JONATHAN -DWIGHT¥r

|S) eb

TO TE

WATER BIRDS

OR Ta bORTDA.

BY f

x! Cc
CHARLES B. CORY,

Curator of the Department of Ornithology in the Field Columbian Museum, Chicago; Fellow of the
Linnean and Zoological Societies of London; Member of the American Ornithologists’
Union; of the British Ornithologists’ Union; Honorary Member of the

California Academy of Sciences, etc., etc.

AUTHOR OF

“THE BEAUTIFUL AND CURIOUS BIRDS OF THE WORLD,” ‘“ THE BIRDS
OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS,” “ THE BIRDS OF HAITI AND SAN
DomiInGco,” “ THE BIRDS OF THE WEST INDIES,” “A NATU-
RALIST IN THE MAGDALEN ISLANDS,” etc., etc.

BOK SATE EY
BRAD LEE WELD DEN,
BOSTON, MASS:
S96.

Copyright, 1896, by
CHARLES BS CORY,
Boston, Mass.

v

THE BARTA PRESS,
BOSTON.

INO DUCTION TO) BIRD AGEY.

IN preparing the present Key, I have striven to make it as simple
and non-technical as possible, my object being to enable any one
totally unfamiliar with birds to identify with comparative ease any
species of the Florida water birds. Let us assume, for example, that
a young man has killed a duck and wishes to identify it: he turns
over a few pages of the Key until he finds a figure of a bird which
resembles his. He then measures his specimen and finds that the
length of his bird is 16 inches and the length of the wing is 7.40
inches. He finds that the ducks are divided into groups, and the
group to which his duck would seem to belong was the one com-
prising birds having a lobe or flap on the little hind toe, the belly
white, and which show more or less white or grayish white on the
head. In this group he finds there are eleven species, but only four
of them which approximate near enough in size to by any possibility
be his duck. These are the Ruddy Duck, the two Scaup Ducks,
and the Ring-necked Duck. Upon reading the description of these
birds he finds that, as his duck is not chestnut and the tail feathers
are not stiff and pointed, it cannot be the Ruddy Duck. Of the three
remaining species two have the speculum white, the third has it gray.
As his duck has the speculum gray it must, therefore, be a female
Ring-necked Duck. To be absolutely positive of this he turns over
to the latter part of the Key as indicated by ‘* See page” so and so,
at the end of each species: he will then be able to read a full,de-
scription of the bird and so remove any doubt as to the correct identi-
fication of the species. .

All measurements of birds are given in inches and fractions of an
inch. The following diagrams will illustrate how a bird should be
measured, and the chart will be useful to the young student of
ornithology who may not be familiar with the technical terms used
in describing birds. The sexes are indicated by the signs of Mars
and Venus: the male, of course, being given that of Mars, g, and
diefemale ro.

MEASUREMENTS.

LENGTH. — Distance in a straight line from the end of the bill to the tip
of the longest tail feather. Occasionally the middle feathers are much
elongated, as in Phaethon and Stercorartus.

WING. — Distance from the carpal joint (bend of the wing) to the tip of
the longest primary.

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

BILL. — The distance in a straight line from where the bill (upper mandible)
joins the skin of the forehead (A) to the tip (B). (There area few ex-
ceptions to this rule, such as birds with frontal plate, etc. Some curved
pills are measured along the curve of the cw/men, but in cases of this kind
it should always be so stated. )

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

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

Birds vary so much in size that the length of any one specimen cannot
be accepted as a standard for others of the same species. The length measure
is, nevertheless, of value to enable us to form an approximate idea of the size
of the bird; the length of the wing is much less variable and is an im-

portant aid to the identification of certain species.

Under.Primary Coverts

» Primaries

Superciliary Stripe

Forehead: Ga :
Upper Mandible Lores,_! F ey
%, Nostril’ Occiput Speculum

-Ear Coverts (auriculars)

“Culmen i

Lower Méndiblé :
Gapet Ohin Xx) alee Side of Neck

Cheek
Throat ~ Interscapular Region
Eye Scapulars
Tugulum-- zB re :
Carpal Joint---
~ Rump
Breast.:

Lertials

Lesser Wing Coverts”

Upper Tail Coverts
Middle Wing Coverts-~ a

Greater Coverts ~~ —
Sides- 5
Abdomen ~
Secondaries- >= ~
Flanks’ . Coverts
Nasal Tubes

Primaries

Unguis
. First Primary

Hind Toe

GLOSSARY

Nearly all the terms used in describing a bird may be more easily
and clearly understood by examining the accompanying figure than from
a written description; a few, however, may, perhaps, require a word of
explanation.

MANDIBLES. — Some authors use the word maxi//a for the upper half of
the bill, and mandible for the lower. I prefer, however, to describe the
two halves of the bill as wpper and lower mandible.

CULMEN. — The ridge of the upper mandible.

GONYS. — Lower outline (middle) of under mandible.

UNGUIS.— The nail on the end of the upper mandible ; very pronounced
in several families of water birds,-— Ducks, Pelicans, and Petrels.

AXILLARS or AXILLARY PLUMES. — Several elongated feathers at
the junction of the wing and body (Lat. axi//a, the arm-pit).

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

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

SUPERCILIARY STRIPE. — Stripe over the eye.

Length

Tarsus .

Tail

1 ais

TO THE

WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

EFaniex PCODICIPID A. GREBES.

Colymbus auritus. Podilymbus podiceps. Podilymbus podiceps.

Length, 13.40; Wing, 5.40; Tarsus, 1.70; Bill, .90. _Colymbus auritus.
Horned Grebe. See page 53

Length, 13.50: Wing, 5; Tarsus, 1.45; Bill, .go. Podilymbus podiceps.
Pied=-billed Grebe. See page 54

IO KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Faminy URINATORIDA. Loons— Divers,

Urinator imber ( foot ). Urinator lumme.

Length, 31; Wing, 14; Tarsus, 3.35; Bill, 2.75. Urinator imber.

Loon — Great Northern Diver.
See page 55

Leneth, 24; Wing, 10.75; Tarsus, 2.75; Bill, 2. Urinator lumme.
Red-throated Loon.
Red-throated Diver.
See page 56

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. Tet

Famity STERCORARIIDA. JAEGERS.

Stercorarius parasiticus (adult ). Stercorarius parasiticus ( immature ).

Stercorarius parasiticus (foot ).

Central tail feathers elongated in the two following species :

Length, 17; Wing, 13; Tail (adult), about 8.40; Tail
(immature), about 6; Bill, 1.20. Stercorarius parasiticus.
Parasitic Jaeger. See page 57

Length, 20.50; Wing, 12.25 ; Tail (adult), about 12.50;
immature, about 6; Bill, 1.10. Stercorarius longicaudus.
Long-tailed Jaeger. See page 58

2 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Famity LARID/®. GuLLS AND TERNS.

SUBFAMILY LARIN. Guw.tts.

yy Sd P
LE eee E “ on Est $
a
\
y
oe
Larus argentatus smithsonianus. Larus atricilla.
Length, 29; Wing, 18; Tail, 8; Bill, 2.40. Larus marinus.
Great Black-backed Gull.
See page 59
Length, 24; Wing, 17.50 Tail, 7.50; Bill, 2.10. Larus argentatus smithsoni-

anus.
American Herring Gull.

See page 60
Length, 18.40; Wing, 14; Tail, 6; Bill, about 1.65.

In summer, bill yellowish banded with black ;
in winter, tipped with dark brown. Larus delawarensis.
Ring-=billed Gull. See page 60

Length, 16.50; Wing, 12.50; Tail, 5; Bill, about 1.75.
Adult —head and throat plumbeous in summer,
whitish in winter; bill reddish. Larus atricilla.

Laughing Gull. See page 61

Length, 13.50; Wing, 10.40; Tail, 4.15; Bill,
1.30. Adult in summer,— bill black ; head and
neck plumbeous ; feet orange red; in winter, bill
black; head and neck white; feet flesh color, Larus philadelphia.

Bonaparte’s Gull. See page 61

KEY TO THE

SuBFAMILY STERNINZA.

WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 13

TERNS.

Sterna maxima.

Length, 21; Wing, 16; Tail, 6.10: Tarsus, 1.80 ;
Bill, 3. Bill deep red; primaries dark slate
color on inner webs.

Length, 19; Wing, 14; Tail, 7.10; Bill, 2.40. Bill
orange or yellow; back pearl gray; under parts
white.

Length, 17; Wing, 11.50; Tail, 7.20; Bill, 1.70. Bill
black; back and upper parts brownish black ;
under parts white.

Length, 15.50; Wing, 10.50; Tail, 5.60; Bill, 2.1o.
Bill black tipped with yellow ; back pearl gray;
under parts white.

Length, 15; Wing, 10.30; Tail, 5.50; Bill, 1.45; Tar-
sus, .70 to .So. Adult in summer — Bill red tipped
with black; feet red ; under parts ashy. Adult
in winter — under parts white; bill brownish black;
Outer web of outer tail feather darker than
inner web at all seasons.

Sterna fuliginosa.

Sterna tschegrava.

Caspian Tern. See page 62

Sterna maxima.

Royal Tern. See page 63

Sterna fuliginosa.

Sooty Tern. See page 66

Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida.

Cabot’s Tern. See page 63

Sterna hirundo.

Common Tern. See page 64

14 KEY TO THE

WATER

BIRDS OF

FLORIDA.

Sterna dougalli.

Length, 15; Wing, 10.25; Tail, 6.60; Bill, 1.50; Tar-
sus, .go. Adult in summer — bill dull orange red
tipped with black; feet orange red; under parts
white. Adult in winter— bill dark brown; feet
brown; a dusky black patch on sides of the
head inclosing eye; inner web of outer tail
feather darker than outer web inall plumages.

Length, 15; Wing, 7.75; Tail,7.50; Bill, 1.55; Tarsus,
85, Bill black, showing tinge of red at the base ;
tail white; whole of outer tail feather white ;
under parts white tinged with rose color; feet
red.

Length, 15; Wing, 10.30; Tail, 6; Bill, 1.60. Entire
plumage olive brown; top of head whitish.
Immature birds have the top of the head brownish.

Length, 14.50; Wing, 10; Tail, 6; Bill, 1.60.
Crown black ; forehead and line extending oyer
the eye white; mantle gray; under parts white ;
bill and feet black.

Sterna forsteri.

Forster’s Tern. See page 64

Sterna dougalli.

Roseate Tern. See page 65

Anous stolidus.

Noddy Tern. See page 67

Sterna anzthetus.

Bridled Tern. See page 66

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 15

Length, 14; Wing, 12; Tail, 5.50; Bill, 1.40; Tar-
sus, 1.30. Forehead not white; crown, includ-
ing forehead, black; upper parts pearl gray ; under
parts white; billcomparatively short and thick;
bill and feet black. Gelochelidon nilotica.
Gull-billed Tern. See page 62

Length, 9.50; Wing, 8.30; Tail, 3.60; Bill, 1.10;
Tarsus, .70. Adult in summer — under parts black.
Adult in winter — under parts white; bill black ;

feet dusky brown. Hydrochelidon nigra surina-
mensis.
Black Tern. See page 67

Length, 9.25; Wing, 7; Tail, 3.50; Bill, 1.20;. Tar-
sus, .65. Under parts white ; bill and feet yellow. sterna antillarum.
Least Tern. See page 65

FAMILY RHYNCHOPID4. SKIMMERS.

+

Rhynchops nigra.

Length, 18 to 20; Wing, 15; Tail, 5.50; Bill (cul-
men), 2.70; Gonys, 4.25. Bill thin, knife-like,
fower mandible the longer, basal half of bill
vermilion red, blackish at tip. General plumage
black, white beneath. Rhynchops nigra.
Black Skimmer. See page 68

16 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Famity DIOMEDEIDZ. ALBATROSSES.

Diomedia exulans. (Very much reduced.)

Length, about 4 feet; extent of wings (spread), about
10 feet to 12 feet. General color yellowish white. |Diomedea exulans.
Wandering Albatross.
See page 69

Famity PROCELLARIIDA. Futmars, SHEARWATERS,
AND PETRELS.

Puffinus auduboni.

Puffinus major. Puffinus major,

Length, 19.25; Wing, 12.50; Tail, 5.75; Bill, 2.40;
Tarsus, 2. Dark brown above, white beneath ;

crissum dark; under tail coyerts gray. Puffinus major.

Greater Shearwater.
See page 69

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. il 7

Length, 11.50; Wing, 8; Bill, 1.20; Tarsus, 1.55.
Above brown; under parts white ; crissum brown
and white. Puffinus auduboni.
Audubon’s Shearwater.
See page 70

/Estrelata hasitata. Oceanites oceanicus.

Length, 16.50; Wing, 12; Bill, 1.35; Tarsus, 1.40.
Upper and under tail coverts white. Estrelata hasitata.

Black=capped Petrel. See page 70
Length, %; Wing; 5.75; Tail, 2.80; Tarsus, 1.30 ;
Bill, .50. General plumage sooty black ; white on
tail coverts. Oceanites oceanicus.
Wilson’s Petrel. See page 71
Length, 8; Wing, 6.25; Tail, 3.10 (above dusky);
Tarsus, 1.50. No white on nape; under parts
white. Cymodroma grallaria.
White-bellied Petrel.
See page 71

Famity PHAETHONTID. Tropic Birps.

Phaéthon flavirostris.

Length, including tail, 831.50; Wing, 11; Tail, 21;
Bill, 2. General color white; bill yellow; central
tail feather very long, Phaethon flavirostris.
Yellow-billed Tropic Bird.
See page 72

1s

THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

KEY TO

Famity SULIDA. GANNETs.

Sula bassana.

7 Sula sula.

Length, 36; Wing, 18.50; Tail, 9; Bill, 4.10.
Immature plumage mottled grayish brown and

white ; head and neck white tinged with buff. Sula bassana.

Gannet. See page 74

Length, 27; Wing, 15.50, Tail, 8; Bill, 4; Tarsus,
Head and upper parts sooty brown; bill
Sula sula.

1.60.
Common Booby.

and feet pale yellow ; gular sack yellow.
See page 73

Length, 27%; Wing, 16; Tail, 7.70; Bill, 4; Tarsus,
Head, white; head whitish; gular sac

Sula cyanops.
Blue-faced Booby.

9
i)

see page 7

vi

1.85.
bluish; feet reddish.

Length, 2%); Wing, 15; Tail, 8; Tarsus, 2.105 Bull,
3.50. Head white tinged with buff; feet coral
Sula piscator.

red; gular sac dusky.
Red-footed Booby. See page 74

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 19

Famity ANHINGID®. DarTERs.

Anhinga anhinga.

Length, 33.50; Wing, 13.50; Tail, 10. Long,
snake-like neck; head and neck black in male,

brown in female. Anhinga anhinga.
Anhinga, Snake Bird, Water Tur=
key. See page 75

Famity PHALACROCORACIDA. CORMORANTS.

Phalacrocorax dilophus floridanus.

Length, 36; Wing, 12; Tail, 5.75; Bill, 2.20. Tail
consists of 12 feathers. Phalacrocorax dilophus flori-
danus.
Florida Cormorant. See page 76

20 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Famity PELECANIDAE. PELICANS.

OT

aC

Pelecanus erythrorhynchus.

Length, 60; Wing, 24.50; Tarsus, 4.45; Bill, 12.
General plumage white ; tail feathers, 24 ; pouch
yellow. Pelecanus erythrorhynchus
American White Pelican.

See page 77
Length, 50; Wing, 20; Tarsus, 2.90; Bill, 11.

Plumage not white. Pelecanus fuscus,

Brown Pelican. See page 78

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Famity FREGATIDA. Man-o-War BIrRDs.

Fregata aquila,

Length, 42; Wing, 26; Tail, 16.50; Bill,5. Upper
plumage black, tail forked, wings long. Fregata aquila.
Man-o’=War Bird.

See page 79

to
i)

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.
Famity ANATID. Ducks, GEESE, AND SWANS.

SUBFAMILY MERGIN. MERGANSERS, 'TOOTH-BILLED Ducks.

Merganser americana.

(1) Head greenish or blackish; bill narrow, with tooth-like serrations.

Length, 26.50; Wing, 11; Tarsus, 2; Bill, 2.10. Un-
der parts creamy white tinged with salmon color. Merganser americana.
American [lerganser (male).

Sheldrake. See page So
Length, 23; Wing, 9; Tarsus, 1.90; Bill, 2.30. Breast
brown streaked with black. Merganser serrator (male).
Red-breasted Merganser.
Sheldrake. See page 81

Head brownish or grayish; bill narrow, with tooth-like serrations.

Length, 24.50; Wing, 9.75; Tarsus, 1.90; Bill, 2.
Distance from nostril to tip of bill less than
1.50. Merganser americana (female).
American [lerganser.
See page 80

to

Go

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Lophodytes cucullatus.

Length, 21; Wing, $8.80; Tarsus, 1.90; Bill, 2.50.
Distance from nostril to tip of bill more than
1.50. Merganser serrator (female).
Red-breasted Merganser.
See page 81
Length, 18.50; Wing, 7.70; Tarsus, 1.25; Bill,
1.50. Without crest. Lophodytes cucullatus.
Hooded [lerganser (immature).
Length, 18.50; Wing, 7.75; Tarsus, 1.30; Bill, ee peee SZ
1.50. With small crest. Lophodytes cucullatus.
Hooded Merganser (female).
See page 82

(2) Head with black and white crest; bill narrow with tooth-like serrations.
Length, 19.50 ; Wing, 7.75; Tarsus, 1.30; Bill, 1.50. Lophodytes cucullatus.

(adult male).
Hooded Ilerganser. See page 82

2A KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

SuspramiLy ANATIN/E. River Ducks.

Dafila acuta. Anas americana.

(1) Hind toe without membranous lobe or flap. Belly
white, sometimes faintly tinged with blackish or gray
on lower part. Length over 17.50; wing over 8.50,

Length, 28; Wing, 9.50; Tail, 7; Bill, 2. Head
brown; speculum green, edged with black and
white; middle tail feathers elongated. Dafila acuta (male).

Pintail. See page 91

Length, 22; Wing, 9.25; Tail, 3.50; Bill, 2. Head
brown; speculum brown and white; under wing
coverts dark. Dafila acuta (female).

Pintail. See page 92

Length, 23; Wing, 10.50; Bill, 2.20. Head greenish ;
speculum purplish, bordered with white and black ;
feet red, - Anas boschas (male).

Mallard Duck. See page 83

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Length, 19.50; Wing, 10; Bill, 1.60. Head brownish,
streaked ; speculum white and brown; feet yellow-
ish; under wing coverts black.

Length, 19; Wing, 10; Bill, 1.55. Head brownish
streaked ; speculum white and gray ; under wing
coverts white.

Length, 19; Wing, 10.50; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 1.40.
Head white and green, streaked and speckled with
black; speculum black and green ; feet bluish.

Length, 18.50; Wing, 9.50; Bill, 1.40. Head green
and purple, showing white stripe; speculum blue,
tipped with black and white; feet yellow.

Length, 18; Wing, 9.30; Bill, 1.35. Head gray, show-
ing white stripe; feet yellow.

bo
OL

Anas strepera (male).
Gadwall. See page 86

Anas strepera (female).
Gadwall. See page 86

Anas americana.
Baldpate Widgeon. See page 87

Aix sponsa (male).
Summer Duck.
Wood Duck. See page 93

Aix sponsa (female).
Summer Duck.
Wood Duck. See page 93

(2) Hind toe without membranous lobe or flap.

Belly not white.
Length over 17.50; wing over 8.50.

Lenoth, 22; Wine, 11.50; Bill, 2.10; “Tarsus, 1:65:
Head brownish and buff; belly buff brown, mot-
tled; feet red; speculum purple, bordered with
white and black.

Length, 21; Wing, 10.75; Bill, 2.10; Tarsus, 1.75.
Head and neck brown streaked ; no black spot at
base of bill; speculum purple, edged with black;
throat streaked.

Length, 20; Wing, 10.20; Bill, 2; Tarsus, 1.70. Simi-
lar to A. obscura, but paler; cheeks and throat
not streaked; bill yellowish olive; nail of bill
and spot at base black; speculum purple, edged
with black.

Anas boschas (female).
Mallard. See page 83

Anas obscura.
Black Duck.
Dusky Duck. See page S84

Anas fulvigula.
Florida Black Duck. See page 85

26 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Anas obscura. Spatula clypeata (male).

Length, 20; Wing, 9.50; Bill, 2.70; Tarsus, 1.50.

Bill very much broadened; head dark bluish

ereen; feet orange red; speculum green, tipped

with white. Spatula clypeata (male).

Shoveller, Broad=bill.
See page go

Length, 19.50; Wing, 9.50; Bill, 2.60; Tarsus, 1.50.

Head brown; general plumage mottled and

streaked brown and buff; bill very broad; feet

orange red; speculum green, tipped with white. Spatula clypeata (female).
Shoveller. See page 9!

Hind toe without membranous lobe or flap.

Length under 17.50; wing under 8,50.

Length, 16; Wing, 7.25; Tarsus, 1.25; Bill, 1.60. A
patch on the wing pale blue; head and neck
not chestnut; speculum green. Anas discors.
Blue-winged Teal. See page Sy

THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORID

KEY TO

Anas discors (male). Anas carolinensis (male).

Length, 14.50: Wing, 7.20; Tarsus, 1.25; Bill, 1.50.
No blue patch on wing; speculum black, tipped
Anas carolinensis.

with white.
Green-winged Teal. See page 88

Length, 16; Wing, 7.50; Bill, 1.75; Tarsus, 1.30. Head
and neck chestnut; a patch of blue on wing;

speculum green. Anas cyanoptera.

Cinnamon Teal. See page So

SUBFAMILY FULIGINA. Sea Ducks.

(1) Hind toe with well-defined membranous
lobe or flap,

Belly white, sometimes grayish or blackish
on lower part; no white on head.

Aythya americana.

Length, 21.50; Wing,9; Tarsus, 1.50; Bill, 2.30. Head
reddish brown, chin and crown dusky; speculum
gray ; upper feathers edged with black. Aesembles

Redhead Duck, but bill very different. (See figure.) Aythya vallisneria.

Canvas-back Duck. See page 95

1)
CO

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA,

Aythya vallisneria.

Length, 21; Wing, 8.40; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 2.20.
Head rufous brown; speculum grayish; upper
feathers edged with black; the rest narrowly
tipped with white. (See figure showing difference
in bill from Canvas-back.)

Length, 20.50; Wing, 8.30; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 2.20.
Head grayish brown; speculum grayish; upper
feathers edged with black; the rest narrowly
tipped with white. Closely resembles female of
Ring-neck Duck (A. col/aris), but is larger.

Length, 19; Wing, 8.50; Tarsus, 1.50; Bill, 2. Head
black glossed with green; back grayish; specu=
lum white.

Meneth, 175) Wing, stro) Larsus, 1.50> Bills a-so:
Similar to the preceding species, from which it
differs only in being somewhat smaller; head black
with purplish gloss; speculum white.

Aythya affinis.

Aythya americana (male).
Redhead Duck. See page 94

Aythya americana (female).
Redhead Duck. See page 94

Aythya marila nearctica (male).
Greater Scaup Duck.
Bluebill. See page 96

Aythya affinis (male).
Lesser Scaup Duck,
Bluebill, See page 97

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 29

Length, 17; Wing, 7.50; Tarsus, 1.30; Bill, 1.75.
Head black with violet gloss; speculum gray. Aythya collaris (male).
Ring=neck Duck. See page 97
Length, 16.50; Wing, 8.25; Tarsus, 1.40; Bill, 1.60.
Head brown; speculum white. Glaucionetta clangula ameri-
cana (female).
American Golden Eye.
Whistler. See page 99

Hind toe with well-defined membranous lobe or flap.
Belly white, sometimes grayish or blackish on lower part.
Head showing more or less white or grayish white.

Giaucionetta clangula americana. Clangula hyemalis.

Length, including lengthened tail, 21; Wing, 8.50; Bill,
1. Tail pointed; central feathers longest; under
tail coverts white. Clangula hyemalis.
Old Squaw. See page 100
Length, 17.75; Wing, 8.25 ; Tarsus, 1.303 Bill, 1.60.
Head brownish showing white at base of bill;

speculum white. Aythya marila nearctica
(female).
Greater Scaup Duck.
Length, 16.50; Wing, 7.70; Tarsus, 1.25; Bill, 1.50. Blue=bill. See page 96

Similar to preceding, but somewhat smaller.
Aythya affinis (female).
Lesser Scaup Duck.
Blue-bill. See page 97

30 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Length, 19.50; Wing, 9.50; Tarsus, 1.75; Bill, 1.50.
Head brownish, showing a slight trace of whitish
on the sides; under surface of body grayish ;
whitish on the belly; feathers on top of the
bill less than one half inch from nostril; no
white on wing. Oidemia perspicillata (female).
Surf Scoter.
Skunk-head Coot. See page 103

Length,: 16.40; Wing; 7.35; Tarsus, 1.20; Bill; 1.75.
Head and neck grayish brown; chin and ante-
rior portion of lores whitish; Speculum gray.
Resembles female of Aythya americana Dut is
smaller, Aythya collaris (female).
Ring-necked Duck. See page 97

Length, 20.50; Wing, 8.30; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 2.10.
Head and neck grayish brown; becoming whitish
on chin; speculum gray; resembles female
Aythya collaris, but is larger. Aythya americana (female).
Red=head Duck. See page 99

Length, 19.50; Wing, 9.10; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 1.90.
Head green; white patch at base of bili; specu-
lum white. Glaucionetta clangula ameri-
cana (male).
American Golden Eye.

