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BULLETIN

OF THE

Nuttall Ornithological Club

lournal 0f ^rnitj^ologg.
VOLUME 1.

J. A. ALLEN.

S. F. BAIRD AND ELLIOTT CODES.

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. :
PUBLISHED BY THE CLUB.
1876.

University Press: Welch, Bigelow, & Co.,
Cambridge.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME 1.

C7i

^982

NUMBER 1.

Description of a New Species of Helminthophaga. By William Brew-
ster. With a Plate

The Common Buzzard Hawk {Buteo vulgaris) of Europe in North Amer-
ica. By C. J. Maynard

Nesting of the Golden^winged Warbler {Helminihophaga chrysqptera)

IN Massachusetts. By J. Warren

Notes on the Rough-winged Swallow (Eirundo serripennis) in Penn-
sylvania. By Waller Van Fleet

On the Breeding of the Black-throated Blue Warbler {JDendroeca
ccerulescens) in Connecticut. By C. M. Jones , . . . .

On Two Empidonaces, Traillii and acadicus. By E, W. Eenshaw .
Occurrence of certain Birds in the New England States. By Wil-
liam Brewster

Albinism and Melanism among North American Birds. By Euthven

Deane

Notes on Birds found breeding on Cobb’s Island, Va. By E. B. Bailey

NUMBER 11.

The Nuttall Ornithological Club

Regarding Buteo vulgaris in North America. By Robert Ridgway
Additions to the Avi-fauna of Illinois, with Notes on other Spe-
cies of Illinois Birds. By F. W. Nelson

Notes on the Breeding Habits of Clarke’s Crow (Picicorvus colum-
hianus)^ with an Account of its Nest and Eggs. By Captain Charles

Bendire, U. S. A ,

Description of a new Duck from Washington Island. By Thomas H,
Streets, M. D., Passed Assistant Surgeon, U. S. N

RECENT LITERATURE.

Lawrence’s Description of New Species of American Birds, 47. — Snow’s Birds
of Kansas, 47. — Kidder’s Ornithology of Kerguelen Island, 48. — Kidder and
Coues’s “A Study of Chionis minor, etc., 48. — Marsh’s Extinct Birds
with Teeth, 49. — Gentry’s “ Life-Histories of the Birds of Eastern Penn-
sylvania,” 49.

Page

1

2

6

9

11

14

17

20

24

29

82

39

44

46

IV

CONTENTS OF VOLUME L

GENERAL NOTES.

Breeding of the Canada Goose in Trees, 50. — Tarsal Envelope in Campylorhyn-
chus and allied Genera, 50. — Occurrence of the Curlew Sandpiper in Mas-
sachusetts, 51. — The Ipswich Sparrow in New Brunswick, 52. — Passer-
cuius princeps and Parus hudsonicus in Connecticut, 52. — Anser rossii in
Oregon, 52.

NUMBER III.

Decrease op Birds in Massachusetts. By J. A. Allen .... 53

On the Number op Primaries in Oscines. By Dr. Elliott Coues, U. S. A. 60

The Yellow-bellied Woodpecker (Sphyrapicus varius). By William

Brewster 63

RECENT LITERATURE.

Ornithology of the Wheeler Expedition, 70. — Field and Forest, 71. — The Port-
land Tern, 71. — The Birds of Ritchie Co., West Virginia, 72. — Brewer’s
Birds of New England, 72.

GENERAL NOTES.

The Philadelphia Vireo in New England, 74. — Geographical Variation in the
Number and Size of the Eggs of Birds, 74. — The Nest and Eggs of Traill’s
Flycatcher, as observed in Maine, 75. — Singular Food of the Least Bittern,

76. — Intelligence of a Crow, 76. — The Great Carolina Wren in Massa-
chusetts, 76.

NUMBER IV.

Our Present Knowledge op the Nidipication op the American King-
lets. By Ernest Ingersoll 77

Nesting Habits op the Californian House Wren {Troglodytes aedon

var. parJcmanni). By Dr. J. G. Cooper 79

On Geographical Variation in Dendrceca palmarum. By Robert Ridgway 81
Notes on Texan Birds. By J. C. Merrill, M. D., Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A. 88
Birds of New England. By Thomas M. Brewer ..... 89

RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

Lawrence’s Birds of Southwestern Mexico, 93. — Jordan’s Manual of Vertebrate
Animals, 93.

GENERAL NOTES.

Capture of the Orange-crowned Warbler in Massachusetts, 94. — Variable
Abundance of Birds at the same Localities in different Years, 95. — Occur-
rence of the Wood Ibis in Pennsylvania and New York, 96. — Peculiar Nest-
ing-site of the Bank-Swallow, 96.

HELMINTHOPHAGA LEUGOBRONGHIALIS, Brewster.
Adult male.

Plate 1

QUARTERLY BULLETIN

OF THE

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

Vol. I. A.P-I1TL, 1876. Mo. 1.

DESCRIPTION OB' A NEW SPECIES OF HELMINTHOPHAGA.

BY WM. BREWSTER.

Helminthophaga LEUCOBRONCHIALIS. Pl. 1*

Adult male ; summer plumage. Crown, bright yellow, slightly tinged
with olive on the occiput. Greater and middle wing coverts, yellow, not so
bright as the crown. Superciliary line, cheeks, throat and entire under parts;
silky-white, with a slight tinge of pale yellow on the breast. Dorsal surface,
— exclusive of nape which is clear ashy — washed with yellow, as are also the
outer margins of the secondaries. A narrow line of clear black passes from
the base of the upper mandible, through and to a short distance behind the
^ eye, interrupted however by the lower eyelid, which is distinctly wEite. No
trace of black on the cheeks or throat, even upon raising the feathers. Bill
black. Feet, dark brown. Dimensions — length, 5.I9 ; extent, 7.88 ; wing, 2 .45 ;
tarsus, .71; tail, 1.86; culmen, ,53.

It will be seen from the above description that this bird
resembles most closely the Golden-winged Warbler, C Helmin-
thophaga chrysoptera.)

The entire absence of black or ashy on the cheeks and
throat, the peculiar character of the superciliary line, and the
white lower eyelid, present howeyer differences not to be rec-
onciled with any known seasonal or accidental variation of that
species. The restricted line of black through the eye gives the
head a remarkable similarity to that of Helminthophaga pinus^
but' the semblance goes no farther.

The specimen above described was shot by the writer in
Newtonville, Mass., May 18, 1870. It was in full song when
taken and was flitting about in a thicket of birches near a
swampy piece of oak and maple woods. As nearly as can be
remembered it did not difier much in either voice or actions

*• The original of our plate was drawn and colored by Robert Ridgeway,
Esq., of the Smithsonian Institution, and presented by him to Mr. Brewster.

2

QUARTERLY BUELLTIN.

from H. clirysoptem. The first notice of this specimen appeared
in the “American Sportsman,” vol. 5, p. 33. To speculate on the
probable home or range of a bird so little known would be at
the present time idle. Whether it must be placed in the same
category with the unique Euspiza Townsendi, Regulus Cuvieriy
etc., or like Dendrceca KirJdandi^ will turn up occasionally in
the future at different points, or still again as in the case of Cen-
tronyx Bairdii, wdll be found in large numbers, time alone
can decide. Every fixed species of bird is probably common
somewhere. There is always some well stocked reservoir how-
ever restricted in area, from which the choicest rarities emanate,
but to locate this avian well-spring is not seldom an undertak-
ing of difficulty.

As previously remarked the differences in coloration in the
present bird from any of its allies are so great, and of such a
nature, as to render any theory of accidental variation exceed-
ingly unlikel}", while hybrids — at least among the smaller spe-
cies of undomesticated birds — are of such shadowy and proble-
matical existence that their probable bearing upon the present
case is liardly worthy of consideration.

It is not a little remarkable that another species* in the same
genus as this, and one too apparently quite as strongly charac-
terized, should have been brought to light at so nearly the same
time.

THE COMMON BUZZ AED HAWK (BUTEO VULGARIS) OF
EUKOPE IN NOKTH AMERICA.

BY C. J. MAYNAKD.

Late in the autumn of 1873 I received a box of bird skins
from Mr. J. D. Allen, of Paw Paw, Mich. They consisted
mainly of Hawks, among which >\as a specimen that instantly
attracted m}^ attention, for it was quite peculiar in its markings.
The skin was evidently that of a Buteo, but I could not make it
agree with any of the plumages of the species which had come
under my observation. This was the result of a hasty examin-
ation, for being extremely busy at the time I laid it one side for
further comparison.

Later study upon it proved as nearly as possible, without

* Helminthophaga Latorencii^ Herrick. Proc. Acatl. Natural Science,
Phila., 1874, pi. 15, p. 220.

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

3

actual comparison with like skins, that it was identical with the
Buteo vulgaris of Europe. Supposing that Mr. Allen had quite
probably received it from abroad the matter rested here ; but as
there was still some uncertainty as to whether it was that spe-
cies, on account of my not having compared it with typical
specimens, the question would arise in my mind every time
I saw the skin.

Various ornithological friends examined the specimen and
expressed^ some opinion about it, yet all were inclined to be-
lieve that it was a European bird, while I never gave the time
necessary for settling the matter by writing Mr. Allen. Thus
the skin had been lying in my collection until the past autumn,
when at the request of Mr. Brewster I showed it to our mutual
friend, Mr. Henry Henshaw, who urged me to let him take it to
Washington, that it might be examined by Mr. Bob’t Ridgway.

Shortly after this Mr. Henshaw informed me, per letter, that
it was indeed Bateo vulgaris^ but that there was a decided im-
probability that it was taken on this side of the Atlantic. Ca-
rious to know its history I wrote to Mr. Allen, asking him if

he' remembered the specimen, and if he could tell me where
it was taken.

The reply was quite unexpected, for Mr, Allen stated that he
remembered the bird well, and as there were peculiar circum-
stances connected with its capture he recollected clearly that it
was shot in Michigan. I then wrote again, giving him for the first
time an account bf the interest which was attached to the capture
of this species in the United States, and begged him to relate
all he knew about it. To this epistle I received the following
reply. As Mr. Allen’s account is not only interesting but im-
portant as proving beyond the shadow of a doubt that the bird
in question was actually taken in Michigan, I give his letter
verbatim. I will, however, preface it by saying that all the oth-
er Hawks sent to me by Mr. Allen were correctly labeled “ Red-
tailed,” “ Red-shouldered,” etc., but this bore the simple legend
“ Hawk.’’ This fact, together with its extremely peculiar plu-
mage, rendered it easy for him to remember what particular
skin was under consideration.

“Paw Paw, Mich., Jan. 16, 1876.

Me. Maynard —

Dear Sir : — Yours at hand and noted. I am surprised as well as
pleased to learn that the Hawk proves to be so valuable and interest-
ing a specimen. When I shot it I was unable to decide what it was,

4

QUABTERLT BULLETIN.

but rather thought it was an immature specimen of Buteo lineatus^
but being uncertain did not give it a specific name when I sent it to
you. The circumstances connected with its capture are as follows :

Returning one morning from the head of a small pond in the vi-
cinity of Paw Paw, Mich., where I had been duck shooting, I discov-
ered a Hawk perched on the dead branch of a leaning tree that grew
from the bank at the water’s edge.

I was in my boat, and at least twenty-five rods from the tree, in
full view of the bird, which was eyeing me attentively, so I had no
chance of approaching him except in full view, and as he appeared
about to fly I gave up all hopes of getting a shot at him. But to my
surprise he described a complete circle and came nearly over my
head, when I fired at him.

He continued his flight in an awkward and laborious manner until
he reached the shore ; then dropped dead within a few feet of the
very tree Irom winch he started.

I think that this was about the first of October, 1873, but am not
certain about the exact date. I have often thought of the peculiar
movement of this bird. Here, when I had given up all hopes of ap-
proaching him he should fly to me, as it were, to receive his death
wound, then return again to the shore to suffer himself to fall on dry
ground. I may add that I have never had any birds directly from
Europe, and none larger than an English Fieldfare.

Respectfully, yours,

J. D. ALLEN.”

Although this species has been excluded from our ornithologies
for many years, yet this is not the first instance on record of the
capture of huteo vulgaris in North America. As early as 1838,
Audubon made mention of it. In Vol. IV, page 508 of Orni-
thological Biography he says, speaking of his illustration, [PL
372] : “ The specimen from which the figure before you was ta-
ken was shot by Dr. Townsend on a rock near the Columbia
River, on which it had its nest.”

Then follows Audubon’s description, which agrees in every
particular with my specimen ; differing utterly from that of
fcSwainson’s Hawk {Buteo Swainsoni), which I have before me,
and which more recent authors appear to think Audubon had in
hand when he made his description. I give below the main
points of difference between Audubon’s description and Swain-
son’s Hawk, which will also apply equally to my specimen : —
“Feet; short, robust.” Swainson’s has quite slender tarsi.
“ Wings ; long, broad, the fourth quill longest.” Swainson’s
has the third the longest. “ The third next, the fifth very little
shorter, the second longer than fifth.” Swainson’s has the
fourth next longest, the fifth fully an inch shorter than the third
whilst the fifth is a little longer than the second, making quite
a differently formed wing from that of vulgaris. “ First four
abruptly cut out on the inner web.” Now it is a well known
character of Swainson’s to have but three incised primaries.

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

5

Speaking of primaries, Audubon says, “ A greater part of
the inner web, with the shaft white * ^ ^ ^ the white of

the inner webs of the primaries forms a conspicuous patch, con-
trasted with the grayish-black of their terminal portion.” This
is a remarkable feature not noticeable in Swainson’s. Audu-
bon’s bird had the “lower wing-coverts white barred with dus-
ky.” Swainson’s has rufous under wing-coverts.

The above are the principal differences, and together with
Audubon’s fine plate, which is a perfect facsimile of my bird,
give a most emphatic contradiction to all assertions that Audu-
bon was unable to distinguish the difference between Buteo vul-
garis and what to him would have been a new bird. This noted
ornithologist was constantly on tlie lookout for new species with
which to embellish his book, and it is extremely improbable
that he would have let such an opportunity escape him.

The descriptive points given are enough to separate Audu-
bon’s bird from all others, but as if to give more weight to his
testimony we find him saying as a final to his article : “ When
compared with European specimens, mine have the bill somewhat
stronger ; but in all other respects, including the scutella and
scales of the feet and toes, and the structure of the wings and
tail, the parts are similar.”

It will be noticed that he uses the plural “ mine,” for before
this was appended he had received another, also shot by Dr.
Townsend, on the plains of the Snake River.

Swainson and Richardson, in “ Fauna Boreali Americana,”
Vol. II, page 47, also make mention of a species under the name
of Buteo vulgaris., and give a figure of the same. They were,
liowever, without doubt mistaken in their identification, the
bird which they had being really Buteo Swainsoni, as both
description and figure clearly indicate. Reverting once more to
Audubon, I will answer a query which will arise in almost
every one’s mind, viz : — How was it that Aubudon did not find
the common B. Swainsoni, and yet have specimens of the rarer
vulgaris pass through his hands?

First — The country inhabited by this Hawk (Swainson’s) was
comparatively unknown at that time, and consequently not much
traversed by naturalists.

Second — Audubon never noticed some of our most common
species, while he discovered and described many rare ones that
were closely allied to them. Notably among these was the

6

QUARTERLY BULLETIN.

Least and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers {Empidonax minmus et
jiaviventris)., both of which were unknown to him until pointed
out by Prof. S. F. Baird. Accident or perhaps a singular chain
of circumstances will often prevent a collector from finding spe-
cies which are very common. During my first visit to Florida
I took nearl3" every species whieh was known to exist in the
section which I visited, yet never saw a single specimen of the
Tufted Titmouse {Lophophanes bicolor) ^ which I have since
found there in abundance.

Lastly — Is Buteo vulgaris very rare in the Northwest? I
know that this section has been ransacked by good collectors,
^’^et sometimes birds will escape observation for years, and at
last be found common. Such certainly has been the case with
Baird’s Bunting {Passerculus Bairdii) ; and Sprague’s Lark
(Neocorys Spraguei) In conclusion, then, I may add, that
as three specimens of the Common Buzzard have actually been
taken within our limits it is extremely probable that it will be
found of regular occurrence in the Northwest.

NESTING OF THE GOLDEN- WINGED WARBLER (HELMINTHO
PHAGA CHRYSOPTERA), IN MASSACHUSETTS.

BY J. WARREN.

Of all our warblers there are few that surpass the Golden-
wing in elegance of plumage. Though comparatively common
with us during the spring migrations but few appear to remain
to breed, and yet our State has been considered about its north-
ern limit on this coast. They arrive in eastern Massachusetts
from the second to the third week in May, when they are very
active, flitting through the trees and young growth, diligently
searching for their food, which consists of insects and their lar-
vae, occasionally giving vent to a rather loud, peculiar and un-
mistakable song, which, though not so musical as that of most
of the other individuals of this family, is very pleasing. The
Golden-wings do not seem to confine themselves wholly to
swampy situations, as is usually stated, but are sometimes found
on higher ground, quite remote from such places. They^ pair
shortly after arriving, and commence to build from the latter
part of May to the first of June. The first authentic nest found

NUTT ALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

7

in this section of the country was that collected by Mr. C. J.
Maynard, June 12, 1869, and admirably described by him on
page 100 of the “Naturalist’s Guide.” This nest was placed on
a slightly elevated tuft of moss, near a swampy thicket, within
a short distance of a travelled road, and contained four eggs,
and also one of the Cow Bird (Molothrus pecoris), which were
within a few days of hatching. Since this nest was found there
have been no others taken, to my knowledge, until the past year
when three were discovered ; one each by my friends, E. B.
Towne, Jr., and W. W. Eager, who have kindly allowed me to
use their notes, and the third by my brother and myself.

We were out collecting on the afternoon of June 8th, 1875,
and while passing through a strip of swampy land on the out-
skirts of a small wood, flushed a bird from under a plant known
as “ Skunk Cabbage,” ( Symplocarpus faetidus.)

Upon searching we found the nest concealed by the large
leaves of the plant. It was raised about two inches above the
wet ground by dead oak and maple leaves which were quite
damp. The owner soon came back, and hopping excitedly from
branch to branch of an alder thicket a few yards away, almost
continually uttered a sharp chirp of alarm, betokening her strong
dislike to the intruders ; but, strange to say, her mate did not
make his appearance, although we could hear him distinctly
zee-zee-zeeing, a few rods away. As it was fast growing dark,
and feeling satisfled that she had laid her set, we shot her.

The nest, which closely resembles that of the Maryland Yel-
low-throat ( Geotlilypis triclias ), is composed outwardly of dry
oak and maple leaves, interspersed with long stripes of the out-
er bark of the grape vine ; and is lined with flne flbrous shreds
of the same of a reddish tint, interwoven with one or two very
small pieces of dry grass. The measurements are as follows :
height, 2.75 inches ; width, 4.25 ; diameter inside, 2.30 ; depth
inside, 1.60.

The eggs are three in number, two pure white ; the third
sparsely spotted on the larger end, and measured respectively,
.69x.53, .68x.51, and .65x.49. One of them was out of the nest,
and had three small holes close to each other on the upper side,
through which a little of the albumen had leaked out and dried.
I cannot with certainty account for this, as I feel quite positive
that no other person had ever molested the nest, but think that
a squirrel, or other rodent, had eaten one of the eggs, pulled

8

QUARTERLY BULLETIN.

out another, perforating the shell with his claws, and being at-
tacked by the birds, quitted the nest, leaving the remainder of
his spoil behind. Both of the eggs in the nest were slightly
incubated, while the one outside was quite fresh.

The following is an extract from Mr. Towne’s journal :

“ While out collecting, early in the morning of the 29th day
of May, 1875, as I was walking up a hillside through small
white birches, saw a Golden-winged Warbler within twelve feet
of the muzzle of my gun ; was about to shoot, when I noticed
a small straw or diy blade of grass in her mouth. The thought
of finding her nest induced me to watch closely. She soon flew
and alighted in the centre of an old cart path. I went to the
spot and was delighted on finding in the centre of a small tus-
sock of grass the commencement of a nest. Went to the place
the next day and saw the female at work ; did not go again for
two days when there was one egg. On June 5th I took the nest
with four fresh eggs. By creeping up carefully and putting my
hand over the nest, succeeded in catching the female. Saw the
male soon after, but he was exceedingly sh3^”

In structure the nest closely resembles mine, but is a little
narrower and deeper inside. It measures in height 3.00 inch-
es, width, 3.80, diameter inside, 1.90, depth inside, 2.00. The
eggs are white, faintly spotted with red on the larger end,
and measure .72x.52, .70x.56, .70x.48, and .68x.58 inches.

Mr. Eager found his nest about one fourth built on the 5th of
June, 1875, in rather low, wet woods, within one hundred feet
of a travelled road, and it was placed on the ground between
some young oak sprouts. June 9th, it contained four eggs. He
did not see either of the birds until the 11th, when he shot the
female, but did not see the male at all. The nest was well con-
cealed by dry leaves, and was made up outwardly of dry and
skeletonized oak leaves, and lined with grape vine bark interwo-
ven with fine j^ellow grass. Height, 3.00 ; width, 3.60 ; diameter
inside, 2.10; depth inside, 2.00. The eggs were white, with
few light reddish spots On the larger end, and measure, .70x.54,
.69X.55, .69X.53, and .69x.55 inches respectively.

These nests were all found in Newton, within a mile of
each other.

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

9

NOTES ON THE EOUGH- WINGED SWALLOW (HIRUNDO
SERRIPENNIS), IN PENNSYLVANIA.

BY WALTER VAN FLEET.

I have, during two years of rather careful observation, no-
ticed a constant and decided difference in the breeding and
other habits of the Rough-winged Swallow, as compared with the
Bank Swallow ( B. riparia). The main points are as follows :

H. serripennis is not gregarious while nesting, but during the
breeding season appears rather to avoid its kind, as well
as the Bank Swallows, and to associate only in pairs. Their
nesting holes are not placed near each other in the manner of
ri'paria., but are scattered along the banks of creeks and riv-
ers at irregular intervals, wherever an especially favorable local-
ity occurs. They very seldom excavate a hole for themselves,
but generally take up with any suitable cavity, and alter it to
suit their taste. It is quite common to find them breeding in
deserted Kingfishers’ holes, and in this case placing the nest
within a foot or eighteen inches from the entrance. They will
also, on finding a decayed root of sufficient size, leading in from
their favorite sand banks, remove the soft punky wood, follow-
ing the winding of the root, until they have arrivedat a suit-
able distance — about two feet — where, after enlarging the cavi-
ty, they place their nest. This species is also fond of buildi'^g
in holes in stone bridge piers and other masonry, near water, re-
turning to the same place year after year.

In the few cases which I have observed of their excavating,
for themselves, it has been done in a very slovenly manner, and
invariably their holes have been much larger than is apparently
necessary, and round at the entrance, while on the contrary the
holes of the H. ripiria are very symmetrical ellipses, with the
longer axis horizontal, and not larger than is needful to permit
free ingress and egress of the birds. I have never yet, in this lo-
cality, found a Bank Swallow’s hole large enough to admit the
hand, without enlarging, while the nest of the Rough-wings can
generally be reached without any trouble, except when built in
masonry. In this case they will pass through a crevice barely
large enough to admit their bodies, providing there is a cavity
within large enough to contain the nest,

2

10

QUARTERLY BULLETIN,

The nests of H» serripennis are generally much more careless-
ly built than those of H, riparia; they do not seem to go any
distance for their materials, but appear to pick up anything suit-
able which the}’’ can find within a few rods of their habitation.
The nests of the two species are composed of nearly the same
substances, but those of B. riparia exhibit a greater variety in
the same nests, for, as they build in large colonies, they are
obliged to search for materials in different places. On one oc-
casion I remember finding a nest of H, serripennis composed
entirely of feathers of domestic fowls. It was built in a desert-
ed Kingfisher’s hole, in a sand bank, about fifteen rods from a
barn-yard, in which fowls were constantly kept. At another
time I found three fresh eggs lying on the bare sand ; the hole
was a mere pocket, barely six inches deep. In this case the fe-
male bird was probably under so great a necessity that she did
not have time to construct a nest in the usual manner, but had
hastily deepened the already formed cavity.

I have quite frequently found fresh eggs in the nests of Bi.
serripennis,, and those far advanced in incubation ; indeed,
have found fresh, nearly hatched eggs, and young birds, in the
same nest, but I have never noticed anything like this among
Bank Swallows, though I have searched carefully.

In general habits the difference is perhaps less marked. The
Eough-wings arrive here about the 10th of April, in large num-
bers, full two weeks before the Bank Swallows, and are found in
company^ with B. horreorum and H. bicolor ^ playing around,
and chasing insects over the ponds and rivers.

About the first of May the Bank Swallows come ; H. serripen-
nis then appear to grow scarcer, and to desert the vicinity of
ponds and streams where there are no sand banks. During the
latter part of June and through July, I have often met pairs
of Bough-winged swallows fljdng steadily in a particular direc-
tion, one or another turning out to pursue an occasional insect,
but when it was captured returning to its former general
course, over meadows, forests and streams until lost to sight. I
have thus met pairs at different times, going towards all points
of the compass. As they fly quite high at these times I have
never succeeded in killing both birds, but think they would
prove to be male and female.

About the last of August, both this species, and B. riparia
begin to migrate southward, associated with the Barn Swal-

NUTT ALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

11

lows ; when there is no perceptible difference in the habits
of either. By the middle of September they have all disap-
peared.

Watsontown, Pa., Feb. 20th, 1876.

ON THE BREEDING OF THE BLACK-THROATED BLUE WAR-
BLER (DENDR(EQA CMRULESCENS) IN CONNECTICUT.

BY C. M. JONES,

As but little is known concerning the nesting of this warbler,
a description of two instances which have come under my ob-
servation may not be without interest. But perhaps the most
interesting fact connected with the discovery of these nests is
the occurrence of this species, during the breeding season, so
far south of its usual summer habitat. Eastford, where they
were found, is in the north-east corner of Connecticut, being
eight miles south of the Massachusetts line, and sixteen miles
west of the Rhode Island line.

My first discovery of the nest of this bird was on the 8th of
June, 1874. While taking a stroll in search of specimens for
my cabinet, my attention was arrested by a bird of which I
could not determine the species. I tried to get a shot, but
it was in the tops of the trees, and kept flitting about so rap-
idly that I could only keep it in view sufficiently to follow,
which I did for, perhaps, seventy-five yards, and then lost sight
of it entirely. But just then I discovered a nest of the Wood
Thrush (Turdus mustilinu^J, proceeded to appropriate the
eggs, and had scarcely finished packing them, when I again
discovered the bird, of which I had been in pursuit, in a
bush not more than a dozen yards off, and from her restless
manner I was convinced that it had a nest very near. I ac-
cordingly retired a short distance, and sat down to await further
developments. Presently it flew near the Thrush’s nest, and
after waiting a few moments, dropped into a low bush and dis-
appeared. Allowing it sufficient time to get settled, I care-
fully approached the spot, and, looking under the low bush-
es, discovered it sitting on a nest, not more than two feet
from where I stood while taking the Thrush’s eggs. The bird
let me approach within a yard before starting, and then, hop-

12

QUARTERLY BULLETIN,

ping suddenly to the ground, it flew to a bush five or six yards
off, uttering a few low chirps, endeavoring apparently to con-
ceal itself. Not being able to identify the species I was obliged
to shoot, and it proved to be a female Dendmca ccemlescens.

The nest was located in deep woods, near the base of a hill,
which sloped down to a swampy run. It was built in a small
laurel, ( Kalmia latifolia ), a fourth of an inch in diameter at the
base. About five inches from the ground the bush separated into
three branches, and in this triple fork the nest was situated. It
has a firm and compact appearance. External diameter, about
three inches ; internal, one and three-fourths inches ; external
depth, two and three-fourths inches ; internal, one and three-
fourths inches. Top of nest, seven and one-half inches high
from the ground. It is composed outwardly of what appears
to be the dry bark of the grape vine, with a few twigs and roots.
This is covered in many places with a reddish, woolly substance,
apparently the outer covering of some species of cocoon. The
inside is composed of small black roots and hair. The nest
contained four fresh eggs, of which the following is a descrip-
tion : —

No. 1, ashy-white, with a ring of brown and lilac spots and
blotches around the larger end, and a few minute spots of the
same scattered over the entire surface. Precisely at the centre
of the large end is a small spot of deep umber ; dimensions, .61
by .47. No. 2, white, with a slight tinge of green ; the larger
end covered with blotches and spots like No. 1 ; one side, near
the small end, shaded with the same, where there are also a
few small spots of dark umber: dimensions, .61 by .47. No.
3, ground color like No. 2 ; the larger end covered with blotches
of light brown and pale lilac ; a spot of dark umber near the
small end — dimensions, .64 by .50. No. 4, ashy-white, the lar-
ger end surrounded and nearly covered with spots of brown,
with minute spots of the same scattered over the entire surface
— dimensions, .66 by .50.

The second nest I discovered on the 13th of the same month.
It was about eighty rods distant from the first, on level ground,
and near a piece of swampy land. The spot was somewhat shad-
ed by hemlocks ; the principal part of the forest trees being
oak and chestnut.

While examining a nest of Vireo oUvaceus, I heard a faint
chirp slowly repeated, and, looking around, soon discovered in

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

13

one of the hemlocks a bird which I felt sure was of the same
species taken a few days before. From her manner I felt
she had a nest not far distant, and remembering how closely the
other allowed me to approach before leaving her eggs, I conclu-
ded that I must have passed very near the nest of this bird ;
therefore retracing my steps, and looking carefully among the
bushes I soon discovered the object of my search. Desiring
that there should be no mistake about the species, I at once
went home, and, taking my gun, returned to the place. Approach-
ing cautiously I discovered her on the nest. She permitted
me to approach very near, and then, like the other, dropped
suddenly from the nest, apd flew into the same hemlock' in
which I first found her. After securing my bird I took
the eggs, but to my regret found that incubation had proceeded
so far that it was impossible to save them. These — four in
number — were of a darker shade than the first set, but this was
evidently the result of incubation. They were also more spot-
ted, and the spots spread more generally over the entire surface
than in the other set. The nest was not so near the ground as
the first, the top being eleven and one half inches from it. It
was placed in a laurel, or more strictly speaking, in two laurels.
One of these lay horizontally in the fork of the other, and on
the horizontal one the nest was set, held in place by being at-
tached on one side to the upright branches of the other. It is
constructed of the same materials as the first, excepting the
woolly substance on the outside, of which there are only two
small pieces. External diameter, three and one half inches ;
internal, one and seven-eighths inches ; external depth, two
inches ; internal, one and three-eighths inches.

As will be seen, by comparison, the nest is much more flat
than the first, the result, undoubtedly, of its different situation
on a horizontal branch, while the other being in a narrow triple
fork, was necessarily narrower and deeper. Placed side by side
the two nests bear very little resemblance, and would hardly be
suspected of belonging to the same species.

14

QUARTERLY BULLETIN,

ON TWO EMPIDONACES, TEAILLII AND ACADICUS .

BY H. w. HENSHAW.

Perhaps no one group of North American birds has given
rise to more confusion, and perplexing errors of identification
than our small Flycatchers. More from this reason than from
any other cause, our knowledge of the exact range of several of
them is still far from being as complete as would be desirable.
With a few words on this subject I shall pass to the main object
of this paper, which was to call attention to certain differences,
between the nests of the two species mentioned above, which it
seems to me have never been sufficiently emphasized in the dis-
tinction of the two birds, though by no means unknown before.

In New England, if the Acadian Flycatcher be found at all,
it is in the character of a very rare visitant, and I am inclined
to believe that all of the various quotations assigning this bird
to a place in the New England fauna may be set down as in-
stances of mistaken identification, not excepting the evidence
of Mr. J. A. Allen, who states that E acadicus is a rare summer
visitant near Springfield, Mass. I am inclined to think that Mr.
Allen’s acadicus^ were really Traillii^ more especially since, in
recounting the habits, he says, “ it breeds in swamps and thick-
ets, which are its exclusive haunts.” This accords perfectly
with the habits of E. and is utterly at variance with

those of acadicus,, as elsewhere shown.*

As at present made out the Acadian Flycatcher reaches no
further north along the coast than New Jersey. Nor in the in-
terior does its range appear to extend much if any higher.
Going west we find it occurs in about the same latitude in Penn-
sylvania, in Ohio, where it is numerons about Columbus, (Dr.
J. M. Wheaton,) and in southern Illinois, as shown by Messrs.
Ridgway and Nelson ; while the Mississippi may be looked upon
as marking about its western limit.

We find, however, one quotation from further west, that of
Mr. Allen of eastern Kansas. In its distribution the Traill’s
Flycatcher is decidedly more northern, though the southern line

^Since penning the above I understand that Mr. Allen allows this view to
be correct.

NVTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

15

of its summer habitat is found to be somewhat that of its con-
gener. Such is the case in Pennsylvania, in Ohio and Illinois.

Limited to about Kansas in its extension westward, TrailFs
Flycatcher then fades into the closely allied form, known as var.
pusillus^ which seems to inhabit the western country at large,
without much regard to the climatic condition which it finds. —
In addition to many intermediate quotations we find it from
Washington Territory (Cooper,) to New Mexico and Arizona
where I have found it almost to the Mexican line, and also in
southern California.

In this wide range of country the Traill’s Fl^matcher appears
to have changed its habits very little. It is everywhere a bird
of the swamps and lowlands, being especially partial to the
running streams, whose banks are well clothed with willow, dis-
posed in dense thickets. This is as true of the var. pusillus in
the west as of Trailili in the east, and there is seen also in the
architecture of the nests of the two a similarity which is quite
remarkable, when is taken into consideration the wide extent of
country occupied by the two varieties. Slight variations aside,
which are chiefly the result of a difference in the materials used,
the selection of which always largel}^ depends upon fortuitous
circumstances, there is almost no difference.

As typical then of either variety, I shall briefly describe a
nest of Traillii,, one of a series of five, kindly presented by Dr.
Wheaton, and taken near Columbus, Ohio.

It may be fairly compared with the usual structure of the
Summer Yellow Warbler (Dendrmca cestim),, so well known to
every one, but lacks something of the compactness and neat-
ness shown by this species in its method of weaving together the
materials that make up its home. Hempen fibres compose the
exterior, or the hulk of the nest, while internally it is lined in true
Flycatcher style with fine grasses, and a slight admixture of down
from thistles ; the main point of all, however, is its position with
regard to the branches. It is built into an upright fork, the small
twigs that surround it being made available to secure it more
firmly in its place by being encircled with the stringy fibres. In
this particular of position correspond all of the nests of this
bird I have seen, as well as those of pusilhis in the west.

Taking now a nest of E. acadicus, and placing it beside the
others, a very striking difference is at once seen. Instead of
comparing it with the structures of any of the Warblers, or with

16

QUARTERLY BULLETIN,

those of the above species, we are at once reminded of the Vi-
reos, though no one familiar with the elegant basket-like struc-
ture of these weavers would think of mistaking this for one of
their masterpieces. The resemblance is but a superficial one,
beginning and ending with the manner the nest is disposed in
a horizontal fork.

It is a slight structure made of fine grasses, interspersed
more or less with the blossoms of trees, the whole disposed in a
circular form, and fitted between two twigs ; a firm support is
derived from a binding of spiders’ webs, which are inter-
woven with the sides of the nest, and then carried over the
twigs on either side, encircling them with strong bands. The
entire base of the nest is without support, and so thin is the
slight structure that the eggs might almost be seen from be-
low. This nest was built in a small tree, perhaps twenty
feet from the ground. In this respect the two species vary but
little, both preferring to select the lower branches of tree or
shrub as the site of their domicile, and only rarelj^ departing
from ^the rule. This last nest was taken near Washington, by
Mr. P. L. Jouy, who kindly placed it at my disposal. The con-
trast between these two structures could indeed scarcely be
greater, and those selected for description may, I think, be taken
as fair samples of the styles of nest architecture that obtain
with the two species, at least all of a considerable number I
have seen, from several localities, correspond with the forego-
ing.

A word as to the eggs. After examination of several sets of
either species, of which the identity was unquestionable, I am
certain that no decided differences of coloration exist between
them ; none at least that are constant and that can be made of
use in the exact discrimination of the two. Dr. T. M. Brewer, in
speaking of the eggs of E. traillii, describes them as possessing a
“ white ground color with a distinct roseate tinge,” and marked
with large and well defined blotclies of purplish brown, while in
his description of acadicus^ he says in distinction, the eggs resem-
ble more tliose.of the Contopi, and are “ of a rich cream color
with reddish-brown shading, marked at larger end with scattered
and vivid blotches of red and reddish-brown.” The truth is,
however, that the shade of the ground color of either species is
extremely variable, not being alike in any two sets I have
examiued. The eggs of Traill’s Flycatcher are frequently

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

17

found to be of a very decided cream color, approaching buff,
while those of the Acadian, if anything, are more buffy, but will
now and then be found to be fully as pale as some of the Traill’s.
The markings, too, are subject to considerable variation as to
precise shade, number and size.

On this point Dr. Wheaton remarks, that while he can discov-
er no specific difference in the eggs of the two birds, he is of the
opinion, that the eggs of acadicus average a little longer and
Slenderer than those of Traillii^ and have perhaps a yellower buff
tinge.

With reference to the habits of these two species. Dr. Whea-
ton has always observed a ver}^ decided difference, especially in
the localities chosen as homes, and considers “ the locality as
characteristic of the species as any of its other points.” He
has always found Traill’s Flycatcher a lover of the low grounds,
and especially fond of the willow clumps along running streams,
while of the Acadian he says : “ It is never found in company
with, or in such localities as are frequented by the Traill’s. In
all cases it is found in upland woodland, preferably, and I might
almost say as far as my observation extends in beech woodland.
I have never seen it even during the migration in other pla-
ces.”

ON THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN BIRDS IN THE NEW
ENGLAND STATES.

BY WM. BREVTSTER.

It must be admitted that the knowledge which we possess of
the geographical range of even the commonest of our North
American birds is at present but imperfect.

Important and interesting as this branch of ornithological
lore may be regarded and receiving, as it has of late, consider-
able attention, it yet admits of much closer study. Local lists
have proved of great value as offering readily available expo-
nents of desultory field work, and it is to them that we must
often turn for our most valuable notices of rare species. The
component species of these lists are classed under two heads —
those which more or less regularly occur in the district treated
— and others, extralimital by right, but which driven before
3

18

QUARTERLY BULLETIN,

storms or wandering aimlessly, are finally captured in a region
so remote from the usual range that the chances are a thousand
to one against another individual of the same species ever find-
ing its waj'- thither again. Occurrences of the latter class are
certainly not devoid of interest, but their value to the intelligent
student of ornithology can bear no relation to that of the dis-
covery of a species, which of regular, perhaps almost common
occurrence, has entirely eluded the search of former collectors.
Thus the capture of the Varied Thrush in Massachusetts must be
regarded purety in the light of an accident — an accident, more-
over, which proves nothing beyond the bad taste of the bird in
straying to a region so remote and so overrun by collectors of
its race ; while the establishment of a fixed fact like that re-
cently developed, of the regular seasonal appearance inconsid-
erable numbers of Passerculus princeps along our New England
coast, cannot fail to prove of the utmost practical value to the
ornithologist, and reflectant of great and lasting credit on the
fortunate discoverer.

In the present state of our available knowledge, however,
classifying any newly acquired feathered citizen under either of
the above heads, can scarcely fail to prove a somewhat danger-
ous and arbitrary committal. Truly, in ornithology, “ we know
not what the morrow will bring forth perhaps it will be our
“accidental visitor” in multitudes; or the bird which we shot
yesterday, for the first time, may never be heard from again. —
Manifestl^r the only thing that can be safely done is to “make a
note of it,” and calmly await future developments. Sage proph-
ecy has, however, such temporary charms, that the best of us
fail to keep altogether clear of it at times, and it may not be
gainsaid that it has its value — a value, however, that bears al-
ways a most close relation to the reliability to its author. It
possesses in addition a no small element of luck, and 'is in some
sort a kind of ornithological gambling, where the fate or for-
tunes of the participator are decided by the dice-throw of future
discovery.

Of the following five species, two are recorded for the first
time in New England ; two are new to the State of Maine, and
the last has never been previously taken in Massachusetts. Al-
though the temptation to theorize a little on the occurrence of
some of them is great, it will be at least more consistent to act
in accordance with the philosophy just advanced and simply
give the facts, leaving the commentary to future times and wiser
heads :

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

19

Junco Oregonus., (Towns.), Scl. Female, shot in Watertown,
Mass., March 25th, 1874. This specimen is quite typical, and
its identity has been confirmed by my friend, Mr. H. W. Hen-
shaw, who has recently examined it.

Corvus ossifragus^ Wils. On the morning of March 16th, 1875,
I saw a bird of this species flying swiftly over our place in Cam-
bridge. It was pursued by at least twenty-five or thirty of our
common species, ( Corvus Americanus J, and at each renewnal of
their attacks gave utterance to its peculiar and unmistakable
notes. Having thoroughly familiarized myself with its voice
and motions in the South, where it is abundant, I feel confidant
that I could not in this instance have made any mistake. The
very fact of its having drawn the angry attention of so many
common crows, at a season too when their gregarious habits are
given up for more social relations, proves that it was to them
an object of novelty and one deemed worthy of suspicion and
hatred, I am not aware that any such feeling is maintained
when the two species come together in numbers ; but however
this may be matters little, as our bird habitually treats all sus-
picious strangers in a like manner, and the collector is not sel-
dom indebted for a rare hawk or owl to the watchful eye and
clamorous alarum of this sable sentinel.

Vireo Pkiladelpkicus , Cass. On Sept. 7th, 1875, I shot a
female of this beautiful little species in Cambridge, Mass. It
was feeding in company with several individuals of Vireo olioa-
ceus., in a low willow tree.

Tringa Bairdii.^ Coues. I secured a fine male of this spe-
cies at Upton, Oxford County, Maine, Sept. 1, 1875. When first
observed it was sitting alone on a mud fiat at the foot of
Lake Umbagog.

P fiilomachus pugnax Gr. Female. Killed at Upton, Ox-
ford County, Maine, September 8th, 1874. , It was shot while
flying on the marshes at the mouth of Cambridge River. My at-
tention was attracted to it by its peculiar hawk-like flight, which,
provided it be a constant attendant of its motions, should at
once distinguish it while on wing from any other Tringce. I
arn aware that this species has already been given in Mr. G.
A. Boardman’s “List of the Birds of Calais, Me.,” but Dr.
Brewer informs me that none of the specimens therein referred
to were taken within Maine limits. The only authentic N. E.

20

QUARTERLY BULLETIN.

quotation that I can at present recollect is the record of a Mass,
specimen in “Am. Nat./’ vol. vi, p. 306. The occurrence, of
the present individual so far inland is worthy of remark.

ALBINISM AND MELANISM AMONG NOBTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

BY RUTHVEN DEANE.

What a striking contrast it is as we examine a collection of
Birds, to see one of our familiar friends standing out in bold
relief among others of its own species clad in a spotless suit, or
perhaps wearing a most variegated coloration of plumage, a
white head, a white wing, or a few white tail feathers, while the
rest of the bird retains its normal plumage.

This “ freak of nature ” is of more frequent occurrence than
is generally supposed, yet notwithstanding how difficult it is for
an individual to get together any number of specimens.

I presume there is scarcely a collection of any size in the
country that has not one or more specimens represented, and
yet many of our most experienced collectors, who have shot
thousands of birds, are yet to have the luck (for sheer luck we
must call it) to add a specimen to their cabinet taken with their
own gun, and one must generally be content with but few ex-
amples.

During the past few years I have been fortunate enough to
add about a dozen specimens to my collection, though have only
taken an individual myself. As I have just remarked we may
shoot a whole season in various parts of the country, and travel
many miles without happening upon a single specimen, 3^et
scarcely a week passes that we do not see in some of our daily
papers that so and so recently shot a white Robin, or a white
English Sparrow was seen in one of our public parks, or a white
Blackbird is making a sensation in a certain localitj^, and it
must be generall}^ acknowledged that the casual observer is more
fortunate than one who is constantly’ in the woods and fields.

Pure albinism is of rare occurrence, the majority of specimens
retaining more or less of their normal dress. Of course this
disease is liable to occur in any birds, though more frequently

NUTT ALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

21

in some families than others, and I can now recall some fifty or
sixty different species in which it is represented.

Among the Turdidcs^ the Robin (T, migratorius)^ is the only
si)ecies 1 have seen in the albino state, and in my experience is
the most common example among our birds, though we rarely
hear of pure white specimens, and out of some twenty I have
seen, there vrere not any two that resembled each other.

Among the SaxicolidcB., I have seen the Bluebird (S. sialia)
represented, the specimen being of a light yellowish cast,
though traces of its normal plumage could readily be discerned*

Representatives among the Sylvicolidce.^ I have seen in lim-
ited numbers for so large a family, the examples being P. Amer-
icana.^ a beautifully marked specimen among the collection of
the Smithsonian Institution. D. castanea., a small portion of the
forehead being white, and extending over half of the upper man-
dible. T).coronata has been taken in partial state, and S.ruticilla.
This later species I shot some years ago, and it presents a curious
mixture of coloration. The black head and breast is mottled
with white, the black dorsum is replaced bj^ bright orange, with
a few blackish feathers intermixed, while the belly and crissum
are much more strongly marked with orange than in a typical
specimen. I was attracted at some distance by this peculiar
plumage, and like all abnormal birds it was unusually shy.

Albinism among the Hirundinidce is generally pure white or
of a strong yellowish cast, and I cannot recall of having seen
or heard of a specimen in only a partial state. I have seen
specimens of H. horreorum., T. bicolor C. riparia^ P. lunifrons.,
and P. purpurea, in this, white dress. Ampelis cedrorum has
been taken in some striking stages of plumage, the crest,
wax appendages on the wings, and the yellow tips of the tail
feathers retaining color, while the rest of the body bore a
bleached out appearance.

Doubtless the Fringillidce are represented more largely than
any family, though but eleven species have come under my no-
tice, Passer domesticus being the only one pure white. A speci-
men of A. linaria was recently captured, whose plumage was
white, with the exception of the crimson patch on the crown.
The other examples are P. gramineus., M. melodia, J. Oregonus,
S. monticola, S. socialis, S. pusilla, Z. alhicollis, and P. illiaca — all
these presenting a mottled plumage. In a specimen of Z. albi-
collis, kindly presented to me by Mr. N. C. Brown, of Portland,

22

QUARTERLY BULLETIN.

Maine, the head is pure white, with the exception of the yellow
superciliary stripe which remains and causes a marked contrast.

The most interesting and striking cases of albinism are those
among the Icteridce and CorvidcB^ and how many times have I as-
tonished disinterested persons by referring to a white Black-
bird or a white Crow, and to such persons it must indeed seem
very absurd to prefix “ white” before Blackbird, and also be-
fore Crow, for how common the comparison is, “ as black as
a Crow,” but as previously remarked, this family are as likely
to be represented as any others. Several examples of <S. magna
have been noted. D. oryzivorus has been taken in this plumage, as
has also M. pecoris., A. phoRniceus.^ X. icterocephalus.^ Q. purpureus.,
and C. cristatus. This last was* a beautiful specimen of a pe-
culiar character of albinism, the bright plumage being modi-
fied as though a white veil had been thrown over it, yet all the
natural markings of the birds could be plainly seen.

I am induced to think that among the Tyrannidce but few ex-
amples have been detected, as T. Carolinensis is the only exam-
ple I have ever heard of. This specimen was in the collection
of Mr. James Booth at Niagara Falls. The bird has a stained
or creamy plumage, but the most interesting point is that the
flame-colored patch on the crown remains ; a case similar to A.
Unarm. C. auratus is the only example among the Picidce that
has come under my notice. I have an extremely light colored
specimen of S. mrius., which I collected at the Umbagog Lakes,
but am inclined to think that this was caused by old age.

Among the Strigidce a fine specimen of S. nebulosum is in the
natural history museum at Niagara Falls. The only one
among the Falconidm., on my list, is that of B. horealis^ a mag-
nificent example, pure white, taken on the Hoboken marshes,
N. J. Among the ColumhidcB.^ E. migratorius is noted. Frequent
occurrences among the Tetraonidce are illustrated in C. cupido.^
B. umbellus, and O. Virginianus^ though occasional examples are
found in O. pictus and B. Californicus. A beautiful specimen of
B. umbellus was recentlj^ taken in West Bridgewater, Mass., its
plumage being white as the driven snow.

I have seen O. Virginianus having the veiled appearance as
described in the Blue Jay.

An albino, C. fulvus var. virginicus., was shot on Cape Cod, in
September, 1875. This is the only instance which has come to
my knowledge of albinism occurring in any of our Plovers or

NUTT ALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

23

Sandpipers, and as these species are shot in such immense num-
bers during the migrations is it not a little strange tliat we do
not hear of more examples, as such curiosities are alwa3^s pre-
served, even by the market gunner. P. minor and G. Wilsoni
have been shot in white plumage, and thus our four game-birds
have been added to the list.

P. Carolina., in albinistic plumage is among the collection in
the Boston Museum. Examples of others of this family I have
not noted. I have seen nine species representing albinism among
the AnatidcB. A partial want of coloration in B. hernida is an
interesting specimen ; A. boschas., Q. discors., H. glacialis^ F. affin-
is and P. vallisneria., bore more traces of albinism than of their
normal plumage, while specimens of B. dangula., A. albeola., and
O.fusca., were pure white, this latter presenting almost a^s great
a contrast as in the case of the Crow. The Pr ocellar iidcB are
represented b}^ one species, P. giganteus., which is in the collec-
tion of the Philadelphia Academy.

One of the finest and most attractive examples is among the
Colymbidoe., a snow'’-white specimen of C. septentrionolis, which was
shot in Salem Harbor, Mass., and is now in m}^ possession. A
similar curiosity is at the Smithsonian Institution. An albino
L. troile is in the Museum collection at Toronto, Canada. U.
grylle and M. alle have also been recorded.

Many questions w'ould naturally arise as to the cause of this
abnormal state in which so many of our birds are found, though
I believe it is generally understood to be a lack of the coloring
matter deposited in the j^ells of the feathers. It is certainly not
infiuenced by any climatic changes or geographical distribution,
as specimens are taken throughout the country, and not more or
less abundant in any locality ; nor is it caused by old age, for
we have heard of broods of 3'oung Quail in albinistic state ac-
companied by white parents ; and another interesting example,
is that of a 3^oung Eobin, milk-white, still unable to leave the
nest. This specimen was taken at Saybrook, Conn., by Mr.
H. A. Purdie, who informs me that the parent birds were in
normal dress.

Whether any specimens hatched in this stage have been de-
tected to attain any of their regular plumage after the moult, I
am unable to say, though should think it very doubtful. I have
heard an instance of a white Eobin building its nest for several
successive years on the same spot in an old wood-shed. This

24

QUARTERLY BULLETIN.

was unquestionably the same bird, and its plumage remained
unaltered.

Another point still more curious is : Why are some families
of birds effected, as a rule, more than others? Cases among the
trhigillidcB^ TetraonidoB^ and AimtidcB^ are of comparatively fre-
quent occurrence, while among such large families as the Sylm-
colidae^ Tyrannidae, and Scolopacidae^ we hear of but occasional
examples. I will not express an opinion as to the truth of
this problem, but leave it for more experienced heads to ponder
over.

Another abnormal state (Melanism), in which our birds have
been found, is of exceedingly rare occurrence, and but five spe-
cies have been recorded on my list : — Turdus migratorius^ Colap-
tes auratus^ Melanerpes erythrocephalus^ Ortyx Virginianus^ and TJria
grylle.

Doubtless many other examples of albinism, and perhaps a
few cases of melanism may be added to this list.

NOTES ON BIRDS FOUND BREEDING ON COBB’S ISLAND, YA.

BETWEEN MAY 25th AND MAY 29th. 1875.

BY H. B. BAILEY.

During so short a visit to any place the birds noticed must
necessarily be only a small proportion of those actually occur-
ring. The following observations relate principally to those
breeding on the above named and two adjacent islands. Cobb’s
Island is situated off Cape Charles, Virginia, and is about seven
miles long by half a mile wide and being little more than a sand
bar, is well adapted as a breeding resort for the various species
of Terns and Waders found there. The coast side of the island
is a magnificent beach which gradually rises up to an elevation
of about fifteen feet from sea level in the centre, on which there
is a rank growth of grass, while on the other side a long marsh
extends in some places as far as half or three quarters of a mile
from the main island at low water, but is nearly overflowed at
high tide. In addition to the species enumerated below there
were large numbers of shore birds migrating north, and several
sportsmen were enjoying such shooting as we never get on the

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

25

New England coast, and doubtless nearly all the species of
Sandpipers, Plovers, Godwits, and Curlew, occur here both dur-
ing the spring and autumn migrations. In the fall and winter
the sea-fowl shooting is such as one would expect, and to judge
from the sportsmen’s stories this is a perfect paradise for kin-
dred spirits. I must add my complaint to that of others against
•the wholesale robbery of the eggs of nearly all species nesting
here. Numbers of eggers lay off the island and make the rounds
daily until procuring a cargo they leave to be followed by others.
The birds are robbed so often that they must eventually leave
for other breeding localities. Ovaries of many specimens ex-
amined by me were sadly depleted.

Dendroeca discolor, Bd. Prairie Warbler. A male was heard
singing in a swamp on Hog Island, and reminded me forcibly of
our own New England collecting.

Hirundo horreorum, Bart. Barn Swallow. Several pairs were
breeding in the out-buildings connected with the settlement on
Cobb’s Island.

Ammodromus maritimus, Sw. Seaside Finch. Although not common it
was the most abundant land bird on the island, probably twenty pairs
breeding there. I succeeded in finding three nests, two of which con-
tained four eggs each, and one three, all fresh. They were placed in
clumps of grass, on the high ridge, in the centre of the island, very
carefully concealed, and quite neatly built of grasses, lined with fine
pieces of the same ; one of them was also arched over.

Ag elmis phoe.niceus,Y i^iW. Red-winged Blackbird. One pair raised
a brood in a grape-vine arbor near the house and picked up crumbs
from the piazza, reminding one of our common “Chippy” in socia-
bility.

Corvus Americanus, Aud. Common Crow. Several were seen
and heard on Hog Island, sometimes in company with the Fish Crow.

Corvus ossifragus, Wilson. Fish Crow. This species is quite
common on Hog and Mockhorn Islands, and I was fortunate enough
to obtain a set of five eggs, nearly fresh. These are very much
smaller than those of our common species, there being as much dif-
ference in size as there is between those of the Raven and the Common
Crow. The nest cannot be distinguished from that of the latter, and
was about twenty-five feet from the ground, in a large pine, in-
which was also a nest of the Fish Hawk. The birds kept up a con-
tinual croaking while we were disturbing their trersures.

Tyrannus Carolinensis, Temm. King Bird. Several pairs had young
nearlj^ full grown.

4

26

QUARTERLY BULLETIN.

Pandion haliaetus, Cuv. Fish Hawk. About fifty pairs were
breeding on Hog Island, which is about ten miles from Cobb’s, and is a
very favorable locality, as it is covered with a dense growth of pines
which have, however, been killed off at one end of the island by the
sand being blown up year after year, and in these dead trees are the
Fish Hawks nests, some fifteen feet from the ground, and some less.
Two were found placed on the ground, although it was evident
they were once in a tree, above ground, thus showing the reluc-
tance this species has of leaving its chosen site. Some few pair
had nests in live trees in the centre of the island, which were unat-
tainable by me. The nests are very large, some of them would fill
a tip-cart, and the birds seem to add to them year after year ; those
on the ground being evidently the oldest, and these were fully six
feet across. The eggs were all nearly hatched, and in only one case
did I find young, but they are usually laid by the 15th of April. Sev-
eral pairs were also found on Mockhorn Island, in the Heronry.

JEgialitis wilsonius, Cass. Wilson’s Plover. “ Stuttering Bird” of
the inhabitants. This is comparatively a rare bird on the island, only
about a dozen pairs breeding, and their eggs are very hard to find,
being laid on the dry sand above high water mark, in a slight de-
pression, among shells, and usually in the localities chosen by the
Least Terns, and wero in all cases three in number. The birds were
very shy and seldom seen about their nests.

II<2matopus palliat us, Temm. Oyster Catcher. “Bain Crow.” This
species was formerly quite common during the breeding season, but
it has been driven away until now there are not more than half a dozen
pairs on the whole island, and these were distributed over its entire
length. Their nests were more than half a mile apart, and all of
them had been robbed by the eggers excepting two, both of which
contained three eggs, and I believe this to be their full complement.
The nests are slight hollows in the dry sand, lined with small bits of
shells, and are quite easily found. The eggs are much sought ^for by
the inhabitants, owing to their size and delicious flavor, which latter
quality I cannot testify to, as none were eaten while I was there ; the
few obtained found their way into my collection. The birds are
never seen in the vicinity of the nests during the heat of the day, and
are very shy at all times.

Totanus semipalmatus, Temm. Willet. Breeds in large numbers on
the island, and are not molested while nesting, as they are left for
the fall shooting, and this is the only species that can enjoy the privi-
lege of breeding in peace, the eggs of all the others are subjected to
all the mysteries of the cuisine. Their usual nesting place is on the
higher parts of the island, among the grass, where they conceal
their nests so effectually that it is only by flushing the female directly
from the eggs that the nests can be discovered. In this situation

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

27

they are very slight structuresj being depressions in clumps of
grass, lined with finer grasses. The marshes are also favorite local-
ities for breeding, and in this case the nests are more elaborate, being
built up from the ground, which is wet at high tide. The eggs were
in all cases four, very slightly incubated.

Ardea herodias, Linn. Great Blue Heron. There were two Heron-
ries on Mockhorn Island, one of which contained some fifty nests ;
as they were in a swamp I did not attempt to reach them, but pre-
sume they had young. The other breeding place was on a neck of
land that ran out from the main island^ and here the nests were all
made in low, dead trees, and were immense affairs. Almost all con-
tained three or four young, nearly grown ; some few contained fresh
eggs, and others had them with large embryos. Whether these
were second layings or not I am unable to say, but they undoubtedly
were, as these birds are seldom disturbed.

Ardea candidissinia^ Gm. Little White Egret. One bird was
seen and a few may still breed in the Heronry, but it is exceedingly
rare now where it was common a few years since, which may be
accounted for by their being continually shot for the sake of their
feathers.

Ardea virescens, Linn. Green IHeron. Several, pairs were breed-
ing, and all had fresh eggs, which were five in number, and most
zealously watched by their parents.

Railus longirostris Bodd. Clapper Rail. Very common, and breeds
in immense numbers all through the marshes and high grass on the
main land. Although seldom seen the number of nests found testify
to their abundance, These are carefully concealed, but are betrayed
by a habit the bird has of bending the surrounding grass over the
nest, thus forming a complete cone which can be seen at a consider,
able distance. These usually contained eight or ten eggs, but one
that I found had fourteen, while others found nests with over twen-
ty, but it is possible that these were the products of two females.
Although immense numbers were being brought in every day by
the eggers, nearly all of the nests found by me contained eggs near-
ly hatched, and I think by the first of May their full complement
must be laid.

Larus atridlla^ Linn. Laughing Gull. This species is the most
abundant on the island and breeds in large colonies on every
suitable marsh. When one of their breeding places is approached
the noise is perfectly deafening and their eggs can be picked up by
the bushel. Never more than three in a nest were found but the
birds are so frequently disturbed by eggers that it is doubtful if they
ever succeed in raising a full brood. Residents inform me that as
late as August fresh eggs may be taken.

28

QUARTERLY BULLETIN.

Sterna anglica, Mont. Marsh Tern. A few pairs were seen,
but they had not commenced to breed during my visit; they
nest here sparingly, however, as I had a set of their eggs sent me
which were laid the last of June.

Sterna regia, Gamb. Royal Tern. Called ^‘Gannets” by the na-
tives. They have always been found breeding on a small sand-bar
off the island, but it was washed away during the winter of ’74-5,
and although the birds were flying around they had not chosen any
spot on which to breed, but they undoubtedly did later.

Sterna hirundo, Auct. Common Tern. “ Big Strikers’’ of the isl
anders. Very common ; their principal breeding grounds are on the
marshes, where the drifts deposited by the early spring tides are
thickly covered with their nests. These are merely formed of dried
reeds, lined with finer pieces of the same. A few pairs ars also found
in the colonies of Least Terns, in which case they make no nest, but
deposit their eggs in a slight depression in the sand. These are al-
ways three, and were all fresh, having been robbed by the eggers
from the time of their laying about the middle of May. The Roseate
Tern {Sterna Dougalli), doubtless breeds here also, but I was
unable to detect it.

Sterna superciliaris, var. antillarum, Coues. Least Tern. ‘^Little
Striker.” Colonies of about fifty pairs each of this species extend the
whole length of the island at about a distance of one mile apart.
The eggs were just laid and were all nearly fresh ; two being the
usual number in a nest, and in no case did I find over three. These
were laid in a depression in the sand among broken shells and are
very difficult to find owing to their similarity to the surroundings.

Bhynchops nigra, Linn. Black Skimmer. Called “ Sea Crow.”
The birds were in flocks of twenty or thirty, during my stay, as they
do not breed until the last of June. I had several sets of the eggs
sent me and the sender states that they breed in colonies on the sand
and always lay three in a nest.

BULLETIN

OF THE

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

Vol. L JULY, 1876. No. 2.

THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.*

In the autumn of 1871 two young ornithologists of Cam-
bridge formed the plan of meeting weekly to “read Audu-
bon/’ and to compare views and notes respecting various
ornithological questions in which all were interested. After
a few weeks they were joined by other “kindred spirits/’
who continued to meet each week for the comparison of
notes and for study. For the first two years the meetings
were wholly informal. In 1873 an organization was effected,
under the name of the “Nuttall Ornithological Club.”
This name was selected as being a very proper one, from the
fact that the “local habitation” of the Club was amid the
scenes made classic by hfuttall, whose home for many years
was here, and whose “Manual of the Ornithology of the
United States and of Canada ” abounds in allusions to local-
ities within the precincts of Cambridge. A Constitution and
By-Laws were drawn up and adopted, under which officers
were duly chosen. The membership of the Club soon em-
braced all the younger ornithologists of the vicinity, several
of whom had already gathered collections numbering hun-
dreds, and in some cases thousands, of specimens each, and
who were from time to time acquiring facts of no little scien-
tific value,

* The subjoined historical sketch of the Nuttall Ornithological Club
has been prepared for the purpose of answering some very natural questions
that may arise in the minds of the readers of its Bulletin, namely, What is the
Nuttall Ornithological Club ? what has it done ? and what are its aims ? — Eds.

30

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

The following year (1874) the project of publishing a
Bulletin was agitated, but it was finally thought that the
time for such an undertaking had not yet arrived. The
American Sportsman wms then adopted as a temporary me-
dium of publication, and during the following year quite a
number of the more important communications read before
the Club were published in its columns. * At the same time

^ As a matter of permanent record of the work of the Club prior to the in-
ception of the Bulletin, the following list of the principal articles read before
the Club, and published in the American Sportsman and elsewhere, is here
appended.

1. A New Species of North American Warbler {Helminthophaga leucobron-
cMalis). By Wm. Brewster. Amer. Sports., Vol. V, p. 33, Oct. 17, 1874.
[The first description of the species. See also Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. I.
No. 1, pp. ], 2, and Plate I.]

2. A New Species of Finch {Ammodromus melanoleucus) from Florida. By
C. J. Maynard. Amer. Sports., Vol. V, p. 248, Jan. 16, 1875. [Collected in
the marshes of Salt Lake, Florida, by Mr. C. J. Maynard. This is the form of
Ammodromus previously (Bull. Essex Inst., V, p. 198, Dec., 1873) described by
Mr. R. Ridgway as A, maritimus var. nigrescens.']

3. A New Bird {Sterna regia) to Massachusetts. By William Brewster.
Amer. Sports., Vol. V, p. 249, Jan. 16, 1875. [The record of the capture of
two specimens, $ and 9j Nantucket Island, July 1, 1874, by Messrs. C. J.
Maynard and Wm. Brewster. The female bore marks of having just laid.
Both specimens were in somewhat peculiar plumage.]

4. Some Notes on a New Species of North American Tern. By Wm. Brew-
ster. Amer. Sports., Vol. V, p. 249, Jan. 16, 1875. [Notice of a specimen
of Sterna portlandica^ Ridgway, collected on Muskeget Island, Mass., July 1,
1870.]

5. The Loggerhead Shrike in Massachusetts. By C. J. Maynard. Amer.
Sports., Vol. V, p. 313, Feb. 13, 1875. [Record of the capture of a specimen
of Collurio ludovicianus at Newton ville, Mass.]

6. Occurrence of the Fork-tailed Gull {Xema sabinei) in Massachusetts. By
Wm. Brewster. Amer. Sports., Vol. V, p. 370. [Record of a specimen (the
first taken in New England and the third taken in the United States) captured
in Boston Harbor, Sept. 27, 1874,]

7. The Nidification of the Blue Crow {GymnoMtta cyanocephala) and of the
Gray-headed Snowbird {Junco caniceps). By Charles E. Aiken (Cor. Memb.).
Amer. Sports., Vol. V, p. 370, March 13, 1875. [First description of the
nests and eggs of these two species.]

8. Occurrence of the Mocking-Bird in Massachusetts. By E. C. Greenwood.
Amer. Sports., Vol. V, p, 370, March 13, 1875. [Record of the capture of spe-
cimens of Mimus polyglottus in Newtonville, with a notice, by Mr. Ruthven
Deane, of others taken elsewhere in Eastern Massachusetts.]

9. Habits of the Mourning Warbler. By Win. Brewster. Rod and Gun

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

31

the roll of membership was increased by the election, as “ Cor-
responding Members,” of many of the younger ornithologists
residing in other parts of the United States.

During the winter of 1875 and 1876 the interest in the
Club seemed to have somewhat abated, doubtless in great part
owing to the removal of several of its more active members
to distant parts of the country, the regular attendance at the
meetings becoming mainly limited to the few original founders
of the Club. In March, 1876, it was decided to make an
effort to increase the resident membership, and to endeavor
to awaken anew the interest of all the members, both resident
and corresponding. Hence the matter of publishing a Bul-
letin was again seriously considered. The question being
decided affirmatively, the first number of the Bulletin was
issued May 6, 1876, consisting of twenty-eiglit octavo pages
and a colored plate. Heretofore the Club had pursued the
policy of excluding professional ornithologists, rather, how-
ever, from a feeling of modesty than from any motive of ex-
clusiveness. Eealizing, however, that in order to establish the
Bulletin on "a firm basis, it was necessary to secure all pos-

(new series of Amer. Sports.), Vol. VI, p. 50. [Based on observations made at *
Lake TJmbagog, Me.]

10. Ornithological Notes from Portland, Me. By N. C. Brown (Cor.
Memb.). Rod and Gun, Vol. VI, p. 65, May 8, 1875. [On the malformation
of the bill in a specimen of Plectrophanes nivalis, and a record of the capture of
Passerculus princeps at Portland, and of Herodias egretta in Scarborough, Me.]

11. The Burrowing Owl in Massachusetts. By Ruthven Deane. Rod and
Gun, Vol. VI, p. 97, May 15, 1875. [Record of the capture of a specimen of
Speotyto cunicularia var. hypogoea at Newburyport, Mass,]

12. Notes on the Habits of Certain Thrushes. By C. C. Abbott, M. D.
(Cor. Memb,). Rod and Gun, Vol. VI, p, 86, May 8, 1875. [Notes on Turdus
Pallasi, T. swainsoni, and T. fuscescens, as observed at Trenton, N. J.]

13. Partial List of the Summer Birds of Kanawha County, West Virginia ;
with Annotations. By W. D. Scott. Proc, Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XV,
pp. 219-230, Oct. 1872. [A list of eighty-six species, with notes.]

14. Some Observations on the Birds of Ritchie County, West Virginia. By
Wm, Brewster. Ann. Lyc. Nat, Hist. N. Y., Vol. XI, pp. 129-146, June,
1875. [An annotated list of one hundred species.]

15. Some Additional Light on the so-called Sterna portlandica, Ridgway.
By Wm. Brewster. Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N. Y., Vol. XI, pp. 201-207,
Nov. 1875. [Its probable identity with S. macrura maintained.]

33

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

sible aid in its support, and feeling also that the Club had
given some token of its earnestness, the leading ornithologists
of the United States were invited to co-operate with the Club
as either resident or corresponding members. Upon their
election the resident members of the Club were gratified to
receive from the gentlemen so elected not only letters accept-
ing membership, but containing expressions of the warmest
interest in the objects and prosperity of the Club, together
with offers of hearty assistance in the maintenance of the
Bulletin as a permanent journal of Ornithology.

With the present number the Bulletin becomes somewhat
changed in its character, and greatly improved in typographical
appearance. It is hereafter intended not only to present in
each number original communications, but to give short notices
of recent ornithological publications, especially such as relate
to American Ornithology, and also a variety of notes and
general miscellany. With the promises of literary support
already received (see Prospectus), the Club publishes its second
number of the Bulletin, feeling that its establishment as a
journal creditable to American ornithologists is- assured.

REGARDING BUTEO VULGARIS IN NORTH AMERICA.

BY EGBERT RIDGWAY.

After having been repeatedly given as a North American species,
in consequence of the erroneous identification of some one or other
of its strictly American congeners, this common European bird has
at last a claim to be included in our fauna. Such at least is the
case according to the incontrovertible evidence presented in Mr.
Maynard’s article in the last number of this Bulletin (Vol. I. No. 1,
pp. 2-6). The specimen upon which these remarks are based is a
veritable B. vulgaris^ as we are fully satisfied from a personal in-
spection ; but, instead of concurring in the statement that “ three
specimens of the Common Buzzard have actually been taken within
our limits,” we believe, on the contrary, that only the one in ques-
tion has been procured this side of the Atlantic, so far as the

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

33

records show ; while there is a reasonable cause for suspecting that
even this may have come into the possession of the collector in some
manner forgotten by him, and that his circumstantial account of its
capture refers to some other specimen. Mr. Maynard bases his
belief that this species “will be found of regular occurrence in the
Northwest” on the supposition that the birds which Audubon
figured and described under the name of “ Falco hideo^ is of this
species. That this opinion is erroneous, and that the plate and
description cited refer wholly to B. swainsoni and the young of the
Western Red-tail {B. horealis calurus), we hold to be demonstrable.

It is very evident that Audubon does not describe the same bird
which he figures, his plate representing clearl}^ the adult female of
B. swainsoni, in the normal or w'hite-throated dress,* while the de-
scription is as certainly taken from a specimen of a species belong-
ing to the other group. t In our assertion that the plate referred
to is a representation of the adult female of B. swainsoni, we can
cite several points in proof: the well-defined white throat-patch,
the uniform brown pectoral area, and the numerous bars on the
tail, — in fact, every detail of coloration. In the second place,
Audubon expressly states at .the beginning of his account that the
specimen from which the figure was taken “ was shot by Mr.
Townsend on a rock near the Columbia River ” ; it must therefore
have been one of the specimens which Nuttall subsequently de-
scribed as Buteo montana'^ (“White-throated Buzzard”), and,
referring to his work (p. 112, ed. of 1840), we find that such is in-
deed the case, since he cites Audubon’s plate in the following man-
ner: “i^. Buteo, Aud., pi. 372 [female].” The case is made still
plainer by the text itself, the whole of which relates, unmistakably
and very clearly, to B. swainsoni. J The wide discrepancies between
the description which follows Audubon’s plate and the bird repre-
sented in the plate itself can only be explained upon the supposi-
tion that the description was penned subsequently from a different
specimen, — a procedure well known to have been common with that
distinguished author. No one familiar with the different phases of

* See Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., March 30, 1875, p. 89.

