CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ZX ~ LABORATORY OF ORNITHOLOGY LIBRARY Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924090302864 33d CoNGRESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Ex. Doc. 2d Session. No. $1. REPORTS oF EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS, TO ASCERTAIN THE MOST PRACTICABLE AND ECONOMICAL ROUTE FOR A RAILROAD | FROM THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN. MADE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR, IN 1853-6, ae ACCORDING TO ACTS OF CONGRESS OF MARCH 3, 1853, MAY 31, 1864, AND AUGUST 5, 1854, VOLUME IX. WASHINGTON: A. 0. P. NICHOLSON, PRINTER. 1858. OFNITH IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES—Fesrvuary 14, 1855. Resolved, That there be printed, for the use of the House, ten thousand copies of the reports of surveys for a railroad to the Pacific, made under the direction of the Secretary of War, embracing the report of F. W. Lander, civil engineer, of a survey of a railroad route from Puget’s Sound, by Fort Hall and the Great Salt lake, to the Mississippi river; and the report of J. C. Frémont, of a route for a railroad from the headwaters of the Arkansas river into the State of California; together with the maps and plates accompanying each of said reports necessary to illustrate them. Attest: J. W. FORNEY, Clerk of the House of Representatives of the United States. THIRTY-SECOND CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION—Cuaprer 98. Sxcr. 10. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby authorized, under the direction of the President of the United States, to employ such portion of the Corps of Topographical Engineers, and such other persons ag he may deem necessary, to make such explorations and surveys as he may deem advisable, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean, and that the sum of one hundred and fifty- thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be, and the same is hereby, appropriated out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, to defray the expense of such explorations and surveys. Approved March 3, 1853. THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION—Cuaprer 60. Appropriation : For deficiencies for the railroad surveys between the Mississippi river and the Pacific ocean, forty thou- sand dollars. Approved May 31, 1854, THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION—Cuaprer 267. Appropriation : For continuing the explorations and surveys to ascertain the best route for a railway to the Pacific, and for completing the reports of surveys already made, the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, Approved August 5, 1854. CONTENTS OF VOLUME IX, PART I].—GENERAL REPORT UPON THE ZOOLOGY OF THE SEVERAL PACIFIC RAILROAD ROUTES. LETTER TO CAPTAIN HUMPHREYS, TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGINEERS. SmirasonraNn Institution, Washington, March 1, 1856. Sir: During the first organization of the parties for the survey of a railroad route to the Pacific, application was made to the Smithsonian Institution, by the officers in charge, for in- structions and suggestions in reference to the investigation of the Natural History of their respective lines. These were cheerfully furnished, as in accordance with the objects of an establishment intended for the increase and diffusion of knowledge. The specimens in Zoology, as collected, were transmitted from time to time to the Institution, and properly preserved until the return of the parties. A series of special reports was prepared by the naturalists of the expeditions; but as these were necessarily disconnected and incomplete, it was deemed advisable to furnish a general systematic report upon the collections as a whole ; and this being sanctioned by the War Department, the materials were entrusted to competent individuals for this purpose, the necessary drawings being made by a skilful artist within the walls of the Institution. The first part of the general report having been already furnished, I now transmit the remainder, with the hope that its execution will be satistactory to the Department. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSEPH HENRY, . Secretary Smithsonian Institution. Captain A. A. Humpureys, Topographical Engineers, In charge of Office of Explorations and Surveys, War Department. Par Ils EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR A RAILROAD ROUTE FROM THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN. WAR DEPARTMENT. BIRDS: BY SPENCER F, BAIRD. WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF JOHN CASSIN AND GEORGE N. LAWRENCE. WASHINGTON, D.C. 1858. b 2* CONTENTS. Preface --.-..-. wer ceceaciace ses Secwicuicats emcee Seoucseceekoocoeacnsecssse witeeteaes ieeeanwsncisinccos Systematic list of the higher groups... ~~~ 22 2-5-2 - ee ne ee ee en eee ne eee cee e eee e ence eee List of species -.... wiacacia weed apecetediecsthh wed scesussweustewenee se etGeenceteesens ines eecoattess Introductory remarks -...-.--.-..------------ Gases eh Ser ceeua ese arene sce tecemeas ainenee es Order Raptores -...------------ Bic iwc ddweteestecesenighuies eotedermess siccnumiinda cs nemeiaen canminmnescueee Orderibeansoresyocoscseceoee Ancdte essa nccenntWeeeneites tee deecos GestewcnuettesOsnsGoeseeateaceeeunee Order Natatores cccccctssddwswdee eee cease sneeecis Ccccassee che edeeee seen eeoceseotiececusesance Appendix A. Additional remarks on North American birds ...... ie SS SS se cniee sua waatieeise a weeoaoseeeee Appendix B. Birds found at Fort Bridger, Utah -.....~------- 2-22 ene eee nee ne nen eee eee ene Appendix,C: List of authorities 2-2 ceccsecsccs cnecmineieneseecnnenieseseeemceccos sce omsewemeseincceecccenta Index of common NAaMes a cwsieesrccseseewsrse rene eccewoeserecimeescceeeenecccte cube ceeerseeeecwesens Index of scientific names_....---...--------eee- wewmedos Bence aan HacdceemewRRetecepemee. skeeeweis PREFACE. The present report is a continuation of a systematic account of the vertebrate animals of North America, collected or observed by the different parties organized under the direction of the War Department for ascertaining the best route for a railroad from the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean. The collections of these expeditions having been deposited with the Smithsonian Institution by the War Department, in compliance with an act of Congress, the undersigned was charged by the Secretary of the Institution with the duty of furnishing the series of general reports upon them, as called for by the Department. The account of the mammals having been published in 1857, that of the birds is herewith furnished, prepared according to the plan announced in the preface to that volume. As in the volume on the mammals, by the insertion of the comparatively few species not noticed by the expeditions, this report becomes an exposition of the present state of our knowledge of the birds of North America, north of Mexico. This addition, while rendering the work more valuable to the reader, was absolutely necessary for the proper understanding of the western fauna, the species of which are generally so closely allied to the eastern forms as to require in most cases more minute and detailed descriptions of the latter than have been published. Certain portions of the report have been prepared by Mr. Jouw Cassin, of Philadelphia, and Mr. Grorce N. Lawrence, of New York, well known as the leading ornithologists of the United States. Mr. Cassin has furnished the entire account of the Raptores, from p. 4 to 64, of the Grallae from p. 689 to 753, and of the Alcidae from p. 900 to 918, in all about 135 pages. Mr. Lawrence has written the article on the Longipennes, Totipalmes, and Colymbidae, from page 820 to 900, making 80 pages. To Mr. P. L. Sclater, of London, acknowledgments are due for the examination of certain specimens in European museums, and for other valuable aid in determining points of synonymy ; some of his notes received too late for insertion in their proper places will be found in Appendix A. Much assistance has also been rendered in various ways by Dr. J. G. Cooper. In the introduction to the general report upon the mammals will be found a detailed account of the different railroad surveying parties from which zoological collections were received, with their respective routes. For the proper understanding of the subject, however, it will be necessary to present a brief recapitulation in this place. 1, Line oF THE 477H PARALLEL, UNDER Governor I. I. Srzvens.—This consisted of two principal parties, one under Governor Stevens, passing from St. Paul, Minnesota, to the Pacific, accompanied by Dr. George Suckley, U.S. A, as surgeon and naturalist, the other under Captain G. B. M’Clellan, proceeding from Vancouver to the Cascade mountains, accompanied by XIV PREFACE. Dr. J. G. Cooper. After the termination of their official duties with the survey, Dr. Suckley made a very extensive collection of birds at the Dalles, and on Puget’s Sound, and Dr. Cooper at Shoalwater bay, on Puget’s Sound, and at Santa Clara, California. 2. 387H AND 39TH PARALLELS, UNDER CaprTain J, W. GUNNISON, AND THE 41st, UNDER Caprain EH. G. Becxwitu.—The duties of naturalist were performed by Mr. Kreuzfeldt until his death, afterwards by Mr. Snyder, of Captain Beckwith’s party. 3. 35TH PARALLEL, UNDER Caprain A. W. Wuippie.—This party was at first divided into two, one under Captain Whipple, starting at Fort Smith, accompanied by Mr. H. B. Méllhausen, as naturalist; the other under Lieutenant Ives, from San Antonio, Texas, with Dr. Kennerly. Both parties met at Albuquerque, and proceeded together to the Pacific. 4. CALIFORNIA LINE, UNDER Linurenant Witiramson.—This party, with Dr, Heermann as naturalist, explored the country from San Francisco to the Tejon Pass and the Colorado river. 5, 32D PARALLEL WEST, UNDER Lizurenant J. G. Parke.—Lieutenant Parke’s party, with Dr. Heermann as naturalist, traversed the route from Fort Yuma to El Paso, and thence through Texas. 6. 32D PARALLEL EAST, UNDER CapraIn J. Popz.—From El] Paso to Preston, on Red river. Captain Pope’s collections include the very extensive series of birds gathered by Dr. T. C. Henry, U.S. A., at Fort Thorn and on the Mimbres. The preceding lines were organized in 1853; the following was sent out subsequently : 7. CALIFORNIA AND OREGON LINE, UNDER LizuTENANT WILLIAMSON.—This party explored the Cascade mountains of California and Oregon. The zoological collections were made by Dr. J. S. Newberry, geologist of the expedition. In addition to the preceding Railroad explorations, the results of the following miscellaneous government expeditions, made under the War Department, have been embodied in the report : 8. ExpnLoration oF THE Luano Esracapo, in 1854 and 1856, by Captain Popr. 10. Expioration or THE Upper Missouri AND YELLOWSTONE IN 1856, uNDER Lizut. G. K. War- ren.—Very large collections of birds were made by this party, of which Dr. F. V. Hayden was surgeon and naturalist. 10. EXPLORATION OF THE NORTH SIDE OF THE PLATTE RIVER AND Loup Fork 1n 1857, unpeR Lrzvr. G. K. Warrzn.—-On this second expedition of Lieut. Warren, (Dr. Hayden naturalist,) large collections of birds were made, especially on Laramie Peak and Loup Fork. 11. Wagon roap From Fort Ritey to Bripger’s Pass, unper Lisvr. F. T. Bryan.—This party, with W. 8. Wood as collector and naturalist, was out two seasons, 1856 and 1857 , and made very large collections. 12. Survey oF THE CoLORADO RIVER IN 1857-8, unpER Lieut. J. C. Ives.—H. B. Mollhausen, zoologist, aided by Dr. J. S. Newberry, geologist. A small portion only of the collections have yet been received. The following expeditions, under the Department of the Interior, have also furnished important materials : 13. Survey or tHE Unirep Srares anD Mexican Bounpary Line in 1851 to 1855.—The collec- tions of this survey were made while Mr. John R. Bartlett, Mr, R. B. Campbell, and Major W. H. Emory, U.S.A., were commissioners; and Colonel J. D. Graham, U.S.A., and Major Emory, U.S.A., were in charge of the scientific department. The collections were made by Messrs. John H. Clark, Arthur Schott, Charles Wright, Dr. T. H. Webb, and Dr. C. B. Kennerly, PREFACE. XV 14, Fort Kzarney, Sout Pass anp Honzy Lake Wacon Roan, Eastern Division, uNDER W. M. F. Magraw.—On this route large collections were made by Dr. J. G. Cooper, surgeon of the party, as far as Fort Laramie, in 1857, and on his return eastward. His assistant, Mr. C. Drexler, visited Fort Bridger, Utah, in March, 1858, and mainly through the countenance of General A. 8. Johnston, commander of the United States forces stationed there, was enabled to make a very large collection of the birds of that region. His collections were received too late for mention in their proper places, but are given in Appendix B. Parties fitted out by the State Department : 15. Survey of THE NorTHWESTERN BounDARY, UNDER ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL.—Occasional refer- ences will be found to collections received from this party, of which Dr. C. B. Kennerly is surgeon and naturalist, made chiefly at Simeahmoo bay, Puget’s Sound, near the mouth of Fraser’s river. The following less official collections from the west and south have been used in the prepara- tion of the report. From THE Pactric sLope.—The very large private collections of Dr. Suckley, in Washington and Oregon Territories, and of Dr. Cooper, in Washington Territory and California, already referred to. Also, additional collections of great magnitude made along the whole Pacific coast of the United States by Lieut. W. P. Trowbridge, while engaged on Coast Survey duty; by Mr. K. Samuels, at Petaluma, California, and by Mr. John Xantus de Vesey, at Fort Tejon. Likewise collections of greater or less extent made by Dr. John Potts, U.S. A., Mr. A. J. Grayson, Dr. John F.*Hammond, U.S. A., Richard D. Cutts, Mr. A. Cassidy, Dr. W. F. Tolmie, Dr. Vollum, U. 8. A., and Dr. W.S. King, U.S. A. From tue Rocky MOUNTAIN REGIONS.—The very complete collection of birds of Fort Thorn and the adjacent regions, made by Dr. T. C. Henry, U. 8. A.; also, collection from Fort Massa- chusetts, New Mexico, made by Dr. D. W. C. Peters, U. 8. A.; at Cantonment Burgwyn, New Mexico, by Dr. W. W. Anderson, U. 8. A.; and by Captain R. B. Marcy, near Cochetope pass. From Texas anp Muxtco.—The large collection of Lieut. D. N. Couch, U. S. A., in Texas and northern Mexico ; of Captain S. Van Vliet, U. 8. A., at Brownsville ; of Dr. Swift, U.S. A., at Fort Chadbourne, Texas, and of Drs. Foard and Crawford, U. 8. A.; also, of Mr. Gustavus Wiirdemann, of the United States Coast Survey, on the coast of Texas. The further collec- tions of this gentleman on the coast of Louisiana, of Florida, and among the Florida Keys, have contained several new species, and many species new to the fauna of the United States. From Nesraska, KANsas, AND ELSEWHERE.—Collections made in Kansas and Nebraska by Dr, WwW. A. Hammond, U. 8. A., and Mr. John Xantus de Vesey; by Dr. Hayden, Colonel Alfred Vaughan, Indian agent, and Dr. J. Evans. On Red river of the North by Donald Gunn, esq. Also large collections made in Minnesota and Illinois by Mr. R. Kennicott, partly under the auspices of the Northwestern University of Evanston, Illinois; others made in Wisconsin by Dr. Hoy and Mr. Barry; in Ohio by Dr. J.P. Kirtland; and near Chicago by Mr. Thomas E. Blackney. Also collections made in Georgia by Professor Joseph Leconte. A collection of about 150 species received from Mr. John Gould, of London, contains many rare birds from the northwest and Arctic regions, (some of them types of the “‘ Fauna Boreali- Americana,’’) as well as others from Mexico and Guatemala. The latter have proved of great XVI PREFACE. service for comparison with closely allied species of the United States, as have also specimens from Mr. P. L. Sclater, of London, Mr. J. P. Verreaux, of Paris, and Messrs. J. H. Gurney and Alfred Newton, of Norwich, England. The types of eastern birds have been furnished by the collection of the author deposited in the Smithsonian Institution. This consists of a full collection of birds of Central Pennsylvania, with sex, date, and measurements before skinning. It also embraces a large number of Mr. Audubon’s typical specimens used in the preparation of his ‘‘ Birds of America,’’ including many of those from the Oolumbia river and Rocky mountains, furnished him by Mr. J. K. Townsend. In addition to the collections just mentioned, with others not enumerated, all in charge of the Smithsonian Institution, and amounting to over 12,000 specimens, types have been supplied for the occasion by Mr. Cassin, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. John G. Bell, Dr. Michener, and others. The ornithological gallery of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, believed to be the richest in the world, has also furnished the means of making many essential comparisons. The measurements of the specimens have usually been made in hundredths of the English inch!, mostly with the dividers. All the measurements in the list of specimens are as made before the bird was skinned, each collector being responsible for the accuracy of his work. The comparative tables of measurements show, in many cases, the change of dimensions produced in the dried skin. fo Ny B Wasaineton, October 20, 1853. 1 The English inch is about equal to 11.26 French lines, .9383 French inches, or to 25. 40 millimetres. I. TABLE OF THE HIGHER GROUPS Order I. RAPTORES. (Page 3.) Family.’ Page. Sub-family. Section. Page. Genus. Sub-genus. Page. Species examined and identified. Species not examined nor identified. Extra limital species, Current number of first species mentioned, 1. Vulturidae....... 2 Falconidae......, B. Strigidae. seseeeee 47 Cathartinae...... Falconinae ...... Accipilrinae .... Buteoninae...... Milvinae .. sesese Aquilinae........ Polyborinae..... Striginde .....00. Buboninae....... Syrniinae....e... Atheninae....... Nycteinae....... 15 19 wee eee eccereeones 36) Al oe nees coeencnacees sen ereeeecrccveseen 59) 63) 1. Cathartes, Ill....... 2. Falco, Linn.... oss. 3. Astur, Lac..seenes 4. Accipiter, Briss..... 5. Buteo, Cuvsecceeses 6. Archibuteo, Brehm. 7. Asturina, Vieill..... 8. Nauclerus, Vig. 9. Elanus, Sav... 10. Ictinia, Vieill .. 11. Rostrhamus, Less., 12. Circus, Lacep,.eoss 18. Aquila, Moehr.....’ 14, Haliaetus, Sav..... 15. Pandion, Sav ...... 16. Polyborus, Vieill ...| 17. Oraxirex, Gould.... 18. Strix, Linn. ......05 19, Bubo, Cuv... 20. Scops, Sav... 21. Otus, Cuv. 22. Brachyotus, Gould.. 23. Syrnium, Sav....... 24, Nyctale, Brehm .... 25. Athene, Boie....... 26. Glaucidium, Boie... 27. Nyctea, Steph...... 28, Surnia, Dum .cesee, 51 59 63 64 Falco... Hypotriorchis , Gennaia,...eccsecees Hierofaleo.....eccee Tinnunculus......... Buteo .cccsercncccees Leucopternis ........ Poecilopternis ....... Tachytriorchis.. .... ee ee es cece venves ceases ences econ vevese eeeceesces seceenenes ence ee cn enee Pe eeetesscvees Beet cen enrese cess Bene eeeses cocescceenes Oe weeeceeer eens mvenee eee e ree rere rey femme aceon teen n rt acenest rene ee erred b 3* XVIII TABLE OF THE HIGHER GROUPS. Order II. SCANSORES. (Page 65.) | zs z 3 ~ aay rc A 13 3 lg |4 338 Edsec| 2 [53 Eg igg| & [33 Family. Sub-family. Section. Genus. Sub-genus. BS \o=) ze (Ea & a if siee| 2 (ES eis |S ES 3 Sy} es) 3 3/9 |S Elem Ee a a a 2/2 |B | Hw IB 4 ™ cH a a \A ba | a jo 4. Psittacidac.....+.| 66|sscecesssscceesess[eces|seecesesescsecees [ooee| 29. Conurus, Kuhl.oces| 66].ccesessscseeeeeeevees[enee! L]ecee eres] 63 . Rhynchopsitta, Bon,| 66)...cscecesecerenecneas|soce[eoes [ove 1} 64 30. Trogon, Moehr..... 5. Trogonidae .. sepaee Seerererrr ey waee|cceercunnevecesecenes: [eee Li aioe fh eae Go Cu Culidaesssiiaaics|! “Fl )eesasieiesciece canis foeeie|usamsaceiieneere nese, 31. Crotophaga, Linn...| 7ll.ecssccecscsceeneeeeseles Ql.see|eeee| 66 93, Goocontys, Wades! FElscasscetasieeenneasesetmree) J lecax 68 83. Coceyzus, Vidill on 29. Columbidae.....| 595] Columbinae......] 596],...ccescsseesses [evee| 159, Columba, L.......| 596] Columba, L..........| 596 Patagioenas, Reich., .| 596 160. Ectopistes, Sw....| 599) cevcccccsnccsccsacees|eore Zenaidinae...,...| 600) Zenaideae.......| 600) 161. Zenaida, Bon. 162. Melopelia, Bon 163, Zenaidura, Bon.... Chamaepelieae ..|....| 164. Scardafella, Bon... 165. Chamaepelia, Sw.. Starnoenadeae...|....) 166. Oreopeleia, Reich .| 607) ....sseeecccasscoroesr[eree 167. Starnoenas, Bon...| G08) ..cececccecccccnae sesleser soerlewee| 447 vens[eees| 448 veer|eees| 449 | 450 451 452 | 453 454 sees] 455 ee OD Sub-Order B. GALLINAE. (Page 609.) seesjeeee| 456- evcslecee| 457 sevefeees| 459 soeelecee| 442 seesfevee| 463 seecleves| 464 «| 465 lj... | 467 471 473 | 474 -| 476 «| 477 30. Penelopidae. BLO] cc ccccnncenescecr|eces{eeceessscevsesceeriaces| 168. Ortalida, Merrem.. 31, Phasianidae.....| 613) Meleagrinae...../ 613].....cecseeccee sefeess| 169. Meleagris, Linn. ..| 613]....cccccccceccercesesloees B2. Tetraonidac. ...| 610) eecssccsseccccccsleces[covcesccsssceececs(evee) 170. Tetrao, Linn..se. | 620|....ccccesveeces sanee 171. Centrocercus, SW.| 624] ...scesseccecceseseur|seee 172. Pedioecetes, Bd...) 625)....cccccccecenscececclenne 173. Cupidonia, Reich..| 627] ..csseveseesessecveens| eee 174, Bonasa, Steph. ....| 629) ....e0ceccesacceavvess|sone 175, Lagopus, Vieill.... 33. Perdicidae.......| 638) Ortyginae........| 638) ....cceccessceeees(see | 176. Ortyx, Steph. .... 177. Oreortyx, Baird... 178. Lopbortyx, Bon. .. 179. Callipepla,Wagler.. 180. Cyrtonyx, Gould ..| 647]..cccnccnscncee cocces|eees e RFR DRY DON ke HY eH ww eS Order V. GRALLATORES. (Page 650.) Sub-Order A. HERODIONES. (Page 651.) 181. Grus, Linn. see] G58) ceccccenccnecscecseces [eves 182. Aramus, Vieill.....} 657] .cccecccunccucvecccas (cece 183. Demiegretta, Blyth.| 660) .....ccecevcccsecncces [eves 184. Garzetta, Bon. ....| 664] .cccecccccccese eevee levee 185, Herodias, Boie ,...| 666) .....cccvsccccvnccenes [sees 186. Ardea, Linn. ......) 667] .csesceeseceee seis 187. Audubonia, Bp....| 670] ..cesesceseeces h|isseies 188. Florida, Bd.....0..| 671] ceseeeseces Botaureae.......| 659} 189. Ardetta, Gray.....| 672) ......eeeese 190. Botaurus, Steph. ..| 674] .....e sess evceens sone Nycticoraceae, ..| 660} 191. Butorides, Blyth...| 676] .....cccececceses sieieti 192. Nyctiardea, Sw....| 678) ...cesceccesseees . 193. Nyctherodius,Reic.| 679) ...scccscceecccnsecees [sees 681] .eseceacens eee | 194. Tantalus, Linn....| 682) ....0.22 cece eeee ener lens Thinaessceueecoee| GBllaccecccsseevecnsss[eres| 195, Ibis, Moehr.,.....-| 682) Ibis, Moehr.....cccceleves F Falcinellus, Bon. ....|.... 34. Gruidae.........| 652}. 35. Aramidae,......| 657]... 36. Ardeidae........| 659) Ardeinae........| 659] Ardeae ...ceeseee 491 37. Tantalidae......| 681 BB. Plataleidae......| G8G| secscvcsesceccvcculeces (scence vecceevececs|eoee| 196, Platalea, Liseeeeves| 686] seccseascceccenen svseleccs 39. Phoenicopteridad) 687) cise aeeecsconend| eves |aveeesenneae ceeccs [enue] 197. Phoenicopterus, L.| 687] sccees ssnseesswara sean | cave iil ellll ell ~ ielll aelll alll ell aol atl at XXII TABLE OF THE HIGHER GROUPS. Order V. GRALLATORES—Continued. Sub-Order B. GRALLAE. (Page 688.) Tribe 1. LIMICOLAE, (Page 688.) , u . Ble). ; 3 .12./ 2 [P2 Family. Sub-family. Section. Genus. Sub-genus. = 3 8 ac EF VASO! sa RB 3™|e"| 4 |zs 3 $ 3 3 3/8 [8 |S ER Hy a a z + ee |e [86 AO. Charadriidac....| 690|..csccessees cece. [eces{eonseseeceeeceeees[eeee| 198, Charadrius, L.....| 690)..cssssserseseeere cess feees TL) vse] vean| 503 199. Aegialitis, Boie....| 691] Oxyechus, Reich .... 692] 2) ..../.0..| 504 Ochthodromus,Reich.| 693) 1).+«.|--+.| 506 Aegialeus, Reich.....|++« Q} a0. ]..2.| 507 Leucopolius, Bon..,.|-.+« L]ovee{oeee| 509 200. Squatarola, Cuv...| 696 os 1)....].-..] 510 201. Aphriza, Aud...... 698] .ecencccnenvevesuese Ll vaasfecas] SIL 41, Haematopodidae| 699). .ecceeeseesesees clescccescesceeveces|ere+| 202. Haematopus, Linn.| 699).....cacccescecsereverfecee| 2) 1 1| 512 203. Strepsilas, Il....0+| TOL) .scsenceecesccceeseeerlece Q] 515 42. Recurvirostridac.