler
near Du Quoin, Perry County, Illinois, on June 17, 1907. (The
Auk, Vol. XXV, 1908, p. 225.)

642 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus HELMITHEROS Rafinesque.

303. Helmitheros vermivorus (Gmel.).

Worm-eating Warbler.

Distr.: Eastern United States, west to Nebraska and Texas and
north to southern New England, Indiana, Illinois, and Nebraska;
breeds throughout its United States range; south in winter to the
Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Central America, and northern South
America.

Adult: Crown, black, divided in centre by a broad tawn}' buff
stripe; a tawny buff stripe over the eye and a black stripe through

the eye; back and tail, olive
green; primaries, fuscous, edged
with olive green;. no wing bars;
tmder parts, buffy; whitish or
buffy white on belly and throat.
Sexes similar.

Length, 5.50; wing, 2.70;
tail, 2; bill, .48.

The Worm-eating Warbler
is a common summer resident
in southern Illinois and rare in
northern Illinois and southern
Wisconsin. Mr. E. W. Nelson procured a specimen at Waukegan on
May 21, 1876, and Mr. R. W. Chaney informs me he observed an
adult male in Jackson Park, Chicago, on May 11, 1908.

Dr. Hoy states (Racine, 1852): "A few nest in this section."
Regarding this statement Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister say: "As we
remember it, he (Dr. Hoy) procured but three specimens in all, and
knowing it to be a southern species supposed, of course, that it bred,
if it occurred there at all." Thure Kumlien procured two speci-
mens at Lake Koshkonong. (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 109.)

It breeds commonly in southern Illinois. The nest is on the
ground among dead leaves and is composed of fern stems, shreds of
bark, and leaves. The eggs are 3 to 5, cream white, finely speckled
chiefly at the larger end with brown, and measure about .69 x .51
inches.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 643

Genus VERMIVORA Swainson.

304. Vermivora pinus (Linn.).
Blue-winged Warbler.

Helminthophila pinus (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 270.
Distr.: Eastern United States, from Kansas, Nebraska, and South
Dakota eastward and south from southern New England, Wisconsin,
and Minnesota; ranges in winter to Central America and northern
South America (Colombia) ; breeds from Georgia, Tennessee, and
Oklahoma northward.

Adult male: Crown and under parts, bright yellow; under- tail
coverts, whitish; back and rump, clear olive green; a black line

through the eye; primaries, fuscous brown,
edged with grayish on outer webs and dull
white on inner webs; greater and middle
wing coverts, edged with white, forming
wing bars; tail, brownish gray, the inner
webs of the two outer tail feathers, mostly
white.

Adult female: Similar, but paler and the yellow crown patch
smaller.

Length, 4.75; wing, 2.45; tail, 2; bill, .42.

This species is a rather common summer resident in southern
Illinois and a casual summer resident in northern Illinois; rare in
southern Wisconsin.

Mr. Ridgway found it breeding at Mt. Carmel, 111., and Mr. E.
W. Nelson in his Birds of N. E, Illinois, gives it as an "abundant
migrant," wdiich is not the case at the present time. Mr. Frank M.
Woodruff gives half a dozen records of its occurrence in northeastern
Illinois (Birds of the Chicago Area, 1907, p. 157), and Messrs. Kumlign
and Hollister give eight records for southern Wisconsin, including a
female with nest and eggs taken near Delavan, May 22. 1899 (Birds of
Wisconsin, 1903, p. 100).

The nest is usually on the ground and is composed of leaves and
shreds of bark. The eggs are 5 or 6, pure white, finely and rather
irregularly speckled with brown chiefly at the larger end, and measure
about .60 X .49 inches.

644 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

305. Vermivora chrysoptera (Linn.).
Gold EX- WING ED Warbler.

Helminihopliila chrysoptera (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895,
p. 270.

Distr.: Eastern United States, north to southern New England,
southern Ontario, and southern Manitoba, and west to Dakota, Ne-
braska, and Kansas ; breeds from New Jersey and northern Indiana
northward; south in winter to Central America and northern South
America.

Adult male: Crow^n, yellow; rest of upper plumage, bluish gray,
more or less tinged with olive green ; greater and middle wing coverts,
broadly tipped with yellow, forming a conspicuous yellow wing patch;
a broad stripe on side of head and a patch on the chin; throat and
breast, black; a narrow white superciliary stripe bordering the yellow
crown; a white stripe on side of throat; rest of under parts, white,
shading to ashy on the sides; three lateral tail feathers wdth large
white spaces on inner webs.

Adult female: Similar, but duller, yellow of the crown mixed with
olive and the black patches on sides of head and throat replaced by
dusky gray.

Length, 5; wing, 2.45; tail, 2; bill, .38.

The Golden-winged Warbler is a rather common migrant and a
more or less cominon summer resident in parts of Illinois and Wis-
consin. Prof. Ridgway states he found it breeding on the southern
edge of Calhoun Prairie in Richland County, Illinois, in June, 1885,
and that Mr. H. K. Coale found it common and breeding on May 11,
1884, in the woods on the Kankakee River in Stark County, Indiana
(Orn. of Illinois, 1889, p. 126).

Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister state (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903,
p. Ill): "This superb warbler is a regular, though rather rare, mi-
grant and a summer resident from the southern part of the state
northward. Dr. Hoy took several nests at Racine and T. Kumlien
procured fledglings in Jefferson County. Grundtvig found it common,
in fact, 'extremely numerous' in Outagamie County in 1882-3. ^^
found it a common summer resident, but did not find a nest. Re-
corded by Willard as breeding in Brown County, and by Mr. J. N.
Clark from Dunn County. We have found it more common along
Lake Michigan than elsewhere and a rather common breeder at Two
Rivers in 188 1. It is a regular summer resident in Jefferson County,
but as elsewhere is restricted to favorite localities."

The nest is on or near the ground, composed of leaves, plant fiber.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 645

shreds of bark, etc. The eggs are from 4 to 6, white, finely speckled
with brown chiefly at the larger end, and measure about .63 x .52
inches.

306. Vermivora rubricapilla (Wils.).
Nashville Warbler.

Hcliniiithopliila niflcapilla (Wils.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p.
271.

Distr.: United States and British Provinces east of the Rocky
Mountains; breeds from about the latitude of Nebraska and Penn-
sylvania northward to northern Quebec and Athabaska.

Adult male in summer: Crown and sides of head, ashy gray, with
a partially concealed chestnut patch on the crown; back and rump,
yellowish olive or light olive green, brightest on upper tail coverts;
under parts, including under tail coverts, yellow, shaded with olive
on the sides; wings and tail, fuscous brown, edged with olive green.

Adult female in summer: Similar, but paler, the crown patch
smaller, and the middle of the belly more or less whitish.

Immature birds visually lack the chestnut crown patch.

Length, 4.65; wing, 2.45; tail, 1.90; bill, .36.

A common migrant in Illinois and Wisconsin and a more or less
common summer resident in the latter state. The song somewhat
resembles that of the Yellow Warbler.

Regarding its nesting in Wisconsin, Kumlien and Hollister say:
" The Nashville Warbler nests regularly in different parts of the state.
We have nesting records at different times in Walworth County, at
Lake Koshkonong, Dunn County, and northward. It is an espe-
ciallv common migrant along Rock River Valley. A favorite nesting
site seems to be in tamarack swamps, the nest being placed on sphag-
rum, or reindeer moss." (Birds of W'isconsin, 1903, p. iii.)

The nest is on the ground and is composed of fine rootlets, moss,
and grass. The eggs are 4 or 5, pure white, finely speckled with
brown chiefly at the larger end, and measure about .60 x .47 inches.

307. Vermivora celata (Say).

Orange-crowned Warbler.

Hclminthophila celata (Say), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 272.

Distr.: Greater portion of North America, breeding in the west-
ern portion from New Mexico and Utah northward to the Mackenzie
region and northern Alaska; rare east of the Alleghany Mountains
north of Virginia; winters in the south Atlantic and Gulf states
and Mexico.

646 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Adult male: Crown with partially concealed patch of orange
brown; a rather obscure yellowish orbital ring; rest of upper parts,
dull grayish olive, shading to olive green on the rump; under parts,
yellowish olive, showing very faint and obscure dusky streaks on the
breast; wings and tail, fuscous brown, the former narrowly edged
with olive and the latter apparently plain, but the outer feathers
with very narrow whitish edgings.

Adult female: Similar, but crown patch less extended.

Young birds lack the orange brown crown patch, and the orbi-
tal ring is whitish.

Length, 4.90; wing, 2.40; tail, 1.90; bill, .38.

The Orange-crowned Warbler is common in Illinois and Wiscon-
sin during the migrations in spring and fall. Specimens have been
taken in Wisconsin in June and July, and Messrs. Kumlien and Hollis-
ter are of the opinion that it breeds, but there is no record of the nest
and eggs having been taken in the state.

308. Vermivora peregrina (WiLS.).

Tennessee Warbler.

Helmiiithophila peregrina (Wils.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895,
p. 272.

Distr.: Eastern North America, west to the Rocky Mountains;
breeds from northern New York, northern New England, Manitoba,
and the mountains of Colorado north to Ungava and the Mackenzie
region; winters in Mexico, Central America, and northern South
America.

Adult male: Upper parts, clear olive green, brightest on the rump ;
crown, ash-gray; eye ring and lores, and occasionally more or less

of a superciliary stripe, whitish ; under
parts, white (sometimes faintly tinged
with pale yellow in places) ; flanks
tinged with olive; wings, dark fuscous
brown, the feathers edged with the color
of the back; inner secondaries, narrowly
edged with whitish on inner webs; tail,
fuscous, the inner web of the outer tail
feather generally with white edge near tip .
Adult female: Similar, but under parts tinged with pale greenish
yellow.

Immature: Upper parts, including crown, yellowish olive; under
parts, greenish yellow, shading to whitish on belly and crissuni.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 647

Length, 4.90; wing, 2.70; tail, 1.70; bill, .35.

This plain colored little Warbler is an abundant migrant in
Illinois and Wisconsin during spring and fall. It arrives on its way
north in May and is with us again from the latter part of August until
October. Mr. Ernest E. Thompson admirably describes the song
as beginning with chipiti, chipiti, repeated a dozen times or more
with increasing rapidity, then suddenly changing into a mere twitter.

Genus COMPSOTHLYPIS Cabanis.

309. Compsothlypis americana (Linn.).

Parula Warbler.

Distr.: Eastern United States west to the Plains and north to
Canada; south in winter to Central America and the West Indies;
breeds in suitable localities nearly throughout its United States
range.

Adult male: Upper parts, grayish blue, a broad patch of greenish

yellow across middle of back; lores, blackish; a white spot on the

_ ,_ eyelids; upper throat and lower breast,

/' _ "^^ yellow, separated by a more or less

"^^^ ^ ^^ "^^ perfect chest band of black bordered

\ " with orange brown; belly, white; sides

> .^ washed with grayish blue; wings, dark

\n^" / -^ fuscous, narrowly edged with grayish

%^^-i^ blue; the greater and middle coverts,

- tipped with white, forming wing bands;

Parula Warbler. ^^il, dark fuscous, the outcr feathers

with broad white patches on inner webs.

Adult female: Similar, but paler; the breast band much less dis-
tinct and sometimes absent.

Length, 4.65; wing, 2.40; tail, 1.75; bill, .36.
The Parula Warbler is a common summer resident in Illinois
and Wisconsin in localities where there are swampy forests, build-
ing its nest in the long gray lichens or "gray moss," which grow on the
trees in such places. Away from forests it occurs as a migrant. It
arrives early in May and leaves for the south in September.

The eggs are from 3 to 5, dull white or cream white, speckled
and marked with rufous brown chiefly at the larger end, and measure
about .65 X .46 inches.

Compsothlypis americana rainalincc Ridgway is no longer recog-
nized as separable.

648 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus DENDROICA Gray.

310. Dendroica tigrina (Gmel.).

Cape May Warbler.

Disir.: Eastern North America, north to Lake Winnipeg and
Hudson Bay territory, west to the Plains; breeds from northern
New England and southern Ontario northward.

Adult male: Crown, black in full breeding plumage, usually mixed
with olive; back, light olive green, irregularly marked with black;

rump, yellow; a brownish yellow super-
ciliary stripe and a black streak
through the eye; sides of head around
ear coverts, light chestnut brown, bor-
dered below and on sides of neck with
clear yellow; under parts, bright yellow
(the throat and upper breast usually
more or less tinged with brown) , heavily
streaked with black, the yellow shading
to whitish on the belly; wing coverts, broadly tipped with white,
forming a white patch; three outer tail feathers with large white
patch on inner webs.

Adult female: Above, grayish olive, shading to greenish yellow
on rump; head marking not like the male; a faint yellowish line
over the eye; white markings on wing coverts and tail much smaller;
throat, pale yellow; under parts, yellowish white, streaked with
dusky.

Length, about 5; wing, 2.70; tail, 1.95; bill, .36.
This species is common during the migrations in Illinois and Wis-
consin in May and September.

3M. Dendroica aestiva (Gmel.).

Yellow Warbler.

Distr.: Whole of North America, except British Columbia and
Alaska, north to the Mackenzie region, Hudson Bay, and Labrador;
breeds nearly throughout its North American range; south in winter
to Middle America and northern South America.

Adidt male: Upper plumage, bright olive yellow, more yellowish
on crown and rump; under parts, bright yellow, streaked with rufous
brown; wings, fuscous brown, edged with greenish yellow; greater
portion of inner webs of tail feathers, yellow.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

649

\^\f$\^^^-^-'*^'^''

Adult female: Similar, but upper
parts slightly deeper olive yellow than
the male; under parts, pale yellow,
rufous streaks faint or entirely wanting.
Diagnostic character in any plumage:
Tail feathers, fuscous brown, with inner
webs largely clear yellow.
Length, 4.90; wing, 2.50; tail, 2; bill, .38.

The Yellow Warbler is a very common summer resident in Illinois
and Wisconsin; noticeable on account of its yellow plumage. The
majority arrive from the south the latter part of April or early in
May, and leave early in September. Aside from its familiar chirp
it has a pleasing song, which may be crudely described as we-chee,
we-chee, we-chee-u.

Breeds in May and June; the nest is cup shaped, usually in bushes
or low trees, and composed of plant fiber and grass, lined with plant
down and feathers. The eggs are from 3 to 6, bluish or greenish
white, spotted with light and very dark brown and gray chiefly at
the larger end, and measure about .68 x .49 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains a series of sets of eggs of
this species taken in northern Illinois between June 8th and 18th.

312. Dendroica caerulescens (Gmel.).

Black-throated Blue Warbler.

Distr.: Eastern North America, west to the Rocky Mountains
and north to Labrador, northern Ontario, and Quebec; breeds from
northern New England and northern New York northward and in
the Alleghany Mountains south to Georgia; winters in the West
Indies, Central America, and northern South America.

Adult male: Upper plumage, slaty
blue (occasionally in full breeding
plumage showing more or less black on
the back) ; sides of the head from above
the eyes, throat and sides of body,
black, the sides more or less mixed with
white; rest of under parts, pure white;
basal portion of most of quills, white,
extending beyond the coverts and form-
ing a white wing spot; wing coverts, black, edged with slaty blue ;
tail, blackish, the outer feathers with white blotches on inner webs.

650 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Adult female: Dark greenish olive above; tail feathers, dark fus-
cous brown, generally faintly edged with grayish blue; under parts
dull buffy white.

Diagnostic character in any plumage: Exposed white spot on pri-
maries at end of coverts.

Length, 5.20; wing, 2.50; tail, 2; bill, .35.

This species is a common migrant in Illinois and Wisconsin in
spring and fall, and undoubtedly breeds in northern Wisconsin, as
Mr. John F. Ferry observed a bird of this species feeding young
(which were taken) near Woodruff, Vilas County, July 2, 1908, and
Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister say:" There are several records of sum-
mer specimens from different localities."

313. Dendroica coronata (Linn.).

Myrtle Warbler. Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Distr.: Whole of North America, but much more common east
of the Rocky Mountains ; breeds from northern New York and north-
ern Michigan and in the Alleghany Mountains north to Ungava and
Alaska; winters in the West Indies and Central America.

Adult male in spring: Upper plumage, bluish gray, streaked with
black; croivn, sides of breast and rump, clear yellow; throat, white;

a white superciliary line; sides of head,
black; breast, white, streaked with
?: black; sides, the same; wings and tail
dark fuscous, the latter with white
blotches.

Adult female in spring: Similar, but
browner above and with but little black
on under parts; yellow patches duller
and smaller.

Adult in fall and immature: Yellow
on crown more or less concealed; upper parts, grayish brown,
streaked with black or dusky.

Diagnostic characters in any plumage: Crown, sides of breast and
rump more or less yellow; throat, white or whitish.

Length, about 5.50; wing, 2.95; tail, 2.30; bill, .36.
The yellow patches on the rump and sides of the breast are
usually sufficiently noticeable to identify this species in the field.

The Myrtle Warbler is an abundant migrant in spring and fall in
Illinois and Wisconsin. Although the eggs have not been taken
within our limits, it may breed in northern Wisconsin. Mr. F. H.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

651

King states (Geol. of Wisconsin, Vol. I, 1883, p. 503): "A few may
breed in northern Wisconsin, for I obtained a male at Elk Lake in
Chippewa County, July 26, 1876."

314. Dendroica magnolia (Wilson).

Magnolia Warbler.

Dendroica maculosa (Gmel.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 276.

Distr.: Eastern North America, west to the Rocky Mountains;
breeds from Virginia and northern Michigan (Mackinac Island) north
throughout Quebec, Ontario, and the British Provinces to the Macken-
zie region; south in winter to the West Indies, and Central America
to Panama.

Adult male in spring: Crown, ash-gray; back, black; rump, yellow;
sides of head, white; a white stripe from above the eye extending

Magnolia Warbler.

Tail.

backward; lower eyelid white; throat, yellow; under parts, yellow,
streaked with black except on middle of belly; under tail coverts,
white; primaries edged with white on inner webs; wing coverts,
mostly white, forming a white wing patch; tail, blackish, with broad
white band across the middle, except the two central feathers.

Adult female in spring: Similar, but duller and back tinged with
olive.

Immature: Top and sides of head more or less ashy; back, olive
green; under parts, yellow, whitish on belly; tail as in the adult.

Diagnostic characters in any plumage: Tail with broad white band
across the middle (except the two central feathers) ; rump, yellow.

Length, 5; wing, 2.35; tail, 2.10; bill, .36.

Common during the migrations in spring and fall in Illinois and
Wisconsin. It is not improbable that it may breed in northern Wis-
consin, as it has been found nesting on Mackinac Island, northern
Michigan (White, Auk, Vol. X, 1893, p. 2 2 8).

652 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

315. Dendroica cerulea (WiLS.).

Ceruleax Warbler.

Disir.: Eastern North America and southern Ontario, west to
the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, and eastern Texas, rare east of New
York; breeds from West Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, and eastern
Texas north to Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Adult male: Upper plumage, light blue, shading to grayish blue
on the rump ; back streaked with black ; crown with more or less
black markings; ear coverts, dusky ; a white superciliary line; throat,
breast, and belly, white; a band of grayish blue or dusky blue across
upper breast; sides of body, white, streaked with grayish blue and
dark blue; wing coverts tipped with white, forming wing bands;
tail, blackish, all the feathers except the middle ones with subterminal
white blotches on inner webs.

Adult female: Upper plumage, dull greenish blue or grayish green,
with or without faint streaks of dusky; superciliary line, whitish;
throat and under parts, whitish, more or less washed with dull,
yellowish or pale greenish yellow; no band on breast; tail markings
as in the male. The white edgings to the wing coverts and different
tail markings will always distinguish the female of this species from
that of D. ccerulesceiis.

Length, 4.40; wing, 2.65; tail, 1.90; bill, .^8.

The Cerulean Warbler is a summer resident in Illinois; common
in the southern part of the state, but casual or rare in northern
Illinois and in Wisconsin.

Mr. Ridgway considers it "by far the most abundant of the sum-
mer resident members of the family in Illinois." Mr. Frank M. Wood-
ruff writes (Birds of the Chicago Area, 1907, p. 162): "The Cerulean
Warbler is a rare summer resident in the heavy timber of DuPage
County, Illinois, and a few probably breed in the woods bordering
the Desplaines River at River Forest. Mr. B. T. Gault has observed
this species during the summer months in DuPage County and at
Lake Forest, Illinois. It arrives from about the tenth to the twen-
tieth of May, and departs early in September. Mr. H. K. Coale in-
forms me that he shot a male Cerulean Warbler at Winnetka, Illi-
nois, on May 12, 1879, and that he also found them breeding in woods
seven miles west of Lake Forest, Illinois, in 1876."

Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister state: "A rather rare species in
Wisconsin, though of regular occurrence, especially along Lake
Michigan. There are many records for Lake Koshkonong, as this
section has been closely observed for a long period. There are also

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

653

records for Delavan, Milwaukee, Racine, Two Rivers, etc. Mr.
Clark has not found it in Dunn County. Dr. Hoy considered it as
a breeding species, which is very probably true. There is one record
for Lake Koshkonong, June 14 (1872)." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903,

Breeds in May and June. The nest is built in a tree, usually from
30 to 50 feet from the ground, and is composed of grass, shreds of
bark, plant fiber, and spiders' webs. The eggs are 3 or 4, cream white
or pale greenish white, marked and spotted with brown, and measure
about .63 X .51 inches.

316. Dendroica pensylvanica (Linn.).
Chestnut-sided W^arbler.

Distr.: Eastern North America south of northern Quebec, north-
ern Ontario, and Manitoba, and west to Montana, the Dakotas, and
Kansas; breeds from southern Indiana and Illinois and in the Ap-
palachian highlands from South Carolina northward ; south in winter
in Mexico and Central America to Panama.

Adult male: Crown, yellow; a black stripe over the eye and a
black patch in front of and below the eye; sides of head about ear

coverts, white; back streaked with black
and greenish yellow ; wing coverts tipped
with whitish yellow, forming pale yellow-
ish wing bars; sides of breast, chestnut;
under parts, white.

Adult female: Similar, but duller and
the black on the face more restricted
and sometimes only slightly indicated.
Immature: Upper parts, clear yellow-
ish olive; under parts, white; sides of head and body, ashy; wing
bars as in the adult.

Diagnostic characters in any plumage: Wing bars, yellowish;
throat and belly, white.

Length, 5; wdng, 2.45; tail, 1.95; bill, .37.

The Chestnut-sided Warbler is an abundant migrant throughout
Illinois in spring and fall and is claimed to be a more or less common
summer resident in northern Illinois and Wisconsin. Its note is a
faint, soft tseep and the song resembles wee-see, wee-see, wee-see re-
peated quickly, and on an ascending scale.

Mr. Robert Kennicott (Trans. 111. Agri. Soc, Vol. I, 1853, p. 583)
states that it was knowm to breed in Cook Co., Illinois. Mr. E. W.

654 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Nelson gives it as "an abundant migrant" and states that it "breeds
sparingly away from the lake." (Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 99.)

In Wisconsin it is a common summer resident.

The nest is in a bush or small tree, usually less than 6 feet from
the ground, and is composed of shreds of bark, rootlets, plant fiber,
etc. The eggs are 4 or 5, white or creamy white, marked and spotted
with different shades of brown and gray around the larger end, and
measure about .67 x .49 inches.

There is a set of two eggs of this species in the T. H. Douglass
collection at Waukegan labelled, "Collected by Thomas H. Douglass,
Waukegan, 111., May 13,1874."

317. Dendroica castanea (Wils.).

Bay-breasted Warbler.

Distr.: Eastern North America, north to northern Quebec and

Hudson Bay; breeds from northern New England and northern

Michigan northward; south in winter to eastern Mexico, Central

America, and Colombia, S. A.

Adult male: Crown, throat, upper breast and sides of body, chest-
nut; forehead and sides of head, black; a patch of pale buff on sides

of neck; back streaked with black and
dull gray; lower breast and belly, buffy
whitish ; greater and middle wing cov-
erts tipped with white, forming two
white wing bars; inner webs of outer
tail feathers with white patches at tips.
Adult female: Crown, olive green,
obscurely streaked or spotted with black
and usually showing more or less chest-
nut; back similar to the male, but black streaks less pronounced;
under parts, buffy white, tinged with pale chestnut on sides of breast
and body; wing bars as in the male.

Immature: Upper parts, olive green, with obscure black streaks
on back; under parts, dull whitish, often faintly washed with very
pale greenish yellow on breast, but with sides of body and flanks
tinged with pale buff (not whitish or pale olive yellow as in D. striata) ;
wing and tail markings as in the adult.

Length, 5.50; wing, 2.90; tail, 2.10; bill, .38.
This species is common during the migrations in Illinois and Wis-
consin in spring and fall. Although it has not as yet been found
nesting in northern Wisconsin, it is not unlikely that it does so, as
it has been found breeding in northern Michigan.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

655

318. Dendroica striata (FoRST.).
Black-poll Warbler.

Distr.: Whole of North America, except west of the Rocky
Mountains south of British Columbia; breeds from the southern
British Provinces and northern New England northward to northern
Ungava and northern Alaska; south in winter to West Indies and
South America.

Adult male: Crown, black; nape streaked black and white;
auricular region, white; back and rump, grayish ashy, streaked with

black; under parts, white, the sides of
breast and belly streaked with black;
two white wing bars formed by the
middle and greater wing coverts being
tipped w^ith white ; inner webs of outer
tail feathers with patch of white near
the tips.

Adult female: Upper parts, dull
olive green, the crown and back
streaked with black; under parts, white, more or less faintly washed
with pale yellow; sides streaked with black; wings and tail as in the
male.

Im,m.ature in fall: Upper plumage, dull olive green, the back with
obscure black streaks; under parts washed with pale olive yellow,
whitening on the belly; the sides of breast usually with obscure
streaks; sides of body and flanks tinged with pale olive yellow (not
buffy as in castanea) ; wings and tail as in the adult.

Immature birds of this species and Bay-breasted Warbler are very
similar and at times difficult to distinguish with certainty, but the
latter usually has a distinct buffy tinge on the flanks, and the obscure
streaks on the sides of the breast are absent in that species.

Length, about 5.50; wing, about 2.90; tail, 2.15; bill, .38.
A common migrant in Illinois and Wisconsin in spring and fall,
arriving on its northern migration early in May and passing south
again in September. The song is a clear trilling whistle, but like
several others of our species they often utter a clear and occasion-
ally often repeated chip.

656 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

319. Dendroica blackburniae (Gmel.).

Blackburniax Warbler.

Distr.: Eastern North America, west to eastern Texas, Kansas,
and Manitoba, north to Hudson Bay and Labrador; breeds from the
southern Alleghanies, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Wisconsin north-
ward; south in winter to Central America and northwestern South
America to Peru.

Male.

Blackburnian Warbler.

Tail.

Adult male: Crown, black, with an orange patch in the centre;
sides of head, black, bordered above by an orange superciliary stripe;
throat and breast, bright orange; back, black, more or less streaked
with white; belly, pale yellowish; sides streaked with black; greater
portion of wing coverts, white, forming a large white wing patch.
Tail feathers, except the middle ones, have the inner webs of the
inner feathers, and the narrow outer web of the outer feather, white,
except near the tips.

Adult female: Upper plumage, grayish olive, streaked with black,
some of the feathers edged with whitish; crown with yellow patch
in center; superciliary line and throat pale orange yellow, shading
into yellowish white on the belly; sides streaked with dusky.

Immature birds resemble the female, but are paler, the back
browner, and the yellow crown spot more restricted.

Diagnostic characters in any plumage: Basal portion of outer zueb
of outer tail feather, white; throat, yellow or orange; crown with at
least a trace of yellow or orange in the centre.

Length, 5; wing, 2.67; tail, 2; bill, .34.

The Blackburnian Warbler is a very common migrant in Illinois
and W^isconsin in spring and fall and a summer resident in the latter
state. Mr. John F. Ferry procured a female with denuded abdomen
and carrying an insect in its bill on July 3, 1908, near Trout Lake,
Vilas Co., Wisconsin, and the writer found the species not uncommon
in the same locality between July 23 and 30.

Regarding its nesting in Wisconsin, Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory. 657

write: "A few nest regularly in the state, even in the southern coun-
ties, most often in the tamarack swamps. Eggs have been taken in
Jefferson County and young in Alanitowoc County (L. K.)." (Birds
of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 114.)

The nest is usually in evergreen trees, composed of plant fiber,
moss, grass, and horse-hair. The eggs are 4, greenish white, spotted
and marked with shades of brown chiefly around the larger end, and
measure about .69 x .50 inches.

320. Dendroica dominica albilora (Ridgw.).
Sycamore Warbler.
Distr.: Mississippi Valley region, west to the Plains, north to
southern Wisconsin and southern Michigan, east to the Alleghany
Mountains, south in winter to Mexico and Central America to Costa
Rica ; breeds nearly throughout its United States range from Illinois
and Ohio southward.

Adult male: Upper parts, ashy gray; throat, bright yellow; rest
of under parts, white, streaked with black on the sides; belly, white,

withqut streaks; forehead (some-
times greater portion of crown
also), black; a white superciliary
-^ stripe, sometimes tinged with yel-
low near nostril ; a white patch on
sides of neck; lores, cheeks, and
sides of throat, black; middle and
greater wing coverts tipped with
white, forming wing bands; ter-
minal portion of inner webs of
three outer tail feathers marked with white.

Adult female: Similar, but the yellow throat somewhat paler.
Immature in fall: Similar to the female, but back tinged with
brown, and under parts, brownish white.

Diagnostic characters in any plumage: Throat, yellow; belly,
white; back, gray or brownish gray, never green or greenish.
Length, 5; wing, 2.60; tail, 2; bill, .50.

The Sycamore Warbler is a common summer resident in southern
Illinois, frequenting heavily timbered regions where sycamore trees
are found It is rare in northern Illinois and an accidental straggler
in Wisconsin.

Mr. Frank M. Woodruff records an adult male in the collection
of Mr. T. H. Douglass, taken at Waukegan, 111., in the spring of 1876.
(Birds Chicago Area, 1907, p. 164.)

658 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Dr. Hoy took a specimen at Racine, June 20, 1848. Messrs.
Kumlien and Hollister record two specimens taken by Thure Kumlien,
one at Lake Koshkonong in 1877, and another in southern Wisconsin
"at a very early date, 1842-50." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 115.)

The nest is in large trees, usually pines or live-oaks, and at a con-
siderable distance from the ground. It is composed of shreds of bark,
plant fiber and plant down, and is often concealed in hanging masses
of long "Spanish" moss. The eggs are four or five, dull white or
grayish white, spotted and marked chiefly at the larger end with
shades of brown, and measure about .71 x .51 in.

