READ TO TH 


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Wis - ud, s E 
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“SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY, 


E 


CONTENTS. 


Amr. I. A Report on the e Reptiles of Massachusetts. By D. 

UMPHREYS STORER, 

td II. A Report on the Birds of Massachusetts. By the 
Reo. W 


ev. W. B. E 
IH. Descriptions of Four New sae of Fishes. By 
ARED : 


a Vi A Further Enumeration of som e New Scis m Li- 

| chenes. By EDWARD Pock giras, J a Lis B., 
VII. Es af Minerals from New Holland. By Francis 

ALGER, ; 

Vill. Descriptions o T Eleven New p Species of New England 

Shells. B. Apa 

IX. Description 7 Tellina tenta; "Say, and of Helix ser- 

: lo es, Montagu, Rem arks Marine 

Massachusetts: By C. EUN 

X. Descriptions: TA ege hd the =, “River and its 
ribu 


ari p P. Kin M: D. 
XI. A Monograph, fi us Helices i nhabiting tie United 
Binney, M. D. nued, 
XII. argie A Two. New e pan i ittis 
J. G. Anruony 
XIII. Monograph of the Specie of Pupa [o in the 
Uni € States, with Figures. By Aveustus A, 
Gov 


T s 
AIV. A Monograph A ihe Helices inhabiting the Uni ited 


os BINNE s ontinued, - 


XVI. Attempt to — some of the Hepatic ’ Mosses of 
L ssach a pose pe we 


Bons LL, 


Pace 


n TM 


332 
338 
394 

E 
405 


of t the. Fishes af the Ohio River and its 
‘Tributaries. By P. Kierra de, M. D. 


Results. of an | Examination. of the Shells of Massa- 
oe Distribution. 


ch their | 
E Avcvsrvs A. orc FJ 
pom — — By y-Laws of tie Society, - oor 
Oc s of the Societ DUUM DR ee a 


ERES IO SAC ee 
Index, à - - 


BOSTON 


JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 


* 


Vor. III. JANUARY, 1840. No. :1-58. 


ART. 7. REPORT ON THE REPTILES OF MASSACHU- 
SETTS. By D. Humpureys Storer, M. 


" INTRODUCTION. 


Tur qu MT paper was prepared at the same time, and 
presented, with the ** Report on the Fishes of the State," 
to the Chairman of the Zoological Commissioners. It is 
very far from being satisfactory to myself; and gladly 
would I have delayed its publication until further research 
had made it more complete. But being expected to give 
an account of my labors at an appointed time, I had no 
alternative left me, save to collect and present my descrip- 
tions, written oftentimes unavoidably with great haste and 
brevity. 

The Catalogue of our Reptiles contained in Professor 
Hitchcock’s Survey, prepared by Dr. Smith, of Sutton, 
contains most of our species, and was evidently drawn up 
with care; but as he has given no descriptions by which 


| we ma judge of his accuracy, I have felt at liberty, when 


cies has been catalogued which clearly should not be, 
or r Which the best herpetologists in our country, well ac- 
VOL. IIL.—NO. I-II. 1 s 


sa 


2 ^ Storer on the 


quainted with the reptiles of New England, have never 
4 


seen in our latitude, to omit it. 

Thus we find catalogued the “ Testudo scabra.” This 
error may have been produced by Say’s incorrectly includ- 
-ing this species in a paper “ On the fresh water and land 
Tortoises of the United States,’ published in the fourth 
volume of the Journal of the Academy of Natural Sci- 
ences. The species he considered the “scabra,” is the 
“ insculpta." 

The “Testudo Pennsylvanica" is plainly confounded 
with the **Sternothacrus odoratus," a widely-distributed 
species. 

The “ Coluber striatulus” of that catalogue, I have also 
omitted; not merely because I have not met with it my- 
self, but because my friend Dr. Pickering, an accomplished 
naturalist, thoroughly versed in the herpetology of New 
England, assures me, he not only never met with it here, 
but never heard of its having been found here, it being 
strictly a southern species. 

The ** Rana clamata" I have also erased, because no 
one of my scientific friends has ever met with it; and Dr. 
Holbrook, who well knows the species, and has visited this 
portion of the country repeatedly of late years, to collect 
materials for his | great work, says, in his third volume, this 
species ‘‘ is found in the low countries of Carolina and 
Georgia; farther north than this, I have never seen it.” 


* . . uh 
The “Salamandra cinerea" is omitted, because Dr. 


Green, who first described it, as well as the ** erythronota,” 
considers them both one species. 

The “ Salamandra tigrina” and “ longicauda” may per- 
haps both be found here; but knowing no one who 
ever seen them in this State, I wrote to Dr. Emmons, u 
whose authority they were given in that catalogue, Aae 
formation; he writes me, that he thinks he has seen a 
i specimen of each, but adds: **I will not take the responsi- 


* 


bí 


: 
1 


| 
| 


: 
j 


j 
28 
ex 


* 


= 


ee a ee, ee 


N Reptiles of Massachusetts. 3 
bility of giving these two species as citizens of the Bay 
‘State. I have not studied them carefully enough to be 
authority.” i: 

Having erased the above mentioned species, and intro- 
duced three Tortoises, two Colubers, one Heterodon, one 
Rana, one Hylodes, four Salamanders, and one Scincus, 
which were not noticed in the catalogue referred to, the 
Herpetology of our State, as. far as I have been able to 
learn, is composed of fourteen genera and thirty-nine spe- 
cies. More extended investigation will undoubtedly ascer- 
tain the existence here of new species, as well as of many 
which have been already described by naturalists. 


ORDER I. 
CHELONIA. 


Emys.  Brogniart. 


Generic characters. Shell depressed, solid ; ster- 
num broad, solid, immovable, firmly joined to the 
shell, consisting of twelve plates, and four supple- 
mental ones ; extremities palmated, anterior with 


_ five nails, postair with four; head of ordinary 


size ; tail long. 


wi E. guttata. Schneider. 
+> Shaw’s Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. pt. 1. p. 47, et fig. 
E. Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N. Y. vol. iii. p. 117. 
A + Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 151. E 
—— Dum. et Bibron, Hist. Nat. des Rept. tom. ii. p. 295. A 
N. A. Herp. vol. MN 25, et fig. à 


A Storer on the F -* 


This, our most common species of tortoise, is 
found in small streams and clear water throughout 
the State, oftentimes in great numbers ; a very con- 
cise description only is therefore offered : 


`- The upper shell is black, sprinkled over its whole 
surface with more or less distant, roundish, bright | 


yellow spots. In some specimens, eight or ten 
quite small spots may be seen crowded upon a sin- 
gle plate; while in others, several of the plates, 


a 


rem 
NU 


particularly those on the dorsum, exhibit but one 
spot each, brighter colored and larger than those just — . 
referred to. | 
The sternal plates are yellowish, with large black 
blotches, or black with yellowish blotches, or uni- 
formly black. Sometimes the plates of the sternum | 
are perfectly smooth, at other times marked with 
concentric strie. The top of the head, and upper 
part of the legs, black with yellow spots. : 
It feeds upon insects, worms and frogs. | 
E. picta. Schneider. The painted Tortoise. 
Shaw's Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. pt. 1. p. 45, et fig. 
Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N. Y. vol. iii. p. 115. E 
Harl. Med. and Phys. Res. p. 151. * 


Dum. et Bibr. Hist. Nat. des Rept. tom. ii, p. 297. 
N. A. Herpet. vol. ii. p. 19, et fig. 


Next to the “ guttata,” this is the most generally : 
distributed species. It is usually found with the 
preceding, and is a very easily recognised species. 
A specimen five inches in length, serves for the 
following description : r 


M suec doni uie ILU BIZ Eis 


* 


A . Reptiles of Massachusetts. 5 
Body, above, compressed ; upper shell, greenish 
brown, with the edges of the dorsal and lateral plates 
margined with yellow. A very narrow yellow dorsal 
line passes from the anterior to the posterior mar- 
ginal plate; the marginal plates are darker colored 
‘than the other plates of the upper shell, having in 
their centre a bright red blotch, which is much larger 
upon the inferior side ; and over this blotch, one or 
two red markings, which are concentric upon the 
plates not attached to the sternum, and nearly 
straight upon the four plates which are thus at- 
tached; the red color predominates upon the under 
side of the marginal plates. 
First dorsal plate quadrangular: second and fourth, 
hexagonal; third, quadrangular ; fifth, heptagonal. 
Sternal plates yellow, with a triangular ribbon 
upon the anterior portion, and a straight one upon 
the middle and posterior portions, of a brighter tint. 
Back of the head, dark brown; directly back of 
the eyes, a broad yellow band; a narrower band of 
the same color runs also back, from the middle of 
the eye. From the tip of the snout, a narrow yel- 
low line runs to each eye; from the side of the 
mouth also, two lines pass to the middle of the eye, 


" and two from the lower edge of the jaw. From the 


extremity of the lower jaw, two larger bands run 
backwards; the first passes slightly down, then out- 
wardly to the angle of the lower jaw, whence it is 
continued by a broad bright yellow band ; within 
this, from the middle of the lower jaw, a narrower 
band of the same color passes back parallel with 
this ; and from the tip of the chin a band runs down 
. 


6 Storer on the 


a short distance, and then bifurcates into broader 1 
bands. These yellow lines upon the head become 1 
red upon the neck, and are continued on to the ] 
shoulders of this color. 'Two large yellow spots | 
upon the occiput. Eyes small; pupils, a deep black; — 
irides golden; a dark line running through their Í 
centre. Fore legs black, a red band passing along j 
their centres; and the commencement of a second, 
on a line with the base of the previous one; pha- 
langes marked with red lines. Hind feet, dark 
brown, above; beneath, lighter, with a red band on 
each side. Tail of moderate length, with two nar- 
row longitudinal yellow bands uniting at the poste- 
rior extremity ; beneath, marked by the narrow red — ; 
lines of the legs continued, which unite at the pos- 
terior portion, forming a single red band. i 

Its food is the same as that of the previous species. 


E. insculpta. Le Conte. The wood Tortoise. 
Ann. Lyc. N. Y. vol. iii. p. 112, 
Harlan's Med. aud Phys. Res. p. 159. 
Dum. et Bibr. Hist. Nat. des Rept. tom. ii. p. 251. 


Specimens of this, our most beautiful tortoise, I 
have received from Walpole, Concord, Amherst and - 
Andover, and learn that it is not uncommon in the | 
ponds of several other portions of the State. This _ 
species wanders a great distance from, and remains 
a long time out of the water; and being oftentimes 
found in woods and pastures, has received the com- 
mon name of wood tortoise. Its usual length is from 
six to eight inches. The upper shell is composed of 


Sea gee UT 


I Reptiles of Massachusetts. | 7 


five dorsal, eight lateral, and twenty-five marginal 
plates; these plates are of a greenish brown color, 
strongly marked with concentric and radiating strie. 
A dorsal ridge is formed by the convex portion of 
the superior plates. Sternum composed of twelve 
yellow plates, having upon their posterior lateral 
margins, a large black spot. All the under portion 
of the legs, neck and tail, is red. 

Young specimens exhibit a very rough upper shell, 
produced by the prolongations of the posterior angles 
of the plates. 

This species was erroneously considered by Say, 
as synonymous with the * scabra," Lin.; and as 
such, he catalogued it in the 4th Vol. J. A. N. S. 


E 


STERNOTHAERUS. Bell. 


Generic characters. Head subquadrangular, pyr- 
amidal, covered in front with a single plate; warts 
on the chin; marginal plates, twenty-three ; ster- 
num cruciform, bivalve, anterior valve only move- 
able; supplemental plates contiguous, placed on the 


.Sterno-costal suture; anterior extremity with five 


nails, posterior with four. 


S. odoratus. The mud Tortoise. 
Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N. Y. vol. iii. p. 122, 


aig Harl. Med. and Phys. Res. p. 156. 


Dum. et Bibr. Hist. Nat. des Rept. tom. ii. p. 358. 
N. A. Herpet. v. iii. p. 29, et fig. 


Shell oblong, convex, somewhat carinated on the : 


8 Storer on the 


dorsal ridge; of a brownish color, irregularly 
blotched with darker spots. 

The first vertebral plate is triangular, the next 
three hexagonal, the last pentagonal. There are 
four lateral plates; the first of which is quadran- 
gular, the remainder are pentagonal. The marginal 
plates, twenty-three in number, are small, generally 
elongated, forming a margin; the posterior plates 
largest, and appearing as if they were a continuation 
of the last vertebral plate. 

Sternum small, composed of nine yellowish brown 
plates; it is divided into three portions by two liga- 
mentous hinges; the anterior, composed of three 
plates, is quite moveable upon the second division ; 
the third portion, of four plates, the posterior of 
which are emarginated, and have their posterior an- 
gles acute, although united to the second division of 
the sternum, consisting of the two.large abdominal 
plates, by a similar hinge with the first, is scarcely 
moveable. 

Head pointed, flattened above; snout, truncated. 
Eyes moderate in size; pupils black, irides golden. 
Nostrils, large at the extremity of the snout. Top 


of the head nearly black. A narrow yellow line 


passes from the tip of the snout backwards over each 
eye, and is lost upon the neck ; a second line of the 
same color, larger and much brighter, is continued 
backward beneath the eyes to the neck. A broad 
yellow band is also observed upon each side of the 
chin, exhibiting a striking contrast with the dark 
brown color of the jaws. Skin of the neck, throat 
and legs, ash colored. Neck, covered with granula- 


* 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 9 


tions. Several yellowish warts or cirrhi upon the 
throat. Legs and feet slightly granulated; upon 
the anterior legs, three large scaly plates; at the 
base of the feet several smaller scales of a similar 
character; these scales do not exist upon the fore 
legs, although they do upon the feet. Toes palmated ; 


fore feet with five toes, and five claws; posterior, 


five toed, with four claws. Tail short, with several 
rows of pointed warts. 

The specimen from which I have drawn the 
above description, is three inches and a half long, 
one inch and a half high. Of six specimens lying 
before me, five do not vary aline in length. The 
sixth, which is considerably younger, is less than 
three inches in length; has a more marked dorsal 
ridge than either of the others, and the blotches are 
more numerous. 

This species has a very disgusting odor, and is 
hence sometimes called stink-pot. 

It is found burying itself in the mud in ditches 
and small ponds, frequently covered with a thick 
coat of foreign matter, from which circumstance it 
has received the common name of mud tortoise. 

A single specimen of this species was found in 
Fresh Pond, in Cambridge, by J. W. Randall, M. D. ; 
one specimen was taken at Amherst, and several at 
Falmouth, by Professor C. B. Adams; and Mr. Eras- 
tus H. Clap brought me one from Walpole. 


W VOL. IIL—-NO. I-II. 2 


10 Storer on the 


Emysaurvus.  Dumeril. 


Generic characters. Head large, covered with 
small plates ; snout short; jaws hooked ; two warts 
beneath the chin; sternum immoveable, cruciform, 
composed of ten plates; three sterno-costal plates ; 
Sore feet with five claws, hind feet with four ; tail 
long, surmounted with a scaly crest. 


E. serpentina. Lin. The snake Tortoise. 
Shaw's Zoology, vol. iii. pt. 1. P- 72, et fig. 
Ann, Lyc. N. Y. vol. iii. p. 128. 
Dum. et Bibr. Hist. Nat. des Rept. vol. ii. p 350. 


This is the largest tortoise found within the bor- 
ders of our State; sometimes weighing from 15 to 


20 pounds. It is exceedingly powerful and vora- 


cious, feeding upon fishes and frogs; and the farmers 
Sometimes complain of its depredations among their 
chickens and ducklings. From its habit of snapping 
suddenly at almost every thing offered it, it is gen- 
erally known by the name of the “snapping tor- 
toise,” in New England, while its crested tail, resem- 
bling the Crocodilus lucius, gives it the distinction at 
the South, of “alligator tortoise.” It is usually 
found in filthy water, and is occasionally met with 
at considerable distance from any pond or pool, 
dragging itself leisurely along. 

The flesh of this species is often used as food, 


and when made into a soup is considered by many - 


as quite a delicacy. 'The oil obtained from this 
species is carefully preserved in many portions of 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 11 


the interior of the State, for its supposed virtues in 
bruises, sprains, &c. when externally applied. 

The upper shell is of a dark brown color, oval, 
compressed above, composed of five vertebral, eight 
lateral, and twenty-five marginal plates, which are 
marked by radiating and concentric stris. A dorsal 
ridge is produced by the prominent posterior angles 
of the vertebral plates; the projections of the poste- 
rior superior angles of the lateral plates also form, in 
some specimens, indistinct carine. The anterior 
marginal plates are narrow and oblong; the fifth, 
sixth and seventh are much wider, while the poste- 
rior three plates are marked with strong, concentric 
strie, and the posterior angles form strong spinous 
points. The sternum is yellow, narrow, lozenge- 
shaped, composed of ten plates, and united to the 
marginal plates by a long narrow plate, having two 
smaller plates at its outer extremity. The head is 
very large, scaly above ; eyes large; jaws powerful, 
hooked ; beneath the chin, two warts; neck above, 
covered with warts or small fleshy cirrhi; beneath, 
granulated. The legs are large and strong ; the fore 
legs are armed above with large scales, feet with 
five claws; hind legs with large scales beneath, 
feet with four claws. ‘Tail, two thirds the length. 
of the body; round at its base, compressed at the 
sides, tapering to a point; armed above by a ridge 
of strong pointed spines, diminishing towards the 
posterior extremity. 

The largest living specimen 1 have seen, was taken 
at Marshfield ; its dimensions were as follows: En- 
tire length, 44 inches, viz. length of the shell, 18 


* 


* 


ad 
12 Storer on the 


inches; length of the head and neck, when extend- 
ed, 11 inches; length of the tail, 15 inches. Width 
of the shell, 15 inches; width across the head, 4 
inches. bo 


uet uMALI a e Didean Bae enfe 
Cistupa. Fleming. 


Generic characters. Shell gibbous, strong ; mar- 
ginal-plates, twenty-five; sternum oval, covered with 
twelve plates, bivalve, both valvas moveable on the 
same aris, and joined to each other and to the shell 
by ligamento-elastic tissue ; anterior extremities with 
Jive, posterior with Jour nails. 


C. Carolina. Edwards. The Box Tortoise. 
Shaw’s Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. pt. 1. p. 36, et fig. 
Ann. Lyc. N. Y. vol. iii. p. 124. 

Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 149. 
Dum. et Bibr. Hist. Nat. des Rept. tom. ii. p. 210. 
Bell, monog. Test. 


I have received living specimens of this species 
through the kindness of friends from Barnstable, 
Amherst, New Bedford, Holmes Hole, and Walpole ; 
and although at neither of these places is it common, 
yet their distances from each other shows that it is 
pretty widely distributed throughout the State. This 
is a land Species, being found in dry and arid situ- 
ations, and it can live but a short time in the water. 
From the circumstance of the sternum being divided 
into two portions, the anterior of which is moveable, 
enabling the animal, when disturbed, to encase itself 

entirely within its shell, the Species is generally 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 13 


known under the name of “bos tortoise.” Several 
varieties have been made by naturalists dependent 
upon the difference of their markings. 

A beautiful living specimen before me exhibits the 
following characteristics : 

Length of the specimen, six inches. Shell, round, 
gibbous, carinated. Sternum bivalvular. The plates 
of the upper shell are of a dark brown color, sculp- 
tured with radiating and concentric strie, and cov- 
ered over their entire surface with bright yellow 
spots, varying in their size, form, and manner of 
distribution, frequently confluent. A great portion 
of each marginal plate is occupied by a yellow blotch. 
The first and fifth vertebral plates, are pentagonal ; 
the second, third and fourth are hexagonal. Of the 
lateral plates, the posterior are the smaller. The 
` sharp edges of the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth 
marginal plates, which are the largest, project out- 
wardly, forming a keel. The sternum is divided un- 
equally, the anterior portion the smaller; it is of a 
very dark brown color, with dull yellow blotches. 
The anterior plates of the sternum are triangular ; 
the middle, oblong ; the posterior, triangular. These 
plates likewise exhibit concentric strie. Head, above, 
black, reticulated with yellow ; the upper jaw of a 
dull white color, with black lines passing from the 
eye to its margin. Throat white, with dark spots ; 
flesh on the sides of the neck of a dull horn color, 
varied with red and brown. The upper jaw has a 
large hook-like process at its extremity ; the lower 
jaw, a sharp point. Pupil of the eye, black ; irides 
red. The fore legs are covered with large scales of | 


14 | Storer on the 


an orange color, tipped with dark brown; posterior 
legs of an uniform dark brown color. 
The principal food of this species is insects. 


C. Blandingii. Holbrook. Blanding’s Cistuda. 
N. A. Herpetol. vol. iii. p. 35 et fig. 


By the kindness of Mr. Edward Appleton I have 
received from Haverhill a fine living specimen of this 
rare species. It presents the following appearance : 
Length of the specimen, 74 inches; breadth of the 
shell, 5 inches; length of the sternum, 7 inches ; 
height 3 inches. Shell oblong, rounded, slightly 
flattened above. The plates of the upper shell are 
black, covered with numerous bright yellow circular 
and oblong spots or blotches, irregularly distributed. 
The first vertebral plate is pentagonal; the second 
and third are hexagonal; the fourth is heptagonal ; 
the fifth is octagonal. Of the lateral plates, the an- 
terior and posterior are quadrilateral, the third and 
fourth, pentagonal. The marginal plates are twenty- 
five in number ; the nuchal plate is very small, about 
a line in width, and less than half an inch long ; 
the first, third, fourth, sixth, eighth, tenth, and 
twelfth plates are quadrilateral; the second, fifth, 
seventh, ninth, and eleventh, pentagonal; the edge 
of these marginal plates is sharp and entire. The 
sternum is composed of two valves, the posterior of 
which, the larger, is oblong, rounded before, emar- 
ginate behind; both valves are moveable, and, when 
closed, they shut the animal entirely, with the excep- 


| 
| 


Reptiles of Massackusetts. 15 


tion of his toes. The sternal plates, twelve in num- 
ber, are yellow, with large quadrangular dark spots, 
occupying nearly one half of each plate; the plates 
are marked with concentric stris. 

The head is nearly black, with yellowish spots. 
The upper jaw is of a dark brown color, with trans- 
verse yellowish lines; the lower jaw is of a bright 
yellow. The anterior extremities are protected by 
large imbricated scales in front, with smaller ones 
beneath, and granulations behind; there are five 
fingers, which are palmated, with nails. The pos- 
terior extremities are larger than the anterior, of the 
same color, and, like them, having scales and granu- 
lations ; these extremities are flattened upon the leg 
and foot, with 5 toes; the posterior only destitute of 
a nail. 'Tail cylindrical, gradually tapering to a 
point. E 

In regard to this species, Dr. Holbrook, in the 
third volume of his Herpetology, which is just pub- 
lished, observes: ‘“ The sole locality that can at this | 
moment be assigned to the Emys Blandingii, is the 
prairies in the state of Tllinois and the territory of 
Wisconsin, where they are said to be abundant. 
The only specimen I have seen came from Fox 
river, à tributary of the Illinois." 


.SSprHanmaris. Merrem. 


Generic characters. Body covered by a leathery 
skin, tubercular in the young, perfectly smooth in 
the adult. Feet without nails. 


x 


16 Storer on the 


S. coriacea. Lin. The leather Tortoise. 
Plate IV. 
Pennant's British Zoology, vol. iii. p. 7, et fig. 
Shaw's Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. p. 77, et fig. 
Phil. Trans. vol. lxi. pt. 1. p. 271, et fig. 
Dum et Bibr. Hist Nat. des Rept. t. ii. p. 561. 


The only specimen I have heard of as having been 
seen on the coast of the United States, was taken 
asleep on the surface of the water in Massachusetts 
Bay, in the year 1824, and being brought to Boston, 
was purchased by Mr. Greenwood, of the New 
England Museum, of the captors, for two hundred 
dollars, and placed in this institution, where it still 
remains. The naturalist may judge of the great 
rarity of this species from the following observations 
by Dumeril and Bibron, in their * Erpétologie gén- 
érale ou Histoire Naturelle complete des Reptiles ;" 
“ This species is very rare; it inhabits the Medi- 
terranean, and the Atlantic ocean. Rondelet speaks 
of a “ Sphargis luth,” five cubits long, which was 
taken at Frontignon: Amoreux described another, 
which was captured in the harbor of Cette ; and in 
1729 a third was taken at the mouth of the Loire, 
which was described by Delafout in the “ Mém- 
oires de P Académie des Sciences.” Borlase has 
given a bad figure of a “ Sphargis luth," which 
was taken in 1756 upon the coast of Cornwall, in 
England." 

The specimen in the New England Museum 
presents the following characters: Entire length 
eighty-five inches; widest part, fourteen inches ; 


ama EASES DLE. Se el Se LIA aa le iso ur rad cam t Ae SLA NS 


4 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 17 


back of the head, thirty-four inches; greatest depth 
fourteen inches. The body is covered above, by 
a dark brown shield, fifty-seven inches in length, of 
a firm leathery texture, which is divided into fur- 
rows by seven longitudinal elevated ridges ; all these 
ridges are noduled, resembling the vertebral column ; 
the dorsal ridge runs the whole length of the shell ; 
those on the side, next the dorsum, commence one 
inch and a half further forwards than the dorsal 
ridge, and within sixteen inches of the posterior 
extremity of the shell curve upwards towards the 
dorsal ridge, but are not so perceptible after curving, 
and reach the upper ridge, six inches anterior to the 
extremity of the shell. ‘The second lateral ridge 
commences about seven inches back of the preced- 
ing, and, at the posterior extremity, curves up like 
that; the abdominal margin makes the third lateral 
ridge. The posterior extremity of the shell is trun- 
cated, and is two and a half inches wide. 

Length of the head and neck, sixteen inches; of 
the head, nine and a half inches; width of the head 
nine inches; width of the neck, thirteen inches. 
Diameter of the eye, large. Nostrils just back of 
the tip of the snout. A large notch in the middle 
of the upper jaw, which receives the projections of 
the lower jaw, when the mouth is closed; on the 
sides of this median emargination of the upper jaw 
are two others, one on each side. Upon the mid- 
dle and posterior portion of the roof of the mouth, 
strong spinous processes. 

A portion of the «esophagus of this specimen 
belongs to the cabinet of the Boston Society of 

VOL. III.—NO. III. 3 


18 ! Storer on the 


Natural History ; it is compactly armed with long 
firm very sharp spines. 

Anterior extremities, thirty-five inches long, round- 
ed at the origin, compressed in the middle, taper- 
ing to a rounded EE in their widest por- 
tion, ten inches across. 

Posterior extremities, sixteen pie ue in length ; 
for about half their length, nine inches wide, trun- 
cated posteriorly, and, as well as the anterior ex- 
tremities, bordered upon their posterior margin by 
a deep fleshy fringe or border. 

Length of the tail, thirteen inches ; eight inches 
wide at the base, tapering to a point. 

Body beneath, covered by a less firm envelope, of 
a lighter color. 

I am indebted to my friend Dr. Wyman for the 
accompanying plate of this species. 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 19 


ORDER II. 
SAURIA. 


a 


FAMILY. 
SCINCOIDEA. 


Scincus. Daudin. 


Generic characters. Head oblong, pointed, covered 
with plates; jaws furnished with closely set teeth ; 
two rows of teeth on the palate; tongue fleshy, 
slightly extensible, emarginate ; tympanum appa- 
rent ; neck as large as the head ; body elongated ; 
tail conical; the whole body and tail covered with 
small imbricated scales; extremities with free and 
unginculated toes. zs 


S. fasciatus. Lin. The blue-tailed Lizard. 
Shaw’s Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. pt. 1. p. 241. 
Harlan’s Med. and Physic Res. p. 138. 

N. A. Herpet. vol. iii. p. 45, et fig. 


The only specimen of this beautiful species I have 
known to be found in New England, was captured 
in Barre, by Dr. Joseph N. Bates of that place, and 
kindly loaned me to identify and describe. He took 
it, he writes me, “in a mud hole ; it evaded my 
attempts to capture it for some time on account of 
its agility and cunning, and when captured made 
much resistance with jaws, claws, &c.” 

Length of the specimen five inches; elongated, 


» 


20 Storer on the 


covered above with longitudinal rows of imbricated 
scales; color above, a deep shining black, with five 
longitudinal deep golden yellow lines; abdomen, 
of alight yellow color ; tail, a deep sky blue, blended 
with yellow and black lines, whith run longitudi- 
nally along the back. 

A yellow line, conitviending fover each nostril, 
passes obliquely backwards, and, approaching each 
other, they unite at the distance of rather more than 
a quarter of an inch back of their origin, forming 
a dorsal line, which, continued the whole length 
of the body, is lost upon the tail; on each side of 


this dorsal line, runs another, which arises at the 


superior anterior angle of the eye, and terminates 
like the preceding ; beneath this, is still another, 
commencing at the snout, interrupted only by the 
meatus of the ear, and continued, like the others, 
upon the tail. These yellow lines give the back 
the appearance of being divided into yellow and 
black longitudinal lines. Head, half an inch long ; 
one quarter of an inch wide; with large plates 
above. Eyes, small. External meatus of the ear, 
vertical, large. Anterior feet short, with five toes, 
each armed with a sharp nail. Posterior extremi- 
ties, large; second toe very much elongated, and 
all the toes, like those of the fore feet, nailed. 

Extremities above, of a brown color, having à 
longitudinal yellowish white line running along their 
posterior portion to the toes. 
The ventis transverse, situated just back of the 
interior of the thighs. Tail longer than the body, 
its posterior portion a deep blue. 

The species feeds upon insects. 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 21 


Li 


ORDER Ill. 
——OPHIDIA. 


» £ 
FAMILY. 
& 
SERPENTIA. 
; COLUBER. Lan: 


Generic characters. Body long; cylindrical and 
tapering ; head oblong, covered above with smooth 
polygonal plates; above covered with rhomboidal 
scales, imbricate, reticulated, or carinated, or smooth ; 
abdomen with transverse plates ; beneath the tail, 
with double plates ; anus transverse, simple; jaws 
furnished with sharp teeth; without poisonous fangs. 
Some species oviparous, others ovo-viviparous. 


C. sirtalis. Lin. The striped Snake. 


Shaw’s Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. pt. 2. p. 535. 
Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 16. 


rd 
This pretty species, generally known as the striped 
snake, is our most common snake. ‘The usual length 
is about two feet ; occasionally it is met with two 
feet and a half long. The upper part of the body 
is of a dark olive brown color. A narrow yellow 
band extends from the occiput to the extremity of 
the tail; on each side of this, joining the abdominal 
; M 


* a ' 
22 Storer on the 


plates, is a somewhat broader parallel band of the 
same color. 'The brown color of the back is varie- 
gated with black blotches, which are much more 
strongly marked in the smaller specimens ; in the 
larger specimens, they are hardly discernible, unless 
the scales be slightly separated by the observer. 
Abdomen greenish ; its upper portion towards the 
sides, lighter; the posterior edge of the abdominal 
- scales, at their union with those of the sides, marked 
with a black spot; at the distance of one or two 
lines within this spot, towards the centre of the 
abdomen, another spot is observed, which in young 
specimens is equally dark with the former, but duller 
in old specimens. Scales oblong, strongly carinated ; 
smaller upon the back of the head and the upper 
anterior portion of the body, than farther back. 
Scales of the yellow lateral lines, larger than those 
of the olive colored back. The scales that are 
shortest, least carinated, and at the same time the 
largest, are in a single row between the abdomen 
and the lateral line referred to. Head flattened, 
. having upon its top ten plates ; one at the snout, two 
pairs behind this, three between the eyes, and two, 
larger than either of the preceding, upon the occiput. 
Pupil of the eye, black; iris, reddish. Upper jaw 
margined.on each side by seven plates, besides that 
at the tip; the fifth, situated directly beneath the 
posterior angle of the eye, the largest. Lower jaw 
bordered by ten plates on each side. 'T'wo pairs of 
plates upon the throat, very much elongated. Small 
teeth in the jaws and upon the palatine bones. 

The bright yellow color, which renders this a 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 23 


beautiful species when alive, changes to a dull green- 
ish yellow after being immersed in spirits; in this 
state, it appears to have been described by Herpe- 
tologists. When the scaly cuticle is removed, the 
dorsal line beneath is found to be white ; and the 
sides of the back are of a deep blue color, with two 
rows of black, nearly circular blotches. Sometimes 
the line on the back is a greenish white, while the 
lateral bands are yellow. Upon the occipital plates — 
of one of my specimens are two small yellow spots 

towards their middle at their interior edges. ‘The 

brightness of the lateral lines disappears at the anus ; 

beyond, the color is greenish, and this is gradually 

lost towards the tail. 

Linnsus describes his species as having 150 ab- 
dominal plates, and 114 caudal scales ; Shaw copies 
this in his “General Zoology.” Harlan makes 150. 
plates, and 60 caudal scales. One specimen before 
me, has 154 plates, and 75 scales; a second speci- 
men has 146 plates, and 63 scales. 

This species feeds upon frogs and toads, and is 
frequently found enormously distended by having 
swallowed one of a very large size. 


C. ordinatus. Lin. The little brown Snake. 


Shaw's Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. pt. 2. p. 497. 
Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 113. 


This is also quite a common species with us, 
growing to the length of two feet. The color above, 
is a browish ash, with a broad, lighter ash-colored 

é 


Là 


Sh 


24 Storer on the 


longitudinal band upon the dorsal ridge, running 
the whole length of the animal; on each side of 
this dorsal band, a row of small dark brown spots. 
Body beneath, fawn-colored; of a darker tint upon 
the sides. A row of very minute black dots upon 
the outer edge of the abdominal plates. Scales 
small, carinated; a row of scales larger than the 
rest, upon the sides, joining the abdominal plates. 
Head very small, flattened above; with ten scales 
upon its top, the two upon the occiput, and that 
directly in the middle of the top of the head, the 
largest, and black; the others are quite small, and 
of the color of the back; these scales are arranged 
as follows: Two triangular ones upon the occiput ; 
a third, hexagonal in its form, in front of them ; its 
posterior portion, between the anterior inner por- 
tion of the former, making the top of the head; 
on each side of this, protecting the top of the eye, 
a small oblong scale, rounded upon its outer edge; 
in front of these, immediately back of the eye, 
two pairs of quadrangular scales; the posterior, lar- 
ger. A single large scale forms the snout. Besides 
these scales, three are seen in front of the eye, on 
the side of the head; and quite a large scale back 
of the posterior ang of the eye, separated from 
it by two very minute scales only. Upon the mar- 
gin of the upper jaw, fourteen scales; upon the 
edge of the lower jaw, twelve, besides the tip. An 
oblique black band passes downwards across the 


angle of the jaws, and a transverse one back of | 
the — erosses the neck on epu in some 


= 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 25 


specimens, all the scales upon the upper jaw are 
edged with black. 

Sometimes the spots on the sides of the abdomen 
are very distinctly seen; in others, as in several 
specimens lying before me while I write, they are 
scarcely observable. 

When preserved in spirit, the longitudinal dorsal 
line becomes lighter colored, ‘and the abdomen - 
changes to a yellowish green color. i 

The abdominal plates are 128 ; the caudal scales 
62 and 64. 

In tlie stomach of this species, I have found frag- 
E em of insects. 


* i * 
C. vernalis. Dekay. The green Snake. 
Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 124. 


One of our most beautiful species, this snake is 
generally well known. A fine living specimen be- 
fore me, twenty-one inches in length, exhibits the 
following characters : 

-Above, of a beautiful grass green color; beneath, 
a yellowish white. Length of the head, half an 
inch ; greatest width of the head, a quarter of an 
| inch; head flattened above; ten plates upon the top 
i . of the head; one at the snout; two pairs imme- 
3 S | diately back of this ; three plates between the eyes ; 
- two large plates upon the occiput. Upper jaw bor- 
| dered by fourteen scales. Nostrils circular, just back 
* of the posterior lateral angle of the mane: Pupil of 


$ 


VOL. kgo. ir a 4 : 
E : ? , 


ud 
T 


or 


26 Storer on the 


` the eye, black; iris cupreous. Scales rhomboidal, 


smooth, not carinated. Tail six inches in length, 
gradually tapering to the point. 

Four specimens vary in their plates and scales as 
follows : 

One specimen has 137 — 85 caudal scales. 

A second E 4132 0-54 e 

A third [14 138 tc 81 [41 a“ 
A fourth a 197 f 84. * j 
Like the preceding species, this feeds upon insects. 


C. punctatus. Lin. The ringed Snake. 
Shaw's Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. pt. 9. p. 553. * 
Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 117. D d 
N. A. Herp. vol. ii. p. 115, et fig. 


This pretty species is less common than either of 
the preceding, being usually found concealed beneath 
the bark of decaying trees. 'The specimen before 
me is fourteen inches in length ; the body is elon- 
gated, with smooth scales. Color above, of an uni- 
form bluish brown ; beneath, of a reddish yellows 
with a fbagtiidinal: row of black spots u 
side of the abdomen, where’ „the abdominal plates 
and lateral scales unite; a third row of similar spots 
runs longitudinally alongithe: middle of the abdomen, 
as far as the vent, beyond which they are not visible. 
Ten plates upon thafjep ! of the head ; ; sixteen plates, 
beside that at the tip, border the upper jaw; and 


fourteen, margin the lower. Head half an inch long, _ 1 


one quarter of an inch wide j flatte: ned a 
lighter colored than the body. Nostrils large. wee 


~ vp. 


| 
| 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 2T 


of moderate size; pupils black, irides grayish. A 
broad yellowish white band crosses the occiput. Tail, 
three inches in length, tapering to a point. The 
abdominal plates are 156, and the caudal scales 56. 
A second specimen exhibits 156 plates, and 62 
scales. 


C. constrictor. Lin. The common black Snake. 


Shaw’s Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. pt. 2. p. 464. 
Harlan’s Med. and Phys. Res. p. 112. 


In some parts of the State, this is not an uncom- 
mon species, frequently growing to the length of six 
E A fine specimen, fifty-one inches in length, 


serves for the following description: Length of the 


head, one and a half inches; greatest width of the 
head, half an inch. Body, above, almost black; 
beneath, slate-colored ; neck, margin of the jaws, 
and snout, yellow. Plates upon the top of the head, 
very large ; that at the snout, convex, projecting, 
yellow, bordered with black at its upper and lateral 
margins; the first pair of plates, nearly quadrangu- 


* 


lar; the second, pentagonal; of the three between 


the eyes, the middle, which is largest, is hexagonal ; 


. plates, two pairs of smaller plates 
anterior to th minal plates. The whole back 


ps Ta 
a we ; 


28 Storer on the *. 


covered with large rhomboidal smooth scales. Body 
somewhat compressed at the anterior extremity ; 
cylindrical at the posterior, gradually tapering to the 
tail, from which it more suddenly becomes smaller, 
and terminates in a point. Length of the tail, 


eleven inches. * 


E "The abdominal plates are 184; the caudal scales, 
: & à ERS à 


This species is generally met with in wild and 
unfrequented places; it is avoided as venomous by 
many, although perfectly harmless. It feeds upon 
the /oad, and several species of frogs; oftentimes it 
catches small birds. Mr. Erastus H. Clap informs 
me that he saw one that had swallowed a common 
sized specimen of the Robin, “ Turdus migratori- . 
us,” entire ; it is said also to prey upon the different 
species of meadow mice. 


C. amaenus. Say. The red Snake. 
Journal Acad. Nat. Sciences, vol. iv. p. 237. 
Harlan’s Med. and Phys. Res. p. 118. 


m 


È Te + E * 
A single specimen of this species has been re- 


ceived from Professor Adams, who found it at Am- 
herst. This specimen being preserved in spirits, 
and its natural character somewhat affected thereby, 
I avail myself of the very accurate description of 
Say: $ 

“ Body above, reddish brown ; beneath, vivid red; 
head not larger than the neck, obtusely rounded be- 
fore ; terminal plate curving .à little on the top of 


iu 


Ei 


* 


) 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 29 


the head, so as to be nearly horizontal above ; first 
pair of plates rather short, breadth decidedly more 
than double the length; second pair rather large, 
oblique, posterior outer angle reaching the eyes; 
central plate convex, rounded ; subtri-angular, wide 
before and angulated on the anterior middle, poste- - 
rior angle acute; posterior plates a little convex, ee 
With a single scale between their tips; eyes with . 
one scale behind, one before twice as long as the 
posterior one, small plate above the eye less than half 
the length of the central plate, and not twice as 
large as the posterior eye plate; teeth minute; 
scales smooth, polished, somewhat opalescent, slight- 
ly convex, rounded at the tip; tail less than one 

seventh the whole length ; tip rather abrupt, conic, 
solid, acute. 
Plates, 124; scales, 25. Total length, ten inches 
and three tenths; tail, one inch and two fifths. : 
Var. a. dark slate color above. 

_A pretty and perfectly harmless serpent. The 
contrast of color between the lively red, sometimes 
rosaceous, of the inferior surface of the body, and the 
brown, more or less deep, of the superior surface, ap: A 
very striking ; the abrupt termination of the tail and 
the narrow head, are also distinguishing traits. It 
is found beneath stones and prostrate logs, but not 
very frequently. = + 

My specimen is seven inches long; tail, one inch ; 

abdominal plates, 136 ; caudal scales, 32 


30 Storer on the 


C. eximius. Dekay. The chicken Snake. 
Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 123. 


i 
T 
This not very uncommon species, is known by 
the names of house snake; thunder and lightning 
snake; chicken snake; milk adder; and chequered 
adder. It is one of our largest species, measuring 
sometimes five feet or more in length; and is a beau- 
tiful snake. A specimen thirty-four inches in length, 
furnishes the following description: Body elongated, 
varying very little, in its circumference anterior to 
the tail, but back of the vent, rapidly terminating 
in a point; all the upper portion of the body cov- 
ered with smooth rhomboidal scales. Body, above, 
of a dark brown color, with numerous transverse 
white bands, which become confluent on the sides ; 
the brown portions of the back. between these trans- 
verse bands, irregular in their form, and margined 
with black; blotches of a similar color with the 
back, along the sides. Abdomen yellowish, varie- 
gated with quadrangular black spots. Circumference 
of the head less than that of the body; length of 
the head, one inch; width across the head, half an 
inch. The plate at the snout large, with a well 
marked emargination beneath; the first pair of 
plates moderate in size, quadrangular ; the second 
pair of plates also quadrangular, and much larger ; 
the central plate on the top of ‘the head, large, pen- 
tagonal; those upon the sides of this, irregularly 
quadrangular ; occipital plates very large. Fourteen 
plates margin the upper jaw; sixteen plates edge the 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 31 


lower ; these plates on the jaws are yellow, mar- 
gined with black. Eyes moderate in size; from 
their posterior angle, a black band passes obliquely 
backwards. Upon the neck, seven longitudinal plates, 
between the chin and the abdominal plates; the an- 
terior three, largest; the second, larger than any. 
Length of the tail, four inches. 

The abdominal plates are 207 5 caudal scales, ‘48. 

This species feeds upon toads and frogs. 


C. sipedon. Lin. The water Adder. 


; Shaw’s Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. pt. 2. p. 496. 
Pen Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 114. 


$ 

Large numbers of this species are found in mowing 
meadows which are overflowed a part of the season ; 
it is frequently killed at Cambridge, four feet and 
more in length; its body being the size of a man's 
wrist. By many it is avoided, as being poisonous in 
its bite. The body is large; its circumference less- 
ening but little, anterior to the vent ; rapidly tapering 
posterior to the vent; of an uniform dark brown 
color above ; reddish upon the sides ; abdomen yel- 
lowish white, mottled with dark brown; beneath 
the tail, nearly black. Whole upper part of the 
body covered with rows of elongated, strongly cari- 
nated scales; these carine, more obvious upon the 
posterior extremity; nothing peculiar in the arrange- 
ment of the plates upon the head; the ten plates 
upon the top of the head, of moderate size ; sixteen 
plates upon the upper jaw ; eighteen plates upon the 


^. lowerjaw. Eyes pompes, Nostrils of moderate: v 


32 Storer on the 


size. 
The abdominal plates are 139; - caudal scales 72. 
In a young individual lying before me, seventeen - 
inches in length, with the same number of abdominal 
plates and caudal scales with the above described 
specimen, the back is crossed transversely by a 
large number of yellow bands, and the scales on the | 
tail are so strongly keeled, as to produce well marked E 
. grooves between the rows of scales. 
|. "This species feeds upon frogs. 


C. saurita. Lin. The riband Snake. | 
Shaw's Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. pt. 2. p. 532. 
Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 115. 


This beautiful little snake is not very common ; 
it resembles somewhat the sirtalis, but it is smaller, 
lighter colored, and much more graceful in its figure 
and proportions. Its form is very slender, tapering 
to an acute point. Above, dark brown, with three 
longitudinal stripes of a greenish white color, which 

are very distinet as far as the vent, back of which 
they are insensibly effaced; both sides of the dorsal 
line, and the upper edge of the lateral lines, margined 
with black. Whole length of the specimen before 
me, ten inches; length of the tail, three and a half 
inches. The scales upon the top of the head are 
moderate in size; fourteen upon the upper jaw, 
twenty upon the lower jaw. Eyes rather large: 

The abdominal plates are 162; caudal scales 112. 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 33 


Y A 
id ELM o 
spite aaa. Nobis. an spotted-necked 
J : "g nake. pes 


This EL. species, which I suppose to be unde- 
scribed, was received from Professor Adams, who 
found it at Amherst. It was sent me in spirits, 
and therefore it is probable that its colors had some- 
what changed. Its length is ten inches and a half ; 
length of the head, less than half an inch; width 
across the head, two lines. Body elongated, covered 
with longitudinal rows of pentagonal scales, con- 
nected, and at their posterior extremity, slightly fis- 
sured. All the upper portion of the body, a light 
ash or gray color. An indistinct band of a lighter 
color passes longitudinally down the back; this is 
' margined on each side with a row of dark colored, 
almost black scales; on each side of the body, a 
row of larger scales than those upon the back, unite 
the back with the abdominal plates; these scales 
are black, with a longitudinal delicate white line 
passing through their centres. Abdomen yellowish 
white, with black or fuliginous markings upon the 
outer edge of the plates, appearing upon the anterior 
plates like black dots. Circumference of the neck 
less than the remainder of the body; body largest 
just anterior to the vent; back of the vent it 
rapidly approaches a point. The five anterior plates 
upon the head, viz. that at the snout, and the two 
pairs immediately posterior to this, yellow; the 
other plates the color of the — variegated with 

VOL. III.—NO. I-II. 


a d 


34 Storer on the ; 
d 


white. 'T'welve plates upon t 


jaw, besides that at the chin. Three large white 


irregularly formed blotches, directly back of the oc- 


cipital plates; one above, and one on each side of 
the first. 

There are 124 abdominal plates, and 38 caudal 
scales. 

Inasmuch as the “ punctatus” sometimes exhibits 
merely a spot upon the occiput, instead of a circular 
band, the superficial observer might think that, and 
the species I have just described, as identical ; a lit- 
tle attention will show the marked differences be- 
tween them. 


HetTeErRopon. Palisot de Beauvais. 


Generic characters. Plates and scales as on the 
Colubri; the rostral plate a trihedral pyramid, 
with a ridge above, and pointed at the tip ; posterior 
maxillary teeth largest. 


H. platirhinos. Latreille. 
Daud. Hist. Nat. des Rept. tom. vii. p. 153. 
Harl. Med. and Phys. Res. p. 190. 

N. H. Herpetol. vol. ii. P. 97, et fig. 


I have never seen a specimen of this animal ; but 
Dr. Holbrook assures me he possesses an individual 
which was captured at Medfield. His description 
therefore is here introduced: ‘The head is large, 
flat, triangular, broad behind, with the snout pointed 


upper jaw, besides 
that at the snout; fourteen plates margin the lower |. 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 35 


and elongated at the tip; it is covered with scales 
on the posterior part, and with plates on the anterior 
and on the vertex. The vertical plate is regularly 
pentagonal, with its broadest point directed forwards. 
The superior orbital are quadilateral, elongated, and 
broadest posteriorly, with their outer margins pro- 
jecting over the eye, which gives a sinister look to 
the animal. The occipital plates are rhomboidal. 
The frontal are quadrilateral, with their anterior in- 
ferior angles very much prolonged ; the anterior fron- 


tal are triangular, with their bases directed inwards, — . 


and their apices rounded, and turned to the nostrils. 
Between these frontals, so as to prevent them coming 
in contact with each other, is a narrow elongated 
azygos plate, reaching from the posterior frontal to 
the rostral plate, with a ridge on its upper surface, 
continuous with that of the rostral plate. The rostral 
plate is triangular, with its basis below and the 
apex very pointed above, and recurved, with a strong 
carina or ridge on the upper surface. The nostril 
plates are two on each side; the anterior quadri- 
lateral, lunated on the posterior margin, with its an- 
terior and inferior angle greatly prolonged; the pos- 
terior is narrow, and concave in front to complete 
the nostril. There are twelve orbital plates, the 
superior of which have been already described. 
Besides these there are three anterior orbital plates, 
which are quadrilateral, the largest being above ; 
the inferior orbital are five, and the posterior orbital 
three in number, all of which are quadrilateral. 
The upper jaw has six lateral plates, quadrilateral, 
and increasing in size to the sixth, which is largest. 


36 Storer on the à; 


The nostrils are very large, near the snout, and 


lateral. The eyes are large, the pupils dark, the — 
iris light gray. The neck is nearly the size of the - 


head when he is quiet, but when roused or irritated 
he flattens it to more than twice its ordinary breadth. 
The body is elongated, thick, rounded above, but 
flattened at the abdomen, covered with scales strongly 
carinated above, the three inferior lateral rows being 
ecarinate, and with plates below. The tail is long, 
narrow, and terminating in a point, with scales or 
bifid plates on its under surface. 

Color. The head above is dusky, with a light 
band between the orbits; behind the occiput is a 
dark spot; a dark band begins at the back of each 
nostril, which increases in size as it descends, and 
forms a large blotch on the side of the neck. The 
body is olive-brown, or sometimes brownish yellow, 
and marked with a triple series of black or dark gray 
spots; those of the vertical series being subquadrate 
and elongated transversely ; the spots of the lateral 
rows are rounded, and many of them correspond 
with those of the vertebral line, while others alter- 
nate with them. Sometimes the spots of the lateral 
and vertebral lines are confluent, so as to give the 


` appearance of bands. 


Dimensions. Length of the head, 14 inches; 
breadth of the head, whén not disturbed, 1 inch ; 
length of the body, 27 inches; length of the tail, 
5 inches; circumference of the body, 44 inches. 
In the individual here described, there were one 
hundred and forty-four abdominal plates entire, and 
two bifid plates near the vent ; and forty-two pair of 
subcaudal scales." 


necat cereum eoe 


» 


| å . Reptiles. of Massackusetts. 37 


" si 


gm 
> 


ie 4 A $ 
. . QOmomarus. Lin. 


- Generic characters. Head large, triangular, 


rounded in front, covered with plates anteriorly ; 
vertex and occiput with scales; a deep pit between 
the eye and nostril ; upper jaw armed with poison- 
ous fangs; body elongated, thick; tail short and 
thick, terminating in a rattle, which is a corneous 
production of the epidermis ; plates on the abdomen, 
and under the tail. 


C. durissus. Kalm. The banded Rattle Snake. 
Turton’s Linneus, vol. i. p. 672. 
Shaw’s Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. pt. 2. p. 317, et fig. 
Harlan’s Med. and Phys. Res. p. 132. 
N. A. Herpetol. vol. iii. p. 81. 


This species, which is generally known in New 
England as the rattle snake, is extensively distrib- 
uted throughout the State. Two fine specimens, 
taken at Douglas the last summer, gave me an oppor- 
tunity for minute observation. One of them meas- 
ured three feet and one inch in length, and was five 
inches in circumference ; the other was three feet 
long. From the former, I drew up the following 
notes : 

Upper part of the body, of a yellowish brown 
color, with rhomboidal black spots continued along 
the back, margined with bright yellow ; upon each 
side of these rhombs a black band is continued to 
the sides of the body, where it terminates in an ir- 
regularly quadrate black spot; tail black. Body, 


38 Storer on the 


beneath, yellow, with fuliginous dots and blotches 
distributed irregularly over its surface. Scales on 
the back elongated, carinated ; scales upon the sides 
larger, caring less prominent. Length of the head, 
one inch and a half; width of the head, one inch. 
Top of the head, flattened; scales upon the top, 
small; on the sides of the head, large, pentagonal ; 


on the edges of the jaws, quadrangular. Snout, 


terminated by one large plate; a quadrangular plate 
on each side of this; directly back of these, a smaller 
one, in which are the circular nostrils, situated ob- 
liquely, pointing forwards. Directly above the two 
lateral plates, two others are situated; the first, 
meeting the snout anteriorly, and the second, extend- 
ing some distance beyond the nostrils behind. At 
the anterior angle of the eye, a large plate, separated 
from the nostrils by two quite small plates, at the 
anterior inferior angle of which, is the aperture for 
the poison. A large plate over the eyes. Two 
plates much larger than the others, upon the throat. 

The rattle is composed of six corneous portions. 
The other specimen has eleven rattles. The abdo- 
minal plates are 170; caudal plates, 24. 

Although the poison of this species is very viru- 
lent, an accident is seldom known to occur; proving 
its unwillingness to be the aggressor, and that the 
fangs are used only as weapons of defence, after 
sufficient warning has been. given of its presence, by 
the rattles. 

The general impression that a rattle is added an- 
nually is incorrect. Dr. Holbrook observes, “ It is 
now certain that rattle snakes have been known to 


—— 


P. Reptiles of Massachusetts. 39 
# i 


gain more than one rattle in a year, and to lose in 
proportion, the exact number being regulated no 
doubt by the state of the animal as to health, nour- 
ishment, liberty, &c. I have known two rattles 
added in one year, and Dr. Backman has observed 
four produced in the same length of time." 

The power of fascination attributed to this genus, 
is too absurd to require our serious consideration. 


40 Storer on the 


ORDER IV. 


BATRACHIA. 


Rana. Lin. 


Generic characters. Body covered with a smooth 
skin; upper jaw furnished with a row of minute 
teeth ; another interrupted row in the middle of the 
palate; no post-tympanal glands ; posterior estrem- 
ities long, and in general fully palmated ; fingers 
four ; toes five in number. 


R. pipiens. Lin. The Bull-frog. 
Shaw’s Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. pt. 1. p. 106, et fig. 
Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 101. 

N. A. Herpetol. vol. iii. p. 81, et fig. 


This is by far our largest species of frog; it in- 
habits ponds, ditehes, and pools of stagnant water, 
but is not common in this portion of the State. 

A specimen lying before me, twelve inches in 
length, serves for my description. Greatest width 
nearly three inches. Color above, a light green, 
with sparse dusky spots upon the back ; head green. 
Sides of the body, brownish ; beneath, white ; throat 
yellow. Legs, more or less barred with dull trans- 
verse bars. Fore legs, including toes, three inches 
- in length; above, of a dull greenish brown color, 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. Al 


with indistinct brownish transverse bands; beneath, 
white ; four toed, that next the outer, the largest, 
each with three small tubercles at the joints of the 
phalanges. Posterior extremities, seven and a half 
inches long, of a similar color with the anterior ex- 
tremities; the upper anterior half of the thighs 
barred with brown bands; the upper posterior por- 
tion, greenish brown, with an intermixture of a duller 
brown color, with small white spots or blotches ; 
legs with four transverse brown bands; indistinct 
bands on the feet; five toed, that next the outer, 
much the largest, being two and a half inches in 
length ; toes palmated ; and tubercled like the toes 
of the anterior feet; at the base of the little toe, is a 
prominent projecting carina along the edge of the 
phalangeal ridge of the largest toe; a row of yellow 
dots run to the second phalanx. 

Length of the head, one inch and a half ; width 
across the tympanum, two inches. Eyes promi- 
nent, large; pupils black ; irides greenish yellow ; 
' distance between the eyes, three lines. Snout ob- 
tuse and yellowish, as well as the margin of the 
upper jaw. Nostrils about a line ‘in length, situ- 
ated obliquely, half way between the tip of the 
snout and the eye, appearing like two small black 
points. 'T'ympanum half an inch in diameter, plane, 
looking like a large scale fastened to the head; 
just within its outer margin, a brownish circular 
ring; within this ring, greenish. Mouth large; 
numerous small sharp teeth in the upper jaw. 
Tongue large, fleshy. 

VOL. Ill.—NO. I—II. 


idt ee 


49 Storer on the 


In the stomch of this specimen, taken in Muddy 
Pond, Roxbury, I found five specimens of the 
« Helix albolabris? with the contained animal; 
one only was perfect, the others being more or less 
digested ; this specimen measured one inch in its 
greatest diameter, and was five lines in height. 

This species usually feeds upon frogs and in- 
sects, and the farmers assert that it sometimes robs 
them of their chickens. 


R. fontinalis. Leconte. The Yellow throated 
green Frog. 
Ann. Lyc. N. Y. vol. i. p. 282. 
Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 103. 
N. A. Herpet. vol. iii. p. 85, et fig. 


This species appears very early in the spring, and 
continues extensively distributed throughout the 
season. It may be at once recognised by its green- 
ish color, and yellow throat. Length of the speci- 
men before me, three inches ; length of the poste- 


rior extremities, four inches and a half. Head and 


upper part of the anterior portion of the body, of 
a brilliant green color; posterior portion of the 
body slightly maculated, greenish, mixed with 
brown ; sides granulated, brown ; mottled with irreg- 
ularly formed and distributed black blotches, beneath 
the throat, yellowish ; abdomen white. Head one 
ineh long; snout blunted and yellowish at the 
extremity. Eyes very prominent; pupils black; 
irides metallic, encircled by a brilliant golden ring. 
Nostrils nearer to the eyes than to the mouth. 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 43 


Gape of the mouth large, upper jaw with many 
minute teeth. 'Tympanum plane, circular, rust col- 
ored; four lines in diameter. From the posterior 
angle of the eye acuticular fold extends just over 
the tympanum, along the edge of the back on each 
side, to the posterior part of the body. 

Anterior feet fawn colored above, with several 
indistinct transverse brownish bands ; a dark colored 
band along the posterior edge of the leg, extending 
on to the sole of the foot. Feet four toed. 

Posterior extremities of a darker brown color 
than the anterior; thighs with indistinct bars upon 
their outer portions; buttocks covered over their 
whole surface with irregularly distributed black 
blotches; beneath, a dull white; legs and feet, 
same sole as the extremities of the —— Feet 
five toed. | 


R. halecina. Kalm. The Leopard Frog. 
Shaw's Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. p. 105. 
Journal Academy Nat. Sciences, vol. v. p. 337. 
» N. A. Herpet. vol. i. p. 89, et fig. 


This most beautiful species, called by Kalm the 
shad frog, from its appearing in Pennsylvania in the 
spring of the year, with the shed, is better known 
in this state as the leopard frog, from its ocellated 
appearance. It is exceedingly well marked, and 
considered by alla very pretty animal. 

The upper part of the back, and external side of 
the limbs, brassy, with a metallic lustre. Upper sur- 
face of the body, marked with large distinct irregu- 


44 . Storer on the 


lar spots or blotches which have a brownish centre, 
a black circumference blending with each other, 
and a bright green halo; generally there are two 
longitudinal rows of these blotches, which are con- ' 
tinued the whole length of the body ; sometimes 
these spots are very regular, at other times, a third 
row may be seen, or the two will have become con- 
fluent at their inner sides, or the spots in the same 
row will have united with each other. Throat and 
abdomen white. Eyes prominent; pupils black ; 
irides golden. On each side of the back, an elevated 
bronze colored ridge passes from the eyes to near the 
extremity of the body. A similar, but smaller ridge 
runs from the anterior angle of the eye to the snout. 
On the outer side of the thighs, legs and tarsus, the ` 
blotches are long, irregular, but arranged transversely, 
having the appearance of bands. Buttocks and pos- 
terior surface of the thighs granulated and mottled 
with black. Upper surface of the body finely corru- 
gated with several irregular cuticular folds, arranged 
longitudinally on the back. Throat and belly smooth. 
Feet palmated; the fourth toe much larger than the 
others. All the fingers and toes, with tubercles on 
the inner surface of the joints. 'The body of this 
species seldom exceeds four inches in length. 

This frog is generally found in damp places, a 
short distance from water; although, being a great 
leaper and hence enabled to reach its wonted situa- 
tions with ease, it is occasionally met with at consid- 
erable distance from any pond or brook. 


| 
1 
| 
i 


Retiles pof Massachusetts. 45 


R. palustris. Leconte. The Pickerel Frog. 
Ann. Lyc. N. Y. vol. i. p. 982. 
Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 105. 
N. A. Herpet. vol. i. p. 93. 


Although Leconte applied the specific name of 
“ palustris? to this quite common species, on ac- 
count of its being found near salt marshes, it is as 
frequently, in this vicinity at least, met with about 
the margins of fresh water brooks and ponds, as in 
any other situations. It is a prettily marked species, 
but much less brilliant in its colors than the pre- 
ceding. 

The largest specimen I have met with, measured 
three inches in length ; and the posterior extremities 
were four inches and a half long. Color above, 
cinereous ; abdomen white ; interior of the limbs and 
lower part of the flanks, yellow. Upon the back, 
two longitudinal rows of dark brown spots, which 
are generally square, sometimes nearly circular ; in 
some specimens, these become confluent and produce 
an elongated band; in the same specimens, both 
square and circular spots may occasionally be ob- 
served. Between the back and sides, a broad yel- 
lowish brown band is seen, commencing at the eyes, 
and extending the length of the body. Two rows 
of smaller spots of a similar appearance with those 
on the back and sides. Snout, pointed. Eyes 
rather prominent ; pupils, black ; irides, golden. 
Tympanum, small, color of the back ; a dark colored 
line extends from the snout to the eyes, a roundish 


46 3 Storer on the 


spot on the upper and inner side of each orbit, one 


on the top of the head, and a smaller one below each 
nostril. Thighs, legs, and tarsus, striped transversely 
with broad dark bands or oblong spots; arms irreg- 
ularly spotted. Back, smooth; flanks slightly tuber- 
culated ; buttocks, granulated; fleshy tubercles on 
the lower surface of the toes at the joints. 


R. sylvatica. Leconte. The Wood Frog. 


Lyc. Nat. Hist. N. Y. vol. i. p. 282. 
N. A. Herpet. vol. i. p. 95, et fig. 


This beautiful species is not often met with, in- 
habiting as it does damp and thick woods; occasion- 
ally it is seen at a great distance from any water, 
and is very difficult to be taken on account of its 
agility in leaping. It is rather smaller than the 
** palustris,” and presents the following characters: 
above, of a reddish brown color, resembling a dried 
dead leaf; sides, variegated with green and yellow; 
abdomen, white ; under part of the arms and posterior 
extremities, lighter colored than the back. Snout, 
blunted. Eyes, prominent; pupils, black; irides, 
golden. A broad black band, narrow at its origin, 
wider at its posterior portion, extends from the snout 
to the shoulder: this band passes through the centre 
of the eye, including within it, the tympanum ; mar- 
gining the lower edge of this band, is a deep yel- 
low line running its whole extent.  Extremities 
above, rather lighter than the back ; the anterior ex- 
tremities are seldom banded; the posterior extrem- 


overeat) ree 


: 
: 
| 
1 
1 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. AT 


ities, crossed by transverse dark colored bands. An- 
terior extremities, four toed ; posterior, five toed. 

Like the three preceding species, this frog feeds 
principally upon insects. 


Hyropzs. Fitzinger. 


Generic characters. Mouth furnished with a 
tongue, teeth in the superior maxillary and pala- 
tine bones ; tympanum, visible ; extremities slender, 
tips of the fingers and toes terminating in slightly 
developed tubercles. | 


H.  Pickeringii. Pickering’s Hylodes. 
N. A. Herpet. vol. iii. 


Rev. John L. Russell, of Salem, showed me the 
only specimen of this species I have ever seen, 
which was captured by Dr. Nichols, in Danvers. 
Having no opportunity to describe it myself, I ex- 
tract the following account from the pages of the 
“ Journal of the Essex County Natural History Soci- 
ety." 

* Above, fawn color, changeable to dark cinere- 
ous ; marked with two transverse narrow black lines, 
forming a cross, and an irregular narrow line on each 
side, producing, with the other lines, a general 
rhomboidal configuration ; a large triangular spot on 
the back of the head, formed by the junction of 
lines proceeding from the centre of the irides; a 
spot at the insertion of the fore legs; a pale yel- 
lowish line margined with black, bounds the back 


48 w^ Storer on the 


part of the fore and hind legs; an irregular spot on 
the extremity of the rump; beneath, granulated on 
"the abdomen, legs and thighs; a character also per- — | 
‘ceptible in some degree, on the upper surface. Head 
rather obtuse; lower lip whitish; throat, clavicle, 
and auricles, minutely spotted with black: dots; 
irides golden copper. When resting on a dark sub- 
stance, it changes at pleasure to a dark ashen hue, 
the lines becoming black and prominent, and „the 
spots on the head and rump very perceptible, as also 
the transverse bars on the upper surface of the legs. 
Length of the body from the snout, to the vent, one 
inch; of hinder thighs and legs, each half an inch ; 
of tarsus and toes, seven tenths of an inch; of the 
largest toe, four tenths of an inch. Whole length 
of the fore legs, half an inch." 


» xd. 


Hya. Laurenti. 


Generic characters. Body in general elongated ; 
upper jaw and palate furnished with teeth ; tym- 
panum apparent; no post tympanal glands; fin- 

. gers long, and with the toes terminating in rounded 
viscous pellets. » i | 


H. versicolor. Le Conte. The common Tree Toad. 


Ann. Lyc. N. Y. vol. i. p. 281. 
Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 109. 


_ As the tree toad, this species is commonly known 
throughout New England, from the cireumstance of 
its being more generally found upon trees than in 


+ 


NE Reptiles of Massachusetts. 49 

$i Um . 

l any other situation ; its color conceals it admirably, 
and it often eludes a careful search on account of its 
similarity to the object upon which it may be 
ing. A specimen two inches in length, exhibits the 
following appearances. Above, of a light ash color, 
with a brownish cruciform marking between the 
shoulders, and smaller irregularly formed blotches 
distributed over various parts of the back ; beneath, 
white, granulated, with a yellowish tint at the pos- 
terior portion of the sides. Head, broad; snout, 

| . blunt. Eyes, large; pupils, black ; irides, golden. 

Extremities ash colored above. Anterior extremities 
with a small number of brown markings; beneath, 
white and brownish ; four fingers free, terminating 
in pellets. Posterior extremities transversely barred ; 
beneath, granulated, yellowish white, becoming yel- 
low near the abdomen and upon the legs; five toes, 
terminating, like the fingers, in pellets. 

> An acrid secretion protects the skin of this species 

from its enemies. Its principal food is insects. 


H. squirella. Bosc. The little peeping Hyla. 


Ann, Lye. N. Y, vol. i. p. 279. ^ 
Harlan's Med, and Phys. Res. p. 107. 
dare 


A 
N. A. Herpet. vol i. p. 105. : 


The only specimen I have seen of this species was 
in a dried state; its colors were destroyed and its 
proportions much changed from life. I have there-. : 
fore no hesitation in copying the description and E 
observations of my friend, Dr. Holbrook, as published 

VOL. III.—NO. I—II. j. 


50 | FI Storer on the 


5e 

in the first volume of his “ North American Herpe- 
tology :” 
— “ Characters. Body olive green above, marked 
with dark brown blotches irregularly disposed; a 
transverse dusky band between the orbits; whitish 
beneath and granulated; head short, with a white 
line extending along the upper lip to the shoulders. 

Description. 'The head is short, with a dark band 
between the orbits, the line from each orbit being 
directed backwards so as to meet at an angle ; the 
snout is obtuse, with an indistinct dark band extend- 
ing from the nostrils to the eyes, below which isa 
white line along the margin of the upper lip, reach- 
ing to the shoulder; the lower jaw is almost white ; 
the nostrils are placed near the extremity of the 
snout; the eyes are prominent; the pupils black ; 
the irides golden; the tympanum is bronzed and 
surrounded by an indistinct circle of dark brown. 
'The skin is smooth ; the body short and depressed 
while living; the back is olive green, with irregular 
blotches of darker olive ; the flanks are gray. The 
inferior surface of the body is granulated, greenish 
white in front, with a few dark spots at the throat ; 
the posterior part of the abdomen is darker. The 
extremities are olive green above, with occa- 
) of brown, and flesh colored beneath; the 
angers are four i in number, distinet, and each termi- 
mati ng in a viscous pellet. The posterior extremities 
€ long, green above, obscurely blended with dark 


x brown, and flesh colored beneath, tinged with yellow 


exfeiiidiy ; ; the lower surface of the thigh is granu- 


- 


a ) ei 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 5i 


. E 


P 
lated; the toes are five in number, and semi-pal- 
mated. MEC 

Dimensions. Length of the body and head, 1 
1-4 inches ; of the thigh, 4-5ths of an inch ; of the 
leg, 4-5ths of an inch; of the tarsus and toes, 
9-10ths of an inch. 

Geographical distribution. Its most northern 
limit must be considered as lat. 34°; we have no 
evidence of its being found farther north. It 
abounds in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida ; 
how far west of these States it may exist cannot at 
present be determined. 

Habits. This animal is found on trees, often 
seeking shelter under the bark of such as are decay- 
ing ; it frequently chooses old logs for its place of 
hybernation. In fine weather and after showers, 
it climbs even the highest trees in search of insects. 

General remarks. The colors of this animal are 
even more changeable than in any species with 
which I am acquainted. I have seen it pass in a 
few moments from a light green, unspotted and 
as intense as that of Hyla lateralis, to ash color, 
and to a dull brown with darker spots; the spots 
also at times taking on different tints from the gene- 
ral surface. The markings, too, vary ex dingly 
in different individuals, white line on : i e uppe 
lip and the band betwe the orbits alone present- 
ing some constancy. Daudin remarks that the leg — 
is “shorter than the thigh ;" we have found them 4 NE. 
nearly equal in length, and this character is by no 

~ means so conspicuous as in H. versicolor. 


Daudin first described this animal, and gave a 


=~ 


e 


> aj e 


á 


52 : - Storer on the 


figure at from a drawing furnished him by Bosc. 
Leconte has given the latest and most detailed ac- 
count of it, establishing three principal varieties, 
in one of which the spots, as well as the yellow 
on the thighs, disappear altogether." 

The specimen I possess was captured in Roxbury. 


Buro. Laurenti. 


Generic characters. Head, short; jaws without 
teeth ; tympanum visible ; behind the ear is a large 
glandular tumour, having visible pores ; body short, 
thick, swollen, covered. with warts or papillae ; pos- 
terior extremities but slightly elongated. 


B. Americanus. The common Toad. 


Harlan’s Med. and Phys. Res. p. 109. 
N. A. Herpetol. vol. i. p. 75. 


This very common species is beginning to be 
looked upon by the horticulturalist in the light of a 
benefactor, and by many is carefully preserved on 
their grounds for the benefits it affords them by 
feeding upon noxious insects. 7 ; 

A fine specimen, three inches in length, furnishes 


= the following description: Greatest width, two 


em 


+ 


1 
2 
e a 
NC 


9-7; 


inches. Body, bro mottled with black 


TO blotches ; its whole upper surface covered with 
- prominent tubercles; those upon the back, larger; 
beneath, granulated, yellowish, sprinkled with black 


spots. Head large ; superciliary ridges prominent ; 
tympanum small, light colored, with an irregular 


Los T 


T * E AX. * 
E 
Reptiles of Massachusetts. 53 


^ 

darker colored black marking within its circumfer- 
ence. Mouth, large. Post tympanal glands large, 
equal in length to the distance between them. Eyes 
large; pupils black; irides beautifully reticulated 
with black and golden; eyelids tuberculated. Be- 
tween the eyes, on the top of the head, a yellowish 
white line commences, which terminates at the pos- 
terior extremity of the body. 

The extremities above, of the same color as the 
back; beneath, the color of the abdomen. A few 
small dark colored blotches upon the anterior extrem- 
ities ; larger spots, sometimes transverse, upon the 
posterior. Fingers four in number, short, free. Toes 
five in number, semipalmated ; the second, much the 
longest; a large tubercle beneath, resembles some- 
what a sixth toe. 


Satamanpra. Brogniart. 


Generic characters. Body elongated ; tail long ; 
extremities four; fingers four; toes five; no tym- 
panum; numerous small teeth in the jaws and 
palate ; tongue as in frogs ; no sternum ; ribs rudi- 
mental ; pelvis suspended by ligaments. — 

a 
S. erythronota. Green. The red-bac ed Sala- 
miller: F- 
Journal Acad. Nat. Sciences, vol. i. p. 356. 


Harlan’s Med. and Phys. Res. p. 95. 
N. A. Herpet. vol. iii. p. 113, et fig. 


This beautiful and quite common species presents 
the following characters: My description is drawn 


nS Storer on the 
Ee 

up frota a specimen between three and four inches 
in length. Tail rather shorter than the body, cylin- 
drical, gradually tapering to a sharp point. On the 
upper part of the body, a broad band of a reddish 
brown color, sprinkled with brown spots, extending 
from the snout to the extremity of the tail, being 
less marked however upon the latter. Beneath, 
cinereous; much darker upon the sides. Throat 
whitish, having a distinct fold. Upper part of the 
head and tail, and also the sides of the body, present- 
ing, under the microscope, a beautiful metallic lus- 
tre. Head wider than the body, three lines in length, 
one line and a half in width. Eyes very promi- 
nent; pupils black ; irides metallic-colored. Ante- 
rior feet with four toes ; posterior, five toed. 

This species is very agile ; walking rapidly when 
undisturbed, and running by sudden and irregular 
jerks when taken. I kept specimens alive several 
. weeks by allowing them dead leaves, which were ^ 
constantly kept moistened. From correspondents, I à 
have received them from Cambridge, Roxbury, Mil- 
ton and Amherst, at which places they were found 
under stones and decayed wood. : 


S. symmetrica, Harlan. The symmetrical Sal- i 
f$ | er. : 
Journal Acad. Nat. Sciences, vol. v. p. 158. 
N. A. Herpetol. ni ii. p. 59, et fig. 


The fine speciineas T me of this species; 
were found at Amherst, under decaying wood and 
‘leaves, by Professor Adams. 


Í 
( 
| 
l 
1 
i 


» 
Reptiles of Massachusetts. — 55 


Length, three inches; tail, the length of the 
body, circular at the base, compressed towards the 
extremity. Whole upper part of the body, of a sal- 
mon brown color; on each side of the spine, from 
three to seven small ocellated spots of a beautiful 
vermillion color, surrounded by a black areola; skin 
above, covered with innumerable very minute tuber- 
cles, scarcely discernible without a glass, giving it a 
rough appearance. Beneath, of a golden orange 
color, sprinkled with minute black points, from the 
tip of the chin to the very extremity of the tail. 
Head three lines long, two wide, flattened; two 
longitudinal very obvious ridges, the length of the 
head, between the eyes. Eyes, not very prominent, 
of a deep black color, with a bright golden iris. 
Snout, obtuse. Anterior feet, with four toes; pos- 
terior, five toed. 

In young specimens, the whole back is soared 
with minute black dots, and the sides have fewer 
ocellated spots than in the adult. The largest speci- 
men in my possession, has seven ocellated spots on 
each side; in different specimens, these spots vary 
in number ; but in all the specimens I have seen, 
an equal number exists on each side of the spine, 
in the same specimen. 

The motions of this species are much less. rapid 
than those of the “erythronota.” Tt casts its skin 
in June. In the stomach of this species are found 
spiders, and detached portions of insects. 

Dr. Holbrook has received this species from Flor- 


ida; and J. W. Randall, M. D. of this city, brought 


me specimens from Hallowell, Maine. 


Se* 


* is ÀJ 
S... 
LES 


56 ' Storer on the 


* +g 

S. fasciata. Green. The banded Salamander. 
Journal Academy Nat. Sciences, vol. i. p. 350. : | 
Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 94. 33 
N. A. Herpet, vol. iii. p. 103, et fig. ^ 


The beautiful living specimen, from which my 
description is made, was found by Professor Hitch- 
cock, at Monson, and kindly transmitted to me. 

Its length is five inches; léngth of the tail equal 
to that of the body; oval at its anterior portion, 
slightly compressed in its middle, and pointed at its 
posterior extremity. Upper part of the body, of a 
light clay or ash color, with transverse dark brown 
bands extending from the head to the extremity of 
the tail. Whole under portion of M i body, of a 
dark slate color. 

Width of the head, equal to one half its length. 
Eyes prominent; pupils, black; irides, color of the 
abdomen. Snout, rounded. Anterior feet, four toed ; T 
posterior, five toed. 

Some of the bands in my specimen are confluent. | 

This is the only individual I have seen, and there- _ | 
fore think it must be a rare species with us. i 


S. venenosa. Barton. The violet-colored Sala- 
mander. 
Daud. Hist. Nat. des Rept. t. viii. p. 229. 
Trans. of Amer. Phil. Soc. vol, vi. et fig. 
Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res, p. 93. 
N. A. Herpetol. vol. iii. p. 105, et fig. 
= Dr. Barton’s account of this, our earliest described 
Salamander, which is exceedingly interesting, is con- 


B E 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 57 
* ps 


tained in the “ Transactions of the American Philo- 
sophical Society.” His specimen. was six inches and 
eight tenths of an inch in length. It grows to a 
larger size even than this. 

The specimen upon my table, is five inches in 
length ; tail, two and a half inches long, cylindrical 
at the base, compressed towards the extremity. All 
the upper part of the body, of a dark purple color. 
On each side of the dorsal line, a longitudinal row 
of oval, circular and oblong spots of a bright yellow 
color, varying in size; these spots commence on the 
back part of the head, and are continued towards the 
extremity of the tail, where they become single. 
Smaller spots of the same color on the legs and feet, 
and above A of the eyes. Beneath, the body is 
of a lighter color, with a great number of very mi- 
nute white dots. Length of the head, two thirds of 
an inch; width across, half an inch. Eyes, of a 
deep black color, and very prominent. A strongly 
marked cuticular fold around the throat. 

The above described specimen was found in Rox- 
bury. 

In another individual, found by Professor Adams, 
at New Bedford, three inches in length, a row of 
small yellow spots, resembling a broken line, par- 
tially encircles the eyes; in this specimen, the ab- 
domen is destitute of the small white points so per- 
ceptible in the preceding specimen, but its sides are 
covered with them. 

A specimen of this species was brought me from 
Kennebec county, Maine, by J. W. Randall, M. D. Baa 

8 . 


VOL. III. — NO, I—II. 


a 


58 Storer on the 


e 


S. salmonea. Nobis. The salmon-colored Sala- 
mander. 
N. A. Herpetol. vol. iii. p. 101, et fig. 


The specimen described by me in Holbrook’s 
* American Herpetology,” was found by Dr. Binney, 
in Vermont: but as Dr. Holbrook says an individual 
of this species has been “ found in the neighborhood 
of Danvers, Massach) ges I can have no hesita- 
tion in admitting it in this report. 

Length, six and a half inches; length of the tail, 
two and a half inches; compressed, carinated above, 
gradually tapering to a point. Whole upper part of 
the body, head, tail and legs, of a yellowish brown 
color; the sides of the head, neck, body, tail and 
legs, of a salmon eclor. 'The entire surface of all 
the upper portion, as well as sides, spotted with ir- 
regular grayish markings, which are more obvious 
on the lighter colored sides. Beneath, the head and 
body white; light salmon color beneath the tail. 

Head, one inch in length; width of the head, 
back of the eyes, four lines; snout, very obtuse; 
nostrils, rather small; a strongly marked cuticular 
fold upon the neck. Eyes, remote, and very promi- 
nent; pupils, deep black, with a metallic, copper- 
colored iris; from the edge of the upper lip, just 
exterior to the nostrils, arises a salmon-colored line 
about a fourth of a line in width, which runs back 
to the inner angle of the eye, and passing up over 
. the ye loses itself upon the middle of the back part. 
: 4 iis species was found upon moist land. It lived 


MMC rper UN ee ee ENE E a oe aa 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 59 


a year in confinement, and appeared perfectly 
healthy, eating voraciously of flies. 


S. dorsalis. Harlan. The many spotted Sala- 
mander. 
Journal Academy Nat. Sciences, vol. vi. p. 101. 
Harl. Med. and Phys. Res. p. 99 
N. A. Herpet. vol. ii. p. 57, et ba 


From Roxbury and Andi 1 have received 
numerous specimens of this species by the aid of 
Professor Adams, and. my brother-in-law Dr. 
Brewer. An individual three inches and three lines 
in length, exhibits the following characters. Tail 
ratherlonger than the body. Body, above, dark 
olive, and granulated as in the “symmetrica ;" 
lighter on the sides. All the upper part of the 
body, together with the feet, to the extremities of 


the toes and tail, sprinkled with innumerable black 


points. Beneath the body, the legs, and tail, of a 
sulphur color, darker under the tail, and tinged with 
olive; similar black points with those above, are 
spread over the surface beneath, which in some 
specimens are much larger than in the ‘“ symme- 
trica.” Eyes prominent; pupils and irides similar to 
those of the “ symmetrica.” Tail very much com- 
pressed in its whole length, carinated above and 
beneath. Vent very prominent. Anterior feet with 
four toes; posterior five toed. Ocellated spots of 
a similar color with those on the “ symmetrica" but 
smaller, are arranged on each side of the spin E 


fü 


60 Storer on the 


these spots vary in number on the two sides; thus, 
of the eight living specimens before me, of nearly 
the same size, but three have five of these spots 
on each side; the others have three and four and 
six and seven on one side, with five on the other; 
and one specimen has nine on one side, eleven on 
the other, with a single line with one similar spot 
beneath this line on the side, and stil another 
beneath, on the edge of the yellow abdomen. 

All the specimens I have seen were taken in 
brooks. In the stomachs of several individuals, 
were found fragments of the genera “ Lymnea,” 
and “ Physa.” I have kept these animals for months, 
they seeming to thrive very well by a daily supply 
of fresh water, and a sufficient quantity of flies 
which they seize by a sudden spring, and swallow 
by several continued efforts. This species casts its 
exuvie in June, and the new cuticle | is in all res- 
pects similar to the former. 
= in the “Journal of the Academy of Natural 
Sciences,” Harlan describes a salamander which he 
calls “dorsalis,” some of the specific characters of 
which, are “a whitish dorsal line extending from 
the occiput over the tail; a row of whitish colored 
oblong spots on each side of the dorsa! line ; beneath, 
freckled with black dots." 

Not meeting with any description which agreed 
with the species I have just described, two years 
since I read an account of it before this soci- 
ety under the name of “S. millepunctata.” 
My friend, Dr. Holbrook, while examining, with 
me, the last season, the reptiles belonging to 


LE rr E e MEE ee 


Reptiles of Massachusetts. 61 


the Society, assured me he had seen the speci- 
men in Philadelphia, originally described by Har- 
lan, and that it was the same species that I 
had supposed new. How Harlan could have 
made such a description as he has from this 
species, it is difficult to imagine. He must 
have described a specimen preserved in spirits, 
else he could not have seen “a row of whitish 
colored oblong spots on each side of the dorsal 
line;?" but even alcohol could not produce “a 
whitish dorsal line," where no defined line existed, 
of any color, in life. Dr. Holbrook's second volume 
of his “ North American. Herpetology,” containing 
a description of the * S. dorsalis," has, within a 
few months, issued from the press. Were I governed 
by his description, which makes no mention of the 
innumerable black dots above, which cover its en- 
tire upper a well as under surface in every indi- 
vidual of whatever age I have met with; or his 
plate, which corresponds with it, I might be in- 
duced to disbelieve the identity of our species; but 
preferring to think the omission may have been. 
accidental, I would yield my doubts to the convic- 
tion of that distinguished herpetologist. 


i 
:1 


S. picta. Harlan. The painted Salamander. 
Journal Academy Nat. Sciences, vol. v. p. 136. 
Harlan’s Med. and Phys. Res. p. 98. 


I have never met with this species ; but Dr. Pick- 
ering, of Philadelphia, informed me, some time since, 


62 Storer on the 


that a specimen belonged to the cabinet of the 
* Academy of Natural Sciences," which was found 
in a well at Ipswich in this State; I therefore ex- 
tract from the Journal of the Academy, Harlan's 
description of the species : 

“ Body blackish or dark slate color above, yellow- 
ish or light orange color beneath ; skin beneath the 
neck, folded; head large; legs strong; tail com- 
pressed at its inferior portion nearly the length — — 
of the body. 
~ Dimensions. Total length nearly four inches; 
body rather more than two inches ; tail less than two 
inches; length of the head six tenths; breadth five 

| 
i 
| 


tenths; length of the hind legs six tenths; of the 
fore legs four tenths. 

Description. Head large, rather flat; occiput 
broad, slightly protuberant ; snout obtuse, rounded 
anteriorly ; rietus of the mouth wide, extending 
posteriorly to the eyes; anterior borders of the lips 
slightly undulating ; skin of the throat folded, so as | 
to form a collar nearly surrounding the neck; | 
body above, blackish ; a longitudinal furrow extend- | 
ing from the occiput along the back to the base of — — 
the tail; inferior portion of the body: obsoletely 
punctured with dark spots, more visible on the 
sides; legs short, strong, and thick, externally of 
the color of the back; internally of the color of 
the belly; tail subquadrangular for the first two 
thirds; the remainder or inferior portion abruptly 
compressed, pointed, with the superior and inferior 
borders carinate.”’ 


Tore ——Éá a UNION CERES 
w 


96 — 
o y 
A . 
Reptiles of Massachusetts. 63 
S. glutinosa. Green. The blue spotted Sala- 


mander. 


Journal Academy Nat. Sciences, vol. i. E 357. 
Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 94. 


The only specimen I have seen, was sent me 
from Andover by Mr. Alonzo Gray. It continued 
alive for several weeks, and presented the follow- 
ing characters : ; 

Length, six inches. Whole upper part of the 
body, of a very dark brown thickly sprinkled with 
distinct light blue spots. Sides appearing quite 
light colored, from the blue spots having become 
confluent. Abdomen lighter colored than the back, 
exhibiting the spots more numerous and distinct 
than the back. Head, three quarters of an inch 
long; nearly half an inch wide, flat ned 
Eyes very prominent ; of a deep black >O] T, 
separated from each other. Nostrils itl 
Legs, color of the body, and spotted like it. An- 
terior feet, four toed ; posterior, five toed, and un- 
usually long. Tail, length of the body; much 
compressed throughout its whole extent, save the 
extremities, the anterior of which is circular, the 
posterior pointed. 


S. maculata. Green. The brown spotted Sala- 
mander. 


Journal Academy Nat. Sciences, vol. i. p. 350. 
Harlan's Med, and Phys. Res. p. 96. 


PU. i Ren Lu e E É; 


64 Storer on the 


The only specimen of this species I have seen 
was brought me by John W. Randall, M. D., of this 
city, who found it in a pond in Groton. This is 
quite a young specimen, being only an inch and a 
- half long, and having the branchiæ still attached ; 
and as its colors have somewhat changed in the 
alcohol, I extract Green’s description from the Jour- 
nal of the Philadelphia Academy. | * Length, four 
or five inches; tail about as long as the body, taper- 
ing, slightly compressed, and pointed ; snout round- 
ed; back whitish, sprinkled with irregular, reddish 
DLE spots; beneath white; anterior feet, four toed, 
posterior feet five toed. 

Norr. Individuals of this species vary much in 
size, and in the number of spots. I have one about 
three inches long, with the tail more compressed and 
obtuse, than the above." 

All the Salamanders here described, feed upon in- 
sects, which they devour in very large numbers, and 
hence their utility cannot be questioned. 


Mr. Peabody on the Birds of Massachusetts. 65 


ART. II. — 4 REPORT ON THE BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS 
MADE TO THE LEGISLATURE IN THE SESSION OF 1838-9. 
By Rev. W. B. O. PrAsopny, Springfield, Mass. 


^ INTRODUCTION. 

Tue history and habits of our birds are not yet fully 
understood, and notwithstanding all which has been done, 
many experiments and observations would be necessary to 
ascertain them more satisfactorily, and accomplish all the 
objects of a survey. It will, moreover, be obvious, that, 
were I so situated as to be able to make them, it could not 
be done without employing in it several successive years. 
I therefore communicate such information as I have, trust- 
ing that our present. knowledge will soon be extended by 
the active and intelligent observers, who are engaged in 
this delightful study. — 

One object proposed is, to enumerate the birds of Mas- 
sachusetts; another, to give what information we possess 
respecting their habits, particularly such as cultivators are 
interested to know. As Nuttall's valuable Manual is ac- 
cessible to most readers, I have thought it better to refer 
to him for descriptions of the appearance of our birds, than 
to swell this report by repeating them. For the same 
reason, I shall follow his arrangement, subjoining to my 
account of each bird all I can learn respecting its services 
and depredations; that the husbandman and horticulturist 
may determine which it is his interest to protect, and 
which he has a right to destroy; or rather, whether it is 
not the part of wisdom to encourage and protect them all. 

With respect to the first of these objects, it would be A 
easy to give the names of those which remain with us. 

VOL. III.—NO. I—II. 


66 | Mr. Peabody on the 


throughout the year, or of those which come to us in their 
regular annual migrations. But beside these, there are 
some which make their appearance at uncertain intervals, 
and it is not always easy to determine whether they 
. Should or should not be numbered with our birds. "There 
are others also, which have been found apparently wander- 
ing from their usual ways, but which, having come to us 


once or twice, may do so again. The proper course 


seemed to be, to give the names of all which have ever 
been seen here, leaving it to future observation to deter- 
mine whether our State is their resting-place or their home. 
In explanation of the difficulty alluded to, I may mention 
one or two facts which were communicated to me by Dr. 
Thomas M. Brewer of Boston, whose unwearied and suc- 
cessful researches will soon extend our knowledge of this 
subject much beyond its present bounds; and to whom, in 
connection with some other gentlemen, whose names will 
appear in the course of the report, I am happy to ac- 
knowledge my great obligations. He informs me, for ex- 
ample, that a Purpte GALLINULE, Gallinula martinica, was 
shot in Stoneham on the 27th of November, 1837. i 
is a bird belonging to tropical America, and usually passes 
its winters near the Gulf of Mexico; and yet, when taken, 


instead of appearing exhausted, like a lost wanderer from , 


its usual haunts, it was in good flesh, and evidently had 
been lately feeding. Mr. Cabot also states that a FLORIDA 
GALLINULE, G. galeata, was shot in Fresh Pond several 


years ago. This last incident is not wholly unprecedented, 


the same bird having been found near Albany, in the state 
of New York. The visit of the beautiful Purple Galli- 
nule, is, I believe, entirely without example. But I can no 
more regard them as our birds, because they have been 
thus found once or twice within our borders, than I can 
regard the Stormy Petrel as a land bird, from the circum- 
stance of having met with it in Springfield, seventy miles 


[ 
| 
$ 
| 


Birds of Massachusetts. 67 


from the sea. I learn also from Dr. Brewer, that three 
specimens of the Lrrrue Corporat, Falco temerarius, were 
lately killed in Stoneham and brought to the Boston market. 
This is a bird discovered by Audubon, and so rare, that 
even Nuttall professed to know nothing of it from personal 
observation, The same gentleman has also obtained in 
Boston harbor, the Pomarine Jacer, Larus pomarinus, à 
bird so rare, that the indefatigable Audubon himself never 
encountered it within the limits of the United States. 

It is well known that some birds, for obvious or unknown 
reasons, change their favorite resorts, at times withdrawing 
from places where they have been common, and appear- 
ing in other places where they have not been seen before. 
Of this singular migration, the Curr SwALLOW, Hirun- 
do fulva, is a remarkable example. It is well known that 
the Chimney swallow came from the wilderness in the 
same manner; but in that case, the reason was manifest; 
it was because, in cities and villages, chimnies are always 
to be had, while trees, hollow from the top, are not com- 
mon, even in our ancient woods. No similar reason can 
be given for the movement of the Cliff Swallow, which 
has emigrated to us with a quarter of a century, and is 
now the most common of the tribe in some parts of the 
State. The earliest information I have of its appearance 
in New England is from Chief Justice Shaw, who tells me 
that he found it at the White Mountains, in the summer 
of 1816. In the case of birds rarely or lately found among 


us, I can only offer what information I am able to obtain, 


and must leave it to the reader to judge for himself, whe- 
ther they come as accidental wanderers, as spies to explore 
the country, or as pioneers to take possession and estab- 
lish a permanent home. 

With respect to the second object of the survey, that of 
giving information which may be useful to cultivators of 
the soil, I am fully persuaded from my examination of the 


68 Mr. Peabody on the 


subject, that there are no birds which it is our interest 
to destroy. There are some which are occasionally 
troublesome in our fields and gardens; but, do what we 
will, we cannot prevent their depredations; if we shoot 
them, we only gratify our revengeful feeling, since new 
reinforcements stand ready to supply the place of every 
one that falls. And this is not the only thing to be 
regarded. In every instance of our removing a present 
inconvenience, we are opening a door for the entrance of 
much greater evils. But without any systematic dis- 
cussion of this point, I shall introduce remarks as they 
suggest themselves, in the course of the report, showing 
where we are indebted to any birds for services, and 
where we suffer from their depredations; leaving the reader 
to balance the one against the other, and to judge for him- 
self whether the course of mercy or revenge is the best for 
him to pursue. 

Having made these remarks in explanation of the plan 
which I propose to follow, I proceed to give the names 
of such residents and visiters in our State as I have been 
able to ascertain. There may be some passed over ; and 
if so, I hope that those who have not favored me with 
the results of their observations, will aid in accomplish- 
ing the objects of the survey, by giving the information 
they may possess, to the public, in some other form. 


DIEUSM.UF FREY. 


Tur Jrn-rancow, Falco Islandicus, a bold and 
graceful bird, is seldom found wandering far from 
the icy latitudes in which it dwells, and it is in only 
the depth of winter, that it is ever seen as far south 


s, 


rid 


Birds of Massachusetts. 69 


as Massachusetts; but we have Nuttall's high au- 
thority for saying that a pair is occasionally seen 
within our borders. In the days of falconry, this 
fine bird was employed for striking the larger prey, 
which it did by out-soaring and pouncing upon 
them with great rapidity and power. ‘There is 
much variety in its markings, and some specimens 
are found to be nearly white; which is believed to 
be an indication of age, its whiteness increasing 
with years. 