| 703\..sccecccscecccceclsces|eoccencecescerees[evee| 204, Recurvirostra, L ..| 703).ssevecssesrscesseeer|eoe ] seee|eoee| 517 205. Himantopus, Briss.| 704]....... 5 sealee Lj). eee] SLB 43, Phalaropodidac..| 705|...s.-escesecesers[eoee [oases « seeceseaselooee| 206, Phalaropus, Br....| 705} Steganopus, Vieill. L).cecfosee| SLD Lobipes, Cuv.... T)....]eeee| 520 Phalaropus, Brisson,.| 707] 1)... /++«+| 521 A4, Scolopacidae. ...| 708) Scolor +++.| 708} Scolap ease| 708] 207. Philohela, Gray,...| 709).ssseeecceevceeececess[res L) ceeejeees| 522 208. Gallinago, Leach..| 710).. oor 1) .eee]e. «| 528 209. Macrorhamphus, t Leach,...eee.es.| TI1].. a Ql a» Tringeae........ | 713] 210, Tringa, Linn,.....| 714) Tringa, L......seeees Q).. Arquatella, Bd.......| 714) 1 Erolia, Vieill.........] 714) 1]. Schoeniclus, Moebr..| 714) 1 Actodromas, Kaup...| 714) 3 QL. Calidris, Cuvesesc.| 723) seccseeuscesccencrever|oee 1 212, Ereunetes, Til.....| 724|...5 Tis 213. Micropalama, Bd..| 726|...0. seseccecveeesecelenes 1 Totaninae.......| 727| Totaneae........| 727] 214, Symphemia, Raf..| 729]..scccecesenccesceeeee[eeve| LT] sees [eeee| 537 215. Glottis, Nilss...... Lj) vecefecee| 538 216. Gambetta, Kaup... 2 539 217. Rhyacophilus, Kp. il’ 54 218. Heteroscelus, Bd..| 734] ..ccasecescovncensener|eces 1 542 219. Tringoides, Bon...| 735|..cseaseeseee. + seco] Lp vecefocee| 543 220. Philomachus,Moeh, 736]....sececeeseee 1] cee] eee] 544 221. Actiturus, Bon....| 737) sceeccessereeees seer TV) veeeJevee| 545 222. Tryngites, Cab.... 1). 546 Limoseae....«+..| 727] 223, Limosa, Briss. ....] T40|.eccescecces cess neevee| ence 2) 5: 548 Numenieae......| 742) 224. Numenius, Linn ..| 742) Numenius, Temm....| 743] 1} ....].0. | 549 Phaeopus, Cuv.eceses|oee 2] ...Je.e-| 550 Tribe 2. PALUDICOLAE,. (Page 745.) 45. Rallidae........| /45| Rallinae......s+.| 746] Rallene....4 see) 746] 225, Rallus, Le .esceeees| TAG) .eceeee cen vesvessoeefeeee| Bl. casfeeee] 552 226. Porzana, Vieill....) 748] Porzana, Vieill.......] 749) 1 555 Creciscus, Cab... 749} 1 556 Coturnicops, Bon 750} 1}. 557 227. Crex, Bechst... 7ll. sevens Liveee}oee | 558 Fuliceac.....e00+| 746) 228. Fulica, Linn cecees| T5l] ces sseceeenecuenceesefeces| Tleeee| ...[ 559 : 229, Gallinula, Briss ...| 752] Gallinula, Br.........| 752] 1].. 560 Porphyrula, Blyth... | 753} 1}. 561 Order VI. NATATORES. TABLE OF THE HIGHER GROUPS. Sub-order A. ANSERES. (Page 753.) (Page 752.) XXIII Species examined and identified. Species not examined nor Family. Sub-family, Section. Genus. Sub-genus, $ 3 a) 3 3 cp i) ep is op & £ & & a 46. Anatidae.......| 756 TST woe vs seveeeeeeees[oee.| 230. Cygnus, Linn,.....| 757] Olor, Wagler.sss.sse.| 757 Anserinae .s.ses. Anatinae........ Fuligulinae...... Erismaturinae ... Merginae......., 759 72 786 812) ANSCreae..ee aes, Dendrocygneae .. Sa ceae cecceecceees 759) 231. Anser, Linn....... 232. Bernicla, Steph.... 233, Chloephaga, Eyton. 234. Dendrecygna, Sw.. 235. Anas, Linn... 236. Dafila, Leach..... 237. Nettion, Kaup..... 238. Querquedula,Steph. 239. Spatula, Boie,.... 240. Chaulelasmus,Gray 241. Mareca, Steph..... 242. Aix, Boie....ee.., 243. Fulix, Sund ...... 244, Aythya, Boie...... 245 Bucephala, Bd.... 246. Histrionicus, Less. 247. Harelda, Leach... 248. Polysticta, Eyton.. 249, Lampronetta, Brdt. 250. Camptolaemus, Gr, 251. Melanetta, Boie.., 252. Pelionetta, Kaup.. 253. Oidemia, Flem.... 254. Somateria, Leach. 255. Erismatura, Bon.. 256. Mergus, Linn..... 257. Lophodytes, Reich 258. Mergellus, Selby.. 760) Chen, Boie....e.ee0e Anser, Linn ........ Leucoblepharon, Bd. Bernicla, Steph...... Leucopareia, Rch.... S Paver eecnenes seveces We ne ee een ecreeee veces pee wenceesceseevences veeereeenen cescceaees enon eeee succes le “vor woeenwnvnerww: we VYeweee Know w wo Bee w identified. a a o ov i= wo 3 g fa & = s z $ fal gq Current number of first species mentioned. 576 «| 588 593 604 613 Sub-order B. GAVIAE. (Page 818.) Tribe 1, TOTIPALMI. (Page 819.) 47, Pelecanidae..... 48, Sulidae..... +49. Tachypetidae... 50, Phalacrocoraci- COC. es eccescecvecs 51. Plotidae .o.eeees 52, Phaetonidae .... 868 883] Plotinae.....000+ 885) Phaetoninae..... 885) eweereenseee peseen 259, Pelecanus, Le...s. 260. Sula, Br veessecess 261. Tachypetes, Vieill. 262. Graculus, L....... 263. Plotus, Li ..ses wees 264, Phaeton, Linn.... 868 873 875) 883 885 Cyrtopelicanus, Rch.. Onocrotalus, Wagl... Sula, Br.... Dysporus, II] vecees menvoe werent aces Phalacrocoraxz, Br.... Graculus, Bon ....06. Urile, Bon. .....ceees Saal ce ee eee anes wneces Bee eee Pewee 615 616 617 618 619 620 623 «| 626 628 -| 629 TABLE OF THE HIGHER GROUPS. XXIV Tribe 2. LONGIPENNES. (Page 819.) 3s ly 4 a |= 3s z le | 2 ise -fal. | ‘oO Family. Sub-family. Section. Genus. Sub-genus. ake 3 ge wa \ee| 8 [E8 53. Procellaridae. ..| 820] Diomedeinae ....| 820) .cseecessevceseees[eees| 265. Diomedea, L......| 820) Diomedea,L.........] 621] 1]....}e0..) 630 Phoebastria, Rch.....| 822) 1)... aoe] 631 Thalassarche, Rch,?.} 822| 1).... }..«+| 632 Phoebetria, Reh .....] 823) 1}... |eoes| 633 Procellarinae,..,.} 824) .ssessevseeeresees(eee*| 266. Procellaria, L.....| 824] Ossifragus, H. & J....| 825) 1)... Joees| 634 Fulmarus, Leach ...,{ 825 2]....]..:.| 635 Thalassoica, Reich...| 826, 1}....|.+..| 687 Aestrelata, Bon.. LJ eves jece| 638 267. Daption, Steph....| 828).scsseeeseare eave] Livens lovee] 639 268, Thalassidroma, Vig.| 828] Oceanodroma, Rch...| 829} 1} 1]..../ 640 Thalassidroma, Vig..| 830) 1 1}....| 642 Oceanites,Keys.& Blas} 831] 1]....|+e..| 644 Procellaria, L.. B31] Lf sees fowee! 645 269. Fregetta, Bon.eee.| 852) eseceesssencene wee} ol 646 270. Puffinus, Briss ....] 832) Ardenna, Reich. 833] iL «| 647 Nectris, Bon... 834) 1). 648 Puffinus, Br..... 834} 2 649 Adamastor, Bon. 835; 1 651 54, Laridac .... »«..| 837 sescesecccvesesess(soe-| Q71, Stercorarius, Briss.| 838) .ccceveccsesees sjvewe] Aleeanlsses| 652 Tearinae ais sivas i [S40 | se cwiesven aw vice eta -| 272. Larus, Linn ,.....| 841}... a veeececnseweve| recs 9 273. Blasipus, Bon. ....| 848) .ecceccceccecvccencouri(eess| fe 274. Chroicocephalus, , Eyton ... ce] B50) cesvesenncesecscervveeiooes| Slices [aves| 667 275. Rissa, Leach...ees| B53)secees cecenccnccssvees| see 2] 2)....{ 672 276. Pagophila, Kaup...| 855] .scccccssccccsessvenss [eos 1 1]....| 676 277. Rhodostcthia,Macg.| 856) seccccsssccccccevecsrs|sves [ence 1}....| 678 278, Creagrus, Bon, ....| 857) -.0s ccnceeusscns vescer|sseel eee 1|....] 679 279. Kema, Leach. .e..} BS ereseeceverscccesvcens[evce|seee 1]....| 680 Sterninae........| 858)......seeeeceeess/owes| 280. Sterna, Li. secsevae| S50] secevceccececsseceeses(oene) 14]... (0...) 682 281. Hydrochelidon,Boie| 864].... 0.0. cesses nasrcecs[eos L] eee fowee| 695 282. Anous, Leach. ....| 865) .ccccecccscccscencccesieces| Llesee feces] 696 Rhynchopinae ...| 865)....seeeseeeecces{eoee| 283, Rhoynchops, Li. ....| 866) cscccevsccccsccerecces| oe 1]... ]..+.] 697 Tribe 3. BRACHYPTERI. (Page 819.) 55, Colymnbidae...../ 887} Colymbinae .....} 887]. .eececeeceeeeeer(ece-| 284. Colymbus, L......| 887]... 4] cave }ere.| 698 Podicipinae . ....| B91]...ceeceereeevevssleoes| 285. Podiceps, Lath....| 891], 6} 1J....| 702 286. Podilymbus, Less.|.... T).eee}....] 709 5G. Alcidae ...0.+0++| 900} Alcinaes.sesseess| F000. cesesscesescee{ooes| 287, Alca, Linn.....+..| 900) Chenalopex, Moehr.. Teac. [esos] 710 Utamania, Leach L] occ. feces] TLL 288, Mormon, II] ......} 901) Lunda, Pall..........| 902) 1/.... sees} 712 Fratercula, Briss, Bl eeee leone] 713 289, Sagmatorrhina,Bon| 904|.... esses secec: onsves[esssleces 1}....| 716 200, Cerarhing,; Bovis: | 904) cesiaseieesanesesensexleess| lovee lecast 412 291. Phaleris, Temm...| 906 Simorhynchus, Merr..| 906] 1)....|....| 719 Tylorhamphus,Brandt| 907/ 2]....|....| 720 Ciceronia, Reich.....| 908] 2|....]....| 722 292. Ptychorhamphus, Brandt worseseca| 910/secscsvesscccesseccesctence] 1 293. Ombria, Eschsch ..| 910].... ecccasssesaces svee] 1 Urinae ....seeee.| D1 1feccceecoeeeseveeeeleces| 294. Uria, Moehring....| 91]] Uria, Moehr... 911; 3 Cataractes, Moehr ...| 913] 3 295. Brachyrhamphus, Brandt..........| 915} Apobapton, Brandt...| 915] 1] 3} ...| 732 Synthliborhamphus, Brandte. .. secceees| 916] 2l..0. [oees| 736 296. Mergulus, Ray ....| 918} ..cscscecsscsscecrecccfoces| lever lecee| 738 II. LIST OF SPECIES.’ Cathartes aura, (Linn.) Illig. Turkey Buzzard. All of North America,"except the Arctic regions se Weiss tevaceas “abe Sri eves es Se sai eaciad say Segcgh ste eit phareet eta asierw! ter ian eh Ieetey’s Cathartes californianus, (Shaw,) Cuvier. California Vulture. Western North Aanpeuis: Ea c¥ casaty cere een hte yee ree ace Ads wee Cathartes atratus, (Bartram,) Less. Black Vulture. Southern North America. Central America to Chile... . - 2... ccc cee ccc cn cece cece eaee (4.) Cathartes burrovianus, Cassin. Burroughs’ Vulture. Mexico, Vera Cruz, Mazatlan. 5. 25. Falco (Falco) anatum, Bonaparte. Duck Hawk. North America, east of the Rocky MON CAMS Hs-o00 dai sneeze Brenan ele Se Ree we Sela eres Falco (Falco) migriceps, Cassin. Western North and South America-.-.......+.. Falco (Hypotriorchis) columbarius, Linn. Pigeon Hawk. Temperate North America, Mexico, Central America, Northern South America...........- Falco (Hypotriorchis) aurantius, Gmelin. Mexico, South America...........s00 Falco (Hypotriorchis) femoralis, Temminck. New Mexico, Mexico, South America- . Falco (Gennaia) polyagrus, Cassin. Prairie Falcon. Western North America -- . Falco (Hierofalco) candicans, Gmelin. Jer Falcon. Northern North America; Greenland, casas as cade anata ena had Slaw RR Rees ae eee aac cS . Falco (Hierofalco) islandicus, Sabine. Jer Falcon. Northern North America; Greenland’ sew ace es ew oes rae wks ew wed as acetal wee @ wale Reva we eee Bw . Falco ( Tinnunculus) sparverius, Linn. Sparrow Hawk. Entire continent of America . Astur atricapillus, (Wils.) Bonap. Goshawk. North America; chiefly in the north- western portions te resealay Se Gerieie SB a SAY Ses ade seve itera aa hee er ew ee pease . Accipiter cooperitt, Bonap. Cooper’s Hawk. All of temperate North America. .... . Accipiter mexicanus, Swains. Western N. America-------+.. ese. cece cee e we eeee . Accipiter fuscus, (Gmelin,) Bon. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Throughout North America and MeX1GOs sas waxes caw Hwee wy eww ae a adne saveeshanva se esses oy ae Tan tn cea es . Buteo swainsonit, Bonap. Swainson’s Buzzard. Northern and Western N. America . Buteo bairdii, Hoy. Baird’s Buzzard. Northern and Western N. America-.-... . . Buteo calurus, Cassin. Red-tailed Black Hawk. Western N. America........... . Buteo (Leucopterns) insignatus, Cassin. Western N. America...........--eeeeee . Buteo (Leucopternis) harlami, (Aud.) Bon. Harlan’s Buzzard. Western N. America . Buteo (Poecilopternis) borealis, (Gmelin,) Vieill. Red-tailed Hawk. Eastern North America; fur countries; Cuba, Jamaica---.+-+++- e+... enone . Buteo (Poecilopterms) montanus, Nuttall. Western red-tailed Hawk. Western N. AWMETICO iss Sade wee Kaew eH RO me N e Sewre Sad wees Wee’ Rane can Buteo (Poecilopternis) lineatus, (Gmelin,) Jardine. Red-shouldered Hawk. Eastern and Northern N. America. --++- 10+ cess cece ee wee ene ween wee Page. 28 1When authorities are enclosed in parentheses it shows that the species was first described under a different genus. A second authority (or a single one unenclosed) is that of the name as adopted. number similarly ens Josed b4* Extra linutal species have their current XXVI LIST OF SPECIES, 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 382. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44, 45. 46, 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. Buteo (Poecilopternis) elegans, Cassin. Western North America .--.- +--+ +++. +++ Buteo (Poecilopternis) pennsylvanicus, (Wilson, ) Bonap. Broad-winged Hawk. East- ern North America-.--°.....---- abd ta a GN ak eae, AR Se Uy Wee, erage AS aed Buteo (Poecilopternis) oxypterus, Cassin. New Mexico ..---- +--+. -+++ cess eeeeee Buteo ( Tachytriorchis) cooperi, Cassin. California. ..-+-. 0-66... ceed e eee eee eee Archibuteo lagopus, (Brinnich,) Gray. Rough-legged Hawk. All of temperate North Hanerigs and) Wantie: sete cerenrveeserwensarsie seamncnest Archibuteo -sancti-johannis (Gmelin,) Gray. Black Hawk. Eastern and Northern North America, dete wesine ode cage ceccye bake a0 ars Sead Pak orem d wees Archibuteo ferrugineus, (Licht.) Gray. California a, Hawk. Western North MATROTICS: 256 ede kre Raa @elar Be Se eee AE “KE Soe ee les ec pe ae, Saber Asturina nitida, (Lath.) Bonap. Northern Mexico and South America ......-.--- Nauclerus furcatus, (Linn.) Vigors. Swallow-tailed Hawk. Eastern United States to the Mississippi, northward to Pennsylvania and Wisconsin; ac- cidental in Burope-+..---. Deine Ree Reale ile sens wan ee Elanus leucurus, (Vieillot,) Bonap. White-tailed Hawk. Southern and Western States and South America «--- ++... cee cee eee eee cece eee Ictinia mississippiensis, (Wilson,) Gray. Mississippi Kite. Southern States, Texas, and NéW M6xiCO+ +s neasacweees Sa Sele BWR TEE ROS Se Ge can Rostrhamus sociabilis, (Vieillot,) D’Orbigny. Black Kite. Florida and southward. Circus hudsonius, (Linn.) Vieillot. Marsh Hawk. Allof North America and Guba. Aquila canadensis, (Linn.) Cassin. Golden Eagle; Ring-tailed Eagle. All of North AMGTICA Voneat aveedwaatn mies na teu boeed aveehaniaea Haliaetus pelagicus, (Pallas,) Siebold. Northern Sea Eagle. Russian American Islands ‘ Japan SURO URE Re a HOO TB aa ate ah A Na BSN onis veered W veyed Ghat Boe a se Haliaetus washingtonti, (Aud.) Jard. Washington Kagle. Kentucky............ Haliaetus albicilla, Linn.) Cuv. Gray Sea Eagle. Greenland ; Europe....-.... Holiiaetus leucocephalus, (Linn.) Savigny. Bald Eagle. All of temperate North America. Accidental in Hartopes:: ts asauer otaware tae caarnews Pandion carolinensis, (Gmelin,) Bon. Fish Hawk. Throughout temperate North ATH EPRICE, Boxtitient Gale - 9 ginko eiaal a Myers eau adn G.daeeiid God am Polyborus tharus, (Molina,) Cassin. Caracara Eagle. Scntiici North America, Florida, Texas, Mexico.......-.-.. ceeceeceeceg cecceecucecen Cramirex unicinctus, (Temm.) Cassin. Harris’ Buzzard. Southern States, Mexico, SOON PU C as Wass ists im wne'e Bee eOR AGE WES odie ebwcmek Keen Strix pratincola, Bonap. Barn Owl. Throughout temperate North America. -.-. Bubo virginianus, (Gmelin,) Bon. Great Horned Owl. The whole of North Amer- ica. Runs into varieties, atlanticus, bacificus, arcticus, magellanicus Scops asio, (Linn.) Bonap. Mottled Owl. The whole of temperate America, Green- latipes ser Ek ens Meme ey woe aun sdLnud bxK (ease emrers, Scops m’ccallii, Cassin. Western Mottled Owl. Westor: and southwestern North APRONS: Chev acs eyes Ay RAE WHR VnewN Wg eee Mane dtm na neg Otus wilsonianus, Lesson. Long-Eared Owl. The whole of temperate North America Brachyotus cassinti, Brewer. Short-Eared Owl. The whole of temperate North America; Greenland; Cuba..........6..cc0c0 8 eee 36 37 37 38 38 41 42 42 43 43 44 45 46 47 49 51 52 53 54 LIST OF SPECIES. 53. Syrnium cinereum, (Gmelin,) Aud. Great Gray Owl. Northern North America 54. Syrnium nebulosum, (Forster,) Gray. Barred. Owl... Eastern North ana: Fort Tejon, Calec eres ks e9 tH 4A SER VOOR CEE REE SW SSR 55. Nyotale richardsonit, Bonap. Sparrow Owl. Northern North America; Canada.--.- - 56. Nyctale albifrons, (Shaw,) Cassin. Kirtland’s Owl. Northern North America; Wis- GConsin; Canada -.---- ieee eee eee eee eee eee 57. Nyctale acadica, (Gmelin,) Bon. Saw-whet Owl. The whole of temperate North America; Fort Tejon, Calsesk ae erence Beewae heeds Bae a eel latan ete 58. Athene hypugaea, Bonap. Burrowing Owl. From Mississippi river to the Rocky MoUntains «+: & ocsatenses ewread eashia nie ag Le ee PRES EE, HEROS 4 59. Athene cunicularia, (Molina,) Bon. Burrowing Owl. North America, west of the , Roeky Mountains ; South AWIGTICR § 645.2505 GAUSS OSS GeR SAS OREA 60. Glaucidium gnoma, (Wagler,) Cassin. Pigmy Owl. Oregon; California; Mexico: 61. Nyctea nivea, (Daud.). Gray. Snowy Owl. Northern regions of both continents; Canada; Greenland; South Carolina; Bermuda-....-----.+++-- 62. Surnia wula, (Linn.) Bonap. Hawk Owl. Northern regions of both continents; Gail Bis wits eeeiec tess ak wiere oc SR RS ee Rad BR RS WS EY 63. Conurus carolinensis, (Linn.) Kuhl. Parakeet. Southern and southwestern States, as far west as the Missouri--.. +--+ + cece ee cee eee cece ew eee (64.) Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha, (Sw.) Bon. Thick-billed Parrot. Rio Grande, Texas ?? 65. Trogon. mexicanus, Swainson. Mexican Trogon. Northeastern Mexico to Rio Grande: #iosciw odes Hees os dade Cae Moe Ser ed ier aoe genes 66. Crotophaga rugirostris, Sw. Black Parrot. Florida to Brazil...-...--..-..+--- 67. Crotophaga anit, Linn. Ani. Maritime parts of the southenstorn United States and south to Brazil-....- Bee Goria, SYST Tapa dle UR CARY AP Rubee Al dle, We BE Sopeerioeeecate nt 68. Geococcyx californianus, (Less.) Baird. Chaparral Cock. Middle Texas, New Mexico, and California, to Central Mexico.-..--.. 6+. seen: 69. Coccygus americanus, (Linn.) Bonap. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Eastern United States to the Missouri plains Lg W Re SRS ORL eeeeeree RB REE ap Srace eae eh exaisen Pm ae, 10. Cocond erythrophthalmus, (Wils.) Bon. Black-billed Cuckoo. United States to the Missouri plains sa felis Sees Sese Ss Weacs cr th on Bare ae dora te epee! eye tecde asl SoS euse Ray ae oe 71. Coccygus minor, (Gmelin,) Cab. Mangrove Cuckoo. Florida keys to West Indies 712. Campephilus principalis, (Linn.) Gray. Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Southern At- lantic and. Gulf Biateae.cs ecswnesex bakes ees Saw AR eee eS 466. Bonasa sabinti, (Douglas,) Baird. Oregon Grouse. Rocky mountains, to Pacific coast of Oregon and Washington. .-. .... +. eee ee eee cee eee 467. Lagopus albus, (Gm.) Aud. White Ptarmigan. Northern America; rare in the northern parts of United States.... 02.20. cece cece eens ene 468. Lagopus ripestris, (Gm.) Leach. Ptarmigan. Arctic America. +++. ss. seeeees Page. 600 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 611 615 618 620 622 623 624 626 628 630 630 631 633 635 469. 470. 471. 472. 473. 474. 415. 476. 4TT. 478. 479. 480. 481. 482. 483. * 484, 485. 486. 486. 487, 488. 489. 490. . 491. 492. LIST OF SPECIES. XLV Lagopus leucurus, Sw. White-tailed Ptarmigan. Northern America to the west; southward along Rocky mountains to Cochetope pass, in latitude -"™”""” Lagopus americanus, Aud. American Ptarmigan. Arctic America-.....-..+-. Ortyx virginianus, (Linn.) Bon. Partridge; Quail. Eastern United States, to the high central plains LWeweed Gxt MGSO REE GRE Sree Melk oee 640 Ortyx texanus, Lawr. Southern Texas and valley of Rio Grande:----..-++++ +++ 641 Oreortyx pictus, (Douglas,) Baird. Plumed Partridge. Mountain,ranges of Cali- fornia and Oregon towards the coast -+-. +++ - css eee ee eee 642 Lophortyx californicus, (Shaw,) Bon. California Quail. Plains and lowlands of Califurnia and Oregon towards the coast; Mohave river---- +--+ 644 Lophortyx gambelii, Nutt. Gambel’s Partridge. Upper Rio Grande and Gila, to the Colorado of California.... 01-20. cece ee cee cee tee eee 645 Callipepla sqguamata, (Vigors,) Gray. Scaled or Blue Partridge. Valley of Rio Grande of Texas. Not yet detected further west. Most abundant on the high broken table lands and mezquite plains----.-.--... 646 Cyrtonyx massena, (Lesson,) Gould. Massena Partridge. Chiefly on the upper Rio Grande, from the high plains of the Pecos---..-...+.....- 647 Grus americanus, (Linn.) Ord. Whooping Crane. Florida and Texas; stragglers in Mississippi valley WOES EARL Si Se RSS Sowa Wide ee. wees 654 Grus canadensis, (Linn.) Temm. Sand-hill Crane. Whole of western regions of United States; Florida. .--- + eee cece cece ee cece ee eee eens 655 Grus fraterculus, Cassin. New Mexico-+- + -1++1. secre cece ee eee ee eee eens 656 Aramus giganteus, (Bon.) Baird. Crying Bird. Florida and West Indies.--... 65T Demiegretta pealii, (Bon.) Baird. Peale’s Egret. Seacoast of south Florida. --.. 661 Demiegretta rufa, (Bodd.) Baird. Reddish Egret. Coast of south Florida and Gulf of Mexico to mouth of Rio Grande; Cuba--.............- 662 Demiegretta ludoviciana, (Wils.) Baird. Louisiana Heron. Coast of South Atlantic and Gulf States. Biel as WALES OAR Bride Honate ak iia: a Uauain Seana GG dey eneior eae 663 Garzetta candidissima, (J: acquin, ) Bon. Snowy Heron. Coast of middle and Gulf States, and across to California... -..+ +. e cece ee cece ee een es 665 Herodias egretia, (Gmel.) Gray. White Heron. Southern portions of the United States; straggling to Massachusetts. ++. -s++ sees cece eee cee 666 * Herodias egretta, var. californica, Baird. Coast of southern California, and per- haps the Rio Grande of Texas... -- eee cce cre cee cece ne caeens 667 Ardea herodias, Linn. Great Blue Heron. Throughout the entire territory of the United States; West Tre vee eieitianeastecaxe texebsenaractec own aiapdivey au eday sv cacaaatav ae Ales 668 Ardea wiirdemannit, Baird. Florida Heron. South Florida...--..---+.+++-5- 669 ‘Audubonia occidentalis, (Aud.) Bon. Great White Heron. South Florida and Cibaks tae doeusees Roe Stied C2 RUHR SD aAKe ees Kies doe eked 670 Florida caerulea, (Linn.). Baird. Blue Heron. South Atlantic and Gulf coast to WexiGopsssiialt Mew eet Seu eG aaa ee eles amend fig with 671 Ardetta exilis, (Gmel.) Gray. Least Bittern. Throughout the United States, from Atlantic to Pacifice +... sees seer eee ceeees stern teed eee eens 613 Botaurus lentiginosus, Steph. Bittern. Entire continent of N orth America:..-.. 614 xLVI LIST OF SPECIES. 493. Butorides virescens, (Linn.) Bon. Green Heron. United States generally.--..-. 494. Butorides brunnescens, (Cab.) Cuba; Florida? ..+---seseee cere cere eens re 495. Nyctiardea gardenit, (Gmelin,) Baird. NightHeron. United States generally-- 496. Nyctherodius violaceus, (Linn.) Reich. Yellow-crowned Night Heron. South Atlantic and Gulf States ; South America-:---- peer rene eenees 497. Tantalus loculator, (Linn.) Wood Ibis. South Atlantic and Gulf States and across to the Colorado river ; as far north as North Carolina and mouth Of (OHig er scat sos ita Renae cent Rea ats {oP RRO ee weg Sead 498. Ibis rubra, (Linn.) Vieillot. Red or Scarlet Ibis. South America and West Indies. Very rare or accidental in the United States.-.--.-++-- 499. Ibis alba, (Linn.) Vieillot. White Ibis. South Atlantic and Gulf States ; straggling occasionally northward «+--+ +++ reser eee eee 500. Ibis (Falcinellus) ordii, Bonaparte. Glossy Ibis. Found singly and at inter- vals over the whole United States... --- +++ cee e ee cree ee eens 501. Platalea ajaja, Linn. Rosy Spoonbill. South Atlantic and Gulf States...--.---- 502. Phoenicopterus ruber, Linn. Flamingo. Warm parts of America. Rare on the Florida Keys aisehsabieniiys Adeteeapeeondcd BAbves etd Sl BRA BE See > Be eee 503. Charadrius virginicus, Borck. Golden Plover. All of North America, South America, Northern Asia, Burope::-+++se0e cece es eeee een eees 504. sae, abecncarmeeen, varelaaavene Numenius (Phaeopus) hudsonicus, Latham. Hudsonian Curlew. Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America. California --...-...+++.-++-- Numenius (Phaeopus) borealis, (Forst.) Latham. Esquimaux Curlew. Eastern and northern North America----.+-..-+- Le SINS pO ete ere aut ee Rallus elegans, Aud. Marsh Hen. Middle and Southern States on the Atlantic Ocean ; California... . +... cece eee e ee cree cece ee eee eee Rallus crepitans, Gm. Clapper Rail. Middle and southern coast of the States on the Atlantic Ocean ; South America. .-+--- sss eee eee eeneeees Rallus virginianus, Linn. Virginia Rail. The entire temperate regions of North America; New Mexico, California, Oregon ----++--++ ees. eeee Porzana (Porzana) carolina, Vieill. Common Rail. Entire temperate regions of North Aimeri@as nie-arw aoa snared ve ie eave ea aee rarnsaeninn ptaran Wes oid ap ape Porzana (Creciscus) jamaicensis, (Gm.) Little Black Rail. Middle and Southern States on the Atlantic Ocean... +... ees we cece ne ce ree ns cevees Porzana (Coturnicops) noveboracensis, (Gm.) Yellow Rail. Eastern North AM6PICH tiws es sec se awe Hivsww Kose ew kee eRe OER eas Crex pratensis, Bechst. Corn-crake. Europe; Greenland. Accidental on the At- lantic coast of the United States -.