321. Dendroica virens (Gmel.).

Black-throated Green Warbler.

Distr.: Eastern North America, west to eastern Texas, Nebraska,
and the Dakotas and north to northern Quebec, Hudson Bay, and the
Saskatchewan region; breeds from northern Ohio and northern
Illinois northward; in winter south to Cuba and Central America
to Panama.

Adult male: Upper plumage, yellowish olive green; sides of head
and extreme forehead, yellow; a yellow superciliary stripe and a

Male.

Black-throated Green Warbler.

Female.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory. 659

dusky stripe through the eye; throat and upper breast, black; under
parts, white, streaked with black on the sides; thighs, pale yellow;
wings, fuscous; greater and middle wing coverts, blackish, edged
with white at tip, forming two noticeable white wing bars; inner
webs of two outer tail feathers, mostly white, the third feather with
white spot at end; basal half or more of outer web of outer tail
feather, white.

Fem.ale: Similar, but the throat more or less yellow and the black
on the breast mixed with dull whitish (the feathers being more or
less edged and tipped with whitish).

Immature: Similar to the female, but throat tinged with pale
yellow, the black marking on throat and breast often absent.

Diagnostic characters in adult plumages: Throat and breast (or
breast alone), black, or at least with traces of black; sides of head,
yellow; basal half or more of outer web of outer tail feather, white.

Length, 5; wing, 2.45; tail, 2; bill, .38.

A common migrant in Illinois and Wisconsin in spring and fall.
Nelson says, "A few remain to breed." (Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 100.)

Regarding its occurence in Wisconsin, Messrs. Kumlien and Hol-
lister say: " As is the case with many of the warblers, this one occurs
in varying numbers, being sometimes only fairly common, and again
greatly abundant, either in spring or fall. Dr. Hoy wrote that a,
few nest with us, and Mr. Clark suspects that they breed in Dunn
County, as he has found them during the summer months. Young
just able to fly were taken in Jefferson County in July, 1868, and
adults are frequently seen in summer as far south as Rock, Dane, and
Jefferson Counties. We have known several pairs to remain in the
vicinity of Milton all summer, but have never succeeded in finding a
nest." (Birds of Wis., 1903, p. 115.)

The nest is is a tree, usually at a considerable height. The eggs
are 4 in number, white, spotted with various shades of brown, and
measure about .68 x .49 inches.

322. Dendroica kirtlandii Baird.
Kirtland's Warbler.

Distr.: Eastern United States, recorded from Illinois, Minnesota,
Missouri, Indiana, Michigan (breeding), Wisconsin, Ohio, Virginia,
South Carolina, Florida, Toronto, and Ontario; winters in the Bahama
Islands.

Adult male in spring: Crown, slaty gray, or bluish slate-color,
usually finely^dotted or narrowly streaked with black; lores and a

66o Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Kirtland's Warbler.

space below the eye, black; a narrow line of black across forehead
bordering base of upper mandible; auricular region, slaty gray, an
imperfect whitish orbital ring, broken in front; back, grayish bufE,
streaked with black; upper tail coverts, slaty gray; under parts,
pale yellow, usually with small black spots on the breast; sides of
body, grayish, streaked with black. (Some male specimens from the
Bahama Islands, taken in March, have the breast practically im-
maculate.) Two outer tail feathers marked with a patch of white
on terminal portion of inner webs, the white patch much larger on the
outer feather than on the second ; under tail coverts, whitish; greater
wing coverts, brownish black, narrowly edged with grayish white
or whitish.

Adult female in spring: Similar to the male, but back tinged with
brownish and the under parts slightly paler yellow, the breast more
extensively spotted.

Immature birds in fall and winter resemble the female, but have
the crown, like the back, without gray, and the whole breast thickly
spotted with blackish.

The yellow under parts, streaked with black on the sides and
usuall3/ spotted on the breast, combined with the black streaked
back and grayish rump, will usually distinguish this species.

Length, 5.45; wing, 2.70; tail, 2.35; bill, .38.

Three specimens of this rare warbler have been taken in Illinois
and one recorded from Wisconsin. The records are as follows:

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 661

Specimen taken by Mr. B. T. Gault at Glen Ellyn, Du Page Co.,
Illinois, May 7, 1894 (Auk., 1894, p. 258).

Specimen taken by Mr. J. E. Dickinson in Winnebago Co., Il-
linois, May 25, 1894 (L. Jones, Wilson Orn. Chapter, Bull. No. 4,
Jan., 1895, p. 14).

Male shot by Mr. Eliot Blackwelder in Morgan Park, Chicago,
May 22, 1899 (Auk, Vol. XVI, 1899, p. 360).

A specimen shot, wounded, and picked up, but which fluttered
away and escaped, Lake Koshkonong, Wisconsin (Kumlien and Hol-
lister. Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 133).

Mr. Norman A. Wood found it breeding in Oscoda County, Michi-
gan in July, 1903, and procured a nest and egg and fifteen specimens
of old and young birds (Bull. Mich. Orn. Club, Vol. V, 1905, p. 5).

Mr. Otto Widmann took a male bird of this species near the city
limits of St. Louis, on May 8, 1885 (The Auk, Vol. II, 1885, p. 382).

323. Dendroica vigorsii (Aud.).

Pine Warbler.

Distr.: Eastern United States, from the Plains to the Atlantic
coast, north to Manitoba and Ontario; breeding from Florida and
the Gulf states northward throughout its range ; winters in the south
Atlantic and Gulf states and the Bahama Islands.

Adult male in summer: Upper parts, yellowish olive green; sides
of head and neck, olive green; a somewhat faint and often obscure
yellow superciliary stripe; under parts (except belly), yellow; sides
of breast, streaked with olive; belly, whitish or grayish white: wings,
fuscous brown, edged with grayish white on inner webs ; wing coverts,
tipped with grayish white or ashy, forming two ashy wing bands (not
white) ; tail, fuscous brown, the outer feather largely white on inner
web, the second with patch of white at end of inner web.

Adult female in summer: Similar, but the upper parts, grayish
olive; throat and breast, pale olive yellow, shading into dull white
or brownish white on the belly.

Immature in fall and winter: Resembles adult female, but upper
parts, brownish olive; throat and breast tinged with pale yellow,
rest of under parts, grayish white or brownish white, more distinctly
brownish on the sides of the body.

Length, 5.35; wing, 2.90; tail, 2,20; bill, .42.

The Pine Warbler is a common migrant throughout Illinois and
Wisconsin and a summer resident in suitable localities. Its usual
song is a delightful little trilling^ whistle.

662 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

"It has been found feeding its young in the heavy timber of the
Wabash bottom lands near Mt. Carmel." (Ridgway, Orn. of 111.,
1889, p. 153). Mr. E. W. Nelson considered it a common migrant in
northeastern Illinois and says: "The first of July, 1874, I found a
large number of these birds with young just old enough to follow
their parents in the 'Pinery' and presume they nest there regularly."
(Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 100.)

According to Kumlien and Hollister it is : "A fairly common summer
resident in the pine regions. Migratory in the hardwood districts
of southern Wisconsin. Much more common along Lake Michigan
than in the interior. A rather early arrival in the spring, generally
preceding the majority of the warblers by several days. Although
we have never found the nest we have noted this bird at various
northern points in June and July. Dr. Hoy gives it as breeding in
the northern pine forests." (Birds of Wis., 1903, p. 115.)

The nest is built in a high tree, usually in a pine or cedar. The
eggs are four or five, dull white or grayish white, spotted and speck-
led with brown and lilac-gray chiefly around the larger end, and
measure about .70 x .53 inches.

324. Dendroica palmarum (Gmel.).

Palm Warbler. Red-poll Warbler.

Distr.: Chiefly interior of North America, breeding in the far
north (Hudson Bay and Mackenzie region) ; south in winter to east-
ern Mexico and the West Indies; casual in the Atlantic states during
migrations.

(^ '>.,

^\.

■>

Palm Warbler.

Adult male: Crown, chestnut; back, grayish olive brown; upper
tail coverts, yellowish olive; a yellow superciliary stripe; a dusky
spot in front of and behind the eye; auricular region, grayish brown;
throat and under tail coverts, clear pale yellow; belly, grayish, some-
times tinged with yellow; breast and sides of throat more or less

Jax., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 663

streaked with pale chestnut brown; sides and flanks usually with
obscure streaks of the same; no noticeable wing bands; inner webs
of two outer tail feathers with nearly square cut white spaces at tips.

The sexes are similar.

Immature: Similar to adult, but much more brownish olive above;
the markings less distinct, and less yellow on the under parts.

Diagnostic characters in any plumage: Shape of white tail spots
on two outer feathers (see cut), combined with pale brownish wing
bars (never white), formed by the tips of the wing coverts.

Length, 5.10; wing, 2.55; tail, 2; bill, .38.

The Palm Warbler is an abundant migrant in spring and fall in
Illinois and Wisconsin. Its song is a sweet trill.

325. Dendroica discolor (Vieill.).

Prairie Warbler.

Distr.: Eastern United States, west to Kansas and Nebraska,
breeding from Florida to southern New England and Michigan ;
winters in Florida and the West Indies.

Adult tnale: Upper plumage, bright olive green, the back marked
and spotted with chestnut; a yellow line over the eye and a yellow spot

Prairie Warbler.

under the eye, bordered below on side of throat by a short black
stripe; throat and under parts, bright yellow, streaked with black
on sides of breast and body; wing coverts tipped with yellow, form-
ing pale yellow wing bars ; three outer tail feathers with white patch
on inner webs; outer web of outer tail feather, white, except near
the tip.

Adult female: Similar, but somewhat paler and with but little
or no chestnut on the back.

664 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Immature: Upper parts more grayish olive; wing bars, absent, or
only slightly indicated by dull whitish; sides obscurely streaked with
olive instead of black.

Diagnostic characters for adults: Wing bars, yellow, and under
parts, including belly, yellow.

Length, 4.65; wing, 2.15; tail, 2; bill, .36.

The Prairie Warbler must be considered a rather rare bird in
Illinois and a rare straggler in Wisconsin. Mr. Isaac E. Hess writes
me he has taken it at Philo, Champaign Co., Illinois, and Mr. Ridgway
took a specimen at Mt. Carmel, 111. Mr. L. E. Wyman shot a male
at Riverside, near Chicago, on May 8^ 1907 (The Auk, Vol. XXV, 1908,
p. 87), and another specimen, a female, was shot by Mr. John F.
Ferry on May 22, 1907, at Lake Forest, Illinois. Nelson considered
it "a very rare spring and summer visitant." But few specimens
have been taken in the vicinity of Chicago. Mr. Frank M. Woodruff
writes: "Mr. George Clingman informs me that he took a pair at
Bryn Mawr, Chicago, during the second week of June, 1878. He also
took a nest and eggs of this species at Forty-eighth Street and Vin-
cennes Ave., Chicago, on May 22, 1892." (Birds of the Chicago
Area, 1907, p. 169.)

It has also been recorded as breeding by Mr. D. H. Eaton at
Peotone, Will County, Illinois (Forest and Stream, Vol. XI, Aug.,
1878, p. 47); by Mr. A. H. Mundt at Fairbury, Livingston Co.,
Illinois (Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. VIII, Feb., 1883, p. 9), and
by Mr. W. E. Loucks at Peoria, Ihinois (Oologist, 1891, p. 224).

Dr. Hoy says: "A few are occasionally seen about the middle of
May. Rare in Wisconsin." (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., Vol. IV,
1853, p. 311-) Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister record a specimen
taken by Thure Kumlien at an early date at Lake Koshkonong.
(Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 116.)

The nest is built in a small tree or bush and is composed of plant
fiber, shreds of leaves, etc., and lined with plant down and hair.
The eggs are 4 or 5, white or buffy white, spotted with brown chiefly
around the larger end, and measure about .64 x .47 inches.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 665

Genus SEIURUS Swainson.

326. Seiurus aurocapillus (Linn.).

Oven-bird.

Distr.: Eastern North America, west to the eastern slope of the
Rocky Mountains; breeds from northern Mississippi and Kansas
northward to northern Quebec, Hudson Bay, and Alaska; south in
winter to the West Indies, Central America, and Colombia, S. A.

Adult: Crown, with broad stripe of orange brown in the centre,
bordered by narrow stripes of black; sides of head, dull olive brown;
throat, white, with narrow black stripe; sides, upper parts, wings
and tail, brownish olive; wings, without bars; under parts, white,
heavily streaked on breast and sides with black; no white on tail.

Sexes, similar.

Length, 6.05; wing, 2.90; tail, 2.25; bill, .45; tarsus, .82.

The Oven-bird is a common summer resident in wooded districts
of Illinois and Wisconsin from May until the latter part of September.
It has a delightful warbling song far different from its usual familiar
notes, but which is apparently reserved for special occasions, as
it is not often heard and rarely or never, except after sundown.
The more common song may be described as wee-chee, wee-chee, wee-
chee, wee-chee, wee-chee, wee-chee, wee-chee, wee-chee, wee-chee repeated
rapidly and with gradually increasing power.

Nidification begins in May. The nest is a covered, oven-like
structure on the ground, with the entrance on the side often concealed
by vegetation, and composed of grass, weeds, and leaves. The eggs
are 4 or 5, dull white, unevenly spotted and speckled with brown,
and measure about .79 x .60 inches.

666 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

327. Seiurus noveboracensis (Gmel.).
Water-thrush.*

Distr.: Eastern Xorth America, west to Illinois and north to
Hudson Bay and Ungava; breeds from the northern United States
northward; winters in the West Indies, Central America, and north-
ern South America.

Adult: Upper parts, including wings and tail, uniform olive brown ;
no white on wings or tail and no wing bars ; a bufi'y white superciliary'

line; throat and under parts, pale sul-
phur yellow, heavily streaked with
blackish, except on the middle of the
belly; chin and upper throat speckled.
Sexes similar.

Length, 5.70; wing, 2.95; tail, 2.10;
bill, about .50.

The Mississippi Valley region seems
to be the dividing line between the
eastern and western forms of this
species, and as would be expected, a large number of intermediates
occur in Illinois and Wisconsin, in fact, typical examples of 5. nove-
boracensis are by no means common. The Field Museum possesses a
well marked specimen of this species (No. 5104) taken by Mr. H. K.
Coale at Grand Crossing, 111., May 2, 1887. It occurs as a migrant
in southern Illinois, and Ridgway gives it as sometimes common in
the latter half of August at Mt. Carmel, 111. (Orn. of 111., 1889, p.
162.)

Mr. E. W. Nelson (Birds of N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 100) says: "An
abundant migrant, April i to May 10 and August 25 to October 25.
Found everywhere in damp woods or along the banks of streams
during the migrations. A few remain to breed in secluded woods."

In Wisconsin Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister consider this species
to be more common than its western race (5. n. notabilis) and state
that: "It breeds sparingly in the southern counties and more com-
monly and regularly farther north." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903,
p. 116.)

The nest is hidden in a mossy bank or on ground in swampy
places. The eggs are 4 or 5, white or cream white, marked with
brown chiefly at the larger end, and measure about .75 x. 58 inches.

* Although called Water-thrush from long usage, the name is unfortunate as likely to be
more or less misleading to the student. 1 he name Wag-tail Warblers as used by Dr. Coues would
seem more appropriate for these birds.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois axd Wiscoxsix — Cory. 667

327a. Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis (Ridgw.).
Grixnell's AVater-thrush.

Distr.: Western United States, east to Illinois and Mississippi
Valley and casual to the Atlantic coast ; breeds chiefly from northern
Minnesota and western Nebraska northward to the Mackenzie region
and Alaska; in winter from southern border of United States to
Central America, the West Indies and northern South America.

Grinnell's Water-thrush differs from the eastern bird, 5. nove-
boracensis, in being larger and having the upper parts darker, more
grayish olive than brownish olive, and the superciliary stripe and
under parts decidedly whiter.

Wing, 2.90 to 3.20; bill, .45 to .55 inches.

An abundant migrant in Illinois and Wisconsin in spring and fall.
While numerous intermediates occur, typical examples are not un-
common. Prof. Ridgw^ay says: "Examples collected by me in Rich-
land and Wabash Counties, Illinois, and in Knox County, Indiana
(near Wheatland), are very typical of this race." (Orn. 111., 1889,
p. 163.)

According to Kumlien and Hollister, it is a regular migrant, even
in the southeastern part of the state. They say: "Specimens of this
race were identified by Mr. William Brewster among the water-
thrushes sent for his inspection." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 117.)

328. Seiurus motacilla (Vieill.).
LouisiAXA Water-thrush.

Distr.: Eastern United States and southern Canada, west to
Iowa, eastern Kansas and eastern Texas, north to southern New
England and southern Michigan, southern Wisconsin and southern
Minnesota ; breeds throughout its United States range, except south-
ern Florida ; winters from southern border of United States southward
to the Greater Antilles, Mexico, and Central America to northern
South America.

Adult: Resembles somewhat 5. noveboracensis, but bill larger and
the pale yellow of the under parts replaced by white, shading into
pale buff on the flanks, abdomen, and under tail coverts; superciliary
line, white.

Sexes similar.

Length, 6.15; wing, 3.15; tail, 2.25; bill, .55.

The Louisiana Water-thrush is a common summer resident in
southern Illinois, and of casual occurrence in parts of northern Illinois

668 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

and southern Wisconsin. Frequents thick woods in the vicinity of
water. Its song is delightful, a complicated warble difficult to de-
scribe, but which begins loud, and gradually dies away.

Mr. Isaac E. Hess informs me he took a nest with five eggs near
Philo, Champaign Co., Illinois, on June 9, 1907. Messrs. Kumlien
and Hollister record half a dozen specimens taken in Wisconsin during
the past 50 years; one in Walworth County, another in Milwaukee
County, and the others about Lake Koshkonong. (Birds of Wiscon-
sin, 1903, p. 117.)

The nest is large and is composed of leaves, fine twigs, and grass
or moss, hidden in a mossy bank or beneath old logs and roots of dead
trees. The eggs are 5 or 6, dull white, speckled and spotted with'
brown, and measure about .74 x .59 inches.

Genus OPORORNIS Baird,
329. Oporornis formosa (Wils.).

Kentucky Warbler.

Geotklypis formosa (Wils.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 282.
Distr.: Eastern United States, west to Kansas and Nebraska;
breeds from the Gulf states to southern New England, southern
Michigan and Iowa; winters in the W^est Indies, eastern Mexico, and
Central America to Panama.

■Adult male and female in spring: Crown and sides of head, black,
extending in a streak on sides of throat ; a yellow superciliary stripe ;

upper parts, wings and tail, olive
green; under parts, clear bright yellow,
shading to olive on sides; no white on
wings or tail.

Adults in fall and winter: Similar,
but black feathers on the crown edged
with grayish olive.
Immature in fall: Similar, but the black markings replaced by
dusky or entirely absent.

Length, 5.50; wing, 2.55; tail, 2; bill, .38.

A common summer resident in southern Illinois, but rare in
northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Mr. Isaac E. Hess informs me he has taken several sets of eggs of
this species in Putnam amd Champaign Counties, Illinois. Mr. H. S.
Swarth took 4 specimens and observed several others of both sexes
at Joliet, Illinois, between May 13 and 29, 1907. Dr. Joseph L. Han-

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

669

cock took a female near Grand Crossing, Chicago, on May 23, 1887.
(The Auk, 1888, p. 210.) Mr. Frank M. Woodruff records a specimen
taken by Mr. George Klingman at Bryn Mawr, Chicago, during the
first week in May, 1892 (Birds of the Chicago Area, 1907, p. 173), and
there are other records.

In Wisconsin Dr. Hoy "shot one near Racine May, 10, 1851."
(Proc. PhiL Acad. Sci., 1853, p. 311) and according to Kumlien and
Hollister, there are six other records for the state, all taken at Lake
Koshkonong in spring (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 117).

The nest is large, built on the ground in woods and is composed of
leaves, small twigs, etc. The eggs are 4 to 5, white, speckled and
marked with rufous and umber brown, and measure about .73 x .57
inches.

330. Oporornis agilis (Wils.).
Connecticut Warbler.

Geotlilypis agilis (Wils.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 282.

Distr.: Eastern United States and British Provinces, north to
Ontario and Manitoba; breeds chiefly from Minnesota northward;
south in winter to the Bahama Islands and northern South America.

VI ,

■i^ \

Adult male: Wings decidedly longer than the tail; head, throat,
and breast, ashy gray, darkest on the crown and palest on the chin;
a white eye ring; rest of upper plumage, olive green; wings and tail,
fuscous brown, more or less edged with olive and without white;
belly and crissum, yellow; sides tinged with olive green. In full
breeding plumage the breast becomes very dark, almost black.

Adult female: Characters as in the male, but slate color of the
head replaced by brownish olive or grayish olive; chin and throat,
brownish buff, becoming darker on the breast; eye ring, whitish or
bufjy white.

670 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

This species somewhat resembles the Mourning Warbler, but the
eye ring should distinguish it.

Length, 5.45; wing, 2.90; tail, 2.15; bill, .42.

The Connecticut Warbler is a not uncommon migrant in spring
and fall in Illinois and Wisconsin, and according to Kumlien and Hol-
lister a few breed in the latter state; although the majority go farther
north. They say: "In Jefferson County a pair was found, June 16,
1874 (L. K.), putting the finishing touches upon their nest. It was
placed on the ground in a dense thicket of hazel, briars, etc. Though
the nest was not touched they abandoned it, but bred in the same
thicket; the nest, however, could never be found. Has been found
in the dense tamarack swamps of Jefferson County in July, on several
occasions when it was, without question, nesting, and we have no
doubt that a considerable number nest within the state. It is the
very last warbler to pass northward in the spring. Many observers
fail to find this species. Mr. Clark has not, as yet, taken it in Dunn
County, and it w^as not found in the state by King, Grundtvig, or
Willard." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 117.)

331. Oporornis Philadelphia (Wils.).

Mourning Warbler.

Geothlypis Philadelphia (Wils.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 283.
Distr.: Eastern United States and southern British Provinces,
west to Manitoba, the Dakotas, and Kansas; breeds from Penn-
sylvania, New York, northern Michigan, and northern Wisconsin
northward; south in winter to Central America and northern South
America.

Adult male in summer: Head and sides of neck, ash-gray; throat,
grayish, mixed with black, shading into black on the breast (in full

breeding plumage the whole throat

^,j:=£^^^^^ and breast, black) ; no ivhite eye ring;

"^^"-^^ ,t^ ^ x^ ^"^^^ °-^ upper parts, clear olive green;

"^-^ ^- >^ under parts (except throat and

breast), yellow; wings, slaty brown,
^_V- edged with olive ; tail strongly washed

^^^ wth olive; no white on wings or tail.

-^^^ Adult male in jail: Similar, but

black feathers on throat and breast
edged with gray.
Adult female in summer: Similar to adult male, but throat and
breast gray, palest on chin.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

671

Length, 5.50; wing, 2.50; tail, 2.20; bill, .;^t,.

The Mourning Warbler is not uncommon during the migrations
in spring and fall in Illinois and Wisconsin, and is a summer resident
in the northern part of the latter state. Although I know of no record
of the eggs having actually been taken in Wisconsin, Mr. John F.
Ferry observed two different parent birds feeding their young in
different localities and procured specimens near Woodruff, Vilas
County, on July 7, 1908.

Macgillivray's Warbler, Oporornis tolmiei, a western species, is
recorded as having been taken by Mr. H. K. Coale at Wolf Lake,
Indiana, June i, 1876, a few hundred yards from the Illinois state
line, and, therefore, not strictly within our limits. The specimen is
now in the British Museum (Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., Vol. X,
1885, p. 365).

Genus GEOTHLYPIS Caban.

332. Geothlypis trichas (Linn.).
Maryland Yellow-throat.

Distr.: North America, from the western portion of the Great
Plains eastward, north to Athabaska, Hudson Bay, and southern
Labrador; breeds from Virginia and Tennessee northward and per-
haps farther south ; winters from the Gulf states southward to the
Bahamas, Greater iVntilles, Mexico, and Central America to Costa
Rica.

Adult male in summer: A broad mask-like black band on front
and sides of head, bordered behind by pale ash; upper plumage, dull

^V/jfrnfil^^-^"^

Maryland Yellow-thtoat.

olive green, often with faint brownish tinge on the crown; throat,
breast, and under tail coverts, yellow; belly, whitish; sides of body

672 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

tinged with pale brown; bend of wing, yellow; no wing bars; no
white on tail.

Adult male in fall: Similar, but feathers of black mask tipped
with gray; back and sides browner.

Adult female in summer: No black mask on head; forehead more
or less tinged with brown; sides of head grayish olive; under parts
much paler yellow, shading to whitish on belly; otherwise similar to
adult male.

Immature in fall: The male has the dark mask only partially
developed and often merely indicated by dusky; sides more strongly
tinged with buffy brown. The female has the under parts strongly
tinged with buff, shading to brownish on the sides and flanks.

Length, 4.85; wing, 2.20; tail, 2.10; bill, .40.

The Maryland Yellow-throat is a very common summer resident
in Illinois and Wisconsin, where it frequents thickets and bushes.

Breeds in May and June. The nest is on or near the ground, cup-
shaped and composed of shreds of bark, leaves, and grass. The eggs
are 4 or 5, pure white, speckled with dull rufous and dark brown
chiefly at the larger end, and measure about .71 x .53 inches.

The note is clear and comparatively loud. Mr. Frank M. Chapman
happily suggests that the song of this bird be written "/ beseech you,
I beseech you, I beseech you, I beseech you." It varies considerably
however, and at times resembles we-chee-chu repeated several times
with the accent on the first instead of the third syllable.

Geothlypis trichas brachidactyla (Swainson) is no longer recognized
as separable froin G. trichas.

Genus ICTERIA Vieill.

333. Icteria virens (Linn.).

Yellow-breasted Chat.

Distr.: Eastern United States, west to the Dakotas, Kansas, and
eastern Texas, north to southern Ontario, southern New England,
southern Wisconsin, and southern Minnesota, breeding throughout
its United States range; winters in eastern Mexico and Central
America to Costa Rica.

Adult: Strikingly different in size and appearance, from all other
local species, belonging to this family.* Upper plumage, bright

*Since the monotypic genus Icteria was placed in the family Mniotiltidas
by Professor Baird in 1858, his view in the inatter has been generally accepted
by Ornithologists (albeit in some cases with more or less hesitation) as being
the best way out of a rather difficult problem.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

673

olive green; wings and tail, unmarked and glossed with olive green;
throat and breast, bright golden yellow; under wing coverts, yellow;
belly, white; sides tinged with ashy; lores, black, shading into gray

Yellow-breasted Chat.

on the auricular region; a stripe over the eye and lower eyelid,
white; a short white maxillary line. Sexes similar.

Length, about 7 . 10; wing, .3; tail, 3.15; bill, .55. •

The Yellow-breasted Chat is a common summer resident in suitable
localities in Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Frequents thick under-
growth and shrubbery. The majority arrive from the south early
in May.

Breeds in May and June. The nest is rather large, built in thick
bushes, and composed of shreds of bark, leaves, and coarse grasses,
lined with finer grasses. The eggs are from 3 to 5, white or cream
white, spotted and speckled with various shades of brown and purplish
gray, and measure about .90 x .65 inches.

In writing of this species Dr. Elliott Coues says: "An exclusive
inhabitant of low tangled undergrowth, and oftener heard than seen,
except during the mating season, when it performs the extravagant
aerial evolutions for which, as well as for the variety and volubility
of its song, it is noted."

674 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus WILSONIA Bonap.

334. Wilsonia citrina (Boddaert).
Hooded Warbler.

Sylvania mitrata (Gmel.) , A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 285.
Distr.: Eastern United States, west to Kansas and Nebraska and
north to southern Wisconsin, southern Ontario, New York and
southern New England; breeds nearly throughout its United States
range; winters in the West Indies, Mexico, and Central America to
Panama.

Adult male: A bright yellow mask (gamboge yellow) or hood,
including front of crown and sides of head; rest of head and throat,

black; rest of upper parts, olive green;
rest of under parts, gamboge yellow;
wings, slaty brown, edged with olive;
tail feathers, slaty brown, edged with
olive; three outer tail feathers marked
with white, the first and second, white
on terminal portion of inner webs for at
least half their length, the white patch
on the third much smaller.

Male

Adult female: No black on throat,
which is entirely yellow ; black on head often mixed with olive and
restricted to a comparatively narrow area bordering the yellow on
forehead and sides of head; otherwise resembles the adult male.

Immature m,ale: Similar to adult male, but black feathers more
or less tipped with yellow.

Immature female: Resembles the adult female, but no black
whatever on head; entire upper parts, including top of head, olive
green.

Adults in fall and winter: Apparently little or no variation from
summer plumage.

Length, 5.50; wing, 2.55; tail, 2.40; bill, .38.

The Hooded Warbler is an abundant summer resident in southern
Illinois, but occurs casually in northern Illinois and Wisconsin.
According to Mr. F. M. Woodruff a specimen was taken by Mr. B. T.
Gault at River Forest, Illinois, May 11, 1881, and another was killed
by a boy with a sling shot in Hyde Park, Chicago, April 28, 1884
(Birds of the Chicago Area, 1907, p. 176).

Mr. Isaac E. Hess informs me he has found it breeding near Philo,
Champaign County, Illinois, and took a set of 5 eggs, May 30, 1897.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

67:

Mr. W. W. Cooke records specimens taken at Chicago, March 28,
1884, and May 3, 1895.

Another record for the vicinity of Chicago is that of an adult male
taken by Mr. H. K. Coale, Chicago, 111., May 5th (Sharpe, Cat. Birds
Brit. Mus., Vol. X, 1885, p. 439).

Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister say: "Not an uncommon migrant
along Lake Michigan in southern Wisconsin and it undoubtedly
breeds to the northward of Milwaukee. Much less common in the
interior than along the lake shore. We have seen this species re-
peatedly at Two Rivers in July, but in Jefferson, Dane, and Rock
counties only in the spring migration in May. We have also taken
specimens at Milwaukee in the latter part of May." (Birds of Wis-
consin, 1903, p. 119.)

The nest is in low bushes in swampy woods. The eggs are 3 or 4,
usually 4, white or buffy white, speckled and marked chiefly at the
larger end with dark brown and brownish gray and occasionally a
few specks of black. Size, about .70 x .54 inches.

335. Wilsonia pusilla (Wils.).

Wilson's AVarbler.

Sylva)iia pusilla (Wils.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 285.

Distr.: Eastern North America, west to the Rocky Mountains,
north to Labrador, Hudson Bay, and Alaska; breeds from northern
New England and southern British Provinces northward; south in
winter to Mexico and Central America.