+ Ibid., p. 105.

X Mr. Cassin identified Nuttall’s bird as the light-colored phase of the West-
ern Red-tail, to which throughout his writings he gave the name Buteo
montanus, Nutt.” The error was first corrected in Coues’s “Key to North
American Birds,” 1872, p. 217.

u

BULLETIN OF THE NUTT ALL

B. swainsoni and B. vulgaris^ would think of referring the plate to
the latter, but would instantly recognize in it the adult female of the
former in the ordinary light phase of plumage.* * * § The identification
of the bird described is not so readily made, but we will attempt it
by a careful analysis of the text.

The first two paragraphs of the description referred to may as well
be passed over, since they are only an enumeration of generic charac-
ters ; the third paragraph also contains little to the point, save
the following clause: ‘^Fourth quill longest, the third next, the
fifth very little shorter, the second longer than the fifth, the first
and seventh about equal ; fi7'st four abruptly cut on the inner wehT t
Now as regards the coloration : “ The general color of the upper
parts is chocolate-brown. The quills are of the general color exter-
nally, but the primaries are black toward the tip ; a great part of
the inner web, with the shaft, white, and barred with brownish-
black, the bars more extended on the secondaries. J The tail is
marked with about ten dusky bars on a reddish-brown ground,
tinged with gray, the last dark bar broader, the tips paler. § The
eyelids are whitish, as is the throat, which is longitudinally
streaked with dusky. H The rest of the lower parts are yellowish

* Of the distinctive characters of these two species, only one of those enumer-
ated by Mr. Maynard holds good ; the radical difference between them in the
emargination of the primaries being the one referred to. As to the feet, they
are more slender in B. vulgaris than in B. swainsoni, while in the latter the
under wing-coverts are often pure white, — by no means always rufous. [For
diagnosis covering all the known variations of plumage and proportions iu this
species, based on the careful examination and comparison of more than a hun-
dred specimens, the reader is referred to the Proceedings of the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, March 30, 1875, pp. 92, 104.]

+ In B. vulgaris the third, fourth, or fifth quill is longest, usually the third
and fourth, which are generally ef^ual ; the relative proportion of the quills is
the same in B. borealis (including all its forms), and in B. swainsoni the third
or fourth, usually the third, is longest ; hence on account of its variability
this character is not of much value.

t So far equally applicable to B. vulgaris and the young of B. borealis.

§ In B. vulgaris the tail is grayish- rather than reddish-brown, seldom with
a tinge of red ; the bars are always badly defined, excepting on the middle
feathers, and become more or less obsolete toward the base, — those which are
distinct being of an indefinite number, but usually about ten. The young of B.
borealis frequently has the tail decidedly reddish, and the bars almost always
well-defined, and nine or ten in number.

11 Will answer for either B. vulgaris or B. borealis.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

35

or brownish-white barred with brown.* The lower wing-coverts are
white, barred or spotted with dusky ; the white of the inner webs
of the primaries forms a conspicuous patch, contrasted with the
grayish black of their terminal portion. f

“Length to end of tail, 23 inches; wung, from flexure, 17 ; tail,
10|- ; bill along the ridge, along the edge of the upper mandi-

ble, I/2 i ta-i'sus, 3y\; hind toe, 1, its claw, ; middle toe, 1|§, its
claw, 1tV” +

From the preceding analysis of the Falco huteo'" of Audubon,
we can only conclude that his description was taken from a young
example of Buteo borealis calurus, which Mr. Townsend may have
obtained somewhere in the Northwest. As an exceedingly perti-
nent fact in this connection, it may be observed that Audubon
nowhere describes the young plumage of B. borealis, nor does he
figure it. He was, therefore, apparently unacquainted with the
species in this stage, and might readily have taken it for a different
species, and the B. vulgaris would be the one most likely to suggest
itself, especially in view of the circumstance that it had been
already given as a North American bird by Swainson and Richard-
son.

So far as the text goes, there is a probability of reference to B.
swainsoni only in the last sentence of the ^ paragraph following the
description. This reads as follows : “ The colors, however, vary,
and in some the upper parts are deep brown, the lower reddish- or
brownish-white, barred with reddish-brown.”

To those interested in this subject, descriptions of the various
phases of plumage in Buteo bemaUs may not be unacceptable in
this connection : we accordingly present the following, taken from
the series contained in the National Museum : —

* This suits the young of B. borealis very well ; in B. vulgaris the markings
of the lower parts are exceedingly variable, but they are for the most part
rather longitudinal than transverse, unless the dusky color predominates, in
which case there are rather well-defined bars of white on the abdomen.

+ Characters common to B. vulgaris and B. borealis, and often not very
dififerent in B. swainsoni.

i In a series of six specimens of B.< vulgaris, the maximum length of wing is
16.60, the minimum being 15.50; the tail, 8.80-10.00; culmen (including
cere), 1.20-1.30; tarsus, 3.00-3.50 ; hind toe, .70-. 85, its claw, .90-. 95 ;
middle toe, 1.40-1.55, its claw, .75 -.78. It will thus be observed that
the measurements of Aububon’s bird are decidedly too great for B. vul-
garis, while they in every way accord with those of an average specimen of B.
borealis.

36

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

Buteo vulgaris: Sp. Ch. — Wing, 15.50-16.60; tail, 8.80-10.00;
culmen, .85 -.95; tarsus, 3.00-3.50; middle toe, 1.40-1.55. Four
outer primaries with inner webs emarginated ; third, fourth, or fifth quill
longest (usually the third and fourth) ; first shorter than seventh, eighth,
or ninth (usually intermediate between seventh and eighth). Tail even or
very slightly rounded. Tail brownish, in some examples touched with
rufous, sometimes with a narrow whitish tip, crossed by an indefinite num-
ber (about 10-13) bands of dusky, more or less indistinct basally ; the
inner webs lighter than the outer, sometimes whitish, the bars more dis-
tinct. Inner webs of the primaries usually plain white anterior to their
emargination, in marked contrast with their dusky tips, the white some-
times immaculate, oftener with indications of bars, especially next the
shaft, and rarely broken by a sprinkling or clouding of grayish ; outer
webs grayish-brown, with indistinct darker bars, which become gradually
obsolete towards the ends of the quills. Plumage generally a mixture of
sooty-brown and white, in varying proportionate amount, in some speci-
mens with occasional touches of rufous.

In this species there appear to be no well-marked growth stages,
nor does there seem to be much if any difference in plumage be-
tween the sexes ; on the other hand, the range of individual varia-
tion is very great, fully equalling that of either B. horealis or B.
swainsoni. It is believed that the specimens contained in the Na-
tional Museum illustrate the main variations, and as no two of these
examples are alike, we will describe each one in detail : —

Adult Males.

Light Phase (No. 56,105, Germany). — Above grayish broAvn, broken
by whitish edges of the feathers, these most distinct on the scapulars and
middle wing-coverts ; lesser wing-coverts much spotted with deep buff,
and scapulars irregularly marked with the same ; rump distinctly spotted
with deeper buff ; remiges plain brown, very indistinctly banded with
darker, the primaries with a decided hoary cast, the secondaries and inner
primaries narrowly tipped with whitish. Outer upper tail-coverts white,
with a few brownish spots. Tail grayish-brown, of the same shade as the
secondaries, the inner webs whitish with well-defined bars towards their
ends, the outer webs with just appreciably darker narrow bands. Head,
neck, and lower parts white ; crown and nape streaked with grayish-
brown, the streaks widest on the crown ; a rictal stripe of blended streaks,
and a narrower and less distinct longitudinal series of streaks on the mid-
dle of the throat ; jugulum with a wide collar of large cordate or broadly
ovate spots of brown, with black shafts, the patch interrupted in the mid-
dle portion ; abdomen with irregular bars and transverse spots of brown,
and flanks with larger and more irregular spots of the same ; other, por-

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

37

tions of the lower surface immaculate, Axillars immaculate pure white ;
lining of the wing pale cream-color, with longitudinal tear-shaped mark-
ings or streaks of rusty hrown ; under primary coverts with a large patch
of grayish-brown, formed by the terminal half or more of each feather be-
ing of this color ; inner webs of the primaries immaculate white anterior
to their 'emargination. Wing, 15.70 ; tail, 9.00.

This specimen presents a very close general resemblance to
lighter colored examples of the young of B. horealis^ the only obvi-
ous difference being the cluster of spots on the jugulum (which in®
horealis is plain white), the obsolete character of the bars on the
tail, and the more slender tarsi.

Dark Phase (No. 9,689, Europe). — Prevailing color clove-brown, or
sooty grayish-brown, this entirely unbroken on the upper surface, but be-
neath slightly variegated with very narrow whitish streaks on the cheeks
and throat, irregular bars and spots of the same on the abdomen ; tibial
feathers wdth rusty tips ; crissum grayish- w^hite wdth brownish spots and
bars ; white of under surface of primaries broken by a confused sprinkling
or mottling of grayish ; lining of the wing sooty-brown, irregularly spotted
with buff and rufous. Tail grayish-brown, considerably lighter than the
wings, narrowly tipped with dirty whitish, and crossed by narrow bands of
darker brown, the last of which is much the widest (about 1.00 in breadth),
the others decreasing in distinctness toward the base. Darker bars on the
reniiges almost entirely obliterated. Wing, 16.40 ; tail, 9.00.

This example is almost identical in coloration with the dark
phase of Buteo swainson%^ the only obvious difference being the
white bars and spots on the abdomen.

Young Male.

Light Phase, Albinescent ? (No. 56,104, Germany). — Prevailing color
pure white ; head, neck, and lower parts immaculate, excejot a few narrow
streaks on the forehead and below the auriculars, a few scattered streaks
on the side of the breast, and a slight spotting on the sides ; occiput and
nape more distinctly streaked. Lesser wing-coverts almost immaculate
pure white, and middle coverts so broadly bordered with white that this
color prevails ; greater coverts tipped with white. Back dark brown,
the feathers narrowly bordered with white ; scapulars with broader
white margins. Entire rump and upper tail-coverts immaculate creamy
white. Remiges and rectrices as usual, but the middle pair of the latter
with their inner webs buffy white, with broken bars and spots of grayish-
brown. Wing, 15.50 ; tail, 9.75.

* See Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., March 30, 1875, p. 115.

38

BULLETIN OF THE NUTT ALL

This plumage is so well represented in the upper figure of Plate
XXXIII of Xaumann’s Vogel Deutschlands^ that the illustration
must have been taken from an exceedingly similar specimen ; the
figure, however, represents a slightly darker bird, with a few spots
on the breast and lesser wing-coverts. It is also very much like the
young of Buteo borealis hrideri, as represented in Plate V, Pr. Ac.
Nat. Sci. Philad., 1873, so far as regards the relative amount of
brown and white ; but the markings are quite different, especially on
the remiges and rectrices.

Females.

Light Phase, Adult (No. 56,107, Germany). Above grayish-brown,
quite light on the tertials, some of the wing-coverts, and scapulars, which
have still lighter (nearly white) borders ; all the feathers bordered with a
paler, grayer shade, and showing distinct black shafts ; upper tail-coverts
brown, narrowly tipped with soiled pale buff, the outer webs with a
slight mottling of ochraceous. Tail grayish-brown narrowly tipped with
dull buffy white, and crossed with nine or ten narrow bands of dusky,
these mostly indistinct, but well defined on the inner webs of the interme-
diae where the ground color is lighter and mixed with ochraceous. Head,
neck, and breast light brown, the feathers edged with whitish, causing a
slight streaked appearance ; flanks uniform brown, the feathers with nar-
row whitish tips ; abdomen white, heavily spotted with dark brown ; this
abdominal belt separated from the lighter and more uniform brown jugular
patch by a somewhat crescentic pectoral belt of white nearly free from mark-
ings ; tibiae nearly uniform brown, lighter in front and on the inside, the
longer plumes tipped with light fulvous ; crissum immaculate white.
Lining of the wing mixed rusty-rufous, buff and brown. Wing, 16.00 ;
tail, 9.30.

This specimen presents a curious and very strong resemblance
to the adult Archibuteo lagopiis in the coloration of the lower parts,
not only in the colors and markings but in the peculiar pattern.

Dark Phase, Adult ? (No. 56,109, Germany), — • General color sooty-brov/n,
this darkest on the head, neck, back, and breast (which have a decided
purple reflection in certain lights), the general duskiness relieved only
by rusty edges to the feathers ; scapulars “ spattered ” or blotched with
pale cinnamon-rufous ; rump and upper tail-coverts uniform sooty-brown,
the latter with very narrow^ and indistinct rusty tips. Tail grayish-brown,
with narrow bands, of which about eight or nine are distinct, the inner
webs of the middle pair much tinged with rufous. Abdomen marked
with broad bars, or bands of dark brown and buffy- white, of about equal
width ; the white bars most distinct and regular anteriorly, thereby throw-
ing into greater relief the dusky pectoral patch, which has a convex poste-

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

89

rior outline ; flanks and tibiae nearly uniform brown ; crissum white, with
very regular wide bars of brown ; lining of the wing dusky, spotted with
rusty. Wing, 16.50 ; tail, 9.50.

In the coloration of its lower parts, this example calls to mind
certain specimens of Pernis apivorus which we remember to have
seen. A somewhat similar individual is represented in the lower
figure of Plate XXXII of Naumann’s Vogel DeuUchlands.

Dark Phase, Young (No.*23,407, Hungary). — Lower parts white, tinged
in places with ochraceous, the tibiae uniform dark brown on the outside,
spotted brown and ochraceous on the inner sides. Throat, jugulum, breast,
and abdomen marked with longitudinal stripes of dark brown, those on
the throat narrow and linear ; on the sides of the breast broadly ovate and
blended, on the abdomen tear-shaped ; crissum white, with a few scat-
tered spots of brown. Tail grayish-brown, tipped with bright ochraceous,
and crossed by very indistinct darker bands. Upper parts in general
nearly uniform dark brown, the scapulars and lesser wing-coverts tinged
with rusty. Wing, 16.40 ; tail, 9.75.

List of Specimens in U. S. National Museum.

Nat. Mus.
Number.

Sex and
Age.

Original

Number.

Locality.

Date.

Donor.

9,689

$ ad

• « • •

Europe

• • • •

S. F. Baird.

23,407

9 jud.

3,407

Hungary

1860

Count Lamar.

56,104

jud.

53

Germany

....

H. Schliitter.

56,105

$ ad.

51

ii

....

((

56,107

9 ad.

49

ii

....

((

56,109

9 ad.

48

ii

....

<(

ADDITIONS TO THE AVI-FAUNA OF ILLINOIS, WITH
NOTES ON OTHER SPECIES OF ILLINOIS BIRDS.

BY E. W. NELSON.

Since the publication of Mr. R. Ridgway’s “ Catalogue of the
Birds ascertained to occur in Illinois,” * several species not named
therein have been taken in the State, and many interesting notes
respecting other little-known species have been gathered. Only the
most important of the latter will be noticed in the present paper.

* Ann. N. Y. Lyc,, Vol. X, Jan., 1874.

40

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

All matter enclosed between quotation-marks is from the manu-
script notes of Mr. Eidgway, who has kindly furnished them for
use in the present connection. The remainder, with a few excep-
tions (where due credit is given), are from my own observations.
The first list comprises the fifteen species new to the State.

1. Myiadestes townsendi, Cah. Townsend’s Solitaire. — A fine
specimen of this bird was obtained December 16, 1875, by Mr. Charles
Douglas at Waukegan, Illinois. The specimen is considerably darker
than one in my collection from Utah, collected about the same time of year.

2. Coturniculus lecontei, Bon. Leconte’s Bunting. — A single
specimen of this rare bird was obtained by the writer at Eiverdale, Il-
linois, May 13, 1875. It was flushed from a slight depression in the open
prairie near the Calumet Eiver, where the moisture had caused an early
growth of coarse grass, about three inches in height. After darting off in
an erratic course for a few rods, it suddenly turned, and alighting ran
rapidly through the grass, from which it was with difficulty started again
and secured.

3. Ammodromus caudacutus var. nelsoni, Allen. Western
Short-tailed Finch. — This variety of the Sharp-tailed Finch was first
obtained September 17, 1874, in the Calumet Marsh, and described by Mr.
J. A. Allen in the Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History
(December, 1874), with a few notes regarding its habits. Since then I have
learned of its capture at several widely separated localities in Northern
Illinois, it appearing to frequent all suitable situations. The 12th of
June, 1875, I saw several of these birds in the dense grass bordering
Calumet Lake, where they were undoubtedly breeding. They were very
numerous November 10, 1875, in the wild rice bordering Grass Lake,
in Lake County, Illinois. A sharp frost that night caused them to leave
so suddenly that the next, afternoon not one was to be found.

4. Chordeiles popetue var. henryi, Cassin. Western Night-
Hawk. — Two specimens of this variety were obtained by my friend Mr.
F. L. Eice near Waukegan, Illinois, July, 1875. In the same vicinity I
have obtained several specimens of this variety the present season. In
comparing specimens from Illinois with typical specimens of henryi in
my collection from the Eocky Mountains, I find they agree in all the
characteristics upon which the variety is based.

5. Buteo borealis var. calurus, Cassin. Black Eed-Tail. — In my
collection is a fine adult specimen of this variety which was captured
near Chicago in April, 1873, by my friend, Mr. Charles Smith.

6. Ardea rufa, Bodd. Eeddish Egret. — This species w^as quite com-
mon in the vicinity of Cairo during the last week of August, 1875. The
unusually high water of that season caused a much larger number of herons
to appear along the rivers in this vicinity than usual. Although Ardea

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

41

egretta and A. ccerulea — both of which species were seen by the hundred
daily — were quite unsuspicious, A. rufa was so exceedingly shy that it
was almost impossible to get within gunshot of one.

7. Branta canadensis var. leucoparia, Cassin. White-collared
Goose. — Specimens of this variety are frequently taken during their
migrations.

8. Bucephala islandica, Barrow’s Golden-Eye. — “Obtained

in December, 1874, at Mt. Carmel, by Professor F. Stein, C. E., in charge
of the improvements of the Wabash River.” Also occurs on Lake Michi-
gan in winter.

9. Somateria mollissima, Leach. Eider Duck. — An immature speci-
men was shot near Chicago in December, 1874, and is now in my collec-
tion. Dr. H. B. Bannister of Evanston has seen other specimens taken
near that place.

10. Somateria spectabilis, Leach. King Eider. — “ 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.” Undoubtedly occurs on Lake Michigan.

11. CBdemia perspicillata, Aatip. Surf Duck. — “A single speci-
men, an immature bird, was obtained at Mt. Carmel by Professor Stein
in October, 1875. This is the first instance known to the writer of this
species being obtained at any inland locality. Mr. E. W. Nelson, of
Chicago, has, however, informed me of its recent capture on Lake Michi-
gan, near that city.” I have since learned that this species is common on
the lake and adjacent waters.

12. Stercorarius pomatorhinus, Law. Pomarine Jager. — From
the description of a bird seen with a flock of gulls near Evanston, 111., by
F. L. Rice of that place, and the account of a strange gull occasionally seen
by a sportsman who does considerable shooting op Lake Michigan, I am
certain this species is a rare visitant during severe winters.

13. Larus argentatus var. argentatus. Herring Gull. — Among a
number of gulls obtained in the Chicago Harbor, March 27, 1876, was one
specimen, an adult female, which has been pronounced by Dr. Cones
to be a typical example of the European form (var. argentatus) of the
Herring Gull. In this specimen the iris was hazel, while in several adult
specimens of the common American form (var. smithsonianus) the iris
was bright yellow.

14. Larus leucopterus, Fahr. White-winged Gull. — A regular
winter visitant to Lake Michigan. Very shy.

15. Xema sabinei, Bonap. Sabine’s Gull. — While collecting along
the shore of Lake Michigan, the 1st of April, 1873, I shot a specimen of
this species in breeding plumage. Unfortunately it fell into the water
just beyond my reach, and a gale from off shore soon drifted it out of sight.

42

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

The following species, although not new to the State, are still
imperfectly known as residents of Illinois. The 'quotations, as in
the preceding list, are from the notes of Mr. Eidgway.

1. Protonotaria citraea, Baird. Prothonotary Warbler. — Rare
summer visitant to the northern portion of the State. Two specimens
were taken near Chicago during the summer of 1875.

2. Siurus ludovicianus, Bon. Large-billed Water Wagtail. —
Quite abundant, and breeds in the northern portion of the State.

3. Oporornis agilis, Baird. Connecticut Warbler. — Contrary to
the generally received statements, this species is as abundant during the
fall as in the spring migrations. They were quite common the 1st of Sep-
tember, 1875, in the Calumet Marsh.

4. Myiodioctes mitratus, And. Hooded Flycatching Warbler.
— A rare summer resident in the northern portion of the State. One speci-
men was taken May 10, 1875, near Chicago, and a second specimen near
Waukegan, 111., May 20, 1876.

5. Vireo belli, Bell’s Yireo. — This species was abundant in

the dense bushes bordering the ravines intersecting Fox Prairie, Richland
County, 111., August 9 to 15, 1875. They were exceedingly shy, and al-
though several could be heard uttering their curious song at the same time,
and repeated efforts were made to secure them, only two specimens were
obtained. I have since examined a specimen of this species shot in the
vicinity of Chicago, in June, 1875, and further search will doubtless reveal
their presence throughout the State.

6. Plectrophanes pictus, Sivains. Painted Lark Bunting. — The
last of March, 1875, near Calumet Lake, I found a flock containing about
seventy-five individuals of this species. Their habits were quite similar
to those of P. lapponicus while upon the ground, except that while the
latter species preferred the wet portions of the prairie, the former were
found only about the higher portions. When flushed they invariably
uttered a sharp clicking note, rapidly repeated several times. When
driven from their feeding-place by my approach, they would rise in a
straggling flock, and after wheeling about once or twice, start off in a di-
rect line, gradually rising higher, until they disappeared. After a short
time their peculiar note would be heard, and the flock, darting down from
a considerable height, would alight near the place from which they were
driven. Although the flocks of P. pictus and P. lapponicus often became
mingled while flying over the prairie, I did not see them alight together.

7. Peuc8Ba aestivalis, Cab. Bachman’s Finch. — This species was
quite common in the vicinity of Mt. Carmel in July, 1875.

8. Buteo swainsoni. Bon. Swainson’s Buzzard. — In August, 1875,
I obtained four fine specimens of this bird, an adult pair and two young,
upon Fox Prairie. The young were shot from the tree on the border of

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB, 43

' the prairie in which they were reared, the remains of the nest in which
they were hatched being pointed out by a farmer living near.

9. Tantalus loculator, Linn. Wood Ibis. — ^^This species was very
abundant in the vicinity of Mound City, on the Ohio, and Cape Girar-
deau, on the Mississippi, the last of August, 1875.

10. Nyctherodiua violaceus, Reich. Yellow-crowned Night-
Heron. — “In my ‘Catalogue of the Birds ascertained to occur in Illinois >
(p. 386), the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is included as a ‘summer vis-
itant to the extreme southern portion of the State,' and in my later ‘ Cata-
logue of the Birds of the Lower Wabash Valley' it is given in the list of
‘species found only in summer' (p. 26) as ‘common?' More recently,
however, we have received information, in the shape of two fine adult spe-
cimens shot from their nests, accompanied by an account of their capture,
which confirms the breeding of the species in considerable numbers as far
up the river as Mt. Carmel. The locality where they were found is a
portion of bottom-land known as ‘ Coffee-flat,' where a small colony was
found nesting by Mr. Samuel Turner and my brother, John L. Kidgway,
on the 6th of May, 1874. Two fine adult specimens in their breeding
plumage were obtained, as were also a few eggs. One nest is described as
situated in a white-oak tree about sixty feet from the ground, on a branch
four inches in diameter, twelve feet from the trunk of the tree, and upon
so small a limb that the eggs could not be obtained. The nest was com-
posed of sticks, the outer ones about half an inch in diameter, the in-
terior ones finer, and so loosely put together that the eggs could be plainly
seen through the nest. There were four eggs, and another ready to be
laid was taken from the parent bird. The number of nests found in this
locality is not stated in the letter, but another nest is mentioned which
was upon a tree about fifty feet distant."

11. Porzana noveboracensis, Cass. Yellow Bail. — Not very rare
in the northern portion of the State, and without doubt breeds.

12. Porzana jamaicensis, Cass. Black Bail. — A regular summer
resident, and not very rare. During the spring of 1875 I saw three speci-
mens in the Calumet Marsh ; and Mr. Frank De Witt of Chicago, while
collecting with me near the Calumet Biver, June 19, 1875, was fortunate
enough to find a nest of this species containing ten freshly laid eggs.
The nest was situated in a deep cup-shaped depression, and in shape and
situation resembled that of the Meadow Lark, except that the Bail's nest
is much deeper in proportion to the diameter. The nest was more elab-
orately made than the nest of any other of the genus I have seen. The
outer portion is composed of grass-stems and blades, the inner portion
of soft blades of grass arranged in a circular manner and loosely inter-
woven. Owing to the small diameter of the nest there were two layers of
eggs. The eggs are clear white, thinly sprinkled with reddish-brown
dots, which become much more numerous about the large end.

44

BULLETIN OF THE NUTT ALL

13. Harelda glacialis, Leach. Long-tailed Duck. — “ Obtained by
Professor Stein at Mt. Carmel, in December, 1874.” Exceedingly abundant
on Lake Michigan every winter.

14. Graciilus dilophus var. floridanus, Coues. Florida Cormo-
rant.— “In the spring of 1874, several very fine specimens of the Florida
Cormorant were obtained at Mt. Carmel by Mr. S. Turner and my brother,
John L. Eidgway, and others were obtained during the succeeding sum-
mer, the species being abundant along the river. This form is a summer
resident, while the true G. dilophus occurs only in winter and diu'ing the
migrations.”

NOTES ON THE BEEEDING HABITS OF CLARKE’S CROW
{PIGICORVUS COLUMBIANUS), WITH AN ACCOUNT OF
ITS NEST AND EGGS.

BY CAPTAIN CHARLES BENDIRE, U. S. A.

[The following account of the breeding habits, nests, and eggs of Clarke’s
Crow is based on observations made the present year in the vicinity of Camp
Harney, Oregon, by Captain Bendire, and is compiled, with his permission,
from his letters addressed to the writer. The only previous account of the
nest and eggs of Clarke’s Crow seems to be that given by Mr. J. K. Lord (in
his “ Naturalist in Vancouver ”), who found this species nesting near Fort Col-
ville, in Washington Territory, in the top of a high pine, two hundred feet
from the ground. — J. A. Allen.]

On April 22, 1876, I succeeded in finding two nests of Clarke’s
Crow. One contained three young, possibly four days old ; the
other, one young bird and two eggs, one of the latter already
cracked. The nests were placed in pine trees. On the 27th I
again visited the mountains, and made thorough search near where
the first nests were found, and discovered another in which the
young could not have been more than one day old. One of the
nests discovered on the first visit I brought away in excellent
order. It was placed on the extremity of a branch, on a pine
(Finns ponder osa), about twenty-five feet from the ground, and well
protected from view by longer branches projecting both above and
below the nest. It is a bulky affair, like all the others I have
seen, but looks quite small as viewed from below. The nest proper
rested on a platform of small sticks of the white sage, placed on the
pine branches, and is composed of dry grasses, vegetable fibres and

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

45

the fine inner bark of Juniperus occidentalis. The whole mass is
well woven together, and makes quite a warm, comfortable struc-
ture. The outer diameter of the nest is eight and a half inches ;
the inner, four and a half ; depth inside, three and a quarter inches ;
outside, five inches. The two eggs measure respectively 1.22 by
.95 inches, and 1.20 by .90. Ground color, light grayish-green,
speckled and blotched with grayish, principally about the larger
end. On the smaller egg the spots are finer and more evenly dis-
tributed, a few of them being rather of a lavender color than gray.
These eggs resemble in shape those of Maximilian’s Jay (Gymnokitta
cyanocepliela), two of whose eggs I have from Mr. Aiken out of the
nest found by him in Colorado. The markings on those, however,
are darker and thicker than on those of Clarke’s Crow, and the
eggs are a little smaller.

All the nests I have seen were placed in pine trees, well out on
the limbs, and generally twenty to forty feet from the ground.
Trees with plenty of branches seem to be preferred, and the edges
of the pine timber to the interior of the forests. Now that I know
where to look for these nests, I have no difficulty in finding them,
and feel certain of getting a number of nests if I am here next
year. I regret that I did not discover one a few weeks earlier.

The female seems to be a very close sitter, and the birds seem
very devoted to their young and eggs. When the first nest was
visited the bird would not leave it at all, and though the man
pulled out part of its tail in taking it off, it came back again before
he left the nest himself. On the second visit, in order to see how
much disturbance these birds would bear when on the nest, I fired
a charge of shot into the limb on 'which the nest was placed from
which T took the two eggs, and about two' feet from the nest, and
no bird leaving I threw sticks at it and hit the base of the nest
once or twice, but still no bird appeared. Then I had the man
who was with me climb the tree, and only after he was within a
foot of the nest and in plain sight of the bird did it fly off. The
young one left in the nest had grown very much during the five
days since the first visit.

46

BULLETIN OF THE NUTT ALL

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW DUCK FROM WASHINGTON

ISLAND.

BY THOMAS H. STREETS, M. D., PASSED ASSISTANT SURGEON, U. S. N. ’

Cliaulelasmua couesi.

Bill nearly as long as the head, ahont as deep as broad at the base,
depressed anteriorly, sides nearly parallel but converging slightly toward
the base, tip rounded, and unguis abruptly curved ; frontal angle short
and obtuse ; dorsal line at first sloping, rather more so than in G. strepe-
rus, anterior portion broad, straight, and flattened. Internal lamellae
numerous, small, and closely packed, about seventy-five in number, — in
streperus only about fifty. Nostrils sub-basal, lateral, large, and oblong.

Plumage {immature). Head above dark brown, the feathers tipped
with a lighter shade ; frontal feathers with the central portion black, and
edged with brownish -WThite ; throat and sides of head brownish-white,
shafts of the feathers brown, a small brown spot at the extremity of each ;
lower portion of the neck and breast all around with the feathers marked
with concentric bars of black and light reddish-brown ; under surface
of the body white, each feather with a broad dark band near the extrem-
ity, which gives to this region a mottled aspect ; toward the tail the
white of the abdomen assumes a dull reddish-brown tinge ; the brownish-
red color becomes more decided on the flanks and sides of the body where
covered by the wings. On the back the plumage is more mature. Color
dark brown marked transversely by fine wavy lines of black and white ;
scapulars dark brown and fringed with a narrow rim of reddish-
brown. Middle wing-coverts chestnut ; greater, velvet black ; speculum
pure white, the inner web of the w’hite feathers grayish-brown ; in the
third feather in the speculum, counting from within, the white gives
place to a hoary gray with a black outer margin ; the primaries light
brown, the portion of both webs nearest the shaft lighter ; shaft light
brown. Tail containing fourteen feathers, hoary plumbeous-gray, under
surface lighter and shining ; under tail-coverts crossed by transverse bars
of black and white ; upper coverts composed of dark brown and black
feathers mingled. Under wing-coverts and axillars pure white. Bill
and feet black, somewhat lighter on the inner side of the tarsus. Tibia
bare for about half an inch. Length, 17 inches ; wing, 8 ; tarsus, 1.40 ;
commissure, 1.65 ; culmen, 1.45 ; height and breadth of bill at base, .55 ;
average width of bill, .55. First toe, .30 ; second, 1.48, including claw,
shorter than third toe without claw ; third toe, 1.88 without claw, longer
than outer toe without claw ; outer toe, 1.75.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

47

A female is similar^ but with little trace of the peculiar wing markingSj
both the chestnut and black being wanting, and the speculum being
hoary gray instead of white. Both the specimens before me are imma-
ture ; the adults, it is presumed, will show the peculiar vermiculated ap-
pearance of G. streperus. They resemble |the immature condition of G.
streperus so closely that one description of the coloration would answer for
both species ; but the G. couesi is immediately distinguished by its greatly
inferior size, which hardly exceeds that of a teal, the different color of the
bill and feet, and the singular discrepancy in the lamellse of the bi|l,
which are much .smaller, and one-third more numerous.

Habitat: Washington Island, one of the Fanning Group, situated about
latitude 6° N. and longitude 160° W.

I dedicate this new species to one of our most distinguished ornithol-
ogists, Dr. Elliott Cones, U. S. A., as a slight testimonial of regard, and in
consideration of the service which he has rendered to the science of
ornithology.

Meant iltterature.

Descriptions of New Species of American Birds. — Mr. George
N. Lawrence has recently described seven new species of birds from tropi-
cal America. Two of these are Jays,* one of them (Cyanocitta pulchra)
being from Ecuador and the other {Cyanocorax ortoni) from Northern Peru.
The others f are two new species of Tanager of the genus Chlorospingus (G.
speculiferus and C. nigrifrons), respectively from Porto Eico and Ecuador,-
and three new species of Flycatcher (Serpophaga leucura, from Ecuador,
Orchilus atricapillus, from Costa Eica, and Empidonax nanus, from St. Do-
mingo). The descriptions of two of the species {Chlorospingus speculifera
and Serpophaga leucura) are accompanied by colored figures. — J. A. A.

Birds of Kansas. — ^ Professor F. H. Snow has recently published a
third edition of his “Catalogue of the Birds of Kansas,” J giving an
annotated list of 295 species. Twenty-three species and one variety have
been added since the publication of the second edition in October, 1872 ;
and it is believed a few others will still be added by further research.
The list is very creditable to the zeal and energy of Professor Snow and

* Description of a New Species of Jay of the Genus Cyanocitta; also of a sup-
posed New Species of Cyanocorax. By George N. Lawrence. Annals of the
Lyc. of Nat. Hist. N. Y., Vol. XI, pp. 163-166. [Published Feb. 1876.]
t Descriptions of Five New Species of American Birds. By George N. Law-
rence. Ibis, Sd Series, Yol. V, pp. 383-387, Plate IX, July, 1875.

X A Catalogue of the Birds of Kansas. Contributed to the Kansas Academy
of Science. 8yo. pp. 14. November, 1875.

48

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

Ids fellow-workers, who have done so much to make known the avian
fauna of Kansas. — J. A. A.

Ornithology of Kerguelen Island. — In addition to the very in-
teresting and valuable report on the birds of Kerguelen Island * * * § published
some months since, Dr. Kidder has recently, in conjunction with Dr.
Coues, given an account of the Oology of the island,t including detailed
descriptions and measurements of the eggs, together with an account of the
breeding habits of all the species found breeding there. These are about
twenty in number, and all but one are aquatic. They include the hereto-
fore little-known Chionis minor, the recently described Querquedula eatoni,
Graculus carunculatus, J three species of the Gull family (Laridce), eleven
species of the Petrel family (Procellariidce), and four species of Penguins
(Spheniscidfe), the eggs of a considerable proportion of which had not
been before described.

With this paper is published, by the same authors, “A Study of Chio-
nis minor with reference to its -Structure and Systematic Position.” §
This essay opens with a resume of the literature of the species, beginning
with the founding of the genus Chionis by Forster in 1788. Then fol-
lows a description of its anatomy, including an account of its myology, of
the viscera and the skeleton ; of its habits, general appearance in life, and
external characters. In some features Chionis is found to have a considera-
ble superficial, as well as osteological resemblance to the Gulls, and also to
the Grallce, with which latter group it has heretofore been usually asso-
ciated ; but other features point to its association with either of these
groups as unnatural. In summing its external characters, say these
authors, “we see how exactly Chionis stands between grallatorial and
natatorial birds, retaining slight but perfectly distinct traces of several
other types of structure.” Its digestive system is regarded as “ decidedly
rasorial in character,” while its cranial and sternal characters show its
strong alliance to the Gulls, with a less close relationship to the Plovers.
On the whole, Chionis seems to be made up of distinctive characteristics
amounting almost to anomalies, and in view of its remoteness from any
other group, it is regarded by our authors as entitled to distinct super-
family rank, standing between the Gulls and Plovers, but rather nearer to

* Contributions to the Natural History of Kerguelen Island. By J. H. Kidder,
M. D., Passed Assisant Surgeon U. S. Navy. I. Ornithology. Edited by Dr.
Elliott Coues, U. S. A. Bulletin of the United States National Museum, No. 2.
Washington: Government Printing-Office, 1875. 8vo. pp. 51.

d , Contributions to the Natural History of Kerguelen Island. By J. H. Kid-
der. II, pp. 6-20. Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. No. 3. Washington [etc.], 1876.

■ X [Craculus verrucosus — Haliceus {Hypolucus) verrucoms, n. sp. Cab., Journ.
f. Orn., Jahrg. XXIII, Oct. 1875, p. 450. — Elliott Coues.]

§ Contributions to the Natural History of Kerguelen Island. By J. H. Kid-
der. II, pp. 85-116. Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. No. 3. Washington [etc.], 1876.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

49

the former. For this group the super-family name Ghionomorphce is pro-
posed. In view of some differences between Chionis alba and Chionis
minor that are noted as of probably supra-specific value, the new generic^
title of Chionarchus is proposed for C. minor. — J. A. A.

Extinct Birds with Teeth. — A few months since, Professor 0. C.
Marsh of New Haven described^ several species of extinct birds with
teeth from the Cretaceous of Kansas. One of these (Ichthyornis dispar,
Marsh) was an aquatic bird of about the size of a pigeon. Its jaws and
teeth show it to have been carnivorous, and its powerful wings indicate
that it was capable of prolonged flight. The teeth were numerous, small,
compressed and pointed, set in distinct sockets, and their crowns were
covered with nearly smooth enamel. A second species {Apatornis celer,
Marsh) is of about the same size as the first named, but of more slender
proportions. Another species {Hesperornis dispar, Marsh), one of the most
interesting of the group with teeth yet found, was a gigantic diver. Its
teeth had no true sockets, but were placed in grooves and supported on
stout fangs. In form they somewhat resemble the teeth of the Mosasau-
roid reptiles, and they had the same method of replacement.

Professor Marsh has since described f two other species of the same
group, both of gigantic size. One of these is named Hesperornis gracilis,
and the other Lestornis crassipes, the latter representing a new genus as
well as a new species. These interesting forms are regarded as represent-
ing two distinct orders {Odontotormce and Odontolcce) of the subclass Odo1^-
tornithes {Aves dentatce ) or toothed birds, which combine in a peculiar
manner many reptilian characters with others truly avian. — J. A. A.

“Life-Histories of the Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania.” J —
Under this title Mr. T. G. Gentry has given the public a most welcome
volume of biographies of the birds of Eastern North America. The work
is based on the author’s careful studies of the birds of Eastern Pennsyl-
vania, and bears strongly the stamp of originality. The general habits
and songs of the different species are faithfully described ; while the char-
acter of their nests, the manner of building, periods of incubation, the age
of the young on quitting the nest, etc., etc., are dwelt upon in detail ; the
food of each is also carefully noted. The author’s style is unostentatious
and simple, at times lapsing into carelessness ; but the chief defect of the
book is its unprepossessing typographical appearance, printer’s blunders
of every description abounding, while the paper and type are wholly un-

* American Journ. Sci. and Arts, Nov. 1875, pp. 403-409, Plates IX, X,
(reprinted in Amer. Nat., Vol. IX, pp. 625-631, Plates II, III).

+ Amer. Jour. Sci. and Arts., June, 1876, pp. 509-511.

i Life-Histories of the Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania. By Thomas G. Gen-
try, Member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, and of the
Canadian Entomological Society of Toronto. In two volumes. Vol. I: Phila-
delphia. Published by the author, 1876. 12 mo., pp. xvi, 309.

50

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

worthy of so valuable a work. These faults of mechanical execution can,
however, be easily remedied in a future edition, which we sincerely hope
.the demand for the work will soon call for. The present volume includes
the Song-Birds as far as the Corvidce of Dr. Coues’s arrangement, and forms
a work that no ornithologist can be without, while its popular character
ought to insure it a wide range of readers. — J. A. A.

(® literal jisrtejJ.

Breeding of the Canada Goose in Trees. — Dr. Coues, in his
“Birds of the Northwest” (p. 554), alludes to the breeding of the Canada
Goose {Branta canadensis) in trees in “ various parts of the Upper Mis-
souri and Yellowstone regions.” He refers to the fact as being little known,
and as not personally verified by himself, though perfectly satisfied of the
reliability of the accounts furnished him by various persons, including
Mr. J. Stevenson of Dr. Hayden’s Survey. Dr. Coues further adds that
he found the circumstance to be a matter of common information among
the residents of Montana Territory. “ The birds,” he says, “ are stated to
build in the heavy timber along the larger streams, and to transport their
young to the water in their bills.”

The fact of the breeding of the Canada Goose in trees is further con-
firmed by Captain Charles Bendire, who reports its breeding in this man-
ner near Camp Harney, under, however, rather peculiar circumstances.
In a letter dated Camp Harney, Oregon, A]Dril 24, 1876, Captain Bendire
writes as follows : “ The season is very backward, and scarcely any of the
small species of birds have commenced to build yet. The water is very
high, and the whole lower Harney valley is flooded. The Western Can-
ada Geese seem to have anticipated such a state of affairs, as last year I
did not see a single nest of theirs off the ground, while this spring all of
them, as far as I have observed personally or have heard of through others,
are built in trees off the ground, mostly in willows. Some make use of
Herons’ nests, and one of a Eaven’s nest, the only Eaven’s nest I found
last year in a tree.” Apropos of this change of habit with circumstances.
Captain Bendire asks the pertinent question, “ Is it instinct or reason I” —
J. A. Allen.

Tarsal Envelope in Campylorhtnchus and allied Genera. —
Impressed with certain differences observable between typical Wrens and
the three Western genera, Campylorhynchus, Salpinctes, and Catherpes, gen-
erally assigned to the Troglodytidce, I have been led to look into the tech-
nical aspects of the case, with the result of becoming dissatisfied with the
alleged position of these forms among the Wrens. In establishing the

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

51

genus Catherpes as distinct from Salpinctes, Professor Baird noted certain
discrepancies in the structure of the feet ; and in 1864 (Eeview, p. 109)^
he enlarges upon the remarkable structure of the tarsus of Salpinctes, which
he characterizes as “ especially peculiar among all , its cognate genera by
having the usual two continuous plates along the posterior half of the
inner and outer faces of the tarsus divided transversely into seven or more
smaller plates, with a naked interval between them and the anterior scu-
tellse.’^ This is certainly a remarkable feature for a presumed thoroughly
Oscine bird to exhibit, since it is highly characteristic of OscinesJ;,o have
the postero-lateral tarsal plates continuous, meeting in a sharp ridge be-
hind. I verify the state of the case in Salpinctes as given by Professor
Baird, but I find, to my surprise, that in Campylorhynchus the lateral
plates, but especially the outer one, are broken up into a series of conspic-
uous scutella ; and that Catherpes shows a tendency, not so full}" expressed,
to similar division of the tarsal envelope. If this structure really possesses
the significance attributed to it by many of the best writers, the question
whether these birds are Wrens at all is reopened. That they possess de-
cidedly Wren-like habits is no strong argument, for nothing is more falla-
cious than such teleological bending of diverse structures to similar ends.
It will be remembered that Lafresnaye, and other writers of repute, have
placed species of Campylorhynchus in the genus Picolaptes, which is a
member of the large family Dendrocolaptidce ; some of these birds have
rigid acuminate Certhia-like tail-feathers, and Creeper-like habits ; in oth-
ers, however, the tail is soft, and among them is witnessed the greatest
diversity of habits. On comparing our Campylorhynchus with a typical
Dendrocolaptine {Dendrornis erythropygia), I find that the bills of the two
are extremely similar, and that the tarsal envelope of Dendrornis is broken
up posteriorly into a number of plates, of which those on the inner aspect
are continuous with those in front, while the postero-exterior ones are a
series of rounded and isolated scales. Again, in the case of Salpinctes, it
will be recollected that Bonaparte placed it in the genus Myiothera, and
considered it an Ant-thrush (Formicariidce). On examining the tarsus of
a species of Thamnophilus, a typical Formicarian, I find that the plates are
divided behind, and the general structure is substantially the same as in
Salpinctes. The case of Catherpes is less clear, but it would doubtless go
with Salpinctes. These points may not suffice for the summary dismissal
of the genera under consideration from the Troglodytidce, but they go to
show that their position in that family is not assured. — Elliott Coues.

Occurrence of the Curlew Sandpiper in Massachusetts. — Mr.
Charles I. Goodale, our accomplished Boston taxidermist, has a fine
Curlew Sandpiper {Tringa suharquata) which was sent to him to be
mounted. It was shot in East Boston, Mass., early in May, 1876, as it
was feeding on a sandspit among a flock of “ Peeps.” This bird is in
very perfect spring plumage, and furnishes the second authentic instance

52

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL CLUB.

of tlie occurrence of tliis species in New England. In its claims to be
regarded as a bird of North America it may best be compared with the
Euff {Machetes pugnax). Both are probably not infreq^uent stragglers to
our continent. — William Brewster.

The Ipswich Sparrow m New Brunswick. — On April 11, 1876,
while collecting at Point Lepreaux, N. B., in company with Mr. William
Stone, we secured a fine female of the Ipswich Sparrow {Passerculus prin-
ceps, Maynard). It was sitting on a rock on the extreme end of the Point
when first seen, and was very easily secured. The yellow over the eye in
this specimen is more intense than in any other I have ever examined,
and quite equals in this respect the average coloring of the same area in
P. savanna. This is the third spring specimen that has been thus far re-
ported. The first, a male, was taken by Mr. Maynard at Ipswich, April
1, 1874 ; and the second by Mr. Willey of Portland, at Cape Elizabeth,
Maine, March 15, 1875. The former is now in my possession, and the
latter graces the collection of Mr. N. C. Brown of Portland. — William
Brewster.

Passerculus princeps and Parus hudsonicus in Connecticut. —
On November 4, 1875, while collecting along the beach at “ South End,”
a few miles below New Haven, I was fortunate enough to secure a fine
specimen of the Ipswich Sparrow (Passerculus princeps, Maynard). The
specimen was a female, and in excellent condition. Its mate was seen,
but escaped capture.

On November 13, 1875, Mr. Robert Morris, while shooting in a wooded
ravine a few miles from town, killed a female Hudsonian Titmouse (Parus
hudsonicus). The specimen is now in the collection of Mr. Thomas Osborn
of this city. It is, I think, the first occurrence of this species south of
Concord, Mass. — C. Hart Merriam, New Haven, Conn.

Anser rossii in Oregon. — Captain Charles Bendire, U. S. A., in a
recent letter to the writer, announces the capture by him of a female of
this rare species at Camp Harney, Oregon, “ the first and only one,” he
says, “ I have seen killed about here.” He states in a later letter that
the specimen v^as shot from a flock of twelve to fifteen individuals, and
adds that several parties have since told him that they had killed such
small geese before, but supposed them to be the young of the Snow Goose
(Anser hyperboreus). Captain Bendire, however, believes them to be very
rare at that locality, and has never seen any brought in by the numerous
hunting parties from the Post. He gives the length of the specimen taken
as twenty-two inches, with the body not larger than a Mallard^s. The
only other United States record for this species that I have seen is Cali-
fornia (Coues). — J. A. Allen.

BULLETIN

OF THE

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

Vol. I. SEPTEMBER, 1876. No. 3.

DECEEASE OF BIRDS IN MASSACHUSETTS.

BY J. A. ALLEN.

Unfortunately very few data are obtainable relative to the
birds which inhabited Massachusetts at the time of its first ex-
ploration and settlement, nearly three hundred years ago. The
smaller species attracted little attention here, as elsewhere in North
America, prior to the beginning of the present century. A few
notices of the larger species occur in the early accounts of the pro-
ductions and “commodities” of the State, which are sufficiently defi-
nite and trustworthy to show that a few species then common have
since been nearly or wholly extirpated, and that a number of others
are far less numerous now than they were in the early colonial days.

The number of indigenous species thus far recognized as belong-
ing to the fauna of the State is about three hundred and ten. Two
of these (the Great Auk, Alca impennis, and the Wild Turkey, Melea-
gris gallopavo var. occidentalis) have become wholly extirpated, and
two others (the Pinnated Grouse, Cupidonia cupido, and the Ameri-
can Swan, Cygnus americamis) are so nearly that the former is
found at only one or two limited localities and the latter is but a
chance visitor. Another (the Brown or Sandhill Crane, Grus cana-
densis)^ and perhaps a second (the White or Whooping Crane, Grus
americamis), will be presently shown to have been formerly inhab-
itants of the State, though extirpated at so early a date that they
have not as yet been recognized as belonging to its fauna. That
several others have likewise greatly decreased in numbers will be
shown in the present article. These are the Red-winged Blackbird
(Agelaeus phoeniceus), the Purple Grakle {Quiscalus purpiireus), the
Crow {Gorvus americamis), the Raven {Corvus corax), the Pileated

54

BULLETIN' OF THE NUTTALL

Woodpecker (Hylotomus pileatus), the Red-headed Woodpecker
{Melanerpes erythrocephalus), the Wild Pigeon {Ectopistes migrato-
rius), and the Snow Goose {Anser hyperhoreus). Besides these
might be added, as among those which have also notably decreased,
most of the wading and swimming birds, and nearly all of the rapa-
cious species. None of the Ducks and Geese, and probably few of
the limicoline species, are probably one tenth as numerous now as
they were two hundred and fifty years ago, while a great depletion
has also occurred amongst the Gulls and Terns. This great dimi-
nution, however, is not of course limited to the State of Massachu-
setts, but likewise characterizes most of the Atlantic States, and
some of the older States of the interior.

This reduction has been mainly brought about by what may be
considered as inevitable and natural causes, as the removal of the
forests, and other changes necessarily attending the agricultural
development of the country. Excessive use of the gun, however,
has had not a little to do with it. The rapacious species have ever
been regarded as the natural enemies of the husbandman, and with
them all species that have in any way preyed upon his crops.

In early times premiums were paid by the local governments for
the destruction of many of these species, and not without cause.
The early records show that such was the abundance of the Black-
birds and Crows that their destruction in large numbers was abso-
lutely necessary, in order to secure more than a small portion of the
maize harvest. While most, or at least many, of the towns early
encouraged the destruction of the noxious mammals and birds by
the offer of rewards therefor, others passed enactments rendering it
obligatory upon each householder to destroy a certain number of
blackbirds annually, and to bring their heads to the selectmen of
the towns to show they had complied with the requisition, on pen-
alty of a small fine for each blackbird lacking to complete the re-
quired number.* These means seem to have been immediate, and
in some cases disastrous, in their results. The traveller, Kalm,
relates that Dr. Franklin told him, in 1750, that in consequence of
the premiums that had been paid for killing these birds in New
England, they had become so nearly extirpated there that they
were “ very rarely seen, and in few places only.” In consequence of
this exterminating warfare on the “ maize-thieves,” the worms that

^ See Alonzo Lewis’s History of Lynn, p. 186.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

55

preyed upon the grass increased so rapidly that in the summer of
1749 the hay crop was almost wholly cut off by them, the planters
being obliged to bring hay from Pennsylvania, and even from
England, to Massachusetts, to meet the deficiency caused by the
worms. ^

In scores of the early enumerations of the birds of New England,
and of the Atlantic States generally, the Raven, as well as the
Crow, is mentioned. This seems to imply that the Raven, at the
time of the first settlement of the country, was more or less com-
mon from Virginia to Maine, and that persecution, combined with
its natural timidity, has caused its expulsion from the more thickly
settled parts of the Eastern States.

That the Pileated Woodpecker [Hylotormis pileatus) was once a
common inhabitant of all the primitive forests of this State seems
to be unquestionable, though absolute proof of the fact may not be
available. It still occurs in abundance throughout the older States,
wherever the forests remain comparatively undisturbed, while it is
well known to quickly retire where its haunts are invaded by the
destroying axe of the woodsman. It is also a matter of record that
the Red-headed Woodpecker has nearly disappeared, almost within
the present generation, from all the region east of the Hudson
River, where it was formerly as common, apparently, as it is now
in any of the Middle or Western States. In this case, however, the
disappearance is without an evident cause. The deforestation of the
State has undoubtedly produced a vast decrease among the other
species of the Picidce^ as well as generally among all the strictly
forest birds, through the great restriction of their natural haunts.

The Wild Turkey [Meleagris gallopavo var. occidentalis), though
once a common inhabitant of New England from the more southerly
parts of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, southward, long
since ceased to exist here in a wild state. Its former abundance in
Massachusetts is well attested. I will give here, however, only a
single reference indicative of the former great number of these
birds in the eastern part of the State. Thomas Morton, who re-
sided here “many years” prior to 1637, says : “Turkies there are,
which divers times in great flocks have sallied by our doores ; and
then a gumie (being commonly in a redinesse,) salutes them with
such a courtesie, as makes them take a turne in the Cooke roome.

* Kahn’s Travels, Forster’s translation, Vol. H, p. 78.

56

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

They daunce by the doore so well .... I had a Salvage who hath
taken out his boy in a mornings and they have brought home their
loades about noone. I have asked them what number they found
in the woods, who have answered Neent Metawna, which is a tho-
sand that day ; the plenty of them is such in those parts. They
are easily killed at rooste, because the one being killed, the other
sit fast neverthelesse, and this is no bad commodity.” * According
to John Josselyn, they began early to decline. This author, writ-
ing in 1672, says: “I have also seen three score broods of young
Turkies on the side of a Marsh, sunning of themselves in a morning
betimes, but this was thirty years since, the English and the In-
dians having now destroyed the breed, so that ’t is very rare to
meet with a wild Turkie in the Woods ; but some of the English
bring up great store of the wild kind, which remain about their
Houses as tame as ours in England.” t This would seem to indi-
cate that the Wild Turkey was often domesticated in Massachusetts,
and renders it probable that our domestic stock was by no means
wholly derived, as is commonly supposed, from Mexico. Besides
Josselyn’s statement of their domestication in New England, I have
met with other statements to the same effect, and can cite numer-
ous instances of its domestication in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and
Virginia early in the seventeenth century. J

Under the name of “ Pheasants,” Morton and others make un-
questionable reference to the Pinnated Grouse {Giipidonia cupido),
showing that it was once a common denizen of this State. A few
pairs are still known to exist on the islands of Naushon and Mar-
tha’s Vineyard, where they have of late been stringently protected
by law.

The Wild Pigeon [Ectopistes migratoria), though by no means
yet extirpated from the State, has greatly decreased here in num-
bers during the present generation, and has not been seen within
the present century in nearly so great abundance as in earlier
times. Space will allow of reference to but few of the many ac-
counts of its former almost incredible numbers. Morton refers to
the presence of “ Millions of Turtle doves on the greene boughes ;
which sate pecking of the ripe pleasant grapes, that were supported

* New English. Canaan, pp. 69, 70.

t New Englands Rarities, p. 9.

X On the domesticahility of the Wild Turkey of the United States, see Bull.
Mus. Comp. ZooL, Vol. II, pp. 343-352.

I

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

57

by the lusty trees”;* and Josselyn speaks of ^Hhe Pidgeon, of
which there are millions of millions. I have seen a flight of
Pidgeons in the springs and at Michaelmas when they return back
Southward for four or five miles, that to my thinking had neither
beginning nor ending, length nor breadth, and so thick that I could
see no Sun, they join Nest to Nest, and Tree to Tree by their
Nests many miles together in Pine-Trees. But of late they are
much diminished, the English taking them in Nets.”t Their
abundance on the Vermont border, in 1741, is thus described by
Williams : The surveyor, Richard Hazeu, who ran the line which
divides Massachusetts from Vermont, in 1741, gave this account
of the appearances he met with to the westward of the Connecti-
cut River. ^For three miles together the Pigeons’ nests were so
thick that five hundred might have been told on the beech trees at
one time ; and could they have been counted on the hemlocks, as
well, I doubt not but five thousand at one turn round.’ The re-
marks of the first settlers of Vermont,” continues Williams, fully
confirm this account. The following relation was given me, by one
of the earliest settlers of Clarendon [situated about ^fifty miles
north of the Massachusetts line] : • The number of Pigeons was
immense. Twenty-five nests were frequently to be found on one
beech tree. The earth was covered with these trees, and with
hemlocks thus loaded with the nests of Pigeons. For an hundred
acres together, the ground was covered with their dung, to the
depth of two inches. Their noise in the evening was extremely
troublesome, and so great that the traveller could not get any sleep
where their nests were thick. About an hour after sunrise, they
rose in such numbers as to darken the air. When the young
Pigeons were grown to a considerable bigness, before they could
readily fly, it was common for the settlers to cut down the trees,
and gather a horse load in a few minutes.’ The settlement of the
country has since set bounds to this luxuriance of animal life,”
and these birds have been driven to other districts.]; The early
history of the country shows that down to about the year 1800
this bird was found in similar abundance, at times at least, all
along the Atlantic coast from Virginia to Maine, since which time
it has greatly decreased throughout this whole region.

* New English Canaan, p. 60.

+ Voyages to New England, p. 99.

X Natural and Civil History of Vermont, p. 114. ^ .

58

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

In all the early notices of the natural productions of New
England, the Crane is mentioned among the few birds usually
enumerated. Emmons gives the Whooping Crane {Grus america-
nus) in his list of the birds of Massachusetts, but subsequent
writers have generally believed without due authority, and of late
it has been wholly lost sight of as a bird of the State. That
some species of Crane, and in all probability both species, was
common in New England in early times, is beyond question. Both
the Sandhill and the Whooping Cranes have still a wide range in
the interior, passing northward in summer far beyond New Eng-
land. Neither species has of late been met with north of New
Jersey, where the Whooping Crane occurs only as a rare casual
visitor. Morton wrote, of “Cranes, there are greate store, that ever
more came there at S. Davids day, and not before ; that day they
never would misse. These doe sometimes eate our come, and do
pay for their presumption well enough ; and serveth there in pow-
ther, with turnips to supply the place of powthered beefe, and is
a goodly bird in a dish, and no discommodity.”* This shows that
the Crane, and not a Heron, is the bird to which reference is made.

The Swan ( Cygnus americamts) is in a similar way enumerated
by different early writers as formerly a common bird of Massachu-
setts, though of late years it appears only in our lists of casual
visitors. Morton, more explicit than most writers of his time who
refer to it, says, in beginning his account of the birds : “ And first
the Swanne, because shee is the biggest of all the fowles of that
Country. There are of them in Merrimack River, and in other
parts of the country, greate store at the seasons of the yeare. The
flesh is not much desired of by the inhabitants, but the skinnes
may be accompted a commodity, fitt for divers uses, both for
fethers, and quiles.”t

The Great Auk (Alca impennis) has recently been added to the
list of the birds of the State, on account of the occurrence of its
bones in the Indian shell-heaps at Ipswich. There is little reason
to doubt, however, that the bird called “ Pengwin,” or “ Penguin,”
mentioned as found from Cape Cod northward at the time Euro-
peans first visited this coast, really refers to the Great Auk. It
figures in all the early enumerations of the birds of New England

* New English Canaan, p. 69.
+ Ib., p. 67.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

59

and Newfoundland, while it does not appear in any of the lists
referring to the region south of Massachusetts. Captain Bartholo-
mew Gosnold, in 1602, found “ Pengwins ” on the Massachusetts
coast at what he calls Gilbert’s Point,” in latitude 41° 40^ He
says : “ The twentieth, by the ships side we there killed Pengwins
and saw many sculls of fish.” ^ The locality, as shown by the
context, was between the southeastern point of Cape Cod and
Nantucket Island, probably a few miles south of Egg Island. What
the bird called “ Pengwin ” was, that was so often referred to by
the early explorers of the New England coast, is clearly evident
from the following ; Richard Whitbourne, in his account of his
voyage to Newfoundland, in 1618, says, “These Penguins are as
bigge as Geese, and flie not, for they have but little short wings,
& they multiply so infinitely, upon a certaine flat Island [Sable
Island], that men drive them from thence upon a boord into their
Boates by hundreds at a time ; as if God had made the innocencie
of so poore a creature to become sucli an admirable instrument for
the sustentation of man.”+ The same bird is also referred to by
Josselyn as the “Wobble.” He says : “The Wobble, an ill shaped
Fowl, having no long Feathers in their Pinions, w^hich is the reason
they cannot fly, not much unlike the Pengwin; they are in the
Spring very fat, or rather oyly, but pull’d and garbidgd, and laid
to the Fire to roast, they yield not one drop.” $

This bird, so valuable as a “commodity,” and whose “innocencie ”
rendered its capture so easy, doubtless did not long survive on the
coast of New England after the establishment here of permanent
settlements.

Much might be added, did space allow, respecting the forme^r
abundance of Ducks, Geese, Sandpipers, and Plovers. A few ex-
tracts on this point from Morton, in his own quaint language, must
here suffice. “ There are Geese,” he says, “ of three sorts vize
brant Geese, which are pide, and white Geese which are bigger, and
gray Geese which are as bigg and bigger, then the tame Geese
of England, with black legges, black bills, heads, and necks black ;
the flesh farre more excellent, then the Geese of England, wilde or

tame There is of them great abundance. I have had often

1000 before the mouth of my gunne .... the fethers of the

* Purchas’s Pilgrims, Vol. IV, p. 1648.

! + Ib., Vol. IV, p. 1886.

i New Englands Rarities, p. 11.

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BULLETIN OF THE NUTT ALL

Geese that I have killed in a short time, have paid for all the
powther and shott, I have spent in a yeare, and I have fed my doggs
with as fatt Geese there, as I have ever fed upon my selfe in Eng-
land.

“ Ducks, there are of three kinds, pide Ducks, gray Ducks, and
black Ducks in greate abundance : the most about my habitation
were black Ducks : and it was a noted Custorne at my howse, to
have every mans Duck upon a trencher, and then you will thinke

a man was not hardly used Teales, there are of two sorts

greene winged, and blew winged I had plenty in the rivers

and ponds about my howse. Widggens there are, and abundance

of other water *foule Sanderlings are a dainty bird, more

full bodied than a Snipe, and I was much delighted to feede on
them, because they were fatt, and easie to come by, because I went
but a Stepp or to for them : and I have killed betweene foure and
five dozen at a shoot which would loade me home.”* Josselyn
says of “ Sanderlins,” he has known “ twelve score and above kill’d
at two shots.” The contrast in respect to the abundance of water-
fowl in those early times and now is too apparent to require com-
ment.

The White Pelican {Pelecanus trachyrhynchus) is mentioned as a
former inhabitant of New Hampshire and other parts of New Eng-
land, and was doubtless in early times more or less common in
Massachusetts, where its presence is now regarded as merely acci-
dental j but two or three recent instances of it here are on record.

ON THE NUMBER OF PRIMARIES IN OSCINES.

BY DR. ELLIOTT CODES, U. S. A.

The number of primaries among oscine birds, whether “ nine ” or
“ ten,” has been rightly considered an important item in classifica-
tion, ranking in value with the modifications of the tarsal envelope.
Oscine families, and even groups of families, are conveniently dis-
tinguished by this character, and as naturally as by the “ booting,”
or scutellation, of the tarsus. In certain families, however, the

* New English Canaan, pp. 67 - 69.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

61

distinction fails to hold. In the Vireonidw^ for instance, species of
thc-^ame genus have indifferently “nine” or “ten” primaries.
Thus, Vireo philadelphicus and V, gihus are two species so much
alike that presence or absence of a spurious “ first ” primary be-
comes the readiest means of distinguishing them. Noting this
remarkable circumstance in 1865, Professor Baird was led to look
more closely into the matter. His results are summed on page 325
of the “Review of American Birds” (see also p. 160); from which
it appears that in those Vireos which seem to have only nine prima-
ries, two little feathers, distinct in size, shape, and to some extent in
position from< the general series of primary coverts, are found at the
base of the supposed first primary ; while in those Vireos with an ob-
vious spurious first primary, making ten in all, only one such feather
is found. “ In all the families of Passeres where the existence of
nine primaries is supposed to be characteristic,” he continues, “ I
have invariably found, as far as my examinations have extended,
that there were two of the small feathers referred to, while in those
of ten primaries but one could be detected.” He does not specify
how far his examinations extended.

Believing this to be an important matter, which would bear fur-
ther investigation, I have been led to look into the question, with
the most satisfactory results, confirming Professor Baird’s observa-
tions, and extending them to include every one of the North Ameri-
can families of Oscines^ excepting, perhaps, Laniidoe (in Gollurio) and
Ampelidoe (in Ampelis). With the possible exception of the two
genera specified, I find, on examining numerous genera of all the
North American families, that those rated as 10-primaried have but
one of these little feathers, while all the rest have two.

The Alaudidoe, like the Vireonidoe^ show a variability of the
primaries. In our genus Eremophila, in which only nine primaries
are developed, there are two of the small feathers above mentioned.
The overlying one is exactly like one of the primary coverts ; the
other, though not very dissimilar, more resembles an abortive
primary. In Alauda arveiisis, where there is a minute but obvious
spurious quill, there is but one such feather. In Galerita cristata,
with a spurious quill about two thirds of an inch long, there is like-
wise but one.

In clamatorial .Passeres, perhaps without exception, there are ten
fully developed primaries, the first of which may equal or exceed the
next in length. In the single North American clamatorial family

62

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

Tyrannidce, I find, as before, only one of these little feathers. In
a Woodpecker, remarkable among picarian birds in possessing only
nine fully developed primaries, the first being short or spurious,
there is also but one.

It seems to be conclusively proven that among the supposed
9-primaried birds, the additional primary, making ten in all, is usu-
ally, if not always, found in the second of these little quills which
overlie the first fully developed primary ; and that it is this same
little quill which, in 10-primaried Oscines, in Clamatores, and proba-
bly in other birds, comes to the front and constitutes the first regular
primary, — sometimes remaining very short, when it is the so-called
“spurious” quill, in other cases lengthening by imperceptible de-
grees, until it may become the longest one of all. The true nature
of the other one of these two little feathers becomes an interest-
ing question. Is it also an abortive primary, as the outer certainly
is, or is it one of a series of coverts '?

After close examination, I fail to detect any material difference in
the position of the two ; one overlies the other, indeed, as a covert
should a primary, but then the two are inserted side by side, both
upon the upper side of the sheath of the first fully developed quill.
In size and shape, the two are substantially the same ; both being
rigid and acuminate, more like remiges than like coverts, and both
being abruptly shorter than the true primary coverts. [ So far, all the
evidence favors an hypothesis that both are rudimentary remiges.
To offset this, color usually points the other way, as in the original
case of Vireo Jiavifrons, in which Professor Baird determined the
underlying one of the two feathers to be a supposed wanting pri-
mary mainly because it was colored like the other primaries, while
the overlying one agreed with the coverts in this respect. But it
will be obvious that when, as is oftenest the case, the primaries and
their coverts are colored alike, the evidence from this source fails
altogether ; and I find that the testimony from coloration is some-
times the other way. In Sitta carolinensis, for example, a 10-prima-
ried bird with spurious first primary, the single remaining little
feather is white at base across both webs, like the primaries, the
true primary coverts being white only on th6 inner web. It is true
that the overlying one of these little feathers sometimes exactly
resembles a true covert ; but so, also, does the other one in some
cases. In morphological determinations, position and relation of
parts are all-important, while mere size, shape, and especially func-

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

63

tion, go for very little. One of the two little feathers of 9-primaried
birds, as we have seen, certainly corresponds to the spurious or fully
developed first primary of 10-primaried ; why may not the other be
also a primary? It is not conclusive argument to the contrary
that the feather in question is never fully developed ; nor is it an
insuperable objection that the function of the feather is certainly
that of a covert. The strongest argument against the view here
very guardedly discussed is, that if the feather be not a covert,
then the first fully developed primary has none, while the rest
have one apiece. While I am far from committing myself to the
implied proposition that an oscine bird possesses eleven primaries,
I think it proper to bring the case forward as one which will bear
looking into, and which will probably remain open until the exact
relations between a remex and a tectrix are ascertained. Should it
be determined that an Oscine may show traces of two suppressed pri-
maries, instead of only the single one which certainly persists in
10-primaried birds, the fact would tend to increase the value already
justly set upon number of remiges as a taxonomic factor. It is
generally admitted, and it seems to be unquestionable, that here, as
in numberless other cases, reduction in number and specialization
in function of parts indicates a higher grade of organization ; for
only the lower birds show the higher aggregate number of remiges,
and in none but the higher are the developed primaries ever reduced
to nine. A gradual reduction in the number of remiges seems to
be directly correlated with that progressive consolidation or com-
paction of the distal osseous segments of the fore limb which reaches
its climax in the wing of the most highly organized birds of the
present epoch.

THE YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER {SPHYRAPIGUS
VARIUS).

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

The Mexicans call the Woodpeckers “ Carpenteros,” and most ap-
propriately, for the chisel-shaped bill not only serves the bird in
procuring its daily food, but is also the sole agent employed in
digging the wonderful cavities in which the eggs are laid aiid the
young reared. It is probable that, putting aside the universal ene-

64

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

my, man, the eggs and young of this family' enjoy a more complete
immunity from danger than those of any other. The cunning crow
and noisy jay, both ever on the alert for a frolic after bird’s eggs,
are here balked ; while rain cannot enter, and the mink, weazel, and
other noxious animals find their keen noses of little avail. Snakes
may, and doubtless do sometimes enter the holes of the larger species,
but even they probably bestow more of their attentions on ground
and bush building birds. All the endless little artistic contrivances
for concealment so artfully employed by other birds in the construc-
tion of their nests are here needless, and consequently ignored. In
view of the manifest advantages attendant upon this mode of nidifi-
cation, it is a matter of no little surprise that Woodpeckers are not
more numerous, especially when it is taken into consideration that
the habit of roosting in holes at all seasons of the year must protect
the adults, as well as young, from many nocturnal dangers. Lack
of suitable opportunities for nesting, or obtaining food, may doubtless
be taken as explanatory of the comparative fewness of these birds in
the older settled sections. In fact, the wilderness is the true home
of the Woodpeckers, and in all primitive forest regions they abound.
There Nature reigns supreme, and in defiance of artificial laws and
cultivated ideas of sylvan beauty, allows her woods to fill with the
decaying forms of her dead subjects, — huge moss-clad trunks, pic-
turesque in shape, and by their grim, gaunt aspect adding wildness
to an already picturesque scene. In such congenial haunts these
birds find all their wants supplied, food being plenty and easily ob-
tained, and the selection of a nesting site a matter of no difficulty.
Taking the seven commoner New England species, four — Hylotomus
pileatus, Sphyrapicus varms^ and the two species of Picoides — will
be found almost exclusively in the forest ; while of the remaining
three, the two species of Picus are decidedly more partial to the
woods than the cultivated districts. Colaptes alone seems to have
no preferences, and is no more abundant in the Northern forests
than on treeless Nantucket, in which latter place it makes the best
of circumstances and drills its holes in gate-posts and ice-houses.