+-. eee ec cece ee cece ee eens Fulica americana, Gmelin. Coot. Entire temperate regions of North America. . Gallinula (Gallinula) galeata, (Licht.) Bon. Florida Gallinule. Southern coun- tries of North America; accidental in Middle and Northern SEA Bea case fate) shat a heciey wine Mile ANG haeeNe ae age bays ab tee ree See Bae Gallinula (Porphyrula) martinica, (Linn.) Lath. Purple Gallinule. Southern States of North America, Louisiana, Florida. Accidental in the middle and northern United States. ..-..... Cygnus americanus, Sharpless. American Swan. Continent of North America. -. Cygnus buccinator, Rich. Trumpeter Swan. Western America, from the Missis- sippi valley to the Pacific. «1... seseur eee teeenesseeercvcvas Anser (Chen) hyperboreus, Pallas. Snow Goose. Whole of North America. Per- haps a second species, (A. albatus)..++. cseeeeceeene cence wees Page 735 137 137 139 740 741 143 744 144 146 TAT 748 749 749 “750 751 151 152 564. 565. 566. 567. 568. 569. 570. 571. 572. 573. 574. 575. 576. 577. 578. 579. 580. 581. 582. 583. 584. 585. LIST OF SPECIES. Anser (Chen) caerulescens, Linn. White-headed Goose.. North America-.------- Anser (Anser) gambelit, Hartlaub. White Fronted Goose. Whole of North Ame- TICK. 68 emer KOE SAR Re 8 Sh al SOMEONE Beate aie ae wGe a eee Anser frontalis, Baird.. Interior of North America «----- 0+. ce ceee cece eee eens Bernicla ( Leucoblepharon) canadensis, (Linn.) Boie. Canada Goose. Whole of North America. Accidental in Europe «+--se eee ee cee eee eee eens Bernicla (Leucoblepharon) leucopareia, (Brandt,) Cassin. White-cheeked Goose. West coast of America. Perhaps mixed with B. occidentalis. . - - Bernicla ( Leucoblepharon) hutchinsit, (Rich. ) Bonap. Huctchin’s Goose. Northern and western regions of North America ...-...++. sees cee e eens Bernicla (Bernicla) brenta, Steph. Brant. Eastern or Atlantic coast of North America; Europe. Not yet observed on the Pacific side of oe thE -COUTDEN bese wae RSA OY RA Sa ee Std ewe ew Ge ene andrea el Bernicla (Bernicla) nigricans, (Lawr.) Cassin. Black Brant. Pacificcoast of North America. Very rare on the Atlantic coast. .--... cesses eeeees Bernicla (Leucopareia) leucopsis, (Linn.) Barnacle Goose. Very doubtful as an inhabitant of North America .... ---- ee eee e er cece tee eeee Chloephaya canagica, (Sewast.) Bon. Painted Goose. Aleutian Islands--.....- Dendrocygna autumnalis, Linn.) Eyton. Long-legged Duck. Valley of Rio ads Texas ; also in South America and West Indies..--....... +++. Dendrocygna fulva, (Gmelin,) Burm. Fort Tejon, California, and south into Bragil anccwc aeitiasa eae Sek w ake SH e Gere Sie meld aeee elee Anas boschas, Linn. Mallard. Entire continent of North America and greater part GE (Old. Worl dissieeae: aca eatiectina: a viituia erg Srausisud an mnetnal ay ereereiete: Anas obscura, Gm. Black Duck. Atlantic region of North America. Not yet detected on the Pacific, nor in Hurope ------ +++ + cert eee eee Dafjila acuta, (Linn.) Jenyns. Sprig-tail; Pin-tail. Whole of North America and Europe ss alana Coates, fered new ertsdereites wh aihherey iat whGsMe Caeeene te a meee kere stants Nettion carolinensis, (Gm.) Baird. Green-winged Teal. Whole of North America; adoldentall in Manopiee- on ace.ccadnadie neers seen ee RnR Nettion crecca, (Linn.) Kaup. English Teal. Europe ; accidental on the eastern coast of the United States. ..-- cree e cece ce eect cent ee nees Querquedula discors, (Linn.) Steph. Blue-winged Teal. Eastern North America to Rocky mountains. Not yet found on the Pacific coast, nor in Europe ele Ree SA BBLS GH does SU eae ope ete GE ESAS Gholi s atom Querquedula cyanoptera, (Vieill.) Baird. Red-breasted Teal. Rocky mountains to Pacific ; accidental in Louisiana ; spread over most of western South America. «1. -ee cence cee ee cee e en teens eee ne we eoes Spatula clypeata, (Linn.) Boie. Shoveller. Continent of North America ; abun- dant in Europe eisgsca ve ies iaieniel ace. aluwcovn ca a @eee Suse Beare: MONS. MAS wey WALA! eee Chaulelasmus streperus, (Linn.) Gray. Gadwall. North America generally, and 1 On) \ cce Mareca americana, (Gm.) Stephens. Baldpate; American Widgeon. Continent of North America ; accidental in Europe: ----- Fe ben eee eee eee eens b T* TT8 119 780 609. 610. LIST OF SPECIES. . Mareca penelope, (Linn.) Bon. English Widgeon. Old World; accidental on the Atlantic coast of United States; Greenland........--+.-+.5-- . Aix sponsa, (Linn.) Boie. Summer Duck. Continent of North America -.----- . Fulix marila, (Linn.) Baird. Big Black-head. Whole of North America and x Europe. a Aan ele WIRY GSS eysGN le) fal Yee ite Oe few Rhee, Cig We gis) eel Rea eee ae, reper en ees . Fulix afinis, (Forster,) Baird. Little Black-head. Whole of North America; accidental in Europe: +++. + sees ee eee eee ee eee eee eee . Fulix collaris, (Donovan,) Baird. Ring-necked Duck. Whole of North America ; accidental in Europe Shrok-inereie-ecies Bhs Gee Ss Be areata. os ae eee . Aythya americana, (Eyton,) Bon. Red-head. Whole of North America .------- . Aythya vallisneria, (Wils.) Bon. Canvas-back. Whole of North America . Bucephala americana, (Bon.) Baird. Golden Eye. Whole of North America. ---- . Bucephala islandica, (Gm.) Baird. Barrow’s Golden Eye. Iceland and northern parts of America; in winter, not rare on the St. Lawrence- -.-- . Bucephala albeola, (Linn.) Baird. Butter Ball. Whole of North America---..-.-- . Histrionicus torquatus, (Linn.) Bon. Harlequin Duck. Northern seacoast of north- ern hemisphere SOE ASEREY SS SORE RG SGED CRO es Hees Sea Saws . Harelda glacialis, (Linn.) Leach. South Southerly. Near both coasts of North America; Europe ea We WSLS eG ew aE S Sr Bie Grae ace wer gua Baeseats . Polysticta stelleri, (Pallas,) Eyton. Steller’s Duck. Northeastern Asia; accidental (?) on northwest coast of America, and in Hurope:--------- «+++. . Lampronetia fischeri, Brandt. Spectacled Hider. Norton sound, Russian America, 635 N; Deawsace clisnec se eewe sess eens n sc eene meres Vine or . Camptolaemus labradorius, (Gm.) Gray. Labrador Duck. Northeastern coast of North Atiénitai: oios9e4 26s 4 cewde Bega Hebe oe wee oes xe . Melanetta velvetina, (Cassin,) Baird. Velvet Duck. Near both coasts of North America, to the north; perhaps M. carbo, of Pallas ...-...... . Pelionetia perspticllata, (Linn.) Kaup. Surf Duck. On and near seacoast of North America ; quite far south in winter; accidental in Europe-..--. . Pelionetia trowbridgii, Baird. Long-billed Scoter. Coast of southern California in WUT LOT Reser s Saati e, tines pha Mergus serrator, Linn. Red-breasted Merganser. Whole of North America and Europe Hvig eee abet GE Oe Pa GIG Glee eats Paw Sree Se wea we Beier Lophodytes cucullatus, (Linn.) Reich. Hooded Merganser. Whole of North AANCTICA 434.5 Katie Sawer GONE BeOS Gea Sobers a eee ews Mergellus albellus, (Linn.) Selby. Smew. Northern parts of Old World; very , accidental in AM6YiGa i++ ess boas See aweaea ec ates Dew eee wee Pelecanus (Cyrtopelecanus) erythrorhynchus, Gmelin. American Pelican. North America generally, on both shores and in the interior---------- Pelecanus (Onocrotalus) fuscus, Linn. Brown Pelican. South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States ; coast of California .--.--.--.---- Sula (Sula) bassana, Briss. Common Gannet: Solan Goose. Atlantic coast of North Amsriok and Mangpe «cwse ieaiesa vee seuverseswacne Sula (Dysporus) fiber, (Linn.) Booby Gannet. South Atlantic and Gulf coast of WMIGEd UST be Sissy siccars, Grea tiseiee acide Bravscipy odes con b eesaesey aera enema eres Sea aoe ws obese Tachypetes aquilus, (Linn.) Vieillot. Frigate Pelican : Man-of-war Bird. South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of United States and southern coast of California. Generally distributed in tropical regions..-.------ Graculus (Phalacrocorax) carbo, (Linn.) Gray. Common Cormorant. Atlantic coast of North America to New Jersey, (in winter) and Europe: - Graculus (Phalacrocorax) perspicillatus, (Pallas,) Lawrence. Pallas’s Cormorant. Russian, AMeriCas see. s0 sae wwe ses eed Geet a-y eae Ow eee Y Graculus (Phalacrocorax) cincinnatus, (Brandt,) Gray. Tufted Cormorant. Sitka, Pie AEE Soe Rk AN OL NG RoaR ae oh See Ao oko Graculus dilophus, (Sw.) Gray. Double Crested Cormorant. Arctic North America ; south to Carolina and California in winter .---..---- Graculus floridanus, (Aud.) Bon. Florida Cormorant. South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of United States and some distance inland--...-...-+---. Graculus mexicanus, (Brandt,) Bon. Mexican Cormorant. Coast of Texas and Rio Grande; Ciba: #K es. eeedsie sews Head Sees Boe Eke ween aes Graculus (Urile) penicillatus, (Brandt,) Bonap. Brandt’s Cormorant. West coast Of North America. 2666 a soe eae ee Hes Ewes ae a ee Graculus (Urile) violaceus, (Gmelin,) Gray. Violet Green Cormorant. West coast of North America - +--+ eee eee ee eee ee cette teen eee Plotus anhinga, Linn. Snake Bird: Water Turkey. Fresh waters of South Atlantic and Gulf States. -------+--+--: oud nS) hie Deuiile Saha e terse eee Phaeton flavirostris, Brandt. Yellow-billed Tropic Bird. Tropical regions of the A Claniti eG SOA Gis: ee ae i ecccelcce ere se IEE ea TR eR ERI WES Diomedea (Diomedea) exulans, Linn. The Wandering Albatros. Pacific ocean. - - Diomedea (Phoebastria) brachyura, Temm. The Short-tailed Albatros. North Pacific ; coasts of California and Oregon: ----++++-++--+ +++. e+e Diomedea (T halassarche) chlororhyncha, Gmel. The Yellow-nosed Albatross. Pa- cific ocean ; coast of Oregon Sane Gk WS Wee Berke Se She wad See we aware es Diomedea (Phoebetria) fuliginosa, Gmel. The Sooty Albatross. Pacific coasts of California and Oregon: -----+--++e++eeeeeee Twa 2085 Pree 823 LIT 634. 635. 636. 637. 638. 639. 640. 641. 642. 643. 644. 645. 646. 647. 648. 649. 650. 651. 652. 653. 654. 655. 656. 657. 658. 659. LIST OF SPECIES. Procellaria (Ossifragus) gigantea, Gmel. The Gigantic Fulmar. Pacific ocean, off Coninibia: TiVere ets s entree wad elon ace eas alelore aeannetenone se decaeuees Procellaria (Fulmarus) glacialis, Linn. The Fulmar Petrel. Northern Atlantic. - Procellaria pacifica, Aud. The Pacific Fulmar. Pacific coasts of North America - Procellaria (Thalassoicaj tenuirostris, Aud. The Slender-billed Fulmar. Pacific coast ; Columbia river ----.---«:- the beanapa dh a acene aise x sede eek a ea pra Procellaria (Aestrelata) meridionalis, Lawrence. The Tropical Fulmar. Atlantic coast, from Florida to New York +... +s se cere cere cee eee ees Daption capensis, (Linn.) Steph. The Pintado Petrel. Off the coast of California- T halassidroma ( Oceanodroma) furcata, (Gmel.) Gould. Fork-tailed Petrel. Coasts of Oregon and Russian America «+--+ +++) eee ee eee ee eee T halassidroma ( Oceanodroma) hornbyi, Gray. Hornby’s Petrel. Northwest coast Ol AN GMOA co Racwes Geek Saeed en@eee dee seeees BOHR T halassidroma leachti, Temm. Leach’s Petrel. Atlantic coast, from Massachu- Sd tte ta Dati’ a Dies texans cerennotdernctan deus scraweranpe'ss Thalassidroma melania, Bon. The Black Stormy Petrel. Coast of California... . T halassidroma ( Oceanites) wilsoni, Bon. Wilson’s Stormy Petrel. Off the Atlantic coast, from the Gulf of Mexico to Baffin’s bay --.-.--.......-- Thalassidroma (Procellaria) pelagica, (Linn.) Bon. Mother Cary’s Chicken. At- lantic ocean, banks of Newfoundland ...---..... 6... .... 000, Fregetta lawrenctt, Bonap. The Black and White Stormy Petrel. Florida coast. - Pufinus (Ardenna) major, Faber. The Greater Shearwater. Atlantic ocean. Florida coast to the Gulf of St. Lawrence .--...--........000. Puffinus (Nectris) fuliginosus, Strick. The Sooty Shearwater. Atlantic coast of the Northern States. Banks of Newfoundland:............... Pufinus anglorum, Temm. The Mank’s Shearwater. Coast of New Jersey .to A DTA O Rie ktak Aeris nate diemouy Gero mak PUA g ace teem ee ees Puffinus obscurus, (Gmel.) Lath. The Ducky Shearwater. Southern coast of the United States ; Gulf OF MEXICO we bc eg ny we Hem nwesecce Guese he Aces Pufinus (Adamastor ) cinereus, Gmel. The Cinereous Petrel. Pacific ocean, off the Calforiiial COdSt ews oa sree w we dee aide Gebeee chy Howe Re Eee oR ew Stercorarius catarractes, (Linn.) Temm. The Common Skua. Coast of California: Stercorarius pomarinus, Temm. The Pomarine Skua. Labrador ; as far south as New York in winter --.. 61.26. cece cece cece cece ee eas Stercorarius parasiticus, (Linn.) Temm. The Arctic Skua. Arctic America ; coast, of United States from New York, northwest.................. Stercorarius cepphus, (Briinn.) Buffon’s Skua. Arctic seacoasts of America ; Baf- Hey Uae emma eek Rewnk amen ocniied wewake bse cw biense ne Larus glaucus, Brinn. The Glaucous Gull. Arctic seas, Labrador, New York in PEE, WARE se wens ronda ds ey whennn kee dea owie paudeinecalces Larus glaucescens, Licht. The Glaucous-winged Gull. Northwest coast of North ATROTICA: sure: Hoe GW y BEN eeR oBaowsra cee we as Oe BRE es mere wae Larus leucopterus, Faber. The White-winged Gull. Arctic seas; Baffin’ s Bay; Labrador Larus chaleopterus, (Bruch,) Lawr. The Gray-winged Gull. American coast of Behring’s Straits, and Greenland SAP RI I ee Shah ea ge RG i eased ww Page. 825 825 826 826 827 828 829 829 830 830 831 831 832 833 834 834 835 835 838 838 839 840 842 842 843 843 660. 661. 662. 663. 664. 665. 666. 667. 668. 669. 670. 671. 672. 673. 674. 675. 676. 677. 678. 679. 680. 681. 682. 683. 684. 685. 686. 687. 688. 689. LIST OF SPECIES. Larus marinus, Linn. The Great Black-backed Gull. North Atlantic, Labrador; as far south as Florida in winter--.-...--- 60. sees eee eee Larus argentatus, Brinn. The Herring Gull. Atlantic coast, from Texas to New- foundland; western States, Ohio and Mississippi rivers - -- - Larus occidentalis, Aud. The Western Gull. Northwest coast of America-.----- Larus californicus, Lawr. The California Gull. West coast of North America. - . Larus delawarensis, Ord. The Ring-billed Gull. Arctic America; Texas to La- brador; western rivers; northwest coast--.--- --.-+- reese Larus suckleyi, Lawr. Suckley’s Gull. Pacific coast, Puget’s Sound..-.-------- Blasipus heermanni, (Cass.) Bon. The White-headed Gull. Coast of California. Chroicocephalus atricilla, Linn. The Laughing Gull. Texas to Massachusetts... . Chroicocephalus frankliniit, (Rich.) Bruch. Franklin’s Rosy Gull. Missouri river; interior of fur countries... -- 6+ + -+eee eee ee cee Chrotcocephalus cucullatus, (Licht.) Bruch. The Hooded Gull. Panama, Louisiana Chroicocephalus philadelphia, (Ord,) Lawrence. Bonaparte’s Gull. Texas to Nova Scotia; Mississippi river; fur countries, Pacific coast of North Chroicocephalus minutus, (Pallas,) Bruch. The Little Gull. Arctic America,? Rissa tridactyla, (Linn.) Bonap. The Kittiwake Gull. Fur countries, Labrador; southern coast in Winter.-.--..--..-e5-- oc Risa EAE ae bnetierauae ieee Rissa septentrionalis, Lawr. The North Pacific Kittiwake. Pacific coast of North America, Puget’s Sound...-.- se Kea sw CREW Ob wee < Reed Rissa brevirostris, Brandt. The Short-billed Kittiwake. Northwest coast of North: AtnGricay tea wie a Gah soe eae ne Maik: Slay acne Sneed Rissa nivea, (Pallas, ) Bruch. The Yellow-billed Gull. Russian America. Pagophila eburnea, (Gm.) Kaup. The Ivory Gull. Coasts of arctic America, Labrador, Newfoundland .-..------.-.-.+-+ 00. Hat. Been Pagophila brachytarsi, Hollb. The Short-legged Gull. Greenland .-...-.....- Rhodostethia rosea, (Jard.) The Wedge-tailed Gull. Arctic seas-.-.---..-+--- Creagrus furcatus, (Neboux,) Bon. The swallow-tailed Gull. California.......- Xema sabinit, (Sabine,) Bon. The Fork-tailed Gull. Nova Scotia, northward; BPECTICLS OAR ers tees eae ary ice aneacdee Ab Gaeta wou ae aed duet) he Qa Gey Sterna aranea, Wils. The Marsh Tern. Coast of the United States, as far north as Connecticut.-.--- it atebas eras Sey SEW ROE Dee eae weeoee Sterna caspia, Pallas. The Caspian Tern. Coast of New Jersey, northward. --.-. Sterna regia, Gambel. The Royal Tern. Atlantic coast of the southern and mid- dle States, AG CalfOR ase tie: we Samick aoe aa whee ae hreree aces Sterna elegans, Gambel. The Elegant Tern. Coast of South California. .-...... Sterna acuflavida, Cabot. Cabot?sTern. Texas to Florida...--...-....-. Sterna havelli, Aud. MHavell’s Tern. Texas to South Carolina---- .--........ Sterna trudeauii, Aud. Trudeau’s Tern. Coasts of New Jersey and Long Island- Sterna fuliginosa, Gmelin. The Sooty Tern. Texas to Florida .--............. Sterna wilson’, Bon. Wilson’s Tern. Texas to Labrador .....-.......... 000, LIII Page. 844 844 845 846 846 848 848 850 951 851 852 853 854 854 855 855 856 856 857 857 857 859 859 859 860 860 861 861 861 861 LIV 690. 691. 692. 693. 694. 695. 696. 697. 698. 699. 700. 701. 702. 703. 704. 105. 106. 107. 108. 109. 710. 711. 713. 713. 814. 715. 716. 717. 718. 719. 720. 721. 722. 723. 724. LIST OF SPECIES. Sterna macroura, Naum. The Arctic Tern. Coast of the New England States to the Arctic seas; fur countries -..--. 0.0.0. ceeeeeeeeeeeeenees Sterna forsteri, Nutt. Forster’s Tern. Louisiana to Florida; New York; fur eouitries, ead Cdlifpriit cx sirens yoacay ceinsys deaecwawauns Sterna paradisea, Brinn. The Roseate Tern. Florida to New York ..--------- Sterna pikei, Lawr. The Slender-billed Tern. Coast of California. -..-. ----- Sterna frenata, Gambel. The Least Tern. Texas to Labrador; western rivers - - Hydrochelidon plunbea, (Wils.) The Short-tailed Tern. Texas to the New England States; Mississippi rivers and tributaries; fur countries-.-.---. Anous stolidus, (Linn.) Leach. Noddy Tern. Texas to Florida.--...--....--. Rhynchops nigra, Linn. Black Skimmer. From Texas to New Jersey ---.----- Colymbus torquatus, Brimnich. Loon; Northern Diver. Northern regions of northern hemisphere --..-- +++. sees cee ee eee eee eee Colymbus arcticus, Linn. Black-throated Diver. Arctic regions of northern hemis- ; Viti. eae SoReenieruneres wekki ears ness Colymbus pacificus, Lawrence. Pacific Diver. Pacific coast of United States. -- Colymbus septentrionalis, Linn. Red-throated Diver. Northern hemisphere Podiceps griseigena, (Bodd.) Gray. Red-necked Grebe. Northern hemisphere. American bird perhaps distinats . <0. 206+ | ‘3 ssjgel/éEs EI] & ‘ = 28 3 | x & G |E2 |e é\é é & |e" le a" |e 5169 |...... Mouth of Knife river, Mo. river...| Sept. 10, 1856....| Lieut. Warren.....Jeceeselesases appt lsieteinss Dr. Hayden....| 19.00, 45.50) 13.50 5168] © | Knife river, Missouri.............| Sept. 16, 1856....|........ dO, chenaeat Sed Onageaien 18.95 42,95] 13.75 5167} Q | Fort Randall, Nebraska. ........65 Oct. 17, 1856.10. foseeaees dO. s seeeedO. seeees| 19,00) 49.00) 19.50 5951 | G | N. Platte, Nebraska,........ seees| Aug, 20, 1857.....| Lieut. Bryan... W.S. Wood...|...e00 8502 | © | Fort Thorne, New Mexico, ......../ececeseeeee snavvenl| Dre De On HONEY sacl esasccel weaareesigulsunatonte | aieee Saddlewecawes| ho aes 8503 |... Camp on Little Colorado.........| Winter, 1853-54 .) Lieut. Whipple.. IB, | wesraveware eats -| Kennerly and Miilbausen.. velevccce 8504 Q Fort Dalles, Oregon Territory. ....Js.cececevsseecuees , Dro Suckleyiccaccsae| 149, | sc scwasewaweesen|'s ‘i 14,50 A351 |veseee , Presidio, California. ........66..e+|rueeee eae neee wees Lieut. Trowbridge . 5482{ Q Petaluma, California....... 44 Jan., 1856..+.+<..| EB. Samuely........ oak BIRDS——FALCONINAE—FALCO SPARVERIUS: 13 Sub-Genus Hierofalco. FALCO CANDICANS, Gmelin. Falco candicans, Gm. Syst. Nat. I. 275. (1788.) Falco groenlandicus, Daupin, Traite d’Orn. II, 107. (1800.) Falco fuscus, Fasricius, Fauna Groenlandica, p. 56. (1780)? Falco arcticus, Horsoii, Label in Acad. Mus. Philadelphia. Adult.—Entirely white; upper parts with irregular confluent transverse bands, and large subterminal hastate or sagittate spots of ashy brown; under parts with a few longitudinal narrow stripes of brown. Primary quills white, with their tips brownish black ; tail white, with transverse bands of brownish black on the outer webs of the external feathers. Young.—Upper parts with the brown predominating and of a lighter shade than in the adult, and more or less barred and spotted with white, Under parts white, tinged with ashy, with longitudinal stripes of brown, especially on the i 6 Quills and tail ashy brown, with trarfsverse bands of dull white. ‘ Total length about 24 inches, wing 16, tail 10 inches. .Hab. Northern North America, Greenland. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philad. A very handsome falcon, almost entirely pure white in its adult plumage. This bird and the succeeding have been demonstrated by Mr. Holboll and other Danish naturalists to. be resident species in Greenland, and inhabit also other countries of the northern regions of the continent of America. | FALCO ISLANDICUS, Gmelin. The Ger Falcon. The Iceland Falcon. Falco islandicus, Gm. Syst. Nat. I, 275. (1788.) Falco islandus, Fasricius, Faun. Groenl., p. 58. (1780)? Adult.—Entirely white; upper parts with regular transverse and very distinct bands of brown, becoming. somewhat crescent, shaped on the scapulars and rump, and slightly acuminate on the shafts of the feathers. Quills white, brownish black at their. tips; tail white, with about twelve transverse narrow bands of brown. Under parts with a few longitudinal lines of dark brown. Young.—Upper plumage brown, with transverse bands of dull white, Under parts.dull white, with. numerous circular and irregular shaped spots of dark brown, largest on the sides, and disposed to form transverse bands. Quills and tail dark brown with transverse bands of ashy white. Total length about 24 inches, wing 1614, tail 10 inches. Hab. Northern North America, Greenland. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philad. Nearly allied to the preceding, and only to be distinguished from it by the different shape and pattern of the darker markings on the upper parts of the body. Like the preceding too, it inhabits Greenland ; and specimens that we have seen from that country cannot be distin- guished from the well known bird of Iceland and northern Europe. Sub-Genus Tinnunculus. FALCO SPARVERIUS, Linnaeus. The Sparrow Hawk. Falco sparverius, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 128. (1766.) Falco dominicensis, Gu. Syst. Nat. I, 285. (1788.). Falco gracilis, cinnamominus and isabellinus, Sw. Cab. Cy. p. 281. (1838.) Fievres. —Vieill. Ois. d’Am., Sept., pl. 12, 13; Catesby’s Carolina, pl. 5; Wilson Am. Orn. Il, pl. 16, fig. 1, and IV, pl. 32, fig. 2; Aud. B. of Am., pl. 42, Oct. ed. I, pl. 22; Rich. and Swains. Faun. Bor. Am. Birds, pl. 24; De Kay, Nat Hist. New York, Birds, pl. 7, fig. 16. Adult.—Smaller than any of the preceding. Frontal band and space, including the eyes and throat, white, spot on the. neck behind, two others on each side of the neck, and line running downwards from before the eye, black. Spot on the top of 14 U. S&S. P. R BR. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. the head, the neck behind, back, rump, and tail light rufous or cinnamon color. Under parts generally a paler shade of the same rufous as the back, frequently nearly white, but sometimes as dark asthe upper parts, and always with more or less numerous circular or oblong spots of black. Quills brownish black, with white bars on their inner webs. Tail tipped with white, frequently tinged with rufous and with a broad subterminal band of black, outer frequently white, tinged with ashy and barred with black. Bill light blue, legs yellow. Back generally with transverse stripes of black, but frequently with very few, or entirely without ; rufous spot on the head, variable in size, and sometimes wanting. Younger mal:.—Upper parts as above ; wing coverts, and tail ferruginous red, with numerous transverse bands of brownish black. Under parts with numerous longitudinal stripes, and on the sides with transverse bands of brownish black, external feathers of the tail palest, broad subterminal band on the tail obscure or wanting. Yourig.