Adult male: Crown, glossy black ; forehead, a line over the eye and
under parts, bright yellow; upper parts, olive green; sides tinged

#!^|^'i#/,>^r

W.hon's Warbler.

with olive; wings and tail, slaty brown, edged with olive; no wing
bars and no white spots on tiail.

676 Field Museum op Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Adult female: Similar to the adult male, but usually (not always
with black cap on crown more restricted and more or less obscured
by the feathers being tipped with olive. In some adult females the
black is entirely absent, the crown being olive green like the back.

hnniature: Similar, but withotit the black cap.

The plumage of adults in fall and winter apparently varies but
little from that of spring.

Length, 4.80; wing, 2.25; tail, 2; bill, .32.

Wilson's Warbler occurs more or less commonly as a migrant in
spring and fall in Illinois and AVisconsin, and according to Messrs.
Kumlien and Hollister, a few remain to breed in the northern part of
the latter state. They say: "A common migrant in southern Wis-
consin, passing northward late, often as late as the first week of June.
Undoubtedly a few nest in Wisconsin, even as far south as Jefferson
County, although there is no actual record. Specimens have been
taken near Jefferson, June 16. Young birds are often taken as early
as the middle of August in the large tamarack swamps. Principally
a frequenter of low lands, and willowy thickets, often in tamarack
swamps." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 119.)

336. Wilsonia canadensis (Linn.).

Canadian Warbler.

Sylvania canadensis (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 286.
Distr.: Eastern North America, west to the Plains and north to
southern Labrador, northern Quebec, and Athabaska; breeds from
Alleghany Mountains, southern New England, Wisconsin, and Michi-
gan northward; south in winter to Central America and northern
South America.

Adult: Upper parts, ash-gray; forehead and crown, black; most
of the crow^n feathers edged with gray, producing a streaked appear-
ance; eye ring, yellowish or yellowish
white ; a short yellow superciliary stripe
extending to base of bill; an irregular
' black streak from below the eye, ex-
tending on sides of neck; throat and
under parts, yellow, the breast marked
with a band of irregular short black
streaks or dashes ; wings and tail, plain
brownish gray, without white spots;
under tail coverts, white.

Adtilt female: Similar, but black on head restricted to a few small

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

677

blackish spots on front of crown ; black streaks on breast replaced by
dusky.

Immature females show the breast streaks but faintly if at all.

Length, 5.30; wing, 2.50; tail, 2.25; bill, .37.

A common migrant in Illinois and Wisconsin in spring and fall.
According to Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister a few nest in northern
Wisconsin. They say: "A common migrant during the latter part
of May and again in September. A few nest in central and north-
ern Wisconsin, along the borders of hemlock swamps, but the great
majority pass beyond our borders to summer. King mentions tak-
ing a fully fledged young bird near Worcester, July 19, 1876 (i),
and a pair were seen feeding young, which were flying about on July
12, 1882, in Door County, to the northward of Sturgeon Bay (L. K.)."
(Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 120.)

Genus SETOPHAGA Swainson.

337. Setophaga ruticilla (Linn.).

Redstart.
Distr.: North America, north to Hudson Bay and the Mackenzie
region, breeding from North Carolina and northern Mississippi
northward; winters in the West Indies, Central America, and northern
South America.

Adult male: Sides of body and a broad band on wings and tail,
reddish orange or salmon color, brightest on the sides; middle of

lower breast, belly and under tail
tf^^SH^ ' -.«/&« coverts, white; rest of plumage,

^IP^P^ '«' v,v«,r"' ' '" -^ ^ black; basal half of primaries and

most of secondaries, salmon, the
ends, brownish black; middle tail
feathers, brownish black, the rest
salmon color, broadly tipped with
brownish black; bill, dark, flat-
tened and wide at base and with
numerous rictal bristles approach-
fc-5 ^' Z^^^NlMf/^WI'^l'it^te-^^" ing that of a Flycatcher.

Adult female: Orange red mark-
ing of the male on sides, wings
and tail replaced by yellow, no black anywhere; crown, ashy; back,
olive gray; throat and under parts, white.

Immature male: Similar to female the first season, and later
throat and upper parts mixed black and gray.

Redstart (male).

678 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

There is apparently no seasonal change of plumage in the adults.

Length, 5.30; wing, 2.50; tail, 2.40; bill, .36.

The Redstart is an abundant summer resident in Illinois and
Wisconsin, arriving about May i and leaving for the south late in
September or the first few days in October. Its song varies consid-
erably but that which is most common may be described as a rather
shrill see-wee, see-wee; see-wee, see-wee.

It breeds in May and June. The nest is usually built on the
branch of a tree, from 6 to 25 feet from the ground, and is composed
of shreds of bark, plant fibers and dried leaf stems, etc. The eggs
are 4 or 5, greenish white or grayish white, spotted and blotched
chiefly at the larger end with grayish and dark brown, and measure
about .65 X .49 inches. The Field Museum collection contains a
series of sets of eggs of this species taken in northern Illinois between
June I and June 22.

Family MOTACILLID^. Wagtails, Tit-
larks, Pipits, etc.

This family comprises some sixty or more species, mostly belong-
ing to the Old World. A single species regularly occurs in eastern
North America. It frequents open fields and is usually found in
flocks. The nest is composed of grass and built on the ground.
They are insectivorous and migratory.

Genus ANTHUS Bechs.

338. Anthus rubescens (Tunstall).

American Pipit. Titlark.

Anthus pensilvanicus (Lath.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 289.

Distr.: North America, breeding north of the Unites States, ex-
cept in the higher parts of the Rocky Mountains; winters in the
Gulf states, Mexico, and Central America.

Adult in summer: Hind toe nail, long, about equal to length of
hind toe; upper plumage, brownish gray, some of the feathers with
obscure dark centers most noticeable on the back; a buffy super-
ciliary stripe; under parts, pale brownish buff; pale on the chin;
the breast and sides with obscure dusky streaks; wings and tail.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

679

American Pipit.

dusky brown, with grayish edgings to the feathers; two outer tail
feathers marked with white; the greater portion of outer tail feather,
white, the inner web partly edged with blackish; terminal portion
of second feather white, black and white about evenly divided, the
portion bordering the shaft being white and the inner half of inner
web black for about half an inch from the tip. Sexes similar.

Adult in fall and vuinter: Upper parts much more brown; under
parts whitish or brownish white; breast and sides streaked with
brown.

Length, 6.40; wing, 3.45; tail, 2.70; bill, .45.

This species is a common migrant in spring and fall in both Il-
linois and Wisconsin. Frequents open fields and prairies, usually
in flocks. A few remain in southern Illinois in winter.

68o Field Museum of Natural History- — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Family MIMID^. Thrashers, Mocking-
birds, etc.

The members of the family Mmiidas are, as a rule, gifted vocalists,
the Mockingbird being perhaps the most prominent on account of
its familiarity to most observers. They are wood-loving insectiv-
orous birds, although often seen in the open.

Genus MIMUS Boie.

339. Mimus polyglottos (Linn.).

Mockingbird.

Distr.: Southern United States and northern Mexico, from Mary-
land, Kentucky, southern Illinois, and Kansas southward and cas-
ually farther north, breeding throughout its range.

Adult: Upper parts, gray; under parts, white, tinged on breast and
sides with pale gray; primary coverts and basal portion of primaries,
white, forming a conspicuous white wing patch; middle tail feathers,
brownish black; outer tail feathers, mostly white. Sexes similar.

Immature: Upper plumage, grayish brown; under parts, white;
breast spotted with dusky ; wings and tail as in the adult.

Length, about 9.75; wing, 4.45; tail, 4.80; bill, .65.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 681

The Mockingbird, so widely celebrated for its vocal accomplish-
ments, is a common summer resident in portions of southern Illinois,
but quite rare in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, although
Mr. E. W. Nelson states: "Dr. Hoy has recorded six nests obtained
in the vicinity of Racine, Wisconsin." (Birds of N. E. TIL, 1876,
p. 94.) Mr. Ridgway found it common in the vicinity of Olney,
southern Illinois, and Mr. H. S. Swarth found a pair breeding at Joliet,
Will County, Illinois, on May 28, 1907, and took the nest and three
eggs. It has been observed on several occasions in the parks about
Chicago.

Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister consider it a "rare summer visitant "
in southern Wisconsin and state: "We have positive records of its
nesting on the old Kumlien homestead, in Jefferson County, however,
in June, 1879, and 1880', and of one specimen captured in Milwaukee
County in August, 1882 (L. K). Hoy reported specimens seen July
16, 185 1, between Racine and Kenosha, and July 26, 1846, near the
southern state line. Later (1885), Hoy wrote that mockingbirds
nested freely near- Racine previous to 1856, that he obtained three
nests and knew of several others that he did not molest, but that
none had been seen for fifteen or twenty years. In the Bulletin of
the Wisconsin Natural History Society for January, 1900, Mr. W. J.
Bennetts records one seen by himself June 29, 1894, near Milwaukee,
in the same locality where Mr. John W. Dunlop had reported a pair
nesting a few years ago, and also states that Mr. Robert O. Wanvig
has a nest and eggs, taken in 1897, just west of Milwaukee, from a
sheltered grove where he has seen the birds for the past few summers."
(Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 121.)

The nest is placed in a bush or low tree and is composed of twigs,
weed stems, etc. The eggs are 4 or 5, sometimes 6, pale bluish white
or buffy white, spotted and blotched with brown chiefly at the larger
end, and measure about .98 x .73 inches.

The Mockingbird, as his name implies, is noted for his power of
mimicry and will often imitate the songs of a dozen of our birds in
half as many minutes.

682 Field Museum of Natural History — -Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus DUMETELLA S. D. W.

340. Dumetella carolinensis (Linn.).

Catbird.

Galeoscoptes carolinensis (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, P- 292.

Distr.: Chiefly eastern United States and British Provinces, north
to the Saskatchewan, west to the Rocky Mountains, casual on the
Pacific coast; breeds from the Gulf states northward throughout
its range; winters in the south Atlantic and Gulf states, the West
Indies (to Anguilla) and Central America to Panama.

Catbird.

Adult: General plumage, plumbeous slate color; crown and tail,
black; under tail coverts, dark chestnut; bill and feet, black. Im-
mature birds have the under tail coverts dull rufous brown. Sexes
similar.

Length, 8.50; wing, 3.60; tail, 3.65; bill, .54.

The Catbird is a very common summer resident in Illinois and
Wisconsin. The majority arrive early in May and leave for the south
late in September. It is a delightful vocalist and a clever mimic,
but its most familiar note is a harsh cry somewhat resembling the
"mew" of a cat.

It breeds in May and June. The nest is composed of small twigs,
rootlets, and leaves, in a bush, thicket, or low tree. The eggs are
4 or 5, deep greenish blue, and measure about .93 x .68 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains a series of sets of eggs taken
in northern Illinois between May 25 and June 11.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

683

Genus TOXOSTOMA VVagler.

341. Toxostoma rufum (Linn.).

Brown Thrasher. Brown Thrush.

Harporhynchus rufus (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 293.

Distr.: Eastern United States, west to the Rocky Mountains,
north to southern Maine and the southern British Provinces; breeds
from eastern Texas and the Gulf states northward; winters from
North CaroHna and southeastern Missouri throughout the Gulf states
to Texas, accidental in southeastern Arizona.*

Adult: Upper parts, wdngs and tail, bright rufous brown; wing
coverts tipped with wdiite; under parts, white, more or less tinged

Brown Thrasher.

with pale buff and heavily marked with short streaks or elongated
spots of black, except on the throat and belly; under tail coverts,
pale buff; primaries and tail, plain, without white. Sexes similar.

Length, about 11; wing, 4; tail, 5; bill, .92.

The Brown Thrasher is a common summer resident in Illinois
and Wisconsin, arriving in April and leaving for the south early in
October. It is an accomplished songster, the notes being loud, clear,
and continually varied.

It breeds in May and June. The nest, which is comparatively
large, is composed of small dried twags, rootlets, and leaves, usually
built in low, thick bushes or on the ground. The eggs are 4 to 6,

* Mr. H. S. Swarth informs me he took a male of this species in the Hua-
chuca Mountains, Arizona, in October, IQ07.

684 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

grayish white or buffy white, finely speckled with brown, and measure
about 1.06 X .79 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains a series of fourteen sets of
eggs of this species taken in northern Illinois between May 17 and
June 21.

Family TROGLODYTIDiE. Wrens.

The Wrens are a large family numbering upwards of a hundred
and fifty species, but only six occur within our limits. Nearly all of
them possess more or less vocal ability, some, like the Carolina
Wren, being especially gifted. They are thicket loving birds,
many of the small species being rarely seen on account of their
retiring habits. They are insectivorous and migratory.

Genus THRYOTHORUS Vieill.

342. Thryothorus ludovicianus (Lath.).
Carolina Wren.
Distr.: Eastern United States, west to the Plains and north to
southern Michigan and Nebraska, accidental as far north as Ontario;
breeds nearly throughout its range.

Carolina Wren.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 685

•Adult: Upper parts, rufous brown, the rump with partially con-
cealed white spots; a white superciliary line, bordered above by an
indistinct line of blackish (sometimes absent) ; outer webs of primaries
with narrow bars of pale brown; inner webs, grayish brown without
bars; exposed feathers on the closed wing with faint, narrow, dusky
bars; chin, whitish; rest of under parts, pale tawny buff, varying
in intensity, deepest on the flanks; upper surface of tail feathers,
rufous brown, narrowly barred with dusky; under tail coverts,
barred with blackish. Sexes similar.

Length, 5.30; wing, 2.25; tail, 2.15; bill, .62.

While the Carolina Wren is abundant in southern Illinois, it is
uncommon in the northern part of the state and a rare bird in
Wisconsin. It is justly noted as a vocalist, but its charming song
is too varied to be described.

Mr. Isaac E. Hess informs me it is a not uncommon summer
resident, and breeds in the vicinity of Philo, Champaign Co., Illinois.
On August 12, 1908, Mr. John F. Ferry observed two wrens of this
species at Lake Forest, Lake County, Illinois, one of which he shot
and which proved to be a female. Mr. H. S. Swarth observed a pair
at Joliet, 111., May 11, 1907. Mr. F. M. Woodruff sa3^s : "Thanks to
the protection afforded this bird by Mr. John V. Farwell, Jr., at Lake
Forest, •^Illinois, the species has succeeded in raising several broods in
that vicinit}'." (Birds of the Chicago Area, 1907, p. 182.) Mrs. Ellen
Drummond Farwell observed two of these birds at Lake Forest, 111.,
and has published some interesting notes regarding their habits (The
Auk, igo2, p. 209).

In Wisconsin Dr. Hoy observed it near Racine. He says: "I
met a single wren of this species, July 5, 1852." Kumlien and Hol-
lister record a specimen taken near Janesville, Wis., in 1878 and
another at Milwaukee taken in 1881.

The nest is built in holes in stumps or about old buildings. It is
a rough affair composed of leaves, feathers, twigs, and coarse grass.
The eggs are 4 to 6, creamy white or pinkish white, speckled and
marked with brown chiefly at the larger end, and measure about
.75 X .58 inches.

686 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Genus THRYOMANES Sclater.

343. Thryomanes bewickii (Aud.).

Bewick's AVren.

Thryothonis bewickii (Aud.), A. O. U. Check List, 1S95, p. 298.

Disir.: Eastern United States, chiefly south of latitude 40°, west
to the Plains, casually north to Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, northern
Indiana, northern Illinois, and Minnesota.

Adult: Upper parts, dark cinnamon brown; back, without bars;
rump with concealed white spots; a whitish or grayish white super-

Bewick's Wren.

cilary stripe; outer tail feathers, broadly tipped and marked with gray-
ish white; middle tail feathers, dark brown, with numerous narrow
black bars; otUer web of first aud second primaries, plain, without
bars or spots, the others dotted on the edges with pale buff; under
parts, grayish white, washed with brown on the flanks. Sexes simi-
lar.

Length, 5.15; wing, 2.15; tail, 2.15; bill, .50.

Bewick's Wren is common in southern Illinois, but occurs only
as a straggler in the northern portion of the state. Mr. Isaac E.
Hess informs me it is rare in the vicinity of Philo, Champaign Co.,
Illinois, but he has found a pair breeding and took a nest and five
eggs on May 27, 1898.

Mr. E. W. Nelson gives it as "A rare summer resident" in north-
eastern Illinois. He says : "A pair of these birds appeared in a vacant
lot in Chicago the first of June, 1876, and taking possession of a con-

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

687

venient corner in the roof of an arbor proceeded to raise their young.
The family suddenly left about the middle of July." (Birds N. E.
Til., 1876, p. 96.)

There appears to be no authentic record of its occurrence in
Wisconsin.

It breeds commonly in southern Illinois. The nest is in a hole in
a stump or crevice in a summer hot:se, arbor, or in a bird box, and is
composed of grass, plant stems, etc. The eggs are from 5 to 7, white
or grayish white, finely speckled with rufous brown and lilac-gray,
and measure about .67 x .51 inches.

Genus TROGLODYTES Vieill.

344. Troglodytes aedon Vieill.
House Wren.

Distr.: Eastern United States and southern Canada, west to
Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois; winters in the Gulf states and east-
ern Mexico.

Adult: Upper parts, dull cinnamon brown, the rump brighter and
tinged with rufous brown; back usually with numerous indistinct

narrow dark bars; rump with concealed
white spots; outer webs of primaries
with narrow bars; tail, brown, barred
with black (no grayish white patches on
tail feathers) ; under parts, brownish
white, brownish on flanks; sides and
flanks with numerous narrow dark bars.
Sexes similar.

Length, 5.05; wing, 2; tail, 1.70;
bill, .50.
The House Wren is a not uncommon summer resident in Illinois
and Wisconsin and a common migrant in spring and fall. I have
examined typical Illinois specimens of this bird. Being retiring in
its disposition it is more often heard than seen. It has a charming
little song difficult to describe, but usually beginning with several
quick, sharp notes followed by a trill.

Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister say: "A common migrant in eastern
Wisconsin in almost equal numbers with the next. It breeds spar-
ingly anywhere from the southern border northward. It arrives the
last week of April and is common until the middle of May, when all
but a few pass northward. It nests late in June in the towns and

688 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

villages as well as in the more retired woods." (Birds of Wisconsin,
T903, p. 122.)

The nest is in holes in stumps of dead trees or in cavities in old
buildings. The eggs are from 5 to 7, creamy white or pinkish white,
finely speckled with rufous brown, with usually a wreath of a darker
shade around the larger end, and measure about .65 x .50 inches.

Mr. H. S. Swarth procured a nest and eggs of this species at Joliet,
111., on June 14, 1906.

344a. Troglodytes aedon parkmanii (Aud.).
Parkman's Wren.

Distr.: Western United States and more southern British Prov-
inces, east to the upper Mississippi Valley, eastern Illinois, and lower
Wabash Valley; south in winter to southern Mexico.

Special characters: Differs from the House Wren, T. aedon, in
having the back and rump grayer and barred with dusky.

This form is apparently much more common in Illinois than the
preceding species, both as a migrant and summer resident, but Kum-
lien and Hollister state : " In a series of house wrens from southern and
eastern Wisconsin, Mr. William Brewster finds typical examples
of both forms, aedon and azteciis/^ the latter slightly predominating
in numbers." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 122.)

The nest and eggs resemble those of the House Wren.

Genus NANNUS Billberg.

345. Nannus hiemalis (Vieill.).
Winter Wren.

Troglodytes hiemalis Vieill., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 301.

Distr.: Eastern North America, west to the Plains, north to
Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba; breeds from Massachusetts, northern
Illinois, and Indiana northward; winters chiefly from Illinois to the
Gulf states and Florida.

Adult: Size, small; length rarely over 4.10 inches, usually less;
upper parts, dark cinnamon brown; a narrow buffy stripe over the
eye; outer webs of first five or six primaries, blackish, barred with
brownish white; rest of primaries and secondaries have outer webs
chestnut, barred with blackish; tail, color of rump, all the feathers
with narrow black bars; under parts, pale cinnamon brown; sides and

* Now parkmanii.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory. 689

Winter Wren.

belly more or less irregularly barred with black; tail, very short
rarely more than 1.30 inches long. Sexes similar.

Length, 3.70 to 4.15 ; wing, 1.80 to 2 ; tail, 1.25; bill, .40.

The Winter Wren is common during the migrations in Illinois and
Wisconsin and at least- a casual summer resident in the latter state.

Mr. W. W. Cooke states: "Mr. H. A. Kline tells us that it nests
in the rubbish along the banks of a stream one mile west of Polo,
Illinois." (Bird Migration Mississippi Valley, 1888, p. 273.)

In Wisconsin, F. H. King found it common in summer in the north-
ern part of the state (Geol. Wis., 1873-79, p. 491), and Kumlien and
Hollister say: "A common migrant throughout the state in early
spring and late fall. It unquestionably nests in northern Wisconsin."
(Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 123.)

Mr. John F. Ferry procured a young bird barely able to fly near
Woodruff, Vilas County, Wisconsin, on June 24, 1908.

The nest is of plant stems and moss, lined with feathers, under old
logs, in crevices, or between roots of trees. The eggs are 5 to 7,
sparingly speckled with rufous brown, and measure about .68 x .50
inches.

Genus CISTOTHORUS Cabanis.

346. Cistothorus stellaris (Light.).

Short-billed Marsh Wren.

Distr.: Eastern United States, north to southern New Hamp-
shire, southern Ontario, Manitoba, and Keewatin, west to Utah;
winters in the south Atlantic and Gulf states; breeds chiefly from

690 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

about the latitude of Ohio northward and occasionally much farther
south (Georgia, one record).

Adult: Upper parts, black and tawny brown, streaked with white;
crown, streaked; under parts, whitish on throat and belly, washed

with tawny brown on breast, sides, and
under tail coverts; rump and upper tail
coverts barred with black; primaries, dark
slaty brown, the outer webs irregularly
marked with pale brown ; tail, plain brown,
banded with black. Sexes similar.
y -' Length, 4.20; wing, 1.80; tail, 1.50;

^ bill, .36.

A common summer resident in suitable
localities in Illinois and Wisconsin. The majority arrive early in
May and leave for the south in October. Breeds during the latter
part of May and June.

The nest is globe shaped, composed of woven grasses, with the
erttrance on the side, usually attached to reeds in a marsh, but occa-
sionally in a tussock of grass on or near the ground. The eggs are
6 to 8, pare white, usually unmarked, but occasionally wuth a few
small lilac spots, and measure about .66 x .47 inches.

Genus TKLMATODYTES Cabanis.

347. Telmatodytes palustris (Wils.).

Loxg-billed Marsh Wren.

Cistothonis palustris (Wils.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 302.

Distr.: Northeastern United States, north to New Brunswick,
south to South Carolina and casually to western Florida, west to
Indiana and Illinois; breeds from about the latitude of Virginia
northward.

Adult: Crown, blackish on the sides, usually tinged with brownish
in the centre, no streaks on crown; back (interscapular region),
black, streaked with white; rump and upper tail coverts, plain cin-
namon brown (without black bars) ; under parts, white or whitish
on throat, middle breast and belly; sides tinged with pale cinna-
mon brown, darkest on the flanks; tail barred with black and tawny
brown ; edges of outer webs of wing feathers marked with pale tawny
brown, giving a barred appearance to the closed wing. Sexes
similar.

Length, 5.15; wing, 1.90; tail, 1.80; bill, .50.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 691

The Long-billed Marsh Wren is a common summer resident in
suitable marshes, at least in eastern Illinois. I have not seen speci-
mens from the western part of the state and it is probable that in
prairie districts it is replaced by T. p. iliacus, which also occurs in
eastern Illinois. The species is represented in the collection of the
Field Museum of Natural History by the following specimens, from
eastern Illinois and Indiana:

No. 24451, 9 , May 23, 1907, Lake Forest, 111.

No. 15446, 3^ , June 14, 1904, Chicago, 111.

No. 15447, 'J , June 14, 1904, Chicago, 111.

No. 15448, cj' , June 14, 1904, Chicago, 111.

No. 21735, c?) Sept. 10, 1906, Beach, Lake Co., 111.

No. 13732, 9 , Oct. 10, igo2, Chicago, 111.

No. 6630, 9 , Aug. 9, 1896, Chicago, 111.

No. 6629, (3 , Aug. 2, 1896, Chicago, 111.

No. 24452, d^, June 28, 1907, English Lake, Ind.

In Wisconsin, according to Kumlien an 1 Hollister, it is "an abun-
dant summer resident over nearly the entire state, breeding in great
numbers about all suitable marshes." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903. p.
123.)

Breeds in May and June. The nest is attached to reeds in marshes.
It is globe shaped with the entrance on the side, and is composed of
grasses. The eggs are from 5 to 9, finely speckled all over with cinna-
mon brown, and measure about .65 x .50 inches.

The Long-billed Marsh Wren has a pleasant little song, somewhat
resembling that of the House Wren, but more broken and not so loud.

692 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

347a. Telmatodytes palustris iliacus (Ridgway).
Prairie Long-billed Marsh Wren.

Distr.: Prairie districts of central United States, east to Illinois
and western Indiana and north to the British Provinces; winters
chiefly in the Gulf states and Mexico; breeds throughout its summer
range.

The Prairie Long-billed Marsh Wren differs from the eastern form
in being generally slightly larger, and having the upper parts more
russet brown and the flanks clear cinnamon buff, approaching a
russet tint more than in T . palustris.

The nest and eggs are similar to those of T. palustris. By cour-
tesy of the authorities of the United States National Museum, I have
been able to examine the type of T. p. iliacus * and compare it with
specimens in the Field Museum collection. The result shows that
both T. palustris and T. p. iliacus occur in Illinois. Specimens in
the collections of the Field Museum of Natural History from Illinois
and Indiana are as follows:

No. 5150, 9, May 24, 1890, Ravinia, 111.

No. 5151, d^, May 29, 1894, Englewood, 111.

No. 5415, d^, May 31, 1885, Davis, Stark Co., Ind.

No. 30408, ^ , June 7, 1905, Fox Lake, 111.

No. 30409, fj^, June 7, 1905, Fox Lake, 111.

I have not seen specimens from Wisconsin, but it no doubt occurs
there, especially in the western portion of the state.

*U. S. Nat. Mus.. No. 90190, Talmatodytes palustris iliacus (type) (?) ad.
Wheatland, Indiana, April 30, 1883.

Jax., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

693

Family CERTHIID^. Creepers.

The Certhiidae comprise a small group of a dozen species, only
one of which (with its various subspecies) occurs in North America.
It is an active, graceful little bird, climbing about the trunks of trees
and using its stiff tail feathers much after the manner of a .wood-
pecker. It feeds on insects and larvae, and builds its nest in holes
in trees.

Genus CERTHIA Lhin.

348. Certhia familiaris americana (Bonap.).

Brown Creeper.

Distr.: Eastern North x\merica, west to the Plains and north to
Newfoundland, Ontario, and Manitoba, and probably much farther
north, breeding from the mountains of western North Carolina, Mis-
souri, northern Indiana, and Nebraska northward; south in winter
to south Atlantic and Gulf states, except southern Florida.

Adult: Tail feathers, stiff and pointed; upper parts, dark brown,
thickly streaked with dull white; rump, rusty brown; a conspicuous

Brown Creeper.

tawny white bar on the middle of primaries (except the first three) ;
under parts, dull white or ashy white, usually faintly tinged with
brownish on flanks and under tail coverts. Sexes similar.

Length, 5.50; wing, 2.50; tail, 2.70; bill, .56.

The Brown Creeper is a common migrant and more or less common

694 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

winter resident in Illinois and southern Wisconsin and a regular
summer resident in northern Wisconsin.

There is a record of a pair breeding on an island in the Mississippi
River a few miles below Davenport, Iowa (Wilson, Wilson Bull., 1906,
p. 10), and Mr. John F. Ferry observed a bird of this species at Olive
Branch, Alexander County, Illinois, August 10, 1907.

Mr. A. W. Butler records two sets of eggs taken in Steuben County,
northern Indiana, by Mr. R. W. McBride (Birds of Indiana, 1897,
p. 1129).

Dr. Hoy gives it as common throughout the year in Wisconsin.
Mr. John F. Ferry found a brood of four partly grown birds near
Woodruff, Vilas County, June 27, 1908. Messrs. Kumlien and Hol-
lister give it as a summer resident in northern Wisconsin and say:
"J. N. Clark observed a pair of creepers feeding a young cowbird just
from the nest at Meridian in late June, 1897." (Birds of Wisconsin,
1903, p. 124.)

The nest is of feathers, moss, and plant down, in a crevice usually
behind loose bark on a dead tree in woods. The eggs are 6 to 9,
white, speckled and spotted chiefly at the larger end with broAvn, and
measure about .60 x .47 inches.

Family SITTID^. Nuthatches.

There are about 20 known species belonging to this family, but
only three are found in eastern North America. They are wood birds
and may be seen climbing about the trunks of trees, much in the
manner of a woodpecker or the little Brown Creeper, but unlike
either of them, it climbs equally well down the trunk as up while
searching for its food, neither does it use its tail for support like the
others. The food consists of insects, larvae, and nuts, chiefly beech
nuts. The nests are built in holes in trees.

Genus SITTA Linnreus.

349. Sitta carolinensis Lath.
White-breasted Nuthatch.

Distr.: Eastern North America, west to the Plains, and from the
Gulf coast north to Labrador, northern Quebec, and Keewatin; breeds
nearly throughout its range.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illixois and Wisconskn — Cory.

695

Adult male: Top of head and upper back, glossy black; rest of
upper parts, bluish gray; sides of head and under parts, white, more

White-breasted Nuthatch.

or less marked on flanks and crissum with rusty brown; wings, black-
ish, the inner feathers edged with gray; middle tail feathers, gray;
outer feathers with broad subterminal band of white, the tips, black.

Adult female: Similar, but black of head tinged with bluish
gray.

Length, 5.80; wing, 3.50; tail, 1.90; bill, .70.

A not uncommon resident in Illinois and Wisconsin and abundant
in spring and fall during the migrations. The note of the White-
breasted Nuthatch is a strange quenk, quenk, difficult to describe,
but which once heard will not easily be forgotten.

The nest is in a hole in a dead stump or tree. The eggs are from
6 to 8, pure white or creamy white, speckled with rufous brown, and
measure about .73 x .56 inches. Mr. H. S. Swarth procured a set of
six eggs at Joliet, 111., May 21, 1907.

350. Sitta canadensis (Linn.).
Red-breasted Nuthatch.

Distr.: Nearly the whole of North America; breeding from north-
ern Indiana, northern Illinois, California, and the mountainous
regions of North Carolina and Colorado northward to Labrador,
Keewatin, and southern Alaska; winters in the United States.