Whistler. See page 99
Length, 12.75; Wing, 6; Tarsus, 1.20; Bill, 1. Head
purple, green, and white; back black; speculum
white. A very small duck. Charitonetta albeola (male).
Buffle-headed Duck.
Buffle-head. See page 99
Reneth, 12,550: Wine, ses; Tarsus, 1.20. Billa,
White patch on side of the head; back brownish ;
speculum white. A very small duck. Charitonetta albeola (female).
Buffle-headed Duck.
Buffle=head. See page 99

Length, 15.25; Wing, 6; Bill, 1.50;. Tarsus, 1.20.
General color chestnut brown or grayish brown
(according to sex), silvery white beneath: patch
of white on side of the head; tail feathers stiff
and pointed. Erismatura rubida.

Ruddy Duck. See page 104

SEY O) GEE

Hind toe with well-defined membranous lobe.

Belly not white.

Length, 21; Wing, 11; Tarsus, 2.05; Bill, 1.50. Gen-
eral plumage black; speculum white; spot
under eye white; bill orange at base; feathers
on the bill less than one half inch from nostril.

Mength}.zo.5o) Wing, 11; Tarsus, 2; Bill, 1.50) ‘Gen-
eral plumage grayish ; speculum white ; feathers
on the bill less than one half inch from nostril.

Eength 18> Wine, 9.25; Bill) my5s Tatsus, 1.85.
General plumage black; no white on the wing ;
bill orange at base; feathers on the bill more

than one half inch from nostril.

Length, 17.50; Wing,9; Bill, 1.70; Tarsus, 1.80.
General plumage brownish; no white on wing ;
bill black; feathers on the bill more than one
half inch from nostril.

Length, 20-> Wine coigo: Latsus, 1-755. Bill, 1.50:
General plumage black; feathers on top of bill
extending farther forward than on side of bill;
patch of white on bill; orange, black, and white
front of head and nape; no white on wings;
feathers on the bill less than one half inch
from nostril.

Length, 19.50; Wing, 9.50; Tarsus, 1.75; Bill, 1.50.
Head brownish, showing a slight trace of whitish
on the sides; under surface of body grayish;
palest on the belly. Feathers extended on upper
part of bill nfore than on sides; no white on
wings ; feathers on the bill less than one half
inch from nostril.

WATER BIRDS OF

FLORIDA, 31

Oidemia deglandi (adult male).
White-winged Scoter.
White-winged Coot.

See page 102

Oidemia deglandi (male in
winter and female).
White-winged Scoter.

White-winged Coot.
See page 102

Oidemia americana (adult male)
American Scoter.

Butter=-bill, Coot. See page 101

Oidemia americana ( female
and immature).
American Scoter.

Butter=bill, Coot, See page 1o1

Oidemia perspicillata (adult
male).
Surf Scoter.
Skunk-head Coot.

See page 103

Oidemia perspicillata (female).
Surf Scoter.
Skunk-head Coot.

See page 103

to

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

oS)

SuspraMiILy ANSERIN. GEEsE.

Branta canadensis.

Length, 40; Wing, 19; Bill, 2.50: Tarsus, 3.20. Band
of white on sides of the head and throat; bill black;
rest of head black. Branta canadensis.
Canada Goose. See page 107
Length, 34; Wing, 17.40; Bill, 2.50; Tarsus, 3.10.
Entire plumage white; primaries black. Chen hyperborea nivalis.
Greater Snow Goose.
See page 105

Anser albifrons gambeli.

-
~~
-

is)

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Length, 28; Wing, 16; Bill, 2.20; Tarsus, 3.10. Head
white; rest of plumage grayish. Chen czrulescens.
Blue Goose, See page 105

Leneth, 28; Wing, 16; Bill, 2; Tarsus, 2.90. Head
brownish; bill yellowish; nail black. A line of
white at base of bill (adult). Anser albifrons gambeli.
American White-fronted Goose.
See page 106
Length,. 26; Wing, 13.50; Lill, 1.40; Tarsus, 2.40.
Head entirely black ; bill black. Branta bernicla.
Brant. See page 108

SuBpramMiLy CYGNIN/E. Swans.

Olor columbianus.

Length, 53; Wing, 21.50; Bill, 4; Tarsus, 4.20.
Distance from front of the eye to nostril longer
than from nostril to tip of bill. A spot of yellow
on the lores in the adult; young birds gray. En-
tire plumage white. Olor columbianus.
Whistling Swan. See page 108

34 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Famity PHCENICOPTERIDAL. FLAMINGOES.

Phcenicopterus ruber.

Length, 47; Wing, 16.50; Tarsus, 12; Bally ses:
Plumage vermillion red; bill pale yellow, tipped
with black. Pheenicopterus ruber.
Flamingo. See page 109

Famity PLATALEID. SPOONBILLS.

Ajaja ajaja.
Length, 31; Wing, 15; Tarsus, 4.10; Bill, 6.30. Bill
flat, widened at tip; plumage pink and white. Ajaja ajaja.

Roseate Spoonbill. See page 110

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS

Famity IBIDIDE.

OF FLORIDA. 3

on

IBISES.

Plegadis autumnalis.

Length, 25; Wing, 11.25; Bill, 5.40. Plumage
chestnut brown; no white at base of bill.

Length, 25; Wing, 11; Bill, 5.50. Plumage chest-
nut brown; a line of white at base of
bill.

Length, 26; Wing, Bill, 6.30. Plumage

white; primaries tipped with black.

Wiese

Length, 26; Wing, 11; Bill, 6.20. Plumage mixed
gray and brown; belly white; rump white.

Length, 27; Wing, 10.50; Bill, 6.20. Plumage
brownish mottled; belly white; rump brown-
ish.

Plegadis autumnalis.
Glossy Ibis.

See page 113

Plegadis guarauna.

White-faced Ibis. See page 114

Guara alba.
White Ibis (adult), See page 111

Guara alba.
White Ibis (immature).
See page 111

Guara rubra.
Scarlet Ibis (immature).
See page 112

36 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Guara alba (adult).

Length, 28; Wing, 11; Bill, 6.50. Plumage scarlet;

legs and feet red. Guara rubra.

Scarlet Ibis (adult).
See page 112

Famity CICONIIDZ. STORKS.

Tantalus loculator,

Length, 41; Wing, 18.50; Tarsus, 8.20; Bill, 9.20.
Plumage white ; head and neck without feathers
Tantalus loculator.

in adult.
Wood Ibis. See page 114

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Famity ARDEIDZ. Herons anp BITTERNS.

Ardea herodias.

Plumage nearly or entirely white.
Length, 50; Wing, 18.50; Tarsus, 8.50; Bill, 6.40.
Plumage white; bill yellow; legs greenish
yellow. Ardea occidentalis.
Great White Heron. See page 117

Ardea rufescens.

38 KEY TO THE WADLER

Length, 40; Wing, 15.25; Tarsus, 5.50; Jill, 4.60.
Plumage white ; bill yellow; legs and feet black.

Length, 28.50; Wing, 12.25; Tarsus, 5.25; Bill, 3.50.
Plumage white ; legs dark olive; terminal half

ce

of bill black: basal half flesh color.

Length, 23.50; Wing, 9.50; Tarsus, 3.75 ; Bill, 3.25.
Plumage entirely white; bill black, showing
yellow at base; legs black; feet yellow.

ueneth, 22:50; Wins, io; Larsus, 3.50; Bill) 3\1o.
Plumage white; tips of primaries washed
with grayish blue; legs and feet greenish
yellow.

Plumage not white.

Length, 50; Wing, 20; Tarsus,$; Bill,6.50. General
color slaty or grayish variously marked with
white, black, and brownish; 62// yellow7sh.

Length, 46; Wing, 18.50; Tarsus, 7; Bill, 5. Similar
to Ward’s, but somewhat smaller; 62/7 dark.

Length, 29; Wing, 12; Tarsus, 5.40; Dill, 3.80. Head
and neck rufous chestnut ; rest of plumage slate
color; legs bluish; terminal half of bill black ;
basal half flesh color.

BIRDS OF

FLORIDA,

Ardea egretta.

American Egret. See page 119

Ardea rufescens.
Reddish Egret (white phase).

See page 122

Ardea candidissima.
Snowy Heron.
Little White Egret. See page 120

Ardea coerulea (immature).

Little Blue Heron. Sce page 124

Ardea wardi.

Ward’s Heron. See page 115

Ardea herodias.

Great Blue Heron. See page 115

Ardea rufescens.
Reddish Egret (dark phase of
plumage). See page 121

IIB AY MMO) AM GiB;
Length, 27.50; Wing, 10.50; Tarsus, 3.60; Bill, 3.10.
Plumage tawny brown, streaked with dark brown.

Length, 26; Wing, 10; Tarsus, 3.50; Bill, 3.80. Elon
gated feathers on crown chestnut and white ;
throat white with brown stripe down the
middle.

Length, 24; Wing, 12; Tarsus, 3.60; Bill, 3. Bill
thick — black: crown of head white and buff.
Immature birds are mottled brown having outer
web of primaries slate color, not rufous brown.

Leneth, 24: Wing; 12; “Larsus, 3:40; Bill}. Bill
thick —black; crown greenish black. Imma-

ture birds are mottled brown, having the outer web
of primaries pale rufous brown.

Length, 22.50; Wing, 10; Tarsus, 3.60; Bill, 3. Head
and neck purplish brown: rest of plumage slaty
blue; legs and feet black.

Length, 22; Wing, 10; Tarsus, 3.60; Bill, 3. Plu-

mage partly grayish blue, partly white.

Length, 17; Wing, 7; Tarsus, 1.80; Bill, 2.50. Crown
dark greenish; neck chestnut with a line of buffy
white down the middle of throat; legs greenish
yellow; belly pale.

WATER BIRDS OF

FLORIDA. 39

Botaurus lentiginosus.

American Bittern. See page 115

Ardea tricolor ruficollis.

Louisiana Heron. See page 122

Nycticorax violaceus.
Yellow-crowned Night Heron.
See page 127

Nycticorax nycticorax nzvius.

Night Heron. See page 126

Ardea coerulea.
Littie Blue Heron (adult).
see page 124

Ardea coerulea.
Little Blue Heron (immature).
See page 124

Ardea virescens.

Green Heron, See page 125

40 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Length, 13.25; Wing, 4.50; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 1.80.
Very small; throat pale yellow buff; under
parts pale. Ardetta exilis.
Least Bittern. See page 116
Length, 13; Wing, 4.30; Tarsus, 1.40; Bill, 1.80.
Throat and under parts deep chestnut. Ardetta neoxena.

Cory’s Least Bittern.
See page 117

Famity GRUID. CRANEs.

Grus americana.

Length, 51; Wing, 25.50; Tarsus, 12; Bill, 5.10.
Plumage white; bare skin of head red. (Young
birds have the head feathered.) Grus americana.
Whooping Crane. See page 128

Length, 45; Wing, 21.50; Tarsus, 10; Bill, 5.50.
Plumage gray or brownish gray; bare skin of
head red. (Young birds have the head feathered.) Grus mexicana.
Sandhill Crane. See page 130

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA,

Famity ARAMID/®. Couruans, “ Limpxrins.”

Aramus giganteus.
j i

Length, 27.50; Wing, 12 50; Tarsus, 4.30; Bill, 4.10.
Piumage brown, striped with white ;

under
mandible slightly twisted near tip.

Aramus giganteus.
Limpkin, Crying=bird.

See page 131

Annis RAID. ‘Rams: GALMINUnES: Coors:

SuBFAMILY RALLINA. Rarts.

Length, 16.50; Wing, 6.20; Tarsus, 2.30;

Bill, 2.30. Upper parts brownish olive,
streaked with black; breast cinnamon
brown ; wing coverts rufous ; cheek

rufous brown. Rallus elegans.

King Rail. See page 132

Length, 15; Wing,6; Tarsus, 2; Bill,

2.30. Upper parts grayish olive streaked

i Ms with black; breast pale buff; cheeks
é 3 i grayish, Rallus longirostris crepitans.

Clapper Rail. See page 133

Rallus longirostris crepitans.

42 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Rallus elegans. Porzana carolina.
Length, 14.50; Wing, 5.75; Tarsus, 1.90; Bill, 2.10.
Upper parts dark olive brown; wing coverts
not rufous brown. Rallus longirostris scottii.
Scott’s Rail. See page 134
Length, 8.75; Wing, 4.20; Tarsus, 1.30; 42z//, 1.50.
Upper parts dark; throat white; belly brown. Rallus virginianus.
Virginia Rail. See page 133
Length, 8.40; Wing, 4.20; Tarsus, 1.25; B2//, 75 fo go.
Upper parts dark; throat gray; a stripe on top of
head and at base of bill black; lower belly white. Porzana carolina.
Carolina Rail.
Sora. See page 134
Kensth, 7.20; Wing, .3:50s- Tarsus, a ssEe77,. 55.
Feathers of back banded with narrow white
lines and edged with pale brown; upper belly white. Porzana noveboracensis.
Yellow Rail. See page 135

Length, 5.50; Wing, 3; Tarsus, .90; Bill, .60. Head,
neck, and upper belly slaty gray; lower belly
plumbeous or blackish. Porzana jamaicensis.
Little Black Rail. See page 135

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 43

SUBFAMILY GALLINULIN. Ga.uinu tes.

Ionornis martinica. Ionornis martinica,
Length, 11; Wing, 7; Bill, 1.80; Tarsus, 2.40. Gen-
eral color purplish blue; toes without lobate
webs ; legs and feet yellow. lonornis martinica.
Purple Gallinule. See page 136
ength, 312/55 Wine, 7.10) e bull, sso re mL arsus; 2.25.5
General color olive brown and gray; frontal
shield and most of bill red; toes without lobate
webs ; legs and feet greenish, showing scarlet on
upper portion of tibia. Gallinula galeata.
Florida Gallinule. = See page 136

SUBFAMILY FULICINA.

Fulica americana. Fulica americana,

Length, 15.50; Wing, 7.40; Tarsus, 2.20. Toes with
lobate webs; legs greenish; basal portion of
bill and frontal shield white; general plumage
Slate color; head blackish, Fulica americana.
American Coot, Mud-hen.
See page 137

Aa KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Famity PHALAROPODIDE. PHALAROPES.

Crymophilus fulicarius (foot ).

Crymophilus fulicarius-

Length, 7.50; Wing, 4.40; Bill, .go0; Tarsus, .85.
Upper parts gray; neck marked with rufous;
under parts white. Phalaropus lobatus.
Northern Phalarope. See page 138

BPawiny RECUR VIROSTRIDAS.. AVvoceTs AND STil@Irs:

Recurvirostra americana.

Length, 17.50; Wing, 8.75; Tarsus, 3 70; Bill, 3.60.
Bill curved upwards — very slender; middle
back, rump and belly white; legs bluish; head
and neck rufous in summer, gray in winter. Recurvirostra americana.
American Avocet. See page 139
Length, 15; Wing, 8.75; Tarsus, 3.90; Bill, 2.60.
Forehead, bill straight; a spot behind the eye,
and under parts white; rest of head, back, and
wings black ; legs pink red. Himantopus mexicanus.
Black-necked Stilt. See page 14o

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 45

Famity SCOLOPACID. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, CURLEWS.

Philohela minor.

Length under 13; wing under 7; bill over 2; toes four in number.

Lengths” i Wines h:50; Bull 2:70 Tarsus, 1.25.
Under parts rufous brown; three outer prima-
ries attenuated; fourth and fifth primarieslongest. Philohela minor.
American Woodcock.
See page 141
Wenothy Its Waine: 5.35; Dail, 2.25; Parsus, 2.25; Bill
2.60. Throat whitish; belly white; under tail
coverts barred with black; no wed between toes. Gallinago delicata.
Wilson’s Snipe.
English Snipe. See page 141

Length, 10.50: Wing, 5.50; Tarsus, 1.35; Bill, 2.40.
Tail and tail coverts barred with black; a very
small web between the tuner toes. Macrorhamphus griseus.
Dowitcher.
Red=breasted Snipe.
see page 143
Length, 10.75; Wing, 5.75; Tarsus, 1.50; Bill, 2.65.
Resembling preceding species, but somewhat
larger; bill longer. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus.
Long=billed Dowitcher.
Red-breasted Snipe.
See page 143

40 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Gallinago delicata.

Length under 13 ; wing under 7 ; bill less than 2 and more than 1; toes four

in number.

Length, 12; Wing, 6.75; Tarsus, 2; Bill, r-15. Bil
greenish, yellowish at base; legs grayish yellow ;
head, upper parts, and breast mottled brown and
tawny; axillars barred white and slate color ; belly

white. Bartramia longicauda.
Bartramian Sandpiper.
Upland Plover. See page 154

Length, 10.50; Wing, 6.40; Tarsus, 2.05; Bill, 1.40.
Legs yellow; bill black; upper parts grayish

brown; breast mottled ; belly white. Totanus flavipes.
Summer Yellow-=legs.
Yellow-=legs. See page 15!

Length, 10.50; Wing. 6.40; Tail, 2.40; Tarsus, 1.30;

Bill, 1.50. Legs and feet black. In summer

under parts, except belly, reddish brown; in winter

upper parts gray; breast pale gray. Tringa canutus.
Knot. See page 144

Length, 9; Wing, 5.25; Tarsus, 1.05; Bill, 1.15.
Upper parts brown and tawny; throat and belly
white ; breast pale brown. Tringa maculata.
Pectoral Sandpiper.
Grass-=bird. See page 145

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 47

Tringa canutus.

Length, 8.75; Wing, 5.20; Tarsus, 13 Bill, 1.30.
Upper parts gray, showing faint purplish reflec-
tions.

Length, 8; Wing, 5.20; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 1.20. Back
olive green spotted with white; axillars barred.

Length, 8; Wing, 5.20; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 1.60. Legs
long; upper tail coverts barred with black and
white in summer; white in winter.

Length, 7.90; Wing, 4.90; Tarsus, 1.05; Bill, 1.60.
Upper belly black in breeding plumage. In win-
ter breast gray, shafts of the feathers brown.

Length, 5.40; Wing, 3.80; Tarsus, .90; Bill, 1.10.
A small web between the toes.

Tringa maculata.

Tringa maritima.
Purple Sandpiper. See page 145

Totanus solitarius.
Solitary Sandpiper. See page 152

Micropalama himantopus.
Stilt Sandpiper. See page 144

Tringa alpina pacifica.
Red-backed Sandpiper.
American Dunlin. See page 147

Ereunetes occidentalis.
Western Sandpiper. See page 148

Length under 10; wing under 6; bill 1 or less; toes four in number.

Length, 8; Wing, 5.30; Tarsus, 1.10; Bill, .80. Breast
buff or grayish buff.

Tryngites subruficollis.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
See page

in
u

48 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Length, 7.70; Wing, 5.10; Tarsus, 1.05; Bill, .go.

Middle upper tail coverts white. Tringa fuscicollis.
White-rumped Sandpiper.
Length, 7.50; Wing, 4.40; Tarsus,1; Bill, .9o to 1. See page 146
Back olive green, showing bronzy reflections when
held in the light. Actitis macularia.

Spotted Sandpiper. See page 155
Length, 5.75; Wing, 3.80; Tarsus, .go; Bill, .85. A

small web between the toes. Ereunetes pusillus.
Semipalmated Sandpiper.
Length, 5.75; Wing, 4.05; Tarsus, .g0; Bill, .70. No See page 147
web between the toes. Tringa minutilla.

Least Sandpiper. See page 146

Tringa minutilla.

Length under 10; wing under 6; toes three in number.

Length, 8.15; Wing, 5.05; Tarsus, .95: Bill, 1. Calidris arenaria.
Sanderling. See page 148

Length over 13; wing over 7; bill over 2.75; toes four in number.

Length, 24; Wing, 10; Tail, 4.10; Tarsus, 2.30; Bill
from 4 to 8. Bill very long and curved down-

ward; general plumage brownish rufous ; axillars

barred. Numenius longirostris,

Length, 18; Wing, 9; Tail, 3.60; Tarsus, 3; Bill, wl a ad os i 8 ie

4.60. Upper parts brownish; under parts rufous ;
bill curved slightly upward; axillars brownish. Limosa fedoa.
Marbled Godwit. See page 149
Length, 17.20; Wing, 9.40; Tarsus, 2.10; Bill, 3.70.
Bill curved downward; plumage mottled brown
above, middle of head with dull buffy white

stripe ; axillars barred. Numenius hudsonicus.

Hudsonian Curlew.
Jack Curlew. See page 157

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 49

Limosa fedva.

Length 15.25; Wing, 8.10; Tarsus, 2.30; Bill, 3.30.
Under parts rufous brown or chestnut brown
barred with dusky black; bill slightly curved
upward: axillars black. Limosa hzemastica.
Hudsonian Godwit. See page 150

Length over 13; wing over 7; bill under 2.75; toes four in number.

Length, 14; Wing, 7.60; Tarsus, 2.60; Bill, 2.30.
biil black, nearly straight; legs yellow ; primaries
blackish. Totanus melanoleucus.
Greater Yellow-legs.
Winter Yellow-=legs. See page 151
Length 16; Wing, 8.50; Tarsus, 2.60; Bill, 2.30. Bill
black, nearly straight; prominent white patch

on wing; legs grayish; axillars black. Symphemia semipalmata.
Willet. See page 153
Length; 163 Wing, S.60; Tarsus; 2.65: Bill, 2.4e.
Slightly larger, but very similar to preceding. Symphemia semipalmata in-
ornata.

Western Willet. See page 154

50 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Numenius hudsonicus.

Length, 14; Wing, 7.40; Tarsus, 2.50; Bill, 2.15.

Rump and upper tail coverts and crissum pure

white; bill nearly straight; somewhat resembles

a Yellow-legs, but has olive green legs. Totanus nebularius.

Green-shank. See page 150

Length, 13; Wing, 8.25; Tarsus, 1.75; Bill, 2.30.

Bill curved downward; plumage mottled brown

streaked with brown; top of head dark brown ;

axillars barred. Numenius borealis.
Eskimo Curlew.
Dough-bird. See page 158

FamiIty CHARADRIID. PLOVERSsS.

Length over 9; wing over 6; toes four in number.
( The hind toe so small as hardly to be noticeable.)

Length, 11.50; Wing, 7.50; Tail, 3; Tarsus, 1.90;
Bill, 1.10. Bill thick; axillars smoky black. Charadrius squatarola.
Black=breast Plover.
Beetle-head. See page 158

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. aT

Charadrius squatarola (winter). fEgialitis vocifera,

Length over 9; wing 6 or over; toes three in number.
(No rudimentary hind toe.)
Length, 9.50; Wing, 7; Tail, 2.50; Tarsus, 1.65; Bill,

.go. Axillars gray. Charadrius dominicus.
Golden Plover. See page 160
Length, 10.30; Wing, 6.50; Tail, 3.50; Tarsus, 1.30;
Bill, 80. Rump rufous brown. AEgialitis vocifera.
Killdeer Plover. See page 160

Length under 9; wing under 6; toes three in number.

Length, 8.10; Wing, 6; Tail, 2.60; Tarsus, 1.50 ;
Bill, 80. Above grayish brown; under parts dull
white; buffy white on breast. In summer,

front of crown and loral streak black. In winter,
no black on head. AEgialitis montana.

Mountain Plover. Sce page 163
Length, 7.70; Wing, 4.40; Tail, 1.90; Tarsus, 1.25 ;
Bill, So. Bill large, black; a band of black or
brown on the breast. AEgialitis wilsonia.
Wilson’s Plover. See page 162
Length, 7; Wing, 4.50; Tail, 2; Tarsus, .80; Bill, .50.
Bill orange at base; legs yellow; no black stripe
from bill to eye. /Egialitis meloda.
Piping Plover. See page 162
Wensth, 7.10 Wine. 4.753, lail, 2.25% Tarsus, 90:
Bill, .50. Bill orange yellow at base; a black
stripe from the bill passing under the eye;
toes with small web. Egialitis semipalmata.
Ring-neck Plover. See page 161

52 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Famity APHRIZIDA. Surr Birps AND TURNSTONES.

Arenaria interpres.

Length, 8.60; Wing, 5.70; Tail, 2.60; Tarsus, 1 ;
Bill, .5. Arenaria interpres.
Turnstone. See page 164

Famity HAAMATOPODIDA. OYSTER-CATCHERS.

Hematopus palliatus.