Tue American SPAnROoWHAWE, Falco sparverius, 
a beautiful little falcon, which is said to be rare in 
the maritime parts of our State, is not at all uncom- 
mon in the inland villages, where it comes fearlessly 
into cultivated enclosures, and pursues its prey with- 
out regard to those who pass by. The blue jays have 
a bitter aversion to it, probably, because it interferes 
with their own piratical expeditions. Whenever it 
appears, they follow it with loud and abusive lan- 
guage, mocking its cry with ridiculous exactness, 
till the hawk, who, in general, seems rather enter- 
tained with the exhibition, at last, stunned with 
their noise, and provoked at their impudence, seizes 
the foremost of their number; without, however, 


putting a stop to their persecutions. 


This bird is partial to the southern climates : 
some few remain in New York during the winter, 
but the ordinary cold of New England at that season 
is too severe. Still, it is seen here in cold weather, 
perched on some tree or stake which commands an 
open view, where it watches for mice or any smaller 


70 Mr. Peabody on the 


game, not being particular, and caring more for the 
quantity than the quality of its food. “It is easily 
tamed, and would be an amusing companion, were 
it not for its taste for chickens; the hen, no longer 
hen-hearted in defence of her young, gives battle 
to the little hawk and destroys him. I believe that 
the nest of this bird has not been found in our 
State. s 


The Picton Hawx, Falco columbarius, is rare in 
the western part of the state, and Nuttall had the 
impression that it was not seen in New England; 
but Dr. Brewer informs me that he has often found 
it in the vicinity of Boston. It is migratory in its 
habits, and, when in pursuit of its prey, cares not 
whither it goes. It siezes the robin, the wild pigeon, 
and even the gold-winged woodpecker, on the land ; 
and on the water, it pursues much larger birds, 
which can escape from it only by diving. It has 
been known to attack birds in cages, in the very 
heart of cities; and so indifferent is it to danger, 
that it does not even shun the presence of man, the 
common object of dread. When wounded, it throws 
itself on its back as the hunter approaches, and 
with angry screams, prepares to defend itself to the 
last. Where the pigeon hawk raises its young i$ 
not certainly known. It is not seen in the United 
States, except in early autumn and winter; in the 
Spring and summer, it is probably in the northern 
regions; but at other seasons it travels to the most 
southern boundaries of our country. 


i 
| 
t 
i 
i 


* 
Birds of Massachusetts. 71 


The Lrrrue Corporat, Falco temerarius, is so 
rare a bird that when Nuttall’s work was published, 
the only specimen known, was the one discovered 
in Pennsylvania, and described by Audubon, twenty 
years before. In a spirit of somewhat doubtful 
compliment, he named it after Napoleon, I believe 
from some supposed personal resemblance to that 
great human bird of prey. Nothing is yet known 
respecting its habits, nor the place and the manner 
in which it rears its young; but the singular fact 
just mentioned, that three specimens of a bird so 
uncommon were obtained at the same time in a 
single village, seems to indicate that the species will 
be more common. This would be no unheard of 
thing on the part of hawks, which sometimes ap- 
pear and remain in considerable numbers, where none 
had been found for years, if ever before. 


The GorpeN Eacir, Falco fulvus, a fierce and 
angry bird, loves the wildness of desert and moun- 
tainous regions, where it neither seeks nor fears the 
presence of man. As such tracts are not wanting in 
Massachusetts, it sometimes comes within our bounds; 
but it delights more in ridges as desolate as the White 
Mountains of New Hampshire. It is not common 
anywhere, and is hardly ever seen in the more level 
and cultivated parts of the country. In pace and 
swiftness of flight it is inferior to some other birds, 
but it exceeds them all in the power of its brilliant 
eye; which enables it to aim, with unerring precision, 
atits destined prey. Its flight, if not so rapid as that 


b 
2: 


xa^ 


B Mr. Peabody on the 


of other eagles, is exceedingly majestic and graceful, 
and answers to the fine description, 1 

* Sailing with supreme dominion, 

Through the azure depths of air.” 

The nest of the golden eagle has been found on 
the Hudson, but never, I believe, within the limits 
of our state. Perhaps it may be found hereafter on 
Graylock or some of our western mountains. They 
build, of course, where they can find abundance of 


their usual food, such as fawns, young racoons, rab- 


bits, and wild turkeys; but they are indifferent to 
climate, enduring the utmost severity of winter, and 
moving with ease and unconcern in the face of the 
most violent storms. The golden eagle would be 
the acknowledged head of its family, were. it not 
for the giant discovered by Audubon. The ring 
tailed eagle of Wilson is now well known to be the 
young of the present species. 


The Wasuineton Eacenr, Falco Washingtonia- 
nus, was discovered by Audubon, and happily named 
by him in honor of the man, who is still the absolute 
sovereign of all hearts in this country, and will con- 
tinue to rule over it, for ages, by his memory and 


example. It was known before our great ornitholo- : 


gist recognised it as a new species, and was supposed 
to be one of the familiar kinds ; but from the circum- 
stance of its building on a cliff, and procuring its 
food by diving instead of robbing the fish-hawk, it 
was obviously different from the brown eagle, as the 
bald eagle, in his immature state, is often called. 
It was not till two ` years after he first saw it, that 


| 
| 


Birds of Massachusetts. ra 


Audubon was able to obtain a specimen, when he 
found that his conjectures were correct, and that it 
was neither the brown or sca eagle, as Wilson calls 
the young of the white-headed, not knowing that it 
was an immature bird ; nor was it the true sea eagle, 
Falco albicilla, which it more resembles. From the 
latter it is distinguished by its greater size, and by 
the greater length of the tail, which in F. albicilla 
does not extend beyond the folded wings. 

The favorite residence of this bird is in the rocky 
solitudes near the great lakes, where it is seen flying 
in broad circles near the land or the surface of the 
water: when about to dive, it descends in spiral 
rounds, keeping its eye upon the fish, and comes very 
near it before it makes its plunge; when rising, it 
flies low, to a considerable distance, and then de- 
vours its victim at leisure. When the severity of 
winter closes the water and abridges its means of 
subsistence, it sometimes wanders into New England, 
and in January and February, the coldest months in 
our year, it is occasionally seen within our bounds. 


The WnurrengApED or Bar» Eacrz, Falco leuco- 
cephalus, is the most familiarly known of all the 
eagles. Against the remonstrances of Franklin, it 
was adopted as the emblem of our country, an honor 
to which it was entitled, if not by its character, at 
least by residence, since it is found in every part of 
the Union, leaving the colder latitudes to the sterner 
and hardier of the race. It manifests a preference 
for the warmer parts of the couDiry, but all who live 

VOL. I.—NO. I-II. 140. 


74 Mr. Peabody on the 


near our lakes and larger rivers or the shores of the 
sea, are acquainted with its towering flight and its 
solemn cry, which, impressive as it is, in the midst 
of desolation, is nevertheless, like that of all other 
eagles, so harsh and discordant as to leave without 
excuse the excise officers of Bristol, in England, who 
detained a couple which Colonel Montague had im- 
ported, under the act which imposed a duty on sing- 
ing birds. | 
The manner in which this eagle subsists, though 
not creditable to its morals, is strongly illustrative of 
its power; and as power and oppression are apt to be 
united in human beings, we cannot wonder that the 
same alliance should exist in birds. It stands perch- 
ed on some tree, from which it commands a wide 
view over the waters, where it waits in gigantic 
repose, its wings lifted, as if keeping time with the 
heaving sea. It seems to look with calm unconcern 
on the numberless birds that are sporting or gather- 
ing food upon the waves ; but all the while its bright 


eye is fixed upon the industrious fish-hawk, which, 


unconscious of danger, is quietly gathering food for 
his young. The moment he reappears from his 
plunges, whitening the sea with foam, the eagle 
launches forth from his resting place, pursues him 
with force and rapidity even greater than his own; 
and when, after whecling in broad circles and trying 
every art and effort to escape, the hawk is compelled, 
as a last resource, to let fall his prey, the eagle bal- 
ances a moment, as if to make sure its aim, then 
shoots down like an arrow, and secures its prey be- 
fore it touches the wave. ‘These exhibitions excite 


Birds of Massachusetts. 75 


much sympathy for the injured party in those who 
witness them ; and it is to be hoped, that it was no 
prophetic discernment which selected this eagle, 
beautiful as it is, to represent the character of our 
Union. ; fee. 

Sometimes the fish-hawks, when they can endure 
their injuries no longer, combine their forces, and 
compel the eagle to retreat from the shore. In that 
case, it makes havoc among other birds, or when 
those resources fail, it sometimes carries away lambs 
from the neighboring farms. It is said that it has 
made an attempt to carry off children, and there is 
no doubt that it has sufficient strength and courage. 
Sometimes it robs the sportsman of the birds which 
he has shot ; it seems to understand the use of the 
gun, and to know that, when once discharged, it is 
harmless till loaded again. It is commonly very 
difficult for a person thus armed to approach this 
eagle, for, audacious as it is, it does not rashly expose 
itself to danger. It is shot by approaching it under 
the cover of a tree, or after a snow-storm, when, for 
a time, it seems to lose much of the power of its eye. 

The white plumage of the head, from which this 
eagle derives its name, is not fully developed till the 
fourth, and sometimes not till the fifth or sixth year 
of its age. This is the case when the bird is in 
confinement ; perhaps when at liberty, it may attain 
its full beauty at an earlier age. In other respects, 
this eagle is mature within a year from the time of 
its biith. 


The Frzsu-mawk, Falco halietus, which is so 


nr 


iud 


r 


76 Mr. Peabody on the 


often a victim to the rapacity of the eagle just des- 


cribed, is an interesting and harmless bird, which 
confines itself industriously to its employment of 


fishing, never attacking other birds nor land ani- 


mals, though it has great strength of flight and of 


talons, and though it sometimes arrives in the spring, | 


when the bays and ponds are frozen and its food is 
difficult to be procured. It has no controversy with 
any bird except the eagle, and that warfare must 
be regarded as defensive; no single hawk is able to 
encounter the enemy, but, by joining their forces, 
they become too strong to be resisted. 

The fish-hawk is on excellent terms with the 
fishermen, though they are of the same trade. Its 
coming’ announces the arrival of the shoals of fish 
that crowd our rivers in the spring. Perhaps its 
exemption from persecution may be owing also to 
its well known gentleness of disposition. Unlike 
other birds of prey, the fish-hawks are social and 
friendly to each other. They come to us in flocks 
of eight or ten, who build near each other, and rear 
their young in perfect harmony, and this spirit of 
hospitality and kindness is extended to other birds 
that seem to have no claim upon them. The crow 
blackbirds are permitted to shelter in the inter- 
Stices of their nests, which are huge constructions, 
made of a cartload of heavy materials firmly matted 
together. 'The notion that the fish-hawk protects 
the domestic poultry from other hawks is without 
foundation, since it never interferes with the pur- 
suits of any bird whatever; It is well, however, 
that the impression should exist, for if not wcll 


i 


ty 


* 


e —ÀÓ— mrs 


Birds of Massachusetts. 77 


founded, it serves the cause of humanity and saves 
the fish-hawk from destruction. 

These birds come upon the coast of Massachusetts 
at the last of March or the beginning of April, keep- 
ing time with the alewives, on which they feed. 
For some reason or other, they seldom breed here. 
The first appearance of frost, is the signal for them 
to retreat to warmer climates. They are not un- 
common in the interior of the country near our lakes 
and large rivers. In winter, they are sometimes 
seen near New Orleans; but this is not by any 
means the extent of their migrations, and these 
probably are individuals which have not strength to 
accompany the rest. 


The American Gosnawx, Falco palumbarius, for- 
merly supposed, on the authority of Bonaparte, to be 
different from the European, is now generally admit-, 
ted to be the same. It is not common in Massa- 
chusetts, nor in any part of the United States; but 
it sometimes follows the flocks of ducks in their 
migration, and destroys considerable numbers. It is 
an active and restless bird, seldom seen off the wing, 
except when devouring its prey, and is so fleet in 
its motions that, in Maine, it will dash down at the 
farmer's door and carry off chickens so rapidly that 
it is hardly possible to shoot the robber. In the 
western country, it follows the immense flocks of 
pigeons, and selects its prey from among them, not- 
withstanding tho swiftness of their flight. Audubon 
saw one of them give chase to a flock of grakles, 
from which he seized four or five in succession, 


ridge, and then through an inner partition of. 


E 


78 " F, Mr. Peabody on the 
letting them drop into the water below ; after killing 

a sufficient number, he picked them up one after 
another and carried them to the shore. This bird is " 
so savage and voracious, tliat it has been known to 

eat the young of its own species, when destitute ri 
other food. # 


The American Brown, or SLATE COLORED Hawk, 
Falco fuscus, is now known to be the same with 
F. velor, and F. Pennsylvanicus, which Wilson 
described as distinct species, though not without 
suspicions that they might turn out to be the same 
with others formerly known. It is not common in 
New England, but is said to abound in the thinly 
settled parts of the southern states, where it often 
makes great havoc among the domestic poultry, 
which it seizes and carries off in the very sight 
of the farmer. We learn from Nuttall, that one of 
them, in pursuit of his prey, burst through the glass 
of the green-house in the Botanic garden at Cam- 


re, his wing feathers being to by the glass, 4 
he was arrested in the attempt Tie through —— 
a third. Wilson speaks of the slate-colored hawk Tu 
as found in the Atlantic states. generally ; but its — 
numbers anywhere must be small. Its nest was 
found by Audubon, in one instance, in a hole in a 
rock, in others, built with sticks on trees. 


Cooprn's Hawx, Falco Cooperii, was named by 
Bonaparte, i in I onor of Mr. William Cooper of New 
York. It is added to the list of our birds, on the 


Pr ag 
Birds of Massachusetts. 79 


authority of Mr. Samuel Cabot, Jr., who obtained a 
single specimen in Cambridge. The circumstance 
that so little is known of this fine bird, after all the 
t researches of eminent ornithologists, shows what a 
broad field of the science is yet untrodden, and 
makes it a subject of congratulation, that so much 
-~ zeal and intelligence are now engaged in the study. 
The food of this hawk consists principally of birds ; 
which, of various sizes, from the ruffed grous to the 
sparrow, are laid under contribution. In the south- 
ern states, they are said, like the preceding species, 
to be troublesome in consequence of their depreda- 

) tions upon the poultry. 


The Rovcn-LEccEp Farcow, Falco lagopus, and 
F'alco Sancti Johannis, were supposed to be two dis- 
tinct species, till Audubon showed that these, and 


at me ages ; a mistake easily made, oro of 
g] bon received : i 


sat perched on stakes and trees, or flew about pur- 
suing their prey ; but. the dark colored birds were 
— . much more shy than the light ones, a difference 
| kc which he ascribed to their greater age. Falco niger, 
| in his opinion, is ‘the old rough-legged falcon. 

These birds are found in the neighborhood of 
swamps and marshes, where they watch for moles, 
mice and frogs, and occasionally encounter a wound- 
ed bird. heir appearance is heavy and inanimate, 
suiting well with the dreary places where they 


Re i 


d Their. RE T alike, and all their attitudes, as me T 


Falco niger of Wilson, were names of the same bird — 


zc 


i des 
N. 


| E 
80 Mr. Peabody on the 


reside ; but as they are supposed to resemble the 
owls in their vision, perhaps they make up, by activi- 
ty at night, for their sluggish listlessness by day. 
Their home is in the north, where they doubtless 
rear their young ; but their habits in this respect are 


very little known; itis only in winter, when their - 
food fails, that they come into our State, and some- — 


times procced to the south as far as Maryland. 


The SHORT-WINGED Buzzard, Falco buteoides, is 
found in this State; more abundantly at the ap- 
proach of winter than at any other season. In New 
York, it is said to commit depredations on the poul- 
try ; but here, it is not thought to have activity and 
courage enough for an enterprising and suceessful 
robber. It remains inactive on the margins of 
_ swamps and meadows; making a hoarse cry at in- 
“tervals, to which its mate replies. But if not re- 
ifieriinbie. Mir spirit; x p some good traits of char- 


A e: feed the apenas till | they are : 


ET hier respect, we know iting Seon observation ; 
they do not breed in this State, though Pennant 
says that they remain in New York through the 
year, and build in the beginning y May. 


The Rep-rartep Hawk, Falco borealis, is more 
certainly known as a destroyer of poultry. Though 
shy at other seasons, in winter they approach the 
farm, sweeping near the ground and snatching à 
wandering hen or chicken. But, like the crow; 

Xa 


* 


Birds of M assachusets 81 * 


they seem to have an intuitive perception of the use 

and reach of the gun, and if they see a person armed, 
they give a scream of disgust, and sail away far be- 4 
yond his reach. As farmers give them the name of : 
hen-hawks, and treat them accordingly, they are 

compelled to exert much caution in their distant 

intercourse with man. They are able to do this — ; E 
successfully, by means of their rapid and powerful f 
flight; they can float high over a whole plantation, ;* 
without a single flapping of their wings; all the 

while they make a mournful cry, as if wholly intent i 
upon their own sorrows, but they are in reality z 
keeping sharp watch on every thing that moves be- | 
low; should they see an animal, they alight, take : 
deliberate aim, and shoot down like an arrow to 

secure it. They will sometimes, as if in the mere M 
enjoyment of this power, soar upwards till they are P =. 
lost in the clear blue sky. These birds rear their wet j e a 
young in Massachusetts, building in dee ag 
they may escape persecution. ‘The fran 
their nest is made of sticks, p nishe wit 
and coarse grass. The eggs are of a dull w 
blotched with black and brown. The young are 
fed with squirrels, rabbits, and various other food. 
As soon as the young are able to take care of them- 
selves, the old birds dissolve their partnership, and 
treat each other as perfect strangers. 


The Brack Warrior, Falco Harlanii, was first —— 
discovered by Audubon in Louisiana. He at first 
supposed it to be the black hawk of Wilson, but 
on examination it proved to be a new species, al- 

VOL. IIIL.—NO. I-H. — 


jg 


PS + 
82 Mr. Peabody on the P 
— 

lied to the preceding, but superior to it in every 
thing but size. It is considerably smaller, and, 
though not able to contend with its enemy, the 
red-tail, escapes by its superior fleetness. It seldom 
preys on animals, but subsists on poultry, partridges 
and other birds. Nuttall informs us that these birds 


are occasionally seen in Massachusetts ; and, though - 


it is not known that any one has been taken, the 
observation of such a naturalist is not to be disre- 
garded. Of the nest and habits of this bird, at the 
breeding season, nothing is ye known. 


The RED-SHOULDERED Bra Falco lineatus. lt 
has been a subject of discussion whether this is a 


species distinct from the Winter falcon, Falco hiem- 


alis ; Audubon, in his first volume, maintained that 
they were different, and said that the winter falcon 
was much more common than the former. I have 
since understood that he has found reason to change 
his opinion ; and if it be true that they are the 
same, F. lineatus, the name of the supposed adult, 
one that should. be preferred. In a list kindly 
furnished me by Dr. Brewer, it is set down as breed- 
ing in our State. 


The Hrs-nanRIER OR Marsu Hawk, Falco cyan- 
eus, though found here in considerable numbers, is 
not of any great importance, either as a friend or an 
enemy of man. In the southern states, though not 
common, it is in high estimation for its services in 
Wltióying the small birds, while they are engaged 
in plundering the fields; but in the northern states, 
it generally confines itself to marshes, where it 


| 
| 


ie 
a "1 
". Birds of Massachusetts. 83. 


E 3 
* 


skims along the ground in search of mice and frogs, " 
which are its main dependence for food, sometimes - 


carrying on its labors in the twilight or the moon- 
light. In the winter, it extends its migration from 
Hudson's Bay to the southern limits of the United 
States. Audubon found it at Labrador, on the one 
hand, and at Texas on the other. 


The Meruin, Z'alco «salon, of which a specimen 
was obtained by Dr. Richardson at Carlton House, 
in the fur countries, is at present but little known 
in America. It is the same with the English merlin, 
which was formerly used in falconry, being valued 
for its strength and spirit, though inferior in size. 


The female could kill a partridge at a single pounce, 


but the male contents himself with humbler game. 
Nuttall assures us that this bird is occasionally seen 
in the vicinity of Boston. 


In the list of birds of prey, I have not. included 
the Gerar-roorep Hawk, Falco peregrinus, not 
having ascertained that any one has been taken 
here; but as they are growing numerous in other 
places, where they have been rare, and are now 
found in states not distant, subsequent observations 
will probably include them in the number of our 
birds. . ^ 


‘ 

The Hawk Own, Strix funerea, is so much like 
the former class of birds of prey, in its appearance, 
that, at a short distance, one could hardly determine 
whether it is a hawk or an owl. It is a native of 
the Arctic regions; in the fur countries it is well 


A 


| e ^ 
. 84 Mr. Peabody on the 
known, from its practice of following the hunter 
and snatching up the game when it falls. Little is 


known about it here, since it is but seldom that it 
wanders into New England. 


The Snowy Owr, Striz nyctea, is more common 
in Massachusetts than in most other states of the 
Union. It makes its appearance at the approach of 
winter; its large size and snowy plumage are well 
suited to resist the climate, in the icy solitudes where 
it dwells, and nothing but the difficulty of procuring 
a subsistence, drives it from its favorite home. 


-— 


There, it delights in the stern solitude of a night - 


which lasts for half the year, and its dismal cries, 
resembling those of a man screaming in agony, are 
said to increase the dreariness even of that fearfully 
desolate scene. When it is compelled to wander in 
search of food, it is quite abundant in Canada ; often 
found in the most northern states, and occasionally 
seen as far south as Florida. It frequents the banks 
of streams, sailing slowly over the surface, or takes 
its station on a rock, watching for its prey ; and the 
moment a fish appears, it secures it by a sudden 
grasp of its claw. Its food, however, is various, con- 
sisting of rabbits, grouse, ducks, and mice; it is 
probably the pursuit of rats and mice which brings 
it near the abodes of men, where it would not be 
caught by accident, since it has power to see both 
by night and by day. 

Audubon believes that he has reason for asserting 
that the yellowish whiteness which makes the plu- 
mage of this owl so rich and beautiful, is not ac- 


kv t QE i AS a i s AI hI i tip a Uf PAESE RD AGBS Dirt QA 


Birds of Massachusetts. 85 


quired till after a certain age. He has shot many 
which were of an uniform light brown; these he 
fornerly thought were of a different species; but 
now he considers them the young of the snowy owl. 

This bird is said to breed in the northern parts of 
the state of Maine, but there is, as yet, no sure au- 
thority for the assertion. Their nests are not found 
in Labrador nor Newfoundland ; probably they are 
to be sought for in the highest latitudes, since the 
snowy owl comes to us like a herald of the in 
storms, and spends the rest of the year in his Arctic 
home. 5 


The Rep Own, Strix asio, is a permanent resident, 
and rears its young in Massachusetts; appearing 
more common in winter, not because it migrated in 
the milder season, but, its supplies in the forest 
failing, it comes to barns and houses in search of 
food. During the day, it finds shelter in unfrequent- 
ed places, and when seen, appears drowsy and list- 
less, as if more than half asleep. It has good reason 
for preferring solitude at such times ; for the smaller 
birds, which it persecutes by night, know that they 
have the advantage by day, and do not scruple to © 
follow up their revenge. Sometimes they proceed | 
from words to blows, and the owl, having the worst 
of the battle, is compelled to seek safety in a random 
flight. It is known by the name of the little 
screech owl, from the ery which it makes in the 
early part of the night. 

In connexion with the history of this bird, Audu- 
bon asks the question, why it is that the owls 


W 


86 Mr. Peabody on the 


T 


living in the milder climates, should be thus defec- 
tive in their power of vision, while the natives 
. of Arctic regions can see both by night and day, 
when the sun or moon shines bright on the snow. 
Without referring to the structure of the eye, it is 
obviously a reason of this difference, that, if those 
birds had not the double power, in latitudes where 
the days and nights are unequal, they would be 
able to see for half the year, and would be blind 
forthe other; and thus, when the days are long, 
must perish for want of food; whereas, to those 
which live where the hours of sunshine are not 
many, even at the summer solstice, it is no hardship 

_ to be compelled to take rest by day. 
Nuttall kept one of these owls in confinement, 
to observe its habits. In the day, it retreated to 


a dark closet ; but as night came on, it grew rest-- 


less, gliding along the room in perfect silence, 4 
power which the owls owe to the delicate plumage 
of their wings. Sometimes it would cling to the 
wainscot, and turn its head almost round, resembling 
a spectre with its bright glaring eyes. In all the 
_ Owls, the globe of the eye is immoveably fixed in 


dts Socket, by an elastic cartilaginous case, in the 


; form of a truncated cone. On removing the out- 


Wal membrane which covers this case, it is found 


to consist of .many parts, placed like the staves 


of a cask, overlapping a little at the narrow end, 
u^ 


and capable apparently of being enlarged or con- . 
ract 


tracted. The eye being thus fixed, the owl, in 
order to see any object, is obliged to turn its head, 
and has the power to move i it round, aiios in a 
imus circle. — we 


M 
ry 


t 


Pm PRI mmn Prts pcm m gungen ugue E 


Birds of Massachusetts. 87 
© The red owl rears its young in Massachusetts ; it 
lays from four to six eggs, in a hollow tree, with a 
lining of hay or leaves. As soon as the young are 
hatched, it makes liberal provision of food for them. 
It is the small birds which suffer on these occasions, 
and it is in revenge for this carnage, that they pur- 
sue the owl with so much detestation. 


The Great HonNED or Cat Own, Strix Virgin- | 


iana, is well known, though not much to his advan- 
tage, in consequence of his depredations on the do- 
mestic poultry. Being one of the largest and strong- 
est of his tribe, more than two feet in length and 
four in extent, with energy and courage in propor- 
tion, he is capable of making great destruction in 
solitary farm yards, especially when he adds to his 
powers of mischief, a caution and cunning, in which 
even the cat does not exceed him. This, however, 
is one of those evils which lessen as the population 
increases, so that in our state, though most villagers 
are acquainted with the bird, there is not much 
complaint made of his depredations. 

The flight of this owl is easy and graceful: when 


it discerns its prey, it falls upon it so swiftly that - 


escape is impossible. Hardly anything comes anjap 
to its voracious appetite, but it prefers the larg 


gallinaceous birds, and. delights particularly in: 


fish that chance may throw upon the shore. Its cries 
are loud and shrill, sometimes resembling the bark- 
ing of a dog; at other times, they are compared to 
the last gurglings of a murdered man striving in 
vain to call for oF When wounded, it. resists with 


. Tee 
um i x 
» 


E 


Ld 


d 


88 Mr. Peabody on the 


great fierceness, striking with its bill and claws, its 
large eyes opening and shutting in quick succes- 
sion, and its feathers rising so as to double its ap- 
parent size. 

The great horned owl is one of those which rear 
their young in Massachusetts, The nest is generally 
in the fork of a tree, made of twigs, and lined with 
leaves and a few feathers. The eggs are from three 
to six in number ; the color, white. The male re- 
lieves the female in sitting. The young remain in 
the nest till they are fully fledged , and acquire the 
full plumage of the old birds in the succeeding 
spring. 


The CrwEREoUS Own, Siris cinerea, or Great 


Grey Owl, as he is commonly called, is very often _ 


found in Maine, but seldom in Massachusetts. Sev- 
eral years since, Ohne was taken on a woodpile in 
Marblehead, and lived some months after its capture. 
But such visits are accidental, and its home is at 
Hudson’s Bay and Labrador, where it is found 
throughout the year. 


in search of. rats 4nd mice, wh o ether wi with 
moles and field-mice, ant its MER, eundi for 
food. It is soMetiMes mistaken for the young of the 
great-horned Owl, à species which it resembles in 
everything but size, so that they are easily con- 
founded by untaught observers. It is like it in 


1 


ffs 


Hye Pee 


Birds of Massachusetts. 89 


courage also, and, when wounded, makes a fierce 
and angry resistance, which it is difficult to over- 
come. 


The Sgonr-kARED Owr, Strix brachyotus, is an- 
other of those wanderers which occasionally leave 
their northern home to visit us. It feeds almost 
entirely on mice, and can be brought into view 
sometimes, by imitating the low squeak of its prey. 
They are attracted also by the light of fires, and, 
either in blindness or ferocity, have been known to 
attack the men near them. They are remarkable for 
spirit, and, though small, not exceeding thirteen 
inches in length, it is almost dangerous to approach 
them. In their intercourse with each other, they are 
more social than most other birds of prey. Bewick 
says, that in England, more than two dozen have 
been seen engaged in the same field, destroying 
mice, in company. In this work of extermination 
they are eminently serviceable to the farmer; but, 
like many other birds, they have reason to complain 


. that man is slow to discover, and still slower to 


acknowledge his obligation. 


The BaRRED: Own, Strix nebulosa, is found in 
ie other states of the Union, and though 
it inhabits the ‘northern regions, abounds most in the 
southern parts of our country. Their food is various, 
consisting of rabbits, grouse, squirrels, rats and mice, 
and, beside what they obtain in the field and forest, 
they levy large contributions on the domestic poul- 
VOL. III.—NO. I—II. 


an 
T * 


tO 


90 — Mr. Peabody on the 


try. They are not destitute of sight by day, but 


they move doubtfully, as if uncertain of the character 
of the objects near them ; in the night, they are quick 
and active, and if domesticated for the purpose, are 
said to make excellent mousers. So delicate is their 
plumage and so noiseless their motion, that we are 
told by Audubon, he was aware that one was flying 
directly over his head, only by its shadow cast by 
the moonlight on the ground; though it was only 
a few yards distant and flying fast, he could not 
hear the least. rustling of its wings. Their cry is 
loud and discordant, resembling a forced burst of 


laughter, and makes a strange contrast with the soli- 


tude and silence of the night. 


The barred owl is often offered for sale in the - 


New Orleans market, and by some is considered pal- 


atable food. Audubon says that the snowy owl is ; 
good eating, but they are so catlike in their habits, - 


that, before they could meet with much favor, on 
the table, a considerable been of prejudice must 
be overcome. 


The AcapraN or LrrTLE Own, Strit Ucadica, is 
found in Massachusetts, but lives so retired, by day; 
that it is not generally known. Iti is’ a beautiful and 
animated bird, with a note singularly discordant, 
resembling the filing of a saw. Widubsr one day, 
walking near his: saw-mill, heard this sound pro- 
ceeding from it, and finding the door locked, went to 
the miller’s house, to ascertain who was engaged 
in filing the saw. There he ascertained that th 
little owl which had a nest hard by was the author 


E E. 
mg 


eem 
$ 


| 
l 
| 
' 


Birds of Massachusetts. | 91 


of these unmusical sounds. This bird is probably - 


the saw-whetter, which is heard so often by those 
who visit the White Mountains. Its common cry 
at night resembles the dull sound of a whistle. 

This bird is solitary in its habits, confining itself 
to the evergreen forests by day. When disturbed, it 
flies timidly, and takes advantage of the first shelter 
it reaches, where it may be caught by one who uses 
sufficient caution in his approach. At evening it be- 
comes lively, flying round with wonderful swiftness 
in search of mice, beetles, moths a d grasshoppers. 
It sometimes manifests a desire to see the world. 
Some have been taken in the heart of our cities ; 
in Cincinnati, one was caught on the edge of a cra- 
dle in which a child lay asleep. 


* The Ancric, or Wurre-Hornep Own, Striz arctica, 
is a rare and beautiful bird, of which a single speci- 
men was obtained by Dr. Richardson, in his expedi- 
tion, shot with an arrow, by an Indian boy. Nuttall 
says, that a specimen was once seen, for two or three 
days, in Cambridge, and from descriptions which I 
have received, of a bird resembling the snowy owl, 
with horns, I am persuaded that it will turn out to 
be a more frequent visiter than is now supposed. 


ndn s re Strix aa is a small 

species, and so entirely a bird of night, that when 

seen abroad by day, it is unable to escape, and may 

be caught by the hand. It feeds on mice and 

beetles, and is found in all the forests of the fur 

countries, where: its melancholy note, repeated at 
Ve 


F 


Ti- 
d * 


92 Mr. Peabody on the 


Eia . i , ij 
ntervals, like minute guns, awakens the superstitious 


feeling of some of the Indians, who call it the bird 


of death. It is on the high authority of Audubon, 
who, as Dr. Brewer tells me, has found this owl 
here, that it is added to the present list. 


In an economical point of view, the birds of prey, 
just enumerated, are of no great importance. The 
hawks, and some of the owls, are powerful birds, 
and, as the depredations of the latter are carried on 
by night, they might be very destructive to the 
poultry, if their numbers were greater. But in so 
extensive a country, most of them can secure food 
without trusting themselves in the vicinity of man. 
For this reason, the great proportion of them do not 
come near us; and those which do, are more likely 
to render service by destroying field-mice and similar 
animals, than to make themselves odious by plunder- 
ing the farm. Instead, therefore, of waging a war 
of extermination against them, it is our interest, if 
not to encourage, at least to let them alone. 


# ge 


OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. _ 


à Before proceeding to describe the omnivorous birds, 
Which come next in the proposed order, it may not 
be amiss to make some remarks on the practice of 
destroying them, which prevails to a great extent in 
Our state. Sometimes it is deliberately done; by 
those who wish to secure their orchards and gardens; 


i 


“it 


E . ww 
Ld 
Birds of Massachusetts. UT. s 


E 
dde 

and, in such cases, there is a right, no doubt, yee 
vent aggressions, if possible. But far more are killed e 
every year by wanton boys, who, without any reason 
but their own pleasure, are permitted to indulge in a 
cruel amusement, from which every man of sense 
and feeling should carefully withhold his children. 
Any one who can find sport in giving pain to animals, 
needs to be taught the first principles of humanity ; 
and, lightly as this matter is regarded, it is certain 
that this thoughtless indulgence always depraves the 
moral feeling more or less, and leads the forma- 
tion of habits of idleness which are not easily broken 
in after years. In a busy country like ours, there 
are few, beyond the age of boy-hood, who have time 
for play ; a civilized man is supposed to find his 
enjoyments in his duties; and if he needs relaxa- 
tion, he can find it without torturing animals, whose 
right to happiness is as good as his own. 

It is, however, in the light of utility, that this 
subject can be most forcibly presented ; and it will 
be seen, that, to exterminate birds which do a little 
harm. occasionally, is to protect ourselves from a 

. small evil at the expense of a greater; it is in fact 
o5 securing the fruit by the sacrifice of the tree. 
"There is no question that we are now suffering 
severely in consequence of this folly. No kind of 
cultivation is affected, to any considerable extent, by 
the depredations of birds, and if it should be, means 
may be devised to prevent them. Not so with the . 
insects and their ravages ; the fate of the locust, the 
apple, the pear, and many other trees, shows, that 
if insects fasten themselves upon one of them, we 


* 


a à "< 
94 Mr. Peabody on the 


mušt give it up as lost, for all that we at present 
know. Surely, then, of two evils we should submit 
to the one which may possibly be prevented, rather 
than invite and encourage one over which we have 
no control. 

A slight calculation will show what an amount 
of service birds are able to render. Wilson makes 
the computation, that each red-winged blackbird 
devours on an average fifty grubs à day ; so thata 
single pair, in four months, will consume more than 

twelve thousand. Allowing that there are a million 
pairs of these birds in New England, in summer, 
which is but a moderate estimate, they would de- 
stroy twelve thousand millions. Let any one com 
sider what an immense injury that number of in- 
sects would do, and this would be sufficiently strik- 
ing to show how much we are indebted to the la 
bors of these birds. But the computation may be 
greatly extended, for many insects have young by 
the hundred ; beside cutting off the existing de 
stroyers, they are prevented from multiplying ; and 
when we consider what myriads of birds there are; 
constantly and efficiently engaged in this service, it 
gives us an impression, beyond the power of calcu 
lation to reach, of the astonishing manner in which | 
the increase of insects is kept down, simply by 
sparing the lives of their natural destroyers ; and 
this, it must be remembered, is the only means of 
preventing their increase and reducing their formida 
ble numbers. No other remedy that man can apply 
will reach the evil; this is the vocation of birds; 
and if, for the sake of removing a small evil, we 


E? 


qe 


sin ileal o 


r: 7 
Birds of Massachusetts. 95 


will not permit then? to live and labor in it, we 
must not complain when the natural consequences 
come. 

This is not mere speculation; we have experi- 
ence to teach us on this subject. Kalm records, 
that after some states had paid three pence a dozen 
for the destruction of blackbirds, the consequence 
was a total loss, in the year 1749, of all the grass 
and grain, by means of insects which had flourished 
under the protection of that law. The example of 
our trees, just alluded to, is also a standing warning ; 
for we see that new ones are adding to their num- 
bers. The maple, perhaps the most valued of our 
ornamental trees, is now marked out for destruction, 
and in spite of all that we can do, will soon be 
entirely lost. 'T'here is nothing to prevent this pro- 
cess from going on; other trees will soon swell the 
list of victims ; und when it is too late, we shall 
lament that we have extended the evil, by protect- 
ing our enemies and persecuting our friends. Every 
cultivator, for his own sake, as well as the public 
good, should endeavor to spread right views on this 
subject, and to show that the wanton extermination 


. of birds, is throwing difficulties in the way of 


horticulture and farming, which no industry, science, 
or skill can overcome. 


The American SvanLING, Sturnus Ludovicianus, 
better known by the name of meadow lark, is a 
beautiful bird, and one of the most welcome messen- 
gers of spring. Wilson thought it far superior to the 
sky lark in sweetness of voice, though not equal to 


96 Mr. Peabody on the 


it in ‘compass and power. By others, its song is 
underrated ; and the truth is that the notes of dif- 
erent individuals vary from each other, some having 
a wiery and lisping voice, while that of others is 
eminently sweet. 

The favorite haunts of this bird are meadows and 
old fields. They can walk easily on trees, but pre- 
fer the ground, where they employ themselves in 
searching for insects and berries, almost always 
associated in companies, though not very near each 
other. If a gun be fired, great numbers will start 
from different parts of the same field. They are al- 
ways gentle and retiring, and never show any dispo- 
sition to encroach upon the orchard or the garden. 
In winter, they resort to the open woods, but in 
the close, deep forests, they are never found. Some 
of them ,are seen with us late in winter; but the 
great body doubtless emigrate to the south, since 
they are found at that season in the Floridas, in 
great numbers, and some retire beyond the limits 
of the Union. 

In the pairing time, these birds select a tuft in the 
field or meadow, and there construct their nest with 


t . LI LI 94, 
coarse grass, with a lining of the same material. 


It is in the form of an oven, and is ingeniously 
concealed by matting together the blades that sur- 
round it. It is also provided with a retired avenue; 
through which only one at a time can enter. The 
eggs are white, blotched, and sprinkled with reddish 
brown. These birds are very kind and friendly to 
each other. While the female sits, the male pro- 


Vides her with food and watches over her retreat. 


Birds of Massachusetts. 97 


When the young are hatched, toward the end of | 


June, they both guard and provide for them with 
affectionate care. The lark has few enemies except- 
ing hawks and snakes and young sportsmen. "The 
farmer brings no charge against him, and even chil- 
dren spare the nest and the young. 


The Batrimore ORIOLE, Icterus Baltimore, is per- 
haps the most splendid of all our summer visiters, 
and is admired, both for the richness of its plumage 
and the full-hearted sweetness of its song. It is 
known by various names; children call it the gold- 
robin; it is often called the hang-bird, from the 
peculiar nest which it suspends from the tree, and 
some give it the poetical name of fire-bird, from its 
glancing through the foliage like a flame of fire. 
Most birds of this family remain in tropical climates, 
where they need an inaccessible nest to secure them 
from serpents, monkeys, and other artful foes, and 
when they come to us, they retain the same habit, 
though exposed to no such dangers. ‘They are not, 
however, without that prophetic instinct which is so 
remarkable in many birds. When they build in the 
south, they make their nest from the light moss, 
which allows the air to pass freely through it, and, 
as if aware of the heat which is to come, complete it 
without a lining ; while in the cool and variable cli- 
mate of New England, they make their nests of soft 
substances, closely woven, with a warm lining, and 
hang it in a place where it shall have tho early heat 
of the sun. í 

VOL. III.—NO. I-III 13 


98 Mr. Peabody on the t, 


The construction of this nest is a singular pro- 
cess of art. The male takes a string, stolen per- 
haps from a window, and with his bill and claws 
ties one end to a drooping twig of an elm or some 
orchard tree. Having secured this, he proceeds to 
fasten the other end, in the same manner, to another 
twig drooping parallel with the former, a few inches 
distant, letting it fall between the two twigs like a 
swing. The female then comes and fastens another 
string so as to cross the former, and to keep the 
twigs in their place as a circular frame-work for 
the nest. Having thus determined its depth and 
circumference, they proceed to weave a coarse cloth, 
with such materials as they can find, forming a 
pouch, impenetrable to the elements, in the bottom 
of which they place the real nest, the whole fabric 
being shaded, by the arbor of leaves above it, from 
the rain and the heat of the sun. They take such 
materials as come to hand ; skeins of silk and thread, 
Which have been missed by housewives, have been 
fornd at last, woven into the baltimore's nest. It is 
difficult to understand how they can do this without 
the aid of mechanic art; but Nuttall observed that 
— one was constantly endeavoring to thrust his 
bill between the closed fingers, in order to fore 
them open ; which helps to explain the mauner in 
Which they open interstices and insert threads in 
the process of weaving. The female lays from four 
to six eggs, of pale brown, dotted, spotted and lined 
with dark brown. A day or two before the young 
are able to leave the nest, they creep in and out, 
and sometimes cling to the outside. After leaving 


* 


Birds of Massachusetts. 99 


it, they are fed and protected by their parents for 
several days. and then driven forth to try their own 
fortunes in the world. 

The motions of this bird are singularly animated 
and graceful. They are often seen clinging by the 
feet, like a rope-dancer, in order to reach some in- 
sect from a branch beneath them. In the spring, 
they feed almost entirely on insects, and it is evi- 
dent, that, numerous and active as they are, their 
services must be of great value. Nor can they be 
accused of doing harm to any extent, natural as it 
would seem for them to claim some reward for their 
labors. They are often charged with plundering 
the pea-vines in the garden; but Dr. Harris has 
shown that they resort to them for the sake of the 
grub of the pea-bug, which they draw out from its 
shelter, and thus protect the vegetable which they 
are said to destroy. But it is not necessary to 
plead the cause of. this universal favorite ; he seems 
to know the esteem in which he is held, and he 
builds as readily in the elm that swings over the 
city street, as on the tree that shades the cottage 
door in the country. 


"The Rrp-wixcep Buackeiro, Icterus pheniceus, 
‘is well known in all parts of Massachusetts, and 
though sometimes mischievous here as well as else- 
where, is not disliked and persecuted, as he is in 
many other states. On the contrary, the pleasant 
associations of spring are awakened by his coming ; 
some of his notes are agreeable to the ear, and his 
bright red wing coverts, contrasted with his glossy 


TUM 
7 | 


i 
100 Mr. Peabody on the E 


black plumage, make him a striking object in the 
meadows where he resides. As soon as these birds 
hear the voice of spring, they set out from the 
southern states for the north, in small flocks, the 
males singing an invitation for the females to follow. 
They often reach us before the snows are gone, and 
are seen laboring to collect worms, grubs and cater- 
pillars, as they walk with a rapid and graceful step 
over the meadows and fields. They often follow the 
ploughman to collect the insects turned up by the 
share, and move with easy confidence, knowing that 
they may trust his good nature then, if at no other 
time. In fact, they seem to know, that they can do 
for us, in the way of exterminating these enemies of 
all vegetation, what nothing else can ; and to take it 
for granted, that man, who is blessed with reason, 
will make some use of it and not deprive himself of 
services which no other creature can render. This 
calculation, like many others made on human wis- 
dom, is often disappointed, and men and hawks com- 
bine to reduce their numbers, but in vain. 

The red-wings build their nests in marshes or wet 
meadows, forming the exterior of coarse dried weeds; 
lined with fine grass or hair, and sometimes secured 
to the ground by such cordage as the place affords. 
The eggs are from four to six, light blue, thinly 
spotted with dusky. In August the young aro ready 
to associate in flocks, and this is the time when they 
are found in such countless numbers, feeding upon 
the corn. Those who make war upon them, resem- 
ble the traveller, who, annoyed by the chirping of | 
grasshoppers, alighted from his horse to put them 


Birds of Massachusetts. 101 


to death. When fired upon, they only remove from 
one part of the field to another; and as for scare- 
crows, they seem to be rather entertained by such 
exhibitions of human skill. 


The Cow Buacxsirp, Icterus pecoris, is never nu- 
merous, like the former, and is so much less inclined 
to the corn-field than to the insects which are found 
in it, that it cannot be regarded as an enemy of man. 
But it is generally detested for other good and suf- 
ficient reasons, that is, if we suppose the bird to be 
a moral agent, and fully acquainted with the enor- 
mity of its own proceedings. Inclined to perpetual 
roving, and having a strong aversion to all domestic 
cares, the cow-bird contrives to escape them by lav- 
ing its eggs in the nests of other birds, making 
them foundling hospitals for its own young. When 
the owner of the nest returns, for the cow-bird takes 
advantage of its absence, and when it finds the stran- 
ger in its premises, it manifests much uneasiness and 
agitation. Sometimes it throws it out, but as small 
birds are the victims on those occasions, it often has 
not strength for the effort. If that is the case, it 
sometimes covers up the egg by making a new 
floor to the nest. If unable to do either, it submits 
patiently to the imposition. The cow-bird's egg is 
always hatched first, and the young cow-bird some- 
times stifles the lawful heirs by its superior size. 


The parent bird, however, feeds it, and treats it with - 


more kindness than could be expected under the 
circumstances ; and the foundling, as if aware of his 
obligation, conducts with decency and respect, mak- 


102 Mr. Peabody on the ; ys 


ing various ineffectual efforts to strike a tune, in ac- 
knowledgment of the kindness of its benefactor. 

These birds are named from their habit of follow-. 
ing cattle, to which they are of service, by catching 
the insects that molest them. They come with the 
spring, and leave us in October, in company with 
their cousins, the red-wings, with which they asso- 
ciate very little while here, perhaps because they 
are remarkable for that philoprogenitiveness in which 
the cow-birds are so shamefully wanting. 


The Rice Bontine, Icterus agripennis, which has 
received its name from the wild-rice, on which it 
feeds, is much better known among us by the name 
of bob-o-link, a word resembling its notes, some of 
which are wonderfully sweet. It is not among the 
pioneers of spring, but whenever it arrives from the 
south, it is warmly welcomed, and gives great ani- 
mation to the meadows by its parti-colored dress, its 
busy chatter, and its queer and lively motions. Here, 
it does very little injury to the grain, though it is 
said to be troublesome in the southern states. On 
the contrary, it is incessantly employed in extermi- 
nating crickets, grasshoppers, and ground-spiders, 
creatures which are especially beholden to those 
who make war on this beautiful bird. But it is 
not nearly so much persecuted in New England 4s 
in other parts of the country, where it is regarded 
as delicious food and sent to the markets in greàt 
numbers. How far to the south they go on their 
return, is not certainly known; it is thought, that 
many of ihem pass the winter in the West 
islands. 


Birds of Massachusetts. | 103 


The nest of the rice-bird is always among the 
grass or grain, and composed of coarse grass, lined 
with that which is finer. The eggs are from four 
to six, white, tinged with blue, and spotted with a 
blackish color. As soon as the young are able to fly, 
they all begin to gather in flocks, the males having 
put off their summer uniform, and wearing the qua- 
ker dress of the females and young. This is the 
time for their depredations, and immense foraging 
parties lay waste the fields of the middle and south- 
ern states. For this purpose they fly by day, 
whereas in their migration eastward, in the spring, 
they fly only by night. 


The Crow BrackBIRD, Quiscalus versicolor, is an 
active and sociable bird, who warns us by his loud 
clanking note, late in the spring, that he is once 
more in our fields and gardens, apparently uncon- 
scious that there can be any objection. He is one 
of those creatures, concerning which it is difficult 
to say whether they are friends or foes; sometimes 
they are the one, sometimes the other, and it is 
only by striking a balance between the service and 
the injury, that we can determine how to regard 
them. That the grakle pulls up corn for the sake 
of the seed, is undeniable; but it is also true that it 
devours immense numbers, of insects, grubs, and 
caterpillars ; perhaps it may be possible to secure his 
services and prevent his depredations ; and farmers 
are how trying to accomplish this object by preparing 
the seed before it is sown, in some solution which 
shall make it less tempting to the crow blackbird. 


104 Mr. Peabody on the 1 


This bird returns from the south early in the 
spring, and large numbers resort together to some 
favorite tree, where they associate with each other 
on the most friendly terms, and keep up a perpetual 
chatter. They build also in communities, sometimes 
in bushes, but most frequently in a large tree. The 
nest is made of mud and coarse grass, with a lining 
of fine grass and horse hair. The eggs are five or 
six, green, blotched with dark olive. As soon as the 
leaves fall, the young set out with their parents, in 
vast collections, on their retuzn to the south, laying 
the country under contribution as they go. No mat- 
ter how much they are fired upon, they think it 
better to be shot than to starve, and all the efforts 
of the farmer cannot drive them from his fields. Au- 
dubon says that the southern farmers soak their seed 
in a solution of Glauber's salts, which is believed to 
make it less palatable to the birds in the spring. 


The Brack Onrorg, Quiscalus baritus, is seldom 
seen in this vicinity, and probably rests here but 
a little while, on its annual migration. One has 
been obtained by Mr. Samuel Cabot, jr. in the neigh- 
borhood of Boston. MP 

^ uu 

The Rusty Gratie, Quiscalus ferrugineus, 38 
much more common than the former, in the western 
part of the state. On their way to the north, they 
are in haste, having an immense distance to travel ; 
on their return, they are more deliberate, and are 
seen in the field in large flocks, keeping company 
with the cattle. Neither this nor the former rears its 
young in this state. 


| 
| 
| 
| 
| 


-~ Birds of Massachusetts. 105 
to ; 


The American Crow, Corvus Americanus, perse- 
cuted as it has been for years, still abounds in Mas- 
sachusetts, as is testified by the scare crows and 
other ornamental devices, that embellish our fields 
in the spring. It is not to be supposed that the 
sagacious crow mistakes for living beings these pro- 
ductions of the statuary's art; but he easily under- 
stands what they are meant for, and makes his dep- 
redations in a less publie manner than he might oth- 
erwise do. His suspicions are always awake, and 
he exerts a caution, which has given rise to the 
imagination that he can smell powder; but this, 
though a common belief, implies a delicacy of sense 
and a knowledge of cause and effect, quite beyond 
the compass even of the crow. His bearing ina 
domesticated state contrasts powerfully with his 
shyness when wild; he becomes familiar and easy, 
talks loudly and incessantly, steals and secretes 
whatever he perceives is valued, opens the door by 
treading on the latch, and plays a great variety of 
tricks, some of them laughable, others very annoy- 
ing. In his wild state, he exerts all this shrewd- 
ness in the work of procuring a subsistence. His 
artis so perfect, that he can, by inserting his bill 
in the egg of the largest bird, carry it away from 
the nest to be eaten at his leisure. In this manner, 
he will bear away, one after another all the eggs 
in the nest of a wild turkey. His cunning does not 
arise from want of courage, for he may sometimes 
be seen chasing a hawk or an eagle, which, pressed 

VOL. II. —NO. I—IL 14 — 1 


106 Mr. Peabody on the 


by numbers, is compelled to sound a retreat. In 
this way he often officiates as a guardian of the 
domestic poultry. ; 

The crow feeds on almost every thing eatable, 
without choice or delicacy in the selection. It de- 
vours fruits, vegetables, and seeds ; snakes, frogs, 
and other reptiles are also to its taste; it does not 
despise worms, grubs, and insects; and if hungry, 
will eat the flesh of animals when so far decayed 
that even an epieure would reject it. Farmers are 
very bitter in their feeling toward the crow, but per- 
haps they would be more moderate in their resent- 
ment at his depredations, if they were aware, that 
the cut-worm. has the benefit of all their efforts to 
destroy the crow. Whether that voracious grub 
will feel any gratitude for this protection, may be 
doubted. 

The crow selects the most retired places for its 
nest, forming itof dry twigs interwoven with grass 
and plastered with mud or clay, with a lining of 
fibrous roots and feathers. The eggs are from four 
to six, of a pale green, spotted and clouded with 
olive or blackish brown. Both the male and female 
Sit, and are remarkable for their attachment to their 
young, as well as to each other. If any nest is ap- 
proached, all the crows in the neighborhood gather 
in crowds and express their disgust at the transac- 
tion. As soon as the young are able to fly, the 
parents introduce them into the community of crows; 
_ and they remain in flocks till the spring. It is need- 
less to say that they spend the winter here. 


_ Birds of Massachusetts. 107 


The Brue Jay, Corvus cristatus, one of the most 
graceful and elegant of all the feathered race, is very 
troublesome to other birds, which he persecutes by 
stealing their eggs, and sometimes by destroying 
their young ; but he can hardly be called a nuisance 
by the farmer, since it is only in winter, that he 
comes into enclosures in search of food, and then he 
takes little, except what has accidentally fallen from 
the corn-house or the barn. In the southern states, 
his depredations are much greater, and the planters 
soak their seed in a solution of arsenic, which proves 
fatal to the robber. These birds are said to abound 
at the south in winter; but if any really migrate 

| from Massachusetts, it must be but a small propor- 
| tion; since, if a handful of corn be anywhere thrown 
upon the snow, it will be very soon surrounded with 
| a busy and animated party ; and, bad as their repu- 
tation is, no one can help admiring their beautiful 
colors and lively motions. It is impossible to deny 
‘that their reputation is deserved. One of them, in 
Charleston, destroyed all the birds in an aviary. A 
flying squirrel was once put into the cage of a blue 
jay for one night, and on the following day, it was 
found killed and partly eaten ; but, savage as he is, 
his courage is not proof; many smaller birds will 
drive him away from their nest; he, therefore, creeps 
toit in their absence, and will thus steal round a 
whole neighborhood daily, to devour the new-laid 
eggs. He sometimes frightens away the smaller 
birds, by imitating the sparrow-hawk's voice. In - 
this power of mimicry he excels ; and when domes- 
ticated, he counterfeits the mendi and voices of the 


Es 


103 Mr. Peabody on the 


household so naturally as often to occasion much 
perplexity and confusion. 

The blue jay breeds generally in the United 
States. Here it makes a coarse nest of twigs and 
fibrous roots, on some forest or orchard tree. "The 
eggs are four or five, of a dull olive, spotted with 
brown. 

The favorite food of the blue jay consists of 
chestnuts, acorns and Indian corn. It always breaks 
the corn; and for this purpose holds it between its 
fect, and hammers it with its bill. But almost every 
thing eatable, even potatoes, sometimes are included 
in its bill of fare, and it should not be omitted, that 
they render service by destroying insects and cater- 
pillars in great numbers. 


The Buacx-cap '"TrrwovsEe, Parus atricapillus, 
is better known by the name of Chicadee, an imi- 
tation of its note in winter, when it is exploring the 
trees in all directions, to find insects and their gr bs 
or eggs, which latter form its favorite food. By their 
labors in this way they are of eminent service, pat 
ticularly in keeping down the numbers of the can- 
ker-worm, a pest which human ingenuity is wholly 
unable to reach. When these are wanting, they 
subsist on various seeds, holding them in the claws, 
and picking them open with the bill. They ofien 
come near houses also, in search of small bits of 
meat, or the crumbs which are swept out at the 
= door. They seem perfectly indifferent to the chang? 
of seasons, moving about gaily in the severest day; 
but they give the spring, when it returns, a Warm 


Birds of Massachusetts. 109 


and grateful welcome ; their plaintive whistle at that 
time, resembling the words phe-be, with rising and 
falling inflections, is one of the sweetest sounds 
which announce the morning of the year. 

The eggs of the chicadee are laid in holes in trees, 
whick they sometimes excavate with their bills, 
without the formality of preparing a nest. They are 
from six to twelve in number, white, with specks of 
brown red. The young, as soon as fledged, resemble 
the parents, and associate with them, in a cheerful 
party, running over trees in all directions, so ne- 
times hanging with the head downward, and leaving 
no crevice unexplored where insects may possibly 
harbor. 


The Hunson’s B:x Tirmovuse, Parus Hudsonicus, 
which has been hitherto u k-own in Massachusetts, 
has been found by S. Eliot Greene, Esq. near his 
house in Brookline. 


-. "The CEDAR BIRD, Bombycilla Carolinensis, is well 
known, o: as some would say, notorious, and not so 
generally welcome as one might suppose, who re- 
garded only the silken delicacy of its plumage, and 
the insatiable appetite with which it gathers cater- 
pillars, beetles and cankerworms from the trees. 
The reason is, that in the season of fruit, they repay 
themselves by eating cherries, pears, and other luxu- 
ries with so much relish and so little discretion, 
that they have been known to gorge themselves 
to death. When they alight upon a tree, they are 
so crowded together that many may be killed by a 
single shot. They immediately spread themselves 


"d 


110 Mr. Peabody on the 


over the branches, picking the fruit faster than 
their mouths will hold it; and not suspending 
their labor for an instant, except to invite other 
flocks that may be passing over, to descend and 
share it with them. 1f the horticulturist, who sees 
the results of his labor disappearing, undertakes to 
prevent it, he only wastes his powder; that some of 
their number are shot, is a matter of unconcern to 
the survivors; he may gratify his revenge, but the 
scene of plunder will go on before his eyes; and he 
can only console himself with the reflection, that, 


in proportion to the appetite with which they de- 


vour his fruit, is the energy, with which, at other 
seasons, they take his part against enemies which he 
himself cannot reach. The truth seems to be, that, 
till fruit becomes more common, as it doubtless will 
be, these depredations will continue to be vexatious 
and discouraging; and the better way will be, to 


accept them as an intimation, to provide enough 
$$. 


for ourselves and the cedar-birds too. 


There are some things curious and unexplained 


in the habits of this bird. They may not unfre- 
quently be seen sitting in a row ; when one who has 
found a favorite morsel, hands it to his next neigh- 
bor, he, instead of eating it, passes it on, and thus 
it goes round, each one declining it with a Parisian 
nod of his tall cap that is perfectly irresistible. 
What this ceremonious display may mean, it is nof 
so easy to tell. They have also a habit, when 
wounded, of remaining still and stiff, as if dead, 
and will suffer a person to take them up in his hand; 
without the least effort to resist or get away. 


Birds of Massachusetts. 111 


They generally build, in the orchard, a carelessly 
constructed nest, of coarse grass lined with fine. 
The eggs are about four, of a purplish white, mark- 
ed with black spots, larger toward the great end. 
The young are fed at first on insects, and after- 
wards on fruit. The parental affection of the old 
birds is not exemplary, since, if the nest is approach- 
ed, their impulse is to take particular care of them- 
selves. Gentleness, however, is the uniform charac- 
teristic of this bird. It comes to us in the begin- 
ning of April, and remains till late, being a north- 
ern bird, and capable of enduring cold. 


The Waxen Cuatrerer, Bombycilla garrula, is 
a bird hitherto supposed to be unknown in Massa- 
chusetts; but I learn from Dr. Brewer, that an indi- 
vidual of this species was pursued in this State by 
the younger Mr. Audubon, who is familiar with 
birds of all descriptions. It must therefore be set 
down as a visiter in our State, though probably 
accidental. 


J— INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. 


The Great Amertcan Surie, Lanius septen- 
trionalis, is commonly called the Butcher bird, from 
its habit of destroying other birds. It pursues them 
with a vigor from which they cannot escape, and 
strikes at them, even when kept in cages and under 
the protection of man. _ There have been many cases 


* 


de x 
12 


1 Mr. Peabody on the 


in which it has thus risked its own life and liberty 
in order to secure its prey. But Wilson was of opin- 
ion, that grasshoppers and other insects were its main 
dependence for food, and that it was only when 
pressed with hunger, that it preyed on other birds. 
Still, it has the habit of imitating the notes of other 
birds, particularly such as indicate anxiety and dis- 
tress, and it does it apparently for the purpose of 
bringing the companions of the supposed sufferers 
within its reach. ! 

All who have paid any attention to this bird, have 
remarked its curious habit of impaling on thorns the 
insects it has caught, and there leaving them to de- 
cay. This practice of gathering what he does not 
want, and keeping it till it can be of no use to him, 
is regarded as an unaccountable mystery in a bird, 
while in man, the same proceeding is considered 
natural and wise. It canhardly be meant as a decoy, 
for, as just stated, it has the power of attracting — 
other birds by false appeals to their sympathy; and - 
does not need to take this trouble. It may some- - 


times be heard sending out these false alarms, and — 


when the poor birds collect, in anxiety to learn what 
the matter is, it darts at one of them, and fills the 
air with the cries of a real victim. =, 
Though the feet of this bird are small, the claws 
are sharp, and can inflict a severe wound. Its flight 
is bold and strong, and on this it depends for secur- 
ing its prey. It is seldom, if ever, seen walking on 
the ground. At the approach of spring, most of them 
leave us, though some are said to pass the summer 


in the forests of New England. 


Birds of Massachusetts. 113 


The Americ Y Grey Sume, Lanius ercubitroi- 
des, is said by Nuttall to be seen in winter in the 
vicinity of Boston. 


The Kiwe-s1RD, Muscicapa tyrannus, is with us 
from the middle of May to September. All this time 
he labors diligently in our gardens, destroying beetles, 
crickets, grasshoppers, and cankerworms, without 
claiming any reward. In fact, he seems to take the 
whole farm under his protection, and if a hawk 
ventures near, he attacks him with so much fury, 
flying over him and plunging on his head and back, 
that the hawk, and even the eagle, is glad to leave 
the field. The only instance in which he is sup- 
posed to do mischief, is in catching the bees as they 
are engaged among the flowers. This, however, is 
not common enough to be a subject of complaint or 
revenge. The king-bird fears no enemy except the 

purple martin, which has the advantage in its supe- 
i - riority of flight ; thus on many occasions, they com- 
bine their forces to repel any intruder upon their 
bounds. 

The king-bird’s nest is constructed of coarse stalks 
of grass, with flakes of wool, tow, or down, woven in 
between, and lined with fibrous roots and horse hair. 
The eggs are from four to six in number, blush-color, 
spotted with brown. They are very affectionate 
| „toward their young. I once observed a pair build- 
| ing on a decaying tree, apparently unaware that all 
| the branches of the tree were dead, except the one 

which contained their nest. When the young were 
VOL. III.—NO. 1.—11. 15 


14 


1 Mr. Peabody on the 


hatehed, the weather became intensely hot, and the 
nest was entirely open to the sun. In order to shield 
their offspring, the old birds stood, by turns, on the 
side, with their wings spread so as to overshadow 
them. The position was evidently constrained and 
painful; they panted with the effort and the heat; 
but they did not grow weary of it till the weather 
relented, and the protection was no longer needed by 
the young. 1f a cat appears in the vicinity of their 
nest, the king-birds attack her so violently that she - 
is glad to retreat, though somewhat ashamed to yield 
to such a little foe. 


The GnaEAT-cRESTED Frrcaronrn, Muscicapa eri- 
nita, is spoken of by Nuttall, as nearly unknown in 
New England. It is probably more common in 
other parts of the State than in the vicinity of Bos- 
ton; though I learn from Dr. Brewer, that Mr. 
Cabot, who is familiar with the bird, has seen it in 


Cambridge. Professor Emmons assures me that it — 
breeds in Berkshire. It is doubtless one of our birds, — — 


but not numerous enough at present to be of much 
importance. It is difficult to say why its reach of 
migration should be less than that of other birds of 
its tribe, which do not equal it in hardihood and 
power of flight, nor can any natural cause be im- 
agined which should prevent its going farther to the 
north than our southern border. Tts food, consisting. 
of insects, grapes, and berries, such as those of th 
poke-weed, can be found any where. It was Lin 
bly some accidental preference in the beginning; 
afterwards continued from habit, which confines this. 
species to the southern parts of New England. 


é d 
i 4 
E d EE d 

UE S P e 


S ana 


| 


a 


Birds of Massachusetts. 115 


The Pewir Fuycatcuer, Muscicapa atra. com- 
monly known by the name of phebe, is a familiar 
and welcome bird; not valued for its beauty or its 
song, in both which respects it is deficient, but held 
in general esteem, because it reposes confidence in 
man. [ts favorite resorts are bridges and barns, and 
similar frequented places. It prefers the vicinity of 
water, but this is not indispensable ; it cares rather 
for a good hunting ground for insects, and as these 
are most abundant in the places just mentioned, the 
phoebe generally selects them. There it sits on some 
roof or post, singing its song, such as it is, occasion- 
ally suspending it to dart after a passing fly. As 
these birds are active and successful in this pursuit, 
the domestic cattle are not a little benefited by their 
labors. 

The phebe returns from its winter quarters in 
the beginning of April At first it resorts to the 
woods, but soon comes into the village to select a 
place for its nest. 1t is remarkable for its local at- 
tachment, and will return to the same place, year 
after year, even when it has been disturbed repeat- 
edly in its possession. It builds under bridges, in 
caves, or the sides of wells, under the eaves of 
buildings, or in barns, making the nest sometimes 
on the top of a beam and sometimes attaching it to 
the side. The eggs are about five, of a pure white. 
As the nest and the young are so little concealed 
from. observation, they are often destroyed by boys, 
taking early lessons in inhumanity, and their parents 
little suspect how much such practices can do to 
brutalize the character and moral feeling. Audubon 


* 


116 Mr. Peabody on the 


gives a very interesting account of a pair, which be- 
came so familiar with his presence, and so well satis- 
fied of his good intentions, that they made no objec- 
tion to his going up to their nest and handling the 
young. He tied threads round the legs of some ; but, 
not having any particular need of garters, they or 
the old ones, always contrived to remove them. He 
then made use of silver thread, which they could not 
displace, and the next year found that some of those 
thus distinguished, had returned to the same spot. 
After an absence of two years, he revisited the spot, 
and found that one of the birds knew him, while 
the other was distrustful and shy. On inquiry, it 
appeared that a boy had killed the female and her 
young, and that the old male had brought home 4 
second wife, who knew nothing of him as a friend 
of the family, while her husband remembered him 
well. Before the country was settled, the phebe, 
no doubt, built its nest on the rocky banks of 
streams; but finding an advantage in acquaintance — — 
with man, it has left its old haunts, when better can 
be found. 


The Otive-sipep Fry-carcueR, Muscicapa Coo- 
perii, is described by Nuttall, who first discovered 
and gave it a name. He says that it is doubtless 
the same with the M. borealis of Richardson, though 
he became acquainted with it before the publication :: 
of the * Northern Zoology." The nest of this bird 

-is said to resemble that of the king-bird, and the E 
eggs, those of the wood pewee. Aud ubon confirms i 
dtm fact that this bird is found in Massachusetts, but 


Lm 
y 


Birds of Massachusetts. 117 


the line of its migration he has not been able to 
ascertain. He considers it as a new comer into the 
country. 


The Woop Prewer, Muscicapa virens, is a very 
common summer bird, and may be regarded as very 
useful, since, though solitary in its tastes and habits, 
and preferring the shelter of the woods, it is very 
often found in orchards and fields. It resorts to the 


most shaded parts, not from any fear or distrust of — 


man, but because, having the power of seeing in the 
obscure twilight, it does not love the glare of day. 
It arrives in Massachusetts in the middle of May, 
and may then be seen perched on low stakes or 
branches, occasionally darting after insects, which it 
secures with a snap of the bill. Its song, heard in 
the dusk of evening, is pleasant, and harmonizes 
with the calmness of the hour. 
The nest of the wood pewee is generally built on 
a horizontal branch, somewhat after the manner of 
the humming bird's, and coated over with moss, so 
as hardly to be distinguishable from the bark. The 
eggs are three or four, of a yellowish white, spotted 
with lilac and brown. In autumn, when the young 
are full grown, the parents bring them into our vil- 
lages, and even our cities, and teach them to pro- 
cure their food. They sweep so near the surface of 
goas, as to snatch the insects floating on the water ; 
etimes they chase them from the top of the 
= est tree. Before the leaves are fallen, they are 
: ‘gone: to their winter home. 


E 


118 Mr. Peabody on the 


The Smat PEewxeEg, Muscicapa Acadica, is a very 
common summer bird, which comes to us from the 
far south, toward the close of April, and returns in 
September. Like the former species, it prefers re- 
tired and shaded places, where it sits quietly on a 
low branch, waiting for insects to come near. When 
they appear, it takes a sweep and secures them, and 
then returns to its station. Its note is sharp and not 
pleasant; but the bird is fearless and familiar, not 
removing from one who passes by, till he comes 
almost within reach. Like all the rest of this tribe, 
itis eminently useful in destroying flies, moths, and 
various other insects, which are troublesome to man 
and beast ; on this account, they all should be treated 
with encouragement and regard. à; 

The nest of the small pewee is sometimes on 
horizontal branches, sometimes in the upright forks 
of a tree. It is composed of dry grass woven with 
wood, down, and other soft materials, cemented 
together with the saliva of the bird. The eggs are 
five, of unspotted white. While the young need 
support and protection, they remain with their pa 
rents; but afterwards, they separate into different 
parties, to migrate to their winter quarters. 


The American Repsrart, Muscicapa ruticilla, is : 
a very beautiful bird. It is not rare, but is seldom TA 


i 
| 


t 


Birds of Massachusetts. 119 


colors; sometimes it starts up to catch an insect 
flying over; then it may be seen balancing itself in 
the air, looking sharply into a bunch of leaves. It 
flies with the mouth open, and its success is known 
by the snapping of its bill. When it tries to seize a 
wasp, the insect presents its sting in so formidable 
a manner, that the redstart dares not catch it, and 
moves after some less dangerous prey. 

In the cold weather in June, 1832, when so many 
birds were found lying dead, in all parts of the coun- 
try, one of these birds came, for several days in suc- 
cession, up tomy study window, and there employed 
himself in catching insects, within a few feet of the 


place where I was writing. He frequently watched 


me, but finding that I did not trouble him, he dis- 
missed his reserve and seemed to be on familiar 
terms. When the weather changed, he disappeared, 
and I never saw one in the same place again. 

The nest is generally on a low bush or tree, and 
appears as if hanging by the twigs. It is composed 
of various materials, fastened together with saliva. 
The eggs are a soft white, sprinkled with yellow- 
ish brown. The parents are anxiously watchful for 
the safety of their young. These birds come to us 
in May, and, at the last of September, retire beyond 
on nes of the Union. 


| B eres Fiycatcuer, Muscicapa mi- 
sa p first discovered by Audubon. Lit- 
t known concerning it, though ornithologists 
E 


ver informs me that it has been fou 


en acquainted with it for a cone Me ‘ 


g 


120 Mr. Peabody on the 


Ipswich, and that he picked up one of them, evi- 
dently just dead, on the step of his door in Brookline. 


The Brue crey Frycarcugn, Muscicapa cerulea, 
which was formerly thought to proceed no farther to 
the north than New York, is, I am told by the same 
gentleman, found in Massachusetts, and as far as the 
Canada line. Professor Emmons tells me that in 
Berkshire, the preceding species is common, but 
that he has never met with this. 


T'RAILUs Fiycarcuer, Muscicapa Traillii, a bird 
discovered by Audubon, and named by him in com- 
pliment to Dr. Traill of Liverpool, is also found in 
our State. A specimen was obtained by Mr. Samuel 
Cabot, Jr. in the neighborhood of Boston. ' It has. 
probably been seen and mistaken for the small pe- 
wee, which it so much resembles, that some orni- 
thologists regard them as the same. The difference 
in the size and markings is trifling; but the tail, 
which in the former is even, is slightly emarginate 
in this. Nuttall, however, describes the tail of M. 
Acadica as decidedly emarginate, and not, as Audu- 
bon says, even, and slightly rounded. 


The Green sLAck-caP Fiycatcuer, Muscicapa 
Wilsonii, is enumerated among the birds of Massa- - 
chusetts, on the authority of Audubon. It is very — 
rare in this State, though common enough in Maw 

P 
The Canapa Frycarcuer, Muscicapa Canadew 
sis, which, like the preceding, is often classed a) 


| 
| 
l 


Birds of Massachusetts. 121 


L 
the warblers, is not now uncommon in this State, 
however it may have been in former years. 


The Yzrrow-sREAsTED Icrerta, Icteria viridis, 
certainly makes occasional visits here, though it is 
generally described as not passing the bounds of our 
adjoining states. Professor Emmons assures me that 
he has found it in Berkshire. Their ordinary migra- 
tion does not extend so far, but in the middle states 
they abound. 


The YzrrLow-rHRoarED Vireo, Vireo flavifrons, 
is one of a beautiful family of singers, some of which 
are quite familiar, and highly valued for the sweet- 
ness of their song. This is not the most musical 
of their number, but its note is pleasant, resembling 
that of the red-eye. It prefers the solitude of the 
forest to the society of man, and there employs itself 
in exploring the branches of the largest trees, in 
search of its insect food; passing over each with 
short hops, examining every leaf and bud, in order 
to be sure that nothing is left undetected. There it 
may be found from May to September, when it 
retreats to the warmest parts of America. 

Its nest, like that of other vireos, is suspended 
from the branch of a tree, being attached to the 
twigs with slender strings, mixed with the threads 


$ of _Caterpillars and fine blades of grass, cemented 


ith the. saliva of the bird. 'The whole is covered 
Breen moss, attached by threads of silk, and 
resembles the foliage in color so much as to deceive, 
VOL. L. n. —No. il. 16 =, 

m MS 


F1 2d d 


122 Mr. Peabody on the 


or rather to elude the eye. The eggs, four or five in 
number, are white, spotted with black, When the 
young are hatched, it conducts them into orchards 
and gardens, in search of berries for food. 


The Wuirte-ryrep Virgo, Vireo Noveboracensis, 
comes to us in April, and passes the summer in our 
State, where it appears to be much more abundant 
than the former, because it is more retired. Its song 
and its motions are energetic and animated ; it passes 
from twig to twig in quick Succession, glancing Up 
and down so quickly, that nothing can escape it, 
sometimes swallowing an insect, then stopping t0 
drink a dew-drop that hangs upon the leaves. Its 
song is spirited and emphatie, with considerable Và- 
riety of expression, and more powerful than could be 
expected from so smalla bird, This bird suspends 
its nest, like the former, but not high in the air; it 
is generally hung from the branch of a brier of à 
vine, and composed of bits of hornets’ nests, news 
papers, or grass woven in with twigs, with a lining 
of root-fibres. The eggs are four or five, white, 
with a few brown spots tOward the larger end. 
any one approaches the nest, the Vireo scolds with 
great heat and passion, At other times, it seems 
quite indifferent to his presence, and looks at him 
with perfect composure, at the distance of a few feet. 


The WansLiNG Vireo, Vireo gilvus, is a charming 
singer, and so unwearied in its various and anim 
warble, that it is one of the chief attractions of 8 
summer day. Its notes, So mellow and flowi?S . 


Birds of Massachusetts. 123 


cannot be mistaken for those of any other bird; nei- 
ther is any one who hears it at a loss to trace it to 
the performer, who never retires to the forest, and 
seems to delight in the society of man. At the same 
time his note is unambitious, and gives the listener 
the impression that it was not intended to be heard, 
but was simply an unconscious outpouring of the 
harmony and happiness of his breast. In this unpre- 
tending manner, he differs from most other birds of 
Sweet note, which appear as if fully aware of their 
powers, and desirous to display them. 

The nest of the warbler is suspended high in the 
air, formed of blades of grass disposed in a circular 
form, with bits of hornets’ nests, corn husks, or old 
apple blossoms, inserted between, and kept in place 
by threads of caterpillars’ silk ; the lining is of fine 
grass, pressed into the proper form with great care. 
The eggs are four or five, white, spotted with reddish 
black at the larger end. These birds remain with us 
from May to October, when they leave us reluctantly 
for the tropical regions. They are not, like the red- 
eye, seen in Florida in the winter. 


The Rep-ryep Vireo, Vireo olivaceus, is, perhaps, 
more common than the former; not equal to the 
warbler in its song, which is rather broken and in- 
terrupted, than easy and flowing ; but, nevertheless, 
. ls expressive and sweet, resembling that of the robin, 
though not so clear and strong. From May to 
August it sings all day, without ceasing, never op- 
_ Pressed by the severest heat ; at every short suspen- 
Sion of its song, it moves up and down the branches, 


124 -~ Mr. Peabody on the 


searching every bud and blossom, and peeping under i 
the leaves. The cloudy weather, which is so de- 
pressing to most birds, has no effect upon the red- 
eye; he sings as cheerfully in the dark afternoon as 
in the brightness of the rising sun, seeming to hold 
a perpetual festival, and quenching his thirst with 
the drops of dew. 

The nest of the red-eye is suspended at various 
elevations, but never so high above the ground as 
that of the warbler. It is more particular in lining it 
than in building. The materials of the nest are mis- 
cellaneous ; the lining is of fibrous roots, pine leaves, 
and strings of the bark of vines, disposed in beautiful 
order. Init are three or four eggs, white, with spots 
of brown at the larger end. The red-eye is an at- 
tentive parent, and, for this reason perhaps, the 
cow-bird often chooses it as the nurse of its young: 
The eyes of the young birds are brown, and do not 
become red till the following spring. A species al- 
luded to in Audubon's description of the red-eye, as 
resembling it, but quite distinct, and which he prom- 
ises to describe in his fourth volume, is, as Dt 
Brewer informs me, sometimes seen in our State. 


The Mocxine-z1rv, Turdus polyglottus, is rarely 
seen in Massachusetts. The brown thrush is some- 
times mistaken for it by careless observers, and that 
fine bird, though not an imitator, at least to any great 
extent, has a depth, sweetness and variety of song, 
which even the far-famed mocking-bird cannot eX 
ceed 


SS ee 


ha 


. Birds of Massachusetts. 125 


The Brown Tarussa or Turasuer, Turdus ru- 
fus, must be regarded as the finest of our singing 
birds. It is also very common, though not as famil- 
iar as some others. From the time of its arrival, 
about the first of May, it may be seen, on the high 
twig of some tall tree, pouring out its soul in a full . 
and flowing strain, not changeful and capricious, like 
that of the mocking-bird, but uniformly eloquent and 
sweet. It may be fancy, but the song seems more 
in harmony with the season than any other, and 
more resembling what we imagine of the voice of 
spring. 

In point of strength and intelligence, the brown 
thrasher is superior to all the birds of its class. It 
bids defiance to large and powerful birds of prey ; if 
a cat or a dog come near its nest, it attacks and 
chases him away ; and the snakes which are tempt- 
ed to rifle its nest, which is generally on or near the 
ground, are beaten in such a manner that they are 
glad to make an early retreat. These birds have 
many contests among themselves, but if the least 
alarm is given, they suspend hostilities at once, and 
join in hearty alliance against the common foe. As 
to its intelligence, it appears at once in those which 


are domesticated. Mr. Bartram observed that one 


which he reared from the nest, if he found that 
crusts of bread, which were given him as food, were 
too rough for him to swallow, would take them to 
his water-dish and soak them. He was also fond of 
Wasps, but before he swallowed them, would exam- 
ine to see if they had a sting; and if so, would 
carefully remove the poison before he ventured to 


126 Mr. Peabody on the 


eat them. The food of the brown thrasher consists 
of insects, worms, berries, and fruits of all descrip- 
tions. ‘They are sometimes accused of pulling up 
the new corn, but this is so seldom done, that it is 
doubtless accidental, and the grub, instead of the 
corn, is the object which it aims to secure. 

The nest is built on the ground, or a few feet 
above it, with small twigs and dry leaves, strips of 
bark and root fibres. The eggs are of a buff color. 
thickly sprinkled with dots of brown. Both the 
male and female sit, but the time of the former is 
very much occupied in keeping guard against the 
approach of enemies, which he resists, if it is possi- 
ble, and if not, attempts to soften to compassion by 
his plaintive cries. If any one plunders the nest, 
both parents follow him with alternate imprecations 
and appeals to his feeling. After the breeding sea- 
son, they are generally silent, and are found in gar- 
dens in great numbers, where they employ them- 
selves till October, when they retreat to the southern 
states. 


The Caremo, Turdus felivor, is strangely perse- 
cuted, though he deserves good treatment on account 
of his services, which are great ; and also on account 
of his song, which is fine and sweet when he feels 
secure; but this is not often; for he seems fully 
aware that a bad name has been given him ; and his 
catlike mew is an expression of his anxious fears. 
Beside his own wild snatches of melody, he gives 
many broken imitations of other birds, but never 
seems sufliciently easy in his mind to finish the 


VIT * 
NS 
S54 95. 

* 


Birds of Massachusetts. 127 


strain he has begun. Latham says, that in a do- 
mesticated state, the catbird has been taught to 
imitate the strains of instrumental music ; and that 
he will counterfeit the cry of young chickens iu 
distress, so as completely to deceive the parent hen. 
His attempts to mock the notes of other birds can be 
easily detected in listening to his song, and blended 
in with his own original strains, form an anthem so 
singular, that no one who has the least portion of 
taste or fancy, can hear it without delight. 

The catbird remains with us from May to October, 
constantly employed in picking off wasps, worms, 
grubs, and various insects, and, at the season of 
fruit, it ventures to claim some little reward for its 
labors; not so much however, as would have been 
consumed by the wasps alone, which it has de- 
stroyed. It seems surprising, considering how they 
are treated, and how sensitive they appear to be, 
that they have not long ago deserted us. But the 
nervous anxiety which they betray in their voice 
and motions, is not really owing to anxiety for them- 
selves, so much as to aífection for their young. 
They are quite discriminating in their apprehen- 
sions ; the sight of a dog does not disturb them, but 
a cat throws them into a fever of dread; and while 
they are wretched the moment an idle boy enters 
the garden, they will permit some men to handle 
the eggs in their nest. 

The nest is in a-bush or a vine, composed of 
twigs, strips of bark, old grass and dry leaves, with 
a lining of root fibres. ‘The eggs are four or five, 
of a deep green. It is not easy to make them give 


128 Mr. Peabody oni the 


up their nest ; if it is carried away, they will follow 

it, and retake possession as if nothing had happened. 

In eases where the young of other birds have been 

put into their nests, the female has thrown them out ` 
to make room for her own ; but the male, observing 

their distress, has taken compassion on the orphans, 

and fed them as his own. Surely, this is not a 

creature at which it is wise for man to cast the 

first, nor indeed to cast any stone. 


The American Rosin, Turdus migratorius, is not 
the earliest, but is certainly the most welcome mes- 
senger of spring; and the confidence which he 
places in us is seldom disappointed, except by boys 
taking their first lessons in cruelty, in which they 
afterwards become masters. His note is hearty and 
joyous, sometimes very musical, but always associ- 
ated with spring-blossoms and early fruit so insepa- 
rably, that his song reminds every one of something 
which he loves to remember. His familiarity is his 
greatest charm ; and he often disarms bad intentions, 
by alighting near us with a look and manner which 
seem to say, that, bad as men are, he does not think 
they mean to injure him. He is greatly respected by 
children on account of the name which he bears; 
they mistake him for the redbreast, which is said 
to have displayed so much humanity to the children 
in the wood; but, though our robin is not often 
called to such benevolent exertions, there is nO 
doubt, that in any similar case of distress, it would 
show itself as kind and thoughtful as the other. 

The robin well deserves the name of migratory; 


| 
i 
i 


P" 


Birds of Massachusetts. 129 


though some remain with us in ordinary winters, 
retreating from the cold into the depth of evergreen 
woods. 'lhey spread themselves over the whole 
continent; they are found in all the fur countries, 
and almost all places where man has ever been. 
They are never stationary, except when rearing their 
young ; for we sometimes find that in the summer, 
_ they will leave a place where they have abounded, 
“and for days together not one of them can be found. 
Their movements are irregular, depending probably 
on the supply of food which they find in different 
parts of the country. They migrate in large flocks, 
flying high and far without resting ; sometimes, if 
the weather is fine, they continue their course by 
night. 

The nest of the robin is found in various situ- 
ations, most commonly in an orchard tree. It is 
composed ‘of dry leaves, grass and moss, connected 
together by mud; the lining is of fine grass, some- 
times in part of feathers. The eggs are from four 
to six, of bluish green. It is not necessary to be 
particular in these matters, the nests being almost 
always made near human dwellings, and often with- - 
in the reach of man. It is supposed that it chooses 
these resorts in order to escape from the cuckoo, 
which sucks its eggs wherever it dares venture ; 
but the robin soon forms a strong local attachment, 
and often returns in successive years, not only to 
the same spot, but the same nest which it has occu- 
pied before. One has been known to build in the 
stern timbers of an unfinished vessel in New Hamp- 

VOL. IIL— NO. I—II, 17 


130 Mr. Peabody on the 


shire. They are very affectionate to their young, 
and if an accident happens to one of them, the 
whole neighborhood of robins is in alarm. 

The robin is easily domesticated, and soon be- 
comes very fond of its owner. It shows a taste 
and talent for imitation also, which does not appear 
in its wild state. It will not only mock the notes 
of other birds, but will imitate tunes which it has 
often heard. In this state it has been known to 
live for nearly twenty years. 


The Woon 'Tunusu, Turdus mustelinus, is à 
retiring bird, but not so solitary as it is sometimes 
represented. Tt is most partial to shaded glens, where 
it sings toward the close of day. Its note is very 
remarkable ; with notes of no great variety, but clear, 
flowing and silvery as a sweet-toned bell; of all the 
voices of summer there is none so thrilling, particu- 
larly when heard as the shades of night are falling, 
and in scenes of deep repose. Each bird seems to 
have some favorite resort of his own. It is gener- 
ally in some deep hollow, overhung by large trees 
festooned with vines, where the sunbeams at mid- 
day can hardly reach the ground. Here it delights 
to sing ; and no one can hear it without having his 
mind calmed by the spirit-like melody, and the har- 
monious quiet of the scene. 

This bird is a constant resident in Louisiana, but 
whether, or how far it goes beyond the limits of the 
United States, is not known. It comes to us in 
April, performing its migrations in the woods, and 
seldom appearing in the open country. Its nest is 


Birds of Massachusetts. 131 


built in shrubs or low trees, saddled on the branch, 
and composed of grass and leaves held together by 
mud, with a lining of root-fibres. The eggs, four 
or five in number, are of a greenish blue. The 
young come out from retirement into gardens, and 
are even known to visit the outskirts of the city. 
They are easily raised in confinement, and sing 
nearly as well as when free. 

-On alighting on a branch, the wood thrush gives 
its tail a jerk two or three times with a peculiar 
chuckle. It walks and hops on the branches, occa- 
sionally bending down to look round it. It often de- 
scends to the ground, and scratches in search of 
worms and beetles, but the least alarm sends it back 
to the tree. It never commits depredations of any 
kind whatever. These birds are never seen in 
flocks ; they pair in the breeding season, but at all 
other times are found single and apart from each 
other. They do not leave New England till quite 
late in the fall. 


The Hermit Tarussa, Turdus minor, is described 
by Audubon and Wilson as destitute of song, while 
Nuttall represents it as hardly inferior to the nightin- 
gale in the power and sweetness of its voice. There 
are some other points of difference in their several 
descriptions. Audubon says that the bill is dark 
brown, yellowish toward the base of the lower man- 
dible. Nuttall says that it is black above and flesh 
colored below. Audubon says that the tail is even, 
while Wilson and Nuttall speak of it as forked. 
These and some other discrepancies I am unable to 


132 Mr. Peabody on the 


reconcile, from want of acquaintance with the bird. 
Nuttall however sets it down as passing the summer 
in our woods. 


Wirsow's Turussa, Turdus Wilsonii, is described 
by Nuttall as a common bird, resembling the wood 
thrush in its voice and song. He describes its nest 
as usually made in a low bush, not much above the 
ground, and depending for security on its resem- 
blance to the foliage where it is built. No earth is 
employed in its construction. The eggs are four or 
five, of an emerald green. This and the preceding 
species are not yet sufficiently known. 


The New Yonx Turvusn, Turdus Noveboracensis, 
which, according to Nuttall, hardly ever comes here 
except in autumn, arrives, as Dr. Brewer assures Ine, 
in the spring, and rears its young in our State. Its 
nest and eggs have been found in Roxbury. 


The GorpEN-cRowwEp 'Tunusu, Turdus auroca- 
pillus, is a very timid and retiring bird, which re- 
mains with us from May till September. It is not 
distinguished by any power of song, though it has 4 
succession of simple notes which sound pleasantly, 
In its quiet and solitary home. It sits and runs 0n 
the ground like the lark, and the moment it is dis- 
covered, eseapes from observation in the deepest 
shade of the woods. d 

This bird is better known by its curious nest than 
by its aspect or its song. It is built on the ground, 
among dry leaves or decayed moss. It is neatly co- 


Birds of Mussachusetts. 133 


structed with grass, inside and out, and is arched 
over with a large patch of the same material, over- 
spread with twigs and leaves, so as to resemble the 
rest of the ground. An entrance is left at the side, 
which is generally toward the sun. The eggs, from 
four to six in number, are white, spotted with brown 
toward the larger end. If the female be discovered 
on her nest, she creeps swiftly and silently away. 
If she sees the intruder looking for the nest, she 
flutters, pretends lameness, and generally succeeds in 
drawing off his attention; but she suffers much from 
snakes and other animals, which are not easily 
deceived, and cannot be resisted. These birds live 
on insects, particularly such as they find upon the 
ground. 


The Yretiow-crownep WARBLER, Sylvia corona- 
ta, sometimes called the myrtle bird, is quite com- 
mon here for two or three weeks in May, and after 
an absence of more than three months, it reappears 
on its way to its winter home. While here, they 
are very social among themselves, and come fear- 
lessly about our houses, entirely unsuspicious of 
danger, collecting the insects on which they feed. 
They breed in the northern regions. In autumn, 
they return with a less brilliant dress than in spring, 
which may be either a decided change in plumage, 
or possibly only the result of wear and travel. 'T'heir 
song, as well as some of their habits, bears a strong 
resemblance to that of the summer yellow-bird. 
Audubon found the young in Labrador ; but the only 
nest he has ever seen, was presented to him in Nova 


134 Mr. Peabody on the 


Scotia. It is very much like that of the bird just 
mentioned, lined with thistle-down, hair, and feath- 
ers, and containing four rose-colored eggs, dotted 
with reddish brown, around, but not upon, the larger 
end. 


The Yettow Reprotr WansLEn, Sylvia pete- 
chia, comes to us, like the former, after passing the 
winter in the southern states.. Here it is a rare spe- 
cies. Audubon found the birds abundant at Labra- 
dor, but sought for their nests in vain. 


The Summer Yetiow-sirv, Sylvia aestiva, is a 
beautiful summer resident, and a favorite in all parts 
of New England. Its delicious warble, though it 
has no great variety, is one of the sweetest sounds 
heard at the window on a summer day. They prob- 
ably spend the winter beyond the limits of the Union. 
Early in May they return, and are seen in all direc- 
tions, darting through the foliage in search of insects, 
their golden yellow dress richly contrasted with the 
fresh and tender green. The male comes a little 
earlier than the female, as if to explore the way: 
They soon begin to construct their nest, which is 
generally near our dwellings, and sometimes within 
reach. They make use of hemp, flax, and cotton, 
Soft grass, and hair; but they are not particular in 
their chcice of materials. The eggs are four or five; 
of a dull white, speckled with brown toward the 
larger end. This bird is very much annoyed by the 
cow-bird. Sometimes, when it finds the strange egg: 
it buries it by making a new lining to its nest; but 


Birds of Massachusetts. 135 


if this be impracticable, it feeds and protects the 
foundling with as much kindness as its own young. 
In its migrations, this little bird travels by night. 


The 'Srorre» WansLEn, Sylvia maculosa, is a 
beautiful bird, which passes through the State in 
May, on its way to the north, where it rears its young. 
Here they are always rare; but in Maine they are 
sometimes exceedingly common, being detained 
there, waiting till the season is sufficiently advanced 
to permit them to go farther. This bird excels in 
song as well as in beauty of plumage ; its motions are 
graceful, and, when on the ground, it holds its wings 
drooping, as if to display their markings to advan- 
tage. They pass but a few days with us, and, on 
their return, do not visit us ; they probably, in return- 
ing, avoid the coast, and make their way along the 
course of the great western rivers. 


The Brack-rHRoATED Green WARBLER, Sylvia 
virens, is not common in Massachusetts. It comes 
from the south in May, and may be seen searching 
the blossoms of the apple tree for food, so intent upon 
its employment as to pay no regard to the presence 
of any observer. Sometimes the chipping-sparrow, 
delighted to find a bird weaker than itself, puts on 
airs of state, and orders the little warbler away from 
the tree. A few spend the summer in the northern 
states. Their nests are not easily discovered, but 
Nuttall met with one in a juniper, on the Blue Hills 
in Milton. It was made with strips of bark, horse- 
hair, and feathers, and contained four eggs, inclining 


x 


136 Mr. Peabody on the 


to flesh-color, dotted with purple together with large 
spots of brown. There was no other nest of the 
kind near it, These birds are seen roving in the 
forests, on their way to the south, in October. 


The Buacxpurnian WanBLER, Sylvia Blackbur- 
niae, is sometimes seen in this State, and, whenever 
it appears, its elegant colors attract attention. In 
the list furnished me by Dr. Brewer, it is marked as 
breeding in this State. Its nest, however, is not often 
seen. Audubon received one from Professor Mac- 
Culloch, of Nova Scotia; it was composed exter- 
nally of different textures, and lined with silky fibres 
and thin delicate strips of fine bark, over which lay 
a thick bed of feathers and horsehair. The eggs 
were white, with red spots toward the larger end. 
It was found in a small fork of a tree near a brook, 
five or six feet from the ground. It is seldom that 
this bird appears here, except in May and Septem- 
ber, on its annual migration and return. 


The ORANGE-THROATED WARBLER, Sylvia auricol- 
lis, is another rare and transient species, which makes 
us a passing call, on its way to Canada. 


The Cuestnut-sipep Warsier, Sylvia icteroce 
phala, passes through this State on its way to t 
north. In 1837, they were quite common near Con- 
necticut river. Audubon professed himself ignorant 
of their breeding places; but Mr. James Eliot Cabot 
has succeeded in finding a nest in Brookline, in 0% 
State. 


e 


er 
Birds of Massachusetts. 137 


The Bay-sreastep WazsLER, Sylvia castanea, 
comes to us about the middle of May, and remains 
a few days. In its appearance and manners it 
Strongly resembles the preceding. While here, it is 
busily engaged in searching for insects, along the 
hedges and in the highest trees. Where it goes 
when it leaves us, is not yet distinctly known. 
Audubon says that he has often seen them in Loui- 
siana, in the month of June, which would indicate, 
that, unlike the warblers in general, they remain and 
breed in the southern states. But if it is so, their 
nest has not yet been found. 