Adult male: Top of head, black; a black stripe through the eye,
extending to sides of neck: a white stripe over the eye; rest of upper

696 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

plumage, bluish gray; throat, white or whitish; rest of under parts,
pale rusty brown, deepest on the sides and lower belly; under tail

coverts, rusty brown, with pale tips;
primaries, dark grayish brown or fus-
cous; middle tail feathers like back;
outer feathers, black, with subterminal
white band, the tips, black.

Adult female: Similar, but without
black crown ; the stripe through the eye
dull blackish, not clear black as in the
male.

Length, 4.60; wing, 2.60; tail, 1.50;
bill, .50.
The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a casual summer resident in Wis-
consin and has been known to nest in northern Illinois. It is, how-
ever, abundant in spring and fall during the migrations in both states
and a few remain during the winter. Its note, somewhat resembles
that of the White-breasted Nuthatch but is much higher and is
repeated more hurriedly.

Mr. E. W. Nelson says: "A rare summer resident. I found a pair
near Chicago with full grown young the first of July, and Mr. Rice
observed a pair feeding unfledged young the last of April, 1874, near
Evanston. The excavation containing the nest was in a tree stand-
ing on one of the principal streets of the town." (Birds N. E. 111.,
1876, p. 96.)

Dr. Hoy writes: "A few nest near Racine and a greater number
in the pine regions in the northern part of the state." (Wisconsin.)
Kumlien and Hollister say: "A regular spring and fall migrant,
but not so common as the white-breast. Mr. Clark has found it in
winter in Dunn County, and it occurs as late sometimes as Novem-
ber in Walworth, Jefferson, and Rock Counties, though usually found
in April and September. It was found nesting at Pine Lake, near
Hartland, July, 1888. The nest was about 10 feet above the ground
in a pine stub, and contained young (L. K.)." (Birds of Wisconsin,
1903, p. 124.)

The nest is in a hole in a tree or stump. The eggs are 5 or 6,
white, speckled with brown and purplish gray, and measure about
.61 X .48 inches.

The Brown-headed Nuthatch, Sitta pusilla Lath., probably occurs
as a straggler in southern Illinois. Mr. Otto Widmann observed a
specimen within the St. Louis city limits. May 6, 1878 (Bull. Nutt.
Orn. Club, Vol. V 1880, p. 191); and Mr. J. M. Wheaton states a

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

697

specimen was taken by Dr. H. A. Atkins, near Locke, Ingham County,
Michigan, in 1877. (Geol. Survey of Ohio, Vol. IV, 1882, p. 226.)

Family PARID^^. Titmice and Chickadees.

The family Paridse contains about 75 species, four of which are
found in eastern North America. The Chickadees are hardy little
birds, migrating only in a moderate degree and enlivening the snow
covered silent woods with their peculiar cheery little song. They
lay their eggs in holes in trees and stumps, lining the nest with moss,
leaves, and feathers.

Genus B^OLOPHUS Caban.

351. Bseolophus bicolor (Linn.).

Tufted Titmouse.

Parus bicolor Linn., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 306.
Disir.: Eastern United States, west to the Great Plains and from
the Gulf coast regularly north to Ohio, southern Illinois, and
Nebraska; casual or accidental to southern Minnesota, southern Wis-
consin, and southern New York; breeds nearly throughout its range.
Adult: Crown with crest; forehead, black; rest of upper parts,
wings and tail, gray, usually with a faint tinge of olive on the back;

under parts, whitish or ashy white,
tinged with chestnut brown on the
sides and flanks. Sexes similar.

Length, 6.10; wing, 3.10; tail,
:^''^' 2.65 ; bill, .40.

P"^" The Tufted Titmouse is an abun-

dant resident in southern Illinois, but
rather rare in the northern portion
of the state. There is a single record
of its -occurrence in Wisconsin.

Mr. F. M. Woodruff writes: "Mr.

J. Grafton Parker, Jr., observed one

of these birds at South Chicago on

October 15, 1897, and it is not

uncommon during the fall and winter months at Kouts, Indiana, sixty

miles southeast of Chicago. Mr. O. M. Schantz informs me that

698 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

early in the spring of 1900, before the trees were in leaf, he saw a
large flock of Tufted Titmice in the woods west of Riverside, Illinois."
(Birds of the Chicago Area, 1907, p. 188.)

There are specimens in the Field Museum collection from the
northern half of the state, taken at Henry and Warsaw.

Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister state: "In the Museum of the
University of Wisconsin, there is a single specimen of the tufted tit,
shot by Mr. N. C. Gilbert, December 15, 1900, near Madison. The
bird was alone, and this is doubtless the only record for the state."
(Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 124.^

The nest is in a hole in a dead tree. The eggs are 5 to 8 in number,
pure white or creamy white, speckled with reddish brown, and
measure about .70 x .55 inches.

Genus PENTHESTES Reichenbach.

352. Penthestes atricapillus (Linn.).
Chickadee.

Parus atricapillus Linn., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 307.

Distr.: Eastern United States and British Provinces, north to
southern Labrador and southern Keewatin; breeds from Pennsyl-
vania and northern Illinois northward; south in winter to Kentucky,
Missouri, and Kansas; also occurs west of the Rocky Mountains in
British Columbia, Washington, and Idaho, but not in the intermediate
country west of Dakota.

Adult: Crown, nape, and throat, black; sides of head from base of
bill, white; back, ashy, with an olive tinge; breast and middle belly,
white; sides and lower belly, tinged with pale tawny brown; wings
and tail, dark slaty brown, most of the feathers edged with white;
greater wing coverts edged with white. Sexes similar.

Length, 5.15; wing, 2.50; tail, 2.45; bill, .32.

The Chickadee is a common resident in northern Illinois and Wis-
consin and a winter visitant in southern Illinois. In addition to the
familiar chick-a-dee-dee-dee, from which it has derived its name, the
Chickadee has a delightful little pee-wee whistle of two high notes
which may be suggested by playing E C of the scale softly on the flute.

Breeds in April and May. The nest is in a hole in a dead stump
or tree and is composed of moss, feathers, fine grass, plant fiber, etc.
The eggs are usually from 6 to 8 in number, pure white, spotted and
speckled chiefly at the larger end with shades of brown, and measure
about .60 X .47 inches.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory.

699

Chickadee.

352a. Penthestes atricapillus septentrionalis (Harris).
Long-tailed Chickadee.

Distr.: Central North America, from the Rocky Mountains and
Salt Lake Valley east to Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, south to
Kansas and New Mexico, breeding northward to the Mackenzie
region and Alaska (Kenai Peninsula).

Special characters: Resembles P. alricapilliis, but tail longer than
wing (in P. atricapilhts the wing and tail are about equal in length) ;
tail feathers usually margined with white; the greater wing coverts
and tertials broadly edged with white.

While the Long-tailed Chickadee has been taken in Iowa and
Wisconsin, it does not appear to have been observed in Illinois and
should be looked for in the northwestern part of the state.

Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister say: "In late fall and winter typical
specimens of this form are taken in Wisconsin, even in the southern
part of the state, but n\ore often in the northwestern portion. A
number were taken near Hudson in November. We are unable to
say whether they are resident in that district, or merely winter vis-
itors." (Birds of AVisconsin, 1Q03, p. 124.)

700 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

353. Penthestes carolinensis (Aud.).

Carolina Chickadee.

Pariis carolinensis Aud., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 308.

Distr.: Eastern United States, from the south Atlantic and Gulf
states north to Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois; west to Louisiana and
eastern Missouri; breeds nearly throughout its range.

Adult: Similar to P. atricapillus, but averaging smaller and the tail
shorter ; the greater wing coverts not margined with white ; primaries,
wings, and tail very slightly edged with white, sometimes entirely
absent on tail feathers. Sexes similar.

Length, 4.10 to 4.70; wing, 2.20 to 2.55; tail, 2.25; bill, .32.

The Carolina Chickadee is a common resident in southern Illinois,
but rare in the northern portion of the state, the onl}^ record being
that given by Mr. Nelson who gives it as "a rare summer visitant to
the 'Pinery' at the southern end of Lake Michigan." It has not been
recorded from Wisconsin. The notes resemble those of P. atricapil-
lus but are louder and rather more hurried.

The nest is in a hole in a tree or stump. The eggs are 6 to 8 in
number, pure white, spotted and speckled with brown chiefly at the
larger end, and measure about .57 x .45 inches.

354. Penthestes hudsonicus (Forst.).
HuDsoxiAN Chickadee.

Pants hudsonicus Forst., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 309.

Distr.: Northern North America, north to Ungava and Alaska;
breeds north of the United States; casually south in winter to north-
ern Michigan, Wisconsin, and northern Illinois (replaced on the At-
lantic coast by P. h. littoralis Chapman).

Adult: Crown and back, hair-brown or dull grayish brown; sides
of head, white; throat, dull black; breast and middle of belly, whitish;
sides, flanks, and under tail coverts, chestnut brown; tail, brownish
slate-color. Sexes similar.

Length, 5.20: wing, 2.50; tail, 2.50; bill, .32.

The Hudsonian Chickadee is a rare winter visitant in northern
Illinois and Wisconsin. Mr. E. W. Nelson gives it as: "Avery rare
winter visitant" in northeastern Illinois and states that Dr. Velie
observed them at Rock Island (Birds N. E. Illinois, 1876, p. 95).

Mr. John F. Ferry shot a female bird of this species at Beach,
Lake County, 111., Nov. 5, 1906, and observed another on November
10, 1906, near Lake Forest, 111.; and on Nov. 8, igo6, Mr. F. M. Wood-
ruff secured two specimens, both females, near Waukegan, Illinois.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 701

In Wisconsin but few specimens have been taken, although we
should expect to find it in winter, especially in the northern portion
of the state.

Mrs. Irene G. Wheelock informs me that she observed a bird of
this species at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, on September 12, 1906.

Dr. Hoy writes: "A small party of this northern species vis-
ited Racine during the unusually cold January of 1852."

Kumlien and Hollister quote Dr. Hoy's record and say: "A
single specimen was taken by Thure Kumlien in Jefferson County
at this same time. It is recorded from the northern peninsula
of Michigan (Nehrling) and Dr. H. V. Ogden of Milwaukee writes
us that he saw several, and shot one in Iron County, but un-
fortunately did not preserve a skin. He also writes: 'I fancy a few
could be found every fall in the northern tier of counties.' A single
individual was noted in Vilas County, at close range, while waiting
on a deer runway, in November, 1902, but could not be collected
as we were armed only with rifles at the time (N. H.)." (Birds
of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 125.)

702 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Family SYLVIID^. Kinglets, Gnatcatchers,
Old World Warblers, etc.

The members of this family are among the smallest of our birds.
They are more or less migratory, although some, like the kinglets,
do not object to cold weather and may often be seen in the snow
covered woods, especially in early winter. The Gnatcatcher, on the
contrary, prefers a warmer climate and spends the winter from Florida
southward. The nests are built in the branches of trees, usually
some distance from the ground.

Gnatcatcher.

Kinglet.

Subfamily REGULIN/E. Kinglets.

Genus REGULUS Cuvicr.

355. Regulus satrapa (Light.).

GoLDEN-CROWNED KiNGLET.

Distr.: North America east of the Rocky Mountains; breeds from
New York and northern Michigan northward to Labrador and Kee-
watin, ranging in winter as far south as Texas and the Gulf states to
northern Florida.

Jax., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 703

Adult male: A patch of golden orange on middle crown, bordered
by yellow; sides of crown, black; an ashy white streak over the eye

and across front of forehead; a dusky

loral streak; upper parts, grayish olive,

;<^ shading to olive green on the rump ; under

'" ,^ parts, whitish or buffy white; outer webs

of wing feathers edged with pale greenish

yellow, broken in the middle by a blackish

space, forming a dusky bar on the closed

wing; greater and middle wing coverts tipped with yellowish white

or whitish; tail, dark slaty brown, narrowly edged with olive green.

Adult female: Similar, Init crown patch bright canary yellow

(without orange) bordered by black.

Length, about 4; wing, 2.12; tail, 1.70; bill, .26.
This pretty little species is a common migrant in Illinois and Wis-
consin in spring and fall , and a more or less common winter resident
in Illinois and southern Wisconsin. According to Mr. Kline a few
remain all summer in the thick swamps near Polo, 111., but he has
never succeeded in finding their nests (Cooke, Bird Migration Missis-
sippi Valley, 1888, p. 279).

Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister state: "Dr. Ogden states that it is
sometimes found in mid-winter in Milwaukee County, and the same
is true of other sections of the state. The golden-crown breeds along
the south shore of Lake Superior, in Ontonagon County, Michigan,
and possibly to some extent, therefore, in the pine regions of northern
Wisconsin." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 125.)

While with us it rarely attempts anything more ambitious in the
way of a song than a soft, lisping tsee, tsee, tsee.

356. Regulus calendula (Linn.).
Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

Distr.: North America, north to Labrador, the Mackenzie region,
and Alaska ; winters in the United States, Mexico, and Central America
to Guatemala; breeds from Quebec, northern Michigan, and moun-
tains in New Mexico northward.

Adult male: A patch of fiery red on the crown; rest of upper parts,
grayish olive, shading to clear olive green on the rump; wing and tail,
dusky, edged more or less with yellowish olive; a dusky bar on the
closed wing, as in the preceding species; wing coverts tipped with
whitish; under parts, ashy white or whitish, more or less tinged with
pale olive buff.

704 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

' Adult female: Similar to the male, but top of head like back,
without red crown patch.

Length, 4.25; wing, 2.20; tail, 1.72; bill, .28.
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet occurs as an abundant migrant in
Illinois and Wisconsin in spring and fall, the majority of them
being with us in April and October. It has a delightful song, much
louder than would be expected from such a little bird. It usually
begins with a variety of light whistles followed by a short, sweet
warble. Most of them are gone by the first of November, although a
few remain much later.

Subfamily POLIOPTILINvE. Gnatcatchers.
Genus POLIOPTILA Sclater.

357. Polioptila caerulea (Linn.).
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

Distr.: Eastern United States, west to Nebraska and north to
southern Ontario, Michigan, northern Illinois, and southern Wiscon-
sin, breeding from Florida and the Gulf states northward nearly
throughout its range; winters in the Gulf states, Florida, the Bahama
Islands, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands, and in Middle America to
Guatemala.

Adult male: Upper parts, bluish gray; front of forehead, black;

a narrow black line extends backward,
bordering the forehead to above the
eye; wings, dark slaty brown or fus-
cous, the secondaries bordered with
whitish; tail feathers, black, the two
^ outer feathers entirely white except at

the bases, the third feather tipped with
white; under parts, white, usually faintly washed with pale plumbeous
on breast and sides.

Adult female: Similar, but grayer above, and without black on head.
Length, 4.40; wing, 2 to 2.15; tail, 2.05; bill, .40.
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is a not uncommon summer resident
in Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Butler states on the authority
of Mr. Eliot Blackwelder that it breeds in Cook Co., Illinois (Birds
of Indiana, 1897, p. 1145). Woodruff on the authority of Mr. B. T.
Gault records it as breeding in Addison Woods, DuPage Co., Illinois
(Birds Chicago Area, 1907, p. 191).

Jan.. 1909. Birds of Illinois axd Wisconsin — Cdry. 705

In southern Wisconsin, Messrs. Kumlien and HoUister consider it
a fairly common summer resident. They say: "It arrives early in
the spring, in small flocks of half a dozen or more, sometimes by the
last week of April. Dr. Ogden has found it breeding in Milwaukee
County, and at both Delavan and Milton it nests in reasonable
numbers every year. Nest building usually begins by May 20 and
by June i incubation has commenced. The young are still in the
nest up to June 15 or 20, and the families remain together the entire
summer. Mr. Clark has never taken this species in Dunn County
during a great many years of active collecting and observation. It
is doubtful if it is common north of the southern tier of counties,
except along Lake Michigan, where it is found in fair numbers as far
north as Two Rivers." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 125.)

The nest is on a branch of a tree, usually 25 feet or more from the
ground and is composed of grass, plant fiber, lichens, etc. The eggs
are 4 or 5, bluish white, thickly spotted and speckled with shades of
brown, and measure about .55 x .45 inches.

Family TURDID^.. Thrushes, Bluebirds,
Solitaires, etc.

The family Turdidse contains about 150 species; a dozen of which
(including races) occur in eastern North America. They are migra-
tory and at times gather in flocks, especially in the south and during
migrations. Their food consists of insects, berries, and fruit. The
location and style of nest varies with different species. They are
all good songsters, especially the W^ood Thrush, whose notes are
particularly sweet and melodious.

Subfamily MYADESTIN^. Solitaires.

Genus iMYADESTES Swainson.

358. Myadestes townsendii (Aud.).

Townsend's Solitaire.

Distr.: Western United States, from the Great Plains to the Pacific
coast and from British Columbia to Lower California; breeds from
the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico northward; accidental
in Illinois.

7o6 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Special characters: General plumage, uniform brownish gray,
paler on throat; a distinct white ring around the eye; tip and outer
web of tail feathers, ashy gray.

Length, about 8 inches; wing, 4.40 to 4.80; tail, 4.20 to 4.70.

The only record of the occurrence of this species within our limits
is that given by Mr. E. W. Nelson, who states: "A single specimen
of this species was obtained Dec. 16, 1875, by Mr. Chas. Douglas at
Waukegan. The bird was found in a sheltered ravine, extending a
short distance into the bluff, bordering the lake shore near the above
named place and showed no alarm when approached. Nothing
peculiar was observed concerning its habits, except that its move-
ments were very sprightly." (Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 94.)

/,i*^.

Hermit Thrush.

Robin.

Wood Thrush.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 707

Subfamily TURDINiE. Thrushes.
Genus HYLOCICHLA Baird.

359. Hylocichla mustelina (Gmel.).

Wood Thrush.

Tiirdus mustelinus Gmel., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 316.

Distr.: Eastern temperate North America, west to the Great
Plains and north to Ontario, Michigan, and Wisconsin; south in
winter to Cuba and in Middle America to Guatemala; breeds from
northern Florida and the Gulf states northward.

Adult: Top of head, bright tawny cinnamon brown, shading to
olive brown on the back and brownish olive on the rump and tail;

under parts, white, faintly tinged

with bufiE on the breast, and
everywhere except on upper
throat; middle of belly and
under tail coverts marked with
large blackish spots (the con-
spicuous spots on the sides of
the body being a good distin-
guishing character) ; a distinct
white eye ring ; auricular region
streaked with white and dusky.
Sexes similar.
Length, about 7.75; wing, 4.25; tail, 3; bill, .64.

>i-*5>

The Wood Thrush is a summer resident in Illinois and the greater
part of Wisconsin from May until the latter part of September. It
is a delightful songster, probably the best of this group of celebrated
avian vocalists. It is useless to attempt to describe the song; no
adequate idea of it can be conveyed in print, as combined with its
peculiar sweetness the peace of the woodland solitude adds to its
charm and it must be heard to be appreciated.

Breeds in May and June. The nest is in woods, built on the
branch of a low tree, rarely more than 10 feet from the ground and
is made of leaves, small twigs, and mud. The eggs are 3 to 5, plain
blue, similar in color to those of the Robin, but slightly lighter. They
measure about 1.05 x .73 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains a series of sets of eggs of
this species taken in northern Illinois between May 26 and June 19.

7o8 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

360. Hylocichla fuscescens (Steph.).
Wilson's Thrush.

T Urdus fuscescens Steph., A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 317.
Disir.: Eastern North America, west to the Plains and north to
Manitoba, Ontario, and Newfoundland; breeds from northern Ohio,
northern Illinois, and Iowa northward; winters sparingly in the Gulf
states and southward to Cuba, Yucatan, and Middle America to
northern South America.

Adult: Upper parts, cinnamon brown, nearly uniform, with no
decided difference in color between back and tail ; no distinct white

eye ring; throat and belly, white;
sides tinged with pale grayish;
breast and sides of throat faintly
tinged with buff and marked with
numerous small, arrow-shaped spots
of brownish olive. Sexes similar.

Length, 7.45; wing, 3.80; tail,
2.85 ; bill, .50.

A common migrant throughout
Illinois and Wisconsin, and a sum-
mer resident from northern Illinois
northward. The majority arrive
early in May and leave the latter part of September. Its song
is delightful but not as fine as that of the Wood Thrush. It may be
crudely described as che-re-ry, che-re-ry, che-re-ry, or che-u-ry, che-u-ry,
che-u-ry, c/ze-M-;->', beginning high and continuing on a descending scale.
Mr. W. W. Cooke states that Mr. Kline took two sets of eggs at
Polo, Illinois, during the season of 1883.

It breeds regularly in Wisconsin, but is more common in the north-
ern than in the southern portion of the state.

The nest is built on or near the ground and is composed of leaves,
shreds of bark, and small twigs. The eggs are 3 to 5, greenish blue
in color, and measure about .86 x .66 inches.

360a. Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola Ridgw.
Willow Thrush.
Turdus fuscescens salicicola Ridgw., A. O. U. Check List, 1895,

P- 317-

Distr.: Interior regions of North America, from the Rocky Moun-
tain region to Illinois and Indiana, north to British Columbia, breeding

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 709

chiefly from North Dakota and Manitoba northward and occasionally-
farther south; casual as far east as South Carolina during migrations;
in winter to Middle America and northern South America.

Special characters: Similar to H. fuscescens, but with upper parts
darker and more olive brown, and the streaks on throat and upper
breast averaging darker.

The Willow Thrush is not uncommon during the migrations in
Illinois and probably Wisconsin, but from lack of material I am
unable to decide this question. Typical Illinois specimens of both
this form and H. fuscescens are represented in the Field Museum
collection as well as a number of intermediates.

Messrs. Kumlien and Hollister say: "A single specimen taken at
Delavan, May 6, 1899, 3-^ci identified by Mr. Wm. Brewster, is the
sole claim for introducing this race here. We are of the opinion that
a careful examination of the migrating fuscescens will reveal numbers
of this form, especially, it would seem, in the western part of the state."
(Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 126.)

Its song is similar to that of the Wilson"s Thrush.

361. Hylocichla aliciae (Baird).

Gray-cheeked Thrush.

T Urdus alicicE Baird, ±\. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 317.
Distr.: Northern and eastern North America, breeding far north-
ward (Newfoundland, Labrador, Mackenzie region, Alaska, etc.),
migrating south, east of the Rocky Mountains to the Greater i\ntilles,
Central America, and northern South America.

Adult: Upper parts, uniform olive, with little or no difference
between color of the back and tail; lores, grayish; middle of upper

throat, middle of belly and under
tail coverts, white; sides washed
with olive gray; lower throat
and breast washed with faint
tinge of pale buff and thickly
marked with blackish arrow-
shaped spots. Sexes similar.

Length, 7.45; wing, 4; tail,
3; bill, .52.

The Gray-cheeked Thrush is
very common in Illinois and
Wisconsin during the migrations
in spring and fall. It resembles

yio Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX

the Olive-backed Thrush but differs in having the breast and sides of
the throat only faintly tinged with buif, and in its grayish lores and
whitish eye ring.

361a. Hylocichla aliciae bicknelli Ridgw.

Bicknell's Thrush.

Turdus alicicB bicknelli (Ridgw.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 317.

Distr.: Eastern United States; breeding on mountains of New
England from Massachusetts northward and in Nova Scotia; south
in winter to southeastern states and Bahamas; accidental in Illinois.

Special characters: Similar to H. alicice but smaller; the tail de-
cidedly shorter and the upper parts averaging browner.

Wing, 3.40 to 3.80; tail, 2.60 to 2.88.

The only record of the occurrence of Bicknell's Thrush within
our limits is that given by Ridgway, who states: "A single speci-
men was obtained at Warsaw, Illinois, on the 24th of May, 1884, by
Mr. Chas. K. Worthen, thus considerably extending its known range
and adding it to the fauna of this state." (Orn. of Illinois, 1889,

P- 59-)

The occurrence of this form in Illinois is most unexpected as it is

far out of its usual range.

362. Hylocichla ustulata swainsonii (Cab.).
Olive-backed Thrush.

Turdus ustulatus swainsonii (Cab.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895,
p. 318.

Distr.: North America in general, except Pacific coast of United
States, breeding from the northern border of the United States north-
ward to Hudson Bay and Alaska; south in winter to Mexico, Cen-
tral America, and northern South America.

Adult: Upper parts, uniform olive, showing little or no difference
in color of back and tail ; eye ring and lores, tawny buff; throat and
breast with decided tinge of pale tawny buff, marked on breast and
sides of throat with dusky arrow-shaped spots ; sides of body washed
with grayish olive; belly and under tail coverts, white; a few obscure
grayish olive spots on the upper belly. Sexes similar.

Length, about 7.15; wing, 3.90; tail, 2.75; bill, .50.

The Olive-backed Thrush is abundant during the migrations in
spring and fall in Illinois and Wisconsin. Mr. Nelson records a speci-
men taken in June and another, July 9th, in the vicinity of Chicago

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory,

711

(Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 93),
but this does not necessarily
indicate breeding. Injured or
non-breeding birds often re-
main during the summer far
south of their usual habitat.

It is not known to breed in
northern Wisconsin, but it is
not unlikely that it does so.
The song is charming but not
as fine or as varied as that of
the Wood Thrush, which it
somewhat resembles.
Alma's Thrush, Hylocichla ustulata almcB Bishop, recorded from

Wisconsin (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds of Wisconsin, 1903. p. 127)

is apparently inseparable from H. m. sivainsonii.

\\ l^--

V.

Olive-backed Thrush.

363. Hylocichla guttata pallasii (Cab.).
Hermit Thrush.
Turdus aonalaschkce pallasii (Cab.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895

P- 319-

Distr.: Eastern North America, breeding from Massachusetts,
mountains of Pennsylvania, southern Ontario, and northern Michi-
gan (Mackinac Island) northward to Labrador, Manitoba, Atha-
baska, and the Mackenzie region; winters from Illinois (about lat-
itude 40°) to the Gulf coast; accidental in Greenland, Bermuda, and
Europe.

Adult: Upper parts, brownish olive, or dark olive brown, shading
into rufous brown on tail coverts and tail, in decided contrast to color

of the back; throat and breast
faintly tinged with buff; breast
and sides of throat rather heavily
marked with blackish arrow-shaped
spots; belly, white; sides washed
with pale grayish olive. The dif-
ference in color of tail and back
is a good distinguishing character.
Sexes similar.

Length, 7.10; wing, 3.65; tail,
2.85; bill, .50.

This species is common in Illi-

712 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

nois and Wisconsin in spring and fall during the migrations, and a
not uncommon summer resident in northern Wisconsin. Mr. John
F. Ferry found it common near Woodruff, Vilas County, Wis-
consin, during the last week in June, 1908, and procured partly
fledged young birds. Mr. F. H. King records it from Waupaca in
July. (Geol. of W^isconsin, 1883, p. 475-)

The song, which, is very charming, somewhat resembles that of
the Wood Thrush, but is more "metallic" and not so loud.

Genus PLANESTICUS Bonap.

364. Planesticus migratorius (Linn.).

Robin.

Merula migratoria (Linn.), A. O. U. Check List, 1895, p. 320.

Distr.: Eastern" North America, west to the Rocky Mountains,
eastern Mexico, and Alaska; breeds from Virginia, Ohio, northern
Indiana, and Illinois northward to Arctic regions (limit of trees) ;
winters chiefly from the northern United States to the Gulf coast
and Cuba; acc'dental in Bermuda and Europe.

Adult male in summer: Upper parts, dark slate color, usually with
an olive tinge; head, black; the throat, white, streaked with black;

Robin.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — ^Cory. 713

a spot in front of the eye and eyelid, white; primaries, dusky slate-
color, with pale edges; under parts and under wing coverts, rufous
chestnut, usually more or less white on lower belly; under tail coverts,
white; tail, brownish black, the outer tail feather tipped with white;
bill, mostly yellow.

Adult female in summer: Similar but paler, the feathers on back
of head tipped with grayish.

Adult male and female in fall and winter: Feathers of under parts,
tipped with white; crown feathers, dusky, edged with grayish; bill,
dark.

Immature in summer: Plumage paler; under parts spotted with
black; back with whitish centres to feathers; a whitish stripe over
the eye.

Length, 9.50 to 10.50; wing, 5.10; tail, 4; bill, .80.

The Robin is an abundant summer resident in Illinois and Wis-
consin, and a not uncommon winter resident in the more southern
portion of Illinois and casually much farther north.

The majority breed in May and early in June. The nest is rather
large, composed of grass, small twigs, leaves, and mud, usually on a
branch of a tree. The eggs are from 3 to 5, plain greenish blue, very
rarely with a few irregular brown spots, and measure about 1.15
X .79 inches.

The song of the Robin is melodious and varied, although he is
prone to indulge in a series of loud and somewhat unmusical chirps.
He is among the first to cheer us in the spring and is still to be heard
late in the fall when most of our feathered songsters are missing.
While he may annoy us by eating our cherries and small fruits, he also
destroys many worms and injurious insects, and to quote my esteemed
friend, Robert Ridgway, " ' With all his faults, we love him still.' No
American orchard would be complete without its pair of Robins, and
his absence would create a void in the ranks of our birds, which would
be felt by every one who cherishes memories of his boyhood days."

714 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Subfamily SIALIINtE. Bluebirds.

Genus SIALIA Swainson.

365. Sialia sialis (Linn.).

Bluebird.

Distr.: United States and southern Canada, west to the base of

the Rocky Mountains; winters from the middle states to the Gulf

coast (casual or accidental in Cuba) ; breeds nearly throughout its

range.

Adult male: Upper parts, bright blue; wings and tail, blue, the
former with the ends blackish; throat, breast and sides of body, chest-

Bluebird.

nut; belly and under tail coverts, white, some of the latter tinged with
grayish blue; bill and feet, black.

Adult female: Similar, but blue of upper parts more or less tinged
with grayish brown, shading into bright blue on rump and tail, the
chestnut on under parts paler.

Immature in first plumage: Upper parts, grayish brown ; wings and
tail, blue; the back with white streaks (caused by the white shaft
lines of the feathers) ; under parts, white; the feathers of the breast
and sides edged with grayish brown, producing an irregular streaked
appearance.

Length, 6.80; wing, 3.90; tail, 2.65; bill, .45.

The Bluebird is a very common summer resident in Illinois and
Wisconsin, the majority arriving from the south in March (earliest
Chicago record, February 22) and leaving again in September.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 715

The breeding season lasts from April until the middle of June. The
nest is in hollow trees and stumps or about buildings. The eggs are
from 4 to 7, very pale blue or bluish white, rarely white, and measure
about .83 X .64 inches.

The Field Museum collection contains a series of sets of eggs taken
in northern Illinois between April 25 and June 10. The song of the
Bluebird is a pleasing whistle, usually a single note repeated two or
three times.