Throughout the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and in
most sections of Northern Maine, the Yellow-bellied Woodpeckers
outnumber all the other species in the summer season. They ar-
rive from the South, where they spend the winter, from the middle
to the last of April, and, pairing being soon effected, commence at
once the excavation of their nests. The trees usually selected are

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

65

large dead birches, and a decided preference is manifested for the
vicinity of water, though some nests occur on high ground in the
interior of the woods, but never so abundantly there. as along the
margin of rivers and lakes. Both sexes work alternately, relieving
each other at frequent intervals, the bird not employed usually
clinging near the hole and encouraging its toiling mate by an occa-
sional low cry. With the deepening of the hole arises the necessity
for increased labor, as the rapidly accumulating debris must be
removed, and the bird now appears at frequent intervals at the
entrance, and, dropping its mouthful of chips, returns to its work.
A week or more is occupied in the completion of the nest, the time
varying considerably with the relative hardness of the wood. A
small quantity of the finer chips are left at the bottom tp serve as
a bed for the eggs. The birds now take a vacation, roaming through
the woods together in search of food, though frequently one or the
other remains near the nesting-place to guard the premises. The
female commences laying about the 20th of May, in ordinary sea-
sons, and deposits from five to seven eggs. The labor of incuba-
tion, like all other duties, is shared equally by the two sexes. A
short sketch, founded upon an extract from the writer’s journal of a
day’s experience on Umbagog Lake, Maine, may perhaps give the
reader a better insight into the nidification of these birds than
would a more formal style of description, and it is hoped will con-
vey a sufficiently intelligible idea of the surroundings.

“ Disembarking from the steamer near the head of the lake, the
dense fog, which had all the morning prevailed, began to break, riven
asunder by a slight breeze that had arisen, and drifting off in heavy
masses, dissolved under the influence of the sun, disappearing, no
one knows whither, as the ice had disappeared from these same
waters earlier in the spring. And now a dozen lovely views burst
into sight. Towering mountain-summits, strips of heavily wooded
shore, long stretches of bright blue water rippling merrily under
the influence of the rising breeze, — all these appearing and disap-
pearing through rents and vistas of floating vapor, went to make up
a constantly shifting panorama of exceeding loveliness. But nearly
all of Nature’s best effects are transient, and, the change from
gloomy cloudiness to the bright, clear aspect of a June morning
being soon effected, we found ourselves floating near the middle of
a broad sheet of water, some four miles long by two in breadth,
known in local parlance as the ‘ arm of the lake.’ This fine ex-

66

BULLETIN OF THE NUTT ALL

panse, irregularly oblong in shape, resembles, as do most of the
Maine lakes, a gigantic amphitheatre walled in on every side by
distant mountains, which slope gradually from their base to the
water’s edge, while the unbroken forest which everywhere clothes
the surface of the country extends down to the very shore, look-
ing in the distance like a carpet of variegated green, the lighter
colors of the foliage of the hard-wood trees contrasting beautifully
with the sombre darkness of the spruce and fir. Not a single clear-
ing or other sign of man’s interference occurs in any direction to
mar the perfect setting of this forest gem. Even the little steamer,
just disappearing behind a distant point, looks as if born to the
surroundings, and it requires no great stretch of the imagination to
fancy her a gigantic water-fowl ready to dive beneath the surface,
like the loon that has just risen in her wake. But these and simi-
lar reflections were somewhat abruptly broken by the guide, who,
having completed the arrangement of the luggage in the boat, com-
menced paddling vigorously towards the western shore, where was
to be the scene of our labors.

At this place the Androscoggin Eiver leaves the lake, and its
banks being somewhat low at the point of dU)ouchure, the level
country adjacent for a half-mile or more back is periodically over-
flowed. The water, kept at a high point by dams on the river
below, flows back into the forest, and the trees, killed in former
years by similar inundations, stand in grim array like an army of
stricken giants. That such a perfect paradise for the Woodpeckers
had not been neglected was speedily manifest as we entered this
place, where several species of varying size, from the great Hyloto-
mus pileatus down to the trim little Downy, were soon observed.
Most abundant of all, however, was the handsome Sphyrapicus variuSj
several individuals being almost constantly in sight. Commencing
our search for nests, we soon found ourselves confused by the very
abundance of opportunities, for not only was every tree dead and
rotten, but nearly every one was perforated by a greater or less
number of Woodpecker’s holes. The method quickly adopted as
the only practicable one was to paddle about among the trees, and,-
striking forcibly with an axe all that contained likely looking holes,
watch for the appearance of the possible occupant. Proceeding in
this way, multitudes of Swallows {Tachycineta hicolor) and Grakles
(Quiscahis purpureus) were dislodged, the former occupying deserted
nests of the smaller Woodpeckers, and the latter natural cavities

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

67

and deserted holes of the Golden-winged (Colaptes auratus) and
Pileated {Hylotomus pileatus) Woodpeckers. At length, in response
to a couple of sharp blows, the beautiful crimson-fronted head of a
male Sphyrapicus appeared in the mouth of its hole, and the bird,
after eying us curiously for a moment, launched out into the air
and alighted on a neighboring tree. A few moments’ consultation
decided that the tree must be felled, as the hole was at least forty
feet up, and the trunk so rotten that it was manifestly impossible
to ascend with safety. All the Maine guides are adepts with the
axe, and on this occasion but a short time elapsed before the already
tottering trunk began to show signs of giving way. Both birds
(for the female had appeared at the first alarm) repeatedly entered
the hole, and clung against the now quivering trunk, uttering their
peculiar snarling cry. A few more vigorous blows and the huge
tree began to decline, then, gathering momentum, descended with
fearful force, burying its full length for a moment beneath the sur-
face and half filling the boat with water. So nicely had its fall
been calculated that it came down in clear water exactly between
two other trunks which stood within six feet of each other, and
without touching either. To cut out the hole was now a matter
of little difficulty, and to our delight we found the three eggs which
it contained entirely uninjured. Subsequent experiments of a sim-
ilar nature were, however, less successful.

“ Continuing our search, we soon discovered another nest in a tall
dead birch, the hole from which the bird emerged being at least
fifty feet above the water. This tree was, after careful inspection,
pronounced climbable, and the guide, with characteristic coolness,
filling and lighting his short pipe, commenced to ‘swarm’ up,
puffing out dense clouds of smoke as he ascended. Beaching the
hole, he quickly and adroitly attached a rope to the trunk, and,
tying a loop in the end to form a stirrup, stood in this and cut out
the cavity with his axe. This nest contained six perfectly fresh
eggs, all of which were brought down in safety. Proceeding in this
way, five more nests were discovered, but only two sets of eggs
secured, as three of the trees had to be felled, and in each instance
with disastrous results.”

All nests examined upon this occasion were of uniform gourd-like
shape, with the sides very smoothly and evenly chiselled. They
averaged about fourteen inches in depth by five in diameter at the
widest point, while the diameter of the exterior hole varied from

68

BULLETIN OF THE NUTT ALL

1.25 to 1.60 inches. So small, indeed, was this entrance in propor-
tion to the size of the bird, that in many cases they were obliged
to struggle violently for several seconds in either going out or in.
The nests in most instances were very easily discovered, as the bird
was almost always in the immediate vicinity, and if the tree was
approached would fly to the hole and utter a few low calls, which
would bring out its sitting mate, when both would pass to and from
the spot, emitting notes of anxiety and alarm. The bird not em-
ployed in incubation has also a peculiar habit of clinging to the
trunk just below the hole, in a perfectly motionless and strikingly
pensive attitude, apparently looking in, though from the conforma-
tion of the interior it would be impossible for it to see its mate or
eggs. In this position it will remain without moving for many
minutes at a time. The amount of solicitude evinced varies con-
siderably with different individuals, some pairs showing the most
active concern, and keeping up their cries continually, while others
take matters more coolly, removing to the nearest tree and watch-
ing in total silence the demolition of their home. In nearly every
instance, however, when the sitting bird is first disturbed, it utters
a cry which almost immediately brings up its mate. Watching
once a nest for an hour or two, I remarked that the birds relieved
each other in the labors of incubation at intervals averaging about
half an hour each. The one that had been absent would alight just
below the hole, and, uttering a low yew-ich, yew-ich, its mate would
appear from within, when, after the interchange of a few notes of
endearment, the sitting bird would fly off and the other instantly
enter the hole.

One very singular fact which I have noticed is that in nearly
every tree are several newly finished cavities. In one case four
were cut open which had evidently been freshly made, all of which
were as neatly and completely excavated as the one that contained
the eggs. In addition to these there are often numerous others,
which by the dark color of the wood within are shown to have
been made in previous years. In one tree no less than fifteen
holes were counted, all of which were dug down to the usual
depth. Yet in no case have I found more than one inhabited, or
noticed in the vicinity any birds other than the pair to which the
eggs belonged. These holes for the most part enter the tree on
the same side, one above the other, but in some cases the whole
trunk is perforated on all sides and at irregular intervals. Possibly

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

69

they are intended to accommodate the young after they have left
the nest. As an example of exceptional choice of situation, one
nest was found in a perfectly live poplar-tree of large size. The
birds had pierced a somewhat irregular hole in the trunk, where a
limb had rotted out, and, following the partially decayed wood into
the very heart of the tree, had excavated a cavity to the depth of
about twelve inches, which, when finished, was surrounded on all
sides by healthy wood of at least six inches average thickness.
The entrance to this nest was unusually low, being not over eight
feet above the water. The average elevation I have found to be
at least forty feet, and many nests occur considerably higher. The
four sets of eggs taken on the occasion previously referred to are
all apparently complete, and vary in number of eggs from five to
seven, the set of five being the furthest advanced in incubation.
Six are probably laid as a rule. The eggs vary considerably in
shape, some being oblong and others decidedly elliptical. They
average .85 in length by .60 in breadth. As with all the Wood-
peckers, they are pure white* but there is much less of that fine
polish than in eggs of the other species that I have examined.

When fresh, and before being blown, they resemble very closely,
both in color and size, average eggs of the Martin {Frogne pur-
purea). After the young have hatched, the habits of the Yellow-
bellied Woodpecker change. From an humble delver after worms
and larvse, it rises to the proud independence of a Flycatcher,
taking its prey on wing as unerringly as the best marksman of
them all. From its perch on the spire of some tall stub it makes
a succession of rapid sorties after its abundant victims, and then
flies off to its nest with bill and mouth crammed full of insects,
principally large Diptera. In this way both parents labor inces-
santly to provide for their hungry brood. The young leave the
nest in July, and for a long time the brood remains together, being
still fed by the parents. They are very playful, sporting about the
tree-trunks and chasing one another continually. Both young and
old utter most frequently a low snarling cry that bears no very
distant resemblance to the mew of the Catbird. The adults have
also two other notes, — one, already spoken of, when the opposite
sexes meet; the other a clear, ringing cleur^ repeated five or six
times in succession, and heard, I think, only in the spring. The
habit alluded to in Baird, Brewer, and Bidgway’s “ Birds of
North America” (Vol. II, p. 541), of “drumming” on the tree-

70

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

trunks, is a very noticeable one, but by no means confined to this
species. A very dry, resonant limb is usually selected, and the
bird will “drum” in the same spot many times in succession.
Frequently a rival appears, and a battle ends the performance, but
oftener the female answers the call and joins her anxious mate.
This habit appears to be perfectly analogous in motive to the well-
known performance of the Ruffed Grouse, and is performed only in
the spring before the eggs are laid. Both young and old leave for
the South in October.

Ornithology of the Wheeler Expeditions. — This important Me-
moir,^ consisting of three hundred and seventy-four quarto pages and
fifteen chromo-lithographic plates, forms Chapter III of Volume V of the
Reports of Surveys West of the One Hundredth Meridian, and is devoted
exclusively to a systematic consideration of the ornithological material
collected by the expeditions. during the seasons of 1871 to 1874 inclusive,
by Mr. H. W. Henshaw, Dr. H. C. Yarrow, Mr. C. E. Aiken, and other
gentlemen connected with the survey. The region investigated includes
portions of Utah, Nevada, California, Colorado, Arizona, and New
Mexico. Much of the matter was originally published in 1874 in a pre-
liminary report of 148 pages. t The results of the field work of 1874
are, however, here presented in detail for the first time, and furnish some
of the most interesting data in the volume. The text is written by Mr.
Henshaw, and does credit to that gentleman’s well-known proficiency as
an ornithologist. The classification adopted is, for the land-birds, that
of Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway’s “ Birds of North America,” while for the
water-birds Mr. Henshaw follows Dr. Coues’s check-list. The plates,
though well drawn, are not all quite what we should like to see them in
point of coloration.

Some few new and interesting arrangements of species and varieties are
original with the author, as in the Juncos, which are divided into three

* Report upon the Ornithological Collections made during the Years 1871,
1872, 1873, and 1874. By H. W. Henshaw. Chapter HI, Vol. Y, of the
Reports of the Geographical and Geological Explorations and Surveys West of
the One Hundredth Meridian, in Charge of Lt. Geo. M. Wheeler. Published by
Authority of the Secretary of War. 4to. pp. 374. Washington ; Government
Printing-Office. 1875.

t Report upon Ornithological Specimens collected in the Years 1871, 1872,
and 1873.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

n

species, each having a single variety in the United States. The synony-
inatic lists given include only such references as pertain to the region
traversed by the survey, thereby divesting the work of any unnecessary
cumbersomeness. The biographical notices are excellent, and bear the
impress of vigorous and original thought, founded upon careful and in-
telligent study in the field. Indeed, so thoroughly good are they that we
cannot but wish that they were in some cases more extended ; neverthe-
less, we have valuable descriptions of the notes, habits, and nesting of
many rare and hitherto little-known species ; and when it is taken into
account that in most cases the expeditions were unable to get fairly at
work before midsummer, it is remarkable that so much was accomplished.
As a contribution to ornithology this work derives its chief value from
the additions it furnishes to our knowledge of the geographical range of
North American birds, the assigned limits of many species being con-
siderably extended, and nine entirely new to our fauna added. It is to
be hoped that “ retrenchment and reform ” will not in any way cripple
the continued good work that we expect from the Wheeler Survey in the
future. — W. B.

Field and Forest.* — With the number for July, this journal begins
its second volume, considerably enlarged and improved. The articles are
varied and all valuable contributions to science, and we wish “ Field and
Forest” the success its merits so well deserve. The single article relating
to ornithology brings forward quite novel facts in the history of Wilson’s
Phalarope, which are unique in the history of our birds, and should
engage further attention. Mr. Kumlien describes the female as being not
only “ richer dressed ” than the male, but as leaving the duties of incu-
bation wholly to the male, who in the breeding season has “ invariably
the naked and wrinkled belly, characteristic of incubating birds,” while
the female shows nothing of the kind. He also represents the female as
making the advances to the male during the pairing-season, and says it is
not unusual to “ see two females pursuing one male,” instead of the re-
verse, as is usually the case with other birds. If no mistake has been
made, these facts are among the most interesting in the annals of Ameri-
can ornithology. — J. A. A.

The Portland Tern. — Mr. William Brewster has recently published
his views respecting the character of this recently described Tern.f Hav-

* Field and Forest : a Monthly Journal devoted to the Natural Sciences.
Vol. II, No. 1, July, 1876. 8vo, 20 pp. Washington, 1876, Charles R. Dodge,
Editor. Subscription price, $1.00 a year.

+ Some Additional Light on the so-called Sterna portlandica, Ridgway. By
William Brewster. Annals of the Lyc. Nat. Hist, N. Y., Vol. XI, pp. 200-
207. [Published February, 1876.]

72

BULLETIN OF THE NUTT ALL

ing given the subject careful attention, he announces his conclusion that
this interesting form is only an unusual developmental phase of the
Arctic Tern {Sterna macrura), corresponding to a similar but heretofore
little-known (in this country at least) stage of the common Tern {T. hi-
rundo). Mr. Brewster has gone carefully into a discussion of the details
of the question, and seems to give good grounds for his position. — J. A. A.

The Birds op Ritchie County, West Virginia. — Not long since,
the same author published a list of the birds observed by him in West
Virginia,* * * § based on the joint labors of himself, Messrs. Ruthven Deane,
and Ernest Ingersoll during the interval between April 25 and Ma}^ 9,
1874. The list includes one hundred species, with valuable field-notes,
and forms an important addition to our faunal literature. — J. A. A.

Birds of New England. — This enumeration by Dr. Brewer,t of
three hundred and thirty-six species, will prove useful in showing the
recent additions to the avian fauna of New England, the presumed cor-
rect distribution of the species inhabiting that section, and that certain
species accredited to it have never been obtained within its limits.
Twenty-nine belonging to the latter class are expunged, the majority, we
think, with good reason ; but does not previous record show that Quisca-
lus major, Corvus ossifragus, HIgialitis ivilsonius, Sula fiber, % and Nettion
crecca § can at least be retained as birds that have occurred here ?

Though referring to and correcting many of the errors of earlier lists,
we find no credit given to some recent authorities from which it is evident
facts were gleaned. We regret to find, too, that this, our latest corrected
treatise on the subject, omits to give the “manner and character” of the
“ presence ” of several species with quite the exactness that the record
warrants.

The following, for instance, classed as summer residents (it being stated
of Corvus americanus that “ a few Avinter ”), are constant residents in
Southern New England, and one or two probably also in Northern
New England, namely, Turdus migratorius, Corvus americanus, Pious vil-
losus, Otus wilsonianus, Brachyotus casshii, Nyctale acadica, Nisus fuscus.
The following, classed as summer residents (presumably of all New Eng-

* Some Observations on the Birds of Ritchie County, West Virginia. By
William Brewster. Annals of the Lye. Nat. Hist., N. Y., Vol. XI, pp. 129-
146. [Published June, 1875.]

i Catalogue of the Birds of New England, with brief Notes indicating the
Manner and Character of their Presence ; Avith a List of Species included in
previous Catalogues believed to have been wrongly classed as Birds of New
England. By T. M. Brewer. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XYII, pp.
436-454, July, 1875.

X See Linsley, Amer. Journ. Sci. and Arts, Vol. XLIV, 1843.

§ Bryant, Proc. Bost. Nat. Hist., Vol. V, p. 195.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

73

land), seldom reach Northern New England : Cistothorius stellaris, Vireo
gilvus, V. flavifrons, V.novehoracensis, Spizella pusilla, Zencedura carolinensis;
nor is the latter “ rare.” The following are not “ rare ” at Saybrook, Conn.,
but breed there regularly in more or less numbers, and probably occur all
along the Sound shore west of the mouth of the Connecticut Kiver : Helmi-
therus vermivorus, Helminthophaga pinus, Icteria virens, Myiodioctes mitra-
tus, as do also Siurus ludovicianus, and Myiarchus crinitus ; the latter being
given as a “ rare summer resident (of New England). The next two,
Helminthophaga chry^optera and Coturniculus passerinus, cannot be called
“rare ” summer residents of Southern New England, as they breed in num-
bers regularly, especially the latter. The three following are generally com-
mon, and breed regularly in Northern New England, not “ rare ” summer
residents, as marked in the list ; Perissoglossa tigrina, Geothylpis Philadelphia,
Contopus borealis. The following should be marked, not as “ summer resi-
dents ” or “ visitants,” but rather as visitors in spring and fall : Numenius
longirostris, Coturnicops (Porzana) novehoracensis, and Fulica americana.
Picoides arcticus and P. americanus are not winter visitants only, to all
New England, but are residents in Northern New England, and rare win-
ter visitants to Southern New England. Regulus satrapa winters in num-
bers in Southern New England, if not also in Northern New England,
where it is nearly resident. Anthus ludovicianus is a spring and fall visi-
tant in New England, not “winter.” Junco hyemalis hardly winters in
Northern New England, where it is merely a summer resident. Ectopistes
migratoria is a regular summer resident of quite all New England, though
more common in some parts than others. Ortyx virginianus does not occur
in Northern New England. Astur atricapillus is resident in Northern New
England, winter visitant in Southern New England. Micropalama himan-
topus is migratory along the whole New England coast.

The following should as certainly have the asterisk prefixed as any
already so marked : Mimus polyglottus, Ampelis garrulus, Euspiza ameri-
cana, Xanthocephalus icterocephalus, Centurus carolinus, Hierofalco islandi-
cus, Gupidonia cupido, Meleagris gallopavo, Himantopus nigricollis, Ibis
ordii, Herodias egretta, Florida ccerulea, Garzetta candidissima, Gallinula
galeata, Cygnus americanus, Anser hyperboreus, Anser gambelli, Campto-
Icemus labradorius, Gelochelidon aranea.

The specimen of Tyrannus verticalis was shot neither at Plympton nor
Pembroke, Me., but at Elliot, by Mr. George E. Brown.

In the matter of Macrorhamphus scolopaceus, Mr. Brewster was wrongly
understood, as he informs us he finds it and griseus in company. Two
varieties each ,of Quiscalus, Hierofalco, and Archibuteo are given as found
in New England, and also an apocryphal little bird we are surprised to
see brought to light again, namely, Myiodioctes minutus. — H. A. P.

74

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

The Philadelphia Yireo in New England. — The increase and de-
crease of certain species in given localities is becoming a subject of much
interest, instances of which are cited every year. A single specimen may
be captured in a locality far from the usual habitat of its species, where it
may not be seen again for years, or it may gradiially'increase and later be
found as a regular autumn migrant, though not detected in the spring, and
vice versa. The above-named species was first given as a New England
bird by Prof. Charles E. Hamlin, based upon a specimen which he cap-
tured at Waterville, Me., May 21, 1863. For the next nine years it escaped
the notice of our collectors, when during a collecting trip at the ITmbagog
Lake, Maine, I procured a specimen on June 3, 1872, and on the follow-
ing day, in company with Mr. Wni. Brewster, obtained two more. In a
communication from Geo. A. Boardman, Esq., he states that on June 2,
1872, he obtained a female at Calais, Me., the only one, however, which
he has met with. We did not hear of the Vireo again until Sej)tember,
1874, when Mr. Brewster took six specimens at Lake Umbagog. On
September 11, 1875, I procured a female at the foot of Bipogenus Lake, a
beautiful sheet of water situated about one hundred and fifty miles north-
east from the Umbagog Lake, and observed two others. There was an
immense migration of Warblers, Sparrows, and other species on that morn-
ing, and the specimen taken was in company with the Red-eyed and Yel-
low-throated Vireos.*

All these specimens were undoubtedly on or near their breeding-grounds,
and although but few pass through the coast States, yet it is strange that
the species should have escaped the notice of the many watchful collectors
of the present day until Mr. Brewster procured a specimen in Cambridge,
Mass., on September 7, 1875 (see Bulletin No. 1, p. 19). Three specimens
were taken during the first week of June, 1876, at Lake Umbagog, in
which locality it now must be considered as a summer resident. —
Ruthven Deane.

Geographical Variation in the Number and Size of the Eggs op
Birds. — It is not surprising that the now well-known law of geographi-
cal variation in size among birds should find expression in the eggs of
birds as well as in the birds themselves. I have only recently, however,
met with satisfactory proof of the fact, for which proof I am indebted to
the kindness of Captain Charles Bendire, U. S. A. Under date of May
21 (1876), Captain Bendire wrote me as follows : “ The geographical vari-
ation in size among North American birds holds true also in respect to

* This is the most northern locality in Maine at which I have known the Yel-
low-throated Yireo to occur. .

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

75

their eggs. I find, for instance, in Icteria viridis var. longicaudata, that
in the vicinity of Fort Lapham, Idaho Territory, where the species breeds
abundantly, that they almost invariably lay four eggs ; while near Tucson,
Arizona, where I took at least eighty of their nests, they lay only three,
and the size of the eggs is so very much smaller, in some cases fully
one half, that they might easily be taken for eggs of an entirely different
species. I find that the farther south you go, the eggs of the same species
become smaller, and the number laid as a full nest complement is also
less, as a rule. Of course there are some exceptions.” He says later, in
reply to further inquiries from me respecting this matter, that his atten-
tion was first drawn to this subject by the disparity in size and number of
the eggs of this species at northern and southern localities. “ Of course,”
he continues^ “there is considerable variation in size even ^ in the same
localities Avhen a number of sets of the same species are compared, but the
assertion that in the North the eggs, as well as the birds, average larger
than in the South is perfectly correct. I have abundant material in my
own collection to prove this conclusively. Another illustration of the dif-
ference in size of eggs from points North and South is the following : Six
eggs of Molothrus pecoris from the New England States measure as follows :
(1) .99 X .65 ; (2) .97 X .67 ; (3) .88 X .67 ; (4) .90 X .68 ; (5) .85 X

.64 ; (6) .76 X .63. Ten specimens of M. pecoris var. obscurus, from Ari-
zona, measure as follows : (1) .82 X .60 ; (2) .81 X .59 ; (3) .73 X .65 ;

(4) .75 X .61 ; (5) .74 X .58 ; (6) .73 X .58 ; (7) .72 X .58 ; (8) .70 X

.58 ; (9) .70 X .56 ; (10) .67 X .51.” This gives an average of .90 X .66
for the New England specimens, and .74 X .59 for those from Arizona.

The greater part of Captain Bendire’s collection being now stored in St.
Louis, while he is himself stationed in Oregon, prevents the presentation
by him of other comparative measurements with which to further sub-
stantiate the above-given generalization of the smaller size of the eggs of
birds of the same species at southern as compared with northern locali-
ties. His other statement of the smaller number of eggs laid at the south-
ward is also one of great importance, and touches a point respecting which
little has as yet been written.

Mr. C. J. Maynard, in his “ Birds of Florida ” (p. 24), refers to the
“singular fact” that many species lay a smaller number of eggs at the
South than at the North, and informs me that he has also noticed the fact
of their smaller size at the southward. — J. A. Allen.

The Nest and Eggs of Traill’s Flycatcher, as observed in
Maine. — The structure of the nest, its situation, and the eggs of this
species {Empidonax trailin'), as found in the above-named State, are all
quite different from Mr. H. W. Henshaw’s description of them, as given
in the first number of this “ Bulletin.” The nest is built between the
upright shoots of low bushes, from one to five feet from the ground, and
is loiosely constructed of grasses throughout, including the lining. It is a
much less compact nest even than that of the Indigo Bird, though perhaps

76

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

smaller in the average. The eggs are of a pale creamy white, with red-
" dish-brown dots, spots, or blotches of two shades, disposed chiefly about
the larger end. This brief account is based on specimens obtained about
Lake Umbagog, Upton, and at Bethel, Maine, by Messrs. William Brewster
and H. B. Bailey, and at Gorham, N. H., by Messrs. George Welch and
Duxbury Moon. I have lately seen nests and eggs of both E. acadicus
and E. traillii collected at Columbus, Ohio, by Dr. J. M. Wheaton. Sin-
gularly enough, that of the former (E. acadicus ) bears a close resemblance
in its structure to that of Maine specimens of Traill’s Flycatcher, while
the compact felted character of the latter {E. traillii) is entirely unlike any
nest of this species from the Canadian fauna. The eggs of the Ohio nests
are in each case of a decided buff color as compared with Northern ones.

In this connection I would ask if it has been observed whether the
ground color and markings of the eggs of species breeding in northern
latitudes are of a lighter tint than those of the same kind laid in austral
limits, — that is, does intensity of color hold good in eggs as it does in
plumage ? — H. A. Purdie.

Singular Food of the Least Bittern. — Upon examining the
stomach of a male Least Bittern {Ardetta exilis) shot at Belmont, Mass.,
May 11, 1876, I found that organ fairly crammed with white, clean cotton
wool. The greater portion had evidently been swallowed in one lump,
but there were several smaller flakes. Among them were several slender
white worms, and many others of a similar appearance were coiled around
the intestines. Under such conditions one would hardly expect the post-
prandial sensations of the bird to be of an agreeable nature, but the'
bird seemed to be in good health and spirits. — William Brewster.

Intelligence op a Crow. — A tame Crow (Corvus americanus) in my
possession has repeatedly amused me by the novel method he adopts to
rid himself of parasites. For this purpose he deliberately takes his stand
upon an ant-mound, and permits the ants to crawl over him and carry
away the troublesome vermin. The operation seems mutually agreeable
to all parties, the ants quickly seizing upon the parasites and bearing them
away. I have also noticed the same habit in another tame Crow that I
formerly had in my possession. — Abbott M. Frazar.

The Great Carolina Wren in Massachusetts. — The Great Caro-
lina Wren {Thryothorus ludovicianus) has not previously been recorded
as a visitor to Massachusetts, but there are at present two apparently pass-
ing the summer in a small wooded swamp near Boston. It is believed
that they have arrived since the 4th of July, soon after which time my
attention was attracted by their loud notes, which I immediately recog-
nized, through their general likeness to the notes of other Wrens, and the
descriptions of Wilson and Audubon. It is further believed that they are
now building, or have recently built, their nest, since they remain per-
sistently in one neighborhood, the female being rarely seen, though the
male often visits the shrubbery about the house. — H. D. Minot.

BULLETIN

OP THE

NUTTALL OENITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

Vol. I. NOVEMBER,. 1876. No. 4.

OUR PRESENT KNOWLEDGE OF THE NIDIFICATION OF
THE AMERICAN KINGLETS.^

BY ERNEST INGERSOLL.

In the hope of eliciting from some Of the many readers of The
Bulletin farther information concerning the breeding habits of the
American Kinglets, or at least of putting them upon the alert for
further information, I have deemed it well to bring together what
is at present known respecting the nidification of these birds.

Of the breeding of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet {Regulus calendula,
Licht.) not much is known, although the bird is found, at different
seasons, in all parts of North America. In the Rocky Mountains
it breeds among the most elevated forests. Mr. J. A. Allen found
young in July near Mount Lincoln, Col. ; Mr. Ridgway gives it as
breeding among the peaks of Northern Utah; and Mr. Henshaw in
Arizona. It is also supposed to breed in Northern New Jersey, in
Western New York, in Maine, and in the islands of the Bay of
Fundy. In Western New York a nest which contained young was
reported to have been built in the fork of a tree. Males and
females have both been observed in summer about Chestnut Hill,
Philadelphia, and Mr. Gentry thinks it Bests on the wooded heights
along the Wissahickon. Dr. Coues, in his “ Birds of the North-
west,” considers that he has Sufficient evidence to show a breeding-
range throughout the mountains of the West, from nine thousand
feet upward, thence trending eastward along the northern boundary
of the United States to Maine and Labrador, and probably sending
a spur southward along the Alleghany Mountains. Northwestward
it reaches Alaska*

78

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

The most satisfactory information is furnished by Mr. J. H. Batty,
who found a nest near the Buffalo Mountains in Colorado, on June
21, 1873, which contained five young and one egg. The nest was
on the branch of a spruce-tree, about fifteen feet from the ground,
and was so large “ that it could scarcely be got into a good-sized
coffee-cup.” It is described as a loosely woven mass of hair and
feathers, mixed with moss and some short bits of straw.” The egg,
Mr. Batty tells me, was very much like that of the common House
Wren, but a little lighter in color. Both parents were assiduously
bringing larvae of insects to the young, whose appetites were un-
appeasable. Mr. Henry W. Henshaw also reports finding a neatly
finished nest on a mountain near Fort Garland, Col. It was built
on a low branch of a pine, and the male was singing directly over-
head ; but although he waited some time, Mr. Henshaw did not see
the female. “ The nest was a somewhat bulky structure, very large
for the size of the bird, externally composed of strips of bark, and
lined thickly with feathers of the Grouse.” Of the eggs of this
Kinglet nothing further is known.

Little more can be said in respect to the Golden-crested Kinglet
[Regulus satrapa, Licht.). Its range is nearly as extensive, but more
northerly ; it does not descend in winter beyond Mexico. Nothing
is known with certainty of its breeding anywhere in the United
States, although it may be found to do so in the northern moun-
tainous portions. Mr. Thomas G. Gentry is confident that it nidi-
ficates in cavities in the tall trees which crown the heights of Eastern
Pennsylvania, despite the generally accepted notion that it follows
its foreign cousin in building a pensile nest and laying white eggs,
finely sprinkled with buff dots, in size about equal to those of
Humming-birds. It has also been inferred that this Kinglet raises
two broods in a season. Mr. Nuttall and Dr. Cooper both found it
feeding full-fledged young on the Columbia River, on May 21 ; and
Audubon observed the same thing in Labrador in August. Mr.
Maynard found it common at Lake Umbagog, Me., in June; he
says it breeds there, and that, judging from the condition of female
specimens dissected, it deposits its eggs about June 1. Several
pairs were found in the thick woods there, but no nests could be
discovered ; he thought they built, probably, in the long hanging-
moss so abundant on the trees in those northern forests. Mr. Her^
rick puts it down positively as breeding on the island of Grand Menan,
and Dr. Brewer in Maine. Mr. Allen informs me that he met with

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

79

young, attended by the parents, the third week in August, 1876,
on Mount Monadnock, New Hampshire, which he has no doubt
were hatched in the immediate vicinity. Mr. J. K. Lord states that
these birds were abundant on Vancouver’s Island and the adjacent
coast, where he found them building pensile nests suspended from
the tips of high pine branches, in which they laid from five to seven
eggs. He does not describe the eggs, which was hardly to be ex-
pected, perhaps, considering the half-use he seems to have made of
his opportunities.

Herr F. W. Baedeker has figured the egg in the Journal fiir
Ornithologie ” (1856, p. 33, PL I, Fig. 8), and also in his large work
on the eggs of the birds of Europe. Dr. Coues observes, in a pri-
vate communication to me, “ The plate indicates a rather roundish
egg, though the two specimens figured differ noticeably in size and
shape ; they are spoken of in the text as ‘ niedliche kleine Eirchen
mit lehmgelben ben Flekschen auf weissen Grunde,’ and compared
with those of other species illustrated on the same plate.”

Regulus cuvieri, described by Audubon from a specimen taken
near the banks of the Schuylkill River, has remained unknown to
ornithologists ever since.

NESTING HABITS OF THE CALIFORNIAN HOUSE WREN
(TROGLODYTES AEDON VAR. PARKMANNI).

BY DR. J. a. COOPER.

The little fellows who require such a triple scientific name, ac-
cording to the latest fashion in nomenclature, have this year ex-
hibited in my garden a remarkable characteristic or habit, which,
if not confined to the western race, has never been recorded of those
individuals found in the northeastern section of the Union, though
it may be looked for in the longer summers of the southern and
interior States.

The well-known fact that during the season of incubation the
males usually busy themselves in building several nests in places
where they seem quite unnecessary, has always been attributed to
a sort of whim or desire for occupation, or to a judicious foresight ;
providing thus against a possible destruction of the first nest.

80'

BULLETIN OF TEE NUTTALL

But it seems that here, at least, one extra nest is sometimes used'
for the purpose of raising an additional family by a single pair of
wrens simultaneously with the first brood ! This would scarcely
appear credible if not made certain by close observation of the pair
during the whole breeding season, while no others were seen within
a circuit of a quarter of a mile; Like all other summer visitorSj
these birds arrived much later this year than last, none appearing
until about April 20, though some winter within one hundred miles
to the southward. Whether the same pair returned, mentioned to
have built here last year (in my article in the “ American Natural-
ist ’’ for February, 1870, p. 90), is uncertain. I believe that one of
that pair was killed by a cat, and the brood of young were certainly
destroyed, June 14, by an unusually late and heavy rainj which ran
from the eaves of my house into their box, after which the remain-
ing parent bird disappeared. The present pair, however, lost no
time in building, and, as if suspicious of their former home, built
first in a house on the top of a post twelve feet high, which was
occupied by a pair of Hirundo hicolor last summer. As soon as the
nest was finished, the male began to build another in the old resi-
dence, which I had moved to a safer place, where rain could not
reach it. The female rarely assisted in this work, though I occa-
sionally saw both there, and in due time the second nest was
finished. Soon after the young in the first nest were hatched, and
although needing much attention, the old birds still frequented the
new nest, and I began to suspect that one of them was sitting on
eggs there. This suspicion was soon verified by hearing the young,
and seeing them fed. In this case each parent must have been
sitting at the same time on a nest, perhaps taking turns, during the
week that elapsed before the first hatching.

The day after the first brood of six left its house, they reappeared
at evening under the lead of the female, and all roosted there, the
male meanwhile continuing to feed the other brood, and singing at
almost every visit to them, from which circumstance I distinguished
him. The next day, however, he seems to have taken charge of the
fledged family and led them away to the groves, out of the reach of
town cats, as after that the songless female alone attended to the
remaining brood.

As confirming the probability of one pair being able to raise two
broods, I may quote from Dr. Brewer the experiment by which one
female was induced to lay twenty-five eggs in one season, eighteen

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

81

being successively taken, and the remaining seven hatched. I have
not seen any evidence of a second brood being raised here after the
first, very few birds of any kind doing this, on account of the
scarcity of insect-food after the dry season is advanced, or in July.

The first brood left the nest June 5; the second on the 16th,
which also consisted of six.

ON GEOGKAPHICAL VAKIATION IN DENDRCECA PALMARUM.

BY ROBERT RIDGWAY.

A VERY remarkable variation in colors, accompanied by less
striking difference of size, from east to west, in this species, was
first brought to my notice by a casual examination of the specimens
contained in the National Museum, specimens from the Atlantic
States appearing at first sight to be very much brighter colored than
those from the Mississippi Valley, with somewhat different markings,
and also larger in size. Examples from the West Indies, where, in
part, the species passes the winter, are, so far as seen, entirely re-
ferable to the western form, as are also those from Western »and
Southern Florida. The circumstance that West-Indian specimens
are identical with those from the Mississippi Valley is conspicuously
in contrast with the case of D. dominica, in which the relationship
is reversed, West-Indian specimens being identical with those from
the Atlantic States, while examples from the interior States agree
with those taken in Mexico and Honduras. The D. dominica, how-
ever, is resident in the southern portions of its range, while D.
palmarum is one of those species which pass mainly north of the
United States to breed.* Another fact in connection with the present
bird is the notable exception which it constitutes in the matter of
climatic variation to certain laws under this head, it being usual for
specimens from the Mississippi Valley to be, if any different, brighter
than those from corresponding latitudes on the Atlantic Coast.
The variation would therefore appear to be entirely with longitude,
so far as geographical considerations are concerned, and not to be
explained by any known climatfc laws.

This is written with the most positive assurance that such a wide

* D. palmarum has not been recorded from any part of Mexico or Central
America.

82

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

dilference does exist in this species between specimens from the
country eastward of the Alleghanies and those from the Western
States of the Eastern Sub-region, for not only does the ample series
of specimens examined indicate such a difference, but evidence ac-
cumulated by correspondence confirms it. After examining all the
material accessible I deemed it prudent, in order to make sure that
the variations noted were not in part of an individual character, to
call the attention of others to the subject. Accordingly, a pair of
the western form (from Southern Illinois), in spring plumage, of
which the male was unusually bright, w^ere despatched to Mr.
William Brewster, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, with the request
that they be compared with his New England series, as well as wuth
other local collections in Cambridge, while at the same time a typical
example of the eastern style was mailed to Mr. E. W. Nelson, of
Chicago, Illinois, with the same request. The replies of these gen-
tlemen have been received, and fully establish my previous conclu-
sion that the differences were strictly geographical. Mr. Brewster’s
letter reads as follows : —

“ I have very carefully compared the birds sent with my series
of twenty Massachusetts specimens, and find that they differ widely
from any that I have ever taken here. The decided yellow of the
entire under parts and the chestnut markings are constant in our
bird, and subject to but a limited amount of variation, and this
chiefly sexual. Tbe dullest fall female in my series is much brighter
beneath than your spring male. Again, your birds are clear brown
above, from the occiput to the rump, while mine all have a greenish-
yellow cast ; the lower eyelid in your specimens is white, while in
mine it is as decidedly yellow as the superciliary stripe ; and, lastly,
the markings on the lower parts, though more numerous, are brown
instead of chestnut, and of a different shape, being mostly linear

instead of tear-shaped A pair of these birds from Florida

agree very well with your specimens, after making due allowance for
difference of season, they being winter birds. I saw at a glance
that the birds you sent were totally different in color from any that
are ever taken here, and as I have probably examined one hundred
Massachusetts specimens altogether, I can assure you positively
that the form, you sent never occurs here at any season.”

Mr. Buthven Deane, of Cambridge, also examined the pair sent
for inspection, and has this to say of them : “ I have compared
your two specimens of B. palmarum with mine, and find that they
differ in the respects of which Mr. Brewster has written you. The

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

83

back of your specimens is considerably darker than in Massachusetts
birdsj and lacks the sprinkling of the yellowish feathers ; the mark-
ings on the breast are much finer and less conspicuous in your
specimens, and the stripe under the [eye is invariably yellow in
Massachusetts specimens. In fact, yonr birds are considerably dif-
ferent at a glance, and if they are typical of the Illinois bird I should
think they represent a well-marked variety.” Mr. Nelson's reply,
received at the same time, is equally to the point : “ The speci-
men of D. palmar um came to hand this morning. There is a great
difference in intensity of coloration between this specimen and any
I have seen or taken here, the one from Baltimore showing much
brighter and purer yellow on the under parts, while the crown and
spots on the breast are much clearer and brighter chestnut. I do
not remember ever taking a specimen here in which the markings
on the breast were so few, and confined to the sides, western speci-
mens having the streaks extending uniformly across instead of hav-
ing a nearly immaculate space between the two clusters of spots at
the bend of the wing. As to fall specimens, the only observable
difference is that they are much duller in color, more like the female
of Perissoglossa tigrmaP Mr. A. L. Kumlien, of Bussey ville, Wis-
consin, an experienced collector and accurate observer, examined
the series with me, and stated his belief that no such specimens as
those before him from the Atlantic States ever occurred in Wiscon-
sin, and was positive he had never seen similar ones from that por-
tion of the country.

The following are the specific characters of Dendroeca palmarum,
and the diagnoses of the two subspecies, or geographical races : —

Common (specific) Characters. — No distinct bands on wing-coverts.
Inner webs of two outer tail-feathers with large terminal patch of white.
Crissiim clear yellow. Adult : Below more or less yellow, the sides of
breast streaked ; a yellow or whitish superciliary stripe. Pileum uniform
chestnut in spring and summer, or brownish streaked with dusky in fall
and winter, but usually with more or less of chestnut beneath the surface.
Above nearly uniform olive, becoming brighter, more yellowish-green, on
rump and edges of tail-feathers. Young : Above dull grayish, streaked
everywhere with dusky ; below dirty whitish, tinged with yellow, the
throat, breast, and sides heavily streaked with dusky ; wing-coverts slightly
tipped with buff. Wing, 2.35 -280.

Subspecific Characters.

Subsp. palmarum. — Wing, 2.36-2.65 (2.52) ; tail, 2,05-2.45 (2.24) ;
bill, from nostril, .27 -.32 (.29) ; tarsus, .71 - .80 (.76). Yellow of lower

84

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

parts interrupted by a whitish abdominal area ; breast streaked uniformly
across, the, streaks being linear, and dusky, with little if any tinge of chest-
nut ; lower eyelid whitish ; back dull olive-brown. Habitat, Mississippi
Valley (north to Great Slave Lake) and West Indies. Casual in certain
Atlantic States.

Subsp. hypochrysea. — Wing, 2.50 - 2.80 (2.69) ; tail, 2.25 - 2.55 (2.43) ;
bill, from nostril, .28- .32 (.30) ; tarsus, .75- .80 (.79). Yellow of lower
parts entirely continuous, and much brighter ; streaks confined mostly or
wholly, to sides of breast, broadly tear-shaped, wholly reddish-chestnut ;
lower eyelid bright yellow ; back greenish-olive. Habitat. Atlantic
States, from East Florida to Nova Scotia.

Dendroeca palmarum.

Subspecies palmarum.

Le Bimbele, ou la Fausse Linotte, Buffon, Ois., V, p. 330 (St. Domingo).

Palm Warbler, Lath., Synop., II, pt. 2, p. 498.

Motacilla palmarum, Gmel., S. N., I, 1788, p. 951. Dendrceca palmarum,
Baird, Birds N. Am., 1858, 488 ; et Auct. (part).

Habitat. Mississippi Valley during migrations ; breeding in the interior
of British America, wintering in the Gulf States, from Texas to Western
and Southern Florida, and West Indies (Cuba, Jamaica, Santo Domingo,
and Bahamas). Casual in certain Atlantic States (but not in New Eng-
land ?). Carlisle, Penn., April, May, and September ; District of Colum-
bia, April and October. (Specimens in Nat. Mus.)

Adult Male in Spring (No. 915, Mus. E,. R., Mount Carmel, Illinois,
April 22, 1869. Brightest in the entire western series). Beneath yellowish-
white, tinged with yellow, the throat and crissum deepening into gam-
boge ; sides of the neck, sides, and entire breast, streaked with umber-
brown, tinged with rusty, the shafts of the feathers darker ; a distinct
superciliary stripe of clear yellow. Pileum uniform rich chestnut, darker
next the bill, where divided medially by a short and indistinct streak of
yellow. Upper parts in general olive-gray, deepening into yellowish
olive-green on the upper tail-coverts. Tail-feathers dusky, edged exter-
nally with pale olive-yellowish, the two outer pairs with their inner webs
broadly tipped with white. Wings dusky, the remiges edged like the tail-
feathers, wdth yellowish olive-green ; both rows of coverts tipped with
pale grayish-buff, forming rather distinct indications of two bands. Wing,
2.55 ; tail, 2.30 ; bill, from nostril, .30 ; tarsus, .80.

Most other males in the series before me are rather duller than the one
described. A specimen from Carlisle, Penn. (No. 152, Mus. S. F. Baird,
April 26, 1845, — presumably a male), differs merely in the more indis-
tinct character of the streaks along the sides, those of the breast being
almost obsolete. One of the brightest males in the entire series is one in
Mr. Nelson’s collection (No. 2,072, Waukegan, 111., April 12, 1876). This,

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

85

however, is scarcely different from the one described, the only obvious dif-
ference being the somewhat brighter yellow on the breast, and the greater
amount of chestnut in the streaks of the side of the breast. The palest
male is also a Waukegan specimen (No. 2,073, Mus., E. W. Nelson, April
28, 1876), which has the posterior half of the superciliary stripe white
and the whole breast whitish, the pure yellow being thus restricted to the
throat and crissum.

Adult Female in Spring (No. 2,786 Mus. K. K., Mt. Carmel, 111., Spring ;
S. Turner). Similar to the male, as described above, but pileum mixed
chestnut and dark umber-brown, distinctly streamed with dusky. Wing,
2.35 ; tail, 2.05 ; bill, from nostril, .28 ; tarsus, .71.

A female in my collection, from Calumet, 111. (May 12, 1875), is con-
siderably paler and duller, the lower parts being whitish tinged with yel-
low on the throat and jugulum, the crissum only continuous yellow ; even
the superciliary stripe is white from the eye backward. The pileum is
grayish-olive, like the back, tinged in one or two places with chestnut,
and very indistinctly streaked. The streaks on the sides are almost ob-
solete, but across the jugulum they are quite well defined.

Adult {both sexes) in Winter. Lower parts dirty whitish, the breast and
sides with narrow streaks of grayish brown ; throat and superciliary stripe
loholly dirty whitish ; yellow entirely confined to the crissum, except a tinge
on the abdomen, and along the edge of the wing in some specimens ;
crown grayish-umber, with but little, if any, tinge of chestnut, and dis-
tinctly streaked with dusky.

This plumage is that of all late fall and winter specimens, whether from
far north or the West Indies. I have seen no specimens from the latter
region in the spring plumage.

Subspecies hypochrysea.

Dendrceca palmarum, Auct., in part.

Hendrceca palmarum hypochrysea, Kidgway.

Habitat. Atlantic States, from East Florida (in winter) to Nova Scotia.
Breeding in Maine and northward, and wintering in the South Atlantic
States ; apparently not found at all in West Indies, nor in Southern or
Western Florida !

Adult Male in Spring (No. 2,164, Mus. E. E., Cambridge, Mass. ; W.
Brewster). Entire lower parts, and a conspicuous superciliary stripe,
bright yellow, entirely continuous and uniform beneath ; entire sides marked
with broad streaks of deep chestnut, these most distinct on the sides of
the breast. Auriculars mixed olive and chestnut (the latter prevailing),
somewhat darker immediately behind the eye ; lore with an indistinct
dusky streak. Entire pileum rich chestnut, becoming darker next the
bill, where divided medially by a short and rather indistinct yellow streak.
Best of the upper parts olive, tinged with brown on the back, and bright-

86

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

ening into yellowish olive-green on the rump and upper tail-coverts, the
latter having shaft-streaks of reddish-chestnut. Tail-feathers dusky,
edged externally with yellowish- olive, the inner webs of the two outer
feathers broadly tipped with white. Wings dusky, all the feathers edged
with pale brownish-olive, this edging rather widest on the ends of the mid-
dle and greater coverts, where, however, they do not form any indication
of bauds. Wing, 2.65 ; tail, 2.50 ; bill, from nostril, .30 ; tarsus, .80.

The above description will apply almost equally well to the generality of
bright-colored males in the series, except that the chestnut streaks on the
upper tail-coverts are not found in any of the others ; there is considerable
individual variation in the amount of the chestnut on the cheeks, but the
auriculars seem to be never entirely of this color.

Adult Female in Spring (No. 63,155, Nat. Mus., Cambridge, Mass. ; H.
W. Henshaw). Entirely similar to the male, as described above, except
that the chestnut of the pileum is rather lighter, and less abruptly defined
posteriorly, the chestnut streaks absent from the upper tail-coverts, no tinge
of chestnut on the auriculars, which are' plain olive, and size smaller.
Wing, 2.60 ; tail, 2.40 ; bill, from nostril, .32 ; tarsus, .75.

A female from Nova Scotia, in breeding dress (parent of eggs in Nat.
Mus.), is entirely similar in color, but rather smaller in size. Wing, 2.50 ;
tail, 2.30 ; bill, from nostril, .30 ; tarsus, .75.

Adult in Autumn (No. 2,567, Mus. R. R., Washington, D. C., October 10,
1861 ; E. Coues). Generally similar to the spring male, as described
above, but the chestnut of the pileum overlaid and almost entirely con-
cealed by olivaceous tips of the feathers ; no tinge of chestnut on the
auriculars, which are grayish-olive. Yellow beneath as bright and con-
tinuous as in spring, but chestnut streaks much less distinct. Markings
generally less distinct, and colors more suffused ; tips of wing-coverts and
edges of tertials decidedly brownish.

A specimen from Carlisle, Penn., in the same plumage (No. 783, Mus.
S. F. Baird, October 7, 1842), differs merely in being more brownish above.
The measurements of this and the preceding may be found in the accom-
panying table.

Adult in Winter (No. 59,811, Nat. Mus., Hibernia, Florida, February,
1870 ; G. A. Boardman). Similar to the autumnal plumage, but less
brownish above.

Young, first Plumage (No. 2,807, Mus. R. R., St. Croix R., Maine, July
20, 1874 ; G. A. Boardman). Above grayish-brown, distinctly streaked
with dusky, the streaks broader on the back, where they widen at the end
of the feathers ; both rows of wing-coverts narrowly’tipped with pale buff ;
tertials edged externally with rusty cinnamon ; rump and outer edges of
primaries and rectrices yellowish olive-green ; upper tail-coverts pale rusty-
cinnamon. Lower parts mostly dull whitish, tinged on the throat and
abdomen with lemon-yellow, the throat, breast, and sides heavily streaked
with dusky ; crissum and edge of the wing bright yellow.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

87

List of Specimens examined.

Subspecies palmarum.

Num-

ber.

Museum.

Sex

and

Age.

Locality.

Date.

Wing.

Tail.

Bill

from

Nostril.

Tarsus.

19506

U- s.

cf ad.

Ft. Resolution, Br. Am.

June 1

265

2.40

.28

.80

23520

Cuba (Monte Verde).

Winter

2.40

2.20

.30

.75

23523

(<

d* “

“

Jan. 17, 1861

2.60

2.30

.30

12192

((

District of Columbia.

Spring

2.65

2.30

.30

'.78

6494

(

— “

Florida (Indian Key).

Mar. 28

2.65

2.40

.30

.80

8647

((

(<

Cape Florida.

Oct. 27, 1867

2.50

2.30

.30

.75

32260

d* “

Macon, Georgia.

April, 1848

2.60

2.25

.31

.80

152

S. F. B.*

n

Penn. (Carlisle).

Ap’l 26, 1845

2.40

2.25

.28

.75

54

It It

May 2,1840

2.45

2.25

.30

.75

733

<(

ll

tt tt

Sep. 20, 1842

2.45

2.25

.29

.75

946

a

7

Winter

2.60

2.30

.30

.80

945

a

7

“

2.55

2.30

.28

.78

1343

E. W. N.t

? “

Illinois (Waukegan).

May 12, 1876

2.40

2.10

.30

.75

2072

n

d “

Ap’l 12, 1876

2.50

2.20

.28

.80

2073

ll

d “

tt tt

Ap’l 28, 1876

2.60

2.30

.30

.78

2074

ti

d “

n a

BMay 12, 1876

2.45

2.15

.28

.78

2075

ti

d “

Ct it

a a

2.60

2.15

.30

.75

1534

E. C.t

_ It

District of Columbia.

Oct. 1,1859

2.50

2.45

.28

.80

—

P. L. J. 11

d “

“ “

Oct. 11, 1861

2.60

2.35

.30

.80

915

R. R.§

d “

Illinois (Mt. Carmel).

Ap’l 22, 1869

2.55

2.30

.30

.80

2786

(t

? “

“ “

Spring

2.35

2.05

.28

.71

—

_ c«

“ (Englewood).

[May, 1874

2.60

2.25

.30

.80

—

<<

? “

“ Calumet.

May 12, 1875

2.40

2.15

.30

.72

—

d “

Wise. (Busseyville).

May 2,

2.55

2.20

.30

.80

—

it

$ “

May 14,

2.45

2.05

.27

.80

—

a

_ It

(( €6

Autumn

2.50

2.10

.30

.75

Average,.. .

.2 52 1

2.24 1

1 .29

1 .76

Subspecies hypocJirysea.

Num-

ber.

Museum.

Sex

and

Age.

Locality.

Date.

Wing.

Tail.

Bill

from

Nostril.

Tarsus.

10236

t U. S.

— ad.

Mass. (Sherborn).

Summer

2.80

2.40

.80

26929

tt

? “

Nova Scotia.

June

2.50

2.30

.*30

.75

59811

“

_ tt

Florida (Hibernia).

Feb., 1870

2.80

2.50

.28

.80

63155

9 “

Mass. (Cambridge).

Spring

2.60

2.40

.32

.75

783

S. F, B.*

d “

Penn. (Carlisle).

Oct. 7, 1842

2.75

2.55

.30

.80

2164

R. R.§

d* “

Mass. (Cambridge).

Spring

2.65

2.50

.30

.80

2567

“

District of Columbia.

Oct. 10, 1861

2.75

2.50

.30

.80

2082

“

9 “

Mass. (Cambridge).

Spring

2.55

2.30

.30

.80

—

“

d “

“

2.75

2.60

.32

80

—

“

Maryland (Baltimore).

<4

2.70

2.30

.30

.80

Average,. . .

.2.69 1 2.43 1

.30 1

.79

* S. F. Baird. E, W. Nelson. $ E. Cones. |I P. L. Jouy. § R. Ridgway.

88

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

I

NOTES ON TEXAN BIRDS.

BY J. C. MERRILL, M. D., ASSISTANT SURGEON, U. S. A.

I. Five Species of Birds new to the Fauna of the United States.

I have recently obtained the following species, new to the fauna
of the United States, in the vicinity of Fort Brown, Texas : —

1. Molothrus aeneus, Wagler. This species, next to Quiscalus major
var. macrurus, is the most abundant of the family here during the summer
months, and it is strange it was not obtained by earlier collectors. Pro-
fessor Baird informs me that specimens forwarded to him may constitute a
variety.

2. Nyctidromus albicollis, Sclater. In Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway’s
“Birds of North America” (Vol. II, p. 399), mention is made of the pos-
sible occurrence of this species within our limits. My first specimen was
taken within Fort Brown on the 1st of April of this year. On May 2,
while in camp some sixty-five miles up the river (Rio Grande), I obtained
a female as she flew up from her two eggs ; and on the 15th of the same
month a second set of eggs was found near the place where the first were
obtained. The characteristic notes heard every evening showed that this
species w^as by no means rare.

3. Pyrrhophaena riefferi, Bourc. This Mexican and Guatemalan
-species of Hummer is identified by Mr. Ridgway from my description of a

specimen taken here last June by a soldier. He wished to keep it, but it
escaped in a day or two. A second specimen was shot here a few weeks
later, determined by Mr. Ridgway to be this species.

4. Parra gymnostoma, Wagler. Early in August I saw a pair of
water-birds quite new to me on the borders of a lagoon near Fort Brown.
I was on horseback at the time, and did not have my gun, but had a good
opportunity to observe them carefully. The next day I winged one of
them, but it fell into a dense bed of water-plants, and could not be found,
and the survivor disappeared. Respecting a letter describing the bird as
seen, Mr. Ridgway writes : “ The bird you describe is undoubtedly Parra
gymnostoma ; .... the chestnut back and yellow (greenish-yellow) wings
settle the species beyond a doubt.”

5. Podiceps dominicus, Lath. This species was first obtained early
in March, three specimens being killed at one shot. I have also seen them
in April, May, and August, in the shallow lagoons about here.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 89

1 1. On the Breeding Habits^ previously unknown^ of two Species of
North American Birds.

Embemagra rufivirgata, Lmvr. This little-known species is quite
abundant in the vicinity of Fort Brown, Texas. During the past season I
searched in vain for its nest on the ground, where it seemed almost certain
it would be found, on account of its eminently terrestrial habits. No nest
was taken, however, until August 5, when one was found wdthin the limits
of the fort, placed on a sapling about four feet from the ground ; it con-
tained two eggs. On returning two days later, the female was obtained as
she left the nest, to which a third egg had been added. Dissection showed
that no more would have been laid. The domed nest was neatly con-
structed of fine twigs and straws, the more delicate ones being used for the
lining. The eggs are pure white, and are large for the size of the bird,
averaging .90 by .66 of an inch.

On September 7 a second nest was found, in all respects like the first,
except that it w^as lined with hair ; the two eggs were but slightly incu-
bated, and do not differ from those first found.

Xanthura incas var. luxuosa, Bon. My first nest of this species
was taken on the 27th of May, while in camp near Edinburgh (now
Hidalgo), Texas, about seventy miles above Fort Brown, on the Kio
Grande. It was placed on the horizontal branch of a waican-tree, about
twenty-five feet from the ground, and was built of twigs and rootlets ;
the cavity was slight, and the entire structure so thin that the eggs could
be seen through the bottom. These were three in number, and were quite
fresh. The ground-color is a grayish-white, thickly spotted with brown
and pale lilac, especially at the larger end ; they average 1.11 by .82 inches.
A second nest, found in the same vicinity May 8, was on a sapling seven
feet from the ground ; it closely resembled the first one, and contained
four eggs, three far advanced in incubation ; the fourth, which also differed
in having the markings most numerous at the smaller end, w’-as quite
fresh. These eggs are shorter than the first set, averaging 1.01 by .80 ;
in other respects they are much alike. During the latter part of the same
month I found two more nests of this handsome bird ; they resembled the
others in situation and construction, but I was obliged to leave before eggs
were deposited in either.

BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

BY THOMAS M. BREWER.

My attention has been called to the paper in the September
“ Bulletin ” signed ‘‘ H. A. P./’ and I notice with surprise certain

90

BULLETIN OF TEE NUT TALL

strictures that are hardly deserved. My Catalogue of the Birds of
New England was, at first, only intended to be a simple list, without
note or comment, transferring to a challenged list such species given
by others as my own judgment led me to question, and adding the
names of recent additions. This list I gave for what it was worth,
expecting and desiring to have it amended and improved. But this
writer seems to have totally misapprehended, in several essential
respects, the purpose proposed in my list. It was but an initiative
towards a complete and reliable list of the birds of New England,
based upon the sure foundation of undisputed facts. Mere opinions,
no matter by whom held, crude inferences from insulated facts, and
still less empty conjectures, without data, were of no value in my
eyes, and wholly irrelevant. We had had quite too much of this
already, and our local lists had been overloaded with, and rendered
comparatively valueless by, smart guesses and shrewd anticipations
of coming occurrences.

Nor was it any part of my original design to indicate the charac-
ter of the presence of birds in the New England States. At the
last moment, and when it could only be done very briefly, and there-
fore incompletely, my friend, Mr. J. A. Allen, persuaded me to add
this feature, after the whole article was in type, and when it could
only be done so far as was possible, without materially adding to its
length. Of course the additions are very brief, and never ex-
haustive.

“ H. A. P.,” apparently not appreciating the real purport of these
notes, is at the quite unnecessary pains to supplement them with
additions, all of them more or less liable to exceptional criticism.
For instance, Turdus migratorius is given by me as a general sum-
mer resident, which is certainly correct, so far as it goes. Of course
the merest tyro in ornithology knows that the Eobin is also migra-
tory in the spring and in the fall, and also that birds of this species
may be met with irregularly and occasionally during winter in
various parts of New England. But these peculiarities are many-
sided, and to have done the subject full justice, wdth proper dis-
crimination, would have required more space than I had at my dis-
posal. “ H. A. P.” naively informs us that the Eobin is a constant
resident in Southern New England. If by this he intends to have
us understand that the same individual Eobins are constant resi-
dents with us, I take issue with him. I deny it to be a fact. The
individuals of this species that occupy New England in the summer

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

91

leave before the approach of winter. Those who visit us in the
winter are of a very different race, come from far beyond our limits,
and do not remain with ns after the approach of spring. More than
this, these winter visits are not confined to Southern New England.
In some seasons, and under certain conditions, Robins are more
numerous in some portions of Northern New England, in mid-
winter, where food is abundant, than I have ever found them in the
southern portions. So far as my note on the Robin went, it w^as at
least accurate, but the supplement of “ H. A. P.” is both inexact
and calculated to mislead.

“ H. A. P.” asks if certain species, five in number, and named by
him, are not shown by the records as birds to be retained. Having
answered these questions to the best of my ability, in advance,
and in the negative, I can only repeat that all the records we have
in reference to them are unreliable, and that, in my judgment, these
names should remain on the list of those requiring more evidence.
One of them, Nettion crecca^ will probably prove to be of occasional
occurrence, but this I do not deem at all probable of the other four.
If “ H. A. P.” can answer his own question, he should do so ; if not,
it is irrelevant.

“ H. A. P.” wanders from the path of legitimate criticism to accuse
me of having withheld credit due to certain other and recent
authorities, and in so doing ceases to be critical and becomes per-
sonal. I will only here remark, that his insinuations are both
gratuitous and unjust. No one, other than myself, can know the
extent or the limits of my knowledge, and no one has any right to
assume how much of it is solely due to information derived from
others. The limit to which I was restricted prevented my giving
any extent of data, and where I depended upon authorities already
made public, I was not at liberty so unnecessarily to swell my arti-
cle as to repeat them. In every instance where there was any real
occasion to do so, I have given due credit, so far as my limits per-
mitted. And what makes this censure seem the more inconsistent
and uncalled for is that, in his own paper, in which we find such an
amount of sweeping generalizations, no credit whatever is given to
any one else as having aided him in forming his conclusions. He
has been either inconceivably fortunate in acquiring knowledge
under difficulties, or he, too, has withheld the credit due to others
for the data upon which he bases the positive dogmas he gives out
in a manner quite ex cathedrd.

92

BULLETIN OF IHE NUTT ALL

I might go on and take up and criticise, one by one, each of these
supplemental opinions, but as they are only opinions unsupported by
facts, I view them as valueless. Some I know to be incorrect. Vireo
gilvus and Zencedura carolinensis^ for instance, to my certain knowl-
edge, have been found very nearly, if not quite, throughout New Eng-
land. Then, too, “ H. A. P.” and your humble servant do not appear
to always attach the same significance to the same words, — “rare,”
for instance. With all due deference to his opinions^ as expressed
in all the instances where I have made use of this word, I must still
adhere to my own, and am prepared to take issue with him squarely
in every instance named by him where he challenges its use. Until
he can produce the data for his sweeping declarations I am not
prepared to admit the correctness of any of his unproven state-
ments or inferences. I do not believe, for instance, that Ferissoglossa
tigrina, Geothlypis Philadelphia^ or Contopus borealis are “ generally
common” throughout Northern New England. Neither am I pre-
pared to admit, without positive proof, that Helminthophaga cliry-
soptera can be said to breed in any considerable numbers in South-
ern New England, nor does it, so far as I know, in any part of the
United States. The mere ipse dixit of a single observer, and scattered
insulated instances, do not afford even inferential data. The same
holds true of Coturniculus passermiis, though a much more common
bird, but the portion of Southern New England in which it breeds in
considerable numbers regularly must be small indeed. So far as my
own observations go, and so far also as I have been able to obtain
information from others, “ H. A. P.” is not warranted in his sweep-
ing statement that Micropalama himantopus is a regular migrant
along the whole New England coast. But if he is better posted, and
can produce the evidence to establish his views on this long-contro-
verted point, such data are too valuable and would be too inter-
esting to be suppressed. But let us have facts, not imaginative
opinions, and these not insulated, but in sufficient numbers. As for
Anthus ludovicianus, I speak of that which I do know when I repeat
that I have found it, sometimes in large flocks, in open country near
the coast, in Massachusetts, in midwinter, notwithstanding the
negative testimony of “ H. A. P.” to the contrary.

But I will not occupy any further space by taking up, point by
point, the various forms of difference of opinion between “ H. A. P.”
and myself. I will only add, in conclusion, that I see nothing in
his criticisms, unsupported as they are by facts, to induce me to

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

93

make any material changes in my own views. Our ornithological
horizons have evidently not been the same, and consequently our
conclusions are not always in unison. He is welcome to his own
conjectures, inferences, and opinions, but I must be permitted to
retain my own, “ H. A, P.” to the contrary notwithstanding, until
he produces something of more weight than unsupported assertion.

Birds of Southwestern Mexico. — Mr. George N. Lawrence has
recently published *■ his Report on the Birds of Southwestern Mexico, col-
lected by Professor Francis E. Sumichrast, under the auspices of the Smith-
sonian Institution. The list embraces three hundred and twenty-one
species, with valuable and occasionally quite copious field-notes by the col-
lector. The paper is prefaced by several pages, by Professor Sumichrast, on
the character of the avian fauna of Southwestern Mexico, which contain
interesting generalizations respecting the distribution of the species. —
J. A. A.

Jordan’s Manual of Vetebrate Animals. t — This work, says the
author, was written “ to give collectors and students who are not specialists
a ready means of identifying the families, genera, and species of our Verte-
brate Animals. In deference to the uniform experience of botanists, and
in view of the remarkable success achieved by Dr, Coues, in the applica-
tion of the method to Ornithology, the author has adopted the system of

artificial keys Use has been freely made of every available source

of information, and it is believed that the present state of our knowledge is
fairly represented.” The task the author has here attempted seems to have
been carefully done, and the work will doubtless prove of great value
to the class for which it has been prepared. It indicates thorough ac-
quaintance with the literature of the subjects treated, and well represents
the latest and most approved views respecting the classification and no-

* Birds of Southwestern Mexico, collected by Francis E. Sumichrast. Pre-
pared by George R. Lawrence. BulL.U- S. National Museum, No. 4. Published
under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution. Washington: Government
Printing-Office. 1876.

t Manual of the Vertebrates of the Northern United States, including the
District east of the Mississippi River, and north of North Carolina and Tennessee,
exclusive of Marine Species. By David Starr Jordan, M. S., M. D., etc. Chi-
cago : Jansen, McClurg, & Co. 1876. 12mo. pp. 342. Price, $2.00. _

94

BULLETIN OF THE NUITALL

menclature of the several classes of animals to which the work is devoted.
With respect to the Mammals and Fishes^ the author’s plan of excluding the
marine forms was doubtless, for various reasons, a wise one, especially in
the case of the Cetaceans, concerning which our knowledge is still lament-
ably deficient. In respect to Birds, however, the desire for uniformity is
the only obvious reason for not including the few strictly marine species,
— a reason we deem quite insufficient for marring the otherwise praise-
worthy completeness of the portion of the work devoted to this class.
We notice, however, the absence of Helminthophaga leucohronchialis, while
such species as Euspiza townsendi and JEgiothus flavirostris var. hrewsteri,
are included. A few species not yet recorded as found east of the Mis-
souri are also included, though the western boundary of the district located
is assumed to be the Mississippi River. But these are points that in no
way seriously detract from the merits of the book. Several of the analyti-
cal tables of different groups of birds are based on or taken directly from
Coues’s key, and the latest and best authorities are followed for the other
classes. Cope is closely followed for the Reptiles and Batrachians, while
the Fishes show much original work. The Mammals are brought dowm to
the literature of six months since, but several papers now in press or that
have recently appeared will necessitate^a few changes in nomenclature in
future editions. In all cases the author gives liberal credit to the sources
from which he has gathered his materials, as well as for aid more directly
furnished.

On the whole, the author is to be congratulated on the success he has
achieved in this difficult undertaking, combining in a work of convenient
size and moderate cost a text-book of the Vertebrate Animals of the North-
eastern States, reliable in character and sufficiently extended to guide the
student with tolerable ease to the name of any species he may chance to
have in hand. — J. A. A,

(Settersl

Captuee of the Orange-crowned Warbler in Massachusetts, —
The Orange-crowned Warbler (Helminthophaga celata) must be regarded,
so far as our present knowledge warrants, as a rare visitor to New England.
Two only have been previously reported in Massachusetts,* and these, with
a third shot in New Hampshire, t fill the list of New England quota-
tions.

* One was taken at Springfield, May 16, 1863, by Mr. J. A. Allen (see Proc.
Essex Institute, Vol. IV, p. 60), and the other at Lynn, Jan., 1875 (see Brewer,
in Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XVII, p. 439).

t At Hollis, May 16, 1876, by Mr. W. H. Fox (Forest and Stream, Vol. VI,
p. 354).

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

95

In view of this fact, the announcement of a third specimen for Massa-
chusetts may he of interest. On October % 1876, while collecting at
Concord, Mass., I shot a female of this species in fine autumnal plumage.
When first observed it was gleaning industriously among some low, scat-
tered birches, in company with several Black- throated Green Warblers
{Dendrceca virens), a few Black-polls (Z). striata), and one or two Nash-
ville Warblers {Helminthojphaga ruficajpUla). Its small size and dark colors
first drew my attention to it, and led me to suspect its identity. It proved
upon dissection to be a bird of the year. — William Brewster.

Variable Abundance of Birds at the same Localities in dif-
ferent Years. — It has probably been observed by most of our field
ornithologists, that many of our rarer birds are to be found in larger num-
bers during some'of their annual or semiannual visits than;: during others.
This is an interesting fact ; but it is a fact of much greater interest that
our commonest summer reside^its are similarly variable, and that, as a
general rule, where one species varies in this respect, the deviation extends
to all in the same degree. A small increase or decrease in the multitude of
universally common species is, of course, less noticeable than a proportion-
ate variation in the numbers of those which are less abundantly distrib-
uted ; but that the former are as regularly subject to such variation as
the latter is beyond all doubt. So absolute and unchanging is this law,
that its effects may be detected from the appearance of the earliest spring
arrivals to the coming of the last of the vernal migrants. Should the
army of Thrushes and Finches that arrive from the south about the last
of March be unusually large and continuous, you may prophesy with al-
most entire confidence a good year for birds. In the vicinity of Portland
the seasons of 1875 and 1876 have been remarkable in examples of ex-
treme numerical variation ; the one for the paucity of rare species, the
other for their abundance. During the past season (1876) White-crowned
Sparrows occurred in almost unprecedented numbers, often appearing in
flocks of six or eight ; the previous season but one was taken, to my
knowledge. In 1876 specimens of the Mourning and Bay-breasted War-
blers were taken ; the one new to the locality, the other not having occurred
for six years. The Great-crested Flycatcher was common in 1876, rare in
1875. With a few exceptions, the same diflference has been perceptible in
the case of every species.

y But what is it that exerts so potent an influence over our birds ? Not
the weather, it would seem ; for heat or cold, storm or calm, causes
but a slight difference in the time of the arrival of a species, much
less in its numbers. An apparent auxiliary cause is the weather of the
winter preceding the sj)ring. If the winter be mild and rather free from
snow, there is an evident increase in the numbers of the earliest arrivals
in March ; but it can hardly be supposed that a bird which does not make
its appearance till the last of May feels the effects of mild weather several

96

BULLETiN OF THE NUTTALL CLUB.

montlis before. The great body of migrants are said to pursue different
routes to their northern homes at dijfferent seasons. Very true ; but how
about our summer residents ?