Length, 18.50; Wing, 10.50; Tarsus, 2.35; Bill, 3.50.
Head, neck, and back black ; under parts white ;
bill orange red in winter, deep red in summer. Hzmatopus palliatus.

Oyster-catcher. See page 164

Hematopus palliatus (bill).

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. Eye

ODE had 4COROmrS,

Divine BIRDS.

Famity PODICIPID4E. GREBEs.

Genus COLYMBUS Linn.

COLYMBUS AURITUS Zinn.

Horned Grebe.

Adult in summer: Upper parts, including back, wings,
top of the head and back of the neck, glossy black ; throat
black; front of the neck, breast, and sides of the body rufous
chestnut; rest of under parts white; wings dusky black;
secondaries white; lores dull chestnut; the two small tufts
of feathers at the sides of the occiput brownish buff.

Adult in winter and immature: Head and back gray-
ish, under parts white, usually ¢énged with gray on the breast
and lower throat; no tufts on sides of the head in winter
plumage.

Length, 13.40; Wing, 5.40; Tarsus, 1.70; Bill, .85 to .95.
The Horned Grebe is not uncommon on the
Atlantic coast during the migrations, breeding
from the Northern United States northward and migrating in winter south to
Florida and the Gulf States.

The nest is constructed on floating debris: eggs, four to seven, dull

white or yellowish white.
Range: ‘* Northern Hemisphere: breeds from United States northward.”

CASO7U.)

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

on
—

Genus PODILYMBUS LeEsson.

PODILYMBUS PODICEPS (Zinz.).
Pied-billed Grebe.

Adult in summer plumage: Throat black, and a black band on the bill; no tufts on sides
of the head in any plumage. Winter plumage: Throat grayish white, no black band on
bill: sides faintly washed with pale brown.

Length, 13.50: Wing, 5; Tarsus, 1.453; Bill, .go.

Often confounded with the preceding species in winter dress.

Florida in winter: not very common. It occasionally breeds in the State.

Range: British Provinces of North America to South America. Nests
on floating vegetation or slightly submerged marshes: eggs three to eight,

yellowish white or dull white in color.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

On
oat

FamiIty URINATORIDA, Loons, Drivers.

Genus URINATOR Cuvier.

URINATOR IMBER (Guwvz.).
Loon. Great Northern Diver.

Adult in summer: Head and neck black, showing green in some lights. A patch of white
streaked with black on the throat and sides of the neck; under parts white: back streaked

56 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

and spotted with white. J)’ 7uter plumage : Head grayish, throat white or grayish white, wings
and back not streaked or spotted.
Length, 31; Wing, 14; Tarsus, 3.35; Bill, 2.75.

A winter visitor to Florida, ranging from the far North, south to the
Gulf of Mexico. It breeds from the northern United States northward.
The eggs are grayish or greenish brown, heavily blotched with dark brown :
they are usually two in number, deposited on the ground; the nest consists
merely of a little grass or dried weeds.

URINATOR LUMME (Gunn.).
Red-throated Loon. Red=throated Diver.

Adult in summer: Back and wings slaty brown marked with white; head and neck
gray; nape black streaked with white; front of the neck reddish brown, under parts white.

Adult in winter : Throat white or grayish white; back showing white spots.

Length, 24.50; Wing, 11.25; Tarsus, 2.50; Bill, 2.

Florida in winter: not uncommon on the coast. Breeds from the North-
ern United States northward. It ranges in winter to the Gulf of Mexico.
The eggs are two in number, which are deposited on the ground near
water, the nest being merely a little

grass: they are olive brown in color,

blotched with dark brown or black.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

GERDER LONGIFEN NES.

LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS.

Or
~I

Famity STERCORARIIDA. JGERs.

GENUS STERCORARIUS Brisson.

STERCORARIUS PARASITICUS (Z7uz.).

Parasitic Jager.

Length from base of hook on end of bill (unguis) to frontal feathers greater than from un-
guis to tip of upper mandible.

Adult (light phase of plumage): upper parts slaty gray, a tinge of pale yellow on the sides
of the head and neck. Crown of the head and lores sooty black; under parts white, shading
into slaty gray on sides and lower belly; two middle tail feathers pointed.

Adult (dark phase): general plumage sooty brown; slightly paler below: crown dark
brown.

Immature (light phase): head and neck streaked with buff or gray; under parts mottled
and barred with slaty gray; upper parts dark gray; some of the feathers edged with buff.

Immature (dark phase); general color slaty brown: neck marked with white; feathers on
the belly barred with dull white. In all plumage the two middle tail feathers are pointed, and
the tarsus is black in freshly killed specimens.

Length, 17 to 20; Wing, 13; Tail (adult), 8.40, (immature), 6; Tarsus, 1.60: Bill, 1.20.

58 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Accidental on the Florida coast in winter. It ranges from the far North
southward to South America and South Africa. It breeds in high northern
latitudes. The eggs are olive brown, blotched with chocolate brown. The
nest is a little grass in a slight depression in the ground.

Stercorarius parasiticus (adult). Stercorarius parasiticus (immature).

STERCORARIUS LONGICAUDUS § /e7//.
Long-tailed Jaeger.

Length from base of the hook on end of upper mandible (unguis) to frontal feathers /ess
than from unguis to tip of upper mandible; tarsus blue in freshly killed specimens, feet
black.

Adult; Above slaty gray; top and sides of the head dull black ; sides of the head and neck
pale yellow ; under parts dark slate color; chest and upper belly whitish.

Zmmature « Resembles the preceding species in color; but may be distinguished by com-
paring the measurements of the bill and tail.

Length, 19 to 23; Wing, 12.50; Tail (adult), 12.50 (immature), 6; Tarsus, 1.65; Bill. 1.10.

It breeds in high northern latitudes, ranging southward in winter to the
West Indies and Gulf of Mexico. The eggs are three in number, pale
Ss

olive brown blotched with chocolate brown. It nests on the ground.

A bird of this species was found dead on the beach, a short distance
north of Cape Canaveral. I have never seen it alive in Florida.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 59

Famity LARIDZ. GuLus AnD TERNS.

SUBFAMILY LARINA. Guu.LLs.

Genus LARUS Liyvn.

Bi ee ee

LARUS MARINUS Zinn.
Great Black=backed Gull.

Adult in summer: Whole back dark slate color ; outer primaries black, with tips and termi-
nal spots of white; head and under parts white.

Adult in winter: Weadand neck streaked with gray. Immature birds are mottled dusky and
buff; head and neck streaked: tail with narrow subterminal band; a very large gull.

Length, 29; Wing, 18; Tail, 8: Tarsus, 2.70; Bill, 2.40.

Coast of North America south to South Carolina; accidental in Florida.
Breeds from Northern Maine northward. The nest is built on the ground;
the eggs are usually two, pale brown, marked with chocolate brown.

A specimen of this gull was shot near St. Augustine during the winter

of 1894-5.

60 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

LARUS ARGENTATUS SMITHSONIANUS Cowes.

American Herring Gull.

White near end of outer primary separated
from the white tip by a band of black.

Le . Adult in summer: Back pearl! gray; head,
a > WS neck, and under parts white; in winter the
— — adult has the head and neck streaked with

ashy gray. First primary tipped with white
with a subterminal band of black; this, in
turn, is followed by a white band and then
another black one.

Immature. General plumage mottled pale
brown or buff.

Length, 24; Wing, 17.50; Tail, 7.50; Bill,
2.10.

The European species, Lavras argentatis,
is very similar, but has the two white marks
at tip of primary joined and not separated by the black.

Ranges throughout North America: common in Florida in winter. It
breeds from Maine northward. Nest constructed of grass or seaweed,
usually on the ground; eggs brownish white, lined and blotched with dark
brown.

LARUS DELAWARENSIS Oru.
Ring-=billed Gull.

Fi = Adult in summer: Bill yellowish
jb Aw) 5 banded with black; mantle pearl gray;

Y pa 4 — feet pale yellow or greenish; first primary
if : _——<ge black with a subterminal white spot. In
winter, head and neck streaked with
dusky; band on bill less distinct.
Zmmature: General plumage mottled
A gray or buff gray; bill yellowish tipped
with black.
Length, 18.40; Wing, 14; Tail,6; Bill,
1.65.
Ranges throughout North
America, 1n winter south to Gult

of Mexico. Not uncommon in Florida. Nests on the ground: eggs pale

So>

buff marked with chocolate brown.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 61

LARUS ATRICILLA Zz.
Laughing Gull.

Adult in summer: Head and throat plum=
beous ; rest of upper parts pearl gray; under
parts white ; bill reddish.

Adult in winter; Head white marked with
ash gray; throat white.

Length, 16.50; Wing, 12.50; Tail, 5; Bill,
Teghs

This species has a wide breeding

range, extending from Maine to the

Be: pS a Gulf of Mexico. It is resident and
SS _=—, breeds in Florida. The nest is built
ig on the ground in marshy places, and
4 the eggs, usually four or five, are

g

grayish or pale brownish, blotched
with chocolate brown.

LARUS PHILADELPHIA (0772).

Bonaparte’s Gull.

Adultin summer: Bill black; head and neck plumbeous ;
feet orange red; tail white.

Adult in winter: Head and neck white; top of the head
grayish; feet flesh color.

Immature birds have a white tail with subterminal band of
black.
Length, 13.50; Wing, 10.40; Tail, 4.15; Bill, 1.30.

North America, south in winter to Central

America and West Indies. Common in Florida
in winter. Breeds far northward. Nest composed of brush and grass
built in. small trees or bushes. Eggs four, pale olive, marked with brown
spots.

62 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.
SUBFAMILY STERNIN. TERNS.

GENUS GELOCHELIDON Breum.

GELOCHELIDON NILOTICA (//asse/g.).
Gull=billed Tern.

Adult tn summer: Top of head and nape black;
upper part, including* rump and tail, pearl gray;
under parts white; bill and feet black, the former
comparatively short and stout.

Adult in winter: Similar, but having the head
and neck white, the nape ashy, and a dusky patch
in front of the eye.

Leneth, 14: Wine) 12; Gail; 5:50; Bill) a4e-

Tarsus, 1.30.
A most widely distributed cosmopoli-
tan species. It is common in Florida
and probably breeds in the State. It occurs commonly on the middle Atlan-
tic coast in summer where it breeds, and occasionally wandering as far north

as Maine. The eggs are usually three in number, pale brownish white,

faintly mottled with brown, deposited in a slight depression in the sand.

Genus STERNA Linn.
STERNA TSCHEGRAVA Lepecn.

Caspian Tern.

Adult in spring: Bill deep
red ; top of the head black, rest
of upper parts pearl gray; pri=
maries dark slate color on

. inner webs, hoary on outer webs ;
tail grayish white; feet black.

Adult in winter : Top of the head streaked
with black; tail showing brownish bars.
Keneth. 21- Winessr6e) ail Geno oil:
/ 2.60; Tarsus, 1.50.

According to Miz sScott, the Caspian erm
occurs in Florida.* I have never met with it in
the State; itis known to breed on the Virginia
coast, and_probably is a regular summer visitant
to Florida.

* Since the above was written,’a bird of this species was killed in March near the head of the Banana River by Mr. 'T. Watson
Merrill,tof] Boston.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 63

STERNA MAXIMA JBAodd.
Royal Tern.

Adult in spring: Bill orange yel-=
low; tail forked: crown and nape black :
wings and back pearl gray, shading in

white on the rump and_ upper tail
coverts; Outer primary abruptly
marked with white on inner por-
tion of inner web ; feet black.

Adult in fall and winter; Forehead
and front of crown white; occiput and
nape black streaked with white; edges
of eyelids black.

Length, 19; Wing, 14; Tail, 7; Tarsus, 1.35; Bill, 2.60.
Tropical America, occasionally wandering as far north as New England.

It is common in Florida, breeding in the State. It breeds commonly on the
middle Atlantic coast, having been tound breeding in numbers on the coast of
Virginia. The eggs are two to four, dull white, mottled with chocolate brown.

Range: ‘* Tropical America and warmer parts of North America northward
to Massachusetts, the Great Lakes, and California, west coast of Africa
north to Tangiers.” (ASO.

STERNA SANDVICENSIS ACUFLAVIDA (Cadot).
Cabot’s Tern.

Adult in spring: Bill black, tipped with
yellow ; cap black; upper back (mantle) whit-
ish; rest of upper plumage pearl gray; under
parts white, sometimes showing a faint rosy flush:
first primary edged with white to the tip, cover-
ing the entire inner web at the base and narrow-
ing to an almost imperceptible line at the tip:
tail white, forked; legs and feet black.

[n winter the crown is white dotted with black.

Length, 15.50; Wing, 10.50; Tail, 5.50; Bill,
2.101) MarSuSs: G0:

iis “species” occurs. in “Plorida
throughout the year, but is much more abundant in summer than in winter.
It breeds on both coasts of Florida; the eggs are pale brownish white,

streaked and spotted with brown.
Range: ‘* Tropical America, northward along the Atlantic coast irregularly
to Southern New England.” CASO. Ur)

64 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

STERNA FORSTERI Ni/¢.

Forster’s Tern.

Adult in summer: Crown black; upper parts pearl gray ;
under parts white; inner web of outer tail feather
darker than outer web; bill reddish orange tipped with
black; feet yellowish. Adult in winter: Bill dark brown:
feet brown: head grayish; a dusky black patch on sides
of the head, enclosing the eye. J/mmature tn winter:
Upper parts mottled with pale brown or buff.

Length, 15 ; Wing, 10.25; Tail, 6.60; Tarsus, .90; Bill,
eso:

The range of Forster’s Tern extends nearly
throughout North America. It is common in winter in Florida, both on the
east and west coast. It breeds commonly on Cobb’s Island, Va.:; the eggs

are two to three in number, usually laid on the sand: they are pale buff or
greenish gray marked with dark brown.

STERNA HIRUNDO Zinz.

Common Tern. Mackerel ‘‘ Gull.’’

Adult in summer ; Bill red, broadly tipped with black; feet red; crown black ; upper parts
pearl gray; under parts pale ashy gray. Adult in winter - Forehead and crown white or grayish
white; under parts white. Immature specimens have the upper parts mottled with buff or pale
brown. The outer web of outer tail feather is darker than the inner web at all seasons.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 65
Length, 15; Wing, 10.30; Tail, 5.50; Tarsus, .75;
Bill, 1.45.
A widely distributed species not un-
common in Florida in winter. It breeds
commonly along the Atlantic coast: the

eggs are three in number, grayish or buff
white, marked with chocolate brown.

STERNA DOUGALLI Jontag.
Roseate Tern.

Adult spring plumage : bill black, tinged with red at
base; slender; cap black: upper plumage pearl gray ;
under parts white, tinged with pink when freshly killed.
Tail entirely white; outer feather longer than the
others; legs vermillion red; iris brown. Adu/t in
winter: Forehead whitish or grayish white; occiput
and upper nape black. Immature specimens have the
upper parts mottled with gray and buff.

Length, 155 Wing, 7-75; Tail, 7.50; Tatsus, 85 ;
Bill, 1.55.
A common species on the Atlantic coast. It is resident and breeds in
Florida, ranging in summer north to New England.
The eggs are three in number, pale, buffy gray or grayish white
marked with chocolate brown.

STERNA ANTILLARUM (/Zess.).

Least Tern.

Adult in summer: Bill yellow, tipped with black ; fore-
head white ; crown and lores black; upper parts pearl gray ;
under parts white; outer primaries brownish black on outer
webs and inner half of inner webs; tail white; feet orange
yellow.

Adult in winter : Forepart of crown white, marked with
black; occiput black. Immature birds have the upper parts
mottled with buff and the bill dark brown.

Length, 9.50; Wing, 7; Tail, 3.50; Tarsus, .60; Bill, 1.20.

This is the smallest of the Terns. It is resident in parts of Florida and
breeds in the State. The eggs are three, sometimes four, pale buff or
brownish white dotted with brown.

66 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Range: ‘* Northern South America northward to California and New Eng-
land and casually to Labrador, breeding nearly throughout its range.”
(ALOsU;)
STERNA FULIGINOSA Game’.

Sooty Tern.

Adult tn summer, Bill black; crown and
entire upper plumage black; dusky on the
nape; forehead white, extending back in a
pointed streak from the sides of the forehead,
but not reaching above the eye; under parts
white; outer tail feathers white, shading into
dark brown on the inner web near the tip; legs
and feet black.

Length, 16.50: Wing, 11.50; Tail, 7; Tarsus,
.g0; Bill, 1.60.

The Sooty Tern is common along
the coast of Southern Florida in summer. It probably breeds in Florida, as

it does so in large numbers in the Bahama Islands. Eggs usually two, butf

white marked with chocolate brown.

Range: ‘‘ Tropical and sub-tropical coasts of the globe.” CASOnU..)

(oy
5

STERNA ANZETHETUS § Scop.
Bridled Tern.

Adult: Spring plumage, dill black ; cap
black; forehead white, extending in a stripe
on both sides of the forehead over and
beyond the eye ; upper back (mantle) gray-
ish, shading into white on the sides of the
neck; wings grayish brown, under parts
white; primaries dark brown, the first and
second showing a stripe of white on the inner
webs not reaching the tips ; upper tail coverts
slaty gray ; outer tail feathers almost entirely
white, showing a slight tinge of brownish
near the tip; legs and feet black.

Length, 14.25; Wing, 10; Tail, 6.25; Tar-
sus, .7o; illa5o.

The Bridled Tern is a tropical species which is accidental on our coast.
It has once been taken in Florida and probably will be found to occur regu-
larly in summer. I found it breeding in the Bahama Islands in June, 1879,
in company with the Sooty Terns. The eggs are usually two, cream color

or brownish white blotched with chocolate brown.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 67

GENUS HYDROCHELIDON Bote.

HYDROCHELIDON NIGRA SURINAMENSIS § (Gye/.)
Black Tern.

Adult in summer: Upper parts slaty gray; head
and under parts black (except under tail coverts) ; bill
and feet black. Adult tz winter: head white, with
a black patch streaked with white on the occiput;
upper parts gray. /mmature: upper parts mottled
with buff or pale brown; sides ashy.

Length, 9.50;, Wing, 8.30; Tail, 3.60; Tarsus, .70;
Bill, 1.10.

The Black Tern occurs on the Atlantic

coast from Florida to Prince Edward’s Is-
land, and on the west coast from Alaska

to Chile. It breeds from the middle United States northward. The eggs

‘tole

are olive brown blotched with pale brown and chocolate brown.

Genus ANOUS STEPHENS.

ANOUS STOLIDUS (Zzz.).
Noddy Tern.

Adult in summer: Bill black; forehead white,
shading into gray on the occiput; lower eyelid
white ; front of the eye, and narrow superciliary line
blackish; general plumage rich olive brown;
primaries dark brown, the first having the inner
web pale brown; legs and feet black. The imma-
ture birds have the head grayish brown, whitish on
the forehead.

Leneth, 155° Wing, ros Tail; 5:75; Larsus,; .8o.;
Bill, 1.70.

The Noddy Tern is a summer visitant to our Southern shores, and breeds
in Florida on some of the Southern keys. It is abundant in the Bahama
Islands and breeds there in June in great numbers. Only one egg is usually
laid; but I have found two in a nest on several occasions. The nest, which
is constructed of sticks and grass, is built ( on the Maraporvos Islands,
Bahamas, ) upon the low cactus plants which cover the islands. Occasionally
an egg was found in a depression of the rock without any nest. The eggs
are buff white marked with reddish brown.

68 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Famity RHYNCHOPIDA. SKIMMERS.

GENUS RHYNCHOPS Linn.

RHYNCHOPS NIGRA Zinn.

Black Skimmer.

Adult in summer: Bill thin, knife-like, lower mandible the longer, basal half vermillion red,
blackish at tip ; forehead, lores, and cheeks, and entire under part to crissum, and tips of second-
aries white; under lining of wing ana axillars white; rest of plumage black; tail white, the
shafts of the feathers brownish above.

Adult in winter: Similar but browner, and showing a white nuchal collar.

Length, 18 to 20; Wing, 15; Tail, 5.50; Tarsus, 1.25; Bill (culmen), 2.70; Gonys, 4.25.

A common resident in Florida, it breeds on the Atlantic coast from Florida
es, usually four, are brownish white blotched with

to: Virginia. , Phe ege
chocolate brown; they are deposited on the sand without any nest.
Range: ‘* Warmer parts of America north on the Atlantic coast to New

Jersey and casually to the Bay of Fundy.” (A.0.0.)

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 69

Obi mm eN AES:

TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS.

Famity DIOMEDEID. ALBATROSSES.
GeNusS DIOMEDEA Linn.

DIOMEDEA EXULANS) Zin.
Wandering Albatross.
Adult : General color yellowish white; remiges dusky ; bill

white, pale yellowish at tip. /#zature birds are dark brown,
showing whitish on the forehead and face.

Length about 4 feet; extent of wings (spread) about 10

x <<) to 12 feet.
SS)

/ The only claim this species has to be in-

(Very much reduced. )

cluded among our birds is the alleged capture
of a specimen in Tampa Bay, Florida. It is an Antarctic species.

FAMILY PROCELLARIID2. Fuximars, SHEARWATERS, PETRELS.

Genus PUFFINUS Brisson.

PUFFINUS MAJOR /vler.
Greater Shearwater.

Adult: General plumage brown, grayish on
the head; under parts and lining of wing white
tail brown; crissum dark; under tail coverts
gray ; tarsus dark in front, the rest pale.

Length, 19; Wing, 12.50; Tail, 5.75; Bill, 2.40
Tarsus, 2.

Ranges from Cape Horn and Cape
of Good Hope to Greenland. I know
of no positive record of the occurrence
of this bird in Florida, but once saw

a stuffed specimen in Jacksonville,
which the dealer claimed was _ killed
otf the coast.

70 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

PUFFINUS AUDUBONI /isch.

Audubon’s Shearwater.

Adult: Above glossy brown, shading into grayish on the
sides of the breast; below white; crissum brown and white;
tail brown, the feathers tipped with ashy; bill plumbeous.

Length, 11.50; Wing, 8; Bill, 1.20; Tarsus, 1.55.
Occurs on the Atlantic coast from Florida to New Jersey ;

very common in the Bahama Islands, where it breeds: nest

in holes in the rocks, where the bird lays a single chalky

white egg.

Genus AESTRELATA Bonap.

AESTRELATA HASITATA (Av//).
-Black=capped Petrel.

Adult : Head white; crown black; upper parts except upper tail coverts dusky ; under parts
white ; sides of the chest sometimes gray. Upper and under tail coverts white.

Length, 16.50; Wing, 12; Bill, 1.35; Tarsus, 1.40.
An Atlantic species rarely found near the coast. It has been taken in
‘¢ Florida and on Long Island.” (Ridgway, Man. IV. A. Birds, p. 66.)

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. qe

GENuS OCEANITES Keys. anp Bias.

OCEANITES OCEANICUS (Avw//).
Wilson’s Petrel. Mother Cary’s Chicken.

Adult: General plumage dark brown; wing coverts edged with pale brown; part of upper
tail coverts white ; tail black; bill black; legs and feet black; yellow spots on the webs between
the toes.

Length, 7; Wing, 5.60; Tail, 2.45; Tarsus, 1.25; Bill, .60.

Common off the Atlantic coast in summer. It ranges throughout the
‘* North and South Atlantic and Southern Oceans.” (A; 0.0)

GENUS CYMODROMA Ripeway.

CYMODROMA GRALLARIA ( /%e7//.).
White-bellied Petrel.
Upper parts dusky, under parts white.
“Throat usually with only concealed white and without white on the hind neck.”
Length, 8; Wing, 6.25; Tail, 3.10; Tarsus, 1.50.
‘¢Intertropical seas, north casually to coast of Florida.”

Chideway; Man. IN. A. Birds, p. 72.)

~T
i)

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

ORDER Sr EGAN ORO Dir:

TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS.

Famity PHAETHONTID. . Tropic. Brrps.

Genus PHAETHON Livy.

_ <a f s/
yy
4A 4
_ 7
4
-

PHAETHON FLAVIROSTRIS Brandt.
Yellow=billed Tropic Bird.

Adult: Bill pale orange yellow; general plumage white, sometimes slightly rose-tinted, most
of the primaries showing much black; a black streak passing through the eye; some of the
wing coverts and shafts of the tail feathers black; tail elongated into two very long feathers,
which are slightly reddened ; tarsus bluish; iris black ; webs and toes black.

Length, including tail feathers, 31.50; Wing, 11; Tail, 21; Tarsus, .go; Bill, 2.
The Yellow-billed Tropic Bird is of rare occurrence on our shores, but is
common in the Bahama Islands, and has been recorded from Florida.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

~I
eS)

Famity SULIDAE.: GaANNETS.

Genus SULA Brisson.

SULA CYANOPS 9 Sundeval.
Blue-faced Booby.

Adult: General plumage white; remiges and greater wing coverts dark brown: middle
rectices hoary white tipped with brown; rest of tail feathers dark brown, white at the base;
feet reddish; gular sac bluish.

Length, 27; Wing, 16; Tail, 7.70; Bill, 3.90; Tarsus, 1.85.