—All the rufous parts of the plumage with wider transverse bands of brownish black ; wing coverts dark bluish cinereous, with large circular spots of black ; under parts with longitudinal stripes, and large circular spots of black. Total length 11 to 12 inches, wing 7 to 73, tail 5 to 53 inches. : 7 H b. The entire continent of America. List of specimens. Specimens in Nat. Museum, Washington, and Mus. Acad. Philadelphia. 2a oe = 6 as 40 5024 |acsece 4570 |sceees 8518 |eseees @515 |. 8519 wees 6879 | 3 4585 |eescee 4353 |. wees 4938 |..-006 6877 |...e0- 4420 |.. 0006 Nelson river, H. B. Muk river, Neb.... Yellow Stone river,...... Fort Berthold, Neb. .... Mouth Powder river..... Forty miles up the Yellow Stone river...ssseesees Farm Island, Neb........ Medicine Bow creek, Neb.|.... Indianola, Texas. .... see. Fifty miles from Indianola.| San Felipe, Texas. ...... San Elizario, Texas ..... Cochetope Pass.........- Platte river, Neb..... wei Black Hills, Neb......... Fort Clark, Texas.....0.. North Platte, Neb........ Dofia Ana, N. M......... Pole creek, Neb......ee08 Fort Thorn, N. M.....00+ Fort Steilacoom, W.T... seccse enced secre: conece Bodega, Cal............5 Petaluma, Cal. ....s.e0. Presidio, Cal. .....seeeeer San José, Cal .....seee0. Sacramento Valley, Cal.. Tulare Valley, Cal........ Camp 105, N. Meseeseeees City of Mexico..... Guatemala wesc cecvena reese TOS Res gie wt Aug. 31, 1853 seneee seen cees eu eene teen nees July 10, 1856 May 30, 1856 Feb. 12, 1855 April 6, 1855 Dec. 9, 1854 July 14, 1856 Aug. 11, 1857 April 24, 1855 Aug. 14, 1856 Oct. 22, 1855 July 28, 1856 ‘April —, 1856 ‘jan, —, 1856 July 4, 1853 Jan. 23, 1854 cnceeedOee rene cecens seeee dO. e D. Gunn.......- Gov. Stevens. Lieut. Warren.. ooee dO, cece tds, nscnacce sens Lieut. Bryan ........ Capt. Pope.... on sone dOve sens nevecnes Major Emory ........ veceesdQessevsveseaces Lieut. Beckwith..... Lieut. Bryan......... seneesdOrcccccensen os Capt. Pope se..ee sicfan Lieut. Bryan ........ Capt. Pope ..4- sssees Lieut. Bryan. ........ Dr. Henry ....... 5000 Dr. Suckley.......... Dr, Potts.....ceeeeee Lieut. Trowbridge ... B. Samuels .......0.. Lieut. Trowbridge ... A. J. Grayson......0.]- Lieut. Williamson.... weeeeedOr, vec cececnes Licut. Whipple ...... BIG | cccencccncnccvee 153 veeensOenewesisine 59 Dr. Suckley..... eee -| Dr. Hayden... sesece «GOs. ceressosvnce(s sferececdO-revecscncever|e ee Cer ee W.S. Wood......... A. Schott... cece eee Dr. Kennerly .....0+- Mr. Kreutzfeld....... W.S. Wood......... cece dOee ovecccasenes «| W. S. Wood.......5. W.S. Wood......05. T. A. Szabo.... nee eeeweceene Dr. Heerman.... Kennerly and Mdl- hausen «sess. ceeasel, eee eee 6 x z $./¢2 2 rt 8 /Sa/— g e Loeality. When col- Whence. 3 Collected by— 2.41 6 E § Remarks. q as a a 5 Sp lected. 2 Sas 3 g =| s ~ 3 See te Beles S a & del eee 3 s ‘Eo g Bele oo = a wt & | a fs) a a’l|s Indian Key, Fla... Mar. 20, 1857 | G. Wurdemann .. seen ceev cece coesse steer eeneeeen nine wen eee cree rece cece Eyes light gray... Eyes black.....+. Eyes brown; feet and gums yellow. eee cece neceee seen deen eeec eons veneer cece emes uses | eevee s vere ceeeneee eeeeenee BIRDS—ACCIPITRINAE—-ASTUR ATRICAPILLUS. 15 - Sub-Family ACCIPITRINAE. THE HAWKS. Form rather long and slender, tail and legs long, wings rather short, bill short, hooked, upper mandible lobed, but not toothed. Very active and vigilant and swift of flight, pursuing their prey, which consists of birds and small quadrupeds, into the woods and forests. : : ASTUR, Lac. Astur, Lacerepe, Mem. Inst. III, p. 506. The largest birds of this sub-family. General form strong, but rather long and slender; wing rather short; tail long and Lroad ; tarsi long, covered in front with rather wide transverse scales ; toes and claws moderate, the latter fully curved, sharp. Bill short, curved ; nostrils large, ovate, inserted in the cere. This genus contains about twelve species of all countries. ASTUR ATRICAPILLUS, Wilson. The Goshawk. Falco atricapillus, Witson, Am. Orn. VI. 80. (1812.) Falco regalis, Tem. pl. col. 1. (liv. 84, about 1827.) Dedalion pictum, Lesson, Traite d’Orn. I, 67. (1831.) Figurrs.—Wilson Am. Orn. VI, pl. 52, fig. 3; Rich. and Sw. Faun. Bor. Am. Birds, pl. 26; Jard. and ‘Balby. Ill. Orn. pl. 121; Aud. B. of Am. pl. 141, Oct. ed. I, pl. 23; Temm. pl. col. 495. Adult.—Head above, neck behind, and stripe from behind the eye, black, generally more or less tinged with ashy. Other upper parts dark ashy bluish or slate color, with the shafts of the feathers black, and frequently with the feathers narrowly edged with black, presenting a squamate or scale-like appearance. A conspicuous stripe over the eye, and an obscure and partially concealed occipital and nuchal band, white. Entire under parts mottled with white and light ashy brown. Every feather with a longitudinal !ine of dark brown on its shaft, and with numerous irregular and imperfect transverse lines or narrow stripes of light ashy brown, more distinct and regular on the abdomen and tibie. Quills brown, with bands of a deeper shade of the same color, and of ashy white on their inner webs. Tail same color as other upper parts ; under surface very pale, near'y white, an having about four obscure bands of a deeper shade of ashy brown, and narrowly tipped with white ; under tail coverts white. Young:—Entire upper parts, including head, dark brown, with the feathers, especially on the head and neck, behind, edged and spotted with light reddish, or nearly white. Tail light ashy, with about five wide and conspicuous bands of ashy brown, and narrowly tipped with ashy white ; quills brown, with wide bars of a darker shade of the same color, and wide bands of reddish white on their inner webs. Under parts white, generally tinged with yellowish and frequently with reddish, every feather with a longitucinal stripe, terminating in an ovate spot of brown. Sides and tibie frequently with circular and lanceolate spo's, and irregular bands of the same color, the latter (tibiw) generally very conspicuously marked in this manner. Und r tail coverts white, with a few large lanceolate spots of brown. re Total length, female, 22 to 24 inches, wing about 14, tail 10 to Il inches. Male, about 20 inches, wing 123, tail 9! inches. flab. North America, chiefly in the northwestern portions. All the specimens of this fine species in the collections of the expeditions are from Oregon and Washington Territory, and are of both adults and young birds. It is apparently more abundant in northwestern America than it is known to be in any other portion of the United States. The adult. of this species is well known, and is represented in all the plates cited above. It is one of the most strongly marked and easily recognized of American hawks. Though confounded with the European goshawk (Astur palumbarius) by. Audubon, the present species is strongly marked, and easily distinguished. The transverse bands on the 16 U. 8. P. RB. BR. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. ? under surface of the body in the present bird never assume that degree of regularity which is commonly met with in the European bird, and it is in other respects quite distinct, as pointed out by the distinguished naturalists who have described it, Wilson and Temminck. List of specimens. Measurements. 2 8 ‘ & q : Locality. When collected. Whence obtained. a Collected by— a5 =| Oo s |# A : 2 | 3] E S| 3 s$ 4 ao a 3 3s oa = Q ia oO 1n jo) a & 6906 |....] Nelson river, H. B..-]---.-----.-..- DMGUnishddasie be ede wen ioc pmeaeeeeen ce wos kee css aces. 6846 |....| Port Townsend, W.T.| Jan., 1857._..| Dr. Suckley.--.---------|------|---------------- 22.00 | 40.00 5839 | & | FortSteilacoom,W. T.| Aug., 1856 -..|/--.--- COz2enientadoseees, 528) |eewwice peas comes 22.50 | 38.00 8508 | 3d |----do-------. OO esis atin dieteminiomasion Governor Stevens .--.... 101 | Dr. Suckley_..../----.---|----.. 8509 |oese|ecucdoscnceces do...-| Mar. 25, 1856.| Dr. Suckley ----.. sSeeee 306) |sectemerccecewsrslamucciceclo uses 4365 | 22 |e<<2dOsonn5-5 do.---|-------------- Dr. Potts...-..... Sievitios Sensi aed woteeinetesecinl Le wmcs|seckie 4518 |_...| Shoalwater Bay, W. T.| Jan. 20, 1855 -| Dr. Cooper -.-.-.------- 120! | cesteeaecceuwsee rcicsimiefetel eaiae 8507 |...-| Dalles, O. T...----- Mar. 8, 1854_-| Governor Stevens --....- 141 | Dr. Suckley.--.-!.....---|...... ACCIPITER, Brisson. Accipiter, Brisson, Orn. I, 310, (1760.) General form more slender and smaller than Astur, but otherwise similar. Wings short, tail long, tarsi long and slender, frequently with the scales in front nearly obsolete. Contains about twenty species of all countries, several of which intimately resemble each other. Colors in North American species very similar to each otlier, especially in adult specimens, though they differ materially in size. ACCIPITER COOPERII, Bonaparte. Cooper’s Hawk. Faleo Cooperii, Bonar. Am. Orn. II, 1. (1828.) Falco Stanleii, Aup., Orn. Biog. I, 186. (1831.) Ficgures.—Bonap. Am. Orn. I, fig. 1; Aud. B. of Am. pl. 36, 14], fig. 3, Oct. ed. 1, pl. 24. Adtlt.—Head above brownish black, mixed with white on the occiput, other upper parts dark ashy brown, with the shafts of the feathers brownish black ; an obscure rufous collar on the neck behind. Throat and under tail coverts white, the former with lines of dark brown, other under parts transversely barred with light rufous and white. Quills ashy brown, with darker bands, and white irregular markings on their inner webs; tail dark cinereous, tipped with white, and with four wide bands of brownish black. Young.—Head and neck behind yellowish white, tinged with rufous, and with longitudinal stripes and oblong spots of brown; other npper parts light amber brown, with large partially concealed spots and bars of white; upper tail coverts tipped with white; under parts white, with narrow longitudinal stripes of light brown, tail as in adult; bill blueish horn-color ; tarsi yellow. Dimensions.—Female, total length 18 to 20 inches, wing 10 to 11, tail 8} inches; male, 16 to 18 inches, wing 93 to 10, tail 8 inches. Hab.—All of temperate North America. Chile (Gay). Spec. in Nat. Mus., Washington and Mus. Acad. Philadelphia. This species, rather common on the coast of the Atlantic, is apparently not so abundant in the western cottntries of the United States. Three specimens only are in the present collection, BIRDS—ACCIPITRINAE—ACCIPITER MEXICANUS. 17 two of which are from Washington Territory, and one from California. These being, however, in young plumage, may be regarded as very probably showing conclusively that this bird is resident in those localities, and is also, in all probability, throughout the temperate regions of North America, Some authors even, though probably erroneously, assign it to South America also. List of specimens. Measurements. 5 ; : 2 |e .\2 Q Locality. When collected.| Whence and how « | Collected by— | 9 5 a) ee B | obtained. 4 g .|84;| 8 = &0 b= et er || ey ia g + g Co a BS S8(5 3 6 4 2 |g 4 ee e3|= = = 3s 4 bt toe) $i x ‘a 3 Ez] as 5 \3a ‘s) oo a" |e 5792 |....] Society Hill, 8. C....-_.- April 30;1855_| ‘M.A, Curtis. .02.-jes.--|.-2-2---5-2-o--- |b eeeet pcs mc|soeiece 5578 |...-| Republican fork, K. T -.-| Aug. 17, 1856-) Lieut. Bryan....-. 383 | W.S. Wood -.-.| 18.25 | 25.00 |----.. 5846 |....| Fort Steilacoom, W. T ---j Sept. 1856_) Dr. Suckley -----. 540 |scwne sce cenwinnes 19.00 | 30.00 |.----- 8511 |} o |...--. Gye! dOsesc26 Oct. 10,1856-_|-.--.. O42 guess B85) | tise cesetesass eels eas 8512 |....| Yakima river, W. T --.-- Sept. 10,1856_| Gov. Stevens -...- 685 | Dry Cooper sce.2)ssccee|socesa|ocunce 4352 |..-.| Presidio, Cal-..-.-----.-|------------6- Lieut. Trowbridge_|_....|.---------.-.--- 18.00 | 31.00 |_...-- 6876 | © | Sacramento valley, Cal...|...--.-------- Lieut. Williamson-|...-- Dr. Heermann --|._.-.-|--....|------ 4619 |_-.-| Colorado river, Cal -..-.- Oct. 28,1854_| Major Emory ----- 53 | As Schott o05--l ee sne|oecensloncene ACCIPITER MEXICANUS, Swainson. Accipiter Mexicanus, Swans. Faun. Bor. Amer. Birds, p. 45, (1831.) (Not figured.) Intermediate between Accipiter Coopert and Accipiter fuscus in size, and much resembling both in colors. Form slender and long, wings short; tail long, legs rather long, slender. Adult.—Head above bluish black; other upper parts dark brownish black, with a tinge of cinereous, darkest on the back; throat and other under tail coverts white; other under parts fine light rufous, darkest on the tibia, and spotted and barred transversely with white, which bars and spots are nearly obsolete on the breast and tibie ; longitudinal dark lines on the shafts of the feathers (conspicuous on the under parts in .2. Cooperi) only on the breast; quills dark brown, with their outer edges cinereous, and with bands of dark brown and white on their inner webs; tail dark cinereous, tipped with white, and having four wide bands of brownish black ; bill bluish black ; cere and tarsi yellow; iris yellow. Young.—Entire upper parts dark brown, every feather on the head above and neck behind edged with yellowish red, which color predominates on those parts in some specimens ; under parts white, more or less tinged with dull yellow, every feather having a narrow longitudinal stripe of brown, and frequently a transverse band of the same near the base of the feather. The stripes often assume a falchion or imperfectly sagittate shape on the flanks. Under wing coverts yellowish white, with ovate and cordate spots of brown; tail as in adult; upper tail coverts frequently tipped with white ; iris, cere, and tarsi, light yellow. Dimensions.—Male, total length, 15 to 16 inches ; wing 9, tail Sinches. Female, total length, 17 to 18 inches; wing 94 to 10, tail 9 inches. A western species, but not so exclusively so as has been supposed. In the present collection specimens are from New Mexico and the Yellow Stone river, as well as from Oregon and Cali- fornia, as will be seen in the localities given below. This bird bears an extraordinary resemblance to both Accipiter Coopert and Accipiter fuscus, and, in fact, specimens occasionally occur which cannot be distinguished without difficulty. 3b 18 U. & P. RB. BR. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. The young male of 4. Cooperi may be mistaken for the young female of the present bird. The three American species of Accipiter, however, may be said to be so much alike in color as to almost represent different sizes of one species. It is a group in which size is a specific character. List of specimens. Measurements. : DOR -e e) g : 6 |e Sle g Locality. When collected. | Whence and how = Remarks. Collected by— = = ra 5 9 ec a & obtained. 3 Bs ey g z &® | z 3 Sseiselan é | @ 6 & |a “|e 5165 |e. eee. Mouth of Yellow Stone river. .... Aug. 18, 1856 ....| Lieut. Warren Dr. Hayden....Jsssees|eccecsesvece 5IG4 |e cases Mouth of White Earth river.......} Sept. 6, 1856...../.... 00, ceeveveeeslseeees| Iris light yellow |.....+ CO. soesecieoeeee 30.25] 10.25 5163 | Q | Fort Berthold, Nebraska..... «| Sept. 16, 1856....Jeecee. GOs cisesjessieiane oscars, ween eds ensieais| sees +do. . 17,00) 29.25} 9,00 5579 |.seeee Bridger’s Pass, Nebraska .... .| Aug. 14, 1856..... Lieut. Bryan.. se eaewws ‘ Sy eedalll Wialstedleeeesllladewta 6849 |...... Fort Thorn, New Mexico. ess ees ie, VRS vows | Dic HOOty wxeax neve] oxees tlainwe tan eawas wal nine] see af aie a 5841 |....+.] Puget’s Sound, W. T..... «..| Oct. 4, 1856...... Dr. Suckley . oe] B74 [ecccneccevccceeclecccee sence teer|suenssleceeeslseeese 5846 |...0.. Port Townsend, W.'T.... «| Aug., 1856... cc.) eeeee GO. couee oo S aneiete ee ees eee 5847 | «+e. Fort Steilacoom, W. T ... «+| Sept., 1856.......)see00- do. ws. AS Cee Coe en ti SR ls 4590 |oseees|sceeee eens Ossetia esa tiaseeis diets | RRetepesisiaeieeiteaies Dr. Potts .....s006 r|accameneecasvees[eenese| oes Ca esc 6848 |..-... Bodega, California. .......0er eee Feb., 1855. ......| Lieut. Trowbridge.|. w| Te A. Szabo... |ssesec[eeeeec ference 6874 | GS | Sacramento valley, California ....|.........eeeeeeeee Lieut. Williamson... Dr, Heermann, |. .vca.|ecweas|ersees ACCIPITER FUSCUS, Gmelin. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Falco fuscus et dubius, Gu. Syst. Nat. I, 280, 281, (1788.) Accipiter striatus, ViertL. Ois. d’Am. Sept. I, 42, (1807.) Falco velox et pennsylvanicus, Witson Am. Orn. V, 116, and VI, p. 13, (1812.) Sparvius lineatus, Vertu. Ency. Meth. III, 1266, (1823.) Nisus Malfini, Lusson. Traite d’Orm. I, 58, (1831.), Ficures.—Temm. pl. col. 67; Vieill. Ois. d’Am. Sept. pl. 14; Wilson Am. Orn. V, pl. 45, fig. 1, and VI, pl. 46, fig. 1; Aud. B. of Amer. pl. 374, Oct. ed. I, pl. 25. Adult.—Small, tail rather long ; legs and toes slender ; entire upper parts brownish black, tinged with ashy; occiput mixed with white ; throat and under tail coverts white, the former with lines of black on the shafts of the feathers ; other under parts fine light rufous, deepest on the tibie, and with transverse bands of white ; shafts of the feathers with lines of dark brown; tail ashy brown, tipped with white, and with about four bands of brownish black ; quills brownish black, with bands of a darker shade, and of white on their inner webs; secondaries and tertiaries with large partially concealed spots of white. Young.—Entire upper parts dull umber brown, tinged with ashy; neck behind mixed with white ; greater wing coverts and shorter quills, with large partially concealed spots of white ; under parts white, with longitudinal stripes and circular and ovate spots of reddish brown, changing into transverse bands on the flanks and tibie ; under tail coverts white ; bill dark bluish horn- color ; cere and tarsi yellow. Total length, female, 12 to 14 inches ; wing 7 to 8, tail 65 to 7 inches. Male, 10 to 11 inches ; wing 6 to 63, tail 5to 5} inches. Hab.—Throughout North America and Mexico. Spec. in Nat. Mus. Washington and Mus. Acad. Philadelphia. Apparently, this handsome little hawk inhabits the whole of North America, from Mexico to the confines of the frigid zone. Numerous specimens, from various localities, are in the collec- tions of the expeditions. This little hawk, when in adult plumage, much resembles Accipiter nisus of Europe ; but the young are quite different, as is the case with nearly all the species of this family inhabiting North America, which resemble species of the Old World. BIRDS—BUTEONINAE—BUTEO SWAINSONI. 19 List of specimens, Measurements. e Eo) 2 £ Fs 5 b& g 3 Locality. When collected.| Whence and how ob- q Collected by— 3 - - ¢ 3 So tained. 5 ZB: 2 3 | z =e | 23 ‘3 _ ‘ & Bs S| 4 5 zg |a* 5575 |cwse views Saranac lake, N. V.wsssseceeeees veces] Auge —, 1855 | S. F. Baird... cseccess|svenccelevevereccsccceccessceses|serecres| sons eres 5990) | seine seafars Orange, N. J..... 005 . Dri COOL cies o: (6 sie sinieiall wie aie inreai] eens iniats ormceie einen sits ow vie ciaeislwwainiewe [siniaiereiaiece 7599) | seria dss Washington, D.C... a WHI ULE O Hi sia isje osesoseisiteass|| Bis telearetete score alnitiaia- eared soca slate dai ail AS aTene wad lateralis 8632 3a Cape Florida, Pla...cccccsvesscccneee Nov. 2, 1857 | G. Wiirdemann......c..|sesessssfeeees ak gralsle tara aieaewnecss 11.50 21.50 6908 |.... 2.08 Nelson river, H. Be.seececeeesevveees seeesncceececvee| DONA GUNN cecsereeceloereeeeeleree eee res ere aieiels'[isterwe eine 6907 |......., Selsiwk SCtileM ent visa icvesies weween | awsieccieeanveisravecc||aiiedien: MOF aicrsisis 6954 Q Black Hills, Neb.... Aug. 11,1857 | Lieut. Bryan.. 5584 | Bridger’s Pass, Neb... ..| Aug. 14, 1856 |..... dO... s008 5845 Q? | Fort Steilacoom, W. T........ .| Aug. —, 1856] Dr. Suckley. 5842 Q .| Sept. isa glOiars 5844 QO? | ccc eeeedOr. ceeecesecrseteecens seceeslenensesAOeseane [eases do..... i 8514 3 Gov. Stevens . oT 94 | Dr. Cooper.... 11,50] 21.50 4198 |..ee.eee Bes De. Gute so ais wiessisseisinne:| recoravsis ate | stein ignave mracaimevare’ steeper eve spocaiell Gioarsrnteiors[iniere eee 4512 Lieut. Williamson.....|.e....| Dr. J. S. Newberry. cecs|scceeees[ecceveee 6867 rol TGj On WAM CY aciie aie itiaye Sadie: sicicaiee.asreieted] sie sje waren wines eee] eewied Ose: ciaisie:stesate eco we ee eats wie Dr. Heermann, cose.scelescecceslecesnees 8513 |........| Camp Yuma, Cal..... ene enee cece esee| Dec. —, 1854 | Major Emory.......+- oa QB] A. Schott ccrcsccarccnclesseccsslecen cece Sub-Family BUTEONINAE—T he Buzzards. General form heavy, flight vigorous and long continued, but not so rapid as in the preceding sub-families. Subsist mainly on small quadrupeds and reptiles. BUTEO, Buteo, Cuvier, Regne Animal I, 323, (1817.) Cuvier. Bill short, wide at base ; edges of upper mandible lobed ; nostrils large, ovate ; wings long, wide, fourth and fifth quills usually longest ; tail moderate, rather wide ; tarsi moderate, robust, with transverse scales before and behind, laterally with small circular and hexagonal scales ; toes moderate, or rather short ; claws strong. Contains about thirty species, inhabiting all countries. Sub-Genus Buteo. BUTEO SWAINSONI, Bonaparte. Swainson’s Buzzard. Buteo Swainsoni, Bonar. Comp. List, p. 3, (1838.) “ Buleo vulgaris,’’ Rich & Sw. Faun. Bor. Am. Birds, p. 47. The obtaining of this species is one of the most interesting results in ornithology attained by the surveying and exploring expeditions. Previously it was entirely unknown to American naturalists, who for the greater part followed the errors of European ornithologists in mistaking for it quite a distinct and very different bird, (Buteo monianus, Nuttall.) It possesses additional interest, too, in being more nearly related to a generic form of the Old World (typical Buteo) than any bird hitherto discovered inhabiting the continent of America. All the specimens in the present collection are apparently of mature size, and the plumage is 20 U. & P. RB. RB. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. invariably one or the other of the three stages described below. The tail is never red, but uniformly ashy brown, with transverse dark bars. The first and apparently most adult female is as follows: Bill wide at base, compressed towards the tip; edge of upper mandible lobed; cere large ; wing long, third quill longest; tail moderate, rather wide, even at the tip; tarsus feathered in front for nearly half its length, naked behind, bare portion in front having about twelve trans- verse scales ; toes rather short; claws strong. Entire upper parts dark brown, nearly black in the middle of many feathers, paler on the edges; quills brownish black, with wide transverse bands of cinereous on their inner webs, becoming paler and nearly pure white towards the base of the quill; tail brown, tinged with ashy, and having about 10 to 12 narrow transverse bands of a darker shade of brown, the sub- terminal of which is widest ; tip edged with white. Throat white, with longitudinal lines of dark brown; neck before and breast ashy brown, nearly the same color as the tail; some of the feathers edged with reddish ; other under parts white, nearly pure on the under tail coverts, and with transverse irregular bars of rufous on the tibie and flanks, and of darker brownish rufous on the abdomen; under wing coverts white, with a few spots and transverse stripes of brown; bill dark slate color ; tarsi, toes, and cere, yellow. The color of the abdomen, tibizw, and inferior tail and wing coverts is very liable to vary in specimens having the preceding plumage. Other specimens, preeisely as just described in other respects, have these parts with the rufous color predominating, and with more numerous transverse, irregular, and imperfect bars of a darker shade of rufous, and with some broken bars and arrow-heads of dark brown. Shafts of tail feathers and quills dark above, white beneath. The second plumage is, apparently, that of the younger female. The upper parts are as decribed above, but darker; throat white, tinged with yellowish, and with the dark lines scarcely discernible; breast dark brown, nearly black; other under parts pale rufous, with numerous transverse bars of a darker shade of rufous and of dark brown, the latter more numerous than in the preceding. Specimens with the breast of this color vary mainly in the more or less numerous dark brown transverse stripes of the abdomen and flanks. The third plumage prevails only in specimens labelled as males. The upper parts are as first above described, though rather lighter, and with some feathers, especially on the back, edged with rufous; tail above rather lighter, and more strongly tinged with cinereous; throat white, with lines of dark brown; neck before and breast light rufous, some of the feathers with lines on the shafts of ashy brown ; other under parts white, nearly pure and unspotted on the lower part of the abdomen and under tail coverts, tinged and irregularly barred with pale rufous on the flanks, tibiee, and upper part of the abdomen ; under wing coverts nearly pure white. This plumage apparently varies but little, and only in the greater or less number of the stripes of rufous on the abdomen. The bird in this plumage is represented in the plate of Fauna Boreali Americana, cited above and in our plate. Dimensions.