I confess myself puzzled for a satisfactory solution to the question. The
abundance or scarcity of birds in winter or autumn has been better ex-
plained. — N. C. Brown.

Occurrence of the Wood Ibis in Pennsylvania and New York.
— I learn from Mr. C. J. Maynard, who saw and examined the specimen,
that on June 21, 1876, a Wood Ibis (Tantalus loculator) was captured at
Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It was reported to be one of a small flock
seen flying northward. “ Forest and Stream” (of July 20, 1876) records
(on the authority of Mr. Frederic S. Webster) the capture of another
specimen on June 24, at Troy, New York. The occurrence of this strictly
southern species so far north of its usual range has not, I think, been be-
fore reported. While its usual northern limit in the interior is South-
ern Illinois, it has been reported as occurring in Ohio and Wisconsin, and
Dr. Coues refers to its occurrence in Chester County, Pennsylvania, its
previous most northern record on the Atlantic slope. — J. A. Allen.

Peculiar Nesting-Site of the Bank-Swallow. — Dr. Rufus Ham-
mond, of Brookviile, Indiana, writes, under date of June 5, 1876 : “Two
weeks ago I saw a Bank-Swallow building its nest in the east end of a
frame paper-mill, about seventy yards from the depot, in which was placed
the nest of which I have already informed you [see “ American Natur-
ralist,” Vol. X, p. 373, June, 1876]. A weather-board had become de-
tached from the building, leaving a small opening, in which I watched for
two days a Bank-Swallow building a nest. Soon after the mill caught
fire and was burned, of. course destroying the nest and its contents. I
have no doubt these birds will ultimately change their habits so far as to
build their nests in any convenient place, especially in pudloch holes left
open in brick buildings.” I should, however, add that Mr. Ridgway
(“ American Naturalist,” Vol. X, p. 493, Aug., 1876) questions whether the
birds observed were not the Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx ser-
ripennis), which nests as Dr. Hammond describes. — Elliott Coues.

INDEX

^GiALiTis wilsonius, . 26, 72. I

^giothus linaria, 21.

Agelseus phoeniceus, 22, 25, 53.

Albinism in North, American birds,

20.

Alca impennis, 63, 68.

Allen, J. A., on nidification of
Clarke’s Crow, 44 ; on the nesting
of the Canada Goose in trees, 60 ;
on Boss’s Goose in Oregon, 52 ; on
decrease of birds in Massachusetts,
54 ; on geographical variation in
the number and size of birds’ eggs,
74 ; on the occurrence of the Wood
Ibis in Pennsylvania and New
York, 96.

Allen, J. D., letter from, respecting
a specimen of Buteo, 3.

Ammodromus caudacutus var. nel-
son!, 40.
maritimus, 25.

Ampelis garrulus, 73.

Anas boschas, 23.

Anser gambelli, 73.

hyperboreus, 54, 69, 73.

“ rossii, 52.

Anthus ludovicianus, 73, 92.

Ardea candidissima, 27, 73.

“ herodias, 27.
rufa, 40.
virescens, 27.

Astiir atricapillus, 73.

Auk, Great, 53, 68.

Bailey, H. B., on the birds of Cobb’s
Island, Ya., 24.

Bendire, Charles, on the nidification
of Clarke’s Crow, 44 ; on the
Canada Goose nesting in trees, 50 ;
on Anser rossii in Oregon, 52 ; on
geographical variation in birds’
eggs, 74.

Bernicla branta, 23.

Blackbird, Bed- winged", 25, 53.

Brachyotus cassini, 72.'

Branta canadensis, 50.

“ “ var. lencopsis, 41.

Brewer, T. M., on birds of New Eng-
land, 89 ; notice of paper by, 72.

Brewster, Wm., description of a new
species of Helminthophagay 1 ; on
the occurrence of certain birds in
New England, 17 ; on the Curlew
Sandpiper in Mass., 51 ; on singu-
lar food of a Least Bittern, 76 ;
on geographical variation in Den-
dr(Bca palmarum^ 82 ; capture of
the Orange-crowned Warbler in
Mass., 94 ; notices of papers by,
71, 72.

Brown, N. C., on variable abundance
of birds at the same localities in
different years, 95.

Bucephala islandica, 41.

Bunting, Painted Lark, 42.

Buteo borealis, 22.

“ borealis var. calurus, 40.

“ montana, 33.
swainsoni, 42.
vulgaris, 2, 32, 36.

CAMPTOLiEMUS labradorius, 73.

Campylorhynchus, tarsal envelope
in, 50.

Catherpes, tarsal envelope in, 50.

Centurus carolinus, 73.

Charadius fulvus var. virginicus, 22.

Chaulelasmus couesii, n. sp. 46.

Chionis minor, 48.

Chordeiles popetue var. henryi, 40.

Cistothorus stellaris, 73.

Colaptes auratus, 22.

Colymbus septentrionalis, 23.

Contopus borealis, 73, 92.

Cormorant, Florida, 44.

Corvus americanus, 22, 63, 54, 72, 76.
corax, 53, 54,
ossifragus, 19, 25, 72.

INDEX,

98

Coturniculus lecontei, 40.

“ passerinus, 73, 92.
Cotyle riparia, 21, 96.

“ serripennis, 9.

Coues, Elliott, on the tarsal enve-
lope in Gampylorhynchus and allied
genera, 50 ; on the number of
primaries in Oscines, 60 ; on a pe-
culiar nesting-site of the Bank-
Swallow, 96.

Crane, Brown, 53, 58.

“ Whooping, 53, 58.

Crow, Clark’s, 44.

Common, 22, 53, 54, 72, 76.

“ Fish, 19, 25, 72.

Cupidonia cupido, 22, 53, 56, 73.
Cyanurus cristatus, 22.

Cygnus americanus, 53, 58, 73.
Deane, Kuthven, on albinism and
melanism in N orth American birds,
20 ; on the Philadelphia Vireo in
New England, 74 ; on geographi-
cal variation in Dendrceca palma-
rum, 82.

Dendrceca cserulescens, 11.

“ castanea, 21.

“ coronata, 21.

‘‘ discolor, 25.

palmarum, 81.

“ “ var. hypochrysea, 85.

“ “ var. palmarum, 84.

Dolichonyx oryzivora, 23.

Duck, Barrow’s Golden-eye, 41.

“ Eider, 41.

“ King Eider, 41.

“ Pintail, 44.

“ Surf, 41.

Ducks, former abundance of, in Mas-
sachusetts, 60.

Ectopistes migratorius, 22, 54, 56,
73.

Egret, Little White, 27.

“ Reddish, 40.

Embernagra rufivirgata, 89.
Empidonax acadicus, 14.

“ traillii, 14. 75.

Euspiza americana, 73.

Extinct birds with teeth, 49.

“ Field and Forest,” notice of,
71.

Finch, Bachman’s, 42.

“ Seaside, 25.

“ Western Sharp-tailed, 40.

Fleet, W. Van, on the Rough- winged
Swallow in Pennsylvania, 9.
Florida cserulea, 73.

Flycatcher, Acadian, 14.

“ Great-crested, 95.
Traill’s, 14, 75.

Frazer, A. M., on intelligence of a
Crow, 76.

Fulica americana, 73.

Fuligula affinis, 23.

“ vallisneria, 23.

Fulmarus glacialis, 23.

Gallinago wilsoni, 23.

Gallinula galeata, 73.

Geese, former abundance of, in Mas-
, sachusetts, 59.

Gelochelidon aranea, 73.

Gentry, T. G., his “ Life-Histories of
Birds,” notice of, 49.

Geographical variation in birds’ eggs,
74. ^

Geographical variation in Dendrceca
palmarum, 81.

Geothlypis Philadelphia, 23, 92.
Goose, Canada, breeding in trees, 50.

' Ross’s, 52.

“ Snow, 59.

“ White-fronted, 41.

Graculus dilophus var. floridanus, 44.
Grakle, Purple, 22, 53.

Grouse, Pinnated, 53, 56.

Grus americanus, 53, 58.

“ canadensis, 53, 58.

Gull, Herring, 41.

“ Laughing, 27.

“ Sabine’s, 41.

“ White- winged, 41.
HiEMATOPUS palliatus, 26.

Harelda glacialis, 44.

Hawk, European Buzzard, 2, 32.

“ Fish, 25.

“ Swainson’s, 42.

“ Western Red-tailed, 40.
Helminthophaga celata, 94.

“ -chrysoptera, 6, 73,

92.

“ leucobronchialis, 1.

pinus, 73.

Helmitherus vermivorus, 73.
Henshaw, H. W., on Empidonax
traillii and E. acadicus, 14 ; report
of, on the ornithology of Wheeler’s
Surveys, 70.

Herodias egretta, 73.

Heron, Great Blue, 27.

“ Green, 27.

“ Little White, 27.

“ Yellow-crowned Night, 43.
Hierofalco islandicus, 73.

INDEX.

99

Himantopus nigricollis, 73.

Hirundo bicolor, 21.

u borreorum, 21, 25.

“ lunifrons, 21.

“ serripennis, 21, 96.

Hylotomus pileatus, 54, 55.

Ibis ordi, 73.

Ibis, Wood, 43,^96.

Icteria virens, 73.

Ingersoll, Ernest, on the nidification

. of the American Kinglets, 76.

Jaeger, Pomarine, 41.

Jones, C. M., on the breeding of the
Black-throated Blue Warbler in
Connecticut, 11.

Jordan, D. S., notice of his “ Manual
of Vertebrate Animals,” 93.

Junco hy emails, 21, 73.

“ oregonus, 19.

Kerguelen Island, Kidder’s or-
nithology of, 48.

Kidder, J. H., notice of papers by, 48.

Kingbird, 25.

Kinglet, Golden-crested, 78.

“ Kuby-crowned, 77.

Larus argentatus var. argentatus, 41.
“ atricilla, 27.

“ leucopterus, 41.

Lawrence, G. N., notices of papers
by, 47, 93.

Lomvia grylle, 23.

“ troile, -23.

Lophortyx californicus, 22.

Marsh, 0. C., notice of papers by,
49.

Maynard, C. J., on Buteo vulgaris in
North America, 2 ; on geographi-
cal variation in birds’ eggs, 75.

Melanerpes erythrocephalus, 54, 55.

Melanism in North American birds,
24.

Meleagris gallopavo var. occiden tails,
55.

Melospiza melodia, 21.

Mergulus alle, 23.

Merrill, J. C., notes on Texan birds,

88.

Merriam, C. H., on the Ipswich
Sparrow and Hudsonian Titmouse,
in Connecticut, 52.

Micropalama himantopus, 73, 92.

Mimus polyglottus, 73.

Minot, H. D., on the Carolina Wren
in Massachusetts, 76.

Molothrus aeneus, 88.

“ pecoris, 22.

Myiadestes townsendi, 40.

Myiarchus crinitus, 73.

Myiodioctes minutus, 73.

“ mitratus, 40, 73.
Nelson, E. W., on birds new to the
fauna of Illinois, and notes on
other Illinois birds, 39.

Nettion crecca, 72, 91.

Nighthawk, Western, 40.

Nisus fuscus, 72.

Numenius longirostris, 73.

Nuttall Ornithological Club, histori-
cal sketch of, 29.

Nuttall Ornithological Club, orni-
thological papers by members
of, 30.

Nyctale acadica, 73.

Nyctherodius violaceus, 43, 96.
Nyctidromus albicollis, 88.

QEdemia fusca, 23.

“ perspicillata, 41.

Oporornis agilis, 42.

Oreortyx pictus, 22.

Ortyx virginianus, 22, 73.

Oscines, on number of primaries in,
60.

Otus wilsonianus, 72.

Pandion haliaetus, 36.

Parra gymnostoma, in Texas, 88.
Parula americana, 21.

Parus hudsonicus, 52.

Passer domesticus, 21.

Passerculus princeps, 18, 52.
Passerella iliaca, 21.

Pelecanus trachyrhynchus, 60.
Pelican, White, 60.

Perissoglossa tigrina, 73, 92.
Petrochelidon lunifrons, 21.

Peucaea aestivalis, 42.

Philohela minor, 23.

Philomachus pugnax, 19.

Picicorvus columbianus, 44. ,

Picoides americanus, 73.

“ arcticus, 73.

Picus villosus, 72.

Pigeon, Wild, 54, 56.

Plectrophanes pictus, 42.

Plover, Wilson’s, 26.

Podiceps dominicus, 88.

Pooecetes gramineus, 21.

Porzana Carolina, 22.

“ jamaicensis, 43.

“ noveboracensis, 43, 73.

Progne purpurea, 21.

Protonotaria citrea, 42.

Purdie, H. A., on the nests and eggs

100

INDEX.

of TrailFs Flycatcher^ as observed
in Maine, 75.

Pyrrhophsena riefferi, 88,

Querqubdula discors, 23.

Quiscalus pnrpurens, 22, 53.

Rail, Black, 43.

Clapper, 27.

“ Yellow, 43.

Rallus longirostris, 27.

Regains calendula, 77.

“ cuvieri, 7k

“ satrapa, 73, 78.

Ridgway, Robert, on the occurrence
of Buteo vulgaris in North Amer-
ica, 32 ; on geographical variation
in Dendrceca palmarum, 81.

Ruff, 19.

Rhynchops nigra, 28.

Salpinctes, tarsal envelope in, 60.

Sandpiper, Baird’s, 19.

“ Curlew, 51.

Sandpipers, former abundance of, in
Massachusetts, 60,

Setophaga ruticilla, 21.

Sialia sialis, 21.

Siurus ludovicianus, 42, 73.

Skimmer, Black, 28.

Snowbird, Oregon, 19.

Snow, F. H., notice of his “ Birds of
Kansas,” 47.

Solitaire, Townsend’s, 40.

Somateria mollissima, 41.

“ spectabilis, 41. •

Sparrow, Ipswich, 52.

“ Leconte’s, 40.

White-crowned, 95.

Sphyrapicus varius, 22, 60.

Spizella monticola, 73.

“ pusilla, 73.

“ socialis, 53.

Steganopus wilsoni, 71.

Stelgidopteryx serripennis, 21, 96.

fetercorarius pomatorhinus, 41.

Sterna anglica, 28.

“ hirundo, 28.

portlandica, 72.

“ regia, 28.

‘ ^ superciliaris var. antillarum,

28.

Streets, T. H., description of a new
duck by, 46.

Sturnella magna, 22.

Sula fiber, 72.

Swallow, Bank, 96.

Swallow, Barn, 26.

“ Rough-wingedj- 9, 96.
Syrnium nebulosum, 22.
Tachycineta bicolor, 21.

Tantalus loculator, 43, 96.

Tarsal envelope m CaTfipylarhyndms^
and allies, 50.

Tern, Common, 28;'

“ Least, 28.

“ Marsh,. 28.'

“ Portland, 72i-
“ Royal, 28.

Troglodytes aedon var. Parkmanni,
79.

Thryothorus ludovicianus, 76.-
Titmouse, Hudsonian, 52.

Totanus semipalmatus, 26.

Tringa bairdii, 19.

“ subarquata, 51.

Turdus migratorius, 21, 72, 90.
Turkey, Wild, 53, 58.

Tyrannus carolinensis, 22, 25.'

“ verticalis, 73.

ViREO belli, 42.

“ flavifrons, 74.

“ gilvus, 73, 92.

“ noveboracensis, 73.

“ philadelphicus, 74.

Vireo, Bell’s, 42.

“ Philadelphia, 74.

“ Yellow-throated, 74.
Wagtail, Large-billed Water, *42. j
Warbler, Bay- breasted, 95.

“ Black-throated Blue, 11.

“ Connecticut, 42.

“ Golden-winged, 6, 94.
Hooded Fly catching, 42.
Mourning, 95.

“ Prairie, 2^

Prothonotary, 42.

Warren J., on the nesting of the
Golden- winged Warbler in Massa-
chusetts, 6.

Willett, 26.

Woodpecker, Pileated, 53, 55.

Red-headed, 54, 56,

“ Yellow-bellied, 63.
Wren, Californian House, 79.

“ Carolina, 76.

Xanthocephalus icterocephalus, 22.
Xanthura incas var. luxuosa, 89.
Xema sabinei, 41.

ZENiEDURA carolinensis, 73, 92.
Zonotrichia albicollis,' 21.

BULLETIN

OF THE

Ndttall Ornithological Club:

^ wartcrlg lournal of #rnitljol0gg.
VOLUME 11.

J. A, ALLEN.

S. F. BAIRD AND ELLIOTT CODES.

CAMBRIDGE, MASS.:
PUBLISHED BY THE CLUB.
1877.

1

M

University Press: Welch, Bigelow, & Co,,
Cambridge.

r

I

.1

CONTENTS OF VOLUME 11.

NUMBER I.

Page

The Black-and-Yellow Warbler. By William, Brewster . . . 1

Geographical Variation in Tukdus migratorius By Robert Ridgway 8
Unusual Abundance of the Snowy Owl in New England. By Ruthven

Deane 9

Distribution of New England Birds. — A Eeply to Dr. T. M. Brewer.

By //. A. Purdie . . .11

Occurrence of the Barnacle Goose {Bernicla leucopsis) on Long Island,

N. Y. By G. N. Lawrence ......... 18

Capture of a Second Specimen of Helminthophaga lawrencei. By

Harold Herrick . . 19

Notice of a few Birds of rare or accidental Occurrence in New

England. By H. A. Purdie 20

RECENT LITERATURE.

Notices of five recent Ornithological Papers, 23. — Vennor’s Rapacious Birds
of Canada, 24.

GENERAL NOTES.

A Humming-Bird new to the Fauna of the United States, 26. — Note on Podiceps
dominicMS,26. — Eastward Range of the Ferruginous Buzzard {Archibuteo
ferruyineus),, 26. — Occurrence of Leconte’s Bunting { Coturniculus lecontei)
in Iowa, 26. — Audubon’s Warbler in Massachusetts, 27. — Occurrence of
the Sooty Tern in Massachusetts, 27. — The Black Gyr-Falcon {Falco sacer
var. labradora) in Massachusetts, 27. — Notes on Birds new to the Fauna of
Maine, etc., 27. — Northern Range of the Sharp-tailed Finch {Ammodromu$
caudacutus), 28.

NUMBER IL

Corrections op Nomenclature in the Genus Siurus. By Dr. Elliott

Coties,, U. S. A. . . ' . . .26

Notes on the Breeding of the Black Tern {Hydrochelidon lariformis).

By T. 8. Roberts 34

Two Undescribed Nests op Californian Birds. By William Brewster 87
A Contribution to ^^the Biography of Wilson’s Phalarope. By E.

W. Nelson 88

A Defence of his Catalogue of New England Birds. By Dr. T. M.

Brewer 44

RECENT LITERATURE.

Burroughs’s “Wake-Robin,” 48. — Minot’s “Land and Game Birds of New
England,” 49.

GENERAL NOTES.

Western Range of Connrus carolinensis, 50. — Fecundity of the Carolina Wren, 60.
— The Louisiana Heron in Indiana, 51. — Note on the Cinnamon Teal
( Querquedula cyanoptera),^ 51. — jEgiothus exilipes in Europe, 51. — Note on
Cupidonia cupido var. pallidicinctus, Ridgway, 52. — Capture of the Egyptian
Goose on Long Island, N. Y., 52. — MacCown’s Longspur in Illinois, 52.

IV

CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.

NUMBER III.

Description of a New Species of Humming-Bird from California.

By II. IV. Ilenshaw 63

The Birds of Guadaloupe Island discussed with reference to the

PRESENT Genesis of Species. By Robert Ridgway .... 58

An Undescribed Hybrid between two North American Grouse.

By William Brewster . 66

RECENT LITERATURE.

Nelson’s “ Birds of Northeastern Illinois,” 68. — Salvin on the Procellariidcs, 69.

— Catalogue of the Birds of the Islands of Malta and Gozo, 70. — Ridgway’s
“ Studies of the American FalconidceU 70. — Recent Ornithological Articles
in American Journals, 73. — Californian Ornithology, 76. — McCauley’s
“Notes on Texan Ornithology,” 76.

GENERAL NOTES.

Nest and Eggs of Townsend’s Flycatcher, 77. — Persistency at Nest-Building in a
House- Wren, 78. — A New Bird to Massachusetts, 78. — A New Form of
Surnia to New England, 78. — Capture of the Philadelphia Vireo in New
Hampshire, 78. — Occurrence of Passerculus princeps in New Yoi'k, 78. —
The Pigeon-Hawk {Falco columbarius) at Sea, 79. — Capture of a Second
Specimen of Ilelminthophaga leucobronchialis, 79. — The Mottled Owl as a
Fisherman, 80. — Breeding of Leach’s Petrel on the Coast of Maine, 80. —
Nest and Egas of the Alaskan Wren, 82. — Junco oregonus in Illinois, 82. —
Leptaptila albifrons, a Pigeon new to the United States Fauna, 82. — Melo-
pelia leucopiera in Colorado, 83. — The Ruft’and the Purple Galhnule in Ohio,
83. — Notes on Nyctale acadica, 83. — Probable Breeding of the Saw-Whet
Owl in Massachusetts, 84.

NUMBER IV.

Notes on Molothrus ^neus. By J. C. Merrill, Assist. Surg., U. S. A. . 85

On Seventy-five doubtful West-Coast Birds. By J. G. Cooper, M. D. 88
Remarks on Selasphorus alleni, Henshaw. By D. G. Elliot . . . 97

The Yellow-throated Warbler {Dendrosca dominica). By William

Brewster 102

RECENT LITERATURE.

D’Hamonville’s Enumeration of the Birds of Europe, 106. — Merriam’s “ Review
of the Birds of Connecticut,” 107.

GENERAL NOTES.

Note on Doricha enicura, 108. — Occurrence of the Black Vulture or Carrion
Crow in Ohio, 109. — Occurrence of the Western Nonpareil and Berlandier’s
Wren at Fort Brown, Texas, 109. — A Cuckoo’s Egg in a Cedar-Bird’s
Nest, 110. — Occurrence for the first Time in England of the Robin
( Turdus migratorius), 110.

BULLETIN

OF THE

NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

Vol. IL JANUARY, 1877. No. i.

THE BLACK-AND^-YELLOW WARBLER {DENDRCEGA
MACULOSA), '

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

First impressions are apt to be most lasting, and in many cases
are engraved upon the memory with a vividness that defies the
effacing influence of time. Thus the Black-and-Yellow Warbler
was one of my earliest bird acquaintances, and I shall not soon for-
get our introduction.

My family was spending a few days in a quiet little country town
in New Hampshire, when, one hot summer afternoon, finding time
hang heavily on my hands, I borrowed an old gun, and at the coun-
try store, where everything was sold from a patent coffee-mill to
the latest specific for rheumatism, I purchased a supply of am-
munition, and, thus equipped, took to the woods and searched a
long time in vain for game. At length, entering a grove of thickly
growing young spruces, I sat down to rest on a mossy log. I had
been there but a short time when I became conscious of faint
sounds in the trees above and around me, — chirpings, twitterings,
and occasionally a modest little effort at song. Watching atten-
tively, I soon spied a movement among the branches, and a tiny
bird hopped out into the light, presenting a bright yellow breast
and throat for just a moment before flying into the next tree.
Here was a revelation ! I already knew a few of the most familiar
birds, — the Robin, the Bluebird, the Sparrow, the Oriole, and some
others ; but it had never occurred to me that dark forests like
these might be tenanted by such delicate and beautiful forms.

2

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

Only the tropics surely could boast such gems. With enthusiasm
now fairly aroused, and animated with the spirit of an explorer, I
went at once to work to investigate, and in the course of an hour
or two more my ammunition Avas nearly exhausted, and quite a
line of poor, lifeless, mutilated little birds lay arranged along the
old log. Resting my gun against a neighboring tree, I examined
long and carefully the results of my Avork. Scarcely any two of
my specimens Avere alike, and as I contemplated in amazement their
varied forms and coloring, I felt like the discoverer of new world,
and doubted whether human eyes had ever beheld the like before.
Finally, the deepening twilight brought an end to my reveries, and,
collecting my prizes, I took my AA’ay homeward. Taxidermy being
to me then a sealed book, I had recourse to pepper and salt as pre-
servatives, but a few hot days settled the matter and proved the
ruin of my collection. I can recall with sufficient distinctness for
identification but a single bird of them all, — a fine adult male
Black-and-Yellow Warbler, which at the time I considered the
handsomest, and AAffiich I still think cannot be surpassed in beauty
by any New" England representative of the family. That afternoon
was an unlucky one for the birds. It laid the foundation for a
taste that has since caused the destruction of thousands of their
tribe.

The Black-and-Yellow Warbler arrives in Massachusetts from the
South about the 15th of May. During the next tAA’O or three w^eeks
they are abundant everywhere in congenial localities. WilloAV
thickets near streams, ponds, and other damp places, suit them
best, but it is also not unusual to find many in the upland Avoods,
especially where young pines or other evergreens grow' thickly.
Their food at this season is exclusively insects, the larger part con-
sisting of the numerous species of Biptera. The males sing freely,
especially on Avarm bright mornings. They associate indifferently
with all the migrating warblers, but not unfrequently I have found
large flocks composed entirely of members of their own species, and
in this Avay have seen at least fifty individuals collected in one small
tract of woodland. By the first of June all excepting a fcAv strag-
glers have left. If Ave follow them northward, Ave find a few pairs
passing the summer .on the mountains of Southern Maine and New
Hampshire. In July, 1875, I found them breeding, in company Avith
the Blackburnian Warbler [Dendrceca hlackbiirnice), the Snowbird
{Junco hyemalis), the Golden-crested Kinglet {Regulus satrapa), and

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

3

several other birds of the Canadian Fanna, on Mount Monadnock,
New Hampshire, within fifteen miles of the Massachusetts State line.
Throughout the White Mountains of New Hampshire they are
everywhere common during the summer, but it is not until we
reach the latitude of the Umbagog Lakes, in Western Maine, that
we find them evenly distributed over high and low country alike.
In this region summer succeeds winter so quickly that there is
almost no spring. Thus when I reached Upton on the 25th of
May, 1876, I found that the lakes had broken up but four days
previously ; not a leaf had unfolded, even in the most sheltered
places, and snow lay in large masses everywhere in the hollows and
on northern exposures. Yet many species of Warblers had already
arrived, and among them the subject of the present sketch was well
represented.

They kept closely about the buildings, and although the day w’as
warm, maintained an almost perfect silence. Dozens at a time
were hopping about the manure-heap behind the stables and around
the sink-spout, while all showed a certain apprehensiveness of man-
ner, as if they feared the issue of their temerity in penetrating into
so bleak and dreary a region. Taking a short walk into the woods,
I found them untenanted, save by a few" Titmice, Woodpeckers, and
some of the earlier Sparrows. But in the course of the next week
w'onderful changes took place. The birches first, afterwards the
maples, beech-trees, and poplars, put on a feathery drapery of the
most delicate green. The shad-bush i^Amelancliier canadensis) and
the “ moose-wood ” {Cormis circinata) became white with clustering
blossoms, and looked at a distance like fleecy summer-clouds en-
tangled among the trees. Underfoot, beautiful trilliums of both
the purple (Trillium erectum) and wiiite (^T. grandijloruni) species,
were conspicuous among a host of other wild-flowers. Bees hummed
among the blossoms, and butterflies flitted airily^through the forest
glades. Everything was fresh, lovely, and suggestive of the calm,
peaceful sccurit}'' of summer. Thus in one week were consummated
changes that, farther south, are often extended through nearly
thrice the time. All this wUile the birds had kept ample pace with
the advance of the season. Hundreds were daily arriving, passing
on, or settling into their accustomed summer-haunts, and the woods
fairly rang with the first burst of their melodj''. During the next
week s\ll the lYarblers, and most of the smaller birds generally,
were occupied in pairing and constructing their nests.- Then came

4

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

the harvest-time for the oologist, and rarities were in order. But
how brief it all was ! A dozen or so days only, and the young
were hatched out ; the woods swarmed with mosquitoes, black flies,
and other bloodthirsty insects, and “ the season ” was at an end.
Nothing remained but to pack up the accumulated treasures, and get
them safely home for future comparison and investigation.

Before taking out our cabinet specimens, however, and diving
into the dry details of description, let us return to the woods, and
contemplate for a few moments the undisturbed nest. We shall be
most likely to find one, along this old wood-road, for the removal of
the taller trees has let in the sunlight a little, and birds love such
places.

You will rarely find the interior of a forest so well peopled as
the edges and little openings, and the birds are not singular in this
respect. Men always choose the shores of rivers, ponds, or the sea,
for their first settlements in a new country, and I fancy it is not
entirely from considerations of utility, but partly because they
crave an adjacent breathing-space, where the sun and wind may
have fiiir sweep. There are some exceptions to the rule among the
birds, of course, there being some morbidly disposed individuals
that can find no place too dark or too secluded.

As we follo\y the old wood-path, you shall take one side while I
make good the other. These little clumps of fir and spruce shrubs are
the likely places, and, judging from the numbers of Black-and-Yellow
Warblers that I hear singing, our chances are good, but you must
remember that not above one male in three or four of this species '
is blessed with a mate, so do not let your hopes rise too high. They
are a gay lot of bachelors, though, are they not 1 chasing one another
through the branches, more in sport than anger apparently, and ut-
tering their queer, emphatic little songs on all sides. She knew she
was right ; yes, she hieiv she ivas right, they seem to say ; but what all
this means I never could imagine. Some idle gossip of theirs prob-
ably, which it will not profit us to inquire into. Ha ! I have it,
even so soon. I thought yon fellow singing so gayly in the fallen
tree-top had more the air of a Benedict than any we have pre-
viously seen, and here, almost under my hand, sits his modest
little wife on her nest. Be careful how you shake that branch, for
I would have you take a good long look ere we disturb her. See how
her dark little eye glistens, and note the rapid pulsating motion of
her back. Underneath those piifled-up feathers a poor little heart

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

5

is beating wildly with fear and apprehension, but still she sits
bravely on her trust. She would say, if she ‘COuld, with the Roman
mother, “ These are my jewels,” and would entreat us to spare them.
Now I will advance my hand cautiously. See ! T almost touch her
tail with my finger-tips ; but the next instant she is gone. How
quietly at the last moment she slid over the edge of the nest, barely
eluding my grasp ! A faint cry or two, and there comes the male ;
but he, gaudy little braggart 1 is far better at singing brave deeds
than performing them, and will not trust himself very near, though
he keeps up a constant chirping. His mate, however, is bold enough
for both, and in her anxiety almost comes within reach ,of our
hands. Now look into the nest! Beauties, are they not 1 Four
of them ; rosy white, spotted prettily with umber, lilac, and a few
scattered dashes of black. Observe how cunningly the whole affair
is concealed, — built close to the stem of the little hr, resting on
the flat horizontally disposed rows of “ needles,” and arched over
by the flake-like layer of twigs above. One long rootlet alone
hangs down in full view, and had it not caught my eye I might
have passed without discovering the nest. It seems, indeed, a pity
to disturb it, but we shall regret it next winter if we leave it be-
hind. Naturalists are probably not hard-hearted by inclination,
but of necessity. I dare say the female will commence another
nest before we pass here on our way back, and the male will be
singing as joyously as ever in an hour or two. Birds’ grief, like
their average lives, is short, though apparently intense for the time.
It is only the end, however, that can ever justify the destruction of
a nest, and unthinking persons might, in many cases, be benefited
by contemplating a little more closely the suffering which they in-
flict.

As the published descriptions of the nesting of this species are
meagre and more or less conflicting, I shall go somewhat fully into
the matter.

Location of Nest. — The nest is usually placed in a small fir or
spruce, and rarely at a greater elevation than five or six feet. The
average height would probably not exceed four feet, and I have
found some barely twelve inches above the ground. It is usually
laid somewhat loosely among the horizontal twigs, from which it
can in most cases be lifted intact. Favorite localities are the edges
of wood-paths, or roads bordered by woods, and clearings grown
up to small evergreens., Exceptional situations are the interior of

6

BULLETIN OF TEE NUTTALL

the woods, where, in some cases, the nest is placed in the top of a
young hemlock ten or fifteen feet up. In one instance I found a
nest on a horizontal spruce limb in the very heart of the forest, and
at least thirty-jive feet above the ground. This nest contained four
eggs, and the female bird, which was sitting, established its identity
beyond question. '

Composition of Nest. — The framework is wrought somewhat
loosely of fine twigs, those of the hemlock being apparently pre-
ferred. Next comes a layer of coarse grass or dry weed-stalks ;
while the interior is lined invariably with fine black roots, which
closely resemble horse-hairs. In an examination of more than
thirty examples I have found not one in which these black roots
were not used. One specimen has, indeed, a few real horse-hairs in
the lining, but the roots predominate. This uniform coal-black
lining shows in strong contrast with the lighter aspect of the outer
surface of the nest. The whole structure is loosely put together,
and bears a no distant resemblance to the nest of the Chipping
Sparrow {Spizella sociaiis).

Among nests of the Sylvicolidee, it finds, perhaps, its nearest ap-
proach in that of the Chestnut-sided Warbler [Dendreeca p>ennsyl-
vanica).

Audubon, describing a nest from Labrador, affirms that it was
lined with a great quantity of feathers.” As regards this state-
ment, I can only say that it is entirely at variance with my own
observations, and the employment of feathers in a nest of this
character seems to me almost as mat d propos as it would in that of
a Heron or Cuckoo.

Description of Eggs, etc. — The time of laying with this species
varies, in relation to the season, from June 8 to June 15. Four
eggs commonly constitute a set, though in some cases but three are
laid ; and I know of an instance where five were found in one nest.
They measure about .02 of an inch in length by .50 in breadth.
The usual shape is a rounded oval, and the ground-color almost
invariably creamy white after the removal of the contents. The
markings are most commonly blotches of rich, warm umber, with
smaller dottings of pale lilac or brown, disposed about the larger
end. Some specimens are, however, thickly sprinkled over their
entire surface with fine brownish spots. One set of four eggs differs
from any of the others in having a decided tinge of bluish in the
ground-color; while upon the large patches of umber which en-

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

7

circle the greater ends are drawn numerous wavy lines of black,
precisely like the characteristic pen-markings of some of the Oriole’s
eggs. With an extensive series of specimens before me, I am led
to the inevitable conviction that eggs of D. maculosa are in many
cases indistinguishable from those of D. virens, I), pennsylvanicxi.,
and D. discolor ; and an examination of an equal number of au-
thentic eggs of the other Dendroecce would, I am satisfied, result in
adding many more to this list. In the eggs of each of the above-
named species there is an almost endless variation, and many sets
are consequently quite unique, but the type — if, indeed, any can
be established — finds equally near approaches among them all.
Nests may, however, in most cases be relied upon, especially when
procured from proximate localities.

In the case of the young, both before and after they leave the
nest, this bird displays no exceptional traits. Both old and young,
when the latter have become able to take care of themselves,
join the immense congregations of mingled Warblers, Wrens, Tit-
mice, Sparrows, and Woodpeckers, which collect in the northern
forests in early August, to be dispersed — most of them south-
ward — by the first frosts of September.

In Eastern Massachusetts this species occurs as a fall migrant
from September 21 to October 30, but it is never seen at this
season in anything like the numbers which pass through the same
section in spring, and the bulk of the migration must follow a more
westerly route. Its haunts while with us in the autumn are some-
what different from those which it affects during its northward
journey. We now find it most commonly on hillsides, among
scrub-oaks and scattered birches, and in company with such birds
as the Yellow-Rump {Bendroeca coronata) and the Black-Poll [D,
striata). A dull, listless troop they are, comparatively sombre of
plumage, totally devoid of song, and apparently intent only upon
the gratification of their appetites. It seems, at first thought,
strange that the birds, at a season when all the rest of Nature puts
on its most gorgeous coloring, should array themselves in their
dullest ; but it must be borne in mind that many of them played
their part before these brilliant leaves had burst their buds, and
now, like ushers and orchestra, whose duty has been performed,
they stand aside among the audience, and w’atch the shifting
glories of the final transformation-scene. So let us leave them
until, attired in fullest costume, they come again to herald, with
overtures of joyous song, the rising of the curtain on a new year.

8

BULLETIN OF THE NUTT ALL

' ON GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATION IN TURDUS ’
MIGRATORIUS.

BY ROBERT RIDGWAY.

Certain differences between Eastern specimens of the common
Robin and those from the Rocky Mountains were first pointed out
by Professor Baird, in his “Review of American Birds” (1864,
pp. 28, 29), in the following words : “ In highly plumaged speci-
mens from the East the feathers of the interscapular region are
frequently, even generally, tinged - with blackish in their centres,
passing gradually into ash on the edges, and the black of the head
C€as3s to be abruptly defined. There is also usually a well-defined
whitish tip, half an inch long, to the outer tail-feathers. In Rocky
Mountain skins the tail is either black, except a very narrow
whitish edge, or the white tips of Eastern specimens are replaced
by a dull gray. The black of the head, too, is better defined, the
interscapular feathers more uniformly ash, and the upper parts
without the faint brownish wash so frequently seen in Eastern
specimens. There are, however, some exceptions to these features
in specimens from each locality. The colors generally of Western
birds appear to be paler.” Again, in the “History of North
American Birds” (Yol. I, p. 25), the same and additional differen-
ces are alluded to, as follows : “ There are some variations, both
of color and proportions, between Eastern and Western speci-
mens of the Robin. In the latter there is a tendency to a
longer tail, though the difference is not marked ; and, as a rule,
they slightly exceed Eastern specimens in size. The broad white
tip to the lateral tail-feather — so conspicuous a mark of Eastern
birds — is scarcely to be found at all in any Western ones; and in
the latter the black of the head is very sharply defined against the
lighter, clearer ash of the back, there hardly ever being a tendency
in it to continue backward in the form of central spots to the
feathers, as is almost constantly seen in Eastern examples ; of
Western specimens, the rufous, too, is appreciably lighter than in
Eastern.”

Very extensive material received at the National Museum since
the above was written tends to confirm the constancy of most of
these differences between Eastern and Western Robins, while other

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

-9

points of diversity, previously overlooked, have been detected, the
most important being the much blacker tail of Eastern birds, and
their. decidedly shorter wing.

Upon the whole, the tw’o forms seem to constitute two very
strongly marked geographical races, which may be distinguished as
follows : —

T. migratorius. — Wing, 4.85-5.35 ; tail, 4.10-4.60 ; bill, from nos-
tril, .48 -.51 ; tarsus, 1.20-1.35; middle toe, .85 - .92.* Inner web of
outer tail-feather with a distinct white terminal spot. Tail-feathers of
adult male dusky black, with slight edging of plumbeus. Habitat.
Eastern region, including the w^hole of Alaska, Eastern Mexico, and the
eastern border of the Missouri Plains.

T. propinquus, Eidgw. (MSS.). — Wing, 5.35-5.60; tail, 4.60-4.70;
bill, from nostril, .50 -.55 ; tarsus, 1.30-1.35 ; middle toe, .90. Inner
web of lateral tail-feather with merely a narrower terminal edging of white,
or with no white whatever. Tail-feathers of adult male dusky slate, with-
out distinctly paler edges. Habitat. Western region, including eastern
base of Eocky Mountains.

We find the character of blackish centres to the interscapulars in
Eastern specimens to be too inconstant a feature to serve as a
character. No specimens of the Western series are so marked, but
many Eastern ones, otherwise typical, have no trace of these mark-
ings. It is a well-known fact that the eggs of the Western Eobins
average considerably larger in size than those of Eastern birds.

UNUSUAL ABUNDANCE OF THE SNOWY OWL {NYCTBA
SCANDIACA) IN NEW ENGLAND.

BY RUTHVEN DEANE.

In a recent number of this Bulletin (Vol. I, p. 95), Mr. N. C.
Brown gave some interesting notes respecting the variable abuti-
dance of birds at the same locality in different seasons. I do not
think a more forcible illustration of his remarks can be cited than
the recent great abundance of the Snowy Owl in New England.
This bird is regarded as not a rare winter visitor to New England,

* Eight specimens.

10

BULLETIN OF THE NUTT ALL

where it is confined mostly to the coast, although occasionally taken
throughout the interior. About the first of November, 1876, how-
ever, large numbers suddenly appeared along our coast. This be-
ing the season when sportsmen and the market gunners were in
pursuit of water-fowl on the sea-shore, dozens of Snowy Owls were
shot by them and sent to the markets and to taxidermists, so that
during the three following weeks it was a common thing to see
them hanging wuth other game in the markets, or confined alive.

I first heard of them on our Massachusetts coast as frequenting
the islands off Rockport, where numbers were taken. One gunner
spoke of seeing fifteen at once on a small island one foggy morning,
nearly half of which he procured. As the Owls flew around over
the rocks uttering their weird cries, they presented a scene of rare
occurrence in New England. Specimens were soon after captured
in nearly ev6ry town in this vicinity (Boston), and were sent to the
city from various other parts of the country. Several w'ere shot in
the very heart of the city of Boston, where they were occasionally
seen perched upon the house-tops or church-spires.

I learn from Mr. George A. Boardman, of Milltown, Me., that
they were at this time very abundant in his locality, where they
appeared as early as September. Mr. Simeon F. Cheney, of Grand
Menan, also informs me that they were never before so abundant
there as during the present season, arriving there about October 20.
He reports that eight were seen together at one time, and that on
another occasion a flock of fifteen was noticed.

Mr. N. C. Brown, of Portland, Me., reports that about one hun-
dred and fifty were shot in the immediate vicinity of that city, and
that five flew about the buildings of the city for a week unmolested.
Mr. J. M. Le Moyne also writes me that the unusual abundance
of these birds about Quebec, Canada, has been the subject of gen-
eral remark.

The migration seems also to have extended far to the southward
of New England, as I learn from Mr. Boardman that specimens
have been taken as far south as Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Wash-
ington. In Philadelphia Mr. John Krider, the w^ell-known taxider-
mist, had forty sent to him for preparation during October and
November. One was taken near Baltimore during the last of Sep-
tember. I have heard of some five hundred specimens that have
been seen, the majority of which have been shot.

Many of the specimens were in exceedingly poor condition. Of

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

11

some two hundred of these Owls examined by me, nearly all were in
very dark plumage, and none wore that almost spotless dress which!
we occasionally see.

The cause of the sudden visit of such an unusual multitude of
these boreal birds, coming as they did when the weather for a
few days was unusually warm for the season, the thermometer stand-
ing at 75° at noonday, is a question not easily solved. Scarcity of
food would seem the most probable solution, or perhaps an early
severe cold snap started them on their southward flight. If so, it
seems strange that other less hardy species should not be affected
in a similar way, as but few Geese and Brant had passed south
when the Owls had been with us for a week.

About ten years since there was a somewhat similar migration
of this species into the British Provinces and New England, but
the birds appeared later in the season, and not in such great num-
bers as in the present instance.

DISTEIBUTION OF NEW ENGLAND BIRDS. — A REPLY TO
DR. T. M. BREWER.

BY H. A. PURDIE.

When asked, some time since, to review a “ Catalogue of the
Birds of New England,” by Dr. T. M. Brewer, I at first declined,
feeling that if I expressed jnyself conscientiously, I should give
some displeasure to its author. But I finally consented, and penned
the short article in the third number of this Bulletin, bearing the
signature “ H. A. P.” I intended to give the writer of this Cata-
logue all the credit due him ; but in this, according to his reply in
the following number, I have signally failed. The tone of Dr.
Brewer’s article, and the demand he makes that I must produce
something of more weight than “ unsupported assertions,” “ sweep-
ing generalizations,” opinions and conjectures unsupported by facts,’
and “ positive dogmas given out quite ex cathedra,'' renders it neces-
sary for me, in defence, to reply somewhat in detail. He must,
however, be aware that reviews are generally limited as to space,
and especially so w’as the case in this instance, so that full citations
in support of my differences with him were out of place. He now

12

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

says he gave the list for what it was worth, expecting and desiring
to have it amended and improved ; and elsewhere he has said,

however lenient we may be even towards errors and incorrect
statements that apparently might have been avoided, we should
also, all of us, never hesitate to expose and to correct whatever we
know to be wrong.” Unhappily such an attempt on my part has
not been very graciously received. He also says “ it was but an
initiative towards a complete and reliable list of the birds of New
England,” and that it w^as “ at the last moment, and when it could
only be done briefly,” that “ the character of the presence of the
species ” w^as added, and that of course the additions were “ never
exhaustive.” Now I will respectfully ask how the general reader
was to know this. I received the list “ for what it was worth.”
There was nothing in the introduction to show that it was not con-
sidered complete or correct.

Of course, after all that has been written upon the subject, I was
aware that generally a species is not resident individually in a
given section of territory. His remark respecting the Eobin, that
the birds found with us in winter are not the same as those that
pass the summer here, but “ are of a very different race,” is not at all
to the point at issue. As a species, I say Tiirdus migratorins is a resi-
dent of New England. If, however, as he holds, the birds found in
winter are another and very different race, — as race is now under-
stood. — he should have so indicated it in the Catalogue, perhaps
as “ Turdus hyperhoreus. Arctic Kobin. Winter visitant.” I in-
tended in reply to cite at length all the facts that bear upon the
points in dispute, but found that to do so would require quite too
much of the valuable space of the Bulletin ; but I trust that I have
brought forward sufficient evidence to show^ that my statements
were not altogether “ conjectures ” and “ unsupported assertions.”

The following five species, among others. Dr. Brewer claimed
had never been taken in New England, and therefore should be ex-
cluded from the list of New England birds. In respect to this, I
simply asked “ if previous record did not show that these at least
could be retained,” intending thereby to imply that I considered
this to be the case. The following are the birds and their
record : —

Quiscalus major. Boat-tailed Crackle. — “Q. haritus, Bonaparte.
Thrush Blackbird. New Haven. Of the Thrush Blackbird one speci-
men only has been observed, by Dr. Whelpley at New Haven, and of

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

13

course is rare in Connecticut.” (Rev. J. H. Linsley, Cat. of the Birds of
Conn., in Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, Vol. XLIV, 1843, p. 249.) “Acciden-
tal. Have heard of one that was killed in Cambridge a few years since.
Mr. E. A. Samuels tells me that a pair bred in Cambridge in 1861.” (J. A.
Allen, Proc. Ess. Inst., IV, p. 85, 1864.) Both these and the Connecticut
bird are cited by Dr. Coues (Proc. Ess. Inst., V, p. 285, 1868) as valid.
But I understand that more recently the authenticity of the specimens
taken is doubted, they being referred to the Crow Blackbird (Q. purpureus).
As Mr. Linsley also gives Q. purpureus as common, I see no reason for
doubting his record. Of Mr. Samuels’s birds, I have always understood
him, and he still avers that two of them, in the flesh, were brought to him
by Professor Jeffries Wyman, and that to his best knowledge and belief
they were shot in the Cambridge salt marshes ; that their rarity was com-
mented on at the time, and that they were not Q. purpureus.

Corvus ossifragus. Fish Crow. — “ Stratford,” Conn., Linsley (1. c.).
“ An occasional visitor along the southern coast of the State of Massachu-
setts.” (J. A. Allen, 1. c.) “Very rare visitor in summer” to Massachu-
setts. (E. A. Samuels, Descriptive Catalogue of the Birds of Mass., in
Rept. of Sec. Board of Agriculture of Mass, for 1863.) “A rare summer
visitor, chiefly along the more southern portions of the coast” of New
England. (Coues, Proc. Ess. Inst., V, 1868.) “Coast of the United States,
from New England to Florida.” (Coues, Birds of the Northwest.) And
now, as confirmatory of the above, Mr. Brewster gives an instance of his
seeing it in Cambridge, March 16, 1875. (See this Bulletin, Vol. I, p. 19.)

.aSgialitis wilsonius. Wilson’s Plover. — Allowing that this spe-
cies has not yet been found in Massachusetts, we have : “ Stratford,” Conn.,
Linsley (1. c.). “ Appears to be rather rare, and perhaps only occasional,

as far north as Massachusetts. (Coues, 1. c.) “ Dr. Wood informs me that
Wilson’s Plover is abundant in August on Long Island, and Mr. Linsley
has recorded it from Stratford, Conn. It hence seems unquestionable
that they sometimes occur in Southern New England, and it would not
be strange if they should occasionally reach the coast of Massachusetts.”
(Allen, Am. Nat., Vol. Ill, 1869.) “North to Long Island and Con-
necticut, probably to Massachusetts, but rare beyond New Jersey.” (Coues,
Birds of the Northwest.)

Nettion crecca. European Teal. — At a meeting of the Boston
Society of Natural History, April 18, 1855, Dr. Bryant remarked that a
specimen of the European Green-winged Teal had been sent to Mr. E.
Samuels to be mounted. It was shot in Massachusetts, the first he had
ever seen in the State. (Proc. Bos. Soc. Nat. His., Vol. V, p. 195.) This
instance is cited by Allen (Proc. Ess. Inst., Vol. IV, 1864) and by C. J*
Maynard (Naturalist’s Guide, 1870). “A European species, but so often

14

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

taken on the coast as to be fairly considered as more than an accidental
visitor.” (Cones, Proc. Ess. Inst., Vol. V, 1868.)

Sula fiber. Booby Gannet. — “ Guilford,” Conn., Linsley (1. c.).
‘‘September. Rare.” Essex Co., F. W. Putnam. (Proc. Ess. Inst., Vol.
I, 1856.) Both these cases are cited by Dr. Coues in his Birds of New
England, and the last by C. J. Maynard. (Naturalist’s Guide, 1870.)

I think that the above-named five birds have as much right to be in-
cluded among those that have occurred with us as have the Mealy Red-
Poll {jFgiotlius canescens), Small-headed Flycatcher (Myiodioctes minutus),
Willow Ptarmigan {Lagopus albus), White-fronted Goose {Anser gamheli),
and Hutchin’s Goose {Bernida hutdiinsi). which are all retained by Dr.
Brewer. There are also two other birds, namely, the Blue-gray Gnat-
catcher {Polioptila cfsrulea) and the Blue Warbler {Vendrceca ccendea),
expunged by Dr. Brewer, whose record of occurrence in New England
is as- good as any just cited, which I am prepared to show have recently
been taken in Connecticut and Rhode Island. (See this number of the
Bulletin, p. 20.)

In regard to the Robin (Turdus migratorius), the Crow (Corvus ameri-
canus), the Hairy Woodpecker (Piicws m^^osas), the Long-eared Owl (Ohts
wilsonianus), the Short-eared Owl {Brachyotus cassini), the Acadian Owl
{Nyctale acadica), and the Sharp-shinned Hawk {Nisus fuscus), which Dr.
Brewer classed as summer residents of New England (he saying of the
Crow that a few winter), but which I stated must be considered as con-
stant residents, at least of the southern portions, and some of them also of
the northern, I will say that a reference to the often cited local lists, and
to other writings on New England birds, quite fully confirms my remark,
these species being given as residents, some of them occurring in smaller
numbers in wunter, as is to be expected, while again others are found more
frequently in winter than at any other season. I notice a slight exception
in the case of Nisus fuscus, a few writers regarding it as only a summer
visitant, even to Massachusetts ; but that it, as well as the others, remains
in greater or less numbers in certain sections the year round, is well known
to collectors.

In the “History of North American Birds,” by Messrs. Baird, Brewer,
and Ridgway, we find the following respecting the winter distribution
of the Robin : “ In the winter months it is most abundant in the South-
ern States, while in the Middle and even the Northern States, in favorable
localities, it may be found throughout the year ; its migrations being
influenced more by the question of food than of climate. In the valleys
among the White Mountains, where snow covers the ground from October
to June, and where the cold reaches the freezing-point of mercury, flocks
of Robins remain during the entire winter, attracted by the abundance oF
berries. In Massachusetts a few Robins remain throughout the year, but
the greater proportion leave early in November, returning late in February
or early in March.”

' ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 15

: Also in respect to the Hairy Woodpecker, we read in the same work
(Vol. II, p, 506) : “ It is a resident and not a migratory species, and wher-
ever found it also breeds/’

, Also (in Voh III, p. 46) of Nyctale acadica: Mr. Boardman and Pro-
- lessor Verrill both give it as resident, and as common in Maine.”

Other species, namely, the Short-billed Marsh Wren (Cistothorus stel-
laris), the Warbling Vireo {Vireo gilvm), the White-eyed Vireo (V.
noveboracensis), the Field Sparrow (Spizella pusUla), the Carolina Dove
(Zencedura carolinensis), and the Quail (Ortyx virginianus), which "were
given as summer residents, presumably of all New England, I said seldom
reached Northern New England, With the exception of Ortyx virginianus^
I did not make the positive statement that the above-named species never
did so, knowing that one or two of them had been found sparingly at
certain localities in that section. Here again, the published record, with
but slight exceptions, supports me in my assertion. As to Vireo gilvus
and Spizella pusilla, though given by Mr. Verrill as summer visitants at
Norway, Me., and by Dr. Coues as summer visitants to all New England,
the former is rare, and the latter does not occur at all, at Calais, Me., nor
does C. J. Maynard give either as found in Coos County, N. H., or Oxford
County, Me. He considers the White Mountain range as forming their
northern limit of distribution, Mr. William Brewster did not find them
at Franconia, N. H.

Respecting V. noveboracensis, I quote the following from the “ History of
North American Birds” (Vol. II, pp. 385, 386) : “ In the last-named State
[Massachusetts] it becomes exceedingly rare, and beyond it is apparently
not found, none having been met with either by Messrs. Verrill or Board-
man in any part of Maine. Mr. Audubon states that he himself found
them along the coast in Maine, Nova Scotia, and Labrador. This, how-
ever, I am inclined to consider a misstatement, as they have not since
been detected north of the 42d parallel.”

From the same work (Vol. II, p. 5), respecting S. pusilla, is the follow”-
ing : “ In the summer it breeds from Virginia to Maine, as far as the
central and western portions. It is not found near Calais, but occurs and
breeds near Norway, Oxford County.”

Again of Z. carolinensis (Vol. Ill, p. 384) : “ It is found in the southern
part of Maine as far to the eastward as Calais, but was not collected by Mr,
Verrill at Norway, and is not known to occur in the northern part of that
State.” I said it was not “rare,” meaning of course in Southern New
England, and by looking up the matter, such -will be found to be the case.
Citing again from our standard work on North American birds, we find
this of Ortyx virginianus : “ This bird is probably found in all the New
England States, though its presence in Maine is not certain, and if found
there at all, is only met with in the extreme southwestern portion. It is
also rare in Vermont and New Hampshire, and only found in the southern
portions. It is not given by Mr. Boardman, nor by Professor Verrill.”

16

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

Observations made in the nesting-season during the last five or six
years in New Hampshire and Maine, by such experienced collectors as
Messrs. Brewster and Maynard, and, to a less extent, by Bailey, Deane, and
myself, show the absence of the foregoing species from the Fauna, and the
presence of the five following, namely, the Cape May Warbler (Perissoglossa
tigrina), the Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis Philadelphia), the Olive-sided
Flycatcher (Contopus borealis), and, in less abundance, the Black-backed
and the Banded Three-toed Woodpeckers {Picoides arcticus and P. ameri-
canus).

What had already appeared in prinFrespectingthe distribution of these
birds, added to the obserA^ations of the above-named gentlemen, I thought
warranted me in saying that at least P. tigrina^ G. Philadelphia, and C.
borealis, were “ generally,” that is, usually, if, perhaps, not universally,
common, and bred regularly in Northern New England.

The Worm-eating W’^arbler (Helmitherus vermivorus), the Blue-winged
Yellow Warbler {Helniinthophaga pinus), the Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria
virens), the Hooded Warbler (Myiodioctes mitratus), and the Great-crested
Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) have generally been considered rare birds
in any part of New England, but in the “ American Naturalist ” (Vol. VII,
1873, p. 692) I mentioned, on the authority of Mr. J. N. Clark, of Saybrook,
Conn., that they Avere found at that locality regularly in numbers and breed-
ing, though he had not actually found the nest of H. vermivorus. I also
spoke of a Water-Thrush that occurred there, and inferred that it Avas prob-
ably the Long-billed Water-Thrush {Siurus ludovicianus). Subsequent
correspond ence^ and a visit to Saybrook in June, 1875, confirmed my sus-
picion, proving that ludovicianus was the species that summered there, and
that it was common, as were all the others, Avith the exception of H, vermi-
vorus. Mr. C. M. Jones, noAV of Eastford, Conn., has Avritten me that he
observed all but S. ludovicianus and H. vermivorus, at Madison, in that
State, where he formerly resided.

The Golden- winged Warbler (Helminthophaga chrysoptera) and the Yel-
low-winged Sparrow (Goturniculus passerinus) are two species that Dr.
Brewer still denies can be considered as breeding regularly, or in numbers,
in any portion of New England. As far back as June, 1869 (Am. Nat.,
Vol. Ill, p. 497), and again in 1870 (Samuels’s Orn. and Ool. of New Eng-
land, revised edition, 1870, Appendix), I shoAved that the Golden- AAunged
Warbler was far from uncommon in Massachusetts. Observations made
every year since have not altered my opinion. I find it in the proper
places from May to August. It is apparently less plenty after the first of
June, but is still not a bird of the Canadian Fauna.

In “ History of North American Birds ” (Vol. I, p. 193) Ave read : “ Oc-
casionally specimens have been obtained in Massachusetts, and, of late,

these occurrences have become more common or more observed Mr.

J. A. Allen has knoAvn of several specimens taken Avithin the State. Mr.
Jillson has observed it spending the summer in Bolton, and evidently

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

17

breeding, as has also Mr. Allen at Springfield, and Mr. Bennett at Holy-
oke.” (See also Am. Nat., Vol. Ill, 1869, p. 575 ; Maynard’s Naturalist’s
Guide, 1870 ; and this Bulletin, Vol. I, p. 6, for accounts of the nesting of
this species in Massachusetts.)

I had no idea that any one acquainted at all with New England birds
could say that C. passerinus was rare, or even uncommon, in Southern
New England. Why, it absolutely swarms, so to speak, on Nantucket. I
presume Dr. Brewer will allow that island to be included within our
limits. On Cape Cod, and, indeed, in various portions of Massachusetts,
Bhode Island, and Connecticut, and even northAvard to Concord, New
Hampshire, it may be found in plenty at all suitable localities. At Say-
brook, Conn., its notes were to be heard in eA^ery field. (See History
North American Birds, Vol. I, p. 554, and local lists of Ncav England
birds, south of Northern sections, in confirmation of this statement.

The Long-billed Curlew (Numenius longirostris)^ the YelloAv Kail (Por-
zana noveboracensis), and the Coot {Fulica americana) I considered spring
and fall migrants, rather than as summer residents. The lists show this
statement also to be true,, Avhile the gunners and collectors further confirm
it. Perhaps a feAV may summer on the extreme northeastern coast of
Maine.

But my space is becoming limited. That the Golden-crested Kinglet
(Regulus satraim) Avinters in numbers in Southern New England, that the
SnoAvbird (Jiinco hyemalis) does not do so in Northern NeAv England, that
the Titlark (Anthus ludovicianus) does not Avinter (perhaps Avith rare ex-
ceptions in the southernmost parts), and that Ectopistes migratoria regu-
larly summers in different portions of NeAV England, are all ‘statements
demonstrable by facts already in print, and by the observations of those
who speak of that which they do knoAV.

A Avord about the Stilt Sandpiper {Micropalma liimantopus), and I am
done. In the “American Naturalist” (Vol. Ill, p. 639) is recorded the
first supposed instance of its occurrence in NeAV England. In the same
periodical ( Vol. VII, p. 727) is given the first supposed * instance for
Massachusetts. Again (in Vol. VI, p. 307) Mr. Brewster says : “ The Stilt
Sandpiper {Micropalma liimantopus), Avhich I see Avas recorded in a recent
number of the ‘ Naturalist’ as neAV to our Fauna, I consider by no means
rare in its migrations. Indeed, I have seen as many as six or seven sent
into Boston market at one time, from Cape Cod, and, in the course of a
few weeks’ shooting in August, at Rye Beach, N. H. (just north of our
State limits), secured no less than ten specimens.” Not only has he since
shot it, but he, as well as myself and others, find it frequently in the
Boston markets.

* Mr. F. C. Browne, of Framingham, has a specimen taken at Plymouth in
1852.

18

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

OCCURRENCE OF THE BARNACLE GOOSE {BERNIGLA LEU-
COPSIS) ON LONG ISLAND, N. Y.

BY GEO. X. LAWRENCE.

I WAS recently informed, by Mr. Harold Herrick, that a specimen
of this species could be seen at the store of Mr. Conway, taxidermist,
in Carmine Street, said to have been killed on Long Island. I called
there and was shown a nicely mounted example of this Goose in
perfect plumage. Mr. Conway said that it was brought to him in
the flesh, in good condition, and was eaten by his family ; he spoke
very favorably of its edible qualities.

I learned from him that its possessor was Mr. J. K. Kendall of
this city. I had an interview with this gentleman, and requested
that he would ascertain all the facts possible as to its capture, and
send me the information. I received from him the following letter
giving the result of his inquiries : —

New York, November 29, 1876.

Dear Sir, — About October 20 I saw a specimen of the Barnacle
Goose hanging in a restaurant in this city, — bought it and had it stuffed.
I questioned the proprietor, and learned from him the place where he
bought it, — from a produce-dealer near Washington Market. After-
wards I interviewed the marketman, and he recollected the bird well,
although he had no idea what it was. He told me he bought it from a
Long Island farmer, who brought it to the city in his wagon, and who
said that it was killed by a boy in^ Jamaica Bay. Unfortunately he did
not know the farmer, — never saw him before nor since, so I was unable
to trace the bird any farther, but I am fully satisfied the story was true.

Yours truly,

J. K. Kendall.

This is the second instance of this species having been procured
on the Atlantic coast ; the first was obtained in Currituck Sound,
North Carolina, in 1870, and is recorded in Vol. V, p. 10, of the
“ American Naturalist.’’ *

* In Dr. Brewer’s ‘‘ Catalogue of the Birds of New England ” (from Proceed-
ings of the Boston Society of Natural History, Vol. XVII, March 3, 1875) he
excludes this species from our New England list, and also states that the speci-
men recorded by Mr. Lawrence as having been taken in North Carolina was

ornithological club.

19

CAPTURE OF A SECOND SPECIMEN OF HELMINTHOPHAGA

LAWRENCE!

BY HAROLD HERRICK.

In 1874 I had the pleasure of publishing in the “ Proceedings of
the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia” (p. 220, pL xv)
a description of a new species of Ilelmmthophaga that I had just
been fortunate enough to unearth. It has remained unique up to
the present time, and although its friends have stoutly maintained
its validity, the hybrid ” theorists have sorely tried their faith ;
therefore I am more than pleased to be able to set the matter per-
manently at rest by announcing the capture of a second specimen
of Helniinthophaga lawrencei. The specimen, oddly enough, was
secured by Mr. Lawrence himself, who sends it to me with a letter
of explanation, from which the following is an extract : —

I obtained the specimen of H. Lawrencei last fall from a dealer, who
called my attention to it as having a black throat, differing in that respect
from any species he had ever before met with. He said it was sent to him
last spring from Hoboken, N. J., with a miscellaneous lot of Warblers.
I think the acquisition of a second specimen of this species should put at
rest all doubt of its validity.”

This specimen agrees precisely with the type, with this slight ex-
ception, that the type is an adult male, probably in the second or
third year, while the bird under consideration is yin questionably a
‘yearling male, and still has the immature yellowish tips to the
coal-black feathers of the throat-patch. A slightly similar effect is
seen in the yearling males of Dendroeca virens. I cannot better
describe it than by republishing the description of the type.

probably one of eight specimens which escaped from the grounds of a gentleman
in Halifax in the fall of 1871 or 1872.

From Mr. Lawrence’s record (Am. Naturalist, Vol V, p. 10) we find this
Goose w^as captured on October 31, 1870, one or two years previous to the es-
caping of the Halifax birds.

In view of this fact may not Mr. Lawrence’s specimen still remain as the
first authentic instance of the, occurrence of the Barnacle Goose in the United
States ; at all events, until we hear of a confined specimen having escaped pre-
vious to that date ? — Ruthven Deane.

20

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

“ Upper parts and rump olive-green, a shade darker than in pinus.
Wings bluish-gray, with two white hands, the upper not so clearly defined
as in pinus. Tail bluish-gray, with the three outer tail-feathers with most
of the web white, also a small white spot on the end of the fourth feather.
Crown and under parts, from breast to vent, orange. A broad black patch
extends from the bill through and behind the eye. Chin, throat, and fore-
part of the breast black. A yellow stripe, commencing under the bill,
extends back between the black eye- and breast-patches, and increases in
width upon the shoulder. Length, 4.50 ; wing, 2.50 ; tail, 2.00. Meas-
urements from the mounted bird.”

^The measurements of the two birds are as nearly identical as is
possible when one bird is mounted and the other a skin. Of its
habitat, the plumage of the female, and its nesting peculiarities, we
can only conjecture, but it seems not unreasonable to presume that
its habitat is similar to that of its near congener, H. pinus^ and
that New Jersey may some day produce its nest and eggs, as it has
already produced the only two known specimens of the bird.

The female, I believe, will be found to be not unlike that of H.
pinus, and a close inspection of supposed specimens of the latter
bird now in collections may develop some interesting facts.

In conclusion it may be well to add, what by inadvertence I
omitted when the description was first published,, namely, that for
the correct delineation of the bird in the plate I am indebted to
Mr. Eobert Eidgway, of the Smithsonian Institution, to whom I
take this opportunity of tendering my thanks.

NOTICE OF A FEW BIEDS OF EAEE OE ACCIDENTAL
OCCUEEENCE IN NEW ENGLAND.

BY H. A. PURDIE.

The following data respecting the occurrence of the following
fourteen species so far to the northeastward as New England are of
special interest. I am indebted to Messrs. Frederic T. Jencks of
Providence, E. I., Erwin I. Shores of Sutfield, Conn., F. C. Browne
of Framingham, Mass., and J. N. Clark of Say brook, Conn., for facts
relating to eleven of the birds here mentioned.

1. Polioptila cserulea. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. — Mr. Jencks
writes : “ Two were shot at Wauregan (Windham County), Conn., by

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 21

Mr. C. M. Car];enter, — a male in 1874 and a female in 1876. Three or
four were seen by me at Providence, R. I., May 23, 1875.”

A male was also shot, by Mr. Shores, at Silver Spring, near Providence,
June 24, 1875, and several others have been seen by him at different times
in Providence and vicinity.

2. Helmitherus vermivorus. Worm-eating Warbler. — Mr.
Shores shot a male at Suffield (Hartford County), Conn., August 22,
1874. This is, I think, its most northerly record in the Atlantic States
yet noted.

3. Helminthophaga celata. Orange-crowned Warbler. — Mr.
Jencks writes me that a specimen was shot in Cranston, R. I., Decem-
ber 3, 1874.” This is the fifth specimen reported for New England, and
the second taken in the winter season.*

4. Dendroeca caerulea. Blue Warbler. — A male was obtained by
Mr. Shores at Suffield, June 12,T875. This species and Polio'ptila ccerulea,
though previously recorded as occurring in Nevv England, have not been
recently taken here.

5. Myiodioctes mitratus. Hooded Warbler. — A male was shot
at Suffield, Conn., by Mr. Shores, July 8, 1875. This bird, though found
regularly along the Sound shore of Connecticut, has not been noticed so
far northward before in New England. This, as well as a few other spe-
cies characteristic of the Carolinian Fauna, will probably be found to
extend up the river-valleys of Connecticut, though not passing farther
eastward.

6. Pyranga aestiva. Summer Redbird. — Mr. Jencks informs me
that a male was shot a few years since on Ten-Mile River, six or eight miles
northeast of Providence. It has appeared before, but is sufficiently rare
here to merit notice.

7. Stelgidopteryx serripennis. Rough- winged Swallow. — A
female of this species was shot at Suffield, Conn,, by Mr. Shores, June 6,
1874. At last this bird has been taken within our limits. It will be
interesting to determine whether it proves to be in future a regular visitant
to New England.

8. Collurio ludovicianus var. excubitoroides. White-rumped
Shrike. — A typical example of this variety was shot by Mr. Jencks in
Cranston, R. I., September 2, 1873, and is now in his collection. Its pre-
vious record of having been found within our borders is somewhat doubt-
ful. I believe it is hardly found regularly much east of Buffalo, N. Y.
In this connection I would say that the Collurio taken in Massachusetts,
recorded by me in the “American Naturalist” (Vol. VII, 1873, p. 115),
was a typical “ Loggerhead ” Shrike (C. ludovicianus).

9. Milvulus forficatus. Swallow-tailed Flycatcher. — Mr. Jencks
informs me that a specimen of this species was shot by Mr. Carpenter, at

* See this Bulletin, Vol. I, p. 94, for its previous New England record.

22

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

Waiiregan, Conn., about April 27, 1876. The bird first attracted Mr.
Carpenter’s attention by its opening and closing the tail while flying
about a small sheet of water in quest of insects. The only other Eastern
United States capture of this species is a male taken at Trenton, N. J.,
a few years ago. as recorded by Dr. C. C. Abbott.* Of course its appear-
ance here is entirely accidental.

10. Porzana jamaicensis. Black Kail. — I have lately seen a skin
of this species belonging to Mr. Browne, of Framingham. The bird was
picked up dead, in August, 1869, by a relative of his, on Clark’s Island,
Plymouth Harbor, and was forwarded to him as something entirely new
to our shores. This instance adds a new bird to the Fauna of Massa-
chusetts.

Of this species Mr. Clark, of Say brook, Conn., also writes me that a
neighbor of his, while mowing at that place, July 10, 1876, swung his
scythe over a nest of ten eggs on which the bird was sitting, unfortunately
cutting ofb the bird’s head and breaking all but four of the eggs. The
only previous New England record of this species is that given by Dr.
Brewer (Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XVII, p. 477).

11. Rallus longirostris. Clapper Rail. — In the Natural History
store of Brewster & Knowlton, Boston, I recently saw a mounted specimen
of this species. The bird was captured by its flying on board a vessel in
the harbor. May 4, 1875. Though recorded from Maine and Connecticut,
it being in the latter probably quite a regular summer visitor (about the
Sound), I believe its appearance before in Massachusetts has been ques-
tioned.

12. Rallus elegans. King Rail. — In the collection of Mr. George
0. Welch, of Lynn, Mass., is a mounted specimen shot at Nahant, No-
vember 21, 1875. This is a second species new to Massachusetts, and
has been but once or twice before recorded from any part of New Eng-
land.

13. Sterna fuliginosa. Sooty Tern. — Mr. Clark informs me that
he has this species in his collection, mounted from a bird that last summer
flew against the side of the steamboat-wharf depot at Saybrook, Conn.

' Stunned by the concussion, it fell and was picked up. It had been
noticed for several days flying about the mouth of the river as something
unusual.