This species is claimed to occur on the Florida coast, although it must
be considered as accidental. It has been found breeding in the Bahama

Islands.

SULA SULA (Zmn.).

Common Booby.

Adult: Head'and throat, upper part of breast, and entire upper plumage dark olive brown,
under parts white; gular sac pale yellow; upper mandible greenish; feet pale yellowish
green ; iris yellow.

Length, 27; Wing, 15.50; Tail, 8; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 4.

Claimed to have been taken in Florida, where it is probably accidental.
It is not uncommon in the Bahama Islands, where it breeds.

74 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

SULA PISCATOR (Zizu.).
Red-footed Booby.

Adult: General color white, showing a buff tinge on the head and neck. Shafts of the tail
feathers pale yellow; remiges and most of the wing coverts slate-gray, showing an ash tinge ;
feet reddish. /7zatuve: General plumage grayish brown above; dull gray beneath, some-
times whitish ; plumage very variable.

Length, 27; Wing, 14.50; Tail, 8; Tarsus, 2.10; Bill, 3.30.

Range: ‘* Coast and islands of tropical and sub-tropical seas north to
Western Mexico and Florida.” (A.0.U.)
This species has very little claim to be included in our fauna. It may

occasionally occur on the Florida coast in summer.

SuBGENUS DYSPORUS ILLiceEr.

SULA BASSANA (Zizz.).

Gannet.

ae a Mh ;

b eK ie ANI)
g \ My I, Y

Ye! Vy wr Mh) Hl

em ;
mi, w Va

=

tae

Adult. Immature.

Adult: Very large; head and neck white tinged with yellowish buff; general color white ;
primaries dark brown; bare space about the eyes, bluish black. /#zmature: General plumage

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 75

mottled, grayish brown and white, showing wedge-shape white marks near the ends of the feathers.
Length, 36; Wing, 19.25: Tail, 9.50; Tarsus, 2.20; Bill, 4.
2 za : : : : : @ ;
The Gannet occasionally occurs in Florida in winter. It breeds from
Nova Scotia northward, usually on rocky cliffs. The female lays one

chalky-white egg. I found it breeding in great numbers on Bird Rock,
Magdalene Islands in 1877.

Famity ANHINGIDZ. DaARTERS.

GeNus ANHINGA Brisson.

(Male.)

ANHINGA ANHINGA (Z777.).
Anhinga. Water Turkey. Darter. Snake Bird.
Adult male: Breeding plumage, head and neck black, showing a greenish gloss; back of

the head and neck showing lengthened hair-like feathers of dull white: back mottled and
streaked with white: upper mandible olive edged with yellow; lower mandible yellow, shading

76 KEY TO DHE WATER BIRDS OF BLORIDA:.
In winter the male loses the white hair-like feathers on

into green at the tip: gular sac yellow.
the neck; middle tail feathers showing transverse fluting.

Adult female : Head, neck, and breast buff color, darker on the nape.

Length, 33.50; Wing, 13.50; Tail, 10.50; Tarsus, 1.35; Bill, 3.25.

Ranges on the Atlantic coast from Florida to the Carolinas. It is
resident and breeds in Florida, building its nest on some limb overhanging
water. The eggs are usually two or three and chalky white, having a

bluish tinge.

Famity PHALACROCORACIDA. CoRMORANTS.

GENUS PHALACROCORAX Brisson.

PHALACROCORAX DILOPHUS FLORIDANUS (Au).

Florida Cormorant.

Adult in summer - General plumage black ; back and wing coverts slaty brown; tail consists

of twelve feathers.
Length, 36; Wing, 12; Tail, 5.75; Bill, 2.20.
Common on the Florida coast. It breeds in the State, the nest being

gs are dirty white with a bluish tinge.

built on bushes or trees. The eg

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

~I
~I

FamiIny PELECANIDZ. PELICANs.

Genus PELECANUS Linn.
SuBGENUS CYRTOPELICANUS ReEIcu.

PELECANUS ERYTHRORHYNCHOS Gil.
American White Pelican.

Adult in breeding plumage : General plumage white ; bill yellowish with horny protuberance
on the top (this is lacking in winter); primaries black ; pouch is lemon yellow and the legs pale
yellow ; iris straw color.

Length, 60; Wing, 24.50; Tarsus, 4.45; Bill, 12.

The White Pelican is common in Central America and on the coast of
California and Mexico; it occurs regularly in Florida, and is not uncommon
in some localities, but its numbers are decreasing every year. It has been
known to breed in the State: but does not do so regularly, as it is usually a
winter visitant to Florida.

78 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

PELECANUS FUSCUS /in.

Brown Pelican.

Adult in breeding plumage: Neck chestnut brown; head and line at the base of the pouch
yellowish white; upper parts ashy gray, some of the feathers edged with brownish. bill
brownish white marked with red in spots; pouch dark greenish black; bare space in front of
the eye bluish; tail consists of twenty-two feathers. The immature bird has the head and neck

brownish gray.
Length, 50; Wing, 20; Tarsus, 2.90; Bill, 11.

This species is abundant in Florida, breeding in numbers in some locali-
ties. The eggs are three to five, of a bluish white color, covered with a
chalky deposit.

Habitat: ‘* Atlantic coast of tropical and sub-tropical America, north on
the Atlantic coast to North Carolina; accidental in Illinois.” (A.0.u.)

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 79

Famity FREGATIDA. MAaAn-o?-War Birpbs.
Genus FREGATA Cuvier.

FREGATA AQUILA (Ziuz.).
Man-o’=War Bird.
Adult male: Entire plumage brownish black, showing a greenish reflection on the head, and

purplish upon the back; tail forked and composed of twelve feathers; gular sac pale orange :
iris brown.

Adult female: Differs from the male by having a white patch on the breast, which extends
along the sides of the neck and around it near the middle.

Length, 43; Wing, 25; Tail, 19; Tarsus, 1; Bill, 6.

This species is common on the Florida coast. It is possible that it may
nest on some of the keys; but I know of no actual record of its breeding
in the United States. It breeds commonly in the Bahama Islands, where I
have often found its nest. The female lays one white egg.

Ranges along the tropical and sub-tropical coast of America, and an

5 5

occasional straggler has been recorded as far north as Nova Scotia.

So KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.
ORDER ANSERES.
LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS.

Famity ANATID®. Ducks, GEESE, AND SWANS.

SuBFAMILY MERGINA®. MERGANSERS.

Fish-eating ducks having narrow bills with tooth-like serrations on edges.

Genus MERGANSER Brisson.

Merganser americanus (male). Merganser americanus (female).

MERGANSER AMERICANUS (Cass.).

American Merganser.

Adult male: Bill red, long and narrow, with tooth-like serrations; head and neck greenish
black; under parts creamy white tinged with salmon color ; tail gray; feet red.

Length, 26.50; Wing, 11; Tarsus, 2; Bill, 2.10.

Adult female: Upper throat white; breast and head rufous brown; belly white ; speculum
white; feet orange.

Length, 24.50; Wing, 9.75; Tarsus, 1.90; Bill, 2.

The distance from the nostril to the tip of the bill is less than 1.50 inches in this species, and
the female may be distinguished from the next species, viz., Red-breasted Merganser, by this

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. S1

character, as the Red-breasted Merganser has a distance from the nostril to the tip of the bill of
more than 1.50 inches.

This species ranges throughout North America and is not uncommon on
the Atlantic coast from Maine to Georgia. Occasionally a specimen
wanders as far south as Florida, although it is not common in that State.
I have on one occasion killed a specimen near the head of Indian River.
The nest is composed of a little grass or leaves on a ledge or occasionally
in a hole in a tree.

The eggs are from seven to ten, of a pale yellow buff color.

Merganser serrator (male.)

MERGANSER SERRATOR (/777.).

Red=breasted Merganser.

Adult male: WHead and throat black tinged with greenish; a white ring around the neck
not always well marked; breast rufous streaked with black; lower breast and belly white;
the sides and rump delicately pencilled with black. Distance from nostril to tip of bill more
than 1.50.

Length, 23; Wing, 9; Tarsus, 1.90; Bill, 2.30.

Female and young male: Head brownish; throat pale buff; back gray: under parts of the
body are white and speculum is white.

Length, 21; Wing, 8.80; Tarsus, 1.90; Bill, 2.50.

Inhabits the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere, ranging in winter
southward throughout the United States to Cuba. It is a common bird on

82 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

the Atlantic coast and is the common ** Shelldrake” of Florida; some winters
they are abundant. This and the Hooded Merganser are the two species
which are common in Florida in winter.

The female of this species may be easily distinguished from the American
Merganser by the difference in the measurement of the bill; the bird is also
somewhat smaller. The distance from the nostril to the tip of the bill in
this species measures more than 1.50 inches.

It breeds from New Brunswick northward, the eggs being pale buff in

color and usually from eight to twelve in number.

Genus LOPHODYTES Rercu.

LOPHODYTES CUCULLATUS (Linn.).
Hooded Merganser.

Adult male: Head with large black and
white crest ; upper parts black; under parts
white having the sides brownish delicately
barred with black.

Length, 19.50; Wing, 7.75; Tarsus, 1.30;
Bill, 1.50.

Adult female: Head and neck brownish, show-
ing a slight crest, but not nearly as large as in
the male; under parts white.

Length, 18.50; Wing, 7.75; Tarsus, 1.30;
Bill, 1.50.

The young bird resembles the female, but has no crest.
Length, 18.50; Wing, 7.70; Tarsus, 1.25; Bill, 1.50.

This species is found in
many parts of North
America, having a wide
distribution. It is com-
mon in Florida in winter,

(Male.) and ranges along the Gulf
coast to Mexico and Cuba, breeding throughout its
range. The eggs are usually deposited in a hollow
tree near the water ; they are white, sometimes bufty

white in color, and usually number from seven to
ten. It has a peculiar note, somewhat resembling
that of the Scaup Duck, but sharper.

(Female.)

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 83

SuspFAaMity ANATIN. River Ducks.

Ducks having hind toe without membranous lobe
or flap.

Genus ANAS Linn.

(Female.) ~ (Male. )
ANAS BOSCHAS. inn.

Mallard.

Adult male: Head and neck dark green with a white ring on the neck; under parts whitish
or ashy white; breast is rich chestnut brown; under tail coverts black; upper tail coverts are
also black with central feathers elongated and curved upwards; speculum purple bordered
with black and white ; feet orange red.

Adult female: Speculum purple bordered with black and white ; head brownish buff ; belly
buffy brown, usually mottled ; feet are red.
Length, 23; Wing, 10.50; Bill, 2.20.
This species inhabits the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere. — It
breeds far northward and ranges in winter to the West Indies and Central

America and is not uncommonin Northern Florida. I have killed a num-

84 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

ber of specimens near Cape Canaveral. The eggs are greenish white and
usually from seven to ten in number.

The Mallard is known to cross with various species, some sixty or seventy
hybrids having been recorded; the most common crosses being with the
Pintail, Black Duck, and Widgeon. The female may always be distin-
guished from the Black Duck by the white border of the speculum.

The male says, ‘‘ Drake, drake, drake, drake,” several times in a husky
voice and also ‘* Shwipe,” low and husky lke a Black Duck. The female
‘¢quacks.” Drakes rarely ‘‘ quack”; in most species of ducks it is usually
the female.

ANAS OBSCURA Giwe/.
Black Duck. Dusky Duck.

Head and neck pale brown, finely dotted
and streaked with dark brown; top of the
head darker than the cheeks; general plu-
mage dark brown; feathers edged with pale
buff; speculum purple edged with black ;
bill yellowish green with dark nail, no black
at the base; feet orange red with dusky
webs; the color of the feet varies.

Length, 21; Wing, 10.75; Bill, 2.10; Tar-
SUS) Ue75<

This species may always be easily
distinguished from the female of
the Mallard by the absence of the
white stripe on the speculum. It is
pretty well distributed over North
America and breeds from New

Ls ee, England northward.
The male says: ‘‘ Drake, drake,
; drake, drake,” and also ‘*‘ Shwipe,”
in a husky voice: the female ‘‘ quacks.”
It ranges in winter to Cuba and the Antilles and is common in Florida,
where it may easily be distinguished from the local species by the streaked
cheeks and throat. Itis also darker in color than the Florida Black Duck.

The eggs are nine to twelve and are pale greenish white.

KEY DO THE WATER BIRDS OF HLORIDA. 85

ANAS FULVIGULA Ridgway.
Florida Black Duck. Florida Dusky Duck.

Adult male: Upper mandible yellowish olive, nail and spot at base of mandible black ; some-
times mixed with dull orange; under mandible yellowish olive, dusky at tip; legs and toes pale
orange with the webs red; iris brown.

Adult female : Legs and toes dull Indian red; webs mottled brownish and flesh color; upper
mandible yellowish olive showing a brownish stripe on the middle and the nail and a spot at the
base black; under mandible pale orange yellow.

General appearance of the Northern Black Duck and lighter in color and having the throat
and cheeks almost without streaks and very pale buff in color.

Length, 20; Wing, 10.20; Bill, 2; Tarsus, 1.70.

This is a resident species in Florida, where it is becoming rather rare in
many localities where it was once common. It nests in the marshes, the
eggs being pale greenish in color. I have found two nests of this species on
the Banana River. Eggs are usually from eight to ten in number, but I have
heard of fourteen eggs being taken in a nest. The note resembles that of

the Black Duck.

86 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

SupcEnuSs CHAULELASMUS Bonaparte.

(Male.)

ANAS STREPERA Zinn.
Gadwall.

Adult male: ead brownish finely streaked with black and dark brown; sides of the
head pale brown mottled with black; neck and breast mottled (black and white), the feathers
being black having a central white mark; under parts white (sometimes grayish white). Under
tail coverts are black and upper tail coverts and rump are black; speculum gray and white ;
the lesser wing coverts chestnut; bill black; feet orange.

Length, 19.505; Wing, 10; Bill, 1.60.

Adult female: Somewhat resembles the male but has the under wing coverts pure white
and usually little or no chestnut on the lesser wing coverts.

Length, 19; Wing, 10; Bill, 1.55.

Range: North America, breeding usually inthe interior in the northern
5 ’ 5
part. It iscommon in Florida in winter where it is known as Creek Duck.
The eggs are usually from nine to twelve and buffy white in color. The
oo .
note of the male somewhat resembles the call of a deer or perhaps the
squeak of a door; the female ‘‘ quacks” softly.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 87

SUBGENUS MIARECA STEPHENS.

(Male.)

ANAS AMERICANA Gie/.
Baldpate. American Widgeon.

Adult male: Head speckled black and white; top of the head white; a broad stripe of
greenish back of the eye to the occiput; chin blackish; upper breast pale ashy lilac or vinaceous ;
rest of under parts pure white; crissum and under tail coverts black; back ashy vinaceous finely
pencilled with black ; a broad patch of white on the wing; most of the secondaries have the
outer web black edged with white; the inner webs are grayish towards the tip ; speculum black
and green. ;

Adult female; MWead and throat whitish, streaked and mottled with black; back grayish
brown; tertials dusky edged with whitish.

Length, 19; Wing, 10.50; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 1.40.

This species ranges nearly throughout North America but does not breed
on the Atlantic coast as far as known. It is very common in winter in

Florida occurring along the Gulf to Central America and Northern South

88 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

America and the West Indies. The eggs are pale brownish white from
eight to twelve in number.

The European Widgeon (Anas penelope), which occasionally wanders to
our shores has the head cinnamon, speckled with brown while the American
form has the head grayish speckled with dusky. The note of the male is

three soft whistles ‘* Do mi do” of the scale; the female ‘* quacks.”

Suscenus NETTION Kavp.

(Male.) (Female.)
ANAS CAROLINENSIS Gwe’.
Green-winged Teal.

Head and neck chestnut brown; a patch of green behind the eye extending to the nape.
Feathers are somewhat elongated forming a small crest; sides and back pale, marked with
narrow fine lines of black; under parts white, shading into pale brown or buff on the breast,
which is also spotted with black; speculum green bordered with black and chestnut.

Adult female: Was top of the head brownish margined with reddish brown; throat and
side of the neck white spotted with black ; breast brownish with black spots ; rest of under parts
white, sometimes showing black spots on the under tail coverts.

Length, 14.50; Wing, 7.20; Tarsus, 1.25; Bill, 1.50.

This species ranges throughout North America breeding north of the
United States. Ranges south in winter to the West Indies, the Gulf of
Mexico and Central America; common in Florida in winter. The eggs are
pale brownish white and usually number from seven to twelve.

The male whistles sharp and low, and the female ‘* quacks.”

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 59

SUBGENUS QUERQUEDULA SveEPHEns.
ANAS DISCORS Zinn.

Blue-winged Teal.

Adult male; Head gray with purplish gloss, darkest on
top; a white patch resembling a crescent in front of the
eye; wing coverts and some of the scapulars pale grayish
blue forming a grayish blue patch on the wing ; speculum
rich green; under parts purplish gray spotted on the breast
with black ; the flanks are narrowly barred with black. The
bill is black, the feet yellow.

Adult female: Showing a blue patch on wing, which
distinguishes it from other Teals, except the female of Anas
cyanoptera, but the color of the head will always distinguish
it from that species.

Length, 16; Wing, 7.25; Tarsus, 1.25; Bill, 1.60.

Ranges throughout Eastern North America
breeding chiefly north of the United States.
In winter it is common in Florida and its
range extends to the West Indies and North-
ern South America. The eggs are pale buff
usually from eight to twelve in number. The

male whistles and the female ‘* quacks.”

(Female.)

ANAS CYANOPTERA /%e7//.
Cinnamon Teal.

Adult male; Head, neck, and upper parts chest-=
nut brown, the crown somewhat darker than the sides
of the head; under parts brownish showing dusky on
the belly ; rump olive brown, feathers becoming lighter
on the edges; wing coverts blue gray, similar to the
Blue-winged Teal; speculum green ; the general colora-
tion of the wing being similar to the Blue-winged Teal,
but the coloration of the body is so different that it
should never be confounded with that species.

Adult female: Resembles the female of the Blue-
winged Teal although larger; the under parts show

(Male.)

go KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

a trace of the chestnut marking of the male and the upper throat and chin are more speckled,
otherwise apparently quite similar to dzas discors.

Length, 16; Wing, 7.50; Bill, 1.75; Tarsus, 1.30.

This is a species which is usually confined to Western North America,
only occasionally reaching the Atlantic Coast in the Southeastern States. It
has been recorded from Florida, but I have never seen an example from
that State, although it is given as quite common by several authors. It ex-
tends to Southern South America in its range; does not breed on the east
coast.

Genus SPATULA Bolter.

(Male.)

SPATULA CLYPEATA (Linn.).
Shoveller.

Adult male: Bill very much broadened; head and neck dark green; breast pure white

shading into purplish chestnut on the belly; wing coverts blue; speculum green edged with
white ; feet orange red.
Length, 20; Wing, 9.50; Bill, 2.70; Tarsus, 1.50.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. gI

Adult female: WHead and neck mottled and streaked with pale brown and dark brown or
black; under parts brownish, mottled and spotted with fuscous, scarcely showing on the middle
of the belly ; speculum and wing coverts as in the male.

Length, 19.50; Wing, 9.50; Bill, 2.60; Tarsus, 1.50.

The immature male is often intermediate in plumage between the adult male and female, but
the speculum shows but little green and the wing coverts are slaty gray. The head is often very
much mottled when changing to adult plumage.

(Female.)

This species ranges throughout the Northern Hemisphere, commonly in
the interior. It breeds from Minnesota northward as a rule; there is no
record of its breeding in the Atlantic States.

Ranges in winter to South America, being one of the common species in
Florida during the winter months. The eggs are pale buff white, usually
from six to ten in number. The note of the male is a gutteral short ‘* Thuck
thuck”’; the female <“quacks.”

Genus DAFILA STEPHENS.

DAFILA ACUTA (Zzuzn.).
Pintail. Sprigtail.

Adult male: Bill black having the edges lead color; head and neck dark rufous brown
sometimes showing a faint gloss of green on the feathers; sides of the neck showing a stripe of
white and a stripe of black extending down the back of the neck; under parts white showing
faint wavy fine lines of dusky on the sides; crissum black edged with white; central tail
feathers very much elongated in the male; feet lead color. j

Length, 28; Wing, 9.50; Tail, 7; Bill, 2.

g2 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Adult female; Tail feathers not so much elongated as in the male; crown and sides of
the head streaked with dusky and pale brown; breast spotted with dark brown or black ; under
parts white; abdomen and sides showing faint lines of dusky ; under wing coverts fuscous edged
with white axillars marked with black; speculum grayish brown edged with white. The imma-
ture male shows considerable variation in plumage, the under parts being usually more streaked
or spotted than the adult female, which it otherwise somewhat resembles.

Length, 22; Wing, 9.25; Tail, 3.50; Bill, 2.

Jy
Hes

Dafila acuta (male). (Female.)

Ranges throughout the Northern Hemisphere breeding from Illinois
northward; apparently does not breed on the Atlantic Coast, but is common
in winter from Virginia and the Carolinas southward to the West Indies and
Central America. It is one of the common ducks in Florida.

Eggs are usually from seven to twelve and are bluish white in color.
The female Pintail may always be recognized by the pointed middle tail
feathers and the blackish under wing coverts.

The male whistles and the female ‘‘ quacks.”

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 93

Genus AIX Bote.

(Female.)

(Male.)

AIX SPONSA (Zinz.).
Wood Duck.

Adult male: Billred marked with rose-white and a black stripe on the middle of the upper
mandible and tip; under mandible black; head with decided crest, which shows white, metallic
green, and purple; a narrow superciliary line from the bill to the occiput and another stripe of
white behind the eye extending to the nape; chin and throat white, extending upwards in a
streak on sides of head, back of eye; a stripe passing upwards on the side of the head; sides
and front of the lower neck and under breast purplish chestnut dotted with white spots ; under
parts white, sides sometimes grayish showing faint pencilling of dusky lines; upper parts
showing bronze green and purple; speculum bluish green edged with black and white.

Length, 18.50; Wing, 9.50; Bill, 1.40.

Adult female: Crest small but the feathers somewhat lengthened ; head and neck grayish,
whitening on the chin and front of the eyes; front of the neck and breast pale brown mottled
with grayish; the breast showing numerous brown spots which fade away on the lower breast ;
belly white.

' Length, 18; Wing, 9.30; Bill, 1.35.

This species ranges from the Gulf northward to Hudson’s Bay, breeding
nearly throughout its range; it is common in the interior of Florida and has
been taken in Cuba and Jamaica. The eggs are pale brownish white and
usually number from seven to fourteen. It nests in a hole in a tree.

94 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

SUBFAMILY FULIGULIN/EZ. Bay anp Sea Ducks. |

Ducks having flap or membranous lobe on hind toe.

Genus AYTHYA Botrr.

AYTHYA AMERICANA (Zyz.).
Red=head Duck.

Adult male: Head and neck brownish chestnut; lower neck and upper breast black-
ish; back apparently grayish being pencilled with wavy lines of black; speculum grayish ;
upper feathers edged with black, the rest narrowly tipped with white.

Length, 21; Wing, 8.40; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 2.20.

Adult female: Bill bluish showing an indistinct bar near the end; head and neck reddish
brown, palest on the sides of the head, becoming ashy on the sides of the head; upper throat
white; breast and sides brownish ; belly white; under tail coverts and lower belly sometimes
washed with pale brownish.

Length, 20.50; Wing, 8.30; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 2.20.

This is rather a Western species, as it breeds very rarely on the Atlantic
coast of the United States. It is common in the West breeding from

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 95

Minnesota northward. It ranges in winter south to the Northern West
Indies and occasionally occursin Florida, although not in any great numbers.
It is a very abundant species from Carolina to Virginia during the winter,
in suitable localities. The Red-head may easily be distinguished from the
Canvas-back by the shape of the bill. The forehead arches abruptly from
the bill and does not follow the line of the bill, as in the Canvas-back.

The female Red-head closely resembles the female of the Ring-necked
Duck but is larger. It does not breed on the Atlantic coast.*

AYTHYA VALLISNERIA (Wits.).
Canvas-back Duck.

Adult male: Head and neck rufous brown
becoming dusky on the crown and chin; the
breast and upper portion of the back blackish;
rest of upper parts and wing coverts showing
fine wavy lines of black, general appearance
being grayish; belly white, the lower portion
faintly lined with dusky. Sides white, showing
the delicate lines as on the back, but very much
fainter and sometimes wanting.

Adult female: Head and neck cinnamon
brown, paler on the throat; belly white or gray-
ish white.

Length, 20 to 22; Wing, 8:75 to 9.25; Bill, 75
to .80; Tarsus, 1.70.

The peculiar formation of the bill
will always distinguish this species
from the Red-head, which it some-

what resembles.

Occurs throughout North America and is more common in the West.
Breeds from the Northwestern States northward to Alaska. © It ranges in
winter south to Cuba and Jamaica, although it is only a straggler and is by
no means common in Florida. I have occasionally killed specimens as far
south as Cape Canaveral.