The Buack-pote WansLEn, Sylvia striata, is not 
uncommon in the latter part of May, when it is seen 
in the orchards in pursuit of cankerworms and other 
food. Its note is a low clinking sound, that can 
hardly be called a song. Audubon was fortunate 
enough to find its nest at Labrador. It was built on 
a fir tree, about three feet from the ground. There is 
something curious in the manner in which this and 
other warblers, in their migration, skip over some 
parts of the country. 


The Pine Warster, Sylvia pinus, is a summer 
resident in the State, but not much known, because 
it resides in deep, evergreen forests, where it explores 
the bark and buds of trees in search of the insects : 
which infest them. Nuttall describes a nest of this 
species, which he found at Mount Auburn, on á tree, 
forty feet above the ground. The eggs were white, 

VOL. III.—NO. I-II. 18 


oe 
i 


23 
138 Mr. Peabody on the 


with a very pale tinge of green, and thickly sprinkled 
with pale brown. In summer, their food consists 
of insects, and their eggs and larvae; in autumn, 
when the young accompany their parents, they come 
into gardens and groves. One which Nuttall domes- 
ticated, fed on flies and worms that were offered 
him, without the least timidity; and was so tame 
and familiar as to be in danger of being trodden un- 
der feet. 


The Avrumyan WanmeLER, Sylvia autumnalis, is 
not at present known to rear its young in Massachu- 
setts, but it cannot go far for that purpose, since it 
is found in our forests, attended with its family, as 
early as the month of July. Early in the season; 
they are seen darting through the woods in search 
of flies. One which Nuttall obtained, by its flying 
in at an open window, soon pursued the house-flies, 
as if nothing had happened, and became so sociable 
that it would eat from his hand. In the autumn, it 
may be seen turning over the fallen leaves, or search- 
ing the chinks of fences and the rough bark of trees. 
Its nest has been found in Pennsylvania, and also 
near Lake Champlain. 


The HrzwLock Warsuer, Sylvia parus, differs $0 
little from the pine, that Nuttall is inclined to regard 
. them as the same species; but Audubon, who pro 
cured many specimens, together with a nest and 
young, pronounces them distinct, and it is on his 
high authority that this is set down among the birds 
of our State. : 


EH " - 
T 
ix T 


, 


" $ 
— 


Birds of Massachusetts. 139 


The Prae WansrER, Sylvia discolor, is a small 
and quiet, but fearless bird, which comes to us about 
the middle of May. Nuttall found one of their nests 
at Mount Auburn, in a low barberry bush, formed 
very much like the nest of the yellow-bird. The 
proprietor eyed him with much curiosity, but with- 
out any appearance of fear, and when he approached 
the nest, the female kept her station. There is con- 
siderable difference in the accounts given by him 
and Audubon, of the nest and the song of this bird. 
The latter describes the nest as covered with li- 
chens, like that of the humming-bird. The one 
found at Mount Auburn did not answer at all to his 
description. 


The Panri-coLonED WARBLER, Sylvia Americana, 
is not common, but several specimens have been ob- 
tained by Mr. Samuel Cabot, Jr., and as its song has 
been heard here as late as the close of May, there 
seems reason to believe that it sometimes breeds in 
the State. It comes in May and returns in October, 
on its way to its winter home in the West Indies. 
Few of the warblers are more beautiful than this. 


The Brack-rHRoATED BLUE WARBLER, Sylvia 
Canadensis, is a wayfaring and unfrequent visiter, 
which appears in April, on its way to the north, 
and returns late in the fall. It is not known where 
it rears its young. Its winter quarters are in the 
West Indian Islands. The Pine Swamp Warbler, 
Sylvia sphagnosa, is now believed to be the young 
of this species. 


way 
uos 


* 
140 Mr. Peabody on the 


The ManyxLAND Yrrrow-rHnoaT, Sylvia trichas,. 
is one of our most common birds, found among the 
alders of almost every brook, from the beginning of 
May till the leaves fall. It is quiet, humble, and 
never ambitious to be seen ; still it shows no distrust 
nor fear of those who visit its retreats in shady hol- 
lows, except when they go so near the nest as to 
create apprehensions for its young. Its song is 
simple, pleasant, and suited to the places where it 
resides. 

These birds commence building their nest in May. 
It is in thickets, on or near the ground, among dry 
leaves, brush or withered grass, which may protect 
it from observation. It is made of dry sedge grass 
and leaves, with a lining of fine bent grass. The 
eggs are about five, of a soft white, with specks, 
blotches, and sometimes lines of brown, chiefly 
toward the larger end. At the close of July the male 
ceases to sing, and the old and young rove about in 
parties till the season warns them to depart. 


The Movrnine Warster, Sylvia Philadelphia; 
is a rare species, but Dr. Brewer assures me that he 
has seen it here in summer. Very little is known 
of its habits, and I believe, nothing whatever of its 
nest. Sylvia agilis is now believed to be the yours 
of this bird. Prince Bonaparte believed that the 
mourning warbler would turn out to be an accidental 
variety of the species just described. It is said, how” 
ever, to be quite different in its song. 


The WinLow Wren, Sylvia trochilus, is the same 


» ET 


EM 
Birds of Massachusetts. 141 


which, in England, is called the hay-bird. Nuttall 
says that it visits us in October, when it feeds on 
flies and other insects, and often is seen rising with 
a low and pleasant song from the tops of trees. It 
is named from its attachment to the willow. 


The Worm-catinc WansLEn, Sylvia vermivora, 
arrives from the south late in the spring, and retreats 
early, before the northern storms. It was not known 
to breed in this State till a nest was discovered in 
Cambridge by Mr. Rotch, who gave a specimen of 
the eges to Dr. Brewer. That gentleman, it is to 
be hoped, will hereafter find time to supply the de- 
fect of information on this part of the subject, to 
which very little attention has been paid. 


The Gotpen-wincep WARBLER, Sylvia chrysop- 
tera, which Nuttall thought was never seen in this 
State, is ascertained to be one of our visiters by Mr. 
James Eliot Cabot, who shot one of them in Cam- 
bridge. 


The NasnviuuLe WansLEn, Sylvia rubricapilla, is 
placed among our birds by Mr. Samuel Cabot, Jr., 
who obtained a specimen in Brookline. Audubon 
states that three or four, found in Louisiana and Ken- 
tucky, are all that he ever saw. 


Swainson’s Warsier, Sylvia Swainsonii, has 
been found by Mr. Cabot, within the limits of our 
State. 


The Oraner-cotorep Warsier, Sylvia celata, 
probably passes through the State on its way to the 


* 


142 Mr. Peabody on the 


eastern parts of Maine and the British Provinces, 
where it builds and rears its young; but it is not 
ascertained that any one has yet been discovered here. 


Roscor’s Yetiow-rHroat, Sylvia Roscoe, so much 
resembles the Maryland Yellow-throat, that Audu- 
bon, the discoverer, at first thought it only an acci- 
dental variety of that species. Nuttall says that it 
is seen in Massachusetts at the close of summer, and 
his impression is that it breeds here. 


Before leaving the subject of warblers, I may be 
permitted to say how much we are under obligation 
to them; not asa plea in their behalf, since their 
diminutive size protects them. They are too small 
to be valued for food, or to afford the requisite de- 
gree of excitement to the sportsman. We are told 
by travellers, that the scenery of Spain seems life- 
less and heavy, from the want of singing birds ; 
ours, on the contrary, is animated with the voices 
and lighted up with the plumage of these little 
birds, most of which are as beautiful in colors as they 
are sweet in their song. From a circumstance men- 
tioned by Audubon, one can easily estimate the im- 
portance of their services. He says that he found 
more than fifty insects in the crops of only two 0 
them. Millions remain in the United States through- 
out the summer, and those which pass through the 
country, arrive precisely at the season when insects 
are springing into life and action ; so that the visit of 
two or three weeks, which they make with us at 
that time, is as valuable to us as ten times the same 
amount of labor at any other part of the year. 


P. B 
i . 


Birds of Massachusetts. 143 


The Rusy-crownep Wren, Regulus .calendulus, 
is a beautiful little bird, often seen here late in the 
autumn, on its return from the northern regions. 
How far they go, and what are their habits at that 
season, no one has yet been able to inform us. Au- 
dubon had no doubt of its breeding in Labrador, but 
he did not succeed in finding its nest, neither has 
it been found by any of the arctic expeditions. 
Wilson met with them in Pennsylvania, in the 
summer, but they are not seen in Massachusetts till 
the autumn, when they associate with the titmouse, 
and move round in busy silence, wholly intent on 
the work of gathering food. At the north, their 
song is equal to that of the canary, in richness, 
variety and power. They are not uncommon in the 
western parts of the State. 


The Frery-crownep Wren, Regulus tricolor, has 
been obtained by Dr. Brewer, in the vicinity of 
Boston. It rears its young in Labrador, and is seen 
here on its return in October, when it collects its 
food, consisting of the larve and eggs of insects, 
without regarding the presence of any observer. It 
is said, that on striking the branch on which they 
are perched, these little birds will fall dead, as the 
Canada jays are often killed by their enemies, the 
hunters. 


The Hovuse-Wren, Troglodytes aedon, is a sum- 
mer resident in the State. It is a spirited, restless, 
wayward little bird, which treats the human race 
with great familiarity. It seems to expect that 


144 Mr. Peabody on the 


lodgings shall be provided for it; but if this is 
not done, it will build under the eaves of houses or 
in barns. Nothing in the vicinity of human dwell- 
ings troubles it but the appearance of a cat, which 
throws it into a vociferous passion, which does not 
subside till the hated enemy retires. It remains 
with us from April to September, and adds much 
to the attractions of summer by its animated and 
often brilliant song, which, like that of the vireos, is 
heard in the heat of day, when other birds are at 
rest. It has many quarrels with other birds, and, 
small as it is, maintains its rights, and perhaps 
something more. In the war of words it has no 
equal; and some other birds seem as if they gave 
up to it, not from fear or conscience, but merely to 
escape its perpetual and abusive din. 

The nest of the house-wren is formed with an 
outwork of twigs interlaced with care and skill. Be- 
hind this barricade is the true nest, made with grass 
and lined with feathers. The eggs, from six to nine, 
are of flesh color, inclining to red. The young, soon 
after they are fledged, seem to have all the playful 
activity of the older birds. It is rather singular, 
that these birds should bear the name of Troglodytes, 
signifying dwellers in caves, when they are 80 Te 
markable for constructiveness, that the male often 
amuses himself, while the female is sitting, with 
building another nest, which he has no thought of 
ever using. 


The Fmarsu-warkeR Marsh Wren, Trog lod ytes 
brevirostris, is a summer visiter, not uncommon, but 


e 


Birds of Massachusetts. 145 


S 
not known as a distinct species, till it was described 
by the unwearied Nuttall. It should have borne his 
name ; but that will be so identified with the science 
as to need no such commemoration. It is known to 
boys by its song, chip-a-day-day, which is so often 
heard in the meadows. He describes its nest as 
made of sedge, bent from the top of a grassy tuft, 
and forming a spherical arbor, with an entrance on 
the side. He remarks, that in a nest containing 
seven eggs, three of them were larger than the rest, 
and were fresh, while the other four were far ad- 
vanced toward hatching. From this he inferred that 
two different birds had laid in the same nest. There 
seems no great need of crowding thus, since the 
male employs himself in building nests, a great part 
of which are neither wanted nor used. This species, - 
which has been confounded with the following, re- 
mains with us from May till September. 


The Sarr-warkR Marsan Wren, Troglodytes 
palustris, is found on marshes and the borders of 
rivers near the sea, but is not so common as the pre- 
ceding. This bird is quick and active in its motions, 
and in its song resembles the last described. The 
nest is formed of wet rushes twisted into each other, 
and filled in with mud, in the shape of a cocoa-nut, 
with an opening in the side. The eggs are from six 
to eight, of a color approaching to mahogany. Nut- 
tall thought that this bird hardly ever came nearer 
than New York; but Dr. Storer has found its nest 
and eggs at Barnstable, in our State. 

VOL. IIIL.—NO. 1-1. 


146 Mr.&Peabody on the 


The Winter Wren, Troglodytes hiemalis, is in- 
serted in the list of our birds, on the authority of 
Audubon. It abounds in Maine, in summer, but in 
this State it must be always rare. iar 


The Woop Wren, Troglodytes Americana, is à 
new species, discovered by the same distinguished 
ornithologist, who says that it is found in Massachu- 
setts, though he cannot speak with certainty of its 
summer haunts, nor of the extent of its migrations. 


The Brue Breo, Sialia Wilsonii, is a delightful 
messenger of spring, whose early appearance makes 
us ask, “ Hast thou a star to guide thy path ?” since 
he comes before the fetters of Orion are unbound, oF 
the sweet influences of Pleiades have begun to fall. 
He is said to resemble the English redbreast so much 
in form and habits, as well as the tinge on his breast, 
that he was called.the blue-robin, by the first set 
tlers of this country. The first indication of spring 
brings the blue-bird, and his sweet, but rather timid 
and tremulous note seems expressive of uncertainty, | 
whether the season will permit him to remain. He 
is often driven back by a relapse, as happened in 
January of the last year, when he came on one oF 
two fine mornings, but was soon compelled to retreat. - 
Every body loves the blue-bird, and some make ita 
practice to encourage him by providing lodgings for 
him, which he readily occupies, and where he ma? 
ifests a freedom from uneasiness, which he cannot 
feel where his nest is more exposed. It certainly 
is wise to encourage him; for almost all his time 


-e 


Birds of Massachusetts. 147 


is spent in catching beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, 
and grubs, for which we have seen him descending 
in fields, and open grounds. The wire-worm is an- 
other of their luxuries, which are all of a kind that 
man can easily spare. When they eat berries, it is 
not those of the garden, but the sumach and wild 
cherry. 

Unless the hospitality of man provides the blue- 
bird with lodgings, he resorts to hollow trees, where 
he shelters himself from the elements, and there, or 
in a house made for the purpose, the pair construct 
their nest; it is a short and easy process, for nothing 
is required but a lining of hay and feathers. The 
eggs are from four to six, of a pale blue. "Two 
broods, and sometimes more, are raised in the season, 
and, while the female sits on the second set of eggs, 
the male takes charge of the young. In defence of 
his family he is very courageous ; he has been known 
to attack a hen with chickens, who came too near 
his abode, and put her to a hasty flight. 

During winter, the blue-birds abound in the south- 
ern states, and particularly in the Floridas, which, 
however, they leave as early as possible. But they 
do not go very far to the north. In Maine they are 
not common, and in Labrador not one was seen by 
Audubon’s party. Towards autumn, their song is 
no longer heard, except one complaining note, in 
which they seem to lament the necessity of leaving 


their home. To the last moment they linger, and 


it is not till the trumpet of the storm indicates that 
the hosts of winter are upon them, that they will 
consent to bid us farewell. 


148 . Mr. Peabody on the 


The Brown Larx, Anthus spinoletta, is one of 
those birds which arrive from the north, without 
much to indicate whence they came or whither they 
are going. They are common in fields in the coun- 
try, and are said to be equally so along the borders 
of rivers and the Atlantic shores. They fly in loose 
scattered flocks, giving out a feeble note, run rapidly 
on the ground, and when they take wing, generally 
move high and far before they alight. Some of 
them spend the winter in Pennsylvania, and they 
abound at that season in the southern states. Those 
which pass through our State in the autumn, are all 
young ; nothing is known of the old birds, though 
Labrador is one of the places where they rear thet 
young. | 


GRANIVOROUS, OR PASSERINE BIRDS. 


The Snor: Larg, Alauda alpestris, is a pretty 
bird, which comes to us from the north at the ap- 
proach of winter, and, if the season closes early, is 
seen herein October, on its way to the middle states. 
If the season is mild, they sometimes remain here, 
and those which proceed, seldom go farther south 
than Maryland. While here, they fly high, in loose 
scattered flocks, and have a single note, resembling 
that of the sky-lark of England. Their food seems 

„to consist of seeds and the larvæ of insects, which 
they find on the ground, or on fences where they 
sometimes alight, though they never perch on? 


Birds of Massachusetts. 149 


tree. They pass the night on the earth, in small 
parties, near tufts of dry grass. When they are 
alarmed, all take wing, and, after flying round for a 
short time, return to the same place again. 

- Audubon describes the nest of this bird, which he 
found in the moss at Labrador, and tells us that the 
song of the male at that season is very sweet. 


The Snow Buntine, Emberiza nivalis. As soon 
as winter reigns, “sole monarch of the inverted 
year,” these birds come, riding on the snow-storms, ~ 
and are seen in parties sweeping over the desolate 
country. Sometimes they alight on trees, some- 
times on fences, and are even familiar enough to 
take their station at times upon the roofs of houses. 
Till they are persecuted for the sake of their flesh, 
they are disposed to be on the best possible terms 
with man; but as they are considered the harbingers 
of very severe weather, they meet but a cold wel- 
come. Their flight is swift, and well sustained ; 
they seem to enjoy the fierce and angry winds; but 
careless of cold as they are, and apparently well 
protected, they are sometimes so chilled as to be 
unable to escape from those who pursue them. In 
Labrador, where they are called White Birds, they 
feed on seeds and insects, but while here, they must 
depend for their subsistence almost entirely on seeds. 
For this purpose they often alight on trees, but are 
seldom seen in the woods. Like the larks, they live 
much on the ground. 

The summer dress of the snow bunting is pure 
white and black; but they are not seen with this 


150 Mr. Peabody on the 


plumage here. Their appearance here is various; 
but generally they are white and rusty brown. In 
the summer they are said to sing sweetly, but their 
strains are wasted on the desert air. Some h 
been known to rear their young in the White Monit 
tains of New Hampshire. : 


The Brack-rHROATED Buntixne, Emberiza Amer- 
icana, is found in high meadows near the salt water 
marshes, from the middle of May till the last of Au- 
gust, when it returns to the south, and spends the 
winter in countries beyond the boundaries of the 
Union. Early in summer, they feed on caterpillars 
and insects, and are among the destroyers of. the 
pernicious canker-worm. Their note is constantly 
heard from every level field of grass or grain; they 
often perch on some low tree, and there for a long 
time breathe out their simple and unpretending song. 
At these times, they may be approached without 
taking wing; they seem to be friendly to man, t0 
other birds, and to each other. In August they be 
come silent, and not long after, leave us for the 
south, going beyond the extremity of the Union. 


The Scanner Tawacrm, Tanagra rubra, is 4 


have | 


splendid summer resident in this State. He is te. 


tired in his habits, but not distrustful, and as he 
often comes into enclosures, he is well known by his 
rich and elegant plumage, and the sweet variety of 
his song. His common note isa chip, chirr, repeated 
at short intervals, in such a tone that it is very 
difficult for the hearer to determine whence the 


iil as 


eer 


Birds of Massachusetts. 151 


sound proceeds. At other times he has a song, 
which bears some resemblance to that of the red- 


eye, excepting that it is more continuous and un- 


broken. Were it not that the eye is charmed by the 
beauty of his scarlet and glossy black, as it glows 
against the foliage in the sun, his musical powers 
would be more highly estimated. There is nothing 
to be set off against these recommendations. He 
cannot be accused of any kind of depredation. His 
food consists of insects, and of these, he is particu- 


larly fond of the wasp, one of our greatest fruit 


destroyers. Sometimes he feeds on berries and 
seeds, but they are not taken from the garden. 

These birds arrive toward the last of May, and 
immediately begin to build, generally on the large 
bow of an oak, but sometimes on an orchard tree. 
The nest is loosely put together. The eggs are 
three or four, bluish, spotted with purple and 
brown. They are very affectionate toward their 
young. If any one approaches the nest, the female 
is in great distress. As soon as they require food, 
the male supplies it, and so anxious is he for their 
welfare, that he has been known to follow one of 
them for half a mile, and as he could not release it, 
to feed it through the wires of its cage, and roost in 
the same tree by night. At the beginning of Au- 
gust, the male assumes the green and yellow dress 
of the female, and in company with their young, 
they set off for their winter quarters. 


The Inpieo Bp, Tringilla cyanea, is a spirited 
and beautiful summer resident, well known in every 


* t 


152 Mr. Peabody on the 


garden, where, from the tops of trees, from roofs, 
and chimneys and lightning rods, we hear his sweet 
lisping song, which at first is exceedingly pent 
but at length wearies the ear by its perpetual rt 

tion throughout the summer day. The rich b 

which gives this bird its name, belongs exclusively a 
the male; the female and the young wear plau 
flaxen fedis The young males of the first year 
have a little blue in their buff-colored plumage; this 
increases as the bird grows, and it is not till the third 


` year that it acquires the azure with green reflections, 
at 
tot ^ 


» which makes the mature bird so ornamental to the — 
village scenery. It is sometimes difficult | et 
mine whether it is blue of green, so rapi dl d yes it 
change in different lights, as it glances i in tie Be 1 

The nest of the indigo-bird is usually in a low 
bush, sometimes in vines; in the former case, it is 
suspended between two twigs. 'The outside is com- 
posed of coarse grass and withered leaves ; the lining 
is of grass and hair. ` The eggs are greenish white 
and unspotted, according to Nuttall; Wilson says; 
blue, with a purple blotch at the eii end ; Audu- 
bon says, “with a blotch or two of purple.” Asto 
these singular discrepancies, I have already remarked, 
that this part of the subject is greatly in want of at- 
tention. 


The Wurrr-crownep Sparrow, Fringilla leuco- 
phrys, is one of the finest of this family of birds. It 
is seen here but very rarely, on its way to the north 
in the spring. Audubon describes its nest, which 
he found in Labrador, and speaks of its notes as very 
plaintive and sweet. 


— mA n 


Birds of Massachusetts. 153 


The Wurrg-rugoaTED Sparrow, Fringilla Penn- 
sylvanica, is much more abundant than the last. It 
attraets attention by its size and beauty, and still 
more by its song, which, though unvaried in tone, 
and slowly and solemnly uttered, is nevertheless, as 
heard in May mornings, one of the most delightful 
melodies of spring. It is not known in what manner 
it performs its migrations; the first news we have of 
its coming is from its own plaintive note, heard from 
the borders of the fields. The sparrows move in 


companies, and frequent hedges and thickets, where 
they Roe apon the ground and scratch for seeds. 
On an: r as 


alarm, they plunge into the deepest shade ; 
but w or der from uneasiness, they ascend to the 
highest branches and open their plaintive and em- 
phatie strain. In the warmer days, they resort more 
to the borders of woods, but the thicket is always 
their favorite home. They appear to have no great 
dread of the presence of man; but the hawks are 
very destructive to them, and the sparrows seem 
aware of their danger, and desirous to keep as much 
as possible out of their sight and reach. In New 
Hampshire their note is interpreted into a warning, 
that the time to sow wheat is come. Their stay 
does not exceed two weeks; and, when they leave 
us, they go to the far north. Dr. Richardson found 
their nests on the banks of the Great Bear Lake. 


The Bás-wmgxb Fincu, Fringilla graminea, is a 
bird, plain in appearance, but pleasant and unpre- 
tending in its song, which is constantly heard in 

VOL. III.—NO. I.—H. 20 


E. 


154 Mr. Peabody on the 


fields and dry pastures; they run on the ground, in 
the manner of larks, in search. of the seeds and in- 
sects which compose their food. To the grass-bird, 
as it is called, we are indebted for some of the - 
est music of our spring ; their song begins very ealy 
in the morning, and continues after sunset, but they - 
are generally silent in the heat of the day. They 
come early in April, and the best of their song is 
heard till the summer opens, when their note be- 
comes more monotonous for the season. Some of 
them spend the winter in Pennsylvania, but most 
of them go farther to the south to escape the cold. 
The nest is built in the grass, partly sunk in the 
ground. It is formed of leaves and dry grass, well 
lined with horse-hair. The eggs, four or five in num- 
ber, are flesh-colored white, with spots of reddish 
brown. When the female is disturbed, she pretends 
lameness, and practises various arts to withdraw at- 


He 


_ tention from her young. 


- "The Ameicvous Sparrow, Fringilla ambigua, of 


which a single specimen was obtained by Nuttall, 
was, he says, a young bird, and may undergo some 
changes in its markings. Audubon suggests that it 
may turn out to be the white-crowned sparrow in 
ts winter plumage. The size is different ; but the 
Lodi must be left for future observations to decide. 


The Sone Srannow, Fringilla melodia, is a well 
known bird, very common in all parts of New Eng- 
land, and richly deserves its name. It comes in 
company with the blue-bird, and though it has n9 
. cond to the beauty of its friend, exceeds it in 


Birds of Massachusetts. 155 


the sweetness of its song. This cheerful and pleasant 
note is heard, in the near vicinity of human dwell- 
ings, from trees, stakes, and fences, and if it were 
not one “ofthe most familiar sounds of summer, 


would be universally admired. This bird is common . 


in Louisiana, in winter, and comes to the north 
before the snows have left the ground. From the 
time of its arrival, we hear its unwearied note at all 
hours of the day, growing louder and more animated 
as the spring advances. It frequents fields and 
meadows, which afford the insects which it is active 
in destroying. It also enjoys the vicinity of water, 
in which it is fond of bathing. It has been known 
to swim to some distance when disabled from flying. 

The song-sparrows build sometimes in a bush, 
and sometimes on the ground. They have been 
known to resort to a hollow tree. The nest is usu- 
ally made of dried grass, with a lining of hair. 


The eggs are greenish white, speckled or spotted 


with umber, chiefly toward the larger end. Audubon 
inquires, why it is, that they never use the same 


nest twice, when they raise two or three broods in - 


a season, and always keep it so scrupulously clean ? 
The obvious reply is, that a bird so neat and indus- 


trious, is the very one most likely to take the trouble. 
of building a new nest; while a bird more slovenly 


and indolent, would re-occupy its old abode, from 
the same aversion to labor which induced it to leave 
it neglected. 


The Savannan Sparrow, Fringilla Savanna, is 
rare, compared with the preceding, and is most com- 


156 Mr. Peabody on the 


mon near the sea. Its song is animated, though far 
inferior to that of the song-sparrow. Though it is 
very hardy, it proceeds to the south in winter and 
returns in April, when it resorts to fields and open 
plains. Audubon says, that it breeds in all places, 


from Maryland to Labrador. If so, the nest probably - 


can be found here, though it may be easily mistaken 
for that of the species last described. 


The Syow-sirv, Fringilla hiemalis, commonly 
called the blue snow-bird, to distinguish it from the 
snow-bunting, a bird much less common than this, 
comes to us just in advance of the wintry desolation, 
an infallible sign that the dreary season is at hand; 
dreary to us, it would be proper to say; for this 
little traveller, though it retreats before it, evidently 
has no fear of its coldand snow. It is almost always 
seen here in company with the tree-sparrows. After 
doing all they can to pick up a subsistence from the 
frozen ground, they come round our houses to gather 
crumbs, or any morsels of provision that may have 
_ been cast out from the door; and if a handful of 
meal is thrown to them, they receive it with great 
delight. Afterremaining with us as long as possible; 
in the heart of the winter, they are compelled to 
remove; but with the first glimpse of spring they 
EENES resorting to. d or to the edges of the 
wood, and roosting in hay-stacks, when the nights 
are severely cold. ey are only summer residents 


in the fur countries, and never abound there. Wil 


son tells us that they sometimes breed in the Alle- 
ghany mountains. 


& 


Birds of Massachusetts. 157 


The YrrLow-sHovuLpERED Sparrow, Fringilla 
savannarum, comes from Mexico and the West- 
India islands, where it passes the winter. It pays us 
a passing visit, when it attracts some attention by its 
song ; but it soon hurries on to some other breeding- 
place. "While here, it prefers the neighborhood of 
the sea, where it explores newly ploughed fields in 
search of insects and seeds. It never retires to the 
Woods. 


The Trer-SParrow, Fringilla Canadensis, ar- 
rives from the north at the approach of winter, and 
remains here during most of that season. It is called 
the snow-bird, by many, and is often seen in com- 
pany with the blue snow-bird. When the deep 
shows cut off their resources for food, they come 
together into our yards and under our windows, and 
generally succeed in obtaining some small charity 
from man. Early in spring they prepare for their 
return, but delay it on various pretexts; till, a day 
or two before their departure, they recover their 
voices, and sing sweetly from the trees of the or- 
chard. Audubon did not find them at Labrador; 
but he met with their nests in Nova Scotia, and 
his impression is, that they breed in thé northern 


parts of Maine. The tree-sparrows are easily distin- — 


guished from others, by the spot in the centre of the 
breast. 


The Curppine Sparrow, Fringilla socialis, is our 
most common bird, and so well known as hardly to 


need a description. It is found alike in the city 


158 Mr. Peabody on the 


and the village, in the field and the garden, in the 
forest and at the house-door. After passing the win- 
ter in the southern states, it returns early in the 
spring. It has no pretension to song, though, when 
it first returns, it keeps a continuous jingling sound, 
unlike the chipping note to which it owes its name. 
At the close of summer, the old and young birds 
search for seeds in the fields in large flocks, col- 
lected in preparation for their flight. The first snow 
fall is their signal for disappearing. 

This little sparrow, in order to escape from worse 
enemies, places its nest under the care of man. It 
builds in the sides of walks, the corners of piazzas, 
or some spót equally open to observation ; and s0 
strong is it confidence, that, if the nest is torn down, 
it regards it as an accident, and builds in the same 
place again. It adopts these sheltered situations, 
with a view, no doubt, to escape from cuckoos, 
which would steal all its eggs if they were exposed 
in the woods. 


The Fiery Sparrow, Fringilla pusilla, resem- 
bles the species last described, but is brighter in 
color and has a longer tail. With us, after the first 
of April, it is found in open fields and pastures, 
where it lives on insects and seeds. The song i$ 
peculiar and likely to attract attention, not so much 
from its sweetness, as its canary-like trill. Its nest 
is built on the ground, after the fashion of most 
other sparrows, and made of hay, with a lining of 
fine grass or horse-hair. The eggs are so thickly 
sprinkled with rusty brown as to appear almot 


„RE a i 
ae d 


poesia nelle m 


Birds of Massachusetts. 159 


wholly of that color. It usually raises two broods in 
a season. 


The Swame Sparrow, Fringilla palustris, is 
rather common, after the middle of April, in the 
swamps and marshes, from which it takes its name. 
Wilson speaks of it as destitute of song. This is a 
mistake ; its strain, though not equal to that of some 
others of the tribe, is lively and pleasant. It is 
distinguished by its passion for the vicinity of water, 
where it continually forces through brush and thick- 
ets, till its tail is worn almost away. 

The nest of the swamp sparrow is made on the 
ground in swamps, with the coarse grass which 
grows there. 'The eggs are four or five, of a dull 
white, spotted with reddish brown. The old birds 
express great anxiety for their young, but apparently 
without much reason, for they have a wonderful 
alacrity at hiding in the grassy places where they 
dwell. 


The Sgmanr-ramuegp Finca, Fringilla caudacuta, 
is added, at the suggestion of Dr. Brewer, on the au- 
thority of Nuttall. 


The Seasive Finca, Fringilla maritima, is found 
along the borders of the ocean, and in the sea isl- 
ands; it visits the interior only when driven by 
easterly storms. It runs in search of marine insects 
and small shell-fish, like a sandpiper, on the edge of 
the strand. Like the swamp sparrow, it has feet 
and legs of great strength, and suited to its way of 
life. These finches build on those parts of the 


160 Mr. Peabody on the 


marshes which are above the flow of the tides. 'The 
nest is of grass; the eggs are dusky white, speckled 
with brown. 


The American Gotprincu, Fringilla tristis, well 
known by its beautiful yellow plumage and jet black 
wings, can hardly be said to return in the spring, 
since many of them do not leave us in winter, though, 
as they roam about in their dusky dresses, with their 
complaining note, there is little about them to re- 
mind us of the gay musicians of the spring. They 
are often seen when the ground is covered, gath- 
ering a living from the tall stalks of weeds that rise 
above the snow. For some time they will be miss- 
ing, and then they rove about without any fixed 
direction, and apparently never much troubled by 
the want of food. When the warm gales begin t0 
blow, the males resume their colored dress, the fe- 
males among birds not being permitted to share that- 
fatal gift of beauty, that might attract attention to , 
their nest. 'The social habits of these pretty birds 
give double interest to their song, since all join in 
harmony, sometimes plaintive and low, then gay and 
loud, as they enjoy the sunshine together. They 
are fond of bathing and pluming themselves in com- 
pany ; in fact, they always associate together on the. 
most friendly terms. In our gardens they collect the 
seeds of lettuce, but thistle down is their favorite 
food, and they cannot be justly charged with doing 
any injury whatever. 

They make use of thistle down, with other soft 
and delicate substances, to build their nests. They 


EU A 
AM uu as 


Sis, 


Birds of Massachusetts. 161 


are placed on trees or tall bushes, and constructed 
externally of dry leaves and other rubbish, with a 
lining of fine grass, hair or down. Audubon speaks 
of its nest as covered with lichens, glued on with 
saliva; the nests here have no such disguise. He 
also speaks of the eggs, which are from four to six 
in number, as white, tinged with bluish, and speckled 
with reddish brown. Here, the eggs are white. 

A year or two since, I saw one, in a large flock 
of goldfinches, which was distinguished from the 
rest by plumage partly flaxen and partly white. At 
a little distance it appeared like a snow white bird. 


The Pine Finca, Fringilla pinus, comes occa- 
sionally from the north in winter, and sometimes 
proceeds as far as’ the southern extremity of the 
Union ; .but the first approach of spring drives them 
back to their northern home. In the state of Maine 
they abound in the cold season, and are sometimes, 
though not regularly, seen here. Their flight resem- 
bles that of the goldfinch, with rising and falling 
inflections, and their note is said to be similar and 
equally sweet. Where they rear their young has not 
yet been discovered. 


The Lesser Reprore, Fringilla linaria, is an 
occasional visiter in winter. Flocks have been seen 
as far south as Philadelphia; but they come at un- 
certain, and generally distant intervals, and very lit- 
tle is known concerning either their habits or their 
song. 

VOL. III.—NO, I—II. 21 


e "i f 


162 Mr. Peabody on the 


The Fox-cotorep Sparrow, Fringilla iliaca, is, 
perhaps, the finest of this family of birds. It is large 
and handsome ; generally larger than Nuttall’s meas- 
urement, which is but six inches. When the eve- 
ning sun falls on its cinnamon plumage, its appearance 
is beautiful. It passes through Massachusetts on its 
way to the south, soon after the fall of the leaf, and 
returns early in the spring; it is then seen in gardens, 
scratching the ground, in search of seeds and insects, 
making no sound except alow call occasionally to its 
companions. It waits till the weather grows mild 
enough for its journey, and as soon as it determines 
to go, perches on the high branches of trees and 
sings an air, easy, flowing, clear and incomparably 
sweet. They rear their young in the British Prov- 
inces and other northern regions. 


The Grovunp Rosin, Fringilla erythropthalma, is 
an exceedingly common bird, found on the borders 
of forests and woodland roads, where it scratches 
among the dry leaves for worms and insects, $0 €N- 
tirely absorbed in its employment that any one can 
approach within a few feet of it without its taking 
any alarm. While thus engaged, it often utters the 
loud call from which it is named the pee-wink, and 
sometimes the tow-wee bunting. But at times i 
sings with much more pretension, and, perched - 
the high branch of an oak, warbles a loud, clear, and 
very agreeable song. It leaves us for the south 12 
October, and returns in April, the males coming first 
as if to make the necessary preparations. In auium? 


Birds of Massachusetts. 163 


the case is reversed, and the females lead in the 
migration. There is sometimes a fortnight between. 

Wilson praises the address with which the ground- 
robin conceals the place of its nest; but it seems 
to depend almost entirely on its resemblance to the 
ground about it, to secure it from unfriendly observ- 
ers. ]t is sunk a little below the surface, some- 

times under the shelter of a small bush, and is made 
of such materials as come most readily to hand, 
such as strips of bark and withered grass, with a 
lining either of fine grass or the fallen leaves of a 
pine. The eggs are four or five, of a soft white, 
spotted with reddish brown. The old birds are 
very anxious for the safety of their young, and 
practise the usual arts to draw the intruder from 
their nest. ] j 


The CARDINAL Grospeax, Fringilla cardinalis, 
cannot be considered as one of our birds, though 
its occasional visits require its insertion in our list. 
It is seen, but only at irregular intervals, in the vil- 
lages on Connecticut river. Wherever the celebrat- 
ed red-bird appears, it attracts attention, not only 
by its splendid plumage, but its bold and beautiful 
song. 


The RosE-BREASTED GrosBEAK, Fringilla Ludo- 
viciana, supplies the place of the cardinal, rivalling 
that fine bird in beauty and surpassing itin song. 
It is difficult to determine at what time its visits to 
us are paid. It is seen here sometimes before the 
snow has left the ground, and is met with at in- 


164 — Mr. Peabody on the 


tervening periods till midsummer; as this is the 
time for incubation, it must rear its young in some 
places not distant, certainly, if not within our bounds. 
At the latter part of the summer, our gardens are 
frequented by the young in great numbers, and 
bitter complaints are made, with or without reason, 
of their depredations on the peas. Near the sea- 
shore they are much less common than in the in- 
terior; in some years, it is rare in all parts of the 
State. 

This bird migrates to the south early in autumn, 
and on its way, is seen in many parts of the Union; 
the nest is found in New York and Pennsylvania, 
and regions farther north, but in Labrador, Audubon 
did not find a single bird. The note of this grosbeak 
is striking, particularly when heard, as it often may 
be, in the silence of the night. It may be seen stand- 
ing, with its wings lifted, as if to display the crimson 
lining, before it begins its song. ‘The young are 
three years in obtaining their plumage. ‘Till then, 
they resemble the female, except that the red begins 
early to show its traces on the breast. The descrip- 
tions usually given of the bird, dò not agree 
specimens that are often found, with stripes of white 
on the head and over the eye. The tail, pn 
being forked, is very slightly emarginate, if at 
The food of this grosbeak consists of insects, boris 
and seeds. 


The Brvr Gnossrak, Fringilla cerulea, is not at 
present known as one of our birds; but a gentleman, 
whose authority is unquestionable, is confident 


Birds of Massachusetts. 165 


he has seen more than one in this State. It will, 
without much doubt, be numbered with our occa- 
sional visiters, by future observers. 


The Purre Finca, Fringilla purpurea, is not 
an uncommon bird in thisand more northern regions. 
Some of them pass the breeding season here; the 
greater number keep on toward the British provinces, 
where they spend the summer, and return to the 
south about the time when the leaves fall. At that 
season their food consists of insects and berries; 
when these cannot be had, they eat the seeds and 
sometimes the buds of trees. 

The crimson linnet, as it is sometimes called, has 
a rich and varied warble, clear as the softest tones of 
a flute. It sings not easily and unconsciously, like 
the sweet vireo, which it resembles, but more with 
the air of a performer, and as if it knew that some 
one was standing still to listen. It runs through 
various changes, with great rapidity and skill, and 
seems to challenge all the feathered tribes, to rival 
its admirable song. 

General Dearborn was the first to discover the nest 
of this bird in Massachusetts. It was built on the 
low branch of a balsam fir, with the outside covered 
with lichens. Mr. Cabot and Dr. Brewer have also 
found them ; but the number of those that remain 
with us at that season, must be small. 


The Pine GaossEAk, Pyrrhula enucleator, is an 
inhabitant of cold regions, and comes to us at irregu- 
lar intervals, either in winter or when that season is 
nigh. Professor Emmons tells me that they were 


166 Mr. Peabody on the 
x ; & 


common near Williamstown, in the autumn of 1836, 

which was unusually gloomy and cold. They are 
, splendid birds, but so great strangers here, that they 
= hardly merit a description. 


MT Lr oe ; 

— The Common Crosser, Loria curvirostra, be- 
longs to northern regions, and comes to us during the 
= winter, in search of food. It delights in the seeds 

of evergreens, and makes use of its singular bill to 
extract them, holding the cones in its claw, like the 
parrot, while it forces the seed vessels open. At the 
south itis in the habit of tearing apples to pieces, 
for the sake of extracting the seeds. Wilson says, 
that in deep snows, it is familiar at the cabin of the 
hunter; when disturbed, it flies only to the roof and 
soon descends to the ground, to feed as before. When 
better food is wanting, it sometimes relieves the sen- 
sation of hunger by swallowing bits of clay. When 
engaged in eating, it may be seen standing on one 
foot and feeding itself with the other. It sometimes 
employs its bill to aid itself in the act of climbing. 

Audubon has not succeeded in finding the nest of 

this bird, but he has explained the difference of 
markings as connected with its particular age. 


M 


The WHITE-WINGED CrossgiLu, Loria leucoptera, 
visits us, like the former, in the winter season. It 
is more common perhaps than the other, but still is 
rare. ]t comes in large flocks, and then is not seen 
forseveral years. In form and habits it resembles 
the other; but is a much handsomer bird. It i$ 
known by its colors, black and crimson, and by the 
White bands upon the wings. 


Birds of Massachusetts. 167 


ZY:GODASC TJ LI. 


The YrrLow-si.LED Cuckoo, Coccyzus America- 
nus, arrives from the south about the first of May, 
and is by no means an uncommon bird. 1t is often 


heard when it cannot be seen, uttering its loud, 
coarse notes, in rapid succession, from the depth of 
the woodland shade. There is a prevailing impres- 
sion that the cuckoo's cry is the harbinger of rain, 
from which it has derived its popular name of rain- 
crow. This bird flies in silence, under the shadow 
of the foliage, as if it were conscious of the discred- 
itable manner in which its living is obtained, and 
were not desirous to call the public attention to its 
proceedings ; for when thus seen, it is passing from 
the nest of one small bird to another, to suck the 
new laid eggs. But this is not all its subsistence. 
It devours many insects; among others the large 
yellow cockchaffer, and thus does some good to man, 
to atone for its injuries to its own race. 

The cuckoo seldom follows the example of its for- 
eign namesake, which lays its eggs in the nests of 
other birds. In this country, that kind of knavery 
is almost confined to the cow-bird. It builds for 
itself a hasty and carelessly constructed nest. The 
eggs, from two to four in number, are bluish green. 
If they are disturbed, the female is apt to desert the 
nest; but if the young are hatched, it is so devoted 
and affectionate, that it will almost be taken in the 
hand, rather than abandon its charge. The young 


T EN à le Penta on the 


Ps " "té od x the hairy eaterpillars, that are found on' 
3 E apple trees; but it is well that they are not more 
E. . numerous, since they might greatly diminish the 

: numbers of other birds, whose services would be 


a -The Brack-siLLED Cuckoo, Coccyzus Ev 
thalmus, is often mistaken for the preceding, from 
which it differs in some of its habits, beside arriving 
later in the spring. It feeds on insects and birds’ 
eggs, like the other, but extends its bill of fare to 
include the small shell-fish found in fresh waters 
and the small frogs from wet grounds. For this rea- 
son it is often found near the edge of water, or on 
branches bending downward to the stream. ‘This 
species is less timid than the other; its note is 
equally unmusical. 

These birds build their nests in the forest, resem- 
bling those of the former species, being little more 
than a flooring of twigs and moss, with a slight hol- 
low in the centre to receive the eggs. These are 
from three to five, of the same color with the 

> but rather smaller. 


The. GOLDEN-WINGED Wooprrckem, Picus aura- 
tus, is a very common bird in our gardens, known 
when flying at a distance, by the white on the lower - 
part of the back, disclosed by the open wings; when 
nearly examined, it is admired for the beauty of its 
markings. It is driven from the northern states in 
winter by the excessive cold, but in April it is with 
us again, when its voice resembles a laugh, as if it 


Ed ^ 


Birds of Massachusetts. 169 — 


were rejoicing to be able to return. They are cheer- E 
ful, animated birds, which do much to give life to 
our scenery in spring. Their flight is strong and 
well sustained; when passing from one tree to an- -> 
other, they move in a straight line, till they come aM 
near the spot where they mean to alight, when they i K 
raise themselves a few feet and cling to the bark of 
the tree by their claws and their tail, with a nod of 
the head and a note, from which they are generally 
called the ‘Flicker.’ They hop on the ground with 
ease, in search of food, which consists of insects 
and various kinds of fruit. In winter, they occasion- 
ally supply themselves from the farmer’s corn. They 
are a good deal persecuted by black snakes, which 
steal their eggs and young; and also by hawks, 
from which they escape by darting into a hole in 
a tree, if any one is at hand, and if not, by alighting 
on a trunk, and moving round it faster than the ene- 
my can follow. 

These birds are sometimes shot, but their practice 
of eating ants and their larve gives a taste to their 
flesh. Sometimes they are persecuted as fruit steal- - 
ers, but most unwisely, for all the vroodpech 
very efficient aids to the horticulturist. When e] 
alight on a tree, they listen attentively, and AC 
slightest movement of an insect under the bark. do 
not escape them. They enlarge the hole by repeated 
blows of their powerful bill; then striking in their 
long, viscid tongues, with thor horny tip, they seize 
the grub, and put a period to his mining. 

They build in hollow dm. found, or made for 

VOL. III.—NO. I=. 


BPO ti - Mr. Peabody on the 


the purpose, in trees; and such is the strength of 


their bill, that they have been known to make exca- 
vations a foot and a half deep, into the heart of the 
hardest wood. Their blows may be heard at a great 
distance, as loud as those of a hammer. ‘The eggs, 


about six in number, and pure white, are deposited 


on bits of the wood. Soon after the young are 
hatched, they leave their den, and are fed on the 
branches of the tree till they are able to fly. 


The Pr.EATED Wooprrckrm, Picus pileatus, is à 
large and powerful bird, not uncommon in the wood- 
lands of Massachusetts, but seldom found in the 
vicinity of large towns. It does not leave us in 
winter,like the preceding, but remains throughout 
the year in our wild forests; and almost every wood- 
cutter can describe the rapid and angry manner in 
which he strips the bark from a hemlock or spruce, 
throwing it in long flakes around him. Should any 
one pursue him, he keeps far out of his reach, laugh- 


ing, as one would think from his loud cackle, at his 


 enemy’s vain endeavors. He never, under any CH- 


€ ances, relents from his natural wildness. If 


wounded, he makes fierce resistance to all attempts 
to seize him; and if overpowered and carried cap- 
tive, spends all his time in trying to escape from his 
prison. This he can easily do, unless the materials 
are very hard and strong ; and if he does not succeed; 
he ean make an impression in an hour on the walls 
of his house of bondage, which the carpenter cannot 


repair in a day. 


This bird excavates a gallery with its bill, for à 


necat E DEG AVAL Je a S EI 


Birds of Massachusetts. à ^E 


nest, in which it lays five or six white eggs. Some- 
times it saves itself this labor, by, making use of a 
hollow tree. The young remain for a considerable 
time with their parents, who feed them till their bills 
are grown hard enough to procure a subsistence for 


themselves. "This is not the case at first; for two Í- 
or three months, the bill is so soft that it can be bent - 


with the fingers, and it takes twice that time to 
harden it for the rough uses to which it is to be ap- 
plied. In the south, this bird is called the Log-cock ; 
. and the Black Woodcock, in the middle states. 


The Rep-neapep Woonprrckrn, Picus erythro- 
cephalus, is a very elegant bird, and perhaps the 
most common of this familiar race. When Wilson 
first landed in this country, long before he devoted 
himself to ornithology, as he was walking from New- 
castle to Philadelphia, he shot one of these birds ; 
its fine appearance and rich colors struck his imagi- 
nation so much, that it had an influence in determin- 
ing his mind to that pursuit for which he was after- 
wards renowned. After spending the winter in the 
south, this bird returns to us in May, after which it 
is very common in the interior, though somewhat 
rare in the eastern part of the State. It makes its 
home in the woods, but spends most of its time in 
gardens, particularly at the time when the best fruits 
are ripe. It helps itself with the utmost freedom, 
caring little for the rights or threats of the owner. 
Fruit like apples, too large to be eaten on the spot, 
it carries away, striking it with a jerk of the head, 


and flying off with the apple sticking on its bill. 


Su 


172 * _Mr. Peabody on the 


There is no secrecy or shyness in its depredations; 
they are conducted with perfect good nature, and 
with a confidence, fully expressed in its manner, 
that the proprietor enjoys the appropriation as much 
as they do. But there is another side to the account, 
for they show great skill and industry in searching 
the trees for grubs, which would be infinitely more 
destructive to the tree, than the woodpecker to the 
fruit. 

They make their holes in decaying trees, where 
the eggs, white, with reddish spots at the larger end, 
are deposited without the ceremony of a lining. 
The black snake is a great destroyer of the eggs and 
the young. They show considerable local attach- 
ment, and for years in succession, they resort to the 
same tree. 


The Rep-setump Wooprecgen, Picus Caroli- 
nus, is said to be unknown in the eastern part of the 
State. In the interior it is found, and Professor 
Emmons tells me that he has shot the bird in the 
season of incubation; others have taken them in 
" ae autumn. They are found through the whole ex- 

tent of the United States; but instead of frequent 
ing the gardens, they choose the solitude of the 
forests, preferring the hardy independence of the 
woodlands, to the dangers which threaten them in 
the vicinity of man. 'They have no objection to 
the first approaches of civilization, and come freely 
to the girdled trees wich surround the log but of 
the borderer ; sometimes they pay a visit to his cor 
field, when animal food is wanting, and their loud, 


Birds of Massachusetts. 173 


barking ery, is one of the most familiar sounds he 
hears. They were doubtless common in Massa- 
chusetts, some years ago; but as they gradually 
withdraw before the settlements, they will disappear 
as the forests are cut down ; a consummation, which 
is quite as near at hand, as the friend of civilization 
could desire. - 


The YELLOW BELLIED WoopPEeckrn, Picus va- 
rius, is found in summer, in most parts of the State, 
but is not familiarly known, because, like the for- 
mer, it keeps itself within the shade of the forest, 
seldom suffering cither hunger or curiosity to bring 
it near human habitations. lis notes, which are 
loud and plaintive, differ from those of all others of 
its tribe; but the bird is so shy and suspicious that 
it is not easy to discover whence the sound pro- 
ceeds. In its flight it seldom goes farther than 
from one tree to another, and is hardly ever seen 
upon the ground. Its food consists of grubs and 
beetles. In the summer, it varies its fare with ber- 
ries and grapes, which it frequently hangs, head 
downwards, from the vine, to gather. When they | 
migrate, they proceed by day in parties of half a 
dozen, and at night take shelter all together in some 
hole in a decaying tree. Sometimes on these occa- 
sions, they have sharp conflicts with the Little Owl, 
in which they generally prevail by perseverance and 
force of numbers. 

This woodpecker bores its hole in a sound tree, 
the male and female laboring alternately ; and such 
is the power of their bills, that an excavation is 


174 Mr. Peabody on the 


sometimes made to the depth of two feet, at the end 
of which is the nest. 'l'he entrance is just large 
enough to admit the bird, but it grows larger, and 
becomes quite spacious at the farther end. The 
eggs, from four to six in number, and white with a 
slight blush, are laid on the fragments of wood. The 
young remain in the hole till they are fully fledged. 


The Harry Wooprrcxer, Picus villosus, is a 
pretty bird, which comes so familiarly near oul 
houses, that every one has seen it, intent upon its 
labor, searching for grubs and insects, not only in ` 
trees, but in posts, rails, and all kinds of decaying 
wood. Its call isa shrill whistle, and it makes 4 
complaining sound as it explores the bark of the 
trees. It is either very tame, or so absorbed in its 
employment as not to regard the presence of an 
observer. It builds in the branch of a tree; some- 
times taking one which is already hollow, sometimes 
scooping out an opening, which it does by beating 
off fragments with its bill, and scraping them out 
with its feet. The eggs, like those of others of the 

race, are white. The female is known by its want- 
ing the red cockade on the back of the head. 


The Downy Wooprrckrm, Picus pubescens, * 
small and very common species, is almost exactly 
like the former in every thing but size. It is often 
called the sap-sucker, from its practice of making 
perforations in circles on the bark of trees. The 
popular notion was, that this is done in order to 
extract the juices of the tree; but it is now V 


Birds of Massachusetts. 175 


understood that the bird is in search of insects, and 
that, so far from injuring the tree, its proceeding is 
highly beneficial It is amusing to observe the 
tenacious industry with which this little bird keeps 
on in its labor, never leaving a spot till it has been 
thoroughly explored. There could not be a more 
signal instance of the manner in which ignorance 
confounds friends and foes, than the case of this 
poor bird, which, notwithstanding all its services, is 
thus defamed and persecuted. In summer it is found 
in the garden and the forest; in the winter, it may 
be seen from the window, on the wood-pile or some 
old fruit tree, which it relieves from many destroy- 
ers. It is perfectly happy under all circumstances, 
and seems to look at mankind, not with disgust and 
wonder at their folly, but with cheerful confidence 
that they will do it justice at last. 

'The nest is made like that of the preceding spe- 
cies, either in sound or hollow branches. The eggs, 
commonly six in number, are white. The extensile 
part of the tongue of this woodpecker, as well as of 
the two last described, is cylindrical, while the ex- 
tremity is linear, flat above, convex below, with the. 
tip pointed and the edges serrated backward; so 
that a grub, once impaled upon it, cannot easily be 
withdrawn. ` 


The 'Turer-rorp WooprecrkerR, Picus tridacty- 
lus, is found in Massachusetts, but much more 
abundantly in Maine, and those northern regions in 
which it resides. Dr. Brewer informs me, that a 
woodpecker, answering to the description of this, 


176 Mr. Peabody on the 


was shot in Templeton, and that it breeds as near 
the border as Keene in New Hampshire. 1t is distin- 
guished by its yellow crown, and that peculiar for- 
mation of the feet from which it derives its name. 
In its voice and habits, it most resembles the yellow- 
bellied ; its breeding habits are like those of all the 
rest ; its motions, like those of the red-cockaded, are 
petulant and restless, passing from one tree to anoth- 
er, or to different parts of the same tree, without 
taking time to examine any single spot. In the 
middle of the day, it is silent, and goes to some soli- 
tary place to rest. It is sometimes seen chasing in- 
sects in the air, but never hurts them on the ground. 
Its flight is swift, gliding and undulatory ; at every 
gliding, it gives out a loud, shrill note. These birds 
are more common in the northern states, in winter, 
than at any other time ; because they are then driven 
from their homes by the severity of the cold. 


SLENDER BILLED BIRDS. 


The Warre-sreastep NurHaTCH, Sitta Caroli- 
nensis is seen in autumn and winter, not because it 
migrates to us at that season, but because the sup- 
plies of food in the forest fail, and it resorts to fields, 
gardens, and the neighborhood of houses, in search 
of insects, such as ants and spiders. At a distance; 
it is easily mistaken for the downy woodpecker, 
though more lively in its motions. It moves side- 


Birds of Mussachusetts. 177 


ways or head downwards, with great rapidity, stop- 
ping every now and then to cast an inquiring look 
at the observer. Its bill is strong and sharp, and 
when it would open an acorn or chestnut, it holds it 
in a crevice, and splits it with strokes of its bill. 
lts tongue is capable of extension like the wood- 
pecker's, so that it has great advantages for procur- 
ing a subsistence ; but, if it were less favored, it 
might contrive to live, since it is sometimes seen 
hopping among the poultry on the ground. 

These birds chisel out a perforation in a decay- 
ing tree, in which to deposit the eggs. These are 
five, dusky white, spotted with brown at the larger 
end. The young are fed and taught to fly with 
affectionate care. They are fond of roosting in their 
own nest, and are believed to return to it year after 
year. They are easily known by their cry, quank, 
two or three times repeated, as they run over a tree. 


The Rrp-srLLIED Nutuatcn, Sitta Canadensis, 
is more common among us than the other. It is 
not found farther south than Maryland, and becomes 
more common as we proceed toward Maine, where 
many of them are hardy enough to encounter the 
severest winters. It is a very active and industrious 
bird, always running over the branches of trees, 
searching with sharp eyes, sometimes rapping with 
its bill, and occasionally striking off a bit of moss or 
bark, to dislodge the grub below ; the only time it 
has for resting is at night, when, like others of the 
tribe, it holds by its feet to the bark and sleeps, 

VOL. RNO I.—II. 


178 Mr. Peabody on the 


head downwards. It seems almost indifferent ‘to 
the presence of man, unless he comes near it with 
obviously bad intentions. When it spends the win- 
ter here, it often comes near our dwellings in search 
of food. Its flight, when seen here, seldom extends 
farther than from one tree to another; but it must 
have great power to sustain itself on the wing, since 
on one of his homeward voyages, Audubon saw one 
come on board his vessel at the distance of three 
hundred miles from the shore; it alighted on the 
rigging, and began to search for food, but it had 
fasted too long, and in the course of the might it 
died.. : Ü 

This species is partial to pine forests, where it 
feeds on the seeds of the trees. Its nest is made in 
dead stumps, not high above the ground. We have 
at present no account of its breeding within the 
limits of our State. 


The Brack anp Wuire Creeper, Certhia varia, 
comes from the south in April, and is seen running 
nimbly round the trunks and large branches of trees, 
in search of insects, particularly ants and their larvæ, 
which are its favorite food. It is an unsuspicious 
bird, always too much taken up with its own affairs 
to pay much regard to an observer. It moves by 
short successive hops, with great rapidity, and in all 
directions with equal facility, with the head either 
up or down. © ‘It has but a very short flight, from one 
tree to another. Its notes are a ‘series of tweals; 
rapidly pronounced, the last greatly prolonged. 

Audubon says that at the south they breed in 


Birds of Massachusetts. 179 


holes in trees, but Nuttall found a nest in Roxbury, 
on the ground, protected by a shelving rock, and 
composed of coarse strips of the inner bark of the 
hemlock, which overshaded the spot. The lining 
was a thin layer of hair. 1t contained four young 
birds, about a week old, which the parents fed in his 
presence without fear. The eggs are white, marked 
with brownish red spots at the larger end. 


The Brown Creeper, Certhia familiaris, makes 
its appearance at the approach of winter, not coming 
from other regions, but only from the forest, where 
it passes the milder season. Its bill is not powerful, 
but it has the advantage of a rigid tail, on which it 
rests while examining the bark of trees. Insects 
are its chief dependence, though it sometimes eats 
the seeds of the pine. With us it is not a common 
bird, nor is it known to breed in our State. 


The Hummine Birp, Trochilus colubris, is a beau- 
tiful little visiter, that generally makes its appearance - 
with the earliest blossoms; and almost always in 
considerable numbers, though sometimes cold and 
wet seasons destroy many of the young. Of man 
it is very fearless, being often seen on flowering vines 
that climb over windows, and sometimes taking 
courage to enter apartments in which flowers are to 
be found. Its bill is long, and the tongue capable 
of extension. The bill is inserted into the urns of 
flowers, and then, darting out its glutinous tongue, 
it draws forth the insect from its fragrant home. Af- 
ter feeding, the bird settles on a bough and dresses 


180 Mr. Peabody on the 


its feathers, without caring who observes its motions. 
It is a mistake to suppose that the honey of flowers 
is its principal support; it is rather its luxury than’ 
its means of subsistence ; without a supply of insecis, 
it will perish, as those have found who have en- 
deavored to keep it on honey and sugar. This deli- 
cate little bird is easily reconciled to confinement, 
but it is so very sensitive to cold, that a northern 
winter will destroy it, however carefully it is guarded. 

The nest of the humming bird is very ingeniously 
constructed. It is generally placed on the large hor- , 
izontal branch of an apple tree, and covered with 
moss so as to resemble the place where a limb has 
been taken off and a circle of bark has risen round 
the spot. As the female is green, birds of prey 
might easily pass over it, without discovering the 
nest below. Their nests are sometimes built in 
small trees and shrubs. I have seen one on the 
drooping limb of a peach tree, not more than three 
feet from the ground, and this was carefully covered 
with moss, though there was none upon the tree. If 
any one goes up to the nest, the parent flies up to 
him as an intimation that he is doing wrong, then 
alights almost within the reach of his arm, and 
watches his motions with composed attention. The 
parents feed their young with affectionate care, till 
they are able to fly, and for about a week after. 
The young do not come to their full plumage till the 
following spring. 


| 


Birds of Massachusetts. 181 


HALCYONS. 


The Beitep Kinerisuer, Alcedo alcyon, is found 
in the neighborhood of fresh waters over all the 
United States. He may generally be seen sitting on 
some post or dead branch, near a solitary mill-dam, 
quietly watching his prey in the element below. If 
fish do not come near him, he sweeps along the 
course of the stream with rapid flight, and occasion- 
ally hovers over the water, as if watching some- 
thing beneath. Having made sure of his aim, he 
darts down, and seldom rises without his prey. If 
scared from his retreat, he flies off with a grating 
sound of displeasure, resembling the noise of a 
watchman’s rattle. When the northern rivers are 
frozen, the kingfisher resorts to the sea, where it 
may occasionally be seen fishing as in fresh water. 
The nest of this bird, it is well known, is made 
in an excavation, scooped in the side of a bank over- 
hanging a stream or mill pond. It extends to several 
feet in length, with a larger chamber at the end. 
The eggs, about six in number, white, are depos- 
ited on some twigs, grass and feathers. 


SWALLOW TRIBE. 


The Purrre Martin, Hirundo purpurea, is more 
intimate with man than any other native bird. So 
great a favorite is he, that lodgings are provided for 


182 Mr. Peabody on the 


him, by the northern farmer, by the southern slave, 
and even by the Indian, who puts up a calabash for 
him at his cabin door; not wholly from benevo- 
lence, but because the martin pays rent, by keeping 
insects from the deer skins and venison, exposed in 
the air to dry. i 

"The martin spends the winter in the south, and 
reappears in Louisiana in February, moving on de- 
liberately in immense flocks, which divide into 
smaller parties as they proceed. They have a rapid 
flight, though not equal in that respect to the barn 
swallow. They can drink and bathe on the wing, 
without stopping for the purpose, by plunging hastily 
in the stream and then shaking themselves to throw 
off the water. They alight on the ground, and can 
walk with ease, notwithstanding the shortness of 
their legs, which is unfavorable to that kind of pro- 
gression ; but flying is their favorite motion; and 
in the air, they can make themselves formidable by 
the rapidity of their movements, to an enemy far 
superior in size. Even the eagle, if he comes in 
sight of the martin's box, is compelled to retire in 
disgrace. 

The nest of the martin is made, toward the last of 
April, of sticks, willow twigs, grasses, leaves, rags 
and feathers. ‘The eggs are white, from four to six 
in number. The male takes part in the work of in- 
cubation, and is very attentive to his mate. If no 
habitation is provided for them, they will dislodge 
bluebirds from their box, and after depriving them 
of their home, will add insult to injury, abusing them 
on every occasion. If no other lodgings can be 


\ 


Birds of Massachusetts. 183 


found, they will resort to a woodpecker’s hole. But 
they are not often driven to such extremities; the 
industrious class of the community give them shelter 
for the sake of their morning call, which is the 
earliest that salutes the day. ‘Their notes are gen- 
erally pleasing, though not in the least musical; 
and the martin, aware of the estimation in which he 
is held, flies carelessly through the street, poises 
himself in the air to look into windows, hangs by 
the eaves of houses, plays with the kite-string of the 
children, or chases away the cat, who seems to be 
prowling in search of his young. As his food con- 
sists entirely of insects, his services are very useful. 
There is a tradition, that they first came into New 
England shortly before the revolutionary war, but 
whether their history resembles that of the cliff 
ees in papi gases or not, I am not able to de- 
tormi 

"The Bua nier Hirundo Americana, like 
the preceding, is generally welcomed by the farmer, 
who knows that these birds are of incalculable ser- 
viee in protecting his cattle from the insects that 
torment them almost to madness, and therefore is 
wise enough to allow them a shelter among the 
rafters of his barn. In April they return from the 
south, and soon begin to build against the timbers, 
with pellets of mud from the borders of some neigh- 
boring stream, inlaid with slender grasses, which 
serve to bind it together. The eggs are white, 
spotted with reddish brown. When the young are 
fledged, the parents use persuasion to induce them 


184 | : Mr. Peabody on the 


to come out from the nest, and try their first flight 


in the barn. When they have gained a little con- 


fidence, they go forth to some wall, fence or tree, 
where the parents can feed them without trouble. 
They soon become so expert in receiving food, that 
the parent can feed the young one, while both are on 
the wing. In fact, they seem in their element only 
when flying, their movements being easy and grace- 
ful, apparently without effort, and so rapid that no 
bird can equal them in fleetness. Before the close 
of summer, the barn swallows are seen in flocks, 
constantly increasing in number, and alighting on 
churches, barns or high trees, chattering gaily to 
each other, as if some interesting plan were in view. 
They are talking over the subject of their migra- 
tion; and on some fair morning they set forth, fol- 
iwing the course of streams or the sea beach, and 
thus with very little delay, proceed beyond the limits 
of the Union. The idea that these birds avoided the 
severity of winter by plunging into the mud, is now 
generally abandoned. No doubt many are found 
occasionally, on draining mill-ponds, and under cir- 
cumstances which it is not easy to explain ; but 
no one pretends that one swallow has been reani- 
mated after its submersion, nor is there anything 
in the structure of the bird which authorizes us to 
suppose that it can live beneath the water. Least 
ofall should we expect any such proceeding from 
a bird which can fly more than a mile a minute, and 
in a day or two can reach those regions where the 
flowers do not wither nor the leaves fall When 
they return in the spring, the bank swallows, 


kd 


S. 


Birds of Massachusetts. 185 


which pass the winter in Florida, come first; the 
white-bellied follows ; next, the purple martin; then, 
the barn swallows ; and last, the chimney imis: 

The probability is, that those which are latest in 
returning, come from the most distant winter quar- 
ters, and that the extent of their migration may be 
determined by the date of their usual reappearance 
in the spring. 

The Curr Swatiow, Hirundo fulva, was hardly 
known to naturalists till within a quarter of a century. 
The first account of its habits was derived from 
Long's expedition to the Rocky Mountains. Since 
that time the whole body have commenced a great 
system of emigration, moving gradually on towards 
the Atlantie, till now it is become quite common in 
many parts of New England. A peculiar sagacity 
is manifested. b y this and the chimney swallow. 


under eaves and cornices, where its nest is partially 
sheltered from the rain. The first emigrants who 
came, informed the rest of their discovery, and in- 
duced the whole tribe to make a radical change in 
some of the most important habits of their lives. 
The nest is a large patch of clay mixed with sand, 
having an entrance near the top, rounded, projecting, 
and bent downward; the whole resembling a coarse 
earthen retort, with the neck broken off, stuck and 
flattened against the side of the building. The nest 
has a lining of dry grass and straw, on which are 
generally four eggs, white) with dusky spots. These 
VOL. IIL—NO. II. — — 24 


= 


186 Mr. Peabody on the 


birds defend their nest, when attacked, with great 
spirit and resolution. They are not common as yet 
in the eastern part of the State, but in the west they 
begin to abound. 


- The Wurre-srzLLIED Swannow, Hirundo bicolor, 
is not so common in the western part of this State 


as either of the two preceding. It differs from 


them in never using mud in the construction of 
its nest, whieh is made of dry grass and lined with 
feathers. The eggs are four or five in number, of a 
pure white. Other swallows are harmonious and 
friendly to each other; but these are angry and 
quarrelsome. In taking their food, they make a 
snapping noise with the bill. This bird returns in 
spring earlier than any of its tribe, except the sand 
martin ; and though not particularly friendly to its 
own kindred, it is on good terms with man, and 
well disposed to accept the lodgings which he pro- 
vides. 


The Banx Swarnow, Hirundo riparia, is found | 
wherever there is a sandy bank on the side of 2 pit 
or river. "There it bores a hole with its bill, below 
the upper edge of the bank. Having opened it s0 
far as to insert its body, it scrapes the sand with the 
feet, inclining the excavation upward, in order that 
the waste earth may fall out readily below. The 
depth varies, in different situations, from two feet to 
five; the end is enlarged in the form of an oven, to 
receive the nest. These birds are so gentle, indus- 
trious, and friendly to each other, that. it is quite 


Birds of Massachusetts. 187 


interesting to see them engaged in their labor. They 
often, unfortunately, are compelled to work in vain. 
Idle boys destroy their tenement, or some improve- 
ment destroys the bank ; but they are so hopeful and 
persevering, that they will continue boring the earth, 
even when the shovel, day after day, destroys the 
results of their exertion. 

The nest is formed with bits of dry grass and 
feathers. The eggs of the first brood are from five 


to seven, of a pure white. The young, as soon as 


they are able, crawl to the entrance, where they 
become a prey to crows and hawks, which lie in 
wait to catch them, both at that time, and after 
they have left the nest to perch in trees. In winter, 
these birds resort to East Florida, where they are 
seen by thousands. Audubon has discovered that 
there is another species, nearly resembling this, and 
often confounded with it. He has given it the name 
of rough-winged swallow, H. serripennis. The bill 
is longer, with the point of the upper mandible more 
decurved. The tail is shorter and but slightly 
emarginate. There are no feathers on the hinder 
part of the tarsus, as in the common species, and the 
wings extend half an inch beyond the tail. 


The Cumney SwarLow, Cypselus pelasgius, is a 
singular bird, which formerly, when the country was 
unsettled, made its nest and place of resort in hollow 
trees ; but having discovered that chimneys have an 


. advantage over those wild tenements, and that a 


great proportion of them are not in use in the sum- 
mer, it has now become familiar with man, and 


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LÀ ; 


aw 


, aboutids i in almost all the towns and villages of the 
WE on As soon as they arrive in May, they select 
nney for their encampment, where both sexes 
“oi together at night; and if not disturbed in their 
rendezvous, they return to it several years in suc-. 
geen, Here they may be seen in the evening, 
flying round ibid circles, till it grows dark; at 
length, as one passes over it, he drops into it as if 
dead. One after another, at intervals, follows his 
T 3 example, whirring with their wings as they descend, 
and making a sound like distant thunder. They 
spend the night on the sides of the flue, clinging 
with their claws and resting on their tails, all in 
profound repose. At the first glimpse of daybreak, 
all are in motion, and they pour out in a rushing 
volume, as if the chimney were bursting out with 
flames ; for a moment it trembles to its foundation ; 
but the swallows disperse to their several cares, and 


a 


$ it is left deserted for the day. 
T Each pair select a chimney in the neighborhood, * 
E -= taking one which appears to be disused for the sea- 


son. Their first process is to collect twigs, which _ 

they break off in an ingenious manner, grasping —— 

them with their claws, and pushing the body sud- = — 
- denly against them, by which the stick is separated. 5 Ba 

from the branch, with the end in the swallow’s grasp. 

These they glue to the side of the flue with their 

saliva, to form the frame work of their nest, which — ; 

is placed four or five feet from the top. In this 

rude basket-work their eggs are laid, without the - 

semblance of a lining. They are white, and from 

four to six in number. In wet weather these nests 


—— AI 


fe 


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Birds of Massachusetts. 189 


are often dislodged, and come down with the young . 
in them; sometimes the young fall out of the nest. 
In either’ case, they scramble up the chimney and 
support themselves with their claws and their tail, 
till they are able to fly, in a place near the mouth of 
the flue, where the parent can conveniently feed 
them. Before the end of the summer they all dis- 
appear, leaving us earlier than other swallows, be- 
cause — have a git oon. to € pi 


a Pie 


The Vase food —M vedere 
not often seen, because compelled, by its d cate 
sense of vision, to retreat into the forests to escape 


the blaze of day ; but every one knows its wild and 


melancholy song, which, when. it first arrives, is 
heard from the distant woods, but comes nearer as 
the season advances, and at last is heard very near 
the dwellings € of men. The s song of birds is always 
expressive of happiness ; ‘but the complaining notes 
of the whippoorwill seem to indicate suffering, and 
create a sympathy in the hearer, which the case of 
the bird does not call for; since, all this while, it is 
collecting moths, beetles, ants and grasshoppers ; and, 
instead of foreboding change and disaster, it is em- 


ployed advantageously for us, and no doubt to its - 


own satisfaction, in destroying insects that trouble 
the repose of the cattle. The barn-yard affords it a 
foraging ground, which it often visits ; sometimes it 
takes its station on the step of the house door, not 
chasing its prey on the wing, like the night hawk, 
but waiting till insects pass by; when they appear, it 


: 
Oe, 
' 

1 

=} 


e t i * 
190 ` Mr. Peabody on the oy 
rises to snatch them, and then resumes its PD 
and proceeds with its song. 


"The nest of the whippoorwill, if it can be "ida to 
have any, is a mere hollow place in the ground, in 
some retired part of the woods. The eggs, bluish 
white, with blotches of dark olive, are laid directly 
on the ground. "The young are soon able to run 
about, and. until they can fly, are sufficiently pro- 
tected by their resemblance to the ground. This 


bird is very susceptible of cold ; during the severe 


season of 1832, many of them were found dead in 
New England in the month of June. It would be 
no subject of regret if they were more common in 
Massachusetts, for their note is pleasant, heard in the 
silence of evening, and their services in destroying 
insects are not balanced by any injuries whatever. 


The Nicar Hawk, Caprimulgus Virginianus, 
notwithstanding its popular name, is much less prop- 
erly called a bird of night than the former. It flies 
in the day, even when the sun is shining, and retires 
to rest before it is late in the evening, about at the 
time when the whippoorwill begins his song. Its 
wings are very large in proportion to its weight, and 
its flight is firm and graceful; it sweeps in circles, 
sometimes rising high in the air, then shooting sud- 
denly downward, with a sharp squeak, which seems 
to say that it has caught sight of its victim. In the 
evening, it flies lower than by day, often striking 
off wildly from its line of flight, doubtless to pursue 
some insect which its sharp eye has discovered. It 


TU - Birds of Massachusetts. 191 


can hardly walk on the ground, nor even stand erect 
without resting on its breast. When it grows dark, 
it alights on the earth, or on fences, where it passes 
the night, giving a squeak now and then, as if it 
were still following its prey in dreams. 

In May, the female deposits her muddy colored 
and freckled eggs on the naked ground, without any 
sort of preparation. The young, like those of the 
preceding species, are sufficiently guarded, by the 
resemblance of the down, which covers them, to the 
ground, in which they nestle. The food of the 
night hawk consists of insects, which it secures and 
swallows while flying. It is strange that Wilson was 
obliged to take so much pains to show that this and 
the whippoorwill are different birds, when, beside 
that one flies by day and the other by night, the 
whippoorwill is so formed, that he can walk firmly 
and fast, while the night hawk can hardly support 
itself on the ground, and, when it perches, is obliged 
to stand on the branch lengthwise, in order to lean 
upon its breast. Beside this, the closed wings of the 
former do not extend so far as the tail by two iuches, 
while those of the night hawk are longer than the 
tail. In the night hawk the tail is forked, while 
that of the whippoorwill is rounded. It shows that 
Wilson labored in a field which had been very little 
exploted, and it is wonderful that he did not leave 
more errors to be corrected, and deficiencies to be 
supplied, by later observers. 


š "E 
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4 e — A bus Sa 
s E. 


192 Mr. Peabody on the 


PIGEON TRIBE. 


The CAROLINA TusTLE Dove, Columba Caroli- 
nensis, is common enough at the western part of 
Massachusetts, where it is called the Mourning Dove, 
from the plaintiveness of its call, which is often 
heard in the woods. 'The sound seems expressive 
of deep affliction, but the bird that makes it is very 
happy, and quite unconscious of the interest which 
he inspires. When these doves come to the north in 
the spring, they disperse in small parties, and it is 
not often that more than two are seen together. 
They are generally met with in roads through the 
forest, to which they resort in order to dust them- 
selves and swallow gravel. 'T'hey are by no means . 
shy, though unobtrusive in their manners; they are 
sometimes seen among the domestic poultry, as they 
80 to be fed at the farmer's door. Occasionally they 
join the flocks of passenger pigeons, and are taken in 
shares, together with their relations. Their food 
consists of grain and small acorns, together with 
poke, partridge, and dogwood berries, in their sea- 
son. They are said to be easily tamed, and to raise 
their young in confinement ; if so, they would re- 
Ward attempts at domestication, since the flesh is 
pronounced equal to that of the woodcock, by those 
Who profess to be judges of such matters. 


The Passencer Prerow, Columba migratoria, is 
a hardy wayfarer, which cares very little for climate, 
and is governed in its migrations, not by the desire 


I 
V 


: E PE diim or to build its nest in a 
2nd one, but | simply by the necessity of going 
where food abounds, because no small supply will 
satisfy the appetite of such immense numbers. 
Having powers of vision equal to their power of 
flight, they can easily take a survey of the country 
over which they àre passing ; if they determine to 
descend, they break the force of their motion by 
repeated flappings of their wings, to keep themselves 
from being injured by dashing upon the ground. 
So swiftly do they move over an immense extent of 
country, that they have been killed. near New York, 
with their crops full of rice from South Carolina 
plantations. In the Atlantic states, their numbers 
are nothing compared to the countless multitudes 
which assemble in the west, where, as they pass 
over, the rush and roar seem like those of a tornado, 
darkening all the sky. But their numbers, though 
reduced from those of former times, are still consid- 
erable, and as soon as it is known in a neighbor- 
hood that the pigeons are flying over, it is the signal 
for assembling all the arts and instruments of de- 
struction. Many are shot with the gun; many are 
taken with nets; and others are decoyed by pigeons 
with their eyes blinded, which are stationed on a 
roost, provided for the purpose; the roost being 
shaken with a string, these pigeons open their wings 
to balance themselves ; and the wayfarers, supposing 
that they have just alighted, after examining the re- 
gion, think it safe to come down and join them 
without farther investigation. 
VOL. III.—NO. I—II. 


194 Mr. Peabody on the A A r 


The accounts of the breeding places of the pigeons | 
at the west are almost incredible. Some of them — 
extend several miles, covering thousands of acres; ^x 
the grass and underwood is all destroyed; the - z^ T 
ground overspread with limbs, broken down with TEE 
the weight of the birds clustering upon them, ÉL * 
the trees killed as completely as if girdled with the © s 
axe. When the young are fully grown, but have a, 
not yet left the nest, a general invasion is made 
upon the spot. Hawks and eagles snatch them 
. from above; hogs devour the thousands that fall to í i 

the ground ; the axe-men cut down the trees most xl 
loaded with nests, and the crash of falling timber $ 
mingles with the thundering roar of the wings of | 
ten thousand pigeons. One large tree, as it de- | 
scends, often brings down several others, and two | 
hundred squabs have been gathered by means of a 
single fall. The multitudes of birds are continually 
breaking down large branches with their weight, so 
that it is dangerous to walk below. 

There is some disagreement in the accounts given 
of their breeding. Wilson maintained that there was 
but a single young one in a nest ; while Audubon 
asserts that there are two. The prodigious numbers 
of the birds would seem to confirm the statement 
of the latter. The young come to maturity in six 
months. Every year they, at least, double their 
numbers. 

One office of the pigeon seems to be to protect the 
oak forests. It is stated, on excellent authority, 
that for some years after they have occupied a par- 
ticular spot as their breeding place, the oaks, for 


f $ Birds of Massachusetts. 195 


many miles around, are remarkably free from the 


_ green caterpillars, by which they are ^ i to be in- 
fested. 


ge 


^ .GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 


The Win» Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo, was 
formerly common in all parts of the United States, 
but has gradually disappeared before the encroach- 
ments of civilization, and is rare, except in the un- 
settled regions of the west. It is still found occa- 
sionally in our western mountains, and also on the 
Holyoke range, where some are taken almost every 
year. Its migrations, like those of the pigeon, are 
irregular, having nothing to do with seasons, and are 
governed wholly by the supply of food. This fine 
bird is so uncommon in Massachusetts that it does 
not seem necessary to describe it at large ; in a few 
years it will doubtless leave us forever. 


The American Quair, or Parrriper, Perdix Vir- 
giniana, is quite common in Massachusetts, where 
it bears the former name; in the southern and west; 
ern states, it is always known by the name of 
Partridge. It remains with us throughout the year, 
and sometimes suffers so much from the deep snows, 
that it may be seen in the sheds and near the houses 
of our largest villages, in search of shelter and food. 
A party will sometimes resist the cold by collecting 
in a circle, pressing close, with their heads outward, 


È 


196 Mr. Peabody on the 


borrowing warmth from each other; but in our 
fiercest winter storms they sometimes perish under 
the drifted snow. 

The quail is a gentle bird, and fond of associating 
with its own race, though not in large numbers. It 
generally resorts to open fields in search of food, 
such as grain, buck wheat and Indian corn. It 
sometimes joins the parties of domestic fowls, and 
scratches the ground after their example. Though 
it is fond of grain, it requires something more for 
its support ; and the demand of the young quails for 
insects makes the chief difficulty in the way of its 
domestication. The female prepares a nest of vari- 
ous grasses, arranged in an oven-like form, under the 
protection of a tuft, and partly sunk in the ground. 
The eggs are from ten to eighteen, of a pure white 
The male takes part in sitting, and as soon as the 
young are hatched, they are able to leave the nest. 
Wilson believed that the quail might be domesti- 
cated. Its eggs have sometimes been hatched by the 
common hen, and the chickens are sufficiently tame ; 
but though kept through the season and the suc- 
ceeding winter, they go away in the spring. Two 
that were brought up by a hen, as soon as they Were 
turned off, associated with the cows, going with 
them to the pasture in the morning, returning at 
night, and standing by them when they were milked, 
waiting to share their lodgings in the barn. These, 
however, contented as they appeared, deserted, like 
all the rest, in the spring. This wildness might, 
after a time, be overcome; but there would be 
more difficulty in supplying all the food they require; 


E 


~ 


Birds of Massachusetts. 197 


and after all it would be doubtful whether success 
would repay the care and attention which it would 
demand. 

. The note of the quail is well known, being gen- 
erally interpreted into the prediction, more wet, more 
wet; the sounds are continued for a long time. 
This note of the male is most frequent and loud in 
the month of September. Sometimes there is an 
introductory whistle preceding the clear and em- 
phatie more wet, or bob white. 'This call may be 
easily imitated so as to deceive the bird. When a 
covey are about to take wing, they make a sound 
resembling that of young chickens; when they sep- 
arate, the parent assembles them by a plaintive and 
expressive call. 


The Rurrep Grous, Tetrao umbellus, is called 
pheasant in the middle and western states, and 
partridge in New England; a confusion of names 
somewhat perplexing. These elegant birds gener- 
ally keep themselves within the shelter of the woods, 
and prefer those which grow on the sides of moun- 
tains. There they can find their food at all seasons ; 
it consists, in spring and autumn, of the buds of 
various trees, the catkins of the alder and hazle, 
and all the berries that the fields and forest afford. 
In winter, they live on the buds of apple-trees, lau- 
rels and azaleas, together with the berries of the 
wintergreen, and the favorite partridge berry, which 
they are able to rescue from the snow. 

"The ruffed grous begins its drumming in April ; 
the sound is heard most frequently at the beginning 


198 Mr. Peabody on the 


and at the close of day. It is produced by the male, 
who beats his sides with such a rapid motion as to 
make this sound resembling distant thunder, which 
is heard at a prodigious distance in the woods. It 
is said to be imitated by striking an inflated bladder 
with a stick ; on hearing it, the male takes it for a 
challenge, and as he comes forth to do battle with 
his supposed rival, he falls an easy prey. The nest 
is constructed in May. It is little more than a 
handful of leaves, spread under a bush, or at the side 
of a fallen log, and, unlike that of the quail, it has no 
roof above. The eggs are from nine to fifteen, 
brownish white. The young leave the nest as soon 
as hatched, and are led by the mother with a cluck 
like that of the hen. If the family are surprised, 
the mother resorts to arts like those of the quail, 
throwing herself on the ground, fluttering and beat- 
ing with her wings, as if hardly able to move; and 
while she thus draws off the attention' of the intru- 
der, she calls to the young to disperse and hide 
themselves. They do this so effectually that they 
are seldom found, though they only creep among the 
dry leaves, or remain perfectly still, trusting that 
their resemblance to the earth will conceal them 
from an unfriendly eye. 
The old birds, when hard pressed by the hunter; 
if there is snow on the ground, save themselves by 
iving into it, and working their way out at some 
distance from the place where they went in. Much 
as they are pursued, they are still abundant in 
New England, and the wildness of their habits will 
save them from extermination so long as the forests 


Birds of Massachusetts. i 199 


are permitted to last. They are now cut down with 
wanton profusion ; and as fast as they are cleared 
away, birds of this description are driven to other 
regions less infested by man. 


The Pinnatep Grous, Tetrao cupido, was once 
very common in New England, but, being more shy 
than the preceding species, it has already been driven 
from all but a very few places, where it is compara- 
tively free from intrusion. Audubon says, that when 
he first went to Kentucky, they were so abundant, 
that they could hardly be given away ; now, hardly 
one can be found in the state, and they are, in like 
manner, fast disappearing from all the settled parts 
of the west. In Massachusetts, laws have been en- 
acted to preserve the heath-hen, as it is commonly 
called ; but it is impossible to withstand the opera- 
tion of the law of nature by legislative enactments, 
and the same causes which have removed the 
greater proportion will soon deprive us of all. 'The 
better way is to try the experiment of domestica- 
tion ; the bird is easily tamed, and breeds in confine- 
ment. Some which Audubon kept for the purpose, 
soon became familiar, and would eat from the hand 
as readily as common fowls. Unfortunately, they 
became so destructive to the vegetables of the gar- 
den, that he was obliged to have them killed ; but 
the experiment proceeded far enough to show, that 
neither the natural wildness of the bird, nor the want 
of proper food, would prevent their being reared by 
any one who is willing to take the trouble. 

The grous feeds on berries of various kinds, in 


5." i 
200 Mr. Peabody on the 
ad their season, the acorns of dwarf oaks, and the buds 


and leaves of trees. In summer, they pick whortle- 
berries and cranberries, and sometimes venture into 
a field to pick the leaves of clover. It is said, that, 
sometimes in winter, when they are hard pressed 
with hunger, they will feed on the buds of the pine. 
They are also known, under those circumstances, to 
join the domestic poultry. 

The footing, for which these birds are remarkable, 
is produced by means of the air bags at the side. 
When these, resembling a small orange, are inflated, 
the bird lowers its head, opens its bill, and sends 
forth the air contained in these receptacles, in a suc- 
cession of rolling notes, like those of a muffled drum. 
In parts of the country where the birds are become 
few and wild, this sound is seldom made after sun- 
rise, and sometimes the battles of the rival males 
are carried on in silence, and the scratching grounds 
carefully concealed. 

The nest is built in May, with dry leaves and 

. grasses, interwoven, and is carefully placed amidst 

^ . the tall grass of a large tuft, where it is not often 
discovered. The eggs, from eight to twelve in num- 
ber, resemble those of the preceding species, though 
somewhat larger in size. - The female sits nearly 
three weeks, and as soon as the young are hatched, 
leads them away from the nest. When surprised, 
they conceal themselves, like young partridges, and 
one may search for them in vain, though perhaps he 
is treading them under his feet. In autumn, the 
different families associate together, sometimes in 
r large parties. Their most dangerous enemies A 


ae 


at s 


Birds of Massachusetts. g 901 


are the hawk, the skunk, and the greatest of all 
destroyers, man. 

The only place where they are now found in Mas- 
sachusetts, is in Martha's Vineyard, and one small 
island near it; and there, though pains are taken to 
protect them, they are said to diminish fast, the high 
price which they command in the market, being a 
strong temptation to shoot them. Cats, also, which 
run wild in the island, do their part in the work of 
extermination. 'The wonder is, that with all their 
timidity, they have remained so long, but their pa- 
tience and their attachment to their old haunts will 
be wearied out, and other means must be found to 
gratify the epicure's taste, and the sportsman's love 
of pleasure. The order of nature supplies such 
game, as a resource for the pioneers of civilization, 
while the process of clearing the soil goes on; till 
the earth is subdued, the deer, the birds, and the 
fish, supply means of sustaining life. But when 
agriculture, and the other arts of life, begin to be 
pursued with profit and success, these resources cease 
to be needed ; the habits of the hunter are inconsis- 
tent with regular industry ; and as the game would 


only serve to tempt men away from their cares and 


duties, the forests and streams are deserted, and 
their wild tenants go where there are other adven- 
turers who need them. If the gallinaceous tribes 
can be preserved, it is by domestication, not by law. 
Experiments should be made for several years in 
succession, and if these fail, we must make up our 
minds to lose them. 

e VOL. I11.—no. Lm 26 


ae 


i... 


202 Mr. Peabody on the 


WADING BIRDS. 


The SanperLING, Calidris arenaria, is an au- 
tumnal and winter visiter, which arrives from its 
northern breeding places in August, and spreads 
along the coast from Maine to Florida. "They are 
seen in flocks, running in the face of the waves, and 
uttering a plaintive whistle, as they gather the small 
shell fish, insects, and other minute animals, with 
which the beach abounds. This bird obtains much 
of its subsistence by inserting its bill obliquely in 
the sands; it does this with great activity, and when 
the tide is going down, great numbers of the holes 
which are made by this process, are seen upon the 
wet beach. "They can run very fast upon the sands; 
their flight is rapid, but they generally alight at no 
great distance from the spot whence they started. 
When they return to us in autumn, from the northern 
regions, they are in good order for eating, and their 
flesh is much esteemed. 


"The Brack necxep Hinr, Himantopus nigricollis, 
if known at all in Massachusetts, appears only as an 
accidental visiter. Dr. Brewer tells me that a bird, 
somewhat answering to the description of this, has 
been seen occasionally near New Bedford, but pe has 
never obtained a specimen. dá & 


The dote aco rolas Hematopus pal- 
liatus, is found along our whole Atlantic coast, but 


more rarely in New England than in other parts of E 


Birds of Massachusetts. 203 


the country. It spends the winter in the south, and 
returns to the north in spring. Its breeding places 
extend from the middle states to Labrador, where 
it was found breeding in July. Dr. Brewer informs 
me that he has once found this bird in Massachu- 
setts. We learn from Audubon, that he has never 
found the Hematopus ostralegus, described by Wil- 
son, in any part of this country, and, though he 
does not say it is not to be found, it is more likely 
that this species has been mistaken for it, than that 
it should have escaped his searching observation. 
This bird is exceedingly difficult to approach, flying 
off the moment it perceives that any one is watching 
it; so that it was only with a telescope that he could 
observe its motions, as it probed the sand with its 
bill, tore off the limpets by inserting its bill as a 
wedge between the fish and the rock, or beat a shell 
fish against the sand, for the purpose of breaking the 
shell. These birds return to the south early in Oc- 
tober. 


The Gotpven Proven, Charadrius pluvialis, is a 
common bird on our coast in spring and autumn, 
when they return from their breeding places in the 
north, and prolong their stay, till they are driven 
. away by the approach of winter. "They live princi- 
pally on such insects as are found in the viciniiy of 
the sea; they are sometimes seen patting the earth 
with then feet, to force out the worm from his bur- 
row, but when grasshoppers are to be had, they ap- 
pear to be the plover’s favorite food. They assem- 


P» ble in such immense flocks, that on one occasion, 


ae 
aw 


RI x 
** at : 
204 Mr. Peabody on the 


when Audubon accompanied. some French gunners 


from Néw Orleans to shoot thém, one man killed 
sixty-three dozens in the course of the day. When 
they are about taking their departure, they assemble 
in large flocks in the morning, though they rest apart 
from each other at night ;-and at such times, they 
'are caught in great numbers in nets, which they 
are driven into by creating a panic among them. 
No difference can be detected between this and the 
golden plover of Europe ; it is doubtless the same 
with the bird so abundant in the Hebrides, and 
found in most parts of the known world. 


The. Pipine PLOVER, Charadrius. melodus, so 


called from its pleasant, though plaintive note, is 
found along our whole coast in summer. They 
spend the winter on the shores of the southern 
states. In the spring they proceed to the eastward in 
pairs ; if they find a suitable breeding place on the 
way, they alight and take possession, and as they 
are soon joined by others, they soon form a consid- 
erable party. In autumn, they move in flocks of 
twenty or thirty, always keeping near the shore. 
Its flight is strong and rapid, but it is more remark- 
able for its swiftness in running, which is so great, 
that it eludes the eye, and reposes quietly on the 
sand, which it so much resembles that it has no fear. 
of being detected. I have no information of its nest 
having been found in our State, but it can hardly 
be that it should breed so far on each side of us, and 
yet pass us by. The piping plover is valued as 
game, but the sportsman generally gives his attention 
to birds of larger size. 


Birds of Massachusetts. — 205 


Wirsow's Prover, Charadrius Wilsonius, a spe- 
cies resembling the preceding, and named in honor 
of the great ornithologist, is a constant resident in 
the southern states, but was supposed never to come 
farther to the east than Long Island. Audubon 
thought it strange that its‘range should be so lim-' 
ited, compared with that of the piping plover. I 
am, however, informed by Dr. Brewer, that Wilson's 
plover was abundant at Nahant, in August of the 
last year. It was probably some irregular movement, 
which would not be repeated every year, since it is 
hardly to be supposed that the bird should be often 
in our limits, and yet buic fi the eye of so md 
accurate observers. 


The Kitprer Proven, Charadrius vociferus, is a 
common bird, which spends the winter at the south, 
but returns early in the spring, leaving the éoast : and 
spreading over the inland country, where it is found 
in open fields, and on the banks of streams, and 
known by the name of kill-dee. It seems to have 
great sagacity in suspecting danger. In the pre- 
sence of horses, cows and sheep, it is perfectly indif- 
ferent; but if a man or dog appears, it betrays ex- 
treme uneasiness and distrust. When they move in 
small flocks, they appoint one as sentinel, who stands 
on tiptoe, watching all the objects around ; when 
any thing appears, in the least suspicious, it sounds 
the alarm, and the place is at once deserted. 

The kildeer plover makes its nest on the ground 
of a field, or the sand of the downs, sometimes lin- 
ing it with grass, at others laying the eggs on 


ft é 
eg * 
K Ye 


Be 


. 906 Mr. Peabody on the 


the naked earth ; they are four in number, of a cream 
color, blotched with black ; the young run about as 
soon as they are hatched, and the parents are kept 
in perpetual agitation by fears for their safety. 

The food of the kildeer consists of grasshoppers, 
crickets, snails and earth worms. They often strike 
their bill into the ground, in search of their prey. 
In the meadow, they pat the ground, to force out 
the worms, and sometimes follow the ploughman, 
to seize those which he has turned out from the 
ground. 'They have a peculiar motion of the body, 
when about to pick up their food, in order to bring 
their bills to the earth to reach their prey. The 
flesh of this plover is often eaten in the fall, but 
at other seasons it is poor and ill flavored ; indeed, 
there is hardly any time when it is worth the trou- 
ble of shooting. 