14. Pelecanus trachyrhynchus. White Pelican. — At the Natural
History store of Mr. A. J. Colburn, Boston, I saw, a few months since, a
skin of this species, freshly made up from the flesh. The bird was shot
at .North Scituate, October 6, 1876, by Mr. Geotge Pratt. It was a male,
in' fine plumage and good condition. Though not new to the State, I
think its presence with us worthy of notice.

* Arner. Nat., Vol. VI, p. 367.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

23

%Htnt iliterattire*

Notices op five recent Ornithological Papers. — The first three
numbers of the “Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London” for
1876 contain several important papers upon the anatomy and classifi-
cation of several groups of birds, by Mr. A. H. Garrod, while among the
numerous other ornithological articles of more or less special interest are
papers by Mr. Howard Saunders, on the Skau Gulls and on the Terns ;
by Messrs. Sclater and Salviii, on the Anatidce of “ Neotropical ” America ;
an abstract of a memoir by Mr. W. K. Parker on A^githbgnathous birds ;
and a paper by Mr. W. H. Hudson on the habits of some of the Rails of
the Argentine Republic. Among the numerous new species of birds
figured and described are quite a number from the Andean Region of
South America.

Among Mr. Garrod’s contributions is a short paper (1. c. pp. 275-277)
on the anatomy of the Conrlan {Aramus scolopaceus). He finds it to have,
on the whole, decidedly closer affinities with the Cranes (Crus) than with
any other group, especially in respect to its osteology, notwithstanding its
many external resemblances to the Rails. Hence Mr. GarrocVs researches
confirm the views of recent systematists in respect to the affinities of this
peculiar and interesting form. Mr. Garrod also writes (1. c. pp. 335 - 345,
pis. xxvi - xxviii) concerning the anatomy of the Darter {Plotus anliinga),
a bird whose anatomy, aside from its skeleton, had previousl}'’ received
little attention. Mr. Garrod finds in its visceral anatomy several quite pe-
culiar features, one of which is the protection of the pyloric orifice by “a
mat of lengthy hair-like processes, much like cocoanut fibre, which nearly
half fills the second stomach.” These hair-like fibres are found to consid-
erably resemble in structure true cutaneous hairs. In general terms, the
Darter may be said to present many of the features characteristic of the
Gannets, Pelicans, and their allies, in an exaggerated degree.

The most important and interesting of Mr. Garrod’s contributions is
a paper “ On some Anatomical Characters which bear upon the Major
Divisions of the Passerine Birds” (1. c. pp. 506-519, pis. xlviii-liii).
Mr. Garrod attaches great importance to the mode of insertion of one of
the muscles of the wing (the tensor patagii hrevis), to the character of the
syrinx, the absence or presence of either the femoral or the sciatic artery,
etc., to which points the researches here detailed are mainly directed. He
concludes his paper with a tabular arrangement of the larger groups of
the Passeres, expressive of his views of their affinities.

Mr. Howard Saunders’s paper (1. c. pp. 317-332, pi. xxiv) on the
Skau or Jager Gulls {Stercorariince) is devoted to the synonymy and
range of the species, with incidental remarks on their progressive changes
of plumage. Mr. Saunders recognizes six species, all of which he refers

24

BULLETIN OF THE NUTT ALL

to one genus, for which he adopts the name Stercorarius as being the only
proper and tenable one. Two of these species belong to the Southern
Hemisphere, the other four to the Northern, all of which latter occur in
the boreal parts of North America, as well as in the Old World. The
nomenclature adopted by Mr. Saunders for two of the Northern species
differs from that commonly employed, Mr. Saunders maintaining, and
apparently with good reason, that the Linneean name parasiticus belongs
not to the bird commonly so called, but to the bird usually called cepphus
or buffoni. Thus Stercorarius crepidatus Saunders is the S. parasiticus of
Coues and most recent authors, while the S. parasiticus Saunders is the
S. buffoni of Coues and others, which is again the S. cepphus of Gray and
other writers.

Mr. Saunders’s paper on the Terns (1. c. pp. 638 - 672, pL Ixi) is similar
in character to that on the Jager or Skau Gulls, treating mainly of no-
menclature and distribution, being, like the other, preliminary to a mono-
graph of the Laridce. The genera recognized are Hydrochelidon, Sterna^
Ncenia, Gygis, and Anous. Of the forty-eight species recognized, thirty-
eight are placed under Sterna. The most noteworthy change of names
among the North American species is the substitution of the name
fiuviatilus of Naumann for the hitherto almost universally accepted
hirundo of Linnaeus for our Common Tern, which name he considers as
originally embracing both the hirundo and the macrura of recent authors.
The Sterna portlandica of liidgway is referred to S. macrura^ in accord-
ance with Mr. Brewster’s views, and the Least Tern is considered as
specifically distinct from S. superciliaris, of which Dr. Coues deems it to be
merely a variety. In most other cases Mr. Saunders’s names as respects
the North American species agree with those recently adopted by Dr.
Coues in his “ Birds of the Northwest.”

Messrs. Sclater and Salvin’s “Kevision of the Neotropical Anatidae”
(1. c. pp. 358-412, pi. xxxiv) is a most valuable synopsis of the Ducks
and Geese of Middle and Southern America, and embraces also a large
proportion of the species of North America, including as it does all that
reach Tropical America in their migrations. The paper includes notices
of sixty-two species, of the greater part of which are given short descrip-
tions, accompanied by pretty full lists of bibliographical references.
Twenty-three of the species are considered as “ Nearctic,” leaving thirty-
nine as properly “ Neotropical.” The paper closes with a very convenient
tabular synopsis of the geographical distribution of the genera and
species. — J. A. A.

Vennor’s Rapacious Birds op Canada. — With the title Our Birds of
Prey ; or, The Eagles, Hawks, and Owls of Canada,” by Henry G. Vennor,
Messrs, Dawson Brothers have published an elegant royal octavo volume
of one hundred and fifty-four pages, with thirty photographic illustra-
tions. While these illustrations are probably as excellent as the photo-

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

25

graphic art can supply, they cannot he regarded as a very valuable addition
to the work, certainly not in proportion to their, cost. They do not sup-
ply those shades of tinting so essential to the student, and, being neces-
sarily taken from mounted specimens, cannot remedy the inevitable short-
comings of their models. The text, which is largely compiled from the
notes of other writers, gives a fairly digested summary of the individual
history of each species.

Mr. Vennor includes two forms of Gyr-falcons, the candicans and
the labradora of Audubon, but adds nothing of moment to our knowl-
edge of the history of the former, and does not include, except inferen-
tially, Hierofalco islandicus as among the birds of Canada. He gives, as a
separate form, the dark Gyr-falcon, described by Audubon as labradora^
but he is mistaken in several of his statements in regard to this variety.
It is probably not so very rare a bird as has been supposed, although it is
little known in North American collections. The supposition that the
two specimens in the Montreal Museum are the only ones known in all
North America is incorrect. Mr. Boardman of St. Stephen possesses at
least tw'O very fine specimens, the Boston Museum has a very fine one, and
there is at least one in the National Museum of Washington. Nor is Mr.
Vennor the first to represent, in plate, this species (or variety ?). .

In the “Ornithological Miscellany,^’ edited by Mr. George Dawson
Rowley, and published by Trubner & Co., of London, Mr. Henry E.
Dresser presented a very interesting memoir of this Hawk, accompanied
with a very fine illustration. I am not aware that any copy of this work
is in this country, and the writer can only refer to it from memory. From
this it would appear that for several years past collections of skins received
in Europe from Labrador have always contained skins of this bird. One
of the museums of Germany was especially fortunate in securing a fine
series of this bird, and Mr. Dresser, having learned the source from which
it had been enriched, has himself since procured several very fine specimens.
So far as is known it seems to be confined to Labrador, and its specific
peculiarities, if it has any, are not publicly known. At present we know
too little in regal'd to it to discuss the question whether it is to be regarded
as a species or a race, or whether it may not be a melanistic form. It is
much more distinct, in its external markings, from any of the three other
forms, gyrfalco, islandicus, and candicans than they are from one another,
and, so far as is known, there is much less variation in the markings of
individuals. The writer has no doubt that the birds referred to (North
American Birds, Vol. Ill, p. 311), under the supposition that they be-
longed to the Black Rough-legged Hawks, were really of this group.

In this connection it may be mentioned that Mr. Dresser refers the
form of Hierofalco found on Anderson River, not to H. candicans, but to
the more common Norway form of H. gyrfalco. — T. M. B.

26

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

(StmvEl MixM,

A Humming-Bird new to the Fauna of the United States. — I
have again the pleasure of adding another bird new to our Fauna. A
Humming-Bird (male), taken within the limits of Fort Brown, Texas,
August 17, 1876, and forwarded to the Smithsonian Institution for iden-
tification, has j ust been determined to be Amazilia cervineiventris. It much,
resembles Pyrrliophcena riefferi, and has rusty (instead of white) leg puffs.

• — James C. Merrill, Fort Brown, Texas, December 4, 1876.

Note ON Podiceps dominicus.* — This species was long since attrib-
uted (perhaps erroneously) to “ California,” by Dr. William Gambel ; it
was included by Baird among Birds of the Mexican Boundary, apparently
on strength of its eggs found at Matamoras, and figured in his “ Birds of
North America” (ed. of 1860^ not of 1858). It was also formally pre-
sented by me as North American (Birds of the Northwest, p. 736, where
its habitat is given as north of the Kio Grande). — Elliott Coues.

Eastward Bange of the Ferruginous Buzzard (Archibuteo ferru-
gineus). — During the past summer (1876j I found this bird to be common
on the prairies of Nebraska and Wyoming, where it might almost be con-
sidered as one of the characteristic species. In 1873 I observed it on the
Pembina Mountains, in Eastern Dakota, near the Bed Biver of the North ;
and in 1874 I found it nesting in Northern Montana, on one of the Two
Forks of Milk Biver. In years previous I had only seen it in Arizona
and Southern California. I can now record its range still farther east-
ward, — beyond the Mississippi, as I lately saw one in Illinois, a few miles
from the river. The great size of the bird, its white tail, almost as con-
spicuous as that of the Bald Eagle, and white under parts, render it un-
mistakable at any ordinary distance. Its geographical distribution is
apparently nearly coincident with that of the Lanier Falcon {Falco polya-
grus Cass.), a bird which I have also found very numerous in Nebraska,
Wyoming, and open portions of Colorado. Both species are. prairie Hawks,
subsisting largely or chiefly upon the small rodent mammals which abpund
in such, regions. — Elliott Coues, Washington, D. C., October, 1876.

Occurrence of Leconte’s Bunting (Coturniculus lecontei Bon.) in
Iowa. — One of my correspondents, Mr. E. W. Newton, of Franklin
Grove, 111., writes me that when on a recent collecting trip through Iowa,
he had the good fortune to secure twenty-two specimens of this species in
a small slough situated in Colo, Story County, near the centre of the
State, one of which he kindly sent me for identification. The date of cap-

* See this Bulletin, Vol. I, p. 88, November, 1876.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

27

ture recorded on the label is October 10, 1876. Although he hunted
carefully over equally desirable situations in other parts of the State, this
Was the only place where it was found. This forms its most eastern rec-
ord, excepting the single specimen taken by Mr. E. W. Nelson at River-
dale, 111.* — H. B. Bailey.

Audubon’s Warbler in Massachusetts. — While collecting in the
neighborhood of Cambridge, Mass., November 15, 1876, I Avas fortunate
enough to obtain a fine specimen of Audubon’s Warbler {Dendroeca audu-
boni). It Avas a male, and the yelloAV of the throat Avas very plainly
marked. Dr. Cones, in his “ Birds of the Northwest,” gives Laramie Peak
as about the eastern limit of this species. Its occurrence here must, of
course, be regarded as entirely accidental. — A. M. Frazar.

Occurrence of the Sooty Tern in Massachusetts. — In Mr. Al-
len’s “ Catalogue of the Birds of Massachusetts ” we find the Sooty Tern
{Sterna fuliginosa) given, on the authority of Mr. E. A. Samuels, as a
rare summer visitor to Muskegat Island. But for some reason Dr. Brewer,
in his recent “ Catalogue of the Birds of Ncav England,” AvithdraAvs this
species from the New England list, and challenges its right to be regarded
as in any sense a New England bird. I have the pleasure of replacing
this species by recording the capture of a fine adult male on the Merrimack
River near LaAvrence, Mass., on October 29, 1876. I examined the speci-
men at the store of Mr. Charles I. Goodale, taxidermist, Av^ho has finely
preserved it, and it is now in the possession of Mr. A. W. Howland of
Lawrence. — Ruthven Deane.

The Black Gyr-Falcon {Falco sacer var. lahradora) in Massachu-
setts. — A fine specimen of this Falcon was shot on Breed’s Island during
the latter part of October, 1876. It proved to be a male, in nearly adult
plumage, and is noAV in the collection of Mr. C. I. Goodale, through Avhose
kindness I have had the pleasure of examining it. — C. B. Cory.

Notes on Birds new to the Fauna op Maine, etc. — Of the follow-
ing five species, three are here for the first time recorded as birds of Maine,
another as found for the first time so far in the interior, and another as
found for the first time breeding on the NeAV England coast.

1. Ammodromus caudacutus Swain. Sharp-tailed Finch. — I
have found this species, now, I believe, for the first time recorded as a
bird of Maine, a rare inhabitant of a certain part of the great marsh in
Scarborough.

2. Passerculus princeps Maynard. Ipswich Sparrow. — On the
9th of October, 1876, 1 met Avith one of these birds on a sandy point on the
north Avest shore of LakeUmbagog, in New Hampshire. I should hesitate

* See Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, Vol. I, p. 40.

28

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL CLUB.

to record the occurrence of this species in a locality so far removed from
its known haunts, it not having been before observed so far in the interior,
since, from the miss-fire of two cartridges in succession, I failed to capture
my bird, were I not perfectly acquainted with its almost unmistakable
habits.

3. Strix flammea var. pratincola Bonap. Barn Owl. — Mr. L. C.

Daniels, of this city (Portland), has in his possession a specimen of this
owl which he shot in Falmouth, June 10, 1866. It was killed while fly-
ing across an open field. It has not, I think, been before recorded as found
in Maine.

4. Tringa bairdii Coues. Baird’s Sandpiper. — My brother, Mr.
Philip G. Brown, shot a young male of this species as it was flying along
Scarborough Beach, on September 9, 1875. It was in company with an-
other bird, apparently of the same species, which escaped. This is its first
recorded appearance on the coast of Maine.

5. Tliallassidroma leachii Bonap. Leach’s Petrel. — This Petrel
breeds in large numbers on several of the outer islands of Casco Bay,
southeast of Portland. Although I have often been told by fishermen
and sportsmen of the existence of colonies of these birds on certain of our
islands, I never was able to verify their reports until the middle of last
August, [when I made three visits to two barren rocks known as the
“ Green Islands,” once in company with Mr. E. N. Atwood of Cape Eliza-
beth. I found about forty nests, half of whicli at this late date were
empty, the remainder containing squabs in different stages of develop-
ment.— Nathan Clifford Brown, Portland, Me.., November 1% 1876.

Northern Kange of the Sharp-tailed Finch {Ammodromus cau-
dacutus). — My friend, Mr. William Stone of Cambridge, has recently
presented me with five specimens of the Sharp-tailed Finch which he
shot at Tignish, Prince Edward’s Island, on August 2 and 3, 1876. The
locality where they were taken, as he describes it to me, was exceptional,
— a wide Avaste of marsh, dry, and at some distance from the sea, grown
up to bushes, with a few scattered dead pine stubs, remnants of a former
forest. Throughout this tract these birds were abundant, the males singing
on all sides from the tops of the bushes. The individuals examined are
all adults in very pale, Avorn breeding plumage. Dr. Coues, in his “ Birds
of NeAv England” (Proc. Essex Inst., Vol. V, p. 282), gives Ammodromus
maritimus as occurring at Bye Beach, NeAV Hampshire, but this record, he
informs me by letter, Avas a mistake, the bird Avhich he found there being
A. caudacutus. The finding of the Sharp-tailed Finch in numbers at
Tignish, taken in connection Avith the fact of its recent detection at Scar-
borough, Me., by Mr. N. C. BroAvn [see above], renders it extremely
probable that it may occur regularly, at suitable localities, all along the
intermediate line of coast. — William Brewster.

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BULLETIN

OP THE

NUTTALL OENITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

Vol. II. APRIL, 1877. No. 2.

COKRECTIONS OF NOMENCLATURE IN THE GENUS SIURUS.

BY DR. ELLIOTT CODES, U. S. A.

The genus itself, and all three of its species, require names dif-
ferent from those now generally used.

I. Name of the Genus. — Originally written Seiurus by Swain-
son, who invented the term ; also found under the forms Seiurus,
by ignorance, inadvertence, or typographical blunder, and Siurus, the
latter being correct. The word is compounded of the Greek o-fto),
“ I wave or brandish,” and ovpou, “ tail ” ; it is precisely equivalent
to the Latin mota-cilla, French hoche-queue, English wag-tail.
According to the rule that Greek et becomes long V* in Latin, the
word should be spelled Siurus, as was first done, I think, in the
Ibis for 1859, by Messrs. Sclater and Salvin, and A. and E. Newton,
so nearly simultaneously that I do not know to which of these schol-
ars we owe the corrected orthography. Seiurus has been objected
to on account of its identity in sound, though not in orthography,
etymology, or signification, with Seiurus, “ a squirrel,” by German
purists, who have proposed to substitute Enieoeiehla or Hen\eo~
cielila ; but this is inadmissible : Siurus and Seiurus being as differ-
ent as thee, objective case of second personal pronoun, and ike,
definite article.f (Lat. Seiurus = Gr. a-Kiovpo^ — “ shadow-tail.”)

* So, also, Melopelia, Chamcepelia, chrysoparia, etc. (accent the penult), in-
stead of Melopeleia, Chamoepeleia, chrysopareia, etc.

+ I am not of those rigid constructionists who require preservation of the
original shape of a name, however faulty. While we cannot of course make
actual substitution of one name for another without other than philological

30

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

2. Name of the Golden-crowned Thrush. — Originally and

usually written aurocapillus, which should give way to auricapillus.
The word means simply “gold-hair,” i. e., “golden-haired.” The
point is here : that the ablative of “gold,” which is auro, is

only to be used when the word with which it is compounded is an
adjective or participial; otherwise auri is the correct form. If we
were to employ the participial adjective capillatus, it would be correct
to say aurocapillatus, i. e., literally and correctly, “haired with
gold,” auro being the ahlativus instrumenti, that with or by means
of which the bird is “ haired.” So we say rightly aurocrutatiis,
aurost7'iatits, auropunctatus, crested, streaked, or speckled with gold,
(color understood), but auriceps, auricollis, Auriparus, etc. So also,
if we were to compound with the adjective aureus^ “ golden,” we
should say, e. g., aureicaiida, not aureocaudatus. Either aureicapillus
or auricapillus is correct, but aurocapillus is not.

3. Name op the Small-billed Water-Thrush. — It is to be
noted that Motacilla noveboracensis of Gmelin, 1788, is precisely the
same as Motacilla ncevia of Boddaert, 1783, both being based upon
Blanche Enluminee 752, fig. 1, which is the Fauvette tachetee de la
Louisianeoi BufFon, afterward the New York Warbler of Pennant
and Latham. G. R. Gray seems to have observed this fact, but
neither he nor any other author, according to my recollection, has
acted upon the obvious requirement of the case, namely, that we
must say Siurus ncevius (Bodd.), instead of S. noveboracensis (Gm.).
Very curiously, Gmelin in another place made this species out to be
a 'variety of the Cape May Warbler, Perissoglossa tigrina ; for,
Gmelin’s Motacilla tigrina var. ^ (and so, also, Latham’s Sylvia
tigrina var. jS) is based exclusively upon the Ficedula dominicensis
fusca of Brisson, Ornith., iii, 513, which is the Small-billed Water-
Thrush. Vieillot, in 1807, noticed this curious circumstance, which
authors have generally overlooked, and correctly allocated the
synonymy. The name ncevius is unobjectionable, has priority, and
must obtain.

4. Name of th^ Large-billed Water-Thrush. — This is properly
Siurus motacilla (YieilL), Bp., for the Turdus motacilla., accurately
described and recognizably figured by Vieillot in 1807, is unques-

reason, common sense certainly tells ns to spell correctly if we can. If we are
always to preserve the original forms of names, we must, for example, say Scopo^
lax instead of Scolopax — it so stands in LiNN. Syst. Nat. i, 1766, p. 242.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

31

tionably this species. Yieillot knew the other species, which he
figured and described in the same work. Bonaparte called it
Seiurus motacilla in 1850, though in 1824 he had called the other
species Turdus motacilla, and Cabanis, in 1857, Henicocichla mo-
tacilla ; but writers have usually adopted Audubon’s term ludovici-
amts, proposed in 1832, notwithstanding that this author soon
abandoned his species, under the wrong impression it was not dif-
ferent from S. ncevius. Siurus motacilla ” is not a very choice
name, meaning wagta^iled Wagtail,” but it is no worse than Mus
muscidits, Xanthocephaliis. icterocephalus, Columba palumbus, Regidus
satrapa, and a host of other names, the two terms of 'which mean
the same thing ; nor as bad as Sialia sialis, Cupidonia cupido, the
sense and sound of which agree.

I append the synonymy of the species of this genus, the list of
names here to be given being much more accurate, more extensive,
and more nearly complete than any hitherto collated :

1. Siurus auricapillus.

Motacilla aurocapilla, Linn., Syst. Nat. i, 12th ed. 1766, 334, No. 29
(based on Brisson and Edwards, as below cited).

Turdus aurocapillus, Lath., Ind. Orn. i, 1790, 328, No. 6.

Sylvia aurocapilla, Bonap., Journ. Philada. Acad, iv, 1824, 35.

Seiurus aiLrocapillus, Swains., Philos. Mag. i, 1827, 369 ; Zool. Journ. hi.
1827, 171.

Seiurus aurocapillus, D’Orbig., Ois. Cuba, 1839, 55.

Siurus aurocapillus, ScL. & Salv., Ibis, i, 1859, 9. — A. & E. Newt., ibid.
142.

Enicocichla aurocapilla, “ Gray.” (Keference not at hand as I write.)
Enicocichla aurocapillus, Brewer, Proc. Bost. Soc. N. H. vii, 1860, 306.
Henicocichla aurocapillus, Caban., Mus. Hein, i, 1850, 16.

Turdus auricapillus, Light., “Preis-Verz. Mex. Vog. 1830, 2”; Journ. f.

Orn. 1863, 57. (Orig. ref. not verified by me.)

Accentor auricapillus, Kich., Eep. Brit. Assoc, for 1836, 1837, 172.

Seiurus auricapillus, Bonap., Consp. Av. 1850, 306.

Henicocichla auricapilla, Sclat., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1856, 293.

Siurus auricapillus, CouES, Birds Colorado Valley, 187-, (MSS. ined.),
Turdus citreus, 111 Muller, Syst. Nat. Suppl. 1776, 141 (very problem-
atical).

Motacilla canadensis, Boddaert, Tabl. PI. Enl. 1783, 24 (in part ; the
first ref., to P. E. 398, f. 2, and the ref. to Edw. Gl. 252, are to this sp.,
but the other refs, are to Dendrceca coronata).

Turdus minimus, Bartr., Trav. Fla., 1st Am. ed. 1791, 290bis (not of
Lafr., nor of authors).

32

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

Turdus coronatus, Vieill., Ois. Am. Sept, ii, 1807, 8, pi. 64.

Anthus coronatus, Gerhardt, Naumannia, iii, 1853, 38.

Ficedula pensilvanica aurocapilla, Briss., Orn. iii, 1760, 504, No. 57.
Figuier d teste d’or de pensilvanie, Briss., op. loc. cit.

Golden-crowned Thrush, Edw., “ Glean. 91, pi. 252.” (Not verified by me.)
Grivelette de S. Domingue, Buff., “Hist. Nat. Ois. iii, 317.” (Not verified
by me.)

Petite Grive de St. Domingue, of Plancbe Enlum. 398, f. 2 (see the citation
’ of Boddaert, above).

Grive couronne'e, Yieillot, op. loc. cit.

Land Kick-up, Gosse, B. Jam. 1847, 152.

Golden-crowned Accentor, Golden-crowned Wagtail, Orange-crowned Accentor,
Oven-hird, of Authors.

2. Siurus naevius.

Motacilla ncevia, Bodd., Tabl. 1783, 47 ; based on PI. Enlum. 752, f. 1.
Siurus ncevius, CouES, Birds Colorado Valley, 187-, {MSS. ined.).
Motacilla noveboracensis, Gmel., Syst. Nat. 13th ed. 1788, 958, No. 69
(based primarily on P. E. 752, f. 1 = ncevia Bodd.).

Sylvia noveboracensis. Lath., Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 518, No. 33.

Turdus noveboracensis, ? — Peabody, Rep. Orn. Mass. 1839, 306.

Turdus (Seiurus) noveboracensis, Nutt., Man. Orn. orig. ed. i, 1832, 353.
Seinrus noveboracensis, Bonap., Comp, and Geog. List. 1838, 21.

Siurus noveboracensis, Scl. & Sal v.. Ibis, i, 1859, 10. — A. & E. Newt.,
. ibid. 142.

Seinrus noveboracensis, Henshaw, App. LL. Ann. Rep. Chf. Engr. U. S.

Army, for 1875, p. — (p. 59 of sep. paged pamph. List B. Arizona).
Enicocichla noveboracensis, “ Gray.” (Ref. not at hand ; probably Gen.
of B.)

Henicocichla noveboracensis, Caban., “ Schomb. Guiana, iii, 1848, 66 ” ;
Mus. Hein, i, 1850, 16.

Motacilla novceboracensis, Turton, Syst. Nat., English mal- version, i, 1806,
589.

Turdus (Seiurus) novceboracensis, Nutt., Man. 2d ed. i, 1840, 402 (in part;
includes another species).

Seiurus novceboracensis, 1 — Pratten, Trans. Illinois Agric. Soc. i,

1855, 601.

Seiurus novceboracensis, Putnam, Proc. Essex Inst, i, 1856, 209.

Motacilla tigrina var. /3, Gm., Syst. Nat. 13th ed. i, 1788, 985, No. 153
(= Briss. iii, 513, No. 62, pi. 28, f. 5).

Motacilla tigrina, 2, Turton, op. loc. cit.

Sylvia tigrina var. /3, Lath., Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 537, No. 110 /3 (= Gm.
No. 153 i3).

Motacilla Jluviatilis, Bartr., Trav. Fla. 1st Am. ed. 1791, 291.

Turdus aquaticus, WiLS., Am. Orn. iii, 1811, 66, pi. 23, f. 5.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

33

Seiurus aquaticus, Sw. and Eich., Fn. Bor. Am. ii, 1831, 229, pi. 43.
Turdus aquatius, Bonap., Journ. Phila. Acad, iv, 1824, 34.

Sylvia anthoides, Vieill., “ Nouv. Diet. d’Hist. Nat. 1817, 208.” (Not
verified by me.)

Turdus motacilla, Bonap., Journ. Pbila. Acad, iv, 1824, 35 (not of Vieill.).
Seiurus tenuirostris, Swains., Philos. Mag. i, 1827, 369.

Seiurus tenuirostris, Game., Proc. Phila. Acad, i, 1843, 261.

Seiurus sulfuraseens, D’Orb., Ois. Cuba, 1839, 57, pi. 6.

Enieoeichla sulphuraseens, “ Gray.”

Seiurus sulphuraseens, Bonap., Consp. Av. i, 1850, 306.

Henieoeiehla sulphuraseens, Gundl., Journ. fiir Orn. 1855, 471.

Anthus Vherminieri, Lesson, “ Eev. Zoologique 1839, 101.” (Not verified
by me.)

Seiurus gossii, Bonap., Consp. Av. i, 1850, 306.

Fauvette tachete'e de la Louisiane, Buff., “ Hist. Nat. Ois. v, 161 ” ; PI.

Enlum. No. 752, f. 1 (is the basis of Bodd.’s and Gm.’s names).

Figuier hrun de S. Domingue, Briss., Orn. iii, 1760, 513, No. 62, pi. 28,
f. 5 (obviously this sp. ; sole basis of Mot. tigrina var. Gm.).

Ficedula dominieensis fusca, Briss., op. loe. eit.

New York Warbler, Lath., Syn. ii, pt. ii, 1783, 436, No. 29 (== Mot. nove-
horaeensis Gm.).

Spotted Yellow Warbler, var. A, Lath., Syn. ii, pt. ii, 1783, 483, var. A
(= Sylvia tigrina var. /3, Lath.).

Fauvette brune, V., 0. A. S., 1. s. c.

Bessy Kiek-up, River Pink, Gosse, B. Jam. 1847, 151 (basis of S. gossii Bp.).
Grive de rouisseaux, ou Hoehequeue, Le Moine, Ois. Canad. 1861, 173.
Water Thrush, New York Water Thrush, Aquatic Wagtail, Aquatic Wood-
Wagtail, Aquatic Accentor, of Authors.

3. Siurus motacilla.

Turdus motacilla, Vieill., Ois. Am. Sept, ii, 1807, 9, pi. 65 (not of Bp.,
1824).

Seiurus motacilla, Bonap., Consp. Av. i, 1850, 306.

Henieoeiehla motacilla, Cab., Journ. fiir Orn. 1857, 240.

Siurus motacilla, CouES, Birds Colorado Valley, 187-, {MSS. ined.).
Turdus ludovicianus, Aud., Orn. Biog. i, 1832, 99, pi. 19 (afterward merged
in S. noveboracensis).

Seiurus ludovicianus, Bonap., Comp. Geogr. List. 1838, 21.

Siurus ludovicianus, Sclat., P. Z. S. 1859, 363.

Seiurus ludovicianus, Trippe, Proc. Bost. Soc. xv, 1873, 234.

Henieoeiehla ludoviciana^ Sclat., Cat. Am. B. 1860, 25.

Henieoeiehla major, Caban., Mus. Hein, i, 1850, 16.

Enieoeichla major. Brewer, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist, vii, 1860, 306.
Grive hoehequeue, Vieill., 1. s. c.

Louisiana or Large-billed Water Thrush, Authors,

34

BULLETIN OF THE NUT TALL

NOTES ON THE BREEDING OF THE BLACK TERN (HYDRO-
CHELIDON LARIFORMIS) IN MINNESOTA.

BY T. S. ROBERTS.

The Black Tern is the most abundant representative of its family
in this State, making its appearance in the vicinity of Minneapolis
about the middle of May. Stragglers remain until the first week
in September, but the majority leave during the latter part of
August. For a short time after their arrival they are to be seen
flying leisurely around the larger lakes ; but as the nesting-season
approaches they select some prairie slough or marshy lake, and
there spend the greater part of their time until the young are able
to fly. Late in May or early in J une the nest is built and the eggs
are laid, or the eggs are deposited without any nest, as the case
may be. Dr. Cones mentions (Birds of the Northwest, 1874) meet-
ing with a colony breeding along the Red River, and states that
there w^ere no nests whatever, the eggs being placed on beds of
decaying reeds. Such is their habit under some circumstances, but
only two instances of the kind have come under my notice as yet.
Once, I found three eggs laid directly on the mud on an abandoned,
broken-down muskrat house in the midst of a large slough. The
same day I found another set of two* eggs on a bed formed by the
bending over of the tops of some tall dead grass. They were thus
raised more than a foot above the water, which w'as of considerable
depth. There was no indication of a nest, the eggs being held in
place by resting among the coarse grass. A very interesting and
valuable note on this subject occurs in a short article by Dr. P. L.
Hatch, published in the Bulletin of the Minnesota Academy of
Natural Sciences for 1876. It is an extract from a letter written
by Mr. E. W. Nelson of Chicago, and although the observations
were not made in this State, I will introduce them here : “ I have
seen the eggs of Sterna plumhea deposited on masses of floating
weeds in several instances, but only for the third brood, the bird
having previously built two nests and deposited the eggs in both,
which had been removed by myself to ascertain how many they
would lay. The result was almost invariably as follows : first nest,
three eggs ; second nest, two eggs ; and the third, one egg. In

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

35

several instances I 'found the nests floating in two and a half to
three feet of water without the least sign of floating rushes in the
vicinity ; in fact, there were no rushes or anything else except fine
swamp grass growing anywhere near, and of this the nests were
built.”

As already stated, they build in this section (vicinity of Minne-
apolis) in the latter part of May or early in June, usually placing
the nest in a prairie slough or marsh bordering an open pond. The
material used in the construction is short bits of grass and reeds
disposed in such a manner that a neat, but loose structure is
formed. Occasionally greater skill is displayed, longer material
being used, which is slightly interwoven, so that the nest may even
be removed alone without injuring it. These frail structures are
sometimes found upon floating masses of decayed debris, and when
so situated it is necessary, with but few exceptions, to detach a por-
tion of this underlying bed in order to remove the nest intact. But
they are oftener placed upon the tops of small mounds of partially
decayed vegetable matter. These mounds, undoubtedly made by
the Terns as foundations for their nests, are seven or eight inches
in diameter, and rise one or two inches above the surface of the
water. They are placed over beds of live moss, and are partly sup-
ported by the water and partly by the moss below. It takes but a
slight motion of the water to rock them, and they would undoubt-
edly often go adrift were they not generally protected by the grass
growing around them. To obtain the nest in good condition the
hand may be inserted beneath the pile and the whole lifted up.

The average external diameter of the nest of this Tern is aboui
five inches ; internal diameter, three inches ; while the depth varies
from a slight depression to three fourths of an inch or more. The
eggs are either two or three in number, perhaps oftener three than
two. Their ground-color varies from deep brown to greenish white.
The markings consist of blotches, dots, etc., of various shades of
brown. On some specimens there are a few, and on others numer-
ous, obscure pale spots in the shell. Frequently the markings are
nearly equally distributed over the entire surface of the egg, but
usually are aggregated to form a wreath around the larger end. So
far as my observations have extended, all the eggs taken from one
nest have about the same ground-color and character of marking.
The average measurement of fifteen eggs before me is 1.35 inches
in length by .98 inches in width.

36

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

During the day the parent birds sit on the nest very little, leav-
ing the incubation of the eggs greatly to the heat from the sun and
the warmth" arising from the damp decaying vegetable matter upon
which they rest, for the nests are almost always moist inside.
When the site where a colony is breeding is approached nearer than
the parent birds deem safe, they make a great clamor, and dart
repeatedly at the head of the intruder, occasionally venturing within
a foot or two. If the nest of a pair be removed, and the birds
left to themselves, they show considerable distress at their loss.
Hovering over the spot from which the nest has been taken, they
utter incessant cries and frequently alight to look in vain for their
lost treasure. All the Terns in the neighborhood join in the cries
of the bereaved pair, and the lamentation becomes general.

I once had the fortune to meet with a young Tern of this species
which had evidently entered this world but a few hours before. It
was a curious-looking little creature, and could swim very well. The
following description may convey some idea of its appearance : body
covered with a soft, fluffy down ; beneath, pale sooty ; above, obscure
yellow, washed with grayish, and tinged with rufous on the posterior
parts of the body. Scattered over the upper parts were irregular
spots of black. The under surfaces of the wings, lores, and feath-
ers next the base of the upper mandible were white. The bill was
black, with a white spot at the end of the upper mandible. Legs
very dark flesh-color, with a reddish tinge.

I am of the opinion that these miniature Terns leave the nest
very soon after emerging from the egg. The one just described
was found swimming about several feet from the nest, while just at
the time one of his brothers was "working his way into the world by
neatly cutting the shell into halves with the point of his bill.

As soon as the young Terns are able to fly they are conducted to
some suitable situation around a pond or lake, where they can sit
while the parent birds supply them with food. I once counted
thirty-seven sitting thus at one time on four or five panels of fence,
wLich extended from the shore a short distance into a lake.

Minneapolis, Minn.

OrxNITIIOLOGICAL CLUB.

37

TWO UNDESCRIBED NESTS OF CALIFORNIA BIRDS.

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

The following nests, previously unknown to science, were collected
for me by Mr. Charles A. Allen, of Nicasio, Marin County, Califor-
nia : —

1. Californian Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus var. calif ornicus,
Baird). Two nests of this variety of the Purple Finch taken at Nicasio,
Marin County, California, are before me. The first, with a set of five
eggs, was collected May 10, 1876. It is a somewhat smaller structure
than the nest of the Eastern bird, and is much more closely compacted.
It measures externally 5.75 inches in diameter, by 2.75 in depth. Inter-
nally 2.00 inches in diameter by 1.50 in depth. The outer framework is
composed of rather fine weed-stalks and coarse grasses firmly interwoven,
while the inner nest is fitted smoothly and warmly with a peculiar fibrous
hemp-like material of a rich bay color. This nest was found in a garden
in Nicasio. It was placed in the fork of two limbs at the height of about
eight feet above the ground. The eggs differ very materially from those of
Carpodacus purpureus var. purpureus, and much more closely resemble eggs
of the House Finch (C. frontalis). Their ground-color is white with a
scarcely perceptible shade of bluish, about as much, in fact, as obtains in
average eggs of the Indigo Bird {Gyanospiza cyanea). A very few lines
and dots of black or dark brown about the larger ends constitute the only
markings. They are in shape a blunted oval, and measure .73 of an inch
in length by .55 in breadth. The other nest contained young, and as it
was not secured until after they had left it, is in rather poor condition.
It, however, agrees very closely with the one just described, and is lined
with the same peculiar materia,!. The parent bird — a male — seut with
these nests is quite typical of the variety which it represents.

2. Rufous-orowned Sparrow (Peuccea ruficeps, Baird). — A nest of this
species collected by Mr. Allen on Black Mountain, near Nicasio, July 10,
1875, presents the following features : It is outwardly composed of
coarse grass and weed-stalks, and lined somewhat scantily with horse-hair.
It is very loosely put together, and the original shape is so nearly de-
stroyed that measurements are almost impracticable. An approximation
would, however, be nearly as follows : External diameter, 4 inches ; inter-
nal, 2.25 inches. External depth, 2 inches ; internal, 1.25 inches. It
contained three pure white eggs, which measure .8.9 of an inch in length
by .65 in breadth. The locality was an open heathy tract on the moun-
tain-side, and the nest was placed on the ground under a bush. Mr.

38

BULLETIN OF THE NVTTALL

Allen, having only his rifle with him at the time, was unable to secure the
female, but as she sat closely and was distinctly seen by him, there seems
little reason to doubt the correctness of the identification, especially as in
position of nest, color and size of eggs, etc., we find nothing incompatible
with the corresponding breeding characteristics of the other and better-
known species of this genus.

Mr. Allen has since informed me, by letter, that a nest satisfactorily
determined as belonging to this species, and which agrees closely with the
one just described, was discovered by Captain Charles Bendire in Ore-
gon (?).

A CONTEIBUTION TO THE BIOGKAPHY OF WILSON’S
PHALAKOPE.

BY E. W. NELSON.

Although this species {Steganopus wilson% Coues) is more or
less common in portions of the country frequently visited by
Ornithologists, it is remarkable that its life-history should be so
little known. The account of nearly every author who has men-
tioned the species contains more or less error, and none give any-
thing like a complete history of it. To remedy this to some
extent is the object of the present paper, since I have had abundant
opportunity for observing the bird in the field.

But first I wish to make a few quotations from and remarks upon
the principal accounts of the species. Ord, in his edition of “ Wilson’s
Ornithology (Vol. Ill, p. 205), states as follows : “ Our figure of this
species \Phalaropus lobatus, Ord] bears all the marks of haste ; it is
inaccurately drawn, and imperfectly colored ; notwithstanding, by
a diligent study of it, I have been enabled to ascertain that it is the
Coot-footed Tringa [Phalarope] of Edwards, pis. 46 and 143, to which
bird Linnaeus gave the specific denomination of lohatus” Thus far
Ord is undoubtedly correct, as is evident by a comparison of the
plates in question. As Dr. Coues has already stated (Birds of the
Northwest, p. 467), Tringa lohata^ Linn, is Lohipes hyperhoreus, (L.)
Cuv., and I perfectly agree with Ord in referring Wilson’s plate to
the same species ; but farther on Ord describes an undoubted speci-
men of Steganopus wilson% taken near Philadelphia, as being identi-
cal with Wilson’s plate of lohatus, which is certainly a bad case of
mal-identification. From references I have been enabled to make, I

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 39

think it extremely doubtful that Wilson ever saw a specimen of
S. wilsoni.

Audubon’s account of the sexes of this bird is quite erroneous.
Concerning a pair taken near Great Egg Harbor, in June, 1829, he
states that, on examining the birds when we returned, I saw that
the female had been sitting ” ; * and on the opposite page, I ob-
served scarcely any difference in the coloring of the sexes, the
female being merely larger than the male ” ; and he again states :

The female, which is somewhat larger, is in color precisely similar
to the male.” The few specimens seen by Audubon during the
breeding-season were apparently all females, and, taking it for
granted that the males were equally bright, he so stated. In his
plate of this species he figures a female ” young of the year and
an adult “ male,” which is, in reality, a female in breeding plumage.
Audubon’s statement regarding the likeness of the sexes in the
breeding plumage has been accepted as true by subsequent authors,
even when they have had the opportunity to settle the matter for
themselves in the field.

N uttall adds considerable to the known range of the species, but
makes his statements curiously conflicting, as the following quota-
tions show : Taking the interior of the continent for its abode, it
is seen not uncommon on the borders of lakes, in the vicinity of the
City of Mexico. In these situations, choosing the shelter of some
grassy tuft, it forms an artless nest, in which it deposits two or
three pyriform eggs, between yellowish-gray and cream-color, inter-
spersed with small roundish spots and a few larger blotches of um-
ber-brown somewhat crowded towards the obtuse end.” He also
states that “ it is unknown in summer beyond the 65th parallel,
passing the period of reproduction on the plains of the Saskatche-
wan, being also a stranger to the coasts of Hudson’s Bay ” ; and
again, that in the United States it can only he considered as a stray-
gler:^ t

Dr. Coues, in his Birds of the Northwest,” arranges the synon-
ymy of the species in a very satisfactory manner, but makes essen-
tially the same statement as Audubon regarding the sexual plum-
ages, and adds nothing of importance to the life-history of the
species. To Mr. A. L. KumlienJ is due the credit of being the

* Birds of Amer., Vol. V, pp. 229, 230, pi. 341.

+ Man. Orn., Yol. II, pp. 245, 246.

X Field and Forest, July, 1876.

40

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

first to announce the true relations of the sexes of this species.
His statements that “ the male attends to the duties of incubation
almost entirely alone,” and that “not only is the female much more
brilliant in plumage, but also considerably larger,” are certainly
true, but that the females “ pursue ” the males during the pairing-
season seems to me to be rather doubtful, unless, as might be the
case, Mr. Kumlieu has mistaken for this their habit of flying rest-
lessly about the marsh in small parties of three or four individu-
als, when the males are usually in advance. At these times the
nearest approach I have observed to pursuit is in a habit they have
of suddenly darting off for a short distance at right angles to their
general course, but this appears to be in mere sport, for nearly the
same relative positions are kept by the birds, and this erratic course
is rarely pursued beyond a few rods.

In fact, throughout the pairing- season I have always found the
Phalaropes very undemonstrative toward each other, the choice of
mates being conducted in a quiet, unobtrusive way, quite unlike
the usual manner among birds. Neither have I ever seen the
males “drop as if shot, within two feet of me, and feign the most
distressing pains,” when the nest is discovered; nor even when the
newly hatched young have been captured do they evince any such
emotion, and at no time have I ever seen any more anxiety shown
by the male than by the female. Mr. Kumlien describes the nest
as being built in a tussock of grass, “much in the same manner as
the Agelceus ‘phoeniceiis^^' which is certainly a considerable variation
from the situations chosen by the birds in Northern Illinois, as a
comparison of the above statement with my description of the situ-
ation of the nest will show.

My experience with the species has been to prove that during the
breeding-season, at least, they are averse to any large body of wa-
ter, and I have never found the young away from the midst of the
grassy marshes until fully fledged. The last author before quoted,
however, states that “the young are conducted to the shore soon
after they are hatched, and if suddenly surprised take to the water
and swim and dive with the greatest ease.”

In Northern Illinois, where the following observations were made,
Wilson’s Phalarope is the most common summer resident, occurring
about grassy marshes and low prairies, and is not exceeded in num-
bers by even the ever-present Spotted Sandpiper. As is the case
with several other species of birds, Lake Michigan appears to form

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

41

a limit to its common occurrence in the eastern portion of its range.
On the west it extends to the Rocky Mountains, and between these
limits it has been recorded during the breeding-season from the Sas-
katchewan to the Arkansas (Coues) and to the city of Mexico (Nut-
tall). It is more closely confined to its favorite haunts than most
water-birds, and this may, in a measure, account for the little hith-
erto known regarding its habits. During the first two weeks of
May, the exact date varying with the season, this beautiful bird
first makes its appearance in Northeastern Illinois. Its arrival is
heralded by a few females, which arrive first, and are found singly
about the marshes. At this time the females have a peculiar harsh
note, which I have heard but a few times, and only from solitary
individuals before the arrival of the main body.

A few days later small flocks, embracing both sexes, may be
found along the borders of grassy pools, or lying at midday on the
sunny side of some warm knoll in the marsh. As the breeding-sea-
son approaches they become more restless, flying from place to
place, and finally separate into small parties of two or three pairs.
About the middle of May their love-making commences, and is at
first indicated by the increasing solicitude they show for each
other’s welfare. The appearance of a person in their vicinity at
this time is the signal for all the birds near to come circling about,
though generally not within easy gunshot. By a careful approach
one may now and then find a small party swimming about in some
secluded pool. The charming grace of movement exhibited at such
times, combined with their tasteful elegance of attire, form one of
the most pleasing sights one could witness, as they swim buoyantly
from side to side of the pool, gracefully nodding their heads ; now
pausing an instant to arrange a feather, or to daintily gather some
fragment of food, and now floating idly about, wafted by the slight
breeze which at intervals ripples the surface of the water. A more
common, but scarcely less pleasing sight is presented when, uncon-
scious of observation, they walk sedately along the border of the
water, never departing from their usual easy grace of movement.
Their food is generally found in such places, where the receding
water furnishes a bountiful supply. The only demonstrations I
have observed during the pairing-time consist of a kind of solemn
bowing of the head and body ; but sometimes, with the head low-
ered and thrust forward, they will run back and forth in front of
the object of their regard; or again a pair may often be seen to

42

BULLETIN OF THE NUTT ALL

salute each other by alternately bowing or lowering their heads ;
but their courtship is characterized by a lack of the rivalry and
vehemence usually exhibited by birds. A male is often accompa-
nied by two females at first, but as soon as his choice is made the
rejected bird joins her fortunes with some more impressible swain.

The nesting-site is usually in some thin tuft of grass on a level
spot, but often in an open place concealed by only a few straggling
blades of small carices. The male scratches a shallow depression in
the soft earth, which is usually lined with a thin layer of fragments
of old grass blades, upon which the eggs, numbering from three to
four, are deposited about the last of May or first of June. Owing
to the low situations in which the nests are placed, the first set of
eggs is often destroyed by a heavy fall of rain, causing the water
to rise so as to submerge the nest. In this case the second set,
numbering two or three, are often deposited in a depression
scratched in the ground, as at first, but with no sign of any
lining. Accidents of this kind cause the second set of eggs to be
sometimes deposited as late as the last of June.

The young usually appear about the third week of June, and are
able to fly in about three weeks. Generally a number of pairs nest
upon the same marsh. In some instances as many as fifty may be'
counted within the radius of a mile ; but, notwithstanding this,
their nests are extremely difficult to discover, the material and
the color of the eggs correspond so closely to the appearance of
the surrounding surface. If they are disturbed while building,
the nest is usually abandoned. Incubation is attended to by the
male alone.* The female, however, keeps near, and is quick to
give the alarm upon the approach of danger. The females are fre-
quently found at this time in small parties of six or eight; and
should their breeding-ground be approached, exhibit great anxiety,
coming from every part of the marsh to meet the intruder, and, hover-
ing over his head, utter a weak nasal note, which can be heard to

* [As above stated by Mr. Nelson, Mr. Knmlien was the first to call atten-
tion to this fact, as regards the present species, as well as to the fact of the
female being larger and brighter-colored than the male. European authors
have recorded the same sexual peculiarities of plumage in the Eed and the
Northern Phalaropes {Phalaropus fulicarius dijidt. Lobipes hyperhoreus)^ and also,
in respect to the former, that the male alone undertakes the duties of incubation.
In these species the male is said to show much greater devotion to the young,
when exposed to danger, than does the female. — J. A. Allen.]

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

43

only a short distance. This note, which is possessed by both sexes,
is nearly always made while the birds are in the air, and its pro-
duction requires apparently considerable effort ; the head and neck
being inclined downward, and then suddenly raised as the note is
uttered, the flight being at the same time momentarily checked.
The movements of the birds usually render it an easy matter to
decide whether or not they have nests in the immediate vicinity.
After the first alarm, those having nests at a distance disperse,
while the others take their course in the form of an ellipse, some-
times several hundred yards in length, with the object of their
suspicion in the centre \ and, with long strokes of their wings,
much like the flight of a Killdeer, they move back and forth. As
their nests are approached the length of their flight is gradually
lessened, until at last they are joined by the males, when the whole
party hover low over the intruder’s head, uttering their peculiar
note of alarm. At this time they have an ingenious mode of mis-
leading the novice, by flying off to a short distance and hovering
anxiously over a particular spot in the marsh, as though there were
concealed the objects of their solicitation. Should they be fol-
lowed, however, and a search be there made, the manoeuvre is re-
peated in another place still farther from the real location of the
nest. But should this ruse prove unavailing, they return and
seem to become fairly desperate, flying about one’s head almost
within reach, manifesting great distress. If possible, still greater
agitation is shown when they have unfledged young, — they even
betraying their charge into the hands of the enemy by their too
obvious solicitude, they then hovering directly over the young, and
uttering their notes of distress. The young have a fine, wiry peep,
inaudible beyond a few feet. They are very pretty little creatures,
covered with yellowish-buff*-colored down, with black spots on the
upper surface of the body. Even when first hatched they are quite
lively and difficult to capture.

About the middle of July the females suddenly disappear, and a
little later the males and the young also leave, with the exception
of a few stragglers, which occasionally remain until the last of
August. The main portion rarely remain as late as the 10th,
and are usually gone by the 5th. The males commence their fall
moult before they leave; but I have never taken a specimen in
which the winter plumage was very evident.

44

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

A DEFENCE OF HIS CATALOGUE OF THE BIRDS OF NEW

ENGLAND.

BY T. M. BREWER.

Messrs. Editors : — There were two objects set prominently in view
in my list, and distinctly stated. One was to furnish a list that shall
be reliable so far as it goes. The other was to present a separate list of
those birds attributed to New England, but in regard to which, up to May,
1875, I could* “find no evidence that would warrant me in retaining
them.” These statements seem sufficiently intelligible. The one sug-
gests the incompleteness of the list and my expectation of additional facts.
The other explains the challenged list as one given, after many years of
careful investigations, as my own conclusions, for which I alone am
responsible. It is my indisputable right, having made my own investiga-
tions, to form and to express my own conclusions.

In confining myself to what is reliable I necessarily had to omit all
generalizations where the data were open to conflicting constructions.
Thus in referring to seven species I confined myself to the single promi-
nent feature in their New England life, their residence here in summer.
The record shows (North American Birds, passim) that I was also well
aware of their more or less limited presence in winter. To my mind their
occasional presence does not necessarily prove them to be, properly speak-
ing, resident, a term only applicable to cases where the same individuals
are both generally and constantly present. It should not be applied, ex-
cept with careful qualifications, to species where this presence is limited
to a small proportion, or where it may be altogether doubtful.

* My friend Mr. Deane, in recording the capture of Sterna fuliginosa near
Lawrence, Mass., speaks of my having for some unknown reason withdrawn
this species from the New England list and of its being now replaced. I object
to this phraseology as calculated to give an erroneous impression. If the bird
had been rightfully in the list, it was not in my power to withdraw it. If there
is no evidence in favor of this right, it cannot be replaced. It was first men-
tioned by Mr. Samuels as breeding in Muskegat. Every one familiar with that
island knows that there is not even a probability that it has ever done so. The
whole statement was obviously incorrect. So well satisfied was Mr. Samuels
himself of the incorrectness of his information that in his “ Ornithology of New
England ” he omits this species. This Tern is now generally regarded as a cos-
mopolitan, intertropical species, rarely occurring north or south of the two
tropical lines, and is not known to havje occurred on Long Island, the coast of
New Jersey, or anywhere north of the Chesapeake prior to the present record.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. '

45

To my mind it is simply an absurdity to speak of a species as resident
when not one individual of the entire species resides in any part of New
England more than a fraction of the year. The word “ race ” is still a
good English word, the meaning of which is so obvious that there is no
occasion for misunderstanding it. According to Worcester it is “a series
of descendants from one stock.” In this sense, and in this only, our Sum-
mer and our Winter Kobins are of different races, though specifically the
same.

Corvus americanus, considered as a bird of all New England, is almost
exclusively a summer resident. The few that winter are the exception,
not the rule ; are restricted to a very small part of New England ; and are
probably merely winter visitants from beyond our borders, and therefore
not residents. What your correspondent quotes from my language in ref-
erence to Picus villosus had reference to all the United States, and not ex-
clusively to New England, though in a more restricted sense it is also
applicable. I cheerfully admit that in this case it would have been
more correct, on my part, to have given it qualified as partially a resident.

It is not safe to assume, because a limited number of individuals of the
other four species named are occasionally taken here in the winter, that
they are necessarily resident. Without attempting to generalize, on data
to my mind insufficient, I confined myself to that feature in their New
England life in regard to which there would not be two opinions, leaving
in abeyance all that admits of controversy. These birds are probably
only winter visitants, and in no proper sense resident, or only very ex-
ceptionally resident.

Your correspondent takes up nearly a third of his second article with
various opinions as to the occurrence in New England of the five species
that formed the subject of his interrogation in his first article. But when
I ask for bread he gives me only a stone. I ask for facts, and he gives me
only opinions. He does not cite a single reference that I had not already
fully considered. In one instance, while he goes back several years to cite
opinions then expressed, but long since given up, he omits to quote the
views now entertained by the same party, and in entire variance with
what he does cite. In reference to Quiscalus major, he quotes Dr. Coues’s
opinion given in 1868. Twice since then Dr. Coues has publicly given
his opinion against the occurrence of this species north of the Carolinas ;
first, in his admirable biography (Ibis, IV. 1870) of this bird, where he
speaks of it as restricted to a narrow belt along the coast of the ocean
and gulf from North Carolina to Mexico, and as rarely ever occurring
north of the Carolinas”; secondly, in a work with which, judging from
his quotations, your correspondent seems to be sufficiently familiar (Birds
of the Northwest, p. 204), where he speaks of it as “not authentic in New
England.” Why rake up an opinion given nine years ago and long since
disclaimed ? Why omit his real opinion now ? Dr. Linsley was a cor-
respondent of mine, and from his own account of this species I was satis*

46

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

fied that his opinions as to its occurrence were based wholly on hearsay
and unreliable testimony, and subsequent claims, when tested, were inva-
riably of the same vague, inconsistent, and contradictory character. Posi-
tive proof, such as the preservation of the alleged species or reliable wit-
nesses, was never forthcoming. The occurrence of this peculiarly semi-
tropical and local species in New England, when totally unknown north
of the Chesapeake, was in itself so improbable that in the absence of any
proof I could only discredit such claims. In this opinion I am fully sus-
tained by your correspondent’s strongest witness. Dr. Cones.

The same is eminently true of Corvus ossifragus. Your correspondent
can cite only opinions. Even Mr. Brewster’s record of its occurrence,
though he is an expert as little likely to be mistaken as any one, does not
even now, to my view, bring this species into the list of those whose occur-
rence with us has been indisputably proven, though it may make its future
capture more probable.

In regard to H^gialitis ivilsonius, we have the opinion of Mr. Linsley,
which rested upon no evidence ; of Dr. Cones, given inferentially and with
- a ^‘perhaps” ; of Dr. Wood, on Long Island (!) ; of Mr. Allen ; and again
of Dr. Cones, the latter again speaking qualifiedly (“ probably ”). What
I have said of this* species still stands uncontroverted by any /ac^s, and
the opinions cited are in full accordance with my own given in my list.
Nettion crecca, as I state, “is a bird liable to occur in New England,” but
the only instance cited was founded in error on hasty, and, as I satisfied
myself at the time, incorrect conclusions. The specimen had been taken in
North Carolina and not in Massachusetts. Sula fiber, from Mr. Linsley’s
own account of the specimen, which was not preserved, proved to be an
immature Sula hassana. Mr. Putnam wrote me that he could give me
no authority for his reference.

Your correspondent is skeptical in regard to j^giothns canescens, Myiodi-
octes minutus, Anser gambeli, Bernicla hutchinsi, Lagopus albus. In regard
to the last-named I feel somewhat doubtful myself. The first rests on the
high authority of Mr. G. A. Boardman ; the second, waiving the specimen
I took myself in 1836, and which was identified by Mr. Audubon, rests
on the excellent authority of a good ornithologist. Dr. Charles Pickering,
confirmed by no less authority than that of Mr. Nuttall himself. Anser
gambeli, between 1836 and 1846, was much more common than it ap-
parently is now, but even now there is no lack of evidence of its pres-
ence, though it may have escaped your correspondent’s notice. A fine
specimen in immature plumage has been recently taken in Gloucester,
and is now in the collection of Mr. William Jeffries of Boston. In the
winter of 1836-1837, Hutchins’s Goose was abundant in our market from
this neighborhood, as was also the Pied Duck, the Harlequin, and others
now rarely seen. Several specimens were procured by me, preserved in
alcohol, and sent to London for Mr. Audubon’s anatomical investigations.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

47

In my list are six or seven species given without defining the extent of
their distribution,^ — some of them, though found to my certain knowledge
all over New England, and beyond its borders, are only found in favorable
localities ; others probably have a more restricted range. In regard to all
these, my views as to the extent of their range are fully given elsewhere,
and, as your correspondent shows, are sufficiently known to him. Yet in
spite of this knowledge he did not scruple to attribute to me views which
he now shows he knew I did not entertain. This is especially noticeable
in the case of Vireo noveboracensis. Here, as it seems, he knew that it is
my recorded opinion that this bird rarely, if ever, goes north of Massachu-
setts, yet he professes to understand me as signifying all New England,
when I had not said so, and when I had elsewhere — unrestricted as to
space — stated that I did not so believe I

And where are his facts demonstrating that HelminthojpTiaga chrysoptera
is not a rare bird in New England? We have again only an opinion that a
bird must not be called rare if it regularly breeds here in numbers. The
numbers must be very small in this case, and the finding of the fourth
n^t during ten or twelve years’ search by hosts of collectors, is to be
spoken of in the future tense ! A bird that has only been found in a very
restricted area, perhaps a thousandth part of New England, and so un-
common that only two or three of its nests have ever been taken, must
not be spoken of as rare !

In the case of Coturniculus passerinus your correspondent is excusable
for misunderstanding my real meaning, as it is somewhat blindly ex-
pressed. What I intended to convey was, that while it is chiefly confined
to Southern New England, it is, as a general rule, rare throughout a very
extended region into which it sparsely spreads itself. Wherever found it
is a species of very irregular and unequal distribution. It wanders into
Northern New England, and occurs even as far to the northeast as St.
Stephen, N. B. In all this extended area the localities in which it can
be said to be at all common are restricted in area and few in number.
Your correspondent refers to its being exceptionally common in Nan-
tucket. All this while he well knew that the fact of its abundance on
that congenial island was well known to me. (See North American Birds,
Vol. I, p. 554, lines 20, 21 and 22.)

More than forty years ago I ventured to* publish a supplementary list
of the birds of Massachusetts (Boston Jour. Nat. Hist., I, 435). In this list
I placed inferentially and with a ? Polioptila cmrulea. From that day to
the time of the publication of my catalogue I have vainly sought for any
confirmation of my supposition. Your correspondent is the first to come
to my support and to confirm my conjecture, but, prior to May, 1875,
there is no record ” whatever confirmatory of its claim to be counted as
a bird of New England. Yet because, nearly two years after the prepara-
tion of my paper, your correspondent hears of its having been taken in

48

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

Connecticut, lie speaks of “ its record of occurrence having been as good
as any of those just cited” ; that is, a subsequent occurrence can establish
a prior record !

The same indefensible claim is made in behalf of Dendroeca ccerulea.
This was given by Mr. Putnam as a bird of Essex County, on the supposed
authority of Mr. Brickett of Portland. Mr. Brickett, when appealed to,
wrote me that he had been misunderstood, that he only referred to D.
ccerulescens. So D. ccerulea fell to the ground, and was left with absolutely
no record. Its record is now wholly ex post facto. The fact remains in-
disputable that there was no authentic record of its appearance in New
England at the time I so stated.

Having exhausted the all too insufficient limits to which I am re-
stricted, I am compelled to omit nearly all that I have written in refer-
ence to Micropalama himantopus. I will only state that in characterizing
it as “ migratory. Mass.,” I should have added “ N. H.,” in which it has
been taken twelve miles from our boundary line. Though invited to do
so, your correspondent is unable to give any data to show that it is migra-
tory along the entire New England coast. It has not been found in any
part of that coast from St. Andrew’s to Kittery, or from Buzzard’s Bay to
East Biver, and the sweeping statement of your correspondent still re-
mains an entirely unsupported assumption.

Here all controversy, on my part, with your correspondent ends. What-
ever reference I may hereafter make to any facts or opinions bearing upon
any of our New England birds, will be without any reference to a contro-
versy that has been forced upon me, but in which I cannot do full justice
to myseK without becoming an infliction upon your readers.*

Burroughs’s “ Wake-Kobin.” — Hurd and Houghton have reprinted
Mr. John Burroughs’s charming little volume “Wake-Robin,” wherein
the wild wood-life of the birds, from Washington to the Adirondacks, is
picturesquely sketched. Mr. Burroughs has a keen eye and a loving heart
towards the birds, and it is encouraging to know that this volume of his
ornithological essays finds a continued sale. The present edition differs
from the original (although it is labelled “ revised ”) only in the addition
of a chapter on the Bluebird, the addition of a copious index, and in the

* By some oversight, which I can neither explain nor excuse, Dendroeca hlacTc-
burnioe is omitted in my catalogue. It should have been given as breeding at
least as far south as Massachusetts. The latest instance was noticed by Mr.
Geo. 0. Welch of Lynn last summer.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

49

insertion of some wood-cut illustrations from Baird, Brewer, and Bidgway’s
large work, which, with the exception of the frontispiece, by Miss Brydges,
almost uniformly mar, rather than beautify the volume. The very first
cut is of an inconsolable Olive-sided Flycatcher, which is written down
“ Hermit Thrush ” ! But this is the fault of the publishers, who also
betray their ignorance in the bad spelling of the preface, and not of the
author, who did not see the proof-sheets. It is to be hoped that Mr.
Burroughs will collect his later essays on birds into a second volume,
which would nieet with a very hearty welcome. — E. I.

Minot’s “ Birds of New England.” ^ — It would not be generous, or
even just, to criticise this work as a scientific treatise or as a mature pro-
duction. We prefer to side with the youthful author, who is evidently a
lover of birds, keenly alive to the delights they are capable of affording,
and enthusiastic in the pursuit of his favorite study, who has in an in-
credibly brief period trained himself to become a really good observer,
and who shows that he possesses qualities which go to make a first-rate
ornithologist. In this volume he not only imparts to others the knowl-
edge of birds he has acquired, but also endeavors to awaken the same
pleasurable emotions he has experienced in the acquisition : the former
design is carried out with fidelity, precision, and detail, while the fresh-
ness, nawete, and no little good taste which the literary execution of the
work displays will go far toward meeting the latter indication ; for the
color of personality — if it be the genuine thing, as it is in this case un-
questionably — always lends a charm to natural-history narrative. The
work, moreover, shows traces of kindly interested supervision during its
preparation, and the contributions to its pages are not the least valuable of
its contents. There is very little technicality, chiefly taken from Baird
and another writer ; the descriptions, however, are tersely original. The
instructions for collecting eggs differ from those ordinarily given mainly
on the score of humanity, showing what may be accomplished without
destroying the parents ; but we waver here, saying frankly that as be-
tween a bird’s life and the identification of an egg we are merciless. Next
after the biographies of the birds, which are conveniently divided into
sections relating respectively to the nest and eggs, the general habits, and
the song or other notes, and which embody no little information not
already the property of ornithologists, — on the night-habits of some spe-
cies, for instance, — the most prominent and most original features of the
work are the artificial “keys,” in one of which the birds themselves
are analyzed somewhat after a method lately introduced, the eggs of

* The Land-Birds and Game-Birds of New England, with Descriptions of the
Birds, their Nests and Eggs, their Habits and Notes. By H. D. Minot. Salem,
Mass. : Naturalist’s Agency. Boston : Estes andLauriat. “ 1877” [i. e. Dec.,
1876]. 1 vol. 8vo. pp. xvi, 456, figg. xylog. 29 (on 1 pi.) -f 22 (in text).

50

BULLETIN OF TEE NUTTALL

Massachusetts birds being similarly handled in the other. Those who are
familiar with these “ short cuts ” know that it is a stand-off between con-
venience and fallibility ; but the reviewer is the last person who should
find fault with them. To appreciate Mr. Minot’s work as a whole, we
may say that its defects are in no way the author’s fault, and that they
are of the obtrusive and superficial rather than of the grave or serious
kind, much easier to pass over than to dwell upon ungraciously ; and that
its merits entitle it to full recognition by ornithologists, while they com-
mend it very highly to the student and amateur. The mechanical execu-
tion of the volume sustains the high reputation the Salem press deserves
for good work. — E. C.

Western Range of Conurus carolinensis. — Mr. E. L. Berthoud,
of Golden, Col., writes under date of December 2, 1876 : ‘‘ I saw the
Carolina Parrot, at this place (lat. 39° 45' ; long. 105° 8') and at Denver,
on the S. Platte, in 1860-61, and on the Little Thompson River, Col.,
in 1862. It was abundant in Kansas in 1865-67, since which year I
have seen but few, on Smoky Hill and Republican Forks. I have also
seen it near old Fort Lyon, on the Arkansas River.” I am not aware
that the species has hitherto been reported as occurring so far west as Col-
orado. — Elliott Coues, Washington, D, C.

Fecundity of the Carolina Wren {Thryothorus ludovicianus). —
About April 25 I found ‘‘ our pair of Wrens ” very busy, the male being
followed by five nearly full-fledged young, and the female actively engaged
in constructing (under the rafters of our stable) another nest, in which she
soon deposited five beautiful eggs, and commenced sitting, cheered by the
loud and happy notes of the male, who had by this time got rid of his
noisy brood. In due time five more young Wrens made their appearance,
and never did birds work harder than did their parents to supply their
insatiable appetites. Spiders, bugs, and larvse of every description, were
brought in quick succession, and, as a consequence, a rapid growth was
the result, and the brood was out by the fore part of July, following the
male and “ quivering ” their wings in supplication for food. The female
immediately set herself at work on another nest, this time under the eaves
of a porch. Large quantities of dry leaves and coarse grass and weeds
were carried up, and a compact oval structure was made, with a round
cavity in the top, partly roofed over. On the 19th of July I found five
eggs in the nest, and the female again sitting. Are three broods in a sea-
son commonly reared by this species ? — Charles Dury, Avondale, Eaun-
ilton County, Ohio.

OUNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

51

The Louisiana Heron in Indiana. — My friend Mr. F. T. Jencks,
of Providence, E. I., writes me that on the 26th of June, 1876, while pass-
ing through a large marsh between Plymouth and Hanna, on the line of
the Pittsburg and Fort Wayne Railroad, in Northern Indiana, he saw a
fine adult specimen of Demiegretta ludoviciana spring up close beside the
railroad-track and fly off in full view. As Mr. Jencks is well acquainted
with the species in question, I have no doubt of the correctness of his
identification. — E. W. Nelson, Chicago, III.

Note on the Cinnamon Teal {Querguedula cyanoptera). — A small
lake, which feeds one of the headwaters of the North Platte, in North
Park, Colorado, was found to be a breeding-place of large numbers of wild
Geese {Branta canadensis) and other water-fowl, among which Wigeons
(Mareca americana), Shovellers (Spatula clypeata), and the species the
name of which heads this paragraph, were the most numerous. I was
on the spot too late in the season to take eggs, but newly-fledged birds
of each of the three species of Ducks mentioned, as well as old birds in
moult, were secured or observed. The Cinnamon Teal here seemed to
replace the common Blue-winged, none of which were ascertained to
occur. The spot was on the Atlantic side of the main water-shed, though
practically on the divide, as it was only a day’s march from the edge of
Middle Park, the waters of which area flow into the Colorado of the West
and so into the Gulf of California. The Teal associated as usual with
various other kinds of Ducks, and no peculiarity of habits was noted.
Two young birds were captured alive, in a natural excavation of an em-
bankment, in which they had apparently crawled to hide, as the hole
showed no traces of a nest. — Elliott Codes, JVashington, D. G.

jEgiothus exilipes in Europe. — It may be interesting to the read-
ers of the Bulletin to learn that one of the two Redpoles procured upon
the Petchora River in Northeastern Russia, in 1875, by Mr. Henry See-
bohm and myself, and on a former occasion, at Archangel, by Mr. E. R.
Alston and myself, has turned out to be identical with jBgiothus exilipes,
Cones. We are thus able to extend the distribution of that species in' o
European Russia as far as Archangel (40° E. longitude from Greenwich).
This species was also procured by M. Severtzoff, in Turkestan. In our
papers in the ‘^Ibis,” January, 1873, p. 64, and “Ibis,” January, 1876, we
have erroneously named this bird rufescens, which name is only appli-
cable to the form found in Great Britain, and migrating southward in
winter. The other species found in North Russia is true Linota linaria,
Linn. JEgiotlius exilipes, Coues, will thus probably be found to be almost
circumpolar in its distribution, as it is reasonable to suppose that it is the
common species occurring throughout Northern Siberia in summer. Ref-
erences to notices of this species in Europe will be found in the “ Ibis ” as
above quoted, in the “Zoologist” for January, 1877, and in an Appendix
Mr. Seebohm and myself are preparing to our “ Notes of the Birds of the

52

BULLETIN OF THE NUTT ALL CLUB.

Lower Fetch ora ” ; and it will be doubtless still more fully treated of in
a forthcoming part of Mr. H. E. Dresser’s “ Birds of Europe.” — J.
A. Harvie Brown, Cor. Mem., Dunipace House, Larhert, Scotland.

' A Note on Cupidonia cupido var. pallidicinctus, Eidgway. — In the
latter part of January, 1877, I found in Fulton Market about thirty speci-
mens of this form ; they were generally unlit for preserving, but I got two
in good condition. On examination they agreed accurately with Mr.
Eidgway’s description (N. Am. Birds, Yol. Ill, p. 446). I ascertained that
they came from Pierce City, Southwestern Missouri. I have been unable
to make much inquiry for others since. I lately, learned from a large dealer
that they had been quite abundant in market, all coming from Southern
Missouri. The marketmen objected to buying them on account of their
small size. I found their average weight to be one and three-fourths pounds,
some weighing but one and a half pounds. All I talked with said they had
not noticed them before this winter. — George N. Lawrence, New YorhJ

Capture of the Egyptian Goose on Long Island. — On the 3d of
January, 1877, I received a remarkably fine specimen of a species of
Goose entirely unknown to me. The bird was killed in a pond of fresh
water near Carnarsie, Long Island, and has every appearance of being a
wild bird. The plumage is in fine condition, and the feet are free from
warts. On exhibiting it to our well-known ornithologist, Mr. ,G. N.
Lawrence of New York, he expressed great surprise, and promised to
investigate the matter. I have since received from him the following
communication : —

“ The Goose shown me yesterday is the Egyptian Goose (CJienalopex
cegyptiacus, Linn.). It inhabits all of Africa, and numerous specimens

' have been killed in Great Britain. Its acquisition is worthy of being
noted, and whether a straggler or an escaped specimen may be ascertained
in the future.”