The Mountain Bluebird, Sialia arctica, was included by Mr. Nel-
son on the authority of Dr. Hoy. He states: "Dr. Hoy informs me
that he has seen a specimen of this species in a collection at Dubuque,
Iowa, which was taken late in the fall upon the east side of the Missis-
sippi River near that town." (Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 95.) But Mr.
Ridgway says (Birds North and Middle America, 1907, p. 145, foot-
note) : "I have examined the specimen upon which the above record
was based and it proves to be a somewhat discolored example of
5. sialis, female."

INDEX TO KEY TO EGGS.

Group i. White eggs (unmarked)

Section i. Nest on branches of trees or bushes

Eggs less than .60 inch long

Eggs from .60 to .85 inches long

Eggs between .go and 1.25 inches long.

Eggs more than 1.50 inches long

Xest in hole in tree, stump, or post

Eggs less than .80 inch long

Part I
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Section 2.
Part I
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

Section 3.

Section 4.
Part I
Part 2

Section 5.
Part I
Part 2

Section 6.

Eggs from .98 to 1.25 inches long

Eggs from 1.25 to 1.75 inches long

Eggs more than 1.75 inches long

Nest about dwellings, bams, and out-buildings

Nest in open fields on ground or in bunch of grass

Eggs less than 1.50 inches long

Eggs more than 1.50 inches long

Nest in hole in bank

Eggs less than i inch long

Eggs more than i inch long

Nest in swampy places, in reeds or grass, on ground,

or on floating vegetation

Eggs less than i inch long

Eggs between i and 1.50 inches long

Eggs more than 1.50 inches long

Group 2. Eggs blue or greenish blue (unmarked)

Section i. Nest on branches of trees or bushes

Eggs less than .76 inch long

Eggs from .77 to i inch long

Eggs from i inch to 1.35 inches long

Eggs more than 1.35 inches long

Nest in hole in tree, stump, or post

Nest about dwellings and bams

Nest in open fields, on ground, or in bunch of grass

Nest in swampy places, in reeds, or grass, on ground, or

on floating vegetation

Group 3. Eggs not white or blue (unmarked)

Section i. Nest on branches of trees or bushes

Nest in hole in tree, stump, or post

Nest about dwellings, and bams, and buildings

Nest in open fields, on ground, or in bunch of grass

Nest on ground, in woods, in dry places

Nest in swampy places, in reeds or grass, on ground, or

on floating vegetation

716

Part
Part
Part

Part I.

Part 2.

Part 3.

Part 4.
Section 2.
Section 3.
Section 4.
Section 5.

Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6

P.^GE

719
719
719
719
719

719
720
720
720
720
721
721
721
721
721
722
722
722
722

722
722
722
723
723
723
723
723
723
724
724
724
724

725
725
725
725
726
726
726

726

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory,

717

Group 4. Eggs spotted chiefly at larger end

Section i . Nest in branches of trees or bushes

Part I. Eggs less than .75 inch long

Part 2. Eggs .75 or more inches long

Section 2. Nest in hole in tree, stump, or post

Section 3. Nest about dwellings and barns

Section 4. Nest in open fields, on ground, or in bunch of grass

Section 5. Nest in woods, on ground, in dry places

Section 6. Nest in swampy places, in reeds or grass, on ground, or
on floating vegetation

Part I. Eggs less than 1.15 inches long

Part 2. Eggs from 1.15 to 1.35 inches long

Part 3. Eggs more than 1.35 inches long

Section 7. Nest on sandy shores and beaches

Group 5. Eggs speckled all over

Section i. Nest in branches of trees or bushes

Section 2. Nest in hole in tree, stump, or post

Section 3. Nest about dwellings and barns

Section 4. Nest in open fields, on ground, or in bunch of grass

Part I . Eggs less than i inch long

Part 2. Eggs from i to 1.50 inches long

Part 3. Eggs more than 1.50 inches long

Section 5. Nest on ground, in woods, in dry places

Section 6. Nest in swampy places, in reed or grass, on ground, or on

floating vegetation

Eggs less than 1.50 inches long

Eggs more than 1.50 inches long

Group 6. Eggs marked all over with irregular blotches, spots, or streaks. .

Section i. Nest on branches of trees or bushes

Eggs less than .85 inch long

Eggs from .85 to .95 inches long

Eggs from .95 to 1.50 inches long

Eggs from 1.05 to 1.30 inches long

Eggs from 1.30 to 2 inches long

Eggs more than 2 inches long

Nest in hole in tree, stump, or post

Eggs less than i inch long

Eggs more than i inch long

Nest about dwellings and barns

Eggs less than i inch long

Eggs more than i inch long

Nest in open fields, on ground, or in bunch of grass

Nest on ground, in woods, in dry places

Eggs less than i inch long

Eggs more than i inch long

Nest in swampy places, in reeds or grass, on ground, or on

floating vegetation

Part I . Eggs less than i inch long

Part 2. Eggs from i to 1.50 inches long

Part 3. Eggs more than 1.50 inches long

Part
Part

Part I
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6

Section 2.
Part I
Part 2

Section 3.
Part I
Part 2

Section 4.

Section 5.
Part I.
Part 2.

Section 6.

PAGE

726
726
726
727
728
728
728
729

729
729
729
730
730
730
730
731
731
731
731
731
732
732

732
732
732
734
734
734
734
735
735
735
735
736
736
736
736
736
736
737
737
737
738

738
738
738
739

M

ni

o

S

o

w

fO

H

H

_ o

A KEY TO THE EGGS

OF THE MORE COMMON BIRDS KNOWN TO BREED IN
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND SOUTHERN WISCONSIN.

GROUP 1 * WHITE EGGS (UNMARKED).

SECTION I. NEST ON BRANCHES OF TREES OR

BUSHES.

PART I. EGGS LESS THAN .60 IN. LONG.

Eggs 2. Size, about .50 x .35. Smallest of our birds' eggs.

Trochiliis coliibris.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

PART 2. EGGS FROM .60 TO .85 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about .66 x .48. Eggs usually showing faint
bluish tinge. Nest lined with thistle down, usually from 6 to 25 feet
from ground. Breeds, July and August. Bird: female, wings and tail,
dusky; under parts tinged with yellow. Male, bright yellow; crown,
wings, and tail, black. Astragaliniis tristis.

American Goldfinch.

Eggs, 3 to 4. Size, about .73 x .55. Eggs usually showing faint
bluish tinge. Nest not lined with thistle down, usually in crotch of
bush near ground. Breeds, May and June. Bird: female, grayish;
wings, dusky; no yellow on under parts. Male, blue; wing and tail,
mostly black. Passcrina cyanea.

Indigo Bunting.

PART 3. EGGS BETWEEN .90 AND 1.25 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 2. Size, about 1.08 x .d,T,. Nest, a mat of loose twigs.

Zenaidura macroura carolinensis.
Mourning Dove.

PART 4. EGGS MORE THAN 1.50 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, 1.92 x 1.55. Eggs, sometimes dull white or pale
bluish white, but usually more or less faintly marked with pale brown.

Accipitcr cooperii.
Cooper's Hawk.

♦Eggs vary more or less in size and as the average measurements are given in this key, they
should only be considered as approximate. For example, if in a series of eggs of a certain species
the longest was 1.15 in. (measured on a straight line) and the shortest i.oo. the length here given
would be 1.08 in.

720 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Eggs, 2 to 4. Size, 1.96 X 1.66. Eggs, pure white, not bluish white.
Nest in old crow's or hawk's nest, sometimes in hollow tree.

Strix varia.

Barred Owl,

Eggs, 2 to 3. Size, 2.20 X 1.82. Eggs, pure white; the size will

distinguish them from preceding species. Nest in old crow's or hawk's

nest, sometimes in hollow tree. Bubo virginianus.

Great Horned Owl.

SECTION 2. NEST IN HOLE IN TREE, STUMP, OR POST.

PART I. EGGS LESS THAN .80 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 4 to 7. Size, .75 X .53; shape, rather long and narrow.

Iridoprocne bicolor.
Tree Swallow.
Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, .75 x .60. Eggs rounded; the width will dis-
tinguish them from those of preceding species. Bird: if bird is seen,
no one can mistake a Woodpecker for a Swallow.

Dryobates pubescens medianus.
Downy Woodpecker.

PART 2. EGGS FROM .80 TO .98 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 5 to 7. Size, .88 X .68. Bird: female, large; patch of black
on breast; top of head, red; no red on throat. A rather rare breeder.

Sphyrapicus varius.

Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.

Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, .92 x .74. Bird: female, throat and under parts,

pure white; crown, black. A common breeder. Dryobates villosns.

Hairy Woodpecker.

PART 3. EGGS FROM .98 TO 1.25 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about i.oox.70. The slight but noticeable
difference in size will distinguish them from those of the next species.
Bird: female, bluish black above (at a distance appears to be black),
grayish beneath; no yellow or red in plumage. Male, entire plumage,
shiny blue-black. Progne siihis.

Purple Martin.

Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, about i.oo x .76. Shape, more elongated and

narrower than next species. Bird, whole head and throat, red; wings

showing much white. Melancrpes crytlirocephalus.

Red-headed Woodpecker.

Eggs, 5 to 10. Size, about i.iox.87. Bird, size, large; black

patch on breast; under wings and tail, yellow; no white on wings; top

of head and throat, not red. (Female.) Colaptcs aitratiis hiteus.

Northern Flicker.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — -Cory. 721

PART 4. EGGS 1.25 TO 1.75 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, about 1.45 x 1.20. Bird, gray, sometimes red-
brown. Otus asio.

Screech Owl.

PART 5. EGGS OVER 1.75 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 8 to 14. Size, about 2.05 x 1.55. Eggs, buff white, or pale
buff, not pure white. Aix sponsa.

Wood Duck.
Eggs, 2 to 4. Size, about 1.95 x 1.65. Eggs, white.

Strix varia.
Barred Owl.
Eggs, 8 to 10. Size, about 2.10x1.75.

Lophodytes cucullatus.
Hooded Merganser.
Eggs, 2 to 3. Size, about 2.20 x 1.82 Eggs, pure white.

Bubo virginianus.
Great Horned Owl.

SECTION 3. NEST ABOUT DWELLINGS AND BARNS.

Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, about .78 x .58. Nest, moss, grass, and mud
placed on top of beam or rafter, not attached to side. Sayornis phcebe.

Phcebe Flycatcher.

Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, about .80 x .52. Shape, narrower than preceding

species. Nest usually in chimney (sometimes in bams), composed of

small dead twigs glued to side of bricks or rafter. Bird, smoky black.

ChcBtura pelagica.

Chimney Swift.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about i.oo x .70. Distinguished by size from

others in this section. Progne subis.

Purple Martin.

SECTION 4. NEST IN OPEN FIELDS, ON GROUND OR
IN BUNCH OF GRASS.

PART I. EGGS LESS THAN 1.50 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 2. Size, about i.iox.82. Nest, a fiat mat of twigs, rarely
on the ground, usually on a branch. Zenaidura macroura carolinensis.

Mourning Dove.

Eggs, 10 to 18. Size, about i . 20 x .94. Nest, merely a little grass

on ground. Colinus virginianus.

Quail. Bob-white.

722 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

PART 2. EGGS MORE THAX 1.50 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 4 to 7. Size, about 1.55 x 1.25. Eggs, pure white. Nest on
ground in fields and low prtiiries. .45/0 flainniciis.

Short-eared Owl.

Eggs, 4 to 7. Size, about 1.75 x 1.40. Eggs, pure white. Nest

usually about marshy places. Circus hudsonins.

Marsh Hawk.

Eggs, 6 to 12. Size, about 1.80 x 1.30. Eggs, creamy white, or

huffy white, not pure white. Nest, near water. Querquedida discors.

Blue-winged Teal.

SECTION 5. NEST IN HOLE IN BANK.

PART I. EGGS LESS THAN i IN. LONG.

Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, about .70 x .48. In size the eggs of this and the
next species are hardly distinguishable, although the Rough-wing is
slightly the larger. Bird, under parts, white, with conspicuous band of
brown on breast. Riparia riparia.

Bank Swallow.

Eggs, 4 to 7. Size, about ,72X.5i. Bird, under parts brownish

gray, no band on breast. Stelgidopteryx serripennis.

Rough-winged Swallow.

PART 2. EGGS MORE THAN i IN. LONG.

Eggs, 5 to 8. Size, about 1.34 x 1.05. Nest, deep hole in bank near
water. Ccrylc alcyon.

Belted Kingfisher.

SECTION 6. NEST IN SWAMPY PLACES, IN REEDS OR
GRASS, ON GROUND OR ON FLOATING VEGETATION.

PART I. EGGS LESS THAN i IN. LONG.

Eggs, 6 to 8. Size, about .66 x .47. Nest, on or near ground in
grass, made of grasses and globular in shape; entrance on the side.

Cistothoriis stcllaris.
Short-billed Marsh Wren.

PART 2. EGGS BETWEEN i AND 1.50 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about 1.20 x 92; white, with faint bluish tinge.
Nest in reeds or small bush in swamp or pond. Ixobrychus exilis.

Least Bittern.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 723

PART 3. EGGS MORE THAN 1.50 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 5 to 8. Size, about 1.70 x 1.19; dull creamy white or buffy
white, more or less soiled. Nest, a mass of floating vegetation in swamp
or pond. Podilymbus podiceps.

Pied-billed Grebe.

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about 1.78 x 1.40; pure white. Nest on ground

in marshy places. Circus hudsonius.

Marsh Hawk.
Eggs, 6 to 12. Size, about 1.84x1.33; creamy white or buffy
white, not pure white. Nest on ground near water.

Querqucdiila discors.
Blue-winged Teal.

GROUP 2. EGGS BLUE OR GREENISH BLUE
(UNMARKED).

SECTION I. NEST ON BR.ANCHES OF TREES OR

BUSHES.

PART I. EGGS LESS THAN .76 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about .66]x.47; faintly blue or bluish white.
Nest lined with thistle down, usually some distance from ground (6 to
25 ft.). Astragalinus tristis.

American Goldfinch.

Eggs, 3 to 4. Size, about .73 x .55; faintly blue, often apparently

white. Nest not lined with thistle down, usually in crotch of bush near

ground. Passerina cyanea.

Indigo Bunting.

PART 2. EGGS FROM .77 TO i IN. LONG.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .80 x .60; very pale blue or bluish ashy.
Bird, shoAvs more or less yellow on breast. Spiza americana.

Dickcissel. Black-throated Bunting.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about .93X.68; deep blue or greenish blue.
Bird, general plumage slaty gray. Dmnetella carolinensis.

Catbird.

PART 3. EGGS FROM i IN. TO 1.35 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 2 to 5. Size, 1.02 X.74; hght blue. Bird, above, rufous
brown ; under parts, white, with distinct spots. Hylocichla mustelina.

Wood Thrush.
Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about 1.12 x .80; greenish blue, darker and larger
than Wood Thrush. Bird, breast and under parts, reddish brown.

Planesticiis migratorius.
Robin.

724 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Eggs, 2 to 6. Size, about 1.08X.82. The eggs of this and the next
species vary in color and size, those of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo being
usually pale greenish blue, somewhat lighter in color than eggs of the
black-billed species. Bird, tail feathers not broadly tipped with
white; bill mostly black. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus.

Black-billed Cuckoo.
Eggs, 2 to 5. Size, about i.iSx.go. Bird, tail feathers broadly
tipped with white; under mandible, mostly yellow.

Coccyzus americanus.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

PART 4. EGGS MORE THAN 1.35 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about 1.50x1.15; pale greenish blue. Nest
usually near water. Butorides virescens.

Green Heron.

Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, about 2.00 x 1.46; pale greenish blue. Nest

near water. Nycticorax nycticorax ncevius.

Black-crowned Night Heron.

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about 2.55 to 2.70 x 1.55 to 1.65; pale blue

or greenish blue. Nest, a mass of sticks, usually in trees near water.

Ardea herodias.
Great Blue Heron.

SECTION 2. NEST IN HOLE IN TREE, STUMP, OR POST.

Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, about .84 x .65. Eggs sometimes almost pure
white, usually very pale blue or bluish white. Sialia sialis.

Bluebird.

SECTION 3. NEST ABOUT DWELLINGS AND BARNS.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about 1.12 x .80; color, greenish blue.

Planesticus migratorius.
Robin.

SECTION 4. NEST IN OPEN FIELDS, ON GROUND, OR
IN BUNCH OF GRASS.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .80 x .60; color, very pale blue.

Spiza americana.
Dickcissel. Black-throated Bunting.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 725

SECTION 5. NEST IN SWAMPY PLACES IN REEDS OR
GRASS, ON GROUND OR ON FLOATING VEGETATION.

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about 1.20 x .92. Color, very pale blue or blu-
ish white. Nest in reeds or small bushes in swamp or pond.

Ixobrychus exilis.
Least Bittern.
Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, about 2 x 1.46. Color, pale greenish blue.
Size will distinguish them from preceding species.

Nycticorax nycticorax ncBvius.
Black-crowned Night Heron.

GROUP 3. EGGS NOT WHITE OR BLUE
(UNMARKED).

SECTION I. NEST ON BRANCHES OF TREES OR

BUSHES.

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about 1.16X.82; occasionally pale bluish or
brownish without inarking, but usually pale bluish or greenish inarked
and scrawled with dark brown or black.

Quiscalus quiscula ceneus.

Bronzed Grackle.

SECTION 2. NEST IN HOLE IN TREE, STUMP OR POST.

Eggs, 6 to 8. Size, about .64 x .49; occasionally pale vinaceous or
pinkish without marking, but usually thickly speckled.

Troglodytes aedon (or parkntanii).
House Wren.
Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about 1.16 x .82 ; pale bluish or greenish marked
and scrawled with dark brown or black.

Quiscalus quiscula ceneus.

Bronzed Grackle.

Eggs, 8 to 14. Size, about 2.05 x 1.55; pale bufif or brownish white.

Aix sponsa.
Wood Duck.

726 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

SECTION 3. NEST ABOUT DWELLINGS AND BARNS.

Eggs, 6 to 8. Size, about .64 x .49; occasionally pale vinaceous or
pinkish without marking, but usually thickly speckled.

Troglodytes a'edon (or parknianii).
House Wren.

SECTION 4. NEST IN OPEN FIELDS, ON GROUND OR
IN BUNCH OF GRASS.

Eggs, 10 to 14. Size, about 1.70 x 1.26. Color, cream buff or pale
olive buff. Tympanuchns atticricanus.

Prairie Hen.

SECTION 5. NEST ON GROUND IN WOODS IN DRY

PLACES.

Eggs, 8 to 14. Size, about 1.5 1 x 1.16. Color, pale buff or buff}'
white. Bonasa iiinbclhis.

Ruffed Grouse.

SECTION 6. NEST IN SWAMPY PLACES, IN REEDS OR
GRASS, ON GROUND OR ON FLOATING VEGETATION.

Eggs, 6 to 12. Size, about 1.85 x 1.32; pale buff or creamy buff.

Qucrqitcdiila discors.

Blue-winged Teal.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about 1.90 x 1.44; grayish olive or olive drab.

Botaurus lentiginosus.
American Bittern.

GROUP 4. EGGS SPOTTED OR MARKED CHIEFLY
AT LARGER END.

SECTION I. NEST IN BRANCHES OF TREES OR

BUSHES.

PART I. EGGS LESS THAN .75 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .63 x .50; dull white, marked with light
brown. Bird, sides of body yellow, outer tail feathers pale yellow,
broadly tipped with brown. (Female.) Setophaga ruticilla.

Redstart.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illixois and Wisconsin — Cory. 727

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about .66 x .48; dull white, marked with light
brown. Bird, general plumage, yellow. Dcndroica ccstiva.

Yellow Warbler.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .69 x .50; dull white, marked with dark

slate brown. Bird, above bright greenish yellow; underparts, white,

outer tail feathers showing much white. Dendroica pensylvanica.

Chestnut-sided Warbler.

Eggs, ^ to 5. Size, about .70 x .51 ; pale bluish white, marked with

rufous brown. Bird, crown, brown, no blackish streak through eye.

Spizella piisilla.

Field Sparrow.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .70X.50; pale blue, sparingly marked

with dark brown or brownish black. Bird, crown, bright rufous brown,

a black streak through the eye. Spizella passerina.

Chipping Sparrow.

Eggs, 3 to 4. Size, about .70X.54; creamy white, marked with

dark brown. Bird, upper parts, dark olive; under parts, dusky white.

M yiochancs vircns.

Wood Pewee Flycatcher.

Eggs, 2 to 3. Size, about .73X.54: cream white or buff white,

sparingly marked with dark brown. Bird, upper parts, olive; throat,

whitish; belly, yellow. Empidonax vtrcsccns.

Green-crested Flycatcher.

Eggs, 3 or 4. Size, about .75 x .54; pure white, sparsely speckled

or marked with small dots of dark brown. Bird, upper parts, gray;

under parts, whitish; sides tinged with pale yellow. Vireosylva gilva.

Warbling Vireo.

PART 2. EGGS .75 OR MORE IN. LONG.

Eggs, 2 to 3. Size, about .75 x .55; creamy white or buff white,
sparingly marked with dark brown. Bird, upper parts, olive; throat,
whitish; belly, yellow. Empidonax virescens.

Green-crested Flycatcher.

Eggs, 3 to 4. Size, about .75 x .55.; pure white, sparsely speckled

or marked with small dots of dark brown. Bird, upper parts, gray;

under parts, whitish; sides tinged with pale yellow. Vireosylva gilva.

Warbling Vireo.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about . Sox. 58; bluish white or dull white,

scrawled and marked with dark brown and lilac-gray. Bird, entire

under parts, yellow. (Female.) Icterus spuriiis.

Orchard Oriole.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about .80 x .60; white, more or less dotted or

scrawled with dark brown and pale gray brown. Bird, crown, chestnut,

with whitish stripe in middle ; cheek, chestnut ; black stripe on sides of

throat; throat and under parts, whitish. Chondcstcs grammacns.

Lark Sparrow. Lark Finch.

Eggs, 3 to 4. Size, about .80 x .60; white, marked sparsely with

dots of dark brown. Bird, throat and breast, yellow: belly, white;

wings showing white band. Lanivireo flavifrons.

Yellow-throated Vireo.

728 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Eggs, 3 to 4. Size, about .81 x .56; white, marked sparsely with
dots of dark brown. Bird, throat and under parts, mostly white; crown,
slaty; back, olive green. Vireosylva olivacea.

Red-eyed Vireo.

Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, about .92 x .61; dull white, sparsely scrawled

and marked with dark brown or blackish. Bird, plumage showing

more or less yellow. Icterus galbida.

Baltimore Oriole.
Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about .95 x .73 ; clear white, marked with dark
brown and black. Bird, under parts, white; upper parts, dark.

Tyr annus tyr annus.

Kingbird.

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about 1.16 x .82; pale bluishor greenish, marked

and scrawled with dark brown and black. Qniscalus quiscula ceneus.

Bronzed Grackle.

SECTION 2. NEST IN HOLE IN TREE, STUMP OR POST.

Eggs, 5 to 8. Size, about .60 x .48 ; white, marked with pale brown.

Penthestes atricapillus.

Chickadee.

Eggs, 6 to 8. Size, about .64 x .49; vinaceous, speckled with pale

brown. Troglodytes a'edon (or parkmanii) .

House Wren.

SECTION 3. NEST ABOUT DWELLINGS AND BARNS.

Eggs, 6 to 8. Size, about .64 x .49; vinaceous or pale lilac-brown,
speckled all over with pale brown.

Troglodytes a'edon (or parkmanii).
House Wren.

SECTION 4. NEST IN OPEN FIELDS ON GROUND OR
IN BUNCH OF GRASS.

(Eggs in this section may usually be distinguished by size.)

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about .70X.51; pale bluish white, marked with
rufous brown. Spizella pusilla.

Field Sparrow.
Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .73X.56; speckled and spotted with red-
dish brown, occasionally showing small markings of black and dull
lavender. Coturnictdus savannarum australis.

Grasshopper Sparrow. Yellow-winged Sparrow.
Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .78 x 60; white or bluish white, thickly
marked with rufous brown. Bird, breast striped with brown.

Melospiza melodia.
Song Sparrow.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 729

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about .80 x .60; white, more or less dotted or
scrawled with dark brown and pale gray brown.

Chondestes grammaciis.

Lark Sparrow. Lark Finch.

■ Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, about i.iox.78; white, spotted and speckled

with rufous brown and faint lilac-gray. Sturnella magna.

Meadowlark.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about 1.80 x 1.30; bufT, spotted and speckled

with various tints of brown. Bartramia longicauda.

Bartramian Sandpiper. Upland Plover.

SECTION 5. NEST IN WOODS ON GROUND IN DRY

PLACES.

Eggs, 4 to 5. vSize, about .80 X .60; white, speckled and marked
with vinaceous brown or pale brown. Seiurus aurocapillus.

Oven-bird.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .95 x .71 ; pale vinaceous, thickly speckled

and tinged all over with pale brown, sometimes blotched at the larger

end. Pipilo erythrophthalmus.

Towhee.

^SSS, 2. Size, about 1.15X.84; white or creamy white, marked

with pale brown and lilac-gray. Antrostomus vociferus.

Whip-poor-will.

SECTION 6. NEST IN SWAMPY PLACES IN REEDS OR
GRASS, ON GROUND OR ON FLOATING VEGETATION.

PART I. EGGS LESS THAN 1.15 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about .70 x .52; white, marked with pale brown.

Geothlypis trichas.
Maryland Yellow-throat.
Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .78 x .60; white or bluish white, thickly
marked with rufous brown. Bird, breast striped with brown.

Melospiza melodia.
Song Sparrow.
Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about i.oox.70. Eggs, pale blue or pale green-
ish blue, blotched and scrawled with dark brown or blackish.

Agelaius phaeniceus.
Red-winged Blackbird.

PART 2. EGGS FROM 1.15 TO 1.35 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about 1.25 x .92; creamy buff or cream-white,
blotched with dark brown Actitis macularia.

Spotted Sandpiper.

730 Field Museum ui'' Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

PART 3. EGGS MORE THAN 1.35 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 3 to 4. Size, about 1.48 x i.oS; pale buff, blotched and
scrawled with dark brown. The slight but constant difference in
color and size will distinguish the eggs of this species from those of the
Wilson's Snipe. Oxyechus vociferus.

Killdeer Plover.

Eggs, 3 to 4. Size, about 1.55 x 1.15; olive gray or brownish ash,

marked with chocolate brown. Gallinago dcUcata.

Wilson's Snipe.

Eggs, 4. Size, about 1.55 x 1.16; buffy or pale brown, spotted with

rusty brown and pale purplish gray. PJiilolida minor.

Woodcock.

SECTION 7. NEST ON SANDY SHORES AND BEACHES.

Eggs, 3 to 4. vSize, about 1.25 x .94; pale buff or pale olive buff,
marked and scrawled with dark brown. Nest, eggs deposited in depres-
s'on in sand on beach or near shore. .'Egialitis iiicloda.

Piping Plover.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about 1.25 x .92; creamy buff or cream-white,

blotched with dark brown. Aciitis ntacularia.

Spotted Sandpiper.

Eggs, 3 to 4. Size, about 1.4S x 1.08; pale buff, blotched and

scrawled with dark brown. Oxyechus vocifertis.

Killdeer Plover.

GROUP 5. EGGS SPECKLED ALL OVER.

SECTION I. NEST IN BRANCHES OF TREES OR

BUSHES.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .56 x .54 ; bluish white, dotted with brown.

Polio ptila Cicnilca.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.
Eggs, usually i or 2. Size, about .87 x .66. Eggs deposited in some
other bird's nest. Color, white or pale buff, speckled with brown.

Molothriis ater.

Cowbird.

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about 1.07 x .79; ground color, grayish or pale

bluish white, thickly speckled with cinnamon-brown or rufous brown.

Toxostoma rufuf-n.
Brown Thrasher.

Jan., igoQ. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 731

SECTION 2. NEST IN HOLE IN TREE, STUAIP OR

POST.

Eggs, 5 to 8. Size, about .60 x .48 ; ^vhite, speckled with pale brown.

Penthestcs atricapillus.

Chickadee.

Eggs, 6 to 8. Size, about .64 x .49; vinaceous, speckled with ])ale

brown. Troglodytes a'edon (or parkmanii).

House Wren.

SECTION 3. NEST ABOUT DWELLINGS AND BARNS.

Eggs, 6 to 8. Size, about .64 x .49; vinaceous, speckled with pale
brown. Troglodytes aidon (or parkmanii).

House Wren.

Eggs, 2. Size, about 1.20X.85; pale olive buff or grayish white,

thicklv speckled (usually marked) with brown and washed in places

with pale purplish gray. Location, eggs sometimes deposited on roof

of house, usually in a held. Chordeiles virginianus.

Nighthawk.

SECTION 4. NEST IN OPEN FIELDS ON GROUND OR
IN BUNCH OF GRASS.

PART I. EGGS LESS THAN i IX. LONG.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about .8SX.62; pale, olive or dull whitish,
thickly speckled and marked with pale brownish olive.

Otocoris alpcstris praticola.
Prairie Horned Lark.
Eggs, usually i or 2. Size, about .87 x .66; deposited in some other
bird's nest. Color, white or pale bufif, speckled with brown.

Molothnis atcr.
Cowbird.

PART 2. EGGS FROM i TO 1.50 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 2. Size, about 1.19X.86; pale olive buff or grayish white,
thickly dotted and speckled with brown, and washed in places with pale
purplish gray. Location, eggs deposited on a rock or on the ground,
sometimes on flat roofs of houses. Chordeiles virginianus.

Nighthawk.

732 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.
PART 3. EGGS MORE THAN 1.50 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 10 to 14. Size, about 1.70 x 1.26; cream buff or pale olive
buff, sometimes speckled with brown. Tympanuchus americanus.

Prairie Hen.

SECTION 5. NEST ON GROUND IN WOODS IN DRY

PLACES.

Eggs, usually i or 2. Size about .87 x .66. Eggs are deposited in
some other bird's nest. Color, white or pale buff, speckled with brown.

Molothrus ater.

Cowbird.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .95 x .71 ; pale vinaceous, thickly speckled

with pale brown. Pipilo erythrophthalmus .

Towhee.

SECTION 6. NEST IN SWAMPY PLACES, IN REEDS OR
GRASS, ON THE GROUND OR ON FLOATING
VEGETATION.

PART I. EGGS LESS THAN 1.50 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 5 to 9. Size, about .66X.48; thickly speckled with cinnamon
or olive brown. Nest, globular; entrance in side; attached to reeds
(sometimes small bushes). Telmatodytes palustris.

Long-billed Marsh Wren.

Eggs, usually i or 2. Size about .87 x .66. Eggs are deposited in

some other bird's nest. Color, white or pale buff, speckled with

brown. Molothrus ater.

Cowbird.

Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, about i.oox.71; grayish or grayish white,

speckled with pale cinnamon-brown. Nest, a mass of grass and reeds.

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus.
Yellow-headed Blackbird.

PART 2. EGGS MORE THAN 1.50 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 8 to 13. Size, about 1.78x1.20; pale buff, with irregular
marks of rufous brown or clear brown. Gallinula galeata.

Florida Gallinule.

^ggs, 7 to 14. Size, about 1.88x1.28; pale buffy white, finely

speckled and dotted with black. Fulica americana.

American Coot.

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734 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

GROUP G. EGGS MARKED ALL OVER WITH
IRREGULAR BLOTCHES, SPOTS OR STREAKS.

SECTION I. NEST ON BR.\NCHES OF TREES OR

BUSHES.

PART I. EGGS LESS THx\N .85 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .56 X .45 ; bluish white or dull white,
marked and speckled with brown. Bird, very small; general color,
bluish gray. Polioptila cccnilca.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .78X.60; bluish white or dull white,

irregularly marked with brown. Nest in low bushes or on ground. Bird,

under parts, white; breast streaked with brown. Alelospiza niclodia.

Song Sparrow.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about . Sox. 58; bluish white or dull white,

scrawled and marked with dark brown and lilac-gray. Nest, attached

to branch, rarely less than 10 or 15 feet from ground. Bird, entire

under parts, yellow. (Female.) Icterus spurius.

Orchard Oriole.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about .80 x .60; white or pinkish white, more or

less dotted and scrawled with dark brown and pale gray brown. Bird,

under parts, whitish; black stripe on side of throat; cheek showing

patch of chestnut. Chondestes gramniacus.

Lark Sparrow.

PART 2. EGGS FROM .85 TO .95 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about .87 x .62 ; pale bluish gray, with scattered
markings of black or dark brown. Bird, head with crest; general color,
soft grayish brown; belly, yellow; tip of tail, yellow. (Female.)

Bomhycilla ccdroruin.

Cedar Waxwing. Cedar Bird.

Eggs, usually i or 2. Size about .87 x .66; deposited in some other

bird's nest. Color, white or pale buff, irregularly and thickly

marked with brown. Molothriis ater.

Cowbird.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about .90X.67; white, spotted and finely

marked with pale brown or lilac-brown. Bird, throat and breast,

bright yellow. Icteria virens.

Yellow-breasted Chat.
Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, about .92 x .61; dull white, sparsely scrawled
and marked with dark brown or blackish. Nest, pendulous, hanging
below the branch. Bird, under parts, orange yellow. (Female.)

Icterus galbiila.
Baltimore Oriole.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 735

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about .98 x .67; pale blue, marked with rufous
brown or olive brown. Bird, above, brownish; under parts, dull white,
with narrow streaks of brown. (Female.) Zamelodia ludoviciana.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

PART 3. EGGS BETWEEN .95 AND 1.05 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, about .95 x .62; dull white, sparsely scrawled
and marked with dark brown or blackish. Nest, pendulous, hanging
below the branch. Bird, under parts, orange yellow. (Female.)

Icterus galbula.

Baltimore Oriole.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about .95 x .73; clear white, marked with dark

brown or blackish. Tyrannus tyrannus.

Kingbird.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about .98 x .73 ; dull white or ashy white, marked

^\ith olive brown. Lanins Indovicianns.

Loggerhead Shrike.

PART 4. EGGS FROM 1.05 TO 1.30 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about i.io x .82; pale olive green or pale ohve
buff, marked and speckled with brown. Cyanocitta cristata.

Blue Jay.

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about 1.16 x .82 ; pale bluish or greenish, marked

and scrawled with dark brown and black. (luiscaliis quisciila ccnciis.

Bronzed Grackle.

PART 5. EGGS FROM 1.30 TO 2 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about 1.50 x 1.20; dull white or buffy white,
blotched with brown. Accipiter velox.

Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, about 1.66 x 1.18; generally pale green (some-
times bluish), marked with olive brown. Corviis brachyrhynchos.

American Crow.

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about 1.92x1,53; pale bluish white' or dull

white, showing faint marking of pale brown. Accipiter cooperii.

Cooper's Hawk.

Eggs, 2 to 4. Size, about 1.95x1.56; dull white, spotted and

blotched with olive brown or cinnamon-brown. Biiteo platyptcrus.

Broad-winged Hawk.

PART 6. EGGS MORE THAN 2 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 2 to 4. Size, about 2.05x1.56; dull white, spotted and
blotched with olive brown or cinnamon-brown. Buteo platypteriis.

Broad-winged Hawk.

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about 2.15x1.70; dull white, marked and

blotched with brown. Bird, tail showing white bars. Bntco lincatus.

Red-shouldered Hawk,

736 Field Museum of Natural History — -Zoology, Vol. IX.

Eggs, 2 to 4. Size, about 2.40 x 1.82; dull white, scantily marked
with olive brown or cinnamon-brown. Bird, tail, rufous brown, no
white bars. Buteo borealis.

Red-tailed Hawk.

SECTION 2. NEST IN HOLE IN TREE, STUMP OR POST.

PART I. EGGS LESS THAN i IN. LONG.

Eggs, 5 to 8. Size, about .73 x .56; white, marked with pale rufous
brown or lavender brown. Sitta carolinensis.

White-breasted Nuthatch.
Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about .90 x .69 ; pale cream-brown or buff white,
marked and streaked longitudinally with chocolate brown.

Myiarchiis crinitus.
Crested Flycatcher.

PART 2. EGGS MORE THAN i IN. LONG.

Eggs, 3 to 6. Size, about 1.16 x .82 ; pale bluish or greenish, marked
and scrawled with dark brown and black. Quiscalus qtiiscula csneus.

Bronzed Grackle.
Eggs, 3 to 7. Size, about 1.38 x 1.14; pale tawny brown or brown-
ish white, marked and speckled with various shades of brown.

Falco sparverius.
Sparrow Hawk.

SECTION 3. NEST ABOUT DWELLINGS AND BARNS.
PART I. EGGS LESS THAN i IN. LONG.

Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, about .77 x .54 ; white, marked with cinnamon or
olive brown. The slight difference in size will usually distinguish these
eggs from those of next species. Bird, tail forked; belly, rufous brown.

Hirundo erythrogastra.

Barn Swallow.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .81 x .55; white, marked with cinnamon

or rufous brown; usually more pronounced than in preceding species.

Bird, tail not forked; belly, white. Petrochelidon lunifrons.

Cliff Swallow.

PART 2. EGGS MORE THAN i IN. LONG.

Eggs, 3 to 5. Size, about 1.12X.80; usually bluish green (un-
marked), rarely with irregular spots of reddish brown.

Planesticus migratorius.

Robin.

, Eggs, 2. Size, about 1.20X.85; pale olive buff or grayish white,

thickly marked and speckled with brown and washed in places with

purplish gray. Eggs sometimes deposited on roof of house, usually in

fields, • Chordeiles virginianus.

Nighthawk.

Jan., igog. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 737

SECTION 4. NEST IN OPEN FIELDS ON GROUND OR
IN BUNCH OF GRASS.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .73 x.56; white, speckled and spotted
with reddish brown, occasionally showing small markings of black and
dull lavender. Bird, no stripes on throat or breast; belly, white.

Coturmculus savannariim australis.

Grasshopper Sparrow. Yellow-winged Sparrow.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .77 x.56; dull white or bluish white,

thickly marked (somtimes washed) with cinnamon-brown or dull

rufous brown, nearly obscuring the ground color. Bird, breast striped.

a tinge of yellow over the eye. Passerculns sandwichensis savanna.

Savanna Sparrow.
Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .78 x .60; white or bluish white, irregu-
larly marked with rufous brown. Bird,' breast heavily streaked with
dark brown. Melospiza melodia.

Song Sparrow.
Eggs, 4 to 6. Size, about .82 x .61 ; white or pinkish white, marked
and scrawled with black and pale purplish brown.

Pocecetes gramineus.

Vesper Sparrow. Bay-winged Bunting.

Eggs, 4 to 7. Size, about .84 x .62; grayish white or dull white,

with a few large blotches of vandyke brown and scattered dots of black

and dull brown. Dolichonyx oryzivorus.

Bobolink.

Eggs, usually i or 2. Size, about .87X.66; deposited in some

other bird's nest. Color, white or pale buff, marked all over with

irregular spots of brown. Molothrus ater.

Cowbird.

Eggs, 4 to 6. vSize, about 1.12 x .80; white, sparsely marked and

speckled with brown and lilac-gray. The size will distinguish eggs of

this species from others in this section. Sturnella magna (or races).

Meadowlark.
Eggs, 2. Size, about 1.20X.85; pale olive bufif or grayish white,
thickly marked and speckled with brown and washed in places with
purplish gray. Eggs deposited on ground or on a rock.

Chordeiles virginianus.
Nighthawk.

SECTION 5. NEST ON GROUND IN WOODS IN DRY

PLACES. ,

PART I. EGGS LESS THAN i IN. LONG.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .80 X .62 ; white, speckled and spotted
with cinnamon-brown, rufous brown, or lilac-gray markings. Nest,
of good size, made of leaves and grasses, usually covered over, with
entrance on side. Seiurus aurocapillus.

Oven-bird.

738 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Eggs, usually i or 2. Size about .87 x .66; deposited in some other
bird's nest. Color, white or pale buff, thickly marked all over with
irregular spots of brown. Molothnis ater.

Cowbird.

PART 2. EGGS MORE THAN i IN. LONG.

Eggs, 2. Size, about 1.16X.84; dull white, with a few lilac-gray
markings and spots of dull brown. Nest, eggs deposited on ground
or a few leaves. Antrostomus vociferiis.

"Whip-poor-will.

Eggs, 4. Size, about 1.53 x 1.15; pale buff, marked and spotted

with light brown and rufous brown. Nest, eggs deposited on leaves on

ground. . Philohela ^ninor.

Woodcock.

SECTION 6. NEST IN SWAMPY PLACES IN REEDS OR
GRASS, ON GROUND OR ON FLOATING
VEGETATION.

PART I. EGGS LESS THAN i IN. LONG.

Eggs, 6 to 8. Size, about .66 x .47 ; usually pure white, rarely with
few pale gray or lavender-spots. Nest, globe-shaped, with entrance on
side. Cistothorus stellaris.

Short-billed Marsh Wren.
Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .76 x .56; whitish or bluish white, irregu-
larly speckled and :narked with rufous brown, similar but usually more
thickly marked than next species. Bird, breast not streaked with
brown. Melospiza georgiana.

Swamp Sparrow.

Eggs, 4 to 5. Size, about .78 x .59 ; white or bluish white, irregularly

speckled and marked with rufous brown. Bird, breast heavily streaked

with brown. Alelospiza melodia.

Song Sparrow.

Eggs, usually i or 2. Size, about .87 x .66; deposited in some other

bird's nest. Color, white or pale buff, irregularly marked with brown.

Molothrus ater.
Cowbird.

PART 2. EGGS FROM i TO 1.50 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 8 to 14. Size, about 1.24 x .90; buff or pale brownish buff,
sparsely marked with brown and purplish gray. Porzana Carolina.

Sora Rail. Carolina Rail.
Eggs, 6 to 12. Size, about 1.25 x .95; pale buffy white, sparingly
spotted and speckled with rufous brown and purplish gray.

Rallus virginianus .
Virginia Rail.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 739

Eggs, 2 to 3. Size, about 1.35 x .98 ; brownish olive, heavily marked
with dark brown. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis.

Black Tern,

Eggs, 4. Size, about 1.50 x 1.15; pale buff, marked and spotted

with light brown and rufous brown. Nest, eggs deposited on leaves

on o-round. Philohela minor.

Woodcock.

PART 3. EGGS MORE THAN 1.50 IN. LONG.

Eggs, 4. Size, about 1.52 x 1.15; pale bufif, marked and spotted
with light brown and rufous brown. Nest, eggs deposited on leaves
on ground. Philohela minor.

American Woodcock.
Eggs, 7 to 12. Size, about 1.63x1.20; buffy white (rarely dull
white), with scattered spots of rufous brown and occasional ones of
pale lilac-brown. Nest, a platform of grass and weeds.

Rallus elegans.
King Rail.
Eggs, 3. Size, about 1.78 x 1.20; variable; olive gray or pale buff ,
irregularly marked with dark brown. Nest, a mass of weeds.

Sterna jorsteri.
Foster's Tern.
Eggs, 2. Size, about 3.50 x 2.20; olive or olive brown, with scat-
tered marks and s[)ots of brownish black. Gavia immer.

Loon.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

A LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL WORKS AND PAPERS ON
THE BIRDS OF ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN.

1853
Hoy, p. R. Notes on the Ornithology of Wisconsin. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.

Phil., Vol. VI, 1852-53, pp. 304-313.
Hoy, P. R. Notes on the Ornithology of Wisconsin, corrected and reprinted

from the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.

Trans. Wis. State Agri. Soc, Vol. II, 1852 (1853), pp. 341-364.
LeBaron, Dr. Wm. Observations upon some of the Birds of Illinois most

interesting to the Agriculturist. Trans. 111. State Agri. Soc, Vol. I, 1853,

PP- 559-565-

1854
Barry, Rev. A. Ornithological Fauna of Wisconsin. Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat.

Hist., Jan., 1854.

1855

Kennicott, R. Catalogue of the Animals observed in Cook County, Illinois.
(Birds) Trans. 111. State Agri. Soc, Vol. I, 1853-54 (1855), pp. 580-589.

Kennicott, R. Species observed in the middle and southern Portions of the
State, which are not given in Mr. Pratten's Catalogue of the Birds of
southern Illinois. Trans. 111. State Agri. Soc, Vol. I, 1853-54 (1855),
pp. 589-591.

Pratten, H. Catalogue of the Birds of (southern) Illinois (Wayne and Ed-
wards Counties). Trans. 111. State Agri. Soc, Vol. I, 1853—54 (1855), pp.
598-609.

1856

Kennicott, R. Notes of the Occurrence of Plotus anhinga and Tantalus
loculator in southern Illinois. Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., 1856, p. 391.

1857
Brendel, F. Vogel der Umgegend Peorias in Illinois. Giebel's Zeitsch. fur
Naturw., 1857, p. 420.

1858
Cassin, J. Remarks on Falco polyagrus. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil., 1853,
p. I.

1859-60

Holder, R. H. Birds of IlHnois. Trans. 111. State. Agri. Soc, Vol. IV.
1859-60, pp. 605-613.

740

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 741

1862

Holder, R. H. Catalogue of the Birds of Illinois (2d ed.)- Trans. 111. Nat.
Hist. Soc, Vol. I, 1862, p. 77.

1865

Clifford, E. A. Birds injurious and beneficial to the Horticulturist. Trans.
111. State Agri. Soc, 1861-64 (1865), pp. 925-927.

1868

Allen, J. A. Some Remarks upon the Birds of Iowa and Illinois. Proc.

Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XII, 1868, p. 85.
Allen, J. A. Notes on Birds observed in northern Illinois in June, 1867.

Mem. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. I, 1868, pp. 502-522. 94 species.

1870

Brendel. F. The Fauna of Peoria. Forming chap. XXXIX, pp. 217-223,
of "The History of Peoria, Illinois," by Chas. Ballance, 1870.

1871
Allen, J. A. The Fauna of the Prairies. Amer. Nat., Vol. V, 1871, pp. 4-9.

1872

RiDGWAY, R. New Birds in southern Illinois. Amer. Nat., Vol. VI, July,
1872, pp. 430, 431.

1873

RiDGWAY, R. The PraiiHe Birds of southern Illinois. Amer. Nat., Vol. VII,
April, 1873, pp. 197-203.

1874

RiDGWAY, R. Catalogue of the Birds ascertained to occur in Illinois. Ann.
Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y., Vol. X, Jan., 1874, pp. 364-394.

RiDGWAY, R. The Lower Wabash Valley considered in its relation to the
Faunal Districts of the eastern Region of North America, with a Synopsis
of its Avian Fauna. Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XVI, Feb. 18, -1874,
pp. 304-332.

CouES, E. Birds of Illinois. Field & Stream (Chicago), May 2, 1874. (A
review of Ridgway's "Catalogue of the Birds ascertained to occur in
Illinois," in Ann. Lye. (Nat. Hist.) N. Y., Jan., 1874, pp. 364-394).

Editor's Note. Wild Pigeon very abundant in Michigan, Indiana and Wis-
consin in Beech Woods, Sept. 15, 1874. Forest & Stream, Vol. Ill, 1874,
p. 107.

1875

Allen, J. A. Notes on the Sharp-tailed Finch. Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist.,
Vol. XVII, March, 1875, pp. 292-294.

1876

Jones, Wm. L. April Birds in Illinois. Forest and Stream Aug. 3, 1876,
p. 418.

742 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Nelson, E. W. Additions to the Avi-fauna of Illinois, with Notes on other

Species of Illinois Birds. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. I, No. 2, July, 1876,

pp. 39-44-
Nelson, E. W. Notes upon Birds observed in southern Illinois between July

17 and September 4, 1875. Bull. Essex Inst., Vol. IX, 1875, pp. 32-65.
Nelson, E. W. Birds of Northeastern Illinois. Bull. Essex Inst., Vol. VIII,

Dec, 1876 (April, 1877), pp. go-155.
Eaton, D. H. Prairie Ornithology. Forest and Stream, Vol. VI, June 15,

1876, p. 301.

Eaton, D. H. Egg collecting in Illinois. Forest and Stream, Vol. VI, June
29, 1876, p. 337.

1877

"W. B." (Brewster, William). Nelson's "Birds of Northeastern Illinois."
Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club., Vol. II, July, 1S77, pp. 68-69. (Synopsis of
Nelson's paper in Bull. Essex Inst., 1876.)

CoALE, H. K. Junco oregonus in Illinois. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. II, July,

1877, p. 82. (Near Chicago, Oct. 14, 1875; one specimen.)

CoALE, H. K. MacCown's Longspur in Illinois. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. II,
April, 1877, p. 52.

CoALE, H. K. Notes on Nyctale acadica. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. II,
July, 1877, pp. 83-84.

CoUES, E. Eastward range of the Ferruginous Buzzard {Arciiibuteo ferrugin-
eus). Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. II, 1877, p. 26.

Jones, W. L. Arrivals of Birds (at Lebanon, lUinois). Field and Forest,
Vol. Ill, No. I, July, 1877, pp. 17-18.

Nelson, E. W. A Contribution to the Biography of Wilson's Phalarope.
Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. II, April, 1877, pp. 38-43.

Nelson, E. W. Notes upon Birds observed in southern Illinois between July
17, and Sept. 4, 1875. Bull. Essex Inst., Vol. IX, 1877, pp. 32-65.

Roberts, T. S. Notes on the Breeding of the Black Tern (Hydrochelidon
lariformis) in Minnesota. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. II, 1877, p. 34. (Con-
tains some notes on the breeding habits in Illinois by E. W. Nelson.)

1878
Brewster, Wm. The Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea). Bull.

Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. Ill, 1878, pp. 153-162.
RiDGWAY, R. Notes on Birds observed at Mt. Carmel, Southern Illinois, in
the Spring of 1878. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. Ill, No. 4, Oct., 1878,
pf 162—166.

1879

GiBBS, Dr. M. Annotated List of Birds, Michigan. Bull. U. S. Geogr. &
Geol. Surv. Terr., Vol. V, No. 3, Article XXIV, pp. 481 to 497 inclusive.
(Refers to occurrence of species in Illinois, p. 496.)

RiDGWAY, R. On a new Species of Peuccea from southern Illinois and central
Texas. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, October, 1879, pp. 218-222.

1880
Allen, J. A. Eastward Range of the Western Meadow Lark. Bull. Nutt.
Orn. Club, Vol. V, Jan., 1880, p. 53.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 743

Ballou, W. H. Bird Arrivals at Evanston, Illinois. Anier. Nat.. Vol. XIV,

July, 1880, p. 525.
Deane, R. Destruction of Birds b}^ Drowning. Bull. Xutt. (3rn. Club, Vol.

V, July, 1880, p. 192.
Nelson, E. W. Cotiirniculus lecontei. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. V, Jan.,

iSSo, p. 51.
RiDGWAY, R. On six Species of Birds new to the Fauna of Illinois, with Notes

on other rare Illinois Birds. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. V, January, 1880,

pp. 30-32.
RiDGWAY, R. The Northern Waxwing (Ampelis garrulns) in southern Illinois.

Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. V, April, 1880, p. 118.
WiDMANN, O. Notes on Birds of St. Louis, Mo. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. V,

July, 1880, p. 191.

1881

Forbes, S. A. The Snowbird {Junco hyemalis) in southern Illinois in June.

BuU. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VI, 1881, p. 180.
Hay, O. p. Hesperiphona vespertina in central Illinois. Bull. Nutt. Orn.

Club, Vol. VI, July, 1S81, p. 179.
HuRTER, J. The Harlequin Duck and the Glossy and Wood Ibises in southern

Illinois. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VI, April, 1881, p. 124.
RiDGWAY, R. A Catalogue of the Birds of Illinois. Bull. No. 4, 111. State

Labr. Nat. Hist., May, 1881, pp. 163-208.
RiDGWAY, R. An unaccountable Migration of the Red-headed Woodpecker.

Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VI, April. 1881, pp. 120-122.

1880-85

Nehrling, H. Beitriige zur Ornis des nordlichen Illinois. Jour, fur Orn.,
Oct., 1880, pp. 408-41; April, 1881, pp. 196-203; Oct., 1881, pp. 405-416;
Jan., 1883, pp. 84-97; July. 1883, pp. 225-257; April, 1885, pp. 142-151.

1882

Huxter, H. Wild Pigeons at Highland Park. Forest and Stream, Vol.

XVIII, Feb., 1882, p. 71.
Wheaton, Dr. J. M. Report on Birds of Ohio. Report Geol. Surv. of Ohio,

Vol. IV, Zoology and Botany, Part I, Columbus, Ohio, 1882, pp. 187-628.

1883
Co ALE, H. K. The Willow Thrush and Holboll's Linnet in lUinois. Bull.

Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VIII, Oct., 1883, p. 239.
Cooke, W. W. Mississippi Valley Migration. Ornithologist and Oologist,

Vol. VIII, No. 12, Dec, 1883, pp. 89-91.
Forbes, S. A. The Regulative Action of Birds upon Insect Oscillations.

Bull. 111. State Labr. Nat. Hist., Vol. I, No. 6, May, 1883, pp. 3-32.
Hancock, J. L. Parkman's Wren in IlHnois. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol.

VIII, July, 1883, p. 179.
HowEY, J. M. Bobolinks in northern Illinois. Oi-nithologist and Oologist,

Feb., 1883, p. 15.
King, F. H. Economic Relations of Wisconsin Birds. Geol. of Wis., Surv.

of 1873-1879, Vol. I, 1883, pp. 444-610.

744 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

MuNDT, A. H. Oological and Ornithological. Ornithologist and Oologist,

Vol. VIII, No. 2, Feb., 1883, pp. 9-10.
RiDGWAY, R. On Leconte's Bunting {Coturnicidus lecontei) and other Birds

observed in southeastern Ilhnois. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VIII, Jan.,

1883, p. 58.
Strumberg, C. W. Notes from Galesburg, 111. Ornithologist and Oologist,

Vol. VIII, No. I, Jan., 1883, p. 8.
WiLLARD, S. W. Migration and Distribution of North American Birds in

Brown and Outagamie Counties. Trans. Wis. Acad. Sci., Vol. VI, 1881-83,

p. 177-196.

18S4
CooKE, W. W. Migration in the Mississippi Valley. Ornithologist and Oolo-
gist, Vol. IX, No. 9, Sept., 1884, pp. 105-108.
(W. S. C.) Notes from Peoria, 111. Young Oologist, Vol, I, No. 3, July, 1884,

P- 43-
Henshaw, H. W. The Shore Larks of the United States and adjacent Ter-
ritory. The Auk, Vol. I, 1884, pp. 254-268. (Description of O. alpestris
praticola var. nov. from Richland Co., Illinois, on page 264.)

1885
Coale, H. K. a new Bird for Ilhnois. The Auk, Vol. II, Jan., 1885, pp. 109,

1 10.

CooKE, W. W. Bird Migration in the Mississippi VaUey. Winter birds of
southern Ilhnois. Forest and Stream, Vol. XXIII, No. 23, Jan. i, 1885,
pp. 444, 445; No. 24, Jan. 8, 1885, pp. 463, 464.

Dickinson, J. E. Note announcing Capture of a Specimen of Nyctala teng-
malmi richardsoni at Rockford, Winnebago Co., Ilhnois, Oct. 15, 1884.
Ornithologist and Oologist, March, 1885, p. 47. (Snowy Owls and North-
ern Waxwings also mentioned.)

"Kinney." Notes from northern Illinois. Young Oologist, Vol. II, No. 2,
June, 1885, p. 27.

Kline, H. A. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Ornithologist and Oologist,
Vol. IX, 1884, p. 119.

Sharpe, R. B. Catalogue of the Passeriformes or Perching Birds in the Col-
lection of the British Museum, etc. Vol. X, London, 1885, p. 305. (Lists
a skin of an adult female bird, Geothlypis macgillivrayi, from Chicago,
collected by Henry K. Coale.)

1886
Bbal, F. E. L. Some Notes on Bird Migration. Amer. Nat., Vol. XX, Sept.,
1886, p. 817.

1887
Coale, H. K. Ornithological Curiosities. A Hawk with nine Toes and a

Bobolink with Spurs on its Wings. The Auk, Vol. IV, 1887, p. 331.
Ridgway, R. List of Birds found breeding within the corporate Limits of

Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Ridgway Ornithological Club, Bulletin No. 2,

April, 1887, pp. 26-35.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 745

1888

Cooke, W. W. Bird Migration of the Mississippi Valley in the Years 1S84-85.

Bull. No. 2, U. S. Dept. of Agri., Div. of Econom. Orn., 1888, p. 314.
Deane, R. Destruction in Migration. Forest and Stream, Vol. XXI, Dec,

1888, p. 385.
Hancock, J. L. The northern Range of Oporornis jormosa in 111. The Auk.,

Vol. V, 1888, p. 210.
Hancock, J. L. Impeded Migration and Destruction of Birds at Chicago.

The Auk, Vol. V, 1888, pp. 432-434.

1889

Brewster, Wm. The present Status of the Wild Pigeon (Ectopistes migra-

torius) as a Bird of the United States, with some Notes on its Habits.

The Auk, Vol. V, 1889, p. 285-291. (Refers to the species in Wis.)
Gault, B. T. Lapland Longspur at Chicago in June. The Auk, Vol V, 1889,

p. 278.
Hough, E. Prairie Chickens in Morgan Park. Chicago and the West, Vol.

XXXIII, Aug. 22, 1889, p. 86.
Kimball, F. H. Mortality among Eave Swallows. The Auk, Vol. VI, 1889,

PP- 338-339-
RiDGWAY, R. The Ornithology of Illinois. Nat. Hist. Surv. 111., State Labr.

Nat. ilist.. Vol. I, 1889.
Strode, W. S. The Food of the Owls. Amer. Nat., Vol. XXIII, 18S9, pp.

17-24.

1890

Garman, H. a preliminary Report of the Animals of the Mississippi Bottoms

near Quincy, Illinois. Trans. Wis. Acad. Sci., Vol. Ill, Part I, 1890

(1896), p. 131.
"Korax." Yellow Rail in Chicago. Forest and Stream, Vol. XXXV, Dec,

1890, p. 431.
Poling, O. C. Notes on the Fringillidse of Western Illinois. The Auk, Vol.

VII, 1890, p. 238.

1891

Butler, A. W. A Catalogue of the Birds of Indiana. Trans. Ind. Hort.

Soc, 1890, Appendix C, pp. 1-135.
Loucks, W. E. List of Birds found breeding in the Vicinity of Peoria, 111.

Oologist, Vol. VIII, 1891, p. 224.

1892

Butler, A. W. Notes on the Range and Habits of the Carolina Parrakeet.

The Auk, Vol. IX, 1892, pp. 49-56. (Refers to the species in Illinois.)
Hough, E. Rufifed Grouse at Hinsdale. Chicago and the West, Vol.

XXXVIII, Aug., 1892, p. 86.
Hough, E. Bald Eagle killed at Calumet Heights. Chicago and the West,

Vol. XXXVIII, Dec. i, 1892, p. 469.
Hatch, P. L. Notes on the Birds of Minnesota. Geol. and Nat. Hist. Surv.

of Minn. First report, June, 1892.
LouCKS, W. E. An oological Trip to central Illinois. Oologist, Vol. IX, 1892,

p. 196.

746 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

1893
Hough, E. Canvasback Ducks in Calumet Lake. Forest and Stream, Vol.

XL, March 23, 1893, p. 253.
LoucKS, W. E. The Illinois River Valley from an Ornithologist's Standpoint.

Oologist, Vol. X, 1893, p. 119.
MuRCHisoN, A. C. Distribution of the Long-eared Owl and Cooper's Hawk

in Illinois. Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XVIII, 1893.
MuRCHisoN, A. C. Distribution of the Mocking Bird in Illinois. Ornithologist

and Oologist, Vol. XVIII, 1893, pp. 67-70.
MuRCHisoN, A. C. Distribution of the Black-crowned Night Heron in Il-
linois. Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XVIII, 1893, p. 82.
Van Winkle. The Caspian or Imperial Tern. Oologist, Vol. X, No. 4,

April, 1893, p. 1 14.
White, S. E. Birds observed on Mackinac Island, Michigan, during the

Summers of 1889, 1890, and 1891. The Auk, Vol X, 1893, p. 228.

1894

Clark, E. S. The Last of his Race. Chicago Tribune, Nov. 25, 1894. (Pas-
senger Pigeon takes refuge in Lincoln Park.)

Coale, H. K. Willow Thrush in Northeastern Illinois. The Auk, Vol. XI,
July, 1894, p. 222.

Dickinson, J. E. Kirtland's Warbler in Illinois. Wilson Ornithological
Chapter, Bull. No. 4, Oberlin, Ohio, Jan. 15, 1895.

Gault, B. T. Kirtland's Warbler in Northeastern Illinois. The Auk, Vol.

XI, 1894, p. 258.

LoucKS, W. E. The Life History and Distribution of the Prothonotary War-
bler in Illinois. Bull. 111. State Labr. Nat. Hist., Vol. IV, 1894, pp. 10-35,
with map.

1895

Deane, R. Additional Notes on the Passenger Pigeon in Illinois and In-
diana. The Auk, Vol. XII, Jan., 1895, p. 98.

Deane, R. Additional Records of the Passenger Pigeon in Illinois and Indiana.
The Auk, Vol. XII, July, 1895, PP- 298-300.

Dunn, J. O. Notes on some Birds of Northeastern Illinois. The Auk, Vol.