E. 


The Semrpatmarep Prover, Charadrius semi- 
palmatus, is not an uncommon bird, and is seen on 
our coast in the spring, from the last of April till the 
end of May ; then it goes to high northern latitudes 
to spend the breeding season, at which time, Dr. 


Richardson assures us, they abound in the arctic - 


regions. As soon as the young have acquired 
strength for the journey, they set out on their re- 
turn, and early in August they again make their ap- 
pearance on our shores. They feed on land as well 
as marine insects, though they are generally seen 
playing before the waves on the beach. They are 
found in the markets of our cities at the close of 
summer, and are well esteemed for food. 


Birds of Massachusetts. 207 


The Brack-sELLIED Piover, Charadrius Helvet- 
icus, called sometimes the large Whistling Field 
Plover, because of its attachment to newly-ploughed 
fields, where it finds the insects and berries which 
compose its food, is found over a large extent of 
country, having breeding places from Pennsylvania 
to the most distant northern regions known to civ- 
ized man. It often chooses the field for the place 
of its nest, which is carelessly made of dry grass, 
and in which are laid four eggs, of cream color, 
dashed with black. Nuttall says, that their nests are 
of rare occurrence in New England, but does not 
say whether he had ever found them. In the sum- 
mer they feed on various berries, and are valued as 
food. At the close of August, they go down with 
their young to the borders of the sea, where they 
live on such materials as the shores afford them. 
They are called the beetle-headed plovers, and some- 
times the kildeer, from their cry, in which they re- 
semble that restless bird, as well as in their never- 
resting suspicion. Toward the last of September 
they collect in great flocks, preparatory to their 
migration, but linger with us for a considerable 
time before they go. 


The Turnstone, Strepsilus interpres, derives its 
popular name from the habit of turning over stones 
with the bill and sometimes the breast, to find in- 
sects and worms beneath them, a habit which they 
are said to retain when in a domesticated state. 
They arrive in the spring, and linger on the shores 
till the summer, when they hurry away to the deso- 


x 2 


5^ XE. 
* 


208 Mr. Peabody on the 


late coasts of the northern ocean, where they breed. 
'They return in August, and, as the weather grows 
cold, move off to the south, extending their migration 
over a vast extent of country. The turnstone flies 
with a loud twittering note, and runs with its wings 
lowered, but not rapidly. ‘They do not collect in 
great numbers, like the sandpipers, but are seen in 
small parties of three or four. 'The bill resembles 
that of the nuthatch, and is used with great skill 
in collecting food. It is strong enough to break 
the shells of many small shell fish ; from others, it 
picks out the flesh like the oyster catcher. 


The Great Brue Heron, Ardea herodias, is a 
constant resident in Massachusetts, searching for its 
prey, in winter, in springs and ponds, which are not 
sealed up by the cold. It seems indifferent to cli- 
mate, but is not found very far to the north, though 
it is seen westward as far as the Rocky Mountains. 
It isa shy and suspicious bird, with most penetra- 
ting and far-reaching powers of vision, so that it is 
extremely difficult to approach it, except in the depth 
of the wood. Their principal food is fish ; but they 
have an extensive bill of fare, embracing frogs, liz- 
ards, meadow mice, young rats, snakes and birds. It 
does not refuse insects when it can find nothing bet- 
ter; but it prefers fish, and has been known to ex- 
pose itself so much in order to secure it, as to plunder 
a pond of its gold fish. It suffered the penalty of its 
transgression, but not till it had eaten the last fish. 
The amount which it will devour exceeds belief. 
These birds have great strength and spirit, so as to 


! 
| 


Birds of Massachusetts. 209 


make it dangerous even for a man to encounter 
them, since they seem to know the points most un- 
guarded, and always aim at the eye. The blue her- 
on breeds, under various circumstances, sometimes in 
communities, sometimes apart; some nests are in 
very tall trees, some lower, and others are on the 
ground. The eggs are three, of a bluish white 
color, and larger than those of a hen. The old ones 
provide very liberally for the young till they are able 
to shift for themselves, when they turn them adrift 
without ceremony, and, from want of experience, 
they often suffer for the want of food. They take 
three years to reach maturity, and even after that 
period they sometimes continue to grow. 


The Great Warre Heron, Ardea egretta, is, ac- 
cording to Audubon, sometimes seen as far eastward 
as Massachusetts. 


The Wurrr Heron, Ardea alba, is inserted on the 
authority of Audubon, who, as Dr. Brewer informs 
me, has ascertained that it is sometimes found in 
this State. Its principal residence isin the southern 
regions, and when it comes to the north, it is found 
on the low marshy shores of rivers and broad 
Swamps, where it is open to view, but contrives to 
escape from injury by its watchful suspicion. 


The Ssowv Heron, Ardea candidissima, is insert- 
ed on the same great authority ; but it seldom comes 
farther to the north than New York. It was said to 

VOL. III.— NO. I-II. 


210 Mr. Peabody on the 


proceed as far as the gulf of St. Lawrence, but 
Wilson was probably misled by his informer. They 
come from the south in May, and in summer they 
are seen along the coast from this State to the gulf 
of Mexico. It is a fine looking bird, with animated 
and graceful motions ; if wounded, it defends itself 
vigorously, and sometimes inflicts a severe wound. 
The fall of the leaf is the signal for its departure. 
This heron is often exposed for sale in the southern 
markets, and, in the early part of autumn, the flesh 
is said to be good. 


The Nicur Heron, Ardea nycticoraz, called the 
Qua-bird from its peculiar call, is found in the south- 
ern states throughout the year, but many of them 
come to the north in spring, and their breeding 
places extend as far eastward as Maine. One of 
their breeding places is found in a marshy island 
in Fresh pond, in Cambridge, where they continue 
to resort, though exposed to much persecution. 
Their sight by day is imperfect; but the sense of 
hearing is so quick, that it is very difficult to ap 
proach them. They have a strong and steady flight, 
and seldom alight on the ground, without first rest- 
ing on the neighboring trees to examine the spot. 
On the ground it walks stooping, and is constantly 
moving about in search of food, which consists of 
frogs, tadpoles, water insects, and fish, which it wades 
deep in the water to procure. When satiated, it re- 
tires to a tree ora swamp, and there reposes on one 
leg, but starts from its slumber on the least alarm. 
When taken, it defends itself with its bill, but some- 


L 


Birds of Massachusetts. 211 


times uses its claws with serious effect, making a 
rough and angry sound, and constantly attempting to 
escape. : 

The nest is formed of sticks arranged on each 
other so carelessly, that it is sometimes overset by 
the young. The eggs are four in number, of a light 
sea green. The young remain a long time in the 
nest; as soon as they are able, they climb to the 
tops of the trees, and there wait to be fed. Their 
flesh is said to be as good as that of the pigeon. 
They undergo three annual changes of plumage be- 
fore they reach their mature state. 


The American Birrern, Ardea minor, sometimes 
called the Night Hen, from its nocturnal habits, is 
a retired bird, which remains hidden in the reeds 
and sedge throughout the day, never leaving its re- 
treat, except in cases of alarm. It then flies off with 
a hollow ery, and as its motions are heavy, it is ea- 
sily brought down. They feed mostly in the night, 
and it is in the dusk of morning and evening that 
their booming note is usually heard. They breed in 
the northern regions, where their nests are made in 
swamps among the coarse grass; the eggs are four, 
of a green color. They also breed in this State, 


The Green Heron, Ardea virescens, is better 
known than any other of the tribe, and, without any 
reason, is heid in general contempt. He cares very 
little, however, for the scorn or favor of man, and 
neither seeks nor fears his society. He prefers the 
solitude of swamps and marshes, where he can asso- 


E 


212 Mr. Peabody on the 


ciate with birds of habits similar to his own, and 
there seeks his subsistence from the waters or the 
muddy shores. If fishes or frogs make their appear- 
ance, for which he waits patiently, he seizes them 
with great, adroitness ; dragonflies and other insects 
also serve to help out his fare. When surprised, he 
rises with a hollow scream, but flies only to a little 
distance, as if considering just how far it is neces- 
sary to go. The nest is made of twigs, and placed 
on trees; the eggs four, of a pale blue. They some- 
times breed apart, sometimes in company with each 
other, and not unfrequently put themselves under 
the protection of the larger herons. They come from 
the south in April, and return in October, not in large 
flocks, but in small family parties. 


The Least Brrrern, Ardea ezilis, the smallest of 
this class of birds, is so slender that it can pass be- 
tween two books set an inch apart from each other, 
without displacing them. From their habit of re- 
tiring into extensive marshes, they are but seldom 


. Seen, as they rise only in sudden alarm. At such 


times, they fly slowly and timidly; but, like other 
nocturnal birds, as the enemy comes on, their flight 
grows confident and strong. Its food consists of 
snails, tadpoles, field mice and moles, which it col- 
lects, sometimes by day, but more frequently at 
night; in the day, they sleep so soundly that they 
are sometimes approached and caught in the hand. 
Their nest is among coarse grasses, and either on the 
ground or attached to the stalks a little way above 
it. It is formed of dried weeds, and contains three 


Birds of Massachusetts. 213 


or four eggs, of a dull yellowish green. Though 
they breed here, their nests are seldom found, and 
no one has yet given an account of their migrations. 


The Bay Iers, Ibis falcinellus, is a rare and acci-. 
dental visiter, inserted on the authority of Nuttall, 
who says that a single specimen is sometimes offered 
for sale in the market at Boston. 


The Lone-sintep Curtew, Numenius longiros- 3 
tris, is seen in Massachusetts in the spring, on its 
way to the north to breed; in August they return, 
to spend the winter in warmer regions. Dr. Brewer 
tells me that he has seen large flocks of them at Na- 
hant, and they are offered for sale in the market in 
Boston, at the close of the summer. The name cur- 
lew, is an imitation of their cry of alarm, by coun- 
terfeiting which, the fowler takes advantage of their 
sympathy, and brings them within his fatal reach. 


The Esquimaux Curtew, Numenius Hudsonicus, 
passes the winter at the south, and returns in the 
spring, on its way to the north, where it breeds ; but 
in what place is not known. Audubon could not 
find them at Labrador, nor learn that any had ever 
been seen in that country. In August and Septem- 
ber they return, and many of them are shot in 
Boston harbor. They are found in pastures as well 
as marshes, feeding on grasshoppers and berries, till 
the time of their departure, when they assemble in 
large flocks, preparatory to their migration. 


214 _ Mr. Peabody on the 


The Smart Esqumaux Curtew, Numenius borea- 
lis, like the preceding, goes to the north in the spring, 
Though they abounded at Labrador, Audubon found 
none remaining to breed there; they also proceed be- 
yond Hudson’s Bay ; but Dr. Richardson succeeded 
in finding a nest at Point Lake, in the month of 
June. At the close of summer, these birds arrive in 
company with the preceding, and feed, like them, 
in marshes and pastures. They are also valued as 

t game. Though sufficiently common here, this bird 
is hardly ever seen in the southern states, which it 
must pass through or pass over in its annual flight. 
Even Audubon, before he went to Labrador, had 
never seen more than a single specimen, furnished 
by Mr. Oakes, of this State. 


The Curtnew SANDPIPER, Tringa subarquata, is 
an exceedingly rare bird ; inserted here, because Au- 
dubon tells us that of the few specimens which he 
has ever seen, two were procured in Boston. 


The RED-BACKED SaNDPIPER, Tringa alpina, is 
called in England the Dunlin, in this country the 
Red-back, or the Ox-bird. They make their way 
to the north in the spring, where they go far within 
the arctic circle. In September they return, and 
are seen in company with other sand birds, running 
gaily before the breaking waves. 


Scuinz’s SANDPIPER, Tringa Schinzii, has been 
found by Mr. Oakes in this State. Bonaparte says 
ìt is common in autumn, on the coast of New Jer- 


—————— 


Birds of Massachusetts. 215 


sey. They resemble other sandpipers in their habits 
and food, but even Audubon has never found them 
breeding. ; 


The Pecrorat SawpPreER, Tringa pectoralis, is 
more abundant on the shores of Massachusetts Bay 
than in any other part of the country. "They arrive 
at the last of August, and remain till the fall of the 
leaf, feeding on insects and a kind of seaweed. 
Their northern breeding places are as yet entirely 
unknown. 


The Burr-sreastep SANDPIPER, Tringa rufes- 
cens, is not uncommon in the Boston market, in 
August and September, but so rare in other parts 
of the country, that Wilson never saw it, and Audu- 
bon first met with it in England. He received a 
wing of this bird from Captain Ross, that was picked 
up by a sailor on the Arctic expedition, and this is 
all we know concerning it in the regions where it 
must undoubtedly breed. Here it associates with 
the preceding species, which it resembles in form, 
though not in plumage, and feeds with it, on insects, 
partieularly grasshoppers, which abound in the neigh- 
borhood of the sea. 


The Broap-situep SANDPIPER, Tringa platyrhin- 
ea, is very rare in the United States, but I am ena- 
bled to add it to our list, on the authority of Mr. S. 
Cabot, Jr., who procured a specimen at Nahant, the 
only one which, to my knowledge, has been found 
in Massachusetts. 


| 216 .. Mr. Peabody on the 


The PunPLE Sanppirer, Tringa maritima, is 
another of these wanderers, which abounds in au- 
tumn, and is sold in the market at Boston, but is 
less common in other parts of the United States. 
They fly in flocks of eight or ten, avoiding sandy 
beaches, and alighting on rocky shores; from which 
peculiarity in their habits, they are sometimes called 
rock snipes, by the fowlers. Audubon did not find 
them breeding at Labrador, but Dr. Richardson says 
that they breed abundantly on the shores of Hud- 
son’s Bay. 


The Lrrrue Sanppirer, Tringa pusilla, which 
is, as Dr. Brewer informs us, the same with Wilson’s 
Sandpiper, is known by the name of Peep, and is 
found, in its season, on all the shores and in all 
the markets of the Union. It goes to the north 
to breed, like the rest of the tribe; but returns in 
the early summer, in large flocks, roving from place 
to place in search of food. Its bill is pointed and 
flexible ; and in order to collect its fare of worms and 
insects, the bill is inserted in the mud or wet sand, 
after the manner of the woodcock. This bird leaves 
us before the fall of the leaf, and passes the winter 
in distant southern regions. 


The Kxor, or Asm-coLonEp SawpPiPER, Trin- 
ga cinerea, appears on our coast in May, on its way 
to the north, whence it returns before the end of 
summer, and is seen in large flocks, collecting small 
shell fish along the strand, moving with great adroit- 
ness under the edge of the waves. "The shell fish 


Birds of Massachusetts. 217 5 


are swallowed whole; but the birds grow fat upon 
them. While thus employed the birds are easily 
approached ; nor does the fate of those that are shot 
strike any fear into the survivors. 


The SEMIPA MATED SANDPIPER, Tringa semipal- 
mata, is sometimes confounded with the peep, with 
which it often associates; but is obviously distin- 
guished from it by its half-webbed feet. This habit 
of keeping company with other birds has prevented 
accurate observation of its periods. Wilson says that 
it arrives and departs with the sanderling, and asso- 
ciates with the red back, though in flocks apart 
from each other. They are found in the salt marshes. 
near Boston, and are considered better eating than 
any other of the small birds. | 


The SEMIPALMATED SxiPE, T'ofanus semipalmatus, 
is not common in Massachusetts, though it is found 
near Boston, and occasionally breeds near New Bed- 
ford. It is known by the name of Willet, a sound 
resembling its usual cry. It is a shy and artful 
bird, and not approached by the fowler without cun- 
ning equal to its own. It makes its nest on the 
ground in the marsh, constructing it with the coarse 
grass which grows on the spot; it contains four 
eggs, of a yellowish olive, blotched and speckled 
with dark umber. In the autumn, the young are 
known by their grey color, and are marked out by 
the fowler as excellent game. "They come to us 
before the end of April, and return before winter to 
the southern states. 

VOL. III.—NO. I—II. 28 


EM 


dk E. 
218  . . Mr. Peabody on the 


+ 
The Ter. Tate, Totanus vociferus, whose name 
is given in consequence of its habit of sounding an 
alarm to all birds within reach, whenever the fowler 
is nigh, and thereby saving many ducks from the 
fate that would otherwise await them. In Massa- 
chusetts they are uncommon. Though they some- 
times touch upon the capes in considerable numbers, 
it seems only a stop for the purpose of resting in 
their migration. 


The Yettow Suanxs, T'otanus flavipes, is a com- 


. mon summer resident in this State. Its breeding 


> 


place extends from the middle states to the high 
northern regions; but common as’the young birds 
are, the nest has not yet been found in our borders. 
Its breeding place in Nova Scotia is found in the 
grass on the edges of ponds and rivers. The bird 


resides chiefly on flats and marshes, and is seldom 


‘seen at any considerable distance from the sea. 
Their food consists of small fish, aquatic insects and 
worms. It is a shy bird, which often gives an 
alarm to others that are less on their guard; but 
they do not associate with other birds, though often 
seen near them. When alarmed they run to some 
distance before they fly; when they take wing, 
they are known by their long yellow legs, stretched 
out behind them to steer their flight. It has been 
said, that when one was shot its companions would 
gather round it; but, like other creatures, their sym- 
pathy is principally vocal, and seldom indulged at 
any risk to themselves. 


me w* 

Birds of Massachusetts. "^ 9294 
The Sorrranv '"larrLER, T'otanus chloropygius, 
is seen in Massachusetts in the autumn, on its way 
from the north, where it breeds. Dr. Richardson 
says that it makes no nest, but lays its eggs on the 
naked beach, or the gravel. Itis very unsuspicious ; 
and when it takes wing, returns to the same place 
after a wheeling flight, and contents itself with oc- 
easional glances at the observer. The solitary habits, 
however, from which these birds derive their name, 
protect them ; since their numbers are too small to 
tempt the sportsman. When so wounded as to be 

unable to fly, they take to the water to save them- - 
selves by swimming and diving. Nuttall says that 
two of these little birds frequented the fish pond 
in the Botanic Garden at Cambridge, in search of 
the insects which feed on the water lily ; these they 
secured by stepping lightly and with expanded wings 

over the leaves which rested on the water. 

e z se 
The ase Tattier, Totanus macularius, is 
one of our most common birds from May to October. 
From its note, it is called the Peet-weet, which is 
its familiar name. It is seen about creeks and rivers, 
flying in winding sweeps and sounding its clear 
whistle. When the young are added to the com- 
pany, they keep up a constant call to each other, so 
that the whole region is eloquent with the sound. 
They usually breed in meadows, in nests made of 
the grass, slightly arranged for the purpose, with a 
lining of hay. Sometimes they lay directly on the 
ground. ‘The eggs are four, cream-colored, with 
spots of brown. The female practises the same arts 


» 


.920 Mr. Peabody on the 


with the quail, to secure her young, and they, when 
alarmed, trust to their color, and remain motionless 
on the ground. 


Banrnaw's Tattuer, Totanus Bartramius, is a 
bird first described by Wilson, who found it on the 
banks of the Schuylkill, and named it in honor of 
his friend. It is common on the sea coasts, but not 
confined to them ; it extends into the country, where 
it is called the upland plover, and is seen running 
through the grass in search of insects ; grasshoppers 
being its favorite food. Its breeding range extends 
from the middle states to the fur countries ; to these 
it returns in the month of May, when its nests are 
made in various parts of the State. They keep in 
small parties, and are always suspicious of danger; 
when alarmed, they run fast, and make a sharp whis- 
tle as they take wing to fly. Fearful as they are of 
man, they are great friends to the cattle. They 
commonly find food in such abundance, that they 
grow very fat, and their flesh is considered a great 
luxury. 


The ManBLED Gopwir, Limosa fedoa, is a visiter 
in this State in the spring and autumn, on its way 
to and. from the north, where its breeding places are 
but little known. In August they appear in large 
numbers, and many are shot for the table, though 
their stay is very short, and their habits are shy. 
The fowler has little chance of success, except he 
Tesorts to stratagem, or alarms and confuses them by 
shooting one of the number; in which case they 


Birds of Massachusetts. 221 


hover round the fallen, with ema complaints of what 
has been done. 


The Hupsontan Gopwrr, Limosa Hudsonica, is 
not common here, though it abounds in its northern 
breeding places; so that the great proportion must 
travel and return over land, or turn away to the 
northwestern shores. Audubon never saw it, till he 
found it in the Boston market, where it is called 
the goose bird. Dr. Brewer tells me that he doubts 
the existence of L. fedoa in America, and suspects 
that the bird so called, will turn out to be the adult 
of the present species. 


The Rep-sreastep Snipe, Scolopaxr grisea, ar- 
rives on our coast, from the south, in April, and 
spends three or four weeks, never going far from the 
shores, and frequenting the flats and sand bars, at 
low water, in search of food; while so engaged, 
they can be approached more easily in a boat than 
on the shore, and as they often settle very near each 
other, great numbers are shot down. Their breeding 
places must extend from the northern shore of Lake 
Superior to the coast of the Arctic Sea, but their 
nest and eggs have not yet been described. In July, 
they return with their families, and are considered a 
great luxury for the table. They find abundance of 
food, by inserting their bills in the ground and draw- 
ing out the larvee of water insects, which are hidden 
below. They also make use of some plants and 
seeds ; and, like many other birds, swallow gravel 
to aid in disposing of their food. 


p 


222 Mr. Peabody on the 


The American Surpz, Scolopax Wilsonii, was first 
shown by Wilson to be different from that of Eu- 
rope, and is therefore honored with his celebrated 
name. It is well known to sportsmen, who take 
advantage of its local attachment, and by ascertain- 
ing its favorite resorts, are able to shoot large num- 
bers. They arrive early in the spring, from their 
winter quarters in the south, and are found on mead- 
ows and low grounds, when, at evening and early 
in the morning, their peculiar murmur, which can- 
not be described by words, is heard proceeding from 
these birds, soaring high in the air. It does not 
seem to be owing to the beating of the wings, as 
one might suppose from the sound ; it is, no doubt, 
a call of love, since, after the time of incubation 
ceases, it is heard no more for the season. This 
bird breeds in soft marshes, where man cannot easily 
disturb it, laying its eggs in a hollow, loosely lined 
with grass. They are four in number, of a yellow 
olive, speckled with light and dark brown. The 
young leave the nest as soon as hatched. Their bill 
is, for some time, soft and easily bent; meantime 
they feed on small insects, such as lie on the sur- 
face of the wet soil; as they grow older, they learn, 
like their parents, to strike the bill firmly into the 
ground. When one of them alights, it listens to see 
that all is safe, then strikes its bill into the ground 
several times, in quick succession, till it is satisfied, 
when it lies close till the evening. Their security 
and defence generally consist in lying still. When 
suddenly startled, they fly in a zigzag course, to 
elude the aim of the fowler, and it is so difficult to 


| 


Birds of Massachusetts. 223 


shoot them, that dui are most frequently caught in 
snares. Their food consisting of insects, ground 
worms, and juicy roots, they grow fat, and are in 
great demand for the table. Many epicures are said 
to eat the bird with all that is in it when killed, 
making no selection; but, inasmuch as leeches are 
part of its fare, and are not considered luxurious food 
for man, it is as well to eat this game with more dis- 
crimination, and less gastronomical taste. 


The Amertcan Wooncock, Rusticola minor, is a 
very common bird, but not often seen in the fields, 
except by sportsmen, because of their nocturnal hab- 
its, in which they exceed the snipe, hardly ever 
flying in the day time, and travelling and feeding 
almost exclusively by night. They remain in woods 
and thickets till evening, when they proceed to the 
broken soil in search of worms and insects, and leave 
perforations made by their bills in the soft ground, 
showing where they have been. They have such 
delicacy of perception, by means of the bill, that 
they make but little use of the eyes in feeding ; 
they plunge their bills up to the nostrils, and suck 
up their prey. The eyes of this bird are placed 
high, and far back in the head, probably for the 
purpose of seeing enemies at a distance, and watch- 
ing their motions, without betraying the place where 
it lies, by any movement on its own part. 

"The woodcock returns from the south very early 
in the spring, and soon after selects a breeding place 
in the woods, where the nest is set on the ground, 
and formed of dry grass and leaves. The eggs are 


224 Mr. Peabody on the 


four, of a yellowish clay color, and marked with 
blotches of purple and dark brown. The young 
leave the nest as soon as hatched, but three or four 
weeks elapse, before they are able to fly. During 
the time of incubation, the male rises in a spiral 
flight, after the manner of the snipe, making a hur- 
ried sound as he ascends, which increases as he de- 
scends, when it becomes loud and sweet. When 
he touches the ground, he makes a bleating sound, 
with a forward movement of the body, and then 
waits to see if his call is answered. T'he- woodcock, 
unlike the snipe, which never fies through the 
woods, often goes into the depth of the forest, and 
turns over the dead leaves with its bill, like the 
pigeon, in search of the insects that may lie below. 

Toward the last of October, as their food begins 
to fail, the woodcocks leave the interior, and move 
toward the sea, in preparation for their migration to 
the south. They take the journey in the evening, 
not in flocks, but following each other, in close suc- 
cession, so as to make almost an unbroken line. 
They do not leave the coast, however, till winter 
begins. From August till their departure, they are 
m good order for the table, and are shot in great 
numbers by those who are versed in this kind of 
sporting. In Louisiana they are killed by men with 
torches, which the birds stand gazing upon, till the 
fowler knocks them down with a stick. 


The Vireinian Ram, Rallus Virginianus, spends 
the winter in the southern states, and returns to us 
in May. It hides in swamps and marshes, in the 


Birds of Massachusetts. 225 


day time, and only ventures abroad at night ; but it 
` feeds, both by night and day, on water insects, worms 
and seeds. It is extremely swift in running, and 
if pursued by a dog, will change its direction so 
often, rising on its wings at times, that he soon loses 
its track, as it escapes among the weeds. When on 
the wing, it can be shot, as it flies low and heavily, 
and only a short distance at a time. The nest is not 
easily found, being generally placed in a tuft, in soft 
meadows, where it is not easy for a man to go. 1t is 
a little raised, by means of the stalks of grasses, 
with a shallow cavity, lined with dry weeds, to con- 
tain the eggs. These are from four to seven in num- 
ber, of a dusky white, with specks of brown red 
and pale purple, thickest toward the larger end. Dr. 
Brewer succeeded in finding one of these nests in a 
small meadow near Jamaica Plain, and within a few 
yards of the Providence rail-road. | 


The Sora Ratt, Rallus Carolinus, which was 
formerly thought to follow the example of the swal- 
low, and bury itself in the mud for the sake of pass- 
ing the winter pleasantly, is a rare bird in Massa- 
chusetts. Birds of passage, on their way to their 
breeding places in the north, move on with very 
little delay ; but on their return, having nothing but 
the fear of winter to hasten their motions, they lin- 
ger till their instinct warns them that the last 
minute is come. It is, accordingly, in the autumn 
only, that this bird has been seen in our State. The 
same gentleman who ascertained that the former 

VOL. III.—NO. 1H. 


226 Mr. Peabody on the 


species breeds here, suspects that the nests of the 

other rails will hereafter be found; they have been 

discovered on the borders of Lake Champlain and 
the North River. 


The Yrrrow-szEAsTED Ram, Rallus Novebora- 
censis, is also rare here, and in most parts of the 
United States. From May to September, it is found 
on the shores of Hudson's Bay, where it breeds ; and 
on its return to winter quarters, probably takes an 
inland route, the greater proportion avoiding the 
Atlantic states. From Audubon, we learn that only 
a few, comparatively, go to the north ; the great 
body remain in the extreme southern parts of the 
United States throughout the year. 


The Purre GarrrmNuLE, Gallinula Martinica, 
and the Florida Gallinule, G. galeata, have already 
been mentioned as rare and accidental visiters in 
the State. : 


LOBE-FOOTED BIRDS: 


The CixEnREovs Coor, Fulica Americana, is found 
in almost every part of North America, seeming to 
have little choice of climate or temperature, and to 
regulate its migrations by the scarcity or abun- 
dance of food. They appear among us in early au- 
tumn, and remain till November, when they leave 
us for the south by night. Their food consists of 


Birds of Massachusetts. 227 


seeds, grasses, worms, snails and insects, together 
with such small fish as they catch upon. the edges 
of the water, to which they add a quanity of gravel 
and coarse sand. They are not seen to dive, ex- 
cept when wounded; then they make their way 
under water to the grass or reeds, and then swim 
for the nearest shore, where, notwithstanding the 
awkward appearance of their legs and feet, they 
walk with firmness, and run, if necessary, with 
great expedition. They probably breed in the State 
occasionally ; Nuttall mentions that a pair took up 
their residence in Fresh pond in April, and in June 
were seen accompanied by their young ; but their 
nests and eggs have not been found in this, nor, I 
believe, in any of the states of the Union. 


The Rep PHALAROPE, PAiietopiis fulicarius, 
visits us on its return from the north in autumn ; but 
they are seldom seen in Massachusetts. Audubon 
mentions that once, when sailing in a packet sixty 
miles from Nantucket, the vessel encountered a bed 
of seaweeds and froth, on which were hundreds 
of red phalaropes, walking with as much ease and 
confidence as if on shore. 


The HxeznsongAN Puarnanorz, Phalaropus hyper- 
boraeus, is, as its name implies, a northern bird, 
seldom seen farther south than New York. Dr. 
Brewer tells me that he has procured them here in 
May, but they are more abundant toward the Bay 
of Fundy. None are seen in the interior; and they 
are found in the greatest numbers on the banks 


228 Mr. Peabody on the 


of seaweed, floating on the ocean, at great distances 
from the shore. 


Wirsow's Puavarore, Phalaropus Wilsonii, is a 
= rare visiter, which, Dr. Brewer tells me, I may 
insert on the authority of Audubon, who has found 
it in various places along the eastern coast, from 
Boston to New Jersey; but it is not sufficiently 
common to have its history well understood. 


The Crestep Gres, Podiceps cristatus, is a bird 
which breeds in the fur countries, and is seen here 
late in the season, on its return to the south ; but 
while some proceed by the coast, more seem to fol- 
low the course of the great rivers, since they are 
seen in great numbers in the western states, flying at 
all hours of the day. From their alertness in diving, 
by which they often elude the aim of the fowler, 
they are called Dippers; when pursued, they keep 
only the bill above water; and Audubon says that 
they are easily caught when in ponds, by hooks 
placed on lines near the ground. 


The Rep-necxep Gress, Podiceps rubricollis, is 
found along the coast from New York to Maine, 
in winter, In the fur countries, they are common 
in the breeding season. Dr. Brewer tells me that he 
has procured them here in the winter, which, unlike 
the former, they spend in the eastern states. 


The Horsen Grese, Podiceps cornutus, returns 
from the north in October, when it is seen in Mas- 


RR 


Birds of Massachusetts. 229 


sachusetts. Dr. Brewer classes it with those that 
spend the winter here; but the greater proportion 
must go on, since they are common at that season, 
on the southern inlets and rivers. While here, they _ 
keep in the salt water, diving with great celerity, i 
and soon becoming so familiar with the gun, as to — 
hide under water whenever they hear it. Nuttall 
mentions that the stomach of those which he has 
opened has generally contained quantities of their 
own feathers, plucked from the breast and swal- 
lowed. Audubon says the stomach contains hair- 
like substances rolled together like the pellets of 
owls; particulars which require more explanation 
than our present acquaintance with their habits 
enables any naturalist to give. 


The PrEp-sr;LED Gress, or Doscnick, Podiceps 
Carolinensis, comes to us from the north early in 
autumn, and remains till the approach of winter. 
Those found here are generally young. Their food 
consists of plants, seeds, water insects and small 
fish, together with which they swallow gravel. In 
the gizzards of some which Audubon examined, he 
found collections like those just mentioned, which 
consisted of the down of thistles and other plants, 
which had been swallowed together with the seed. 
These birds dive with great quickness, and use 
their wings under water; they sink so gently as to 
leave no ripple showing where they went down, 
nothing but the small end of the bill remains above, 
and this easily escapes observation, particularly among 


230 — Mr. Peabody on the 


the bulrushes, to which they resort when alarmed. 
Nothing was known of their nests, till Audubon 


found one near the banks of the Wabash river. 
.. None have ever been found in this State. 


WEB-FOOTED BIRDS. 


The Cayenne Tern, Sterna Cayana, is common 
at the south, where it breeds. Audubon also found 
it breeding at Labrador ; so that, although none have 
yet been seen here, they must pass by us, and will 
probably be found to touch upon the coast of our 
State. 


The Common Tern, Sterna hirundo, is common 
on our coast, where it bears the name of Mackerel 
Gull, from its being supposed to announce the arrival 
of that fish in its summer quarters. In May, they 
prepare, if it can be called preparing, a nest on 
some rocky islet or sand bar, where their eggs, are 
laid, with only a little sand scraped up to keep them 
in place; and in all pleasant days, are left to be 
warmed by the sun, the female sitting only at night 
and in foul weather. The eggs are of dull yellow- 
ish olive, with dark brown specks and blotches. 
The parents, though they appear so careless of their 
domestic establishment, watch over it with anxious 
vigilance, and are very bold in resisting intrusion. 
They breed at Egg rock, near Nahant. When the 


Birds of Massachusetts. 231 


young are first hatched, they tear fish in pieces to 
feed them; afterwards they drop the fish among 
them, where it is seized by the strongest; but they. oo. 
find other resources in the insects which they collect E ia 
for themselves, rambling near the spot, but always — ag" 
attending to the voice of the old bird, when it warns — - 
them that danger is nigh. In winter they migrate 
to warmer regions. 


The RosrarE Tern, Sterna Dougalli, has re- 
ceived its popular name from the color of the breast, 
which, however, soon fades after death. Audubon 
found them in great numbers, breeding, on the Keys 
of Florida, and Nuttall procured one specimen at 
Chelsea Beach. Its eastern visit was probably acci- 
dental. 


The SinvEeny Tern, Sterna minuta, the same 
with the Lesser Tern of Wilson, comes to us in the. 
spring, later than the preceding. It is not uncommon 
on our shores, where it is seen dashing into the 
water, like a little fish-hawk, to secure its prey, or 
chasing insects over the pools and marshes. It some- 
times goes into the interior, and has been found at a 
great distance from the sea. They are generally 
careless and unsuspicious, and pay little regard to an 
observer. 


Bonaparte’s GuLL, Larus Bonapartii, is seen 
occasionally, early in autumn, on the coast of this 
State, and its whistling is heard in the air, as it pro- 
ceeds to the south or inland, to feed. 


232 Mr. Peabody on the 


The Kirtiwaxe Gur, Larus tridactylus, is com- 
mon along the coast, from New York to Eastport, 


| though never seen in the interior. Audubon found 


itin great abundance on some of the islands in Bos- 


"E EU 


gir 


E 


ton harbor. In the air, its motions are light, bold 


and graceful, sweeping in broad circles at an im- 


mense height in the air, then stooping downwards to 
rest upon the waves. It is so awkward on the 
ground, that it can hardly walk; and it gathers its 
food, even the shell-fish from the sands, while on 
the wing. 


The Common Gurt, Larus zonorhyncus, is quite 
abundant on our coast, but it understands the danger 
of too near approach to man, and keeps, as much 
as possible, out of his reach. It floats gracefully 
in the air, till something attracts its attention, when 
it descends in a spiral curve, and seizing a fish, 
flies off, alights, and swallows it at leisure. When 
satisfied with food, they rest themselves by swim- 
ming in parties on the waves, their white plumage 
contrasting strongly with the deep green of the sea. 
When spring has commenced, the gulls assemble in 
flocks, on flats and beaches, and when paired, fly off 
to their breeding places, which Audubon found in 
great numbers in Labrador, and the eastern part of 
Maine. Part of their food consists of shell-fish, 
which, being unable otherwise to break the shell, 
they are said to carry high into the air, and to let 
fall on the rocks below. 


The Sirvery GuLL, Larus fuscus, is found on 


Birds of Massachusetts. 233 


our coasts in winter, and is said to breed, both in the 
northern regions, and in islands near South Caro- 
lina. 


The Herrine GurL, Larus argentatus, is, accord- 
ing to Dr. Brewer, the most common species in the 
State. Audubon found them breeding at an island 
in the Bay of Fundy, where he was assured that, 
formerly, all made their nests, like other seabirds, 
on the ground ; but finding that they were often 
disturbed by intrusive visiters, they had, many of 
them, adopted the practice of building in trees, a 
reach of sagacity one would hardly have expected 
from such a quarter. "The younger ones still build 
on the earth; but, while those which are hatched 
below run about in a few days, those which are in 
the trees, do not undertake to leave their nests till 
they are able to fly. The same distinguished orni- 
thologist saw one of these birds which had taken 
avery hard shell-fish, carry it into the air and let 
it fall without effect ; it tried the experiment again, 
and yet a third time, when it succeeded; the gull, 
after each failure, carrying it higher than before. 
Much of their food consists of herrings, which they 
catch by following the shoals ; they sometimes feed 
on small birds, and suck all the eggs they can find. 


The WurrE-wiscep Gurr, Larus leucopterus, is 
inserted on the authority of Dr. Brewer, who has 
obtained it near Boston. It is not found farther 
south than New York. Its flight resembles that of 

VOL. III.—NO. 1.—II. 30 


234 Mr. Peabody on the 


the preceding species, but it differs from it in size 
‘and markings, as well as in its greater fearlessness of 
man. It breeds in the high northern regions. 


The Buack-Backep Guu, Larus marinus, is in- 
serted on the authority of the gentleman just men- 
tioned, who has found it in Boston harbor. It isa 
large and powerful bird, and, though shy and timid 
towards man, is very oppressive to other sea-birds. 
It devours voraciously all sorts of food except vege- 
tables, even in the last stages of decay, but young 
birds and fish are its favorite food. The fish are 
caught as it flies, and, if not too large, swallowed 
without suspending its flight. It makes great con- 
sternation among the sea-fowl, by sucking their eggs, 
without regard to the remonstrances of the owners. 
When young ducks are on the water, they seize 
them, none except the eider having courage to re- 
sist; they sometimes plunge after fish in a consider- 
able depth of water, but have no facility in diving. 
These birds, powerful as their flight is, do not go 
very far to the north to breed, nor are their breed- 
ing places found more toward the south than the 
eastern extremity of Maine. They do not go into 
the interior, except on the great lakes ; they appear 
to rejoice in the storms of the ocean, having power 
to force their way against the heaviest wind. 


The Sxua Gurr, Lestris catarractes, called by 
Linneus the cataract jager, from the manner in 
which it darts down upon its prey, is a bird belong- 
ing to high northern latitudes, but in the depth of 


Birds of Massachusetts. 235 


winter it comes as far south as Massachusetts. It is 
astrong and daring bird, and though considerably 
less in size than the preceding, readily attacks and 
puts him to flight. If its nest is disturbed, it is 
completely insensible to danger, and gives battle at 
once, not only to all other animals, but even to man. 
Having all the rapacious habits of the gulls, with 
all this strength and courage, it is considered by 
other birds as the pirate of the shores. 


Ricuarpson’s JaaEn, Lestris Richardsonii, visits 
the coast of Massachusetts and Maine, in the winter 
season, when it is seen on the inland bays about 
Boston, flying in pairs, or sitting on the water. Its 
flight is firm and long continued, and it takes advan- 
tage of it to pursue other sea-birds, and force them 
to disgorge their prey. It breeds in the fur coun- 
tries, but, respecting its habits at that season, very 
little is known. Audubon has doubts whether it is 
a distinct species from the one which follows. 


The Arctic Jacer, Lestris parasiticus, inhabits. 
the northern sea shores in summer, and in winter is 
found in Florida. It resembles the preceding in its 
habits of plundering other birds of the fruit of their 
labors. By means of its long tail, it can suddenly 
check its flight or change its direction, so that the 
Victims of its oppression cannot escape its pursuit. 


The Pomarine Jacer, Lestris pomarinus, is a 
bird which Audubon never had the opportunity of 
examining till he went to Labrador, but Dr. Brewer 


236 Mr. Peabody on the 


has obtained it in Massachusetts bay, and thus au- 
thorized us to claim it as a visiter of the State. So 
far as its habits are ascertained, they are like those 
of other gulls, but its history is very imperfectly 
known. 


The Stormy Perret, Thalassidroma Wilsonii, is 
found on almost all the Atlantic, and known to sea- 
men, who look upon it with very little affection, 
by the name of Mother Carey’s chicken. It fol- 
lows the vessel in its course through the deep, not 
caring whither it goes, and when the tempest rises, 
seems so indifferent to its raging, or rather to enjoy 
it so much, that the superstitious formerly believed 
that this harmless bird had some agency in raising 
the storms. It is called the Petrel, from its walking, 
like the apostle Peter, on the surface of the water, 
where it gathers any food that may be thrown from 
the vessel which it pursues. After it grows dark, it 
rests on the water for the night; but on the follow- 
ing morning, easily overtakes the vessel that has left 
it behind. In general it is rather silent, but at 
times it makes a low sound, as if asking the seaman 
to throw it out some food. It usually subsists on 
resources supplied by its favorite element, the sea. 


The Fonx-rAiLED PETREL, Thalassidroma Leachii, 
was said by Bonaparte, to be uncommon on the Amer- 
ican shores ; but Audubon declares that on the coast 
of Massachusetts, this is much more abundant than 
the other species. On approaching land, when re- 
turning from Europe, he shot a number of those 


Birds of Massachusetts. 237 


that surrounded the vessel, and found among them 
specimens of all the three. This is the most sus- 
picious, never flying close to the vessel like the 
others; it is not known to alight on the rigging, 
and rests less frequently upon the water. But its 
food is the same, consisting of such small fish and 
crustacea as it can pick up from floating seaweed on 
the water, or oily substances thrown from vessels 
into the sea. These birds are able to bear consider- 
able abstinence, but everything which they swallow, 
seems to be turned to oil, and their flesh is rank and 
unpleasant to the taste. They are found breeding: 
in the fissures of rocks, above the reach of the spray, 
while the preceding burrows in the sand on low 
islands. 'Though this bird seems so bound to the 
ocean, by all its habits and wants, I have had one 
brought to me which was taken near Chicopee river 
in Springfield, seventy miles from the shore. 


The Furwan PETREL, Procellaria glacialis, has 
been found by Audubon from Long Island to New- 
foundland, but I do not know that any one has, as 
yet, been taken within the State. This is the bird 
so well known as the main dependence of the singu- 
lar inhabitants of St. Kilda, one of the western isles 
of Scotland. 


The Snow Goose, Anser hyperboreus, breeds in 
Arctie America, resorting to the sandy shores of lakes 
and rivers. They are so cautious as to station one 
of their number as a sentinel, to warn them of ap- 
proaching danger. They return with their families 


238 Mr. Peabody on the 


in September, after which they are occasionally 
seen in Massachusetts bay. They are very noisy, 
and their note is distinguished from that of the 
common wild goose, by its greater shrillness. Their 
flesh is said to be better than that of the latter spe- 
cies. As the cold grows severe, they leave us for 
their winter quarters. 


The Canapa Goose, Anser Canadensis, is well 
known in Massachusetts, as one of the heralds of 
spring. Their spring migration appears always de- 
termined by the advance of the season, and the 
melting of the snow, which discloses a supply of 
grass and berries, uninjured by the frost, and ready 
as a resource for food. Their arrival is most wel- 
come in the fur countries, where the aborigines de- - 
pend upon them for their subsistence in summer. 
The hunter sets up stuffed birds as a decoy, and im- 
itates their call; thus bringing them within his 
reach, he destroys them in great numbers. But 
while the great proportion go to the north to breed, 
Audubon assures us, that many remain and breed ; 
some, he says, in pools in the eastern parts of Maine 
and Massachusetts, so that he thinks it entitled to be 
set down as a permanent resident within the Union. 
Farther north, they become more numerous, and in 
Labrador, their nests abound in every marshy plain. 

When the young have become large, and suf- 
ficiently practised in flying, they prepare for their 
return. On the first appearance of snow, the ganders 
arrange the flocks in order of flight, the old males 
in front, the females next, and the young after them, 


Birds of Massachusetts. 239 


the weakest behind ; and thus they set forth, some- 
times with an extended front, sometimes in single 
file, but generally in a sharp angle, with an old 
gander at the head. When any one is fatigued, he 
falls baek in the wake of another, who cleaves the 
air before him ; the leader at times gives out a loud 
ery of encouragement, or command, which is an- 
swered from various parts of the line. 'They fly 
with great strength and steadiness, at a great height 
in the air, if they have far to go; but when doubt- 
ful of the season, they fly lower, and are often be- 
wildered in fogs and snow storms, so as to come to 
the ground stupified, and to submit quietly to their 
fate. ‘They are so much alive to changes of temper- 
ature, that, when they are seen returning over their 
line of march, it indicates that a change of weather 
is nigh. 

When they alight in some place where they intend 
to pass the night, they crop the grass sidewise, 
like the domestic goose, or pat the ground with both 
feet to force the worms out of it. Sometimes they 
alight in corn-fields, where they do considerable 
damage; sometimes in the water, where they 
plunge their heads to the bottom in seareh of food. 
They always keep sentinels stationed, who, at the 
approach of cattle, are silent; but if a bear, or pan- 
ther, or worse than all, a man comes nigh, the alarm 
is given, and all glide into the nearest water and 
swim to a distance from the shore. Their sense of 
hearing is wonderfully quick and discerning ; they 
can at once distinguish a sound made by man. 

The crossing of the breed of the wild with the 


E 


240 Mr. Peabody on the 


tame goose, as in the case of the turkey, has been at- 
tended with much advantage; the hybrid being 
larger and more easily fattened, brings a higher 
price than either of the species from which it is de- 
scended. The difficulty in the way of keeping the 
Canada goose, is, that it does not multiply as in the 
wild state; but, though it requires time to effect a 

considerable change in its habits, a persevering at- 
tempt at domestication would cs ahi succeed. In 
some cases, it has succeeded already ; but when 
flocks are passing over, it answers their call, and 
seems strongly tempted to return to the savage state. 


The BanwacLE Goose, Anser leucopsis, is said by 
the gunners on the coast, to be shot in this State. 
Audubon never met with it. Nuttall speaks of it as 
a straggler on our coast. 


Horcuins’ Goose, Anser Hutchinsii, is inserted 
on the same authority. They call it the Flight, or 
Winter Goose.. It resembles the common wild goossy 
except that it is less in size. 


The Brant Goose, Anser bernicla, a bird well 
known inour markets, breeds on the coasts of Hud- 
son's Bay and the northern ocean, and spends the 
winter in the southern states. Early in October, 
they arrive in large numbers, some in order of 
march, others in noisy confusion, and make little 
more stay than is necessary for resting, after their 
long flight. But flocks continue to follow each other 
in long succession, and the gunners secure consid- 


Birds of Massachusetts. 241 


erable numbers. In spring they return, but their 
stay is still shorter, and their flesh very uninviting ; 
in winter it is more valued, but has a fishy taste at 
best. 


The Suoveter, Anas clypeata, which is consid- 
ered one of the greatest luxuries of the table, belongs 
to the northern part of the continent, but sometimes 
visits our coast, and still more frequently our lakes 
and rivers, in the declining year. Were it not for 
the great bill, this would be a handsome bird. It 
draws in the watery mud through the teeth of its 
bill, which fit into each other, forming a sort of 
sieve, by which it throws out the water, and retains 
the worms, seeds, and insects for its food. It is 
sometimes found in the Boston market, brought 
from the ponds in the vicinity. 


The Matuarp Duck, Anas boschas, is our. com- 
mon duck in its wild state. It is common at the 
south, but not so in Massachusetts, where it is very 
rare, and beyond Portland it is not known. The 
reason is, that this duck, instead of resorting to the 
Seacoast, is partial to lakes and rivers. They are 
most abundant in the western states, where many 
of them remain, and breed. As they come from the 
great lakes, they spread themselves over those re- 
gions, resorting to meadows, swamps, and thick 
beech woods. In the wild state, they are strongly 
contrasted with the domesticated, in the spirit and 
animation of their movements; their flight is won- 

VOL. IIL.—NO. I-II. 


242 Mr. Peabody on the 


derfully swift and well sustained, while the wings 
of the common duck hardly lift it from the ground. 
The squatters of the Mississippi catch many of the 
mallards when young, and they are sufficiently tame 
by the end of the first year. The young of those 
thus caught, are, for a year or two, superior to the 
wild ones, but soon become like the common ducks 
of the barnyard. The hybrids raised between the 
Mallard and Muscovy, are said to be large, and afford 
excellent eating. 

The mallard has many of the properties of a noc- 
turnal bird, feeding and travelling more by night 
than by day. In the dark, their flight is distin- 
guished by the whistling of their wings. They 
generally arrange themselves in the wedge form to 
go to any distance, and never alight on any spot till 
they have wheeled several times round it, to ascer- 
tain whether it is safe to take possession ; except 
when under the command of an experienced leader; 
who judges at once of the presence of danger, and 
if he suspects none, strikes down without hesitation 
upon the water. They then begin to bathe and 
dress themselves, before they go to the shore for 
food. After this ceremony is over, some explore the 
mud for leeches, frogs, or lizards; others go into the 
woods for beechnuts and acorns, moving round with 
prodigious cackling. If they hear a sound, they 
know whether it is made by animals or not; if it 
is, they go on with their employment; but if it de- 
notes that man is at hand, they glide into the water; 
and put off to what they consider a safe distance 
from the shore. 


Birds of Massachusetts. 243 


The food of the mallard consists of small fish, 
snails, water insects and plants, in fact, hardly any- 
thing seems to come amiss. It delights in nuts and 
fruits, soon fattens on rice and other grain, and has 
an appetite for food which any other bird would 
regard as entirely uneatable. The young, when 
raised, thrive on chopped fish. The mallard has the: 
habit. of patting the ground with its feet to force 
worms out of their burrows. 


The Grey Duck or Gapwarr, Anas strepera, is an - 
inhabitant of northern regions, and is believed to be 
rare in the United States. Wilson found it in New 
York and Kentucky, and some of the young birds 
are seen at times in the vicinity of Boston. 


The Pintat, Duck, Anas acuta, is very abundant 
in some of the western states, but seldom seen on 
the coast, and never farther eastward than Massa- 
chusetts. It breeds in the fur countries, but on its 
return, follows the coast of the great western rivers, 
and is so much a stranger to the coast, that it must 
be regarded as an inland bird. It arrives from the 
north in autumn, in good condition, and resorts to 
ponds and streams, where it feeds on tadpoles, leeches, 
and beechnuts, should they happen to abound. It 
is graceful in its motions on the water, and Audubon 
says that its notes are soft and pleasant, not resem- 
bling those of the mallard, to which they are often 
compared. 


The American WiperoN, Anas Americana, breeds 


244 Mr. Peabody on the 


in the fur countries, and, on its return, is found in 
most parts of the Union. About Chesapeake Bay, it 
isa companion rather than friend of the canvass- 
back, which dives for the plants on which it feeds. 
The widgeon, which likes the plant, but not the 
diving, watches the moment of the canvass-back's 
rising, and before its eyes are fairly opened, it 
snatches the plant from its mouth and makes off 
with it. 'The widgeon is found in the interior, as 
well as on the coast; many spend the winter in the 
` southern states. 


The Dusxy Dvcx, Anas obscura, sometimes called 
the black duck, is, as Dr. Brewer informs me, the 
most common of all the species in the neighborhood 
of Boston. They are met with on the coast, from 
Florida to Labrador, but are not found in the high 
northern regions. They frequent salt marshes as 
well as jnland waters, and their food consists of small 
shellfish and seeds. In the daytime, they are retired 
and shy; but on the report of a gun, they rise in 
great numbers and disperse in all directions. They 
fly high in calm weather, and low when the wind 
blows hard, when the gunners conceal themselves in 
the grass and shoot them down. Their flesh is said 
to be equal to that of the other ducks, when they 
have been well fed, but it generally has something 
of the flavor of its food. This bird breeds in this 
State in fresh water marshes and on sea islands; the 
eggs are eight or ten in number, resembling those 
of the domestic duck. Great numbers, however, 
proceed beyond our borders. 


Birds of Massachusetts. 245 


The Woop or Summer Duck, Anas sponsa, is a 
most beautiful bird, which makes its home in Mas- 
sachusetts, in quiet retreats near ponds and rivers, 
where some of them spend the winter. They sel- 
dom visit the coast, but prefer the fresh water, 
their food consisting of grapes, beechnuts, acorns, 
and such berries as are found in the vicinity of ponds 
and streams. ‘They also eat tadpoles and water in- 
sects, reaching their necks into the water to secure 
them, after the manner of the mallard. On the 
ground they run fast; they also move with firmness 
on the larger branches of trees. They swim and 
dive well, often stopping near the edge of the water, 
with nothing except the bill above; but often, when 
alarmed, they run into the depths of the wood. 
Their sense of hearing is very delicate, and aids 
them to escape from their various enemies. Their 
flight is rapid and graceful; they move through the 
trees and foliage as readily as the pigeon. 

The wood ducks build in May, in the hollow 
part of a branch or the deserted hole of a large 
woodpecker, which they enter readily, though the 
entrance seems much smaller than their bodies. 
The eggs, which are from six to fifteen, of a yel- 
lowish green, are laid on dry plants, and down 
plucked from the parent’s breast, together with the 
feathers of various other birds. As soon as the young 
are hatched, if the nest is over the water, they spread 
their little wings and feet, and drop into the stream ; 
if not, the mother carries them carefully to the 
water, in her bill; sometimes she lets them fall on 
the dry leaves below, and then conducts them to 


246 Mr. Peabody on the 


their favorite element, where they soon learn to col- 
lect flies, moschetoes, and other insects, for their 
food. The experiment of domesticating this fine 
bird has been tried with good success; and, after a 
few years, they would doubtless give up all desire 
to return to their wildness.. 


The Brur-wisaEpD Tear, Anas discors, returns 
early in autumn from the north and west, where it 
breeds. They are easily affected by the cold, and 
the first frosts are a signal to them to escape to 
warmer regions. They are found on our larger 
rivers, but seldom visit the sea. 


The Green-wincep Tran, Anas crecca, 1s more 
common in the southern states than here. Audubon 
did not find it in Newfoundland or Labrador ; but 
there is reason to suppose that it breeds in the fur 
countries, and near the great lakes; those which 
are seen here, are said to be mostly females and 
young birds, the males pursuing a different route, 
and not appearing here till the spring. Being more 
select in feeding than most other ducks, they furnish 
an excellent article of food. 


The Emer Duck, Fuligula mollissima, is well 
known as the bird which covers its eggs with down 
taken from its own breast. This is now become an 
important article of commerce, and the hunters, not 
satisfied with taking the down, carry away the eggs 
also. The female then lays a smaller number of 
eggs, and strips herself again to cover them. If the 


Birds of Massachusetts. 247 


nest is a second time robbed, the male bird supplies 
his down to cover the last laying ; and thus it is, 
that many in civilized life feather their nests, at the 
expense of this plundered bird. Formerly they bred 
in considerable numbers, from Boston eastward ; but 
they generally go farther north for that purpose, 
though in winter many of them are shot upon our 
coast. Audubon, while in Boston, had twenty-one 
specimens brought him, which two gunners had shot 
in a single day. The same high authority says that 
the eider would be domesticated with great ease, and 
would be invaluable on account of its down, its 
feathers, and its flesh for food. 


The Kine Dvcx, Fuligula spectabilis, is an in- 
habitant of the northern regions, living, generally, 
and finding its food, out at sea. Covered with its 
coat of down, it braves the severity of the arctic 
season; but sometimes, in the depth of winter, 
wanders into our borders. It is said, by old gunners, 
that formerly they were not rare on our coast, and 
that they used to breed in company with the eiders. 
Now they are seldom found. 


The Surr Duck, Fuligula perspicillata, breeds in 
Labrador and the regions of Hudson's Bay, and is 
seen, in spring, bending its course toward the north. 
On their return, some remain here through the win- 
ter; others extend their migrations as far as Florida. 
They feed principally in the sea; and also resort to 
shallows and beaches in search of small shell fish, for 


248 Mr. Peabody on the 


which they are constantly diving. Their flesh is 
sometimes eaten, but is not recommended. 


The Verver Duck, Fuligula fusca, breeds in 
Labrador and the fur countries, and, after spending 
some time about the lakes in those regions, returns 
to the south, and reaches us in September. It isa 
sea bird in all its habits; but Nuttall has seen it in 
Fresh Pond, in Cambridge. After breeding near the 
fresh water lakes, it leaves them for the rest of the 
year, and prefers the shores, where its usual food, 
shell-fish and other articles which form the subsist- 
ence of sea-birds, always abounds. On the coast, it 
is called the White-winged Coot; its flesh, though 
no great luxury, is in considerable demand. 


The American Scorer Dvcx, Fuligula America- 
na, comes to us from the shores of Hudson's Bay, 
and; while here, associates with the other sea ducks, 
living on similar food. Early in November, it is 
found in Boston market, and the flesh of the young 
is considered good. 


The Ruppy Duck, Fuligula rubida, breeds in the 
small lakes of the fur countries, and returns to us in 
October, proceeding as far south as the limits of 
Florida. When it first arrives, the young are unsus- 
picious, but the old are difficult to approach. The 
females and young are seen in our ponds and about 
tide waters, and many of them are sold in Boston, 
under the name of Dun-Birds. 


Birds of Massachusetts. 249 


The Pre» Dock, Z'uligula Labradora, is thought, 
by Nuttall, to belong to the western part of the 
continent, and to be only found as a straggler on the 
Atlantic shores. Ttis called the Sand-shoal Duck, by 
the gunners of the middle states, from its resorting to 
sand bars in search of food. It is rarely found in 
this State, and only in winter or spring. 


The Cawvass-sAck Duck, Fuligula valisneria, 
so well known as a luxury of the table, never 
abounds in Massachusetts; some are seen in winter 
near Cohasset and Martha's Vineyard, and I learn 
from Mr. Cabot, that it has been shot in Fresh Pond. 
The great proportion, however, on returning from 
the fur countries, where they breed, establish them- 
selves on Chesapeake Bay and the neighboring wa- 
ters, and thence extend to the south ; some having 
been seen, in winter, as far as New Orleans. The 
fresh water plant, valisneria, from which they are 
named, is their favorite food ; it grows in long, nar- 
row blades, with a white root, which is the part that 
they eat; they swim about the shoals where it 
grows, diving and tearing it up, not discouraged in 
consequence of the losses which they suffer from 
the dishonest arts of the widgeon. But where this 
plant is not found, they feed on the eel-grass, as it 
is called, which affords a subsistence to the canvass- 
back, and other birds of a similar description. 

Though these birds, when they first arrive, are 
lean, in consequence of exhaustion, they are so dili- 
gent in collecting food that they soon are in order 

VOL. III.—NO. 1—II. 


250 Mr. Peabody on the 


for the table; and the gunner resorts to a thousand 
arts to secure them, which is not easy, since they are 
shy and watchful, and at night keep sentinels sta- 
tioned to guard their slumbers. There seems to be 
no reason why they should not be domesticated, if 
those who make the attempt are sufficiently perse- 
vering. Their subsistence would be easily provided 
for, since they eat grain as readily as any other food. 


"Fhe Rep-Hrapep Duck, Fuligula ferina, is the 
companion of the canvass-back, feeding on the stems 
of the same plant which the other gathers for the 
sake of the root, and so much resembling it, that it 
often has the honor of being substituted in the 
market, and sold for a similar price. They breed 
in the fur countries, and make their appearance 
here in October. Dr. Brewer tells me, that he has 
obtained these birds in our State. Mr. Rennie, in 
his late edition of Montague’s British birds, says that 
he has one of them in his possession, which, as 
soon as it was caught, took to feeding on oats, and 
is perfectly tame and healthy, at the end of a confine- 
ment of three years. 


The Scave Duck, Fuligula marila, is said to 
breed in the fur countries, whence it returns at the 
approach of the cold season, and is found on our 
sea coast and the great western rivers. It is said 
to derive its name from feeding on scaup, or broken 
shell fish. Audubon says that he never found any 
portion of testaceous mollusca in those-which he ex- 
amined, though the birds might have found them in 


Birds of Massachusetts. 251 


abundance, had they desired them. They are com- 
mon here in bays and fresh waters. They are easily 
domesticated, but their flesh is of no value for food. 
Audubon says that nothing but an epicure could 
eat them with satisfaction. 


The Rine-necxep Duck, Fuligula rufitorques, is 
found in autumn and winter on our Atlantic coast 
and our western waters. Its flesh is considered 
equal to that of any other duck, in tenderness and 
flavor. Dr. Richardson speaks of finding it in the 
fur countries, but gives no account of its nest. On 
its return from the north, it is spread over the whole 
extent of the Union; but much more abundant in 
some states than in others. Mr. Cabot obtained a 
specimen in Fresh Pond, and thus enabled us to add 
it to the list of Massachusetts birds. 


The Gorpew Eye, Fuliguia clangula, is an in- 
habitant of northern regions, which comes from the 
fur countries, where it breeds, and remains till it 
becomes difficult to obtain food. In the winter, 
they are not uncommon in the United States, but 
they return very early in the spring. While here, 
they are silent, and the name of Brass-eyed Whistler, 
which they sometimes bear, is given in consequence 
of the sound made by their wings. They fly well, 
but are so entirely made for the water, that they are 
hardly able to walk on the ground. Like most other 
birds of the class, they live partly on fish and in- 
sects, and partly on vegetable food. As game, they 
are considered good, though not of the first order. 


252 Mr. Peabody on the 


The Burrzr-HEApED or Spirtr Duck, Fuligule 
albeola, was called, by the aborigines, by a name 
answering to spirit, because of the wonderful quick- 
ness with which it disappears at the twang of a 
bow, or the flash of a gun. 1t breeds in the fur 
countries, where it builds on hollow trees, in woods 
near the water, a situation favorable to the young, 
who move with difficulty on the ground. Inautumn 
and winter they are found in almost all parts of the 
United States, sometimes on the coast, but more 
irequently on the inland waters. They are con- 
stantly engaged in diving for their food, and, when 
wounded with shot, disappear under water, so that it 
is very difficult to find them. By the last of April, 
most of them have returned to their northern home. 


The Harteauin Deck, Fuligula histrionica, is a 
northern bird, which was found by Captain Ross in 
the highest latitudes which he visited. It is hardly 
ever found south of Boston, and is uncommon here, 
but I am assured by Dr. Brewer, that he has ob- 
tained it in our State. Audubon found it breeding 
along the coast of Labrador and Nova Scotia, where 
the male and female are called the Lord and Lady, 
probably in consequence of their beauty, and the or- 
naments on their breast. It is difficult to obtain, being 
anxiously watchful, and diving under water the mo- 
ment it perceives the flash of the gun. Like other 
birds of this class, it provides for its security by sta- 
tioning sentinels to sound an alarm on the approach 
of danger. The flesh is not much valued. 


Birds of Massachusetts. 253 


The Lone-ramen Dvcx, Fuligula glacialis, is a 
resident in the north, where it associates with the 
eider and other ducks, and lingers as long as the 
cold leaves the waters open; but when the ice be- 
gins to form upon the Arctic seas, it migrates toward 
the south in search of food, and is then seen regular- 
ly and abundantly on the shores of Massachusetts ; 
the young sometimes resorting to the fresh waters, 
while the old birds keep near the sea. "They are 
lively and animated in their motions, and so noisy 
in conversation, that they are sometimes called old 
wives. They are expert in flying, diving and 
swimming ; their food consists partly of the animal 
and partly of the vegetable productions of the sea. 
The caravans which pass along our coasts are large, 
and their noise can be heard at a great distance, kept 
up for hours in morning and evening, and also in 
calm, foggy weather. This bird is elegant in its 
appearance, but not held in much estimation as food. 
Its down is said to be equal to that of the eider, but 
the quantity is not so great. 


The GoosaxpER, Mergus merganser, is found in 
winter on the fresh lakes, rivers, and seacoast of 
the United States. They are seen here in small 
companies, continually diving in search of food. In 
April most of them disappear, and do not return till 
November. The extent of their breeding range is 
not known ; but it is ascertained that some of the 
young are reared in Pennsylvania, and yet it is evi- 
dent, from their habits, that the Arctic regions must 
be their more familiar home. Audubon describes 


254 Mr. Peabody on the 


the goosander as breeding in Massachusetts, and en- 
titled to be set down as a constant resident within 
our bounds. 


The Rep-sreastep Mereanser, Mergus serrator, 
is another resident in the north, which, when the 
waters there are sealed with ice, comes to the United 
States in search of food. Wilson speaks of it as 
brought to the Philadelphia market, from the banks 
of the Delaware, and as much more common than 
the preceding in the United States. Like the former, 
it has an extensive breeding range, its nests having 
been found in the rank weeds on the borders of lakes, 
in Maine and on Lake Michigan. 


The Hoopen Mereanser, Mergus cucullatus, is 
a northern bird, found at the utmost limits of the 
fur countries, and one of the last to quit those deso- 
late regions, when the frost makes it impossible for 
them to remain, by cutting off their supplies of food. 
In the winter, it ranges through the United States, 
and is found on the ocean and the inland waters. 
Some of them remain through the breeding season, 
and resort to the lakes, making nests of withered 
grass and feathers, on their grassy borders. These 
appear to be their favorite resorts, and those which 
frequent the seaside, do it from necessity rather 
than from choice. They are expert divers, and 
so quick in their motions, that they can take warn- 
ing from the flash of the pan, in time to avoid the 
shot of the gunner ; if they chance to be wounded, 
they escape under water, so that it is useless to 


Birds of Massachusetts. 255 


pursue them. Mr. Cabot and others have found this 
bird in our State. 


The Cormorant, Phalacrocoraz carbo, is abundant 
in winter on the islands near Boston and the coast 
of Massachusetts, where most of them remain in 
autumn, winter, and the early part of spring. Nut- 
tall speaks of them as breeding on the islands, 
near the mouth of the harbor. They are never 
seen on fresh water, since they subsist entirely on 
fishes taken from the sea. In taking them, these 
birds are so expert, that a fish can hardly escape 
them; they swim under water with great rapidity, 
and almost always rise with their.prey in their 
bill. Ifthe fish is very large, they beat it to pieces 
on the shore; if they have caught it by the wrong 
end, they toss it in the air, and catch it by the 
head as it falls, so that the fins may present no 
obstacle to its passing down the throat. When 
thus employed, and when at rest, they are so con- 
stantly on their guard, that it is very difficult to 
approach them ; and if the gunner has succeeded 
in wounding one, it is useless for him to pursue, 
since both old and young sail under water, using 
their wings to propel and their tails to steer them, 
as in the air. But their safety is provided for, with- 
out exertion on their part, since their flesh is so 
poor, tough and fishy that, Audubon says, not even 
epicures:can eat them. 


The Dovsie-crestep Cormorant, Phalacrocoraz 


dilophus, which was first described by Richardson, 


256 Mr. Peabody on the 


and has been considered extremely rare, has been 
obtained by Dr. Brewer, in the vicinity of Boston. 
They are found breeding on low islands at Labrador, 
in great numbers, arriving as soon as the ice is dis- 
solved from the water in the spring. They spend 
the winter on the coast of the eastern states. At that 
season, not many are seen farther east than the Bay 
of Halifax. No fish comes amiss to their insatiable 
appetites; of codlings particularly, they destroy im- 
mense numbers, They differ from the Florida cor- 
morant, described by Audubon, chiefly in their 
superior size, and having more of the long feathers 
behind the eye. 


The Smac, Phalacrocorar graculus, is found in 
most parts of the United States as far south as Flor- 
ida, Where they breed in large associations. They 
appear to make the bays and islands of the St. Law- 
rence their northern bounds. In the high northern 
regions they have not yet been encountered. They 
live perpetually near the sea, never wandering in- 
land like the common cormorant, which has been 
seen on the Missouri river. They are expert divers, 
and collect great quantities of fish. Near the mouth 
of Boston harbor, they are found in thick and nu- 
merous flocks, at the approach of winter. 


The Ganser, Sula bassana, a bird known on 
both sides of the Atlantic, is added to this list on the 
authority of Dr. Brewer, who has obtained a speci- 
men. In the summer, they are seen in vast num- 
bers in the bay of St. Lawrence, where the Gannet 


Birds of Massachusetts. 257 


Rock, as it is called, a large rocky island, is en- 
tirely whitened with the plumage of the females on 
their nests, while the crowds hovering over and 
around it, appear like a driving snow storm. While 
thus engaged, they were easily approached, and were 
not alarmed even at the discharge of a gun, the 
meaning of which most sea-birds fully understand. 
They are seen on our eastern coasts in the autumn, 
and perhaps at other seasons of the year. They are 
not observed to dive on any alarm, nor for the sake 
of procuring food. 


The Loon, or Great Nortuern Diver, Colymbus 
glacialis, is not an uncommon bird. It spends the 
breeding season in the fur countries, the British 
provinces, and probably in the most northern part of 
the states. On the approach of winter, they migrate, 
to escape the severity of the winter, most of their 
young going to the south; but some remaining in 
the vicinity of Chesapeake Bay. They are shy 
and watchful birds. They breed in the most retired 
places which they can find, in rocky islets or the 
borders of lakes; and as soon as the young are able 
to travel, the parent conducts them to the sea. They 
are active and unwearied in diving, and have the 
power of swimming under water almost as fast as 
they can fly in the air. In the day time they ap- 
pear to dislike the bright sunshine, and are most 
active and animated at the approach of night. ‘Their 
call is loud and dismal, particularly disagreeable to 
seamen, because it is thought to portend a storm ; 

VOL. LNO: I.—H. 33 s 


258 Mr. Peabody on the 


it is so powerful that it can be distinetly heard, 
when the bird is so distant as to be almost invisible 
in the air. This bird is offe for sale in our mar- 
kets; but its flesh is tough and unpalatable. 


The Brack-rmgoarEp Diver, Colymbus arcticus, 
is, as its name denotes, a northern bird, and is more 
rare on our coast than the preceding; but I am as- 

sured, on the authority of Audubon, that it is some- 
times seen in our State. 


The Rep-ruroatep Diver, Colymbus septentri- 
onalis, is found on the coast of the United States in 
autumn, winter, and, it may be said, in spring; 
though they retire to the north before the snows 
are gone. The old birds are rarely seen at the 
south of Boston bay; but the young, more affected 
by the cold, proceed as far as Maryland. Some of 
them breed at the Bay of Fundy, but they abound 
much more in Labrador, on the little lakes which 
are common in that wild country. They are at all 
times shy and watchful, alive to every danger, but 
particularly uneasy at the sight of man. When he 
appears, though at a great distance, they dive and 
swim under water to the farther part of the lake, but 
if he continues to approach, they rise from the water, 
instead of diving again like the loon. Their notes, 
uttered in rapid succession, are harsh and rather 
loud. Dr. Richardson says that they cover their 
eggs with down like the eider; but as this was not 
the case with those seen at Labrador, they probably 


Birds of Massachusetts. 250 


vary their practice according to the climate where 


they make their nests. nek 


The Buacx anc ie Uria grylle, has been 
seen, in severe winters, as far south as Maryland ; 
but is uncommon even as far south as Massachusetts. 
A specimen has been procured at Nahant, by Dr. 
Brewer; but they do not abound this side of the 
Bay of Fundy. At Labrador, they breed in large 
numbers. They are sea-birds in the fullest sense 
of the term, hardly ever going inland, except to 
breed ; and they are so active and successful, in pro- 
curing food, that they can remain and thrive, when 
almost all other birds are driven, by the cold, from the 
northern seas. Like many other sea fowl, they show 
great sagacity in preparing a place for their nest. If 
the fissure in the rocks where they make it, is dry, 
they waste no labor upon it; but if it is likely that 
any water may run there, in the time of rain or dis- 
solving snow, they raise it with pebbles to a sufficient 
height to keep their eggs from being injured. Is this 
instinct, or is it reason? Or, rather, who will point 
out the boundary that separates the two? 


The Foorrsy Guitiemot, Uria troile, so called, 
from its patience in submitting to evils which it can- 
not help, is a hardy inhabitant of northern regions. 
It is said to submit to be killed in the breeding sea- 
son, without attempting to escape; but Audubon, 
who knows more of their habits than any one else, 
does not mention this cireumstance in his inter- 
esting description. The folly of the guillemot seems 


260 Mr. Peabody on the 


to consist in its returning to the breeding places 
where it is annually disturbed; but this appears 
to be doné in despair of going beyond human reach ; 
forit once bred in our bay. But it has for many 
years abandoned it, and proceeds to the north in 
company with the eiders, earlyin thespring. "Their 
eggs afford luxurious food, and are collected in great 
numbers by those who make it their employment, 
to be sent to distant markets. They are so nume- 
rous, that the sailors, who were sent by Audubon to 
bring him two or three dozen, returned with twenty- 
five hundred, which indicates an immense abun- 
dance of the birds, since the eggs in each nest do 
not exceed three. The white line that- encircles 
the eye and extends back upon the head, is found 
only in the old birds. Like the preceding species, 
they swim under water almost as rapidly as they can 
fly above. 


The Lancer-siL.LED GuiLLEMoT, Uria Brunnichii, 
is said, by Nuttall, to be occasionally found, in win- 
ter, on the coast of the northern states, but I cannot 
ascertain that any one has been taken in Massachu- 
setts, except in a single instance ; Dr. Brewer found 
one washed up on the beach, in April, 1836. This, 
however, is sufficient to give it a place among our 
birds. The specimen from which Audubon's illus- 
tration was taken, was sent him from Eastport in 
Maine. He found none on the coast of Labrador, 
though the preceding species, with which this asso- 
ciates, so greatly abounded. They had probably 
gone farther into their aretic home. 


Birds of Massachusetts. 261 


The Lirrte Guittemot, Uria alie sometimes 
called the Little Auk or Pigeon Diver, dwells far 
within the arctic circle, and was found by Dr. Rich- 
ardson at Melville Island. In hardiness and power 
of enduring cold, no bird exceeds them ; in the depth 
of winter, when the ice of the ocean is lifted and 
broken by storms, they are seen crowding to the fis- 
sures, to find a supply of food. They seem to 
delight in tempests, which, by agitating the waters, 
throw up in greater quantities the marine produc- 
tions on which they depend for subsistence. In 
Newfoundland they are called the Ice-bird, from 
the presumption that, unless extreme cold were 
approaching, they would not come so far from 
home. Those that are found in this State are gene- 
rally exhausted by their long flight; some have 
quietly submitted to be taken by the hand. They 
are not regular visitants, but occasional, solitary 
wanderers. 


The Puorriw, Mormon arcticus, commonly called 
the sea parrot, has been found in severe winters as 
far south as Savannah; but thisis unusual; its com- 
mon range is from Long Island to the Bay of Fundy, 
where many of them breed. Many more, however, 
keep on to Labrador, where Audubon found flocks, 
which covered the water to the extent of half an 
acre. Those which proceed to that distance, leave 
the states in April, and make their way along the 
shore, never going far from the sea. They breed in 
holes, which they make by burrowing three or four 
feet in the ground, and feed their young with small 


he 


262 . Mr. Peabody on the 


fish. ‘They are very social, and betray strong attach- 


ment to each other ; when any one is shot, some one 


alights by its side, swimming round it and stirring 
it with its bill, as if urging it to fly or dive; and 
when man, the only animal savage enough to torture 
and kill for pleasure, lifts an oar, to knock it on the 
head, it reluctantly leaves its friend, and disappears 
under the water. The puffin flies firmly and swims 
rapidly under water; it also dives to the bottom, 
many fathoms deep, to find shell fish and other prey. 
In his contests with the piratical raven, the puffin 
grapples with his antagonist, and both fall into the 
water, when the raven is drowned; but if he can 


_ seize the puffin's neck, the victory inclines to the 


other side. 


The Razor-sittep Aux, Alca torda, occasionally 
goes as far south as New York, in winter; but 
farther south it is never seen. It is found from Bos- 
ton eastward, arriving on the coast in November, 


| and returning in April. While here, they are seen 
hing far out at sea, and are thought to be able to 


dive deeper than even the puffin, in search of their 


food, which consists of shrimps, shell-fish, small - 


fishes, and roe. They breed in the fissures of the 
rocky shores of Labrador, sometimes depositing their 


eggs where the water can run off without wetting 


them ; but. if there is danger that the water will 
Minis: the | eggs, they are laid on pebbles, which 


are heaped by the bird, to let the moisture run below. 


By 
i, 


The nests are very near each other ; it is remarkable, | 


that in the fissures and caverns, ey sit flat upon 


Birds of Massachusetts. 263 


the egg like common birds; but in places more ex- 
posed, keep an upright position, with their faces 
toward the wind. In these places also they lay but 
one egg, while in places more sheltered, there are 
often two. The eggs are considered a great luxury ; 
the flesh is said to be good to the taste, geomet dark 
and uninviting to the eye. 


In the foregoing list of our water birds, I have 
given the names, with a short account of the habits 
of all which reside with us or visit us, so far as I 


have been able to ascertain them. Some, which 


occasionally visit us, may be omitted ; and if not, 
succeeding observations will doubtless make a differ- 
ence in the list ; since the accident of a winter un- 
usually severe, may bring some arctic birds farther 


south than they have yet been seen ; and a similar - 


cause may make us acquainted with some resi- 
dents of the south, which have not yet entered 
our bounds. The range of breeding and migra- 
tion is thus at times contracted or extended ; but 
the visits of a stranger, few and far between, are of 
but little importance, and if our regular visitants 
and permanent residents are set down and pro- 
perly described, it is hoped that the purpose of the 
survey will be answered. 

It is more probable, on the other hand, thai some 
birds which come to us regularly now, finding what 
sort of welcome awaits them, will gradually with- 
draw; for they are by no means slow to benefit 


ae 


ES 


—— quiet of the northern wilderness, a home, which 


r$ 
264 Mr. Peabody on the 


by experience ; those which at first were tame and 
familiar, are many of them growing cautious and 
distrustful; the character of man stands in low 
estimation among them; and as they know him 
better, they go farther from his reach. Many birds 
which formerly raised their young in our State, now 
confine themselves to regions of greater security ; 
the old gunners on our coast can give more than 
one history of such desertion ; and in some cases, 
the loss has been severe. ‘Thus, for example, the 
wild goose is believed to have once raised its young 
in the temperate climates of the United States. The 
early settlers om the Ohio, testify that they for- 
= merly abounded there at all seasons of the year ; + 
it was common, within the memory of man, to find 
the young birds on the ponds of Kentucky ; but, 
like the deer and the grous, they have learned 
that the world is wide, and now, they find, in the 


LT E 
TE 
` 


Au: the great Mioiouendéden of being out of hu- 


rakja o on our coast; but now, they have mid 
doned it; gaining nothing indeed by the exchange; 
since there is reason to believe that when it bred ` 
in this climate, it was not compelled to cover its 


a eggs with the: down which tempts so many adven- 
E" e to sea ch for and rifle its nest. 


to say, that these desertions ought à 


j b be . In some few instances; the ex] 
ment has feed tried; but it is found, as might 1 
been foreseen, that no human enactment can sus- 


Sie 


e 


À ey very desirable, that the e 


Birds of Massachusetts. 265 


pend the operation of a law of nature. ‘The statutes 

on that subject are generally inefficient ; no one 

cares to execute them ; the idlers in a community 

are a privileged order, who pay little reverence to 

the law, and the industrious, beside having other 
employment than to note down their neighbors' 
transgressions, cannot be persuaded that there is 

any crime in shooting a wild bird, still less that the 

act is harmless at one season of the year, and injuri- 

ous at another. Nor is it by any means certain 

that it would be des rable, even if it were possible, : 
to prevent this extermination. It is better for the 
civilized community that the process should go on. 

"The epicure may lose an indulgence, and his case. 
will doubtless excite all the commiseration which — - 
it deserves ; but it will be public gain, without ques- 

tion, to basa the field and forest offer no bounty to 
idleness, tempting it away from the serious cares b. 
of life, to engage in pleasures, which no one is the — * 
ta in character, in habits, e in hese 6 for gp" » 


j me stication, which has been NES 4 once or 
‘twice in the preceding remarks, should be tried on 


a large scale; and it might be well if some induce- 


ment shohid be offered to tempt some competent 
persons to engage in such an undertaking. d can- 


not be despatched in a single season; it rould r- — E 
quise time to determine on what ad am under. — — 
cely t drive 


st; and much more time would Š necessary te 
VOL. Ill.—NO. 1.—II. 34 a 


* 


a 


ai 
2 
ee 


E » E” 


* 


266 Mr. Peabody on the Birds of Mass. 


effect a permanent change in the habits of a wild 
and wandering race, and to overcome that impulse, 
which, in the season of migration, acts so power- 
fully upon them, that some imprisoned birds with 


their wings clipped, have been known to break from 


their enclosures, and to set out on foot, for the 
region of Hudson's Bay. In many cases, no doubt, 
such attempts would succeed without difficulty ; 
and in others, what could not be done by a short 
experiment, might be accomplished by successive 
and persevering trials; valuable accessions might 
thus be made to the number of our domestic birds ; 
many might come into general use, which now 


only the sportsman and the epicure can enjoy, and 


races of wild birds be preserved, which will other- 
wise, in spite of all our game laws, soon disappear, 
and be lost from our forests and shores. 


WILLIAM B. O. PEABODY. 


Dr. Storer's Supplement. 267 


SUPPLEMENT 
TO THE 


ICHTHYOLOGICAL REPORT. 


Sınce the report on the Fishes has passed through 
the press, I have had an opportunity, by the polite- 
ness of Mr. John S. Sleeper, Editor of the “ Mer- 
cantile Journal,” of examining a specimen of the 
“ Lophius piscatorius,” Sea-Devil; and as the ac- 
count embodied in my report was extracted from 


Yarrell’s “British Fishes,” I would present a de- 


scription here from a recent specimen, that the 
ichthyologist may judge for himself, as to my cor- 
rectness in considering our fish the same as Hi 
foreign species. ? 
Length of the specimen before me, two feet sa 
one inch; width across, in front of the pectorals, 
one foot; length of the head, from the tip of the 
= snout to the occiput, six inches. All the upper part 
‘of the body is of a dark brown color, caused by very 
minute irregular markings; body beneath, white. 
Numerous fleshy cirrhi beneath the lower jaw, edging 
it to the angles; beyond these, they are continued 
. to the pectoral fins, and back of them, they are again 


continued to the tail; these cirrhi are beneath the LR 
jaw, nearly an inch in length; on the sides of the © 


_ body they are much smaller. The vertical gape of 
the mouth, when expanded, is five inches; the dis- 


ri 


CIT 


% 
268 Dr. Storer's Supplement. 


tance across, from angle to angle of the upper jaw, 
eight inches; the tip of the lower jaw projects nearly 
two inches in front of the upper. The intermaxil- 
lary bones are capable of being protruded nearly an 
inch beyond the maxillaries, and are armed with a 
single row of small pointed teeth upon each side, 
and two rows of much larger teeth in their centre ; 
one of these rows upon the edge, the other, within 
and beneath, very incurved ; upon the upper jaw, at 
its tip, isa space of one and a half inches, destitute 
of teeth ; on each side of this space, is one quite 
large tooth, and a second, much smaller ; about half 
an inch outside of these, a single row of eight or 
ten teeth, the three or four first of which, are much 
the largest. On each side of the pharynx, are three 
rows of sharp incurved teeth, about a line in length, 
resembling spines ; these rows are arranged directly 
above each other, and are double. The lower jaw 
has a single row of numerous, very sharp teeth, 
some of them half an inch long; the tongue has a 
broad, bony, triangular plate, upon each side, armed 
with two rows of teeth on each side, which are 
turned toward the throat. The distance from the 
margin of the upper jaw to the eye, is equal to the 
distance between the eyes. Several spines are ob- 
servable upon the head ; two just back of the snout, 
on each side; a bifurcated one over the middle of 
the eye, and =R similar one at its posterior an- 
gle; a small one in a line back of these, at the poste- 
rior portion of the head. A spine pointing forward, 
is situated at the angle of the jaws, and three straight 
Spines are seen back of this. The eyes are neatly 


M 


Dr. Storer's Supplement. 269 


circular, half an inch in diameter; the pupils, black ; 
the irides, yellowish brown, with darker rays. One 
inch back of the snout, are two elongated tentacula, 
four inches long, of the firmness of bristles, with the 
extremities free ; as the tentacula are lying down, 
directly at their posterior extremities, is situated a 
third, two inches in length, with about half of its 
extent only naked; these tentacula are capable of 
being elevated at the pleasure of the animal. 


The first Dorsal is situated an inch and a half : 


back of this third tentaculum ; it is composed of three 
small rays, connected by a dark colored membrane. 

The second Dorsal is two and a half inches back 
of the first; it is composed of eleven rays ; this fin 
is six inches long, three and a quarter inches high at 
its commencement, and two inches high at its poste- 
rior extremity. ! 

The Pectoral fins are three inches long ; quadrate ; 
rather higher than long ; slightly digitated at their 
extremities, and ciliated; width at the extremity, 
when expanded, six inches ; composed of twenty-five 
rays. ps 

The Ventral fins, one inch long, two inches high ; 
having five strongly marked digitations. 

The Anal fin is five inches long; as high again at 
its posterior extremity as at its anterior; it is com- 
posed of nine rays. 

The Caudal fin is two inches long, four and a 
half inches high, and is composed of eight rays. 


sd 


Y 
vido 


E 
s 


d 


en, hd] ee FP K 
270 °° we — Supplement. 


"n Squalus. Lin. (Selache. Cuv.) elephas. Le Sueur, 


Sarna #rademy Natural Sciences, et fig. 
Two or three weeks since, a large male shark was 
harpooned in the harbor of Provincetown, and being 
towed to Chelsea, was there exhibited. When I saw 


i it, it waslying upon the beach, where it was entirely 
exposed at low tide, and nearly, if not altogether 


covered by water when the tide was high; the tide 


.. wasflowing in, when I examined it, which compelled 


me to make a more rapid survey than could have 
been wished. It had been opened, and its viscera 
were removed. The liver filled eight barrels, and 
furnished six barrels of oil. The fish presented the 
following appearances : 

Its entire length was thirty feet three inches. 
The whole upper part of the body, was of a dark. 
slate color; lighter beneath. The skin was divided 
into innumerable rugs, which were covered with 
minute sharp points, often collected into groups, re- 
sembling the discs of many of the “ Echini," upon 
which are situated the spines by which they are 
ornamented ; or, still more, the tubercles arranged 
along the idm line of some of our. “Cotti,” caus- 
ing the skin to be exceedingly rough. Head, small ; 
perfectly smooth, for the most part, in front o of the 
eyes, and covered with eircular and oblong mucous 
pores, which keep this portion constantly lubricated. | 
Snout, blunt. Nostrils, five inches in front of the 
eyes, their lower portion upon the edge of the 
upper lip. yes, very small ; diameter of the eye, 


* 


4 W 


$ 
i E E: 
e Pi 
pe Fa — ari 


, >. 
three inches ; largest oncümibune of the sclerotic 


coat, when removed from the socket, eight and a half 
inches. Eyes very moveable in their orbits ; distance - 
between the eyes, two feet; distance between the 
tip of the jaws, as artificially raised, two feet ; this 
vertical gap is undoubtedly as much again, a£ least, 
in the living fish, which gives us an opening of four 
feet. Mouth white, mottled with fuliginous. Jaws, 
furnished with a great number of small, incurved, 
pointed teeth. Six rows of these in the upper jaw, 
and seven rows in the lower jaw ; the inner row in 
this jaw, are hardly formed ; each of the rows in this 
jaw, as I counted them in the mouth, contained one 
hundred teeth, from the tip of the jaw to the angle 
ofthe jaw, or two hundred, as counted from one 
angle to the opposite one, or in a word, fourteen hun- 
dred teeth in this jaw. The teeth are conical, sharp, 
polished, with a sengible ridge upon each side, often 
roughened, almost serrated ; the lower portion of the 
tooth, striated ; one of the teeth in this jaw is bifid ; 
the teeth at the angles of the jaws, short and more 
compressed. "The teeth in the centre of the jaw, are 
three lines high above the jaw, and their base, or 
root, about the same length within the socket. 
T'emporal oriodtgl foni, just back of the angle of 
the jaw. 

From the tip of the snout to the first branchia, 
four feet nine inches. Five very large branchiæ, 
nearly surrounding the head, as the animal was 
lying ; by measurement, the first pair of branchiæ 
were separated, on the neck, from each other, six 
inches; L3 second pair were separated, at the same 


$ 
Sec 1 

vt Ww 
rk t. 


ke 
Kale * 
e 


ed 


Bi Sry pite i. D. 


situation, ind Miche d third pair, one foot "e 
inches; the fourth. jd; one foot nine inches; the, — . 
Bfth pair, two feet three inches ; showing the first to 
benut the largest. The first Dorsal fin is trian- - 
gular : two feet ten inches long, four feet four 
inches high, anteriorly, three feet posteriorly ; dis- 
tance between the first and second dorsal, six feet; 
second dorsal ten inches long, sixteen’ high anteri- 
orly, thirteen posteriorly. Pectorals, falciform; one 
foot nine inches long ; five anda half feet high; 
$ distance between the pectoral and ventral, eight feet. 
Length of the ventrals, one foot eleven inches; | 
height, two feet nine inches; length of the clasp- 
ers, three feet three inches; width at their base, 
eight inches, from which they gradually pass toa - 
point; they enclose a strong, bony spine. The 
commencement of the analis directly opposite the 
middle of the second dorsal; its length is eleven: 
inches ; its height, fourteen inches ; across the ,top, 
ten inches; distance between the anus ind” anal fin, 
three and a half feet. Anterior to the caudal fin is 

a lunated depression above and beneath the poste- 
rior extremity of the fish ; at the base of the tail, a 
carina upon each side, one foot eight inches long. 
The caudal lobes, unequal ; the upper lobe, six feet 
six inches in length, measured over its curve, hav- 
ing at its extremity a small triangular lobe; the 
lowerlobe, four feet two inches, measured in the 
same way ; width of the extremity of the lower 
lobe, six inches; width at the base, two feet two 
inches; width of the extremity of the upper fluke, 
or lobe, one inch ; width of the base, two feet three 

Á E * f 


E 
<< 


A 


2 


x. 


. " 3 


i Eo y a toe ~ SK 


and : a half inches ; T a the re: depression to tho 
ida of the fin, two feet eleven. inches. ý 
_ Attached to the branchie, I found a single specit 


. 'men of the e Cineras vittata.” 


. Under the name of “ squalus elephas,” this shark 
was admirably : described by Le Sueur, in the “ Jour- 
nal of the Academy of Natural Sciences,” from a 
specimen taken on the coast of New Jersey in 
1822; and his figure, when it is remembered that 
it was taken from a stuffed skin, is very accurate. 

Among our Behe it is known as the bone 


shark. D-H By 
ie 1 es 
è X £ 


V ART. II. — DESCRIPTIONS OF FOUR NEW SPECIES OF 


FISHES. By Jaren P. KinTLAND, M. D.; first Assistant in the 
Geological Board of Ohio, and Prof. of of the T. and Pract. y Med. in the 
ap: College of. Ohio, at Cincinnati. Communicated em 


SEC 2s 
GASTEROSTEUS -depner sit. Vaesibie , ae 
Plate II. fig. 1. 


Head elongated; mouth small, armed with nu- 
merous teeth. Lower lip projecting. Eyes large 
and prominent. Nostrils midway between the up- 
per lip and eyes. - 

Body slightly compressed, scaleless. Back armed 
with five or six falcated, moveable spines, each with 
a decurrent membrane attached to its lower half 
posteriorly. - 

Dorsal fin 9 to 12 rayed, gradually sloping be- 
hind to the back. Caudal fs circular, truncated 

VOL. iNO Sts 


MEA 
Now Spe of Pha i E a) 


è 


t 


a 
xe 


— | e .w- 
e: 


wee” 2: — fin, one spinous ray, and from 9 to 
.19 soft rays. Ventral fin à spine. Pectoral fins 


: oval, covering, when expanded, a circular, unserrated ` 


*. 
+ 


PE. * 


plate. 

Color. Back, olive or black ; sides, faintly macu- 
lated with olive ; a black or "v2 zone often ex- 
tends along she: medial line. "Throat and abdomen 
yellowish or white. 

Length, one and a half inch. 


ty 


e iy me | 4 y k 
d. 


a ' 


Habitat. Common in ditches and muddy god K 


in Trumbull Co. Ohio. -FA 


>H 
| OnsrRvATIONS. It is easily distinguished from all : 


the other species of this genus by its size, color, 


form of its plates, and number of dorsal spines. The 
latter, as well as the number of rays in the dorsal 
and anal fins, vary in different specimens; hence I 
adopted the above specific name. e 


ETHEOSTOMA VARIATA. Variegated Etheostome, or 
Darter. 


Plate IL. fig. 2. 


Head conical, gibbous; orbits prominent; eyes 


large; iris dark olive. Nostrils deep and large, an- 


terior to the eyes.  Operculum complex, gs 
folded, terminating behind in a spine. — - il 


Body cylindric, hardly compressed except at ‘the 


tail; back gibbous; abdomen rectilinear; scales 
rough, apparently hexagonal. 

Pectoral fins large, elongated almost to the origin 
of the anal fin. Ventral fins beneath the pectoral, 


# i * é dá ie. 
` - $ 
e I Nb Sys of Fishes. 275 


& 


falcated. vind fin a A Caudal fin fan- 
shaped. Anterior dorsal spinous; 12 (T 2, Pos- 
terior dorsal, soft, 13 rayed. 

Colors gaudy. Anterior dorsal fin edged with 
orange, and banded through its middle with indigo. 
Post dorsal fuscous, touched with orange or vermil- 
lion. Anal fin verdi ter. Body banded behind the 
pectoral fins with seven or eight white zones, spotted 


SU 


with orange, the intervening spaces green ; an orange - 


stripe beneath the pectoral fins, on the sides of the 
abdomen. Back and head, olive and green. 
_. Length, three inches. T 


. Bear and Ohio. Like the other species of this genus 


its place of retreat is beneath logs and stones. It - 


prefers rapid and clear water. 