The specimen will be placed in the Museum of the Long Island His-
torical Society of Brooklyn. — John Akhurst, BrooUyn, N. Y.

MacCown’s Longspur in Illinois. — While looking over a box of
Snow-Buntings and Shore Larks in the market, January 15, 1877, 1 found
a specimen of Plectrophanes maccowni, shot at Champaign, Illinois. Jan-
uary 1 7, another box' containing Lapland Longspurs was sent from the same
place, and among them was a second specimen of P. maccowni, which is
now in the collection of C. N. Holden, Jr., Chicago. January 19 I ob-
tained 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. This is, I think, the first record of the occurrence
‘ of this bird in Illinois, if not east of Kansas. — Henry K. Coale, Chicago,
Illinois.

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BULLETIN

OF THE

NUTTALL OENITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

Vol. II. JULY, 1877.

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF HUMMING-BIRD
FROM CALIFORNIA.

BY H. W. HENSHAW.

Selasphorus alleni, Nobis.

Sp. Char. — Adult Male. Two outer tail-feathers very narrow, linear,
the outer nearly acicular ; second only slightly larger ; third abruptly
larger. Upper parts bright golden-green, dullest on the crown. Under
tail-coverts, sides, and belly rufous, paler along the median line. Jugulum
white. Wings purplish-dusky. Tail-feathers cinnamon, tipped and edged
with purplish-brown. Throat and ruff bright coppery-red, with brassy-
green reflections. Female similar to the female of S. rufus, but smaller ;
tail-feathers narrower, especially the outer.

Habitat. Coast district of California ; northward ?

Differential Diagnoses.

S. RUFUS. — Male. Tail-feathers successively graduated in size, the outer
the smallest ; fourth from the outer abruptly attenuated^ and with a deep
notch at the base of attenua-
tion on the inner web. Crown
(only) metallic-green. Up-
per parts clear cinnamon,
sometimes with flakes and
patches of metallic-green on
the back.

S. al-LENI. — Male.

Smaller. Two outer tail-
feathers very narrow, linear,
the outer nearly acicular ;

No. 3.

* These figures were kindly drawn by Mr. Ridgway, and afford a very exact
idea of the differences in the form of the tails of the two birds.

54

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

third abruptly larger ; the fourth interniediate in length between the third
and fifth. Entire upper parts to the tail golden-green.

Some time since my attention was attracted by a specimen of the
above-described bird, in the collection of Mr. William Brewster,
which had been received from Mr. C. A. Allen, of Nicasio, Califor-
nia, the locality where it was taken. Experience in the interior,
especially in Arizona, had afforded opportunity for the examination
of hundreds of the Selasphorus rufus, and this specimen, an adult
male, differed so decidedly from any I had ever seen that I was led
to the belief that there might be on the west coast a variety pecul-
iar to that region. The examination of specimens, however, show-
ing what I considered intermediate phases of coloration from this
same locality, led me to conclude that the form was not sufficiently
distinct to receive a name, an impression’ which I now think was
wholly erroneous. The reception of new material and a reconsid-
eration of the question has convinced me that the form in question
is quite distinct specifically from S. rvfus, from which it is separable
by perfectly good and stable characters of external structure. As
might be expected in a family where the females of totally different
genera are often distinguishable only with difficulty, it is in the
males that the differences are chiefly to be noted. The narrow
outer tail-feathers are in the case of S. alleni sufficiently peculiar,
however, to enable one to distinguish the females and even the
young birds.

The adult males are at once separable, not only by the bright
green back, the green extending partially over the upper tail-coverts
and contrasting sharply with the rufous of the tail, but even more
readily by the very peculiar characters of the tail, as above indi-
cated. These are perfectly constant in all the specimens I have
seen, and have proved to be so also in all of the many individuals
which have passed under Mr. Allen’s notice.

In reference 'to the coloration of the S. alleni, I can state that the
amount of variation in the adult males is very small. The back is
always of a pure metallic green. Mr. Allen, whose authority is un-
questionable, and who has had ample opportunity for ascertaining,
writes me that the variation is extremely slight, and that a series of
thirty males then before him showed no differences. On the other
hand, I can assert with equal positiveness that the S, rufus never
assumes this complete green phase of coloration. Of specimens

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLXJB,

55

from the interior, I have seen at least two hundred adult males, and
they all possessed the bright rufous back, only an occasional individ-
ual showing a faint trace of the green. In California, however, where
the /S', rn/tts occurs in its typical condition, that is, with an unmixed
rufous back, specimens are not uncommonly found which exhibit a
strong approach to the coloration of /S. alleni. In these the rufous
is seen to be mixed with green in varying proportions. Beyond a
certain point they appear never to pass, and all such specimens have
the peculiar tail characters of S. rufus as strongly marked as in the
most typical examples of the species. We find .the same difference
between specimens of S. rufus taken in California and on the
west coast generally, and those from the interior, that usually ob-
tains in species possessed of a similar range, — that is, the coloration
is appreciably darker. The locality of specimens, whether from the
coast or the interior, may by this means be readily told.

In Mexico only the S. rufus appears to occur, and Mr. A. Boucard
informed Mr. Ridgway that, having examined hundreds of the Selas-
phorus from there, he had never seen an example of the Green-
backed form, which, however, he was familiar with from California.
One of the strongest proofs of the specific distinctness of the two
is seen in the fact that the two birds, in their typical condition,
occur at the same locality and at the same season. Both breed about
Nicasio (situated about twenty-five miles north of San Francisco),
though Mr. Allen finds the S. alleni very much more abundant than
the other. Thus, during the present season (1877), he has shot
about forty-five of the former bird, and has only succeeded in taking
four of the rufous-backed species. Last year’s experience was a
similar one.

This gentleman, whose investigation of these two birds has
extended over several years, and who, it is but proper to state, has
always believed them to be distinct, has found a constant difference
in size, the /S', alleni being the smaller. Such I find to be the case
in the several specimens I have measured, and the discrepancy
between them is quite considerable when the diminutive size of the
birds of this family is taken into account.

Habits. I am in possession of but few notes bearing upon the
habits of this Hummer. Mr. Allen remarks incidentally in a letter
that the Green-backs are much the livelier and more active of the
two, keeping constantly in the open, and always perching upon the
most prominent dead twigs they can find. Their extreme shyness,

56

BULLETIN OF THE -NUTTALL

as contrasted with the unsuspicious nature of the Rufous-backed, is
quite remarkable. They seem to possess a larger share than usual
of the courage and pugnacity which is so constantly displayed in
birds of this family. Not only do they always come off the victors
when chance encounters take place between them and the Rufous-
backs, but Mr. Allen has seen a pair attack and put to rout a Red-
tailed Hawk; while, as he remarks, ^‘Sparrow-Hawks have no
chance at all with them.” He has often seen the little fellows in
hot chase after these latter birds, and their only care seemed to be
to get out of the way as soon as possible of foes so determined.

The Rufous-backed Hummer, on the contrary, frequents the
thickets, and is always unsuspicious and readily approached. The
different localities they affect may indicate a difference in the flow-
ers from which they obtain their food.

Habitat. The habitat of Selasphorus alleni seems to be con-
fined to the coast district of California, though subsequent investi-
gation may show that it extends its range to the northward. It
appears to be strictly limited to the western slope of the Sierras,
and may indeed wander but a short distance from the coast. It is
thus very local, while the S. rufus has a very widely extended habi-
tat. Few species, indeed, of the family range over as many degrees
of latitude as this, which appears equally at home in the valleys
and elevated table-lands of sub-tropical Mexico and in the less invit-
ing regions of Southern Alaska, while it occupies in summer most
of the intermediate ground. Specimens are in the Smithsonian
collection from Sitka, which forms its most northern recorded local-
ity. In the interior it appears to be of less general occurrence than
in the region west of the Sierras, though this apparent absence is
doubtless due in part to our lack of knowledge of the Avifauna,
especially of the northern interior. The eastern slope of the Sier-
ras is apparently occupied by it throughout their whole length. Mr.
Ridgway found it in autumn in the East Humboldt Mountains, and
Hr. Coues in Montana, and it may be said to occur over most of the
Rocky Mountain region, either as a summer resident or as a fall
migrant. Dr. Coues is the only one who has found it breeding in
the interior, but I think it probable that not only the mountains
about Fort Whipple, which formed his field of observations, but the

mountain-fastnesses throughout the Territory of Arizona, and also
in New Mexico, and perhaps in Southern Colorado, may furnish the
species a summer home. Certain is it that in August this Hum-

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

57

miiig-Bird is found almost simultaneously over all the more inviting
parts of this lower country, and in certain sections where flowers
abound, as in the mountains of Eastern Arizona, their numbers far
exceed all other species put together.

Though apparently so hardy, and though pushing its migrations
in spring in search of its summer home to a point attained by no
other species of its family, it yet in wunter retires far south, and
appears to find the climate, even of California, too rigorous for its
endurance. Possibly, however, the winter flora is not suited to its
habits, and this may govern its choice of a winter residence, rather
than inability to live in a climate which appears well adapted to
its less fastidious rival, the Anna Humming-Bird {Galypte anncB).
However this may be, it is certain that the great proportion,
perhaps all, of the two species of Selasphorus leave our terri-
tory entirely in fall, and if any remain they are but a very limited
number, which take refuge in the warm interior valleys of Cali-
fornia.

Below is appended a table of measurements of the two species.
The specimens of S. rufa are purposely selected from different
localities, and the measurements give a good idea of the amount of
variation : — •

Sex.

Date.

Locality.

Collector.

Wing.

Tail.

BiU.

S. rufus, cf ad.

March 29, 1877

Nicasio, Cal.

C. A. Alien

1.59

1.23

.61

“ cf ad.

March 29, 1877

“ “

4 4 4 4

1.62

1.33

.63

“ cf ad.

— — 1876

SanFrancisco,Cal.

F. Gruber

1.67

1.28

.65

“ cf ad.

— — 1876

“ “ “

“

1.60

127

.65

“ cf ad.

May 29, 1866

Columbia Diver,

J. K. Townsend

1.62

1.33

.63

“ cf ad.

— — 1865

Mirador, E. Mex.

Dr. Sartorius

1.62

1.27

.66

“ cf ad.

April 21, 1861

Steilacoom, W. T.

Dr. Suckley

1.67

1.27

.63

“ cf ad.

August 25, 1873

Apache, Ariz.

H. W. Henshaw

1.58

1.32

.63

“ ? ad.

July 24, 1873

El More, N. Mex.

44 44

1.75

1.22

.72

“ 2 ad.

August 12, 1874

Ft.Garland, Col.

C. E. Aiken

1.77

1.26

.68

“ $ ad.

August 17, 1875

Tejon Mts., Cal.

44 (4 44

H. W. Henshaw

1.66

1.17

.63

“ $ juv.

August 18, 1875

1.73

1.21

.67

S. alleni, cf ad.

March 24, 1875

Nicasio, Cal.

C. A. Allen

1.47

1.21

.64

“ cf ad.

March 31, 1877

U U

(I

1.48

1.17

.63

“ cf ad.

March 31, 1877^

((

it

1.50

1.17

.67

“ cf ad.

March 31, 1877

SanFranciscOjCal.

u a

1.52

1.17

.63

“ Q ad.

May 18, 1876

Nicasio, Cal.

it it

1.63

1.15

.68

“ 2 ad.

March 17, 1877

44 44

it it

1.61

1.16

.67

S. rufus. Average of eight males ......

1.58

1.29

.64

“

“ “ four females

1.72

1.21

.68

S. alleni,

“ “ four males

1.49

1.18

,64

<4 *

“ “ two females

1.62

1.15

.67

The number given of S. alleni is less than would have been de-
sirable, and I regret that I have not at hand the large number of

58

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

measurements taken by Mr. Allen. As he informs me, however,
that the variation in this respect is very small, it is probable the
average "would be little changed by their addition.

In bestowing the specific name, I have paid but a deserved com-
pliment to the zeal and enthusiasm of Mr. C. A. Allen, but for
w^hose efforts in obtaining the specimens necessary for comparison,
and careful field-notes, the species might have remained for a long
time still unrecognized.

THE BIRDS OF GUADALUPE ISLAND, DISCUSSED WITH
REFERENCE TO THE PRESENT GENESIS OF SPECIES.

BY ROBERT RIDGWAY.

The importance of insular faunae in their bearing on '^the sub-
ject of the derivation of species, has been recognized by eminent
writers; and certain islands, remote from the mainland, among
which may be mentioned the Galapagos, have received marked
attention. An excellent memoir upon the birds of the latter group
has lately been published by Mr. Osbert Salvin,* who discusses the
relationship of certain peculiar forms to their continental allies,
and even goes so far as to point out among the latter the present
representatives of the parent stocks from which the genera now
peculiar to the Galapagos have been derived. That Mr. Salvin is
probably correct in his conclusions, is very strongly indicated by
certain facts developed from a study of the fauna of Guadalupe,
where in the case of almost every species, precisely the same local
modifications are observable ; the process of change in the latter
case, however, has been either more recent or more gradual, since
close affinity to continental representatives is clearly seen in every
species, the extreme differentiation met with in the Galapagos types
not having yet been reached. t

* On tke Avifauna of the Galapagos Archipelago. By Osbert Salvin, M. A.,
F. R. S., etc. Transactions of the Zoological Society of London, Vol. IX,
Part IX, pp. 447-510, pis. Ixxxiv - Ixxxix. May, 1876.

t These modifications seem to be, (1) enlargement, or elongation, of the bill
and feet, (2) abbreviation of the wings and tail, and (3) darkening of the colors

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

59

The island of Guadalupe is situated otf the coast of Lower Cali-
fornia, between latitude 28° 45' and 29° 10' north, and about two
hundred and twenty miles southwest from San Diego. Until very
recently nothing was known regarding the ornithology of this island,
but in the spring of 1875 a collection of birds was made by Dr.
Edward Palmer, and forwarded to the National Museum at Wash-
ington. This collection, embracing eight species and seventy-two
specimens of land-birds, was placed in the hands of the writer for
identification, ’and reported upon in the Bulletin of the U. S. Geo-
logical and Geographical Survey of the Territories, Vol. II, No. 2,
April 1, 1876 (pp. 183-195).*

As above stated, the land-birds contained in the collection from
Guadalupe embrace only eight species, so that the fauna of the
island is by no means fully represented ; indeed, the collector ob-
served a Humming-Bird, two kinds of Owls, and a Hawk, of which
no specimens were obtained. This is to be regretted, since most, if
not all, of these would doubtless have proved new. It is altogether
likely, too, that other species escaped notice, and thus remain to
be discovered ; a rich field is therefore left to the future explorer.
The affinities of the birds of Guadalupe are, so far as known, almost
entirely with those of Western North America, there being no
peculiar types, each species having a more or less closely related
representative on the continent. The species thus far known are
the following, their continental representatives being given oppo-
site : —

Guadalupe Species. Mainland Representatives.

Sylviidae.

1. Kegulus obscurus. Eegulus calendula.

of the plumage. The following remarks by Mr. Salvin are those which refer
more particularly to these peculiarities : —

“ In the formation of its hill, it [^Geospiza'] hardly differs at all from some spe-
cies of Guiraca, as G. concreta and its allies. The legs and feet, however, are
much longer and stronger than in any species of Guiraca ; and the tail in pro-
portion to the wings is very short” (1. c., p. 478).

“ From Conirostrum [the continental representative genusl Certhidea [of the
Galapagos] differs in having much shorter wings and tail” (1. c., p. 476).
{^Italics our own.']

* Ornithology of Guadeloupe [lege Guadalupe] Island. Based on Notes and
Collections made by Dr. Edward Palmer.

60

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

Troglodytidae.

2. Thryomanes brevicauda.

3. Salpinctes guadalupensis.

Thryomanes bewicki.
Salpinctes obsoletns.

Fringillidae.

4. Carpodacns ampins.

5. Junco insnlaris.

6. Pipilo consobrinus.

Carpodacns frontalis.
Junco annectens.
Pipilo maculatus.

Picidae.

7. Colaptes rufipileus.

Colaptes mexicanus!

Falconidae.

8. Polyborus lutosus.

Polyborus tharus.^

The more prominent characteristics of these Guadalupe birds, as
compared with the mainland forms, are (1) increased size of the
bill and feet, (2) shorter wings and tail, and (3) darker colors ;
these variations are by no means uniform, however, in the several
species, the, differentiation being in some slight, while in others it
amounts to almost generic distinctness ; but, what is very remark-
able, and of great interest in connection with the subject in hand
is, that no matter how great may be the modification of form and
proportions, the specific characters^ so far as coloration is concerned^
are in every case strictly preserved ! t Thus, Carpodacns ampins has
the wdng and tail barely longer than C. frontalis, but the bill is
three times as large, and the feet twice as stout, ivhile the colors and
markings are substantially identical; Junco insidaris has precisely
the same plumage as J. annectens (except that the shades of color
are just perceptibly darker), but the bill is so elongated, and the
wings and tail so much abbreviated, that in form it is much more
like the species of Ammodromus than those of typical Junco ! Thry-
omanes brevicauda does not differ more than just appreciably in
colors and marking from T. bewicki, but the difference in form is so
great as to render it necessary either to institute a new genus, or,
as the only alternative, to draw up a generic diagnosis entirely

^ Singularly enough, the Polyhorus from Guadalupe resembles much more
closely the South American species than that _ from Mexico (P. cheriway),
though it is very distinct from- either.

The only water-bird collected on the island was a specimen of Colymhus pa-
eificus, in perfect breeding plumage, found dead on the shore.

+ With the sole exception of Polyhorus lutosus.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

61

different from that heretofore considered to embrace the most im-
portant characters. In the case of Carpodacus, there has been
reached in the Guadalupe race almost, if not quite, that degree of
differentiation which distinguishes the Galapagoan genus Geospiza
from continental Guiraca, the modifications being moreover of pre-
cisely the same character. Jimco insidaris may likewise be com-
pared with the species of Cactornis^ in which the bill has be-
come so extremely produced as to have almost lost its fringilline
character.

The three species above-mentioned exhibit the local modifications
to the greatest extent, but the rule may be traced through the
whole series ; and to show the exact extent of these modifications
of form we present the following table of measurements of each of
the Guadalupe species compared with those of the mainland repre-
sentative form, the measurements representing the maximum and
minimum of a large series of each ; —

SPECIES.

MAXIMUM.

MINIMUM.

Wing.^

Tail.

Bill

fi’om

Nostril.

Tar-

sus.

Middle

Toe.

Wing.

Tail.

Bill

from

Nostril.

Tar-

sus.

Middle

Toe.

Regulus ohscurus *

2.20

1.95

.25

.80

.40

2.00

1.70

.22

.80

.38

“ calendula

2.45

2.03

.22

.76

.35

2.20

1.60

.20

.65

.85

Thryomanes hrevicauda . .

1.90

i.8o:

.50

.75

.50

1.85

1.80

.45

.70

.50

“ bewicki

2.38

2.70

.45

.80

.50

2.00

2.00

.38

.63

.45

Salpinctes guadalupensis

2.75

2.30

.60

.90

.55

2.50

2.00

.55

.80

.50

“ obsoletus . . . .

3.00

2.42

.50

.90

.58

2.65

2.20

.50

.73

.55

Carpodacus amplus

3.35

2.90

.45

.85

.65

3.10

2.60

.40

.75

.58

“ frontalis ....

3.20

2 90

.35

.70

.50

2.85

2.40

.30

.62

.50

Junco insularis

2.85

2.60

.38

.85

.60

2.50

2.30

.35

.80

.55

“ annectens

3 43

3.40

.30

.80

.60

3.00

2.80

.28

.80

.55

Pipilo consobrinus

3.25

2.80

.40

1.08

.75

2.90

3.25

.35

1.00

.60

“ megalonyx

3.60

4 60

.40

1.05

.75

3.30

4.00

.35

1.05

.70

Colaples rujipiteus

6.25

5.30

1.60

1.10

.92

5.90

4.75

1.35

“ mexicanus

7.00

6.00

1.25

1.20

.85

6 65

5.50

1.15

Polyhorus lutosus

16.40

11.65

1.35

3.75

2.10

15.00

10.50

1 25

siso

i’so

“ cheriway

1650

!

10.00

1

1.48

3.75

2.10

14.60

9.00

1.20

3.20

1.90

* The Guadalupe species are in Italics.

A close perusal of the above figures leads to the discovery of
some exceptions to the rule of variation in proportions. Thus,
Regidus ohscurus, while conforming in other respects, does not have
the tail constantly shorter than R. calendula^ although it averages
shorter. There is also no appreciable difference in the absolute
length of the tarsus in the two forms of Thryomanes and Salpinctes,
though the comparative difference in favor of T. hrevicauda and S.
ohsoletus, when contrasted with the length of the wings and tail, is
very marked.

62

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

These exceptions we are unable to explain, but even unaccounted
for they do not detract from the high importance of the variations
we have noted. It will also be observed that there is no essential
difference in dimensions or proportions between Folyhorus lutosus
and P. clieriway, the modifications being almost entirely in the
plumage, which in the former species is so distinct, at all ages,
from that of the other in corresponding stages that it may be re-
garded as one of the most completely differentiated birds of the
whole series.

Not only in proportions, but also in colors, do the modifications
presented by these Guadalupe birds correlate with characteristics
of the Galapagoan forms. A conspicuous character of the latter is
their sombre plumage of black or fuliginous-brown ; now, excepting
only Folyhorus lutosus, precisely the difference in plumage of the
Guadalupe birds from their Continental allies consists in their
darker colors. Garpodacus ampins, although a bird of at least double
the bulk of G. frontalis) is so nearly identical in plumage that
positively the only difference consists in the slightly darker shade
of all the colors ; Junco insularis is darker than J. annectens, but is
otherwise similar in plumage ; Fegidus ohscurus is much darker
than R. ccdendida ; Thryomanes hrevicauda and Salpinctes guada-
lupensis are likewise darker in colors than T. hewicki and S. ohsoletus,
w^hile Golaptes rufipileus differs from G. mexicanus in having one
half more black on the under side of the tail, besides being darker
generally. In Pipilo consohrinus, however, the black portions of the
plumage are hardly so intense black as in the mainland forms of
F. macidatus, hut the female is almost if not quite as hlack as the
male,^ while in the others she is more or less conspicuously differ-
ent, being some shade of brown or gray instead of black. As
remarked before, the only real exception to the rule is Folyhorus
lutosus, but this has a quite different distribution of colors from
the two Continental species; it may be observed, however, that
while the black markings are replaced by dark brown, the lighter
markings are pale clay-color instead of white ; and further, that
there is far less difference between the young and adult stages.

Not the least interesting fact concerning these Guadalupe birds

^ The similarity of the sexes in birds having a black plumage is remark-
ably prevalent among the West India birds, as Professor Baird has somewhere
noted.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

63

is their anomalous geographical relation to their mainland repre-
sentatives, the latter being the Rocky Mountain or Middle Province
races instead of those from the intervening coast districts / Thus,
Carpodacus ampins agrees with G. frontalis in the restriction of the
red in the male to sharply defined and limited areas, the coast form,
G. frontcdis rhodocolpus^ having the red “ spread,” as it were, over
the greater portion of the plumage ; J%mco insidaris is a perfect
repetition of J. annectens so far as plumage is concerned (except
that the shades of color are somewhat darker), and does not at all
resemble J. oregonus of the coast. Thryomanes hrevicauda is colored
more like T. hewichi leucogaster (the Upper Rio Grande form) than
T. hewichi spilurus (the coast form) ; while Salpinctes giiadalnpensis
differs in the same way from S. ohsoletus^ w^hich, moreover, is not
represented at all in the coast district, except perhaps rarely and
locally in Southern and Lower California. '

The peninsula above mentioned also presents in many respects
closer affinities to the middle region than to the coast district, espe-
cially in the fauna found at Cape Saint Lucas ; but on the western
side many of the true Californian forms replace those of the Middle
Province, Garpodacns rhodocolpus being a case in point, this species
thus entering as a separating wedge between G. frontalis and G.
ampins! Now very similar anomalous cases occur among Galapagos
birds, an entirely parallel instance being afforded by Dendraeca au-
reola, of which Mr. Salvin (1. c., p. 474) remarks : “The bird from
the Galapagos [meaning the above-named form] is the same as that
from Jamaica,* whereas on the intervening continent two other (so-
called) species occur — namely, B. cestiva as a winter migrant, and
D. vieilloti as a resident — but never, as far as we know, D. petechiaT
Another quite similar case is afforded by Myiarchus magnirostris
of the Galapagos, since Mr. Salvin says that “its nearest allies are
perhaps the island races of the Antilles rather than those of the
continent ; and in this respect the affinities of Bendroeca aureola
are, to some extent, repeated ; but in the present case the specific
characters of M. magnirostris are well defined ” (1. c., p. 492).

In the paper above referred to, are incorporated notes by the col-
lector, Dr. Habel, on the habits of the species ; and in these refer-

^ We do not agree with Mr. Salvin in considering the forms of this species
from the West Indies and the Galapagos absolutely identical, hut recognize in
them well-marked races, differing from each other about as much as the Gua-
dalupe birds do from those of the mainland.

64

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

ence is made to the exceeding tameness of certain Galapagos birds.
A similar confidence in man was likewise found to be a characteristic
of some of the Guadalupe species, as an instance of which we quote
the following from Dr. Palmer’s notes regarding Junco insularis [see
page 189 of our paper, cited at the head of this article] : “These are
the most abundant birds of the island, and are so tame that they may
be killed with a stick or captured in a butterfly-net. While I was
looking for insects under stones and logs, these birds 'would sometimes
join in the search, and hop almost into my hands. They gathered
chiefly ants and their eggs. At times they even enter the houses,
picking up anything edible they can find. Numbers boarded the
schooner as we neared the island, and made themselves perfectly at
home, roaming over every part of the vessel in search of food.” It
seems, however, that not all the birds of the island were thus unsus-
picious and familiar, since Dr. Palmer remarks that it is difficult to
secure Thryomanes hrevicauda, on account of its shyness.

In conclusion, a few words regarding the derivation of these insu-
lar forms may not be out of place. As to those of the Galapagos,
Mr. Salvin expresses the following opinion : “Considering their ^Durely
volcanic nature, it cannot reasonably be doubted that these islands
have always been islands since they emerged from the sea. Such
is Mr. Darwin’s view ; and it is fully indorsed by Dr. Hooker and
others. The birds that are now found, being related to American
birds, must have emigrated thence and become modified by the dif-
erent circumstances with which they became surrounded. The oldest
immigrants seem to be indicated by their generic difference from their
continental allies, the more modern comers by their merely specific
distinctness, and the most recent by their identity with birds now
found on the adjoining continent. On this view the islands were
first taken possession of by individuals of the parent stock of Ger-
iliidea and Conirostrum, Geospiza and Guiraca, Camarhynchus and
Neorhynchus. Then came perhaps the ancestors of Biiteo [galopa-
gensis^ * ; after these followed Mimus, Pyrocephalus, and Myiarchiis,
Strix and Asio, Zenceda, Larus and Spheniscus. Then those of Den-
droeca, Prague, Butorides, Nycticorax, and Porzana, and, finally, Dali-
chonyx oryzivorus, Ardea herodias, and the Ducks, Flamingo, Gan-
nets, Plovers, and Sandpipers, though of these last a constant stream

* The nearest ally of the Galapagoan Buteo is B. poliosomus of the Patagonian
region.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

65

of immigrants may have been maintained from the earliest times.
It must be remembered, however, that no precise order of immigra-
tion can be laid down, even approximately ; for one term in the
proposition is an absolutely unknown quantity. We know nothing
of the rate of change that has taken place in any one species.
Outward circumstances may have acted on one species, so as to
leave it little changed in a given time, whilst in the same time an-
other species may have assumed distinctive generic characters.
Viewing the very peculiar physical characters of these islands when
contrasted with the neighboring American shores, it would seem
reasonable that the rate of change demanded of an immigrant
species would be high ; consequently the origin of the islands need
not be dated back to a more distant period than seems indicated by
their volcanic origin.”

Considered in connection with the subject discussed above, the
birds of Guadalupe are of extreme interest, since they apparently
represent a transition stage through which those of the Galapagos
once undoubtedly passed. Nothing, unfortunately, is known to the
waiter as to the geological structure of Guadalupe ; the character of
the modifications presented in its birds, however, point strongly to its
volcanic origin, and render it extremely probable that the upheaval
took place at a more recent date than that of the Galapagos. The
earliest immigrants to this island were probably the ancestors of
Polyhorus lutosus, which has become completely differentiated in
plumage but not perceptibly altered in the details of structure,* and
those of Carpodacus ampins, whose modifications of external struc-

* The case of this species presents a very curious problem. Its origin from
P. cheriway, the only species now inhabiting Middle America, and even north-
ern South America, can scarcely be doubted ; but the modifications which the
Guadalupe species has undergone tend toward the distinguishing characters of
the South Ameilcan form (P. tJiarus). The two continental representatives of
this genus have undoubtedly had a common origin, the differences between them
coming under the scope of ordinary geographical laws of variation in this
family, as, at present understood. The differentiation of the Guadalupe form is
of a most remarkable kind, however, being apparently a partial reversion to the
features of the Southern form ; but some of the characters which distinguish
the latter from its Northern analogues are even greatly exaggerated in this North-
ern insular form ! In this instance, then, the differentiation has been a kind
of retrocession, with no , change in details of structure, while in all the other
forms of the island the differentiation has been of the opposite kind, affecting
the proportions more than the colors.

66

BULLETIN OF THE NUT TALL

ture have almost^ if not quite, reached generic distinctness, while
the colors have remained essentially unaltered. The same may be
said of Junco insularis, Thryomanes hrevicauda^ and Colarptes riifi-
pileus, while the remaining species, Regidus ohscurus, Salpinctes gua~
dalnjoensis, and Pipilo consohrinus are either more recent arrivals or
species in which the process of change has been comparatively
slow.

AN UNDESCRIBED HYBRID BETWEEN TWO NORTH
AMERICAN GROUSE.

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

In the preparation of the following paper I have hesitated not a
little as to the propriety of giving a name to the bird about to be
described. That it is a hybrid between the Pinnated Grouse
{Cupidonia cupido) and the Southern race of the Sharp-tailed
Grouse [Pedioecetes phasianellus var. coliimhianus) is unquestionable,
and, further, I consider it almost equally certain that offspring
resulting from such unnatural connections are of regular, perhaps
even not uncommon, occurrence wherever the two just mentioned
species are found together. Indeed, I am aware at the time of
writing, of three other similar specimens in private cabinets, and I
have heard of additional ones. Although I have examined but one
besides my own, I understand that they are all in every way nearly
identical, and the fact of their having been procured from different
localities must go far towards proving that their occurrence is by
no means exceptional or unique. Granting this to be a fact, it
seems reasonable that so distinctly specialized a form should bear a
distinguishing name, for though certainly the result of a mesalliance,
and combining in itself characters peculiar to two different species,
it is yet unlike either.

But I do not claim originality for a system that has been long
established among European authorities. In respect to the name
to be adopted I shall follow the practice of Mr. Robert Collett.
This gentleman, in writing upon the “ Rakkelhane,” a hybrid be-
tween Tetrao urogalhis and T. tetrix, says,* it “is a compound and

* '!l^emarks on the Ornithology of Northern Norway by Robert Collett. From
the Forhandl. Videusk. Selsk. Christiania, 1872. (Page 50 of the reprint.)

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,

67

not a simple species, and should, therefore, as such, have a com-
pound and not a simple name.” The propriety of this must, I
think, impress every one, but in endeavoring to carry out his plan
in the present instance I have experienced a serious difficulty.

In naming hybrid forms Mr. Collett makes use of the generic title
of the male parent alone, the compound^' part being made up
from the specific appellations of hoik parents. Thus he calls the
offspring of the male Ptarmigan [Lagopus alhiis), paired with the
female Black Grouse [Tetrao tetrix), Lagopus tetrici-albiis, the numer-
ous recorded facts at his disposal enabling him to decide upon the
respective specific relation of both parents with almost absolute cer-
tainty. But in the present case the entire absence of any facts
bearing upon this part of the problem reduces me to the somewhat
dangerous limits of mere conjecture, or, what is little better, the
relative preponderance of specific resemblance exhibited by the speci-
men before me. Not to weary the reader by a too exhaustive pre-
liminary discussion of detail, I will restrict myself to the simple
statement that after careful examination I believe the hybrid
Grouse about to be described the offspring of a connection between
Cupidonia cupido, male, and Pedioecetes phasianellus var. colicmhi-
anus, female, and I accordingly bestow upon it, provisionally, the
compound name Cupidonia ciipidini-columhiana.

Distinctive Characters. — Adult male, from a specimen in my col-
lection, obtained in low^a. Size and general proportions of Pedicecetes
phasianellus var columhianus. Tail of sixteen feathers exclusive of two
central projecting ones. Tarsi feathered as in Cupidonia. Neck-tufts 1.50
inches long. Upper tail-coverts coextensive with the rectrices. Above
similar to Cupidonia cupido ; wung-coverts (but not the scapulars) white-
spotted, as in Pedioecetes. Breast and sides ]3arred transversely, as in G
cupido; abdomen white, sparsely covered wuth obtuse V-shaped spots of
brown. Head, neck, and throat-markings precisely as in C. cupido. Neck-
tufts dark brown ; the longer ones not so stiff as those of C. cupido, the
shorter dull yellow. Tail generally similar in shape and color to that of
C. cupido, hut with a central pair of elongated feathers “wuth parallel
edges and truncated ends,” wffiich project .52 of an inch beyond the next
pair. These projecting feathers are tipped with light hrowm like the other
rectrices ; suhterminally for, the space of about an inch they are solidly
black, — anteriorly, with ragged rusty-yellow bars. The outer webs of the
outer pair of rectrices are irregularly wffiite. The measurements, taken
from the dried specimen, are as follows: Wing, 8.57 ; tail, 3.25, — tw'O
central feathers, .52 longer ; bill, depth, .40, length from nostril, .50 tar-
ns, 2.03 ; middle toe, 2.75.

68

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

It will appear from the above description that this bird combines in
nearly equal proportions the characters of Pedioecetes and Cupidonia. In
the general pattern of coloration of the plumage it most resembles 0. cupido,
but the abdomen is spotted like the breast of Pedicecetes, and the wing-
coverts are marked precisely as in that species. It has the neck-tufts of
Cupidonia and the projecting tail-feathers of Pedicecetes, both of these
characters, however, slightly modified. A remarkable feature appears in
the extension of the upper tail-coverts nearly to the tips of the rectrices.

Nelson’s “Birds of Northeastern Illinois.”* — • Under the above
title Mr. E. W. Nelson gives us the results of three years’ investigation in
Cook and Lake Counties in the northeastern corner of Illinois, “a belt
about twenty-five miles wide, bordering Lake Michigan in Illinois,” in-
cluding the field considered. As he remarks, the locality seems to form
“ a kind of four-corners where the avian faunae of four regions intergrade” ;
hence we find a somewhat novel juxtaposition of species. On or near the
lake occur many birds formerly considered as more or less exclusively
maritime. Notably among those of this class found in summer are Am-
modromus caudacutus and Higialitis melodus ; during the migrations,
Strepsilas interpres, Tringa maritima, T. canuta, Calidris arenaria, and
Micropalama himantopus ; in winter, Histrionicus torquatus, Harelda gla-
cialis, Somateria mollissima, S. spectabilis, Larus glaucus, and L. leucopterus.
As might be expected, the species properly belonging to the Carolinian
fauna which reach this point are, with a few exceptions, of either uncom-
mon or rare occurrence, and they here seem to touch the extreme north-
ern limit of their range in that longitude. But most interesting are the
records of northern birds breeding so far south, especially Limicoline and
Natatorial species. Thus Mr. Nelson has found nesting in greater or less
abundance, Tringa minutilla, Totanus melanoleucus, T. flavipes, T. solita-
rius, Mareca americana, Fulix affinis, F* collaris, Erismatura rubida, Mer-
gus serrator, and some others.

It is not, however, from the simple enumeration of species, that this list
derives its chief value and interest, but from the unusually complete and
satisfactory character of the biographical annotations, which embrace good
descriptions of the habits of many birds previously but little known.

Thus Mr. Nelson describes the songs of Turdus alicice and Oporornis

* Birds of Northeastern Illinois. By E. W. Nelson. Bulletin of the Essex
Institute, Vol. YIII, 1876, Nos. 9-12, pp. 90-155, April, 1877.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

69

agilis, the eggs of Totanus melanoleucus, and tells us of Night Herons
(Nyctiardea grisea nivcea) breeding in the open marshes of Fox Eiver,
placing their nests among the wild rice. Emphatically there is no lumber
about this paper. It giv.es, in clear, concise language, the results of ex-
tended, carefully and intelligently conducted observations in a region
almost wholly unworked, and from its geographical situation and topo-
graphical character and surroundings, most rich in results. As an impor-
tant and valuable faunal contribution to our knowledge of North American
Ornithology, Mr. Nelson’s list cannot fail to take first rank. — W. B.

S ALVIN ON THE Procellariid^. — In the fourth part of the Ornitho-
logical Miscellany,” edited by Mr. G. D. Kowley, Professor Osbert Salvin
has given the first of a valuable series of papers, in which he seeks to
throw all possible light upon this very obscure family. This paper is in
two parts. The first is devoted to an examination of the unpublished
“ Banks’ drawings,” and the manuscripts of Dr. Solander, so far as they
relate to the Petrels. These drawings are sixteen in number, and are pre-
sumed to have been drawn by Sydney Parkinson, one of the artists in the
employ of Sir Joseph Banks, in the “Endeavor,” under Captain Cook.
The manuscript notes of Dr. Solander are in the British Museum. As
Bonaparte and Gray have introduced Dr. Solander’s names into our orni-
thological nomenclature, even where unaccompanied by descriptions and
unpublished, Mr. Salvin has done the wmrld good service in testing the
vitality of these names.

Procellaria oceanica of Solander stands as Oceanites oceanicus of Kuhl.
It is better known as Thalassidroma wilsoni. Procellaria mguorea of Solan-
der, (= P. marina of Latham, and confounded by Kuhl with P. fregata,
a distinct species, in which he was followed by Gray, and for a time by
Cones), stands as Pelagodroma marina. Procellaria fregata of Solander stands
as Fregata grallaria. Procellaria turtur (Sol.) = Prion turtur. P. velox
(Sol.) “ must continue doubtful.” P. ''gigantea (Sol.) stands as Ossifraga
gigantea. P. fuliginosa Mr. Salvin traces with some difficulty to Maja-
queus (Bquinoctialis, but without doubt. P. sandaliata, a “ long-lost ” spe-
cies, now reappears in the (Estrelata armingoniana of Giglioli and Salva-
dori (Ibis, 1869), and to their name Mr. Salvin gives the preference, fol-
lowing the Golden Rule in questions of nomenclature.

P. lugens of Solander cannot be placed. Kuhl and Gray made it the
same with P. grisea = (Estrelata hidderi Cones = (E. hrevirostris Lesson,
— the latter being the proper name, and the same as P. tristis Forst.
and P. amaurosoma Coues ; but, according to Mr. Salvin, incorrectly.
P. lugens must thus be left in abeyance. Nectris fuliginosa of Solander
Mr. Salvin is convinced = Puffinus griseus Finsch. Nectris munda
Solander may apply to P. gavia Forst. (= P. opisthomelas Coues), but
this is regarded as doubtful. Diomedea antarctica (Sol.) is probably =
D. fuliginosa^ and Diomedea profuga possibly = D. chlororhyncha.

70

BULLETIN OF THE NUTT ALL

Mr. Salvin’s second paper is a careful examination of tlie new species
of Petrels obtained by Dr. H. H. Giglioli during the voyage of the Italian
corvette “ Magenta ” round the world, and described in the “ Ibis ” in
1869. Mr. Salvin examined the type specimens, and accompanies his
review with fine illustrations drawn by the w^ell-known bird-painter,
Keulemans. These species, according to Mr. Salvin, should all stand as
good and novel species. Their names are as follows : CEstrelata magentce,
CE. armingoniana, (E. trinitatis, CE. dejilippiana, aiid Puffinus elegans. —
T. M. B.

Catalogue of the Birds of the Islands of Malta and Gozo. —
The Boston Public Library has recently received a copy of Mr. Grant’s
catalogue of Birds found on the islands of Malta and Gozo. Naturally,
a list of the birds occurring in these islands, situated midway between the
northern coast of Africa and the southern shores of Europe, divides into
three principal groups : migratory birds, properly European ; visitants,
from Africa ; and resident species. Besides these, not always distinguish-
able, are purely accidental or chance callers. Among the most noticeable
of this small group it is interesting to note such purely American species
as Tringoides macularius, Actiturus hartramius, and Lams atricilla. Tryn-
gites rufescens, American, but not uncommon in Europe, has also been
found there. We also notice the occurrence in these islands of birds that
are somewhat cosmopolitan as well as North American, such as Eissa tri-
dactyla, Lams marimis, Plectrophanes nivalis, Tringa canutus, T. maritima,
T. subarquata, T maculata, Strepsilas interpres, Anous stolida, and several
species of Ducks, common to both continents. — T. M. B.

Eidgway’s “Studies of the American Ealconid^.” — During the
last two years Mr. Eobert Eidgway has given ns, in a series of special
papers, some of the results of his protracted investigation of the American
Falconidce. In June, 1875, appeared his Outlines of a Natural Arrange-
ment of the Falconidce,” based on an extended examination of the oste-
ology of the leading types of raptorial birds. In this paper he indorses
most fully the classification of the Birds of Prey proposed in 1867 by
Professor Huxley, which unites the Old-World Yultnres {Vidturidce of
most authors) with the Falconidce, separates the Secretary Bird as an inde-
pendent iami\j {Serpentariidce), and makes the Vultures of the New World
a family {Gartliartidce) distinct from the other Diurnal Birds of Prey.
Mr. Eidgway recognizes among the Falconidce only two subfamilies,. —
namely, Falconince and Buteonince, — thereby differing very widely from
most previous writers, some of whose classifications he rather sharply
criticises. ,The subfamily Falconince he arranges in four minor divisions
or “ groups,” under the names Falcones, Polybori, Micrastures^ and Herpeto-

^ Bull. U. S. Geol. and Geogr. Survey of the Terr,, Yol. I, No, 4, pp. 225”
231, pis. xi”xviii, June 10, 1875,

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

71

theres., and similarly divides the subfamily Buteonince into three “ groups,”
which he calls Pandiones, Femes, and Buteones. While Mr. Kidgway en-
deavors to make use of all available characters as the basis of his divis-
ions, his classification is based primarily upon the character of the coracoid
apparatus, particularly as to whether the scapular process of the cora-
coid is produced forward so as to meet the clavicle, or is separated from it
by a wide interval ; and also upon the character of certain bones of the
skull, especially the supra-maxillary, the nasal, and the superciliary pro-
cess of the lachrymal, of which parts are given numerous outline illustra-
tions. Whether Mr. Eidgway has quite hit the “ natural arrangement ”
here aimed at, and whether he has not placed undue value upon the modi-
fications of the scapular process of the coracoid, are matters respecting
which there is evidently room for honest differences of opinion.

This paper, which closes with a synopsis and diagnoses of the genera
and subgenera of the Polybori, is followed a few months later by his
“ Monograph of the PolyborU’ * This is strictly an American group, of
very peculiar appearance and habits. They are chiefly tropical in their
distribution, inhabiting all parts of South America, where they most
abound, and do not extend northward beyond sub-tropical limits, a single
species only (the Caracara, Polyborus cheriway) reaching the southern bor-
der of the United States. About ten species only are recognized by Mr.
Kidgway, which he refers to four genera, namely, Polyborus, Phalcobcenus,
Milvago, and Ibycter. The more important generic characters are illus-
trated by outline figures, and the various phases of plumage of the species
are quite fully described.

A little later, under the general title Studies of the American Falcon-
idce,^^ t Mr. Eidgway continued his account of the American Falconidce,
describing in detail sixteen genera and some forty species, besides a num-
ber of varieties. Thirteen species are referred to the single genus Nisus
(== Accipiter of many authors), while twelve other genera have each but a
single species. A few only of the species described in this paper are
North American. These are, Nisus cooperi, “A.” fuscus, Onychotes
gruberi, Antenor unicinctus var. harrisi, and Flanoides forjicatus, only three
of which range very far into the United States.

Mr. Eidgway also, in the mean time, published a paper “ On Nisus
cooperi (Bon.) and N. gundlachi (Lawr.),” J in which he maintains the en-
tire specific distinctness of “ N.” gundlachi, which had been previously by
several authors, including Mr. Kidgway himself, referred to “ A.” cooperi.

This paper is immediately followed by another, “ On the Buteonine

* Studies of the American Falconidce: Monograph of the Polybori. Bull.
XJ. S. Geol. and Geogr. Survey of the Terr., Yol. I, No. 6, pp. 451-473, pis.
xxii-xxvii, February 8, 1876.

+ Bull. U. S. Geol. and Geogr. Survey of the Terr., Yol. II, No. 2, pp. 91-
182, pis. xxxi, xxxii, April 1, 1876.

X Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1875, pp. 78-88.

72

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

Subgenus Graxirex (Gould)/’ * a group represented most numerously in
South America. Two species only (Buteo swainsoni and B. pemisylvani-
cus), of the six referred to this subgenus, range far into North America.
This group is distinguished from the ordinary Buteones by having only
three (instead of four) of the outer primaries emarginated on their inner
webs. While agreeing in this feature, they vary considerably in respect
to the relative length of the wing, the size and length of the tarsus, and
in other details of structure ; and it is perhaps an open question whether
our author does not place too much importance upon what he regards as
the distinctive feature of the group, namely, the number of emargi-
nated primaries. The various phases of plumage presented by the dilferent
species is described in considerable detail, with very full citations of syn-
onymy. The account of Buteo swainsoni is particularly full, nearly one
half the paper (about fifteen pages) being devoted to this species alone.
Among its prominent synonymes are Buteo hairdii of Hoy, B. insignatus
and B. oxypterus of Cassin, and B. fuliginosus of Sclater.

A little later appeared his “ Monograph of the Genus Micrastur,” f of
which seven species are recognized, and of which are given detailed de-
scriptions. The group is mainly restricted to Central and Northern South
America, being pre-eminently tropical in distribution. While the species
are said to present “ no appreciable sexual variation,” they exhibit “ two
well-marked growth-stages,” the young birds generally greatly differing
from the adult. In addition to this, several of the species are dimorphic,
being subject to erythrism, analagous to the dimorphism met with in Syr-
nium aluco of Europe, in Scops asio, and in the several species of Glaucid-
ium, among the Owls. * Shortly after this appeared another paper on this
genus, by Mr. Ridgway, entitled “ Second Thoughts on the Genus Micras-
tu7\” This is mainly a summary of his “ Monograph.” The “ Second
Thoughts” relate to his earlier revision of this genus, published in 1873, §
— in which only five, instead of seven, species were admitted, — rather
than to the “ Monograph,” to which there is in this paper no allusion.

During the elaboration of these important papers on the American Fal-
conidce, Mr. Ridgway has had access to the material contained in all the
larger public and private ornithological collections of the United States,
and has been kindly favored with the use of specimens from abroad. He
has in this way been able to base his investigations upon the examination
of a larger amount of material than has, in naost cases at least, fallen un-

^ Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1875, pp. 89 - 119.

t Studies of the American Falconidoe : Monograph of the Genus Micrastur.
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila.> 1875, pp. 470-502, figs. 1 -9.

X Ibis, January, 1876, pp. 1-5.

§ Revision of the Falconine Genera, Micrastur, Geranospiza, and Rupomis,
and the Strigine Genus, Glaucidium, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., Yol. XVI,
pp. 73-81j December, 1873.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

73

der the inspection of any other investigator in the same held. In these
papers we have the results of much hard and patient study, and while
experts in the same field may differ from him in respect to minor points
of classification and nomenclature, no one can question the fact of his hav-
ing immensely advahced our knowledge of this large and difficult group.
We trust that he will soon be able to give us further instalments of his
work on this family, and that eventually we may have the whole reissued
connectedly in a well-rounded monograph of the American Falconidce. —
J. A. A.

Kecent Ornithological Articles in American Journals.^ —
Among the varied contents of the last and current volumes of the “Amer-
ican Naturalist,” t we note the following original articles relating to birds.
The number for January, 1876 (Vol. X) contains a note on the “Proper
Specific Name of the Song Sparrow” (pp. 17, 18), by David Scott, who
claims for this species the name fasciata, Gmelin, 1788, in place of melodia,
Wilson, 1810, the probable tenability of which had been previously sug-
gested by other writers. Also an article on the “Availability of Certain
Bartramian Names in Ornithology” (pp. 21-29), by J. A. Allen ; a note
on the extinction of the Great Auk at the Funk Islands (p.* 48), by the
same ; on the occurrence of Bewick’s Wren in the Atlantic States, and
the breeding of ibis ordi at Camp Harney, Oregon (p. 48), by Dr. Elliott
Coues ; on the Early Nesting of the Anna Humming-Bird (pp. 48 - 50),
by Dr. J. G. Cooper ; and on the occurrence of the European Tree Spar-
row {Pyrgita montana) at St. Louis, Mo. (pp. 50, 51), — where it has been
introduced with the P. domestica, — by Dr. J. C. Merrill. The February
number (same volume) contains notes on the “ Summer Birds of the White
Mountain Region ” (pp. 75-80), byH. D. Minot ; an article on “Califor-
nian Garden Birds ” (pp. 90-97), by Dr. J. G. Cooper ; a reply to Mr.
Allen’s article in the preceding number on Bartramian names (pp. 98 -
102), by Dr. Elliott Coues ; also, by the same, notes on the “ Breeding
Range of the Snowbird,” Junco hyemalis (p. 114) ; on “ Protective Resem-
blance in the Yellow-Bird,” Chrysomitris tristis (p. 115), by Henry Gill-

[* In addition to notices of papers published in the transactions of different
scientific societies, or as special works, it is intended to note in the Bulletin all
original ornithological articles appearing in various periodicals (beginning with
the year 1876), thereby making the Bulletin a complete record of North Ameri-
can ornithological literature. Owing to limited space, it will be impracticable
to give generally more than the titles of articles. The record here begun will
be continued in future numbers. — Eds, ]

■f The American Naturalist. Edited by Dr. A. S. Packard, Jr. Boston :
H. 0. Houghton & Co.; New York : Hurd and Houghton. Yol. X and Vol.
XI, January to June. (The departments of Ornithology and Mammalogy are
now in charge of Dr. Elliott Coues.)

74

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

man. In the. March number, Dr. W. Wood writes of the “Game Falcons
of New England : the Goshawk” (pp. 132-135); J. A. Allen appears
with a further note on Bartramian names (pp. 176, 177), and K. E. C.
Stearns speaks of the abundance of Pelicans in San Francisco Bay, Cal.
(p. 177). In the April number are notes on the breeding of the Bed
Crossbill {Loxia curvirostra) at Riverdale, N. Y. (p. 237), by E. A. Bick-
nell ; on Bewick’s Wren in New Jersey (p. 236), by Dr. C. C. Abbott ; on
“Habits of Western Birds,” — Buteo swainsoni, Icterus bullochi, Stellula
caliope, Corvus mnericanus, and G. corax, — (p. 238), by Dr. W. J. Hoff-
man ; on “ Unusual Nesting-Sites of the Night-Hawk and Towhee Bunt-
ing (p. 239), by Dr. Elliott Cones ; and on “ Small Birds [Ghrysomitris
tristis and Dendroeca coronata] caught by the Burdock ” (p. 239), by A. K.
Fisher. The May number contains a call for information respecting the
distribution of the Labrador Duck, Camptolcemus labradorius (p. 303), by
Dr. Coues. In the J une number is a record of the capture of the Euro-
pean Woodcock in Virginia (p. 372), and a note on change of habits in the
Bank Swallow (p. 373), by Dr. Coues ; also remarks on the food of the
Chapparal Cock, Geococcyx californianus (p. 373), by V. T. Chambers. In
the July number J. Clarence Hersey notes the occurrence of the Little
White Egret {Ardea candidissima) in Colorado (p. 430). The August num-
ber contains an account of a brief sojourn of large numbers of White Egrets
at Trenton, N. J. (pp. 469-473), by Dr. C. C. Abbott ; Robert Ridgway here
states that the Bank Swallows (p. 493) referred to in the June number are
the Cotyle serrvpennis, instead of C. riparia, as first stated. In the September
number appears an historical article on “ Progress of Ornithology in the
United States during the Last Century ” (pp. 536 - 550), by J. A. Allen, and
a note on Bluebirds feeding on the berries of the VAginia Creeper (p. 556),
by Henry Gillman. The October number contains a note on the egg of
Chionis (p. 628), by Dr. J. H. Kidder. An article in the December num-
ber, by Dr. Elliott Coues, on the “ Destruction of Birds by Telegraph
Wire” (pp. 734-736), concludes the ornithological articles of Volume X.

In Volume XI we find, in the January number, “Notes on some Ore-
gon Birds ” (p. 44), — seven species, — by George R. Bacon, and a note on
the Whistling Duck, Bucephala americana (p. 44), by J. F. LeBaron. In
the February number, notes on some of the birds of the Fanning Islands
(pp. 68 - 72), by Dr. T. H. Streets ; in the April number, record of the occur-
rence of the Raven and the Sooty Tern {Sterna fuliginosa) at Willianis-
town, Mass. (p. 243), by Sanborn Tenney ; in the May number, “ Glimpses
of Mind in Birds” (pp. 276-286), by Dr. C. C. Abbott ; some observa-
tions on the winter birds of Arkansas (p. 307), by H. S. Reynolds ; and a
note on a carnivorous propensity of the Red-headed Woodpecker, Mela-
nerpes erythrocephalus (p. 308), by Charles Aldrich. In the June number
Judge J. D. Caton writes of the “Wild Turkey and its Domestication”
(pp. 321 -330).

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

75

“ Field and Forest ” * continues to devote a considerable portion of its
space to ornithology. Volume II (beginning July, 1876) contains the
following ; “ On the Habits of Steganopus wilsoni” (pp. 11, 12), by A. L.
Kumlien (already noted in this journal, Vol. I, p. 71) ; “Notes on Fors-
ter’s Tern ” (pp. 29-31), by Pierre Louis Jouy ; “ Sexual, Individual, and
Geographical Variation in the Genus Leucosticte ” (pp. 37 - 43), by Kobert
Eidgway ; “ Drumming of the Euff’ed Grouse ” (pp. 57 - 60), by David
Scott ; “Crows Seeking Water” (p. 65), by N. B. Webster ; “Sexual Va-
riation in the Genus Leucosticte ” (pp. 76-79), by J. A. Allen ; the “ Ten-
dency of Birds to vary in their Habits ” (pp. 107 - 114), by David Scott ; a
Congress of Birds (p. 122), by L. F. Ward ; “ Unusual Accidents to Birds ”
(p. 106), by A. J. Kumlien ; “ Ornithological Notes from Texas ”(pp. 154-
156), by Ludovic Kumlien ; “ Catalogue of the Birds of the District of
Columbia” (pp. 154-156, 178-181), by Pierre Louis Jouy, — a nominal
list of 240 species ; Eemarks on the Birds of the District of Columbia
(pp. 191 - 194), by Drs. E. Coues and D. W. Prentiss ; “ Mrs. Maxwell’s
Colorado Museum, — Collection of Birds” (pp. 194-199), by Eobert
Eidgway. — J. A. A.

Since January, 1876, several ornithological lists, of more or less impor-
tance, have appeared from time to time in “ Forest and Stream.” t While
our space will not permit of a lengthy notice of these lists, a simple enu-
meration of them will be useful for reference. In Volume VI, jjp. 99,
132, 163, 214, 266, 318, 354, 402, and Volume VII, pp. 147, 164, 276,
Mr. Adolphe B. Covert, of Ann Arbor, Mich., has given an interesting
List of the Birds of Lower Michigan, including two hundred and twelve
species. In this list are recorded specimens of Dendroeca kirtlandi, Scolo-
pax Tusticola (one specimen obtained by Dr. Wm. E. Lewitt, May 9, 1870),
and Camptolcemus labmdorius (one specimen taken at Delphi Mills,
Mich., Aj)ril 17, 1872). In Volume VI, p. 148, Mr. G. Aug. Smith gives
a List of the Bird^ of Fort Wayne, Ind., including fifty-two species. In
Volume VI, pp. 233, 284, 337, 402, and Volume VII, pp. 36, 52, 84, 180,
230, Mr. H. G. Fowler, of Auburn, N. Y., gives a Partial List of the Birds
of Central New York, from observation made in the counties of Cayuga,
Seneca, and Wayne. In this list Mr. Fowler records the capture of Quer-
quedula cyanoptera on Seneca Eiver. This, we believe, is the only record
for this species east of the Eocky Mountains. He also notes the occurrence
of Sterna fuliginosa on Owasco Lake, a specimen having been taken there

^ Field and Forest. A Monthly Journal devoted to the Natural Sciences.
Charles E. Dodge, Editor. Washington, D. C. Yol. 11, Nos. 1-12, July,
1876, to June, 1877.

+ Forest and Stream, a Weekly Journal devoted to Field and Aquatic Sports,
Practical Natural History, Fish Culture, the Protection of Game, etc., etc.
New York : Forest and Stream Publishing Company.

76

BULLETIN OF THE NUT TALL

ou September 20, 1876. The list comprises one hundred and sixty-eight
species. In Volume VI, p. 300, Mr. H. Ernst, of Cleveland, Ohio, gives
a List of the Warblers of the Western Eeserve. in which he notes thirty-
one species. In Volume VII, pp. 389 and 404, Colonel A. S. Brackett,
U. S. A., gives a List of Birds of Southeastern Wyoming, including
eighty-four species. In Volume VIII, pp. 33, 49, 96, 113, a List of the
Birds of Webster, N. H., and adjoining towns, is given by Mr. Chas. F.
Goodhue. This list comprises one hundred and thirty-three species. In
Volume VIII, pp. 176, 192, 224, 241, 261, is a List of the Birds of the
Coteau des Prairies of Eastern Dakota, by Chas. E. McChesney, M. D.,
U. S. A., of Fort Sisseton, comprising one hundred and three species.
— R. D.

Californian Ornithology. — Dr. J. G. Cooper has recently published
a paper * of fourteen pages, entitled “ New Facts relating to Californian
Ornithology. — No. 1.” This’ is supplemental to the same author’s
“ Ornithology of California,” and “ includes only observations not pre-
viously published, and such opinions as differ from those of later authors.”
About fifty species are noticed, the notes respecting them relating mainly
to their seasonal distribution and habits, but include descriptions of the
nests and eggs of several species, with occasional remarks upon disputed
points of nomenclature. He claims the name nanus for the species of
Thrush usually known as Turdus jpallasi (as has also Dr. T. M. Brewer),
but inclines to the opinion that the name guttatus of Pallas (1811) will
finally prove to be the only tenable name for the species. He also claims,
on the ground of priority, that sandwichensis should take the place of
savanna for the species of Sparrow, commonly known as Passerculus sav-
a7ina. The paper is replete with interesting matter, and forms a valuable
contribution to our knowledge of Californian Ornithology. — J. A. A.

McCauley’s Notes on Texan Ornithology. t — Lieutenant C. A. H.
McCauley has just given us the results of six weeks’ ol^servations made in
May and June, 1876, on the ornithology of the country about the source
of the Red River of Texas, embracing a portion of the region known as the
Staked Plain. The paper includes notices of about one hundred species,
with quite copious notes respecting the habits of a considerable proportion
of them, with, in some cases, descriptions of their nests and eggs. This
is almost the first special paper treating of the ornithology of Western

* Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci., 1876. Only the author’s separates have yet been
seen by the writer.

+ Notes on the Ornithology of the Region about the Source of the Red River
of Texas, from Observations made during the Exploration conducted by Lieuten-
ant E. H. Ruffner, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. By C. A. H. McCauley, Lieu-
tenant Third United States Artillery. Annotated by Dr. Elliott Cones, U. S. A.
Bull.U. S. Geol. and Geogr. Survey, Vol. HI, No. 3, pp. 655-695, May 15, 1877.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

77

Texas, and forms a most welcome contribution to our knowledge of the
ornithology of that region. The list shows an unusual mingling of east-
ern and western species, and, as would be naturally expected, a consider-
able proportion of strictly southern forms. On the barren Staked Plain
few birds were met with, and these mainly about water-holes ; along the
timber-skirted streams, however, bird life was abundant. — J. A. A.

Nest and Eggs of Townsend’s Flycatchek. — In July, 1876, while
rambling with my brother over the mountains of Summit County, Colo-
rado, it was my good fortune to find, at an altitude of about ten thousand
feet, the nest of Townsend’s Flycatcher {Myiadestes townsendi), and as
no description of its eggs has as yet appeared, perhaps the following may
not be uninteresting : The nest was very loosely, and, externally, shabbily
built of long dry grasses, straggling two feet or more below it. It was
placed in the upper bank of a miner’s ditch (running from the Bear River,
above Breckenridge, to the Gold Run and Buffalo Flat diggings), and was
partly concealed by overhanging roots ; yet it was rendered so con-
spicuous by the loose swaying material of w’'hich it was composed, as well
as by that which had become attached to the overhanging roots during its
construction, as to attract the eye of an experienced collector when yet some
rods away. On nearing the nest the bird immediately took flight, and
alighted on the topmost branch of the nearest pine. Resting uneasily here
for half a minute, it then, in short, uncertain flights, worked its way down
the mountain side and out of sight. Withdrawing to a convenient cover,
we had only to wait a few moments for the bird to return, perch herself
on a branch a few feet from the nest, peer anxiously into it, and then
quickly resume her task of incubation. Moving cautiously along the
bank above the ditch, we tried to capture the bird by placing a hat over
the nest, but, miscalculating its location by a few inches, the bird eluded
the stroke and made good her escape, as she did also on our second attempt
to capture her. Again retreating to cover, we waited for half an hour for
the bird to return, when suddenly we espied it flying from branch to
branch, displaying by its restless motions more anxiety and suspicion than
before, yet constantly working nearer its home, which it soon reached and
settled quietly again to business. After the last unsuccessful attempt to
catch the bird, a stick was placed on the bank directly over the nest,
to mark its exact locality, and this time, moving with less haste and more
caution, we gained the desired position, lay down on the bank, and taking
a hat in each hand quickly covered the opening and secured the unfortu-
nate bird, and also the opportunity of giving to ornithologists an authentic

78

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

account of the number, size, and coloration of the eggs. The nest con-
tained four eggs, very closely resembling those of the Shrikes. The ground-
color is dull white or bluish, thickly blotched or freckled with reddish-
brown. The measurements of the three specimens preserved are 1.01 by
.66, .94 by .68, and .88 by .66. Incubation had been going on for about
ten days, and unfortunately one egg was destroyed in cleaning. — ^Wil-
bur F. Lamb, Holyoke, Mass.

Persistency at Nest-Building- in a House-Wren. — A House-Wren
{Troglodytes aedon) has this season manifested a strong predilection for the
nozzle of a pump for a nesting- site. The pump being in daily use, the
nozzle, much to our surprise, was repeatedly found to be obstructed with
sticks. An investigation of the novel incident led to the discovery of the
cause, it being found that a House-Wren was industriously at work carry-
ing materials into the pump for the construction of its nest. The bird
was finally left one morning to carry on his work, when, at the end of two
hours, it was found that he had filled the pump so full that water could
not be obtained until a part of the sticks had been removed. The nest,
through the necessary use of the pump, was three times destroyed before
the persevering little fellow abandoned his work. — Abbott W. Frazar,
Watertown, Mass.

A New Bird to Massachusetts. — Mr. Charles W. Townsend, of
Boston, shot, July 28, 1876, a male specimen of Plectrophanes ornatus.
It was taken in Magnolia, near Gloucester, Mass., in a field near the sea-
shore, and has been by Mr. Townsend presented to the New England col-
lection of the Boston Natural History Society. It is an adult male, in
worn plumage. — T. M. Brewer, Boston, Mass.

A new Form of Surnia to New England. — Two fine specimens of the
Hawk Owl have recently been taken in Houlton, Maine, and have been
mounted by Mr. Welch in his usual superior style. They are both males,
and while one is in the plumage usually known as Surnia hudsonia, the
other is in that distinguished by the separate name of Surnia ulula, and
supposed to be exclusively Palsearctic. — T. M. Brewer, Boston, Mass.

. Capture of the Philadelphia Vireo in New Hampshire. — A
specimen of this bird {Vireo philadelphicus) -was shot in Hollis, New
Hampshire, May 26, 1876, by Mr. A. F. Eaton. It was feeding in com-
pany with two other birds of the same kind, in some low oak-bushes. —
W. H. Fox, Concord, Mass.

Occurrence of Passerculus princeps in New York. — One of my
correspondents, Mr. Frank E. Johnson, of Gravesend, Long Island, writes
me that when out collecting, on December 20, 1876, on Coney Island, in
New York harbor, he shot three specimens of a Sparrow new to him,

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

79

which were shown to Mr. George N. Lawrence, and pronounced to he the
Ipswich Sparrow (Passerculus princeps). They were shot on the salt
meadows of the island, and were in company with Savannah Sparrows
{Passerculus savanna) and Swamp Sparrows {Melospiza palustris). This is
the most southern record of this species.* — H. B. Bailey, Newton, Mass.

The Pigeon-Hawk {Falco columharius) at Sea. — While returning from
a trip to Labrador^ last summer, I observed small Hawks, undoubtedly of
this species, at a considerable distance from land, on two occasions.

The first occasion was on the 5th of September. We were crossing the
Gulf of St. Lawrence, and were in sight of the coast of Newfoundland,
which was about twelve or fifteen miles distant. As many as four Hawks
were seen, which came so near that we were able to recognize them as
Pigeon-Hawks. They seemed to be perfectly at home, flying over the
water, and showed no fear of the vessel, several times alighting on the
rigging.

The first that appeared had a Leach’s Petrel, dead, in his talons. He
alighted with this, on the fore-crosstrees, and proceeded to eat it. The
sailors were unwilling that we should fire into the rigging, so a young
man went up the fore-rigging, and nearly caught the Hawk, which flew
off, leaving his prey behind him. Three other Hawks came off to the ves-
sel during the day, and were all shot, but all, unfortunately, fell into the
water and could not be secured. The day was bright, clear, and warm,
with a light wind from the north, so that we made very little progress.
The Hawks appeared to come from the direction of Newfoundland.

The second occasion was during our run from Cape Sable to Boston,
about fifty miles from the nearest land. It was the 10th of September, a
bright day, with a strong northw'est wind. A small Hawk, probably a
Pigeon-Hawk, passed the vessel, flying to windward. Dr. Cones, in his
“ Notes on the Ornithology of Labtador,” mentions that a Hawk of this
species came on board their vessel during their return voyage, in a very
exhausted condition. This bird, howeA^er, was very shy, and w^as imme-
diately frightened away from the vessel. He also mentions seeing sev-
eral Sparrow-Hawks while in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, off Cape Breton
Island, which “ circled quite closely around the vessel, showing but little
fear.” — J ohn Murdoch, Cambridge, Mass.

Capture op a Second Specimen of Helminthophaga leucobron-
CHiALis. — In the first ntimber of the Bulletin for the year 1876, Mr. Wm.
Brewster described a new species of Helminthophaga {H. leucohronchialis) ,
which he obtained in Newtonville, Mass., on May 18, 1870. He says in
his article, “ Whether it must be placed in the same category with the

* For other records of occurrence of this species see this Bulletin, VoL I,
pp. 18, 52, and Vol. II, p. 27.

80

BULLETIN OF THE NUT TALL

unique Euspiza townsendi, Regxdus cuvieri, etc., or, like Dendrceca Mrtlandi,
will turn up occasionally in the future at different points, or still again,
as in the case of Centroxiyx bairdii, will be found in large numbers, time
alone can decide.” It is with pleasure, therefore, that I can announce the
capture of a second specimen of this species, so new to Ornithology, and
particularly also because it was taken in a locality so far distant from
where the first one was obtained. The specimen under consideration was
shot by Mr. Christopher D. Wood, on the afternoon of May 12, 1877, in
an apple orchard near Clifton, Delaware County, Pa. It proved to be a
male, and answered to the description given by Mr. Brewster. It is, with-
out doubt, a veritable specimen of H. leucohronchialis, and goes to prove
the species a good one. It Avas first called to mj^ attention by Mr. Wood
himself, who told me that he had shot a specimen of H. leucohronchialis
near Clifton. He afterwards showed me the bird, which he had been com-
paring with the plate of the former specimen, and found it to be identical.
Whence these rarities come, whether they are abundant in certain sections,
and the characters of the females, are matters not yet known ; yet it is more
than likely that at no very distant day both the present species, as well as
Helminthophaga lawrencei, may prove to be nearly if not quite as abun-
dant as the other species of the same genus. — Spencer Trotter, Phila-
delphia, Pa.

The Mottled Owl as a Fisherman. — On NoA^ember 29, 1876, I
took from a Mottled OwPs hole (Scops asio) the hinder half of a Woodcock
(Philohela minor). Within tAvo weeks after I took tAvo Owls from the same
hole, and on the 19th of January last I had the good fortune to take an-
other. After extracting the Owl I put in my hand to see what else there
was of interest, and found sixteen Horned Pouts (Amiurus atrarius), four
of Avhich were alive. When it occurred to me that all the ponds in the
vicinity Avere under at least tAvo feet of snoAV and ice, I could scarcely conjec-
ture where the Horned Pouts could haA^e been captured. After visiting all
the ponds, I found they liad most probably been captured in one fully a, mile
aAvay, w^here some boys had been cutting holes through the ice to catch
pickerel bait. The Owl probably stationed himself by the edge of the
hole and seized the fish as they came to the surface. What a busy time he
must have had flying thirty- two miles after sixteen Horned Pouts ! I may
also state in this connection that I once foimd the ground under a Great
Horned Owl’s nest (Bubo virginianus) literally strewn Avith fish-bones. —
A. M. Frazar, Watertown, Mass.

Breeding op Leach’s Petrel on the Coast of Maine. — In the Jan-
uary number of the Bulletin (Vol. II, 1877) Mr. N. C. BroAAm refers to
the Leach’s Petrel (Thalassidroma leucorrhoea, Linn.) “as found for the first
time breeding on the New England coast,” and mentions meeting with its

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

81

nests on the Green Islands in Casco Bay. That Mr. Brown was not the first
person to find it breeding even on the Green Islands would not be a fact
of sufficient moment to call for correction did not his statement suggest
the quite important error implied ; that it is not known, and has not been
known, to breed elsewhere on the coast of Maine. That this Petrel breeds
along the greater part of the coast of Maine has been known as a fact for
many years. Whether Casco Bay is its most western point remains to be
ascertained.