This species is common off the coast of Virginia and Chesapeake Bay
during the winter months. It does not breed on the Atlantic coast.

* A single instance is on record of a pair being found breeding near Calais, Maine.

96 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

SupceNnus FULVIGULA STEPHENS.

(Male.)

(Female.)

AYTHYA MARILA NEARCTICA Séejx.
American Scaup Duck.

Adult male: Head and neck and upper breast black showing greenish reflections ; back
grayish white delicately lined with fine wavy lines of black, giving it a grayish appearance ;
speculum white; under parts white, the lower belly showing grayish tinge.

Length, 19; Wing, 8.50; Tarsus, 1.50; Bill, 2.

Adult female: Patch at the base of the bill white or grayish white, rest of the head and
neck, breast and upper back brownish; belly white; speculum white.

Length, 17.75; Wing, 8.25; Tarsus, 1.30; Bill, 1.60.

Species ranges throughout North America, breeding north of the United
States. It ranges in winter south to the Bahama Islands, and on the Atlan-
tic coast south to Florida, although it is not nearly as abundant in Southern

waters as A. m2. afinis, to which it is very closely allied. There are, ap-

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 97

parently, no constant characters (with the possible exception of size) by
which it may be separated from that species: the head, as a rule, shows
greenish reflections, while the Lesser Scaup Duck generally has the head
glossed with purplish,-but these characters cannot be always depended upon
and the main difference is one of size.

The eggs are described as being pale olive buff and number from six to
ten. It nests on the ground, as is common with the Sea Ducks.

The only duck that this common bird is likely to be confounded with is
the Ring-neck, and it can always be distinguished at a glance from that
species by the white band on the wing (speculum), which is always gray in
the Ring-neck.

AYTHYA AFFINIS (£y7.).
Lesser Scaup Duck.

Male: Resembles the male of the preceding species but is somewhat smaller in size; the
head generally shows a faint gloss of purplish, while the Greater Scaup Duck shows a greenish
tinge on the head.

Length, 17; Wing, 8.10; Tarsus, 1.50; Bill, 1.80.

The female resembles the female of the preceding species but varies in being smaller; the
speculum of both the male and female is white, and this duck may always be distinguished
from the Ring-neck by this character.

Length, 16.50; Wing, 7.70; Tarsus, 1.25; Bill, 1.50.

This bird ranges throughout North America, breeding north of the United
States, and occurs in winter south to Guatemala and West Indies. It is the
most common species in Florida, being one of the first to arrive and among
the last to leave the State. I have seen small flocks of them in the rivers as
late as the first of May. The note of this and the Greater Scaup Duck is a
peculiar sound, difficult to describe but rather easy to imitate. It somewhat
resembles the sound made by rubbing the finger quickly and lightly over a
roll-top desk.

AYTHYA COLLARIS (Dovvv.).
Ring=necked Duck.
Adult male; Wead and neck, upper breast and upper back black, showing faint bluish

reflections when held in the light. In the breeding season the male has an orange chestnut
collar which is usually lacking later in the season; belly white with the lower belly finely lined

98 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

with black; back and scapulars dusky; speculum gray ; bill dusky, showing a faint bluish gray
band near the end.
Adult female: Head brownish, the sides mixed with grayish brown, widening on the cheeks
and base of the bill; belly whitish, becoming grayish on the lower portion; bill as in the male.
Length, 17; Wing, 8; Bill, 2.

Aythya collaris (female).

Aythya collaris (male).

Species ranges throughout North America breeding north of the United
States. It ranges south in winter to Guatemala and the West Indies. It is
common in Florida, generally preferring fresh or brackish water to the ocean.

The female of this species resembles the female Red-head, but is easily
distinguished from that species by its smaller size. This species may be
distinguished in any plumage from the Scaup Ducks by its gray speculum.
The note somewhat resembles that of the Scaup Duck. In winter the collar
of the male is usually absent or but slightly indicated. This species does
not breed on the Atlantic coast.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 99

Genus GLAUCIONETTA Srejn.

GLAUCIONETTA CLANGULA AMERICANA (Sova/.).
American Golden Eye. Whistler.

Adult male: Head and neck glossy green; a patch of
white in front of the eye; back black ; under parts white ;
speculum white; lining of the wings dusky.

Length, 19.50; Wing, 9.10; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, 1.90.

Adult female: Head brown showing no white in front
of the eye; upper parts dark brown inclining to dusky but
not black; under parts white, sometimes washed with gray
on the sides and lower neck.

Length, 16.50; Wing, 8.25; Tarsus, 1.40; Bill, 1.60.

This species ranges generally throughout
North America, breeding from Maine to the
British Provinces northward. It winters from
New England southward and stragglers have

(Male.) been secured as far south as Barbadoes and
Cuba. It is nota common bird in Florida, although the species occur more
or less regularly on the Indian River during the winter months. Its nest is
placed in a tree or hollow stump. The eg

gs are usually from eight to ten

in number and dull bluish white.

Genus CHARITONETTA Srejn.

CHARITONETTA ALBEOLA (Zizz.).
Buffle-head. Butter-ball. Spirit Duck.

Adult male: A very small duck; head, upper neck, and
throat greenish purple showing various reflections of blu-
ish and greenish ; a white patch on the head from the eye
backwards; back black; under parts white; bill lead color;
feet flesh color.

Length, 12.75; Wing, 6; Tarsus, 1.20; Bill, 1.

Adult female: WHead and upper parts brownish, showing
a grayish white patch on the side of the head, back, and
above the eye ; under parts white, speculum white.

Length, 12.50; Wing, 5.75; Tarsus, 1.20; Bill, 1.

It ranges throughout North America, south in
winter to Cuba and Mexico, breeding northward

(Female.)

100 LO AKO} AM iey

NATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

from Maine to Alaska. The nest is described as being built in a stump or

tree. The eggs are a pale buff usually from eight to twelve in number.

oD

Charitonetta albeola (male).

GeENus CLANGULA Leacu.

CLANGULA HYEMALIS (Linn.).

Old Squaw.

Old Wife. South Southerly.

Adult male in winter: Central tail feathers black, much elongated; outer tail feathers
white; top of the head and back of the neck to back white; a patch of grayish on the sides of
the head including the eye, which is succeeded by a patch of black on the sides of the neck,

(Male, winter plumage.)

bordered on the lower throat by an indication of brown ;
throat and upper breast pure white; breast and upper
belly black, the black continuing over the back in a
band: lower belly and under tail coverts white; wing
coverts black; quills brown; a pale yellowish band
across the end of the bill.

Male in summer: Front of the head white; rest
of head, neck, breast, and upper belly smoky black.

Adult female in winter: Head dull white on the
crown and a patch on the side of the back of the head
smoky black or brownish black; upper parts fuscous ;
breast grayish; belly white; tail feathers pointed but
not elongated as in the male.

Length (including tail), 21; Wing, 8.05; Bill, 1.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. LOm

It ranges throughout the Northern Hemisphere; in North America south
to the Potomac and the Ohio; it breeds far northward. (ASO ti)

The eggs are described as being pale bluish and usually from six to
twelve in number.

This is one of our most common ducks on the New England coast in fall
and winter. It ranges south as far as Florida, but is not common, although
I have occasionally taken specimens on the Banana River. In the winter
of 1894-5 there were a number of these birds at Lake Worth.

GeNus OIDEMIA FLeEmING.
SupGENus OIDEMIA.,

OIDEMIA AMERICANA Sw. & Rich.
American Scoter. Black Coot.

(Female.)

(Male )

Adult male: General plumage entirely black; bill black, the upper mandible being
yellowish orange at the base. Feathers on the bill more than one half an inch from the
nostril; no white on the wing.

Adult female: Brownish or sooty brown; paler on the under parts, becoming grayish white
on the belly; sides of the head whitish. The female is smaller than the male.

Length, 19; Wing, 9.10; Tarsus, 1.65; Bill, 1.80.

Species breeds from Labrador northward; the eggs being described as
pale brown or dull whitish brown and from six to ten in number. It ranges

1O2 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

in winter south to Florida and California. I have killed specimens on the
Indian River and saw it at Lake Worth, although it cannot be considered as
a common bird in Florida every year, probably occurring there in numbers
only when the northern winters are unusually severe.

Supcenus MELANITTA Bole.

(Male.) (Female.)

OIDEMIA DEGLANDI Sonap.

White-winged Scoter. White=winged Coot.

Adult male: General plumage black ; #Afer mandible orange, blackish at the base: a white
spot under the eye and a broad patch of white on the wing; feathers on the bill less than
one half inch from the nostril.

Adult female: 1s grayish brown, showing a wash of grayish white at the base of the biil and
behind the ears; the speculum is white, which is a distinguishing character of this species.

Length, 21; Wing, 11.15; Tarsus, 2; Bill (culmen), 1.75; side measure, 2.75.

It breeds from Labrador northward, ranging in winter South to Florida
and California. I found it on the Banana River and Lake Worth during
the winter of 1894-5.

The eggs are described as being buff or cream color, six to ten in num-

ber, the nest being placed on the ground.

KEY TO WHE WADER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 103

SUBGENUSJPELIONETTA Kavp.

v

(Male.) (Female.)

OIDEMIA PERSPICILLATA (Zinn.).

Surf Scoter. Sea Coot.

Adult male: General plumage black, no white on the wing; head black with a white
patch on the forehead and nape: feathers on the bill less than one half inch from the
nostril. A peculiar highly colored bill is one of the distinguishing marks of the male of this
species, it being orange, yellow, black, and white, the feathers on the top of the bill extending
much farther forward than on the sides.

The female and immature brownish, showing a whitish spot at the base of the bill and back
of the eyes; the female having the upper parts brownish; under parts ashy gray shading into
whitish on the belly.

Length, 20.50; Wing, 9.60; Tarsus, 1.65; Bill (culmen), 1.50; side measure, 2.35.

This species may always be distinguished from O. americana by the
forward extension of the feathers on the top of the bill and from O. deg/and/
by the absence of the white wing patch. It ranges along the coast of
Northern North America and southward in winter to Florida and has been
recorded from Jamaica. In the winter of 1894-5 it was common about Lake
Worth but is usually not numerous in Florida.

The eggs are described as being buffy or dull white and five to eight

in number.

104 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Genus ERISMATURA Bonap.

ERISMATURA RUBIDA (//77:.).
Ruddy Duck.

Adult male: Apatchof white on the cheeks and chin; rest of head and general plumage
chestnut brown; the under parts silver white; tail feathers pointed and stiff. Male in winter
has the back of the head and neck smoky brown; cheeks white; the bill bluish and the feet
lead color.

Adult female: The general color of the upper parts is brownish gray; sides of the head and
throat whitish, shading into gray on the lower throat and upper breast; under parts silver white,
as in the male.

Length, 15.30; Wing, 6; Tarsus, 1.20; Bill, 1.50. .

It may easily be distinguished from other species by its small size,
chestnut brown color, and stiff pointed tail feathers.

It ranges throughout North America, breeding locally nearly throughout
its range. It ranges in winter south to Cuba and Guatemala and Northern
South America; it has been recorded trom many of the West India Islands.

The eggs are described as six to ten in number, of dull white or butfy
white, and the nest is usually built on a marsh but is sometimes deposited on
floating vegetable matter.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 105
SuBFAMILY ANSERIN. GEESE.
GENUS CHEN Bole.

CHEN HYPERBOREA NIVALIS (/0757.).

Greater Snow Goose.

General plumage white; primaries black and
primary coverts paie ash. The immature bird
has the head, neck, and upper parts mottled gray
and white; the rump and tail are white; under
parts white.

Length, 34; Wing, 17.40; Bill, 2.50; Tarsus,

a 3.10.

This species ranges throughout North America. — Its

breeding place is unknown, but is probably in the far

North. It ranges in winter south to the Greater An-
tilles. It is not a common bird in Florida, but speci-
mens occasionally occur there. It has been taken in
Key West and a number of times on the west coast.

CHEN CAERULESCENS (ZLinn.).

Blue Goose.

Head and neck white or buff; dusky gray on
the neck and back, shading into whitish on the
under parts; wings ashy gray, the rump and
upper tail coverts grayish white or white; some
of the quills and tail feathers dusky, showing
white on the edges; primaries are black.

The immature bird of this species has the
head and neck grayish brown, shading into dull
white on the chin.

Length, 30; Wing, 16; Bill, 2.20; Tarsus, 3.10.

The habits of this species are but little known, and for a long time it
was supposed to be the young of the Snow Goose.

106 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

It is now recognized as a species, although comparatively nothing is
known of its habits or range. It has been taken in Cuba and I have been
told that a specimen was killed on the west coast, but I could not learn the
exact locality. I know of no positive record of its occurrence in Florida, but
it is probably an accidental winter visitant.

Genus ANSER Brisson.

ANSER ALBIFRONS GAMBELI (flart/.).
American While=fronted Goose.

Adult: Forehead and base of bill white; bill pinkish or reddish or pale white; feet yellow;
the rest of the head brownish; neck grayish brown, shading into dull white in front; under
parts whitish, the breast showing black markings; back ashy gray; the feathers anterially
edged with brown on the upper part; shafts of quills white.

The immature bird is similar, but shows no white on the base of the bill or black markings

on the breast. ’
Length, 28; Wing, 16; Bill, 2; Tarsus, 2.90.

This species occurs throughout North America, breeding far North
and ranging in winter south to Mexico and Cuba. It is rather rare on the
Atlantic coast, but I have been told that specimens have been taken in North-
western Florida, although I have never seen a bird of this species in Florida

myself. Eggs are five to seven, of pale greenish color, sometimes brownish.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 107

Genus BRANTA Scopott.

BRANTA CANADENSIS (Zz77.).

Canada Goose.

Adult: Head and neck black; a patch of white on the side of the head behind the eye ex-
tending to the chin; back and wings grayish brown; breast and under parts dull grayish white,
becoming white on the belly; tail black.

The immature bird is similar, but has the throat and cheeks sometimes mottled.
Length, 40; Wing, 19; Bill, 2.50; Tarsus, 3.20.

The Canada Goose ranges throughout temperate North America, breed-
ing in Northern United States and the British Provinces. It ranges in
winter south to Mexico and Jamaica. It occasionally occurs in Florida
in winter, as specimens have been killed on the Indian River and also in
Northwestern Florida.

The nest, which is composed of sticks and grass lined with feathers, is
built in the marshes and on borders of streams; it is claimed that sometimes
the nest is placed in a tree. At one time it bred commonly on the Magda-
lene Islands. The eggs are four or five, usually brownish white.

105 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

BRANTA BERNICLA (Zizz.).

Brant.

Whole of head, neck, and upper breast black, ex-
cept a patch on the sides of the neck, which is
white and black; back grayish brown; longer tail
coverts white; lower breast grayish, shading into
white on the belly.

Length, 25; Wing, 13; Tarsus, 2.255 Bull, 1.30:

Ranges from Arctic Circle, where it
breeds, southward to Georgia and occa-
sionally to Florida, several having been
killed on the Florida coast.

The eggs are described as creamy
white in color, four in number. The

nest is composed of grass and moss.

SUBFAMILY CYGNINZ. Swans.
GENUS OLOR WaGLER.

OLOR COLUMBIANUS (Or).
Whistling Swan.

2 General plumage white; bill and feet black; a
KR small yellow spot at the base of the bill in front
of the eye which is not always present: the distance
from the front angle of the eye to the back edge of
the nostril is more than the distance from the back
edge of the nostril to the end of the bill; this is one
of the characters by which it may be distinguished
from the Trumpeter Swan.

The immature birds are usually ashy gray in
color with a brownish wash on the head and upper
neck; feet pale yellowish, sometimes pale flesh color.

Length, 53; Wing, 21.50; Bill, 4; Tarsus, 4.20.

This species ranges throughout most of North America, breeding in the
far North. It is common in winter on the Atlantic coast about the Carolinas

KEY TO THE WATER. BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 109

and Virginia, and occasionally wanders as far south as Florida. I know of
one or two instances where it has been seen, and a specimen was killed and
brought into Jacksonville in the winter of 1894-5.

GbE ODON TOGL OS a45,

LAMELLIROSTRAL GRALLATORES.

Banirys PHGENICOPRTERIDZAL.” Framineéors.
Genus PHCENICOPTERUS Linn.

PHGENICOPTERUS RUBER Zinn.

American Flamingo.

Adult male: Entire plumage scarlet; most of the
primaries black; legs lake red; terminal half of the
bill black; basal half of lower mandible orange. The
female and immature males are lighter colored and
paler.

Length, 52; Wing, 17; Tail, 6.50; Tarsus, 12.50; Bill,
5.25.

This species occurs on the coast of trop-
ical and sub-tropical America. It is a resi-
dent in Florida, although seldom seen
there. At one time it was abundant but is
now only to be found in one or two local-
ities. East of Cape Sable there was quite
a colony of them, but the place is very difhi-
cult of access and they are very shy. This
species is still abundant in the Bahama
Islands, where I found it breeding. It lays
two chalky-white eggs. The nest, which
is constructed of mud, is shaped like a
sugar-loat slightly hollowed on the top, and
usually from about 14 inches to 20 inches

in height.

if IU) KEY* TO THE WATER BIRDS VOR BeORIDA.
ORDER HERODION ES:
HERONS, SToRKS, IBIsEs, ETc.

SUBORDER IeinEs:

SPOONBILLS AND IBISES.

Famitry PLATALEIDZAL. SPrOoNnerms.
Genus AJAJA RErcu.

AJAJA AJAJA (Linn.).
‘Roseate Spoonbill.

Back and wings,a delicate rose white; under parts showing rose color ; bare skin of the head
greenish and yellow; bill widened at the tip, somewhat spoon-shaped but flat, tinted with green-
ish and yellowish; legs dull red. Very old birds have the lesser wing coverts and upper tail
coverts brilliant carmine red.

The immature bird has general plumage pale pinkish white with no red on the lesser wing
coverts.

Length, 31; Wing, 15; Tarsus, 4.10; Bill, 6.30.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

JEIE AE

This species occurs in South America from the West Indies north to

Florida and the Gulf States. It breeds in Florida, where it is known as

‘¢ Pink Curlew,” the nest being placed in mangrove bushes or low trees.
The eggs are usually four or five, being white and marked with olive
brown. The bird is common on the Bahama Islands.

FAMILY IBIDID.E. IBISES.

GENuS GUARA ReEIcu.

Guara alba (immature).

GUARA ALBA (Ziz.).
White Ibis.

General plumage white, with the four outer primaries tipped with black; the bare skin on the
head is reddish orange. The immature bird is sometimes brown and white; sometimes gray,

brown, and white, having the under parts white, and still younger birds are brown with a white

ii) Oe KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

rump and gray or grayish brown tail; the rump is always white, never brown, as in the young
of the Scarlet Ibis. There is a great difference in size of individuals.
Adult: Length, 26; Wing, 11.25; Bill, 6.30.

Guara alba (adult).

Ranges throughout tropical America and is claimed to have been found
breeding as far north as Illinois and South Carolina, and it has been taken
as far north as Long Island. It is a common species in Florida, where it
breeds. The nest is a mass of grass and weeds placed in bushes and some-
times in trees. The eggs are usually from four to five, and greenish white
in color marked with chocolate brown.

GUARA RUBRA (Z7nz.).
Scarlet Ibis.

Adult: General plumage scarlet; tips of the outer primaries black; bare skin of the head,

bill, and legs red.
The immature are mixed brownish gray, pale on the under parts, having the rump brownish

iike the back.
The immature of this species may be easily distinguished from the immature of the White

Ibis by the color of the rump.
Adult: Length, 28; Wing, 11; Bill, 6.50.

This species has but a very slight claim to be included among our birds.
I know of no positive record of its capture in the United States. Audubon
claimed to have seen this species in Louisiana but did not procure a specimen.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 113

Dr. Coues examined a fragment of a specimen taken near Los Pinos, New
Mexico, in June, 1864, and Mr. Brewster records a specimen in the museum
at Charleston, S. C., which is labelled ‘* Florida,” and which he believes
quite possibly might be an authentic specimen. [N.O. C., Vol. VIII., page
185, 1883. |

This species has been recorded from Cuba and Jamaica but is a native of
tropical America.

GENUS PLEGADIS Kauvp.

PLEGADIS AUTUMNALIS (/asse/y.).
Glossy Ibis.

Adult: General plumage chestnut ; wing coverts, back and front of head showing green-
ish and sometimes bronzy reflections.

The immature birds have the plumage more brownish and the front of the head slightly
mottled; the back greenish; under parts dusky brown.
Length, 25; Wing, 11.25; Bill, 5.40.

Tropical America, not common in the United States. It occurs in Florida
and has been taken in the West Indies. Specimens have occasionally been
taken in summer as far north as Massachusetts. It has been recorded from
Cambridge and I have a specimen in my collection which was shot at East-
ham, Mass. The eggs are described as dull blue in color and are usually
three in number.

L14 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

PLEGADIS GUARAUNA (Zzm.).
White-faced Glossy Ibis.

Head chestnut, having a white patch on forehead, chin and bordering the bare space in
front of the eye. Under parts purplish chestnut; upper part of back and wings showing me-
tallic tints of purple, violet, and green; primaries greenish, showing a bronze luster; rump and
upper tail coverts and tail greenish with purplish reflections.

Length, 25; Wing, 11; Bill, 5.50.

This species ranges throughout Western United States, south through
Central America to South America, and has been recorded from the West
Indies. It is a rare bird on the east coast, a single specimen having been
found breeding near Lake Washington, Florida. [ Brewster, Auk III., 1886,
page 482. |

This species may be distinguished from the Glossy Ibis by the white at
the base of the bill. It builds its nest in swamps, sometimes on bushes; the
eggs are bluish.

¢
os

SuBORDER CICONIA.

STORKS, ETC.

Famity CICONIIDAZ. SrorKs AND Woop IBISES.
SuspramMity TANTALINA. Woop IBISEs.

Genus TANTALUS Linv.

TANTALUS LOCULATOR Zinn.
Wood Ibis.

Adult: "Waving the head and neck bare; general plumage white; primaries, secondaries,
and tail greenish black.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. ES

The immature bird has the head feathered and the plumage grayish on the head and some-
times grayish white on the body.

Length, 41; Wing, 18.50; Tarsus, 8.20; Bill, 9.20.

Ranges throughout Southern United States, wandering occasionally as
far north as Pennsylvania and New York, and southward to Cuba, Jamaica,
and South America. This species is common in Florida, where it breeds.
It builds a large rough nest of sticks, which is placed in a tree. The eggs

55

are usually three: they are white, and covered with a chalky deposit.

SuBorRDER HeERoptt.

Herons, EGrets, BITTERNS, ETC.
Famity ARDEIDAL, Herons, BITTERNS, ETC.
SUBFAMILY BOTAURIN:.. BirTERns.
Genus BOTAURUS Hermann.
SuscENuS BOTAURUS.

BOTAURUS LENTIGINOSUS (Montag.).

American Bittern.

Upper parts brown; wing coverts edged and mottled with tawny and buff and washed with
ashy: top of the head and nape slaty with black streak on sides of the upper neck; neck and

I16 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

under parts tawny white; feathers edged with dusky and dull brown; legs greenish yellow: a
loral stripe of dark brown; bill yellowish with a dark streak at the top.

Length, 27; Wing, 11.50; Bill, 3; Tarsus, 3.40.

The female is smaller than the male and the bird varies very much in size.

It ranges throughout temperate North America and is common on the
Atlantic coast, breeding, as a rule, north of North Carolina. It ranges in
winter south to Central America and the West Indies, being common in
Florida in some localities.

The eggs are usually from three to five in number, grayish brown in

o¢

color.

Genus ARDETTA Gray.

ARDETTA EXILIS (Gmel.).
Least Bittern.

Adult male: Crown of the head black, extending into a small
crest; back and tail black with a greenish tinge back of the neck;
wing coverts chestnut brown; some of the wing coverts tawny yellow;
Sront and sides of the neck and under parts yellowish brown, show-
ing white on throat; a patch of brownish black on the sides of the
breast; bill yellowish, dusky on the top; legs green, yellow on the
back; toes yellow.

Adult female: Waving the back and crown purplish chestnut in-
stead of black.

Length, 12.50; Wing, 4.50; Bill, 2; Tarsus, 2.10.

This species ranges from temperate North America
southward to the West Indies and Northern South
America.

It breeds along the Atlantic coast nearly throughout
its range. It is common in Florida where it breeds, being very abundant in

~

some localities. .

The nest is placed in a bunch of reeds or rushes, sometimes on small
bushes.

The eggs are from four to six, pale bluish white. I have found as many
as a dozen nests of this species within a distance of fifty yards on some of
the small Florida ponds, but it seems to be local, as many ponds in the same
locality, seemingly equally suitable, did not contain a single individual.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. D7,

ARDETTA NEOXENA (ory.

Cory’s Bittern.*

Top of the head, back, and tail dark greenish black, show-
ing a green gloss when held in the light. S7des of the head
and throat rufous chestnut,; the feathers on the back of
the neck showing greenish black tips; breast and under parts
nearly uniform chestnut, shading into dull black on the
sides; wing coverts dark rufous chestnut; all the remiges
entirely slaty plumbeous ; under tail coverts dull black.