/* OBSERVATIONS. - This i is one of the most brilliant 
colored of the western fishes. It is frequently taken 
by fishermen for bait, and preferred to the common 
minnows. Rafinesque established a new genus for 
the reception of a family of fishes very common in 
the waters of Lake Erie and the Ohio river, but so 
small in size as to attract little attention. The 
habits of all the species are very similar. "They may 
be seen, when the water is clear, moving slowly 
along the sides of logs and stones; but if they are 
disturbed, they will dart away with great rapidity. 
Two of the largest species readily bite at a hook. 
As there cannot be a more natural generic assem- 
blage of fish than four of the species described by 
the above named author, and the two I have noticed, 


* 


if e i i d 
Habitat. Mahoning river, a walhi of Mes LA 


L d 


276 New Species of Fishes. 


his arrangement will probably stand. One of his 


Species, the E. calliura, is no other than the young 


of the Cichla Ohioensis of Le Sueur. 'That fish 
assumes a variety of appearances at different ages. . 


Erurostoma wacunATA. Black Darter, or speckled 
Hog-fish. 
Plate II. fig. 3. 


Head narrow, compressed ; nose acute ; operculum 
scaly, double spined posteriorly ; jaws equal; mouth 
small, longitudinal. 

Body flattish, tapering gradually from the ventral - 
fin to the caudal. 2 

Dorsal fins, anterior, spinous, 10 rayed ; posterior, 
soft, 13 rayed, connected with the anterior by an 
intervening, decurrent membrane. Caudal fin, 22 
rayed, circular, truncate posteriorly. Anal fin qua= 
drangular, 1 spinous, 7 soft rays. Ventral fin, 1 
spinous, 5 soft rays. Pectoral fins abbreviated, 14 
rayed. l 

Length, two and a half inches. 

Color. Back and head, olive and black; sides 
and abdomen, sea-green, with from twelve to twenty 
carmine dots near the medial line. 

Habitat. Mahoning river, in rapid water. Very 
rare. 


OssEeRvaTIONS. This species is readily distin- 
guished by its flat, compressed body, peculiar color, 
and especially its beautiful carmine maculations. It 
exceeds in beauty the speckled trout. 


New Species of Fishes. 277 


HypARGIRA LIMI. 
Plate II. fig. 4. 

Head, conic-cylindrical, smooth; upper jaw 
slightly recurved near the end; lower jaw more 
prominent; mouth somewhat diagonal; operculum 
with a membranous edge, extending to the origin of 
the pectoral fin. 

Body, uniformly cylindric, fusiform, slightly com- 
pressed behind the dorsal and anal fins; destitute of 
any prominent marking. Back, gibbous; abdomen, 
rectilinear. 


Dorsal fin quadrangular, otlónig, twice the length 
of the anal fin, 13 rayed, each minutely dotted, or 
lineated transversely. Caudal fin circular, diapha- 3 


nous, 14 rayed, each ray transversely and minutely 
lineated. Anal fim 10 rayed, situated beneath the 
posterior half of the dorsal. Ventral fin small, acute, 
extremity reaching the vent. Pectoral fins oval, ori- 
gin oblique. 

Scales rather large, sub-rhomboidal. 

Color. Dark olive, irregularly waved with fus- 
cous; abdomen free from the olive; an irregular 
transverse black band on the body, near the base of 
the caudal fin. 

Length, from two to three inches. 


Ossrrvations. I have met with this species only 
in the heads of Yellow Creek, in the village of Po- 
land, Trumbull Co., Ohio. It uniformly dwells in 
soft mud, and is sometimes found in great numbers 
in excavating springs and ditches. Like the other 
members of this genus, it is very tenadis of life. 


* 


278 — New Species of Shells. 


ART. IV.—DESCRIPTIONS OF THREE NEW SPECIES OF 
SHELLS. By Jonn G. AxTHoNY. Communicated January and 
July, 1839. 


ANCULOTUS COSTATUS. 
Plate III. fig. 1. 


Shell subglobose, with a depressed convex spire; 
body whorl ventricose, with about five coste revolv- 
ing around it; color olivaceous ; aperture obovate ; 
base regularly rounded ; purplish within. 

Found on pebbly shores near the city of Cincin- 
nati. - 


3t 


e 
HELIX sTRIATELLA. 
Plate III. fig. 2. 


Shell remarkably thin, somewhat depressed; of a 
very delicate horn color, transparent ; whorls four, 
very finely striated transversely ; spire scarcely ele- 
vated ; suture moderate ; aperture nearly round; 
labrum not refiected nor thickened. Umbilicus not 
remarkably large, in diameter not equal to the body 
whorl ; transverse diameter one fifth of an inch. 

Found abundantly near Cincinnati, in low bottom- 
lands near the margins of running streams. 

From “ Helix perspectiva," Say, which it most 
nearly resembles, it may be readily distinguished by 
em number of volutions, its exceedingly delicate 
Strix, and its invariably smaller size. The color is 
also much lighter, and its whole appearance far more 

E > * 2 t 


* 


Native Nitrate of Soda. 279 


delicate than the “perspectiva.” I have never 
found it upon rotten wood, nor under the bark of 
old logs, the common habitat of the “ perspectiva." 


PALUDINA CINCINNATIENSIS. 
Plate III. fig. 3. 


Shell somewhat ventricose, subumbilicate, color 
delicate green. Whorls four, smooth; spire entire 
at the apex and prominent ; suture deeply impressed ; 
aperture much dilated, approaching to orbicular, 
nearly half the length of the shell; length one fifth 
of an inch. 

Found in the canal near Cincinnati, clinging to 
small stones. am . 


ARTICLE V.— NOTICE OF NATIVE NITRATE OF SODA, CON- 
TAINING SULPHATE OF SODA, CHLORIDE OF SODIUM, 
IODATE OF SODA, AND CHLORIODIDE OF SODIUM, from 
the Province of Tarapaca, Pampa of Tamarugal, in South Peru; and of 
ALGOROBA WOOD, from the buried forests beneath the end of 
Tamarugal. By A. A. Haves, M. D. From a letter to M. Gay, 

Cur urator of Mineralogy and Geology i in the Society. 


In presenting these specimens for the Cabinet of 
the Society, I wish to make the first publie an- 
nouncement of the discovery of Iodate of Soda, as a 
new mineral species. 

The nitrate of soda, as the source from which the 
refined nitrate of soda of commerce is obtained, is an 
important and valuable salt, in an economical point 
of view. In the province of Tarapaca, it occurs 
mixed with more or less of the sulphate of soda 

2 o a 


y 


280 Native Nitrate of. Soda. 


and chloride of sodium, in large beds, exposed on 
their upper surfaces freely to the air. "The whole 
surface of the pampa is made up of saline matter, 
mixed with sand composed of water worn shells and 
detritus of trachytic rocks, presenting an area of 
many square miles of variable depth. Below the 
surface, in several places, is found the fossil wood, 
the trees being entire, and generally inclined toward 
the southwest. Numerous volcanoes exist in the 
Andes, between which and the pampa a range of 
low hills intervenes, marking apparently the border 
of the surface, once covered by alake. These speci- 
mens were obtained by Mr. John H. Blake, of Bos- 
ton, to whom I am indebted for a description of the 
locality, which will soon be published. 
Roxbury Laboratory, 17th July, 1838, 


EXTRACT FROM THE LETTER. 


“The nitrate of soda contains a salt of chlorine and iodine 
united. This is proved by moistening a few grains of the yel- 
low part of a mass with water, and rubbing it on starch paper ; 
if free iodine were present, a purple or blue color would be 
produced. Weak sulphuric acid, added to the moistened mass, 
gives it the power of thus altering the starch, and, as bromine 
is not present, no other known body can produce that effect. 
If such a mixture be distilled, chloride of iodine passes over 
into the recipient. That iodate of soda is present, is proved by 
the fact, that the saline matter, which is mixed with the nitrate 


of chlorine, in a solution of starch in sulphuric acid. When 
heated with carbon, it deflagrates feebly, and the residue, dis- 
Solved in water, instantly renders a solution of starch in sul- 

uric acid blue, if chlorine is present, Magnesia is always 
n the specimens.” 


BOSTON 
" 2 Am an 


LÀ 


JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 


Vou TH 25 JULY, 1840. '. News. 


* 


ART. VI.— A FURTHE ExOREE ATION OF SOME NEW . 


- ENGLAND LICHEN By Epwarp TockERMAN, JUN., 
. LL. B., a Member of the, soie. dissi before the aaua in 
March, 1840.) 


ArrtHoNIA. A genus Son by — in his 
Lichenogr. Univ., and - adopted, to some extent, by 
later writers. Sprengel, ‘however, refers all the 
species to the genus Graphis, as arranged by him. 
AgrHONIA, punctiformis, Ach. ‘Lich. Univ., Scheer. ! 
Lich. Helvet., Muhl, Catal., Torr. Catal., Hals. Syn. 
View, Mass. Catal., is arii and well known 


form, occurring on smooth bark, and much resem- . 


bling, at sight, some of the minute Verrucarie. 
This seems, in some respects, to differ from Opegra- 
pha of Acharius, but the following it seems to me 
much more difficult to separate from that genus. 
A. radiata, 8. astroidea, Ach. l. ¢., Moug. & Nestl.! 


. Stirp. crypt., Graphis stenocarpa, Spreng. part., Ope- 
* 


.grapha astroidea, e Meth., O. d [s p 


à * See Vol. II. p. 945. 
VOL. iti. Wi, Mi 36 P 


* 
: | 


* 


% 
282 .. Lichenes of New England. 


occurs on hard bark in Cambridge, and seems to be 
noticed in several of our Catalogues. This genus 
. will probably not remain separate from the next. 

GRAPHIS curvula, Ehrh., Spreng. Syst., Opegra- 
_ pha notha, Ach., Hals. 1. c. MP WEN bark, Cambridge 
and Watertown. “Not included in the Mass. Catal. 
The genus Graphis, to which this is here referred, 
as arranged by Sprengel, l. c., consists of the Ope- 
graphe of Persoon and Motive, together with the 
afterwards separated Graphides of the latter, exelud-- 
ing some aberrant (mostly tropical) forms, which 
have been arranged in. new genera by Meyer. 
Sprengel cites Adanson as the author of this arrange- 
ment, which may, TS probably we the right 
of priority. 


S ER gemmata, Ach., Hals. l. c., "Mass. 
Catal. — Smooth bark, common in New E Bo 

V. nitida, Schrad., Borr. in Hook., , Ach. 
Lichenogr., Scher.! 1 c., Spreng. L. e., Mull. Le, 
Pyrenula nitida, Ach. Syn. (cit. as y Moug. & 
Nestl.! 1. c., Spheeria nitida, Weig. (cit. Hook.).— 

.. Smooth bu very common in New England. 
Somewhat resembling V. gemmata. 

V. punctiformis, Ach., Spreng. 1. c., De Cand. Fl. 
, Ft. ; Scher.! E ©, Hals. l c. BC bark, Cam- 
Wiridize 

y. epidermidis, Ach. Syn. (cit. Scher. h De Cand. 


aire , Moug. & Nestl.!, Hook. Br. Fl, Hals. 1. c. — 


1 t of Betula papyracea, &c., Maine. Referred to 
t ie x. by Sprengel. | | 


e 


*- 


T $ a 
Lichenes of New England. . 983 


V. cinerea; Pers., Hook. 1. e, V. stigmatella, Ach., 
Scheer. ! k e., Muhl. l. e., Torr. 1. c., Hals. 1. c., Pott 
in Mass. Catal. it Geant bark, Cambridge. 

V. enteroleuca, Spreng. l. c., Pyrenula aeoo 
Spreng. in Hals. l. c., Port. in Mass. Catal., Thelo- 
trema cinereum, Sirini in Hals. L we e 
bark, very common throughout New. gland. This. 
is apparently a true. Pyrenula, a. genus whieh i is now 
regarded too near Verrucaria. vs 


ENDOCARPON: MÀ Ach., Sekr: L Gy Hook. 
l. c,— a. wmbilicatum, Scher.!l. c, E. miniatum, 
Ach., Muhl. 1. c., Hals. l. c., Mass. Catal; == 
saith West Cambridge, Brooldlitie; nad Also 
— = !, and elsewhere. ox 
——, 6. complicatum, Schzer.! 1. 


i. 9 E: cowie Ach., Hals. l. c. — Rocks n 


er, and within reach - ren ; Spot P. 


ea Lis ey, agquaticwm, Séhser.! 1. 
e E. Weberi, Ach., Hals. le. , Port. ! 1. c. ++ On rocks 
and stones under water, in issus and ponds, West 
Cambridge, Medford, Plainfield, and elsewhere. The 
remark in Lindley, (Nat. Syst. edit. 2. p. 427,) that 
“no lichen is ever submersed,” is at variance with 
the obvious habit of the var. y. of this species, 


which ‘certainly cannot. be — from the E» 


ndocarpa. - 


VARIOLARIA. on genus is not allowed by Spren- 
gel, who distributes the species between Porina, Ur- 
ceolaria, and. Lecanora. 


* 


There. appears to be some . 


* 


E 


a p 
d x 
dE: 


284 Lichenes of New | 


confusion in the synonymy of the common forms, 
» owing, probably, to their considerable resemblance 
to each othef. In mentioning the following species, 
I have followed the met of the Methodus 
of Acharius. 

Y faginea, e iieit. Ach. ) Ach. Meth. De * 
N Cand. ke Hook. l. c. — Bark, less common, perhaps; 
than the S This is the V. amara of one of the 
later works of Acharius, and of our authors, and is 
sensibly distinguished from the other species allied 
to it by the bitter flavor of the thallus. This is 
caused by the presence of oxalic acid, detected in it 
by Mr. Braconnot, in the proportion of 29.40f oxalic 
acid, combined with 18 of lime, in 100 parts of the 
lichen. (Hook. 1. c.) 

`- V. discoidea, Pers. (eit Ach. ) Hook. I. c. — reco 
and old rails, very common. < " 

V. aspergilla, Ah. Lich. Univ., Hook. Lc. — Old 
walls, rocks, and trees. 

V. velata, Ach. Syn. (cit. Hook.), Hals... c., Mass. 
Catal. — On trees, common in New England. The 
apothecia greatly resemble the scutelle of a Leca- 
nora, and the species (according to Hooker, l. c.) is 
referred to that voom TA Turner and Borrer. - 


= 


ec 


b Uio scruposa. ‘Since the publication of 
. my former paper, I have observed this plant quite 
common on old walls and in similar situations. Mr. , 
. . Russell has sent it from Chelmsford, where. he finds — ^ 
it abundant, on rocks. At the Cambridge station, it 
occurred on the ground, in a sandy soil. 

U. cinerea, Ach., — forma varians. — Alpine rocks, 


w; 


* 


* 


White Mountains. The thallus is of a rusty red, 


and is copiously besprinkled with the small black 
apothecia., The red color is probably o€casioned by 
oxide of iron in the rock. The plant does not ap- 
pear to differ in other characters of importance from 
U.:cinerea. "Thallus distinctly areolated, but at the 
same time continuous and regular. ý 

_U. cinerea, Ach., — forma varians polygonia. Aja 
pine rocks, White Mountains, with the last. Thallus 
rusty red, often of a fine dark red, owing, as in the 
last, to the presence of iron in the rock.- The thal- 
lus is made up of areole, which are much 1 than 
in the la$t, distinct, or aggregated, or someti con- 
fluent. The apothecia minute, very irregulat, often 
several in a single: areola. This appears to differ 
considerably from the last, and both from our com- 
mon U. cinerea; but the charaeters of — 
in the plants from the White Mountains are so nearly 
represented in European: specimens, arranged as vari- 


eties of the above-cited species, that I can hardly 


consider our plants distinct, even as varieties. The 
most striking feature of these forms is, perhaps, their 
color; in regard. to which, besides what has been 
said above, we may call to mind Linnzus's pleasant 
application of the poet, **Nimium ne crede colori ; ” à. 
a of allowed ERN in — 


uin. muscorum; "Bahs: tke c, Hook. l| e., 
Muhl. l. ci, Patellaria muscorum, De Cand. l. c., P. 
sabuletorum, Spreng. l. c., Lecidea sabuletorum, 
Ach., Torr. l ¢., Hals. l. c;, Lichen sabuletorum, 
Flórke, L. muscorum, L. — Decayed mosses, Cam- 


| of New England. e. " 


| Lichenes of New. England. 


bridge. Also in the lower regions of the White 
" Mountains. 

= L, geographica, Hook. l: c., Rhizocarpon geo 
graphicum, De Cand. 1. c., Lecidea atro-virens, var. 
geographica, Ach. Meth., Liehers geographicus, L., 


Ach. Prodr. — Alpine locis White Mountains, and - 


Chin of Mansfield, Vt. An elegant species. - 

L. pruinosa, Ach. Meth., Hook. 1. c., L: albo- 
cerulescens, Ach. Syn., Muhl. l. ¢., Mass. Catal., 
Lichen pruinosus, Dicks. (cit. Hook. ): — On. rocks 
and boulders, not confined to limestone. Plainfield, 
Port.!, Waltham; Lexington, Medford, Manchester, 
and Wes in this vicinity, not uncommon. In 
the synonymy of this species, I have followed 
Hooker, l.c., but itis proper to refer to De Cand. 
Fl. Fr., whargiibme additional facts may be found. 

-L. albo-atra, Borr: in Hook. 1. cC; L. corticola, 
Ach. Syn. (cit. Hook. ), Muhl: 1. ¢., Hals. 1. c., Lich- 
en corticola, E. Bot., Verrucaria abeatis Hoffn. 
(eit. Hook.). — Old un West Cambridge. 

L. anomala, Ach. Syn., Hook. l. c., Patel 
anomala; Spreng. 1. c., Lecanora.anomala, Ach. Lich- 
enogr., Parmelia itm Ach. Meth, Suppl. — Bark 
of Juniperus Virginiana, Cambridge.  Apothecia. re- 
markable for a waxy lustre, especially apparent when 
the plant is wet. I have some hesitation in regard to 
our plant, which belongs to a rather doubtful group. 
The Lecanora effusa of Muhlenberg’s . Catalogue 
probably belongs to it, as Hooker unites this species 
with Lecidea anomala. With this exception, I be- 
lieve the species has not been ‘mentioned by Amer- 
ican authors. 


Lichenes of N. ew England, 


L. varians, Muhl. 1. c., Eaton, E The. de- — 
scription given by Eaton agrees so well with one-of 
our common forms of Lecidea, that I have little ~ 
doubt our plant is the. L. varians of the above aus 
thors. + My opinion has been strengthened by an 
"examination of labelled specimens (not, however, 
original) in the herbarium of Mr. Oakes. . The. spe- 
cies is somewhat remarkable, and occurs commonly 
on bark. canal &c. 


besten ventosa, Ach. — Rocks in Essex Coun- 
ty, Oakes!. This fine species is abundant on Alpine 
rocks at the White Mountains, a station mentioned 
in my former enumeration, but it is wholly new to 
Massachusetts. - On the Chin of Mansfield, Xt: k 

L. tartarea, Ach. Lichenogr., Hook. l. c., H is 
c., Mass, Catal., Patellaria tartarea, De Cand. |. e., 
Kermani tartarea, Hoffm., Lichen tartareus, L. — 
Rocks. Danvers, Oakes!, Brookline, Medford, '&e., . 
not uncommon. "The cudbear of commerce. 


Parmer perlata, Ach. Meth., Scher.! |. c., 
Moug. & Nestl. ! l. c., Spreng. 1. ¢., Hook. 1. c., Hals. 
l; c., Lobaria perlata, De Cand. 1. c., Lichen perlatus, k 
L., Ach. Prodr. — Rocks, trees, and rails, Cambridge; 
Waltham, Lexington, Framingham, &c., common. 
Also, Chelmsford, Mr. Russell. Not as yet observed 
in fruit. Not in the Mass. Catalogue. 

- Po pulverulenta, Ach. Syn. (cit. Hook.), Scheer. ! 
L-e., Spreng. l, c., Hook. l. c., Muhl. 1. ¢., Imbricaria 
pulverulenta, De Cand. 1. c., Moug. & Nestl 14.0; 
Lobaria pulverulenta, Hoffm; (cit. Cand.), ides 


988 Lichenes of New England. + 


pulverulentus, Schreb. ; & P. = Ach. Meth., 
cum Ic. (sec. Spreng. ), nec Hals. I. c., Mass. Catal. — 
Bark of trees; Cambridge, and elsewhere ; a not un- 
common and handsome species.. The P. venusta, 
Ach., seems, by the cited, description and figure, to 
be too nearly allied to this species, with which it is 
united by, Sprengel. In P. pulverulenta, the bor- 
der of the scutelle is described as either entire; Or 
notched, or quite leafy. 

P. speciosa, Ach. Meth., Scher.! 1. c., Spreng. l. 
c., Hook. l.c., Muhl. 1. c. — Rocks in old woods, 
Waltham, Medford : trunks of trees, not very general, 
Cambridge, Watertown; New Ipswich, N. H. Spren- 
- gives a habitat of this species in Boreal America, 

„Muhlenberg enumerates it in his Catalogue. It 
ps, especially. i in the finely fruited state (un- 


known in Great Britain), in which I have almost — 


always found it, the most beautiful of. our Parmelie. 

Hooker describes the lobes of the thallus as powdery 

at the extremities; but Acharius remarks, that. they 

are sometimes naked: the latter is the most common 

state in our plant. It would seem, from the descrip- 
m tion given in Eaton’s Manual, of one or two species, 

which are named as new species in Muhlenberg’s Cat- 
alogue, that our plants (and especially the saxicoline 
form) are very nearly allied to these; but I am unable, 
at present, to ascertain this, by the necessary com- 
parison of specimens. 'The’saxicoline plant belongs 
o P. speciosa, unless it be found to differ sufficiently 
to form a new species; but the other, which I havé 
mentioned as growing on trees, may, I think, prove 
distinct. Both, however, are nearly related to P. 
speciosa. . 


Lichenes of New England: 289 - 


P. ulothriz, Achy Meth., Muhl. l. c., Hals. 1. e., * 
Mass. Catal, Imbricaria ulothrix, De Cand. 1. c., 
Moug. & Nestl.!, Lichen ulothrix, Ach. Prodr., L. 
ciliatus, Hoffm. (cit. Ach.). — Bark of trees, Cam- 
bridge, Watertown, Medford, &c.  *Ciliis scutella- 
rum (sepe deficientibus et facile elabentibus) impri- 
mis a Parmelia cycloselide differt, cui alias simil- 
lima.” (Ach. Meth.) : There is, however, in the 
descriptions, another character to separate these spe- 
cies, — the mealy. warts on the margins of the lobes 
and elsewhere on the upper surface of P. cycloselis. 
These are very apparent in our New England form 
of this species, but I have observed the same on P. 
ulothrix. The latter is distinguished bya prn 
able character, but it may possibly hereaft er be ‘Te 
duced toa,variety of P. DE In this case, the 
question might be entertained, whether Hoffmann's 
name, above-cited, has not the rigt of * priority. 
— P. Fahlunensis, Ach. Meth., Moug. & Nestl.! 1. ; 
c., Spreng. 1. c., Hook. 1. c., Imbridittis Fahlunensis, 
De Cand. l..c., f A Fahlunériis, Hoffm. (cit. 
Cand.), sete Fahlunensis, L. 7 Ach. Prodr. — La 
major, Scher.! l. c., rocks, Notch of the White 
Mountains. — p. minor, Scher. ! l. e., rocks, with the 
last. Somewhat resembling P. stygia, especially 
the form g. P. Fahlunensis is a larger and wider- 
lobed lichen, the extremities of the lobes not de- 
curved as in P. stygia, the apothecia larger, and it - 
occurs at a much less elevation. . Linnæus first de- - 
tected our Plans about the mines of Fahlun, in 
Sweden. - 

P. dese, Ach. -Meth., Bobo ! lc. Moug. & 

VOL. I. — NO. Hi. 3T 


`‘ 


290 Lichenes of New England. 


Nestl.! l. c., Hook. l. c., Imbricaria diatrypa, De 
Cand. l. ¢., Lobaria terebrata, Hoffm. (cit. Cand.), 
Lichen pertusus, Schrad. (cit. Ach:), L. diatrypus, 
Ach. Prodr. — Rocks, in the Notch. of, the White 
Mountains. , Presents every character of the Euro- 
pean plant. Specimens in frnit did not occur. The 
feature from which this species has derived its vari- 
ous names, diatrypus, terebratus, pertusus;is an un- 
common and remarkable one.. 'l'hese words intimate 
not merely that the margins of the thallus are eri- 
brose, irregularly perforated, as in Gyrophora erosa; 
but that every where, “passim,” the thallus is marked 
with regular holes, “Jaciniis parvis foraminibus: per- 


tasis.” (Ach. Meg a 251.). This — is new 


to our Flora. 

Belonging to the same. group of Parmelize v which 
includes P. diatrypa, and the species allied to it, is à 
lichen, which, for want of specimens to compare 
with, I am still unable to determine, though 1 have 
had it several years in my collection: t presents 
several very striking characters and is probably al- 


ready described. The long, lax, linear lobes of the . 


thallus, which are white above, and black, ragged, 

_.and spongy beneath, and inflated at the apices, to- 
gether with the large scutelle, at first goblet-shaped, 
and becoming, when mature, very ample, will serve / 
to point out the plant to other observers. I have 


thought it agreed generally with such brief descrip- - 


tions as I have seen of a remarkable species from our 
Northwest Coast, — P. enteromorpha. 'The species 
occurs abundantly on the White Mountains, in the 
subalpine regions. T have also ‘observed it, more 


Lichenes of New Englond. 291 


sparingly, on the summits of the Chin of Mansfield, 
and the Camel’s Rump, the two highest of the Green 
Mountains, in Vermont. A. Van Diemen’s Land 
lichen, from the herbarium of Professor Torrey, 
seems also to belong to this species. Should our 
plant prove to be. distinct, it may be called P. platy- 
carpa. 

P. colpodes, Ach. Meth., Muhl. l.c., Hals. 1. c., 
Spreng. l. c., Mass. Catal. — Trees, Essex Co., 
Oakes!, Plainfield, Porter!. Also Plymouth ; a some- 
what rare spedigs. | 


pien crocata, Ach., Hals. 1. c., Port. 1. c. sap 
rocks and trees. Massachusetts, Hals., X eg 
Port. ! I. c., Plainfield, Port.! in herb. . nostra. 
Waltham and Manchester. Also in the No b " 
White Mountains, and on wood from Maine. ' Ken- 
nebunk, Me., Mr. Russell!.. The station given by 
Halsey was foünded, on specimens from Dr. Porter. 
"This lichen may prove.to be a more common species 
in this country, than has been supposed. I have 
generally met with it on shaded rocks in old woods, 
and but once on trees; though Dr. Porter's speci- 
mens are from the latter. The color varies from a 
light lead-gray on the upper surface, and a very light 
brown beneath, (the young plant,) to “a very dark 
olive-green,” as Hooker describes it, above, and a. 
rufous-brown benéath. Mr. Russell’s plant is rather 
* slauco-fuscous,” as Acharius describes the species. 
The Waltham plant and that from the White Moun- 
tains are of a dark reddish-brown. 

S. aurata, Ach. Meth., Port.!.in Eat. Man. Bot., 


292 | . "Lichenes of New England. 


and in Mass. Catal., Platisma crocatum, Hoffm. (sec. 
Ach.), Lichen auratus, Smith in Ach. Meth. — On a 
boulder-stone in Western, Port. This rare and beau- 
tiful lichen, of which I have abundant specimens 
from its discoverer, is one. of the tropical forms of 
Sticta. It has been found in the West Indies, by 
Swartz ; in South America, in fruit, by Humboldt ; 

and in St. Helena, according to Sprengel. I havea 
Van Diemen’s Land. lichen, which probably belongs 
to this species, from Professor Torrey’s ‘herbarium. 
It is also said to occur in the South of France ; and 
there is recorded a single doubtful English station, 
though it would seem to be now ‘wholly unknown in 
Great. Britain. The Massachusetts plant did not 
occur in fruit; which is said by Hooker to be ex- 
tremely rare. 

S. scrobiculata, Ach. Syn., Spreng. 1. c., Hook. L 
c., Hals. l. c., Mass. Catal., Lobaria scrobiculata, De 
Cand. l. c., Pulinolá scttibidtlata: Ach. Meth., Lich- 
en scrobieulatus, Scop., Ach. Prodr., & Pulmonaria 
verrucosa, Hoffm., Lichen- verrucosus, Jacq. (fide 
Cand.). — Rocks in old, shady woods ; Manchester, 
and elsewhere. Also on trees, Maine. | 

S. pulmonacea, Ach. — In fruit, a very luxuriant 
specimen ; West Cambridge hills, Dr. Harris. A 
somewhat rare state of the plant. Ihave observed 
it ton the White Mountains. aimul 


CoruEMA saturninum, Ach. . Dr. Porter sends 
specimens from Shelburne, which are granulated on 


the upper surface. . The plant occurs on the Waltham 


hills, in Cambridge, and Watertown. Mr. Russell 
has found it in Chelmsford. 


+ 


Lichenes of New England. 293 


C. tremelloides, Ach. Syn., Hook. 1. c., Muhl. 1. c., 
Torr. l. c., Hals. 1. c. — Rocks, Grand Monadnock 
mountain, N. H.; Ragland, in Brookline, near Ham- 
mond’s (or Richards's) Pond; Medford hills. Also 
Manchester, and elsewhere, a not uncommon species, 
and frequently occurring in fruit. Thallus, when 
moist, of a dark green, and translucent; when dry, 
of a light lead-color, and opaque. Besides C. pul- 
chellum, I have six other New England Collemata, 
undetermined ; two of which were received from 
Dr. Porter. It is remarked by Hooker, that, in dry- 
ing, these plants are necessarily much altered in 
form, and from this, and their variable character, 
there is considerable: difficulty in the determination 
of the. xig ( Br. FI. in loc.) 


Nipid dorili Ach. Lichenogr., Hook. L Ci, 
Peltigera parilis, Spreng. l. c., Peltidea parilis, Ach. 
Meth., Lichen parilis, Ach. rn E. Bot. t. 2360. 
— Rocks; in the Notch of the White Mountains, in- 
fertile. This is new to our Flora. ^ 

N.. bella: *thallo membranaceo utrinque glabro, 
supra badio, subtus pallidiori, lobis convexis, abbrevi- 
atis, rotundatis ; scutellis fuscis margine thallode inte- 
gro.” Spreng. Peltigera bella, Spreng. l. c. — Trees, 
sub-alpine region of the Chin of Mansfield, Vt. Thal- 
lus membranaceous, glabrous; pelte small, exactly 
orbicular. I have not had the opportunity to compare 
our New England plant with authentic specimens of 
Peltigera bella, — the former may prove to be 
distinct. 

N. aspera : thallo sahita glauco-fusco, "— 


4 


294 Lichenes of New England. 


demum. granulato, subtus pubescenti fusco-nigro ad 
ambitum pallidiori, lobis erectiusculis lacero-dentato- 
crenatis; peltis nigro-castaneis margine lacero-fim- 
briato. — Rocks; Ragland, in Brookline, Manchester 
"woods, Medford hills, and Lexington. Also Chelms- 
ford, Mr. Russell. This appears, by the description, 
to be near Peltigera (Nephroma) Helvetica, of Spren- 
gel, l. c., a species said by him to be found in Swit- 
zerland, but not noticed in Scharer's Swiss Lichen- 
ography. 


GvnoPHona. Of the six New England species, 
enumerated in my former paper, two were inserted 
doubtfully. Further investigation has enabled me to 
speak with confidence in regard to both of these. . 

G. hirsuta, Ach. Meth., Moug. & Nestl.! 1. iy 
Umbilicaria hirsuta, Hoffm., (cit. M. & N. ), De Cand. 
l. c., Lichen hirsutus, Ach. Pr. — Rocks, in the Notch 
_ of the White Mountains. Near G. vellea, from which 
it is well distinguished by the characters given by 
Acharius. Thallus of a whitish ash-color, somewhat 
pulverulent ; fibres of the under surface long and 
very distinct; trice hemispherical. The plant is 
much smaller than G. vellea, and less rigid. In my 
former paper, this was incorrectly considered a form 
of G. vellea, G. spadochroa is another species allied 
to G. vellea, which may occur, though I believe it 
has not yet been found in this country. E ue 

G. deusta, Ach. Meth. var. flocculosa, Ach., not of- 
E. T. Enum. Lich. N. Eng., Lecidea deusta, Spreng. 
l. c., Gyrophora ænea, y. Scher.! 1. c., Umbilicaria 
flocculosa, Hoffm., Lichen floceulosus, Wulf., L. deus- 

x 


& 


as Se 
á 


Don 


Lichenes of New England. 295 


tus, L. part. — Rocks; in the Notch of the White 
Mountains. . A smoother variety occurred in the Alpine 
regions of the Chin of Mansfield, Vt. In the place 
above-cited, I expressed a doubt whether the plants 
there called “G. deusta, Mass. Catal." (Acharius was 
not referred to,) were not rather a form of some other 
species. The name in question was communicated to 


me, with specimens, by a botanical friend ; but I do. 


not know that it is the G. deusta of the Mass. Catal. 
The plants, I am satisfied, belong to G. Muhlenbergii, 
and are far from the true G. deusta, above noticed. 

G. erosa, Ach, E. T. Enum, lc. Given in the 
cited Enumeration with a mark of doubt. I suc- 
ceeded ‘the last year in obtaining good specimens. 
The species. occurs; less commonly than some others, 
on rocks in the alpine regions of the White Moun- 
tains, and is undistinguishable in d respect from 
the foreign plant. < 

'G. proboscidea; Ach. = Alpine rocks on the Chin 
of Mansfield, Vt. ‘This is the highest summit in 
Vermont, and I did not find the species on any other 

of the Vermont mountains. ‘It varies somewhat, as 
at the White Mountains. The var. f. arctica did not 
occur. 

G. Muhlenbergii Ach. eh 4j Muhl. l. c., Hals. 
L c, Hook. in Frankl. Voy. cum Ic, Lecidea’ Muhl- 
enka; Spreng. l: co; & G. deusta, Port.! in herb. 
' nostr; and E. 'T. Enum. l. c., not of Ach. — Rocks; 
Blue Hills, Milton, very abundant and fine. iil 
Co. Oakes.! Also Cambridge, Medford, Manchester, 
Plainfield, Plymouth, White pene in the 
Notch, and Grand Monadnock, N ;H.. There is 


r 


296 Lichenes of New England. 


an interesting account of this lichen in .Hooker's 
.* Appendix to Franklin's Voyage," above cited. It 
is regarded by Gyrophorophagi the best species for 
eating. . I have cited Sprengel for this plant, but the 
reference seems to me to be hardly satisfactory ; I 
shall endeavour to state my .doubts under the next 
species. -The G. deusta of my Enumeration, is, as 
above stated, only an immature, barren form of this 
species. The plant occurs in this condition, not un-- 
commonly, on walls and rocks. : 

G. Muhlenbergii, Ach. 8. alpina: minori, crassiori; 
complicato. — Alpine rocks. Summits of the White - 
Mountains. Chin of Mansfield, and Camel's Rump 
Mountains, Vt. A true alpine form of the — 
analogous to the var. 8. of G. proboscidea: 

G. Pennsylvanica, Ach., E. T. Enum. |. c. I am 
unable to reconcile Sprengel's. diagnosis of this spe- 
cies with that of Acharius, or with the characters of 
our plant. There is the same difficulty in regard to 
G. Muhlenbergii as described by him, and, by other 
authors.. These species resemble each other in many 
points, and it is not, therefore, impossible that they 
may have been by some accident misplaced and con- 


founded. 'The G. Pennsylvanica of my Enumera- 
tion is papulose o; ipper surface, and with cor- 
responding lacu ; the under surface finely 
and regularl like shagreen, without 


ridges or re e apothecia are perfect 
~ patellule, considerably concave, and distinctly mar- 
4. ginated. Now this would seem to be the plant of 
-+ Acharius. So important did he consider the charac- A 
ter of the pat Wa io that he separated A a 


we 


E- 


*- 
EJ 

h 

* 

ye 


$ 
T LM 
FETU 5 


Lichenes of New England. 297 


species from Gyrophora in the Methodus, and placed 
it with the Lecidez. It seems also to be the G. 
Pennsylvanica of American authors. But Sprengel's 
plant is described as reticulate on the under surface, 
and possessing apothecia * plerisque ' abortientibus 
gyrosis," — true gyromata. My G. Muhlenbergii is 
not so distinctly papulose as the former ; it is marked 
on the under surface with. “ridges, lacerated, and 
joining ends," and the granulation is interrupted and 
often obliterated.. The apothecia commonly occur in 
pits, or. depressions of the thallus; they are flattish, 
heaped, and often very large; and always perfect 
trice or gyromata. But the G. Muhlenbergii of 
Sprengel is described as lacunose, and with urceolate 
or very concave margined patellule ; a description, 
which, if I am not in- rin these remarks, ap- 
plies only to the former spec es. 
G. hyperborea, Ach. Meth., Lecidea polymorpha, 
z. Spreng. 1. c., Gyrophora ænea, y. hyperborea, Scher.! 
l. c., Gyromium hyperboreum, Wahlenb. Fl. Lapp., 
Lichen hyperboreus, Ach. Prodr., L. superf. subtus 
lacunata, L. Fl. Lapp. — Alpine rocks. . Rocky peaks 
of the. White Mountains, abundant (subtus rufa). 
Summits of the Chin of Mansfield, and the Camel’s 
Rump, Vt. (subtus nigra). Very. different from any 
of our common species, but ni to the next, 
with which Schærer has unit 
G. polyphylla, Hook. |. c., Leci 
Spreng. 1. c., G. ænea, a. Scher. ! 1. (s n 
polyphyllum, Wahlenb. 1. €., Gyrophora glabra, Ach. pa 
* Meth., Lichen glaber, Ach. Prodr., Umbilicaria poly- — . "i 
. phylla, Hoffm., Lichen u m s — Alpine 


VOL. II. — NO. HL. — | 


me 


€ T E 


x 


298 Lichenes of New England. 


rocks. White Mountains. Acharius distinguished 


his Liehen glaber from the form which constituted 
Linneus’s Lichen polyphyllus, making the latter a 
variety of the former. They are not now kept sepa- 
rate, and Hooker has restored to the species the name 
given by-Linnzus. $ 

Crerrarta Islandica, Ach., E. T. Enum. l c. 1 
found this, the last year, in fruit, abundantly, in the 
alpine regions of the White Mountains. ,This is a 
very rare state of the plant in temperate countries. 
Our plant is smaller than the boreal form of the lich- 
en, but it does not appear to‘ differ in any other re- 
spect. This lichen seems to be very: generally dif- 
fused, and may be regarded common: I am acquaint- 
ed with the plant in the following stations: — White 
Mountains; Chin of Mansfield, Camel’s Rump, and 
other of the Green Mountains, Vt.; Lynn hills; 
Newton hills ; and Ipswich, Cambridge, and Water- 
town, in sandy fields. Also Hingham, Mr. Russell ; 
New Haven, Conn., Nuttall; and. Adirondack Moun- 
tains, New York, Mr. Madii. It is also enumerated 
in the Catalogues of Muhlenberg, and Torrey, and 
in the Flora of Michaux. . - 

C. Ee Ach. var. y. crispa, Ach. Syn., 
Scher.! l. e. 'egions of the White Mountains 
Summit of the Camel’s Rump, Vt. A delicate, crisp 
ed, alpine form. — 

C. cucullata, Ach., E. T. Enum. l.c. Imet with 
this finely in fruit, the last season, on the White 


~ 


Mountains ; a state of the plant very uncommon in | 
this latitude. The species is characterized by Acha- — 


e 


Lichenes of New England. 299 


rius, as having a “ sanguineo-fuscous” base. His va- 
riety £: nipharga is said to have a purplish-violet base. 
Our plant is variable in size, and habit of growth, and 
also in the intensity of the colors. A tall form is 
common, of a light-green above, and with a base more 
or less sanguineo-fuscous, passing into violet. Anoth- 
er form is smaller, very cespitose, and quite green, 
with a dark violet, almost black, base. ' Both of these 
occurred in fructifieation. I found this species also 
on the .summits. of the Chin oí Mansfield, and the 
Camel's Rump, Vt. 

C. nivalis, Ach., E. T. Enum: l. c. "istam on 
the alpine summit of the Chin of Mansfield, but. not 
elsewhere in the- Vermont Mountains. © - 

C. juniperina, Ach. g- pinastri, Ach. I found this 
at the White Mountains on the small branches of 
dwarf firs, upon which it is said to grow in Britain ; 
but the plant occurred very luxuriantly on rocks, 
just below the summit of the Nose of Mansfield, and 
also on the Camel's Rump, Vt. 

Growing on the small branches of trees, a  Jittle 
below the subalpine region of the White Mountains, 
I have frequently gathered a Cetraria allied to the 
last, but of a very different aspect. This also oc- 
eurred in similar places on the Chin of Mansfield, 
and the other highest peaks of the Green Mountains, 
in Vt. It may be described as follows ; — thallo sub- : 
coriaceo. expanso glabro virescenti, subtus dilute 
eastaneo, margine ascendente crispo. Pelte not seen. 
Should it prove to be new, which I somewhat doubt, 
it may be called C. virescens. | 

C. glauca, Ach. Meth., Scher. ! is €j Hook: 1. c., 


300 Lichenes of New England. 


Hals. l. c, Mass. Catal. — Trees, in the northern 
parts of New England, not uncommon ; as. yet in- 
fertile. 


Borrera furfuracea, Ach., Hals. l. c., E. T. 
Enum. l. c. — Trunks of trees in old woods, not 
very uncommon. Mr: Russell has made this plant 
an objeet of some attention, and has favored me with 
abundant specimens from Chelmsford. | I have never 
seen it in fruit. There occurs in the subalpine re- 
gions of the White Mountains, and I found the same 
on the summits of one of the Green Mountains in 
Vt., a smaller, more glabrous form of this: species, 
which seems to bé near the variety called 8. ceratea. 
I have also from Chelmsford another small: variety, 
remarkably *' floecoso-furfuraceous ” above. 


ConNiCULARIA. The two species of this genus al- 
luded to in my former paper, as occurring on the 
White Mountains, I have this year obtained in abun- 
dance, and find, as I suspected, that they are identi- 
cal with two European forms. : 

C. aculeata, Ach. Meth., Schzr.! l.'c., Moug: & 
Nestl.! 1. e., De Cand. 1. c.; Hook. 1. c., Coralloides 
aculeatum, Hoffm. (cit. Wahlenb.), Lichen aculea- 
tus, Ehrh., Ach. Prodr., Wahlenb. 1. c. — On the 
ground; alpine regions of the White Mountains. 
This handsome species occurred abundantly on the 
dry soil, formed apparently by the recent disintegra- - 
tion of the mica-slate, on the western descent of the 
summit of Mt. Pleasant, and elsewhere, in similar 
places. It was frequent in fruit. This (the fruit) is 


Lichenes of New England. .301 


well described by Hooker; but Acharius, when he 
published the. Methodus, seems not to have met with 
it in perfection, and his description is, therefore, in 
this respect, incomplete ; while Wahlenberg omits to 
notice it altogether. 

C. bicolor, Ach. Meth., Scher.! 1. c., Moegi & 
Nestl. ! 1. c., De Cand. l. c., Hook. l. c., Parmelia bi- 
color, uin Hees, m ‘bicolor, Hoffm. (cit. 
Spreng. ), Lichen bicolor, Ehrh., Ach. Prodr.— Among 
mosses and other lichens, in the alpine regions of the 
White Mountains. Hooker aptly compares this plant 
to coarse horse-hair. The extremities of the black 
thallus are pnma whence the name.  Infertile. 


SPHIEROPHORON fragile; Ach; E. T. Enum: koc. 
I found this in fruit; abundantly, the last year, on the 
White Mountains. S. coralloides still found barren. 
S. compressum has not yet been discovered. 


SrEREocavLOoN- paschale, Ach. .This seems to be 
now regarded a variable plant, and a disposition is ap- 
parent in late authors, to refer back to it, as the typ- 
ical form of the genus, several of. Acharius's spe- 
cies of Stereocaulon. This species is common with 
us, but I have not elsewhere seen it so fine as in the 
Notch of the White Mountains. A small variety, 
which I have from the summit of Mt. Holyoke, 
seems to deserve some notice. I have also collected 
what I suppose to be the same with this on the 
Medford hills. It is much dwarfed, growing in 
quite close masses or clusters, is considerably granu- 
lated at the extremities of the branches, and the 


302 Lichenes of New England. 


cephalodia are small and inconspicuous. . It would 
seem to resemble S. botryosum, Ach., considered by 
Borrer only “a dwarfish variety of S. paschale," but 
does not so well agree with Scherer’s specimen of 
that plant. I 
S: glaucescens : thallo erecto, albescente, basi nu- 
diusculo, ramis dichotomis, ramulis extremis granu- 
losis; cephalodiis convexis, albo-glaucescentibus. — 
Rocks; in the Notch of the White Mountains. 
Cephalodia white-glaucescent.. The color of the’ 
apothecia, in the known» species of this genus, is 
brown, of some shade or other, and I have seen nó 
notice of any variation from this.of a kind so striking 
as the présent: It does not appear to be accidental. 


CLADONIA mibuliformis Hoffm. b. taurica, . E 71 
Enum. l. c. — Highest summits of the. Adirondack . 
Mountains, N. Y., Mr. Macrae. The species did not 
occur on any of the Green Mountains, whose eleva- 
tion is considerably less than that of the above. | 

Patient topi Incocio, piale Oa vermicula- 
ris, y. glebulosa, Scheer. ! l. c. — On the ground; with 
«., and $., alpine regions of the White Mountains. 
Well named by Scherer glebulosa ; i.e: cloddy. 

C. gracilis, Hoffm. No less than thirteen varieties 
or forms of this species are given and named in the 
elaborate work of Scherer. The plant mentioned in 
my previous paper may perhaps be regarded as the 
typical form of the species with us. This is tall, deli- 
cate, and of a light-green color; the cups rather 
small, as well as the cephalodia. This occurred the 
last season on the summit of the Camel's Rump, Vt- 


Lichenes of New England. 303 


Beside this, I have found two other forms, which, 

though differing considerably in some respects from 

the typical form of C. gracilis, an examination of 
Schærer’s series of this species has led me to unite 

with it. The first of these may be called, — var. 

grandis: podetiis grandioribus fuscis sæpe squamo- 
sis; cephalodiis magnis nigro-fuscis. — In the alpine 
regions of the White Mountains ; aud in similar situ- 
ations on the Chin of Mansfield, Vt. A conspicuous 
and abundant alpine lichen, quite different in appear- 
ance fromthe ordinary C. gracilis, but probably one 
of the various forms of that species. The other 
plant above mentioned, I have less difficulty in refer- 
ring to one of the varieties indicated by Scherer. It. 
appears to be the var. 7. macroceras, B. elongata, 
Scher., identical. with Cenomyce ecmocyna, 7. ma- 
croceras, B. elongata, of Ach. The character is inti- 

mated by the names, and consists in the length and 

size of the podetia ; and especially in the elongation 

and furcation of the branches of the scyphiform ex- 

tremities. .'l'his occurred on the White Mountains, 

with the last, barren. | 

^C. cornucopie, Hoffm., Spreng. 1. c., Scyphophorus 
endiviefolius, Hook. 1. c., Cenomyce endiviefolia, 
Ach. Lichenogr. and Syn., Hals. 1. c., Mass. Catal., 
Beomyces endiviefolius, Ach. Meth., Lichen endi- 
viefolius, Dicks. Ach. Prodr, — Sands; in Cam- 
bridge and Watertown; in fruit, abundant. 

C. foliacea, Hoffm., Spreng. l. c., Seyphophorus 
alcicornis, Hook. l. c., Cladonia alcicornis, Scher.! 
l. e, Cenomyce alcicornis, Ach. Syn. Muhl, 1. 
c., Hals. l. ¢., Lichen alcicornis, Lightf., C. fo- 


304 Lichenes of New England. 


liaceus, Huds. — Mossy rocks, Manchester, and 
elsewhere.  *'Senescens lichen," says Acharius, 
“ omnino mutatur. Thallus fere evanescit et pro- 
lificatione scyphorum atque podetiorum sub nova 
forma exsurgit; quam distinguere debui, ne con- 
fundatur cum speciebus sectionis subsequentis s. Cla- 
doniis proprie sic dictis." In this state, the lichen 
has all the appearance of the subulate-branched Cla- 
doniz, the section which includes C. rangiferina, and 
the species allied to it. ` It occurs also at Manchester 
with the podetia very leafy, constituting the variety 
phyllophora of authors. There is a good figure .of 
this in Vaillant (Bot. Par. t. 21, f. 3; cit. Ach.). 

C. digitata, Hoffm., Scher.! l. e., Spreng. Syst., 
Scyphophorus digitatus, Hook. l. c., Cenomyce digi- — 
tata, Ach. Syn., Bæomyces digitatus, Ach. Meth. — 
Subalpine regionsof thè White Mountains. The de- 
scriptions of some of the books do not well accòrd 
with this form of C. digitata ; though an examination 
of Schærer’s specimens has led me to refer it, without 
doubt, to that species. ' It appears to be very near the 
variety named brachytes by Acharius. Lobes ofthe ` 
thallus very ample, larger than in any other of our 
cup-bearing Cladoniz, of a fine green above, and be- 
neath yellow at the base, becoming white at the 
margins. "The podetia small, in comparison with the 
size of the lobes of the thallus, and the scarlet joies! 
lodia very minute. New to our Flora. 

C. squamosa, Hoffm., Scher.! 1. c., Spreng. l. c- 
Scyphophorus sparassus, Hook. |. c., Cenomyce spa- 
rassa, Ach. Syn., Beomyces sparassus; Ach. Meth. — 
Subalpine region of the White Mountains; and at 


Lichenes of New England. 305 


Manchester, Essex Co., Oakes! Several varieties 
occur. 

C. cariosa, Sheen, Id es ‘Spreng. leu Cenomyce 
cariosa, Ach. Syn. (cit. Scher.), Muhl. 1l. c., Torr. 1. 
c., Hals. l. c., Beomyces cariosus; Ach. Meth.. Lich- 
en cariosus, Ach. Prodr. — Barren soils. A small 
dwarfed form is common. ` Cambridge, &c. 


Pycnoruenia. This genus was proposed by Du- - 
four to include an anomalous lichen, which had been 
originally referred by Acharius to a section of his ge- 
nus Beomyces, and, when this.genus was divided; to. - 
Cenomyce. Hoffmann and Sprengel have ‘retained 
it among their Cladoniz,; but Hooker confirms the ar- 
rangement of Dufour. “ There is something,” says 
that learned author, “ in its habit so different from 
the other Cladoniz, that I do not well see how it can 
be united either with Cladonia - -or ey phophers. sd 
(Br. EL II. 241.) . 

P. Papillaria, Hook. 1. c., Cladonia Páplllria, 
Hoffm., Spreng. l. c., Cenomyce. Papillaria, Ach. 
‘Syn., Beomyces Papillaria, Ach. Meth., Lichen Pa- 
pillaria, Ehrh., Ach. "Prodr.— On the ground ; (bar- 
ren soil, recently formed by the disintegration of the 
mica-slate; and composed very much of fi ents of 
rock,) in the alpine regions of the White Moun- 
tains. This is quite small; and I observed it only: o on 
the peculiar soil above described. 

P. scolecina : ^ thallo crusteformi, granulato-lobato; 
podetiis cylindraceo-ventricosis, granulatis, simplici- 
bus, albo-cinerascentibus ; cephalodiis terminalibus, 
solitariis, rufo-fuscis." Ach. Beomyces scolecinus, Ach. 

VOL. III. — NO. III. 39 


306 Minerals from New Holland. 


Meth. eum. Ic.— Upon old rails, Cambridge, and 
elsewhere. Acharius placed this in the same section 
of his genus Beomyces, which included the species 
now constituting Pycnothelia. This still seems its 
natural position, though it is much nearer the cup- 
bearing Cladonie than P. Papillaria, and, I have 
thought, may almost be said. to connect the latter 
with the former, rti with the group which in- 
cludes C. cariosa. E 

The study of our lichens cannot " satisfactorily 
pursued, until we have a complete synopsis of our 
own species. ‘To this, however prospective it may 
be, these pages are offered as some contribution. 
That they may lead others, whose ability has been 
shown already, to add their larger stores, is the wri- 
ter’s hope. 


ART. VIL — NOTICE OF MINERALS FROM NEW HOL- 
LAND. By Fnaxeis ArcrR, a Member gie (Read 
June 4th, enda 


Fon mines of which I propose to oia a 
the present occasion, I am indebted 
idge, Esq., of Yarmouth, Mass., who 
y permitted me to select. them: from à 
collection ‘purchased by him several years since, 


while on a visit to Caleutta, to which city they had 


recently been brought, as “curiosities,” by a person 
from the coast of New Holland. Their exact local- 


ity it is not in the power of Mr. Eldridge to give me; 
& circumstance to be regretted, as the information 


Minerals from New Holland. 307 


would give additional interest to the specimens, by di- 
recting future discoverers to the spot where others of 
still greater interest might probably be met with. 
They comprise several species of the genus Kouphone- 
spar, with varieties of rhombohedral and uncleavable 
quartz of Professor Mohs. ‘Their uniform gangue is 
amygdaloidal trap, to which they are attached in 
geodes, or groups of implanted crystals, or in com- 
pact nodules filling up the cavities of the rock. 

This trap is exactly similar to that brought from 
Ireland, the Hebrides, the Ferroe Islands, and, more 
recently, from Nova Scotia. There are a few masses 
of a more compact character among the collection, 
giving evidence of the contiguous occurrence of gen- 
uine basalt; thus offering a new object of interest, 
which we hope will induce some enterprising natural- 
ist to explore this region, now that the facilities of 
communication with it have so much increased. 
Less is known of its mineralogical productions than 
of any other department of its natural history, though 
the public has been favored with the journals of sev- 
eral scientific expeditions to Australia. ‘These works 
I have consulted with the view of yc ng t 


and basalt in the interior, as well as upon the’ sea- 


coast; but these rocks are spoken of only as afford- 


Among 
Eid a made a survey of the western coast of 


308 Minerals from New Holland. 


Australia, between thé years 1818 and 1822, were 
agate, jasper, carnelian, green chalcedony, and helio- 
trope, bearing with them portions of the trap rock, 
but unaccompanied by any of the zeolites.* In de- 
scribing the same class of rocks, Major Mitchell, the 
author of a more recent and fuller journal of obser- 
vations,t has enumerated the following. substances, 
(in addition to the quartzose minerals referred to,) 
forming large veins and masses in the trap; “decom- 
posed feldspar,” “granular feldspar,” “crystals. of 
glassy feldspar,” and “laminated feldspar.” As 
these substances are not very common in secondary 
or basaltic trap, I would respectfully suggest whether 
it is not possible that the author may have mistaken 
their true character, especially as he was obliged to 
pass rapidly from place to place, and does not appear 
to have collected specimens of them for subsequent 
examination. By the unpractised eye, efflorescent 
zeolite might be readily mistaken for decomposed 
feldspar, and other species of zeolite or carbonate of 
lime, confounded with the other varieties of feldspar. 
We may think it highly probable; therefore, that, if 

* See the Appendix to King’s narrative, drawn up by Dr. Fitton. 
Analogous specimens are also described in the journal of M. Péron, 
one of e imn in the French ae to New Holland, at 
about the same 

! Major TE Mitchell, the Surveyor-General of three expeditions, 
into Eastern A Aus tralasia, Australia Felix, and New South ales, 
fitted out under the direction of E British Admiralty. His narra 


in two octavo volumes, with numerous plates and maps, published in 
London, in 1699,1 in its detail ef incidents and discoveries, is one oe dh 
The or 


* has i even made known to us the existence of ihe sister of recent yol- 
canoes and immense mountains of lava, in the interior of that vast 
country. 


Minerals from New Holland. 309 


Major Mitchell had given the same attention to min- 
erals, which. he has evidently bestowed upon other 
branches of Natural History, many interesting sub- 
stances, in this department, would have been brought 


to light, and the mineralogical interest of his work ! 


greatly enhanced. It would appear, then, that none 
of tlie Kouphone-spars have been described by either 
of the writers whose observations have reached us, 
and I am: not aware that any of a more recent, date 
have appeared. . hey are, I believe, the first and only 
collection of minerals which has been brought to this 
country from New Holland; and certainly their 
uncommon beauty, and the. perfection of their crys- 
talline forms, demand for them some public record. 
Apophyllite. (Pyramidal Kouphone-spar, M. )— 
There are peculiarities in the secondary 1 modifications 
of the crystals of this mineral, as well as in the gen- 
eral — " the specimens, which evidently 


- Fig. 2. Fig..3. . Fig. 4. 


indicate their having come from localities quite dis- 
tinct. In one, Mésotype épointée of Haüy, the pri- 


T" 


-= so deeply as entirely to: obliterate the 1 
_ mary faces P, at both extremities of the crystals; 


310 Minerals from New Holland. 


mary square prism is in élongated eryMtale, replaced 
on all the solid angles by triangular planes „and often 
ninal pri- 


thus tending to two four-sided pyramids having 
square bases, as in Fig. 1. But, as the crystals are 
usually implanted on the matrix in a vertical position, 
they commonly present only one of the pyramids, 
the apex being entire, or showing a portion (some- 
times only visible by the microscope) of the summits 
of the prism, as in Fig. 2: Sometimes one of the 
faces of the pyramids is considerably extended at the 
expense of the two adjoining ones. 
The lateral edges from a to a, Fig. 1, are kaij 
replaced, sometimes by a tangent plane, i inclining 
equally upon the two adjacent lateral planes, but 
most frequently by two planes, each of these being 
again followed by another very narrow plane, leaving 
scarcely any remaining portion of the primary faces ; 
thus imparting to the crystals an oval or cylindrical 
shape, and, in connexion with the low pyramids of 
the summits, rather a barrel-shaped appearance. 
Fig. 3 represents one of the crystals of occasional 
occurrence with the bevelment of the edges, the de- 
crement of the summit being complete and showing : 
the whole of the lower pyramid, where it unites with 
the matrix. Fig. 4 represents another of these crys- 
tals with the additional planes. 'The dotted lines on 
these figures are intended to show deep grooves, or 
strie, which extend longitudinally along the faces of 
the erystals, or parallel with their prismatic axes, an 
probably indicate the faces of cleavage in this direc- 


Minerals from New Holland. 311 


tion. ing cleavage, however, is. obtained xit great 
, as pu case with this mineral from other 


rupted - cross fracture. There are also transverse 
strie on some of the crystals parallel with the opposite 
cleavage, appearing very rarely upon the aeuminating 
faces.. The larger crystals, which are nearly of the 
size of the last figure, are of a grayish white color, and 
nearly opake ; the smaller are colorless and transparent. 
These crystals are highly axotomous, the folia sepa- 
rating with great readiness parallel to Pj and the 
faces of this cleavage present a high pearly lustre, 
though not superior to that of some of the faces of 
crystallization in the same direction. Faces. M, M, 
vitreous, some smooth and shining, others roughened 
and dull. Faces a, a of the pyramids, with few ex- 
ceptions, perfectly smooth and brilliant, pearly. The 
proportion between the length and breadth of these 
crystals is. variable; but, in the smaller, and most per- 
fect ones, it is not less than four to one. ~ 

The other crystals of apophyllite alluded to, are of 
` greater dimensions, measuring frequently an inch 
through the vertical axis of the prism. "They are 
derived from a square prism; scarcely distinguishable, 
in the comparative length of the lateral and basal 
edges of the crystal, from à cube, and present only 
simple replácements on the solid angles, by perfectl y 
smooth and brilliant planes of a high pearly lustre, 
resembling specimens in the writer's collection from 
Iceland.* . The lateral faces are frequently composed 


"^ ie" in my possession (from Nova Scotia) several large and 
transparent crystals of this mineral, of which several from one local- 


a 


ty 


E 


^ 


312. Minerals from New Holland. 


of curved lamine ; and the mineral sometimes pre- 
sents compound. varieties, consisting of lesser indi- 
viduals, flattened or compressed, so as to show only 
portions of their planes, or sections of smaller crystals, 
which have been prevented, by their mutual contact, 
from assuming their full and perfect proportions. 
These are united by similar parts, so as to have their 
similar faces in parallel position with each other. 
The surfaces of several of the larger crystals are free 
from. these. combinations, having bright, polished 
planes, measurable by the common goniometer: | The 
amygdaloid to which they are attached, abounds in 
vesicular cavities, some of which are filled by green 
earth and Ws nodules of chalcedony. 
D Fr cad Heulandite. | (Hemi-prismatic 
Fig. d. — . Kouphone-spar, M.) — The indi- 
: , viduals of this species present the - 
primary form, replaced on the ob- 
tuse solid angles by very minute 
I scalene, triangular planes, resem- 
bling om bahjéined Fig. 5, and being usually of 
nearly the same size. Color, pure white ; lustre of P, 
pearly ; secondary planes a, f, vitreous; but the 
faces M, T, possess a dull, waxy, or opalescent lus- 
tre, which I have not before observed in the crystals 
of this mineral, apparently, however, confined to the 
surface; and the same faces are more or less curved 


ity present replacements of iius planes upon the solid angles, as in 
the case of Analcime ; a modification which I do not find mentioned 
as having been before observed in the crystals of this species. I in- 
tend, eerie time, to refer again to this beautiful mineral, in 
connexi ith some other facts e while on a short bt to 
Nova c during the last summer. : 


r1 “ee 


.* | ww 
STU 


Minerals from New Holland. 313 


or hollowed, so as not to admit of measurement by 
the goniometer. Some of these faces form a regular 
uniform curve, inclining equally towards the ter- 
minal. planes P, obliterating the small replacements 
a, f, which are usually very distinct. 

Stilbite. (granai Kouphone-spar, M. )— 
The crystals “generally are not well defined, the 
masses consisting of pure white, pearly folia, forming 
sheafs or fasciculated groups, showing at their free 


extremities, only imperfect crystalline faces of a low ` 


pyramid, inclining from the solid angles of the prism. 


Some of these masses, composed entirely of the stil- . 


bite, are of a globular form, presenting on fracture, a 
radiation of fibres from a common, contre. 


crystals of this mineral, were, a w x. in some 
.Fig.6. ofthe vesicular cavities of the amygdaloid, 


My exhibiting the primary prism, compressed , 
y, 


into low, six-sided tables, the four replace- 
ments at the summits of the prism being 
narrowed down, so as to form regular bev- 
NN eled edges upon the four corresponding 


sides of the tables, producing a form nearly ` 


similar to Fig. 6, taken from the System of Mineral- 
ogy by Beudant, Vol. IL., plate x. fig. 62. 
Mesotype of Phillips. (Peritomous Kouphone- 
spar of Haidinger.)— A nest of the crystals of this 
mineral was met with in the form of small implanted 
individuals, occupying the cavity of a mass of quartz 
and chaleedony. They are in elongated rhombic 
prisms, colorless, transparent, and of a glassy lustre ; 
but a few of them have a silky, fibrous appearance, 
VOL. III.—NO. HI. 


314 Minerals from New. Holland. 


similar to some of the specimens met with in the 
more ancient lavas of Vesuvius. "They do not puo 
groups of united, divergent crystals. 

Rhombohedral Quartz. — I was so fortunate as to 
find among this collection; besides several of the sub- 
species of this mineral, two or three specimeris exhib- 
iting the primary obtuse rhomboid in great perfec- 
tion, and of considerable size; some of them measur- 
ing half an inch across their planes. They present 
highly polished surfaces, are transparent and color- 
less; and it is evident, I think, that they cannot be 


regarded as pseudomorphs of any other mineral, from - 


the agreement in the value of their angles, as meas- 
ured by the goniometer, with those of the obtuse 
rhomboid established as the fundamental. form of 
the species, as well as from the fact, that the crys- 
tals are imbedded in cacholong, which now occupies 
the interior of the geodes. If pseudomorphous, the 
mineral of which they are imitative, must have been 
removed, so as to admit of a subsequent infiltration 
of the cacholong. It is more probable, that the 
quartz and cacholong were formed at the same time, 
thé latter affording a soft matrix in which the crys- 
talline molecules could freely arrange themselves, 
according to the laws which governed them. 


Two other modifications of rhombohedral quartz 


were met with among these specimens, of compara- 
tively rare occurrence. In one, the primary rhom- 
boid, by a very deep truncation of its lateral solid 
angles, has given rise to long, six-sided prisms, ter- 
minated by trihedral summits, there being no. trian- 
gular replacements upon the upper edges of the 
rhomboid, by which the usual six-sided pyramids are 


Minerals from New Holland. 315 


produced. See Fig. 7. On some of 
the rhomboids, however, which do not 
. present any portion of the faces parallel 
with their axes, we may observe the 
small triangular planes which finally 
produce the six-sided pyramids. ‘The 
terminal primary planes P, are smooth 
al bright, while the elongate faces r, are curved and 
roughened by transverse strie. Sometimes the usual 
six-sided prisms, terminated by similar pyramids, have 
their alternate lateral solid angles replaced by small 
rhombic planes, inclining equally upon the sides of the 
prism, producing the quartz rhombiféere of Haüy. 
The sides are also striated parallel with their edges of 
combination with the faces of the pyramids. This au- 
thor ( Traité de Minéralogie, Tome Second, p. 413)de- 
scribes these rhombs as existing only on the alternate 
angles; but:in: the later works of Mohs, Beudant, 
and others, they are figured also upon. the interme- 
diate angles, being always represented as covering 
but a very small portion of the: acuminating pyramids. 
According to Phillips, the “ Bornholm Diamonds”’ 
afford the most perfect examples of this modification. 
Green Chalcedony and:,Heliotrope. — This first- 
mentioned mineral is of a deep serpentine green 
color. It breaks with a conchoidal fracture, disclos- 
ing, in the centre of the mass, blood red spots of jas- 
per, and thus constitutés the heliotrope. There are 
spots also of a lighter green, and bluish white chalce- 
dony, interspersed with the deeper ground, which, if 
polished, would render the specimens highly orna- 
mental in vignes. 


316 Minerals from New Holland. 


Ribbon Agate and Moss Agate. — These two in- 
teresting varieties appear in the same specimens. 
The branching fibres or dendrites of the latter, of a 
. brown or reddish-brown color, are imbedded in a 
deep ground of transparent blue and white chalcedo- 
ny,the white chalcedony appearing like a delicate 
` cloud passing through the mass, while the former is 
produced by parallel zigzag lines of a pure milk- 
white chalcedony, alternating with narrow stripes of 
the same blue ground, the parallelism forming a 
beautiful border to the specimens, and enclosing the 
curious moss-like ramifications which are character- 
istic of this variety. In one specimen, the green 
chalcedony has assumed the: branching form, and is 
freely distributed through the same ground of blue 
and white. If polished, these several varieties will 
vie in beauty with the finest oriental specimens. 
They are usually more or less accompanied by 
masses of pure opake white chalcedony, and also by 
a stalactical, botryoidal variety of several shades of 
color, interspersed with quartz ee and attached 
to portions of the trap: 

_ Cacholong. — This variety bom thin crusts upon 
the surfaces of the fragments of quartz, and fills the 
space in which crystals of the latter have been 
formed. . It presents the common characters of opaci- 
ty and adhesiveness to the tongue. It also enters 
into the composition of a coarse ribbon agate, and un- 
der this form there are portions of the. mass that 
resemble the onyx agate. . 

Chlorophaite.— Small globular masses, soft, of a 
greenish color, translucent when first broken; and 
presenting a conchoidal fracture, occupy the vesicular 


Minerals from New Holland. 317 


cavities of the same amygdaloid which forms. the 
gangue to the apophyllite before described. It is 
sufficiently distinguished from chlorite or green earth, 
and precisely resembles this mineral from Scotland. 
The opinion of most mineralogists is, that this min- 
eral is only a variety of some other species, or the 
remains of some other, which has undergone decom- 
position.. I am led to regard the latter opinion as the 
true one in the present case, from the occurrence of 
small granular concretions of what appears to be zeo- 
lite in the centre of those masses which have not 
entirely. disappeared ; though the infusibility of the 
decomposed mi neral Vefobà the blowpipe would seem 
to show that some of the ingredients of the zeolite 
have passed away. Shepard regards the mineral as 
decomposed mesotype. ` - : 

In breaking some of the masses of quartz found in 
this collection, I was struck with the singular opales- 
cent and waxy appearance of a fibrous and radiated 
mineral, which was at first supposed to be stilbite or 
mesotype, and which forms veins and globular knots 
within the quartz. Its characters before the blow- 
pipe soon satisfied me that it could not be identical 
with either of these species or with any other of the 
Kouphone-spars; nor am I acquainted with any 
other substance to which it bears any near resem- 
blancé in its general characters. It may prove to be 
a new species; but the absence of any regular crys- 
talline faces in the specimens compels me, thus far, 
to rely solely upon other peculiarities for the deter- 
mination of its character. Of these, I have drawn 
up a description, with which, however, I shall not 


occupy your attention, unti] I am enabled to add. 


318 Marine Shells of Massachusetts. 


the results of ‘an analysis of the mineral now making 
by my friend Mr. Hayes, whose accuracy in this 
department of science is well known to the members 
. of this Society, as well as to the friends of science. 
— s 


ART. VIII. — DESCRIPTIONS OF THIRTEEN NEW SPE, 
CIES OF NEW ENGLAND SHELLS. By C. B. Apans, 
Member of the Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist, Prof. Chem. and Nat. Hist. 
-in Middlebury College, Vt. 


Tue marine species of shells, which are sf iss 
in the following article, have. been found only in 
New Bedford and its edd vicinity. They are 
rarely obtained, even by dredging. From their sta- 
tion and their rarity, they have hitherto eluded obser- 
vation. In my examination relating to them, I have 
been much indebted to Mr. C. F. Shiverick, of New 
Bedford, whose persevering and close observation, has 
contemporaneously or subsequently to my own re- 
. Searches, secured most of the specimens which have 
been distributed. To the same gentleman I am also 
indebted for the discovery of three of the fresh-water 
species. To my friend, Dr. A. A. Gould, I am much 
indebted, especially for the BERE of all the nouit 
described. — 


Prsenorón PLICATA. 


Plate HT. Fig. 6. 


E testà parva, crassa, rae a albido-fuscâ, stiis et pir 
decussatà ; epidermide tenni; anfractibus sex; suturà valdé impres- 
si; aperturà ovatà ; labro areuato, sinu -- cauda brevi; columel- 
là acuta. 


Marine Shells of Massachusetts. 319 


' Shell small, thick, ovate-fusiform, cinereous brown 
through (and light or dark brown beneath) the 
epidermis ; epidermis membranous, thin, dull, cine- 
reous; whorls six to seven, convex; suture deeply 
impressed ; spire five-ninths of the length of the shell, 
longitudinally and coarsely plicate below the first or 
second whorls (which are smooth), decussated by 
transverse small ribs or coarse strize ; body-whorl lar- 
ger than the spire, sculptured as the upper whorls, 
with 10 to 12 longitudinal ribs, extending to the ca- 
nal, either continuous or alternating with those on 
the penultimate whorl, with 13 to 15 transverse striæ 
on the back of the body whorl, oblique on the canal, 
very oblique on its left side ; aperture elongate-ovate, 
the line of its length at an angle of about 30° with 
the axis of the shell, four-ninths of the length of the 
shell; Jabrum brown or: yellowish-brown internally, 
sonnei talk arcuate, much thickened by the last plica- 
tion, beneath which is a groove, reaching from the 
sinus to the canal, and sharpening the edge; sinus a 
little below the junction of the labrum with the last 
whorl, rounded and broad at the bottom, occupying 
one-fifth of the length of the labrum, in mature speci- 
mens nearly as deepas broad ; canal short ; columel- 
la somewhat excurved, acutely terminated ; labium 
in its upper third arching over to meet the labrum ; 
umbilicus wanting ; operculum unknown. 

Average | size ; length, .5 inch; breadth, .25 inch ; 
largest specimen, .52 inch by 21 inch. 

Cabinets of the Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., of Middlebu- 
TY College; of Mr. C. F. > of New Bedford, 
and die own. 


320 Marine Shells of. Massachusetts. 


Station. This species lives in mud below low- 
water mark. ! 

Habitat. Harbour of New Bedford. 

Remarks. During the summer. of 1839, two 
dredging-machines -were. worked in the harbour of 
New Bedford. This species was found in the mud - 
thrown up , with several others rarely or never found 
above low-water mark. Mr. Shiverick has found it 
at Clark’s Cove, in Dartmouth. It resembles F'usus 
harpularius, but the presence of a very distinct sinus, 
as well as the coarseness of the revolving striae, read- 
ily distinguishes it. 


CERITHIUM TEREBRALE. 


Plate HI. Fig. 7. 


està parva, elongata, fuscá, sepe ioca, abs. duo- 
"hs planulatis, cum quatuor elevatis lineis; spirà tevsi, conicå ; 
suturå subimpresså ; aperturà ovata, aws 


Syn. C. Emersonii, var. Pe 

Shell small, elongated, brown, nena with a 
white band, with rather slight incremental striae ; 
whorls eleven or twelve, flattened; spire seven- 
eighths of the length of the shell, bradi of its 
bulk, its opposite sides: containing an angle of about 
20°, conie, with four elevated, obtuse, revolving lines 
. on each whorl, of which the first and second, and 
third and fourth are equidistant ; the space between 
the second and third is obviously less on the upper 
whorls, but approaches to an equality with the other 
Spaces, in the growth of the shell: the first three 
ridges are equal, and the fourth small and depressed, 


Marine Shells of Massachusetts. 321 


. So as to lie almost wholly beneath the first of. the 
succeeding whorl; the suture consequently appears 
on the upper side of the first ridge, and is moderately 
impressed ; spaces between the ridges crossed by 
more or less elevated irregular lines, or coarse striæ 
of growth ; last whorl on the upper half, sculptured 
as the spiral whorls, with a fifth smaller revolving 
line on the lower part ; aperture ovate, one-eighth of 
the length of the shell, the line of its length making 
an angle of about 25° with the axis of the shell; Za- 
brum thin ; canal rather more than a third as Mos 
as the RES ot turning to the left. 

Length, .46 inch ; width, .13 inch. 

Cabinet of Bost. Bos Nat. Hist., of Middlebury 
College, of Mr, C. F. Shiverick, and my own. 

Station. In soft mud, below low water mark. 

Habitat. New Bedford and the vicinity. 

Remarks. This species was at first regarded as a 
variety of C. Emersonii, but the subsequent exami- 
nation of numerous specimens has satisfied me that 
the distinctive characters are constant. It differs 
from that shell in having a large elevated ridge in 
place of the carina on the upper part of the whorls, 
and in having three equal ridges in the upper whorls 
of the spire. "The entire want of granulations distin- 
guishes it from the common type of that species. It 
is distinguished from the Murer tubercularis of Mon- 
tagu by the same character. The latter is said to 
have but three revolving ridges, and is also of much 
less size than our shell. A number of dead speci- 
mens have been obtained by dredging, and Mr. Shiv- 
erick has found a few in a fresh condition. 

VOL. III. — NO. II. | 


* 


322 Marine Shells of Massachusetts. 


JAMINIA PRODUCTA. 
Plate III. Fig. 8. 


J. testå parvà, albidå, cylindraced ; epidermide fuscá, nitidá, eroså ; 
anfractibus octo ; suturà impress ; spirà productà, truncatá ; apertura 
sub-ovatå, suprà contractà, infra latè rotundatà ; columella uniplicatà, 

Shell small, moderately thick, ashy white beneath 
the epidermis, conico-cylindric, with fine irregular 
strie of growth; epidermis brown, smooth, closely 
adhering, eroded chiefly in the incremental strie; 
whorls eight or eight and a-half, ‘slightly convex; 
suture very distinct, impressed ; spire about three- 
fourths of the length of the shell, or slightly more, 
truncated at tip; last whorl about one-third of the 
bulk of the spire ; on two or three of the last whorls 
may sometimes be seen an indistinct impressed re- 
volving line, just below the suture, and also more 
rarely on the middle and lower part of the whorls ; 
aperture with its plane at an angle of about 16° with 
the length of the shell, sub-ovate, contracted above, 
broadly rounded below ; labrum rather thin, regular- 
ly arched, but more so in the lower half; columella 
with a single, rather obtuse plait; labium with a 
slight lamina, which is often obsolete ; no wmbili- 
cus ; operculum very small, thin, horny, nearly trans- 
parent, sub-triangular, apex on one side. 

Length, .25 inch ; greatest breadth, .07 inch. Of 
the operculum ; length, .033 inch ; breadth, .025 inch. 

Cabinets of Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. ; of Middlebury 
College; of Dr. A. A. Gould, of Boston; of Prof: 
Hitchcock, of Amherst ; and my own. 

Habitat. A cove on the east side of Fairhaven- 


- 


Marine Shells of Massachusetts. 323 


It was found near high-water mark, on a beach of 
fine gravel, but, as most of the shells were destitute 
of the animal, it may be doubted whether this is 
their proper station. 

 Rzwamxs. This species was discovered in Sep- 
tember, 1839, in company with great numbers of the 


Venus gemma, Totten, and many of the inia . 


fusca, Nob. It has a striking resemblance to the 
latter species, but is much more elongate, has two 
more whorls, the body whorl is much less inflated, 
and the suture is rather more deeply impressed. 
" ToRNATELLA PUNCTO-STRIATA. 
Plate HII. Fig. 9. 

T. testà parva, mom n nitidà ; meer yendo sor o 
suturà valdé impress ; anfractu ultimo supra levi, infra puncto-stri- 
ato; apertura sub-ovatà ; umbilico parvo. é ie 

Shell small, elliptic, white, glossy, not very thin ; 
whorls five, convex ; suture deeply impressed ; spire 
rapidly attenuated, sub-acutely tipped, four-ninths of 
the length of the shell, smooth ; body-whorl more 
than three-fourths of the shell, somewhat shouldered 
above, smooth on the upper third, below with 
impressed, parallel, punctate lines, five or six of them 
distant on the middle, either equally or unequally 
distant, and six to eight closely approximate on 
the lower fourth; one line only appears above 
the aperture, running near and at length into the 
suture of the body-whorl ; aperture in the same 
plane with the axis, the line of its length making 
with the axis an angle of not more than 10°, five- 


ninths of the length of the shell, sub-ovate, contract- - 


* E 


d 


324 New Fresh- Water Shells. 


ed above by the intrusion of the body-whorl, regular- 
ly but narrowly rounded below ; labrum sharp, 
prominent, with a short, abrupt curve above, then 
straight to the middle, arched in the lower half ; col- 
umella with an obtuse fold ; labium moderately re- 
flected below ; umbilicus small, partly covered by 
the ada labium. : | 

Length, .16 inch ; breadth, .095 inch: of a large 
specimen, length, .18 inch ; breadth, .1 inch. 

Cabinets of the Bost. Soc. of Nat. Hist. ; of Mr. C. 
F. Shiverick ; and my own. * 

Station iid habitat ; the same with Pleurotoma 
plicata. 

Remarks. In 1838 I found two elec after à 
violent storm, on the shore at New Bedford. Three 
specimens were found with the preceding species, 
and several have been obtained by Mr. Shiverick. 


LIMNEA PALLIDA. 
Plate III. Fig. 13. 


L. testà itcr pallida ; anfractibus quinque; suturà im- 
pressà ; spirà conicA, subacuta ; anfractü postremo producto ; apertura 
superné acuta, e id ambition parvo. 

Shell moderately elongate, ovate-fusiform, very 
pale horn color, semi-transparent, not very thin, with 
fine, irregular: strie of growth, without revolving 
stria ; whorls about five and a half, moderately con- 
vex; suture well impressed ; spire four-ninths of the 
length of the shell, acutely conic, its opposite sides 
containing an angle of about 45°, sub-acute at tip; 
body-whorl not much enlarged, somewhat produced 


below ; aperture five-ninths of the length of the 


New Fresh-Water Nhells. 325 


shell, sub-ovate acute above, angle of its plane with 
the axis of the shell about 15°, of its length with 
the axis about 10°; labrum not thickened internal- 
ly ; fold of the dittila distinct, but not very large ; 
umbilicus rather small. 

` Length, .48 inch ; breadth, .22 inch. ’ 

Cabinets.of the Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. ; ; of Middle- 
bury College ; of Dr. A. A. Gould, of Bisoi of J. 
G. Anthony, of Cincinnati; and my own. 

Habitat and station. This species was found in 
considerable numbers at Shoreham, Vt., on the shore 
of Lake Champlain, clinging to rocks and stones. 

Remarks. This species must resemble L. acuta, 
Lea, of which, however, I have not seen a specimen. 
That shell, in a very brief description, is said to be 
delicate, smooth, and dark brown, while this is rath- 
er strong, striate, and of avery pale horn color, in 
living specimens, like the weathered shells of kin- 
dred species. "The figure represents the columella of 
the acuta as intruding upon the aperture, which is 
not the case with this shell. 


LIMNÆA UMBILICATA. 


Plate III. Fig. 14. 

L. testi fuscA, ovata, striis transversis tenuibus, volventibus tenuis- 
simis; anfractibus quinque, convexis; spirå subacutà ; apertura ova- 
tà, labro intus fusco-marginato, puniceo-albo submarginato ; columellà 
lat? reflexA, obsoleté plicatà ; umbilico subamplo, baud profundo. 

Shell rather strong, brown, ovate, with slight strice 
of growth, and more slight numerous, irregular, re- 
volving, impressed lines ; whorls five, convex ; suture 
deeply impressed ; spire two-fifths of the length of 


326 New Fresh- Water Shells. 


the shell, conic, sub-acute at the apex, angle of its 
opposite sides about 65°; body-whorl inflated, sub- 
globular; aperture ovate, its plane, also the line of 
its length, at angles of about 15? with the axis of the 
shell, three-fifths as long as the shell; labrum thin, 
inner margin dark brown, inner sub-margin thickened 
with a light pink deposit ; columella strong, reflect- 
ed and spread over an umbilicus, which is rather 
large but not profound, and formed chiefly by the re- 
flection of the columella ; fold of the latter inconspic- 
uous. | 

Length, .28 inch; breadth, .17 inch. 

Cabinets of Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist.; of Middlebury 
College ; of Mr. Shiverick ; and my own. 

Habitat. New Bedford. 

Remarks. For this species I am indebted to Mr. 
Shiverick, who obtained numerous specimens. It re- 
sembles L. caperatus, Say; but in Say’s species the 
aperture is but one half the length, the revolving 
lines are raised, more distinct, and numerous, the 
umbilicus is rather less, and there is one more whorl. 


PLANORBIS VIRENS. 


Plate III. Fig. 15. 


P. testà parva, viridi, striis transversis crebris, volventibus tenuissi- 
mis; anfractibus quatuor; spirà haud prominente, vix concava ; an- 
fractu ultimo magno, superné subplanulato, inferné subcarinato ; 
apertura suborbiculari; labro superné prominente; umbilico sublato, 
profundo. 

Shell small, greenish horn color, with thick, obvi- 
ous strie of growth, and very slight revolving lines, 
with a green, rough epidermis; whorls four; suture 
impressed ; spire not rising above the last whorl, but 


———À 


New Fresh- Water Shells. 327 


scarcely falling below it; last whorl much larger 
than the spire, flattened above, then abruptly curving 
downwards, (in the young shell, at the upper third of 
the last whorl, is a carina, which is gradually modi- 
fied into the abrupt curvature, in the progress of 
growth, ) subcarinate below, as are also the preceding 
whorls ; aperture nearly orbicular, interrupted by the 
last whorl in about one-fifth of its circumference, ad- 
vancing above ; wmbilicus as broad as the last whorl, 
rather deep, exhibiting all the volutions. 

Height (of the last whorl), .09 inch; greatest 
breadth, .23 inch; least breadth, .18 inch.  . 

Cabinets of the Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. ; of Middle- 
bury College ; of Mr. Shiverick; and my own. 

Habitat. New Bedford. jr 

Remarks. For this species I am indebted to Mr. 
Shiverick. It differs from P. parvus, Say, in being 
much less broadly and more deeply umbilicate be- 
neath; it is also higher. P. parvus, also, in- 
stead of being subcarinate on the lower side of the 
whorls, is much flattened. P. concavus, Anthony, 
MSS., resembles this species, but is more regularly 
convex above and concave beneath. 


PLANORBIS ELEVATUS. 


- Plate Ill. Fig. 16. 

P. testà. parvà, pallid, suprà elevatà, infra alté umbilicaté ; an- 
fractibus quatuor; suturà valdé impressà; apertura subrotundata ; 
labro supra prominente. 

Shell horn color, finely striate ; whorls four, as 
high as wide; last whorl well rounded, very indis- 
tinctly carinate below ; inclination to the left about 


328 New Fresh-Water Shells. 


48° ; right side convex, flattened at the apex; left 
side very deeply concave ; suture deeply impressed ; 

aperture round-ovate, ludis with its upper: extending 
much beyond its lower margin. 

. Greatest breadth, .17 inch ; least breadth, .13 inch ; 
height, .06 inch. 

Cabinets of Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist.; of Middlebury 
College ; of S. S. Haldeman, of Marietta, Pa.; of J: 
G. Anthony, of Cincinnati ; and my own. 

Habitat. This species was discovered in the sum- 
mer of 1838, in a small spring in a rocky cavity, 


in South Boston. Nearly a hundred specimens were . 


obtained, and a much larger number were left. Vis- 
iting the same spot a few days since, (July, 1840,) I 
found. the spring filled up with stones to the top of 
the water, and not a shell to be seen. Last summer 
I obtained a specimen in Lake George, N. Y. Dr. 
Wm. Prescott has found the species in Lynn. 

Remarks. This species much resembles P. par- 
vus, Say, and for some time I doubted whether it 
were distinct. But the specimens uniformly differ 
from that shell in having the spire elevated above 
the plane of the last whorl, whereas in that species it 
is concave, and consequently this species is much 
more deeply umbilicated on the left side ; also, that 
species is distinctly carinate on the middle of the last 
whorl, but is reas tüdislinety carinate below the 
middle, if at all. 


f 


New Fresh-Water Shells. 329 
ANCYLUS FUSCUS. 


Plate III. Fig. 17. 


A. testa tenui, sub epidermide pellucida, subdepressá, ellipticá ; epi- 
dermide fuscA, crassá, asperá, extra marginem prominente ; apice ob- 
tusà, ad dextram, vix posterà. 


Shell thin, transparent Sel the blend not 
much elevated, elliptical, moderately curved at the 
sides ; epidermis brown,. visible through the shell, 
giving it the appearance of having the same color, 
thick, rough, slightly extending beyond the margin 
of the shell; apex obtuse, moderately prominent, 
scarcely hahbed the middle, inclining © to the right, so 
as to have only two-fifths of the width on that side. . 

Length, 3l inch ; Nt. .22 inch ; height, .05 
inch. 

Cabinets of, Bost. Pes Nat. Hist. ; í ee Mr. Kinne 
Prescott, of Andover; and my own. 

Habitat and station. This species was found ad- 
hering to stones, in a small rivulet, at Andover, by 
Mr. Kinne, Prescott, to whom I am indebted for 
many interesting species of t It has also been 
found at Mansfield. 

Remarks. This species is ah, distinguished by 
its epidermis. The A. rivularis, Say, differs also in 
being much more narrow, having its sides straight, 
and its apex more acute, and A. tardus,* Say, i is 
more elevated, and in both of these the apex does not 
incline so far to the right as in our species. "The A. 
lacustris, Drap., is more narrow; with an apex more , 

This s species, hitherto unknown in New England, occurs quite 
Piles: in a rivulet in Middlebury, Vt. ý 
VOL. III. — NO. Il. ; . 


330 New Fresh-Woater Shells. 


elevated and acute, and A. fluviatilis, Drap., has the 
apex more prominent and nearer one extremity. 


CycLAS ELEGANS. 


Plate III. Fig. 11. 


' C. testa bizonatá, subglobos’, rhombico-orbiculari, equilaterali, ele- 
ganter et tenuissimé striatà ; natibus haud es umbonibus 
tenuibus ; intis albido-cerulescente. 

Shell sub-globular, rhombic-orbicular, equilateral, 
finely and'elegantly striated, with a horny green epi- 
dermis, with a straw-colored marginal zone, of varia- 
ble width, and another of the same color, and usually 
much narrower, and about equidistant between the 
margin and the beak, but varying somewhat in posi- 
tion; beaks not prominent, slightly undulate, central, 
not decodes’ umbones very thin; within bluish 
white ; lateral teeth strongly deldi, cardinal teeth 
Bisdigretitery: The young shell has -— a marginal 
zone, and is less inflated. 

. Length, .43 inch; height, .36 inch ; width, .26 
inch. ‘eh 

Habitat and station. This species was discover- 
ed by Mr. Kinne Prescott, in a swamp, in Wey- 
bridge, Vt. This swamp nearly surrounds an old 
Indian encampment, and is impassable. | A con- 
siderable number of specimens Were obtained is 
some difficulty and hazard. "The species has ! 
found at Burlington, TE C 
. Cabinets of Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. ; of Middlebury 
College ; of Dr. A. A. Gould ; of Messrs. Kinne Pres- 
cott and Luther H. Sheldon, of. Andover; and my ow?- 

Remarks. This shell is remarkable for its d 


ga 


New Species of Pupa. . 331 


polish and. for its inflation, which continues far over 
the disk of the shell, and terminates very abruptly, 
near the margin. The circumference very nearly 
represents that of the C. calyculata, Drap., except 
that it is less curved below.: That shell, however, 
is flattish, and has prominent beaks. C. rhomboida, 
Say, approaches. in form to this species, but is much 


_ less inflated between the umbo and margin, has very 


coarse striz, and is destitute of the paler zones, which 
in this shell appear to be a constant character. 


Pura BADIA. 
Plate. III. Fig. 18. 

P. testà parva, rubro-fuscà, cylindraced ; apice perobtusd ; anfracti- 
bus septem, convexis; apertura, ——À unidentatà ; labro contrac- 
to, subreflexo. - 

Shell ‘small, reddish brown, TE (ar ob- 
tusely tapering in the two upper whorls; whorls 
seven, moderately convex, with a well impressed su- 
ture; aperture orbicular, its plane nearly parallel 
with the axis of the shell, less than one third of the 
length of the shell, with the margin slightly reflect- 
ed, and the sub-margin contracted, with a single 
rather small tooth on the penultimate whorl; umbi- 
licus moderate. 

Length, .14 inch ;. breadth, .07 inch; b necis of 


| the aperture, .045 inch. 


Cabinet of the Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. 

Habitat. This species may not improperly be 
reckoned among the shells of New England, having 
been found within half a-mile of the Vermont line. 
It was discovered at Crown Point, N. Y., by Prof. 
George W. Benedict, of the University of Vermont. 


bs 


elevated; corselet Juddehi y depressed; margin reg- £, 


^ 
2 
TW 
*5 


332 Marine Shells of Massachusetts. 


Remarks. This species is readily distinguished 
by its dark mahogany color. The only native spe- 
cies, which, to my knowledge, resembles this in 
form, is P. armifera, Say, which, kis is white, 
and has humerous teeth. * 


t 


ART. IX. — DESCRIPTION OF TELLINA TENTA, SAY, AND 
.OF HELIX SERPULOIDES, MONTAGU, WITH REMARKS ` 
ON OTHER rapide — e MASSACHUSETTS. 
By C. B..Apams, Mem f ihe Bos em Hist., Prof. 
Chem. and Nat. Hist. in sic din e, 


TELLINA TENTA. 
Synonyme. Tellina tenta ; Bay, American e 
chology, No. VIII. pl. 65, fig. 3. 


T. testa tenui, albá, dextrorsim deflectà ; valvà sinistra valdé con- 
vexà , epidermide tenui ; margine dorsali ostremé depressà, anteriüs 
elevato; margine anteriori infra rotundato, posteriori subtruncato. 


pa 


Shell rather small, thin, white, widely gaping pos- 
teriorly, with ERR incremental striæ, inequilater- 
al, with the posterior portion two-thirds of the. length 
and one-half of the superficies of the anterior portion ; 
left valve very convex ; both valves much deflected 
by the fold to the RG ; epidermis very thin, mem- 
branous, dingy white ; beaks rather prominent ; lunule 


ularly rounded anteriorly and below, or sometimes | Ed 
sub-rectilinear below, sub-truncate ‘posteriorly ; shi w 
internally white, dingy beneath the umbo, radiated — 
with faint impressed lines ; hinge with lateral teeth, 
and two erect, prominent, THO inferiorly diverging 
cardinal teeth on the right valve, and on the left 

” Erratum. In the title of Article VIIL., p. 318, for Thirteen read 
Eleven. 


pst ei 
E. ab EE 


Marine Shells of Massachusetts. 333 


valve one erect, very prominent cardinal tooth ; ante- 
rior muscular impression round-ovate, Doskiriól one 
elongate ; pallial —— with avery large pos- 
terior sinus. 

Length, .62. inch ; pr 38 inch; width, .21 
inch. Of some Lace valves in the cabinet of Mr. 
Shiverick, length, :8 inch ; height, .45 inch. 

Cabinets of Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. ; of Middlebury 
College; of Mr. Shiverick, of New Bedford ; and my 
own. 

Habitat and station. “This species ithabilé- soft 
mud, in deep water, in harbours, and has been obtain- 
ed only by dredging. It has been found in New 
Bedford and Dartmouth harbours. inhabits " coast 
of S. Carolina: Dr. Ravenel. 

Remarks. A single living specimen was found in 
the summer of 1838, and during the autumn of 1839 
numerous single valves were found in mud dredged 
in New Bedford harbour. Mr. Shiverick has also 
found a living specimen. 

The faint radiating lines of the interior sometimes 


appear very indistinctly on the outside. T. intastri-_ 


ata, Say, differs in having the posterior margin 
rounded, being without lateral teeth, and is of much 
greater size (2.06 inches by 1.6 inch), while, among 
$ 
s hundreds of single valves of this shell, none exceed- 
=- ed the size given.* 5 
* After writing the above Seman, Dr. Gould kindly favored me 
with the loan of No. VIII. of Say’s “ American Conchology,” in whic 
this species is described and hiik That Number is so rarely seen, 
that a description in this Journal cannot be superfluous. 


p 


" 


334 Marine Shells of Massachusetts. 


Dinaricngas (?) SERPULOIDES. 


des ; Parton, Conch. Dict. p. 228. Delphinoidea 
serpuloides ; Brown's Plates, pl. 51, fig. 40, A1. 


sta minima, sublevi ; anfractibus. rotundis, tribus; suturà am- 
plà, valdé impressa ; aperturà orbiculari ; labro anticé “producto, te- 
nui; 'umbilico profundo. ites. 