XII, Oct., 1895, pp. 393-395-

Dunn, J. O. The Passenger Pigeon in the Upper Mississippi Valley. The

Auk, Vol. XII, 1895, p. 389.
Gault, B. T. The Passenger Pigeon in Northeastern Illinois. The Auk,

Vol. XII, 1895, p. 80.
Gault, B. T. The Willow Thrush. The Auk, Vol. XII, 1895, p. 85.
Grundtvig, F. L. On the Birds of Shiocton in Bovina, Outagamie County,

Wisconsin, 1881-83. Trans. Wis. Acad, of Sci., Arts and Letters, Vol. X,

1894-1895, pp. 73-158. (Translated by Chas. E. Faxon.)
Praeger, W. E. Two records from Keokuk, Iowa. The Auk, Vol. XII, 1895,

p. 85.
RiDGWAY, R. The Ornithology of Illinois. Nat. Hist. Surv. 111., State Labr.

Nat. Hist., Vol. II, 1895, illustrated.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 747

1S96

Cherrie, G. K. Ardetta neoxena from Wisconsin. The Auk, Vol. XIII, 1896,

p. 79.
Deane, R. Additional Records of the Passenger Pigeon {Ectopistes migra-

toriiis) in Wisconsin and Illinois. The Auk, Vol. XIII, 1896, p. 81.
Cory, C. B. A List of the Birds of Eastern North America, Boston, 1896.

(Species which occur in Illinois are indicated.)
Gault, B. T. Recent Occurrence of the Turkey Vulture and Bald Eagle in

Cook County, Illinois. Wilson Bull., No. 9, July 30, 1896, p. 3-4.
Hough, E. Acclimating Quail at Calumet Heights. Forest and Stream, Vol.

XLVII, Dec, 1896, p. 467.
Woodruff, F .M. The Raven in Illinois. The Auk, Vol. XIII, 1896, pp. 83-84.
Woodruff, F. M. On Birds reported as rare in Cook County, Illinois. The

Auk, Vol. XIII, 1896, pp. 179-181.

1897

Blackwelder, E. Notes on Occurrence of Smith's Longspur. The Osprey,

Vol. I, 1897, p. 67.
Butler, A. W. The unusual Occurrence of Brunnich's Murre iUria lomvia)

far inland, with Notes on other rare Birds. The Auk, Vol. XIV, April,

1897, pp. 197-200.
Gault, B. T. Unusual winter Visitors in DuPage County, IlHnois. Wilson

Bull., No. 12, Jan., 1897, p. 10.
Gault, B .T. Short Notes; The Red Crossbill. Wilson Bull., No. 13, March,

1897, p. 20.

Hess, I. E. Nesting of Bachman's Sparrow. Nidologist, Vol. IV, 1897, p. 93.
Hough, E. Raven and Snowy Owl at Calumet Heights. Forest and Stream,

Vol. XLIX, Nov. 20, 1897, p. 401.
Woodruff, F. M. The Home of the Loggerhead Shrike. The Osprey, Vol. I,

No. 8, 1897, p. 109.
Woodruff, F. M. Lake Michigan Bird Notes. The Auk, Vol. XIV, 1897,

pp. 227-228.

1898

Deane, R. The Passenger Pigeon {Ectopistes migratorius) in Wisconsin and

Nebraska. The Auk, Vol. XV, 1898, p. 184.
Ferry, J. F. Winter Observations at Lake Forest. The Osprey, Vol. II, 1898,

pp. 88-89.
Woodruff, F. M. Lake Michigan Notes. The Auk, Vol. XV, No. i, Jan.,

1898, pp. 61-62, p. 109.

1899
Blackwelder, E. A Note on Kirtland's Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandi). The

Auk, Vol. XVI, 1899, p. 359.
Bry.\x, Wm. a. Pinicola enucleator canadensis and Tryngites subnificollis

in Illinois. The Auk, Vol. XVI, 1899, p. 276.
Bryan, Wm. A. Melanerpes erythrocephalus wintering in Chicago. The Auk,

Vol. XVI, 1899, p. 272.
Chapman, F. M. Further Notes on Dendroica kirtlandi. The Auk, Vol. XVI,

1899, p. 81.

748 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

Deane, R. Notes on the Breeding of the Wilson's Snipe {Gallinago delicata)
in Ilhnois and Indiana. The Auk, Vol. XVI, 1899, PP- 270-272.

WoRTHEN, C. K. Capture of a second Specimen of Harlan's Hawk {Bute'o
harlani). The Osprey, Vol. Ill, 1899, p. 94.

1900
Allen, J. A. The Little Black Rail. The Auk, Vol. XVII, Jan., 1900, p. i.

(Refers to the nesting of the species in Illinois.)
Bennetts, W. J. Occurrence of the Mocking Bird in Milwaukee County.

Bull. Wis. Nat. Hist. Soc, Vol. I, (New series), No. i, 1900, p. 61.
Bennetts, W. J. On the Occurrence of the Evening Grosbeak in Milwaukee

in the winter 1899-1900. Bull. Wis. Nat. Hist. Soc, Vol. I, (New series),
. 1900, p. 129.
Bennetts, W. J. Note on the Food of the Canada Jay {Perisoreus canadensis.

Bull. Wis. Nat. Hist. Soc, Vol. I, (New series), 1900, p. 133.
Brandon, J. A. Notes on some migratory Birds. Bull. Wis. Nat. Hist. Soc,

Vol I, (New series), 1900, p. 191.
Cory, C. B. Key to the Birds of Eastern North America. Boston, Mass.,

1900.
Gault, B. T. Bird Life at Glen EUyn. Bird Lore, Vol. II, Dec, 1900, p. 187.
Gault, B. T. a Correction (note on Empidonax trailli). Wilson Bull., No. 32,

1900, p. 9.
Hess, I. E. The Prairie Hen in Illinois. Oologist, Vol. 27, 1900, p. 135.
Hough, E. Canada Goose at Calumet Heights. Forest and Stream, March

31, 1900, p. 249.
Hough, E. Quail and Ruffed Grouse at Calumet Heights. Forest and Stream,

Vol. LV, Nov. 24, 1900, p. 405.
Mead, G. S. The Red-headed Woodpecker near Chicago, 111. The Auk,

Vol. XVII, 1900, p. 67.
Woodruff, F. M. The Western Willet. Birds and Nature, Vol. VIII, Nov.,

1900, p. 146.

1901
Gault, B. T. The Christmas Bird Census at Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Bird Lore,

Vol. Ill, 1901, p. 32.
RiDGWAY, R. The Birds of North and Middle America. Bull. U. S. Nat.

Mus., No. 50, part i, 1901.

1902
Deane, R. Second Record of the Purple Gallinule in Illinois. The Auk,

Vol. XIX, 1902, p. 77.
Farwell, Ellen Drummond. The Carolina .Vren at Lake Forest, Illinois.

The Auk, Vol. XIX, 1902, p. 209.
Gault, B. T. Food Habits of the Wilson's Snipe. Wilson Bull., No. 38,

March, 1902, p. 7.
Hess, I. E. An Illinois Heronry. Oologist, Oct., 1902, p. 145.
Ridgway, R. The Birds of North and Middle America. Bull. U. S. Nat.

Mus., No. 50, part 2, 1902.
Snyder, W. E. Notes on the rarer Birds of Dodge Co., Wisconsin. Bull.

Wis. Nat. Hist. Soc, Vol. II, No. 2, 1902, p. 109.
Wheelock, Irene G. Rare Birds seen at Lake Forest. Inter Ocean, March,

1902.

Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 749

WiNKENWERDER, H. A. The Winter Habits of the Red-headed Woodpecker.

Bull. Wis. Nat. Hist. Soc, Vol. II, No. i, 1902, p. 69.
WiNKENWERDER, H. A. Some recent Observations of the Migration of Birds.

Bull. Wis. Nat. Hist. Soc, Vol. II, No. 2, 1902, p. 97.
WiNKENWERDER, H. A. The Migration of Birds, with special Reference to

nocturnal Flight. Bull. Wis. Nat. Hist. Soc, Vol. II, No. 4, 1902, pp.

177-263.

1903
Abbott, G. A. Nesting of the Least Bittern. Birds and Nature, Vol. XIV,

No. 2, Sept., 1903, p. 71.
Deane, R. Richardson's Owl (Nyctala tengmahni richardsoni) in Illinois.

The Auk, Vol. XX, 1903, p. 433.
Deane, R. Richardson's Owl {Nyctala tengmahni richardsoni) in Illinois.

The Auk, Vol. XX, 1903, p. 305.
KuMLiEN, L. & HoLLiSTER, N. The Birds of Wisconsin. Bull. Wis. Nat.

Hist. Soc, Vol. HI, Nos. i, 2 and 3, 1903.

1904

Cooke, W. W. On Migration of the Hooded Warbler. Bird Lore, Vol. VI,

No. I, Jan. -Feb., 1904, p. 22.
CooKE, W.. W. Migration of Warblers. Bird Lore, Vol. VI, No. 2, April,

1904, pp. 57-60.

Cooke, W. W. Distribution and Migration of North American Warblers.

Bull. No. 18, U. S. Dept. of Agri,, Div. Biol. Surv., 1904, p. 142.
Ridgway, R. The Birds of North and Middle America. Bull. U. S. Nat.

Mus., No. 50, part 3, 1904.
Woodruff, F. M. The Loon. Birds and Nature, Vol. XVI, Nov., 1904, pp.

191— 192.
W^oodruff, F. M. The Sora Rail. Birds and Nature, Vol. XVI, Dec, 1904,

pp. 201-202.

1905

Abbott, G. A. Nesting of the Woodcock. Bull. Mich. Orn. Club, March-
June, 1905, p. 10.

Deane, R. Hybridism between the Shoveller and Blue-winged Teal. The
Auk, Vol. XXII, 1905, p. 321.

Deane, R. Additional record of the European Widgeon. The Auk, Vol.
XXII, January, 1905, p. '76.

Snyder, W. E. The Gray Gerfalcon in Wisconsin. The Auk, Vol. XXII,

1905, p. 143.

Skavlem, H. L. Canvasback Duck Food. The Northwestern Sportsman,

1905, pp. 161— 164, 236—240
Skavlem, H. L. Canvasback Duck Food (abstract froin preceding paper).

Bull. Wis. Nat. Hist. Soc, Vol. Ill, No. 4, 1905, p. 16S.
Thurber, C. The Hermit Thrush. Birds and Nature, Vol. XVIII, No. 2,

Sept., 1905, p. 50.
Wheelock, Irene G. Regurgitative Feeding of Nestlings. The Auk, Vol.

XXII, January, 1905, p. 54.

750 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX.

1906

Butler, A. W. Some Notes on Indiana Birds. The Auk, Vol. XXIII,

1906, p. 271.

Deane, R. a northern Record for the Swallow-tailed Kite {Eianoides forficatits)

in Wisconsin. The Auk, Vol. XXIII, 1906, p. 100.
Deane, R. Unusual Abundance of the Snowy Owl (Nycica tiyctea). The

Auk, Vol. XXIII, 1906, pp. 283-29CS. (Illinois records, pp. 297, 298.)
Norton, A. H. The eastern Distribution of the Prairie Horned Lark, a

question of evidence. The Auk, Vol. XXIII, 1906, p. 225.
Ward, H. L. Notes on the Herring Gull and the Caspian Tern. Bull. Wis.

Nat. Hist. Soc, Vol. IV, No. 4, 1906, pp. 113-134, 2 plates.
Wheelock, Irene G. Nesting Habits of the Green Heron. The x\uk. Vol.

XXIII, 1906, p. 432.

Wilson, B. H. The Birds of Scott County, Iowa. The Wilson Bulletin, Vol.
XVIII, March, 1906, p. i.

1907
Anderson, R. M. The Birds of Iowa. Proc. Dav. Acad. Sci., Vol. XI, 1907, p.

125-417-
Daggett, F. S. The Whistling Swan in Northeastern Illinois. The Auk,

Vol. XXIV, 1907, p. 337.
Deane, R. Unusual Abundance of the American Goshawk {Accipiter atri-

capilliis). The Auk, Vol XXIV, 1907, p. 182.
Ferry, J. F. Ornithological Conditions in Northeastern Illinois, with Notes

on some winter Birds. The Auk, Vol. XXIV, 1907, p. 121.
Ferry, J. F. Winter Bird Notes from extreme southern Illinois. The Auk,

Vol. XXIV, 1907, p. 281.
Ferry, J. F. Further Notes from extreme southern Illinoig. The Auk, Vol.

XXIV, 1907, p. 430.

Forbes, S. A. An Ornithological Cross-section of Illinois in Autumn. Bull.

111. State Labr. Nat. Hist., Vol. VII, 1907, pp. 305-335.
RiDGWAY, R. The Birds of North and Middle America. Bull. U. S. Nat.

Mus., No. 50, part 4, 1907.
WiDMANN, O. A preliminary Catalogue of the Birds of Missouri. St. Louis,

1907.
Woodruff, F. M. The Birds of the Chicago Area. Bull. No. VI of the Nat.

Hist. Surv. The Chicago Academy of Sciences, April 15, 1907.
Woodruff, F. M. Rare northern Birds near Chicago. The Auk, Vol. XXIV,

1907, p. 107.

Woodruff, F. M. Malformed Bill of Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The Auk,
Vol. XXIV, 1907, p. 220.

1908

Daggett, F. S. Capture of the American Goshawk and Harris's Sparrow near

Chicago, 111. The Auk, Vol. XXV, 1908, p. 82.
Gross, A. O. Swainson's Warbler {Helinaia swainsoni) . The Auk, Vol. XXV,

1908, p. 225.

Ward, H. L. Occurrence of a Dovekie at Port Washington, Wisconsin. The

Auk, Vol. XXV, 1908, p. 215.
Wyman, L. E. The Prairie Warbler near Chicago. The Auk, Vol. XXV, 1908,

p. 87

INDEX

A

Acanthis 573

Acanthis hornemannii exilipes.. 373

Acanthis linaria 574

Acanthis linaria holboellii 575

Acanthis linaria rostrata 576

Accipiter 456

Accipiter atricapillus 458

Accipiter cooperii 457

Accipiter velox 456

Actitis 420

Actitis macLilana 420

^chmophorus 276

^chmophorus occidentalis 276

^gialitis nieloda 429

^gialitis meloda circumcincta. . 430

^4>gialitis seniipalmata 428

^gialitis vocifera 427

^thiinse 280

Agelaius 555

Agelaius phoeniceus 555

Agelaius phoeniceus arctolegus.. 556

Ainiophila 600

Aimophila sestivalis bachmanii. 600

Aix 330

Aix sponsa 330

Ajaia. 357

Ajaia ajaia 357

Ajaja ajaja 357

Alaudidae 540

Alcedinidce 506

Alcidae 279

Alcyones 506

Alle 280

Alle alle 280

Allinse 280

Aluco 484

Aluco pratincola 484

Aluconidae 484

Ammodramus caudacutus nel-

soni 5 88

Ammodramus henslowii 586

Ammodramus leconteii 586

■Ammodramus sandwichensis

savanna 584

Ainmodramus savannarum pas-

serinus 585

Ampelinfe 624

Ampelis cedrorum 625

Ampelis garrulus 624

Anas 320

Anas americana 324

Anas boschas 120

75

Anas carolinensis 325

Anas cyanoptera 327

Anas discors 326

Anas obscura 321

Anas penelope 323

Anas platyrhynchos 320

Anas rubripes 321

Anas rubripes tristis 322

Anas strepera 322

Anatidae 316

Anatinse 319

Anhinga 307

Anhinga anhinga 307

Anhingidae 307

Anis 504

Anser 350

Anser albifrons gambeli 350

Anseres 316

Anserinae 347

Anthus 678

Anthus pensilvanicus 678

Anthus rubescens 678

Antrostomus 521

Antrostoinvis carolinensis 521

Antrostomus vociferus 522

Aphrizidfe 430

Aquila 472

Aquila chrysaetos 472

Aramidse 379

Aramus 380

Aramus giganteus 380

Aramus vociferus 380

Archibuteo 469

Archibuteo ferrugineus 469

Archibuteo lagopus _sancti-jo-

hannis '. 471

Ardea 366

Ardea caerulea 370

Ardea candidissiina •. . . . 368

Ardea egretta 367

Ardea herodias 366

Ardea rufescens 369

Ardea virescens 371

Ardeidae 362

Ardeinae 366

Ardetta exilis 364

Ardetta neoxena 365

Arenaria 431

Arenaria interpres 431

Arenaria interpres morinella ... 431

Arenariinae 431

Arquatella 402

Arquatella maritima 402

Asio 486

I

752

Index

Asio accipitrinus 488

Asio flamnieus 488

Asio wilsonianus 486

Astragalinus 577

Astragalinus tristis 577

Astur 458

Astur atricapillus 458

Astur atricapillus striatulus. . . . 460

Asturina 469

Asturina plagiata 469

Auk, Little 280

Auks 279

Avocet, American 392

Avocets 392

Aythya affinis 334

Ay thy a americana 332

Aythya collaris 335

Aythya marila nearctica 333

Aythya vallisneria 333

B

Baeolophus 697

Baeolophus bicolor 697

Baldpate (Duck) 324

Bald Brant 349

Bartraniia 418

Bartramia longicauda 418

Beetle-head 425

Birds of Prey 448

Bittern, American 363

Bittern, Cory's Least 365

Bittern, Least 364

Bitterns 362

Blackbird, Arctic Red-winged. . 556

Blackbird, Brewer's 563

Blackbird, Red-winged 555

Blackbird, Rusty 562

Blackbird, Yellow-headed 554

Blackbirds 550

Black-breast 425

Blackhead (Duck) 333

Bluebill (Duck) 333, 334

Bluebird 714

Bluebird, Mountain 715

Bluebirds '. 705, 714

Bobolink 551

Bob-white 432

Bombycilla 624

Bombycilla cedrorum 625

Bombycilla garrula 624

Bombycillidas 624

Bonasa 436

Bonasa umbellus 436

Bonasa umbellus togata 437

Botaurinag 363

Botaurus 363

Botaurus lentiginosus 363

Brant 350, 353

Brant, Bald 349

Brant, Blue 349

Brant, White 347, 348

Brant Bird 431

Branta 351

Branta bernicla 353

Branta bernicla glaucogastra . . . 353

Branta canadensis 351

Branta canadensis hutchinsii. ... 352

Branta canadensis minima 352

Broadbill (Duck) 328

Bubo 495

Bubo virginianus 495

Bubo virginianus pallescens. ... 497

Bubo virginianus subarcticus. . . 497

Bunting, Black-throated 613

Bunting, Indigo 611

Bunting, Painted 612

Bunting, Snow 579

Butcher Bird 628

Buteo 460

Buteo borealis 460

Buteo borealis calurus 463

Buteo borealis harlani 463

Buteo borealis krideni 462

Buteo latissimus 467

Buteo lineatus 464

Buteo platypterus 467

Buteo swainsoni 465

Buteoninae 451

Butorides 371

Butorides virescens 371

Butter-ball (Duck) 338

Butter-bill Coot 343

Buzzard, Turkey 449

c

Calcarius 580

Calcarius lapponicus 580

Calcarius pictus 581

Calico-back 431

Calidris 409

Calidris arenaria 409

Calidris leucophsea 409

Campephilus 508

Campephilus principalis 508

Canachites 435

Canachites canadensis canace. .. 435

Caprimulgi 521

Caprimulgidae 521

Cardinal 608

Cardinalis 608

Cardinalis cardinalis 608

Carpodacus 569

Carpodacus purpureus 569

Catbird 682

Catharista 449'

Catharista atrata 449

Catharista urubu 449

Cathartes 449

Cathartes aura septentrionalis . . 449

Cathartidas 448

Catoptrophorus 416

Catoptrophorus semipalmatus. . 416
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus

inornatus 417

Index

753

Centurus 518

Centurus carolinus 518

Cepphi 279

Cerchneis 481

Certhia 693

Certhia familiaris aniericana. . . . 693

Certhiidae 693

Ceryle 506

Ceryle alcyon 506

Chastura 526

Chastura pelagica 526

Chaeturinse 526

Charadriidas 425

Charadrius 426

Charadrius doniinicus 426

Charadrius squatarola 425

Charitonetta 338

Charitonetta albeola 338

Chat, Yellow-breasted 672

Chaulelasmus 322

Chaulelasmus streperus 322

Chelidon erythrogastra 620

Chen 347

Chen caerulescens 349

Chen hyperborea 347

Chen hyperborea nivalis 348

Chickadee 698

Chickadee, Carolina 700

Chickadee, Hudsonian 700

Chickadee, Long-tailed 699

Chickadees 697

Chondestes 589

Chondestes grammacus 589

Chordeiles 523

Chord eiles virginianus 523

Chordeiles virginianus henryi ... 525

Chordeiles virginianus sennetti.. 524

Chuck-will's Widow 521

Ciconias 360

Ciconiidas 360

Circus 455

Circus hudsonicus 455

Cistothorus 689

Cistothorus palustris 690

Cistothorus stellaris 689

Clamatores 529

Clangula 336

Clangula clangula aniericana. . . 336

Clangula hyemalis 340

Clangula islandica 337

Clivicola riparia 622

Coccothraustes vespertinus 566

Coccyges 504

Cocc3-ginffi 504

Coccyzus 504

Coccyzus americanus 504

Coccyzus erythropthalmus 505

Colaptes '. . 519

Colaptes auratus luteus 519

Colinus 432

Colinus virginianus 432

Columbae 444

Columbidas 444

Colymbi 275

Colymbidae 275

Colymbus 276 ■

Colymbus auritus 277

Colymbus holboellii 276

Colymbus nigricollis californicus. 277

Compsothlypis 647

Compsothlypis americana 647

Compsothlypis americana rama-

linae 647

Contopus borealis 534

Contopus richardsonii 535

Contopus virens 535

Conuropsis 501

Conuropsis carolinejisis 501

Conurus carolinensis 501

Coot, American 387

Coot (see Ducks) 343

Coot, White-winged (Duck) .... 344

Coots 379,380

Cormorant, Double-crested 309

Cormorant, Florida 310

Cormorant, Mexican 311

Cormorants 307, 308

Corvidae 542

Corvinas 546

Corvus 546

Corvus americanus 548

Corvus bi-achyrhynchos 548

Corvus corax principalis 546

Corvus corax sinuatus 547

Coturnicops 384

Coturnicops noveboracensis 384

Coturniculus 585

Coturniculus henslowii 586

Coturniculus leconteii 586

Coturniculus savannarum aus-

tralis 585

Courlans 379

Cowbird 552

Crane, Little Brown 377

Crane, Sandhill 377

Crane, Whooping 376

Cranes 375

Creciscus 385

Creciscus jamaicensis, 385

Creeper, Black & White (see

Warbler) 638

Creeper, Brown 693

Creepers 693

Crossbill, American 571

Crossbill, Red 571

Crossbill, White- winged 572

Crossbills 565

Crow, American 548

Crow, Carrion 449

Crows 542

Crow-blackbird 564

Crymophilus fulicarius 390

Cuckoo, Black-billed 505

Cuckoo, Yellow-billed 504

Cuckoos 504

Cuckoos, American 504

754

Index

Cuculi 504

Cuculidae 504

Curlew, Eskimo 423

Curlew, Hudsonian 423

Curlew, Jack 423

Curlew, Long-billed 421

Cyanocitta 544

Cyanocitta cristata 544

Cygninag 354

Cypseli 525

D

Dafila 329

Dahla acuta 329

Darters 307

Dendragapus canadensis 435

Dendroica 648

Dendroica aestiva 648

Dendroica blackburniae 656

Dendroica cserulescens 694

Dendroica castanea 654

Dendroica cerulea 652

Dendroica coronata 650

Dendroica discolor 663

Dendroica dominica albilora. ... 657

Dendroica kirtlandii 659

Dendroica maculosa 651

Dendroica magnolia 651

Dendroica palmarum 662

Dendroica pensylvanica 653

Dendroica striata 655

Dendroica tigrina 648

Dendroica vigorsii 661

Dendroica virens 658

Dichromanassa 369

Dichromanassa rufescens 369

Dickcissel 613

Dipper (Duck) 338

Diving Birds 275

Dolichonyx 551

Dolichonyx oryzivorus 551

Dough Bird 423

Dove, Mourning 446

Dovekie 280

Dowitcher 398

Dowitcher, Long-billed 399

Dryobates 511

Dryobates pubescens inedianus . 512

Dryobates villosus 511

Dryobates villosus leucomelas.. . 512

Duck, American Eider 342

Duck, American Golden-eye. . . . 336

Duck, American Scoter 343

Duck, Barrow's Golden-eye 337

Duck, Black 321

Duck, Bufifle-head 338

Duck, Canvas-back 333

Duck, Creek 322

Duck, Dusky Mallard (see Black

Duck) 321

Duck, Gadwall 322

Duck, Gray 322

Duck, Harlequin 341

Duck, King Eider 343

Duck, Lesser Scaup 334

Duck, Long-tailed 340

Duck, Mallard 320

Duck, Masked 346

Duck, Old Squaw 339

Duck, Pheasant. 329

Duck, Pintail 329

Duck, Redhead 332

Duck, Red-legged Black 321

Duck, Ring-necked 335

Duck, Ruddy 346

Duck, Scaup 333

Duck, Serf Scoter 345

Duck, Shoveller 328

Duck, Summer 330

Duck, Velvet 344

Duck, White-winged Scoter 344

Duck, (Widgeon) 324

Duck, Wood 330

Ducks 316

Ducks, River and Pond 319

Ducks, Sea 331

Dumetella 682

Dumetella carolinensis 682

E

Eagle, Bald 474

Eagle, Golden 472

Eagles 451

Ectopistes 444

Ectopistes migratorius 444

Egret, American 367

Egret, Reddish 369

Egrets 362

Egretta 368

Egretta candidissima 368

Elanoides 451

Elanoides forficatus 451

Elanus 453

Elanus leucurus 453

Empidonax 536

Empidonax flaviventris 536

Empidonax minimus 539

Empidonax traillii 538

Empidonax traillii alnorum 539

Empidonax virescens 537

Ereunetes 408

Ereunetes mauri 409

Ereunetes occidentalis 409

Ereunetes pusillus 408

Erionetta 343

Erismatura 346

Erismatura jamaicensis 346

Erismatura rubida 346

Euphagus 562

Euphagus carolinus 562

Euphagus cyanocephalus 563

F

Falco 475

Falco columbarius 479

Falco columbarius richardsonii . 481

Index

755

Falco mexicanus 477

Falco peregrinus anatum 478

Falco rusticolus 475

Falco sparverius 481

Falcon, Peregrine 47S

Falcon, Prairie 477

Falcones 451

Falconidffi 451

Falconinae 475

Falcons 451

Finch, Purple 569

Finches 565

Flicker, Northern. ...: 519

Florida 370

Florida cserulea 370

Flycatcher, Acadian 537

Flycatcher, Alder 539

Flycatcher, Crested 532

Flycatcher, Green-crested 537

Flycatcher, Least 539

Flycatcher, Olive-sided 534

Flycatcher, Phoebe 533

Flycatcher, Say's Phcebe 534

Flycatcher, Scissor-tailed S29

Flycatcher, Traill's 538

Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied 536

Flycatchers 529

Fregata 314

Fregata aquila 314

Fregatidse 314

Frigate Bird (see Man-of-war

Bird) 314

Fringillidae 565

Fulica 387

Fulica americana 387

Fulicinae 387

Fuligulinse 331

G

Gadwall (Duck) 322

Galeoscoptes carolinensis 682

Gallinaceous Birds 432

Gallinae 432

Gallinago 397

Gallinago delicata 397

Gallinula 386

Gallinula galeata 386

Gallinule, Florida 386

Gallinule, Purple 386

Gallinules 379- 380

Gallinulinse 386

Garrulinae 543

Gavia 282

Gavia arctica 284

Gavia immer 282

Gavia stellata 284

Gaviidse 282

Geese 316, 347

Gelochelidon 298

Gelochelidon nilotica 298

Geothlypis 671

Geothlypis agilis 669

Geothlypis formosa 668

Geothlypis Philadelphia 670

Geothlypis trichas 671

Geothlypis trichas brachidactyla 672
Glaucionetta clangula ameri-
cana 336

Glaucionetta islandica 337

Glaux 491

Glaux acadicus 493

Glaux funerea richardsoni 491

Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray 704

Gnatcatchers 702, 704

Goatsuckers 521

Godwit, Hudsonian 411

Godwit, Marbled 410

Goggle-nose (Duck) 345

Goldfinch, American 577

Goose, American White-fronted 350

Goose, Blue 349

Goose, Brant 353

Goose, Cackling 352

Goose, Canada 351

Goose, Greater Snow 348

Goose, Hutchin's 352

Goose, Lesser Snow 347

Goose, Yellow-legged 350

Goshawk, American 458

Goshawk, Mexican 469

Goshawk, Western 460

Grackle, Bronzed 564

Grass-bird 403

Grass-snipe 403

Grebe, American Eared 277

Grebe, Holboell's 276

Grebe, Horned 277

Grebe, Pied-billed 278

Grebe, Western 276

Grebes 275

Grosbeak, Blue '. 610

Grosbeak, Cardinal 608

Grosbeak, Evening 566

Grosbeak, Pine 568

Grosbeak, Rose-breasted 609

Grouse 432, 435

Grouse, Canada 435

Grouse, Canadian Ruffed 437

Grouse, Pinnated 439

Grouse, Prairie Sharp-tailed. ... 441

Grouse, Ruffed 436

Grouse, Spruce 435

Grues 375

Gruidas 375

Grus 376

Grus americana 376

Grus canadensis 377

Grus mexicana 377

Guara 359

Guara alba 359

Guillemot (see Murre) 281

Guiraca 610

Guiraca caerulea 610

Gull, Bonaparte's 296

Gull, Franklin's 295

756

Index

Gull, Glaucous 290

Gull, Great Black-backed 291

Gull, Herring 291

Gull, Iceland 290

Gull, Kittiwake 289

Gull, Laughing 294

Gull, Ring-billed 292

Gull, Sabine's 296

Gulls 288

Gyrfalcon, Gray 475

H

Habia ludoviciana 609

Haliaeetus 474

Haliasetus leucocephalus 474

Harelda 34°

Harelda hyemalis 340

Harporhynchus rufvis 683

Hawk, American Rough-legged.. 471

Hawk, American Sparrow 481

Hawk, Broad-winged 467

Hawk, Cooper's 457

Hawk, Duck 478

Hawk, Ferruginous Rough-legged

469

Hawk, Fish 483

Hawk, Harlan's 463

Hawk, Krider's Red-tailed 462

Hawk, Marsh 455

Hawk, Pigeon 479

Hawk, Red-shouldered 464

Hawk, Red-tailed 460

Hawk, Richardson's Pigeon,. .. . 481

Hawk, Sharp-shinned 456

Hawk, Swainson's 465

Hawk, Western Red-tailed 463

Hawks 451

Hawks, Fish 483

Helinaia 641

Helinaia swainsonii 641

Helminthophila celata 645

Helminthophila chrysoptera. . . . 644

Helminthophila peregrina 646

Helminthophila pinus 643

Helminthophila ruficapilla 645

Helmitheros 642

Helmitheros vermivorus 642

Helodromas 415

Helodromas solitarius 415

Hell Diver 36

Herodias 367

Herodias egretta 367

Herod ii 262

Herodiones 357

Heron, Black-crowned Night. . . 372

Heron, Great Blue 366

Heron, Green 371

Heron, Little Blue 370

Heron, Snowy 368

Heron, Yellow-crowned Night. . 373

Herons 357, 362, 366

Hesperiphona 566

Hesperiphona vespertina 566

Hierofalco 475

Himantopus 394

Himantopus mexicanus 394

Hirundinidse 618

Hirundo 620

Hirundo erythrogastra 620

Histrionicus 341

Histrionicus histrionicus 341

Hummingbird, Ruby-throated. . 527

Hummingbirds 527

Hydrochelidon 304

Hydrochelidon leucoptera 305

Hydrochelidon nigra surinamen-

sis 304

Hylocichla 707

Hylocichla aliciae 709

Hylocichla aliciae bicknelli 710

Hylocichla fuscescens 708

Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola. . 708

Hylocichla guttata pallasii 711

Hylocichla mustelina 707

Hylocichla ustulata almas 711

Hylocichla ustulata swainsonii. . 710

I

Ibides 357

Ibididse 358

Ibis, Glossy 360

Ibis, White 359

Ibis, Wood 361

Ibises 357, 358

Icteria 672

Icteria virens 672

Icteridse 550

Icterus 560

Icterus galbula 561

Icterus spurius 560

Ictinia 454

Ictinia mississippiensis 454

lonornis 386

lonornis martinica 386

Iridoprocne 621

Iridoprocne bi color 621

Ixobrychus exilis 364

Ixobrychus neoxenus 365

J

Jaeger, Long-tailed 287

Jseger, Parasitic 287

Jaeger, Pomarine 286

Jaegers 286

Jay, Blue 544

Jay, Canada 545

Jays 542, 543

Jtmco 597

Junco aikeni 599

Junco hyemalis 597, 598

Junco hyemalis montanus... .598, 599

Junco hyemalis shufeldti 599

Junco oregonus shufeldti 598, 599

Index

757

Junco, Montana

Junco, Shufeldt's

Junco, Slate-colored

K

Kingbird

Kingbird, Arkansas

Kingfisher, Belted

Kingfishers 504.