Wing, 4.30; Tarsus, 1.40; Bill, 1.80.

This interesting little Bittern was described by me in 1886 from a speci-
men taken in the Everglades of Florida. Since then a dozen or more
specimens have been secured, most of them from Florida, but one was taken
near Toronto, and another in Michigan. It is probably not uncommon in
some localities, but its retiring disposition makes it seem rare, as it is seldom
seen.

SuBFAMILY ARDEIN4. HErRons ann EGRETs.

GeNuS ARDEA Linn.
SuscGENus ARDEA,

ARDEA OCCIDENTALIS Aud.
Great White Heron.

Adult: General plumage entirely white; bill yellow: upper part of the leg near the feath-
ers, and soles of the feet yellow; the lower part of the leg from the knee to the foot (tarsus) yellow.
Length about 50; Wing about 18.50 to 20; Bill, 6.50; Tarsus, 8.50.

* When I described this bird in 1886 I gave it no English name, simply calling it ~eoxexa (new and strange). The com-
mittee of the American Ornithologists’ Union have since done me the honor of giving it my name.

118 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

This species is resident in Florida, occurring most commonly in the
southern part of the State. It has been recorded from Cuba and Jamaica.
It is not common now and is becoming less so every year. The birds breed in
colonies, the nest being a mass of sticks placed in mangrove trees. The
egos are usually from three to four, pale bluish in color.

55

ARDEA WUERDEMANNI Baird.
Wurdemann’s Heron.

Adult: Head and upper neck white, the forehead showing blackish edges to the feathers
and faint streaks of black on the back of the head; neck grayish purple; rest of plumage
somewhat resembling the Great Blue Heron, but the markings are paler.

Size about the same as Ardea occidentalis.

This bird is probably merely a color phase of occ7dentalis. It is no-
where common and is seen so seldom that it is doubtful if its true standing
will ever be known; still the preponderance of opinion among naturalists
seems to be that it is simply a color phase of occzdentals and should not
be recognized as a species. Nearly all of the specimens now in collections
have been taken on the southwestern coast of Florida.

ARDEA WARDI &idgw.

Ward’s Heron.

Adult: Similar to the Great Blue Heron but somewhat larger, especially the bill. The legs
are olive instead of black, as a rule; bill usually yellow, dusky on the top, asa rule, but some-
times entirely yellow.

Wing, 20.50; Tarsus, 8.75; Bill, 6.50 to 7.

This species seems to be restricted to Florida; it breeds in communities,
the eggs being apparently of the same color as those of the northern
Blue Heron.

ARDEA HERODIAS Zinn.

Great Blue Heron.

Crest lengthened ; bill yellow, dark brown on top; legs and feet dark brown; soles of the
feet yellow; astreak from the forehead to the middle of the crown white; sides of the crown
and crest feathers black; neck grayish purple mixed with black and white; chin and part of the
cheeks whitish, extending in a tawny line on the throat; neck plumes; belly black streaked with

KEY £O THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. I1g

white; back and upper parts bluish slate or gray. The immature birds show a great variety of
color in the plumage.
Length, 48; Wing, 20; Tail, 7; Tarsus, 6.50; Bill, 5.50.

5) =

Ardea herodias.

It ranges throughout North America from the far North southward to
the West Indies and South America. It is supposed to breed on the At-
lantic coast from Florida northward, although I have never seen this species
in Florida in the breeding season.

The nest, which is built in a tree, is a large affair composed of sticks.
The eggs are from three to four in number and pale blue.

SUBGENUS HERODIAS Bote.

ARDEA EGRETTA Giwe/.
American Egret.
Adult: Entire plumage white, having in the breeding season long graceful plumes on the

back, which extend beyond the tail; bill yellow; legs and feet black; lores pale orange edged

with greenish.
Length, 38; Wing, 16; Tarsus, 5.80; Bill, 4.80.

This species ranges throughout tropical and temperate America, having
been taken on the Atlantic coast as far north as New Jersey and Nova

120 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Scotia. It is a common species in Florida, where it is ruthlessly shot for its
plumes. It breeds in colonies. The nest is a mass of sticks built in bushes

or small trees. The eggs are from three to five in number and pale blue in
fore}

color.

Ardea egretta.

SupGeNuS GARZETTA Kavp.

ARDEA CANDIDISSIMA Gie/.
Snowy Heron. White Egret.

Ardea candidissima.

Adult: ¥ntire plumage pure white, having in the breeding season extended plumes on the
back and also feathers on the crest lengthened; bill black, becoming yellowish at the base;
lores yellow ; legs black; feet yellow.

Length, 22; Wing, 11; Tarsus, 3.50; Bill, 3.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. E25

This species ranges throughout tropical and temperate America as far
south as Buenos Ayres, South America. It is very common in Florida, where
it breeds, and has been known to breed as far north as Long Island. Strag-
glers have been taken in Nova Scotia.

The eggs are three to five in number and pale blue, as in most of this
family.

This species is sometimes confounded with the immature of the Florida
Blue Heron, which is also white, but that species has a faint wash of grayish
on the tips of the primaries. Besides having the primaries perfectly white
without any wash near the tips, this species has the legs black, which in the
immature of the Florida Blue Heron are greenish yellow.

SuBGENUS DICHROMANASSA kRipew.

ARDEA RUFESCENS Gie/.
Reddish Egret.

(Colored phase.)

Adult in colored phase: Head and neck lilac brown; rest of plumage dark slate color. This
species has the long plumes extending from the scapular region of the back during the breed-
ing season; legs and feet bluish, showing dusky on the scales of the tarsus. Bill black on the
terminal third, the balance flesh color; lores flesh color.

22 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

White phase; ‘Entire plumage white; bill black on the terminal third; balance flesh color ;
legs greenish.
Length, 29; Wing, 14; Tail, 4; Tarsus, 5.30; Bill, 3.90.

ay.

= ae
ey <<

\

(White phase.)

For a long time the white phase of this species was considered to be
distinct and was known as Peal’s Egret. There can be no doubt as to its
merely being a different phase of plumage and not a distinct species, as the
young birds, both white and colored, have been taken from the same nest.

It usually breeds in Florida, the nest being built on the lower branches
of a mangrove tree close to the water. I found this bird breeding in the
Bahama Islands, and on June 25, 1879, took a white and a gray bird from
the same nest, neither of them being old enough to fly.

The eggs are usually from 3 to 4 in number, being pale blue in color.

SupGENUS HYDRANASSA Bairrp.
ARDEA TRICOLOR RUFICOLLIS (Gosse).
Louisiana Heron.

Adult male in breeding plumage: Terminal third of bill black, balance blue; lores blue in
winter: bill black, yellowish at base; general plumage slaty blue; crest streaked reddish purple,

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 123

mixed with dull white: throat white, mixed with reddish brown and purple, heaviest on the lower
part, forming a stripe continuing down the front of the neck; under parts white: under tail
coverts slightly edged with bluish; legs yellowish green; iris red.

Length, 25; Wing, 10.50; Tail, 3.50; Tarsus, 4; Bill, 4.

Ardea tricolor ruficollis.

Is common in the Gulf States, extending to Mexico, Central America,
and the West Indies, accidental northward to New Jersey.
It isa common species in Florida, breeding in bushes near water. The

eggs are usually four or five, pale blue in color.

I24 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

SuBGENUS FLORIDA Barrp.

ARDEA CCERULEA Zinn.
Little Blue Heron.

(Adult.)

Adult: Head and neck purplish red or maroon, rest of plumage grayish blue; biil black at
the end ; basal portion and loral space blue; legs and feet black.

Immature birds are pure white, except a faint wash of grayish blue near the tip of the pri-
maries; legs olive or yellowish and the basal half of the bill greenish.

This species is sometimes confounded with the Snowy Egret, but may easily be distinguished
from that species by the slight wash of blue on the ends of the primaries and by the color of
the legs and bill.

Length about 23; Wing, 11; Tarsus, 3.60.

(Immature.)

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 125

It ranges in winter from the Southern United States to the West Indies
and South America; north in summer accidentally to New England.

It breeds in Florida, building a nest of sticks in bushes and small trees,
usually over water. The eggs are three to four in number and pale blue.

SupGENuS BUTORIDES Btyrtu.

Ardea virescens.

ARDEA VIRESCENS Zinz.

Little Green Heron.

Top of the head extending in a small crest dark green; neck chestnut; throat marked
heavily with white; under parts pale purplish or ashy marked with white; back greenish, show-
ing tinge of slate color; wing coverts green, feathers edged with buffy white ; bend of wing
whitish ; tail greenish, upper mandible black; lower mandible mostly yellow, dark on the top;
legs yellowish green.

Length, 16 inches; Wing, 6.50; Tail, 2.40; Tarsus, 1.85; Bill, 2.30.

This species ranges from Canada southward to South America and the
West Indies, being common and breeding throughout most of its range on
the Atlantic coast. It is common in Florida, where it breeds.

The nest is usually placed on a branch of a tree overhanging water.
The eggs are pale blue, usually four to six in number.

126 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Genus NYCTICORAX STEPHENS.

SusceNus NYCTICORAX.

NYCTICORAX NYCTICORAX NAEVIUS (Bodi.).
Black-crowned Night Heron.

Crown, head, back, and scapulars greenish black ; forehead, lores, most of the neck and under
parts white or ashy white. Wings and tail gray; legs and feet yellow; two or three very long
occiputal plumes, white, in the breeding season.

Length, 24 to 26; Wing, 11; Tarsus, 3.10 to 3.40; Tail, 4.20 to 5.30.

The immature bird has the general plumage mottled dark brown and gray, the feathers
marked and streaked with pointed blotches of grayish or buff; outer web of primaries buff
color; under parts streaked with black and white.

This species occurs on the Atlantic coast from Canada to South America
and has been recorded from the West Indies. It is common in Florida.
The nest is a mass of sticks generally built in trees or low bushes, rarely on
the ground. All the nests that I personally have found have been built in
trees or bushes. The eggs are four to six in number and pale blue.

55

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. I

i)
~I

Nycticorax nycticorax nzvius (immature).

SupGENuS NYCTHERODIUS Rercu.

NYCTICORAX VIOLACEUS (Zinzu.).
Yellow-crowned Night Heron.

(Adult.)

Top of the head whitish buff extending into a crest; sides of the head black; throat black ;
breast and under parts grayish plumbeous; back plumbeous; two or three very long feathers
extending as long plumes from the crest; legs greenish.

£25 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Length, about 23; Wing, 13.20; Tail, 4; Tarsus, 3.70; Bill, 2.60.

Immature birds have the crown dusky streaked with white or buffy white, the rest of the
plumage heavily mottled, blotched with pointed marks of brown; also marked with buff and
dull white. Primaries slate color, showing no rufous. The immature birds of this species
somewhat resemble those of the Black-crowned Night Heron, but differ from it, having the head
darker and no rufous on the primaries.

This species occurs in Eastern North America from the Carolinas south
to South America and the West Indies. It has been recorded as far north
as Massachusetts. It breeds commonly in Florida. The nest is built in

trees, and the eggs are four or five in number and pale blue.

OTRO RP Qala ls) 1) Bes @ eas.

CRANES, RAILS, Ere

SUBORDERDUGRUES.

CRANES.

FAmMiny GRUIDAE, “CRANES:
GENUS GRUS PAttas.

GRUS AMERICANA (Zzm.).
' Whooping Crane.
Adult: Ware part of the head hairy; plumage white; primaries black; bill greenish; legs
black; bare skin on the head carmine red. The immature birds have the head feathered and

the general plumage brownish gray.
Length, 52; Wing, 23.50; Tail, 8.40; Bill, 6.10; Tarsus, 12.

This species is a rare bird on the Atlantic coast, although it was formerly
not uncommon and has been recorded from New England. It now inhabits

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 129

Grus americanus.

the interior of North America from the fur countries south to Texas and
Mexico, and is supposed to be occasionally found in Florida. I have never
met with it in Florida and it must be considered a rare bird in the State.

It breeds from Illinois northward, the eggs being two, pale grayish green,
blotched and marked with dark brown.

130 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

GRUS MEXICANA (Miil/.).
- Sandhill Crane.

Grus mexicana.

Adult: Waving the bare skin on the top of the head deep red; general plumage brownish
gray, sometimes butfy gray on the back; legs black.

Length, 46; Wing, 21.50; Tarsus, ro; Bill, 5.30.

This species ranges throughout the southern half of North America,
being common in Florida and, some parts of Georgia. It breeds commonly
in Florida, the nest being a pile of sticks sometimes built in the middle of
a shallow pond, and again the bird simply deposits the eggs in some open
piece of dry ground with no attempt at a nest. The eggs are two in number,
grayish olive marked with dark brown. The note of the Sandhill Crane
somewhat resembles the sounds made by the blocks when hoisting sail on a
vessel.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. i 2yal

SUBORDER UX ALLE

Rares, GALLINULES. CoOomts,. Enc:
Famiry ARAMIDA. CouUuRLANS.
GeNusS ARAMUS VIEILL.

ARAMAS GIGANTEUS (Soza/.).
Limpkin.
General plumage dark olive brown striped with white, the stripes on the body being much

heavier than those on the head and neck; wing and tail showing bronzy reflections when heid
in the light; under mandible slightly twisted near the tip.

Length, 27.50; Wing, 13; Tarsus, 4.35; Bill, 4.50.

Aramus giganteus.

This species occurs in Florida on the Atlantic coast and Central America
and in many of the West Indies.

It is resident and breeds in Florida, the nest being composed of leaves
and twigs, which is placed in a tree or bush near a river or in a swamp.
The eggs are from five to seven in number and buffy white marked with
dark brown. At one time it was a very abundant species, but is now seldom
seen except in the less inhabited districts. It eats the land-snails which are
so abundant in the cypress ponds on the borders of the Everglades.

I32 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Faminry RALLIDAR Rams GAaLLtinvLes. AND Coo»xrs:

SUBFAMILY RALLIN. Rarts.
Genus RALLUS Linn.

RALLUS ELEGANS Aud.
King Rail.

Adult; Upper parts dark brown; throat white; breast reddish brown; sides darker barred
with white; back and scapulars brownish margined with olive gray; wings and tail dull brown
or olive brown; wing coverts rufous brown.

Length, 15.40; Wing, 6.55; Tarsus, 2.25; Bill, 2.50.

Rallus elegans. Rallus virginianus.

This species inhabits the fresh water marshes of Eastern United States
from New England southward.

It is not uncommon in Florida, where it breeds. The eggs are generally
from nine to twelve, pale brownish white, spotted with reddish brown.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 133

RALLUS VIRGINIANUS Zin,
Virginia Rail.

Adult: Waving somewhat the appearance of a very small King Rail; upper parts are
dusky or blackish; feathers edged with grayish brown; wings brownish ; under parts dark rufous
brown; throat white; lores ashy white, shading into gray on the cheeks; flanks and under tail
coverts barred and spotted with white and black.

Length, 9.40; Wing, 4.25; Tarsus, 1.35; Bill, 1.55.

Ranges throughout North America from the British Provinces south to
Central America and Cuba. It breeds from New England northward on the
Atlantic coast, the nest being made of grass, and the eggs are six to twelve,

pale brownish white, spotted with reddish brown.

RALLUS LONGIROSTRIS CREPITANS (Gme/.).
j Clapper Rail.

Adult ; Upper parts dull olive; feathers edged with gray ; throat white; breast pale grayish
brown; rest of under parts grayish brown barred with white on the sides; wing coverts cinna-
mon brown tinged with gray.

Length, 14.75; Wing, 5.10; Tarsus, 2.10; Bill, 2.60.

134 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

This species differs from the King Rail in being much grayer on the
upper parts and paler on the under parts. The Clapper Rail prefers salt
water marshes. It ranges on the Atlantic coast from New Jersey south-
ward, but has been recorded from Massachusetts. It is not uncommon in
Florida, but is probably replaced in nearly all the Gulf States by the local
form, known as Scott’s Rail. The nestis a little grass on salt water marshes ;
eggs are from eight to twelve, pale brownish white spotted with dark brown.

c

RALLUS LONGIROSTRIS SCOTTIL (Sez7.).
Florida Clapper Rail. Scott’s Rail.

Adult: Similar to the preceding species but darker in color and more brownish above;
breast rufous brown; flanks blackish. Both this and the Clapper Rail differ from the King
Rail in the color of the wing coverts, which are much more highly colored in that species.

Range: Gulf coast of Florida.

GENUS PORZANA VIEILL.
SuBGENUS PORZANA.

PORZANA CAROLINA (Z77.).

Sora. Carolina Rail.

Above reddish brown, streaked with black and some of the feath-
ers edged with white; flanks and linings of the wings barred with
white and black; abdomen dull white; a stripe of black passing
from the bill down the center of the throat but not reaching the
breast; whole of the breast, a cheek patch and superciliary line
slate color; crown chestnut with a black stripe through the center ;
carpus edged with white ; crissum rufous, shading into whitish.

Length, 7.75; Wing, 4.20: Tail, 2; Tarsus, 1.38; Bill, .75.

Ranges from temperate North America south in
winter to Northern South America; it is commofi in

Florida during the migrations. It breeds from Long
Island northward; the eggs are from ten to fifteen
in number, pale brownish white spotted with dark

brown.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. a2)

Gu

SUBGENUS COTURNICOPS Bownap.

PORZANA NOVEBORACENSIS (Gw/.).

Yellow Rail.

Above, streaked with blackish and yellowish brown; feathers
barred and mottled with white; under parts yellowish brown, palest
on the belly; feathers of the breast tipped with dark brown; under
surface of wings white; a pale yellowish brown superciliary stripe.

Length, 6; Wing, 3 to 3.50; Tarsus, .go to 1.00.

This species ranges from Hudson’s Bay to Cuba.
It is not uncommon in Florida. I have seen several
specimens which have been killed by people while
snipe shooting. I have shot two specimens on the
marshes bordering the St. John’s River. The eggs

are described as pale, creamy buff in color, speckled and sprinkled with

rusty brown.

SuBGENUS CRECISCUS Capranis.

PORZANA JAMAICENSIS (Gme/.).

Black Rail.

Top of the head dusky; nape and upper back brownish
chestnut; rest of back and upper tail feathers dusky or smoky
brown finely barred with white; throat gray or ash gray; belly
gray; flanks and lower belly and under tail coverts banded with
white; bill black.

Length, 5; Wing, 2.50 to 3.20; Tarsus, .85 to .go.

This species occurs in temperate North America
from Massachusetts to the West Indies and South
America. It is very retiring in its habits and

therefore seldom seen. The eggs are usually

ten, being dull white speckled with reddish brown. I have never met
with it in Florida, but Mr. W. E. D. Scott records it in his list of the birds
of the Caloosahatchie region. (Auk, p. 209, 1892.)

o
136 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

SuBFAMILY GALLINULINAE. GaLuLiNnu_Lges.
Genus JONORNIS Reicu.

IONORNIS MARTINICA (Z777.).

Purple Gallinule.

Adult male: "ead, neck, and under parts bluish
purple, grading into black on the belly; above olive;
wing coverts bluish ; back olive; crissum white; frontal
plate of the bill blue; bill red tipped with yellow ; legs
yellow.

Length, 11; Wing, 6.50; Tail, 2.65; Tarsus, 2.30.

This species is resident in Florida and
has been taken on the Atlantic coast as far

north as Maine. Ranges in winter to the
West Indies and Northern South America.

The eggs are eight to ten, pale buffy white, dotted with brownish. The
nest is a mat of grass on reeds or in marshes.

Genus GALLINULA Brisson.

GALLINULA GALEATA (Ziciz.).

Florida Gallinule.

Head blackish; bill tipped with green, rest of bill
and frontal plate deep red; upper back slaty; lower
back and wings olive brown; under parts dark slate
color ; lower belly grayish; feathers faintly tipped with
white; some of the feathers on thesides having the
inner webs white near the tip, giving the appearance
of white stripes; under tail coverts black;
tail white and black ; legs olive green, reddish
near the body.

Length, 13; Wing,6.60; Tail, 3.10; Tarsus,
2; Bill, including frontal shield, 1.75; Bill,
from gape, 1.25.

Ranges throughout temperate and tropical America
from Canada to South America. It is a common resi-

dent in Florida and has been known to breed as far
north as Maine. The nest is built in marshes, being a mass of grass or

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 7

rushes; the eggs are from eight to thirteen in number, pale brownish white
spotted and speckled with brown.

SUBFAMILY FULICINAZ. Coors.

Genus FULICA Linn.

Fulica americana. Fulica americana (foot).

FULICA AMERICANA Giue/.
American Coot. Mud-=hen.

Adult: (General plumage dark slate color; head and neck blackish; bill whitish marked
with reddish black on the upper mandible; frontal plate brownish white; legs and feet dark
olive, the toes having peculiar semicircular flaps or webs; abdomen grayish; edge of wing and
ends of secondaries white.

Length, 14.75; Wing, 7.45; Tail, 2.30; Bill, from front edge of frontal plate, 1.40.

It ranges in North America from New Brunswick south to the West
Indies and Central America, being common in Florida, where it is resident.

It breeds inthe marshes. The eggs are from eight to fifteen, which are
pale brownish white in color and marked with dark chocolate brown.

This species may be easily distinguished from the Gallinule by the
peculiar rounded flaps or webs on the toes, and by the different color of the
frontal plate.

138 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

ORDER EI Tte@ iA:

SHORE BIRDs.

Famity PHALAROPODID. PHALAROPES.

GEeNUs CRYMOPHILUS VIEILL.

CRYMOPHILUS FULICARIUS (Zz7.).
Red Phalarope. Gray Phalarope.

Adult male in summer: General under parts
pay \ and sides of the neck purplish brown; upper tail
coverts purplish brown slightly darker than the
, under parts; crown of the head and base of the bill
; smoky black; sides of the head white extending to
the nape; rump white; back black ; feathers edged
with tawny brown; primaries dusky, the shafts
being white and the base of the feathers white ;
some of the secondaries white; bill yellowish brown,

\ dark on the tip; feet dull yellow.

Adult in winter: Head and under parts white,
a small patch around the eye and a nuchal crest
dusky ; the under parts of the body are tinged with
ashy gray on the sides; upper parts grayish ash
color; wings showing a distinct white bar; bill
dusky; feet brownish.

a

Length, 7.45; Wing, 5; Tail, 2.50; Bill, .94; Tarsus, .7o.

This is a maritime species which ranges from the far north, where it
breeds, southward to the Middle States. It is claimed to be occasionally
seen off the coast of Florida, and I once purchased a stuffed specimen
(which may or may not have been taken in Florida) from a dealer in Jack-
sonville, with a number of other skins of Florida birds.

The eggs are laid on the ground, the nest being formed of a little grass,
and are from three to four in number, pale olive marked with chocolate
brown.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 139

Famity RECURVIROSTRID4EZ. AvocetTs AND STILTS.

Genus RECURVIROSTRA Linn.

Recurvirostra americana.

RECURVIROSTRA AMERICANA Gwie/.

American Avocet.

Adult in summer: Bill very slender and curved upwards; feet partly webbed; general plu-
mage white, becoming cinnamon brown on the head and neck, but remaining whitish at the
base of the bill; primaries black; most of the secondaries white, forming a broad white patch
on the wing; tail ashy gray; legs bluish; bill black.

Adult in winter : Head and most of the neck ashy gray; tail ashy gray ; rest as in summer

plumage.
Lensth, 16 to 20:; Witig,-7.50 to 9: Tail, 3.50; Bill; 3.25 to 3:75. Larsus, 3.60:

This is a western species which ranges from the Great Slave Lake
southward to Central America and the West Indies; is not common on the
Atlantic coast north of Florida. Stragglers have been recorded as far north
as the Bay of Fundy, but it is a very rare bird in New England.

The eggs are from three to four in number, pale grayish olive spotted
with very dark brown.

140 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Genus HIMANTOPUS Briss.

Himantopus mexicanus.

HIMANTOPUS MEXICANUS (Miil/.).
Black=necked Stilt.

Adult: Top and sides of the head and back of the neck and back black ; under eyelid and
a spot above and behind the eye, forehead and sides of the head under the eye white; rest of
under parts with the rump and upper tail coverts white; tail ash gray or pearl gray; bill black ;
legs red in life.

The immature bird has the upper parts brownish; feathers edged with whitish ; wings black-
ish, some of the feathers tipped with white; wing coverts edged with buff or tawny brown;
under parts white mottled with black and tawny brown.

Length, 15-50; Wing, 9; Dail; 3; Tarsus, 4:25" bill) 2:70.

This species is common throughout tropical America, occasionally being
found in the Mississippi Valley as far north as Minnesota. It is accidental
on the Atlantic coast north of Florida and Southern Georgia, although it
has been recorded as far north as Long Island. It is common in Florida
after April first, and breeds in the State.

The eggs are laid on the ground, sometimes on a little grass, and again
without any nest whatever. They are three to four in number and pale
brown or dull white, spotted and marked with chocolate brown.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. I41

Famity SCOLOPACID. Snipes, SANDPIPERS, ETC.