In June, 1850, I made several weeks’ explorations in the neighbor-
hood of Eastport, and found this bird breeding in all the Grand Menan
group — which geogTaphically, if not politically, are part of the Maine
coast — on the island of Eastport itself, and on a small island between
Eastport and Machias. An account was published (Bost. Jour. Nat.
Hist., Vol. YI, p. 297). On the following year, in conqjany with Dr.
' H. R. Storer, I continued these explorations, and ascertained that this
species breeds abundantly on every suitable island as far west as Mt.
Desert. Several years afterw'ards, in the summer of 1855, and again in
1856, in company with Dr. Dixon, of Damariscotta, we traced their breed-
ing, in considerable numbers, as far west as Round Pond harbor, in Bris-
tol, and in the Damariscove Islands, in the ocean, not far from the mouth
of the Kennebec. In 1873, on Peakes Island, I saw specimens of the eggs
and birds taken by Messrs. Franklin Benner and Spencer Baird Biddle in
Casco Bay the same summer. On the strength of these observations, made
by others as well as myself, in my Catalogue of the Birds of New Eng-
land (Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XVII, p. 450), I spoke of this
Petrel as a summer resident on the coast of Maine. I have by me, in
MS., the letters of both these gentlemen in regard to their observations.
I subjoin a brief extract from the notes of Mr. Benner : —

The first visit was made to Junk-of-Pork Island, about three miles
■northeast of Peakes, in Casco Bay, on July 16, 1873. The island has an
area of half an acre at low water, and in the centre is an almost perpen-
dicular piece of rock about forty feet in diameter and nearly twenty-five
feet high. A dozen or more burrows of this Petrel, each with their single
egg, were found in the earth that had accumulated on the top of this rock.
The eggs were about half incubated. In two nests young were found only
a day or two old. One of the parent birds was found in each burrow, and
in one instance both.

“ On the 22d of the same month I visited White Bull Island, located
twelve miles farther to the eastward, and comprising a much larger extent
of surface than the first. Here were also found the nests of the Petrel
among many of the Terns. Young birds were found in many of them, and
some eggs.”

He speaks of having found them “ abundant,” and probably breeding in
several other “ of the many barren islands in the neighborhood.” — T. M.
Brewer, Boston, Mass.

82

BULLETIN OF TEE NUTT ALL

Nest and Eggs of the Alaskan Wren. — In a small collection of
birds’ skins, nests, and eggs recently acquired by the Museum of Compara-
tive Zoology, collected at the Pribylow Islands, Alaska, is the nest and
two eggs of the Alaskan Wren {Troglodytes parvulus var. alascensis), which
are believed to be the first ever seen by naturalists. The nest is quite large
and very compactly built, being composed externally of fine moss of a
bright green color, interwoven with fine roots, and lined heavily with hair
and feathers. Conspicuous among the latter are the rosy-tipped feathers of
the Leucosticte griseinucha. The hairs are rather coarse and white, three
to four or five inches in length, and appear to be hairs of the Polar Bear.
The nest was obtained in June, 1876, on St. George Island, by Mr. W. J.
McIntyre, to whom it was brought by a native. It is said to have been
placed deep down in the crevices of large rocks, and to have originally
contained twelve eggs, all but two of which were broken before they came
into Mr. McIntyre’s possession. These measure, respectively, .68 by .51
and .60 by .50. Their general color is dull white, with a very few
minute dots of reddish, so few and small as to be easily overlooked. The
nest is represented to be very hard to find, being placed so deeply among
the rocks, this being the only one Mr. McIntyre could obtain during two
years’ residence at the Islands, although he had a standing offer for them
of about ten dollars in gold each. — J. A. Allen, Cambridge, Mass.

JuNCO OREGONUS IN ILLINOIS. — October 14, 1875, 1 saw a flock of some
dozen birds in a willow-tree, and killed one with a sling. The rest flew
off, and were not seen again. The specimen was sent to Mr. E. W. Nel-
son, who identified it as Junco oregonus, the first one of this species cap-
tured in this State, its extreme eastern range as heretofore known being
Kansas. — H. K. Coale, Chicago, III.

Leptoptila albifrons, a Pigeon new to the United States Fauna.
— Mr. George B. Sennett, a diligent and zealous ornithologist, who has
been making collections and observations in Southern Texas, writes as fol-
lows from Hidalgo, Tex., under date of May 2, 1877 ; —

“ I have a dove which I do not identify, and accordingly send you a
description of a specimen killed April 18. This is a male. 1 have secured
four specimens, and hope to find the nest, as I am satisfied they breed
here. Their cooing is low and short, ending with a falling inflection, and

is easily recognized by its peculiarity Length, 12.50 ; extent,

19.50 ; wing, 6.35 ; tail, 4.50 ; tarsus, 1.37, middle toe and claw the same ;
bill, .62, black. Iris yellow. Orbital space small, faintly red and blue.
Tail square, of twelve feathers. Upper parts greenish-olive, the metallic
coloring purple with bronzy-green reflections, and restricted to back of
neck. Crown drab, shading to nearly white on the forehead. Chin white.
Foreneck creamy-slate. Belly white. Sides ashy. Wings brown, slaty
below, and whole underwing-coverts are bright chestnut, which color ex-

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

83

tends even on the sides. Middle tail-feathers like the back ; others brown
above, and tipped with white in increasing amount, till the outer ones are
white for half an inch ; tail below black, with the white tips, as just said.
Under tail-coverts pure white. In general habits, the bird is quiet and
not readily alarmed ; it associates with the White-winged Doves {Melopelia
leucoptera), and prefers tall trees to undergrowth.”

I sent my correspondent’s letter to Mr. Kidgway, who kindly compared
the description with specimens of Leptotila albifrons in the National
Museum, and made this identification. — Elliott Coues, JF ashmgton,D. C.

Melopelia leucoptera in Colorado. — Mr. E. L. Berthoud, writing
from Golden, Col., March 7, 1877, informs me of the occurrence of this
species near timber line on the head of Cub Creek, J efferson County. He
saw a dozen or more of the birds — rare in this region — in July, 1869.
This verifies my surmise (Birds of the Northwest, p. 386) of the actual
occurrence of the species beyond hitherto recorded limits. — Elliott
Codes, Washington, D. C.

The Ruff and the Purple Gallinule m Ohio. — Dr. Theodore
Jasper, of_this city, obtained, November 10, 1872, at the Licking Reser-
voir, thirty miles east of Columbus, a Wader which remained uniden-
tified till recently. I was of the opinion that it would prove to be either
Philomachus pugnax, or a nondescript. On communicating my views to
Mr. H. W. Henshaw, of AVashington, he kindly offered to compare the
specimen with others in the National Museum. He WTites that the bird,
which was a male (probably young), is positively identical with specimens
of that species in the collection of the National Museum.

I have also just received from rny friend. Dr. Howard E. Jones, a fine
skin of the Purple Gallinule {Porphyrio martinica), killed by him at Circle-
ville, Ohio, May 10, 1877. This bird is now recorded for the first time, on
unimpeachable authority, as a visitor to this State. Dr. Jones tells me that
it has been seen before in the vicinity of Circleville. In my Catalogue of
the Birds of Ohio (Ohio Agric. Rep., 1860), it was inserted on what I after-
ward discovered to be insufficient authority, and for that reason it W'as
omitted from a subsequent list (Food of Birds, etc. 1875). I have several
times been favored with reports, and once or twfice with skins, presumed
to be of this species, which proved, however, to be those of the Florida
Gallinule, which is not a rare summer resident throughout the State. —
J. M. Wheaton, Columbus, 0.

Notes on Nyctale Acadica. — Although not generally common in
any locality, the Acadian or Saw- whet Owl has been of quite frequent
occurrence in Chicago and immediate vicinity during the past three years.
A female of this species in my collection was caught alive while sleeping
on one of the lower branches of a pine-tree, June 23, 1874. In July of
the same year three adult specimens were shot by a boy, who saved only

84

BULLETIN OF THE NUT TALL CLUB.

the wings, as he did not understand preserving skins. November 4 an
adult female was shot in a small grove of pine-trees near the south city
limits. It measured, 8.12 X 18.60; wing, 5.50. March 26, Mr. C. C.
Whitacre caught an adult male at the same place. It was kept alive for
several days, when it died from being caught between the bars of its cage.
He afterwards shot two adult females in the same grove (which has since
gone by the name of the Acadian Grove), and also found one dead in
his yard. March 28 Mr. J. B. Osborne shot an adult female, and June 15
a young female, both of which are now in my possession. The latter
measured, 7.37 X 19.25 ; wing, 5.62. Disc dark brown ; forehead, wings,
and tail beginning to show white markings, as in the adult. July 10 a
second young specimen was brought to me alive. Although just cap-
tured, it showed no fear on being handled. In the shade the iris was
hardly visible, while in the sun the pupil contracted so much as to appear
as only a small black spot. The bird always sat, when perched, with two
toes before and two behind, puffing out its feathers at times so that it
looked nearly as round as a ball. The white markings were more clearly
defined than in the other, extending farther back on the forehead, and
entirely round the outer edge of the disc. This specimen is in the collec-
tion of Dr. J. W. Velie, who also found one dead on the lake shore at
Hyde Park, 111. July 16 a third juvenile was shot in a poplar-tree oppo-
site my residence. It was still more advanced toward adult plumage than
either of the others, especially about the head and wings. J. Strickland
(taxidermist) has a young specimen which was caught here about a year
ago. December 20 Mr. G. F. Clingman shot an adult female in Aca-
dian Grove, and’ March 4, 1876, a , second specimen was shot in the same
place. These, with one male and two females which are also in collections
here, make a total of twenty, including two adult males, fourteen adult
females, and four in immature plumage. — H. K. Coale, Chicago, III.

Probable Breeding of the Acadian Owl {Nyctale acadica) in
Massachusetts. — The capture of this species in the adult state is by no
means of rare occurrence in Massachusetts, but its presence is generally
detected in the winter months. Of its breeding so far south in New Eng-
land I think there has hitherto been no instance recorded. We are now
able, however, to note the capture of three specimens in the plumage of '
the so-called “ alhifrons.’’^ The first was taken in Newton, Mass., on June
28, 1876 ; and the second at Hingham, Mass., on July 5, 1876 ; the third
was captured in one of the cells in the Penitentiary on Deer Island, Bos-
ton Harbor, on the 8th of the same month, by an inmate of the prison.
These localities being some ten or fifteen miles apart, it would seem hardly
probable that these three Owls belonged to the same brood. On April 4,
1877, a specimen in adult plumage was captured in the Penitentiary on
Deer Island, where the above-mentioned immature specimen was taken. I
am indebted to Mr. Win. J. Knowlton, of Boston, for the above facts, and
from him I obtained one of the young specimens. — Edthven Deane,
Cambridge, Mass,

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BULLETIN

OF THE

NUTTALL OENITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

Vol. IL OCTOBER, 1877. . No. 4.

NOTES ON MOLOTHRUS MNEUS, Wagl.

BY J. C. MERRILL, ASSISTANT SURGEON, U. S. A.

The occurrence of this species north of Mexico was noted in the
Bulletin of November, 1876 (Vol. I, p. 88). It is now more than
a year since it was first observed, and during that time I have had
ample opportunity to study its habits, a short account of which
may be of interest. This Cowbird is found in Mexico, Guatemala,
and Yeragua, as well as in Southern Texas ; how far it penetrates
into the latter State I am unable to say. My first specimens were
taken at Hidalgo, on the Rio Grande, seventy miles northwest of
Fort Brown, where, however, they are not so abundant as lower
down the river. Here they are common throughout the year, a
small proportion going south in winter. Those that remain gather
in large flocks with the Long-tailed Grackles, common Cowbirds, and
Brewer’s, Red-winged, and Yellow-headed Blackbirds ; they become
very tame, and the abundance of food about the picket-lines attracts
them for miles around. M. eeneus is readily distinguishable in
these mixed gatherings from the other species by its blood-red iris
and its peculiar top-heavy appearance, caused by its habit of puffing
out the feathers of the head and neck. This habit is most marked
during the breeding-season and in the male, but is seen throughout
the year.

About the middle of April the common Cowbird, Brewer’s, and
Yellow-headed Blackbirds leave for the North ; the Long-tailed
Grackles have formed their colonies in favorite clumps of mesquite
trees j the Redwings that remain to breed have selected sites for
their nests ; the dwarf Cowbirds [Molotkrus 'pecoris var. ohscurus)

86

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

arrive from the South, and M. ceneus gather in flocks by themselves,
and wait for their victims to build. The males have now a variety
of notes, somewhat resembling those of the common Cowbird
{Molothrits pecoris), but more harsh. During the day they scatter
over the surrounding country in little companies of one or two
females and half a dozen males, returning at nightfall to the vicin-
ity of the picket lines. While the females are feeding or resting in
the shade of a bush, the males are eagerly paying their addresses
by pufling out their feathers, as above noted, strutting up and
down, and nodding and bowing in a very odd manner. Every now
and then one of the males rises in the air, and, poising himself two
or three feet above the female, flutters for a minute or two, follow-
ing her if she moves away, and then descends to resume his puffing
and bowing. This habit of fluttering in the air was what first
attracted my attention to the species. In other respects their
habits seem to be like those of the eastern Cowbird {M. pecoi’is).

My first egg of M. ceneus was taken on May 14, 1876, in a Car-
dinal’s nest. A few days before this a soldier brought me a similar
egg, saying he found it in a Scissor-tail’s (Milvulus) nest ; not rec-
ognizing it at the time, I paid little attention to him, and did not
keep the egg. I soon found several others, and have taken in all
twenty-two specimens the past season. All but two of these
w’ere found in nests of the Bullock’s, Hooded, and small Orchard
Orioles (Icterus spurius var. affinis). It is a curious fact that al-
though Yellow-breasted Chats and Red-winged Blackbirds breed
abundantly in places most frequented by these Cowbirds, I have
but once found the latter’s egg in a Chat’s nest, and never in a Red-
wing’s, though I have looked in very many of them. Perhaps they
feel that the line should be drawn 'somewhere, and select their
cousins the Blackbirds as coming wdthin it ; the Dwarf Cowbirds
are not troubled by this scruple, however. Several of these parasitic
eggs were found under interesting conditions. On six occasions I
have found an egg of both Cowbirds in the same nest ; in four of
these there were eggs of the rightful owner,* who was sitting ; in
the other two the Cowbird’s eggs were alone in the nests, which

* It would be interesting to know what would have become of the three
species in one nest, and had the latter been near the fort, where I could have
visited them daily, I should not have taken the eggs. It is probable, however,
that M. ceneus would have disposed of the young Dw’arf Cowbird as easily as of
the young Orioles.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

87

were deserted : but I have known the Hooded Oriole to sit on an
egg of M. cenetis, which was on the point of hatching when found ;
how its own disappeared I cannot say. Once two eggs of ceneiis
were found in a nest of the small Orchard Oriole (var. affi^nis). Twice
I have seen a broken egg of ceneus under nests of Bullock’s Oriole
on which the owner w^as sitting.

Early in June a nest of the Hooded Oriole was found with four
eggs and one of M. ceneus^ all of which I removed, leaving the nest.
Happening to pass by it a few days later, I looked in, and to my
surprise found two eggs of ceneus, which were taken ; these were so
unlike that they were probably laid by different birds. Still an-
other egg, and the last, was laid in the same nest within ten days.
But the most remarkable instance was a nest of the small Orchard
Oriole, found June 20, containing three eggs of census, while just be-
neath it was a whole egg of this parasite, also a broken one of this
and of the Dwarf Cowbird (var. ohscurus). Two of the eggs in the
nest were rotten; the third, strange to say, contained a living
embryo. As the nest was certainly deserted, I can only account for
this by supposing that the two rotten ones were laid about the first
week of June, when there was considerable rain, and that the other
was deposited soon after, since which time the weather had been
clear and very hot. On one occasion I found a female ceneus hang-
ing with a stout thread around its neck to a nest of the Bullock’s
Oriole. The nest contained one young one of this Cowbird, and
it is probable that its parent, after depositing the egg, was entangled
in the thread on hurriedly leaving the nest, and there died ; it had
apparently been dead about two weeks. This case supports the
view that the eggs or young of the owner are thrown out by the
young parasite, and not removed by its parent, though I could find
no trace of them beneath the nest.

Twentj'-two eggs of M. ceneus average .90 X *70, the extremes
being .95 X -75 and .82 X .65. The color is a greenish-white, un-
spotted, soon fading to a dull opaque white. There is more than the
usual variation in shape. Some are almost perfectly elliptical, others
are nearly round ; some are quite pointed at the smaller end, while
others still are there abruptly truncate.

The young, soon after leaving the nest, have the plumage uniform
dull black ; cheeks and sides of head bare ; iris brown.

Fort Brown, Texas.

88

BULLETIN OF THE NVTTALL

ON SEVENTY-FIVE DOUBTFUL WEST-COAST BIRDS.

BY J. G. COOPER, M. D.

In Ornithological works written previous to I860 we find many
species of birds mentioned as from “California” and the “North-
west Coast,” which have not been confirmed as from that region,
and are therefore not referred to in more recent works. It is an
interesting question whether they were always wrongly allocated
there, or whether they may not, in many cases, have actually occurred
as stragglers, and deserve, therefore, a place in our Fauna. As an aid
in deciding these questions, I have compiled a list of all I can find,
with such remarks as seem required respecting the chances of their
occurrence, based on my own experience as a collector there for
more than twenty years, and the observations of others on their
usual range of distribution.

In 1852 Professor Baird published in Stansbury’s Report of his
Exploration of the Great Salt Lake, p. 327, a list of such species as
were then known, including all given by authors as from west of the
Mississippi, but not figured by Audubon. The one hundred and
fifty-three nominal species included ninety-one from the Pacific
slope, of which only twenty have not been since confirmed as
belonging to our Fauna. Most of these were referred to again in
his “Birds of North America.” Mr. Cassin undertook to figure
and describe “ all ” of these in his “ Illustrations,” but was un-
doubtedly saved from the repetition of many errors by the extensive
collections soon after made by the Pacific Railroad Expeditions,
although he has introduced several not since found in the United
States.

In Volume XII, Part II, p. 288, of the Pacific Railroad Reports
(“Natural History of Washington Territory”) Dr. Suckley and
myself, in 1859-60, printed a hastily prepared list of birds, not
confirmed by us as from the “ Northwest Coast,” most of which,
however, do not require to be excluded at present, only twenty
out of one hundred and twenty -three coming into this list. I
have carefully reviewed every accessible authority, and included
only such as are distinct species and not represented within the
regions named by geographical races or near analogues, which might

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. '

89

reasonably be mistaken for them. The older authors in confound-
ing the races were quite excusable in giving them the same
specific names. Those now to be noticed come under three divis-
ions as to geographical distribution, viz. : first, those of tropical
and South America ; second, those of Asia ; third, those of the
Eastern United Stateg. All circumpolar species, even if not re-
cently found on this coast, are omitted as very likely to be found.
The probability of the occurrence of the others varies chiefly with
the nearness of their usual range and their powers of flight, so that
we may frequently consider their occurrence rs next to impossible,
as with the Mexican Quails and Jays which have been so often
credited to “ California.”

What we know of the ' Asiatic stragglers to Alaska shows that
they are usually strong flyers, and I may hei’e mention two of the
Raptores found only in California so far, and each but once, wUich
have a very Asiatic aspect, viz. Buteo cooperi and Onychotes gru-
heri.

The first doubtful West -coast birds were given by Gmelin as from
‘‘ Unalaska, Nootka,” etc. ; the next came from “ Oregon” ; and not
until 1830 did species begin to be credited to “ California.” At that
time the peninsula was included in this name, and yet very few
species, if any, were wrongly located on that account, most of those
not found in “Upper California” being now unknown on the
peninsula, though often found on the West Mexican coast. The
cool sea-breezes of the coast act as an obstacle to the northward
migration of many tropical species occurring on the Atlantic coast
in summer much farther north, while the Colorado Desert, over
one hundred miles wide, debars many more from the hotter
interior.

A few have been called “ Californian ” “which occur about the
Gulf, but not within sixty miles of our line, though of course the
water-birds may follow so far up the Colorado River. Many were
no doubt carelessly labelled by collectors, or designedly misrepre-
sented as from regions then almost inaccessible, to increase their
value.

As to “Oregon” of authors before 1853, it must also be re-
marked, that they included under the name the whole country
drained by the Columbia River; and even now the State includes
part of the “ Middle Province ” of Baird, in which are found birds
not known from the coast. Captain Bendire is now for the first

90

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

time collecting thoroughly the birds of Eastern Oregon ; and his
published notes, as well as those of Allen and Henshaw for Utah,
of Ridgway for Nev.ada, and Cones, Henshaw, and others for
Arizona, show very clearly what species distinguish the Middle and
Western Provinces. Although about fifty species of Land Birds
are given in the first volume of “ Ornithology of California, which
belong properly to the Middle Province or to Lower California,
their habitats are so carefully described there that it is not neces-
sary to include the species here, except in a very few striking
cases.

As shown by Professor Baird from the Xantus collection made at
Cape Saint Lucas, the Middle Province birds become common on
the coast and peninsula south of latitude thirty-five degrees, to the
exclusion of most of the characteristic Californian species, while
very few of those of tropical Mexico occur on the peninsula, so that
the chances are largely against the occurrence of the latter within
our limits. Assistance derived from original observations and
investigations by scientific friends, often unpublished before, is ac-
knowledged by giving their names as authority.

1. Turdus flavirostris, Swaim.^ 1827, = P. rufopalliatus, Lafres.,
1840, “ Monterey, Cal.” An abundant West Mexican bird, which may
straggle northward with flocks of T. migratorius, which it closely resembles
in habits.

2. Harporhynchus mfus var. longirostris {Lafres.), 1838. “ Cali-

fornia and Mexico.” The occurrence of this Eastern Mexican form is not
improbable, and it may have been the bird seen by me at Clear Lake, Cal.j
as recorded in History of N. A. Birds, III, 500.

3. jEgithina leucoptera, VieilL, 1807, “North America,” = 1 Mota-
cilla leucoptera, Vig., 1839, “Western North America,” Baird, List, 1852
(not of Quoy and Gairnard, which is a Palseotropical bird). If = Sylvia
leucoptera, Wilson, Index, it is Dendroeca ccerulescens, not known far west
of the Mississippi (Coues). {/Egithina leucoptera, Yieill., according to Gray
(Hand-List), is from India, while M. leucoptera, Vigors, is from Persia
(Lawrence).]

4. Sialia sialis (Linn.). “ Columbia River,” And. Syn., 1839 (error ?).
Not mentioned from there by Townsend nor Nuttall, who were then
the chief authorities. Still it very probably will occur west of the Rocky
Mountains. Some specimens of S. mexicana are stated to approach very
near it, from which Audubon^s statement may have arisen.

5. Parus carolinensis, Aud. “ Oregon,” Nuttall, 1840, by error for
P. atricapillus var. occidentalis, which is very near it.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

91

6. Geothlypis velatus (Vieill.) = Triclias delajieldi, And., 1839,

Nutt., 1840, Heermann, 1858. “ Oregon and California.” It seems

strange that a bird so common as G. trichas is in the East should be con-
founded with such a different South American species. Townsend’s speci-
men was doubtless from South America, but Heermann’s were only G.
trichas. Lately recorded from Mazatlan, Mexico, and may therefore reach
the Lower Colorado.

7. Siurus auricapillus (Linn.). Oregon,” Nuttall, 1840, and recently
recorded from Idaho, as well as Alaska and Mazatlan. “California,”
Bonap., Notes Delat., 1853, but may have been obtained in Nicaragua.
Still it very probably migrates occasionally through California.

8. Dendrcsca montana (Wils.). “ California,” And., 1839 - 41, Nutt.,
1840. There is no further information respecting this very rare and
scarcely known bird than is given by the above-named authors.

9. Dendroeca striata (Forst.). “Oregon,” Aud. Syn., 1839. Not
given by Townsend nor Nuttall, though it should pass west of the Eocky
Mountains in going from Alaska to the tropics. Yet it is not recorded
as from the Eocky Mountains or Mexico.

10. Dendroeca caerulea Steph. “ Oregon,” Towns-

end’s List, 1839, Aud., 1839, Nutt., 1840. Eecently found west of the
Eocky Mountains, so that it may not have been confounded by Towns-
end, etc., with Polioptila, as I ^suspected. It has not been detected near
the coast.

11. Setophaga ruticilla (Linn?). “California,” Bonap., Notes Delat.,
1853, but was perhaps from Nicaragua. Still, as it is common through-
out the Eocky Mountains in summer, it may occur in California, though
not known from Western Mexico.

12. Collocalia ? unalaschkensis (Gmel.). According to Cassin (II-
lust., 1855, 251), Gmelin’s bird belongs to the genus Collocalia, which is
peculiar to the Pacific (tropical) islands, Japan, etc. If really found on the
Aleutian Islands, some may be expected to straggle to our coast in winter,
with other Asiatic species found there by Dali.

13 Hypocolius ampelinus, Bonap., 1850 (Consp.). “California.”
This tpecies is now known to be from Sennaar, Upper Egypt, and is un-
doubtedly to be removed from the list of West-coast birds.

14. Lanius lahtora, Sykes, — L. elegans, Swains., 1831, Nutt., 1840.
Supposed to have been received from Northwest America, but it inhabits
Siberia. Stragglers may, however, cross Behring’s Straits, like several
other birds. “ L. elegans ” of other American authors is Collurio ludovi-
cianus (L.) var. robustus, Baird, 1873.

15. Vireo agilis, Licht., 1823, = V. virescens, Cass., not of Vieill., which
is V. hartrami, Swains., 1831; not of Aud., 1839, nor Nuttall, 1840.
This species, confounded by former authors with V. gilvus var. swainsoni,
has not been found north of Mexico, nor perhaps in North America, unless
Douglas really found it at the Columbia Eiver, as supposed by Swainson.

92

BULLETIN OF. THE NUTT ALL

16. Coccothraustes ferreirostris, Vigors, 1839, —papa, Kittl., 1830.
“ California,” Baird, 1852.* [This is now recognized as the papa of Kit-
tlitz from the Bonin Islands (Allen).]

17. Pyrrhula inornata, Vigors, 1839. “ Northwest coast of America,”
Baird, List, 1852. Probably Asiatic ; certainly not North American.

18. Ramphopis flammigerus, Jard., about 1830, “ Columbia Kiver.”
[Now known to be South American, — Columbia, Sclater and Salvin ;
New Grenada, Gray (Allen).]

19. Chrysopoga typica, ^otKxp., 1850. “California.” [A Mexican and
Central American species, not yet confirmed as from. California (Allen).]

20. “Emberiza” atricapilla, Gmel., 1788, Aud., 1839-41. These
authors confound this Sandwich Island bird with the Zonotrichia coronata,
Pall., a common California bird described in 1831.

21. “Fringilla maculata,” Aud., 1839 (Townsend’s List), was a con-
fusing of Hedymeles melanocephalus, Swains., with some foreign species,
perhaps Pipilo maculata, Swains. It occurs only in Audubon’s plate, t

22. Pyrgisoma biarcuatus (Lafres.), 1855, “ California,” is a Central
American bird.

23. Saltator rufiventris. Vigors, 1839, “ West coast of North Amer-
ica,” Baird, List, 1852. [A Bolivian species (Allen).]

24. Icterus baltimore {Linn.), “Columbia Biver.” Aud. Syn., 1839.
No authority is given, and it is not mentioned '^by Townsend or Nuttall.
Like the Sialia, it can only be a straggler.

25. Icterus pustulatus, Licht., “ California,” Bonap., Notes Delatt.,
1853, probably for Nicaragua. Some of these species may be looked for
along the Colorado River.

26. Icterus “ californicus ” (Lesson), 1 844 ; “ California,” Bonap.,
Consp., 1850. [This is a synonym of I. pustulatus (Lawrence).]

27. Icterus icterocephalus (Linn.), Bonap., 1825, Nuttall, 1832- 40.
This well-known South American bird was only at first confounded with
our Xanthocephalus, and should not have been credited to California by
Nuttall.

28. Xanthornus mexicanus (Briss.). “ Pacific coast of (North 1)
America,” Baird, List, 1852. [Probably Gymnomystax melanicterus (Vieill.)
of tropical America (Allen).]

29. Trupialis militaris (Linn.). “ Monterey, Cal.,” Neboux, Yoy. de
la Venus, 1855; “San Francisco,” Cutts, in Baird’s N. A. Birds, 1858.

* Chrysomitris yarrelli (Aud.) and Hypocanthus stanleyi (Aud.) are now
generally believed to be (if not hybrid cage-birds) from South America, and as
he gives no authority for “ Upper California,” they may be omitted.

+ Plectrophanes maccowni, Lawr., is quoted from “California” by Cassiu
(111, p. 229), but has not lately been found west of Arizona. Calamospiza
hicolor, Towns., before reported doubtfully from “California,” has been found
as a rare bird near Tulare Lake, by Mr. W. A. Cooper.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 93

Although not recently obtained in North America, it has thus been twice
reported from California.

30. Quiscalus major, Vieill. ‘‘ California,” Gambel, 1847, but he
obtained it only at Mazatlan. It may be looked for on the Lower Colo-
rado,

31. Quiscalus purpureus (Bartr.). “ Oregon,” And., 1839, without
authority. “California,” Gambel, 1847, Newberry, 1857, who probably
both mistook Scolecophagus cyanocephalus for it ; no specimens are known
from the west slope. S. ferrugineus (Gm.), “ Oregon,” Townsend, was ob-
tained there by Peale, and is common in Alaska.

32. Corvus ossifragus, Wils. “Oregon,” Townsend’s List, And. Syn.,
1839 ; “ California,” Woodhouse, 1853 ; all mistaking C. americanus var.
caurinus for it.

33. Cyanocitta beecheyi (Vigors), 1829. “ California,” Botta in

Eydoux’s Voy. de la Favorite, 1839, but not known from the peninsula
recently, or found north of Mexico.

34. Cyanocitta ultramarina (Temm.). Audubon (1839-40) and
Nuttall (1840) confounded this Mexican species with C. californica (Vig.)*
The var. arizonce, Kidgw., may reach California at the Lower Colorado
Kiver.

35. Calocitta colliei (Vigor), 1829, = P^cc» hullocM, And., 1831-42
(not of Wagler), Nuttall, 1840, both of whom described it as from the
“Columbia Kiver,” but without good authority, while Nuttall denies
ever having seen it there or in California. It probably does not even
straggle north of Mazatlan, Mexico.

36. Cyanocorax geoffroyi, Bonap., 1850. California.” [This is
a synonym of Cyanocitta heecheyi (Lawrence).]

37. Sayornis fuscus (GmeL). “ Oregon,” Townsend’s List, 1839, but
it is not now known west of long. 100°. He may have mistaken S.
nigricans for it, as that reaches Southern Oregon.*

38. Antrostomus? macromystax (ITa^^.), Ca.ssin, p. 240. “Cali-
fornia,” from a label in Mus. Phil. Acad. A well-known Mexican spe-
cies.

39. Antrostomus nigrescens ? Cah.,—A. californianus,^’ Bonap.,
1850, New Grenada. I think some of the larger tropical species of
this family may stray into California, as I saw what appeared to be one as
large as A. carolinensis in Ventura County in 1872, but could not obtain
it, and heard no note.

40. Pious lineatus, Linn. “ Oregon,” And., 1839 - 41, from a speci-
men in Edinburgh “ sent by Dr. Gairdner.” Not known from North
America, and was probably collected in South America.

* Saurophagus hairdi, Gamb., 1847, has been attributed to California, but
was given by the author as from the Gulf Region of Mexico. It is South
American, and has not recently been reported from Mexico.

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BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

41. Dryotomus delattri, Bonap., 1854. Doubtless labelled “ Califor-
nia” by error for Nicaragua.

42. Campephilus imperialis ((tOmW), 1832. “California^” And., 1839,
Nutt., 1840, Cassin (figured), 1855. Although Nuttall states that Towns-
end shot a specimen in the Rocky Mountains, near the head of the Colo-
rado River, it is not mentioned in Townsend’s List, nor figured by Au-
dubon. Townsend, however, states that he shot, but lost, a Woodpecker
resembling this on Malade River (now in Idaho). Cassin gives reasons for
supposing it may also occur in California, and it is to be looked for in
Arizona.

43. Melanerpes erythrocephalus {Linn.). “ California,” Gainbel,
1847, Baird in Ornith. of Cal., 1870. Dr. Gambel does not seem to have
preserved any specimens, and as no later collectors have found it west of
Salt Lake City (“ one seen,” Ridgway), its occurrence in California must be
merely accidental.

44. Ceryle americana (Gmel.). “ Colorado River,” Coues, 1866. As
Dr. Coues only thought he saw this species along the river, and as such a
large bird could scarcely escape the many collectors who have been at F ort
Yuma and along the Gila River (whose clear wnters are better suited for
it than the muddy Colorado), we may doubt its occurrence until speci-
mens are obtained, its range in Texas not being north of lat. 30°.

45. Haliaetus pelagicus (Pall.), 1831. “Aleutian Islands.” Al-
though not obtained by late collectors in that region, its occurrence as a
frequent visitor from Kamtschatka is more probable even than that of H.
albicilla to Greenland, and it may be looked for at least as far south as
lat. 50° on our coast.

46. Syrnium nebulosum (Forst). “California,” Woodhouse, 1853.
The birds seen by him in .Arizona, also, ’were probably S. occidentale,
Xantus, 1859. See Baird in Orn. of Cal., 1870, p. 431. There are several
instances besides this in which southern species of Owls do not extend
across the continent, although those of the arctic regions, being mostly
circumpolar, are common to both sides. Thus Nyctale tengmalmi might
have been included in the Orn. of Cal. instead of this, it having been found
in Oregon by Townsend.

47. Catharista atrata (Bartr.). “ Columbia River,” Douglass in Faun.
Bor. Am., 1831, And., 1839, Peale, 1848, Cassin, 111., 1853, 1858. It is
possible that these references were to the young of Ehinogryphus aura.,
although an actual specimen seems to be alluded to. Dr. Gambel found
it quite common about the Gulf of California, but does not add California
as in other cases, nor has it been detected, though very likely to be, along
the Colorado.

48. Baroorhamphus gryphua {Linn.). “ Southwestern States,”
Bonap., 1828-33; “Rocky Mountains,” 1832-40, quoting Lewis and
Clarke’s “ bustards,” and the bill and talons brought by them to Peak’s
Museum. These were, however, probably those of Pseudogryphus califor-

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 95

nianus, and from the Lower Columbia Eiver. The Condor is doubtless
confined to South America, though quite able to visit our latitude.

49. Melopelia leucoptera {Linn.). This species, common in Ari-
zona, has not been collected in California, but in 1853 I saw white-winged
wild Pigeons, which I then had no doubt were this species, in the San
Francisco market. As they are often caged in Mexico, these may have
come from there, but it is also very probable that they may wander so far,
like the little Ground Dove, which has been shot at San Francisco.

50. Ortyx fasciatus, MSS. “California,” Gould, 1843, but

it is not now known north of Colima, Mex., and not at all likely to be found
north of that point.

51. Lophortyx elegans (Lesson), 1831. “ Upper California,” Nuttall,
1840, who, however, did not see it. Found at Mazatlan, but not much to
the northward. L. douglassi, Vig., is probably young of L. califomicus.

52. Eupsychortyx cristatus {Linn.)= 0. neoxeniis, Vig., 1830, Aud.,
1839 - 42, Nutt., 1840. “ Northwest coast of America,” Beechey ; “Califor-
nia,” Audubon. This species is not given in any recent lists of birds of
western tropical America. Beechey’s specimen may have been a cage-
bird, or obtained in Costa Kica.

53. Gambetta flavipea (Gmel.). “ Oregon,” Townsend, 1839 ; “ Cali-
fornia,” Woodhouse, 1853, Newberry, 1857. Although some undoubtedly
occur for a considerable distance west of the Rocky Mountains and in
Alaska, it is a curious fact that no specimen seems to have been collected
in California, Nevada, or Arizona, nor have I seen it, while the larger
species is abundant.

54. Haematopus ater, Vieill., = H. toivnsendi, Aud., 1839. “ Oregon,”
Aud., not Townsend. Doubtless collected in South America, but, like
other shore birds, may be also more or less common to the coast of North
America.

55. Numenius rufiventris, Vig., 1828. “ Pacific coast of North

America.” The name would apply well to a common variety of N. Ion-
girostris ; but it is not yet quoted as a synonym of that species, though
there seems to be no other species on the coast to which it is referable.* '

56. Grus americana. Worst, “ Oregon and California,” Townsend and
Audubon, 1839. The error arose from confounding G. canadensis with
this, which is not now known to go west of long. 100°.

57. Audubonia occidentalis {And.). “California,” Gambel, 1847,
“ to Columbia River” ; Newberry, 1857. No specimens were obtained, and
they no doubt mistook the large var. “ califomica ” of Ardea egretta for it.

58. Platalea ajaja, Lmm = “P. mmcam,”? Willoughby. “California
to San Francisco,” Gambel, 1847. Not seen since then north of the Gulf of

* Actodromus Cassin, 1858, not of Sohlegel, was confounded by

him with A. hairdi, Cones, 1861, and is still doubtful as a West-coast bird, as
is the more northern and Alaskan Actiturm hartvamius (Wils.).

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BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

California, and not very likely to straggle so far north, although Tantalus
loculator visits San Francisco Bay and vicinity every year. Could he
have been deceived by hearing Spatula clypeata called “ Spoon-bill ” ?

59. Anser segetum (Gmel). “ Probably on Northwest coast in winter,”
Nuttall, 1832. The evidence for the occurrence of this species anywhere
in North America is very slight, although it is quoted by Swainson and
Richardson from Hearne. [Doubtless A. canadensis (Cones).]

60. Anas obscura, Gmel. Oregon,” And., 1839, Townsend’s List,

California,” Woodhouse, 1853. This, probably a melanistic form of

the Mallard, has not recently been found west of Utah. (See Henshaw,
Kept., 1875.)

61. Dafila nrophasiana (Vig.), 1829. Northwest coast.” This
South American species has not been confirmed as from North America,
and, if found, occurs only as a straggler.

62. Larns belcheri, Vig., 1829. “ Pacific coast of North America.”

Though confounded by some with L. heermanni, this species is probably
limited to South America, and the range of the two species does not
meet.

63. Chroecocephalus atricilla {Linn). “Colorado River,” Coues,
1868, but not yet obtained on Pacific side north of Cape Saint Lucas.

64. Sterna antillarum {Less.). In exactly the same category as the
last.

65. Hydrochelidon nigrum {Linn.). “ Oregon,” Towns., 1839 ;

“ California,” Heermann, 1858. According to Coues (Mon. Laridae), the
common American bird is H. lariformis (Linn.), so that the H. nigrum is
not likely to occur, except as a straggler, in the West, where all I have
seen were the common kind. [This is probably what Townsend and
Heermann meant by nigrum” (Coues). Saunders (Proc. Zool. Soc. 1876,
p. 642) makes them identical (Lawrence).]

66. Xema furcatum {Neboux), 1840. “ Coast of California.” As this
remarkable species has not been confirmed from the West coast, the
locality may well be doubted, like too many recorded by the same author.
[Recently stated by Salvin to be an inhabitant of the Gallapagos (Law-
rence).]

67. Graculus carbo {Linn.). “ Nootka Sound,” Nutt., 1834, “ Ore-
gon,” Towns., 1839. Not confirmed by collections from the West coast,
and no doubt confounded with other species.

68- Sula bassana {Linn.). “Northwest coast of America,” Nutt.,
1834.

69. Sula fiber {Linn.) =fusca, Yieill. “ Off coast of California from
San Francisco south,” Newberry, 1857. The species seen were probably S.
piscator (Linn.), and >S. cyanops, Sund., which have been obtained from the
West Mexican coast, Lut not farther north, and I have not seen them
along the coast north of lat. 30° during several voyages.

70. Diomedea chlororhyncha {Gmel.). “ Off the coast of Oregon,” •

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

97

Towns., 1839, And., 1839-44. Audubon's figured type proves to be D.
culminata, Gould, and was probably obtained too far from our coast to be
included in its Avifauna, as none have been found lately alongshore or in
sight of land. Townsend does not include it in his list of Oregon birds.

71. Diomedea fuliginosa, GmeL, = D. fusca, Aud., 1839-44. In-
cluded in Townsend’s List, but not recently confirmed, and as he does not
mention D. nigripes, And., he may have referred to the type of that
species. The South Pacific D. exulans and Daption capensis should also
be excluded.

72. iEstrelata haesitata (Kuhl.). “ California,” Lawrence, 1853, by
error for Priofinus cinereus (Gmel.). No record of the former from the
Pacific.

73. Puffinus obscurus (GtHcZ.). “Northwest coast of America,” Nut-
tall,^1834. No late record of its occurrence in the Pacific.

74. Podiceps minor {Gmel.). “ Oregon,” Townsend, 1839. Given by
Nuttall as North American, but not lately obtained, being a common
European species, and confounded by Townsend with either P. cornutus or
P. auritus.

75. Podiceps dominicns {Linn.). “ California,” Gambel, 1847. Prob-
ably not obtained north of the Gulf, and not confirmed as living north of
lat. 32°.

EEMAKKS ON BELASPHORUS ALLENI, Henshaw.

BY D. G. ELLIOT.

I HAD commenced an article in reference to the two forms of the
Selasphorus rnfus of authors, as observed in California and Mexico,
when the July number of the Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological
Club reached me, containing an interesting paper by Mr. Henshaw,
on the California bird, which he describes as new under the name
of S. alleni. That there are two well-defined sjoeaes, as the term is
usually understood nowadays, I have for a long time been w^ell
satisfied in my own mind, and the peculiar shape of the lateral
rectrices would seem to be sufficient to establish the specific differ-
ences of the two birds. Mr. Henshaw has done good service in
pointing these out ; but unfortunately he has conferred a new name
upon the wrong bird, for it is the southern form that requires to be
designated, and not the northern, or to be perhaps more exact, it is
the red-backed bird with the broad tail-feathers, and not the green-
backed one with the narrow tail-feathers, that is in need of a name.

98

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

To prove this it would be necessary to go back in the history of the
species, and commence at the beginning. Gmelin seems to be the
first author who conferred a Latin name upon the Rufous-throated
Hummer, which he did in his “ Systema Naturae ” (1788), Vol. I, p.
497, sp. 57, and described it as follows: “ Trochilus rufus ....
rostrum pedesque nigri ; colli pennae laterales nonnullae elongatae mo-
biles ; tectrices alarum obscure virescentes ; rectrices splendide rufae
acuminatce, linea media longitudinali et apice nigris; cauda cuneataP
Moreover, he gives the habitat as “in sinu Arnericae Natka,” and
quotes as his synonyms the Ruffed Honey-Sucker of Pennant’s
“Arctic Zoology,” Vol. II, p. 290, No. 177, and the Ruff-necked''
Humming-Bird of Latham’s “ Synopsis,” Vol. II, p. 785, No. 56, t. 35, ^
whose specimen, as Latham informs us, came from Nootka Sound.
Now, as it is well known that the southern bird with the broad rec-
trices has a wide dispersion, going far to the north on the Pacific
coast, it might be said, “ How are we to know that the specimen from
Nootka Sound was not this species, and that it was the one called
alleni by Mr. Henshaw'?” Fortunately this can be satisfactorily
determined, and all doubts removed, by turning to the “ Fauna
Boreali Americana” (Birds), and on page 324 we find that Swain-
son, in his article on the Trochilm {Selasphorus) rufus of Gmelin,
makes the following statement : “ The discovery of this superb
species in the cold and inhospitable regions of Nootka Sound is due
to our great navigator. Captain Cook, while to Dr. Latham belongs
the honor of first making it known to science. Bp a singular chance
we have at this moment before us one of the identical specimens, in per-
fect preservation, collected by the naturalists of that expedition ; it was
presented by the late Sir Joseph Banks to Mr. Bullock, and was
purchased by us at a very high price at the dispersion of that col-
lector's museum by public auction.” In his description of the form
of this bird, he says : “ The tail, although short, is more cuneated
than rounded, the two middle pairs being longest, all are narrowed
and obtusely pointed at their extremities, but the two outer pairs are
particularly narrow P It will thus be seen, I think, that the species
described by Gmelin from Nootka Sound was, without doubt, the
bird with narrow rectrices, as Swainson’s specimen was a typical
one, if indeed it may not have been the original type ; and he was
too keen a naturalist not to have noticed the peculiar notch in the
rectrices next the median pair, observed in the bird with the
broad tail-feathers. He also speaks of the throat as being equally

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

99

brilliant with that of T. moschilus (!) (which, so far as I have seen, is
never the case with the other species), and it has, he says, more of
a red than an orange gloss,” and the tints are “exquisitely splen-
did ” ; a perfectly accurate description of the California bird, but not
of the other, which has the gorget orange., and not at all brilliant. To
come a little nearer to our own time, we have Audubon, who, in his
“Birds of America” (8vo edition, Vol. IV, p. 202), thus describes
the Selasphorus rufus as he knew it from the specimens collected
on the Blue Mountains of the Columbia Eiver and at Nootka
Sound by Messrs, Nuttall and Townsend: “Tail rather long,
broad, graduated, the lateral feathers four and a half twelfths of an
inch shorter than the central ; the latter are extremely broad,
measuring four and a half twelfths across, and the rest gradually
diminish to the lateral, w^hich are very narrow, all obtusely pointed.”
Not a word, it will be noticed, is said of the notch on the first
rectrices from the central ones. The throat is also stated to be
“splendent fire-red,” etc. Baird, in the “ Birds of North America”
(1860), p. 134, in his description of the S. rufns, says that “the
tail is strongly cuneate ; the outer feather .40 of an inch shorter
than the middle, which projects .14 of an inch beyond the rest. The
outer feather is very narrow, not exceeding .11 of an inch in width;
the rest widen and lengthen rapidly to the central one, which is
very broad (.35 of an inch) ; the central feathers are all ovate-acu-
ninate. The entire throat, including a short ruff on the side of the
neck (about .40 of an inch long), is metallic red, of the same shade
as in the Ruby-throat, although with brassy reflections in some
lights.” Could, in his “Monograph of the Trochilidoe,''' has appar-
ently confused the two species together, but he makes no mention
of the notched rectrices, but states they are all of a “ broad lanceolate
form,” and his figures would seem to be taken from the California
bird. I might go on and multiply the instances w'here writers in
their descriptions of S. rufus have spoken only of the birds with the
narrow rectrices, although, as in Mr. Could’s case, they may have
had both Californian and Mexican specimens before them, but,
regarding them as one species, they have always selected for their
descriptions the specimens with the brilliant throats (as being in
more perfect plumage, as they supposed), rather than the duller-
throated examples, and so these last have escaped receiving a dis-
tinctive name, as they deserved. But I think enough has been
said to show that authors generally, and the older ones especially,

100

BULLETIN OF THE NUT TALL.

always described the bird with all the lateral rectrices narrow, and
destitute of any notch.

I have not said anything, in comparing the species, about the
color of the back, as I consider this is not altogether a satisfactory
character by which to distinguish the birds, though Mr. Henshaw
makes it one of his principal ones. Latham, in his original descrip-
tion, states that the “ crown ” was “ glossy green,” and also that there
,was a “greenish gloss between the wings.” In the first place, the
females of both are entirely green in their upper surface, and this is
not always pure green, as I have specimens now before me, collected
by Boucard at Oaxaca, Mexico, in which the back is a yellowish-
bronze, precisely like young males in my collection from California
of the other form, collected by Dr. Heermann. Again, I have
young males, also collected by Boucard at Oaxaca, which have the
back of such a curious reddish-cinnamon that it is difficult to say
what color it exactly is ; and Mr. Henshaw says, in his article
(p. 55), that “ in California, however, where the S. rufus occurs in
its typical condition, that is, with an unmixed rufous back, specimens
are not uncommonly found which exhibit a strong approach to the colora-
tion of S. alleni ” ; although, as he farther says, “ they never apppear
to pass beyond a certain point.”.. It is, however, indisputable, that the
two species do vary in the amount of green upon their upper sur-
face, and also that at times they approach each other in coloration
so nearly that, were there no other differences existing, it would be
impossible to separate them. For this reason I do not place much
reliance upon the amount of green on the back as a specific charac-
ter. But there are other differences, I think, not mentioned by Mr.
Henshaw, to be observed in the females, by which this sex of the
two species can be distinguished. The female of the Mexican *
species has the rectrices broad.

In addition to the superior width of its rectrices, the Mexican
bird has the lateral tail-feathers, for more than a third of their
length in the central portion, jet black, the base light rufous, and
the tips white, so that when the tail is closed, and looked at from

* I use the terms Mexican and Californian to designate the birds with broad
and narrow rectrices respectively, for the term rufous has been so misapplied that
I cannot employ it at present without risk of adding to the confusion. At the
same time the bird called alleni is not restricted to California, as I have al-
ready shown, but goes as far north at least as Nootka Sound, and may in winter
pass into Lower California, perhaps into Mexico.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

101

beneath, it appears all black, tipped with white. In the other
species the rufous of the basal portion is more extended, and the
blackish bar narrower, and does not occupy all the space between
the tips of the under-coverts and the white tips, at least on the
lateral feathers. I do not think that the females have any metallic
feathers on the throat ; those mentioned as females, with these
feathers, being usually young males. These last generally have the
median rectrices cinnamon, the tips only being metallic green. As,
therefore, it will be necessary to bestow a new name upon the bird
with the metallic-orange throat and notched rectrices next to the
central pair, the synonymy of the species will stand somewhat as
below.

The descriptions are taken from specimens in my collection from
California and Mexico respectively.

Selasphorus rufus.

Trochilus rufus, Gmel., Syst. Nat., Vol. I, p. 497. (1788.)

Ruff-necked Humming-Bird, Lath., Gen. Syn,, Vol. II, p, 785, pi. 35.
(1781.)

Trochilus {Selasioliorus) rufus, Swains., Faun. Bor. Amer., Vol. II, p.
324. (1831.)

Selasphorus rufus, Aun., B. Amer., 8vo ed. Vol. IV, p. 200. Bated,* B.
Amer. (1860), p. 134. Gould, Mon. Troch,, Vol. Ill, pi. 137 (partim).

SelaspJior^is ruber. Bon., Consp. Gen. Av., p. 82.

Ornismya soisin, Less., Hist. Nat. Ois. Monch., p. 190, pis. 66, 67.

Selasphorus alleni, Henshaw, Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, Vol. II, p. 54
(1877).

Habitat. In summer the
Pacific coast of America from
California to Nootka Sound.

In winter — ?

Male. Top of head and
back bronzy-green, dullest
on the forehead. Sides of
the head, rump, flank, abdo-
men, and under tail-coverts
rufous. A gorget of metal-
lic feathei's, covering all the throat and extending on to the sides of the
neck, brilliant coppery-red, with brassy reflections in certain lights. Up-
per part of breast white. Wings purplish-brown. Tail short, cuneate.

Figures reprinted from Mr. Henshaw ‘s article (this volume, p. 53), with
change of names.

102

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

all the feathers acutely pointed. Median rectrices rather broad, lateral
ones narrowing rapidly to the outermost, w'hich is extremely narrow.
Bill straight, black.

Female. Above entirely green, with a slight cinnamon shade on the
rump. Under surface grayish- white, with a slight brownish tinge on the
breast. Tail-feathers rufous at base, then a narrow subterminal bar of
violaceous-black, and tipped with white.

The next species I propose to call

Selasphorus henshawi.

Trochilus riifus, Henshaw, Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, Vol. II, p. 53
(1877).

Habitat. Mexico, northward along the Pacific coast to Sitka.

Male. Top of the head metallic-green, rest of upper parts cinnamon,
but some specimens have green feathers intermixed with the rufous on the
back. Throat metallic-orange, not brilliant as in the other species. Breast,
and the centre of the abdomen, white ; flanks and under tail-coverts
rufous. Tail rufous, tipped with dark brown ; feathers pointed at tip,
median pair broad, lateral ones growing narrower to the outermost, which
is the most attenuated. On the inner web near the tip of the rectrices next the
central pouir is a conspicuous well-developed notch. Bill black. Total
length, 3| inches ; wing, Ij ; tail. If ; culmen, f .

Female. Entire upper parts shining grass-green, dullest on the crown.
Throat white, spotted with brown. Under parts white ; washed with
rufous on the breast and flanks. Under tail-coverts buff. Median rec-
trices green ; lateral ones rufous at base, then a band of metallic-green,
succeeded by a subterminal broad black bar, and tips white. Bill black.
Length, 3J inches ; wing. If ; tail, If ; culmen, f. Young males similar
to the females, with a few metallic spots on the throat.

THE YELLOW- THROATED WARBLER {DENDRCECA
DOMINICA).

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

It is indeed surprising that a bird so generally distributed through-
out the Southern States as the above-named species should be so lit-
tle known. In “ History of North American Birds” (Vol. I, p. 241),
Dr. Brewer prefaces his account of its habits by the remark that
its history “ is very imperfectly known,” and then proceeds to draw
upon the meagre and conflicting descriptions given by Wilson,
Audubon, and Nuttall. Although I cannot myself claim an ac-

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

103

quaintance of very long standing with this beautiful little species,
still for five or six weeks during the past spring scarcely a day
passed that I did not see one or more individuals. I first met with
them at Mellonville, Florida, where, on March 14, I shot two speci-
mens, both females, in the pine woods near the town. They were
associated with Pine Warblers, Nuthatches, and Woodpeckers.
During a trip up the Wekiva River, March 19 to 23 inclusive, I
heard at frequent intervals a Warbler that I did not recognize sing-
ing in the cypresses, but from the impenetrable nature of the
swamps, and the great height of the trees, I was unable to get even
a glimpse of the bird. A week later, while descending the St.
John’s River by steamer, I again constantly heard, both from the
cypress swamps and the open piny woods, the notes of this, to me,
unknown species, and although I felt almost certain of its identity,
it was not until I reached St. Mary’s, Georgia, that I proved to my
satisfaction that my suspicions were correct. There, from the 6th
of x4.pril to the 4th of May, I enjoyed abundant opportunities of
studying its habits, for it was everywhere, in suitable localities,
if not one of the most abundant, at least a generally distributed
species. At the time of my arrival the males were in full song and
mating. A few individuals haunted the moss-hung live-oaks that
shaded the village streets, but the open piny woods were their fa-
vorite abode. There, with the Summer Redbird [Pyranga oestiva),
the Pine Warbler {Bendroeca pinus), the Brown-headed Nuthatch
{Sitta pnsilla), and a variety of Woodpeckers, they frequented the
beautiful Southern pines. Indeed, so great was their attachment
to this tree that, with the exception of those heard in the cypress
swamps of the Upper St. John’s, and the few that inhabited the
oaks in the town, I do not remember to have seen one in any other
tree. So marked and unvarying was this preference, that on more
than one occasion I made use of the notes of this bird to guide me
out of some bewildering thicket, feeling sure that beyond where it
was singing I should find the more open pine-clad country.

Nearly all the authors who have written on the Yellow-throated
Warbler from personal observation compare his movements along
the branches to those of the Black-and-white Cree-per (Mniotilta varia).
At first I was inclined to the same opinion, but after my eagerness
to secure specimens had somewhat abated, through success in col-
lecting them, I felt more at leisure to watch the pretty little birds
before taking their innocent lives, and, having spent many hours in

104

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

carefully studying their habits, I became convinced of the error of my
earlier impressions. Their movements are much slower than those
of the Mniotilta, and there is less of that crouching, creeping motion.
They do, indeed, spend much of their time searching the larger
branches for food, but it is much more in the manner of the Pine
Warbler, and their motion is rather a hopping than a creeping one.
I have never seen them ascend the trees from the roots to the top-
most branches, as Audubon relates, but I occasionally observed one
clinging against the main trunk for a moment, to seize an insect,
as will the Bluebird {Sialia sialis) and many of the Warblers. Their
hunting-ground is for the most part, however, among the higher
branches, and a considerable part of their time is spent at the ex-
tremities of the limbs, searching for food among the pine needles.
Their bright yellow throats, brought out by contrast with the dark
evergreen foliage, give them a certain resemblance to the Black-
burnian Warbler [Dendroeca hlackburni(je). The males are not very
persistent singers. I rarely heard them^ during the warm hours
of the day, even when pairing was almost their sole occupation.
Their song is very pretty ; it may be nearly imitated by the syl-
lables Tivsee-twsee-twsee, twsee-see, the last two rising and terminat-
ing abruptly. It most nearly resembles that of the Nashville
Warbler [Helminthophaga rnjicapilla), beginning in almost the
same way, but ending differently, and, indeed, throughout the notes
are much sweeter. Both sexes utter a chirp similar to that of other
Warblers, but sharper.

By the middle of April there was a marked decrease in the
number of Yellow-throated Warblers about St. Mary’s. This was
partly owing to my having shot many for specimens, but not en-
tirely to this, for extended researches over new ground convinced
me that the greater number had passed on, probably to the north-
ward. A few, however, still remained ; perhaps on an average one
pair to every hundred acres of pine forest. While collecting near
St. Mary’s, April 18, I was in the act of shooting a female when I
noticed that she was gathering material for building, and, tracing
her flight, I was fortunate enough to discover her half-completed
nest. Visiting the spot at frequent intervals, I invariably found
both birds feeding among the pines in the vicinity, although the
nest, as far as I could judge, seemed finished. At length. May 2,
a friend, ascending the tree, found the female sitting. She remained
on the nest until he nearly touched it, although the limb shook

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

105

violently under his weight. When she did finally leave it she sailed
down into a smaller tree a few rods off, where she remained a silent
and seemingly unconcerned spectator of what followed. The nest
and its contents being safely lowered to the ground, I shot both the
female and her mate. The latter was singing, as usual, a short
distance off, and apparently took no more interest than the female
in the destruction of their mutual hopes. Embryos of small size
had already formed in the eggs, so that incubation must have
begun three or four days previously. This nest was placed at the
height of about thirty-five feet from the ground, on the stout hori-
zontal branch of a Southern pine, one of a thinly scattered grove
or belt that stretched along the edge of a densely wooded hummock.
It was set flatly on the limb, — not saddled to it, — nearly midway
between the juncture with the main trunk and the extremity of the
twigs, and was attached to the rough bark by silky fibres. It is
composed externally of a few short twugs and strips of bark bound
together by Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) and a silky down
from plants. The lining consists of a few hair-like filaments of
moss and soft cottony vegetable down. The whole structure is
neatly and firmly compacted, though essentially simple in appear-
ance, and, from the nature of the component materials, of a grayish
inconspicuous color. In size, shape, and general formation it very
nearly resembles nests of the Black-throated Green Warbler [Den-
droeca virens) in my collection. It measures externally 2.80 inches
in diameter by 1.70 in depth; internally, 1.77 inches in diameter by
1.30 in depth. The eggs, four in number, measure .69 by .53 of an
inch. They are quite regularly ovate, with fine dottings of pale
lilac scattered thinly and evenly over a grayish-white ground-color.
A few spots or blotches of burnt sienna occur about the large ends,
while occasional irregular penlike lines of dark brown diversify the
remaining surface.

Upon referring to published accounts of the nesting of this
Warbler, I find the statements by the different authors most con-
flicting, and the authenticity of many of the specimens open to
gravest doubt. Both Mr. Maynard (in “ Birds of Florida,” Part II,
page 61) and Dr. Coues (“Birds of the Northwest,” page 67) base
their descriptions upon alleged specimens sent to the Smithsonian
Institution by Mr. Norwood C. Giles, of Wilmington, N. C. Dr.
Brewer refers to these specimens as “ eggs supposed to be of this
species,” and Dr. Coues describes the nest as “ built in a large mass

V

106

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

of Spanish moss,” and as “ composed chiefly of that material. A part
of the moss which hung from an oak bough, two feet downward
and a foot across, was caught up and closely woven together with a
little fibrous substance and much plant-down, to form a swing-
ing bed for the nest, with a lateral entrance which will admit the
hand. Inside is the nest proper, of the usual dimensions, very
neatly wrought of the moss, with a smooth even border, and lined
with plant-down and a few fine grasses.” From the great difference
in the position and structure of the nest, there seems little reason
to doubt that Mr. Giles was mistaken in his identification. Nut-
talfs account of “ its curious .fabric, suspended to a kind of rope
which hangs from tree to tree,” is manifestly fabulous, while
Audubon’s description is, to say the least, very vague and unsatis-
factory, though, as far as it goes, it certainly most nearly approxi-
mates to the specimen before me.

From the number of individuals I saw near Savannah, Ga., May 5
(I heard in Bonaventure Cemetery four different males singing at one
time), I am led to believe that the Yellow-throated Warbler breeds
more abundantly in Northern Georgia (and perhaps in South and
North Carolina) than farther south.

D’Hamonville’s Enumeration of the Birds of Europe.* — ■ The
writer is indebted to his friend and correspondent, Baron D’Hamonville,
for a copy of his recent Catalogue of the Birds of Europe, which deserves
more than a mere mention on account of the admirably comprehensive
manner in w'hich it has been prepared. While it enumerates every form
that has been claimed to have been taken within the limits of Europe, it
is careful to designate in a significant manner the writer’s mode of dis-
sent. Thus, names believed to have no specific significance, or to rep-
resent a race rather than a species, are marked with a Greek minuscule ;
those whose presence is questioned are given with an interrogation sign,
and those whose occurrence is exceptional are also designated. Thus
divided, the Baron makes the whole number 658, as follows : —

* Catalogue des Oiseaux d’ Europe, on enumeration des especes et races d’oi-
seaux dont la presence, soit habituelle soit fortuite, a ete dument constatee dans
les liniites geographiques de TEurope, par J. C. L. T. D’Hamonville. 8vo.
pp. 74. Paris : 1876.

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

107

Species resident or of regular migration 425

Species of fortuitous occurrence 150

Species whose capture in Europe is disputed .... 22

European luces ......... 55

658

The number of accidental visitors is surprisingly large, being about one
fourth of the whole Catalogue, and is very nearly equally divided between
Africa, Asia, and North America. These do not include those whose
presence is disputed, though the number of the latter should probably be
enlarged. Thus Haliaetus leucocephalus is accepted without dispute, though
its right to be included is generally questioned.

Appended is a list of the portion of the visitors to Europe from North
America, with the region where taken : —

Nauclenis furcatns, England.

Accipiter atricapillus, Scotland.

Scops asio, England.

Picus villosus, England.

Picas pubescens, England.

Coccyzus americanus, England.

Coccyzus eryihrophthalmiis, Italy (Lucca).
Alcedo alcyon, Ireland.

Agelccus phoeniceus, England.

Loxia leucoptera, England.

Anthus ludovicianus, Heligoland.

T Urdus fuscescens, Pomerania.

Turdus pallasi, Switzerland.

Turdus swainsoni (not given).
Harporhynchus rufus, Heligoland.
Regains calendula, England.

Dendrceca virens, Heligoland.

Progne purpurea, England.

Hirundo hicolor, England.

Ectopistes migratorius, Russia, Norway,
England.

Charadrius virginicus, Heligoland.
Charadrius fulvus, Malta.

AEgialitis vocifera, England.

Namenius hudsonicns, Iceland, England.
Numenius borealis, Scotland.
Macrorhamphus griseus. Northern Eu-
rope.

Tringa maculata, England.

Tringa bonapaHei, England and France.
Tringa pusilla, England.

Tryngites rufescens, England, France,
Heligoland.

Gambetta Jlavipes, England.
Rhyacophilus solitarius, Scotland.

Actitis macularia, Western Europe.
Bartramia longicauda. Central Europe.
Sympliemia semipalmata, Sweden, Fra nee*
Botaurus lentiginosus, Germany, Eng-
land.

Puffinus obscurus, France, England.
Paffinus fuliginosus, France, England.
Thalassidroma leucorrhoa, Western Eu-
rope.

Chnecocephalus atricilla, France, Eng-
land.

Chroecocephalus Philadelphia, England.
Xema sobinei, Northern Europe.

Mareca americana, England.

Querqaedala discors, France.

Aix sponsa, England, France, Germany.
Fulix collaris, England.

Fulix affinis, England.

Clangula albeola, England. .

(Edemia perspicillata. Western Europe.
Mergus cucullatus, France, England.

Uria columba, Greece (Von Heuglin).
Simorhynchas psittaculus, Sweden.

T. M. B.

Merriam’s “Review ob’ the Birds of Connecticut.”* — Through

* A Review of the Birds of Connecticut, with Remarks on their Habits. By C.
Hart Merriam. Transactions of the Connecticut Academy, Vol. IV, pp. — , 1877.

108

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL

the kindness of the author we have received advance sheets of the above-
cited j)aper, shortly to be issued under the auspices of the Connecticut
Academy, as the first of a proposed series on the Fauna of that State.
Since the appearance of Linsley’s “ Catalogue of the Birds of Connec-
ticut ” in 1843, no detailed enumeration of the birds of that State has
been published. Hence the ad^^ent of Mr. Merriam’s paper must be hailed
with interest by all engaged in the study of New England Ornithology.
The author gives in all two hundred and ninety-two species. Of these
he arranges under special lists in tabular form, one hundred and thirty-five
as “ summer residents ” ; twenty which probably breed occasionally, but are
not known to do so ; forty-one resident species ; ninety migrants ; sixty-
seven winter visitants ; thirty-one irregular summer visitants ; forty-six
rare accidental visitants ; and nineteen rare and irregular visitants. Fol-
lowing these is a tabulated analysis of Linsley’s Catalogue, in which he
eliminates sixty-three species given by that author on apparently insuf-
ficient authority, though many of these are afterwards included by Mr.
Merriam upon more recent and tangible evidence. The Avifauna of Con-
necticut, though essentially Alleghanian in character, has been long known
to embrace many Carolinian forms, but the relative extent of this ‘‘ tinge,”
geographically as well as specifically, has been considerably developed by
Mr. Merriam’s careful researches. Thus, upon unimpeachable authority
are given as birds of Connecticut, Dendro&ca dominica, Loijhojjhanes bicolor,
Oporornis formosus, Gardinalis virginianus, Empidonax acadicus, and Cen-
turus carolinus, while, singularly enough, several species knowm only in the
more northern New' England States as spring and fall migrants have been
found breeding. In the careful elaboration of interesting details culled
from personal experience and the note-books of well-knowui and trust-
worthy field collectors, this paper is most rich. Indeed, if we may be
permitted to qualify otherwise undiluted praise by a little censure, we
should say that a judicious summarizing of data and incident would divest
this paper of a great deal of unnecessary cumbersomeness. Still, it is
perhaps better to err in this direction than in the other and too common
one, and Mr. Merriam certainly deserves much credit for his arduous
labors. — W. B.

Note on Doricha enicura (Vieill.). — About two years ago Mr. H.
W. Henshaw submitted some birds to me for determination, among which
was the female of a species of Humming-Bird obtained by him in Arizona,
which I considered to be Doricha enicura, and it is so recorded in United
States Geographical Survey W. of 100th Meridian, Vol. V, Chap. III. On
a re-examination lately made, I find it was not properly referred, and a
comparison with the female of Calothorax lucifer (Sw\) shows it to be that

ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.

109

species, which must now be included in our Fauna in place of D. enicura.
At the time of my first examination I had no specimen of the female of G.
lucifer, and w\as misled by the general similarity of coloring of the two
species, especially the distribution of colors in the tail, both having it
rufous at base, black in the middle, and white at the end ; D. enicura has the
tail-feathers narrower, and the rufous on their bases rather more in extent.
The females of Calothorax pulchra and of Myrtis fannice closely resemble
the same sex of the species spoken of above in general plumage, and in
having their tails of the same pattern of coloration. In many allied forms
among the Trocliilidce, the females resemble each other so much that a
satisfactory determination of them is quite difficult, except with authentic
examples of the different species to compare with. — Geo. N. Lawrence,
New York City.

' Occurrence of the Black Vulture or Carrion Crow in Ohio. —
On or about December 20, 1876, I came upon three individuals of this
species {Gathartes atratus, Less.), feeding on the carcass of a hog, in a
wooded ravine near Madisonville] ; one of them I shot at and wounded, but
lost sight of it in the woods, and the other two remained in the immediate
vicinity long enough to give me an excellent opportunity to observe their
peculiarities of form and flight, although I could not approach within
gunshot of them. On January 1, 1877, however, I found a specimen that
had been killed a few days previous, in the same locality, by Mr. Edwin
Leonard, of Madisonville, under circumstances rendering it probable that it
was the one I had wounded ; its skin is now in my collection.

The occurrence of this bird in Ohio, or in fact anywhere in the Missis-
sippi Valley north of the Ohio Kiver, has heretofore rested solely on
Audubon’s account of its range, which has been quoted by all subsequent
waiters ; and, being essentially a southern species, its capture here, at a
time when the Ohio Eiver was frozen over and the ground covered with
several inches of snow, seems worthy of remark. I have identified this
species here satisfactorily to 'myself, on two previous occasions, both in
winter, but have never seen the “Turkey Buzzard’* {C. aura) at that season,
although it is quite common during the summer. — Frank W. Langdon.

Occurrence op the Western Nonpareil and Berlandier’s Wren
AT Fort Brown, Texas. — Dr. J. C. Merrill, U. S. A., in a recent letter
to the writer, says : “ I have recently (April 23 and 24, 1877) taken two
fine males of Cyanospiza versicolcyr, a bird new to onr Fauna, although
included in Baird, Brewer, and Kidgway’s ‘ History of North American
Birds.’ I have also heard and seen several others. They frequent ines-
quite chaparral, and betray themselves by their notes, which somewhat
resemble those of G. cyanea. Berlandier’s Wren {Thrijothorus ludovicianus
var. herlandieri), also new, but included in Baird, Brewer, and Kidgway’s
work, I find to be a rather common visitant.” Dr. Merrill also states that

110

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL CLUB.

he had just found a beautiful nest of Spermopliila moreleti, which proves
to be a rather abundant species. — J. A. Allen, Cambridge, Mass.

A Cuckoo’s Egg in a Cedar-Bird’^ Nest. — On July 19, 1874, while
collecting in a piece of swampy second growth about four miles from
Utica, N. Y., I discovered a nest in a small sapling about eight feet from
the ground, which, on examination, I found to contain four eggs of the
Cedar- Bird {Ampelis cedrorum), and one egg of the Cuckoo. From the
damp situation, from the appearance of the egg itself, and from the fact
of my having found the nest of that bird in the same piece of wood the
previous year (1873), I am led to believe it was that of the Black-billed
species {Coccyzus erythrophthalmus). The nest was deserted and apparently
had been for some time, as all the eggs were addled, nor could I see that
incubation had begun ; certainly it had not in the Cuckoo’s egg. I can
find no mention in print, nor have I ever before heard, of such a case. —
Egbert Bagg, Jr., Utica, N. Y.

[The laying of our American Cuckoos in the nests of other birds is
doubtless not so rare an occurrence as has been supposed. Two instances
have been observed recently in this immediate vicinity, and I have heard
of others. Mr. A. M. Frazar, of Watertown, Mass., informs me of one in-
stance where the Yellow-billed Cuckoo {Coccyzus america^ius) deposited
an egg in a Robin’s nest, and another case of the laying of the same
species in the nest of a Wood Thrush. In the March number of the
Oologist” (Vol. Ill, p. 3, published at Utica, N. Y.) an anonymous writer
records (since Mr. Bagg’s note was received for publication) the finding of
two eggs of .the “ Cuckoo ” (species not given) in the nest of a ‘‘ Redbird ”
at Gambier, Ohio. — J. A. Allen.]

Occurrence for the first Time in England of the Robin (Turdus
migratorius). — Mr. J. E. Harting records the first occurrence in England
of this species in an article in The Field ” (published in London, Eug.),
of December 23, 1876, and also in the “Zoologist” for January, of which
paper he is , editor. The bird was taken alive, owing to its exhausted
state, when reaching land at Dover, during April or May.