Shell diaphanous, reddish brown or horn color, 
smooth, not shining ; aper obtuse ; whorls a little 


more than three ; body-whorl constituting about: 


four-fifths of the shell; margins of the aperture thin, 


simple, separate from the body-whorl; labrum ex-. — 


tending forwards so far, that, if the plane of tlie aper- 
ture were produced, the axis of the shell would fall 
wholly within it ; umbilicus profound. 

Length, .03 inch ; least breadth, .055 inch ; great- 
est breadth, .07 inh. 

Operculum horny, thin, lamellar, rige sub- 


spiral, fitting ; lamine concentric ; diameter, .03 inch. . 
Cabinets of Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist.; of Middlebury 


College ; of George B. Emerson, Esq., Boston ; of 


J. W. Mighels, M. D., Portland ; of J.. Ms Anthony, 


Cincinnati ; and my own. à 
June 7 th, 1838, this shell was found quite plenti- 


fully at East Boston, in company with Turbo aculeus, — 


Gould, and Jaminia exigua, Couth., clinging to 
smooth stones, which were lying in the mud. near 
low water mark. ‘This spot has since been covered 
by the construction of Cunard Street. A few individ- 
uals have been found elsewhere at East Boston. 1 


> = 


Marine Shells of Massachusetts. — 335 


have a single specimen found at Lynn, by Dr. Wm. 
Prescott, and have recently see 1 it, rarely occurring, 
at Portland, with the same station as in this harbour, 
and in company with Turbo x, al 

This species is referred, with some hesitation, to 
the genus Delphinula, on account of the following 
generic characters : shell subdiscoidal, depressed, 
broadly umbilicated ; spire slightly elevated ; whorls 
rounded, separated by a broad and deep suture ; aper- 
ture orbieular; margins perfectly continuous; oper- 
culum horny, thin, concentric, subspiral, orbicular, 
with concentric elements. The last whorl is also, as 
in all the species of this genus, much larger than the 
remainder of the shell. This species is, however, 
thin, destitute of raised or impressed markings, has 
the margins of the aperture thin, and is extremely 
small. The characters, which thus separate it from 
the other species of this genus, can scarcely be enti- 
tled to generic rank, unless subsequent examination 
should find a generic difference in the animal. 

Although this species is well figured by Montagu, 
and briefly described by this author and by Turton, I 
have thought that a new description of a species, 
which is the least of all our marine shells, not even 
excepting 7'urbo aculeus, and whose generic place is 
a matter of some uncertainty, would not be wholly 
without interest. 


Cerithium co pes mii Nob. Journ. of this Soc., 
Vol. IL. p. 284. This species is very nearly allied io 
the Murex tubercularis of Montagu, but differs: in 
several characters. The M. tubercularis has only 


Pir 


E + 
Fx 


336 Marine Shells of Massachusetts. 


nine or ten whorls, and is-but a quarter of an inch 

g; but our species has sixteen whorls, and is six 
sof an inch in length. Montagu remarks in his 
Supplement, that, as an invariable character, the M. 
tubercularis has three series of tubercles of equal size 
on each .volution. 'Turton’s description coincides 
with this remark. But, in the C. E'mersonii, the 
middle series does not appear at all until after- ten 
volutions (the whole number in the English shell), 
and is always much less than the outer two. 

Since this species was deseribed, it has been found 
in a bed of mud in the harbour of New Bedford. 
None of these individuals were in a fresh condition, 
and the majority of them had lost most of their color 
and. gelatine. Six-tenths of an inch is a common 
length. Mr. Shiverick has found, in New Bedford 
and Dartmouth, a few specimens, one of which is .8 
inch in length, and .17 inch in breadth.* 


Cerithium nigrocinctum. Nob. Journ. of this 
Soc., Vol. II. p. 286. Since this species was describ- 
ed, it has been found in the harbour of New Bedford, 
and in a cove on the east side of Fairhaven. It 
should be remarked, that the color of the black sutu- 
ral ridge is much more obvious, when exposure after 
the death of the animal has rendered mie other parts 
cinereous. 


Cerithium Greenii. Nob. Journ. of this Soc., Vol. 


* Dr. Jay, in the third edition of his Catalogue, mentions Minn 
chusetts Bay as its habitat, but this is probably an nétror. I am not 
aware that it has yet been found out of the harbour of New Bedford. 
The reference to Adans., as the original describer, is obviously an er- 
ror of the printer. 


» * 


T ss Shells of ee. 337.. 


II. p. 287. "This species has bán found in. consid». 
erable numbers in the harbour of Dartmouth, dun 
the past summer, (1840). It is much less in size 

' any other spécies of this genus on our shores. When 
young, the shell does not appear fusiform, and un- . 
fortunately the figure was drawn from such a speci- 
men. It has also been found in New Bedford har- 
bour. ssh 


Jaminia seminuda. Nob. Journ. of this Soc., 
Vol. II. p. 280. Of this species I have not been able 
to obtain any more living individuals, but have found 
it in considerable numbers in a bed of mud, in New 
Bedford harbour. All the specimens were more or 
less cretaceous from decay. Some - them —_ 
.22 inch in "— l 


Janihia fusca. Nob. Pyramis fusca, Nob. m. 
of this Soc., Vol. IL p. 282. At Fairhaven, in a cove 
east of the town, this species is sometimes found 
abundantly, in company with the Jaminia producta, 
Nob. Many of the speciniens are larger than those 
from which the description was written. Some are 
.25 inch long, and .Í broad. 

Dr. Gould has pointed out to me an obtuse fold on 
the columella. In many individuals this fold cannot 
be seen distinctly without removing a portion of the 
labrum, and it therefore escaped observation. The 
species should be referred to the genus Jaminia. 
The several species, J. erigua, Couth., J. seminuda, 
J. fusca, J. producta, and Acteon trifidus, Totten, 
all evidently belong to the same genus. Unfortu- 

nately, the only knowledge, which we have been 

VOL. III. — NO. Il. 43 


a 


"D R i of thé Ohio 
| , 
able to obtain of this genus, is from a series of figures * 
“©. in the plates of Brown, who quotes eec for the 
genus. 


ka 
ART X — — DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FISHES OF THE 
ER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES. By Jaren P. 
irse Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine in 
the Medical College of Ohio, at Cibcinnadi. Commu nicated Sep- 

"— 1839, and afterwards.* 

* 

T Cleveland, Sept. 20th, 1839. 
To the Boston Society of Natural. History. 

During my connexion with the Geological Board 
of Ohio, in the capacity of Zoologist, I directed some 
attention to the fishes of the Western waters. The 
legislature of our state, changing its policy, discon- 
tinued our operations before any of the members of 
the Board had perfected his labors. 

“In the report I was unexpectedly called upon to 
make, I included a list of seventy-two species of 
Fishes, as inhabiting the waters of the Ohio River 
and Lake Erie, and their tributaries, within the 
bounds of the State of Ohio. 

Further investigations have enabled me to correct 


* The Publishing Committee of the Society take great pleasure in 
stating, that they have already received descriptions, accom mpanied 
with plates, of fifty species of Western fishes. It is their intention to 
publish all these, together with such others as Dr. Kirtland may be 
enabled to furnish, in this work ; thus presenting a full Ichthyology | 
of the Western waters. The descriptions will be published in BA F 
order in which they have been received, as they are not yet comp | 
This will at once explain, why all the different species are nol com- ; 
. Mid meter Ibai spptuirito gemini i die oneal pug pem j 


E T 


and its Tribut ires. 


that list, by expunging several that prove not to be 


true species, and adding others that had escaped. pre- 
vious observation. 

I have prepared drawings má VAM, de of bent 
one third of the number, and I take the liberty of 
forwarding several of them to you, for your disposal 
in such manner as you may deem proper. The ar- 
rangement of my business i is such, that I am required 
to spend the winters at Cincinnati, and the summers 
in Cleveland, "This will. enable me to pursue. the 
subject in future with great facility, | and I to 
continue my efforts till I shall complete full descrip- 
tions and delineations of all the fishes of the Western 
waters. Tx respectfully yours, 


Jarep P. ney : 


Lvxitos. Raf. Ed. * 
L. elongatus. Kirtland. The Red-tellied ‘Shiner 
(of the Lake). 
Luxzilus der Kirtland’s Report on the Zoology of. Ohio, 
pp. 169, 192, ! 
Plate IV. Fig... 


Head E upper jaw slightly recurved, fore- 
head flat, lower jaw prominent, projecting. Eyes 
large, irides silvery. Operculum terminating poste- 
riorly in an acute angle. 

Body long, slim, particularly elongated between 
the caudal and dorsal fins ; oe slightly com- 
pressed on its sides. . 

Dorsal fin, high and narrow. 


* 


$4 


» 


` its, characteristics are as follows : — ^ Bod 


2340 _ Fishes of the Ohio 


Caudal fin, bifurcated and elongated. — . 
Anal fin, posterior to the dorsal. Vent pósa 
Lateral line, at its base is on a level with the eye, 


. but rapidly curves down to the middle of the body 


in an undulating manner. > 
Color. Back a beautiful sky-blue, edged oki 


| with a band of gilt; below this, is an’ interrupted 


band of black, extending from the point of thé upper - 
jaw to the tail, passing through the iris of the eye, 
but broken by à carmine, or, in others, a vermilion 
stripe, from the operculum, extending back upon the 


. medial line one inch, and terminating above the end 


of the ventral fin in an acute pamti! Sides p el 
silvery. 

Length, 4 iki The rays are, D. 8 ^ 9; 
C. 20; 

Hab. tributazieà of Lake Erie near Ore 
and of the Mahoning in Trumbull County.. m 

Observations. In the year 1820, Professits ES 
finesque published, in Lexington, Kentucky, his 
“Tehthyologia Ohiensis." As the circulation of this - 
volume has been very limited, and it cannot readily 
be procured, I have thought it advisable, whenever a 
genus of Rafinesque’s is referred to, to give its char- 
acters, that it may be recognised ; and shall, there- 
fore, pursue this course throughout this communica- 
tion, The genus Luxilus was established to re- 
ceive several species which it was thought advisable 
to separate from the genus Leuciscus BA": 


gated, somewhat compressed, with rather la rge x 
Vent posterior, or nearer to the tail. Head flat. zh 


and its Tributaries. 84 


and somewhat shielded. Mouth rather large, com- 
monly with lips and equal jaws. Preopercule with 
an angular suture. A small trapezoidal dorsal fin, 
“nearer to the head ‘than to the. tail, opposite to the 
abdominal fins, and without spines. Abdominal fins 
with eight rays, and without. ilBodages. (Tail 
forked in all the Ohio species.) 

The _ species here described, was first pointed out 
to me by an. old. fisherman at Cleveland. It is 
readily distinguished from the Luxilus erythrogaster 
of Raf, by its much greater length, the form of ue 
fins, and its coloring. It is also more active in i 
habits... The brillianey of its colors will fade; if cor 
fined for a few days ina globe. of water. 


è "a 


L Rd 


I have known these fishes to destroy. en 


leaping from a globe of. water, placed for observa- 
tion in my study; and ‘have not unfrequently seen 
em throw themselves above the surfage of the 
ow at four or five inches; apparently for mere Rage; 


n dissimilis. - Kirtland: "The "pene Shiner. 
Plate IV. Fig. 2 i iet 


Head flat between ^a eyes. „Nost prominent, 
fleshy, and projecting. Lower lip slightly fleshy, 
recurved. yes large and prominent ; irides yellow. 

Body slim, eylindric, elongated, gradually tapering 
from the ventral to the caudal fins ; vent behind the 
-centre of the body. 

Dorsal and ventral fins opposite each other; the 
r reaching . the vent. 


TN " à Fe 


S" Fishes of the Ohio : 
wh, 
Lateral line hardly edtved: 
Color. Back brownish or olive, a belt of gilt © 
along the lateral line, with about twelve bluish dots, 
which enlarge towards the tail; an ochrey band runs 
along the back, which is faintly marked with darker 
spots. Abdomehl white and silvery. Fins: nie, rays 
` slightly marked with dark tints. - 
Length A 
Hab. Mahoning river and Lake Being: sc! 
QM D. 80r 9; €, 20; A 7; V. 8; P.R 
^ Observations. Two specimens were brought me 
y an experienced fisherman, who informed me, that 
they were never seen in the Mahoning -till the last 
year. I have since.found several dead specimens | 
upon the shore of Lake Erie, near Cleveland. It is 
> questionable whether this fish should be placed pn 
the genus Luzilus. It has the habits of that family, 
and the position of the vent and the angular : utt f 
of the- preoperculum would seem to refer it there 
but the form and structure of its mouth would p 
haps refer it to Rafinesque's genus Hypentelium; 
to the genus Catostomus. 
It readily bites at a hook, and is employed with 
minnows to bait the hook on “ sett lines.” _ 


— .;:, , PmTrRoMvzow. Lin. 
P. argenteus. Kirtland. The p en 


-Petromyzon argenteus. Kiril. Rep. on the Zool ôf Ohio, pP. 
"T 170, 197. 


Plate IV. Fig. 3. i 
. Head elongated, depressed before the eyes, slightly 


convex above them. Eyes minute, pupils very 23 
id ie * 
Cs me * 
> me. " : 


79 


and its Tributaries. 343. 


È à ; " T 
and black; irides silvery, not conspicuous. Mouth 


oval, concave, with series of inflected teeth regularly ^ wá 
radiated from the circular opening of the fauces, and n 2 
a distinct line of teeth surrounding the lower fourth dia 
of the same opening ; the inner teeth of the radiated 
series the largest. Chin, a triangular depression. 


Branchial openings seven, with a | gorrespendin ' 
black. dot above each; each ope larger than the 
eye. EN. 

Body cylindrical, pP An towards the back. " 


Dorsal fin two fifths the length of the fish 
pressed, but not interrupted above and anterior to 
vent, then continuous as the caudal fin, and extend- 
ing beneath the tail along its carinated edge, one 
inch; its.caudal portion flattened and queers to- 
wards the tip. v A 

r. Back ash-gray ; sides and beneath, recy 
aculated with irregular rows of black dots. . 
E 11 inches ; widest diameter of the body. 
ine-tenths of an inch. 
E Big Miami. 
Observations. 'This species is readily disting spiched,. 
from the P. Americanus and the nigricans of Les., 
and the nigrum of Raf. My specimen was found 
attached to the side of a large Ohio salmon (Lucio- 
Perca Americana). This species is of a larger size ` 
in Lake Erie than in the river Ohio. 


; de- 
breit 


* 


A7 Fishes of the Ohio 


$ 
tagd ^^ Semormus:. Raf. 
S. biguttatus. Kirtland. The ‘Tavo-spottgd ch 


Plate Y Fig. 1. 


* Head /subquadrangular, upper surface’ flattish ; — 
| upper lip prominent-and projecting ;- nostrils double,- 

. equal distance between the eye and the point of the - 
upper’ jaw ; eyes not- large, circular; irides : prem : 
gill-covers smooth and iridescent. - 

- Body fusiform, cylindrical ; scales large; medial 
line suddenly curvés upwards near its base.  - 

_ Color. Body olive and bluish above the medial 
line; sides and abdomen faintly cupreous. Fins 
orange, ferruginous colored ; a black spot at the base - 
of the caudal fin, but none in the dorsal. ` Body and 

a Jins irregularly punctated with’small black dots, and 
a larger vermilion dot behind each eyé. TUN. 
* ^ Length 6 inches. [4 "m 
rw Hab. Yellow Creek, a tributary of the Mahoning. 
E. Observations. The elongated form of the head, 
= A dots behind the eye, and the absence 
n or black spot inthe dorsal fin, as wellas | 
habits, distinguish it from the S. dorsalis 


Eie, m die piel surface of. the head and superior jaw . 
~~ studded with numerous spines, in the spring of the 
A ar; these are deciduous, and fall off ud auc. 
summer, leaving those surfaces smooth. _ 
"This species bites at the hook with as much en- - 
: ergy and as | suddenly as the speckled trout, and hence — 
the fishermen and — have oam him the name of — 


ST. A and its Tributaries. 345 
* 
$ o genus Semotilus was established by Rafi- 


‘ E 
nesque, to include such of the Cyprinide as could not 


be arranged in existing genera. The characters of 
the genus are as follows. “Body elongated, some- 
what compressed, with rather large scales. Vent 
posterior, or nearer to the tail. Head flat above, and 
somewhat shielded. Gill-cover double, scaleless ; 
three. branchial rays. Mouth large and with lips. 
Preoperculum angular. Dorsal fin posterior, opposite 
to the vent, and behind the abdominal fins. Abdom- 
inal fins with eight rays, and without append, 


S. cephalus. ` Raf. The Hora: Chub. 
Semotilus cephalus. Rafinesque’s Ichthyologia Ohiensis. p. 49. 
Semotilus cephalus. Kirtl. — on the Zool. of — 
p.169. | " 
FOCUPIMN Y. Fig. Pe SER 


« Diameter one fifth of the total length : ^ om: 
back “brownish, lateral line raised upwards at the ` 
base : fins fulvous ; the pectorals reddish ; the caudal 
pale at the end and unspotted ; the dorsal vik 9 rays, 
and a large black n at the anterior base ; anal vi 
9 rays. s 
* Length from 6 to 8 inches. Not uncommon in srs 
creeks of Kentucky, &c. Vulgar names, Chub, Big. a 
mouth, and Big-head. It has really the largest head — 
and mouth of this tribe. Iris reddish, iridescent. : a 
Pectoral fins with 15 rays, trapezoidal and short ; E. 
abdominal fins rounded, dorsal fin beginning over ; 
them. Spot round. Tail with 20 du A 

The foregoing is Rafinesque's description. It is 
correct in every particu p mea few in- 

VOL. II. -=No gi ; 


538 
E 


346 Fishes of the Ohio * 
stances, the base of the caudal fin is marked like the 
“dorsal, with a round black or olive spot, as was the 
case with the specimen from which the drawing was 
made.. It is also difficult to say, whether the dorsal 

.. has 9 or 10 rays. 
A faint vermilion spit may sometimes be seen, 


-near the edge of the gill-covers, but much more poste- 
-riorly than on the biguttatus. The upper surface of - 


the head and superior jaw is often ornamented with 
prominent spines, varying in height and number in 
different individuals. 

Hab. Mahoning river. 

Observation. -It is one of the most abundant spe- 
cies in our waters, and bites readily at the hook. 


* 


. Erueostoma. Raf. _ 
E. caprodes. Raf. The common Hog-Fish. 
Etheostoma caprodes. Raf. Ichth, Ohiens. P. 38. 
Etheostoma digi Kirtl. Rep. on of Ohio. pp. 168, 
1 A 


elongate, obtuse ; upper e. lo rounded ; operele 

"acute; lateral line quite straight ; 
h of the length; tail forked, oli- 
the base, and with a black dot. 


'om ‘two to six inches. 
ciliate, Mouth be- 
P 


and its Tributaries. 347 


neath, small; upper jaw protruding, like a hog's 
snout, the nostrils being on it. Eyes jutting, black ; 
iris silvery. Sides of the head silvery, above fulvous; 
preopercule simply arched. Branchial rays half visi- 
ble. Fins hyalinous; dorsal 15 and 12, ending be- 
fore the anal, which is very distant from the tail, 
rays 2 and .10. Pectoral fins trapezoidal, 16. Tail, 
» i 


Observations. Prof. Rafinesque’s description off 
this species, which we have copied above, is essen- 
tially correct. In the specimens I have examined, 
however, the fin rays were as Apllows. D. 15- 16 ; 

6.17; RIE Y 1-87 A1 
The color varies ting a ELTETE yellow to a ag d 
deep green. The irides are golden-yellow, when ^os 
first taken from the water, but soon fade to a silvery, Cape es L 
and then a dusky color. This i is the largest species E 


of the gen with which I am acquainted, some 
specimens | ding six inches in length.. It is 
abundant. ie M honing river, Where it is taken * 
with hooks. "The genus Etheostoma i is thus charac- 


Jody nearly cylindrical and scaly. Mouth E. 

variable, with s nall teeth. Gill-cover double or 

triple, unserrate, with a spine eR the opercule, and 
7 


348 Fishes of the Ohio ue 
E. blennioides. Raf. The Blenny-like Hog-Fish. 


Etheostoma blennioides. Raf, Icth. Ohiens. p.37. s 
Etheostoma blennioides. Kirtl. Rep. on the Zool. of | Ohio, P 168. 


Plate VL Fig. 1. j wo : 


“ Body elongate, breadth one eighth of the length, 
olivaceous, almost diaphanous, some brown spots on 
pia. back, and some brown geminate transversal lines 
aeross the lateral line, which is straight, but raised at 
the base, Head small, snout rounded, mouth small 
beneath, lower jaw shorter; opercule angular, spine | 
acute ; scales ciliated, pectoral fins elongst, - also, j 
and bilobed at the end. 
“ A strange species, which has the appetite head, 
. andspotsof many Blennies. Length two or three 
inches, and slender. Seen in the Ohio, Wabash, 
' Muskingüni, &c. Color pale, sometimes fulvous, 
whitish beneath. Cheeks swelled and smooth; pre" — 
opercule simple, arched ; opercule quite angular ; iris a 
large and blackish ; pe roughened by the ciliation. 2 t 
Dorsal fin 13 and 13, beginning above the middle of —. 
the pectorals, and ending with the anal; one fai 
longitudinal brown stripe on it. Tail 20 rays, with 
many small transversal lines. Vent nae dial. An 
fin 2 and 8. aA Ag 16 ob | 


d de of rays. D. 15- 13 3t X E es A. s. y. 


e Observations. is abundant in the Ma- 
honing river. A popular error is eommon among the 
— that it is the young of the Ohio salmon. 


P 


* 


» 


accurate, we extract from the Journal of dece Philadel- 


with pointed lobes, the inferior of ap is the lar- 
gest ; abdominal fin truncated. E 

. . as long; the rays of the anal fin are very strong 
` tiful orange color, which is deepest on the back, the 


| with olden reflections ; 3 gédtorál ventral, and anal 


aei o its wes c inches, and its t ipie 


uds ae vee POSENT Ez. o aL 


and its Tributaries. 349 


Íts habits are like those of the other. members of the 
family.- 


 Cxrosrowus. Le Sueur. 
l Us. Le Sueur. The Mullet of the Lake. 


| Onions poca Le Sueur. thin of the Academy of 


Natural onion. Vol. I. p. 95 et seq. 
Catostomus aureolus. Kirtl. sia on dé “Doak of Ohio. pp. * 
192. 


f 


P Plate VI. P. 2. 
"té Sueur S diseiipdioà of this species, whichis is very 
phia Academy. EB C 


** Anal fin long, pointed, and passing — 
beyond the base of the caudal Jin, which is forked, 


s m 
Wenn 


.** Body subeylindrie, elevated at MS e; 
quadrangular, gibbous above the eye, almost'as. high 


and large ; scales rhomboidal, equal ; body of a beau- 


base of the scales dark red ; the sides are heightened 


orange ; caudal fin of a deep car- 
orsal fin is paler than the ‘rest ; 

e is neatly straight, and commences in 
a line wi eye. Length of individual described, 


ness two inches and a 
P718; 
This beauti 


kls- V. 9; A8; c. 18 rays. 
‘spe jut aides near Buffalo, on 


, T Ed 
* E^ 3 dm | 
350 Fishes of the Ohio 3 


Observations. From the above description, we 
should expect to find the colorings more brilliant than 
any Ihave seen. Through inadvertence the eyes in 
our figure are represented as circular, — they should 
have been oblong, —as in all the other species of this 
genus.  'This fish is common at Cleveland; but is 
very little esteemed for food. 


Pe CORVINA. Cuv. 
C. oscula. Le Suéut- The White Poi Á res T 

Ohio River. , d 
jaar pie? Cuv. et Valene, Histoire Nat. d Poisons E 


Li 


Coin o Mie Richardson, Fauna Boreali-Americana. due 
P. 
PA oiled Le Sueur, Journ. Aia. Nat. Sciences. Vol. Il. 


the Zool. of Ohio. pp. 168, T fae oe 
n. Acad. Nat, Sciences. Vol. IL p..254. y i 
-Amplodom grunniens. Raf. Ichth. Ohien& p. 24. n 
. Plate VI. Fig. 3. 7 E 
Le Biain s description of this species, we copy 5 / 
entire. 2 
E * S, oscula. Second dorsal long, elevated; equal 
- tail short; neck prominent ; scales soft. 2 
sat Bow sub-elliptic, compressed uci the back, , 
broader at the abdomen ; back rectilinear ; d 
head much declining ; snout uL oon a little 
prominent, with three small openings at the end; 
— mouth very small, horizontal, having the superior 
-— maxillaries and the inferior jaws concealed under the 
inferior corners of the nostrils; teeth very small - 
conie, the exterior series a little stronger, . those ef 


w 


+ 
* : é 


and its Tributaries. 351 


the throat rude, obtuse, placed upon a triangular base, 
the strongest being inthe middle, and the weakest on 


- the sides, and upon two bones separately placed at 


the superior part of the throat; the eye is round, 
placed near the end of the snout, and very near the 
summit of the head ; 'preoperculum larger than the 
operculum, with serratures hardly sensible, on the 
preoperculum, the other pieces being destitute of 
spines; dorsal fins sub-equal in height, the first 
rounded anteriorly, and lower towards the three last 
rays, all of which are strong and spinous, and imbri- 
cated to lie close upon the back; the second. dorsal 
is very high and equal in its length, sustained by 
from twenty-nine to thirty soft and much. 

rays, of which the-first is spinous ; he base of the 
rays of this fin, and of the caudal; "are covered with 
scales ; pectorals moderately pointed ; - thoracic fins 
adorned with a g spinous ray ; anal moderate, of 
seven divided ra and two spines, of which the first 


ds very short, the second strong and very long; cau- 


dal sub-truncated, wider than the abdomen ; scales 


Wi oblique, shorter than broad, and slightly denticulated, 


without being rough to the touch, crowded towards 
the neck above the pectorals, larger upon the opercu- 
la, the sides of the body, and upon the tail ; the color 
of the head, snout, and caudal fin was, of a bluish 
gray, drawing upon black upon the snout and above 
the eyes, more gray towards the back and above the 
pectorals ; all the other fins are of a lighter gray; 
there were some red tints upon the cheeks, a yellow- 
ish reflection u he scales of the back of the tail, 

and of the opercula; the abdomen, beneath the throat 
was white ; lateral line arcuated. è 


x i -— 


LUE Sede rM ME EAM 


352 Fishes of the Ohio. 


* Length sixteen inches, by about four inches and 


, a half in depth. 


5£B. 7; P: 19; D. 9. 30; T. 1:5; A. 2. 7; C. 18.55 

“ This species inhabits Lake Eie. 2: 

Observations.: After a careful examination, I am 
convinced that the fish of the Lakes, which Le Sueur 
designates as the S. oscula, and that of the Ohio, to 
which he gives the name of S. grisea, are specifical- _ 
ly identical. It is true, that the former when full 
grown, is poor in flesh, with a tough and thick skin, 


-~ which renders it hardly eatable, while the latter is 


* 


always fat, tender, and delicious ; a difference, I be- 
lieve, to be imputed solely to the character and qual- 
ity of the waters in which they are found. All the 
species of fish common to the waters of the Ohio and 
to Lake Erie, are decidedly more tender, fat, and del- 
icáte, with thinner skins, when found in the river 
streams, than when taken in the Lake. "The varia- 
tion in the number of rays in the fins of those from 
the two localities, observed by Le Sueur, was probably 
accidental ; for I find that it often can be detected in 
several specimens taken i in the same locality. | 
Our drawing was made from a small fish obtained 
in the Cincinnati market. The first, short, spinous; 
anal ray, should not have been omitted in " figure. 


(To be continued.) 


tea 


Binney’s Monograph of the Helices. — 353 


ART. XI. — A MONOGRAPH OF THE HELICES INHABIT- 
ING THE UNITED ETATE By Amos Binney, M. D. (Con. 
tinued from Vol. I. p. 4 


11. HELIX PALLIATA. 


Plate VII. 


H. testA orbieulato-depressá, imperforatá,, castaneá, hirsutá ; anfrac- 
tibus minuté striatis; aperturà angustà, trilobatà ; labro albo, latè 
reflexo, dentibus duobus instructo; columellà dente unico, sub-arcua^ 


Synonyms AND REFERENCES. 


Helix palliata, Say. Journ. A. N. S. Philad., Il, 152. 
Helix obstrícta, Say. Ibid., IL. 154. 


Helix deuotàta, Férussac. Hist. yc. Pl. xus., A. 


Lamarck. : Anim. sans Vert.,. 2me . edit., 


Helix Carolinénsis, Lea. Trans. o Phil. Soc., Ax 
Syl 108... Pi. xv., fig. 33. 

Carocolla helicóides, Lea. Thid., INC 8, 1X. 169. 
PL xv., fig. 34. » 

Triodopsis scabra, Rafinesque. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Animal. Of a uniform blackish slate color, over 
the whole upper surface; foot narrow, in length 
double the diameter of the shell, and terminating in 
an acute point; superior tentacule one-third of an 
inch long; eyes not = from the gen- 
eral color, 

VOL. III. — NO. HL 45 


354 Binney’s Monograph of the Helices 


Shell. Depressed ; epidermis dark-brown or chest- 
nut eolor, and rough with minute acute projections 
and, stiff hairs ; whorls five, flattened above and 
rounded below, with numerous very fine oblique 
stris ; aperture three-lobed, much contracted by the 
lip and teeth; Zip white, sometimes edged with 
brown, widely reflected, with two projecting teeth 
on the inner margin ; the one near its junction with 
the body-whorl, acute and prominent, the other in 
the base of the aperture, long, lamellar, and but lit- 
tle prominent ; pillar-lip with a very prominent, 
white, curved tootli, projecting nearly perpendicular- 
ly from the shell, and forming: one boundary of the 
aperture ; umbilicus covered with a white callus, the 
continuation of the reflected lip ; base convex. 

Greatest transverse diameter, nearly one inch. 

GrocrapHicaL Distrisution. Inhabits all the 
Northern and Western States, and the Atlantic States 
as far south as South Carolina, and’ probably may be 
found in every State of the Union, and in Canada; 
It is most common in the Western ee where it 
attains its greatest size. 

Remarks, This is a remarkable piil 
distinguished from every other by its rough, hairy 
exterior, prominent falciform tooth on.the columella, 
and contracted, trilobate aperture. As in all other 
imperforate species with reflected lips, the umbilicus 
remains open until the lip is completed, and of course 
the young shells are destitute of the most. striking 
characteristics as above described. It resembles H. 
tridentata, Sav, in its upper surface so much, that, 
when placed side by side, they might be considered 


inhabiting the United States. 355 


identical; but on the lower surface the resemblance 
no longer holds, for, though the aperture is nearly the 
same, the umbilicus of that species is never closed, 
and it never attains the size of the present spe- 
cies. Varieties of the type are caused by the ab- 
sence of the upper or lower lip-tooth, or of both, the 
want of the raised projections of the epidermis, and 
of the transverse striæ, and by the great depression 
of the spire in some individuals, which produces 
a distinct angle or carina on the outer whorl. This 
last. variation, which brings it within the genus 
CanocóLLA of Lamarck; is found in other species, 
especially in their immature state, and shows that 
the distinctive characters of that genusa ve not to 
be depended on. 

A carinated variety, which was aaa br Mr. Say 
as “ a variety with a very “prominent acute carina, 
destitute of minute protuberances,” has been de- 
scribed by Mr. Lea as CanocoLLA Aelicóides. The 
same was figured by Férussae, Pl. 50, A. fig. 7. A 
strongly carinated variety, with a single tooth on the 
outer lip, and smooth epidermis, was described by 
Mr. Say as H, obstricta. Another variety, having 
the oblique striæ widely separated and very distinct, 
and being at the same time carinated, has been de- 
scribed by Mr. Lea as H. Carolinénsis. An exami- 
nation of the specimens from which these descriptions 
were made, has convinced me that they are only 
varieties. 

Mr. Say’s description was published in January, 
1821, and the shell has been known in the United 
States by the name of H. palliàta, since that time. 


356 Binney’s Monograph of the Helices 


In 1822, the name of H. denotita was applied to it 
by Férussac. The editors of the new edition of La- 
marck's Animaur ‘sans Vertébres, have chosen to 
retain the latter name ; but, inasmuch as it is incon- 
sistent with the rules of priority adopted by natural- 
ists, and unjust to Mr. Say, it ought not to obtain. ` 


12. HELIX APPRESSA. 


. Plate VIII. 
H. testà orbiculato-depressi, imperforatà, Iuteo-corned ; anfractibus 
obliqué striatis; apertura angustà; labro albo, sub-dentato, margine 
reflexo ; columellà dente unico arcuato armata. 


Sxxovrs AND Reverences. 


T 


Helix appréssa, Say. Journ. A. N. S. Philad., IL 
154, 


Helix linguifera, Frussac. Hist. des Moll. Pl. 
XLIX., A. fig. 3 
RINT An. sans Vert., 2d Mita Vill. 70. 
Deshayes. Encye. Mitha Vers, M. 224. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Animal. Uniform blackish slate color, and resem- 
bling in all respects the animal of Hexrx palliata. ` 

Sheil depre ; epidermis yellowish horn color; 
whorls five, often donee Bat angulated, with fine dis- 
tinct transverse strize ; aperture rather flattened, con- 
tracted ; lip white, reflected, near the base appre 
to the budy-sibót, and covering the umbilicus, with 
one, or two, or without projecting teeth on its inner 
edge; pillar-lip with an oblique, compressed, white 
tooth; base convex’; wmbilical region slightly in* 
dented. 


- inhabiting the United States. 357 


Greatest transverse — less than three-fourths 
of an inch. 

Grocrarmicar Disrriurion.. Inhabits all the 
Western and Southwestern States. ; 

Remarks. I consider this species not to be well 
established. The’ description of. Mr. Say hardly 
points out any difference between it and the preced- 
ing, and accordingly varieties of H. pallidta are com- 
monly seen in cabinets labelled as H. appréssa. Well 
marked specimens of the two are very unlike, but 
they approaeh each other by nice and hardly appre- 
ciable shades of difference, until they at length seem 
to blend into one. It is impossible to say how far 
the charaeters of shells are modified by th: ccident 
of their locality and other causes; but that they are 
so to a considerable degree is certain, and it appears to 
me that the differences between this and the preced- 
ing species, are not greater than might be. produced 
by the influence of external circumstances. "The 
shell intended to be described is very common in the 
Western and Southwestern States, is usually only 
about half as large as H. palliàta, and considerably 
more flattened in shape. It has a smooth and shining 
epidermis; without the hirsute projections, and is fine- 
ly striated. The lip is narrower and less broadly 
expanded, the aperture much less contracted, and the 
tooth on the pillar-lip less prominent and thick than 
in that species. The teeth on the outer lip are some- 
times entirely wanting, at other times very distinct; 
sometimes the upper.and sometimes the lower one is 
alone present. The smaller sized specimens resem- 
ble considerably Hxrix inflecta, Sav, and it seems 


| 358 Binney’s Monograph of the Helices 


almost to form a connecting link between that spe- 
cies and H. palliata. The larger specimens are hard- 
ly inferior in size to individuals of the last-named 
species, which they closely resemble. Large speci- 
mens, without teeth on the outer lip, also resemble 
the species which I have called Hxrix dentifera, but 
that species never has the lip teeth, and is not. so 
much depressed. A favorite place of resort of this 
species is under flat stones about neglected quarries. 

The first publication of a description of this shell 
was by Mr. Say, in the _Place referred to, in 1821; 
the next year a second appeared, by Lamarck, in the 
first edition of his Animauz sans Vertébres, under 
the name of Hxuix linguifera, reference being made 
to Férussae's Histoire des Mollusques, which was 
not then published. «Mr. Say's name Mone therefore 
to be preferred. 


13. HELIX INFLECTA. 
|. Plate IX. fig. 1. 


. testi orbiculato-depressà, imperforatà, corneo-lutescente, rarè 
hirsutà ; anfractibus striatis, striis PONG = apertura angus- 
tissimá, trilobatà ; labro albo, dentibus duobus cutis, inflectis, arma- 
to; margine reflexo ; regione mite et Papet, dente albo, arcua- 
to ad beignets affixo. 


Synonyms AND REFERENCES. 


Helix inflécta, Say. stis A. N,S. Philad., IL 153. 
Helix clausa, Férussac. Hist. des. Moll. Pl. 34, 
een figt-2 amd. 3; 2..- a 
Deshayes. Encyc. Méth., Vers, IL. 230. 


& MEAS, 
"íi 


inhabiting the United States. 359 


» 


Helix clausa, Lamarck. Anim. sans mN 2d edit., 
VIII, 114. 
Triodopsis clausa, Rafinesque. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Animal. Dark bluish slate color, head and ten- 
taculæ almost black; superior tentaculæ. long and 
slender; foot narrow, in length more than twice the 
diameter of the shell, terminating ‘in an acute angle. 

Shell depressed ; epidermis brownish horn color, 
sometimes with very fine, hair-like projections; 
whorls five, with very minute transverse striw; su- 
ture not much impressed ; aperture three-lobed, very 
much contracted ; lip white, narrow, reflected, with 
a deep groove or indentation behind the reflection, 
contracting the opening so.that the outer edge of the 
lip does. not project beyond the surface of the whorl ; 
on the inner margin of the lip are two acute teeth, 
with the points directed inwards, one near the base, 
the other midway between that and the junction of 
the lip with the body-whorl, with a circular sinus 
between them, forming one of the lobes of the aper- 
ture; pillar-lip with a long, areuated, white tooth ; 
umbilicus covered, its place considerably impressed. 

. Greatest transverse diameter, one-third of an inch ; 
ordinary size, less. 

Groanapnican Distristuion. Inhabits the. West- 
ern States, on the borders of the Ohio and Mississippi 
rivers; it was noticed by Mr. Say in Missouri, and 
by others in North Carolina and Arkansas. 

Remarks. This species is not likely to be mista- 
ken for any other. It resembles a variety of Hexix 


360 Binney’s Monograph of the Helices 


tridentata, Say, from which it differs in having the 
umbilicus closed, and the tooth on the pillat-lip long- 
er. Large individuals resemble in general appear- 
ance H. appressa, Say. The epidermis is sometimes 
_ delicately hirsute, and the aperture of a rose color. 
~The lip is occasionally destitute of one or both teeth. 
The name Hzix inflecta, by which it is universally 
known in the United States, and the description, 
"were published in 1821, by Mr. Say, more than a 
year before it was noticed by other naturalists, and 
several years before any other description appeared. - 
Lister’s om tab. 93. fig. 93, ~ mei 
this shell. - 
14. HELIX- MONODON. ' # 


; Plate X. fig. 1. 
H. testa convexiusculá, latè umbilicata, corneo-fuscescente, hispidu- 
lå, tenuissimé striata; aperturà semilunatà; labro albo, marginé an- 
sto, reflexo; dente unico, albo, longo, laminato, ad columellam : 


oblique pris regione umbilicali i impress i 


Synonyas AND. REFERENCES. 


Helix mónodon, Rackett. Trans. Lin. Soc. Lond., 
XHL AB. PL Vig, fur. 2.2 » 
Helix t Leti Ged. Ward. . Manuscript. 


Bilson. 


Animal.’ Yellowish brown, darker on the head, 
neck, and tentacule. Foot narrow, cylindrical, one 
and a half times as long as the diameter of the shell, 
terminating in'a point. Superior tentacule onè 
fourth of an inch long, eyes black. Some- c 
als much darker than others. - 


inhabiting the United States. 361 


Shell.. Slightly convey; epidermis dark russet or 
chestnut color, with numerous very minute, hairy 
projections ; whorls five to six, narrow, diminishing 
very. gradually in width, from the outer whorl to the 
apex ; aperture flattened, contracted by a deep groove 
behind the lip; Zip white, narrow, a little grooved on - 
its face, reflected, extending on the base to, and 
slightly contracting, the umbilicus, its outer edge not 
projecting above the surface of the whorl ; umbilicus 
open, deep, not exhibiting all the valutione, partially 
covered by the extended lip; &ase rounded, very 
much indented in the region of the umbilicus, with 
‘a compressed elongated. white tooth at the we of 
the: ‘aperture. 

` Greatest transverse dikriet, t nearly one nei of an 
ineh. 

GEOGRAPHICAL pug ‘Jnbabits the. New 
England States, in some. parts of which it is very 
common, and the States north of the Ohio River. 1t 
will probably be found in all the: Middle and Berti 
western States. 

. Remarks. This species has usually. been con- 
founded with HELIX fratérna, Sav, to which it is 
nearly allied ; but the differences are too striking to 
allow of their being considered identical. It is large- 
ly umbilicated, and the umbilicus is but very slightly 
encroached upon by the reflected lip, which only ex- 
tends to its edge. The umbilical region is deeply 
indented. The size of this shell is usually nearly 
twice as great as that of H. fratirna, though it is 
sometimes much smaller. 

In New Hampshire and Vermont, it is found in the 

VOL. III. — NO. II. 46 


Y 4 


362 Binney’s Monograph of the Helices 


forests with other species, but more commonly in 
hill-side pastures, under flat stones, a situation where 
other species rarely occur. Two individuals are 
commonly found together. The hairy projections of 
the epidermis are not distinct on young shells, but are 
often wanting at every stage of growth. The ob- 
lique striz are so fine as hardly to be visible, and in 
some cases the shell appears to be glabrous. Very 
beautiful specimens, about one-fourth of an inch in 
diameter, with a dark, shining epidermis, oecur in 
Ohio. They are more globular, and as the same 
number of volutions are contained in half the space, 
they appear to have a larger number of whorls than 
the northern specimens ; but I do not see that they 
differ, essentially, in any respect. Great disparity of 
size is not uncommon in this genus. It is this varie- 
ty which Dr. Ward has named Hetrx Leaii. Varia- 
tions from the common form are rare. This species 
might, by reason of its open umbilicus, be placed in 
the next subdivision of the section ; but it is so near- 
ly allied to the succeeding species, that it is thought 
best not to separate them. Férussac has applied the 
specific name mónodon to Hrix wnidentata, Drapar- 
NauD; but as Rackett’s description appeared a year 
bufon Férussac’s synopsis, the latter could not right- 
fully appropriate this name, and it should be retained 
for our speia to which it was first applied. ` 


_ inhabiting the United States. 363 


15. HELIX FRATERNA. 


Plate X. fig. 2. 


testà convexiusculà imperforata, hispidulà, luteo- refiacenit, te- 
nuissimé striata; aperturà angustà ; labro albo, margine angusto, 
reflexo ; dente unico, compresso, albo, ad columellam adnato. 


Synomyms AND REFERENCES. « 


Helix fratérna, Say. Exped. to St. Peter’s River, 
IL 257. Pil. xv., fig. 3. 
Helix mónodon, Wood. Index Test. Sup. Pl. vir., 
DI 
Helix convéxa, Deshayes. Encyc. Méth., Vers, II. 
253. j a sais 
Lamarck. Anim. sans Vert., 2d edit., VIII. 


Férussac. Hist. des Moll. Pl. u., A. fig. 2. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Animal. Brownish, darker on the head, neck, and 
tentaculæ ;, foot narrow, cylindrical, nearly twice as 
long as the diameter of the shell, terminating acutely. 
Eyes black. Some individuals are of a uniform 
blackish color.. 

Shell. Slightly convex; epidermis light brown ; 
whorls about five, narrow ; aperture contracted by a 
deep groove behind the lip; lip white, narrow, re- 
flected, extending to the centre of the base of the 
shell, its outer edge not projecting beyond the surface 
of the whorl; wmbilicus covered ; umbilical region 
not much ieiinind ; ; pillar-lip with a narrow, elon- 
gated, white tooth. 


364 Binney's Monograph of the Helices y 


o 

Greatest transverse diameter, more than one fourth 
of an inch. 

GrocnaPHICAL Distrieution. Inhabits Pennsyl- 
vania, the western parts of Virginia, and the States 
north of the Ohio River, where it is common. It is 
also found on the western sides of the Green Moun- 
tains, in Vermont. Further observations will un- 
doubtedly show that it inhabits some of the States 
south of the Ohio. 

_Remarxs. This bears a strong resemblance to the 
preceding species; the chief difference in their struc- 
ture seems to be, that while the whorls of that shell 
revolve about its axis at such a distance as to leave a 
considerable umbilical opening, they are in such near 
approximation, in this species, as to leave but a small 
perforation, which the narrow reflected lip is suffi- 
ciently wide to cover. In other respects, there is 
hardly an appreciable distinction ; but, as these differ- 
ences appear to be constant and: uniform, there is a 
propriety in keeping them separate. Mr. Say describ- 
ed this species with Rackett's description of HzLix 
mónodon before him, and considered it distinct. In 
most cabinets at this time, the two species are con- 
founded under the name of HeLIx fratérna. | 

Occasionally, the umbilicus is not entirely covered. 
À variety occurs in Illinois, which is only one-sixth 
of an inch in diameter. 

 Lister's figure, tab. 93, gi 94, I have no doubt is 
intended to represent this shell. Mr. Say’s descrip- 
tion was published in 1824. Férussac’s “ Prodromus” ` 
had already appeared, giving the name of HELIX con- 
véza to his species No. 101, but there was nothing to 


a 
x» inhabiting the United States. .365 


m d student to identify it, and, when the figure 
in Plate 50, A. appeared, several years later, Mr. 
Say’s name was established. - Besides, Férussac gave 
the same specific name to another shell. I think 
that Mr. Say’s name ought to prevail. 


16. HELIX HIRSUTA. 


t Plate X. fig. 3. 


H. testa globulosà, imperforatà, castaned, hirsuta ; ‘apertura angus- 
tissima ; labro reflexo, margine interno fissurá diviso ; dente laminato, 
elongato, ad columellam affixo 


Synonyms AND ‘Rerenences. 


Helix hirsita, Say. Journ. A. N. S. Phila k 
17 ;. II. 161. 
- Férussac. Hist. des Mot ph iy, Zz Mk 
1 and 3. 
Deshayes. nde Méth., t II. 953. 
Lamarck, Anim. sans Vert., 2d edit, VIII. 


Helix fratérna, Wood. Inder Test. a PI. viil., 


fig 
Stenotrema convéxa, Rafinesque. 
DESCRIPTION. 


idm: Whitish, head and tentacule slate ler: 
foot. slender, semi-transparent, length less than twice 
the diameter of the shell, terminating acutely. Cav- 
ity of thé tentacule apparent, when they are drawn 
in, by two dark lines with a white space between. — 

Shell: Sub-globose ; epidermis brownish, covered 


366 Binney’s Monograph of the Helices 


with numerous sharp, rigid hairs; whorls five, 
rounded; suture distinct; aperture very narrow, 
almost closed by an elongated, lamelliform tooth, 
situated on tbe pillar-lip, and extending from the 
centre of the base nearly to the junction of the lip 
with the outer whorl; lip narrow, very much dè- 
pressed, and reflected against the outer whorl, with 
a deep cleft or fissure near the centre of the inner 
margin; umbilieus wholly covered ; base convex. 

Greatest transverse diameter nearly one half of an 
inch ; ordinary size less than one fourth. 

noon EM. DisrRmuTrON. Inhabits the Midate 
and Western States, where it is common, and the 
New England States more rarely. In Massachusetts 
it is an uncommon shell. 

Remarks. This is a very peculiar species. The 
singular fissure on the inner edge of the lip distin- 
guishes it from every other. It is almost globular. 
There is sometimes a minute, tooth-like process on 
the upper and inner part of the lip, which is visible 
only on looking. into the aperture; and I have once 
or twice noticed a white band on the body-whorl. 
It is sometimes covered with a hairy) vesture on 
every part, at other times it is quite smooth. The 
reflection of the lip is sometimes so closely appressed 
to the outer whorl as to appear to be absorbed into it. 

. Wood has figured this and the preceding. species 
in the supplement to his Index T'estaceologicus, but 
. has caused great confusion by mistaking HELIX, fra- 
lérna, Sax, for Hetrx ménodon, Rackgrr, and. the 
present species for Henix fratérna, Say, which it 
resembles only in size. Another shell was described 


inhabiting the United States. 36T 


under this name by the Abbé Brumati in his “ Ca- 
talogo Sistematico," published in 1836 ; but it cannot 
displace Mr. Say's species, which i been known 
by his name thirteen years. 


ii 


17. HELIX SPINOSA. 
Plate XI. fig. 2. 


H. testa lenticulari, carinatà, tenui, imperforata ; epidermide casta- 
nea hirsutiusculà ; spirà planulatà, subtus. convexà ; aperturà angus- 
lissimà ; columella dente unico, longo, laminato armatà; labro in- 
crassato, ad marginem superiorem angulato et subreflexo 


"ipium AND’ REFERENCES. 


Carocolla A Lea. Trans. Am. Phil. Soc, 
N.S, IV. 104. PL Xv., fig. 35, Ah 


DESCRIPTION. 


Animal. Not yet observed. 

Shell. Lenticular, with the upper surface much 
flattened, strongly carinated ; epidermis dark chest- 
nut color, with minute, projecting, hair-like process- 
es; whorls six, of nearly uniform width, and de- 
creasing very gradually from the aperture to the 
spire; suture distinct, not impressed ; aperture very 
narrow ; lip yellowish-white, thickened near its 
junction with the body-whorl, angulated and slightly 
reflected ; pillar-lip, with a long, yellowish, narrow, 
projecting tooth, extending from the umbilical axis 
to the angle of. the outer lip, and parallel with its 
thickened edge; base convex, idis the umbilical 
region slightly indented. 


368 . Binney's Monograph of the Helices 


_ Greatest transverse diameter rather more than half 
an inch. 

GrocnaPHicAL DisrRiBUTION. Noticed hitherto 
only in the upper parts of Alabama and Tennessee, 
pat ill probably be found in all the Southwestern 
States. 

Remarks. This is a beautiful and singular species. 
Its form is very much flattened above, and it is 
acutely carinated. The epidermis, in good speci- 
mens, is chestnut-colored, and covered with minute 
hairs; these are partially noticeable on the edge of 
the ari and suggested to Mr. Lea the specific 
name spinosa. The base is somewhat convex, and 
is temarkable for the long, narrow tooth, which, 
rising from an indentation of the umbilical axis, and 
running parallel with, and closely approximating to 
the lip, terminates near where the latter joins the 
body-whorl. The aperture is merely a narrow space 
left between this tooth and the lip, and is so small 
that it appears hardly possible that the animal should 
be able to pass through it. In some specimens there 
is an indentation in the lip about midway of it 
length, resembling slightly the cleft in the lip of 
Helix hirsuta, Say. I am not able to asce tain 
whether this be accidental or not. It does not ap 
peat in Mr. Lea’s figure; — , 

The aspect. of the base of this shell somewhat 
resembles that of Hexix hirsita, Say, but its superior 
size and carinated edges at once prevent its being 
considered the same. [t is indeed among the most 
distinetly marked of our species, and cannot be mis- 
taken for ni other. | 


xi 
* 


" 
inhabiting the United States. 709 ga *- 


B. umbilicus open. 


/ *** Aperture without teeth. 


18. HELIX NUTTALLIANA. —— mes 
Plate XII. 


H. testà sub-conicà, subtus convexA, umbilicata, tenuiter striata ; 
colore superné luted aut fused, subtus castaned; anfractibus septem, 
fascia nigra aut castaned cinctis; apertura sibrotundt depremi 
intus fasciata ; labro sub-reflexo ; ; columella le 


_ Synonyms AND REFERENCES. : down "1 


Helix Nuttalliana, tod Trans: Am. Phil. si VI. 
88. 2: XXIL, fig- 74. i 


SR ` Dascnreros. ; i 
Animal. Not hhithesto noticed. . 
Shell. Sub-conical ; poe light: iiiv or 
brownish on the upper einai, with a black or chest- 
nut-colored band revolving from the spire to. the 
lip, the lower. surface dark chestnut; suture 
nct, impressed ; whorls seven, rounded, spirally 


com with minute, delicate lines, the stris of in- 


crease very distinct; lip reflected below, simple 
above; aperture ovate ; wmbilicus open; a little con- 
tráted by the reflection of the lip; base flattened, 
convex. 

Greatest transverse diameter neatly c one and a half 
inches. - 

GEOGRAPHICAL Distrisution. Inhabits the Ore- 
gon Territory from Fort Vancouver to the ocean, 

VOL. III. —-NO. II. AT 


bd 370 | Binney's Monograph of the Helices 


where it was discovered by Mr. Nuttall during his 
late expedition. : 

Remarks. This beautiful species is unlike any 
other North American Helix, being much more 
brilliant in its coloring, and striking in its markings, 
than is common to them. The upper surface, in 
those specimens which ave come under my ob- 
servation, is either light yellow, strongly contrasted 
with a single a band, revolving on the ' middle of 
the body-whorl and on the lower edge of the other 
whorls, or a light chestnut with a black band.» The 
lower surface or band is of a uniform dark chestnut 
color. On some individuals there is a faint tracing 
of intermediate bands, and it’ is probable that when 
the shell becomes more common, it may be found 
that there is considerable diversity of coloring and 
marking. The lip varies from ashy-white to rufous. 
The revolving band is generally obsolete on the four 
whorls nearest the apex. The spire rises in à sub- 
Conical form to the apex, each whorl gradually and 
regularly diminishing from the body-whorl upwards. 
The whorls are convex; the stris of growth regular 
and fine, and very delicate: Crowded. impressed 
lines revolve upon the whorls. The lip is distinctly 
reflected at the base of the shell, but the reflection 
diminishes towards its upper part, and becomes eñ- 
tirely obsolete before it; joins the body-whorl. The 
umbilicus is of inconsiderable diameter but deep, and 
is. somewhat encroached. upon by the reflection of 
the lip. l 

- The name is a compliment to its discoverer. 


( 


inhabiting the United States. 371 


^ 19, HELIX TOWNSENDIANA. 


Plate KITT. 


H. testå abicnikiecoa esk, cornea-luteà, rugosa, ner ; aper- 
tura sub-rotundata ; labro albo, reflexo ; columella le 


Synonyms AND RzrrRENCEs. 


Helix a E Lea. dois; Am. Phil. ct 
4 VL 9. PL XXIII. ae 80. 


Description. 


Animal. Not pot observed. 

Shell. Obtusely convex; epidermis yellowish 
horn-color, rough and corrugate on the body-whorl ; 
suture distinct ; whorls five and a half, with minute 
longitudinal stri», which can. . scarcely. be traced by 
the eye, and coarse oblique ones ; body-whorl large 
and voluminous ; s aperture - ‘somewhat: rounded ; lip 
white, fully reflecta: at the base, and but partially so 
towards its superior part; umbilicus open, deep, a 
little contracted by' the reflection of the. lip; base 
convex and turgid. : 

Greatest transverse diameter one inch and three 
eighths. 

GEOGRAPHICAL ial cali, Inbábits the neigh- 
bourhood of the Wahlamat, near its junction with 
Columbia Sven whence it was brought by Mr. 
Nuttall. 

Remarks. The upper surface of this shell resem- 
bles, in. general aspect, large and. coarse specimens of 
. Hzuix. aibólabris, Say. The number and arrange- 


372 Binney's Monograph of the Helices 


ment of the whorls is the same, and the size cor- - 
responds; but the epidermis is much more yellow, 
and the delicate and beautiful oblique striz of that 
species are replaced by rough corrugations. The 
body-whorl is also decidedly larger and more volu- 
minous. On the lower surface, the resemblance dis- 
appears; the umbilicus being open and deep, the lip 
much less reflected and not flattened, and the aper- 
ture more roundéd. The greater capacity of the 
body-whorl is also more apparent on the base. 

It is named after Dr. Townsend, who sicco MEE y 
Mr. Nuttall in his expedition to Oregon. 


20. HELIX CONCAVA. 
Plate XIV. 
H. testà planulata, latè umbilicatà, albido-corneà ; énfiictibos quinis 


ad basim rotundatis ; apertura sub-rotundatà, superné depressá ; oae 
subtus reflexo, supra simplici ; columella brevi, callosà. 


Synonyms AND REFERENCES. E 
Helix c cóncava, . Say.. Journ. A. N. S. Phila, ti. 
159. 
Helix planiicbáides, FORMAM ; Prodr., No. p 
Pl. uxxxu., fig. 4. | 
Helix YeiicótVolülisn, Lea. Trans. Am. Phil. I2 


ERST! Pl xxm, fe: 72... 
Mesomphix planorbéides, Rafinesque. : 


Description. 


Animal. Upper surface greyish, idus e 
base dirty-white, collar reddish-orange, posterior ex- 


inhabiting the United States. 373 


tremity slightly tinged with the same.  Tentacule | 
slender, cavities into which they are retracted visi- 
ble, foot narrow, twice as long as the diameter of 
the shell. 

Shell. Depressed, very slightly convex on the 
upper surface ; epidermis whitish horn-color, some- 
times with a tinge of green, at other times with rusty- 
yellow ; whorls five, above flattened, below rounded, 
finely striate obliquely, the outer whorl spreading a. 
little towards the aperture ; wabilicus wide, deep, 
exhibiting all the volutions to the apex; aperture 
rounded, somewhat flattened above, its edge fre- 
quently tinged with reddish brown ; dip sub-reflected 
at the base of the shell, simple above, and in some 
. specimens considerably depressed near its junction 
with the outer whorl ; columella with a thin callus, 
the edge of which connects the upper and lower 
extremes of the lip. 

Greatest transverse diameter one inch and one 
eighth. Common size half an inch. 

GrocgaAPmicanL Distrisution. This species has 
been noticed in. Vermont, Virginia, Georgia, Ohio, 
Illinois, Missouri, and the Northwestern Territory, 
and has been brought lately from. the shores of Co- 
lumbia River, where it is said to be common. It may 
therefore be considered to inhabit the whole — 
of the United States. 

REMARKS. | ` This shell, though frequently seen, 
does not seem to be so numerous in our forests as 
some other species. -It is peculiar for the elegant 
rounded shape of the whorls, as seen on their lower 
surface. It rarely varies from the common type, and 


Ec 
‘aph of the Helices . 


for Pide species. The 
n its. ape ty eral usi 


Es destrowing them, that I have 
ed. to keep them by themselves. This 
rey ef et by inserting their narrow bodies, which 
they have the power of elongating and protruding 
i very far from their own shells, into the shells of 
their vietims, and then feeding upon them at their 
leisure. It burrows in the soil under decaying logs. 
The first published description of this shell was 
| a Mt, Say, in 1821, under the name of Hzrix cón- 
cava. „Férussac noticed it (without description) in 
een in his * Prodromus, No, 211," as Hex pla- 
norbóides, and afterwards. gave a figure of it under 
the same name. Mr. Say’s name, has. therefore the 
right of priority, and is universally adopted in this 
country. Férussac quotes Rafinesque for the specific 
name in this case,.as well as in some others; but it 
is not known when or where his descriptions were 
published. In 1839, a second description, with a 
figure, under the name of HELIX. Vancouvertnsis, 
was ` published by Mr. Lea, from large indiyiduals 
brought from Oregon Territory, on the supposition 
that they belonged to a new species. After careful 
examination, I am not able to. perceive any differ- 
ence between the two except that of size. The 
specific character on which Mr. Lea relies, Viz. the 
“ remarkable ” depression of the upper part of the 
lip, and the callus uniting the upper and lower tet 
minations of the lip, are common in specimens. of 
Hex cóncava. froni various parts of the United 


States. Of ave "aside d iie | 

me, taken without selection from a 
three have the depression of the upper 
lip, and all have the callus. therefore. 
Mr. Lea's species to be identical with HELIx cóncav p 
of Say. e on 


21. HELIX PULCHELLA. 


Plate IX. fig. 2. 


; testà minut, orbiculato-depressà, umbilicatà, alba ; anfractibus | 
quatuor; apertura circulari ; labro crasso, albo, margine reflexo. 


i "ue AND REFERENCES. 


Helix as Miller. Verm. Hist., No. 232, p. 


ea Hist. &c., p. 112. aPE VIL, 


figs. 30, 34. 
Lamarck. | Anim. sans Vert., 9d edit., VL 
76. 


Férussac. Hist. des Moll., No. 173. 
Helix pit Montagu. Test. Brit., No. 48, p. 


Helix Mii Say. Journ. A. N. S. ‘Philad., L 123. 
DESCRIPTION. 


Animal. Whitish, semi-transparent. 

Shell. Depressed, slightly. convex above, thin, 
and transparent ; epidermis colorless ; whorls four, 
very minutely striated, the last spreading at the 
mouth like a trumpet; aperture orbicular, a little 
dilated ; ip much thickened, white, reflected, mak- 


oe, 2 
5 


thought by 


— a 
376  Binney’s Monograph of the Helices 


ing nearly a continuous circle ; umbilicus large, 


| eitis: all the volutions. 


Extreme transverse diameter one tenth of an inch. 
—GzosenaPHicanL Disrrisurion. Inhabits Vermont 
and Massachusetts, is rather common in the neigh- 
bourhood of Boston. It has also been noticed in 
Ohio, and on the banks of the Missouri River as high 
as Council Bluffs... 

Remarks. This shell, described by Mr. Say as 
Hzrix minita, is undoubtedly identical with HELIX . 
pulchélla, Miuier ; for, although it is never supplied . 
with raised striæ or parallel ribs on the outer whorl, 
as is sometimes the case with that species, yet it 
agrees with it precisely in all other particulars ; and 
it is be observed, that this character. is by. ne 
means constant in the foreign shell. Though very 
minute, it is a beautiful species, and its form, which 
is seen to most advantage by the aid of a magnifying 
glass, resembles very much that of CycLosroma vól- 
vulus. It is commonly found under stones. 


Europe, but 1 am of opinion that it is a native 
species. It does not seem possible, that so small an 
animal, if naturalized near the sea-shore since the 
arrival of Europeans, should have been able to pene- 
trate to the remote points in the interior of the con- 
tinent where it is now found. TR 


inhabiting the United Sta 
**** Aperture toothed. 


$ 
. 92. HELIX PROFUNDA. 
Plate xy, 
H. testa orbiculato-depressa, latè umbilicata, luteo-cornea, lineis 


fuscis cinctà ; anfractibus tenuiter striatis, striis confertis Messi 
apertura orbiculari ; labro albo, ad basim sub-unidentato; margine r 
flexo. 


Synonyms AND REFERENCES. 
Helix profünda, Say. . Journ. A. N. S. Philad., H. 
s mM icc a 
Say. American li a No. £ PL. 


: '. XXXVII, fig. 3. 
Helix Richàrdi, Lamarck. Anim. sans Vat, 2d 


"edit, VILL. 40. 
Férussac. Hist. des Moll. PI. vi, 3 lower — 
figures 


‘Deshayes. EL F Mith., Vers, II. 219. 
gradu AR 

Animal. Light biown, darker on the head, ied, 
and tentacule,; and. pale on the posterior extremity ; 
foot rather thick, in length less than twice the 
diameter of the shell, terminating acutely. 

Shell. Depressed, slightly convex; epidermis 
yellowish horn-color, with reddish-brown revolving 
lines and bands; whorls from five to six, obliquely 
striated with delicate raised stri? ; suture distinct ; 
aperture almost circular, a little contracted by the 
lip; lip white, reflected, and flattened, with a slightly 

VOL. III. — NO. III. 48 


kn » 
"s Monograph of the Helices 


378 


prominent callus or obtuse tooth on the inner edge 
near the base; umbilicus rather large and profound, 


exhibiting all the volutions to the apex; base convex, ' 


with the strie convergi 

Greatest transverse 
eighth, à 
. GEoaRAPHICAL DisrRrBuTION. Inhabits the banks 
of the Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri rivers; has 
been observed on the latter as high as Council Bluffs. 
Found also in the western parts of Pennsylvania and 
Virginia. : i 

Remarks. This is one of our most remarkable 
shells, by reason of its reddish-brown bands and 
lines. There is usually one band on the upper side 
of each whorl, wholly visible on the body-whorl and 
partially concealed on the spire; while on the lower 
part of the shell there are numerous fuscous lines. 
‘In ‘some instances, the broad band is deficient; 
others the lines, and occasionally the. rufous lea 
extends over the whole shell, leaving only one or 
two lighter lines. The superior and inferior ex- 
tremities of the lip approach each other at their 
_ junction with the body-whorl, leaving only a small 


ó into the umbilicus. —— 
ameter one inch.and one 


E 2 u^ 


space of the whorl between them, and rendering the 


‘aperture almost circular ; a thin whitish callus some- 
times completes the union. I tooth is ve 
in immature shells. 
— Mr. Say’s “ description of this shell was 1s published 
in the year 1821. Lamarck’s description of Hx 
“Richardi did not appear until April, 1822, but he 
‘quotes by anticipation Férussac, Hist. Nat. des Moll., 
Wo. 174; for the specific name, which, however, was 


ù 


s. "a i 
e * 4 m 


$ 
inhabiting the United - 


not then published in shat work, but appeared in the 
Tableau Systématique of that author, in the earlier 
part of the same year. The name of profinda has 
therefore the priority, nd. consequently must be 
adopted." * P. | 


23. HELIX SAYII. ' 


e ‘ * 


Plate XVI. 


H. testa orbiculato-depresst, tenui, luteo-corneà profunde umbili- 


veni anfractibus tenuiter eiie striis ioc obliqui ; apertura , 
stè reflexo, ad i 


otundatâ; labro albo, margine 


m unid ; 5 
kiah unico dente albo, exiguo, armata. : 


BÉ 03 AND | Rorenentrs! be 
Helix diodónta, Say. Repel St. Peers River, 
= ‘IL. 257. PL. AE S 
wee Sun Nobis. i 


i 


"P Éhishal Light admit: coitus smoky, 
eyes black ; head and neck cylindrical, foot narrow, 
terminating in an acute point; length about twice 
the diameter of the shell. 

Shell. Depressed, a little convex, thin; epide 
light russet, shining ; whorls between five an 
with numerous fine, oblique stri; aperture round d, 
not dilated ; lip white, narrow, reflected, with a 
slightly projecting tooth on the ` inner edge near the 
umbilicus ; ; columella with, a sub-prominent white 
tooth ; umbilicus open, deep, not wide, exhibiting 


* Say, in * Asieniesd Conchology,” No. IV. 


$ 


i: x : 1 E $ OM . i i 
: * ës kid 2 w 
380 Bones Monograph, of the Helices 
all the volutions, slightly chtit by the reflected a 
lip? base rounded, with, the strite; distinct, converg-. 
ing into the umbilicus. ` x E ho * 


Transverse diameter commonly less than one inc ; V 

but there are specimens in the Philadelphia Mus LY 

* from Mr. Hyde’s texan méasuring one inch and 2 
three quarters. — — d 
5 . *GEOGRAPHICAL Co — Inhabits all the Á 


northern parts of the United States, from. Illinois to 
Maine. Is rather common a the slopes of the Green ^ 
intains in Vermont. — 
Remarks. "This - isa e species, with E 
delicate, shining Ae ae It is. t likely to be fe ' 
taken for any other species excep i Ax profunda, = | 
. Say, from which it is distinguished. by. its inferior 
size and solidity, sits. narrow lip, and less circular 
aperture, the absence of the brown lines arid ban 
and the presence of the tooth on the pillar lip. It 
varies in the greater or less depression of the spi 
and is Sometimes destitute of the tooth on the. pillar 
lip. 
On the third abe of July, 1836, I discovered an 
individual of this species in the act of laying its eggs 
~in a damp place under alog. I transferred them, 
the animal, to a tin box filled with wet moss. 
"The eggs were not mue | more than half as large as 
- those, of HeLIx albólabris, Sav; they were white, 
adhering together very slightly” flaccid, and appar- 
ently not | tirely filled with fluid. During the 
A. succeeding n. t the number had increased to about 
a “fifty, and in in a few hours they became full and dis- 
tended. As the snail now began to devour the eggs 


D IN LA " £ " 
r be s 
LS E a a A ol ? 4 ai " 


d habiti £ the United States. i "m 


& I was obliged to remove it. On the 29th of July a 


_ the” eggs were d; ; the young snails had 

` whorl et & half, the pes, AA was open, the en 
| uenis were bluish-black, and the other parts 
ti and” semi-transparent. They immediately: 
an to feed, and made their first repast of the 
pellicle of the eggs from which they had just 
emerged. "They grew rapidly, and before the middle. 
of October, when they went into winter quarters, 

they had inereased their. bulk. four or five imes | 
_ beyond its original measure LE 

Mr. Say poured his. 


U ‘TI. al r 
ariii authors as applied kn species prm 
Megerle. ‘It is necessary, therefore, to adopt a new- 
ne. I propose that of Savr, in honor of Tomas 
Say, the describer of the greater part of our land 
shells. Í am aware that the use of proper names for 
this il St has been só much ` abused, «that such an 


known persons, to whom a ‘similar honor fas. 


offered. 


H 


382 Binney's Monograph of the Helices 
t 


.24. HELIX TRIDEIMATA, 


Plates XVII and XVIII. 


H. testi depressi, profundé umbilicata, corneo- -rufescente ; anfrac- 
tibus — striis distinctis, crebris, obliquis ; apertura conti 
trilobatà labro albo, reflexo, dentibus duobus instructo ; columella 
dente albo sub-arcuato arma ata. 

E 
x. Synonyms AND REFERENCES. 
i 
Helix tridentàta, Bay. Nich. Encyc., Am. Ed., IV. 
3 Pi. ii , fiz. 1, very bad figure. ` 
Férussac. Hist. des Moll. Pl. vx, fig. 3. 
Wood. Index Test. Sup. Pi. vu., fig. [^ 
Deshayes. Encyc. Méth., Vers; IL 213. 
Lamarck. , Anim. sans Vert, 2d edit., "n 
5. 


Helix era Say. Journ. A. N. S. Philad., I. 119. 


DESCRIPTIÓN. Ti 89 E 


Animal. Dark. bluish slate-color, deeper on the 
head, back, and tentacule ; length of superior ten- 
tacule about.a quarter of an inch; foot narrow, 


equal i in length to nearly twice the rni of the 


ell, terminating in an acute angle. 

^ Shell. Depressed, a little convex ; BA 
russet-brown ; whorls four and a half to six, : crossed 
obliquely by numerous acute, raised lines; aperture 
trilobate, more or less contracted by a groove behind 
-the lip ; lip white, reflected, its outer contour rounded, 


_ furnished on its inner margin with two acute project 


ing teeth ; pillar-lip with a white, projecting, slightly 


inhabiting the United States. 383 


curved tooth, placed obliquely in the aperture; um- 
bilicus open, deep; base women strice converging 
into the umbilicus. 

Greatest transverse diameter three rem of an 
inch ; common size less than half an inch. 

Chiscii sea ‘Distrisution. — Inhabits all the 
States. Common in forests in - interior, less fre- 
quent near the sea-coast. 

Remarks. "This common and well-marked shell 
varies considerably in size. In the fertile sections 
of the Western States it attains its largest diameter ; : 
in Vermont it usually measures about. half an inch, 
and on the sandy soil óf Florida only a fourth of an 
inch in diameter. It varies also in the characters of 
the lip and aperture. In specimens from the North- 
eastern States the lip is usually narrow, but slightly 
contracting the aperture, the teeth are but little 
prominent, and the spire is flattened, comprising less 
than five whorls. In those from the Western States 
the lip is wider, the aperture more contracted, the 
spire more prominent, and the whorls comprise more 
than five volutions. But the most remarkable variety 
is that which Say considered distinct enough to form 
a séparate species, under the name of Herrx fallar. 
In this, the spire is more elevated, and sometimes has 
six full volutions. There is a deep groove behind the 
lip contracting the aperture; the lip'is widely re- 
flected and directed inwards, forming a basin-shaped 
mouth ; the upper labial tooth is broader, ‘sometimes 
bifid and even trifid, and very much inflected; the 
columellar tooth extends quite to the base of the 
shell, and unites with the extremity of the lip; the 


384 Binney's Monograph of the Helices 


aperture is nearly filled up by the teeth and the con- 
traction of the lip. If this variety were to be seen 
alone it would be adjudged to be a good species, and 
is generally so considered. Having examined a 
great number of every variety from numerous locali- 
ties, I am convinced that they form but one species. 
The animals do not differ in the least degree. 
 Hzuix fridentáta resembles Hexix palliata on its 
Upper surface, as has been mentioned in the remarks 
on that species, but differs from all others. The 
situation in which I have most commonly found it 
is under the layers cf wet and decaying leaves in 
forests; it is also found under flat stones. I have 
one specimen in which the direction of the whorls is 
reversed. ^ T S ie. H 
| The figure of Férussac referred. to represents à 
very small shell, probably the southern . variety. 
Lister’s figure, tab. 92, fig, 92, is. probably intended 
for this shell. Plate XVII. of this work represents 
the variety found.in the Western States ; plate X VIIL, 
"fig. 1, that. from the Northeastern States ; fig. 2, the 
small variety from Florida; fig. 3, the variety fallas 
of Say. nih oki & 


35. HELIX AURICULÁTA. 


` Plate XIX. figs. 1,2. 


H. testa depressá, subtus convexá, corneo-rufescente ; anfractibus 
striatis, striis distinctis, crebris, elevatis ; apertura auriculatá, angus 
tissima, contortuplicata, tingente, marginibus connexis; columellà 
plicà reflexà in aperturam intrante; labro supra prominente, subtus. 
ad basim appresso, interné bi-plicato ;, umbilico apertos © : 


inhabiting the United. States. 385 


Synonyms AND REFERENCES. 


Polygyra auriculàta, Say. Nich. Encyc, Am. ed., 
Vol. IV. Journ. A. N. S. Philad., Y. 277. 

Polygyra avàra, Say. Nich. Encyc., Am. edit., IV. 
Journ. A. N. Na Philad., Y. 277. 

Helix avàra, Férussac. Hist. ti Moll. Pl Z5 


s fig. 2. 
Helix auriculàta, Férussac. Hist. des Moll. Pl. 
L., figs. 3, 4. 
Lamarck. Anim. sans Vert., 2d edit., VIII. 


Helix Sayii, Wood. Index Test. Sup. PUUWEL 
Mes prd. c sem 


DESCRIPTION. 


- Animal. Longer than the ith of the shell, 
acute behind, above granulated and blackish, beneath 
and each side white.* — : 

Shell. Depressed, very slightly convex above, 
below convex; epidermis brownish horn-color ; 
whorls more than five, a little rounded, crossed by 
numerous distinct, equidistant, oblique stris, the 
upper part of the last whorl near the mouth is sud- 
denly reflected from the preceding whorl and turned 
outwards, having a sharp carina on its inner edge, 
the lower part is slightly reflected, but attached; 
lip projecting in the upper part, somewhat reflected 
. in the middle, and appressed to the whorl and in- 


* Say, in Nichol ^. T. 3 lia, Americ edition, Vol. IV. 
VOL. IH, — NO. m. A9 


386 ^ Binney's Monograph of the Helices 


dented below ; pillar-lip emarginate, strongly re- 
flected and pressed upwards into the aperture in an 
acute angle; aperture ear-shaped, throat very nar- 
row, with a lamellar fold or tooth within above, and 
another more external below, with a deep suleus 
between them; umbilicus open, carinated and 
grooved on the last whorl, exhibiting nearly two 
volutions. 

Greatest transverse diameter more th half an 

inch. 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. ' dhiii Georgia 
and Florida, common near St. Augustine and at 
various places on St. John’s River. 

Remarks. This is one of several curious species, 
which were discovered by Mr. Say in Florida, and 
of which he formed the genus Poryeyra, so called 
from the numerous whorls of some of them. "The 
animal does not appear to differ from that of Herr; 
and, as mere peculiarities in the shell are not recog- 
nised as sufficient for the subdivision of genera, his 
distinction has not obtained. Mr. Say gives a sep- 
arate measurement of males and females, from which 
it would seem that: he considered the animals to be 
unisexual, a distinction which, if correct, would . 
effectually separate it from Hetix, the animal of 
which, in every ¢ase, combines both sexes, in the 
sarne individual. I have had occasion to notice con- 
siderable numbers 'of the animal of Poryevna septem- 
vólva, Sav, but have not observed any fact which 
would tend to confirm such an opinion. On the 
contrary, it has appeared to me, that they were 
analogous in all respects to the animals of the genus 

ELIX. R on ! 


inhabiting the United States. 387 


This shell is peculiar for the complicated form of 
its aperture, which bears:a considerable resemblance 
to the human ear. In mature individuals the lip is 
very much projected, the folds within the aperture 
are prominent, and the aperture greatly contracted. 
The laminated folds within are marked by corre- 
sponding depressions externally, behind the reflection 
of the lip. At different periods of growth the aper- 
ture differs very much.in appearance, and has led 
naturalists into error. When the lip is just begin- 
ning. to be formed, and as yet projects but little, 
there are two projecting teeth on its inner edge 
with a deep sulcus between dent; as these con- 
appearance of lamellar folds, the lower one of which, 
when viewed on a line perpendicular. to the base of 
the shell, hides the other. 'The columellar fold, at 
the same early period, appears more like an inde- 
pendent tooth, to each extremity of which the lip is 
connected. It is this variety which Mr. Say de- 
scribed as a distinet species, under the name of Porx- 
eyra avira. This opinion [I derive not so much 
from his descriptions as from the examination of 
original specimens, collected and labelled by him, 
now in my possession. I also consider Hetax Fera- 
siàna, Monicawp, (Mém: de la Soc. de Physique 
et d' Hist. Nat. de Genève, VI. 538. Plow, fig. 2,) 
to represent this shell. The specific. description of 
this author would apply to several of our tridentate 
Species, but the engraved figure represents: very 
exactly a variety of this species with an immature 
aperture. M. Férussac referred H. Texasiana to 


388 Binney's Monograph of the Helices 


the next species.* Plate XIX., fig. 1, represents 
the mature shell; fig. 2, the young shell descHibed 
by Say, as P. avara. 


26. HELIX FATIGIATA. 


. Plate XIX. fig. 3. 


H. testa sub-planulatà, umbilicatà, Iuteo-corneá ; anfractibus striatis, 
striis distinctis, crebris, elevatis; aperturà sub-orbiculari, contracta ; 
labro albo, reflexo, intus iden tats’; ; columella plicd sub-acutà in 
medio aperture projectà. ; 


SYNONYMS AND REFERENCES. 


Polygyra plicàta, Say. Journ. A. N. S. | Philad, 
IL 161. Nich. Encyc., Am. edit., Vol. IV. 

Polygyra fatigiàta, Say. Disseminator of Useful 
Knowledge, 1829. 

Polygyra Dorfeuillana, Lea. Trans. Am. Phil Soc. 
VI. 107. Pl. xxxv., fig. 118 

Polygyra Troostiana, Lea. Toidem, VL 107. Ex l 
xxiv., fig. 119. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Animal. Not hitherto noticed. - 

Shell. Plane above or a little convex ; <; epidermis 
light russet ; whorls more than five, with numerous 
raised, ilidnes equidistant striae; aperture shaped 
like a horseshoe; lip equally reflected, regularly 
arcuated, describing two thirds of a circle, with @ 
depression behind its reflection ; within the aperture, 


* Bulletin ARTENE 2d Seet., p. 85. 


inhabiting the United States. 389 


on the outer side of the whorl, are two prominent 
white teeth, the lower near the base conical, the 
upper more compressed and placed farther within ; 
columella with an oblique tooth or fold projecting 
toward the centre of the aperture, and connected by 
slightly-raised curved lines of callus with the supe- 
rior and inferior extremities of the lip; base of the 
shell showing about one and a half volutions of the 
spire. 

Greatest transverse diameter more than one third 
of an inch. 

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. Found hitherto in 
Illinois, Ohio, Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee. * 
Though not common, it seems to be a Wily apes 
species. 

Remarks. This peculiar and interesting shell has 
been hitherto rare in collections, and is therefore but 
little known. Some specimens are entirely flat on 
the upper surface, in some the strie of the whorls 
are distinct on the upper and lower surfaces, in others 
only on the upper, leaving the lower surface smooth. 
The outer whorl is occasionally carinated. 'The 
aperture is usually shaped like a horseshoe. ‘The 
teeth within the aperture might escape notice if not 
looked for. ‘The columellar tooth varies consider- 
ably, being in ‘some thin and oblique, connected by 
‘delicate lines of callus at either extremity with the 
lip, in others larger and more prominent, with the 
space between the two lines of callus more or less 
filled up with testaceous matter. This species was 
first described by Mr. Say, as Potyeyra plicáfa. A 
variety differing in some slight particulars, but found 


^ 


AF 


Og 


890 Binney’s Monograph of the Helices 


at a point very remote from the first, was described 
by him as Poryeyra fatigiata. Recently, Mr. Lea 
has enlarged its synonomy by the addition of two 
new specific names. The distinctions on which the 
latter has founded his species, in this instance, are 
not, I think, sufficient for that purpose ; if admitted 
to be valid, they would lead to an infinite multipli- 
cation of .species, and burthen the descriptive part of 
Natural History with a mass of matter beyond, the 
compass of any mind. 
Having in my possession original specimens of 
Potyeyra plicàta labelled by Mr. Say, and having 
" through the politeness of Mr. Lea had the opportu- 
nity. of examining the specimens from which he 
made his descriptions of Poryevna Dorfeuillàna and 
Troostiàòna, the opinion which I derived from his 
descriptions and figures has been confirmed, and I 
cannot doubt the specific identity of the three. 
There is, however, much difficulty in identifying 
specimens of Mr. Say's Potyeyre ; they vary much 
in size at maturity, and the younger shells differ from 
the older in a remarkable manner in the character of 
the aperture. There is a small shell figured by 
Férussae, Hist. Nat. des Moll., pl x, fig. 1, 89 
Porxevna pástula, Say. Its general characters agree 
with the species under consideration, but the aper 
ture is kidney-shaped, the lip reflected, ` thickened 
internally, and. divided by a deep cleft or sinus. It 
is distinctly umbilicated, and the lip extends to the 
edge of the umbilicus. The duplicature . of the colu- 
mella terminates in an acute angle, and is connected 
with either termination of the lip. 'T'he only recent 


* 


ET 


inhabiting the United States. 391 


specimen which Į have seen is an imperfect one in 
the cabinet of Mr. Lea. It is impossible to decide 
from a single specimen, whether it be the young of 
the present species, which is probable, or is entitled 
to be considered a distinct species. The original 
specific name plicata being preoccupied in this genus, 
I have I Mr. T s second name, fatigiata. 


27. HELIX SEPTEMVOLVA. 


Plate XIX. fig. 4. 


H. testa orbiculari, planulata, umbilicatà, corned ; anfractibus nu- 
merosis, obliqué et acuté striatis; aperturá ab axe remotá, sub-orbicu- * 
lari, marginibus connexis; columellà unilamellatà; labro albido, 
margine reflexo. : | 


| Synonyms axo Rrrrnrxcrs, | 
Polygyra septemvólva, Say. Journ. A. N. S. Phil, 
I. 278. Nich. Encyc., Am. edit., Vol. IV. 
Helix septemvólva, Férussac. - Hist. Nat. des Moll. 
Pl. 11., fig. 6. 
Wood. Index Test. Sup. Pl. vu, fe. 14. 
Deshayes. Encye. Méth., Vers, 11. 208. — 
Helix planórbula, Lamarck. Anim. sans Vert., 2d 
edit., Il. 67. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Wididat, Brownish, tentacule darker, eyes Black; 
foot narrow, thin, semi-transparent, receiving its 
color in some degree from the substance on which 
it is placed ; —_ less than twice the "Wm of 
the shell. 


Los 


392  Binney's Monograph of the Helices 


_ Shell. Discoidal, sub-carinated; epidermis cor- 
neous ; whorls from less than six to more than eight, 
narrow, compressed; diminishing very gradually in 
width from the aperture to the apex, with raised, 
acute, tranverse lines, which are nearly obsolete on 
the base; lips- continuous round the aperture ; outer 
lip reflected, with a groove behind the reflection, 
regularly rounded so as to describe two thirds of a 
circle; pillar-lip with an acute fold, or tooth, pro- 
jecting towards the aperture; base showing from 
two to four volutions in the same plane, with a 
moderaté umbilicus, extending to the apex. 

Greatest transverse diameter nearly five eighths of 
an inch, commonly much less. 

GrocenaPHICAL Distrisutron. Inhabits Georgia, 
Florida, and Alabama. Very common on the. sea. 
islands. I noticed immense numbers of them on a 
small island in St. Joseph's Bay, Florida, under the 
decaying leaves of. the palm tree, in conpany with 
a species of HELICINA. 

Remarks. The compressed, discoidal shape of 
this shell, and its numerous narrow whorls revolving 
round their axis in the same. plane, seem to distin- 
guish it from other species. It varies in being occa 
sionally a little convex, more or less carinate, and in 
exhibiting a greater or less number of full volutions 
on the base. I have seen specimens of this shell, 
which were said to be brought from one of the West 
India islands. It is very probable that this, as well 


as other species, is common both to the peninsula 


of Florida and the nearest islands of the Gulf of 
Mexico. 


inhabiting the United. States. 393 


83, HELIX LABYRINTHICA. 
Plate XXVI. fig. 1. 
H. testa minutissimá, sub-conicd, apice obtuso, corneo-lutescente ; 
anfractibus striatis, striis distinctis, obliquis; labro incrassato, sub- 


reflexo; umbilico minimo, impresso; columellà dente laminato in 
aperturam intrante, 


Synonyms AND REFERENCEs. 


Helix labyrinthica, Say. Journ. A. N. S. Philad., 
I. 124. Nich. Encyc., Am. edit., IV. — 
Férussac. Hist. des Moll. Pl. xx., B. fig. 1. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Animal. Not hitherto observed. | 

. Shell. "Very minute, conic, apex obtuse ; epider- 
mis brownish horn-color ; whorls six, with conspicu- 
ous, elevated, obtuse, equidistant, oblique lines; lip 
thickened, somewhat. reflected ; columella with a 
long, lamelliform, raised line or tooth, which appears 
to revolve within the shell parallel to the suture, and 
sometimes a second, nearer to the base, less conspicu- 
ous, and terminating farther within the aperture; 
base flat; umbilicus small, impressed. 

Greatest transverse diameter one tenth of an inch. 

GzocRaPHICAL Distrisution.. Inhabits a wide 
range of territory ; was noticed by Mr. Say in, Mis- 
souri; is found in Vermont, and also in Massachu- 
setts. : 

Remarks. This species is of about the same size 
as HELIX rupéstris, Draparnaup, of Europe. It is 
very remarkable for the raised parallel lamine which 

VOL. III. — NO. HI. < 


394 _ Descriptions of two 


revolve within the shell, terminating abruptly on the 
columella. Usually but one of them is apparent. 
When both are visible, their parallel and curved lines 
bear some resemblance to the track of a railroad. 
The oblique striæ on the whorls are very conspicu- 
ous. It varies much in the height of the spire, some 
specimens being very much flattened, others witha 
pointed apex ; usually the spire is high and rounded 
at the apex. . The aperture is moderate, not dilated, 
and often delicately roseate. Found in forests in 
the interstices of decaying logs, and under the E^ 
of wet and decomposing leaves. 
(To be continued.) 


ART. XII. — DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO NEW SPECIES OF 
ANCULOTUS. By J. G. Aytuony. (Read December 18th, 1839.) 


i 
\ 


ANCULOTUS. CARINA' TUS. 


Pl. UL fig. 5. Cabinets of J. G. Anthonys Mrs. 
-. Say, and Dr. J. P. Kirtland. 


- Shell oblong, spire as long as the aperture ; volu- 


tions four, convex; suture not remarkable ; body- 
‘whorl angularly ventricose, color olivaceous; from 
two to five elevated black carine, commencing at 


the upper part of the aperture, traverse the body-. 


whorl ; aperture within bluish-white and translu- 
cent, the carin? being very apparent through: it 
Extreme length, inch. Extreme breadth, } inch. 
— For this: beautiful species of Anculótus I ami 
debted to Mrs. Say, who found it at the Falls of the 
Kanawha a few weeks since, and kindly presented 
me with specimens of it for description. 


* 
new Species of y ow 395 


The spire in young specimens is nearly pointed, 
but in the adult is truncated, presenting rarely more 
than three whorls; in some specimens a black band 
passes round each whorl near its upper edge. The 
operculum is striated in oblique curves. 


ANCULO TUS KinTLANDIA NUS. 


Pl. II. fig. 4. Cabinets of J. G. Mun Mrs. 
Say, and Dr. J. P. ween 


Shell turreted, with four convex whorls; spire 
truncated, the truncation generally destroying one 
of the volutions ; the body-whorl slightly ventricose ; 
color dark-olive ; aperture sub-ovate ; base attenu- 
ated, within eiii and banded. Length 
i inch. Breadth, 4 inch. 

Another species which I owe to the Mone of 
Mrs. Say. It is found in the same situations with 
A. carinütus ; it resembles very much a Mevanta, the 
spire being quite as much elevated as in most of the 
species of that genus; the young are wah beauti- . 
- banded. 


ART. XIII. — MONOGRAPH OF THE SPECIES OF PUPA 
FOUND IN THE UNITED STATES ; WITH FIGURES. By 
. Aveusrus A. Govrp, M. D. (Read November 3d, 1840.) 


Having recently become interested in the exami- 
nation of the American species of the genus Pura, 
I have found very great confusion and uncertainty 
prevailing in regard to them. The objects them- 


396 Monograph of the Species of 


selves are minute and difficult to examine ; the num- 
ber of teeth, which is one of the most important 
specific characters, varies at. different stages of ma- 
turity ; and, what is still more unfortunate, Mr. Say, 
who gave names to all the species which have been 
hitherto described, gave us no figures in illustration 
of his descriptions. These are the sources of con- 
fusion, and hence I have received, from our best 
conchologists, a single species under four of the six 
names that Mr. Say applied to his different species. 

It would be well, if, in writing descriptions, the 
teeth were arranged as primary and secondary, in- 
dicating by the primary those teeth which are always 
present when there are any, and by secondary those 
which are superadded in the progress of growth, or 
at maturity. Such a division would be applicable 
in regard to almost every species.. 

I have collected every specimen of Pura which I 
could find in the cabinets of Boston, and have re- 
ceived numbers from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and 
Ohio, and I have carefully examined every individual. 
By means of a stationary microscope of moderate 
power, and by employing a convex lens in such a way 
as to bring the rays of the sun to a focus within the 
aperture of the shell, I have been enabled to ob- 
fain a fair view of the deeply seated teeth. ` 

I have made out some of Mr. Say’s species with 
certainty, and have become satisfied with regard to 
others in my possession, that they were unknown to 

im. Two or three of his species I have not yet 
seen, or have failed to identify them. — 

It is hoped that the accompanying figures may 


Pupa found in the United States. 397 


put an end to furtlier doubts as to the species which 
they represent; and, by the aid of conchological 
friends, I may hereafter be enabled to present figures 
of the remaining un-illustrated species. I would es- 
pecially request of those who have species not here 
described, that they would favor me with the loan of 
them, or send me descriptions or figures of them. 


PUPA CORTICARIA. 
Plate III. fig. 19. : 


P. test, albidà, sub-cylindraced, obtusa ; anfractibus quinque ; 
aperturà sub-orbiculari; labio dente unico prope angulum externum, 
sub-dentato ad angulum internum ; labro reyoluto. 


* Odostómia corticaria. Shell dextral, cylindrical, 
obtuse at the apex; whorls five, nor perceptibly 
wrinkled or striate. Aperture sub-orbicular, lip re- 
flected; a single tooth on the pillar lip, near the 
outer angle ; inner angle with ah angular projection 
resembling a second tooth, sometimes Obsolete. . 

“ Length about a tenth of an inch. 

* Very common under the bark of trees near ‘the 
earth, and resembles Turbo muscoérum of authors." 
(Say, in Nicholson's Encyclop. v ed.), article 
Conchology, pl. 1v., fig. 5.) 

The shell, ‘tien fresh, is tritisjeréfii; and of. a 
spermaceti-color; but it is usually found opaque 
and chalky. All the specimens I have seen were 
from Ohio. Mr. Earle, however, in his “Catalogue 
of Massachusetts Land Shells,” enumerates this as a 
native. The shell, which has hitherto borne this 
name in the Society’s Cabinet, is Pura contracta. 


398 . Monograph of the Species of 


Mr. Say compares it with T. enuscórum, of Monta- 
gu, not Linnzus, (P. wmbilicata, Drav.), to which it 
does not bear a very strong resemblance. . He states - 
it.to be very common under the bark of trees; but 
it certainly is very rare in collections. 


[ 
PUPA EXIGUA. 
Plate III. fig. 20. 


P. testa minutissimá, albida, oblongo- ovata, sub-acuminatà; an- 
fractibus quinque convexis ; labio per-obliquo, prope MOM inter- 
m dentato ; columellà sab dentatà ; labro revoluto 


fs * Shell dsectenls tapari oblong, | with ‘minute 
grooved lines; apex obtuse; whorls five; suture 
deeply impressed ; labium bolone ti superior tooth 
situate rather beneath the -middle of the lip, inferior 
tooth small, placed on the columella ; labrum mpi 
reflected, not flattened; umbilicus distinct. 

“Length more than one twentieth of an inch. 

“This is the smallest species I have seen.. Its apet- 
ture resembles that of P..(Cary’chium) corticaria; but 
the superior tooth of the labium of that shell is 
situate much nearer to the: superior termination of 
the labrum than the corresponding tooth, of, iat 
diminutive species. It is probably a Cary carom.” 
(Sax. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc., Ml. 375.) 

: Mr. Say found it near Philadelphia. Professor Adams 
has obtained it near Middlebury, Vt., and it has been 
collected in various regions in Ohio, by Dr. 1 
Dr, Ward,- and Mr. J.-G. Anthony. A few speci- 
mens have been found under moist boards in Cam- 
bridge. 


Pupa found in the United States. 399 


It is remarkable for its minuteness, its tapering 
form, and its very oblique, oval aperture: The simi- 
larity between it and the “Turbo cary'chiwm, of Mon- 
tagu (Test. Brit. 339. Suppl. pl. xxn., fig. 2.), which 
is the Cary'chium minimum of Leach and Pfeiffer, is 
almost perfect. 


I 
PUPA CONTRACTA. 
Plate III. fig. 22. 