Genus PHILOHELA Gray.

PHILOHELA MINOR (Gme/.).
American Woodcock.

Adult: Baill long, corrugated near the end; upper parts variegated with tawny rufous brown
and black; head rufous brown, banded on the occiput with alternate bands of black and tawny
brown ; a line of black from the eye to the bill; a narrow patch on the sides of the lower head,
blackish; throat pale rufous or rufous white; under parts of the body pale rufous; quills
brownish ; tail feathers dusky tipped with ash; bill pale brown, yellowish at the base; legs red-
dish; bill light brown; paler and yellowish at base.

Length, 11.50; Wing, 5.45; Tarsus, 1.30; Bill, 2.90 to 3.05.

Common on the Atlantic coast from Labrador to the Gulf of Mexico,
breeding, as a rule, north of the Carolinas. It is occasionally observed in
Florida in winter and is very abundant in the swamps of Alabama and
Louisiana at some seasons. The eggs are usually four, mottled and spotted
with brown.

Genus GALLINAGO LeEacu.

GALLINAGO DELICATA (Ord).
Wilson’s Snipe. English Snipe.

Bill long and straight, being slightly enlarged near the tip and showing numerous small pits ;
no web on toes ; general upper parts dark brown, tawny brown, pale yellow, dull white; top of
the head black with middle stripe of tawny brown; outer web of first primary white; greater

142 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

wing coverts brownish or dusky with white tips; axilars and under surface of wings barred with
biack; upper tail coverts tawny brown barred with black; tail feathers chestnut brown with
subterminal black bar; tips white and feathers marked with black at the base; under parts
white; breast and throat speckled and lined with brown; sides of the body brownish barred
with dull black.

Length, 11; Wing, 5; Tail, 2.20; Tarsus, 1.25; Bill, 2.40 to.260e.

Gallinago delicata.

Ranges'from Hudson Bay and Labrador south to South America. Breeds
from New England northward. This species is common in Florida in win-
ter, where it is found in great numbers on the fresh water marshes. It is
common on the New England coast in the spring and fall, and occasionally
a few remain to breed.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 143

The eggs are pale buff color spotted with chocolate brown, more nu-
merously at the larger ends; bill brown (greenish gray in life), paler at base
and darker toward the end.

Genus MACRORHAMPHUS Leacu.

MACRORHAMPHUS GRISEUS (Gme/.).
Dowitcher. Red-breasted Snipe.

Adult in summer > A small web between the inner
toes; upper parts blackish; feathers edged with tawny
brown; top of head blackish mottled with tawny
brown; under parts red brown, banded on the sides;
throat and breast only slightly spotted, entirely with-
out spots in some plumages; tail and tail coverts
barred with black. Bill dark olive.

In winter: Upper parts grayish, feathers showing
faint edges of buff on the back; chin and superciliary
stripe dull grayish white; breast gray, showing slight
traces of tawny; rest of under parts dirty white, mot-
tled on the crissum; tail banded black and white.

p pease Length, 10.30; Wing, 5.70; Tarsus, 1.30; Bill, 2.20
to 2.50.

Ranges from the Arctic Circle to South America; common during the
migrations, being common in winter in Florida. It breeds in the far north,
eggs being pale buff or dull olive mottled and speckled with dark brown.

MACRORHAMPHUS SCOLOPACEUS (Say.).
Long=billed Dowitcher. Western Red-breasted Snipe.

Resembles the preceding species, but the bill is longer and the sides of the body are more
distinctly barred with black; the principal difference is one of size.
Length, 11; Wing, 6.05; Tarsus, 1.55; Bill, 2.20 to 2.60.

This is a western species, which occasionally occurs on the Atlantic
coast. It is a common bird in Florida in winter. The eggs are similar in
coloration to those of the preceding species.

144 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

GeNus MICROPALAMA Barrp.

MICROPALAMA HIMANTOPUS (Bonap.).
Stilt Sandpiper.

Adult in summer: Legs long; entire plumage dull
white and dark brown, being banded on the under parts
with dark brown and the upper parts streaked with dark
Vig brown; a stripe of chestnut brown above and below the eye, the former
yy v4 yy extending backwards and joining at the occiput ; secondaries edged with
4 fi) tawny brown.

Adult in winter: Upper plumage gray; feathers on the back edged
with white; breast pale buff slightly mottled, shading into dull white on
the upper throat; belly duli white; bill black.
Length, 8.20; Wing, 5; Tarsus, 1.65; Bill, 1.60.

This species ranges from the Arctic Circle to South America, being
abundant on the Atlantic coast during the migrations; it is common in Flor-
ida. It has the general appearance of a very diminutive Summer Yellow-
legs, having olive green legs instead of yellow.

It breeds in the far north; the eggs are pale buffy white, spotted with
brown.

GENusS TRINGA Linn.

SupcGENus TRINGA.,

TRINGA CANUTUS Zinn.
Knot. Robin Snipe.

Male in summer: Under parts except lower
belly reddish brown; lower belly white; a stripe
of reddish brown over the eye; back and wing
coverts mottled gray, black and tawny.

Adult tn winter: Entire upper parts ashy gray ;
the shafts of the feathers on the back showing dark
brown; a superciliary stripe, dull white; throat
white; breast showing slight gray marking; belly
white; legs black ; bill black.

Length, 10.60; Wing, 6.70; Tarsus, 1.25; Bill, 1.30.

This. species breeds’ in) the” Arcuc

regions, occurring on the Atlantic coast during migrations; it is common

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 145

in Florida in fall and spring, a few remaining all winter. The eggs are
described as being light pea green in color, finely spotted with brown.

SupGeENuS ARQUATELLA Barrp.

TRINGA MARITIMA JAriinz.
Purple Sandpiper.

Adult; Upper parts gray, showing slight purplish
reflections when held in the light; breast gray ; throat
grayish white; belly white, marked with gray on the
sides ; bill brown, yellow at base.

Length, 9.25; Wing, 5; Tarsus, .92; Bill, -1.30.

The Purple Sandpiper is a northern spe-
cies, breeding in high latitudes, but occur-
ring in winter on the Atlantic coast south

to Florida, where it is by no means com-
mon, a specimen being occasionally taken on the west coast. Some birds
remain on the New England coast all winter.

The eggs are buff, sometimes tinged with olive and mottled with brown.

SusceNnus ACTODROMAS Kavup.

TRINGA MACULATA J/ez//.
Pectoral Sandpiper. Grass Bird.

Head and upper parts brown, the feathers edged with
tawny; throat and belly white; breast pale brown, the
feathers narrowly streaked with dark brown; upper
tail coverts black; basal half of bill dull greenish
yellow.

Length, 9; Wing, 5.25; Tarsus, 1.05; Bill, 1.15.

This species ranges from the Arctic regions
to South America, being common on _ the
Atlantic coast during migrations. It breeds
in the far north.

The eggs are greenish buff, mottled with
brown, heaviest at the larger end.

146 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

TRINGA FUSCICOLLIS /ez?/.
White-rumped Sandpiper.

Adult in summer: Top of the head and back mottled
with black, dull white, and buff; throat white ; breast finely
lined with dark brown; belly white; an imperfect super-
ciliary line of dull white, rump dusky gray and most of
upper tail coverts white.

Adult in winter: Top of the head and back grayish,
some of the feathers marked with dark brown, giving it a
slightly mottled appearance on the back and top of the
head ; upper throat white ; breast ashy gray, the shafts of
the feathers showing brown; belly white; forehead whit-
ish, extending in an imperfect superciliary line.

Length, 6.85; Wing, 4.95; Tarsus, .95; Bill, .95.

This species may be distinguished by the
white upper tail coverts. It ranges from the Arctic regions south to South
America and the West Indies. It breeds in high latitudes: the eggs are
buff or olive, spotted and dotted with dark brown.

TRINGA MINUTILLA 9 Jiée7//.
Least Sandpiper.

Adult tn summer: Very small; upper parts
marked with tawny black and pale buff; under
parts whitish on the throat, shading into ashy
gray, showing faint brownish lines on the breast ;

ad rest of the under parts white; bill dull black.
Vo web between toes.
= “di Adult in winter: Similar to the above but
“a. ’ grayer in color.
= Length, 5.50to 6.50; Wing, 3.60; Tarsus, .75 ;
Bill, .85.
The Least Sandpiper may be distinguished from the Semi- i

palmated Sandpiper by the absence of the small web between
the toes, so noticeable in that species.

Common throughout North and South America, breeding
north of the United States. Eggs are three to four, generally
pale buff mottled with chestnut brown.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 147
SuBGENUS PELIDNA Cuv.

TRINGA ALPINA PACIFICA (Cowes).
Red-backed Sandpiper,

Adult in summer: The feathers on the top of the head and
back bright rufous brown heavily blotched with black on the
central part of each feather; throat whitish; breast streaked
with black ; belly black on the upper part, becoming white on
the lower belly and crissum ; bill black.

Adult tn winter: Upper parts gray, slightly mottled;
throat white; breast gray, the shafts of the feathers dark
brown ; belly and under tail coverts pure white; a faint dull
white superciliary line.

Length, 8; Wing, 4.75; Tarsus, 1.10; Bill, 1.65.

Ranges throughout North America, breeding far northward. It occurs

on the Atlantic coast during migrations.
The eggs are buffy white, sometimes bluish white, mottled with chocolate

at the larger end.

SupGENuS ANCYLOCHEILUS Kavp.

Genus EREUNETES Ixticer.

EREUN ETES PUSILLUS (Zinn.) : Ereunetes pusillus

(foot).

Semipalmated Sandpiper.

Adult in summer: Heavily marked with dark brown
and tawny on the top of the head and back: forehead
whitish ; under parts and throat white; breast mottled with
grayish ; belly white; toes with small web.

Adult in winter: Upper parts grayish, mottled with brown
on the head, and the feathers showing dark brown edged with
white on the back; throat white; breast very faintly washed
with gray, which is sometimes very indistinct; belly and
under tailcoverts white ; foes with small web.

Length, 6.25 ; Wing, 3.70; Tarsus, .75; Bill, .80.

Ranges from Labrador southward to the West Indies, and is common on
the Atlantic coast during migrations. This species may be distinguished
from the Least Sandpiper by the partly webbed toes.

5

145 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

The eggs are buff white, mottled with brown and chocolate brown,
heaviest on the larger end.

EREUNETES OCCIDENTALIS Zawr.
Western Semipalmated Sandpiper.

This species may be distinguished from £-. Jusz//us by its longer bill, which is oftentimes
1.25 inches in length, while Z. pwsz//ws rarely if ever has the bill one inch in length. Occasionally
examples of the Western Sandpiper have the bill less than one inch, and in such cases it is
almost impossible to distinguish them from the winter examples of £. pusz//us ; therefore it is
perhaps as well for the sportsmen to consider all of those birds having bills less than one inch
in length to be &. fusz//us, and if it is important to have the identification absolutely accurate,
they could easily obtain the opinion of some professional ornithologist to settle such a fine point.

Adult in summer: A small web between the toes; top of head brown; back reddish
brown; the feathers marked with black and some of them tipped and edged with white; rump
smoky black; under parts white, showing a faint tawny tinge on the breast.

Adult in winter : Top of head and back gray, showing brown on the shafts of the feathers
forehead and under parts dull white; the breast faintly lined with grayish brown, sometimes
entirely wanting.

Bill black, becoming greenish olive on basal part of the mandible.

Length, 6.50; Wing, 3.85; Tarsus, .82; Bill, .go to 1.15.

Occasionally occurs on the Atlantic coast, although its home is properly
in the West. It is common in Florida in winter, more so on the West than
on the East coast.

The eggs are pale buff dotted with dark brown.

Genus CALIDRIS Cvv.

CALIDRIS ARENARIA (Z777.).
Sanderling. Bull-peep.

Adult in summer: WHead, throat, and upper
parts, except rump, reddish brown, black and white ;
belly and under parts pure white.

Adult in winter: Top of the head ay back
ash gray, the shafts of the feathers being brown ;
forehead and entire under ae white ; bill black.

Length, 8.10; Wing, 5.05; Tarsus, 1; Bill, 1.

This species may always be distin-
guished by the absence of the fourth

toe, being the only Sandpiper occurring
on our coast having three toes. It is

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. I49

common during migrations, ranging from the Arctic regions to the West
Indies and South America. The eggs are light olive and buff, spotted with
brown.

GeNus LIMOSA Brisson.

LIMOSA FEDOA (/inv.).
Marbled Godwit.

Adult in summer: Bill curved slightly upward ; upper parts mottled with black and tawny ;
upper throat white, rest of throat finely streaked with brown; breast pale tawny, the feathers
banded irregularly with brown; belly tawny, sometimes without bands; bill dull flesh color in its
basal half, the rest blackish.

Adult in winter: Top of the head brown streaked with pale brown; feathers of the back
dark brown edged with tawny ; chin white; throat pale buff faintly lined with brown; under
parts reddish buff; sides faintly barred with brown.

Length, 19; Wing, 8.80; Tarsus, 2.80; Bill, 3.50 to 4.50.

Limosa fedoa.

This species breeds in the interior from the Missouri region northward.
It occurs in winter south to Florida and Cuba, but is not abundant anywhere
on the Atlantic coast.

The eggs are described as being from three to four in number and of a
dull brownish ash color, blotched and mottled with gray and grayish brown.

150 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

LIMOSA HAEMASTICA (Zz77x.).

Hudsonian Godwit.

Adult in summer: Bill slightly curved up; top of the head dusky, showing pale brown
streaks; back black, the feathers spotted with tawny brown. Upper tail coverts white; chin
whitish dotted with dusky; throat reddish brown streaked with brown; under parts dark rufous
brown, faintly and irregularly banded with black. Bill grayish yellow, dark brown along the
ridge of the upper mandible, and blackish towards the tips of both.

Adult in winter: General plumage grayish; top of the head gray mottled with brown; back
gray; some of the feathers tipped with dark brown and indistinctly edged with dull whitish;
upper tail coverts white ; chin white; throat ash gray; under parts grayish white.

Length, 15.50; Wing, 8.30; Tarsus, 2.30; Bill, 3 to 3.40.

Ranges in Eastern North America from the far North south to South
America. It is becoming less common every year, although at one time it
was an abundant species, during the migrations, on our coast.

Breeds in the tar North; the eggs are described as dark brownish olive
lined and spotted with dark brown.

Genus TOTANUS Becusvr.
SuBGENUS GLOTTIS Kocu.

TOTANUS NEBULARIUS (Guwim.).
Green=-shank.

This species has the general appearance of a Winter Yellow-leg (Zo¢anus melanoleucus),
although the marking is somewhat different. It is a very rare bird on our coast, there being
no actual record since Audubon’s time, who states that specimens were taken in Florida, near
Cape Sable. It may easily be distinguished by the greenish-gray legs and the dusky-green
bill, which is dark at the tip, and the white rump.

Length, 14; Wing, 7.20; Bill, 2.30 to 2.50; Tarsus, 2.30.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. TSE

TOTANUS MELANOLEUCUS (Gwmc/.).
Greater Yellow-legs. Winter Yellow-legs.

Adult in summer: Bill nearly straight; upper plumage mottled with white and black ; throat
white streaked with black; chin whitish; breast white heavily streaked with black; rest of
under parts white irregularly marked with black; middle of belly nearly always pure white ; bill
black and legs yellow.

Adult in winter: Top of the head and neck streaked white and dark brown; back brown,
the feathers narrowly edged with whitish; chin white; breast white, narrowly lined with dark
brown; rest of under parts white; bill black and legs yellow.

Length, 14.50; Wing, 7.80; Tarsus, 2.50; Bill, 2.30.

Common in Eastern North America from the Arctic region southward to
South America. It is abundant on the Atlantic coast during migrations ;
common in Florida in winter.

The eggs are pale buffy brown spotted with dark brown.

TOTANUS FLAVIPES (Gmc/.)
Summer Yellow-legs.

Upper parts grayish brown mottled with whitish
on the back; chin white; throat white streaked with
pale grayish brown; breast mottled, belly white; tail
feathers banded brown and white; bill black; legs
yellow.

Length, 10.80; Wing, 6.45; Tarsus, 2.10; Bill, 1.45.

Ranges from the sub-Arctic regions
southward to South America. Breeds in
the interior from Minnesota and_ Illinois
northward. The eggs are pale buff dotted

and blotched with dark brown and chocolate brown. This is a well-known

iw)

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

species on our coast during the migrations. It is common in Florida in
winter, especially during migrations.

SuBGENUS ,RHYACOPHILUS Kauvp.

TOTANUS SOLITARIUS (/V7/s.).
Solitary Sandpiper.

Adult in summer: Top of head and back bronzy green dotted with white; under parts
white ; the breast thickly streaked and dotted with brown; bill greenish brown (in life), dusky
terminally.

Adult in winter: Upper parts olive brown, showing a faint greenish gloss when held in the
light, the feathers faintly dotted with dull white; throat white; breast streaked with brown ;
rest of under parts white.

Length, 8.50; Wing, 5.30; Tarsus, 1.20; Bill, 1.30.

Totanus solitarius.

This species ranges from the sub-Arctic regions southward to South
America. It usually occurs on our Atlantic coast during the migrations, and
is not uncommon in Florida. It breeds from Pennsylvania and Illinois
northward. The eggs, which are described from a single specimen taken
by Jenness Richardson, in Vermont, and described by Dr. Brewer, are light
drab with small rounded brown markings, having a few faint purplish marks
on the larger end.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 153

GeNus SYMPHEMIA Rar.

SYMPHEIIA SEMIPALMATA ( Gmel.).
Willet.

Adultin summer: Upper plumage gray, streaked on the head with dark brown, and the
central portion of many of the feathers has the back blotched with brown; chin white; throat
white dotted with brown; under parts dull white, the feathers on the sides barred with brown
and washed with tawny; axillars black; bill bluish, dusky toward end.

Adult in winter: Bill nearly straight, upper plumage gray, showing faint indications of
whitish on the tips of some of the feathers on the back; chin whitish ; throat ashy gray; the
rest of under parts white, showing ashy on the sides of the body. The broad white band on the
wings is a distinguishing character of this bird when flying, formed by the basal portion of
the primaries and some of the secondaries being white.

Length, 15.50; Wing, 8.10; Tarsus, 2.30; Bill, 2 to 2.30.

Symphemia semipalmata.

Ranges from temperate South America south to the West Indies and
South America.

It breeds from New England to Florida, although it does not breed
commonly north of the Carolinas. It is a very common species in Florida,

yer KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

where it frequents the beaches and marshes, and may be easily distinguished
by its broad white wing band and peculiar whistle.

It is not likely to be confounded with any species, but a very good
distinguishing character is the black anillars.

The eggs are three in number, sometimes four, deposited on the ground
with scarcely any indication of a nest. They are pale buff in color, spotted
with chocolate brown, heaviest on the larger end.

SYMPHEMIA SEMIPALMATA INORNATA #Arezis7.
Western Willet.

General resemblance to the preceding species, but the upper parts are paler and not so
heavily marked with black; the breast shows usually more buff color. In winter plumage it
resembles the eastern form except in size, the bill usually being longer and the bird somewhat
larger.

Length, 15.60; Wing, 8.50; Tarsus, 2.55; Bill, 2.30 to 2.80.

It is a western species common in Florida in winter, its true range
being from Texas to Manitoba.

GrENusS BARTRAMIA LEss.

BARTRAMIA LONGICAUDA (Bechs7.).
Bartram’s Sandpiper. Upland Plover.
Adult; Head, upper parts, and breast mottled brown and
tawny; belly white; first primary barred with white.
/n winter the bird is paler in coloration; throat white.
Length, 11.75 ; Wing, 6.60; Tarsus, 1.90; Bill, 1.20.
This species occurs in Eastern North
America, from Nova Scotia south to South
America. It is not very common anywhere
on the Atlantic coast nowadays, although at
one time it was an abundant species. It
occurs in Florida in winter. A good diag-
nostic character of this species is the barred primary. It breeds from Vir-

ginia northward. The eggs are four to five in number, of a pale brownish
color, mottled with chocolate brown near the larger end.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 15

On

Genus TRYNGITES Caranis.

TRYNGITES SUBRUFICOLLIS ( /%e77.).
Buff=breasted Sandpiper.

Aault in breeding plumage: ‘Yntire upper parts mottled with black and tawny brown,
the feathers being black in the center and broadly edged with tawny; under parts pale rufous
mottled with whitish.

Adult in winter plumage: Top of the head and nape pale tawny dotted with brown;
feathers of the back blackish, narrowly edged with white; under parts pale buff, becoming
whitish on the belly, faintly mottled with brownish on the sides of the
breast. /zner webs of primaries speckled.

Length, 8; Wing, 5.30; Tarsus, 1.25; Bill, .8s.

Not abundant on the Atlantic coast, usually ranging
in the interior. It breeds from British America north-

ward. It ranges in winter south to South America,
being found on our coast during migrations.

The eggs are described as from three to four: pale buff white, spotted
and lined with dark brown and purplish brown.

Genus ACTITIS Icuicer.

ACTITIS MACULARIA (Zinn.).
Spotted Sandpiper.

Adult in summer: Top of the head and back olive
green, showing bronzy reflections when held in the
light; some of the feathers on the back irregularly
marked with brown; under parts white, marked with
large spots of black.

Adult in winter: Above olive, showing a bronzy
luster when held in the light; feathers on the back
faintly tipped with dusky; wing coverts narrowly
banded with tawny; throat white; breast, under parts,
including belly and under tail coverts, white; mandi-
ble and edge of the maxilla pale wax yellow (in life),
rest of bill black.

Length, 8; Wing, 4.20; Tarsus, 1; Bill, 1.

Ranges from Hudson Bay to South America. It is a very well-known
bird on our coast, being usually seen alone or in pairs. It is common on

1H
Sat
OV

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

small streams of fresh water and also on sand beaches, usually selecting
rocky places. It breeds nearly throughout its range, the eggs being butt
white or pale brown spotted with dark brown, mostly on the larger end.

Genus NUMENIUS Brisson.

Numenius longirostris.

NUMENIUS LONGIROSTRIS /V’7/s.
Long=billed Curlew. Sickle=bill. :

Adult in summer: Upper parts marked with buff and black; tail feathers alternately
banded with tawny buff and brown; throat whitish; rest of under parts pale reddish brown,
becoming very light on the belly; breast narrowly striped with brown on the middle of the
feathers; bill very long.

Adult in winter: General plumage tawny brown; the back blackish, mottled with buff;
top of the head dark brown; the feathers edged with tawny; throat white; under part pale
buff brown; feathers on the lower throat and upper breast finely lined with dark brown; bill
very long and curved downward; bill black, becoming dull lilac brown on basal half of the
mandible.

Length, 26; Wing, 10.50; Tarsus, 2.30; Bill very variable, measuring from 2.50 to 9.

The immature of this species has the bill nearly straight but quite short, sometimes not ex-
ceeding two inches in length.

Ranges from temperate North America south to Central America and the
West Indies. It breeds in the Southern Atlantic States, but 1s now not
common on the Atlantic coast, and is becoming less so every year. The
eggs are described as olive gray in color, spotted with chocolate brown.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 7

NUMENIUS HUDSONICUS Zaz/.

Hudsonian Curlew.

Adult in summer: Bill curved downward; top of the head brown, with a stripe of buffy
white through the middle ; rest of upper parts dark brown; feathers pale on the edges, giving a
slightly mottled appearance to the back; chin white; throat and breast streaked and faintly
barred with brown and white ; belly dull white; an imperfect superciliary stripe.

Adult in winter: Similar to the last, but showing much more tawny mottled on the upper
parts, and the under parts paler; a superciliary stripe of dull white.

Length, 17.50; Wing, 9.20; Tarsus, 2.30; Bill, 3 to 3.75.

Common in North America, south in winter to South America and the
West Indies. Breeds in the far North.

It is one of the well-known birds on the Atlantic coast, occurring dur-
ing the migrations.

This species may always be distinguished from the Esquimo or Long-
billed Curlew by the buffy stripe on the middle of the crown. The eggs are
described as three or four in number, grayish olive spotted with brown.

158 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

NUMENIUS BOREALIS (/0757.).
Eskimo Curlew. Dough Bird.

Adult in summer: Bill curved down-
a ward, general plumage above mottled black
; and tawny; chin whitish; throat and under

parts tawny buff, marked on the throat with
dark brown and on the breast with arrow-like brown mark-
ings; flanks and sides of the body tawny, the arrow-like
marks being much heavier and larger; top of the head show-
ing no central stripe of buffy white.

Adult in winter: Wacking the tawny color of the summer
plumage; more whitish on the under parts, otherwise the
markings being similar.

Length, 13; Wing, 8.10; Tarsus, 2; Bill, 2.75 to 3.50.

It ranges from the Arctic regions, where it
breeds, southward to South America. At one
time it was a very abundant bird on our coast
during the migrations, but is becoming less com-
mon every year. It prefers the fields to the beaches, being often found in
company with the Golden Plover. It is comparatively rare in Florida, but
occurs regularly during migrations. The eggs are pale olive gray spotted
with dark brown, mostly at the larger end.