Mr. Harting is a well-known authority on stragglers, having published
in 1872 a Handbook of British Birds, in which was recorded 212 speci-
mens of American birds, belonging to 42 different species. Since that
time some of these have been discredited, and others added, until at the
present time the list embraces 220 instances of the occasional appearance
in Great Britain of North American birds. Of the species referred to in
this list, there are five birds of prey, fourteen Passer es and Picarice, one
Columba, fourteen Grallatores, and eight Natatores. The prevailing winds
of the Atlantic being westerly probably accounts for the greater abun-
dance of American stragglers in Europe than the contrary. — H. B. Bailey,
Orange, N. J.

INDEX

Accentor auricapillus, 31.

Accipiter atricapillus, 107.

Actitis macularia, 107.

jEgialitis vocifera, 107.

“ wilsonia, 13, 46.

JEgiothus canescens, 14, 46.

“ exilipes, 51.

“ rufescens, 51.

JEgithina leucoptera, 90.

JEstrelata haisitata, 97.

Agelseus phoeniceus, 107.

Aix sponsa, 107.

Akhnrst, J., capture of the Egyptian
Goose on Long Island, N. Y., 52.

Alcedo alcyon, 107.

Allen, J. A., note on breeding-dress of
Phalaropes, 41 ; nest and eggs of the
Alaskan Wren, 82; on Cuckoos lay-
ing in nests of other birds. 111.

Ammodromus caudacutus, 27, 28.

Anas obscura, 96.

Anatidae, neotropical, notice of Sclater
and Salvin’s paper on, 24.

Anser gambeli, 14, 46.

“ segetum, 96.

Anthus coronata, 32.

“ Therrainieri, 33.

“ ludovicianus, 17, 107.

Antrostomus macromystax, 93.

“ nigrescens, 93.

Aramus scolopaceus, 23.

Archibuteo ferruiiineus, 26.

Audubonia occidentalis, 95.

Bagg, E., Jr., Cuckoo’s egg in a Cedar-
Bird’s nest, 110.

Bailey, H. B., occurrence of Leconte’s
Bunting in Iowa, 26 ; occurrence of
Passerculus princeps in New York, 78 ;
occurrence for the first time of the
Robin in England, 110.

Bartramia longicauda, 107.

Bernicla hutcliinsi, 14, 46.

“ leucopsis, 17.

Botaurus lentiginosus, 107.

Brachyotus cassini, 14.

Brewer, T. M., a defence of his Cata-
logue of New England Birds, 44; a
new bird to Massachussets, 78 ; a new
form of Surma to New England, 78 ;
breeding of Leach’s Petrel on the
coast of Maine, 80.

Brewster, Wm., the Black-and-Yellow
Warbler, 1 ; northern range of the
Sharp-tailed Finch, 28 ; two un de-
scribed nests of Californian birds, 37 ;
an undescribed Hybrid between two
North American Grouse, 66 ; the Yel-
low-throated Warbler, 102.

Brown, J. A. H., on uEyiothus exilipes
in Europe, 51.

Brown, N. C., notes on birds new to the
fauna of Maine, etc., 27.

Bubo virginianus, 80.

Bunting, Chestnut-collared, 78.

“ Leconte’s, 26.

“ MacCown’s, 52.

Burroughs, J., notice of his “ Wake-
Robin,” 48.

Buteo cooperi, 89.

Buzzard, Ferruginous, 26.

Calamospiza bicolor, 92.

Calocitta colliei, 93.

Cardinalis virginianus, 108.

Carpodacus amplus, 60 - 66.

“ frontalis, 60 - 66.

“ purpureas, var. californi-

cus, 37.

Catharista atrata, 94.

Cathartes atratus, 109.

Centurus carolinus, 108.

Ceryle americana, 94.

Charadrius fulvus, 107.

“ virginicus, 107.

Chat, Yellow-breasted, 16.

Chenalopex aegyptiacus, 52.

Chroecocephalus atricilla, 96, 107.

“ Philadelphia, 107.

Chrysomitris yarrelli, 92.

Chrysopoga typica, 92.

Cistothorus stellaris, 15.

Clangula albeola, 107.

Coale, H. K., MacCown’s Longspur in
Illinois, 52 ; Junco oreyonus in Illi-
nois, 82 ; notes on Nyctale acadica, 83.

Coccothraustes ferreirostris, 92.

Coccyzus americanus, 107, 108.

“ erythrophthalmus, 107, 108.

Collocalia unalaschkensis, 90.

Collurio ludovicianus var. excubitoroi-
des, 21.

Contopus borealis, 16.

Conurus carolinensis, 50.’

112

INDEX.

Cooper, J. G., notice of his “ New Facts
relating: to Californian Ornithology,’’
76 ; on Seventy-five Doubtful West-
Coast Birds* 88.

Coot, 17.

Corvus americanus, 14, 45.

“ ossifragus, 13, 46, 93.

Cory, C. B., the Black Gyr-Falcon in
Massachusetts, 27.

Coturniculus lecontei, 26.

“ passerinus, 16, 47.

Coues, E., note on Podiceps dominicus,
26; Eastward Range of the Ferrugi-
nous Buzzard, 26 ; corrections of no-
menclature in the genus Slums, 29 ;
Western Range of Conurus carolinen-
sis, 50 ; note on the Cinnamon Teal,
51 ; a pigeon {Leptoptila alhlfrons)
new to the United States Fauna, 82 ;
Melopelia leucoptera in Colorado, 83.

Cowbird, Common, 85.

“ Dwarf, 85.

Crow, Common, 14, 45.

“ Fish, 13, 46.

Cuckoo, Black-billed, 110.

“ Yellow-billed, 110.

Cupidonia cupidini-columbianus, 67.

“ cupido, 66.

“ var. pallidicinctus, 52.

Curlew, Long-billed, 17.

Cyanocitta beecheyi, 93.

“ ultramarina, 93.

Cyanocorax geoffroyi, 93.

Cyanospiza versicolor, 109.

Dafila urophasiana, 96.

D’Hamonville, Baron, notice of his
“ Catalogue des Oiseaux d’Europe,”
106.

Deane, R., unusual abundance of the
Snowy Owl in New England, 9 ;
note on the Barnacle Goose, 18; oc-
currence of the Sooty Tern in Massa-
chusetts, 27 ; probable breeding of
the Acadian Owl in Massachusetts,
84.

Dendroeca auduboni, 27.

“ blackburnise, 48, 104.

“ cserulea, 14, 21, 48.

“ coronata, 31.

“ dominica, 102, 108.

“ maculosa, 1.

“ montana, 90.

“ striata, 90.

virens, 105, 107.

Demiegretta ludoviciana, 51.

Diomedea chlororhyncha, 96.

“ fuliginosa, 97.

Doricha enicura, 108.

Dove, Carolina, 15.

“ White-crowned, 82.

“ White-winged, 83.

Dryotomus delattri, 94.

Dury, C., Fecundity of the Carolina
Wren, 50.

Ectopistes migratorius, 107.

Elliot, D. G., remarks on Selasphorus
all.eni, 97.

Emberiza atricapilla, 92.

Empidonax acadica, 108.

Enicocichla, see Henicocichla.
Eupsychortyx cristatus, 95.

Falco columbarius, 79.

“ sacer var. labradora, 27.
Faleonidaj, notices of Ridgway’s papers
on, 70-73.

Finch, Californian Purple, 37.

“ Sharp-tailed, 27, 28.

Flycatcher, Great-crested, 16.

“ Olive-sided, 16.

“ Townsend’s, 77.

Fox, W. H., capture of the Philadel-
phia Vireo in New Hampshire, 78.
Frazar, A. M., Audubon’s Warbler in
Massachusetts, 27 ; persistency at
nest-building in a House-Wren, 78;
the Mottled Owl as a Fisherman, 80.
Fringilla maculata, 92.

Fulica americana, 17.

Fulix atfinis, 107.

“ collaris, 107.

Gallinule, Florida, 83.

“ Purple, 83.

Gambetta flavipes, 95, 107.

Gannet, Booby, 14, 46.

Garrod, A. H.*, notice of papers by, 23.
Geothlypis Philadelphia, 16, 17.

“ trichas, 89.

“ velatus, 89.

Gnatcatcher, Blue-Gray, 14, 20, 49.
Goose, Barnacle, 18.

“ Egvptian, 52.

“ Gambel’s, 14, 46.

“ Hutchins’s, 14, 46.

Grackle, Boat-tailed, 12, 45.

“ Long-tailed, 85.

Graculus carbo, 96.

Grant’s Catalogue of the Birds of Malta
and Gozo, notice of, 70.

Grebe, Saint Domingo, 26.

Grouse, Hybrid, 66.

“ Pinnated, 66,

“ Sharp-tailed, 66.

Grus americana, 95.

Guadaloupe Island, birds of, discussed
with reference to the present genesis
of species, 58,

Gulls, Skua or Jager, 23.

Gyr-Falcon, Black, 25, 27.

Gyr-Falcons, 25.

HiEMATOPUS ater, 95,

Haliaetus leucocephalus, 107.

“ pelagicus, 94.

Harporhynchus rufus, 107.

“ “ var. longirostris, 90*

INDEX, 113

Hawk, Pigeon, 79.

“ Sharp-shinned, 14.

Helminthophaga celata, 21.

“ chrysoptera, 16, 47.

“ lawrencei, 19.

“ leucobronchialis, 79.

“ pinus, 16.

Helmitherus vermivorus, 16, 21.

Henicocichla aurocapillus, 31.

“ ludovicianus, 33.
major, 33.

“ motacilla, 33.

“ noveboracensis, 32.

“ siilphurascens, 33.

Henshaw, H. W., description of a new
species of Humming-Bird from Cali-
fornia, 53.

Heron, Louisiana, 51.

Herrick, H., capture of a second speci-
men of Helminthophaga lawi'encei,

19.

Hierofalco candicans, 25.

“ islandicus, 25.

“ labradora, 25.

Hirundo bicolor, 107.

Humming-Bird, Green-backed, 53.

Rufous-backed, 53.

Hydrocbelidon lariformis, 34, 96.

“ nigrum, 96.

Hypocanthus Stanley!, 92.

Hypocolius ampelinus, 91.

IcTERiA virens, 16.

Icterus baltimore, 92.

“ californicus, 92.

“ pustulatus, 92.

“ spurius var. affinis, 85.

JuNCO annectens 60-66.

“ byemalis, 1 7.

“ insularis, 60-66.

“ oregonus, 82.

Kinglet, Golden-crested, 17.

Lagopus albus, 14, 46,

Lamb, W. F., on nest and eggs of
'I'ownsend’s Flycatcher, 77.

Langdon, F. W., Black Vulture in
Ohio, 109.

Lanius elegans, 91.

“ lahtora, 91.

Larus belcheri, 96.

Lawrence, G. N., occurrence of the Bar-
nacle Goose {Bernida leucopsis) on
Long Island, N. Y,, 18; note on
Cupidoriia cupido var. pallidicinctus,
52; note on Doricha enicura, 108.

Leptoptila albifrons, 82.

Lobipes hyperboreus, 38, 42.

Longspur, MacCown’s, 52.

Lophophanes bicolor, 108.

Lophortyx elegans, 95.

Loxia leucbptera, 103.

IVIacrorhamphus griseus, 107.

Mareca americana, 107.

McCauley, C. A. H , notice of his Notes
on Texan Ornithology, 76.

Melanerpes erythrocephalus, 94.

Melopelia leucoptera, 83, 95.

Mergus cucullatus, 107.

Merriam, C. H., his “ Revie-w of Birds
of Connecticut ” noticed, 107.

Merrill, J. C., a Humming-Bird new to
the Fauna of the United States, 26 ;
notes on Molothrus mneus, 85 ; West-
ern Nonpareil and Berlandier’s Wren
in Texas, 109.

Micropalama himantopus, 17, 48.

Milvulus forticatus, 21.

Minot, H. D., notice of his “ Land-Birds
and Game-Birds of New England, 49.

Molothrus aeneus, 85.

“ pecoris, 85.

“ “ var. obscurus, 85.

Motacilla aurocapilla, 31.

“ canadensis, 31.

“ fluviatilis, 32.

“ leucoptera, 90.

“ nasvia, 32.

“ noveboracensis, 32.

“ tigrina, 32.

Murdock, J., the Pigeon-Hawk at sea,
79.

Myiadestes townsendi, 77. *

Myiarchus crinitus, 16.

Myiodioctes minutus, 14, 46.

“ mitratus, 16, 21.

Nauclerus furcatus, 107.

Nelson, E. W., a contribution to the
biography of Wilson’s Phalarope, 38 ;
the Louisiana Heron in Indiana, 51 ;
notice of his “ Birds of Northeastern
Illinois,” 68.

Nettion crecca, 13, 46.

Nisus fuscus, 14.

“ gundlachi, 71.

Nonpareil, Western, 109.

Numenius borealis, 107.

“ hudsonicus, 107.

“ rufiventris, 95.

Nyctale acadica, 14, 15, 83, 84.

Nyctea scandiaca, 9.

CEdemia perspicillata, 107.

Onychotes gruberi, 89.

Oporornis formosus, 108.

Oriole, Baltimore, 92,

“ Bullock’s, 86.

“ Hooded, 86, 87.

“ Orchard, 86, 87.

Ortyx fasciatus, 95.

“ virginianus, 15.

Otus Wilsonian us, 14.

Owl, Acadian, 14, 15, 83, 84.

“ Barn, 28.

“ Great-horned, 80.

“ Hawk, 78,

“ Long-eared, 14.

t

114

INDEX.

Owl, Mottled, 80.

“ Short-eared, 14.

“ Snowy, 9.

Parrot, Carolina, .50.

Parus carolinensis, 90.

Passerculus princeps, 27, 78.

Pedioecetes phasianellus var. columbi-
anus, 66*.

Pelecanus trachyrhynchus, 22.

Pelican, White, 22.

Perissoglossa tigrina, 16.

Petrel, Leach’s, 28, 80.

Peucsea ruficeps, 37.

Phalarope, Northern, 38, 42.

“ Ked, 38, 42.

“ Wilson’s, 38.

Phalaropus fulicarius, 42.

“ lobatus, 38.

Philomachus pugnax, 83.

Picoides americanus, 16.

“ arcticus, 16.

Picus lineatus, 93.

“ pubescens, 107.

“ villosus, 14, 45, 107.

Pipilo consobrinus, 60, 66.

“ maculatus, 60 - 66.

Platalea ajaja, 95.

Plectroplianes maccowni, 52, 92.

“ ornatus, 78.

Plotus anhinga, 23.

Plover, Wilson’s, 13, 46.

Podiceps dbminicus, 26, 97.

“ minor, 97.

Polioptila cserulea, 14, 20, 47.

Polyborus cheriway, 61-66.

“ lutosus, 60-66.

“ tharus, 60 - 66.

Porphyrio martinica, 83.

Porzana jamaicensis, 22.

“ noveboracensis, 17.
Procellariidaj, notice of Salvin’s paper
on, 69.

Progne purpurea, 107.

Puffinus obscurus, 97, 107.

“ fuliginosus, 107.

Purdie, H. A., distribution of New
England Birds, a reply to Dr. T. M.
Brewer, 1 1 ; notice of a few birds of
rare or accidental occurrence in New
England, 20.

Pyranga testiva, 21, 107.

Pyrgisoma biarcuatus, 91.

Pyrrhopbsena riefferi, 26.

Pyrrhula inornata, 91.

Quail, Common, 15.

Querqucdula cyanoptera, 51, 75.

“ discors, 107.

Quiscalus major, 12, 45, 93.

“ purpureus, 93.

Rail, Black, 22.

“ King, 22.

“ Yellow, 17, 22.

Rallus elegans, 22.

“ longirostris, 22.

Ramphopis flamigerus, 92.

Recent ornithological articles in Amer-
ican journals, 73.

Redbird, Summer, 21.

Regulus calendula, 59, 61, 107.

“ obscurus, 59, 61.

“ satrapa, 17.

Ridgway, R., on Geographical Varia-
tion in T Urdus migratorius, 8 ; the
Birds of Guadaloupe Island discussed
with reference to the present genesis
of species, 58 ; notice of his “ Studies
of the American Falconidce” 70, 73.

Roberts, T. S., notes on the breeding of
the Black Tern, 34.

Robin, 8, 12, 14, 110.

Ruff, 83.

Rhyacophilus solitarius, 107.

Salpinctes guadalupensis, 60 - 66.

“ obsoletus, 60-66.

Saltator rufiventris, 92.

Salvin, O., notice of his paper on Pro-
cellar iidcB, 69.

Sandpiper, Baird’s, 28.

“ Stilt, 17, 48.

Sarcorhamphus gryphus, 94.

Saunders, H., notice of his papers on
StercorariincB and Sternince, 23, 24.

Sayornis fuscus, 93.

Sclater, P. L., and Salvin, O., notice of
their paper on Neotropical Anatidoe,
24.

Scops asio, 80, 107.

Seiurus, see Siurus.

Selasphorus alleni, 53, 97, 101.

“ henshawi, 102.

“ rufus, 53, 97, 101.

Setophaga ruticilla, 90.

Shrike, White-rumped, 21.

Sialia sialis, 89.

Simorhynchus psittacula, 107.

Sitta pusilla, 99.

Siurus, corrections of nomenclature in
the genus, 29.

Siurus auricapillus, 31, 90.

“ ludovicianus, 16, 33.
motacilla, 33.
naevius, 32.

“ sulphurascens, 33.

“ tenuirostris, 33.

Snowbird, Eastern, 17.

“ Oregon, 82.

Sparrow, Field, 15.

“ Ipswich, 27, 78.

“ Rufous-crowned, 37. *

‘‘ Yellow-winged, 16, 47.

Spermophila moreleti, 103;

Steganopus wilsoni, 38.

Stelgidopteryx serripennis, 21.

Sterna antillarum, 96.

INDEX,

115

Sterna fuliginosa, 22, 27, 44, 75,

“ plumbea, 34.

Strix flammea yar. pratincola, 28.

Sula bassana, 96.

“ fiber, 14, 46, 96.

Swallow, Rough-winged, 21.

Sylvia anthoides, 33.

“ aurocapilla, 31.

“ leucoptera, 90.

“ noveboracensis, 32.

“ tigrina, 32.

Syrnium nebulosum, 94.

Teal, Cinnamon, 51.

“ European, 13, 46.

Tern, Black, 34.

“ Sooty, 22, 27.

Terns, notice of Saunderses paper on, 24.

Thalassidroma leachi, 28.

“ leucorrhoa, 80, 107,

Titlark, 17.

Tinnunculus sparverius, 112.

Trichas delafieldi, 91.

Tringa bairdi, 28.

“ bonapartei, 107.

“ lobata, 38.

“ maculata, 107.

“ pusilla, 107.

Tringites rufescens, 107.

Troglodytes aedon, 78.

“ parvulus var. alascensis, 82.

Trotter, S., capture of a second speci-
men of Helminthophaga leucobroncluahs ^
79.

Trupialis militaris, 92.

Thryomanes bewicki, 60 - 66.

“ brevicauda, 60 -66.

Thryothorus ludovicianus, 40.

“ “ var. berlan-

dieri, 109.

Thrush, Golden-crowned, 30, 32.

“ Long-billed Water, 16, 30, 33.
« Short-billed Water, 30, 32.

Turdus aquaticus, 32.

“ aurocapillus, 32.

“ citreus, 31.

“ coronatus, 32.

flavirostris, 89.

“ fuscescens, 107.

“ migratorius, 8, 9, 12, 14, 110.

Turdus minimus, 31. i
“ motacilla, 33,

“ novseboracensis, 32.

“ pallasi, 107.

“ propinquus, 9.

“ rufopaliatus, 90.

swainsoni, 107.

Uria columba, 107.

Vennor, H. G., notice of his Canadian
“ Birds of Prey,’’ 24.

Vireo agilis, 90.

“ gilvus, 15.

“ “ var. swainsoni, 90.

“ noveboracensis, 15, 47.

“ Philadelphia, 78.

“ virescens, 91.

Vireo, Philadelphia, 78.

“ Warbling, 15.

“ White-eyed, 15.

Warbler, Audubon’s, 27,

“ Black-and- Yellow, 1.

“ Blackburnian, 48, 104.

“ Black-throated Green, 1C 4.

“ Blue, 14, 21, 48.

“ Blue-winged, 16.

“ Cape May, 16.

“ Golden-winged, 16.

“ Hooded, 16, 21.

“ Mourning, 16.

“ Orange crowned, 21.

“ Pine, 99.

“ Worm-eating, 16, 21.

“ Yellow-throated, 1C 2.

Wheaton, J. M., on the Ruft and If urple
Gallinule in Ohio, 83.

Woodpecker, Black-backed Three- toed,
16.

Woodpecker, Banded Three-tced, 16.

“ Hairy, 14, 15, 45.

Wren, Alaskan, 82.

“ Berlandier’s, 109.

“ Carolina, 50.

“ House, 78.

“ Short-billed Marsh, 15.
Xanthornus mexicanus, 92.

Xema furcatum, 96.

“ sabinei, 107.

Zen^dura carolinensis, 15.

I Zonotrichia coronata, 92.

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IMPORTANT WORKS ON BIRDS

PUBLISHED BIT

S. E. O^SSIN-Q,

Naturalists’ Agency, - - Salem, Mass.

—

Any work mentioned below will be forwarded, post-paid, on receipt of price. Special
circulars, giving descriptions, etc., will be sent when desired. A full catalogue of Ornitho-
logical Works for sale at the Agency free to all applicants.

The Land Birds and Oame Birds of New Engrland.

With Descriptions of the Birds, their Nests and Eggs, their Habits and Notes, with
illustrations. By H. D. Minot. 1 vol. 8vo. Cloth, $3.00,

Field Ornithology : A Manual of Instruction on Collecting, Prepar-
ing. and Preserving Birds. By Elliott Coues. With which is issued a Check
List of North American Birds. 1vol. 8vo. Cloth, $2.50.

Key to North American Birds. By Elliott Coues, M. D.

369 imperial octavo pages. Illustrated by 6 Steel Plates and 238 Woodcuts. A Manual
or Text-Book of the Birds of North America ; containing a Synopsis of Living
and Fossil Birds, and Descriptions of every North American Species known to this
Time. 1 vol. Royal 8vo. Cloth, $ 7.00.

The Birds of North America. By Baird, Cassin, and Lawrence.

2 vols. 4to. Vol. 1. contains 1005 pages. Vol. II. is an atlas of 100 plates, figuring
148 species of Birds. Plain plates, $ 15.00. Plates elegantly colored, $ 20.00. Text
(Vol. I.) separate, $5.00.

Birds of the Northwest : A Handbook of American Ornithology.

Containing accounts of all the birds inhabiting the great Missouri Valley, and many
others, together representing a large majority of the Birds of North America. With
copious biographical details from personal observation, and an extensive synonymy.
8vo. 791 pages. Cloth, $4.50; Half Morocco, $ 5.50.

The Naturalist’s Guide, in Collecting and Preserving Objects of

Natural History, with a Complete Catalogue of the Birds of Eastern Massachusetts.
By C. J. Maynard. New Edition just ready, with much new matter, and Two Plates
colored by hand. 1 vol. 12mo. Cloth, $ 2.00.

IMPORTANT WORK ON FERNS.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF

The Ferns of Ifforth Americai

Text by Prof. Daniel C. Eaton, of Yale College.

Illustrations by Mr. Jas. H. Emerton.

Published in 4to Parts, with three elegant Colored Plates in each
number. First Part nearly ready.

A sample plate and pages will he sent free to all who desire to see the work
before subscribing. Address

S. E. GASSINO, NATURALISTS’ AGENCY,

Salem, Mass.

BIRDS’ EGGS AND NESTS

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BIRD 8K1MS :

A fine collection from California, Colorado, Florida, and elsewhere.

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great variety, including Drills, Blow-pipes, Embryo Hooks and Scissors, “ Climbing-Irons,” Labels,

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JOHN AKHHRST, .

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Birds’ Skins, Eggs, and Nests,

FROM COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, TEXAS, AND OTHER PARTS
OF THE UNITED STATES, FOR SALE BY

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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY.

Conducted by E. L. YOUMANS.

TMs periotlical was started (in 1872) to promote the diifusion of valuable
scientific knowledge, in a i eadable and attractive form among
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the United States.

Nine volumes have now appeared, which are filled with instructive and interesting articles and
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The following quotations illustrate the way it has been habitually spoken of by the press ; —

“ That there is a place for The Popular Sci-
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“ In our opinion, the right idea has been
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— Buffalo Courier.

“ This is one of the very best periodicals of
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“ This magazine is worth its weight in gold,
for its service in educating the people.” — The
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Mo.

The Popular Science Monthly is published in a large octavo, handsomely printed on clear type,
and, when the subjects admit, fully illustrated. Each number contains 128 pages.

Terms ; $ 5.00 per Annum, or Fifty Cents per Number.

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Now Ready, Vols. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, and IX, of The Popular Science
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AGENTS WANTED.

Address D. APPLETON & CO., Publishers,

549 & 551 Broadway, New York.

The American Naturalist;

A Popular Illustrated Monthly Magazine of Natural
History and Travel.

Announcement for 1877.

, This journal of popular Natural Science will continue to be published by Messrs.
H. 0. Houghton & Co., Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass., under the editorial
management of Dr. A: S. Packard, Jr., with the assistance of eminent men of
science. •

Since January, 1876, the amount of matter given in each number has been in-
creased over former volumes. The typographical dress and illustrations which have
heretofore given character to this magazine have been improved, and it is of a thor-
oughly popular nature, so as to interest the general reader as well as the young
naturalist. It will continue to be a journal of science-education and for the use of
science-teachers.

Its Features for 1877.

In 1876 the latter half of the magazine was entirely remodelled, and a department
of Geography and Travel added. The Department of Botany will be edited,
as formerly, by Prof. G. L. Goodale, of Harvard University. That of Microscopy
will be edited, as heretofore, by Dr. R. H. Ward, Troy, New York. Arrangements
have been made to report the Proceedings oi Scientific Societies with great
promptness. A digest of the Contents of Foreign Scientific Journals and
Transactions wiir also be given each month, together with the Fatest Home
and Foreign Scientific News.

The attention of publishers and teachers is called to critical notices of scientific
books, to which especial attention will be given.

Articles for Vol. XI, 1877,

By Professors Asa Gray, J. D. Whitney, N. S. Shaler, W. G. Farlow, G. L. Goodale,
of Harvard University ; Prrfessors 0. C. Marsh, A. E. Verrill, of Yale College 5
Mr. A. Agassiz, Hon. Lewis H. Morgan, Col. Theodore Lyman, Mr. L. F. Pourtales,
Mr. S. H. Scudder, Professors E. D. Cope, F. V. Hayden. A. Hyatt ; Drs. Elliott
Coues, W. H. Dali, C. C. Abbott, Rev. S. Lockwood, J. A. Allen, H. Gillman, C. C.
Parry, R. E. C. Stearns, 0. T. Mason, and other leading naturalists, are either in
ha-’d or promised. Notes from abroad will occasionally be contributed by Mr. Alfred
W. Bennett, the distinguished English Botanist.

Note. — The ten volumes which have been published form an elegantly printed
and illustrated Libraiy of American Natural History, invaluable for school, college,
and pub’ic hbrari<^s. They contain standard articles by Agassiz, Dana, Wyman,
Gray, Whitney, Leidy, Cope, Hunt, Dawson, Newberry, Marsh, Verrill, Morse, Gill,
Cou'^s, Scudder, Hagen, Dali, Shaler, Brewer, Ridgway, Parry, Caton, Abbott,
Farlow, Lockwood, Grote, Ward, and many other scientists.

TERMS. — 35 cents a number; S4.00 a year, postage free. Bound volumes,
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With the July number, 1876, this Journal entered upon its second year enlarged and im-
proved in every way. Its contributors are well-known scientists and writers, and its articles
mainly original, and, considering the number of pages given, it is the cheapest Journal of
Natural History published at the price,

ONE DOEEAB PER AIVIVEI!!.

¥or specialists and men of science it contains interesting reading matter, while for students
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all will find it to their interest to become subscribers. As an inducement, we have decided upon
the following REASONABLY LOW CLUB RATES*

Three copies, to any address, $2,50 5 Six copies, $5.00, and one extra copy;
Ten copies, $ J^OO, and one copy to the getter up of the club. Single copies, 10 cts.
No subscriptions received for less than a year, — payable invariably in advance. Back numbers
ofVol. I. supplied complete. CHARLES R. HODGE, Editor,

Specimen copies sent free upon application. Box 273, Washington, D. C.

. A '"

■i--

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■>

QUArRTERLY BULLETIN

OF THE

ITuttall Ornithological Cluh,

CAMBRIDGE, MASS.

VoL. I. APRll., 1876. No. 1.

C O I

Description of a new Species of
Helminthophaoa. Wm. Brewster.

The Common Buzzard Hawk {Bu-
teo Vulgaris) of Europe in North
America. C. J. Maynard.

Nesting of the Golden-winged
Warbler [Belminthophaga chrgsop-
tera) in .Massachusetts. J. War-
ren.

Notes on the Rough-winged Swal-
low [Hirundo Serripennis) in Penn-
sylvania. Walter Van Fleet.

On the Breeding of the Black-
throated Blue Warbler [Den-

T p: N T s .

drcBca Coerulescens) in Connecticut.

1 C. M. Jones. n

On Empidonax, Traillii and Aca-
Dicus. H. W. Henshaw. 14

2 Occurrence of certain Birds in

THE New England States. Wm.

Brewster. 17

Albinism and Melanism among
6 North American Birds. Ruth-

ven Deane. 20

Notes of Birds found Breeding
^ ON Cobb’s Island, Va. H. B. Bai-

Ly. 24

PUBLISHED BY THE CLUB.

J-iV

QUARTERLY BULLETIN

OF THE

#ntttl]0l0gical €kh.

PROSPECTUS.

The desire in this country for a periodical exclu-
sively devoted to Ornithology has long been appar-
ent. To meet this want in some measure the Bulle-
tin is issued Papers received from resident and
corres^nding members of the Club, and read^ at
its meetings and accepted, together with such
matter pertaining to Inrds as may be gathered
from other sources, will make up the contents. It
is proposed to issue sixteen pages quarterly. Start-
ing, however, with twenty-eight, we hope to receive
sufficient aid, both literary and pecuniary, from all
lovers of the science we represent, to warrant the
continuation of a like number, .and to make the
work at least self-supporting. A plate cannot be
promised in future unless the means assure it.

Those receiving the first number, and subscribing,
will consider it as charged to their account.

Articles may be sent to H. A. Purdie, State
House, Boston, and it is respectfully requested that
they be written on paper of small and uniform
size.

Send yearly subscription, $1,00, or single num-
bers, 30 cents, to H. B. Bailey, No. 13 Exchange
Place, Boston, Mass.

BULLETIN

OF THE

Nuttall Ornithological Club:

% iHurnal of ^rnit^olojgg.

Vol. I. - JULY, 1876. - No. 2.

CONTENTS.

Page

The Nuttall Ornithological Club . . 29

Regarding Buteo vulgaris in North
America. By Robei't Ridgway .... 32

Additions to the Avi-fauna of Illinois,
WITH Notes on other Species of Il-
linois Birds. By E. W. Nelson .... 39

Notes on the Breeding Habits of
Clarke’s Crow {Picicorms columbianus),
WITH AN Account of its Nest and Eggs.

By Captain Charles Bendire^ U. S. A. . . 44

Description of a new Duck from Wash-
ington Island. By Thomas H. Streets,
M.D., Passed Assistant Surgeon, U. S. N. 46

Page

Recent Literature 47

Lawrence’s Descriptions of New Species of
American Birds. — Kidder’s Ornithology
Df Kerguelen Island. — Kidder and Coues’s
“ A Study of Chionis minor," etc. —
Marsh’s Extinct Birds with Teeth. —
Gentry’s “Life-Histories of the Birds of
Eastern Pennsylvania.”

General Notes 60

Breeding of the Canada Goose in Trees. —
Tarsal Envelope in Campylorhynchus and
allied Genera. — Occurrence of the Cur-
lew Sandpiper in Massachusetts. — The
Ipswich Sparrow in New Brunswick. —
Passerculus princeps and Parus hudsonicus
in Connecticut. — Anser rossii in Oregon.

Caiwiiritiflr, :

PUBLISHED BY THE CLUB.

University Press, Cambridge : Printed by Welch, Bigelow, & Co.

I'fU-, '<

.[\

BULLETIN

OF THE

#rntt|{tlflgkal

A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY.

PROSPECTUS.

The need in this country of a periodical devoted exclusively to Orni- .
thology lias long been apparent. To meet this want will be the object
of the Bulletin. While its contents will consist mainly of communi-
cations from the resident and corresponding members of the Club, it
will embrace occasionally selected articles of special interest or value.
It will also include reviews of recent ornithological publications, digests
of papers read before scientific societies, announcements of works in
progress, notices of ornithological explorations, and a department of
general notes and miscellany, thereby assuming the character of a gen-
eral magazine of Ornithology.

Each number will consist of not less than twenty-four pages, to be
increased as soon as the receipts from subscriptions shall warrant the
additional expense. Two more numbers will be issued during the pres-
ent year, in order that the second volume may begin with January,
1877.

The membership of the Club already includes all the leading orni-
thologists of the country, who have generously oftered to give the Bul-
letin in every way their hearty support. The Publishing Committee
hence feel confident of being able to make the Bulletin worthy of the
patronage of all interested in the branch of science it represents. Con-
tributions to the present volume have been promised by Professor S. F.
Baird, Mr. George N. Lawrence, Dr. Elliott Coues, Mr. Robert Ridgway,
and others already well known to the public. Professor Baird and Dr.
Coues have also kindly consented to act as Associate Editors. Its
chief editorial management will be under the direction of Mr. J. A.
Allen, of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass., to
whom all communications intended for publication should be sent.

Terms. — Subscriptions, $1.00 a year; single numbers, 30 cents.
Subscriptions should be forwarded to Mr. H. B. Bailey, No. 13 Exchange
Place, Boston, Mass.

BULLETIN

OF THE

Nuttall Ornithological Club:

%, lournal of #rttitlj0logg.

Vol. I. - SEPTEMBER^ 187G. - No. 3.

CONTENTS.

Page

Decrease of Birds in Massachusetts.

By J. A. Allen 53

On the Number of Primaries in Oscines.
By-i)r. Elliott Coues^ U. S. A 60

The Yellow-bellied Woodpecker (Sphy-
rapicus varius). By Willimn Brevo&ter . . 63

Recent Literature 70

Ornithology of the Wheeler Expeditions. —
Field and Forest. — The Portland Tern.

Page

— The Birds of Ritchie County, West
Virginia. — Brewer’s Birds of New Eng-
land.

General Notes’ . 74

The Philadelphia Vireo in New England. —
Geographical Variation in the Number
and Size of the Eggs of Birds. — The Nest
and Eggs of Traill’s Flycatcher, as ob-
served i 1 Maine. — Singular Food of the
Least Bittern. — Intelligence of a Crow.

— The Great Carolina Wren in Massachu-
setts.

Cffttibrilfse, :

POBT. ISHED BY THE CLUB.

University Press, Cambridge : Printed by Welch, Bigelow, & Co.

BULLETIN

7

OF THE

Httttall #rra%Iflgttal Club;

A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY.

PROSPECTUS.

The need in this country of a periodical devoted exclusively to Orni-
thology has long been apparent. To meet this want will be the object
of the Bulletin. While its contents will consist mainly of communi-
cations from the resident and corresponding members of the Club, it
will embrace occasionally selected articles of special interest or value.
It will also include reviews of recent ornithological publications, digests
of papers read before scientific societies, announcements of works in
progress, notices of ornithological explorations, and a department of
general notes and miscellany, thereby assuming the character of a gen-
eral magazine of Ornithology.

Each number will consist of not less than twenty-four pages, to be
increased as soon as the receipts from subscriptions shall warrant the
additional expense. Another number will be issued during the present
year, in order that the second volume may begin with January, 1877.

The membership of the Club already includes all the leading orni-
thologists of the country, who have generously oflered to give the Bul-
letin in every way their hearty support. The Publishing Committee
hence feel confident of being able to make the Bulletin worthy of the
patronage of all interested in the branch of science it represents. Con-
tributions to the present volume have been promised by Professor S. F.
Baird, Mr. George N. Lawrence, Dr. Elliott Coues, Mr. Robert Ridgway,
and others already well known to the public. Professor Baird and Dr.
Coues have also kindly consented to act as Associate Editors. Its
chief editorial management wdll be under the direction of Mr. J. A.
Allen, of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass., to
whom all communications intended for publication should be sent.

Terms. — Subscription, 1 1.00 a year; single numbers, 30 cents.
Subscriptions should be forwarded to Mr. H. B. Bailey, No. 13 Exchange
Place, Boston, Mass.

BULLETIN

OF THE

Nuttall Ornithological Club:

% #itarttrlg lowntal of ^rnitljologo.

Vol. I. - nrOVESMBSR^ 1878. ~ No. 4.

CONTENTS.

Page

Our Present Knowledge of the Nidifi-
CATioN OF the Aaierican Kinglets. By

Ernest Ingersoll 77

Nesting Habits of the Californian
House Wren { aedon VQ.Y.park~

manni). By Dr. J. G. Cooper 79

On Geographical Variation in Dendroeca
PALMARUM. By Robert Ridgway .... 81
Notes on Texan Birds, By J. C. Merrill,

M. D., Assistant Surgeon TJ. S. A. . . .88

Birds of New England. By Thomas M.
Brewer 89

Page

Recent Publications 93

Lawrence’s Birds of Southwestern Mexico. —
Jordan’s Manual of Vertebrate Animals.

General Notes 94

Capture of the Orange-crowned Warb’er in
Massachusetts. — Variable Abundance of
Birds at the same Localities in different
Years. — Occui’rence of the Wood Ibis in
Pennsylvania and New York. — Peculiar
Nesting- site of the Bank-Swallow.

PUBLISHED BY THE CLUB

University Press, Cambridge : Printed by Welch, Bigelow, & Co.

BULLETIN OF THE NOTTALL ORNITHOLOGIOAL CLUB:

A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OE ORNITHOLOGY.

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 1877.

As the present number closes Volume 1. of the Bulletin, the first'
number of Volume II. will appear in January, 1877, and the succeeding
numbers of the volume will be issued on the first of each following
Quarter. In closing Volume I. the Publishing Committee take pleasure
in announcing that the publication of the Bulletin has met with encour-
aging success. Not only have contributions to its pages been received
from the best ornithological talent of the country, but subscriptions
have come in with reasonable frecpiency. Since, however, the continu-
ance of the Bulletin is necessarily contingent upon the pecuniary sup-
port it receives from the public, we trust that our present patrons will
not only all promptly renew their subscriptions, but will use their influ-
ence to extend its circulation. It is hoped that with the second volume
it will be possible to increase the number of pages from twenty-four to
thirty-two in each issue. In order to do this a considerable increase to
our subscription list will be necessary, and we therefore appeal strongly
to all friends of ornithology to aid in extending its circulation.

In order to assist in defraying the expenses of publication, advertising
sheets will be issued with future numbers, relating mainly to Natural
History, and especially to Ornithology. The attention of dealers in
specimens of Natural History and collectors’ and taxidermists’- materials,
and' of publishers of works relating to Natural History, is hence called to
the Bulletin as a desirable advertising medium.

The present Volume embraces one hundred pages of original mat-
ter, contributed largely by leading authorities on American Ornithol-
ogy. The department of ‘‘General Notes” is particularly rich in notices
of rare or little-known species, and the volume as a whole forms an
important contribution to American Ornithology. As the maga-
zine will continue under its present editorial management, — Mr. J. A.
Allen acting as Editor-in-Chief, and Professor S. F. Baird and Dr.
Elliott Cones as Associate Editors, — and as it has the assurance of con-
tinued support from the best writers, the Publishing Committee do not
hesitate to announce that Volume II. may be expected to be equally
rich in important contributions. The Bulletin is intended to be national
in its character, and for the present will be exclusively devoted to
North American Ornithology. It being the only journal in this coun-
trj^ devoted especially to ornithology, it is hoped that our appeal for
pecuniary support will meet with a prompt response, and that we shall
be able to enter upon the publication of Volume II. with feelings of
confidence respecting the permanence of the Bulletin as an Ornithologi-
cal Magazine.

Terms. — Subscription, $ 1. 00 a year (including postage), strictly in
advance ; single numbers, 30 cents. Subscriptions should be forwarded
to Mr. H. B. Bailey, Newton, Mass.

Advertising Rates. — First insertion, 30 cents a line (Bourgeois),
or $12.00 per page; $6.50 per half-page. A discount of twenty-five
per cent, will be made for each subsequent insertion.

Communications intended for publication, as Avell as advertise-
ments, should be sent to Mr. J. A. Allen, Museum of Comparative
Zoology, Cambridge, Mass.

BULLETIN

OF THE

Nuttall Ornithological Club:

% fonrital of #mitl^0l0jg:g. •

Vol. II - JANUARY, 1877. - No. 1.

CONTENTS.

Page

The Black-and-Yellow Warbler.

William Brewster 1

On Geographical Variation in Turd us
MIGRATORIUS. By Robert Ridgway ... 8

Unusual Abundance op the Snowy Owl
IN New England. By Ruthven Deane . 9

Distribution of New England Birds. —

A Eeply to Dr. T. M. Brewer. By

H. A. Pur die 11

Occurrence op the Barnacle Goose
{Bernicla leucopsis) on Long Island, N. Y.

By G. N. Lawrence 18

Capture of a Second Specimen of Hel-
minthophaga lawrencei. By Harold
Herrich 19

Page

Notice of a few Birds op rare or ac-
cidental Occurrence in New England.

H. A. Pur die 20

Recent Literature 23

Notices of five recent Ornithological Papers.

— Vennor’s Rapacious Birds of Canada.

General Notes .26

A Humming-Bird new to Fauna of the United
States. — Note on Podiceps dominicus. — East-
ward Range of the Ferruginous Buzzard
{Archibuteo ferrugineus). — Occurrence of
Leconte’s Bunting ( Coturniculus lecontei)
in Iowa. — Audubon’s Warbler in Massa-
chusetts. — Occurrence of the Sooty Tern in
Massachusetts. — The Black Gyr-Falcon
(Falco sacer var. labradora) in Massachu-
setts. — Notes on Birds new to the Fauna of
Maine, etc. — Northern Range of the Sharp-
tailed Finch {Ammodromus caudacutus).

PUBLISHED BY THE CLUB.

University Press, Cambridge : Printed by Welch, Bigelow, & Co

BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB:

A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY.

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 1877.

As the present number closes Volume I. of the Bulletin, the first
number of Volume 11. will appear in January, 1877, and the succeeding
numbers of the volume will be issued on the first of each following
Quarter. In closing Volume I. the Publishing Committee take pleasure
in announcing that the publication of the Bulletin has met with encour-
aging success. Not only have contributions to its pages been received
from the best ornithological talent of the country, but subscriptions
have come in with reasonable frequency. Since, however, the continu-
ance of the Bulletin is necessarily contingent upon the pecuniary sup-
port it receives from the public, we trust that our present patrons will
not only all promptly renew their subscriptions, but will use their influ-
ence to extend its circulation. It is hoped that with the second volume
it will be possible to increase the number of pages from twenty-four to
thirty-two in each issue. In order to do this a considerable increase to
our subscription list will be necessary, and we therefore appeal strongly
to all friends of ornithology to aid in extending its circulation.

In order to assist in defraying the expenses of publication, advertising
sheets will be issued with future numbers, relating mainly to Natural
History, and especially to Ornithology. The attention of dealers in
specimens of Natural History and collectors’ and taxidermists’ materials,
and of publishers of works relating to Natural History, is hence called to
the Bulletin as a desirable advertising medium.

The present Volume embraces one hundred pages of original mat-
ter, contributed largely by leading authorities on American Ornithol-
ogy. The department of “General Notes” is particularly rich in notices
of rare or little-known species, and the volume as a whole forms an
important contribution to American Ornithology. As the maga-
zine will continue under its present editorial management, — Mr. J. A.
Allen acting as Editor-in-Chief, and Professor S. F. Baird and Dr.
Elliott Cones as Associate Editors, — and as it has the assurance of con-
tinued support from the best writers, the Publishing Committee do not
hesitate to announce that Volume II. may be expected to be equally
rich in important contributions. The Bulletin is intended to be national
in its character, and for the present will be exclusively devoted to
North American Ornithology. It being the only journal in this coun-
try devoted especially to ornithology, it is hoped that our appeal for
pecuniary support will meet with a prompt response, and that we shall
be able to enter upon the publication of Volume II. with feelings of
confidence respecting the permanence of the Bulletin as an Ornithologi-
cal Magazine.

Terms. — Subscription, $ 1.00 a year (including postage), strictly in
advance ; single numbers, 30 cents. Subscriptions should be forwarded
to Mr. H. B. Bailey, Newton, Mass.

Advertising Rates. — First insertion, 30 cents a line (Bourgeois),
or $ 12.00 per page ; $6.50 per half-page. A discount of twenty-five
per cent, will be made for each subsequent insertion.

Communications intended for publication, as well as advertise-
ments, should be sent to Mr. J. A. Allen, Museum of Comparative
Zoology, Cambridge, Mass.

BULLETIN

OF THE

Nuttall Ornithological Club;

% fotintal of

Vol. II.- APRIL, 1877. -No. 2.

CONTENTS.

Page

CoPTJECTioNs OP Nomenclature in the
Genus Siurus. By Br. A'lliott Coues,

U. S. A.

29

Notes on the Breeding of the Black
TnuN {Hydrochelidon larifurmis). By T. S.
Roberts 34

Two Undescrtbed Nists of California
Birds. By William Brewster ■ 37

A Contribution to the Biography of
Wilson's Phalarope. By E. W. Nelson . 38

A Defence of his Catalogue of New
England Birds. By Dr. T. M, Breioer . 44

Page

Recent Literature 48

Bu''rou2h8’s “ Wake- Robin.” — Minot’s
“ Birds of New England.”

General Notes . 50

Weste’-n Range of Conurus carolinensis. —
Fecundity of the Carolina Wren. — The Lou-
isiana Heron in Indiana. — Note on the Cin-
namon Teal ( Querquedula cyanoptera). —
JEgiothus exilipes in Jiurope. — A Note on
Cupidonia cvpido v?iY.pallidicinctus Ridgway.

— Capture of the Egyptian Goose on Long
Island. — MacCown’s Longspur in Ihinois.

Caml&ritfsf, f

PUBLISHED BY THE CLUB.

University Press, Cambridge : Printed by Welch^Bigelow, & Co.

BULLETIN

OF THE

Nuttall Ornithological Club:

>4 QUARTER L Y JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY.

This Journal (now in i^s second volume) forms at present the only serial publication
in America devoted to

GENERAL ORNITHOLOG7.

While it is intended to serve primarily as a medium of communication between working
ornithologists, it also contains matter of a sufficiently popular character to interest all who
take an interest in the general subject of which it treats. Although devoted mainly to the
ornithology of North America, it is intended to be so far general in its character as to give
notices of all the more important works or memoirs relating to Exotic Ornithology.

THE LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS

to its pages already embraces nearly all of the leading ornithologists of the country.

Among them are

Dr. Elliott Coues,

Mr. George N. Lawrence,
Dr. T. M. Brewer,

Dr. T. Hale Streets,

Mr. H. W. Henshaw,

Mr. Wm. Brewster,

Capt. Charles Bendire, U. S. A.,
Dr. J. C. Merrill,

Dr. J. G. Cooper,

Mr. E. VV. Nelson,

and numerous others more or less well known to ornithological readers.

Its Editorial Supervision is in charge of

MR. J. A. ALLEN,

Assisted by PROF. S. F. BAIRD and DR. ELLIOTT COUES.

Although published by the Nuttall Ornithological Club of Cambridge, Mass , it is
not ia any narrow sense' the organ of any section. Being conducted as

A MAGAZINE OF ORNITHOLOGY,

its department for reviews of the current ornithological literatui’e gives prompt notices of all
papers relating to Noi'th American ornithology, and of all the more important special works
and memoirs relating to the ornithology of other portions of the world ; while its department
of “ General Notes ” is rich in notices of I’are and little-known species of American birds.
It is hence indispensab’e to any one wishing to keep pace with the rapid advance of orni-
thology in this country, since it contains the latest and fullest intelligence relating to the
general subject of North American Ornithology.

TERMS. — $1.00 a year (including postage), strictly in advance ; single numbers,
30 cents. Back numbers can be supplied.

Circulars, containing the list of contents of Volume I, will be seat on application.

Remittances by mail will be at the risk of the sender, unless sent in a postal order or
draft on Boston or New York. Addfess all remittances to

H. B. BAILEY, Newton, Mass.

Foreign Subscribers may obtain the Bulletin through J. VAN VOORST & CO.,
1 Paternoster Row, London.

ADVERTISING RATES. — First insertPn, 30 cents a line (Bourgeois), or $12.00
per page ; $6.50 per half-page. A discount of tweuty-fi\e per cent will be made for each
subsequent insertion.

Communications intmd'^d for publication, as weT as advert‘semen*’s, should Be sent to
Mr. J. A. Allen, Mu eum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass.

BIRDS’ EGGS Ai^D NESTS;

A large variety of finely prepared and well-identified specimens, including many rare species,
partly in SUITS with reliable data.

BIRD §KirVS :

A fine collection from California, Colorado, Florida, and elsewhere.

OorODfl€4L. SUPPLIES:

in great variety, including Drills, Blow-pipes, Embryo Hooks and Scissors, “ Climbing-Irons,” Labels,

Check-Lists, etc.

Taxidermists’ Instruments and Supplies, etc.

AKTIFICIATi EYES.

Standard Ornithological Works.

Favorable terms offered. Specimens bought and exchanged.

Send stamp for new descriptive and priced Catalogue ( just issued ) of the above. Address

E. L. HUDNUT,

Box 704, Orange, New Jersey.

JOHN AKHURST,

TAXIDERMIST,

No. 19 Prospect Street, - . . . Brooklyn, New York,

KEEPS CONSTANTLY ON HAND FOR SALE,

SHEET CORK for insect hoxes — size, 12 x X 1 . . per dozen sheets.

ENTOMOEOGICAE PINS, of Klager and other German makers . . $1,125 per 1,000.

ALSO DEALER IN

Native and Exotic Bird Skins, Birds’ Eggs, Insects, &e.

N. B. — The above prices do not include the cost of transportation.

Birds’ Skins, Eggs, and Nests,

FROM COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, TEXAS, AND OTHER PARTS
OF THE UNITED STATES, FOR SALE BY

CHARLES E. AIKEN,

Colorado Springs, Col.

FOR SALE CHEAP.

A double-barrelled, breech-loading, side-snap Gun,

MADE BY MOORE, EONHON.

Address Box 192, NEWTON, Mass.

WANTED.

Communications or Papers, or Lists of Species relating to the Birds of Eu'^sia in Europe,
on the Distribution of which I am at present working. Cash or exchange offered for the
two latter. Also, Papers on Birds of Arctic America.

J. A. HARVIE BROWN,

Dunipace House, Larbert,

SCOTLAND.

THE NEW GUN.

Patent BreeclK-Iaoader.

MANUFACTURED BY THE AMERICAN ARMS CO., BOSTON.

The accompanying cut represents this new and improved gun as open for loading. It has
a lateral motion without hinges, and cannot become shaky, the great trouble experienced in
the tip-up action. It is the

Most Durable, Simply Constructed, and Easiest Handled

Gun ever offered to American Sport- men, and is sold at prices far below any other guns in
the market for the quality.

A good gun with twist barrels can be had for $50. We would especially call
the attention of gentlemen wanting A FINE GUN to our $125 gun, which, for
quality of lock, stock, and barrel, cannot be surpassed by any imported gun at
any price.

Send for Circular to Office, (03 MILK STREET, Boston.

THE BOSTON SHOOTING SUIT,

MANUFACTURED ONLY BY

Gi:o. W. Boston, Itlass.

Send for our Illustrated Circular and sample of material.

Each Garment distinctly marked ;

(

\G.

BOSTON SHOOTING SUIT,”

MADE BT

W. Simmons & Son

)

This new design of WATERPROOF SHOOTING SUIT, made from extra quality duck, has attained
such popularity as to be called for from all parts of the country, and even from England.

“ Shipping clothing to England strikes us very much like sending ‘ Coals to Newcastle,’ but the merits
of the ‘ BOSTON SHOOTING SUITS ’ have been heard of in the Old Country, and that land of sports-
men has sent an order to Messrs. Simmons & Son, which will doubtless be followed by many others.” —
Boston Paper.

The design embraces the best points of the English and French Suits; combined with the necessary
requirements for American service. Particular attention has been paid to color.

Each suit is water- proofed by a new patent process. The seams and pocket-corners are securely
fastened, and nothing neglected to render the suit perfect in every respect.

Tlie Price has heen fixed at S13, to include Hat or double- visored Cap,
Detachable Havelock, Coat, Vest, and Pantaloons.

One hundred suits will be kept ready in stock, so that we can furnish to order any size required, at a
moment’s notice.

Persons ordering from a distance need send only the following to he
sure of a PERFECT FIT: Rreast measure, Waist measure, inside seam Coat-
sleeve, inside seam Pantaloons ; mention Height and Weight.

GEO. W. SIMMONS & SON, “OAK HALL,” BOSTON, MASS.

DECOYS,

Plover, Black Duck, Sheldrake,

Red Head, Yellow-Eegs, Canvas,

Whistler, Coot, also,

Mallard, Sprigtail, Wild Geese.

These are the new patent Decoys which come packed in nests, six in a box. The greatest improvement
possible on the old style of wooden Decoy. Price of the Ducks, $ 12 per doz. ; price of the Geese, $3,each ;
Yellow-legs and Plover, ^5 a dozen.

G. W. SIMMONS & SON, Oak Hall, Boston, Mass.

/

%

BULLETIN

OF THE

Nuttall Ornithological Club:

% #irarttrlg forn'iial of #ntit]^oIojg2*

Vol. II. - JULY, 1877. - No. 3.

CONTENTS.

Page

General Notes 17

Nest and Eggs of Townsend’s Flycatcher. —
Persistency at Nest-building in a House-
Wren. — A new Bird ‘o Massachusetts. —

A new Form’'"’f Surnin to New England. —
CaJ)tui-e of the Philad-^lphia Vireo in New
Hampshire. — Occurrence of Passerculvs
princeps in New York. — The Pigeos-Hawk
{Falco columbnrhts) at Sea. — Capture of a
Second Specimen r.f Helmintliophaga leuco-
hronchialis. — The Mo'rled Owl as a Fisher-
man.— Breeding of Leach’s Petrel on the
Coast of Maine. — Nest and Effp of the
Alaskan Wren. — Junco ore.gonus in Illino's.

— Leptoptila albifrons. a Pigeon new to the
Uni ed S’ates Fauna. — Melopelia leucoptei'a
in Colorado. — The Puff and the Purple
Gallinule ’’n Ohio. — No‘es on Nyctale aca-
dica. — Prob ble Breeding of the Saw-Whet
Owl in Massachusetts.

PUBLISHED BY THE CLUB.

University Press, Cambridge : Printed by Welch, Bigelow, & Co.

Description of a New Species of Hum-
ming-Bird FROM Califohnia. By H. W.
Henshaio 53

The Birds of Guadalupe Island, dis-
cussed WITH REFE PENCE TO THE PRESENT

Genesis of Species. By Robert Ridgioay 58

An Undescribbd Hybrid between two
North American Grouse. By William
Brewster 66

Recent Literature . . ...... 68

Nelson’s “ Birds of Northeastern IPinois.” —
Salvin on the Procellariidce. — Catalogue of
the Birds of the Islands of Malta and Gozo.

— Ridgway’s “ Studies of the American
Falconidce.'" — Recent Oriithological Arti-
cles in American .Tournals. — Californian
Ornithology. — McCauley’s Notes on Texan
Ornithology.

BULLETIN

OF THE

Nuttall Ornithological Club:

/J QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY.

I [This Journal (now in its second volume) forms at present the only serial publication
in America devoted to

GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.

While it is intended to sprve primarily as a medium of communication between working
ornithologists, it also contains matter of a sufficiently popular character to interest all who
.take an interest in the general subject of which it treats. Although devoted mainly to the
ornithology of North America, it is intended to be so far general in its character as to give
notices of all the more important works or memoirs relating to Exotic Ornithology.

THE LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS

to its pages already embraces nearly all of the leading ornithologists of the country.

Among them are

Dr. Elliott Coues,

Mr. George N. Lawrence,
Dr. T. M. Brewer,

Mr. Robert Ridgway,

Dr. T. Hale Streets,

Mr. H. W. Henshaw,

Mr. Wm. Brewster,

Capt. Charles Bendire, U. S. A.,
Dr. J. G. Merrill,

Dr. j. G. Cooper,

Mr. E. W. Nelson,

and numerous others more or less well known to ornithological readers.] ]

Its Editorial Supervision is in charge of

MR. J. A. ALLEN,

Assisted by PROF. S. F. BAIRD and DR. ELLIOTT COUES.

Although published by the Nuttall Ornithological Club of Cambridge, Mass., it is
not in any narrow sense the organ of any section. Being conducted asj

A MAGAZINE OF ORNITHOLOGY,

its department for reviews of the current ornithological literature gives prompt notices of all
papers re ating to North American ornithology, and of all the more important special works
and memoirs relating to the ornithology of other portions of the world ; while its department
of “ General Notes ” is rich in notices of rare and little-known species of American birds.
It is hence indispeasab'e to any one wishing to keep pace with the rapid advance of orni-
thology in this country, since it contains the latest and fullest inteliigence relating to the
general subject of North American Ornithology.

TERMS. — $1.00 a year (including postage), strictly in advance ; single numbers,
30 cents. Back numbers can ba supplied.

Circulars, containing the list of contents of Volume I, will be sent on application.

Remittances by mail will be at the risk of the sender, unless sent in a postal order or
draft on Boston or New York. Address all remittances to

RUTHVEN DEANE, Cambridge, Mass.

Foreign Subscribers may obtain the Bulletin through J. VAN VOORST & CO.,
1 Paternoster Row, London.

ADVERTISING RATES. — First inserti.''n, 80 cents a line (Bourgeois), or $12.00
per page ; $6.50 per half-page. A discount of twenty-five per cent will be made for each
subsequent insertion.

Communications intended for publication, as weT as advertisements, should be sent to
Mr. j. a. Allen, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass.

The continuance of the Bulletin beyond the present Volume
is necessarily contingent upon the pecuniary support it receives from the
public. We trust that our present patrons will not only all promptly
renew their subscriptions, but will use their influence to extend its cir-
culation. We hope it will soon be possible to permanently increase the
number of pages from twenty-four to thirty-two in each issue. In
order to do this a considerable increase to our subscription-list will be
necessary, and we therefore appeal strongly to all friends of Ornithology
to aid in extending its circulation. This being the only journal in this
country devoted exclusively to this subject, it is hoped that our appeal
for pecuniary support will meet -with a prompt response.

In order to assist in defraying the expenses of publication, advertising
sheets will be issued with future numbers, relating mainly to Natural
History, and especially to Ornithology. The attention of dealers in
specimens of Natural History and collectors’ and taxidermists’ materials
and of publishers of works relating to Natural History, is hence called to
the Bulletin as a desirable advertising medium.

N. B. — In future, all business letters and remittances should be
addressed to Mr. Euthven *Deane, Cambridge, Mass., instead of to
Mr. H. B. Bailey, who has removed to New York City.

THE NEW GUN.

Patent Sreecih-Iaoader.
MANUFACTURED BY THE AMERICAN ARMS CO., BOSTON.

The accompanying cut represents this new and improved gun as open for loading. It has
a la'-eral motion without hinges, and cannot become shaky, the great trouble experienced in
the tip-up action. It is the

Most Durable, Simply Constructed, and Easiest Handled

Gun ever offered to American Sportsmen, and is sold at prices far below any other guns in
the market for the quality.

A good gun with tAvist barrels can be had for $50. We wou’d especially call
he attention of gentlemen wanting A FINE GUN to our $125 gun, which, for
quality of lock, stock, and barrel, cannot be surpassed by any imported gun at
any price.

Send for Circular to Office, 103 MILK STREET, Boston.

THE BOSTON SHOOTING SUIT,

MANUFACTURED ONLY BY

CJEO. W. ^ eo§ton, mass.

Send for our Illustrated Circular and sample of material.

/ “BOSTON SHOOTING SUIT,” \
Each Garment distinctly marked : I made by I

\C- W. Simmons & Son:/

This new design of WATERPROOF SHOOTINO SUIT, in^de from extra quality duck, has attained
such popularity as to be called for from all parts of the country, and even from England.

“ Shipping clothing to England strikes us very much like sending ‘ Coals to Newcastle,’ but the merits
of the ‘ BOSTON SHOOTING SUITS ’ have been hear;l of in the Old Country, and that land of sports-
men has sent an order to Messrs. Simmons & Sou, which will doubtless he followed by many others.” —
Boston Paper.

The design embraces the best points of the English and French Suits, combined with the necessary
requirements for American service. Particular attention has been paid to color.

Each suit is water- proofed by a new patent process. seams and pocket-corners are securely

fastened, and nothing neglected to render the suit perfect in every respect.

The Pi’ice has heen fixed at S13, to ij^cliide Hat or dovihle-visored Cap,
Detachable Havelock, Coat, Vest, and Pantaloons.

One hundred suits will be kept ready in stock, so that we can furnish to order any size required, at a
moment’s notice.

5!^^ Persons ordering from a distance need send only the following to he
sure of a PEIIFECT FIT ; Breast measure, Waist measure, inside seam Coat-
sleeve, inside seam Pantaloons ; mention Heiglit and W^eight.

GEO. W. SIMMONS & SON, “ OAK HALL,” BOSTON, MASS.

DECOYS.

Plover, Black Duck, Sheldrake,

Bed Head, Yellow-Fegs, Canvas
Whistler, Coot, also,

Mallai'd, Sprigtail, Wild Geese.

These are the new patent Decoys which come packed in nests, six in a box. The greatest improvement
possible on the old style of wooden Decoy. Price of the Ducks, $ 12 per doz. ; price of the Geese, ^3 each ;
Yellow-legs and Plover, ^5 a dozen.

G. W. SIMMONS & SON, Oak Hall, Boston, Mass.

BULLETIN

OF THE

Nuttall Ornithological Club:

% iHHmal of ^mitljologg.

Vol. II. - OGTOBXSR, 1877. ~ No. 4.

CONTENTS.

Page I

Notes on Molothrus ^neus. By J. C.
Merrill, Assist. Surg., U. S. A 85

On Seventy-five Doubtful West-Coast
Birds. By J. G. Cooper, M. D 88

Remarks on Selasphorus alleni, Hen-
shaw. By D. G. Elliot 97

The Yellow-throated Warbler {Den-
drceca dominica). By William Brewster . 102

Page

Recent Literature 106

D’Hamonville’s Enumeration of the Birds
of Europe. — Merriana’s “Review of the
Birds of Connecticut.’’

General Notes . 108

Note on Doricha enicura ( Vieill). — Occur-
rence of the Black Vulture or Carrion Crow
in Ohio. — Occurrence of the Western Non-
pareil and Berlandier’s Wren at Fort Brown,
Texas. — A Cuckoo's Egg in a Cedar-Bird’s
Nest. — Occurrence for the first Time in Eng-
land of the Robin ( Turdus migratorius).

Cattihrttrsr> :

PUBLISHED BY THE CLUB.

University Press, Cambridge : Printed by Welch, Bigelow, & Co.

BULLETIN

OF THE

Nuttall Ornithological Gluh:

A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY.

This Journal (now in its second volume) forms at present the only serial publication
in America devoted to

GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.

While it is intended to serve primarily as a medium of communication between working
ornithologists, it also contains matter of a sufficiently popular character to interest all who
take an interest in the general subject of which it treats. Although devoted mainly to the
ornithology of No. th America, it is intended to be so far general in i'-s cha“acter as to give
notices of all the more important works or memoirs relating to Exotic Ornithology.

THE LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS

to its pages already embraces nearly all of the leading ornithologists of the country.

Among them are

Dr. Elliott Coues,

Mr. George N. Lawrence,
Dr. T. M. Brewer,

Mr. Robert Ridgway,

Mr. H. W. Henshaw,

Mr. Wm. Brewster,

Capt. Charles Bendire, U. S. A.,
Dr. J. C. Merrill,

Dr. J. G. Cooper,

Mr. E. W. Nelson,

and numerous others more or less well known to ornithological readers.

Its Editorial Supervision is in charge of

MR. J. A. ALLEN,

Assisted by PROF. S. F. BAIRD and DR. ELLIOTT COUES.

Although publi hed by the Nuttall Ornithological Club of Camb’-idge, Mass , it is
not in any narrow sense the organ of any section. Being conducted as

A MAGAZINE OF ORNITHOLOGY,

its department for reviews of the current ornithological literature gives prompt notices of all
papers I'e^ating to North American ornithology, and of all the more important special vtorks
and memoirs relating to the ornithology of other portions of tlie world ; while its department
of “ General Notes ” is r ch in notices of rare and little-known species of American birds.
It is hence indispensab'e to any one wishing to keep pace with the rapid advance of orni-
thology in this country, since it contains the latest and fullest intelligence relating to the
general subject of North American Ornithology.

TERMS. — $2.00 a year (including postage), strictly in advance ; single numbers,
50 cents. Volumes I and II, $ 1.00 each. Single Parts of Volumes I and II, 30 cents
each.

Circulars, containing the list of contents of Volume IT, will be sent on application.

Remittances by mail will be at the risk of the sender, unless sent in a postal order or
draft on Boston or New York. Address all remittances to

RUTHVEN DEANE, Cambridge, Mass.

Foreign Snbscribers may obtain the Bulletin through J. VAN VOORST & CO.,
1 Paternoster Row, London.

ADVERTISING RATES. — First insertion, 30 cents a line (Bourgeois), or $ 12.00
per page ; $6.50 per half-page. A discount of twenty -five per cent will be made fur each
subsequent insertion.

Communications intended for publication, as weft as advert'sements, should be sent to
Mr. j. a. Allen, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Ma:s.

THE NEW GUN.

Fox^s Patent Breech-Lioader.
MANUFACTURED BY THE AMERICAN ARMS CO., BOSTON.

The accompanying cut represents this new and improved gun as open for loading. It has
a lateral motion without hinges, and. cannot become shaky, the great trouble experienced in
the tip-up action. It is the

Most Durable, Simply Constructed, and Easiest Handled

Gun ever offered to American Sportsmen, and is sold at prices far below any other guns in
the market for the quality.

A good gun with twist barrels can be had for $50. We wouM especially call
the attention of gentlemen wanting A FINE GUN to our $125 gun, wh'ch, for
quality of lock, stock, and barrel, cannot be surpassed by any imported gun
any jyrice.

Send for Circular to Office, 103 MILK STREET, Boston.

THE BOSTON SHOOTING SUIT,

MANUFACTURED ONLY BY

GEO. W. Boston,

Send for our Illustrated Circular and sample of material.

/ “BOSTON SHOOTING SUIT,” \
Eacli Garment distinctly marked : I made by I

\C. W. Simmons & Son./

This new design of WATERPROOF SHOOTING SUIT, made from extra quality duck, has attained
such popularity as to be called for from all parts of the country, and even from England.

“ Shipping clothing to England strikes us very much like sending ‘ Coals to Newcastle,’ but the merits
of the ‘ BOSTON SHOOTING SUITS ’ have been heard of in the Old Country, and that land of sports-
men has sent an order to Messrs. Simmons & Son, which will doubtless be followed by many others.” —
Boston Paper,

The design embraces the best points of the English and French Suits, combined with the necessary
requirements for American service. Particular attention has been paid to color.

Each suit is water- proofed by a new patent process. The seams and pocket-corners are securely
fastened, and nothing neglected to render the suit perfect in every respect.

Tke Price has heeii fixed at SIS, to include Hat or double- visored Cap,
Detachable Havelock, Coat, Vest, and Pantaloons.

One hundred suits will be kept ready in stdck, so that we can furnish to order any size required, at a
moment’s notice.

Persons ordering from a distance need send only the following to Tbe
sure of a PERFECT EXT ; Breast measure, Waist measure, inside seam Coat-
sleeve, inside seam Pantaloons ; mention Height and Weight.

GEO. W. SIMMONS & SON, “OAK HALL,” BOSTON, MASS.

DECOYS.

Plover,

Red Head,
Whijitler,
Mallard,

Black Duck,
Yellow-Eegs,
Coot,

Sprigtail,

Sheldrake,

Canvas

ALSO,

Wild Geese.

These are the new patent Decoys which come packed in nests, six in a box. The greatest improvement
possible on the old style of wooden Decoy. Price of the Ducks, ^ 12 per doz. ; price of the Geese, $3 each ;
Yellow-legs and Plover, $5 a dozen.

G. W. SIMMONS & SON, Oak Hall, Boston, Mass.

BUI^LETIN^

OF THE

i^ttttafXX ®niitJt0X0j3:icaX CXulb:

A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology.

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 1878.

The present number brings to a close Volume II of the Bulletin. With the beginning of
Volume III, it has been decided to increase the number of pages in each issue from 24 to
48, and to raise the subscription price to $2.00. The present size of the magazine having
proved to be far too small to afford space fur all of the valuable matter contributed to its
pages, its enlargement h's become necessary ; and we trust that the advance in price, accom-
panied as it is Avith a corresponding addition of mattei*, will deter none of our present sub-
scribers from promptly renewing their subscriptions, and that they will, as heretofore, use
their influence to extend its circulation. The gradual inci'ease of our subscription-list
during the past year, together with the large amount of matter offered for publication,
shows plainly that the Bulletin meets a long-felt want, and leads us to hope that its per-
manence as an Ornithol jgical Magazine *is assured. The favor with which this periodical
has thus far been received leads us to believe that during the coming year it will be possible
to fiu*tber increase its size without additional cost to subscribers.

It will be continued under' the same editorial management as heretofore, and the aim will
be to keep it at such a standard of excellence as to make it indispensable not only to every
w u'kiijg ornithologist, but to ■every one interested in the progress of American Ornithology.
A special feature of Volume III will be an exhaustive resume of the current literature
relating to North American Ornithology, wherever appearing.

Communications for Volume II have been received from no less than thirty contributors,
embracing all the leading authorities (of this country) on American Ornithology. With
such ample literary support, the magazine in its enlarged form cannot fail to be worthy of
the most liberal pati'onage.

In order to assist in defraying the expenses of publication, advertising sheets will be
issued with each number, relating mainly to Natural History, and especially to Orn’*thology.
The attention of dealers in specimens of Natural History and collectors’ and taxidermists’
materials, and of publishers of works relating to Natural History, is hence called to the
Bulletin as a desirable advertising medium.

TERMS. — Subscription, $2.00 a year (including postage), strictly in advance ; single
numbers, 50 cents.

Subscriptions should be forwarded to Mr. RUTHVEN DEANE, Cambridge, Mass.

Advertising Rates. — First insertion, 30 cents a line (Bourgeois), or $ 12.00 per page ;
$ 6.50 per half-page. A discount of twenty-five per cent will be made for each subsequent
insertion.

Communications intended for publication, as well as advertisements, should be sent
to Mr. J. a. Allen, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass.

4- '
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FRANK WALTERS
Natural History Books
144 East 59th Street
New York, N., Y. ^