P. testå alba, ventricoså, -obtash ; ; anfractibus quinque convexis ; 
aperturà sub- triangulari, expansa ; labio ! dente magno excavato; labro 
revoluto, sinuato ; dente altero in faucibus profundo, 


* Shell dextral, short, subovate, white; apex ob- 
tuse ; whorls five ; umbilicus distinct ; aperture irreg- 
ularly orbicular, complete, thé lamina of the labium 
being elevated above the surface of the preceding 
whorl, and joining the extremities of the labia ; la- 
bium with a large, elongated, prominent tooth, which 


. is concave on the side towards the labrum ; labrum 


bidentate; a large tooth or fold far within the throat, 
caused by the fold of the umbilicus ; throat much 
contracted by the large tooth " the labrum into the 
form of a horseshoe. 
. ** Total length less than one tenth of an i iehi 
- “This is a short, wide species, sufficiently distinet 
from others, and readily distinguished by the lamina 
of the labrum being much elevated, and by the mag- 
nitude of thé tooth of the labium. This species 
probably belongs to the genus Carycuium.” (Say. 
Journ. Acad. Nat. Se., VI. 374.) 

Mr. Say found it in Virginia. It has since btéfod 


400 Monograph of the Species of » 
ME 
to be a wide-spread species, and has been found in 
all the northern range of States, wherever it has 
been sought for. When fresh, it seems to be invested 
with a glutinous pubescence, by which particles of 
earth become entangled and partially conceal it. 


PUPA ARMIFERA. 
Plate III. fig. 10. 


P. testà grised, cylindraceA, obtusd; anfractibus sex planulatis; 
aperturà semiovali, dentibus quinque acm quorum unus meer 
natus labio, unus ad columellam affixu 


* Shell dextral, oblong-oval or somewhat mes 
fusiform ; suture distinct; whorls six, obsoletely 
wrinkled ; aperture longitudinally sub-ovate; exte- 
rior lip reflected, but not flattened, interrupted above 
by the penultimate whorl, and with five teeth, of 
which the superior one and that which precedes the 
basal one are smallest; labrum with an undulated 
lamelliform tooth, its anterior extremity little ele- 
vated, but elongated, so as almost.to join the superior 
extremity. of the exterior lip. 

" Length three twentieths of an inch. 

“ Very distinct from P. corticária;in being a much 
larger and proportionally more dilated shell, and, 
with that species, seems to belong more properly to 
the genus Cary'cuium of Müller and Férussac.” (Sax. 
Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc., II. 162.) 

Mr. Say found it in upper. Missouri. E" is very 
abundant in Ohio, but I have not heard of any speci- 
mens found on this side of the Alleghanies. 

He notices, that sometimes one and sometimes the 


e Pupa found in the United States. 401 
two smallest teeth are wanting. Indeed I have found 
only one specimen in which the little basal tooth is 
present ; while there is very frequently an additional 
tooth on the outer lip, posterior to the others. If we 
except P. placida, a somewhat doubtful species, it is 
the largest Pupa of the' United States, and.is not 
likely to be confounded with any other. 


PUPA PRÓCERA. 
Plate IIL fig. 12. 

P. testa cylindraceà, elongata, apice obtus&; anfractibus sex, con- 
vexis, obliqué striatis ; apertura semi-ovali, dentibus sex armata, quo- 
rum posterior emarginatus. 

Shell elongated, ovate-cylindrical, obtuse at apex, 
of a brownish horn-color; whorls six, convex, the 
three anterior ones of nearly equal diameter, and the 
three posterior ones forming a very obtuse apex ; 
suture deep; aperture semi-oval, rather longer than 
broad ; lip brown, somewhat incumbent at the middle 
of the right side, unequally reflected, not flattened; 
and curving at an abrupt angle before it joins the 
preceding whorl; throat armed with five teeth ; one 
on the middle of the transverse lip is compressed, 
stretehing towards the junction of the outer lip, and 
emarginate at the middle, sometimes even bicuspid ; a 
conical one on the pillar a little below its junction 
with the transverse lip, and sometimes there is a 
small denticle at the base of this ; a smaller one at 
the'anterior termination of the pillar; a small one, 
often wanting or inconspicuous without a large mag- 
nifier, about the middle of the outer lip; and the 

VOL. III. — NO. II, 51 


402 Monograph of the Species of 


fifth, broad and considerably elevated, seen at the 
very depth of the cavity of the aperture as we look 
down into it, opposite to the tooth of the transverse 
lip; umbilicus small and open. 

Length y i, of an inch; breadth 1, of an inch. 

"This very distinct species was sent to me by Pro- 
fessor E. Foreman, of Baltimore, who seems to have 
found it plentifully. It comes nearer to P. rupicola, 
than to any of Mr. Say’s species. 


PUPA MILIUM. 
Plate III. fig. 23. 


P. testà minutissimà, ovali, castaneà ; anfractibus quatuor convexis, 
obliqué statis; apertura cordati, dentibus sex, compressis armata, 
quorum duobus labio affixis. 


. Shell minute, of a E a form, color 2 
light-chestnut ; whorls four or somewhat more, ob- 
viously wrinkled obliquely, rather convex; apex 
bluntly rounded; suture deep; aperture half the 
width of the last wha heart-shaped, the apex being 
at the right posterior angle; the transverse margin is 
nearly direct ; the outer lip is scolloped by an inden- 
tation of the lip; the remainder of the margin is 
regularly arcuated ; lip white, slightly everted ; throat 


with six teeth, two of which are on the transverse 
lip, equidistant ; one, with a tubercle at its base; is 


on the middle of the columella, and nearly at right 
angles with the preceding, and is the largest ; à fourth 
is on the indenture of the outer lip, directed between 


the two on the transverse lip; and two smaller ones 
more retired within the shell, are equidistant between. 


Pupa found in the United States. A03 


the two last-mentioned ; umbilicus large and deep. 
Length less than ṣẹ of an inch; breadth J, of an 
inch. (^7 FAO 1 1 

This is the most minute species I have yet seen ; 
even more so than P. ertgwa. In size and outline 
it may be compared with P. vértigo, Drar., ( Vértigo 
pusilla of other authors) of Europe; but that isa 
reversed shell. The teeth are all distinct, long, com- 
pressed, and very sharp. I first discovered it at Oak 


- Island, Chelsea, on a warm, damp day, jin November, 


1839, crawling upon fallen leaves, in company with 
Bulimus libricus. Professor Adams has since found 
itin Vermont. It, doubtless, has a wide range, but 
its minuteness renders it difficult to be detected. — 
. PUPA SIMPLEX. 
"© plate III. fig. 91. 
P. testa minima, cylindraceá, obtusà, levi ; anfractibus sex, sub- 
planulatis; aperturá orbiculari, edentula. 
Shell minute, the two anterior thirds cylindrical, 
surmounted by a rapidly formed, blunt apex; light 


~ chestnut-colored. Whorls five, moderately convex, 


separated by a well-impressed suture, quite smooth ; 
aperture circular, excepting a slight encroachment 
by the preceding whorl ; lip simple, sharp, slightly 
everted on the left side, and partially hiding a small 
umbilicus. No trace of a tooth has been detected. 
Length ~, of an inch ; breadth +; of an inch. 

The only locality where this has been found is 
a small grove, a little northward of Fresh Pond, in 


Cambridge. In this place numerous specimens have 


404 Monograph on Pupa. 


been found by myself and others, at every season 
from May to November. They live amòng the de- 
caying leaves, in company with Hxrix lineata, laby- 
rinthica, chérsina, and indentàta. Having been 
gathered in spring and autumn, we may safely sup- 
pose some of them to have been adult ; yet none of 
them exhibit any trace of a tooth. Its cireulàr aper- 
ture readily distinguishes it from all our other species. 
It is nearly identical, however, with P. edéntula, 
Drar. gii nitida, F ÉRus. s) 


PUPA BADIA. 


Pupa bidia, Avams, p. 331, pl. IIL,. fig. 18, is- 
almost precisely like P. marginata, Drap., BRARD., 
&c., the P. muscorum, Lam.. It belongs to the 
genus Pu»rinrs, Leach. See Turton's Manual (ah 8 
edit.), 196., pl. vır., fig. 79. 


(To be continued.) 


1 


: 


BOSTON 


JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 


Vor. m NON BMBSE. 1840. Xat 


ART. I. "T. MONOGRAPH. OF THE HELICES INHABIT- 
ING THE UNITED ition By Amos Buvsex, M. D. (Con- 
unuta froin 2 — 


serio TI. ir SIMPLE: 


€. — chased, or earl ns: 


29. HELIX INTERNA. 
Plate XXI. fig. 1. 


H. testi convexo-depressi, imperforati, rufi; anfractibus oeto, 
valde. striatis, striis elevatis, crebris, obliquis; aperturá transversali, 
angustà ; labro simpliei, acuto, intus incrassato et bidentato; dentibus 
sani; basi levigato; regione umbilicali impresså. 


* The presence or absence of an umbilical opening is much less to 
be depended on, as a distinctive character for the subdivision of this 
genus, than: I pet it to be when I adopted it in the introdue- 


VOL. IJI. — NO. IV. ‘ ss 


406 Binney’s Monograph of the Helices 


Synonyms AND REFERENCES. 


Helix intérna, Say. Journ. A. N. S. Philad, 
IL 155 


Helix Pomum-Adami, DEN Cabinet of Natural 
History. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Animal. Not hitherto observed. ' 

Shell. Depressed, slightly convex; epidermis 
reddish-brown, shining ; whorls eight, with regular, 
equidistant, elevated, oblique stri, separated by dis- 
tinct grooves; suture deeply: impressed ; aperture 
flattened, transverse, narrow ; lip thin,’ acute, thick- 
ened internally ; within the aperture, on the outer 
lip somewhat distant from the margin, are two 
prominent, lamelliform, white teeth; base smooth, 
polished ; umbilical region indented. 

Greatest transverse diameter one fourth of an inch. 

GeocrapuicaL Disrrisution. Inhabits ‘Ohio, 
Missouri, and the western parts of Pennsylvania and 
Virginia. It will probably be found in all the 
Western States. 

Remarks. This is a beautiful as + well as à a very 
distinct species. Its uniform shining teddish brown 
color is peculiar to it. Its numerous narrow whorls 
increasing almost Wipereptibly. in width. from the 


found a a I slicahd adopt the presence or absence. of teeth 

ure. 1 include in this section those species in whieh the 
umbilicus is wholly or nearly obsolete in its most mature and perfect 
. state, although in a younger stage of growth it may be well n 


inhabiting the United States. 407 
apex outward, with their very prominent elevated 
strie of increase, give it a considerable resemblance 
on the upper surface to the Poryevnx of Say, but on 
the base the similarity ceases. The aperture in- 
cluding the teeth is very much like that of Hrix 
gularis, Say, but is smaller in proportion to the size 
of the shell, and the teeth are shorter and less lam- 
ellar, while they are equally prominent.  'The 
oblique striz, so distinct on the upper surface, cease 
entirely at an obtuse carina on the upper part of the 
outer whorl, leaving the base smooth. The base is 
rather lighter in color than the upper surface, and is 
indented in the centre. The umbilicus is nearly or 
quite obsolete. The edge of the lip is brown. The 
whole surface sometimes, and the base often, reflects 
a metallic lustre. 

The teeth within the. à pérpire are in general 
formed of a single lamina or fold, but sometimes one 
or both of them are bifid or even trifid. In some 
specimens, I have observed a second pair of teeth, 
throtigh the base of the shell, at the distance of three 
fourths of a volution ` from the aperture, with indis- 
tinct marks of a third set yet further removed. 
These internal teeth (in this and in other species) 
undoubtedly mark certain periods of increase. ‘The 
growth seems to go on actively for a time by the 
addition of new testaceous matter, indicated by the 
oblique stri», and then alternates with a’ season of 
repose, when thé teeth and aperture are formed and 
used. It is quite likely that these periods are annual. 
The teeth appear never to be entirely absorbed and 
removed, although the aperture near which they 


408  Binmeg'n Monograph Ren elices 


were originally race is often. advanced very far 
een them. » 


i Mit .. 80. HELIX GULARIS. . 


Plate XI. fig. 1. 


H. testi convexd, sub-eleyatà, nitidà, imperforata, luteo-corneà ; 
anfractibus septem, minut? striatis ; NC simplici, acuto, intus in- 
erassato; apertura transversali, Bree duobus lamellatis interné 
armata ; basi plano. 


SYNONYMS AND REFERENCES. * 


Helix gulàris, Say. Journ, Ay. Na Philad., 
II. 156. 


- DESCRIPTION. 


Animal.. Not hitherto noticed. 

Shell. Sub-conical ; epidermis shining, pale yi 
lowish horn-color; spire tending to a point; whorls 
seven, very minute at the apex, increasing in diameter 
sieis and gradually until they reach the aperture, 
with very fine oblique striæ ; suture impressed and 
distinct; aperture transverse, not much expanded; 
lip simple, thin at its edge, within thickened ; base 
flat, indented in the centre, near the aperture yellow- 
ish-white and opake ; umbilicus small and rounded 
in young shells, obsolete or diminished to a mere 
perforation in older ones; within the aperture on the 
outer lip are two lucis. elongated, nearly parallel 
teeth, one near the base, the other more central. 

Greatest transverse diameter. more than one fodit 
of an inch. 

GEOGRAPHICAL Disrumeriov. Inhabits Pennsyl- 


vania, "--— irginlk; North olina, and Ala- 
bama. It is said by Mr: Say to be found in Ohio. 
Remarks. The identification of this and the next 
described species has long been a desideratum, Speci- 
mens of a small shell, with a small and rounded but 
profound umbilicus, and with two internal teeth, 
exist in almost every cabinet. In some particulars 
they. resemble Heu gulàris, Say, i in others HELIX 
suppréssa, Sax, and, as the resemblance preponderates 
in fayor of one or the other, they are known by one 
or the other name. They do not, however, agree 
entirely with Mr. Say’s description of either, and 
hence some conchologists have supposed that he 
described from varieties only; but I have recently 
examined a shell from Alabama, belonging to the 
cabinet of Mr. Lea, which corresponds perfectly with 


the description. It is much larger than the common ` 


specimens, being one fourth of an inch in diameter, 
and differs. from. them in having the umbilicus en- 
tirely closed. It has seven full whorls, which are 
beautifully fine and distinct to the very nucleus, 
"which is uncommonly small. I consider the umbili- 
cated shells to be immature, or'not fully developed, 
though an examination of a larger nümber may show 
that the full grown shell is also umbilicated. 

The present species resembles HeL1x suppréssa, 
which is next described, for which it may be mis- 
taken. It is distinguished from it by the following 
differences. 1t has one more whorl; the spire is 
more conieal; the nucleus of the shell is much 
smaller, so that the first two whorls are finer and 
more delicate; the base is not so convex, and there 
are two teeth in the aperture. 


g the United. E 409 . 


* 


410 Binney's Monograph of the Helices 


It is the totality a the characters which make up 
the species, for individuals differ considerably in the 
height of the spire, the size of the umbilicus, and in 
the degree of prominence of the teeth. One x is 
occasionally wanting. 

The deposition. of testaceous matter, ees 
the shell at its aperture, occupies about one fourth of 
the base through which it is seen. The character 
of the lamellar folds within the aperture resembles 
those of Hexix epístylum, Murter, in which species 
they are large and prominent, although bese over- 
looked in the — 


31. HELIX SUPPRESSA. 


Plate XI. fig: 3. 


H. testa convexà sub- -depressá, mu ideae nitidà, luteo-cor- 
neà; anfractibus sex, numerosé et minuté stri ; labro simplici, 
dio, intus incrassato ; apertura transversàli, vea unico — 
armata. j 


SYNONYMS AND REFERENCES.. 


Helix suppréssa, Say. Disseminator of Useful 
sss nie nd New fete oer Til. 1829. 


Descnrezros. 


dnd Not hitherto Goal. ; 

Shell. Convex, depressed, pellucid ; -epidermis 
polished, yellowish horn-color ; spire. flat; ‘whorls 
six, with crowded minute obliquo strie ; suture im- 
pressed, distinct ; aperture transverse, not expanded ; 


v £y 


inhabiting the United State. Wi 


lip simple, thin at its edge, ` ened within ; base 
. rather convex, near the aperture opake, yellowish 
white ; umbilicus small, but rounded and distinct in 
young shells, obsolete or hardly apparent in older 
ones ; within the aperture on the outer lip is a single 
lamelliform, elongated, oblique tooth. 

Greatest transverse diameter nearly one fourth of 
an inch. 

GEOGRAPHICAL Fatri Inhabits Ohio and 
Pennsylvania, and without doubt may be found in 
other States. 

Remarks. This shell does not correspond ex- 
actly with Say’s description, but I think it is the 
same that he described under the same name. Hav- 
ing received from Dr. Ward, of Roscoe, Ohio, a suite 
of them of different sizes, I notice that the *umbili- 
cus small, orbicular, profound,” of Say, exists only 
in young specimens, it being closed in the elder. 
The indentation of the umbilical region is not nf 

nt to me. 

It resembles very much the preceding species, Es 
has one whorl less, is more depressed, and its base is 
more convex. The tooth in the aperture is some- 
times so little prominent as to be hardly visible. 
The strie of growth are fine and crowded, and seem 
to be more nearly at right angles with the suture 
than is usual in other species. 


E] e $ 
"UR LE 3 
4 9 
p 


T 


412 Binney’s Monograph of the Helices 


32. HELIX LIGERA. 
Plate XX. fig. 1. 


H. testà su b-globosa, perforata, nitidà, cornea ; anfractib us septem, 
obliqué striatis; apertura lunato-rotundatá ; labro simplici, acuto; basi 
prope — ram albo, interné incrassato. 


- SYNONYMS AND REFERENCES. 


Helix ligèra; Say. Journ. A. N. S. Philad., IL. 157. 

Helix Rafinésquea, Férussac. Hist. Nat. des Moll, 

Flin XA AME PRR e 

Helix Wardiana,? Lea. Trans. Am. Phil. Soc., 
= N.S, VL 67. Pl. xxm. figs [ 


DESCRIPTION. 


idikas ‘Uniform blackish intente over the 
whole upper surface, paler on the posterior extremity 
and base ; collar grayish-white ; foot narrow; exceed- 
ing in length twice the tranverse diameter £i the 
shell. 

Shell. Sub-globose, epidermis veiam horn- 
color, shining ;. whorls seven, finely and thickly - 
striated transversely ; suture not much impressed ; 
aperture semilunate, rounded ; lip thin, acute ; base 
and side of the outer whorl. within the «aperture 
thickened, and white ;.wmbilicus very minute, nearly 
closed ; umbilical region impressed. 

Greate transverse diameter five eighths of an 
inch, usually much less. 

,QEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. Inhabits all the 
Western States, where it is commi has been 
noticed also in the Sortie T 


_ inhabiting the United States. 413 


Remarks. This species varies in the greater or 
less prominence of the spire, which sometimes is 
considerably depressed, and at other times rises into 
a sub-conical shape. The apex is, however, always 
obtuse, so that the young shells might be supposed 
to belong to another species, so different are they 
in shape from the mature shell. When fully grown, 
there are seven whorls complete, but usually the 
number does not: much exceed six. The epidermis 
is commonly shining, and the oblique stri: are nu- 
merous and distinct. The young shells are pellucid. 
The base of the shell within the aperture is thick- 
ened with a very white callus, which is seen from 
without. ‘The umbilicus is very small, and some- 
times quite closed. The lip, at its junction with the 
base of the shell is slightly.reflected. Herıx War- 
diàna of Lea, is undoubtedly the young of this species. 
The distinction in the animal, noticed by Dr. Ward, 
was afterwards ascertained by him not to exist. 

Mr. Say’s name should be retained for this shell, 
as his description was published several months 
before Férussac’s name appeared, and several years 
in advance of his figure. No other description than 
Say’s has hitherto been published. 


33. HELIX INTERTEXTA. 
Plate XX. fig. 2. 
s. sub-pyramidata, perforata, corned; anfractibus striatis, 


atriis AEA tissimis impressis, volventibus, intertextis 
anfra timo z albida, rufo-marginatá, cincto ; uw 
pli intus incrassato. - 


A14 — Binney’s Monograph of the Helices 


Synonyms AND REFERENCES. 
Helix intertéxta, Nobis. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Animal. Not hitherto observed. 

Shell.  Sub-pyramidal; epidermis yellari horn- 
eolor; whorls six to seven, with numerous fine, 
oblique striæ, and very minute spiral strize, intersect- 
ing each other; outer whorl with a narrow, light- 
colored band, and an ill-defined brownish band below 
it; aperture. rounded, a little transverse ; lip thin, 
somewhat thickened within by a deposition of testa- 
ceous matter, slightly reflected at its junction with 
the ‘base of the shell; wmbilicus small, sometimes 
nearly obsolete; base whiter than the upper surface. 

Greatest transverse diameter about three fourths of 
an inch. 

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. It inhabits North 
Carolina. I have seen numerous specimens from 
Cabarrus County. It is also found in Ohio and 
Pennsylvania. — . ; ; 

Remarks. This ‘shell resembles some varieties of 
Hzrix ligéra so nearly, that I hesitated some time 
before I considered it distinct. The spire is less 
high in a shell of the same size, has a smaller num- 
ber of whorls, and is more pyramidal in shape, than 
in that species. The diameter, in full-grown speci- 
mens, is greater, and the base is flatter. ‘The epider- 
mis is darker and less shining, the shell is thicker and 
less pellucid, the deposit of testaceous matter within 


* 


|; $ 


has 


inhabiting the United States. 415 


the aperture is less. 'The size of the umbilicus and 
the shape of the aperture are the same in both. But 
the principal distinction consists in the spiral lines 
which revolve on the whorl, intersecting the strie of 
growth, but so minute as hardly to be perceptible to 
the naked eye. The whitish, narrow band, shaded 
below, with rufous apparent on the outer, and some- 
times on the second whorl, generally aids in identify- 
ing it, though it is sometimes wanting. Young 
specimens are much more depressed than those of 
H. ligéra, and are sometimes distinctly carinated. 
The depression of the umbilical region is not so 
evident in pee as in the ponding — 


` $4, HELIX INDENTATA. 
Plate. XXII, fig. 3. 


H. testa depress convexiusculà, imperforata, tenuissimá, diaphand, 
nitida ; ultimo anfractu lineis i impressis, distantibus, radiatis ornato ; 
aj transversá ; labro simplici, acuto; basi indentato.- 


Synonyms AND REFERENCES. 


Helix indentata, Say. Journ. A, N. S. Philad., 
IL. 372 


DESCRIPTION. 


Animal. Bluish black upon the upper parts ; 
margin and posterior extremity lighter. 

Shell. Flattened, thin, pellueid ; epidermis high- 
ly polished, corneous ; whorls rather more than four, 
with regular, sub-equidistant, radiating, im 
lines, which on the body-whorl extend to the base, 
outer whorl expanding towards the aperture; aper- 


= 


h. s 


A 


aut 
416 Binney's Monograph of the Helices 


à ture rather large, transverse ; lip simple, very thin, 

 atits inferior extremity terminating at the centre of 
the base of the shell; umbilicus none, but theu um- 
bilieal region is Pond. 

Greatest transverse diameter more than one ‘fit 
of an inch. “tee 

Gerocraruican. Disrrisution. —Inhabits. Massas 
chusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and bias an 
is probably a wide-spread species. 

Remarks. This shell is found in the same situa- 
tions as Hexix arborea, Sax, and resembles it very 
much, particularly on its upper surface. It may, be 
distinguished from it by the outer whorl, which is 
more spread towards the aperture, by the impressed 
radiating lines, and by the want of an open umbili- 
cus. The whorls in this species usually revolve in 
such a manner as to leave no opening between them, 
but there is an occasional specimen with a well- 
formed umbilicus. ix ‘ 


€ 


35. HELIX CHERSINA. - 
Plate XXVI. fig. 3. 


H. testà minimA, sub-conicà, tenuissimá, pellucida, imperforatà ; 
aperturá transversà; labro simplici, acuto; basi convexo. | 


SYNONYMS AND REFERENCES. 


«A chérsina, Say.. Journ. A. N. S. Philad., 1. 
156. Exped. St. Peter’s River, Ul. 258- 


DESCRIPTION. 


Animal. : Not observed. 


Nm... | 
inhabiting the United States. 417 


Shell. Minute, sub-conical, thin, pellucid; epi- 
dermis smooth, shining, amber-colored ; whorls five ; 
suture distinct; aperture transverse; lip ‘simple, 
acute ; base convex. i 

| Transverse diameter one tenth of an inch. 

GrocrarHicaL Disrriutioy. Inhabits the sea- ` 
islands | of Georgia, the hill-sides of Vermont, the 
western Territory, and the shores of Fresh 
Pond near Boston. 

Remarks. The above-named localities prove this 
to be a widely-spread species. Its diminutive size 
has probably prevented its.being observed in other 
places. It offers but few varieties, and is easily 
distinguished by its conical form, and thin, amber- 
colored, transparent ‘shell: Sometimes the outer 
whorl.is slightly carinated. It is found under, and 
in the interstices of, wet decaying wood, wie — 
— ar — leaves in the forests. 


E HELI FULIGINOSA. 


| Plate XXIV. ti 
“HL testà orbicolato-depressá, umbilicatá, rufo-corneà ; anfractibus 
levigatis, nitentibus ; aperturà expansá, sub-orbiculari ; umbilico pró- 
fundo ; labro simplici, tenui, acuto. 
Synonyms AND REFERENCES. 
Helix baliginsies, Griffith, ined. 
Helix lucubrata, Say. New iren Diboni» 


nator. 1829. 
Helix levigàta, Férussac, Hist. des Moll. PL. 


LXXxIL, fig. 6, YI 


418 Binney's Monograph of the Helices 


DESCRIPTION. 


Animal. Slate-color, rather darker on the head 
and neck ; foot narrow, terminating acutely. 

Shell. Depressed on the upper surface ; epidermis 
dark, approaching to chestnut-color, shining and 
smooth, with very minute, irregular, oblique striz 
beneath it; whorls rather more than four, the last 
very voluminous, and expanding transversely towards 
the aperture ; suture very little impressed ; aperture 
ample, sub-circular, within pearly or iridescent ; lip 
simple, thin, brittle, with a light testaceous deposit 
within ; umbilicus deep, not much expanded. 

Greatest transverse diameter more than an inch. . 

GEocRAPHICAL Disrrisution. Has been found in 
nearly all the Southern, Middle, and Western States. 
Mr. Say noticed it in Mexico. 

Remarks. The color of this shell varies pale 
light-greenish horn-color to a deep chestnut. The 
umbilicus varies considerably in size, but it is always 
distinct and profound. The surface, usually smooth 
and shining, is occasionally finely and regularly 
striated. The interior of the aperture exhibits, in 
perfect specimens, a beautiful pearly lustre. 

It is sometimes confounded with the next Pei 
but it may always be distinguished from that by 
attention to the following particulars. It is a much 
larger shell, yet the number of whorls is constantly. 
one less; the umbilicus is larger and deeper, the 
aperture more circular, and the deposit of testaceous 
matter within is less. The color of: the shell is 
usually much darker. The only living animal of this 


inhabiting the United. States. 419 


species, which has come under my observation, had 
a very peculiar conical protuberance on the superior 
part of the extremity of the foot. 

This shell, which has been long known in this 
country by the name which I have adopted, was 
indicated by name by Férussac, in his Tableau 
Systématique, as HeLIx levigdta, without descrip- 
tion or figure. Mr. Say’s description appeared in 
the “New Harmony Disseminator of Useful Know- 
ledge,” in 1829, but was almost unknown to natural- 
ists until recently republished. Dr. Griffith’s name, 
appended to specimens in the public cabinets of 
Philadelphia several years before having in the mean 
time obtained, it does not NEM to be proper to 
substitute another. 


37. HELIX INORNATA. | ut 
Plate XXI. ag. 3. 

. H. testa pdieskdo depen perforata, luteo-corneà, lerip ni- ni- 
tens; anfractibus quinque; aperturà transversá intus incrassata ; 
simplici tenui, acuto ; basi impresso. 

Synonyms AND REFERENCES. 
Helix inornàta, Say.. Journ, A. N. S. Philad., 
IL. 371. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Animal. Narrow, foot terminating acutely ; dark 

slate-color, glands of the surface not prominent. 


Shell. Depressed; epidermis yellowish horn- 
color, smooth, shining, with very minute striæ, not 


420 Binney's Monograph of the Helices 


breaking the smoothness of the surface ; whorls five; 
suture not much impressed; aperture transverse, 
with a thick, white, testaceous deposit around its 
whole inner surface a little distant from the margin; 
lip thin; acute, fragile, its lower part reaching to the 
centre of the base; wmbilicus small; base rather 
flattened, indented in the centre. 

Greatest transverse diameter less than three fourths 
of an inch. ; okt 

- GEOGRAPHICAL Distrisution. Inhabits the West- 

ern States. pp a 

Remarks. This shell resembles the preceding, , 
with which it is often confounded ; it is, however, 
 Oftener taken to be Heuix gläphyra of Say, by 
the naturalists of the West, where the latter, being 
an introduced species, (Hexrx cellària, MúLLER,) 
common only near the sea shore in cellars and gar- 
dens, is not found. Though resembling Hexrx fuli- 
ginòsa in general appearance, it may be distinguished 
by the number of whorls, which are five, but which 
in that species, in specimens twice as large, but little 
exceed four. Its aperture is much less circular, the 
transverse diameter being considerably the greatest; 
the umbilicus is smaller, being nearly closed and 
more profound ; the volume of the last whorl is less 
in proportion to the size of the shell; the base Js 
flatter; the color lighter, and without the smoky 
appearance of the former species. ; 


w 


inhabiting the United States, 421 


38. HELIX CELLARIA. 


H. està orbiculato-depresst, umbilicata, tenui, pellucida, nitidà, 
supra pallidé cornea, subtus lacted ; — quinque ; labro sim- 
plici, acuto; basi intus incrassato. 


Synonyms AND REFERENCES. 


Helix cellària, Müller. Verm. Hist., No. 230. 

Helix nitida, Drap. Hist. des Moll., 117. Pl. viu., 
| Jigs. 23, 25. 

Helix glaphyra, Say. Nich. Eneyc Am. edit., TV. 

PET, A3 


Helix cellaria, Deshyos Eneye. Méth., Vers, II. 
214. : 


Lamarck. Anim. sans Vert., 2d edit., VIIL 
70. 


- DESCRIPTION. 

Animal. Upper surface light indigo blue, darkest 
on the head, neck, and tentaculæ, collar greenish, 
eyes black. Foot narrow and slender, not much 
exceeding in length the diameter of the shell, ter- 
minating acutely. 

Shell. Very much ae. thin, fragile, pellu- 
cid; epidermis light greenish horn-color, smooth, 
highly polished ; whorls five, slightly rounded, with 
minute and almost imperceptible, oblique stria ; 
aperture not dilated, its transverse diameter the 
greatest; umbilicus moderate, regularly rounded, 
deep ; base rounded, a little thickened within, bluish- 
white ; lip simple, acute. 

VOL. III. — NO. IV. 


^ 


492 . Binney's Monograph of the Helices 


Greatest transverse diameter less than half an inch. 

GrocRaPHiCAL Distrisution. Inhabits the North- 
eastern and Middle States, in gardens; is common in 
the city of Boston in damp cellars. 

Remarks. This is the shell which was found by 
Mr. Say in gardens, in the city of Philadelphia, and 
by him described as Herix glaphyra. ‘Its restricted 
habitat in cellars and gardens long since induced 
me to suppose it might be an imported species, and 
a recent opportunity of examining a considerable 
number of specimens of Hxrix cellaria, MÜLLER, 
brought from England, enables me to say, that it is 
absolutely identical with that species. Shells of the 
same size and growth from the European and Ameri- 
can localities cannot be distinguished from each 
other. 


39. HELIX ARBOREA. 


Plate XXII. fig. 1. 


H. testa orbiculato-depressá, ténui, pellucida, nitidá, — 
‘apertura sub-rotundatà ; labro simplici, acuto. 


‘Synonyms AND REFERENCES. ; 


Helix arborea, Say. Nich. Encyc., Am. je IV. 


Pl. w., fig. 4 
Férussac: Hist. Nat. des Moll. adc. di 
219. 
Description. | 


Animal Head and tentacule blackish, üpper 
parts bluish, posterior pe whitish, wan 
Foot thin and narrow. 


* 


4* 
inhabiting the United States, 423 


Shell. Depressed, very slightly Mirror, thin, - 
pellucid ; epidermis convex, shining; whorls about 
four, with very minute, oblique strie, apparent when 
viewed with a microscope; aperture somewhat 
rounded ; lip thin, acute ; umbilical region indented ; 
umbilicus moderate, well developed, round, and deep. 

Transverse diameter commonly about one sixth of 
an inch, sometimes attains one fourth of an inch. 

GEOGRAPHICAL Distripution. Has been noticed 
in nearly every part of the United States. 

Remarks. This is a very common species, in- 
habiting forests, cultivated fields, and gardens, A 
situation of which it seems very fond is in the crevices 
of wet, decaying wood. It resembles the preceding 
species in shape, but is much smaller. It resembles 
still more HELIX licida, Drar,, and Férussac - 'con- 
sidered it to be only a variety of that species. A 
comparison of the two shows distinctions which 
must, 1 think, prevent their being considered identi- 
eal. . Our shell is larger, and has its umbilicus more 
developed in proportion to its size ; the immediate 
circumference of the umbilicus is more impressed. 
In shells of the two species of the same size, the 
foreign one ‘has one more whorl. In their general 
aspect the two are so unlike, that it is easier to 
separate them than to describe their differences. 


^ ^ 40. HELIX ELECTRINA. 
Plate XXII. fig. 2 


H. testà parva, depress, umbilicatà, tenui, — anfractibus 
quatuor, striatis ; apasih rotundatá, labro simplici. - 


E 


424 Binney's Monograph of the Helices 
Synonyms AND REFERENCES. 


Helix eléctrina, Gould. Mollusca of Massachusetts, 
(Unpublished. ) 


DESCRIPTION. 


Animal. Not noticed. 

Shell. Small, depressed, thin, fragile ; epidermis 
amber-colored, wrinkled, shining ; whorls four, -the 
last rapidly enlarging towards the mouth ; aperture 
rounded; lip simple, its edge rather thickened, not 
acute ; wmbilicus small, but well marked and con- 
stant. 

Greatest transverse diameter more than one s eighth 
of an inch. : 
GEOGRAPHICAL Disrrisution. Found hitherto - 

on the shores of Fresh Pond, near Boston. 

Remarks. For the following remarks I am in- 
debted to Dr. Gould. “ In size, the depressed-conical 
Shape of the upper surface, the number of whorls, 
and the rapid enlargement of the largest ‘whorl, this 
shell corresponds with Heurx indentata. It differs 
in its darker, smoky horn-color, its constant umbili- 
cus, its rather thick and shining lip, and in its whitish : 
wrinkles, which, instead of being remote, are crowded. 
From Heurx arborea it differs in having one whorl 
less, the last one rapidly dilating, its apex not being 
depressed, its thinner structure and more glossy sur 
face, and in its somewhat smaller umbilicus. In 
Hrrix arbórea the lip has a flexuous curve, but is 
nearly a direct section of the whorl in this. Though 


n of the same size and general appearance, the three 


Lo á 
EY 


inhabiting the United States. 425 


may be readily separated when mingled. Indeed its 
claims as a distinct species are not very obvious 
without viewing the three together. It is found 
abundantly under fragments of wood in damp places 
near the water's edge; in company with HELIX chér- 
sina and Pura modésta. 1 have never seen it in 
company with either HErix indentata or HELIX ar- 
bórea, and it seems to differ from them widely in 
habit, in thus preferring the vicinity and even en- 
croachment of water." 


4l. aktii MULTIDENTATA. 
; _ Plate XXII. fig. 5. 
H. testi minima, orbiculato-depressà, umbilicata, tenuissimá, pellu- 


cidà, nitidà, supra planulatà ; anfractibus sex obliqué et minuté stria- 
tis; apertura semi-lunatà, angustà ; labro simplici, acuto; umbilico 
parvo. 


du Ainii AND » Rrrrarwors 
Helix multidentàta, Nobis. s 
DESCRIPTION. 


ail Dirab thread-like. 

Shell. Depressed, sub-planulate above, very nibh 
pellucid ; epidermis smooth; shining; whorls six, 
very narrow, revolving in the same plane, and not 
enlarging towards the aperture, with minute, raised, 
oblique stris ; suture distinct ; aperture semi-lunate, 
narrow ; lip acute ; umbilicus very small, rounded, 
not RETS any of the volutions; base convex, 
indented around the umbilicus. Two rows of very 


L 


426 Binney's Monograph of the Helices 


minute white teeth, radiating from the umbilicus, 
are seen through the shell, within the base of the 


. last whorl. 


Greatest transverse diameter one eighth of an inch. 

GroenaPHicAL Distrisution. Noticed hitherto 
only in Vermont, on the eastern slopes of the Green 
Mountains. 

Remarks. "This species, now described for the 
first time, possesses characters so marked, that it is 
not likely to be mistaken for any other. The nu- 
merous narrow whorls visible on its upper and plane 
surface, while only one is seen. below, together with 
its minute, round umbilieus, and narrow aperture, 
would sufficiently distinguish it; but there is another 
character still móre peculiar. There are two rows of 
very minute, delicate, white teeth on the lower side 
of the interior of the last whorl, radiating from the 
centre. One row is usually so near the aperture as 
to be seen within it with the aid of a microscope, the 
other is more or less remote; each row contains five 
or six distinct teeth. Both of them are visible through 
the shell. 'T'he transparency of the shell is so great, 
that frequently the sutures of. the upper surface can 
be seen through it when viewed on the base.. With 
the living animal within, the shell has a roseate tinge. 


42. HELIX SOLITARIA. 


Plate XXIII. 


iL testa orbiculato-convexá, latè umbilicatÀ, corneo mías 
fasciis fuscis aut rufis cincta ; — —; labro simplici d 
unicolore. 


inhabiting the United States. 427 
Synonyms AND Rerenencrs 


Helix ngiti Say. Journ. A. N. S. Philad., 
II. 157. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Animal. Dirty white, with a rufous tinge; ru- 
fous spots on the head and neck, lighter ones along 
the margin. 'l'entacule dark; foot short, potter 
extremity rounded. 

Shell. Very convex, thick, apex obtuse; epider- 
mis dark corneous, with brown, or rufous 
bands, of which there are usually two on the body- 
whorl ; whorls six, striated and rounded, the last 
whorl aio a considerable part of the. volume of 
the shell ; suture distinetly impressed ; aperture am- 
ple, HT space between the two extremities of 
the lip small, with a thin callus, within bluish white, 
showing the bands; umbilicus large and deep, ex- 
hibiting all the séldtións ; base destitute of bands. 

Greatest transverse diameter more than one inch 
and a quarter. 


iw. 


-GgocRaPHICAL DisrnriBUTION. Inhabits the West- . 


ern States north of the Ohio river. It was noticed 
by Mr. Say in lower Missouri. 

Remarks. This is a thick and coarse shell when 
fully grown: It is distinguished by its deep and 
ample umbilicus, and the dark rufous bands on its 
whorls. ‘The spire varies considerably in the degree 
of its elevation, but the apex is always obtuse. The 
same specific name was applied by Poiret* to a 


* cs Prodrome 4 cr “11 a t] ua + +, emt » &c 
UIUC OCS q ? T 


428 Binney's Monograph of the Helices 


French species, but, Draparnaud's name for the same 
shell (H. conóidea) having universally obtained, the 


d pnt name can be retained for our — 


43. HELIX ALTERNATA. 
Plate XXV. 


teatà orbignlato-depressá ; laté et profondé cmbiliestà; Ais 
Media. obliquis, crebris, scabrá ; albido et rufo alterné coloratà; ob- 
scuré fasciatà ; apertura circulari ; labro tenui, acuto. 


Synonyms AND REFERENCES. | 


Helix alternàta, Say. Nich. Encyc., Am. edit., IV. 
PU 3., fig. 9. 
Férussac. Hist. des Moll. Pl. LXXIX., Jet, 

8, 9, 10. 
Deshayes. Encyc. Méth, Vers, I1: 253. 3 
Helix seabra, Lamarck. Anim. | sans Vert., 2d edit., 


Lister. T.70., fig. 69. 
DESCRIPTION. 


Animal. Head and tentaculæ light slate-color, 
back brown, remainder of upper surface brownish- 
orange, eyes black, base of foot greyish-white, collar 
saffron. Superior tentacule one third of an inch 
long, blackish. at the extremities. Foot not much 
exceeding in length the diameter of the shell, and 
terminating in a broad, obtuse, and flat extremity. 
A light marginal line runs along the edge of the foot 
from the head to the posterior part, those of the two 
sides meeting in an acute angle. 


4 


inhabiting the United States. ` 429 . 


Shell. Flattened-convex ; epidermis variegated, 
with rufous bars, and spots arranged obliquely across 
the whorls; whorls in full-grown individuals six, 
striated obliquely with raised, acute, equidistant; 
curved lines, which give a roughness to the surface ; 
aperture viewed perpendicular to its plane nearly 
circular; //p simple, thin, brittle, within shining, 
sometimes pearly ; umbilicus large and deep, exhibit- 
ing all the volutions ; base paler than the upper sur- 
face, with a colored band more or less perfect, the 
colored bars where they exist narrow, and converg- 
ing into the umbilicus. 

Greatest: transverse diameter about one ineh. 

. GEOGRAPHICAL. DISTRIBUTION. Inhabits the North- 
eastern and Middle- States, . and the Western States 
from the eastern end of Lake Superior to Arkansas. 
It will. -probably be found to exist in the whole terri- 
tory of the United States. 

Rrewanks. In New England this is 2 pm phe 
most common of the genus. It abounds in the 
forests, and is not uncommon in the open country in 

- moist situations, where it can find shelter under logs 
and stumps. It seems to be more gregarious than 
other species ; at any rate numbers are more frequently 
.found in the same retreat. It does not. bear a change 
from a moist to a dry situation so well as many other 
species. _ In captivity it remains buried a great part 
of the. time under the moist earth, with the body 
half protruded. If removed to the surface, it with- 
draws within the shell, protects its orifice by three 
or four coverings, and soon dies unless supplied with 
moisture. 

VOL. III. — NO. IV. ~ o9 


T» de 
n i 
E. 
A = * $ 
y S 


i 


ai 


430 Binney's Monograph of the Helices 


The foot of the animal is smaller, and the tenta- 
cula shorter, than in either of the other species pos- 
. sessing so large a shell ; it is also flatter and. thinner, 
^ "The collar is deeply tinged with the coloring matter 
which ornaments the shell, and which is sometimes. 
secreted in such profusion, as to give a saffron tinge 
to the trace which it leaves on objects over which it 
crawls. It is distributed over the animal, and ar» 
ranged'in minute points, which are most thickly 
clustered on the anand and on the sino tuber- 
cles of the surface. 

The shell varies in "ei more. or n desee 
and having the strie more or less rough. In the 
young shell the margin is carinated, especially at its 

ction with the second whorl. On many indis 
viduals there is a distinct, uncolored- line on the 
centre of the outer whorl, dividing the rufous bands 
of the superior surface from one on the lower surface. - 

This species was described by Mr. Say, in 1818, 
as HeLix alterndta, In 1822, Lamarck gave it the © 

specific name of scdbra, a name pre-occupied by & 
species of Chemnitz. Say’s. name has the priority 
and is adopted in this country, as it should be else- 
where. viet $71 


E 


^44. HELIX PERSPECTIVA. - 
Plate XXI. fig. 4. 
a... 
H. testà parvà, orbieulato-depressi, sub-discoided, lat vind 


rufescente ; anfractibus convexiusculis, seabris, stris - , 
elevatis, distinctis; aperturà sub-rótundatà, depressá ; 
` acuto. 


‘inhabiting the United States. — 431 


Synonyms AND REFERENCEŚ. 


Helix perspectiva, Say. Journ. A. N. S. Philad., : 


Nich. Encyc., Am. edit., ÍV. 
Férussac. Hist. des Moll. Pl. uxxix., Sig. 7. 
Lamarck, Anim. sans Vert., 2d edit., VII. 
i 0 5 ‘teeta 


Helix parvula, ? Deshayes. Encyc. Méth., Vers, 
| . 217. Y vien colt a 


Description. i bon. di 


"Animal. Head T tentacula bluish black ; mar- 
gin and posterior part of foot white. Foot transpar- 


ent, narrow, less in length than twice = E . 


of the shell, terminating acutely. ^ - 

Shell. Very much depressed, almost discoidal ; 
epidermis reddish brown, immaculate ; whorls six, 
with numerous, elevated, strongly marked, transverse 

. striae ; suture deeply impressed ; umbilicus very much 
expanded, cup-shaped, exhibiting all the volutions ; 
aperture rounded, depressed ; lip simple, thin. 

Greatest transverse diameter three eighths of an 
inch. 

GzocnarHicAL Disrrisurion, Inhabits the West- 
ern States, and was noticed by Mr. Say in the North- 
western Territory. It is commonly supposed to exist 
in Massachusetts and other New England States, but, 
so far as my own observation extends, it is replaced 
in those States by Hzrix striatélla, the next described 
species, which it very much resembles.  . 

. Remarks. This is a common shell in those parts 
of the countrys which it inhabits. In Ohio it is 


sae ants 21 e Re 
pean > da os 


* * 


se 
* i 
en Sr 


^ 


432 ` Binney’s Monograph of the Helices 


particularly abundant, vast numbers of them being 
sometimes found under the bark of a single decaying 
tree. The striz of increase on the upper surface are 
remarkably prominent, and almost angular, and serve 


. to distinguish it from every other species; on the 


lower surface they are very distinct, but less promi- . 
nent, and the direction of their curve is the reverse 
of that above; they converge into the umbilicus. 
It varies considerably in size, and young shells are - 


' often carinated. In mature individuals there is a 


single sub-prominent tooth on the base of the shell 
within the aperture. It resembles HELIX rotundata, 
MUtter, but is destitute of the alternate. markings of 
at species. There cannot be a doubt that Hexix 
la, DesHayes, is identical with this shell, as his : 
description will not apply to any other than this and 
the following species, and the angulated character 
of the stri sufficiently point to this. 
There is à Hxrrx described under the same id. 
name by Waaxzn, in S pix's T'estacea of Brazil; but, 


-as this did not appear until ten years after Mr. Say’s 


publication, a new name must be adopted for the 


Brazilian species. 


. 45 HELIX STRIATELLA.. 
Plate XXL fig.5.. 
H. testa parva, orbieulato-depressà, tenui, latè umbilicata, corned ; 


=n convexis, obliqué. et minuté striatis; asit: 
undatà ; labro tenui, aiuto, sa oon d M 


— AND REFERENCES. 


Helix striatélla, Anthony. Bost. Journ. Nat. His, 
III. 27 M 


E: 


a 
inhabiting the United States. 433 
DESCRIPTION’ 


Animal. Not hitherto observed. 

Shell. Depressed-convex, thin ; epidermis light 
horn-color; whorls less than four, with numerous, 
delicate, oblique strie; suture distinct, not much 
impressed ; umbilicus large, showing all the volu- 
tions; aperture rounded, transverse ; lip thin, acute. 

Greatest transverse diameter less than one fourth 
of an inch. 

GEOGRAPHICAL Osten Inhabits the West- 
ern States, is common in Ohio, and particularly 
abundant near Cincinnati, “in low Dottor M 
near the margins of running streams." It is also 
abundant in Massachusetts, near own, and in Ver 
mont. bid I 
REMARKS. - This species —— a very uen re- 
semblance in general aspect to Heux perspectiva, 
Sax, with the immature shells of which it is very 


commonly ; confounded. It needs some attention to ` 


separate the two; but, when the present species. is 


once noticed, it sioe fail to be considered very dis-4* 


tinct. Its discriminative characters, as compared with 
the preceding species, are as follows. 'The mature 
shell is smaller, and has generally rather less, and 
never more, than four whorls, and in shells of the 
same size the number of volutions is less. It is 
thinner and more delicate; its color is light p: its 
 Strie of increase are more numerous, more 
much finer, and less prominent; its suture is dos 
-deeply impressed ; its spire is more convex; and its 
umbilicus less expanded. The character of the 


* 


434 Binney's Monograph of the Helices | 


aperture is the same in both. The lustre of the 
epidermis = a of satin. 


46. HELIX LAME TURE: $ 
a XXI. fg. 2. 


_ —H. testa parva, orbiculato-depressi, umbilicatá, tenui, albidà ; an- 
fractibus quatuor, convexis, obliqué et minutissimé .striatis ; apertura 3 


sub-circulari, tendi: acuto, 
Synonyms AND Rerenences. 
Helix limatula, Ward. ined. 
Descntrrion. 


— Animal.. Not observed. | 
Shell. Small, convex-depressed ; sedi ilt 
immaculate ; suture ; distinctly impressed ; whorls — 
more than four ex, with very fine, oblique; 
parallel striæ, high become obsolete on the base ; 
"aperture sub-circular, slightly modified by the penul- - 
c3 whorl ; Zip thin, acute ; umbilicus, € and 
» eep, not extiiihing all the violütislia: 2 
Greatest: ‘transverse diameter about one Me of an 
nch. 
| GER Disrmmorrow. Has been rout in 
many places in Ohio and in Indiana. It probably 
inhabits all the low’ grounds "dai on the Ohio 
and its tributaries. 
Remarks. This shell resembles in a conis 
. degree the preceding, particularly when the epide: | 
t that species has become bleached, but may be 
' | ~_ from it on comparison. Its is 


; 997. 
? 


"i 


m * Á 


$ E P 


ë 


inhabiting the United States. 435 


dermis is lighter, being nearly white ; it is smaller, yet 
has one more whorl ; it is less x, and the whorls 
are less prominent ; the n are finer 
and more delicate, and their direction is more nearly 
at right angles with the suture; the aperture is more 
nearly a direct section of the whorl ; the body-whorl 
is more rounded on the base; the umbilicus js less 
, spread or cup-shaped, and, though deep, does not ex- . 
~*~ hibit all the volutions. The nucleus of the shell or 
-~ the original whorls, which exist when the animal 
-= leavesits egg, are much more minute and delicate.* 
47. HELIX MINUSCULA. , 
Plate XXII. fig. 4. 


sta arate orbieulato-depressi, uibbilieatl; albidà; anfractibus 
quatuor, convexis 5 apertu tora cir plici, acuto. — — - 


didi Synonyms AND da 
Helix miniacul, AT 
~ Description. 


Animal. ! Not observed. 


* For this species and description I am indebted to the kindness or t 
my late friend, C. J. Wa ia M. D., of Roscoe, octon County, 
Ohio, who has passed away from among us since this paper was 
begun. Dr. Ward' was —À to most of the naturalists of the United 
States, and was distinguished for his uniformly liberal intercourse with k 
eod He seemed to possess no exclusive or selfish feelin, in mat- ^ 
A. science, but was always. ready to impart his stores of knowl- E 
his assistance, and his time, to those who were engaged in i 
pursuits similar to his own. His loss will be deeply regretted by his, 
numerous correspondents, as well as by his personal friends. He died - 
at his residence in — last, after a very shortillpess, ^ 


LI i " j co " 
N : ‘ [AE oe pr? 
&- ^W : v D 
ty M * *» 
* 


snak 


de 
436  Binneys Monograph of the Helices 


Shell. Minute, depressed-convex ; epidermis whit- 
ish ; whorls four, convex; suture very distinetly 
itigirensed.; aperture nearly circular; lip thin, acute ; 
umbilicus large, not spread, and oxiibillilf not more 
than two volutions ; base rounded on the body-whorl. 

Greatest transverse diameter less than one dium 
of an inch. 

GreocnRaPHIiCAL Disrrisution. Found in Ohio, 
on the margins of streams, under chips or sticks in 
damp, shaded. situations, or under the bark of de- - 
caying stumps near the surface of the waters. Pro- - 
fessor C. B. Adams has lately found it in Vermont. 

Remarks. This minute shell is but little larger 
than HeLrx pulchélla, which it resembles somewhat 
on its upper surface. It also bears some resemblance 
to small specimens of the preceding species. lt has 
four full whorls, with deep sutures; is handsomely 
rounded ; has a circular aperture, and a large umbili- 
cus, which exhibits about two volutions. Its strie of 
increase are too minute to be visible by the eye. 1 


- do not know any species with which it is likely €9 
be pontounded 


; 48. HELIX LINEATA. — 


Plate XXII. fig. 6. 


H. wem —— — planulatà, subtus concava, corneo-viti- 
descente ; anfra ; lineis parallelis, volventibus, sub-eleva- 
tis; sabio lato, expanso; labro i vedi ; faucibus dentibus binis 


Sxvoxvs AND REFERENCES. 


Helix lineàta, Saj. Journ. A. N. S. Philuds k 18; 


* 4 a 


A ^» d 
* 


O the United States. 437 


—— Férussac. Hist. Nat. des Moll. Pl. vxxix., 
fig. 1. 
. DESCRIPTION. 

Animal. Whitish, transparent, thread-like. 

Shell. - Discoidal ; epidermis greenish ; whorls 
about four, visible on the base of the shell as well as 
above, with numerous, equidistant, parallel, raised 
lines revolving upon them ; suture much impressed ; 
aperture semilunate, narrow, not expanding; lip 
thin; wmbilicus wide, forming a concave depression 
of the base, each volution visible to the apex ; within 
the aperture, on the external circumference, are 
placed two pairs of minute, conical, white teeth, the 
first pair in sight when losing into the — the 
other more remote. — 

Greatest transverse diameter one eighth of an inch, 
usually less. — 

GEOGRAPHICAL. DISTRIBUTION. Inhabits the New 
England States and — Common in vër- 
mont. .- 

Remarks. This eae shell is distinguished 5 
its discoidal form, greenish color, the fine revolving 
lines upon its whorls, and the singular teeth which 
are placed in the interior of the outer whorl. ‘These 
teeth are arranged in pairs on the external side of the 
parietes of the cavity, one of each pair being on the 
superior and one on the inferior part of the whorl. 
They are prominent, white, and conical, and may be 
discovered through the semi-transparent shell. One 
pair is so near the aperture as easily to be seen on 
looking into it ; the other — nearly one half a 


VOL. III. — NO. IV. 


LI 


438 Lichenes of New England. 


volution from the lip, and is of course invisible ex- 


cept through the shell. At least one pair will be : 


found to exist in every specimen, when carefully 


sought for; in one instance I noticed a ipo” " 


still further within the whorl. 


I have hitherto noticed this species under the bark, | 


or in a the ts: of wet and poat wood: 


ART. II.— FURTHER NOTICES OF SOME NEW ENGLAND . 
LICHENES. By EpwanRp Tuckerman, Jr., LL. 5 a Member 


of the Society. (Read March 17th, 1841.) 


Beses an enumeration of a few species, which, 
though not rare, I have not previously noticed, this 
paper contains descriptions of one or two lichens that 
appear to be new, from the New Hampshire moun: 


tains. And, it having been suggested that a com- 


pendious view of the systematic arrangements of the 
Lichenes, with some brief notices of the uses of these 
plants, would not improperly form a part of the arti- 
cle, I have attempted some account of these topics, 
at the end. 


Verruca ria compésita, Schwein. in Hals. Syn 
View Lich. N. Y. p. 9., (cum Ic.) — Trees ; common. 
A remarkable species, and agreeing in every 
with the description cited. The thallus is polished, 
and of a yellowish brown; the apothecia nearly ,as 
large as those of V. gemmata, mostly imme 
occurring in clusters of two to twelve and more. ` 


t 


Li 
a 
Aes 


 Lichenes of New England. 439 


"T'ugrorREMA lepadinum, Ach. Meth. p. 132., Li- 
chenogr. p. 312. (cum Ic.) Schar.! Lich. Helvet., 
Moug. & Nestl.! Stirp.. Crypt., Wallr. Fl. Crypt. 
Germ., Hook.! Br. Fl, Antrocarpum inclusum, 
Spreng. Syst., Endocarpon inclusum, Wahlenb. F], 
Suec., Volvaria truncigena, De Cand. Fl. Fr., Lichen 
lepadinus, Ach. Prodr. L. inclusus, Sm. Eng. Bot. 8., 
n. 89. (cum Ic.)— Old trunks. Our plant agrees 
with the above-cited specimen from Hooker, in the 
herbarium of Mr. Greene, and also with the other 
foreign specimens, This species is mentioned in Mr. 
Halsey's * View," as common; but with a mark of 
doubt, and an intimation that his lichen is * probably 
new." The plant of my list seems to be very rare, 
and I suppose, is not the same with that of Halsey. 


Lrcipg'A incána, Hook. 1, c., Patellaria incana, 
Spreng. l. c., Lepraria incana, Ach. Meth. p. 4., Li- 
chenogr. p. 665., Moug. & Nestl.! I. c., Wahlenb. FI. 
Lapp., Muhl. 1. c. Torr. l. c., Lichen incanus, Schreb., 
Byssus ineana, L.— Moist rocks in mountain forests. 
At the Floom, in Lincoln, N. H., plentiful. The 
discovery of perfect patellule on this plant in Britain, . 
caused its removal from the Leprarem. It is of a 
remarkable byssus-like habit, and I have seen no 
lichen resembling it, unless it be Parmelia lanugino- 
sa; which has however a rigid thallus, the surface 
only being like our plant. Specimens occurred at 
the above station, in regard to which I am unable to 
determine whether they are fragments of Parmelia, 
inerusted with our Lecidea, or the Lecidea itself in 

its mature state. In the latter case the plant is a 


440 Lichenes of New England. 


Parmelia, and the form called Lecidea incana, the 
young state. No authors, that I have seen, appear to 
suggest any affinity between Parmelia lanuginosa 
and Lecidea incana, and I therefore leave this ques- 
tion for further consideration. 

L. Oedéri, Ach. Meth. p. 49., Hook. 1. c., Mass. 
Catal, (with a qu.) — Rocks; White Mountains; 
frequent. The synonymy of this plant indicates 
considerable difference of opinion among authors. 
Sprengel considers it a variety of L. atro-alba, colored 
by the iron of the rocks on which it grows. This 
_ view, as to the color, was taken in the former of 
these papers, where the plant was referred to Urceo- 
laria. According to Hooker, Scherer, in one of his 
works, pronounced the species *a true Urceolaria.” 


Scherer quotes * Ach. MSS. 1818,” for the name ~ 


Gyalecta Oederiana. It is made a variety of his 
Patellaria confluens by Wallroth. I still think itbe — 
longs to the Acharian genus Urceolaria: but it ap- - 
pears to be the Lecidea Oederi of our authorities. . 
There are many species which, in the language of 
Turner and Borrer, “ place difficulties apparently in- 
superable, in the way of a — E 
of the Lichens.” 

L. iemadóphila, Ach. Meth. p. 58.,  Lichenogr. p. 
191, Scher.! 1. c., Moug. & Nestl.! 1c., Hook 
Br. FL, Muhl. Catal., Torr. Catal., Patellaria jemado- 
phila, Wallr. 1. e. , P. eruginosa, Spreng. 1. c., Lichen 
 lemadophila, Ehrh. (cit. auctt.) L. seruginosus, Scop. 
Carniol., Ach. Prodr. — Decayed trunks; mountains 
of New England, very frequent. Much resembling 
Bæomyces roseus, with which it was confounded by 


Lichenes of New England. 441 


Linnæus, and to which genus it was url in the 
Flora of De Candolle. 

| L. polytropa, Ach. Meth. p. 72., Hook. l. c., Patel- 
laria polytropa, Hoffm., (cit. aati: ) Saig lc, 
Wallr. 1. c., Lecidea Ehrhartiana, 6. polytropa, Ach., 
Lichenogr. p. 192., Scher.! 1. c., Moug. & Nestl. ! 
l: c., Hals. l. c., Lichen polytropus, Ehrh., Ach. 
Prodr. — & Lecidea Ehrhartiana, Lichen Ehrharti- 
anus, Ach., Hals, cxt. que.— Rocks; Franconia 
Mountains. The form, with smaller patellule, which 
is the L. Ehrhartiana of authors, is united by Spren- 
gel with this species. It occurs on wood, (and also 
“common on rocks,” Hals.) and is enumerated in the 
Mass. Mee i r 


Lean curtis ne aai p. 390., Sahar: T 
l. c., Moug. & Nestl.! 1. c., Hook. 1. c., Parmétia a ceri- 
na, Ach. Meth., Wallr. 1. c., Patellaria cerina, Hoffm. 
(cit. Cand.) De Cand. 1. c., Lichen cerinus, Hedw., 
Ach. Prodr.— Trees, not uncommon. The line be- 
tween this, and other species allied to it, and some 
species of Lecidea, is hardly perceptible. Meyer and 
Sprengel consider this plant one of the forms of Par- 
melia parietina, in the young state. Wallroth is 
much excited by this arrangement: “ nec sieut," he 
says, ^ Sprengelius ez fonte spurco vix vero ad Na- 
ture mentem perhibuit, Parmeliæ parietinze subscri- 
benda." . (1. c. p. 472.) 


 Sevama nt sazicola, Hook. ! l. c., Lecanora saxico- 
la, Ach. Lichenogr. p. 431., Schier.! 1. c., Parmelia 
saxicola, Ach. Meth. p. 191., Spreng. l. c., Wallr. 1. c., 


442 Lichenes of New England. 


Placodium ochroleucum, De Cand. l. c., Moug. & 
Nestl.! 1. c., Lichen saxicola, Pollich, Ach. Prodr. — 
Tombstones in the (Old) Cambridge burying-ground, 
A pretty species. Specimen v.s. ex Hook. in herb. 
Greene. 

S. élegans, Hook; l. c., Lecanora elegans, Aelii 
Lichenogr. p. 435., Scher. ! 1. c., Hals. 1. c.; Parmelia 
elegans, Ach. Meth. p. 193., Wallr. 1. c., Lichen:ele- - 
gans, Link, Ach. Prodr.— With the last; and on 
pebbles, Cambridge Common. 


PanwELIA Halseyana: thallo substellato pallide 
flavo-virescente nigro-punctato, subtus albo fusces- 
cente fibrilloso, laciniis angustis imbricatis ad cen- 
trum rugosis concretis ; scutellis badiis margine inte- : 
gro. Mountain rocks. — Notch of the White, Moun- 
tains, abundant. Alpine rocks on the Franconia 
Mountains ; and the higher peaks of the Green 
Mountains, Vt. I have ventured to name this in 
honor of the learned author of the * Synoptical View 
of New York Lichens.” The lichen resembles P. 
conspersa, and P, centrifuga, the latter of which I am 
only acquainted with through the descriptions. - It is 
distinguished from the former. by its different habit, 
and the color of the under surface; and from the 
latter by the presence of the little black apophyses | 
on the upper surface, which are also observable on 
P. conspersa. The color is much. brighter than; in 
P. conspersa, and the plant is handsomer. 

~P. aleurites, Ach. Meth. p. 208., Ach. Lichenogr 
p. 484., Moug. & Nestl.! L c., Spreng. 1. c., Wallr. 
lci, Hook.!l c, Hals. l c., Mass. Catal., Lichen 


Lichenes of New England. 443 


aleurites, Ach. Prodr., Lichen diffusus, Dicks. — Old 
rails; Cambridge, and elsewhere, not very uncom- 
mon 

|. P. erinita, Ach. Syn. (cit. Hals.) Muhl. 1. c., ‘Torr. 
l.c., Hals: l. c., Mass. Catal. (with a qu.) — Trunks, 
and stones. Acharian woods, Cambridge ; and else- 
where, not uncommon. One of the largest and finest 
forms of the genus. Our plant is probably that no- 
ticed by the above authors, and it is peculiar to the 
North American Flora. Muhlenberg notes it “N. S$.” 
in his catalogue, from which we may infer that it 
was one of those which he discovered and sent to 
Acharius. The apothecia seem to be wholly unno- 
ticed, both in the brief description of Halsey, and in 
the longer one given in Eaton's * Manual.” These 
commonly occur at the Cambridge station of our 
plant, and are well worthy of notice. They become 
very large, rufous, with margins irregularly lacerated, 

and beset with the same coral-like branched apophy- 
ses, which form so remarkable a feature (distinguish- 
ing also several other allied American species, ) of the 
upper surface of the thallus. 'These apothecia are 
near the margin, and sub-pedicelled, and much re- 
semble those of P. perforata, with which spoori our 
Pait, in habit, generally agrees. 

- P. stellàris, p. aipólia, P.aipolia, Ach. Meth. p. 209., 
Lichenogr. p. 477., Scher.! 1. c., Muhl. 1. c., Mass. 
Catal., P. homochroa, $. platyphyllina, Wallr. 1. c., 
Lichen aipolius, Ach. Prodr. — Trees and old rails, 
Cambridge, and elsewhere, common. Sprengel does 
not allow this even the rank of a variety. Our plant 
seems to agree with Scherer’s specimens, and to 


444 Lichenes of New England. 


differ from P. stellaris in the characters denoted " 
Acharius. 


-Prxricers polydactyla, Hoffm. (cit. Scher.) De 
Cand. l. c., Scher.! 1. c., Spreng. l. c., Wallr. l.c., 
Peltidea polydactyla, Ach. Meth. p. 286., Lichenogr. 
p. 519., Moug. & Nestl. ! 1. c., Hook, 1. c., Muhl.1.e, 
bin polydactylus, Ach. Pads — On the ground ; 
. mountain forests. About the White Mountains, and. 
the Franconia Mountains, common. The character 
to which this species owes its name is quite marked 
in my. plants, which also differ from the other species 
in the habit of the thallus. 

: P. ruféscens, Hoffm., Spreng. 1. c., E. T. Enum: 
Lich. N. Eng., & P. spuria, Ejusd. fani Cam- 
bridge, Ipswich, and elsewhere. Sprengel and Wall- 
roth consider P. spuria not distinct from P. rufescens.. 
Hooker's remarks seem also in favor-of this view, 
though he keeps the two species separate. — .- 

P. aphthósa, Hoffm. (cit. Scher.) De Cand. 1. €; 
Scher.! 1. c., Spreng. 1..c., Wallr. 1l. ¢., Peltidea 
aphthosa, Ach. Meth. p. 287., Lichenogr. p. 516., 
Moug. & Nestl.! 1. c., Hook. 1. c., Muhl: 1 cy Torr: 
l. c., Hals. 1. c., Mass. Catal. — On the ground ; - 
tain woods, angen the northern parts of ? 

. England. The largest and handsomest of our e 
cies. 


GynRÓPHORA epadockroa, Ach. Meth. p. 108; Li- 
chenogr. 229. 673., Moug. & Nestl.! 1. c Graphis 
vellea, à. discolor, Wallr. 1. c., Lecidea hirsuta, part. 
Spreng. l c. Umbilicaria denne; B. spadochroa, — 


Lichenes of New England. 445 


Schær.! 1. c., Gyrophora vellea, 8. spadochroa, Ach. 
Syn. (cit. Wallr.), Gyromium velleum £. spadochro- 
um, Wahlenb. Fl. Suec., Gyrophora hirsuta 5. spa- 
dochroa, Floerke, (cit. Wallr.) Lichen spadochrous, 
Ach. Prodr. — Alpine Rocks ; Franconia Mountains. 
The original Lichen velleus was a. plant of Lapland. 
. Acharius had seen but a single Lapland specimen 
when he wrote the descriptions of this and the allied 
species in. the “ Lichenographia.” In the Addenda 
to the * Lichenographia,” he says that «he has re- 
ceived very large specimens of G. spadochroa from 
North America; which, he thinks, may be what others 
had called G. vellea. Our plant is smaller than what 
is commonly taken for G. vellea, and appears - 
distinct: It occurred without — T 


. CETRA RIA PRESE thallo aibciirieinó expanso 
glabro viridi-flavescente, subtus fatis castaneo, la- 
ciniis plani t elevatis nigro- 
ciliatis demum pulverulentis ; ; peltis rufo-fuscis mar- 
gine integro. C. virescens, E. T. Further Enum. 
Lich. N. Eng. — On trees; mountain woods. White 
Mountains. Franconia Mountains. Green Moun- 
tains in Vt. ' Also Plainfield, Porter!. A description 
of this apparently new species from imperfect speci- 
mens, was given in my former article in this volume, 
and the specific name virescens proposed. ‘There 
being already a C. viridis of Schweinitz, and the ex- - 
amination of better specimens having made it neces- 
sary to alter considerably my description, I now ded- 
icate the species to my excellent friend William 
Oakes, Esq., of Ipswich ; to —-— it is the least 

57 


VOL. III. — NO. IV. 


446 Lichenes of New England. 


that we can say, New England still looks for her 
FLORA. 

_C. lacunosa, ` Ach. Meth. p. 295 (cum "ye Li- 
chenogr. p. 508., Muhl. 1. c., Hals. 1. c., Mass. Catal. 
Lichen cavernosus, Menzies, (cit. Ach.)— Old rails 
and trees; throughout New England. iri 
setts, Greene !. 

C. ciliàris, Ach. Lichenogr. p. 508., Muhl. in Ach. 
l. c., Ejusd. Catal. 1. c.; Hals. 1. c., "n Catal., Par- 
melia Muhlenbergii, ibirita: l; rici rails and 
trees, common. A small form, apparently the young 
plant, which I have gathered in the subalpine region 
of the White Mountains, and have also received from 
Dr. Porter, resembles very much C. sepincola, an 
European species, but so far as I have observed, is 
always distinguishable from that’ species, by the 
presence, more or less, of cilim. It may be added, 
that this form here referred to, occurred, in both in- 
stances, as is common with a similar form of C. sep- 
incola in Europe, (of which specimen v. s. ex Hook- 
er, in herb. Greene,) in company with C. just 
B. pinastri. - Besides the character of ciliation, this 
species differs, says Acharius, from the foreign one, 
in being, as is evident, in the comparison of w 
mens; “multo major atque solidior." - 


anana inp ilo Ach, Lichenogr- Je: 60, 
Shaw. ! l. ¢., Hook. 1. c., Muhl. 1..¢., Hals. |. ¢ 
Mass. Catal., Parmelia scopulorum; a. ee 
Wallr. 1. ¢., P. polymorpha, Ach. Meth. . 265. 
Spreng. l. c., Lichen polymorphus, Ach. Prodr. p 
Walls and stones, not uncomuión. Essex co. Quit 


Lichenes of New England. 447 


Also Plainfield, Dr. Porter!. Chelmsford, Mr. Rus- 
sell. A more delicate form, resembling the var. 
tenuis, Ach., Scheer. !, is common on fences. 

R. fastigiáta, dui Lichenogr. p. 603., Moug. & 
Nestl. ! 1. c., Hook. 1. c. ; Muhl. |. c., "Torr... c., Hals. 
l. c., Mass. Catal., Partndlis Fomin a. faatig ii 
Wallr. 1.6; Piryéoia fastigiata, De Cand. 1. c., Par- 
melia fastigiata, Ach. Meth. p. 260., Spreng. l. c., 
Lichen fastigiatus, Pers. Ach. Prodr. — Trees and 
fences; very common. Generally distinguishable by 
its deligito habit, and large sub-terminal apothecia. 

R. frazinea, Ach. Lichenogr. p- 602., Scher. ! 1. c., 
Hook. !1. c., Muhl. 1. ciy Torr. 1. c., Hals. l. c., Mass. 
Catal., Physcia. fraxinea, De Cand. 1. $5. Mich. EL 
Bor. ind Moug. & Nestl. ! l. c., Parmelia fraxinea, 
Ach. Meth. p. 258, Spreng. 1. c., "Wallr. l. c., Lichen 
fraxineus, L. , Walt. F1. Carol., Fis eei Trees; 
common. A more rugose habit of thallus, and differ- 
ently situated apothecia distinguish this species from 
the preceding. 

R. farinàcea, Ach. Lichenogr. p. 606., Scheer. ! 
l. c., Moug. & Nestl. ! 1. c., Hook. 1. c., Pailin ca- 
lyca 8. chraumatica, Wallr. le. x hyacla farinacea, 
De Cand. 1. c., Parmelia farinacea, Ach. Meth. p. 263, 
Spreng. l. c., Lichen farinaceus, L., Ach. Prodr. — 
Rocks and trees; White Mountains ; very Eos 
in the Notch, Our plant agrees ith the cited speci- 
men from Hooker in Mr. Greene’s herbarium, and 
also with the other foreign specimens. It is very 
distinguishable, by its delicate habit, and numerous 
soredia. 


448 Lichenes of New England. 


CLADÓNIA uncial var. reticulata, Russell! in 
Essex Journ. Nat. Hist. — Hingham, Russell ! 1. c. 
Also in'the Alpine regions of the White Mountains, 
and the Franconia Mountains. My. Alpine lichens 
are considered by Mr. Russell identical with his curi- 
ous variety. It seems very different from any of - 
European forms, given by Scherer. 

4 C. filifórmis, Schær. !; Scyphophorus filiformis, 
Hook. 1. c., Patellaria macilenta, Wallr. 1. c., Clado- 
nia polydactyla, Spreng. l. c., C. macilenta, Hoffm. 
(cit. Wallr. ), Cenomyce macilenta, Fries, (cit: Wallr.), 
C. bacillaris, Ach. Syn. (cit. Wallr. ), Moug: & Nestl.! 
l. c., Muhl. l. ci, Hals. 1. c., Mass. Catal. Bæomyces 
tikcilátildo Wahlenb. 1. c., B. bacillaris, Ach. Meth. 
p. 329., Lichen eens Ehrh. (cit. Wallr.), L. 


-flifoFniis, Huds., Ach. Prodr. — Alpine region of: the — 


White Mouii. 


These are all the lichens, out of a pretty large 
_ collection, excluding some very common nad ar 
known species, which it was not necessary 

any reference to, that I have been ‘able to dete 

And these I should not have véntured to bring ` ‘before 
this Society, but for the assistance of two foreign 
works of great imp nce to the study of these 
cherer, of Swiss lichens, and the 
“ Stirpes Cryptogame” 
| former belonging to 


of Mougeot and Nest 
the collections of the Uni iv 
ly lent me by Mr. Greene. 2 Pie little doubt in 
regard to the correctness of the greater part of the 
references of our lichens to established species, given 


Lichenes of New England. 449 


in these papers.* But the path is by no means a 
smooth one, and the errors that may be found to 
occur, will, I hope, meet with due consideration. To 
William Oakes, and B. D. Greene, Esquires, I owe 
the unrestricted use of the collections of Lichens in 
their extensive herbaria ; that of the latter gentle- 
man containing many species from Hooker. To 
Dr. Porter, of Plainfield, who has pursued, for many 
years, the study of the Cryptogamous Orders, I have 
been long indebted, not only for several very rare 
lichens, but for numerous authentic specimens of the 


‘More’common forms. From. other of our Cryptoga- 


mists the writer has received interesting species, and 
particularly from Mr. Russell, of Chelmsford, the 
author of several excellent papers on these and other 
allied plants, an and our President, George B. Emerson, 
Esq. 'To Dr. Harris, in common with every student 
of Natural History at Cambridge, my obligations 
have been constant. And I have received from Pro- 
fessor Torrey; Mr. Greene, and Mr. A. White of the 
British Museum, numerous lichens of New Holland 
and Yan Diemen's Land, some of which are interest- 
ing for comparison with our — with which the 
former generally seem to 


_ In accordance with the intimation at the beginniay 
of the paper, a few brief remarks on The- Syste- 


aaner t varieties, have been enumerated 


; e and is exclusive of the common 
species, Lecidea parasema, Lecanora subfusca, Parmelia masa, &c., 
which have not been mentioned in his list. 


e 3 ^d ; Au 
P" thins 
227 


450 — ^  Lichenes of New England. 


matic Arrangements of the Lichens, together with 
some Hints on their Uses, from. such -sources as I 
have been able to avail myself of, are added. - 


4 de. dim did as much for this, as for every eiat 
branch of botany. He arranged the known species, 
to which he added very many, in natural groups, and 
of the: whole, constituted his genus Lichen: | This 
scheme is so. simple, that every botanist in the Lin- 
wan age was acquainted with these plants, and 
there is hardly.one of the excellent Floras of that 
age, which does not include them. In Ko ud 
“Enumeratio Lichenum” of G, F. Hoffman appeé 
This was the first of a series of works, by the sam 
author, which introduced the ayaportant : changes 
which have since been made in the sys 
rangement of the lichens. He is the first, so far 
1 have been able to find; who proposed o erect Lin- 
neus's groups into genera, and he described many 
species, for which Scherer, Sprengel, and other conti- 
nental writers have given him credit in their works. 
Nearly all his writings had appeared before Acharius 
had published any thing. . But Hoffman had soon, in 
the latter Swedish botanist, a laborious competitor, 
who before long occupied almost the whole field. 

The * Prodromus Lichenographia Suecice,” of 
Erik Acharius, was published at Linkioping in Swe- 
den, in 1798, and was the first of the works of this 
author, who has long been the common authority of i 
lichenists in Great Britain and this country. In the 
« Prodromus," Acharius distributes the Lichenes in 

+ three large groups called Families, — the Crustacei, 


is a Re ny 
‘Lichenes of New England. * A51 
Foliacei, and Chulescentes. These are. subdivided 
into twenty-two Tribes, to which Tribes substantive 
names, as of Genera, are given. Still the Linnean 
genus Lichen is retained, and each species is. n med 
as of this genus, with the addition in each case of a 
synonym, in which the generic character of the group 
called a Tribe, is supposed. Thus, Tribe 23, is Cla- 
donia ; the first species is Lichen uncialis ; the syno- 
nym, placed side by side with the vulgar name, is 
Cladonia uncialis. , None of these synonymous names, 


and none of these Tribes, could be available in their 


present condition, or until they were regularly set 
. forth in another work. And Acharius always cites 
his * Prodromus," as a Linnean system, without re- 
2 rd to the improved arrangements, which, as has 
hown, were only hinted at in it. Somie of the 

ese Tribes, he afterwards applied to 
others he does not appear to have made 


n 


genera, but 


further use of. Some of these latter have, however, | 


been adopted in other books, as Physcia, Imbricaria, 
&c.; which may be found in the French Flora of 
La Marck and: De Candolle, and various works after 
this standard, but not in later authors.: To look a mo- 
ment at the Tribes of the “ Prodromus," we find in 
the Tribe Patellaria, all the lichens which constitute 
the later genera Lecidea and Lecanora. "The former 
of these names, which is adopted from Hoffman, has 
priority to those of Acharius, and Hoffman's arrange- 
ment is restored by Sprengel, Wallroth, and other 
later writers, with various modifications. The Tribes 
Beomyces and ‘Cladonia, afterwards confounded 
by Acharius and finally again separated, are here 


the 


is 


452 Lichenes of New England. 


reckoned distinct, and placed, as by Hooker, far apart 
from. each other. The Cladonie are arranged in 
three Tribes, which, in his subsequent works, Acha- 
rius reduced to one genus, Cenomyce; this last ar- 
rangement being, however, anticipated by the genus 
Cladonia of Hoffman. The Gyrophore we find con- 
stituting the Tribe Umbilicaria, which name also is 


adopted from Hoffman, and has priority of the former. 


: The next work of Acharius was the “ Methodus,” 
which was published at Stockholm, in 1803, and 
was meant to include all the known species. In 
this, the ground was firmly taken that the Lichenes | 
ought to be regarded as constituting. an Order, rather 
than a Genus: — “ potius. Familiam vel. Ordinem 
Cryptogamie Classis quam Genus solum constituere." 


& 


(prem. p. 5.) The necessity of this change is as- ewe 


serted both on the ground of conformity with nature, 
and also on that of the immense number of species 
which must be included in the Linnwan genus. 
The characters of the Genera are taken from those 
regular and most highly organized parts called apo- 
thecia; their position, constitution, and figure being 
ls regarded. The groups of species are ac- 
cordant, to à great extent, with those of the Lin- 
nsan arrangement, which may be called obviously 
natural. ‘There are, however, defects incident to the 


nature of a system, which are also perceptible in - 


that of Acharius ; some of the arrangements being 
probably | eei and many species appearing to be 
paradoxical, upon whose right place authors seem. 
hever to have been able to agree. It does not require 
. any great attainments in the new. method of the 


» 
Lichenes of New England. 453 


Schools, to perceive the defects of the Systems. 
These defects may be apparent enough to us, though 
as yet our knowledge may be limited to the truth 
which our system has taught us, and we may never 
have been out to learn of Her who knows nothing of 
paradoxes and half-truths, who is silent and works 
without words. 1 cannot think that the remark of 
Sir James Smith, himself one of the most illustrious 
of systematists, — that the arrangements of Acharius 
“will most likely form the foundation of all. that 
can in future be done on the subject," will not re- 
quire to be greatly qualified. 'The arduous labors of 
the continental lichenists have not been in vain, and 
that these labors will be of account, in all attempts at 
reaching the true natural arrangement of the Li- 
chenes, can hardly be doubted. And such works as 
Sir William Hooker's, on British lichens, though it 
be still of the school of Acharius, and perhaps sug- 
gests more changes than it makes, may well be men- 
tioned in proof of this. Still the “ Methodus” is a 
work, which no student of these plants ean use 
without becoming attached to it. 'T'he style is sim- 
ple, and there are places which may even be called 
Linnean, and there is very little Greek-Latin. Some 
of the generic names have been noticed by natural- 
ists for their beauty. And the observations on the 
Species, so much shortened in the. succeeding works 
of our author, abound with matter of usefulness to 
the lichenist. There are three main divisions of 
this work, under which the species are arranged in 
twenty-three genera. The genus Lecidea is separat- 
ed from the Lecanore, which last, with a number 
VOL. III. — NO. IV. 58 


454 Lichenes of New England. 


of other groups, afterwards considered to be genera, 
are united with Parmelia. 

The * Methodus ? was followed, in 1810, by the 
“ Lichenographia Universalis," which was published | 
at Gottingen, in 696 pages, 4to. This great work is 
remarkable for its minuteness of division. In the 
introductory dissertation, on the parts and the propa- 
gation of lichens, some very important views are 
proposed, with respect to their fructification, and 
their carpomorphous organs. The number of species 
and varieties is greatly augmented in the “ Licheno- 
graphia,” and some new genera constituted, as Le- 
canora, Ramalina, Borrera, and others. For some. 
further remarks on this work, I would refer to the 
excellent article ^ Licuen,” in the “Edinburgh En- 
cyclopedia.” The last separate work of Acharius is 
the “Synopsis,” which appeared in 1914, 8vo. I 
have not seen this, but from the citations of other 
authors, it would seem that several new genera are 
published in it, and many new species. After the 
publication of the “ Synopsis," our author contrib- 
uted several Memoirs to the “Transactions of the 
Royal Society of Stockholm,” and: particularly one 
on the genus Calicium, which he distributes in sev- 
eral genera ; but these papers are unfortunately writ- 
ten in Swedish. 

I have attempted the foregoing view of the writ- 
ings of Acharius, because they have been so long 
the manuals of British and American botanists in the 

study of the Lichenes. This, however, has not been 
the case generally, on the continent, where many 
other arrangements have been proposed. — 


Lichenes of New England. 455 


berg's arrangement of the lichens of his Lapland 
Flora may be regarded as a sketch of a new method. 
He retains the Linnean genus Lichen, as one of. the 
genera of the Order. Fries, Eschweiler, Meyer, 
Agardh, and Chevalier, are mentioned by Hooker, as 
having proposed new methods. Sprengel has given 
an admirable arrangement in his “ Systema.” And 
Wallroth, a German botanist, is the author of the 
Cryptogamic part of the German Flora of Bluff and 
Fingerhuth, in which he has made a new arrange- 
ment of the lichens of that Flora. This is appar- 
ently a work of great labor, but it is written in a 
dialect that it requires some study to master, and the 
terms now and then remind us of the humorous com- 
plaint of Professor Schultes, in Sir James Smith's 
“Correspondence.” The class is arranged in three 
Orders, under which the species are distributed in 
thirteen genera. In some respects the arrangement 
resembles that of Sprengel. I will quote this author’s 
curious view of an important part of the Economy 
of Lichenes : — “ Propagatio primaria eaque rarior 
speirematica veluti pseudo-cotyledonaris ex speirema- 
tibus sive primitus in cymatiorum rudimenta eblaste- 
matica deliquescentibus sive producendo in fila bys- 
soidea nigrescentia radiantia (hypothema) excurrenti- 
bus periblastesin raro primitus cymatia informantibus 
secundaria eaque adsueta veluti gemmacea ex holo- 
gonidiis emersis fætis iisque a periblastesi l. sæpius 
loci injuria deliquescentibus monstraque asyntheta 
hologonimica et mesogonimica ex globulis microsco- 
picis viviparis erustam pulverulentam effusam nunc 
viridem nunc flavam versicolorem composita menti- 


456 Lichenes of New England. 


entibus s.ex his itidem in chraumata s. initia peri- 
blastetica sensim abeuntibus." (l. c. p. 286.) 

In Great Britain, Hooker, Turner and Borrer, and 
Greville, have left entire the principal parts of the 
system of Acharius, upon which they have founded 
all their arrangement. 'The part of Sir William 
Hooker's “ British Flora ” which includes the lichens, 
is as valuable to a student of these plants in this 
country as in England. The arrangement in Natu- 
ral Families, and the admirable descriptions, princi- 
pally distinguish this work. The scaly Lecidez and 
Lecanore of Acharius, are made a distinct family, 
and constituted as three Genera. Cladonia is also 
divided into three genera, which form the family 
Cladoniex.  Borrer, it is said, refers Endocarpon to 
Verrucaria, and admits Lecanora with difficulty as 
distinct from Parmelia. But the British lichenists 
may properly be considered of the school of Achari- 
us, to which also belong those of our own botanists - 
who have illustrated the Lichenes. In the earlier 
American Floras and Catalogues a few lichens are 
enumerated. Gronovius describes several, and his 
list was somewhat enlarged by Forster, and Walter. 
The last botanist, found, it would. seem, Cetraria 
nivalis, and this was the only authority for the spe- 
cies, as à member of the United States Flora, till its 
recent discovery on the New England mountains. 
Twenty-one species, some of which are published 
as new, are given by Michaux, in his Flora. - ‘But the 
catalogue of Muhlenberg, in his Catal. Pl. Amer. 
Septent. 1818, which comprises 184 species, 18 of 
which are given as new, is the first work of impor- 


2 "iced Dia ba tyes i ARE ATE CE 


ERA 


Lichenes of New England. 457 


tance that appeared in this country, and though prob- 
ably it ean hardly be otherwise than incomplete, 
when the extent of the region of country is consid- 
ered, and certainly is deficient in our New England 
Alpine lichens, yet I believe no other lichenist has 
made so large an enumeration, or indicated so many 
new species. Some of these last are described by 
Acharius in his * Synopsis,” (cited by Halsey,) and 
of many Sprengel has given descriptions. And they 
may also be found described in.the sixth edition of 
Eaton's * Manual." Muhlenberg's “ Catalogue ” was 
followed in 1819, by that of Professor Torrey, in his 
“Catalogue of the Plants of New York." In this 
enumeration, —— species are given, with their com- 
mon stations. In 1823, Mr. Halsey's very valuable 
* Synoptical View of the Lichens of New York ” 
was published in the * Annals of the Lyceum." In 
this work, which must be regarded as the most com- 
plete view of the species of a particular district 
which has been given by any of our writers, more 
than 170 species are enumerated, 9 of which are 
given as new. Brief characters are added, and the 
common stations. Professor Hitchcock's ‘ Catalogue 
of the Plants of Massachusetts," appended to his ** Ge- 
ologieal Report," contains 116 species, including a 
number from Dr. Porter. And the invaluable works 
of Sir William Hooker, on the “Flora of Boreal 
America," contain, besides a general survey of the 
. lichens of that region, and descriptions of new spe- 
cies, many remarks illustrative of the economy and 
the uses of these plants. 

But this very imperfect sketch of some of the sys- 


458 Lichenes of New England. 


k # 
tematic arrangements of the Lichenes, which have 


been proposed by authors, has been extended, per- 
haps, too far already ; and I pass to the next topic, 
which is suggested by the last clause of the forego- 
ing sentence, — the Uses of the Lichenes. This is 
an object of far more importance and interest than 
will readily be supposed by those who have not paid 
attention to it. But my opportunities of consulting 


the numerous learned works upon it, have been so 


very few, that, in the.following remarks, I hope only 
to be able to apply some of the discoveries of Euro- 
pean naturalists to our own Flora, as containing the 


same plants upon whieh the experiments abroad were 


made. And I would again refer to the excellent 
view of this subject in the already-cited article of 
the “ Edinburgh Encyclopedia," of which article I 
am compelled to avail myself freely, in what follows. 


The gradual formation of soil, both by the disinte- ' 


gration of the rocks on which many groups of species 
grow, and also by the decay of their own bodies, has 
been often traced to the Lichenes. And no botanist 
can visit one of our old forests, without observing 
manifest and striking proofs of their slow but sure 
powers of destruction. This is their destiny, and it 


requires little thought to understand in some degree - 


its end. But the higher orders of creation have 
found in these plants uses so important, and man 
himself has turned them to account so profitably, that 


perhaps we may not limit the purposes of their be- 
ing to a simple design, however constant and uni- . 


versal this be found. I have had my room overrun 
with young spiders, which the warmth brought out 


Lichenes of New England. 459 


of their winter-quarters in the large Parmelie and 
Sticte.* And Linneus says of Cladonia rangiferina, 

the Rein-deer moss, that “huic Licheni innititur 
economia et salus totius Lapponie,” — the very 
existence of Lapland ; because, he continues, on this 
lichen their herds of deer are sustained throughout 
their whole winter. (Fl. Suec. in loc. ) In his Lap- 
land Tour, Linneus mentions that Cladonia uncialis, 

and the filamentous lichens, are also used for rein- 
deer fodder. ` It is stated that one of the last group, 
a species of Usnea, has been collected in Virginia for 
the winter food of sheep and cows. "The Rein-deer 
moss is also stored as provender for black cattle in 
the North of -Europe ; and Cetraria Islandica is col- 
lected in other countries to fatten cattle. + The rein- 
deer, which exist in Iceland in a wild state, are also 
said by Hooker to feed on the Cetraria Islandica, pre 

ferring, as may be supposed, this lichen to the more 
abundant but less nourishing Rein-deer moss. 

Many lichens have been found edible by man ; and 
the use of Cetraria Islandica is universally known.t 
It is possible that the nutritious part of the Gyropho- 
ræ, various species of which constitute the Rock- 
Tripe, or “ T'ripe de Roche,” of boreal countries, 
may be very similar to the starchy matter which 


* At this season, I have observed with my glass, on many of the 
tree lichens, very minute Acari, some of them beautiful, and resem- 
bling small beetles. 

t Encycl. Edinb. 1. c. 

t The species occurs generally, i in greater or less abundance, on all 
our mountains; and itis found more sparingly on hill-sides and in 
sandy fields throughout New England. 


460 Lichenes of New England. 


Berzelius found to constitute almost 80 parts in the 
100, of Cetraria Islandica. In the latter there is also 
a bitter extractive matter, said by Linnzus to be pur- 
gative, which is removed by boiling; and the ac- 
count of the use of the Rock-Tripe given in Frank- 
- lin’svoyage,* shows that a great inconvenience found 
by the voyagers, in preparing these lichens for food, 
was their inability to remove a similar “ bitter prin- 
ciple, nauseous, and producing severe bowel com- 
plaints." The species of Gyrophora used by these 
travellers were GG. Muhlenbergii, Pennsylvanica, 
hyperborea, and proboscidea £. arctica, all of which 
are found in New England, and the former, which 
alone, it seems, is employed by the Indians, (and 
which, boiled with fish-roe or other animal matter, is 
“ agreeable and nutritious,") very abundantly occurs 
on the Blue Hills in Milton, and in many other sta- 
tions given in one of the former of these papers. 
We are told, however, that they preferred G. vellea, 
as “more agreeable to eat than any other of the 
preceding species." + It appears from the above, that 
in this case, a very considerable difference was found 
in the species used, two being considered agreeable 
and nutritious, while the rest not only brought on 
bowel complaints in some, but, it is further said, if 
they served to allay the appetite, “ were very ineffi- 
cient in recruiting our strength.” Yet an author 1S . 
cited by Mackenzie in his “ Travels in Iceland,” 
p. 423, as saying, that these lichens (the Gyropho- 
re), are “longe optimum in re cibaria Lichens 


* p. 173. t And see “ Kalm's Travels." 


Lichenes of New England. 461 


genus," * which is very high praise. The excellent 
qualities of the Iceland Moss, Cetraria Islandica, as 
has been said, are universally known. Proust re- 
marks of this lichen that ^ Nature can scarcely fur- 
nish à more excellent article of food." It is used in 
the form of flour, of which soup and even bread is 
made. In Sir William Hooker's “ Journal of a Tour 
in Ieeland," I. 133, some account is given of the 
mode of cooking and using this lichen in that coun- 
try, where it is more employed than probably in any 
other. From the same author we learn, that it is 
also made use of as a dye-stuff. The medicinal vir- 
tues of the plant are differently estimated by authors, 
some of whom appear to doubt their importance ; but 
reference may be had on this point to the learned 
article * Lichen,” by Smith, in Rees's “ Cyelopeedia.” 
. Cetreria nivalis and (sapien proboscidea are also 
eatenin Iceland. The former, which occurs com- 
monly on our highest mountains, is considered, says 
Hooker, “an extremely agreeable food, and of a 
sweet taste,” and is called by the people Maringraus, 
in honor of the, Virgin. The latter, which, it appears 
from Mackenzie, is used as food only in times of 
scarcity, will probably yet be found in our Alpine 
districts. Parmelia physodes, Stieta pulmonace, Ra- 
malina farinacea, have also been reckoned edible 
lichens, and yield, when boiled, a nearly insipid yel- 
low mucilage, which may be eaten with salt. 

As Dye-Stuffs, lichens are very extensively used, 

* The author seems to have had Gyrophora hirsuta only in his 
mind, in making this remark; and perhaps in this case, ** Ep "ds 
to be understood to mean only species. 