Famitry CHARADRIID. PLovers.

GENUS CHARADRIUS Linn.
SuBGENUS SQUATAROLA Cvuv.

CHARADRIUS SQUATAROLA (Z777.).
Black=bellied Plover. Beetle Head.

Adult male in summer: Upper parts smoky black; feathers edged with dull white; breast
black except in highest plumage, showing traces of whitish on the feathers ; abdomen and under
tail coverts white; forehead white; axillars smoky black.

Adult in winter: Upper plumage brownish mottled with gray; under parts white; breast
and sides streaked with ashy brown; bill black.

Length, 11.25; Wing, 7.45; Tarsus, 1.85; Bill, 1.10.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 159

Charadrius squatarola (winter plumage). Charadrius squatarola (foot).

This species may always be distinguished from the Golden Plover by
the presence of a rudimentary hind toe and the black axillars, w hich are

gray in the Golden Plover.
It ranges from the Arctic regions to South America, being common

on the Atlantic coast during migrations. It breeds in the far North; the
eggs are usually four, pale olive brown, spotted and speckled with brown

and black.

160 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

SuBGENUS CHARADRIUS Linn.

CHARADRIUS DOMINICUS JZii//.
American Golden Plover.

Summer plumage: Back and upper parts smoky black; feathers marked and edged with
yellow and brown; sides of the breast whitish; rest of under parts, throat, and sides of the head,
including eye, black; forehead whitish, a stripe extending backwards over the eye ; bill black.

Winter plumage: Upper parts brownish, feathers marked with dull tawny or buff; under
parts are dull white streaked with ashy brown or gray on the breast and sides.

Length, 10.25; Wing, 7; Tarsus, 1.55; Bill, .92.

This species may always be distinguished in any plumage from the
Black-breast Plover by the gray axillars and the absence of the small rudi-
mentary hind toe.

It ranges from the Arctic regions to South America, being common on
the: coast during migration. It was at one
time abundant in New England in the early
fall, but its numbers have de- ,
creased greatly within the past |
few years. It is not a common
bird in Florida, although it is /—
occasionally taken in the State. Me

It breeds in the far North; the gr >>
eggs are buff colored or Browne
ete mottled and marked with
chocolate brown.

Genus AEGIALITIS Bote.
SuBGENUS OXYECHUS ReEIcu.

AEGIALITIS VOCIFERA (/77.).
‘Killdeer Plover.

Adult: Crown and back brownish gray, feathers tipped with rufous; a ring around the
neck, lores, and a patch on the breast black; forehead white; throat and spot behind the eye
and a band around the neck white; lower breast and belly white; tail coverts and rump
bright rufous; tail rufous and gray tipped with black and white; bill black.

Length, 10.65; Wing, 6.55; Tarsus, 1.40; Bill, .75.

The Killdeer Plover ranges on the Atlantic coast from Newfoundland

to the northern part of South America. It is a rare bird on the New Eng-

WE Ye LO

THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 161

land coast as a rule. A few years ago there was a great flight of these
birds along the coast of Massachusetts in December, and hundreds of
them were sent to market and sold. I killed several near Hyannis, Mass.,

at that time.

f®gialites vocifera.

The Killdeer is a common bird in Florida. The eggs are pale brownish

white mottled and lined with chocolate brown.

SUBGENUS /EGIALITIS Bole.

AEGIALITIS SEMIPALIVATA Bonap.

Semipalmated Plover. Ring=neck.

Adult; Forehead white, succeeded by a band of black; rest
of head, back, and wings ashy gray; a dull stripe of blackish
passing from the bill under the eye to the sides of the neck;a
small patch of white back of the eye; a broad band of black on
the breast; rest of under parts white; throat white, extending
around the neck and joining at the back in a very narrow
stripe ; secondaries tipped with white ; bill black, orange at the
base; a bright orange ring around the eye.

Adult in summer : Toes with small webs.

Length, 6.80; Wing, 4.75; Tarsus, .93; Bill, .50.

Ranges irom the Arctic regions to South
America, breeding from Labrador northward. It

is a common species on our coast during the migrations. The eggs are

usually four, pale brownish white spotted with chocolate brown.

162 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

AEGIALITIS MELODA (Or).
Piping Plover.

Adult in summer : Upper parts ashy; forehead white,
separated from the ash color of the head by a narrow patch
of black ; a band on the side of the breast black; under
parts anda ring around the neck white.

Adult in winter: Similar to the summer plumage, but
the black marking replaced by grayish buff or ashy gray
instead of black. Bill orange at base, tipped with black.

Length, 7.20; Wing, 4.80; Tarsus, .g0; Bill, .50.

Ranges from Labrador to the West Indies

and South America. It is a common species
on the New England coast during the migra-
tions, and is a regular winter visitant to Florida, although not abundant.

The Piping Plover breeds from Virginia to Labrador and Newfoundland.
The eggs are dull white marked with dark brown.

AEGIALITIS MELODA CIRCUMCINCTA Aedgw.
Belted Piping Plover.

It is similar to VV. weloda, but differs in having an unbroken black band from the sides
around in front of the neck.

This species occurs on the coast during the migrations. I am not aware
that it has been recorded from Florida, but it no doubt occurs there.

SuBGENUS OCHTHODROMUS Rketrcu.

AEGIALITIS WILSONIA (O7rd.).
Wilson’s Plover.

Adult male: Above ashy brown; forehead white, extending into a faint superciliary stripe
of dull black on the crown; throat white, continuing on the sides of the neck, nearly joining
upon the nape; a black pectoral band, the feathers edged with white, becoming brown upon
the sides; under parts white; two central tail feathers brown, the others showing increasing
markings of white to the outer tail feathers, which are white; bill black (large and stout); legs
pinkish.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 163

xX

Female and immature birds have the pectoral band brown, and no black on the head.
Length, 7.45; Wing, 4.60; Tail, 1.90; Tarsus, 1.16; Bill, .go.

This is rather a Southern species, but stragglers have been taken as far
north as Nova Scotia.

It breeds from Virginia southward and is a common bird in Florida.

The eggs are usually three in number, dull white dotted and spotted with
chocolate brown.

AEgialitis wilsonia. /Egialitis montana.

SuBGENUS PODASOCYS Cougs.

AEGIALITIS MONTANA ( Zozwzs.).
Mountain Plover.

Above uniform brownish gray; feathers occasionally edged with tawny brown; under parts
entirely white with the exception of the breast, which at times shows a tinge of gray; a black
loral stripe extending from the bill to the eye, and a black superciliary stripe back of the head,
showing a patch of black; shafts of the first primary white; wing coverts grayish brown,
some of them tipped with white ; bill black ; legs pale brown.

Length, 8.75 ; Wing, 6; Tarsus, 1.60; Bill, .95.
‘*’Temperate North America from the great plains westward: accidental
in Florida.” (APO)
This species has been recorded from Florida, but it is not common in
the State and must be considered as merely an accidental straggler.
The eggs are three to four in number, of olive brown color dotted and
marked with brown.

1604 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA.

Famity APHRIZID. Surr BIRDS AND TURNSTONES.
SuBrAMILyY ARENARIINA. TurnstTones.

GeNusS ARENARIA Brisson.

ARENARIA INTERPRES (/inz.).

Turnstone.

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

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

Length, 8.65 ; Wing, 5.70; Tail, 2.60; Tarsus, 1; Bill, .g5.

This species ranges from the Arctic regions to South America and is
common during migrations on the Atlantic coast. It breeds in high latitudes ;
the eggs are pale clay color mottled and lined with dull brown. It isa
common bird in Florida in winter.

Famity HAAMATOPODID. OYSTER-CATCHERS.
Genus HAEMATOPUS Linn.

HAEMATOPUS PALLIATUS § Zemm.
American Oyster-catcher.

Winter plumage, male: Head and neck blackish or very dark brown; back brown; lower
part of breast and rest of under parts white; eyelids, rump, tips of wing coverts, part of secon-
daries, and basal portion of the tail feathers white; bill orange, darkening at the tip (in summer
deep red); legs flesh color.

Length, 17.40; Wing, 10.05; Tail, 4.35; Tarsus, 2.30; Bill, 3.50.

KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 165

Hzmatopus palliatus.

This species occurs on the seacoast of temperate and tropical America,
frequenting the beaches, where it is often met with in pairs or small flocks.
It occasionally occurs as far north as New Jersey. Stragglers have been
taken near Grand Menan, Maine, and on the coast of Massachusetts. It is
a common species in Florida, where it breeds. The eggs are pale brownish
white spotted with chocolate brown.

Ley ‘ th
Oh Om

P

Actitis macularia
Actodromas
Atgialitis

meloda

3 circumeincta .

montana .
semipalmata
vocifera
wilsonia ;

/Estrelata hasitata .

Aix sponsa.

Ajaja ajaja

INES 4g Soo To eee
americana
boschas
carolinensis
cyanoptera
discors
fulvigula
obscura
strepera

Anatidee

Anatine <= -

Ancylocheilus

Anhinga anhinga

Anhingidz

Anous stolidus :

Anser albifrons gambeli

Anseres

Anserinz

Aphrizidee

Aramid i

Aramus giganteus

Ardea ;
coerulea
candidissima
egretta
herodias .
occidentalis
rufescens
tricolor ruficollis
virescens .
wardi
wiierdemanni

Ardeidz

Ardeinz

Ardetta .
exilis
neoxena

LNIDEX,

( LATIN.)
48,155 | Arenaria interpres
. . . 145 | Arenariinz
51, 160, 161 Arquatella .
51, 162 Aythya .
> 9 ie affinis .
Sl LOS americana
5 Silty On Gollan . o &
5 Bilin ese marila nearctica
50s TOZ vallisneria
oN FS)
25,93 | Bartramia longicauda .
34, 110 | Botaurine . Pe ie:
24,83 | Botaurus lentiginosus .
. 25,87 | Branta
24, 25, 83 bernicla
27188 canadensis
27,89 | Butorides
26, 89
25,55 | Calidris arenaria .
25,54 | Charadriidz
25,56 | Charadrius
22, 80 dominicus
24, 83 squatarola
147 | Charitonetta albeola
19,75 | Chaulelasmus
LOQs 7/5) |) omen Aint
14, 67 cerulescens . :
33, 106 hyperborea nivalis
i) 80) Ciconize :
. 32, 105 | Ciconiidee :
. 52, 164 | Clangula hyemalis
. 41, 131 | Colymbus auritus
. 41, 131 | Coturnicops
. aaiey ie || (CHEOWERS, o-oo 2 «6
3a, 39, 122 Crymophilus fulicarius
38, 120 | Cygninze
38, 119 | Cyrtopelicanus
38, 118 | Cymodroma grallaria
5 37 LG
. 38, 121 | Dafila acuta
39, 122 | Dichromanassa
BOnZ Diomedea exulans
38, 118 | Diomedeidz
. 118 | Dysporus
37; 115
7a eee nineres
. 40, 116 occidentalis .
. 40, 116 pusillus
.40, 117 | Erismatura rubida

167

- 52, 164
164

145

27, 94

2052007)

» 30, 94

HA 2h OY
. 28, 29, 96

27,95

- 46, 154
ILS
115
107
105
107

125

GK Gs Gd G2
7» NWNO.

. 48, 148
50, 158

50, 138, 160

“1507000
. 50, 158
Sth (28.
56

32, 105
2 3}gh HOS
B2,nOs
‘ 114
230, ue
. 29, 100
9, 53

168

Florida

Fregata aquila .
Fregatidz
Fulica americana
ulicinas ey.
Fuligine
Fuliguline
Fuligula

Gallinago delicata
Gallinula galeata
Gallinuline

Garzetta
Gelochelidon iileticn

Glaucionetta clangula americana .

Glottis

Grues.

Gruidz

Grus . 5
americana
mexicana

Guara .
alba

rubra

Hamatopodide .
Hematopus palliatus
Herodias

Herodii .

Herodiones blest
Himantopus mexicanus
Hydranassa

Hydrochelidon nigra a surinamensis

Ibides
Ibididz
Ionornis martinica

Laride
Larinz
Larus
argentatus Seen coniaane
atricilla
delawarensis
marinus .
philadelphia
Limicolz
Limosa .
fedoa .
hemastica
Longipennes
Lophodytes cucullatus

Macrorhamphus .
griseus
scolopaceus

Mareca .

Melanitta

Merganser .

INDEX.
12 americana
20; 79 serrator
21,79 | Merginz :
43, 137 | Micropalama himantopus
43) 237
27 | Nettion :
94 | Numenius
96 borealis
hudsonicus
45, 141 longirostris
43, 136 | Nyctherodius
43, 30%) Nycticorax :
to) nycticorax nevius
15, 62 | violaceus
se a 99
150 Oceanites oceanicus
. . £28 | Ochthodromus
. 40, 125 | Odontoglosse
.40, 125 | Oidemia
. 40, 128 americana
. 40, 130 deglandi .
5 yeh perspicillata
els ua Olor columbianus
AE HO Me Oxyechus
52, 164 Paludicole
2 Ay iol Pelecanide
119 | Pelecanus
115 erythrorhyne see
> 110 fuscus
44,140 | Pelidna .
122 Pelionetta .
Is, 67 Phaéthon flayirostus
Phaéthontidz
110 | Phalacrocroacide :
.35, 111 | Phalacrocorax dilophus floridanus
. 43, 130 | Phalaropodide
Phalaropus lobatus
12, 59 | Philohela minor
12, 59 | Phoenicopteride .
12, 59 | Phoenicopterus ruber
2, 60 Plataleidee .
12, O1 Plegadis
12, 60 autumnalis
12, 59 guarauna
12, 61 Podasocys .
35 | Podidcipidee
48,149 | Podilymbus podiceps
48. 149 Porzana
. 49, 150 carolina
57 jamaicensis
2202 noveboracensis
Procellariide .
eS me Puffinus
aH ail 3s auduboni
. 45, 143 major
87 Pygopodes
102
22,50 | Querquedula

O,

Ralli .
Rallidee
Rallinz
Rallus
elegans ;
longirostris crepitans
“6 scottil
virginianus :
Recurvirostra americana .
Recurvirostride .
Rhyacophilus
Rhynchopidz
Rhynchops nigra

Scolopacidee
Spatula clypeata
Squatarola
Steganopodes
Stercorariidee
Stercorarius
longicaudus
parasiticus
Sterna
anethetus
antillarum
dougalli
forsterl
fuliginosa
hirundo
maxima

sandvicensis ac nian a

tschegrava

INDEX.

HES

oe |
» G3 G2 G2 GI WG G2 G2
>BON WN YN S&S

2, 133

ae
ON
ON

Sternine
Sula
bassana
cyanops
piscator
sula
Sulidze
Symphemia
semipalmata :
np inornata

‘Tantaline
Tantalus loculator
‘Totanus
flavipes
melanoleucus
nebularius
solitarius .
Tringa ;
alpina pacifica ‘
canutus
fuscicollis
maculata .
maritima .
minutilla .
Tryngites subruficollis
Tubinares

Urinator
imber .
lumme

Urinatoridz

Albatross, Wandering
Anhinga
Avocet, American

Baldpate

Beetle-head

Bittern, American
Cory’s Least
Least .

Bluebill .

Booby, Blue- faced
Common.
Red-footed .

Brant

Broadbill

Buffle-head

Bull-peep

Butter-ball .

Butter-bill .

Canvas-back
Coot .
American
Black .
Sea
Skunk- heace
White-winged .
Cormorant, Florida.
Courlans sabe
Crane, Sandhill .
Whooping
Crying-bird
Curlew, Eskimo .
Hudsonian
ackss cae
Long- billed .

Darters .

Divers ;

Great Mortwern
Red-throated

Dough-bird

Dowitcher .

Dowitcher, Long- chilled

Ducks

Baldpate .
Black .

rein Golden Eye 3

INDEX

(ENGLISH.)
16, 69 Bluebill
19, 75 Broadbill .
. 44, 139 Buffle-head .
Butter-ball
25, 97 Butter-bill
"50; 058 Canvas-back
> oh Wis | Dusky ;
. 40, 117 Florida Black 3
. 40, 116 3 Dusky
28, 29 Gadwall . :
18, 73 | Mallard
18, 73 | Merganser, American
18, 74 | Hooded
aos Red-breasted
. 26 Old Squaw
30, 99 Old Wife
PAS Pintail
99 Redhead .
31 Ring-necked
| Ruddy :
27,95 Scaup, American .
5 -o Btil Greater
3 A} 1347 Lesser
LOM Sheldrake
5 HOR Shoveller
aeL Si Spirit . 3 :
5 Bilin lie South Southerly
19, 70 Sprigtail .
5 13H Summer
. 40, 130 Whistler . : ;
. 40, 128 Widgeon, Baldpate :
Gear el American .
. 50, 158 Wood.
. 48, 157 Dunlin, American
; 45
. 48,156 | Egret, American .
Reddish .
19, 75 White
Ho os)
10, 55 Flamingo, American
5 Oy Eo) Florida Black Duck
ooh Ws) Se Dusky,
- 45,143 | Fulmars ;
45) 143
. . 22,80 | Gadwall :
. 29, 30,99 | Gallinule, Florida
87 Purple

25,54 | Gannets.

170

- 29; 30, 99

. 18, 73, 74

Godwit, Hudsonian
Marbled .
Golden Eye, American

Goose, American White-fronte d

Blue
Canada
Greater Snow
Grass-bird .
Grebe, Horned
Pied-billed
Green-shank 5 pees
Gull, American Herring .
Bonaparte’s . :
Great Black- Packed :
Laughing
Mackerel
Ring-billed .

Heron, Black-crowned Night
Great Blue . ,
Great White
Green
Little Blue
Louisiana
Snowy
Ward’s
Wiirdemann’s . ,
Yellow-crowned Night ;

Ibis, Glossy
Scarlet
White
W hite-faced
Wood

Jaeger, Long-tailed
Parasitic

Killdeer
Knot

Limpkin
loon Seca as
» Red-throated .

Mallard :

Man-o’-War Bid

Merganser, American .
Hooded .
Red-breasted

Mother Cary’s Chicken

Mud-hen :

Old Squaw
Old Wife :
Oyster-catcher, Reneiean

Pelican, American White
Brown

Petrel, Black- -capped
White-bellied .

sp

- 49;
. 48,

9 Jno }
wrered)

22
*J9)
- 32;
- 32,

5 61a)

INDEX.

150
149

- 29; 39; 99

106
105
107
10S
145

9, 53
9, 54

SO

150

12, 60
12, 61

12, 59
12, 61

64

12, 60

- 39
4 Bho
37>
> Ih

35, 39

2 39
SOs

Q
2305

126

115
117
125
124
122
120
11s

5 Elite}

39>
- 35)
36,
- 35,
» 355
GOs

in

ne
113
T12
III
1i4
I14

II, 58
Wiss Bil

> Sip
. 46,

5 Ell

160

134

131

10, 55

10, 50

. 24, 25, 83

21,79
22, 80

22

23)

2 292
“9 =>)

“AS;

81
71
137

. 29, 100

ee

100
164

20, 77
20, 78
17, 70
Lp

Wilson’s .

Phalarope, Gray
Northern
Red

Pintail

Plover, Golden
Belted Piping
Black-bellied
Black-breasted
Killdeer .
Mountain
Piping
Ring-neck
Semipalmated .
Upland
Wilson’s .

Rail, Black

Carolina ,
Clapper .
Florida Clapper
King .
Scott’s
Virginia .
Yellow

Redhead

Ring-neck .

Sanderling

Sandpiper, Bartramian_ or Be artram’ Si

Buff-breasted
Least .
Pectoral .
Purples sar
Red-backed .
Semipalmated .
Solitary
Spotted

Stilt

Western .

58 semipalmated .

White-rumped .

Scoter, American
Surf aa
White-winged .

Shearwater, Audubon’s
Greater

Sheldrakes

Shoveller

Sickle-bill

Skimmer, Black .

Snake Bird

Snipe, English
Red-breasted
Robin .

Western Red- ren ated ;

Wilson’s .
SOrd ye
South Southerly |

. 28, 30, 94

a
i fe ee ee
G2 Go GI Ga Go U2 Go Lo
mls & WE En

161

. 48, 148

- 46, 154

Se vies tt Sys)
. 48, 146
. 46, 145
$73 145
- 475 147
- 45, 147
- 47,152
. 48, 155
- 47, 144

47
145

. 48, 146

pin ten

N3L, LOS
Batty lek

17, 70
16, 69

19, 75

- 45, 141
-45, 143

144
143

. 45, 141
42, 13d

100

172

Spoonbill, Roseate .
Sprigtail 2 ose
Stilt, Black-necked .
Storks eS
Swan, Whistling

Swimmers, Long-winged .

‘Totipalmate
Tube-nosed

Teal, Blue-winged
Cinnamon
Green-winged

Tern, Black
Bridled
Cabot’s
Caspian .
Common
Forster’s .
Gull-billed

INDEX.

Least .

Noddy

Roseate .

Royal .

SOOUV Lee ew on te
Tropic Bird, Yellow-billed
Turkey, Water
Turnstone .

Whistler Aerie
Widgeon, American
Baldpate .
Willet
» Western 5
Woodcock, American .

Yellowlegs, Greater
Summer .
Winter

15, 65
14, 67
14, 65
13, 63
13, 66
17,72
« TOp 7's
. 52, 164

= 9) eh) SS)
Be ee a7
oy Tyee E2ily
- 49, 153
» 49, 154
-45, 141

AQ; RS
. 46, 151
. 49, 151

Works on Ornithology,

by

Charles B. Cory.

A Naturalist in the Magdalen Islands.

Giving description ofthe islands and list of the birds taken there, with other ornithological
notes. One vol., small quarto, illustrated. Boston, U.S. A., 1878.

sb Me
Pic eeu ; : d 5 . ‘ ; : $1.50.

The Birds of the Bahama Islands.

Containing many species new to the islands, together with a number of undescribed winter
plumages of North American birds. THlustrated with eight full-page plates. One vol., large
quarto. Boston, U.S. A., 1880.

IPT : , : : 5 ‘ : : $7.00.

Revised edition of same. boston, U.S. A., 18go.

PES : : : $7.00.

The Beautiful and Curious Birds” of the World.

A superb work, complete in seven parts (atlas folio), illustrated with twenty plates (21 by 27
ins.), beautifully colored, each plate finished by hand in water colors. ‘The plates represent a
series of beautiful and curious birds, extinct and living. Among the species illustrated are :
Birds of Paradise, Dodo, Great Auk, Apteryx, Labrador Duck, California Condor, Sacred Ibis,
etc., etc. Each plate is accompanied by descriptive text. The edition was limited to two hun-

dred copies and the stones were destroyed after that number were printed. Less than twenty

perfect sets now remain unsold. Boston, U.S. A., 1883.
Price in parts : : : $75.00
Bound in Levant . : : : : ! $95.00

The Birds of Haiti and San Domingo.

Containing twenty-two full-page plates colored by hand in water colors. Large quarto,

bound in cloth; the edition was limited to three hundred copies. Boston, U.S. A., 1885.

H

Price . ; : : ; : : 3 ; $20.CO.

A List of the Birds of the West Indies.

New edition, revised and enlarged, one vol., boards. Boston, U.S. A., 1886.

Pies ‘ , Z ; : ; : : $1.00.

The Birds of the West Indies.

Including all species known to occur in the Bahama Islands, the Greater and Lesser Antilles,

excepting the islands of Tobago and Trinidad. The only exhaustive work on the birds of the
West Indies that has yet been published. Illustrated with map and numerous cuts. One vol.,
large quarto, bound in cloth. Boston, U.S. A., 1889.

Price

Th
wn

le)

e)

Catalogue of West Indian Birds.

Containing a list of all species known to occur in the Bahama Islands, the Greater Antilles,
the Caymans, and the Lesser Antilles, excepting the islands of Tobago and Trinidad, map.
One vol., large quarto, bound in cloth. Boston, U.S. A., 1892.

Price : . , F : , ; ; : $2.50.

Hunting and Fishing in Florida.

Including a key to the water birds of the State, illustrated with more than two hundred cuts
and two full-page photogravures. Quarto, bound in cloth. Boston, U.S. A., 1896.

Piice ws 2 : ; : : : : 4 $3.75.

Key to the Water Birds of Florida.

Giving a description of all the water birds known to occur in the State. Illustrated with
numerous cuts representing nearly every species. Boston, U.S. A., 1896.

Price paper 60450, ClOtlny aime $1.75.

These works may be obtained from

Estes & Lauriat, Washington St., Boston, Mass.

Bradlee Whidden, 18 Arch St., Boston, Mass.

L. S. Foster, 35 Pine St., New York.

R. H. Porter, 18 Princes St., Cavendish Sq., London, England.

In Course of Preparation.

Check List of the Birds of Florida. The Birds of Eastern North America.
Key to the Birds of Illinois.

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Pe ie at

iii

94817
hbird OL684.F6C8
er birds of Florida.

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