—Female, total length, about 214 inches; wing 16, tail 83 inches; tarsus 23 inches. Male, total length, about 193, wing 154, tail 8 inches. In all] these specimens the color of the neck before and of the breast may be regarded as forming a wide, uninterrupted transverse belt or band, and is a very conspicuous and apparently constant character. The difference in the color of this belt or band is, as will be observed from BIRDS—-BUTEONINAE—BUTEO BAIRDIL 21 the descriptions given above, the principal difference between’ the specimens before us, and is very probably dependent on age, and perhaps sex. This handsome and interesting species appears to be exclusively an inhabitant of western and northern North America, The plates represent this bird in the first and third plumages described above. List of specimens. Measurements. * 3 + = Z i 8 |E S\E g 3 Locality. When collected. | Whence obtained. Remarks. Collected by— & oer ee a (a & | & EI BelSzl/es ® | 2 z sslsglaa 2 § 5 s 28 T en 3 vi ‘Sh AI BEls 8 | & 5 |2" |e 5154 | @ | Mouth of Yellow Stone river..... «| July 14, 1856.....| Lieut. Warren. ... Dr. Hayden....| 20.63) 48.50] 15.50 5156 |......| Mouth of White Earth river ...... Sept. 6, 1856. ..6.)eccecesdOrecsccsccve|sscecslenee sues veereneelenseae GOs scores 19,50) 46.56) 15.50 5155 | -Q | Knife river, Missouri............ Sept. 10, 1856....|ecseeee seveeedO. veeeee| 21,25] 50 00) 16.00 5157 | QO | Heart river, Nebraska ........ 0005 Sept. 21, 1856.... > ea eeeseanen 21.25) 51,25) 15.50 8540 |,..... Cochetope PasS...csseccresesecce seseecceancececeen Kreutzfeldt. ...J..ssee/evecee . 8539 |. .secefeceene dO. ccocesceccvesseensnsssoes 5 eee Os coevecleneeesleerees[eeeee= 8541 |. eens San Luis valley .cse.cenescecsacse|seeecccnsesecscacclesnennedOrenceceseee| LB [escaccseansecces(ensece dO. suvccelecvses sonensleeceen 4984 |...00 Pecos river, TexXdS.ssssecees ere Cee Gums and feet | YeHOW .eeeeslereeeeavonesanes 22,50) 34.50) 16.50 BUTEO BAIRDII, Hoy. Baird’sBuzzard. Buteo Bairdii, Hoy, Proc. Acad. Philad. VI, 451, (1853.) Cassin. B. of Cal. and Texas, pl. 41. Entire upper parts dark brown, with a purplish bronzed lustre, especially on the wings; plumage of the head and neck behind edged and tipped with yellowish white ; upper tail coverts yellowish white, with transverse bars of brown ; tail above brownish cinereous, with about ten narrow bands of brownish black, and tipped with white ; under parts pale yellowish white, or fawn color, with a few ovate and sagittate spots of dark brown; a stripe of dark brown running downwards on each side from the corners of the mouth ; cere, legs, and irides yellow. Older 2—Upper parts very dark brown, or nearly black, with a purplish lustre ; under parts with almost every feather having a large spot of brownish black, which color predominates on the breast, presenting a nearly uniforn color with the upper parts ; throat with narrow stripes of the same color; flanks and inferior wing coverts with circular and oval spots of white ; tibie dark brown, with transverse bars and circular and oval spots of reddish white ; upper tail coverts reudish white, with their outer edges brown, and with transverse stripes of the same; under tail coverts yellowish white, with transverse stripes of brown ; forehead white ; cheeks yellowish white ; stripes from the corners of the mouth wide and conspicuous. Total length, 18 to 20 inches; wing 15, tail 8 inches. Hab.—Northern and western North America. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philadelphia and Nat. Mus. Washington. In the plumage, first described above, this bird bears some resemblance to the young of Buteo lineatus, but has a much more mature appearance, and is easily distinguished by its smaller size. It resembles also in colors only the young of Buteo pennsylvanicus, but is much larger. Though discovered in the State of Wisconsin, specimens from various western localities are in the collections of the expeditions. Specimens recently collected by Lieutenant Warren show that the upper figure of our plate, as cited above, really represents the young plumage. Lieutenant Warren’s specimens are scarcely fully fledged, and yet agree precisely with this figure. 22 U. S&S P. R R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. List of specimens, Measurements. é ao) a. aoe s Locality. When collected.| Whence obtained. Collected by—| 8 5 Bi 5 g poe g 3 Fe a i a. B ey an) z SE} sy] €s & | 3 3S gs 5.5 oe q q 2 2 an 3 & Page 4 aa q ~*~ ce ‘S 5 $ Br - 8 | 3 8 a a e . * 5152 | Q | Little Missouri river._| Sept. 12, 1856 | Lieut. Warren-..-. ----| Dr. Hayden.-.| 22.00] 52.00 16,50 5151 | © |...-do....-... hae en iter ere ener dOkaaek aise seer heiege do..---- 20.50 | 46.00 15.75 Loup Fork, of Platte--. 1857 — jawewee C0 sseninientias ee eee Cle ee Beene eee 8542 | .---/ San Luis valley, Upper Rid GPMnd6acssceod soseecweeie Lieut. Beckwith -..| 8 | Mr. Kreutzfeldt|......--|.-------|-------- BUTEO CALURUS, Cassin. Red-tailed Black Hawk. Buleo calurus, Cassy, Proc. Acad. Philada. VII, p. 281, (1855.) Similar in general form to Buteo vulgaris and Buteo augur. Bill rather strong ; edges of the upper mandible with distinct rounded lobes ; wings long, fourth and fifth quills longest ; tail moderate, or rather short ; tarsi feathered in front for nearly half their length ; naked behind, naked portion in front having about ten transverse scales ; claws large, strong, fully curved. Tail bright rufous above, white at base, with about eight to ten irregular and imperfect narrow bands and one wide sub- terminal band of brownish black, and narrowly tipped with reddish white ; beneath silky reddish white. Entire plumage above and below brownish black, deeper and clearer on the back and abdomen, and paler on the throat and breast. Plumage of the upper parts with concealed transverse bands of white at the base of the feathers, and of the under parts with circular spots and transverse bands of the same also at the base of the feathers ; quills brownish black, with a large portion of their inner webs white, banded and mottled with pale ashy brown; under tail coverts transversely barred with brownish black and pale rufous. Total length, female, about 21 inches; wing 163, tail 9 inches. Male rather smaller. This remarkable buzzard bears a greater resemblance to Buteo augur, Riippell, an African species, than to any other with which we are acquainted. It resembles no other American species except Buteo insignatus, Cassin, but is much larger, and presents other strong points of difference. To a casual observer this bird would present somewhat the appearance of the black hawk of the United States, Archibuteo sanctijohannis, with the tail attached of the common red-tailed buzzard, Buteo borealis, a combination hitherto quite unknown in the American falconide, but which does exist in the African Buteo augur. This species was described by us, as above, from a single specimen in the colléction brought by the party in charge of Captain John Pope, United States army, which was obtained by T. Charlton Henry, M. D., United States army, in the vicinity of Fort Webster, New Mexico. This able and zealous naturalist is the discover of this curious species, and has added a large amount of information to the knowledge of the ornithology of western North America. To the collections of this gentleman we shall have frequent occasions to allude. One other specimen is in the present collection, and was obtained by Mr. E. Samuels at Peta- luma, Sonora county, California, who found it breeding, and had the good fortune to obtain the eggs. These have recently been described by Dr. Thomas M. Brewer, in his very valuable work on North American Oology, now in the course of publication by the Smithsonian Institution. a BIRDS —BUTEONINAE—BUTEO INSIGNATUS. 23 . . * : List of specimens. Measurements. . ;o t = Z a | ge | & q a Locality. When collected. | Whence and how obtained. | ¢ 3 a s A é as 2 e g EY 2S 5 3 g 4 e |g Se | gg | #- 3S oo 4 E38 ep 3 | 6 ao 8 & ‘s) B om a” = 5481 | @ | Petaluma, California_......... April ‘25, 1856 | E. Samuels...--- ------- 21.00 | 48.00 | 16.49 8527 |.....-| Fort Webster, New Mexico .-..|---.------------ Dr: Hentystcotieseunsns |aneecnecsacccerslencases Sub-Genus Leucopternis. BUTEO INSIGNATOUS, Cassin. Buteo insignatus, Cassin, B. of Cal. and Texas, p. 102, (1854,) pl. 31. Adult male.—Under coverts of the wings and tail white ; the former striped longitudinally with pale rufous, and the latter transversely with reddish brown ; edges of wings at the shoulder nearly pure white ; tibie rufous irregularly barred with brown ; throat and a few feathers of the forehead white, each feather having a line of dark brown, or nearly black. Entire other plumage above and below dark brown, every feather having a darker, or nearly black, central line. Quills above brown, with a slight purple lustre ; beneath ‘pale cinereous, with their shafts white, and with irregular transverse bands of white. Tail above dark brown, with an ashy or hoary tinge, and having about ten transverse bands of a darker shade of the same color ; beneath nearly white, with conspicuous transverse bands of brown, the widest of which is subterminal ; tip paler, or nearly white ; bill dark ; cere, tarsi, and toes, yellow. Female, nearly adult.—Like the preceding, but with the upper plumage darker, and the entire under parts dark rufous chest- nut ; darker on the breast, quite uniform en the flanks and abdomen, and every feather having the shaft darker brown, nearly black. Throat, forehead, under wing coverts, and under tail coverts white. Tail as in the preceding. Young .—Under parts reddish white ; every feather with a large terminal oblong spot of dark brown, and on the abdomen and tibie with numerous transverse stripes of the same color. Entire upper parts dark brown ; on the back of the head and neck white at base, and edged with reddish; scapulars and greater cuverts of the wing with large partially concealed rufous spots. Under wing coverts pale reddish white, with large brown spots ; under tail coverts very pale reddish white, with a few stripes and lines of brown. Dimensions.—Male adult, total length about 17 inches ; wing 14}, tail 7} inches. Female, total length about 193 inches ; wing 16, tail 9 inches. The preceding are the three stages of plumage which characterize specimens brought by the expeditions. The first is precisely identical with that originally described by us, as above cited, which was obtained in the vicinity of Montreal, Canada. The second specimen, above described, was obtained on the North Platte river by the party commanded by Lieutenant F. T. Bryan, United States army, while engaged in surveying a route for a wagon road to Bridger’s Pass, in the Rocky mountains. In this specimen the under parts of the body are chestnut rufous, as described above, in which respect it differs from the presumed and probable adult. 24 U. § P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—-ZOOLOGY——-GENERAL REPORT. List of specimens. a) u Ei 2 a 3 Locality. When collected. | Whence obtained. E Collected by— © 3 A 5 ar Z , = iv ) S| a iS) 6955 |.....- Medicine Bow creek, Nebraska ....; July 26, 1856 | Lieut, Bryan._--..- -| 333 | W.S. Wood-_---.-. e 6871 fot Tulare valley, California...---...-|------.---..---- Lieut. Williamson---|...... Dr. Heermann ..... BUTEO HARLANI, Audubon. Harlan’s Buzzard; The Black Warrior. Falco Harlani, Avp. Orn. Biog. I, 441, (1831, plate published 1830.) ‘* Buteo Borealis,’? Gray, Cat. Brit. Mus. Accipitres, p. 34. ° Buteo Harlani, Aup. Lawrence, Annals N. Y. Lyc. Nat. Hist. V, p. 220. Fieure.—Aud. B. of Am., pl. 86, Oct. ed. I, pl. 8. Adult.—About the size of, or rather smaller than, Buteo borealis. Robust ; bill rather short, strong ; edges of upper mandible lobed ; wing rather long ; tail moderate ; legs strong ; tarsus feathered in front below the joint, naked behind, in front having about nine or ten transverse scales, and about fifteen behind; claws very strong, sharp, fully curved. Entire plumage brownish black, with a purplish lustre on the back and wing coverts. Front white, and all the feathers of the head above and occiput white at base, easily observed on the latter. Quills brownish black, with transverse bands of a lighter shade, and with a portion of their inner webs ashy white, giving a nearly uniform ashy white color to the under surface of the wing ; under wing coverts brownish black. Tail mottled with brownish black, ashy and white, the former predominating, a rather wide subter- minal band of brownish black above and below, which are tinges of bright rufous ; tip paler ; under surface of the tail ashy white, slightly mottled with ashy brown. Bill dark bluish ; legs greenish yellow. Young.—Entire upper parts light brown, dull fulvous, and white ; tips of the feathers generally with « large ovoid spot of brown, bordered with dull fulvous, and white at base, the fulvous and white predominating on the head and wing coverts ; rump with nearly regular transverse bands of brown and reddish fulvous ; quills dark brown; under surface (of quills) white ; under wing coverts white, spotted with brown, and rufous or reddish fulvous; tail light ashy, tinged with reddish, and with about six or seven irregular and imperfect narrow bands of brownish black, all of which are edged with dark reddish fulvous ; tip white. Under parts white, nearly pure on the throat and breast, with ovate and sagittate large spots on the neck before sides and abdomen ; tibie and under tail coverts with nearly regular bands of brown and pale reddish ; under surface of the tail ashy white. Bill dark bluish ; legs greenish yellow. Total length (adult) about 21 inches ; wing 16, tail 914 inches. In the collection brought by the surveying party under the command of Captain John Pope, United States army, are two specimens of the bird which we suppose to be Buteo Harlani. These were obtained near Fort Thorne, New Mexico, by T. Charlton Henry, M. D., United States army, and, with that described, as above cited, by Mr. George N. Lawrence, are the only ones yet detected within the limits of the United States. We have seen other specimens of the same species from Mexico, One of the present specimens, like that of Mr. Lawrence, is adult in black plumage ; the other is very probably the young, and in plumage totally different, as described above. This bird comes very near the description by Mr. Audubon in his Orrithological Biography, I, p. 441, and is the same species decided by Mr. Lawrence to be the Buteo Harlani of that author, and first announced by him as a species of western North America in the Annals of the New York Lyceum of Natural History, as above cited. In both size and colors, our present BIRDS—-BUTEONINAE—BUTEO BOREALIS. 25 adult specimen agrees sufficiently well with Mr. Audubon’s description, though a measurement given in the latter—“ tarsus 13 inches’’—is very probably a misprint, though copied into his octavo edition. A Buteo, with the tarsus of this length, would be about the shortest legged species known, and rather deviating from the requirements of the genus. In the present bird the tarsus measures about three inches. The bird now before us being much like the figure and description given by Mr. Audubon as pointed out by Mr. Lawrence, we have no scruple in assenting to such designation as applied to it. The proper identification of the species though can be made only from the original specimen in the British Museum. To Mr. Lawrence we are also indebted for the recognition of the young bird of this species, described above, in the collection of the expeditions. The specimens in the collection of Captain Pope’s party were obtained by Dr. Henry in New. Mexico, as above stated. Those described by Mr. Lawrence were from California, Sub-Genus Poecilopternis. BUTEO BOREALIS, Gmelin. The Red-tailed Hawk. Falco borealis, Leverianus, and jamaicensis, Gm. Syst. Nat. I, 266, (1788.) Falco aquilinus, Bartram, Trav. p. 290, (1791.) Buteo ferrugineicaudus, View. Ois. d’Am. Sept. I, 32, (1807.) Accipiter ruficaudus, Vii. Ois. d’Am. Sept. I, 43, (1807.) Buteo fulvus and americanus, Vie1tu. Nouv. Dict. IV, 472, 477, (1816.) Ficgures.—Vieill. Ois. d’Am. Sept. I, pl. 6, 14; Wilson Am. Orn. VI, pl. 52, figs. 1,2; Audubon B. of Am., pl. 51, Oct. ed. 1, pl. 7; Gosse B. of Jamaica, pl. 2; Lembeye B. of Cuba, pl. 1. Adult.—Tail bright rufous, narrowly tipped with white and having a subterminal band of black. Entire upper parts dark umber brown, lighter and with fulvous edgings on the head and neck ; upper tail coverts yellowish white, with rufous and brown spots and bands. Throat white, with narrow longitudinal stripes of brown, other under parts pale yellowish white with longitudinal lines and spots of reddish brown tinged with fulvous, most numerous on the breast, and forming an irregular band across the abdomen ; under tail coverts and tibie generally clear yellowish white unspotted, but the latter frequently spotted and transversely barred with light rufous. Under surface of tail silvery white. Young.—Tail usually ashy brown, with numerous bands of a darker shade of the same color and narrowly tipped with white, upper tail coverts white with bands of dark brown; other upper parts dark umber brown, many feathers edged with dull white and with partially concealed spots of white. Entire under parts white, sides of the breast with large ovate spots of brownish black, and a wide irregular band on the abdomen composed of spots of the same color. Under tail coverts and tibia with irregular transverse stripes and sagittate spots of dark brown. Total length.— Female, 22 to 24 inches; wing, 15 to 16 inches ; tail, 84 inches. Male, 19 to 21 inches; wing, 14 inches; tail, 74 to 8 inches. Hab.—Eastern North America, fur countries, (Swainson,) Cuba, (Lembeye,) Jamaica, (Gosse.) The range of this well known bird covers an extent of longitude from the Atlantic ocean to the base of the Rocky mountains, and in latitude its locality may be said to be from the West India islands northward to the confines of the frigid zone. In the countries on the Pacific it is supplanted by the nearly allied species immediately succeeding, (Buteo montanus.) In the collections made by the surveying and exploring expeditions, there are specimens of this bird from the Yellow Stone river, Nebraska Territory, and others from the Pecos river, Texas. Specimens in immature plumage are also in Dr. T. Charlton Henry’s collection made at Fort Fillmore, New Mexico. 4b 26 U. S. PB. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—-GENERAL REPORT. List of specimens. Measurements. 3 Locality. When collected.| Whence and how | ,; | Collected by— FE | 3 B g ; obtained. 2 2..| 32 5 3 (|e 2 a2| 83] 83 |g 2 se | ge) #3. eS} g q ae) 25 80 £ ia = 3 q £ $ a ° w S a a Ee « 5153 |..--| 80 miles above mouth of Yellowstone.---| Aug. 11, 1856 | Lt.G. K. Warren |__..| Dr. Hayden...| 22.50 | 49.25 14.75 5159 3 | Eau qui Court, Neb.-] Oct. 20, 1856 |.-..-- Cs eee Cece seine dOesaciee: 23.00 | 48.00 16. 25 5158 & | Fort Randall, Neb ~../ Oct, 11, 1856 |_--..- dOecenwias Eee aes dO. 22.00 | 49.50 16. 00 94617. |-...] Jamacha Ranch, Cal__|.......-..---- Maj. Emory.-..-| 7 | A. Schott.....|....-.--]--------|-------- 1218530 jaccx| Satitadsabel, Cal siesnis|scseecoonaceied|tesasecuceweruicic gD eee Ox iciedrars| tate here Sse Sces|wemewece BUTEO MONTANUS, Nuttall. The Western Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo montanus, Nurr. Manual Orn. U.S. I, 112, (1840.) Falco buteo, (Linn.) Aun. Orn. Biog. IV, 508. Falco buteo, (Linn.) Ricu. and Sw. Faun. Bor. Am. Birds. Buteo borealis, (Gu.) Gray, Gen. I, p. 11. « Buteo Swainsonii, (Br.)?? Bonar. Consp. Av. p. 19. Buteo Swainsonii, Bonar. Cassin B. of Cal. and Texas, 1, p. 98 Ficures.—Aud. B. of Am., pl. 372, Oct. ed., I, pl Adult female.—Throat and neck before dark brown mixed with white ; the brown color more extended and with the abdomen, tibiee and under tail coverts much more tinged with rufous than in B. borealis. Tibiw distinctly barred transversely with rufous. Size rather larger. General appearance similar to Buteo borealis, but rather larger, and with the wings longer ; throat and neck before brown ; breast and abdomen white, with a very pale fulvous or rufous tinge ; sides with numerous nar- row lanceolate and oblong spots of dark brown and rufous; abdomen with a broad transverse band composed of spots of the same description. Tibial feathers pale rufous, with numerous transverse bands of a darker shade of the same color. Under wing coverts pale yellowish white, with brown spots. Tail above bright rufous narrowly tipped with white, with a subterminal band of black, and a few indications of transverse stripes near the shafts of the feathers. Upper parts of the body dark umber brown, with partially concealed ashy white and pale fulvous spots and transverse bands, especially on the scapulars and shorter quills. Upper tail coverts reddish white, with transverse bands of dark brown. Bill dark bluish ; tarsi and toes yellow. This plumage can only be distinguished from B. borealis by its larger size, the greater extent of the dark color of the throat, and the prevalence of the rufous color of the abdomen and tibie. In some specimens, however, the abdomen is nearly pure white. Another plumage of this bird, apparently adult, of both sexes is as follows, and is the most easily recognized of any stage : Adult male and female.—Like the preceding, but with the under parts pale rufous, lighter on the breast, sume feathers, especially on the abdomen, having longitudinal lines and spots of dark brown. Tibiw rufous, with transverse bars of a darker shade of the same color. Tail bright rufous; tip paler, with a subterminal band of black. This second plumage, described above, we have never seen in Buteo borealis. Young.—Upper parts dark brown, edged and spotted with white tinged with rufous. Under parts white, with large ovate and sagittate spots of dark brown more numerous on the abdomen. Tibial plumes and under tail coverts white, with transverse bars and spots of dark brown. Tail above ashy brown, with transverse bands of dark brown, nearly black. Bill dark bluish black, or slate color ; tarsi and toes dull greenish. BIRDS—-BUTEONINAE—BUTEO MONTANUS. 27 In this plumage, which is evidently that of the young bird, the dark spots of the under parts are usually much larger and more numerous than in the young of Buteo borealis, in which we have never seen the tibie and under tail coverts so strongly barred as in the present bird. Dimensions.