Kinglet, Golden- crowned

Kinglet, Ruby-crowned

Kinglets

Kite, Mississippi

Kite, Swallow-tailed

Kite, White-tailed

Kites

Knot

Lagopus

Lagopus lagopus ■.

Land Birds

Laniidse ,

Lanius

Lanius borealis

Lanius ludovicianus

Lanius ludovicianus migrans .

Lanivireo

Lanivireo flavifrons

Lanivireo solitarius

Laridse

Lark, Horned

Lark, Hoyt's Horned

Lark, Prairie Horned

Lark, Shore

Larks

Larus

Larus argentatus

Larus atri cilia

Larus delawarensis

Larus franklinii

Larus glaucus

Larus hyperboreus

Larus leucopterus

Larus marinus

Larus Philadelphia

Limicolae

Limosa

Limosa fedoa. .

Limosa haemastica

Limpkin

Limpkins '

Lobipes

Lobipes lobatus

Longipennes

Longspur, Lapland

Longspur, McCown's

Longspur, Smith's

Loon

Loon, Black-throated

599
599
598

530
531
506
506
702

703
702

454
451
453
451
401

438
438
432
627
628
628
628
630
634
634
635
288

540
542
541
540
540
290
291

294
292

295
290
290
290
291
296

389
410
410
411
380
379
390
390
286
580
581
581
282

Loon, Red- throated 284

Loons 279, 282

Lophodytes 3^8

Lophodytes cucuUatus 318

Loxia 571

Loxia curvirostra bendirei 572

Loxia curvirostra minor 571

Loxia leucoptera 572

M

Macrochires

Macrorhamphus

Macrorhamphus griseus

Macrorhamphus scolopaceus. . . .

Magpie, American

Magpies 542,

Man-of-war Bird

Mareca

Mareca americana

Mareca penelope

Marila

Mania affinis

Marila americana

Marila collaris

Marila marila

Marila vallisneria

Marsh Birds

Martin, Purple

Meadowlark

Meadowlark, Southern

Meadowlark, Western

Megalestris skua

Megascops asio

Melanerpes

Melanerpes carolinus

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Melanitta

Meleagrinae

Meleagris .• • • ■

Meleagris gallopavo silvestris . . .

Melospiza

Melospiza fasciata

Melospiza georgiana

Melospiza lincolnii

Melospiza melodia

Merganser americanus

Merganser serrator

Merganser, American

Merganser, Hooded

Merganser, Redbreasted

Mergansers

Merginse

Mergus

Mergus americanus

Mergus serrator

Merlin, Richardson's

Merula migratoria

Micropalama

Micropalama himantopus

Micropodidae

Milvulus forficatus

Mimidae

521
398
398
399

543
543
314
323
324
323
332
334
332
335
333
333
389
618

557
558
559
288

494
517
518

517
344
442
442
442
601
601
604
602
601
317
317
317
318

317
316
316
317
317
317
481
712
400
400
525
529
680

758

Index

Mimus 680

Mimus polyglottos 680

Mniotilta 638

Mniotilta varia 638

Mniotiltidas 638

Mockingbird 680

Molotlirus 552

Molothrus ater 552

Motacillidse 678

Murre, Brunnich's 281

Murrelet, Ancient 280

Murres 279, 281

Muscivora 529

Muscivora forficata 529

Myadestes 705

Myadestes townsendii 705

Myadestinse 705

Mycteria 361

Mycteria americana 361

Mycteriinae 361

Myiarchus 532

Myiarchus crinitus 532

Myiochanes 535

Myiochanes richardsonii 535

Myiochanes virens 535

N

Nannus 688

Nannus hiemalis 688

Nettion 325

Nettion carolinensis 325

Nigger Goose 309

Nighthawk 523

Nighthawk, Henry's 525

Nighthawk, Sennett's 524

Nighthawks 521

Nomonyx 346

Nomonyx dominicus 346

Nonpareil 612

Nucifraga 549

Nucifraga columbiana 549

Numenius 421

Numenius americanus 421

Numenius borealis 423

Numenius hudsonicus 423

Numenius longirostris 421

Nutcracker, Clarke's 549

Nuthatch, Brown-headed 690

Nuthatch, Red-breasted 695

Nuthatch, White-breasted 694

Nuthatches 694

Nuttallornis 534

Nuttallornis borealis 534

Nyctala acadica 493

Nyctala tengmalmi richardsoni.. 491

Nyctanassa 373

Nyctanassa violacea 373

Nyctea 497

Nyctea nyctea 497

Nycticorax 372

Nycticorax nycticorax naevius ... 372

Nycticorax violaceus 373

o

Oideinia ' 343

Oidemia americana 343

Oidemia deglandi 344

Oidemia perspicillata 345

Old-squaw 340

Old Wife 340

Olor 354

Olor buccinator 356

Olor columbianus 354

Oporornis 668

Oporornis agilis 669

Oporornis formosa 668

Oporornis Philadelphia 670

Oporornis tolmiei 671

Oriole, Baltimore 561

Oriole, Orchard 560

Orioles 550

Oscines 540

Osprey, American 483

Ospreys 483

Otocons 540

Otocoris alpestris 540

Otocons alpestris hoyti 542

Otocons alpestris praticola 541

Otus 494

Otus asio 494

Oven-bird 665

Owl, Acadian 493

Owl, American Hawk 499

Owl, American Long-eared 486

Owl, Arctic Horned 497

Owl, Barn 484

Owl, Barred 489

Owl, Great Gray 490

Owl, Great Horned 495

Owl, Richardson's 491

Owl, Saw-whet 493

Owl, Screech 494

Owl, Short-eared 488

Owl, Snowy 488

Owls 484

Owls, Barn 484

Owls, Horned 486

Owls, Screech 486

Oxyechus 427

Oxyechus vociferus 427

P

Paludicolse 375

Pandion 483

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis. . 483

Pandioninae 483

Paridae 697

Paroquet, Carolina 501

Paroquets 501

Parrots 501

Partridge 436

Partridge, Spruce 435

Partridges 432

Parus atricapillus 698

Index

759

Parus bicolor 697

Parus carolinensis 700

Parus hudsonicus 700

Passer 570

Passer domesticus 570

Passer montanus 571

Passerculus 584

Passerculus sandwichensis sa-
vanna 584

Passerella 605

Passerella iliaca 605

Passeres 529

Passerherbulus 588

Passerherbulus caudacutus nel-

soni 588

Passerina 611

Passerina ciris 612

Passerina cyanea 611

Pedioecetes 441

Pedioecetes phasianellus cani-

pestris 441

Peep 406, 408

Pelecan, American White 312

Pelecan, Brown 313

Pelecanidae 311

Pelecans 307,311

Pelecanus 312

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos 312

Pelecanus fuscus 313

Pelecanus occidentalis 313

Pelidna 407

Pelidna alpina sakhalina 407

Pelionetta 345

Penthestes 698

Penthestes atricapillus 698

Penthestes atricapillus septen-

trionalis 699

Penthestes carolinensis 700

Penthestes hudsonicus 700

Perching Birds 529

Perching Birds, Songless 529

Perdicinse 432

Perisoreus 545

Perisoreus canadensis 545

Petrochelidon 619

Petrochelidon lunifrons 619

Peucaea aestivalis bachmanii .... 600

Pewee, Western Wood 535

Pewee, Wood 535

Phalacrocoracidae 308

Phalacrocorax 309

Phalacrocorax auritus 309

Phalacrocorax auritus floridanus 310

Phalacrocorax dilophus 309

Phalacrocorax dilophus florida-
nus 310

Phalacrocorax mexicanus 311

Phalacrocorax vigua mexicanus . 311

Phalarope, Northern 390

Phalarope, Red 390

Phalarope, Wilson's 391

Phalaropes 389

Phalaropodidae 389

Phalaropus 390

Phalaropus fulicarius 390

Phalaropus lobatus 390

Phalaropus tricolor 391

Phasiani 432

Phasianidae 442

Pheasant Duck 329

Pheasants 432, 442

Philohela 395

Philohela minor 395

Phloeotomus 516

Phloeotomus pileatus albieticola . 516

Phoebe 533

Phcebe, Say's 534

Pica. . 543

Pica pica hudsonica 543

Pici 508

Picicorvus 549

Picidse 508

Picinas 508

Picoides 513

Picoides americanus 514

Picoides arcticus 513

Pigeon, Passenger 444

Pigeon, Wild 444

Pigeons 444

Pinicola 568

Pinicola enucleator leucura 568

Pipilo 605

Pipilo erythrophthalmus 605

Pipilo maculatus arcticus 607

Pipit, American 678

Pipits 678

Piranga 615

Piranga erythromelas 616

Piranga ludoviciana 615

Piranga rubra 617

Pisobia 403

Pisobia bairdii 405

Pisobia fuscicollis 404

Pisobia maculata 403

Pisobia minutilla 406

Planesticus 712

Planesticus migratorius 712

Plataleidae 357

Plectrophenax 579

Plectrophenax nivalis 579

Plegadis 360

Plegadis autumnalis 360

Plover, American Golden 426

Plover, Belted Piping 429

Plover, Black-bellied 425

Plover, Field 418

Plover, Green 426

Plover, Killdeer 427

Plover, Piping 429

Plover, Semipalmated 428

Plover, Upland 418

Plovers 425

Podilymbus 278

Podilymbus podiceps 278

PoHoptila 704

Polioptila cserulea 704

760

Index

Polioptilinse 704

Pooecetes 583

Pooecetes gramineus 583

Porzana 383

Porzana Carolina 383

Porzana jamaicensis 385

Porzana noveboracensis 384

Prairie Chicken .• • • • 439

Prairie Hen 439

Prairie Pigeon (see Golden

Plover) 426

Progne 618

Progne subis 618

Protonotaria 640

Protonotaria citrea 640

Psittaci 501

Psittacidae 501

Ptarmigan 435

Ptarmigan, Willow 438

Pygopodes 275

o

Quail 432

Quawk 372

Querquedula 326

Querquedula cyanoptera 327

Querquedula discors 326

Quiscalus 564

Quiscalus quiscula asneus 564

R

Rail, Black 385

Rail, Carolina 383

Rail, King 381

Rail, Sora 383

Rail, Virginia 382

Rail, Yellow 384

Rails 375, 379

Ralh 379, 380

Rallidas 380

Rallinas 381

Rallus 381

Rallus elegans 381

Rallus virginianus 382

Raptores 448

Raven, Northern 546

Recurvirostra 392

Recurvirostra americana 392

Recurvirostridae 392

Redhead (Duck) 332

Redpoll 574

Redpoll, Greater 576

Redpoll, Hoary 573

Redpoll, Holboll's 575

Redstart 677

Regulinae 702

Regulus 702

Regulus calendula 703

Regulus satrapa 702

Rhynchodon 478

Rhynchopanes 581

Rhynchopanes mccownii 581

Ring-neck (Plover) 428

Ring-neck, White (Plover) 429

Riparia 622

Riparia riparia 622

Rissa 289

Rissa tridactyla 289

Robin 712

Sanderling 409

Sandpiper, Baird's 405

Sandpiper, Bartramian 418

Sandpiper, Buff-breasted 419

Sandpiper, Least 406

Sandpiper, Pectoral 403

Sandpiper, Purple 402

Sandpiper, Red-backed 407

Sandpiper, Sanderling 409

Sandpiper, Semipalmated 408

Sandpiper, Solitary 415

Sandpiper, Spotted 420

Sandpiper, Stilt 400

Sandpiper, Western 409

Sandpiper, White-rumped 404

Sandpipers 395

Sarcorhamphii 448

Sayornis 533

Sayornis phoebe 533

Sayornis saya 534

Scolecophagus carolinus 562

Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. . . 563

Scolopacidae 395

Scoter, Surf 345

Scoter, White- winged 344

Scotiaptex 490

Scotiaptex cinerea 490

Scotiaptex nebulosa 490

Seiurus 665

Seiurus aurocapillus 665

Seiurus motacilla 667

Seiurus noveboracensis 666

Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis 667

Setophaga 677

Setophaga ruticilla 677

Sheldrakes 316, 317

Shore Birds 389

Shrike, Loggerhead 628

Shrike, Migrant 630

Shrike, Northern 628

Shrikes 627

Sialia 714

Sialia arctica 715

Sialia sialis 714

Sialiinae 714

Sickle-bill (Curlew) 421

Siskin, Pine 578

Sitta 694

Sitta canadensis 695

Index

761

Sitta carolinensis 694

Sitta pusilla 696

Sittidae 694

Skua 288

Skuas 286

Skunk-head Coot (Duck) 345

Snake Birds 307

Snipe, English 397

Snipe, Jack 397

Snipe, Red-breasted 398

Snipe, Stone 413

Snipe, Western Red-breasted

(see Long-billed Dowitcher) ... 399

Snipe, Wilson's 397

Snipes 3 95

Snowbird 598

Snow Bunting 579

Snow Flake 579

Solitaire, Townsend's 705

Solitaires 705

Somateria 342

Somateria dresseri 342

Somateria spectabilis 343

Song Birds 540

Sparrow, Bachinan's 600

Sparrow, Chipping 595

Sparrow, Clay-colored 596

Sparrow, English 570

Sparrow, European Tree 571

Sparrow, Field 597

Sparrow, Fox 605

Sparrow, Gambel's 592

Sparrow, Golden-crowned 592

Sparrow, Grasshopper 585

Sparrow, Harris's 590

Sparrow, Henslow's 586

Sparrow, House 570

Sparrow, Intermediate 592

Sparrow, Lark 589

Sparrow, Leconte's 586

Sparrow, Lincoln's 602

Sparrow, Nelson's Sharp-tailed.. 588

Sparrow, Savanna 584

Sparrow, Song 601

Sparrow, Swamp 604

Sparrow, Tree 594

Sparrow, Vesper 583

Sparrow, White-crowned 591

Sparrow, White-throated 593

Sparrow, Yellow-winged 585

Sparrows 565

Spatula 328

Spatula clypeata 328

Speckle-belly 350

Sphyrapicus 515

Sphyrapicus varius 515

Spinus 578

Spinus pinus 578

Spinus tristis 577

Spiza 613

Spiza americana 613

Spizella 594

Spizella monticola 594

Spizella pallida 596

Spizella passerina 595

Spizella pusilla 597

Spizella socialis 595

Spoon-bill (Duck) 328

Spoonbill, Roseate 357

Spoonbills 357

Sprig-tail (Duck) 329

Squatarola 425

Squatarola squatarola 425

Stake-driver 363

Steganopodes 307

Steganopus 391

Steganopus tricolor 391

Stelgidopteryx 623

Stelgidopteryx serripennis 623

Stercorariidag 286

Stercorarius 286

Stercorarius longicaudus 287

Stercorarius parasiticus 287

Stercorarius pomarinus 286

Sterna 299

Sterna antillarum 303

Sterna caspia 299

Sterna forsteri 301

Sterna hirundo 302

Sterna maxima 300

Sterna paradissea 303

Sterna tschegrava 299

Sterninae 297

Stemula 303

Stilt, Black-necked 394

Stilts 392

Storks 360

Striges 484

Strigidas 486

Strix 489

Strix pratincola 484

Strix varia 489

Stumella 557

Sturnella magna 557

Stumella magna argutula 558

Sturnella neglecta 559

Surf Birds 430

Surf Scoter (Duck) 345

Surnia 499

Surnia ulula caparoch 499

Swallow, Bank 622

Swallow, Barn 620

Swallow, Cliff 619

Swallow, Northern Violet-green 622

Swallow, Rough-winged 623

Swallow, Tree 621

Swallow, White-bellied 621

Swallows 618

Swan, Trumpeter 356

Swan, Whistling 354

Swans 316, 354

Swift, Chimney 526

Swifts 521, 525

Swifts, Sharp-tailed 526

Swimmers, Long- winged 286

Swimmers. Totipalmate 307

762

Index

Swimmers, Lamellirostral 316

Sylvania canadensis 676

Sylvania mitrata 674

Sylvania pusilla 675

Sylviidas 702

Symphemia semipalmata 416

Symphemia semipalmata inornata 417

Synthliboramphus 280

Synthliboramphus antiquus. ... 280

Syrnium nebulosum 489

T

Tachycineta 622

Tachycineta bicolor 621

Tachycineta thalassina lepida. . . 622

Tachytriorchis 467

Tanager, Louisiana 615

Tanager, Scarlet 616

Tanager, Smnmer 617

Tanagers 614

Tangaridce 614

Tantalus loculator 361

Teal, Blue-winged 326

Teal, Cinnamon 327

Teal, Green- winged 325

Tell-tale 413

Tell-tale, Little 414

Telmatodytes 690

Telmatodytes palustris 690

Telmatodytes palustris iliacus... 692

Tern, Arctic 303

Tern, Black 304

Tern, Caspian 299

Tern, Common 302

Tern, Forster's 301

Tern, Gull-billed 298

Tern, Least 303

Tern, Marsh 304

Tern, Royal 300

Tern, White-winged Black 306

Terns 288, 297

Tetraonidag 432

Tetraoninag 435

Thrasher, Brown 683

Thrashers 680

Thrush, Alma's 711

Thrush, Bicknell's 710

Thrush, Brown (see Thrasher). . 683
Thrush, Golden-crowned (see

Oven-bird) 665

Thrush, Gray-cheeked 709

Thrush, Grinnel's Water 667

Thrush, Hermit 711

Thrush, Louisiana Water 667

Thrush, Olive-backed 710

Thrush, Water 666

Thrush, Willow 708

Thrush, Wilson's 708

Thrush, Wood 707

Thrushes 705

Thryomanes 686

Thryomanes bewickii 686

Thryothorus 684

Thryothorus bewickii 686

Thryothorus ludovicianus 684

Thunder-pump 363

Tinnunculus 479

Titlark 678

Titmice 697

Titmouse, Tufted 697

Totanus 413

Totanus flavipes 414

Totanus melanoleucus 413

Totanus solitarius 415

Towhee 605

Towhee, Arctic 607

Towhee Bunting 605

Toxostoma 683

Toxostoma rufum 683

Tringa 401

Tringa alpina pacifica 407

Tringa bairdii 405

Tringa canutus 401

Tringa fuscicollis 404

Tringa maculata 403

Tringa mantima 402

Tringa minutilla 406

Trochili 527

Trochilidse 527

Trochilus 527

Trochilus colubris 527

Troglodytes 687

Troglodytes aedon 687

Troglodytes aedon parkmani.. . . 688

Troglodytes aztecus 688

Troglodytes hiemalis 688

Troglodytidse 684

Trogons 504

Tryngites 419

Tryngites subruficoUis 419

Turdidse 705

Turdinee 707

Turdus aliciae 709

Turdus alicise bicknelli 710

Turdus aonalaschkse pallasii 711

Turdus fuscescens 708

Turdus fuscescens salicicola 708

Turdus mustelinus 707

Turdus ustulatus swainsonii. ... 710

Turkey, Wild 442

Turkeys 442

Turnstone 431

Turnstones 43° > 43 1

Tympanuchus 439

Tympanuchus americanus 439

Tyrannidse 529

Tyrannus 53°

Tyrannus tyrannus 530

Tyrannus verticalis 531

u

Upland Plover 418

Uria lomvia 281

Index

763

Urinator arcticus 284

Urinator imber 282

Urinator lumnie 284

V

Vermivora ■ 643

Vermivora celata 645

Vennivora chrysoptera 644

Vermivora peregrina 646

Vermivora pinus 643

Vermivora rubricapilla 645

Vireo 636

Vireo bellii 637

Vireo flavifrons . . . 634

Vireo gilvus 633

Vireo griseus 636

Vireo noveboracensis 636

Vireo olivaceus 632

Vireo philadelphicus 633

Vireo solitarius 635

Vireo, Bell's 637

Vireo, Blue-headed 635

Vireo, Philadelphia 633

Vireo, Red-eyed 632

Vireo, Warbling 633

Vireo, White-eyed 636

Vireo, Yellow-throated 634

Vireonidag 63 1

Vireos 631

Vireosylva 632

Vireosylva gilva 633

Vireosylva olivacea 632

Vireosylva philadelphica 633

Vulture, Black 449

Vulture, Turke}^ 449

Vultures 448

Vultures, American 448

w

Wagtails 678

Warbler, Bay-breasted 654

Warbler, Black and White 638

Warbler, Blackburnian 656

Warbler, Black-poll 655

Warbler, Black-throated Blue... 649

Warbler, Black-throated Green. 658

Warbler, Blue-winged 643

Warbler, Canadian 676

Warbler, Cape May 648

Warbler, Cerulean 652

Warbler, Chestnut-sided 653

Warbler, Connecticut 669

Warbler, Golden-winged 644

Warbler, Hooded 674

Warbler, Kentucky 668

Warbler, Kirtland's 659

Warbler, Macgillivray's 671

Warbler, Magnolia 651

Warbler, Maryland Yellow-
throat 671

Warbler, Mourning 670

Warbler, Myrtle 650

Warbler, Nashville 645

Warbler, Orange-crowned 645

Warbler, Palm 662

Warbler, Parula 647

Warbler, Pine 661

Warbler, Prairie 663

Warbler, Prothonotary 640

Warbler, Red-poll 662

Warbler, Swainson's 641

Warbler, Sycamore 657

Warbler, Tennessee 646

Warbler, Wilson's 675

Warbler, Worm-eating 642

Warbler, Yellow 648

Warbler, Yellow-rumped 650

Warblers, Old World 702

Warblers, Wood 638

Water Birds 275

Water- thrush 666

Water- thrush, Grinnell's 667

Water-thrush, Louisiana 667

Water Turkey (see Anhinga) ... 307

Waxwing, Bohemian 624

Waxwing, Cedar 625

Waxwings 624

Whip-poor-will 522

Whip-poor-wills 521

Whistler (Duck) 336

Widgeon, American 324

Widgeon, European 323

Willet 416

Willet, Western 417

Wilsonia 674

Wilsonia canadensis 676

Wilsonia citrina 674

Wilsonia pusilla 675

Woodcock 395

Woodpecker, American Three-
toed 514

Woodpecker, Arctic Three-toed 513

Woodpecker, Downy 512

Woodpecker, Hairy 511

Woodpecker, Ivory-billed 508

Woodpecker, Northern Hairy. . . 512

Woodpecker, Northern Pileated 516

Woodpecker, Red-belhed 518

Woodpecker, Red-headed 517

Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied. ... 515

Woodpeckers 508

Wren, Bewick's 686

Wren, Carolina 684

Wren, House 687

Wren, Long-billed Marsh 690

Wren, Parkman's 688

Wren, Prairie Long-billed Marsh 692

Wren, Short-billed Marsh 689

Wren, Winter 688

Wrens 684

Wrynecks 5°^

764

Index

X

Xanthocephalus 554

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus 554

Xema 296

Xema sabinii 296

Y

Yellowbird (see Goldfinch) 577

Yellow-legs 514

Yellow-legs, Greater 413

Yellow-legs, Summer 414

Yellow-legs, Winter 413

Yphantes 561

Zamelodia 609

Zamelodia ludoviciana 609

Zenaidura 446

Zenaidura macroura 446

Zenaidura macroura carolinensis 446

Zonotrichia 590

Zonotrichia albicollis 593

Zonotrichia coronata 592

Zonotrichia leucophrys 591

Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii 592
Zonotrichia leucophrys inter-
media 592

Zonotrichia querula 590

COUNTIES OF ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN

ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED

ILLINOIS COUNTIES

Adams.

40

Ford.

26

Livingston.

27

Randolph.

83

Alexander.

102

Franklin.

85

Logan.

46

Richland.

76

Bond.

68

Fulton.

34

McDonough.

37

Rock Island.

15

Boone.

4

Gallatin.

92

McHenry.

5

St. Clair.

81

Brown.

42

Greene.

63

McLean.

28

Saline.

93

Bureau.

18

Grundy.

22

]Macon.

56

Sangamon.

57

Calhoun.

62

Hamilton.

91

Macoupin.

65

Schuyler.

41

Carroll.

13

Hancock.

39

Madison.

67

Scott.

60

Cass.

43

Hardin.

99

Marion.

78

Shelby.

55

Champaign.

49

Henderson.

38

Marshall.

30

Stark.

31

Christian.

» 58

Henry.

17

Mason.

44

Stephenson.

2

Clark.

73

Iroquois.

25

Massac.

100

Tazewell.

33

Clay.

77

Jackson.

95

Menard.

45

Union.

96

Clinton.

79

Jasper.

71

Mercer.

16

Vermilion.

50

Coles.

53

Jefferson.

86

Monroe.

82

Wabash.

89

Cook.

7

Jersey.

64

INIontgomery.

66

Warren.

36

Crawford.

74

Jo Daviess.

I

Morgan.

59

Washington.

80

Cumberland.

72

Johnson.

97

Moultrie.

54

Wayne.

87

Dekalb.

10

Kane.

9

Ogle.

1 1

White.

90

Dewitt.

47

Kankakee.

24

Peoria.

32

Whiteside.

14

Douglas.

52

Kendall.

21

Perry.

84

Will.

23

DuPage.

8

Knox.

35

Piatt.

48

Williamson.

94

Edgar.

51

Lake.

6

Pike.

61

Winnebago.

3

Edwards.

88

La Salle.

20

Pope.

98

Woodford.

29

Effingham.

70

Lawrence.

75

Pulaski.

lOI

Fayette.

69

Lee.

12

Putnam.

19

WISCONSIN COUNTIES

Adams.

43

Eau Claire.

32 ^lanitowoc.

50

St. Croix.

35

Apostle Isls.

7

Florence.

I Marathon.

27

Sauk.

56

(See Ashland Co.)

Fond du Lac.

47 Marinette.

20

Sawyer.

12

Ashland.

7

Forest.

2 Marquette.

45

Shawano.

25

Barron.

14

Gates.

15 Milwaukee.

65

Sheboygan.

51

Bayfield.

8

Grant.

60 Monroe.

41

Taylor.

16

Brown.

23

Green.

70 Oconto.

19

Trempealeau.

38

Buffalo.

37

Green Lake.

46 Oneida.

4

Vernon.

58

Burnett.

10

Iowa.

61 Outagamie.

24

Vilas.

3

Calumet.

49

Iron.

6 Ozaukee.

52

Walworth.

68

Chippewa.

31

Jackson.

39 Pepin.

34

Washburn.

1 1

Clark.

30

Jefferson.

63 Pierce.

36

Washington.

53

Columbia.

55

Juneau.

42 1 Polk.

13

Waukesha.

64

Crawford.

59

Kenosha.

67

Portage.

28

Waupaca.

26

Dane.

62

Kewaunee.

22 : Price.

5

Waushara.

44

Dodge.

54

La Crosse.

40

Racine.

66

Winnebago.

48

Door.

21

Lafayette.

71

Richland.

57

Wood.

29

Douglas.

9

Langlade.

18 ; Rock.

69

Dunn.

33

Lincoln.

17

Rusk.

15

766

WISCONSIN
COUNTIES.

7. Ashland.

( inc. Apostle lsl>.)
8t Bayfield.
9. Douglas.

10. Burnett.

11. Washburn.

12. Sawyer.

13. Polk.
U. Ban

Rusk or Cites

16. Tsylor.

17. Lincoln.

18. Langlade.
9. Oconto.
0. Marinette.

•21. Door.

nc. islands).

22. Kewaunee.

23. Brown.

24. Outagamie.

86. Jefferson

87. Wayne.

88. Edwards.

43. Ada

44. Waushara.

45. Marquette.

46. Green Lake.

47. Fond du Lac

48. Winnebago.

49. Calumet,
.'.(). Manitowoc.

51. Sheboygan.

52. Ozaukee.
33. Washington.
54. Doi

56. Sauk.

57. Richla

58. Vernoi

ARKANSAS

J^

^

Field Museum of Natural History.

Publication 131,

Zoological Series.

Vol. IX.

THE BIRDS OF ILLINOIS
AND WISCONSIN

BY

Charles B. Cory

Curator of Department of Zoology.

-^'f. ^^ (JZ^)

Chicago, U. S. A.
1909

'it^iin^

AMNH LIBRARY

100108110