—Adult female, total length 23 to 25 inches, wing 16} to 17, tail 9 to 10 inches. Male, total length 19 to 22 inghes, wing 15 to 16, tail 814 to 9 inches. This is a species much resembling and nearly related to the red-tailed buzzard (Buteo borealis) of the States on the Atlantic, and in the examination of collections like the present made during journeys across the continent, it is not without difficulty that a distinct range of locality can be assigned to the two species. The most strongly characterized specimens of the bird now before us are from the countries west of the Rocky mountains, but it is evident from specimens in this collection that this species is not restricted to those regions. It not only inhabits the moun- tains, but extends into the countries at their eastern base. Of this rather difficult and obscure species, we have in the present collection no less than thirty specimens, which, with several others from the collection of the Philadelphia Academy, make a series probably representing all the stages of plumage dependent on age, sex, or season. This series admits of division into the three stages above described. Our comparisons are made with a series of twenty-eight specimens of Buteo borealis from various parts of the United States east of the Rocky mountains; generally, however, from the vicinity of Philadelphia. The present species appears to be the larger, averaging in total length about 24 inches in adult females, which, so far as can be determined from prepared specimens, is nearly two inches greater than the average of the same sex of Buteo borealis. The wing is about 14 inches longer. There are in the entire series of both species now before us not more than three specimens that we have any difficulty in assigning to one species or the other, though specimens of both constantly occur which cannot be recognized without difficulty, unless series are at hand for comparison. List of specimens. Measurements. = ; oe g : s 28/5 g a Loeality. When collected.) Whence and how ob- 4 Collected by— s i) 5 ae |) tained. Fy Be /is | 83 ae 3 ss | ga [238 7S 5 a ne 22 |. oy S| = & Eels S| a 5 & S* |)5 5836 | Q | Fort Steilacoom, W.T...........| Aug. 8, 1856 | Dr. G. Suckley......... G27 |. scaigaiewiavnawetinaievence || 23:50") 53,00 5834 eee se cosene »| Sept. —, 1856 |.....:dO.. ...0 e 24.50 | 51.00 |. 4581 | swerve asaveea) Di, Pott? ceases cennen ee Cree 8531 | QO +) Gow. LE Stevensicccaxt 99 | Dre Buckley veo escsccus| soe ann |eccayvenles B88 | evens ki Dr. Suckley.. 536 A872 | QD leaescecsd@rccasvocccsdiecese voce] OCt. —y 1854 | vorsesdOracereanseccanre|sasens 8535 | J | Shoalwater bay, W. T........+..| March 21, 1854 | Gov. Stevens ati 8534 |...,..} Yakima river, W.T...sseseereees| Auge 4, 1853 |...4.. COwsveai aedeansars 8 4416 |...... Fort Dalles, O.T. Dr. Suckley.. ate 4521 | ...... Santa Clara, Cal... ii «| Dr. Cooper..seececsseeeleoeees 4611 | . ..,] California...... .| Major Emory... sealliscane 8536 |......| Lagana...c.seee Nov. 23, 1854 |..ccsdOvcccevecccceseee| Tb |iceeeedQrsseececes 8533 |,.....| Oamp 149, N.M... March 16, 1854 | Lieut. Whipple........| 185 | Dr. Kennerly.... 8549 |... Camp 114, N.M. secoee| Feb, 6, 1854 |..0000dO..seceee ‘ea 6957 | Bi | North Platte.....sescceeeeeseeee-] Ag. 1, 1857 | Lieut. Bryan ......+++. G56. | QO |rcvesescd0ccssevsrvecesedadsdiaouafelewasdOesesweslasieesO Os cswseute wears 4986 |......| Pecos river, Texas vaeces «| Capt. Pope..scccoeseses|: BOOS |usasesloerenaas Oey vane are aecerees[es oa caanee AO. ccacsccrcvccas|sonenc[ee 8532 |...06.| Devil’s river, TexXas.sesseeseueeees Nov. —, 1855 | Major Emory.......... 1 Dr. Kennerly ...... ig laste marae | ues ewe leletateaaes 28 U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. BUTEO LINEATUS, Gmelin. The Red Slouldered Hawk; The Winter Falcon. Falco lineatus and hyemalis, Gm. Syst. Nat. I, 268, 274, (1788.) Falco buteoides, Nutr. Man. I, 100, (Ist edition, 1832.) Ficures.—Vieill. Ois. d’Am. Sept., pl. 5; Wilson Am. Orn., pl. 53, fig. 3; Aud. B. of Am., pl. 56, 71; Oct. ed. I, pl. 9; Nat. Hist. New York, Birds, pl. 6, fig. 13. . Adult.—Wing coverts from its flexure to the body fine bright rufous ; breast and other lower parts of the body paler orange rufous, many feathers, with transverse bars and spots of white, which predominate on the abdomen and under tail coverts. Entire upper parts brown ; on the head mixed with rufous, and with white spots on the wing coverts and: shorter quills and rump. Quills brownish black, with white spots on their outer webs, and with bars of a lighter shade of brown and of white on their inner webs ; tail brownish black, with about five transverse bands of white and tipped with white. Young.—Entire under parts yellowish white, with longitudinal stripes and oblong spots of dark brown ; throat dark brown. Upper parts lighter ashy brown, with many partially concealed spots and bars of white ; quills dark brown, with wide transverse bars of rufous and white on both webs. Tail ashy brown, with numerous bands pale brownish and rufous white ; tail beneath silvery white. Total length, female, 21 to 23 inches, wing 14, tail 9 inches. Male, 18 to 20 inches, wing 12, tail 8 inches. Hab. Eastern and northern North America. This is one of the most abundant of the rapacious birds of the eastern and southern States on the Atlantic, and appears to be restricted to the countries east of the Rocky mountains. It presents considerable variation in plumage, the, young, as descrived above, bearing very little resemblance to the adult. The latter is much the more frequently met with, and is Falco hyemalis of authors. In western North America this bird is replaced by the succeeding species, from which it can be easily recognized in the adult by the different shade of color of the under parts, and by the different markings of the young. List of specimens. Measurements. Fe q 3 3 3 Locality. When collected.| Whence obtained.| 3 5 pe Remarks. g £ 38] & A ‘ = a E 3 A 2 ma 3 | S| Sy] 28 &® | ee | ga | oe g l& 2 2S | eo Be Ng a Ee] a Sia & a | & 8629 /----| Cape Florida._.....- Nov. 10, 1857 |G. Wurdemann_-| 17.75 | 40.00] 12.00 8630 | Q | Indian Key, Fla....- Aug. 31, 1857 |....-- do...---.- 17.50 | 37.00] 11.20 | Iris, light brown ; legs 8631] & |---2-< donee chiens jue GOs wake fsoeeoet do...----- 17.50 | 37.00} 11.10 and feet, green__.- 4978 |....| Ft. Chadbourne, Tex./....-.---.-.-- Dr. Swift....--- 18.00 | 38.00; 11.50 BUTEO ELEGANS, Cassin. ” Buteo elegans, Cassin, Proc. Acad. Philada. VII, 281, (1855.) Generally resembling Buteo lineatus Bill rather slender ; edges of the upper mandible with a rounded lobe ; wing moderate, fourth quill longest, first quill short ; tail moderate wide, rounded at tip. Tarsus feathered in front slightly below the joint ; naked behind ; in front presenting about twelve transverse scales, Aldult female.—Resembling the adult of Buteo lineatus, but with the breast dark rufous unspotted, (nearly brick red,) and other under parts, including the under tail coverts, of the same color, with numerous nearly regular transverse bars of reddish BIRDS—-BUTEONINAE—BUTEO PENNSYLVANICUS 29 white. Under wing coverts dark rufous, transversely barred with reddish white. Throat brownish black, with a few white feathers. Feathers of the breast having dark lines on their shafts. Upper parts dark brown; on the head and back edged with rufous ; upper coverts of the tail narrowly tipped with white. Shoulders dark rufous, every feather having a narrow central stripe of dark brown ; superior coverts of the wing dark brown ; edged on their inner webs with rufous, and with transverse stripes partially concealed, and with circular spots of white, and tipped with the same. Quills brownish black ; primaries and secondaries with numerous irregular transverse bands of white, running obliquely on their inner webs; all the quills tipped with white. Tail brownish black ; white at base, with four transverse bands of white, and tipped with the same. BBill bluish black ; tarsi and cere yellow. Young female—Under, parts yellowish white ; every feather with wide irregular and confluent bands of dark brown, and at its end a large arrow head of the same color. These bands and sagittate spots giving the predominating color to the breast and sides, but less numerous on the abdomen and under tail coverts. Tibial feathers and under coverts of the wings and tail tinged with pale rufous ; shoulders with a few rufous feathers. Throat dark brown, with longitudinal narrow stripes of white. Upper parts dull brown ; many feathers edged with reddish white, especially on the back and wing coverts. Quills brownish black, with their inner webs barred with white. Tail brown, tinged with ashy, with about ten to twelve transverse narrow bars of a darker shade of the same color, and tipped with white. Young male.—Similar to the last described, but with the sagittate spots on the under parts more elongated, and the upper parts and shoulders strongly tinged with rufous. Under wing coverts and tibie dark rufous. Dimensions.—Adult female, total length, about 20 inches ; wing, 13; tail, 9inches. Young male, 1814; wing, 1214; tail, 8 inches. This very handsome bird is nearly related to Buteo lineatus, as stated above; but all the specimens constantly present differences. In the adult of the present species the under parts are of a much darker red and more uniformly presented than in Buteo lineatus, in which those parts are orange red, and the abdomen and under tail coverts nearly white. The young bird of the present species is strongly characterized by the large sagittate spots of the under parts, which we have never seen in the young of Buteo lineatus. The plate represents the adult and young of this handsome hawk. Plate II is the fully mature plumage, and Plate III the young in the plumage invariably presented in all the speci- mens in the collections of the expeditions. List of specimens. wn a 5 >| a a r) Locality. When collected.| Whence and how a é ap 3 =] Collected by— 3 obtained. 5 i) a) 3 & ig | 3 bp z= g a oO R o 4520 | © | Santa Clara, California... ----|-------------- Dr. Cooper.... ------ ----| Kennerly, and ....--...- 8524 |_---| Camp on Little Colorado, N. Mexico] Nov. 17, 1853 | Lieut. Whipple.---.--- 32 | Mollhausen_........-..- 4618 |....| Santa Isabel, California.....-...-- Oct. 29, 1854 | Major Emory.....-..- 23 | A. Schott.--.--..-..---- BUTEO PENNSYLVANICUS, Wilson. The Broad-winged Hawk. Falco pennsylvanicus, Wi.son, Am. Orn. VI, 92, (1812.) Falco latissimus, Witson, Am. Orn. VI, 92, (1812, copies printed later than those containing the preceding name.) Sparvius platypterus, Vier... Ency. Meth. III, 1273, (1823.) Falco Wilsonii, Bonar. Jour. Acad. Philad. III, 348, (1824.) ¢ Ficures.—Wilson Am. Orn. VI, pl. 54, fig. 1; Aud. B. of Am., pl. 91, Oct. ed. 1, pl. 10; Nat. Hist. New York, Birds, pl. 5, fig. 11. * Smaller than either of the preceding. dult.—Entire upper parts umber brown, feathers on the occiput and back of the neck 30 U S P. R. R EXP AND SURVEYS— ZOOLOGY— GENERAL REPORT. white at their bases. Throat white, with longitudinal lines of brown, and with a patch of brown on each side running from the base of the lower mandible ; breast with a wide band composed of large cordate and sagittate spots, and transverse bands of reddish ferruginous tinged with ashy ; other under parts white, with numerous sagittate spots of reddish on the flanks, abdomen, and tibia. In some specimens the ferruginous color predominates on all the under parts, except the under tail coverts, and all the feathers have large circular or ovate spots of white on both edges, under tail coverts white. Quills brownish black, widely bordered with white on their inner webs; tail dark brown, narrowly tipped with white, and with one wide band of white and several narrower bands near the base. Young.—Upper parts dull umber brown, many feathers edged with fulvous and ashy white ; upper tail coverts spotted with white. Under parts white, generally tinged with yellowish, and having longitudinal stripes and oblong and lanceolate spots cf brownish black ; a stripe of dark brown on each side of the neck from the base of the under mandible. Tail brown, with several bands of a darker shade of the same color, and of white on the inner webs and narrowly tipped with white. Total length, female, 17 to 18 inches; wing, 11; tail, 63 to 7inches. Male, total length, 16 to 163 inches; wing, 10 inches ; tail 6 to 64 inches. Hab.—Eastern North America. Spec. in Nat. Mus., Washington, and Mus. Acad., Philadelphia. In adult plumage this is a very handsome little hawk, and quite different in its color from any other American species. It appears to be restricted to the States on the Atlantic slope, more abundant in the north. List of specimens. & 3 Pa Measurements. 2 | 2 5 bo r Locality. When collected. | Whence obtained. a Collected by— : a ° a d a Se |B 4 4 a ‘=o eo a Pog a | x z ae (8 |lé3 ie) a fo) S| Bg |Os 5574 |...--- Saranac lake, N. Y.| August, 1855 -.-| S. F. Baird ---...-|------|-------.---0----|---2-- J--nee-|-----5 3844 | G | Prairie Mer Rouge, |..-------------- Je Wail: oe seumenllleecine |soascincbermiemae-loscaue| sencte liege Louisiana. BUTEO OXYPTERUS, Cassin. ; ‘ Buteo oxypterus, Cassin., Proc. Acad. P ilad. VII, p. 282, (18355. ) About the size of Buteo pennsylvanicus, Wilson. Bill rather long and compressed, edge of upper mandible slightly waved in its outline, but scarcely lobed ; wing long, pointed, third quill longest; tail moderate or rather short ; legs rather long, tarsus feathered in front for about one-third of its length, naked behind, naked portion in front having about fourteen narrow trans- verse scales ; claws large, strong, fully curved. Young bird.—Sex unknown. Entire plumage above dark brown, nearly black on the back. Feathers of the head white at base, and edged laterally with the same ; upper plumage with partially concealed spots and transverse bands of white. Quills nearly black, with the inner webs dark cinereous barred with brown ; tail above ashy brown, white at base and having about ten trans- verse bands of dark brown, outer feathers ashy white on their inner webs; tail beneath silky, ashy white, with a bronzed yellowish olive lustre. Behind and under the eye a stripe of rufous brown. Under parts pale yellowish white ; throat with lines and narrow stripes of brownish black, and on other under parts every feather with a large lanceolate, cordate, or circular spot of dark brown, some feathers on the flanks and sides having also some irregular bands of the same color. Nearly all the feathers on the under parts with lines of dark brown on their shafts. Quills, with their inner webs on the under surface grayish or dark ashy, and near the shafts with a bronzed olive lustre ; shafts white, (on the under surface.) Inferior coverts of the wing white, with sagittate spots of dark brown. Tibial feathers yellowish white tinged with rufous, and having irregular transverse bars of dark brown. Dimensions.—Total length (sex unknown) about 16 inches ; wing, 133 inches ; tail, 7 inches. The adult of this bird is unknown, and the only specimen that we have ever seen is that now described. It is about the size of Buteo pennsylvanicus, and bears some resemblance to the young of that species, but has the wings and legs much longer and the bill also longer. The colors, too, are different, and in the present bird the dark cinereous of the inner webs of the BIRDS-—BUTEONINAE—BUTEO: COOPERI, 31 quills and the bronzed or silky olive lustre of their inferior surfaces are quite remarkable. The exposed edges and ends of some of the secondaries in the present specimen have a distinct purple lustre. On examination and comparison with some black species from Mexico, we are not without a suspicion that the adult of this bird is of that color. The only specimen of this species is in the collection made by T. Charlton Henry, M. D., United States army, at Fort Fillmore, New Mexico, and is that which is represented in our plate. List of specimens. iS s 3 Measurements. 2 Ey a a) 3 Locality. When collected. | Whence obtained. 3 Collected by— 4 Pea 2 8 F| 2 a | S34 3s 0 i) oO ot 3 3 z 8 x |S 3 1) nm ° fas] ics) Sr 8550 |.-.--- Fort Fillmore, N. M|..-.-.---------- Dis Hen ty secre entactelc | Pace see eect eece | ene arel cee Sub-Genus Tachytriorchis. BUTEO COOPERI, Cassin. Buteo Cooperi, Cassin, Proc. Acad. Philad. VIII, 253, (1856.) About the size of Buteo borealis, but belonging to the same group as Buteo erythronotus of South America, (genus Tachytri- orchis, Kaup, as restricted by Bonaparte, Conspectus Avium, p. 17.) Bill strong ; edges of upper mandible lobed; wings long; quills very wide and strong, fourth quill longest; tail moderate ; legs rather long, tarsus feathered in front slightly below the joint, behind and remaining portion in front naked, with about 13 transverse scales in front and 11 to 13 behind, the latter running into a circular or hexagonal form towards the juint with the tibia; claws long, rather slender, very sharp, and strongly curved. Tail white at its base; external feathers, with their outer webs cinereous and their inner webs white, mottled with cinereous ; other feathers of the tail mottled and striped longitudinally with white, bright rufous, dark brown, and cinereous, darker on the outer web. The rufous color most conspicuous on the two migdle feathers and on the outer webs of others. A subterminal transverse band of dark brown, tipped with reddish and white. Head above and neck behind having the feathers white at base, tipped and with longitudinal stripes of brownish black ; oack and rump brownish black tinged with cinereous ; upper tail coverts white, transversely barred with dark brown and tinged with rufous; wing coverts and quills brownish cinereous, lighter on the quills ; coverts with concealed spots of white at their bases ; inner webs of quills white, mottled, and irregularly banded with light ashy ; exposed ends of quills light, nearly white. Under parts white, with narrow stripes of dark brown on the throat, neck and flanks ; (breast, abdomen, and under tail coverts pure white.) A large spot of brownish black on the under wing coverts next to the upper edge of the wing ; other under wing coverts white, with a few spots of dark brown. Tibial plumes tinged with reddish yellow. Bill dark bluish; tarsi and toes yellow. Total length, about 211 inches; wing, 15 inches; tail, 9 inches. This is the only species yet discovered within the limits of the United States which belongs to the group above indicated, the species of which, as restricted, are principally South American, and are, for the most part, of light colors, as in the present bird. The present bird may be easily distinguished from any other North American Buteo by its light colors. One specimen only is in the collection, and was obtained at Santa Clara, California, by J. G. Cooper, M. D. It is not in adult plumage, but is very probably sufficiently mature to indicate the adult plumage, except the colors of the tail, The latter is quite remarkable and peculiar in its colors, which are disposed in irregular longitudinal stripes, as above described. This bird is one of the most interesting and valuable of the ornithological discoveries made by the exploring and surveying expeditions. It is well represented in the plate cited above, but necessarily the figure is much reduced, and is made from the only specimen that has ever come under our notice. 32 uU. 8S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—-ZOOLOGY—-GENERAL REPORT. List of specimens. S a 6 Measurements. © 2 A &p 3 Locality. When collected. | Whence obtained. | Collected by— a as hes ra s 3 bo 3 a. | 3 3 or 8 YM a6 5 a 6 ra a |o7 8525 |.----- Santa Clara, Cal_..| October, 1856...) Dr. Cooper ......-|------|----------------|---2--|e- ee] ARCHIBUTEO, Brehm. Archibuteo, Brehm, Ists, 1828, p. 1269. Tarsi densely feathered to the toes, but more or less naked behind and then covered with scales. Wings long and wide; toes short ; claws moderate ; tail rather short, wide. Other characters very similar to those of Buteo. This genus contains six or seven species, inhabiting Europe, Asia, and North America, all birds of heavy, though robust, organization, subsisting mainly on small quadrupeds and reptiles. The species of this genus are easily recognized by their having the ¢arsi feathered. ARCHIBUTEO LAGOPUS, Gmelin. Rough-legged Hawk. Falco lagopus, Gu. Syst. Nat. I, p. 260, (1788 ) Falco plumipes, Davpin, Traite d’Orn. JI, p. 163. Falco pennatus, Cuvier, Reg. An. I, p. 323,( 817.) Archibuteo alticeps, Brenm, Vig Deutsch. I, . 40. Archibuteo planiceps, Brenm, Vég. Deutsch. I, p. 40. Figures.—Naumann, Vog. Deutsch. I, pl. 34, (adult and young.) Brehm, Vég. Deutsch. pi. IV, fig. 2, (adult.) Reichenbach, Deutschland’s Fauna, Birds, pl. XIII, fig.51, (adult.) Korner, Skandinaviska Foglar, pl. V, fig. 15, (adult.) Gould, B. of Eur. I, pl. 15, (young.) Selby Ill. pl. VII, (young.) Wilson, Am. Orn. IV, pl. XXXIII, fig. 1, (young.) Aud. B. of Am. pl. 422, fig. 2, (adult?) Tarsus densely feathered in front to the toes, naked behind ; wing long ; tail rather short. Adult.—Head above yellowish white, with longitudinal stripes of brown tinged with reddish, especially on the occiput. Back, scapular, and shorter quills pale cinereous. with partially concealed transverse bands of white and dark brown, the latter frequently predominating and giving the color on the back ; rump dark umber brown; longer quills, and wing coverts umber brown; primaries edged externally with ashy, and with a large space on their inner webs at their base, white, with a silky lustre. Under parts white ; throat with longitudinal stripes of dark brown; breast with large spots and concealed stripes of reddish brown ; abdomen, with numerous transverse narrow bands of brownish black, most conspicuous on the flanks and tinged with ashy ; tibia and tarsi barred transversely with white and dark brown, and tinged with reddish; under tail coverts white. Upper tail coverts white at base and tipped with brownish black ; tail white at base, with a wide subterminal band of black and about two other bands of black alternating with others of light cinereous. Cere and toes yellow. Under wing coverts white with spots of brownish black, and on the longer coverts with a large space of ashy brown. : Young.—Upper parts light umber brown, many feathers, especially on the head and neck behind, edged with yellowish white and pale reddish. A wide transverse band or belt on the abdomen brownish black ; other under parts yellowish white, with a few longitudinal lines and spots of brownish black. Quills ashy brown, with a large basal portion of their inner webs white ; tail at its base white, with a subterminal band of light umber brown, tip white ; tibies and tarsi pale reddish yellow, with longi- tudinal stripes and spots of dark brown. Total length, female, 21 to 23 inches; wing, 16.to 17 inches; tail, 9 inches. Male, total length, 19 to 21 inches ; wing, 15 to 16 inches ; tail, 8 to 8} inches. Hab.—All of temperate North America and Europe. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philadelphia, and Nat. Mus Washington. BIRDS—BUTEONINAE—ARCHIBUTEO SANCTI-JOHANNIS. 33 This is one of the few North American birds which appear to be absolutely identical with a species: of Europe. In both adult and young plumage, as described above, there are no char- acters whatever, so far as we can see, by which this bird can be distinguished from A. lagopus of Europe, and this identity is even more perfect in specimens from western North America. We regard the plumage first described above as undoubtedly the adult of this species, though it has never been given as such by any American author. It corresponds precisely, so far as we can see, with specimens from Europe in that stage of plumage well understood to be the adult of A. lagopus by all the German ornithologists, though apparently unknown to those of more southern and western Europe, and is figured in their works above cited. The regarding of this species as the young of A. sanctijohannis, which has been done to some extent by American naturalists, is assuredly erroneous. ; The figure in Audubon’s plate, cited above, (B. of Am., pl. 422, fig. 2,) may be regarded as very probably representing the adult of this bird, though so distorted in drawing and exagge- rated in color as to be very difficult of recognition. The best figure that we have seen of the adult is that in Nauman’s work, above cited. The young is well represented by various authors, American and European, as given above. List of specimens. : & s Measurements. z 3 Locality. When collected.) Whence obtained. a Collected by— an zs ns Remarks. a | 5 3 #/ | 2 o a ° yn | a Ee 6853 |...0.. Fort Steilacoom, W. T....; Oct. 20, 1856 | Dr. Suckley. ...... SEL 4 ssnweceneeeeen ons 21.50 | 52.50 | 16.50] Irids yellowish gray ; legs and cere yellow; bill black......ss008 8549 |...+.. Shoalwater bay, W. T....| Oct. 31, 1854 | Gov. Stevens.,..... 109 | Dr. Cooper...-..... 22.00 | 52.00 |...a0- Bill slate...se.-.seeee 8545 |...00. Bodega, Cal. ..cccccscccsloea veccsvcoeses Lieut. Trowbridge..|...... T. Ae SZAbDO.scnevcslarecerleccseslnccces|] onsces PPerereeerre ery 8546 ]...0.. Near Zui, N. M......05. Nov. 9, 1853 | Lieut. Whipple.....| 25 | Kennerly and Mdll- WAUSEN viceee seve|eccecalcceves|seesse| cose cccececccccecenss 8544 | .eeee Mimbres to Rio Grande..|..ccsceesceieees Dr. Henry. secccccsleccecs|recccccccseccenscens|svcvenlscnner|socnse! savsvcee sons ccsecavene Fort Fillmore, N. M..cseslssccesvccsvccecs Capt: PO pe vais siete iz |isiacee wpa] siavaiu isin (aieieiois wie carey nie. | esate wine|l aiarecgiers | wisiaiasahal|s ora tral gine bletane stiles eteisteleele Fort Massachusetts ....c.|scccccesenvecens Dr. Peters, sccessealecancalssvccnccesseacecaccs|sceces|secses|scecss| ceeececetsus peceea vere ARCHIBUTEO SANCTI-JOHANNIS, Gmelin. The Black Hawk. Falco sancti-johannis, Gm. Syst. Nat. I, p. 273, (1788.) Falco spadiceus, Ga. Syst. Nat. I, p. 273, (1788.) Falco nove-terre, Gam. Syst. Nat. I, p. 274, (1788.) Falco niger, Witson, Am. Orn. VI, p. 82, (1812.) Buteo ater, Vertu. Nouv. Dict. 1V, p. 482, (1816.) Figures. Wilson Am. Orn. VI, pl. 53, figs. 1,2; Aud. B, of Am. pl. 422, fig. 1; pl. 166, (young ?) Adult.—Entire plumage glossy black in many specimens with a brown tinge ; forehead, throat, and large partially concealed spot on occiput, white. Tail with one transverse well defined band of white, and irregularly marked towards the base with the same color. Quills with their inner webs white, readily seen from below. Cere and toes yellow. Tarsi densely feathered in front ; naked behind. Other specimens are entirely dark chocolate brown, with the head more or less striped with yellowish white and reddish yellow. Tail with several transverse bands of white, more or less imperfect and irregular. Young.—Upper parts light umber brown, with the feathers more or less edged with dull white and reddish yellow. Abdomen with a broad transverse band of brownish black ; other under parts pale yellowish white, with longitudinal stripes of brownish black, frequently giving the predominating color on the breast and sides; wings and tail brown, tinged with cinereous, the 5b 34 U. Ss. P. Re R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT former marked with white on their inner webs, the latter white at its base. Tarsi and tibie pale reddish yellow, spotted with brown. Total length, female, 22 to 24 inches; wing 17 to 17}, tail 9 inches. Male 20 to 22 inches ; wing 16 to 163, tail 8 to 83 inches. Hab.—Eastern and northern North America. Spec. in Nat. Mus., Washington, and Mus. Acad., Philadelphia. One of the most abundant of the birds of this family in the eastern States, and in adult plumage very easily recognized, but very variable in colors of plumage. The dark brown or chocolate colored plumage is frequently to be met with, and in that stage this bird appears to be Falco spadiceus, Gmelin. In young plumage, as described above, and especially with the wide abdominal band well defined, this bird much’ resembles the young of Archibuteo lagopus, as described immediately preceding, from which it can be distinguished by its larger size and the much more numerous dark spots on the under parts in the present bird. ARCHIBUTEO FERRUGINEUS, Lichtenstein. California Squirrel Hawk. Buteo ferrugineus, Licur. Trans. Acad. Berlin, 1838, p. 428. Archibuteo regalis, G. R. Gray, Gen. Birds, I, pl. 6, (plate only.) Buteo Californicus, Hutchins’ California Magazine, March, 1857. Figures —Gray, Genera of Birds, I, pl. 6; Cassin, B. of Cal. and Texas, I, pl. 26. Adult.—Larger than either of the two preceding ; bill wide at base ; wings long; tarsi feathered in front to the toes; naked and scaled behind. Tibia and tarsi bright ferruginous, with transverse narrow stripes of black. Entire upper parts dark brown and light rufous, the latter predominating on the rump and wing coverts; quills ashy brown, with the greater part of their inner webs white ; tail above reddish white, mottled with ashy brown ; beneath pale yellowish white. Under parts of the body white, with narrow longitudinal lines and lanceolate spots on the breast of reddish brown, and narrow irregular transverse lines of the same color and of black on the abdomen ; flanks and axillary feathers fine bright ferruginous. Young.—Entire upper parts dark umber brown, slightly mixed with fulvous ; upper tail coverts white, spotted with brown; under parts pure white, with a few longitudinal lines of brown on the breast, and sagittate spots of the same color on the sides and abaomen, larger and more numerous on the flanks ; tibie white ; tarsi dark brown, mixed with white ; under wing coverts and edges of wings white. Total length, female, 23 to 25 inches ; wing 17 to 1714, tail 9 inches. Hab.—Western North America. Spec, in Nat. Mus., Washington, and Mus. Acad., Philadelphia. This is one of the most handsome of the American Falconide, and, though known in Europe for the last twenty years, was unknown to the naturalists of this country until brought to their notice by Mr. Edward M. Kern, who was attached to Colonel Frémont’s expeditions. It is one of the largest of its group, somewhat exceeding in size both Archibuteo sanctijohannis and lagopus. As usual in this family, the adult and young of the present species are quite different, and in well characterized specimens might readily be regarded as different. Both are described and figured by us, as above. This bird is apparently exclusively western, but not restricted to the countries west of the Rocky mountains. In the present collection specimens are from Nebraska and New Mexico, as well as from California, BIRDS — BUTEONINAE—ASTURINA NITIDA. 35 List of specimens. 3 3 Measurements. 3 e a 4 a Locality. When collected. | Whence obtained. a Collected by— 3 3 cca i et & |. 8 | 2 8 3 ge] ga |} He) 0 wm oO” ra =) = 6852 © | Bodega, Cal......- February, 1855..| Lieut. Trowbridge-|....-- T, A. Szabo .....)--0---] ce nicslaoreee 6883 Q | Los Angeles valley, |....----.------- Lt. BR. S. William- |..-...| Dr. Heermann --.|......|.-..--|.--.-- California. son. 8543 o | Fort Fillmore, N. M).....-......---- DP) HGNty sccccicns lemsinicn| cca c acon seieeinelsncciecsiesees| saat 9122 |... Fort Davis, Texas-| Nov., 1854.---.- Maj. W. H. Emory- 2 | Dr. Kennerly -..| 22 54 17 5577 3 | Platte river.....-- Sept. 16, 1856_-| Lieut. Bryan.....- 338 | W. 8. Wood .---| 21.00 | 52 00 |...... 4544 | Q | Little Mo. river, | Oct. 12, 1855 ~..) Lieut. Warren.....|----~-|---------------- 25.00 | 61.25 |...-.. Nebraska. a4 ASTURINA, Vieill. Asturina, Virxtor, Analyse, p. 24, (1816.) Size.—Smaller than in the preceding two genera. General form compact, and adapted to greater activity of habits and swifter flight. Bill rather thick, strong ; cere lirge, extending somewhat into the feathers of the forehead ; wings moderate, third and fourth quills longest ; tail rather long ; legs rather long ; claws strong, fully curved. This genus contains a few species, all of which are South American. ASTURINA NITIDA, Latham. Falco nitidus, Lata. Ind. Orn. I, 41. Asturina cinerea, Vinx. Anal., p. 68, (1816.) Astur striolatus, Cuv. Reg. An. I, 332. Ficures.—Temm. Pl. Col. 87, 294; Vieill. Gal. I, pl. 20. Adult.—Upper parts light cinereous ; darker, and sometimes nearly black on the rump ; upper tail coverts white ; quills ashy brown, with obscure dark bands, and widely edged with white on their inner webs; tail brownish black, with about three transverse bands of white. Under parts with numerous narrow transverse bands of cinereous and white, the former predomi- nating and darker on the breast ; under tail coverts white ; cere and legs yellow. Young.—Entire upper parts umber brown ; darker on the rump, and much mixed with white on the head ; upper tail coverts white ; tail light brown, with about eight bands of brownish black. Under parts white, with longitudinal stripes of umber brown ; under wing and tail coverts white ; cere and legs yellow. Total length, female, about 18 inches ; wing 10, tail 7; inches. Male smaller. Hab.—Northern Mexico and South America. This handsome hawk was found in the State of New Leon, one of the most northern provinces of Mexico, by Lieutenant D. N. Couch, United States army, and very probably extends its range northward into the territory of the United States. It is a well known species of South America, List of specimens. 3 e Measurements. 6 Ey zi a = Locality. When collected. | Whence obtained. ‘ Collected by— at “3 2 x = mi 3| es 4 FA z g * iS ) 7) ° rs] es ea 4128 Q | New Leon, Mexico-|.--..- 1853..-..- Lt. D. N. Couch..-|.-----|.--------------- 17.25 | 34 00 | 10.50 36 U. & P. R. RB. EXP. AND SURVEYS— ZOOLOGY—-GENERAL REPORT. Sub-Family MILVINAE.—The Kites. Size various, usually medium or small. General form usually rather slender and not strong; wings and tail usually long; bill short, weak, hooked, and acute ; tarsi and toes usually slender and not strong, sometimes short. The birds of this group habitually feed on reptiles and other small animals, and are deficient in the strength and courage of the other groups of the falcons. NAUCLERUS, Vigors. Nauclerus, Vicors, Zool. Jour. II, p. 386, (1825.) ‘Wings and tail very long, the former pointed, the latter deeply forked. Bill short, but moderately strong ; tarsi short ; toes short. Contains three species—two American and one African. NAUCLERUS FURCATUS, Linnaeus. Tne Swallow-tailed Hawk. Falco furcatus, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 129, (1766.) Ficures.—Catesby Nat. Hist. Carolina, Birds, pl. 4; Buffon Pl. Enl. 72; Wilson Am. Orn. VI, pl. 51, fig.3; Aud. B. of Am. pl. 72. Oct. ed. I, pl. 18; Gould B. of Eur. I, pl. 30; De Kay Nat. Hist. New York, Birds, pl. 7, fig. 15. Wings and tail long, the latter deeply forked. Head and neck, under wing coverts, secondary quills at their bases, and entire under parts, white. Back, wings, and tail black, with a metallic lustre ; purple on the back and wing coverts ; green and blue on other parts. Tarsi and toes greenish blue ; bill horn color. Total length, female, 23 to 25 inches ; wing, 16 to 173 inches; tail, 14 inches. Male rather smaller. Hab.—Southern States on the Atlantic, and centrally northward to Wisconsin. Texas, (Mr. Audubon,) Wisconsin, (Dr. Hoy,) Pennsylvania, (Mr. Krider.) Accidental in Europe. Spec. in Nat. Mus., Washington, and Mus. Acad., Philadelphia. The most handsome of the North American birds of this group, and possessing very graceful flight. It is abundant in the southern States, and occasionally strays as far north as the vicinity of Philadelphia, a very fine specimen having been obtained this year (1857) near that city by Mr. John Krider. List of specimens. & g Measurements. a 3 Locality. When collected. | Whence obtained. a Collected by— i “s 2 3 3 tp q i) 3 8 ‘5 8 fe A io) n fo) ‘| rs] Ee 3754 |..e--- Prairie Mer Rouge, |---------------- QHMeR MAING: oo eel sens aceccemu ce socece ucedeladntseloosctem Louisiana. ELANUS, Savigny. Elanus, Savieny, Nat. Hist. Egypt I, p. 97, (1809.) Wings long, pointed ; tail moderate, emarginated ; tarsi short. Bill short, compressed, hooked. Size medium or small, and general form adapted to the capture of reptiles, insects, and other defenceless animals. BIRDS—BUTEONINAE—ICTINIA MISSISSIPPIENSIS. 37 ELANUS LEUCURUS, V ieillot. The White-tailed Hawk; the Black-eshouldered Hawk. Milvus leucurus, Vizrtt. Nouv. Dict. XX, 563, (1818.) Falco dispar, Temmincr, Pl, Col. I, (liv. 54, about 1824.) ‘© Falco melanopterus, Daupin.”” Bonap. Jour. Acad. Philada. V, 28. ‘* Falco dispar, Temm.’? Aud. Orn. Biog. IV, 367. Fieures.—Bonap. Am. Orn. II, pl. 11, fig. 1; Temm. Pl. Col. 319; Aud. B. of Am. pl. 352; Oct. ed. I, pl. 16; Gay, Nat. Hist. Chili, Orn. pl. 2. Adult.—Head and tail and entire under parts white. Upper parts fine light cinereous ; lesser wing coverts glossy black, which forms a large oblong patch from the shoulder ; inferior wing coverts white, with a smaller black patch. Middle feathers of the tail light ashy, uniform with other upper parts ; bill dark ; tarsi and toes yellow. Total length, female, 15} to 17 inches ; wing, 12 inches ; tail, 7 inches. Male smaller. Hab.—Southern and western States and South America. Spec. in Nat. Mus., Washington, and Mus. Acad., Philadelphia, Of this very handsome hawk four specimens are in the collection, two of which are from the neighborhood of San Francisco, California. These specimens are labelled as having been collected in the winter of 1853-’54, which fact, with others of a similar character which have come to our knowledge, show that this bird is one of several now known to inhabit a much more northern range of locality on the Pacific than on the Atlantic coast of the United States. Though found in all the States on the southern confines of the United States, the white-tailed hawk has rarely, we believe, been observed north of South Carolina. List of specimens. o : Measurements. g é 6 a a a 3 Loeality. When collected. | Whence obtained. 3 Collected by— RS 3 4 A a a a1 2 plaile is) a 6 4 a Ee 4199 | miaioiatats San Francisco, Cal_| Winter 1854~’55_| R. D. Cutts...----|------|----------------|------|------|------ 5895 eee Santa Clara, Cal...|..-.-.--.---.--- Di. COOpe? ccc uso cc cenu | eeeceesccoccuices| sacemelacedcc aces 6866 |... Tulare valley, Cal_.|.-----.--------- Lt. Williamson---.|.....- Dr. Heermann ..|....--|--.---|------ ICTINIA, Vieillot. Ictinia, Viertior, Analyse, p. 24, (1816.) General form short and compact. Bill short, tip emarginated ; wings long, pointed; tail rather short, emarginated ; tarsi short. Contains two species only—one of North and the other of South America. ICTINIA MISSISSIPPIENSIS, Wilson. Mississippi Kite. Falco mississippiensis, Witson, Am. Orn. II, p. 80, (1811.) Falco ophiophagus, Viet. Nouv. Dict. XI, 103, (1817.) “ Ictinia plumbea, Gu.”? Avp. Orn. Biog. II, 108. Fieures.—Wilson Am. Orn. III, pl. 25, fig. 1; Aud. B. of Am., pl. 117: Oct. ed. 1, pl. 17. Adult.—Upper parts of body dark lead color, nearly black on the rump; head and under parts cinereous, darkest on the abdomen ; quills and tail brownish black, the latter with a bluish or purplish lustre ; tips of secondary quills ashy white; a longitudinal stripe on each web of the primaries, chestnut rufous. . Young.—Upper parts brownish black mixed with dull rufous and white ; head and under parts dull yellowish white, with longitudinal stripes of reddish brown, darker and more numerous on the head, lighter and frequently clear rufous on the abdomen. Total length, female, about 15 inches ; wing, 11 to 11} inches ; tail, 6, inches. Male, total length, about 14 inches; wing, 11 inches ; tail, 6 inches. - Hab —Southern States, Texas, and New Mexico, (Woodhouse.) 38 U. S&S. P. RB. RB. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. Only inhabits the southern States of North America, and probably Mexico and Central America. In the southern division of #his continent this bird is represented by another species with which it has been confounded. ROSTRHAMUS, Lesson. Rostrhamus, Lesson, Traite d’Orn. I, p. 55, (1831.) Bill long, very slender, hooked and sharp at the tip; wings long, pointed ; tail rather long, emarginated ; tarsi and toes rather long ; claws very long, slender, acute. The present is the only species. ROSTRHAMUS SOCIABILIS, Vieillot. Herpetotheres sociabilis, Viexru. Nouv. Dict. XVIII, 318, (1817.) Cymindis leucopygius, Spix, Av. Bras. I, p. 7, (1824.) Rostrhamus niger, Lesson, Traite, I, 56, (1831.) Falco hamatus, ILuicer. Ficures.—Temm. Pl. Col. 61, 231; Spix. Av. Bras. 1, pl. 2. Adult.—Tail at base and under tail coverts white, all other parts black. Naked space before the eye yellow ; bill and claws black ; feet yellow. Quills and tail black, the latter narrowly tipped with ashy white. Younger.—Throat and line over and behind the eye dull yellowish white; all other parts brownish black, mixed with dull yellowish white on the undey parts. Young.—Front stripe behind the eye and throat dull reddish white; upper parts brown; many feathers edged with pale ferruginous ; under parts yellowish, with longitudinal stripes of black ; tail at the tip and at base and under tail coverts dull yellowish white ; tarsi yellowish green. Total length, female, about 16 inches; wing, 14 inches; tail, 7} inches. Male rather smaller. Hab.—Florida, (Mr. Edward Harris, Dr. Heermann.) Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada, This is a well known South American bird, first ascertained to inhabit Florida by Mr. Edward Harris, and subsequently by Dr. Heermann and Mr. Krider. It is remarkable for its very slender and hooked bill, unlike that of any other falcon, and can very easily be identified by that character. This bird undoubtedly breeds in Florida, as young specimens were obtained by Mr. Harris. It has not been ascertained to inhabit any other part of the United States. CIRCUS, Lacepede. Circus, Lacerepe, Mem. d’Inst. Paris, III, CXT, 506, (1803.) Face partially encircled by a ring or ruff of short projecting feathers, as in the owls. Head rather large ; bill short, com- pressed, curved from the base ; nostrils large ; wings long, pointed ; tail rather long, wide ; tarsi long and slender ; toes mod- erate ; claws rather slender and weak. This genus embraces about fifteen species, inhabiting all parts of the world, some of which much resemble each other. One species only is known to inhabit North America. CIRCUS HUDSONIUS, Linneus. The Harrier--The Marsh Hawk. Falco hudsonius, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 128, (1766.) Falco uliginosus, Gm. Syst. Nat. I, 278, (1788.) Falco uropogistus, Daupin, Traite d’Orn. II, 110, (1800.) ** Falco uliginosus,’? Witson, Am. Orn. VI, 67. ‘* Falco cyaneus,’? AupuBon, Orn. Biog. IV, 396. BIRDS——BUTEONINAE—CIRCUS HUDSONIUS. 39 Ficures.~—Vieill. Ois. d’Am. Sept. pl. 9; Wilson Am. Orn. VI, pl. 51, fig. 2; Bonap. Am. Orn. II, pl. 12; Aud. B. of Am. pl. 356 ; Oct. ed I, pl. 26; Sw. & Rich. Faun. Bor. Am. Birds, pl. 29. Adult.—Form rather long and slender ; tarsi long ; ruff quite distinct on the neck in front. Entire upper parts, head and breast, pale bluish cinereous ; on the back of the head mixed with dark fulvous; upper tail coverts white. Under parts white, with small cordate or hastate spots of light ferruginous ; quills brownish black, with their outer webs tinged with ashy, and a large portion of their inner webs white ; tail light cinereous, nearly white on the inner webs of the feathers, and with obscure transverse bands of brown ; under surface silky white ; under wing coverts white. Younger.—Entire upper parts dull umber brown, many feathers edged with dull rufous, especially on the neck ; under parts dull reddish white, with longitudinal stripes of brown, most numerous on the throat and neck before ; tibie tinged with reddish ; upper tail coverts white. i Young —Entire upper parts dark umber brown; upper tail coverts white. Under parts rufous, with longitudinal stripes of brown on the breast and sides; tail reddish brown, with about three wide bands of dark fulvous, paler on the inner webs. Tarsi and toes yellow. Total length, female, 19 to 21 inches ; wing 153, tail 10 inches. Male, total length 16 to 18 inches ; wing 143, tail 83 to 9 inches- _Hab.—All of North America and Cuba, (Mr. Lembeye.) Of this species, well known as one of the most common hawks inhabiting the States of the Atlantic, there are no less than fifty specimens in the collections made by the surveying and exploring expeditions. These were obtained, as will be seen-below, at various points in the western States and Territories of the republic, and other localities in North America, and show conclusively that this species is equally abundant on the coasts of the Pacific as on those of the Atlantic ocean. It inhabits also, very probably, the entire intermediate country, and may, therefore, be regarded as diffused over the whole of North America from Mexico to the Arctic regions. Specimens from all parts of the United States are precisely the same specifically, and con- stantly present the entirely different colors of the adult and young birds. Several fine speci- mens of the former are in the present collection, all of which have the under parts nearly pure white, with more or less cordate and sagittate spots of reddish fulvous, varying considerably in size and number. One specimen, No. 5161, has those spots so large and numerous on the bréast and sides that they give the predominating color to those parts. This specimen was obtained at Fort Randall, on the Missouri river, in October, 1856, by Lieutenant G. K. Warren, United States army, and is marked as a female. The flanks and under tail coverts have also large cordate spots of the same color. 40 U. 8 P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—-GENERAL REPORT. List of specimens. 3 é Measurements. 6 a zi A ec Locality. When collected. | Whence obtained. ‘3 Collected by— | “3 ; a | x eka We & | 3 § 4 |a | 8633 |------ Cape Fld¥ida....--|-----.--.----..- G. Wirdemann.-..|...---|-.-------------- 20.70 | 43. 14.25 8634 | Gf? |------ OO se ececwicce [esememeagecs cece emcee! Cosa ska soctrelsteees |sarieataceneeecice 20 45.1 | 15. 4429 |.--.-- Quasquiton, Iowa_.|_--.--....----.- Eh OC. Bidwellisci2c)-cices|sceccceenct tees | Wosiel see sees - GIT. lescciee: Selkirk Settlement_|-----.-.-------- D; Gunn osaccceselscccra | waceiiiucisccceen |awemmeleacmse conene 6862 |..--.- Bois de Sioux river.|...------------- Gov. Stevens .---- 16 | Dr. G. Suckley_-|..-..-|------|------ 5162 | G | Running Water,Mo.| Oct. 20, 1856 ...| Lieut. Warren.---_|------ Dr. Hayden.--.. 17.50 | 38.45 | 13.50 5160 | G | Cedar island, Mo --| Oct. 15, 1856 ...|.--.-- os ee eee aneedOcoscceeclanwacielismenia delsisea 5161} Q Fort Randall, Neb.|..------------.-|------ don csc ketic|-ccmeulvedelee (oe 19.13 | 42.80 | 14.45 4502 |--..-- Mouth White river, |-----.-.-------- Col. Vaughan._--.|-.-.-.|------ do.--- ---|------|------|------ Nebraska. 6958 | @ | Med. Bow mount- | July 27, 1857.--| Lieut. Bryan.-----|------ W. 8. Wood -..-|.--.--|.----.|------ ains, Nebraska. 6962 3 South Platte, Neb.| July 7, 1857....|.----- i a 284 |.2..2- ' USseudewee inte ite Vamenta | eae 6960; oO |.--..- C0 a eee eee Peres dOs.---6-2|=6 ned Olaweinisinininieie 254, |esneue dO wsccnas|enecelsnsene| meee 6961} Q |.----- dOvsceccce cul eoseen OG scecoenasueses Oz saceiseaes 256 |.--.-- do..------|------|------]---+- - 6586 | oF Pole creek, Neb...) July 26, 1856-_-.|-.---. dO ciecamsase TG2 eco COassocs54 20. 37, |--nnee 5585 3 Bridger’s Pass.-..- August, 1856 _.-|-.-.-- Omacinsewase BU: |eewne BO ccnnecot 20.25) 36. |..... 3 5588 | OQ Right fork Laramie | August 4, 1856..|...... Dannie einid 208 |....-- Ce 19.50] 38. |[.....- river. 6860 |.---.- Fort Conrad, N. M-| October, 1853...| Lieut. Whipple._--|------ Dr. Kennerly -..|.-----|------|--20- 4126 |..-... Brownsville, Texas-|..-.------------ Lieut) Couehin oa) Saesiaclemerceeenetiodrees| seemed eaccceleckeias 4125 |zoon0~ Matamoras, Texas--|...-------------|------ DO isicicinisnin che] seme | sores ceca oces | seoees| sees eeemiee 5548 j....-. San Elizario, Texas.| December, 1854.| Major Emory...... 4 | Dr. Kennerly -..| 19. 42.00 | 14.00 4990 |._..-- Mouth of Delaware | Sept. 7, 1854....| Captain Pope -.... TBO) |eescsescesie we 19. 40. 13.50 creek. 6858 |.--.-- Mimbres to Rio |...--.----.----- Di Henry svicsinieine|awisiais| Jar esenepeowme sel aa Ree eee Per ae Grande. 6859 |....-- Rocky mountains..|---------------- E. G. Beckwith ... 4 | Mr. Kreutzfeldt-|.....-| ....-|------ 5851] QO Fort Steilacoom...) August, 1856 ...| Dr. Suckley.....-- 651 \ococoesceemecnc. 21, aT. || werswie a 4873 | 3 Ft. Dalles, Oregon.| August 22, 1855-./...... Ose seeeticc VBT | reciain Saciemicaineticis 18.50 | 42.75 | 13.75 6861] BodePa, Calas coac|eoesucecsciuncse Lieut. Trowbridge-|-.---. Ty (Ave BZA DOs iacosfueceae eee eec|soowes 6869 |-.-.-- San Francisco, Cal.|...-.------.---- BD Cutise. scccalescionlecoetewsesiiemwel amoeke diswoas! wemwas 6868 | Q Tulare valley -..-.|---------------- Lieut. Williamson -|....-- Dr. Heermann .-.|.--..-}---. es eee BIRDS—AQUILINAE—AQUILA CANADENSIS. 4] Sub-Family AQUILINAE.—The Eagles. Size large, and all parts very strongly organized. Bill large, compressed, straight at base, curved and acute at tip; wings long, pointed ; tail ample, generally rounded ; tarsi moderate, very strong ; claws curved, very sharp and strong. There are about seventy species of eagles, of all countries. AQUILA, Moehring. Aquila, Morurine, Av. Gen. p. 49, (1752.) General form large and very strong, and adapted to long continued and swift flight. Bill lurge, strong, compressed, and hooked at the tip ; wings long, pointed; tarsi rather short, very strong, feathered to the toes; claws sharp, strong, curved. This genus includes about twenty species, whizh are regarded as the true eagleg. AQUILA capensis, Linnaeus. The Golden Eagle; The Ring Tailed Eagle. Falco canadensis, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 125, (1766.) * Faico niger, Gu. Syst. Nat. I, 259, (1788?) Aquila nobilis, Pauas, Zoog. Ross. As, I, 338, (1811?) Fieures.—Wilson Am. Orn. pl. 55, fig, 1; Aud. B. of Am. pl. 181; Oct. ed. I, pl. 12. Adult.—Large ; tarsi densely feathered to the toes. Head and neck behind light brownish fulvous, varying in shade in different specimens, frequently light orange fulvous, generally darker. Tail at base white, which color frequently occupies the greater part of the tail; other terminal portion glossy black. All other parts rich purplish brown, frequently very dark, and nearly clear black on the under parts of the body. Primaries shining black ; secondaries purplish brown; tibie and tarsi brownish fulvous, generally mixed with dark ashy ; cere and toes yellow. Younger.—Entire plumage lighter, and mixed with dull fulvous; under parts of the body nearly uniform with the upper parts Total length, female, 33 to 40 inches, wing about 25, tail about 15 inches. Male, total length 30 to 35 inches, wing 20 to 23, tail 12 to 14 inches. : Hab.—All of North America. Spec. in Nat. Mus., Washington, and Mus. Acad., Philadelphia. The golden eagle, or ring tailed eagle, as it is more commonly called, inhabits the whole of North America. It has usually been regarded as the same as the European, but presents points of difference, which are very probably sufficient to warrant the original distinctive appellation given by Linnaeus. List of specimens. ie 3 6 Measurements. $ a a a g Locality. When collected. | Whence obtained. | 3 Collected by— ai a es 8 s & | 8 tb a | 8 = ei¢é S a ° A cs} Ee 9124 j...... Fort‘lhor, Ni M..|..-0-sssenesee2| Dri J. Cy Menty ani: |scceic|seemccac acters seecw clic ced eemeen 91211) © Washington, D. C -| Dec. 26, 1857...) Benjamin Cross..--|..---.]---------------- 36.25 | 86.00 | 25.00 1 Weight, 9 pounds. 6 b 42 : U. & P. R. RB. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—-GENERAL REPORT. HALIJAETUS, Savigny. Haliaetus, Savieny, Hist. Nat. d’Egypt, I, p. 85, (1809.) Size large ; tarsi short, naked, or feathered for a short distance below the joint of the tibia and tarsus, and with the toes covered with scales; toes rather long ; claws very strong, curved, very sharp. BillJarge, very strong, compressed ; margin of upper mandible slightly lobed; wings. long, pointed ; tail moderate. General form very robust and powerful ; flight very rapid and long continued. a This genus contains ten or twelve species only, inhabiting various parts of the world, all of which subsist more or less on fishes, and are designated fishing or sea eagles. HALIAETUS PELAGICUS, Pallas. ‘The Northern Sea Eagle. Aquila pelagica, Pau. Zoog. Ross. As. 1, p. 343, (1811.) Falco imperator, Kirriitz, Kupf. Nat. Vog. I, p, 3, (1832.) . Falco leucopterus, Temm. Pl. Col. I, (not paged.) Ficures.—Temm. Pl. Col. I, pl. 489; Cassin B. of Cal. and Texsfiijl, pl. 6. The largest of all the eagles. Wings rather shorter than usval in this genus; tail wedge shaped, and containing fourteen feathers, Adult.—Large frontal space ; greater wing coverts ; abdomen and tail white. All other parts of the plumage dark brown, or brownish black ; bill and legs yellow. _ Younger.—Tail white, more or less marked with brownish black ; quills black ; secondaries and tertiaries white at their bases ; bill and feet yellow. All other parts dull brownish black, lighter on the head and neck. Total length, fernale, about 45 inches, wing 26 inches, tail 16 inches. Hab.—Russian American islands, (Pallas,) Japan, (Temminck & Schlegel.) Bane: in Mus. Acad., Philadelphia. The largest of the eagles. This enormous and powerful bird inhabits the Russian American islands and the coasts of the two continents at Behring’s straits, and very probably extends its range southward. It is strictly a fishing eagle, mainly deriving its subsistance from the sea, but occasionally capturing birds and quadrupeds. It is stated by Pallas to rear its young in northeastern Asia. : HALIAETUS WASHINGTONII, Audubon. . The Washington Eagle. Falco Washingtonii, Aup. Orn. Biog. 1, 58, (1831.) Falco Washingtoniana, Avp. Loudon’s Mag. I, p. 115, (1828.) Fiavres.—Aud. B. of Am. pl. 11, (published 1827,) Oct. ed. I, pl. 13.” Rather larger than H. leucocephalus ; bill shorter, and more abruptly curved; wings long. Entire plumage dark brown, mixed with dull falvous ; quills nearly black ; tail dark brown, more or less mottled with white, especially at the base. Bill dark ; tarsi yellow. Total length about 43 inches, wing 32, tail 15 inches. ‘“ Extent of wings 10 feet 2 inehes,’”? (Audubon.) Hab.—Kentucky. Throughout North America? ‘Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philad.? This eagle is stated by Mr. Audubon to have been discovered by himself in Kentucky, and a figure of the first, and apparently the only, specimen that ever came into his possession is given in his plate, cited above. In this figure the transverse scales on the front of the tarsi are repre- sented in a manner which has never been observed since in any North American eagle. ‘hese are continued (in the plate alluded to) without interruption to the toes—a character quite unusual in any rapacious bird. There are, however, very probably two species of white headed eagles inhabiting North America, one of which is, we suspect, the bird now under consideration. The larger has the pa ag cee ee 43 bill much the shorter, and very nearly as represented in Audubon’s plate. In fact, we have seen several specimens, always of large size, which have agreed precisely with his figure in all respects, except the scales of the tarsi. ‘Several specimens of the larger bird are now before us, all of which were obtained in New Jersey, and are described above. It is, we suspect, a more southern bird than the common white headed eagle. : HALIAETUS ALBICILLA, Linneus. The Gray Sea Eagle; The European Sea Eagle. Vultur albicilla, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 123, (1766.)- Falco ossifraga et melanaetos, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 124, (1766.). $ ‘ Haliaetus groenlandicus, Brrum, Vég. Deutsch. I, 16, (1831.) ‘ Ficures.—Selby Ill. Brit. Orn, pl. 3; Gould B. of Eur. I, pl. 10. Large; wings long; tail rather short. Adwlt.—Tail white ; head and neck pale yellowish brown, in some specimens very light ; all other parts of the plumage dark umber brown; quills nearly black ; bill, feet, and irides yellow. Younger.—Bill brownish black ; entire plumage dark brown, with the tail mottled with white, much varying in extent ; throat paler, frequently nearly white ; irides brown. Total length, female, 35 to 40 inches ; wing, 25 to 28 inches ; ; tail, 12 to 15 inches. Bus total length, 31 to 34 inches ; wing, 22 to 25 inches ; tail, 1]4 to 13 inchés. Hob.—Greenland. Europe. Spec. Mus. Acad. Philadelphia. This eagle, which is common on the coasts of Europe, and rears its young in cliffs on the sea ‘shore, we give as an inhabitant of Greenland. It has never been noticed in any more southern locality on the continent of America. We. have had no sufficient opportunity: of examining specimens ; in fact, have seen but a single one represented to be from that country, which was, unfortunately, that of a young bird. HALIAETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS, Linnaeus. The Bald Eagle; The White-headed ‘Eagle. Falco leucocephalus, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 124, (1.766.) Falco pygargus, Davpin, Traite d’Orn. II, 62, (1800.) Falco ossifragus, Witson, Am. Orn. VII, 16, (1813.) Freures.—Catesby’s Carolina I, pl. 1; Vieill. Ois. O’Am, Sept. 1, pl. 3; Wilson Am. Orn IV, pl. 36, VI, pl. 55; Aud. B. of Am., pl. 31, 126: Oct, ed. I, pl. 14. : Large, but smaller than either of the preceding eagles. Bill large, strong, straight at base, rather abruptly hooked ; wings Jong; tarsi rather short. . Adult.—Heaa, tail, and its upper and under coverts white. Entire other plumage brownish black, generally with the edges of the feathers paler ; bill, feet, and irides yellow. . : Younger.—Entire plumage, including head and tail, dark brown ; paler on the throat ; edges of the feathers paler or fulvous, especially on the under parts; tail more or less mottled with white, which color in more advanced age extends over a large portion of the tail, especially on the inner webs. Bill brownish black ; ; irides brown. Total length, female, about 35 to 40 inches ; wing, 23 to 25 inches; fail, 14 to 15 inches. Male, 30 to 34 inches; wing, 20 to 22 inches; tail, 13 to 14 inches. ' : Hab.—All of temperate North America, Accidental in Europe. Greenland. Iceland. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada, and Nat. Mus. Washington. This is one of the most handsome birds of the family of eagles and is the best known, especially.as it has received the high honor of having been adopted as the heraldic represen- tative of the great confederacy of the United States. This eagle possesses extraordinary swift- * 44 U. 8S. P. R, R. EXP dae —o0toer—cummeat REPORT. \ ness and vigor of flight, and is essentially a fisherman,.though not at all exclusively so, preying for much the greater part on living animals. It inhabits all parts of the United States, and is apparently common at more northern localities on the Pacific than on the Atlantic ocean. List of specimens. F “ Measurements. 3 c : . 5 iJ % = Locality. When collected. | Whence obtained. Fe | Collected by— a 4 ’ Bg ‘S se | 2 | P 5 B = co) md tS i) B- 6 4 2 a 9125.|.....- Fort Steilacoom_..|....---2--------| Gov. I. I. Stevens -|.-..-- Dr. Suckley...--|.-----|.-----]----- a 9126 © |ssecea GOn ciewee spo ameoeeGeaecee edeoe (i (ona eee 68> i\cocesddOweceeuee 43.50 | 88.00 | 24.75 9130 | Q_ | Shoalwater bay._--|----...---------|---.-- AO seyidseses 53 | Dr. Cooper--...- 37.00 | 87.50 |-..... PANDION, Savigny. Pandion, Savieny, Hist. Nat. d’Egypt, I, p. 95, (1809.) Wings very long; general form heavy and not adapted to vigorous nor swift flight like the preceding eagles. Bill short, curved from the base, compressed ; tarsi very thick and strong, and covered with small circular scales; claws large, curved, ‘very sharp ; toes beneath very rough ; tail moderate or rather short. This genus contains three or four species only, nearly allied to each other, and inhabiting all temperate regions of the world. PANDION CAROLINENSIS, Gmelin. The Fish Hawk; The American Osprey. Falco carolinensis, Gm. Syst. Nat. 1, 263, (1788.) Aquila piscatrix, Vieri. Ois. d’Am. Sept. I, 29, (1807.) Pandion americanus, Viriiu. Gal. Ois. I, 33, (1825.) Falco haliaetus, Linn. Witson, Am. Orn. V, 14. Falco haliaetus, Linn. Avup. Orn. Biog. I, 415. Ficures.—Catesby’s Carolina, I, pl. 2; Vieill. Ois. d’Am. Sept. I, pl. 4; Wilson Am. Orn. V, 37; Aud. B. of Am. pl. 81: Oct. ed. I, pl. 15; Nat. Hist. New York, Birds, pl. 8, fig. 18. « Wings long ; legs, toes, and claws very robust and strong. Adult.—Head and entire under parts white ; stripe through the eye, top of the head, and upper parts of the body, wings and tail, deep umber brown, tail having about eight bands of blackish brown ; breast with numerous cordate and circular spots of pale yellowish brown ; bill and claws bluish black ; tarsi and toes ~ greenish yellow. = Young.—Similar to the adult, but with the upper plumage’ edged and tipped with pale brownish nearly white. Spots on breast more numerous and darker colored. . Total length, female, about 25 inches; wing, 21 inches ; tail, 103 inches. Maléfather smaller. Hab.—Throughout i dei North America. Apparently nearly-as abundant on the Pacific as on the Atlantic coast of the United States, but evidently migrating in the summer further north on the former than on the latter. This occurs, however, in numerous species of birds. One specimen,’ obtained by- George Suckley, M. D., at Fort Steilacoom, Puget Sound, Washington Territory, is that of a young bird, and is of especial interest, showing that this species, rears its- young and is quite at home at the latitude of that locality. There are no BIRDS—AQUILINAE —POLYBORUS THARUS. 45 appreciable specific differences between specimens from all parts of North America, and we may be allowed to add, very slight between those of this country and of Europe and Asia. List of specimens. 3 : : Measurements. ° a) #° ae A, Z Locality. When collected. | Whence obtained. | J Collected by— s s es 3S a] + q ep 2. qa | 2|a4 eo mn io) 4 oo _E 4366+ 3 Bt. Steilacoom, W.T|} May, 1855.-.... Mr. Geo. Gibbs...-| 181 |.--------------- 23.00 | 64.50 |.-.--- b880 Gascca| acess! WG sisiwceisncaie Oct. 2, 1856 _...| Dr. Geo, Suckley..} 589 |....------------ 22.25 | 64.50 | 19.50 6872 |...--- Sacramento, Cal..-|--...----------- Lieut. Williamson .|.....- Dr. Heermann --|.-----|----- jellies 4616 |.-----| Colorado river, Cal-|.-.----.-------- Major Emory--.---|- ponige|seestensad Pee eee eens eee ar 6844 |.---.- Ft. Fillmore, N. M.|...-----.------- Dre Henry rede eel acanre| sew seemeniieieda|ioceoc|secemsiteones POLYBORUS, Vieillot. Polyborus, Vieitior, Analyse, p. 22, (1816.) Smaller than in either of the preceding geriera of eagles. Bill rather long, compressed ; cere large ; wings long, pointed ; tail moderate or rather long ; tarsi long, rather slender ; claws long, rather weak, and but slightly curved ; space in front of and below the eye naked. Two species only form this genus, both of which, in their habits and manners, show an approximation to the vultures. They are well known birds of South America. POLYBORUS THARUS, Molina. : The Caracara Eagle; The Mexican Eagle. Falco tharus, Mou. Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, (1732.) Falco cheriway, Jacquin, Beyt. Gesch. der Vog. p. 17, (1784.) Falco brasiliensis, Gu. Syst. Nat. I, 262, (1788.) Falco plancus, Mituer, Cimelia Physica. Polyborus vulgaris, Viet. Nouv. Dict. V, 257, (1816.) . ’ Figures.—Vieill. Gal. I, pl, 7; Swains. Zool. Ill. I, pl, 2; Gay’s Chili, Orn. pl. 1-; Aud. B. of Am. pl. 161: Oct. ed. I, pl. 4. Legs rather long, occipital feathers somewhat elongated. Adult.—Head-and body above and wide belt on the abdomen and tibie brownish black ; neck, breast, upper and under tail coverts yellowish white, on the breast with | narrow transverse bands of black. Tail white at base, with numerous transverse bands of, black and widely tipped with black ; bill bluish tipped with yellowish white ; legs yellow. Younger.—Head and body above dull brown, darker on the head, and many feathers ‘hevias paler edgings ; under parts dark brown, with longitudinal stripes of dull yellowish white ; throat dull white ; tail for the greater part and dts coverts above and below white with numerous transverse bands of ashy brown, and tipped with brownish black. Total length, female, about 25 inches ; wing, 17 inches ; tail, 10 inches. Hab.—Southern North America. Florida. Texas. Mexico. Spec. in Nat. Mus. Washington, and Mus. Acad. Philadelphia. One of the most abundant of the rapacious birds of South America. It is of frequent occurrence also in Mexico and Texas, and is found also in Florida. This bird is more sluggish in its habits than is usual in this family, and may belong more properly to the family of vultures. It subsists mainly on dead animals, and walks on the ground with facility. 46 U. S&S. P. RB. BR. EXP, AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. List of specimens. 2 : Measurements. s | ® & a zy Locality. When collected. | Whence obtained. | Collected by— | 4 as S | a S Aja | 4248 |...... Caleasieu, La......| 1854.....-.-.-- G. Wurdemann ...|.-----|-------+--------|------|------]------ 4122*/_..... Monterey, Mexico-|.-------------.- Lieut. D. N. Couch.|..-.--|---------------- Iesonan 47,25 | 15.50 9136 |----.- Wexasicccnmaosacienl aseeeenteclseese Major Emory....--|------ A. Schott......-]------|------|------ 9137 |...--- New Mexico sosws=)ssseeceesesccane Dr. T. ©. Henrys.-|---2n|-enwceaceeeeoese| scot ee eee ogeece 7994 |...... Mezico_....-.-.-.. Sept., 1836.-.-- J. Gould swesessee|eecne Js Taylor scncieine|-in'sicice|onevis<|encese ‘ * Tris, light brown ; bill, blue; feet, yellow. CRAXIREX, Gould. Crazirex, Goutp, Voy. Beagle, Birds, p. 22, (1841.) Size smaller than the preceding ; legs long ; tarsi and toes strong.” Bill rather long, abruptly curved at the tip ; edges of upper mandible festooned ; wings and tail long. Tarsi with wide transverse scales in front ; claws moderate. CRAXIREX UNICINCTUS, Temminck. Harris* Buzzard. Falco unicinctus, Tem. Pl. Col. I, (not paged, liv. 53 about 1827.) Buteo Harrisii, Aupuson, Orn. Biog. V, 30, (1839.) Polyborus taeniwrus, Tscuup1, Fauna Peruana? Craxirex galapagoensis, Govtp, Voy. Beagle, Birds, p. 23? Fieures.—Temm, Pl. Col. 313; Aud. B. of Am. pl. 392: Oct. ed. I, pl. 5; Tschudi, FaunaPer. Orn. pl. 1? ; Voy. Beagle, Birds, pl. 2?. Adult.—Shoulders, wing coverts, and tibie reddish chestnut ; upper and under tail coverts white, tail white at base and tipped with white, presenting the appearance of a very wide band between of brownish black with a violet tinge. Body above and below dark brown, in some specimens nearly black on the under parts. Younger.—Upper parts dull umber brown, much mixed with fulvous; shoulders chestnut red, spotted with dark brown ; entire under parts yellowish white, with large oblong and circular spots of brown; upper and under tail coverts white; tail brown, with many bands of a deeper shade Of the same color, and with the inner webs yellowish and reddish white ; base and tip of tail yellowish white. Total length, female, 22 to 24 inches; wing, 15 inches ;’ tail, 10 inches. Male, total length, 20 inches; wing, 13 to 14 inches ; tail, 9 to 94 inches. Hab.—Southern States, Mexico, South America. ‘Spec. in Nat. Mus. Washington,-and Mus. Acad. Philada. The observations of naturalists attached to the late expeditions demonstrate this bird to be of | common occurrence in Texas, on the Rio Grande. It is a dull and heavy bird in its habits, and subsists for the greater part on dead animals. This bird appears to belong to the genus Crawirex, as given by Mr. Gould, if not identical: with his species. BIRDS—STRIGINAE—STRIX PRATINCOLA. 47 List of specimens. ro) : Measurements. ° } # : : . cA a z Locality. When collected. | Whence obtained. | Collected by— & 43 21: © % | 3 | & £ 4 : 2 q o He S | a S 4 a = 4123 |....-- Brownsville, Texas.|....------------ Listy Cotelt..knc2|sscsaclacoeeteusosecese|Lesecsl cores nae 9135 |..-.-- Oyster Point,Texas-| Sept., 1853.-..- Major Hmory:aseoetscccna|sacse cece eas |aese cs scceceiocsaes 9134 |...... New Mexico -...-- Feb. 27, 1854...) Lieut. Whipple....| 179 | Kennerly and |....-.|------ [aniniaiess Molihausen. Family STRIGIDAE. The Owls. Form usually short and heavy, with the head disproportionately large, and frequently furnished with erectile tufts of feathers resembling the ears of quadrupeds. General organization adapted tosvigorous and noiseless but not rapid flight, and to the capture of animals in the morning and evening twilight. i Eyes usually very large, directed forwards, and in the greater number of species formed for seeing by twilight, or in the night. Bill rather strong, curved, nearly concealed by projecting bristle-like feathers ; wings generally long ; outer edges of" primary quills fringed ; legs generally rather short, and in all species, except in one Asiatic genus, (Ketupa,) more or less. feathered, generally densely. Cavity of the ear very large. Face encircled by a more or less perfect disc of short rigid feathers, which, with the large eyes, gives to those birds an entirely peculiar and frequently cat-like expression. Female larger than the male. . There are about one hundred and fifty species of owls, which are found in all parts of the world, of which about forty are inhabitants of the continent of America and its islands. The larger species subsist on small quadrupeds and birds, but much the majority almost exclusively prey on insects. Though much the larger number are nocturnal, a few species are strictly diurnal, and in their habits seem to approach the birds of the preceding family. Sub-Family STRIGINAE.—T y picad Owls. Size medium; never very large. Head large; facial disc perfect; bill rather.long ; eyes rather small for this family ; legs rather long, fully feathered to. the toes. STRIX, Linnaeus. Striz, Linwagvs, I, p. 131, (1766.) Head large, without ear tufts; eyes rather small; facial disc perfect, and very conspicuous; wings long; tarsi long ;. tail rather short ; toes and claws rather long. This genus contains about twelve species of all parts of the world. STRIX PRATINCOLA, Bonaparte. The Barn Owl. Strix pratincola, Bonar. Comp. List, p. 7, (1838.) . Strix Americana, Aup. Orn, Biog. TI, p. 421, (1834, not of Gmelin 1788.) « Ficores.—Wilson, Am. Orn. VI, pl. 50, fig. 25 Aud. B. of Am., pl. 171:,Oct. ed. I, pl. 34; Nat. Hist. New York, Birds, pl. 13, fig. 28. 48 U. S P. R. R EXP, AND SURVEYS—-ZOOLOGY—-GENERAL REPORT. Entire upper parts pale fawn color, or tawny brownish yellow, frequently very pale, nearly every feather with a small sub- terminal black spot succeeded by another of white. Under parts generally pale fawn color, but frequently pure white, with small lanceolate and circular spots of brownish black ; under coverts of wings and tail white ; quills fawn colored ; primaries with about five irregular transverse bars of brownish black ; tail with about four or five bands of dark brown. Face white ; spots of dark chestnut brown around the eyes. Irides brownish black ; bill, toes, and claws light yellowish. Total length, female, 16 inches, wing 13, tail 5} inches. Male rather smaller. Hab.—Throughout temperate North America. Spec. in Nat. Mus., Washington. All the specimens in the present collection are from California. They exhibit the variety in shades of color, especially on the under parts of the body, which is usually to be observed in this species ; some specimens having these parts perfectly white, and others different shades of pale buff or fawn color. There is, however, no American species of this family more easily recognized, Some specimens from the western countries of North America which have come under our notice have the greater portion of the quills very pale colored, occasionally nearly white; and these specimens have, too, usually the under parts white. This is the case with specimens No. 4349 in Lieutenant Trowbridge’s collection, and No. 6885 in that of Lieutenant Williamson. This bird, in the plumage just referred to, approximates quite closely to Strix furcata, (Tem- minck Pl. Col, 432,) a species from the West India islands, and cannot readily be distinguished from it by any character, except a greater degree of whiteness in the West India bird. The two species, if such they are, will, however, bear careful comparison. List of specimens. 3 Measurements. $ 2 Po 4 zy Locality. When collected. | Whence obtained. a: Collected by— d 4 . is) a is) 4 cs] Ee 4349 |.....- Presidio; ‘Calls jj juclaceacsciscicicsincis Lieut. "Trow bridgesc| sas