VOL. 1I, — NO. IV. 59 


462 Lichenes of New England. 


and several authors have treated the subject at large. 
I will enumerate a few of our New England species, 
which in other countries have been found valuable 


for the purposes of dying. Nearly all the common - 


Parmelie ; Squamaria Candelaria; Cetraria Islandica 
and C. juniperina $. pinastri ; several Lecanore, and 
especially L. tartarea, which is the “cud bear” of 
commerce, and of which ‘whole cargoes” are im- 
ported into Britain, and L. Parella, the “ perelle ” of 
commerce, and also an article of trade in Europe; 
several Gyrophore; Usnea plicata, and others of the 
filamentous lichens, may be mentioned.  Evernia 
vulpina is not only employed as a dye-stuff, but it is, 
according to Pontoppidan, (and a similar account: is 
given in L. Fl. Suec.) very poisonous, and used in 
Sweden and Norway to kill wolves; which would 
lead us to suspect some active principle in this lichen 
worth examining; though I have not found its sen- 
sible properties very perceptible to the taste. A 
slight sensation of burning in the mouth continued, 
however; for some time after I made the experiment, 
which, I supposed, was caused by the lichen. © This 


mode of experimenting on the properties of these 


plants, will be found easy and interesting. The fla- 
vor of nearly allied species of the same genus will 
be found very different, while the same lichens agree 
nearly in taste with species of other genera differing 
from them in almost every other respect. A E 
remark is quoted from “ Weiss Pl. Crypt. Fl. Gott." 

in Humboldt's “FÌ. Friberg,” p. 25, to the effect that 
the virtues of lichens vary with the trees on whie 

they grow: — * Lichenum enim eædem species, si 


Lichenes of New England. 463 


. diversis arboribus innascuntur, diversum habitum 
VIRES que sibi assumunt." And another writer has 
stated that where,the same lichens are found growing 
on rocks as well as trees, the plants from the former 
are “evidently more productive ” of color, than those 
from the latter. More observations of this kind 
would be very valuable. And perhaps the remark 
may be allowed, that chemical analysis might be ap- 
plied more extensively than it has yet been, to settle 
the real character of these groups and species, which 
appear to be reputed as remarkably different in their 
properties, as they are like in habit. By this means, 
it is probable, some general results would be obtained 
and a more complete view of the subject. Sticta 
pulmonacea, or Oak-lungs, is one of the ancient sim- 
ples which were employed forthe cure of pulmona- 
ry complaints. 'The doctrine of signatures, which 
found some resemblance in the reticulated thallus of 
this plant to the figure of the lungs, aided probably 
in giving the lichen the distinction it acquired ; but 
later experimenters have detected in it “a portion, 
equal to one eighth of its substance, of a reddish 
gum, having a slightly bitter taste," which, perhaps, 
may also in part account for its reputation. Variola- 
ria faginea is now extensively used in France, says 
Hooker, in the manufacture of oxalic acid. It is 
further remarked by the same author, that this prin- 
ciple has been found to be common to several other 
crustaceous lichens; and Braconnot considered the 
oxalate of lime as bearing “the same relation to the 
Cryptogamia, as carbonate of lime to corals, and 


Ep , ^ 7M 
et " ^d 
will $$ k : * 
464 Lichenes of New England. 


phosphate of lime to the bony structure of the — í 


perfect animals.” * 
That these hints may possibly be of use in sug- 


gesting further examination of the properties of our 


lichens, and in making them of somewhat more con- 
sequence to investigators, has been my motive in 
giving them a place. I cannot close this paper with- 
out saying how delightful a pursuit for leisure hours 
the study of the Cryptogamia affords. Perhaps no 


r4 


Li 


other braneh of botany ean be pursued with less ex- - 


pense of time, though none will repay more ; or with 
less of that drudgery which always attends a herba-. 
rium. The necessary books are few in number, and 
for the Lichenes any of the old Linnzan Floras, as 
Scopoli, Lightfoot, Hudson, will furnish, so far as 
they go, no contemptible substitute for more modern 
systems. And such authors as Linnæus himself, and 
Sir James Smith, leave little, indeed; to be desired. 
The botanist who engages in this pursuit, finds win- 


ter, also, a season of flowers; and the snow cannot . 


hide his tree-lichens, or the inhabitants of the exposed 
tops of the old fences; and if he keeps in-doors, his 


wood-pile is rich in species. Another pleasure 15 


added to his walks and to his hours of study, and he 
attains, through these humble plants, a yet firmer 
hold on the satisfying charms of Nature. 

Xoigs* oi yàp nào: Iiug Syytoior moocavoay ` 

£x Gov yàg yévos au£v, ov uiunuæ AayovTes 

uoŬyor, ooo tuer Te xol Egner Oywr ent ere? 


eanth. 


* Br. F1., II. 169. 


; ght 
k B 
E E. 


É Hepatic Mosses of Massachusetts. 465 


^ 


ART. XVI. — ATTEMPT TO ASCERTAIN SOME OF THE 


HEPATIC MOSSES OF MASSACHUSETTS, WITH RE- 

MARKS. By Jons Lewis Russet ; Corresponding Member of 

the “ Boston Society of Natural History,” &c. (Read March 17th, 
1841.) 


In the year 1821, the Reverend Lewis D. Schwein- 
itz published a small tract, which he entitled a 
“Specimen of a Systematic Arrangement and De- 
scription of the Cryptogamous Plants. of North 
America, comprising a diagnostic description of all 
the Hepatic Mosses hitherto observed in North Amer- 
ica, with ample descriptions of a number of new 
species." This valuable little work, I have made 
the guide of what research I have been able to 
pursue in the study of the plants of my present me- 
moir. Next to this, I know of no other authority, 
except Muhlenberg's Catalogue, and the Massachu- 
setts’ Catalogue, the latter, especially, a mere array 
of names, until we come to the unrivalled work of 
Professor Hooker on the Jungermannie of Great 
Britain. On the first and last of these works, I have 
mainly depended in determining some of the few 
species of this vicinity, and occasional specimens 
from other localities generally presented me by 
friends. It were almost unnecessary to state, that, 
in the study of these minute plants, often barren 
(without fructification), errors may have occurred ; 
but great interest in their research and their intrinsic 
beauty, have prompted me, nevertheless, to exertion. 
To determine more accurately the exact Flora of 


* 466 Hepatic Mosses of Mass etts. 


+ 
s 


districts, is a work of importance, and to add one's 


mite to such an end is pleasing and gratifying. 

It only remains for me to Ea. i 
most part followed Hooker as authority for reducing 
the species to a systematic arrangement. 


E JUNGERMANNIA. Lindos 
| A 


x cordifolia ? Hooker’s Brit. Jung. tab. 32. Grow- 
ing among a Species of Dicranum in bogs, South 


Pond, Plymouth! December. Some of the stems 


furnished with capitula and with white pulverulent 
granules ; leaves at the tip of the stem, dark pitpie: 
Not in fruit. 

J. sphagni, Dicks. Brit. Jung. t. 33 & Suppl. t. 2; 


Schweinitz, p. 15. Mass. Catal. Eel River, Plym- : 


outh! Generally adherent to Sphagnum by its long 
roots from beneath its stem. 

J. bicuspidata, L. Brit. Jung. t. 11. Dillenius’e 
Musci, t. 70, fig. 13. Schw. p. 17. Found with 
empty calyces, October, 1839, near Plymouth! 


J. connivens, Dicks. Brit. Jung. t. 15. Schw. i 


pP. 17. near Plymouth! In mode of growth and 
texture resembles the-last, but is easily distinguished 
by the curious forcipated. teeth of the leaf, aie 
tiful species. 


J. Ehrhartiana, Weber. Schw. p. 17. Piym- 


outh! Stem very rooting. 


J. nemorosa, L: Brit. Jung. t. 21. Schw. p 17. 


Plymouth! A somewhat large species of a] 


green color, and ciliato dentato se on the edge 9 of nM 
leaves. 


E 


I have for the : 


4. 


án. 


s ’ $ 
, , 


; és. cone L. Brit. Jung. t. 81. Dill. Muse. 
t. i. 72, fig. 26. Schw. p. 14. Mass. Catal. On mossy 
rocks, and also decayed pieces of wood, Chelms- 
ford! A deliato species, closely adhering to the 
substance on which it grows. Hooker and Schwein- 
itz remark, that its habitat is “ the bark of trees.” I 
have generally found it on mossy rocks. Gemme 
may be frequently seen on the edges of the leaves. 

J. bidentata, L. Brit. Jung. t. 30. Dill. Musc. 

t. 72, fig. 11. Schw. p. 17. In very moist situa- 
tions among Hypna near a spring. Chelmsford! If 
the specimen is examined by the naked eye only, 
each leaf seems to have three teeth; a deception 
arising from the overlapping of one leaf on the next. 
I am inclined to suppose this identical with J. triden- 
tate of the Mass. Catalogue “Schw. Dr. Porter,” 
which, as a species, I can € find described. 

J. trilobata, L. ` Brit. Jung. t. 76. Schw. p. 12. 
. Mass. Catal. | Among ined and other mosses. 

Chelmsford! Plymouth! From the axilla, of the 
stipules proceed numerous flagelle, which serve as 
an excellent guide to distinguish the species. In 
* Muhlenberg’s Catalogue,” it is called J. radicans, 
probably on account of this feature. | 

J. platyphylla, L. Brit. Jung. t. 40 & Suppl. t. 3. 

Schw. p. 9. Mass. Catal. Chelmsford! This is by 
far the most common species we have, and, owing to 
its great size, is most observed. Although Schwein- 
itz mentions its habitat as “on the bark of trees, es- 
ly Carpinus,” yet I have seen it abundant on 
tocks: Its dark green branching stems are most con- 
spieuous in moist weather, investing the trunks of 


s H epatic Mosses of Massachusetts. 46T € 


b, t E 
^s Li ss 3 
‘Se E, s ae tus d P 
oe M 
set = © 
k ` TY * 


4 

ba - 
" 468 ~ Hepatié Mosses of Massachusetts. a à 

3 almost every kind of tree, and, nging NC 

| sides of large stones in damp si ations, and indeed ` 

x on the flat surfaces of old stone walls. Its range of 

loca P seems extensive, as I have. specimens from 

"PN | doc 


«J. platyphylloidea. Schw. .p.9. Igive this with 3 i 
"aal fpesifütion, from a fine large specimen from X 
ims Sheffield, in the western part of the State. It is cer- 
= <` tainly much s am di specimen of J. platy- 
» * -phylla ; while the color, yellowish green tinged with ; 
‘^as brown, inflexed margins of the leaves and stipules, de 
Kag à , considered essential characters of Sehweinitz, seem ` X 
* $4 ~to point out the species. Unfortunately it is without , a 
r fruit, which, differing from that of the pent a 
species, serves as a distinguishing trait. A 

J. pulcherrima, L. Schw. p. 17. This species 
is considered by Hooker as identical with J. ciliaris; 
but I concur with Schweinitz that “they are mani- 
festly distinct.” My specimens perfectly agree with 
his description of J. pulcherrima. It truly merits its 


name, being ma far the most beautiful of any of our 


= 


species. - on Taghannoe mountain, S Sheffield 
by my friend Mr. Andrew L. Russell. ? 
(Perhaps it may not be amiss to notice that J. ser- 
tularioides, M., is quoted in the Mass. Catal. as $Y- 
nonymous with J. ciliaris. This is an error; the two 
plants being very distinct. I have J. sertularioides 
from Topsham, Me., and found going on decay’ 
o s of trees.) be 


dilatata. Brit. Jung. t. 5. (Bins J. taam 
jew. p. 10.) Mass. itis I Pcr Terre 


* : Nie Seo ae ie’ 
d v on 
- i sth j * Mx y 
Dob > 9 a 
_— ku a : 3 N Q- Ew 
x^ » di KC p " a + 
t $ i i A xo EN m. ^ . : 
fou e a the Ohio. ae 
ah: 


t . which Schwei éinitz observes to be cidit confounded 
i with another Les similar appearance. With the other 
“species, I have not yet been so fortunate as to teet. 
Seen generally « on the smooth bark of forest: 
spreading widely ith very thin and delicate br 
es, in a somewhat radiating manner ; but when ¢ 
ing on rocks it: is more «d Chelmsford ! and 
elsewhere! . ‘+ « 
J. pingwis, L. Brit. i t. 46. Schw. p- 19. 
Mass. Catal. Loudon Encyc. Plants, sp. 15,000. ` 
. On sides, of declivities over which water trickles. 
E ^"Chelmsford!. In fruit, March. Also at V med ^ 
— .* South Pond! 
pa J. multifida, L. Brit. Jung. t. 45. Bibi P $o. 
Mass. Catal.. Allied. to the preceding, but distinct, 
having reticulated and narrow fronds. Biya ! 


ART. XVII. _ DESCRIPTIONS OF "THE FISHES OF THE 
OHIO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES. By Jaren P. 
: KIRTLAND, Professor of the Theory and Practice Medicine in 
the Medical Pabat of Ohio, at Cinci ES ued from 
page 352.) ‘ 


Powori. Cuv. 
i macrochira. Raf. The Gilded Sun-Fish. 


* Johthelis macrochir. Raf. Ichth. Ohien. p. 2. » 
ES 


Plate XXVII. Fig. 3 > 


'aleless between the eyes. * 
n "ig than those of the other parts of the 
Operculum terminates behind 


*. the operc 


ATO Fishes of the Ohio 


in-a semi-circular elongation, which is black and 
submargined with a lighter colored border, 


Body somewhat compressed, especially near the 


back ; uniformly oval. í 
Dorsal and anal fins inserted on fleshy, slightly 


extended bases, with minute scales extending upon a. 


portion of the membranes of their soft rays. Cauda: 
fin slightly bilobed ; lobes equal, their bases furnished. 
with scales between the rays for one fourth of their 
length, Ventral fins horizontal, reaching beyond the 
vent, to the commencementvof the anal fin. Pectoral 


fins thin, diaphanous, extending as far as the tip of 


the ventrals. 
Color. Back and head iridescent, brown and pur 
ple, blotched with spots of darker brown ; throat, 
sides, and belly a brilliant golden yellow. ris gilt- 
brown. Pectoral fins fuscous or light brown; the 
other fins pale olive. 
Length from 2 to 8 inches. NS 
D:10— 12; C. 17; A. 38-10; V. 1-5; P 15. 


Habitat, Tributaries of the Ohio in the vicinity 


a 


of Cincinnati, particularly the Bank Lick. °°, 
Observations. "This is a well-niarked and d 


species, at once recognised by its color, the smallness : 


of the mouth, and length of the pectoral fin, as well 


as the shape and color of the posterior extremity of 


Bei 


©) P. vulgaris. Cuv. The Sun-Fish.' Roach. Har 


-lequin Roach. 


Pomotis vulgaris. Cuv. et Valenc. Hist. Nat. des Poissons. | Hl. 
i » i oe 2 : ^ s 


i PIO pr. 45 


NUR 


- 


fikirdi Fauna Boreali AT 4 
torer. eeey on the Fishes of Miteuhinel. 


1 «c ; 4 ee "Report on the Zoology of Ohio. p. 191. " 
Labrus auritus. Linnæus. kafi Nature. Torton's Translation. 
Vol.I. p. 794 


General Dealers Vol. IV. p. 482, 
E. Pu a Ly et Philosoph. ^ 


x 


` E ‘Vout 
m Mi vem p- 29. S ^ » 


Ichthelis aurita. Raf fir esqu 


* Plate ES os 3 pd 
Head shart, ( 


obtuse 5 n 


ior dorsal fin ess elevated n th ' pos 
fin extends beyond the commence 
e 


E 
L4 


472 F'ishes of the Ohio 


New York. The pectoral and ventral fins in the 
western fish are not yellowish as in those of New 
York; but I still believe them to be specifically 
identical. It does not agree in the number of rays 
in the a nor the color of the membranous ap- 
pendage with that described under the same name 
by Rafinesque; but there is considerable variation 
in the specimens from different localities. 


P. nitida. Kirtland. The Sun-Fish. Red eyes. 
Plate XXVIII. Fig. 1. 


^ Bo: ead short, abrupt. Eyes full, vermilion-colored. ` 
` S £3 aws set with numerous small teeth. Operculum 
ps I val, appendage large, black, edged with vermilion 
d e cept at its superior and anterior edger which is 
bluish white. 
| Body c , oval. Back aibbous between 


; . the eyes and d fin. Vent post- medial. Lateral 
š upwards - the piti of 
NS 


AE . the percditl e 


LI 
Y 


Dorsal fin double : spinous rays 10, less ele ex — | 
than - the soft rays ‘which are 11 ‘in nomb The 
al membrane. is fuscous or -ochery-yellow E 

! Mea 


rane uniting it to the 
A LJ reaches the rent, the rays bluish, ined 
Ee — pen memb 


E 


and its Tributaries. 473 


Anal fin with 2 spinous and 9 soft rays, nearly 
reaches the base of the caudal ; color, the same as the 
dorsal, but more bright and orange. 

Caudal fin 18 tayed ; — nés the “same as 
the dorsal. 

Color, brilliant, but onion, and fading as soon 
as the fish is taken out of the water. Upper part of 
the head and back brown, yellowish, and sometimes 
greenish. Head, jaws, operculum, and sides beauti- 
fully waved and spotted with verditer blue. Lips 
light blue, ‘sides golden yellow, ose d ue with 
orange. .. 

Length, not exceeding 3 elis. 
Hab. Mahoning river. Ld * be 
Observations. 1 cannot sif thé en on í 

any. of Rafinesque’s species to this fish ; 

either of the seven species of Pomotis, describe Roy: a5 

Valenciennes in the ES: vo. | of his “Hist do 3 

vit 


Nat. des Poissons, with its le xa S 
do not, therefore, hesitate "e co nsider it an. unde- 

& i 
scribed species. Its habits are peculiar, and its mark- 


ings prominent. 'T'he preceding species always seeks Ld ef^ : 
still sluggish water for its resort ; | this species niays TON 


streams, on a pebbly Ma. m The size, 
listingu e two. : "O09. 


Be Awwoceres, Dumer. 21 
A. gos Kirtland. The Mod-Eel. p 
“Pike EKVIL Fig. 1 o» 4 c4 UR 


. Head declivous, convex above the nme i 


PR * 
m. 


474 Fishes of the Ohio 


"ings; mouth semi-circular, elongate ; lower lip trans- . 
verse; nose terminates in a short snout, projecting - 
over the mouth; eyes scarcely discernible ; branchi 
openings seven, arranged in a horizontal sulcation. 

Body sub-cylindricy more compressed laterally be- 
hind the vent; transversely marked, with’ numerous 
curved sulcations “tere the whole extent of the 
body. 

Dorsal fin commences narrow, over the middle of 
the-body, expands to its greatest width over the vent, 
then declines towards the posterior. extremity, but is 
continuous around the tip of the tail, again expand- 


ing as it approaches the vent, and is widest one. 


third of the distance from that orifice. By this 'ar- 
rangement the dorsal, caudal, and anal fins are united 
in one continuous extension. 

"Color. The back and sides are uniformly. of a a 
light olive, or sometimes a leaden hue; the. belly 
and throat of a yellowish white; the fins pale and 
diaphanous. Irregular series of dark brown dots are 


imprinted on the whole length of the sides of the. — 


body and more faintly above the branchial openings. 

Length 4 or 5inches. Breadth at the bauen 
ment of the dorsal fin 8 of an inch. : 
Hab. Mahoning and Scioto rivers. 


EU 


— Observations. I first obtained half a dozen s 


; P o a pit sunk in the bank of the Mahoning. 
r river, for the purpose of erecting an abutment to à. 


] 


bridge. At the same time were taken several of the "o 


Tm Menopoma and Menobranchus. Subsequently, my pt 
T es ~ friend Joseph Sullivant, Esq. , of Columbus, head fur- d 


and its T'ributaries. 475. 
A ity of P city ; from the latter the } drawings was di. 


pecies cannot. be the A. bicolor of Lesueur, 
for he describes that species as having the “dorsal 
fins low, separated, the second united with the caudal, 
which is rounded ; back and sides reddish? &c. I 


E 


have in my possession the figure of this species, . 


drawn, engraved, and colored by that author; and 
the characters are so. distinctly different from the 
specimens before me, that I believe I am warranted 
in describing the latter as a new species. 


Fig. a. Full size. 
Fig. b. View of the Mouth. 
m promelas: Raf. à The Black-headed Flat-head. 


Pimephales promelas. NS Ichthyologia Ohiensis. p. 53. 
and. Rep. on Zool. of Ohio. p. 194. 


Plate XXVIL Fig. 2. 


Head globose. . Snout sloping, broad, truncate, 
with soft warts in front. Mouth small, elliptical, 
transversal, with equal circular hard lips. Eyes 
round. rides dusky. 

Body full; gibbous on the back, anterior to the 


dorsal fin ; somewhat compressed on the sides. Lat- 


eral line flexuous at its base. Scales rather large. 
Ki. P. _ Dorsal. fin with the anterior ray sub-spinous, stiff, 
1 , elevated, half the length of the soft rays, and the 
osterior soft ray equal to the longest. 


v 


Fishes of the Ohio 


d Zaudal fin lunated ; the divisions acuminate and K 
* Incurved at their tips. ne m E 

“© Anal fin rhomboidal.. sgh 
` Ventral fin horizontal and extending to the middle 
of the base of the Anal. x 2 
_ Pectoral fins ovate, do not attain to the bases of 
the dorsal or the ventral. 

Color. The whole head of a bluish black. ..Back 
dusky, sides and abdomen of an olive or sometimes 
coppery yellow ; fins olivaceous ; the dorsal blotched 
at the base of the rays with jet black... serdi Eos 

Length 3 inches. Diameter $ of an inch. 

D. 1-8; C.20; A. 8; V.7; P. 16. 

Hab. The tributaries of the Mahoning river. © 

Observations. 1 consider myself as extremely 
fortunate in being able to lay before the public a cor- 
rect drawing of this rare fish. Rafinesque made out 
his description of it from a solitary specimen taken in 
a pond near Lexington, Ky. During the last sum- 
mer, I succeeded in taking three, by means of a small 
net, in a spring-run on my farm, in the township of 
Boardman, Trumbull County, and also. had repeated . 
opportunities to watch their peculiar habits. They — 
had formed beds or slight excavations under the ! 
ends of logs and stones, in still water, and were ac 
tively engaged in defending their premises against - 
the approach of other fishes. "This habit first 
me to distinguish them from the common chubs 
which abound in the same locality. The hard, cat- - 
tilaginous lips, the character of the first ray of the 
dorsal fin, the peculiar, globose form of the head, 
well as their habits, will at once distinguish then 


and its Tributaries. 


from any other of our fishes, and perhaps these el 
acters warrant Mr. Rafinesque in setting them apart 
as a new genus, characterized by the “ Body ‘ob- 
long, thick, and scaly. Vent posterior, nearer to the 
tail. Head scaleless, fleshy all over, even over the 
gill covers, rounded, convex above and short. Mouth 
terminal, small, toothless, with hard cartilaginous lips. 
Opercule double, three branchial rays. Nostrils sim- 
ple. Dorsal fin opposite the abdominals, with the first 
ray simple and cartilaginous. Abdominal fins with 
eight rays." i 


ConEGoNus. Cuv. 


C. albus. Le Sueur. 'The White-Fish of the Lakes. 


Coregonus albus. Le Sueut. Journal of the Academy of Natural 
i 232. 


Sciences.. Vol. I. 
u « PEZ Fauna Boreali-Americana.. Fishes. | 
p. 195 e 


: fig. 
‘> Kirtland. esit on the Zoology of Ohio. p. 195. 
. Plate XXVIH. | Fig. 3. 


Head triangular, compressed, smooth ; gill covers 
diaphanous ; mazillaries wide, and when the mouth 
is expanding, playing upon their attachment above to 
the vomer; eyes brilliant; pupils black ; irides sil- 
very; upper jaw longer than the lower; tip of the 
nose slightly recurved and obtuse. 

Body compressed laterally ; form varying from 
age, sex, and condition ; slightly gibbous behind the 
head; rectilinear between the dorsal and adipose 

- fins. i 

-. Dorsal and anal fins, quadrangular. 

_ VOL. III. — NO. IV. 61 


478 Fishes of the Ohio 


_ Adipose fin small, situated above the anal. 
Caudal fin deeply and acutely bilobed. 
Abdominal and pectoral fins falcate and elongate. 


Color Back steel-gray, iridescent ; sides silvery; 


abdomen white. Caudal and anal fins reddish and 
dusky. 
—— Length 20 to 25 inches. 

—D.14; P14; Y. 11; A. 14; C. 20. 
Hab. Lake Erie and the Upper Lakes. 
Observations. A few specimens are occasionally 

taken at Cleveland and at other places on the shores 
of Lake Erie, but they are most abundant and attain 
the greatest size and perfection in some of the Upper 
Lakes, where the business of taking and preserving 
them gives employment to many persons during cer- 


tain seasons of the year. They are esteemed as the 


most valuable of the western fishes. They are dis- 
tinguished from the Coregonus Artedi by their great- 
er size, their color, and the flattened form of their 
bodies. 

The stomach is small, with thick mucous and mus- 
cular coats; the length of the intestinal canal, in- 
cluding the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, does 
not exceed the total length of the fish. One half of 
the contents of the abdomen seems to consist of NU 
merous ceca. I have never, been able to detect 
substance within their stomachs except a quantity 
decayed wood, thickened mucus, and the apparently 
comminuted seeds of a polygonum. The stomachs 
of the C. Artedi usually contain numerous small 
fishes. The jaws of the white-fish are edentulate- 
Le Sueur’s figure in the “Journal of the Academy 


a 


Me 


and its Tributaries. 479 


of Natural Sciences," Vol. L, is essentially correct, 
except in the form of the head and nose, which he 
has but badly represented. 


Amia. Lin. 


C. calva. L. The Dog-Fish of Lake Erie. 


Amia calva. 'Turton's Linneus. Vol.I. p.838. 
*  *  Shaw's General Zoology. Vol. V. p.9. 
*  *  Cuy. Griffith’s Translation, Vol. X. p.447. 
Amia ocellicauda. Richardson. Fauna Boreali-Americana. p. 236. 


Plate XXIX. Fig. 1. 


Head cylindric-conical, rather abrupt anteriorly, 
solid, rugose ; sutures prominent ; upper jaw slightly 
projecting. Vostrils small, circular, a cirrus before 
each. Jaws margined with strong, prominent, flat- 
tish teeth, armed within with numerous erect smaller 
teeth, which also cover the palate. Hyes small, 
circular. 

Body cylindrical anteriorly, compressed towards 
the caudal fin. Scales subcircular, flat, depressed 
somewhat in their centres. Medial line slightly 
‘curved. — i 

. Color. Back of head bluish black ; sides obscure- 
ly maculated in some specimens with olive spots ; 
‘under surface white. 

. The base of the caudal fin oblique ; a black spot 
at its upper edge. 

Length from 18 inches to 2 feet. 

7D. 48; P. 17; V. 6; A. 9; C. 22. 

Hab. Lake Erie. 


y 
480 Fishes of the Ohio 


Observations. 'The upper part of the pharynx is 
armed with two elongated bony plates; which are 
adapted to the bony armature of the branchial rays 
in such a manner as to enable the fish to grind to 
pieces its food. The alimentary canal from the pha- 
rynx to the vent does not exceed the whole length 
of the fish itself. Its natatory bladder is cellular, like 
the lung of a reptile. In the stomach of one I dis- 
sected, were found the remains of a number of craw- 
fish. Richardson, in the “ Fauna Boreali-America- 
na,” describes a species taken in Lake Huron, which 
he calls A. ocellicauda. This northern species I be- 
lieve to be specifically identical with the A. calva, as 
his description agrees with the description of that 
fish ; and I have traced its residence in all the waters 
from Lake Erie, south to the Mississippi, and thence 
to the waters of South Carolina, whence Linneus 
obtained his specimen. 


Centrarcuus. Cuv. 
C. heracanthus. Valenciennes. The Ne 
Grass-Bass. 


Cantrarchus hezacanthus. Valenc. Hist. Nat. des Poissons. t. " 
p.456. pl. 48. 


Cantharus nigro-maculatus. Le Sueur. Hist. Nat. des Poissons. 


tl p.855. 
Storeria. Kirtland. Rep. on dcm Zool. of — P. w. 


Plate XXIX. Fig. 2. 


Head small, depressed between the. eyes, com- 
pressed laterally. Jaws armed on their edges with a 


‘ 


*e 


OR NN ed, 


E oda 
and its Tributaries. ` 481 


row of minute teeth ; lower jaw the longer, project- 
ing. Operculum and preoperculum scaly, the latter 
serrated on the posterior angle and lower edge. Iri- 
des golden yellow. * 

Body flattened on its sides; back very little thick- 
er than the abdomen, gibbous before the dorsal fins, 
especially in the older specimens. Lateral line fol- 
lowing the curvature of the back. 

Dorsal fin prominent ; the first spinous ray short, 
the two last equal, but not equal to the — of the 
soft rays. 

Pectoral fins delicate, pellucid, extending beyond 
the abdominal, to the commencement of the dorsal 
and anal. 

Ventral fins mass bet the commencement 
of the anal; their lastsoft ray connected at its p 
with the diloedótt bya reflected membrane. 

Anal fin — extending backwards beyond 
the dorsal. 

Caudal fin large, bilobed or lunated. 

Color. Forehead and back maculated and varie- 
gated with dusky spots on a ground of sea-green ; 
similar spots extend downwards upon the upper half 
of the body, in irregular bands, on a groünd color of 
light green or yellow ; sides of the head and body 
silvery and iridescent; below of a delicate white. 
Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins barred with series of 
irregular dusky spots, more distinct in old than in 
young specimens. Pectoral and ventral fins ferru- 
ginous or yellowish. 

- Length 6 to 12 inches. 
D.6—15; P. 12; V. 1—6; A:6 —19; C. 171. 


+ 


E 


482 ^ Pülevf the Oh — 4 
Hab. Bayous of the Cuyahoga, and the Big 
Miami rivers. - arpa ie ae | 
Observation. The number of rays in the differ- - 5 
ent fins varies with age; but whether they become 
uniform in old specimens, I have not had sufficient, 
opportunity to determine. I made the annexed | 
drawing from one eight inches in length, obtained in ^ 
the Cincinnati market, and the rays were countet 
with accuracy. — 
In my “Report on the Zoology of Ohi ie 
cluded it under the name Cichla Storeria, sup D sing 
it to be an undescribed species. Dr- Storer has since 
informed me that Cuvier had previously described it 
in the third volume of his “ Histoire Naturelle des 
Poissons," from specimens taken by Le Sueur in the 
River Wabash, and sent to him under the name 9 
Cantharus nigro-maculatus. It was supposed, at 
the time it was described, to be identical with the - 
Labrus sparoides, Lacépède; and, consequently, in 
the volume referred to, it is called Centrarchus spa- 
roides. Subsequently, Valenciennes, in the seven ; 
volume of the * Histoire Naturelle des Poissons,” 
applied the specific name of hexacanthus. cami 
This species is esteemed as a valuable pan-fish by 
epicures. It is known in the market of Ci innatt 
by the name of the Bank Lick Bass, being taken In 
the Bank Liek ran, five miles from the city in the 
State of Kentucky. At Cleveland, it is —— 
Grass Bass from the cireumstance that it usually 
harbours among the weeds and grass that spring UP 
in the shoal waters of the old channel of the Cuya 
hoga river. In other places it is called Rock Bass. 
It bites readily at a baited hook. 


w xx : " 
+, 
» Shells of Massachusetts. . 483 


' ART. XVII. — RESULTS OF AN EXAMINATION OF THE 
SHELLS OF MASSACHUSETTS, AND THEIR GEO- 
GRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. By Avavsrus A. Govrp, 
M.D. (Read February 3d, 1841.) E 
Since the commencement of the various gos: 
- eal surveys of the several States, which began with 
Massachusetts, under a legislative resolve dated June 
ae. and which have since been ordered by al- 
ost every State in the Union, Natural Science may 
je said to have received its first permanent footing in 
America. A new order of men has been called into 
action, who have been recognised, and in some meas- 
ure patronized, by legislative enactments. It is now 
no longer a species of outlawry to be regarded as a 
Naturalist ; and the consequence will be, that, in- 
stead of the few, who, in spite of circumstances, 
have become proficient in Natural History, there will 
henceforth be many, who will obtain an honorable 
place among scientific men, such as the nations of 
the old world delight to honor. 

From the manner in which the surveys, above al- 
luded to, have been carried on, each State providing 
for its own territorial limits, one peculiar advantage 
will arise. We shall have not only a careful enu- 
meration and examination of the animals of all the 
United States, much more than would be likely to 
result from the labors of any body of men appointed 
by national authority, but we shall pretty accurately 
find the geographical limits of every species. 

Having been appointed, as one of the Commission- 
ers for the Zoological Survey of Massachusetts, to 


484 Shells of Massachusetts, — . 


examine the invertebrate animals, with the excep- 
tion of insects, it is my purpose, in this paper, to give 
some notices of the history of conchology in this 
State, and the results of my observations on the 


m7 
- 


geographical distribution of the shells within its — 


limits. 


been so long carried on from Massachusetts with 
China, the Northwest. Coast, and the West Indies, 


and more especially the whale-fisheries, have given 


the principal sea-ports advantages for making collec- 
tions of foreign shells, which have not been, enjoyed 
by other larger cities. The collection in the Museum 
of the ** East India Marine Society," at Salem, was 
the fruit of this foreign trade. It is of considerable 


extent and much notoriety, but it was made as a mat- 


ter of curiosity, rather than for scientific purposes. It 
afforded materials for study to its Curator, Dr. Seth 
Bass, by whom it was scientifically arranged, at the 
same time that he began to collect a private cabinet, 
which is now one of the richest in New England. - 
The * Linnzan Society," which flourished. about 
twenty-five years since, also made a considerable 
collection of shells. The principal, if not the only 
conchologist in that society, was the Hon. Francis C. 
Gray. 
Dr. T. Wm. Harris collected shells with other 
objects of natural history; and Dr. D. H. Storer 
began early to gather the shells along the coast of 
Maine and Massachusetts ; and to these two gentle- 
men Mr. Say was indebted for most of the shells of 
this region, which he described. In addition 


The extensive commercial adventures which have — 


and their csv Distribution. 485 


these, the following persons may be mentioned, as 
constituting nearly the whole corps of conchologists 
in Massachusetts, previous to the year 1830. The 
late Dr. John Dixwell and Simon E. Greene, Esq., of 
Boston, Dr. Swift and Mrs. Barnard of Nantucket, 
Thomas A. Greene, Esq., and Mrs. Coffin of New 
Bedford, Mr. J. M. Earle of Worcester, Dr. L. M. 
Yale of Holmes’s Hole, and Amos Binney, Esq., of 
Boston, whose collection was, at that time, superior 
to all the others, comprising nearly 2000 species, and 
formed, by his donation, the basis of the collection 
of the Boston Society of Natural History. Since 
that time, the number of those who have engaged in 
the study of conchology has rapidly increased. 

By a resolve of the legislature, dated February 2, 
1831, the geological surveyor was directed to cause 
a list. of the zoological productions of the State to be 
appended to his Report then. in preparation, and 
which. was printed in March, 1832. Previous to this, 
no attempt had been made to give the Fauna of the 
State, and there ; no one person, who eould have 
told, with any tolerable degree of accuracy, the native 
animals of Massachusetts. Lists of the shells were 
furnished for this Report, by Col. J. G. Totten, then 
residing at Newport, R. L, 'T. A. Greene, Esq., of New 
Bedford, and Mr. J. M. n of Worcester, who had 
given special attention to the conchology of the inte: 
rior of the State. Their united Catalogues gave, in 
all, 126 species. - & 

When the second edition of the “ Geological Re- 
port” was about to be printed, in 1835, a committee 
of the Boston Society of Natural History under- 

VOL. III. — NO, Iv. 62 


» d, EE 


A86 Shells of Massachusetts, A 
took to prepare the list.of shells. "This was done 
with much labor and care; the number of species 
was augmented to 165, and many important: correc- 
tions were made in the nomenclature of the preced- — 
ing catalogue. | 

A still further resolve in June, 1837; for the con- 
tinuation of the geological and zoological survey of 
the State, by which the different departments were 
allotted to distinct Commissioners, gave opportunity 
for a still more accurate determination and enumera- 
tion of our Fauna. In conchology, the explorations i 
of Doctors Storer, Yale, Bass, Forsyth, and Prescott, 
and Messrs. Binney, Couthouy, Adams, Whittemore; 
Greene, Tuckerman, and Col. Totten, had afforded 
materials for rendering our list of shells much more 
extensive and complete than it could previously have 
been. The- Report on the Mollusca, Crustacea; and 
Radiata, is just now from the press, and affords the 
following results, as to the testaceous Mollusca. 4 

The whole number of species is 274; which is 
an addition of 100 to the list of 1835, and of 148 
to that of 1832, or more than doubling the number- 
Of these there belong to the class Annelida 6 spe- 
cies; to Cirripedes 12 ; Conchifera 97 ; Brachiopoda 
2; Gasteropoda. 154. Twenty-nine species belon 
to the land, 42 to fresh water, and 203 are marine. 
With these we might mention nine species of naked 
Mollusca, two of which are terrestrial, and seven 
marine. Several genera, not previously observed, - 
have been discovered. Such are Panopea, Anatin& | 
Thracia, Osteodesma, Montacuta, Kellia, Lucina, 
Terebratula, Dentalium, Cemoria, Bulimus, Sig9- 


DEW 


4 
* 
he 


and their Geographical Distribution. 487 


retus, Tornatella, Skenea, Janthina, "Turritella, 
Scalaria, Odostomia, Cancellaria, Pleurotoma, Ros- 
tellaria, and "T'richotropis. 'The number of species 
added to some of the g genera. is remarkable. Thus, 
there have been added.to Nucula 6, to Chiton 5, to 
Bulla 6, to Margarita 4, to Cerithium 4, and to 
Ca 3 species, Seventy species have been 
discovered and described as new, within the last five 
years; while, on the other hand, more than twenty 
species which had been described as new, by differ- 
ent writers, have been proved to be well known, 
and previously described, on the other side of the 
Atlantic. . - 

They are distributed under the following genera, 
namely; Pectinaria 1, Spirorbis 3, Serpula 1, Coron- 
ula 1, Balanus 6, Anatifa 3, Cineras 1, Otion 1, T'e- 
redo 1, Pholas 2, Solen 1, Solecurtus 2, Machæra 2, 
Solemya 2, Panopea 1, Glycymeris 1, Mya 2, Cor- 
bula 1, Pandora 1, Osteodesma 1, Anatina 1, Cochlo- 
desma 1, Thracia Mactra 3, Cumingia 1, Mesodes- 
ma 2, Montacuta I, : ellia m Saxicava 1, Petricola 2, 
Sanguinolaria. 2, Tellina 2, Lucina 3, Cyclas 4, As- 
tarte 5, Cyprina 1, Cytherea 1, Venus 4, Cardium A, 
Cardita 1, Arca 2, Nucula 8, Unio 5, Alasmodon 3, 
Anodon 3, Mytilus 2, Modiola 7, Pecten 3, Ostrza 2, 
Anomia, 2, Terebratula 2, Chiton 6, Patella 1, Lot- 
tia 2, Dentalium 1, Cemoria 1, Crepidula 4, Bulla 9, 
Helix 16, Pupa7, Bulimus 1, Succinea 3, Auricula 2, 
Planorbis, 11, Physa 3, Limnza 6, Ancylus 2, Val- 
vata 2, Paludina 1, Amnicola 1, Natica 8, Janthina 1, 
Velutina 2,. Raters 1, Tornatella 1, Vermetus 1, 
Skenea 1, Scalaria A. Maia 5, Littorina 3, La- 


488 Shells of Massachusetts, 


cuna 2, Cingula 2, Turritella 2, Pyramis 1, Odosto- 
mia 5, Cerithium 5, Pleurotoma 3, Cancellaria 1, 
Fusus 10, Pyrula 2, Ranella,1, Rostellaria 1, 'T'richo- 
tropis 1, Purpura 1, Buccinum 9, Columbella 1, Spi- 
rula 1. : 

At least seventy of our marine species are also 
found on the transatlantic shores, and a few terres- 
trial species are also found on both continents. Of 
these last may be mentioned Heliz aspersa, hortensis, 
cellaria, pulchella, perhaps lucida, and Bulimus 
lubricus. 'There are several other shells which, if 
not the same, are very closely allied ; such as Suc- 
cinea, and some of the species of Limnea and Plan- 
orbis. Mr. Forbes, in his Report to the British As- 
sociation, in 1839, puts down Limnea ‘palustris and 
stagnalis, as American species, alluding probably to 
our L. appressa and L. elodes. I will not pretend to 
dispute this, because their similarity is great, and it 
would be very difficult to prove them either identical 
or distinct. It appears to me that they present dif- 
ferences which are at once perceived, if they cannot 
be plainly described, so that any one might readily 
separate them from each other. i 

It is not difficult to account for the transportation 
and subsequent propagation of the terrestrial species 
from one continent or island to another. This I5 
well known to be the case in England, and Mr. 
Forbes, in the report above referred to, gives numer- 
ous examples of it, and in- some instances gives Us 
the historical period and manner of the transfer. 
This, we know, is the history of Helis asper 
hortensis, and cellaria in this country,— shells w. 


and their Geographical Distribution. 489 


commerce has introduced and which have not yet 
travelled away from the sea-shore. Helix variabilis 
and pisana, and Bulimus acutus, however, which 
Mr. Forbes also sets down ‘as introduced to this 
continent, have not yet been found, so faras I am 
able to learn, while he does not mention Bulimus 
decollatus, which is not infrequent in South Carolina 
and Georgia. Alasmodon margaritifera and A. ar- 
cuata, are also regarded by many as identical. But 
all the specimens of the former which I have had an 
opportunity to examine, differ very essentially from 
any specimens of our shell which I have ever seen. — 
Indeed, I am not yet satisfied that any fresh water 
mollusk is common to both sides of the Atlantic. 
Animals living on territories widely separated by salt 
water, are always found to: be different, unless the 
means of intercommunication. are obvious, or at least 
possible. They appear to have been created distinct, 
and ever to remain so, unless — by design or 
accidental transfer. 

About twenty of the larger species may be regard- 
ed as intermediate between the two continents, as 
they are most abundantly found about Newfound- 
land and the Grand Banks, where they are an abun- 
dant source of food tó the eh which are caught 
there. 

Several thet species have been found in other 
States on the immediate borders of this State, which 
will, undoubtedly, be found within its limits ere 
long. 

The iédurufihiéel distribution of shells i is a subject 
which is daily gaining additional interest, and assum- 


490 . Shells of Massachusetts, 


v 
^ 'jng a more and more practical aspect. It is pursued 
with a view to ascertain the value which fossil con- 
chology may have in determining the age and nature 
of geological formations. Various causes are found 
to modify. the distribution of shells, such as latitude, 
altitude, inelination of the surface, the character of 
the rocks, &e. On limestone formations snails are 
usually abundant, while they are rarely found in 
granite regions. T'he Limnza is most abundant in 
the streams of colder regions, and Melania takes its 
place in warmer climates. T 

The geological structure of this State, and its lim- 
ited territory, furnish little room for variety. from , 
these causes; yet a few peculiarities in distribution 
may be noticed even here. Helix hortensis is as-yet 
confined to some limited parts of the sea-coast, as the 
extremities of Cape Ann and Cape Cod ; while 
H. tridentata, hirsuta, and monodon, are only found 
in the interior and western portions of the State 
Of the fresh water mussels, we find Unio complana- 
tus, radiatus, and probably nasutus, in every region. 
U. cariosus is only found in the Connecticut and its 
tributaries, and in ponds in Plymouth. Anodon im- 
plicata is perhaps -entirely limited, in this State, to 
ponds in Essex and Middlesex counties; and A. un- 
dulata to the Blackstone and its tributaries. The 
region of the sea is said to favor the developement 
of some species of land shells; and special mentio 
is made of Bulimus lubricus. If I may judge from 
a single observation, this remark will hold good with 
us. I have seen the fallen leaves all over Oak Island, 
a small wooded spot in the vicinity of Chelsea Beach, 


and their Geographical Distribution.’ 491 


+ 
so covered with this shell, that from twenty to one - 


hundred might be taken up on a single leaf. I have 
observed it in only a few other situations, — it 
occurs solitary. 

The distribution of the marine shells i is more wor- 
thy of notice. There is a peculiarity in the topog- 
raphy of Massachusetts, which causes as remarka- 
ble a modification in the distribution of the Mol- 
lusca as can be anywhere shown within the same 
limits. I refer to what is well called the right arm 
of our Commonwealth, Cape Cod. This’ neck of 
land, which stretches out into the sea, in a curved di- 
rection, a distance of some forty or fifty miles, and is 
nowhere more than about twenty miles wide, has 
hitherto proved an efficient barrier to the migration 
of many genera and species. Many whole genera 
do not pass from one side to the other of this limit. 
Thus, no species of Panopea, Glycymeris, Cyprina, 
Terebratula, Cemoria, Cancellaria, Rostellaria, or 
Trichotropis has yet been found to the south of the 
extreme point of Cape Cod; while Corbula, Cochlo- 
desma, Cumingia, Montacuta, 'l'ornatella, Cerithium, 


Ranella, and Pyrula do not pass to the north of it. 


Of the 203 marine species, 81 do not pass to the 
south, and 30 have not been found to the north of 
the Cape, though many of them approach within a 
very few miles of each other. The remaining 92 
species take a wider range, and are found on both 
sides. It is probable that future observations will 
reduce the number of the limited species somewhat, 
but still the numbers will be so large : as to exhibit a 
most remarkable limitation. 


$c: 


E M Shells of Massachusetts, 


Massachusetts may almost be said to be destitute 
of fossil shells. None have been found which do 
not also exist in d recent state in the immediate vi- 
cinity. It is true that at Gay Head, Martha's Vine- 
yard, the most fertile locality for fossil remains in the 
State, they are found at an elevation of many feet 
above the ocean; and they are also found buried 
many feet below the diluvial sands of Nantucket, — 
and its neighbourhood. Still, they are the recent 
shells of the vicinity, hardly yet fossilized, few in 
number, and seeming to have been. buried at no very 
distant period. In the interior, we find in the sedi- 
ment of ponds, especially those in the neighbourhood 
of Pittsfield, myriads, of the species of Planorbis, 
Limnæa, Physa, and Cyclas now living in the same 


waters, which are forming beds of marl there. In — — 


the vieinity of New Bedford, Professor Adams dis- 
covered a bed of the shells of Pholas costata, a Spe" 
cies which is now extinct here, and is not found 
living within 12 or 1500 miles. Yet, from the væ — 
rious ages of the specimens and their integrity in 
their most delicate portions, it is evident that they - 
once lived where they are. now found, and that they 
have, from some cause, become entirely extinct- 


This is not the only instance of a similar catastrophe. — : 


It-is well attested, that native oysters were abun ant — 
within the extremity of Cape Cod, previous to about 
the year 1780, when they were entirely. destroyed ; 
and immense beds of shells still remain to attest the 
fact. It is said that the cause of their death. was . 
what is called a ground frost, that is, a degree of 

80 great as to coat the bed of the sea, where the oy 


: : ie 
and their Geographical Distribution. 493 


ters lay; with ice, thus cutting off from them the 
power of respiration. This is especially evident at 
Wellfleet, the town whence the Boston market is 
now chiefly supplied with oysters, but all of which 
are first transported and planted there from more 
southern waters. i 

Another curious fact which may be interesting to 
the geologist, has been observed at Lowell. In dig- 
ging away a sand-bank, not far above the junction of 
the Concord and Merrimack rivers, which has not been 
known to undergo any alteration within the memory 
of man, there were found, at some 30 feet below the 
surface, some vegetable and animal remains. "They 
consisted of the branches, leaves, cones, and acorns 
of pines and oaks, in a state of perfect preservation, 
and of Unios, apparently perfect: But on examina- 
tion, the earthy matter was found to have entirely dis- 
appeared, nothing remaining but the epidermis, which 
was so entire in its minutest details, that the species 
were as readily made out, as if just from the water. 

I will mention only one other fact, whieh may 
serve to illustrate, how accident, design, or some con- 
vulsion of nature may present us fossils in the imme- 
diate vicinity of living animals of the same species. 
The Western Avenue, or Mill Dam, was built from 
Boston across a broad basin to the westward of the 
city, by which the water is excluded from the region 
between Boston and Roxbury. It is now more than 
twenty years since this was done, and much of the 
land has already been built upon. Throughout this 
whole region, there is a stratum of shells, such as in- 
habit the river on the other side of the Mill Dam, 

3 


VOL. III. — NO. Iv. 


494 Shells of Massachusetts. 


about four or five inches below the surface. This 
may demonstrate to us what has happened in the 
fossil rocks of other ages, and what' will be present 
to the geologist who may live when the present soils 
become condensed into solid rocks. | 
Experience has shown, that, in order to construct a 
tolerably complete catalogue of the shells of any re- 
gion, it is necessary that observations should be ex- . 
tended through a series of years. It has been found, 
that species, which, in one season, appear in great 
abundance, are not seen again for several years, Or 
but very sparingly. In the spring of 1838, Osteo- 
desma hyalina was strewed upon Chelsea Beach 
in great numbers, and of very large size. It had 
never been observed there before, and has scatcely 
been seen there since. Cyprina Islandica, Sole — 
mya velum, Venus gemma, and Margarita arctica 
also present instances of similar periodicity at long 
intervals. In the summer of 1840, large numbers of 
` Janthina fragilis were found upon the shores of 
Nantucket; and this is the only occasion on which 
I have known of its appearance upon. our coast. 
During the winter of 1838 — 9, that remarkable shell, 
Nucula thraciaformis, was frequently found in the 
stomachs of the sand-dab (Pleuronectes dentata) ; 
but the search for them since has been almost fruitless. 
These fish were taken off Race Point, the extremity 
of Cape Cod, and this is the only locality where the 
shell has yet been found. Many similar instances 
might be mentioned. Hence, in addition to the te 
mark made above, it may also be suggested, that It 
is always best to lay in a good store of any species, 
"^ While we may. Tie 


CONSTITUTION. AND BY-LAWS 
OF TH E 


BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 


CONSTITUTION. 


` ARTICLE I. 

THE Siciety shall be called the. > Bostox Society oF 

NATURAL Hisronv. 
ARTICLE Il. 

It shall consist of Members, Corresponding and Hon- 

orary Members, and Patrons. 
ARTICLE III. 

Members shall be chosen by ballot, after having beep 
nominated at the meeting immediately preceding that on 
which the ballot is taken: the affirmative votes of three 
fourths of the members present shall be necessary to a 
choice. Corresponding and Honorary members shall be 
elected in a similar manner, but their nomination shall pro- 
ceed from the Council. Any person who shall contribute 
at one time, to the funds of the Society, a sum not less than 
fifty dollars, shall be a Patron. : 

ARTICLE IV. 

Members only shall be entitled to vote, to hold office, or 

to transact business: Corresponding and Honorary Mem- 


496 CONSTITUTION. 


bers and Patrons, may attend the meetings, and take part 
in the scientific discussions of the Society. 


ARTICLE V. 


The officers of the Society, shall be a President; two 
Vice-Presidents, first and second; a Corresponding Sec- 
retary; a Recording Secretary and Clerk; a Treasurer; @ 
Librarian; eight Curators, and a Cabinet Keeper, — who, 
together, shall form a Board, for the management of the 
concerns of the institution, and be called the Council. 


ARTICLE VI. 


Officers shall be chosen by ballot, and a majority of votes 
shall be sufficient for a choice. 


ARTICLE VII. 


By-laws for the more particular regulation of the Society; 
shall from time to time be made. , id 


ARTICLE VIII, 


This Constitution may be altered or amended in any of 
the preceding articles, by a vote to that effect, of three 
fourths of the members: but the article which immedial 
follows this, shall be unalterable. a 


ARTICLE IX. ; i 


' The consent of every member shall be necessary, t0 8 
dissolution of the Society. In case of a dissolution, the 
‘property of the Society shall not be distributed among the 
members, but donors may claim and receive such . 
as they have made to the museum, and the remainder shall 
be given to some public institution, on such conditions 8$ 
may then be agreed on; and the faithful performance of 
such conditions, shall be. secured by bonds with sufficient 
penalties for the non-fulfilment thereof. — 


BY-LAWS. 


SECTION I. 
OF MEMBERS. 

Arr. 1, Every person who shall have been elected a 
member of this Society, shall subscribe an obligation, prom- 
ising to conform to the Constitution and By-laws thereof, and 
shall pay into the treasury an initiation fee of five dollars. 
He shall possess none of the rights of membership, nor 
shall his name be borne upon the roll of members until the 
said fee shall have been paid. ‘Any person of respectable 
character and attainments, residing in the city of Boston, 
or its immediate neighbourhood, shall be eligible as a mem- 
ber of this Society. 

Arr. 2. Corresponding and Honorary members shall 
not be required to pay an initiation fee, or other contribu- 
tion. Corresponding members shall consist of persons not 


resident in the city, who may be interested in the study of 


Natural History, or desirous of promoting the interests of 
the Society. Honorary members shall be selected from 
persons eminent for their attainments in science, on whom 
the Society may wish to confer a compliment of respect. 

Arr. 3. Persons who have been unsuccessful candidates 
for admission, shall not be again proposed as members until 
after one year. 

Arr. 4, Fo. member may withdraw from. the Society, 
by giving written notice of his intention, and paying all 
arrearages due from him. A refusal or neglect on the part 
of a member to pay any due for the space of one year, 


498 BY-LAWS. 


shall be considered an intimation of a wish to withdraw 
from the Society. And it shall be the duty of the Treasu- 
rer to report the names of such delinquent members yearly 
to the Council, at their first meeting after the annual meet — 
ing, who shall thereupon order their names to be stricken 
from the rolls. ; 

Art. 5. Members may be expelled from the Society, by 
a vote of three fourths of the members present, at a meet- 
ing specially called for that purpose, by a notice given at 
least one month previous. 


SECTION II. 
OF OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES. 

Art. l. The President shall preside at meetings of the 
Society and of the Council; shall preserve order, regulate 
debates, and announce donations and other interesting infor- 
mation. - 1 | 

ArT. 2. The Vice-President shall perform the duties of 
President, in his absence. oic 

Arr. 3. The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct the 
correspondence of the Society, and keep a record thereof; 
acknowledge all donations ; notify corresponding members 
of their election, and receive and read to the Society all 
communications ọn scientific subjects which may be e 
dressed to him. ` if 

ArT. 4. The Recording Secretary and Clerk shall take — 
and preserve correct minutes of the proceedings of the So- 
ciety and Council, in a book to be kept for that pops 
shall have the charge of the papers and documents belong- 
ing to the Society, and of their common seal ; shall notify 
members of their election, and committees of their ap" 
pointment, and shall call meetings when directed by U9* 
President. R ecd 
Art. 5. The Treasurer shall have charge of all moneys 
‘and other property of the Society, except their Library 


BY-LAWS. 499 


Museum; shall collect all fees and assessments, and receive 
any donations in money which may be made to it ; shall 
pay all accounts against the Society, when the same are 
approved by a vote of the Council; shall keep. a correct 
account of all receipts and expenditures in a book belong- 
ing to the Society, and shall at each annual meeting, and at 
other times when required by the Council, make a detailed 
report of the same. : 3 i 

Amr. 6. The Librarian shall have control of the books 
belonging to the Society, or deposited for their use; he 
shall make a correct catalogue of them, and keep a record 
of such as are taken from the Library by the members ; 
shall permit the use of the Library to members and others, 
under such regulations as may from time to time be adopt- 
ed, and shall annually report the condition of the Library. 

Art. 7. The Curators shall be intrusted with the care 
of the Museum. They shall, within six weeks after a do- 
nation is made, deposit such donation in their particular 
Cabinets., Each Curator shall have his particular depart- 
ment allotted to him at the time of his election. The Cu- 
rator having charge of any division of the collection, shall 
keep the keys thereof; shall arrange the specimens after 
some approved system, and, so far as is practicable, label 
them with the names they bear in such system. He shall 
keep a correct catalogue of articles in his care, and shall 
be alone authorized to select duplicate. specimens from the 
Cabinet, and effect exchanges. He may select from 
among the members of the Society a person to assist him 
in arranging and labelling the specimens. The Curators 
shall, at the annual meeting, make a written report to the 
Society, concerning the Museum, the state of the different 
collections, the additions made during the past year, and 
the deficiencies which exist. : 

Arr. 8. The Cabinet Keeper shall have the general 
charge of the room or rooms belonging to the Society ; shall 


500 BY-LAWS. s 


see that their contents are kept in the best order; shall se- 
lect a competent person as a porter or attendant, and this 
person shall be considered as under his immediate control. . 
He shall also, when convenient, attend personally, during 
the days of public visitation. sian ; 

Arr. 9. The Council shall provide suitable rooms for 
the meetings of the Society, for lectures, and for the Muse- 
um: they shall select the subjects of the lectures, regulate 
the order in which they shall be given, and determine on 
what terms the public may be admitted to them ; appoint 
Lecturers, and fix their compensation; authorize the ex- 
penditure of money for the increase of the Library and 
Museum, and designate the books which shall be purchased ; 
and do any other acts not inconsistent with the Constitution 
and By-laws, which they may think necessary to the con- - 
tinuation and success of the Society. i 


SECTION UL. fa 
—— OF ASSESSMENTS. 
Art. 1. Every member who shall have resided in the 
city of Boston, or within ten miles thereof, during the six 
c aths a ow the first of October in each year, or dur- 
; any part of said term, shall be subject to an annual 
assessment of three dollars, payable on that day ; Provided, 
that no assessment shall be required of any member during 
the six months succeeding his election. os : 
 Amr.92.. Any member who shall pay into the treasury 
at one time, the sum of thirty dollars, shall be exempt from 
the annual assessments. i 
Azr.3. Whenever a member of this Society shall be — 
come acquainted with a young man of good moral character, 
who is desirous of joining: the Society from a pure lore Vf 
Natural Science, and shall be aware of his inability to be- 
come a member should. an initiation or assessment fee be 
,— he shall be allowed to nominate the said ind 


te, 
a 
wx. 


$ 


2 


- BY-LAWS. 501 


‘vidual in the usüal way, sparing his feelings by making no 
reference to his situation. But in case of his election, he 
shall state his situation to the Treasurer, and pledge the hon- 
or of the individual elected, that all the fees which would 
ordinarily be demanded, shall be promptly paid, except ar- 
rears, whenever his situation will allow ; and the Treasurer 
shall make known his circumstances to no one save his suc- 
cessor, who shall as carefully guard his feelings. : 


SECTION IV. 
OF THE LIBRARY. 

Art. 1. The Library shall consist of works on — 
History, and other subjects connected therewith. 

RT. 9. The selection of Books to be purchased for the 
Library, shall be made by the Council ; but for the present, 
such- books only shall be purchased, as are not found in 
other publie Libraries in the city of Boston. - 

Art.3. Members may deposit books in the Library f for 
the use of the society; but such books shall not be taken 
from the Library-room, without the consent of the owners. 

Art. 4. The Society shall be responsible for the safe- 
keeping and careful usage of books deposited, e 
recompense the owners for any damage which may oc 
to them, while in the Society's keeping. 
sAÀmnT.5. Books owned by:the Society may be taken 
from the Library by members, upon signing a receipt for 
the same, and promising to make good any damage which 
may be sustained when in their FORES and to “ll 
the same if lost. 

Ant. 6. The Council may prohibit valuable ‘ind rare 
books from cireulation.. 
^ Art. 7. Books shall not be kept from the Library m more 
than one calendar month by-the same persons. 

VOL. III. — NO. 1v. 64 


v. 
a ANTE a. 


ks: A ^ 
502 ik. 


Art. 8. The Council may appoint particular days for - 
taking books from the Library. 

Art. 9. All Books shall be returned to the Library on 
the third Wednesday of April annually, and remain one 
fortnight ; and any person then having one or more books, 
and neglecting to return the same, shall be reminded of his 
delinquency by the Librarian. 

Art. 10. The Council may extend the use of the Libra 
ry to other persons than members. 


SECTION V. 
_OF THE MUSEUM. 

Art. 1. The Museum shall consist of collections in the 
different departments of Natural History. 

ArT. 2. All specimens sent to the Museum. shall. be 
considered the property of the Society, unless the owner 
shall make known in writing his. wish to retain the peptone 
of withdrawing them. 

Art. 3. When a member deposits in the Museos a ii 
ficient number of articles to fill an.entire case, a key of the 
case shall be at all times at his command. 

.4. The names of donors, with the articles given, 
shall in every instance be recorded in a book kept for that - 
purpose, by the curators of each department. 

Art. 5. No specimens shall be removed í from the. Mr 
seum, without the leave of the Council. 

ArT. 6. Members, corresponding members, and patrons; 
shall have access to the Museum, at all times, slit to the 
regulations of the Council. 

Art. 7. Members or other persons desirous of examining ! 
or describing specimens, or of taking them from the cases 


for the purpose of study, must apply to the curators; who — — 


have charge of them. 
Art. 8. At the menting in October, a committee £ 


= 
Lodi 


4 


ge 
AES 7 las 
b. A 
EREI 
BY-BAWS. 503 


three members shall be appointed, who shall report at the 
next meeting on the state of the Cabinet and Library 


SECTION VI. 
OF LECTURES. 

Art. 1. Public lectures shall be annually given under 
the auspices of the Society, on the several branches of 
Natural History. 

Art. 2. The order in which the lectures shall follow 
each other, shall be fixed by the Council. 

Art. 3. Members of the Society shall have free admis- 
sion to the lectures; other persons shall be admitted on 
such terms as the Council shall prescribe. 

RT. 4. The moneys received’ for admission to the lec- 
tures, shall go to pay the compensation of Lecturers and 
other expenses; the balance, if any, shall be paid into the 
Du of the Society. 


SECTION VII. 
. OF MEETINGS. 

Art. 1, A meeting shall be held on the first Wednesday 
in May annually, for the choice of officers and other gen- 
eral purposes. At this meeting, reports shall be made, by 
the Treasurer, on the state of the funds; by the Librarian, 
on the condition of the Library ; and by the Curators, on 
the condition of the Museum. 

Arr. 2. Stated meetings of the Society shall be held on 
the first Wednesday of every month. 

Arr. 3. Six members shall form a quorum for business. 

Arr. 4. Members will be expected to communicate at 
the meetings of the Society, such interesting information as 
may come into their possession respecting Natural History 
in general, and particularly any new facts respecting that 
of our own country. 


* -* 


504 BY-LAWS. 


Art. 5. Written communications on subjects connected — 
with Natural History, may be made by the members; the 
subjects, and time of reading, shall be chosen by them- 
selves; but after the same shall have been read, the opin- 
ions and facts therein contained, shall be open to remark 
by other members. 

Art. 6. The order of proceeding at matings shall be 
as follows, to wit : 

Record of preceding meeting read. 
Written communications read. 

Verbal communications made. 

Business called up by special resolutions. 
Donations announced. | 
Candidates for membership proposed. 
Adjournment. ! at 


Dr 


D s go 


"n9 


LIST OF MEMBERS 


OF THE 


BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 


IMMEDIATE MEMBERS. 


Abbot, J., s 

Abbot, S. La 

Adams, C. B. it Col; Vt 

Adaras, Edw 

- Adams, Pilot Cincinnati. i 
ams William J. 2 


Amory, Charles 

Andrews, Benjamin H. 
Andrews, William T. 
Andrews, William W., Malta. 
Appleton, Edward. 

Ailin Thomas G. 

Ayer, J. Cullen. - 


Pi 


^ 


Bacon, John, Jr. 
Baker, H. F., London. 


ae Sati. a oo on 
Bates, Charles J., Illinois. - 
Belknap, A. E. 


ans Charles V., Medford. 
Bemis, — el A. 


Benjamin, Park, New Fork. 
Bethune, like M. TM 
Bige 


wer, T. M. 
riggs, ma A., Charlestown. 
Brimmer, Martin 
Brodhead, paner C. 
Brooks, Edward. - 
Brown, Daniel J. 


506 LIST OF MEMBERs. 


Brown, James. 
Bryant, Henry. 


ugard, B. F. 
Bulfinch, Thomas, 
Bullard, William S. 
Butts, 


, George B 
Chapman, Jonathan. 
Channing, Walter. 
Channing, William F. 
Choate, Charles, Illinois. 
Clark, H. G 


Cushing, Thomas Jr. 
Cutler, William. 


sari flier A.S. 

' Dewar, H. A., Edinburgh. 
Dixwell, Epes S. 

Dixwell, John James. 
Dodge, Pickering, Salem. 
Dupee, Horace. — 


Emerson, Ralph W., Concord. 


Emmons, Robert L. 
Emmons, Stephen. 


Fales, E. F. 
Fellows, Lewis, Cuba. 


-= 
g 

a 

5 
z 
= 
ay 
oS 
i 

+ 


Fowle, William B. 


a W: H. 
Gay, Mart 

Gould, estt A. 
Gould, B. 

Gould, David. 

Gray, ae Andover. 

Gray, F 

Gray, Frederik T. 

Gray, John C. 

Gray, Thomas Jr. 

Greene, Benjamin 

Greene, aerem G., Windsor, hin 


Guild, G. F. 


Hale, and E. : 


LIST OF 


nink Nestor, New York. 
Hayden, John C. 
Hayes, Augustus A. 


Henshaw, David. 

Hickling, Charles, Roxbury. 
Higginson, Francis J., Michigan. 
Oliver W. 


owe, Samue 


Hubbard, H. A m 


Ingalls, William. 
Ingalls, William, Jr. 


Jackson, Charles T. 
Jackson, Charles, Jr. 
Jackson, Francis H. | 

ackson, mes Tte 
Jackson, 
Jarves, es ames, Peres Islands. 
Jarvis, Nathan . 
Jellison, Zachariah. 
Joy, Joseph 


Kahler, Jeremiah. 

Keep, N. C. 

Keep, Solomon. 

Keith, Omen S. 

Kent, Benjamin, Roxbury. 
Kettell, Samuel. 

Kinsman, H. W., Newburyport: 


Lawrence, William. 


MEMBERS. 507 

Lawrence, William R. 

Leach, Daniel, Roxbury. + 
nch, B. D., New Orleans. 


- Lee, William R. 
$ : 


Leland, A. L 
Lewis, J. W. P 
L 


> LI F . 
ewis, Winslow, Jr. 


Lyon, — Cuba. 
May, Samuel J. 
Mears, E.R 


Miles, Solomon P. 
Moriarty, Joseph, Gloacester. 
Morse, Robert M. 

otley, Thomas. 


“Nuttall, Thomas, Philadelphia. 
Osgood, David. 

Otheman, Edward. 

Otis, George W., Jr. 

Palmer, pun 


Palmer, n K. 
Park, Thomas Bo California. 


Perkins, James H., Ohio. 


Li 


508 LIST OF 
Perkins, William. 

Perry, Marshall S. 

Pierce dcm 

Power, Thom 
Pratt, Alfred B. New Orleans. 
Pratt, William, Jr. 

Prescott, Edward G., New Jersey. 
Putnam, Charles G. 


Quincy, Josiah. 
Quincy, Josiah, Jr. 


Randall, John. 
Restieaux, Thomas. 
Reynolds, a Jr. 
Reynolds, W. B. 
Robeson, ‘Anew, Jr., New Bed- 
ford. 
Robeson, William, Fall River. 
r 
uther. 
inson, Horatio, Salem. 
Rodman, Samuel W., New Bed- 
fe i 


ord. 
Rogers, William M. 
Russell, Le Baron 


_ Tuckerman, Henry H 


Salisbury, -— 
Sargent, Epes, Jr., New York. 
He * 


Sargent, Howard. 
Sargent, John T. > | 
halS. .- 


nd. Nathaniel B., Jr. 
Shurtleff, S.A 


MEMBERS. 


inner, Francis. 
Smith, Jerome V. C. 
Smith, William H. 
Sn Wee Nathaniel G. — 

Soule, ard, 

Sparhawk Thodds; White Mom- 


St adi Charles. 


Stone, Henry O. à 
Storer, D. Humphreys 
Storer, R i 
Storrow, ind 8. 

ter, Sebastian F 
Sturgis, Josiah 


Sullivan, Richard. 
Swett, Samuel B., New Me 


Tappan, Benjamin. 


T 
ena. 


ant, George. 
Tucker, Nathaniel S. > 
Tuckerman, Edward, Jr. 


Tyler, William C. 


Walter, Lynde M. 


West, Benjamin H. 


LIST OF MEMBERS. 509 


West, Bayes ese Illinois. Wigglesworth, Samuel. 
Weston, Alden Williams, Moses B. 
Werton, Ezra on i Williams, Timothy. 
Whitman, "ien Portland. Wing, Benjamin F. 
Whitney, J. D. ; Winslow, Hubbard. 
more, Thomas J. Winthrop, R. €. 
W 


Wille cti Edward. yuan, Jeffries. 


.LIFE MEMBERS. 


Bartlett, 'T'ho Parker, Leonard M. 
Dillaway, Charles MOM Perkins, Thomas H. 


pi iie es MEMBERS. 


*Benjamin Lincoln, Burlington, Samuel P. Hildreth, Marietta, 
hio 


Vermont. 
Isaac gi Eastport William W. Wood, Manilla. 
John J. Audubon, Philadelphia. *William S. Emerson, Alton, IIl. 
Richard Rent Phila adelphia. ` Pablo de la Gironniere, Manilla. 


Leroy M. Yale, Holmes' Hole. io E. Holbrook, Charleston, 

Thomas A. Greene, New Bedford. —. S. C. 

E H, Sweet dit Dupont, M : e Boston. 
Edm Charleston, 

Charles Came, St. Petersburg, 5. E 

Charles Pickering, Philadelphia. 


Russ 
William 4 Oakes, I pswich. J. C. Jay, New York. 
Edward G. Bumstead, Cuba, W.I. J.J.Robertson, Constantinople. 
James B. Forsyth, Sandwich, J. G. Totten, U. S. Army, New- 
J. N. Reynolds, New York. port, R. I. 


Ebenezer NT Williams en ies hs. Beverly, Mass. 

lege, Mass Jose 6, Turin. 

John Declinki; Charleston, S.C. W. B. O. pecia Springfield. 
VOL. III. — NO. Iv. 65 


510 LIST OF MEMBERS. 


Chester Dewey, Rochester, N. Y. Sir John Stoddard, Malta. 
F. W. Cragin, Surinam, 8. A. D. S. Macauley, Tripoli. 
Benjamin B. Brown, St. Louis. *John Deal, Honolulu. 


John M. Earle, Worcester. Richard Parnel. HORN 
Asa Gray, New York. Benjamin Silliman, Jr., Yale Col- 
John Leconte, New York. le VA 


ge. 
James Trudeaux, Philadelphia. James Hall, New York. 
Charles Zimmerman, Columbia, Owen Mason. 


S. C. J. S. Phillips, Philadelphia. 
John E. Dekay, New York. Francis Boott, London. 
Timothy A. Conrad pou. J. C. Loudon, London. 

Samuel Geo. Morton, Edward Doubleday, Epping, Eng. 
J. P. Wetherill, e S. Stehman Halde i 
Edmund Harris, Morristown, N.J. enn. 

A. W. Chapman, Quincy, Florida. Charles Wilkes, U. S. Navy. 
John L. — Chelmsford. Thomas S. Savage, Cape Palmas, 
Henry Blood, New Orleans. W. Africa. 
A Ballistiere, Singapore. John L. Alexander, Hubbards- 
James O. Savage, Cuba, town. j 
Salvatore Scuderi, Catania. Albert Hopkins, Williams College — 
Placido Portal, Palermo. John L. Hayes, Portsmouth. 
Chevalier Magnetto, Gibralter. Francis Archer, Li 

Thomas Reid, Tunis. Frederick Miller, New Bedford. 
Ignatius Bonavita. í 


HONORARY MEMBERS. 


M. Elie de Beaumont, Paris. Alexandre Bronquis Paris. 

Benjamin Silliman, Yale College. John Edward Gray, London. 

Edward Hitchcock, Amherst Col- Gideon A. Mantell, Brighton, 
lege. ; ' England. . 

Isaac Lea, Philadelphia. John Richardson, London. 

William Buckland, Oxford Uni- William Swainson, London. 

Wi 


versity. 

M. Louis Agassiz, Neufchatel, L. C. Kiener, Paris. 
Switzerland. C. Lucien Buonaparte, Borden- 

Thomas Bell, London. town. 

H. M. Ducrotay de Blainville, W. Jackson Hooker, Glasgow: 
Paris. Leonard Jenyns. - : : 


LIST OF MEMBERS. 511 


William Jardine, London. Achille Richard, Paris. 

Richard Owen, London. . Auguste St. Hilaire, Paris. 

C.,G.: B. mon Oxford Uni- Adolphe Brongniart, Paris. 
versit William Whewell. 

Charles Lyell, London. 

John hd ley, London. 

gn amen, Edinburgh Uni- C. U.S 


y. 
- J. 8. Fei: Cambridge Uni- 
versity 


epard, Charleston, S. C. 

drien Eide. Pari 

A. Beoná. Cambridge Univer- 
sity. 


OFFICERS 
OF THE 


* BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY 


ron 1841 — 2. 


PRESIDENT, | ES 
GEORGE B. EMERSON. _ "n 


VICE-PRESIDENTS, 
AMOS BINNEY, 
CHARLES T. JACKSON. 


CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, 
EPES S. DIXWELL. 
RECORDING SECRETARY, 


FREDERIC A. EDDY. 


TREASURER, 


JOHN JAMES DIXWELL. 


. LIBRARIAN, 
CHARLES K. DILLAWAY. 
CURATORS, | | 
^— T. WILLIAM HARRIS, m à 
E D. HUMPHREYS STORER, r. 
AUGUSTUS A. GOULD, 
J. E. TESCHEMACHER, 
MARTIN GAY, 
NATHANIEL B. SHURTLEFF, 
THOMAS BULFINCH, 
SAMUEL L. ABBOT, Jr. 


" CABINET KEEPER, 
THOMAS T. BOUVE-. 


BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 


ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY . d 


OF THE 


SINCE 1837. 


[The names bal the donors are appended to their donations. } 


The “ Feas Fund ^ Ve * the contribution of Messrs. Amos aree; 
B. D. Greene, Samuel A. Eliot, David Eckley, George. B. Emerson, Wil- 
liam Ingalls, G. C. Shat tak, 9^ p: Shattuc ck, Jr., Me» . G. C. Shattuck, 
George Parkman, and Charles A 

The “ Courtis Fund ” represents à a part of the i income » obtained from the 
legacy of the late Ambrose S. Cou 


) 


I. GENERAL WORKS. 


« Li reet sa Academy of Natural [ot at Philadelphia, 
ademy 


Journal of. 8vo. 8 vols. Philadelphia: 1820-39. Ac 
of conl Sciences. 


- Albany. Transactions of the Albany tie vols. 1 and 2, 
38. 


Ani of Arts and Sciences, N Memoirs a to the 


pd ita "ol e "Boston 
1834-41. Containing Pesce at rahina, > read to the 


- Hartford. Tra apta of pre Natural History Society of Hart- 
8vo 


pe 1 No. 36. 

Gle eanings in N atural History We! vu je Jesse. 129mo. 
Philadelphia. 1833. — 2d se London : 1834. os 
Bong: 
= ournal of a Naturalist. 12mo. Philadelphia : 1831. Amos 

inne 
Tiersed- First Report ot the Liverpool Natural History Soci- 
ety. 8vo. pamphlet. Liverpool: 1 r 
Ma Transactions of the Maryland a of Science 
oon Literatu: 8vo. pamphlet. Baltimore : 


F 


514 Additions to the Library. 

324. Silliman. American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted 
by eae, Silliman. 8vo. New Haven. Vols. 1 to 23. Ezra 
Weston — Volumes 3 to 40, Benjamin Silliman. 

325. Memoires F^ Museum d'Histoire Naturelle par les Professeurs de 
cet Établissement. 4to. 1815-18. aris. 

396. R Britannicum. Being an Exhibition of the 


ymsdyk. useum 
Curiosities of the British Museum. By John and Andrew Von 
ymsdyk. Folio. London: 1773. F W. . Greenw 

397. New York. Annals of the pce of "— History, of New 
—. York. 1834-36. 8vo. 2 vols.,and Nos. 5. to 14 of Volume 3. 
1" Lyceu 


“London. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of 
London. 4to. ay sert vols. 47 to 96. 1752- George B. 


c Emerson. 

Dat jose Taxidermy; with the Biography of Zoologists and 
otices of their Works. By William Swainson. 12mo. Lon- 
don: 1840. Audubon Fun 

330. White. Natural History ut Selborne, By the late Rev. Gilbert 
— agr; Philadelphi ia: 1832. Amos Binney.— The 

ndon: 1832. Simon E. Gree 

331. Virey. Philosophie de J Histoire a Par J. J. Virey. 
Fee mo. Bruxelles: 1835 


adley. A Philosophiest Account of tae Works md maa By 
" Rocher] Bradie 4to. London: 1721. F.W reenwood. 
Blum Man uel de Histoire MM Rare de -— 


ne de J. Fr. pBlumenbe 
mety ; 1803. by W Lewin, JE 
334. Pint Lectures on on Piateral | History. T AF Flint. 8vo. 


335. Stark. "Elements of Natural History. By John Stark. 8vo. 2 
NIA: 1828. Simon E. Greene. bob 
on. (Œuvres completes de xxr] mises en ordre et prece- 


P d'une Notice historique par r M. Richard, suivies de la. 
Classification com we da aprés MM. "Dann; Lesson, &e. Svo. 
5. Paris: 1838. bon Fun 


337. Jardine. ‘Naturalist’s ‘libra rary. " Conducted b Sir William Jar- 

dine. 12mo. 18. Edinburgh: 1833 Zourtis Fund '1:: 

. Loudon. Magazine of Natural ficken, " Conducted by i me 
Loudon. 8vo. 1 - €— 1828.37. Also, Nos. 


ries. Simo 
339. Malta, Natural History of ofp partiy i in ae 
by J. H. Frera and Dr. ss lea tery 
and the zoological by E: afa. 
Stoddart, Chief Justice of Malta relle. 
340. Bomare. Dictionnaire raisonné "universel d'Histoire Natur K. 
Par M. Valmont de Bomare. 8vo. 5. Paris: 1764. 


: Di llawa à ét 
341. Boitard vd y Canivet. Manual del Naturaliste Disector. ah 
amore y Canivet. 18mo. Madrid: 1833. F.W. P. Green 

ernandez. Histori imalium et Mineralium Nove Hi DP. 
Liber .unieus. Auctore Francisco Fernandez. 4to. F. 


343. British PTS. Synopsis of the Contents of. 8vo. London: 
. T.J 


1809. WwW 

Ni ular hittin = the Study of Natural rs SF 
: Viliam n Lempiier, M. D. 2d ed. 8vo. London: 
fas. 


Additions to the Library. 2 


^ T 


- JVatural o of Animals, done = English bi a pent of the 
Royal Society; 4to. London: 1702. F W.P 
, ta” _ Petersburg, Memoires de l'Academie : Ei ael Sci- 
St. Petersbourg. 6 nos. 4to. 1837-8. Charles Cra- 


E 
a 


H. ZOOLOGY. 


347. Audubon. The Birds of America, from original meg s 
John James irt Elephant folio. 4. London: 1 3 


Thomas H. P. 
348. Swainson. Fi bisd Series of new Zoological eae s ' 


um à 
tei v and Descriptions by William Swainson. Nos.11 epee: 
vo. 


London. Pamphlet. Simon E. Greene 
349, d lem. Jearl of the tae County Natural History Society. 
8vo. 1836. Nos. 1 and 2. 
390. Shaw. General onlay. By ‘Genes Shaw. With Plates s by 
Mrs. Griffith. Vols. T, 2.6, °8,.10; 13+ ras part 1st, vol. 14. 


Amos Binney, D. and Courtis 

351. Bell. A History of British Reptiles. By Shit Bell. 8vo. 
Lond 839. leday. 

352. Br strations of the Conchology of Great Britain and 
Ireland, drawn from Nature.. By Capt. Thomas Brown. 4to. 
London: 1827. Deposite by J P Cat ou 

353. Coste. “Recherches sur la Generation d 
Coste, suivies de Recherches sur la Formation: des Embryons. Par 
m - pech et Co ari udu un 


354. M Crania Americana; or - a Comparative View of the 
Skullz of Vatiogs Aboriginal Nations of Northand Sonth Ameri- 
ca. By Samuel G. Morton. F oe Philadelphii: 1829: De- 


G.. . Emerson 

355. Bewick. ` General Bishicy 6 f Quadrupede. By Th —- Be- 

` Wick. 8vo. Newcastle wem Tyne: 1824. Simon E. Greene. 

356. Potter. Notes on the Locusta Septentrionalis pric e De- 

m Septima. d Nathaniel Potter, M. D. 8vo. Pamphlet. 
uthor, 


357. Cuvier. The Ani al | Kingdom arringed i in conformity with its 
Organization. By the TN Taher: With addi y nal peo 
tions by Edward. Griffith and others. 

1897 to to 1835. G. B. Edoon and Co 


urtis 
358. Weeks, Manual, or e re of comer Bees. By 
€ M. Weeks. 18mo. x Sina : 
359. E Essai sur I Histoire Nonii des Corallines -— d'autres 
Productions marines du — Genre, Par Jean Ellis. 4to. 
aye: 1750. . Store 
360. Ie le onograph of he Limniades = other fresh-water 


Univalve Shells of North Areitio ca. By S. Stehman Haldeman 
Nos.land2. 8vo. Pamphlet. narra m 1840. Author. 


361. Sundevall. Svenska d vns : af Carl. J. Sunde- 
vall. 129mo. Stockhol ae 
362. ee senda ie cons. ampl. fae. phil. 


Lund, p. p- pk C Sundevall. 12mo. Pamphlet. London : 


J. Lov 
363. Kollar, A Todi on bieiótó ane to oie maea Forest- 
ers, and Farmers. By Vincent Kollar. London: 1840. 
Audubon Fund, 


PA 


370. 


372. 


373. 


Additions to the Library. 


Zoological Journal. 8vo. London: 1694-30. Nos. 1 to 18; 
also parts 1, 2, and 3. of t aite plates. Simon E. 
Greene 


; Thompson. Zoological Researches. Nos. À to 4. By. John V. 


Thompson. 8vo. Cork: 1828-30. n E. Gre 

Morton. Catalo ue of mute of vane inii dé inferior r Animals in 
the Collection of Samuel G. Morton, M. D. 8vo. Pamphlet. 
Philadelphia. Author. 

Doubleday. A Nomenclature of British Birds. By Henry 
Doubleday. 2d edit. 8vo. Pamphlet. London: 1839. E. 
Doubled 


a 
mane Magazine. 8vo. London. Nos. 1 to 24, Editors. 
Harris 


deus € Harris. 8vo. Pamphlet. Cambridge: 


Huish. Cottager’s Sex for the Tan gered of Bees. by l 
London 


i ar Huish. a of oe 

- Pickering. Desc ereas nofa Species of Caligus meri 

[A Charles rti 1^ M. Mg ane singer ana. Bvo. Pamph- 

et. New t : 

Jay. Catalogue of [* Shells, arranged according to the la 

marckian System, together with Descriptions of new and rare 

pocic ip n the Collection of J. C. Jay: 4to. New York: 1839. 
a 


7 Ge 
im wn. cies and Iconography of recent Shells. 
Kiener.. Ta 


nslated from the French by D. H. Storer, 
" D. yg em hlet. No. l. Boston: 1837. Translator 


M.D: E eed History of Birds. By John Latham, M. D. 


4to. 10. Winchester: 1891. Audubon Fund. 2 
Manuel d'Ornithologie. Par R. P. Lesson. 18mo. ^. 
T. G. Bradford. 


Paris: 1828. 
376. McClelland. Indian Cyprinide. By John: Menem Pus 


1 
377. Munro. MuR and Physiolo of Fishes e aspi and 


381. 
382, 


383. 


384. Mi 


po: XXe. putt 2d, of Asiatic Researches. 4to pei 
39. .Auth 


compared with those of Man and other Animals. iced 


with Figures. By Alexander Munro. Folio. Edinburg 
Deposited by W. Lewis, Jr 


The Fishes. 4to. London: ipe ta Aton,” ee 
on North "4 
Richardson. 8vo. Mee London: 1837. Jr. 
Sowerby. Conchological Manual. By George B. Sowerby, 
500 figures. 8vo. ndo - 1839 -Anthoni és etle 
Bischoff. Exposition de la Doctrine de Gall sur le Cerveau Ber- 
Crane. Par Dr.C. H. E. Bischoff. 8vo. Pamphlet. 9*7 


lin: 
Dandolo. L'Artd'éléver les Vers à Soie. Par. Mons. le Conte 


Survey d the State. Svo. Pamphlet. 
_ missioners 


Dandolo. 8vo. Lyons: 1830. 
assachuscits. Report of the crisi i fi : 


Additions to the Library. 517 


: cies y ee on the Fishes and dene " Massácliüiseils, 


orer. Svo. oston : 


y à 
386. Yeats. Institutions of Entomology. By Thomas P. Yeats. 8vo. 
London DH 
387. Jen A Mais ual " rra Vertebrated Animals, By 


nyns. Rev. 
Leonard Jenyns, M. A. 8vo; Cambridge (Eng.): 1835. Au- 
“8 


38 : Manuel pe théorique - qme des Proprie- 
taped Abeilles. Par J. Radovan. Paris: 1828, 
389. Nordmann. Mi lrogrephisale Beitrage nd Naturgeschichte der 
be cipe Thiere, Alex. V. Nordmann. 4to. rlin 
. Zimm erma n. 
390. 7 taie (C. R. W.) , Aussereutoptische rape a In- 
secte a 1828... C. Zim 


s mm, 8 0. 
- Innes. A short Desain of the Human Muscles i opm m as 
i and 


they appear on Dissection, together with their several 
the Saar xs of the best A hors. By John Innes. Gent Ne . 
k. 1818. C.K. Dilla 


392. Westwood. — dunes: of Insects of China. By J. O. 
Westwood. 4to. London: 1838. Au 

393. ate ur of the raees of ludis. By J. O. 
Westwood. 4to. London: 1838. Au n Fund. 

294. Tyson ve Homo sylv Vis ; or the my 
of the Pigmie bompared with that of a sea A an Ape,and a 
Man. By E T 4to. London: 1699. by 
W.L 

HE a 
395 


. White.. _ Account of the am ar Grad dation in Man and in Es 
bles. 


cy né. men 
8mo. London: 1746. Edward Miiken, dr. 


1 
- Croom. bet m of Plants, native and naturalized, in the vi- 


cinity of Newbern, N. C., irn gc and Sm By 
H. B. C room gp Pamphle w Yor 


. Colman: ` Third e ofthe sein of Massachusetts 


Wheat ond Silk. By Henry Colman. 8vo. Pamphlet 1840. 


erson. 


: Dartington Flor s Copirion : An Atte tempt to enümerate and de- 


scribe the flowering a filicoid Plants of Chester ince d 
Pinserin By William Darlington. 8vo. West C 
1837. Author 


- Acharius. Lichenogrephio Suecicæ Prodromus. Auctore Erik 
hiemis: 8vo. Lin D. J. Bjoon. 1798. D. H. harles 


ne copy deposited by B. D. Greene. 8vo. C 
mes S.€.:1 821. ; 


- Greville. Alge Britannice. By — Kaye Greville. Svo. 
need 1830. n E. Gre 

. c on T Structure kd —— of the Order Ce- 
ratoph T€ By A ray. 8vo. Pamphlet. New York. 
J.P. 


i Horticultural Register and Gardener's Magazine. Edited by 
66 


OL. IIT. — NO 


518 Additions to the Library. 


T. G. oor and J. E. Teschemacher. 8vo. 3. 1835-8. 


"mum Schoo John “London: 
k l Botany. B Lindley. 12mo. 
1839, Audubon Fund. Haste " 
ectiones in Ordines naturales Plantarum. 8vo. 


d. moires sur les Coniferes et les Cycadées, ouvra 
Richard de L. C. Richard. Terminé et "pe par A 
i 1826. Audubo d. 


uc o. Paris: 1896. 
411. Dyck. Hortus Dyckensis; ou Catalogue des Plantes cultivées 
dans les Jardins de Dyck. 8vo. Dusseldorf: 1834. F. W. P. 
Greenwood. 
412. Hooker. The British Flora; comprisin Phenogamous or 
Flowering Plants and. an: Tatua: y iam A SE Hooker. 
: 1830. wr 
tanical Miseellany. "n William Jackson Hooker. 
114. Humboldt Von: Fiber l 
è . Flore Fribergensis s cimen, Plantas 
presertim subterraneas. eshi ibens P Edi idit Fred. Al. e E oll 
4to. Berolini: 1793. F. W. P. Greenwood. 

115. Tatham, Essay on the Culture and Commerce of Tobaceo. By 
William Tatham. 8vo. London: 1800. D. H.Storer. . 
116. Barton. Elements of Botany. By Beste Smith Barton, 

.D. 8vo. "Philadelphia : 1503 C. P. Curtis, Jr. 
417. De Candolle. “Introdustion à l'Etude de la Botanique ou Traité 
élémentaire de cette Sci "e. Par Alph. De Candolle. Byo. 

Paris: 1835. G.B. Emers 


418. Lindley. Natural System of Botany. By John Lindley. 9 
ed. 8vo. London: 1836. n Fun 


419. Locke. Outlines of Botany. By ohn Looke, M. p. 12mo. 
i Boston : 1819. Simon E. di 
420. Scuderi. Dissertazione Agrarie riguardanti il Regno di Siciliad: - 


ne paca ay: 
die Salvadore Scuderi. 12mo. C Noth 1812, A dull 
^ Gray. A Flora of North America, by Jo 
ed don a ny yeh 1. 8yo. New York: 1898. Thomas 


BOO C 
concise Application of the Prineiples 
ctural y to Horticulture, by J. E. Tesehemacher. 18m0: 
| sonas 1840. ^ uthor. 
Introduction to the Study of oo gamous Plants. 


Sprengel. 

a org By Kurt Sprengel. 8yo. Lon 1807. a 
ited by 

. Van Mons. Arbres fruitiers, leur anai * n Belgique, de Te i 
J. B. Van Mons. 12mo. 2. Lóuv 


macher. 
495. Wernischek. Genera Plantarum ordinavit M EU midi 
f Wernischek. 18mo. Vienna, Austria Wo 


man, Jr. 
496. Wright Cata Im Plants growing witho ut Clie 


tion in the A d einit of Troy. John A Wah and J 
8vo. Pamphlet. Troy: 1836 6 


Additions to the Library. 519 


iy. MINERAL por AND GEOLOGY. 


ea. Not 
sritions of some of its pe Remains i By Isaac e 4to. 
k : 


Etwas über die Natur- Wunder i in Nord America, zu- 
engetragen von Vnus Cramer. 8vo. Pamphlet. St. 
Pelérsbüty * 1837; 
. Dufrén sos. — Nur sérvir à une Description géólogique 

de - France. r MM. MAR den en -— rey shiny e 
, is: 1830. G. B. Em 


- Reports of a Committee for investigating the Coal and Mineral 
Resources of India. 8vo. Pam mphl Calcutta: 1838. Authors. 
. Robinson. Catalogue of Am beni: 4 ‘Minerale and their Localities. 
By Samuel renti M. D. 8vo. Boston: 1825. Simon E. 


- Comstock. Elements of erem d <A h L. Comstock, 
M. D. 8vo. Boston: 1827. E.G 
- Houghton. Geological Report of the State of. faz coe 
Douglas Houghton. vx Pamphlet. 1839 inthrop. 
- New York, Report on the Geological Survey of the State, 

made the Assembly February 27th, 1839. « 8vo. _ Pamphlet, 
New York. E. Emmons. M f sep. 2 
Geological re e € ical R en or 

W. W “Emmons, T: A. Conrad, 


, Levis C. s C. Beck, 
ros ae sib uxem. dd cá. yw “Pamphlet. AMD. 28407 
mm 


E. 


im ` Proceedings of the € Society of Lo 
8vo. 2 vols. and 12 numbers. London: 1834-40. Geologi: 


cal Societ 


37. New York. An nual Report of the Superintendent and Det 


E! 


LP of Salt, in Onandaga Co., New York. 8vo. Pamphlet. 1841. 
orer. 
irdner. Ess ssay on Mineral and Thermal ym By Mere- 
dik Gairdner. » London: 1832. T. G. Bradford. 
- Redfield. The Fossil Fishes of Connecticut and Massachusetts. 
By John H. Redfield, 8vo. toys smears New York: 1836. 
Autho: 1 


- Daubeney. Sketch of North (oi etie Charles Duiday. 
8vo. Pamphlet. Oxford: 1899. Author. 
- Eaton. Index to the Geology of the Northern — By 
Ea N Y.: 1890. B. Em 


À à : TO 
. Jackson Repo b. Gcde iudi mi and A segue Survey of 
the State of Rhode. Island. By Charles T. Jackson, M. D. 8vo. 
Pamphlet. Providence: 1840. Prov idence Franklin Socie 


As thor 

Green. Mo: h of the Trilobites of North America, with 
colored Models of the Species. > By Jacob Green, M. D. . 12mo. 
oe hia: 1 

The Wonders = prr gy. By Gideon Algernon 

Man ll. 18mo. ubon Fund. 
446. Lyell. Address befo cde ‘Goole’ 1 Society of London. «b 
Charles s Lyell. 8vo. EM ndon: 1837. Author 


Ld 
520 Additions to the Library. 
447. Jackson. ond Annual Report on the Geology of the Public 
Lands of Maine and Massachusetts. By C. T. Jackson. 8vo. 
cn ap Augusta : Author 


838. 
Third Annual Report on the Geology of the State of 
` Maine. By Charles T. Jackson. 8vo. Pamphlet. 
1839. Author 
449. Moore. pr aru cm en N. F. Moore. 12mo, New 
York: 1834. Geor 
450. Buch. de erae sea en ` Amerique par Mr. Alexandre 
de Humboldt Mr. Charles Degon hardt, decrites par Le- 
^ . opold de E. olio. Berlin: 1839. Leopold de Buch. 
451. Rogers. Report on the Geological po of the State of New 
Jersey. By William B. Rogers. Pamphlet. Philadel- 


phia : 3 
452. ———. Report on the Geological Reconnoissance of f the S 

of Virginia. By William PE Soppee 8vo. Pamphlet. Phila 

i Tre reference to their prac- 

i twanger. 8vo. 


Author 
Taylor. Two Reportson the Coa of Penns lvania. By 
* Richard C. — 8vo. eren Philadelphia: 1840. 
Amos Binne 

456. irn Tracts. Ato. cit d 1785, to 1818. 

= " ; os vo. Berlin: 1809. 


. mos Bi 
AX Sicilienne ou Ca e raisonné de toutes les 
Nu —t la bee par M. la C. D. B. C. D. C. de plusieurs 
phlet. Naples: yc Amos 
"M rends et Experie aites au Vesuve, A 
` dant 1821 et 1822. Par T. Monticelli. et on Covelli. 8yo. Pam- 
phlet.. Naples: 1822. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


Hearne. Journal from Prince of Wales Pen in Hudson's Ba Bay 
p Hearne. 8vo., 


. By 
. W. Lewi 
gus. Book of Natural Theolo By. Henry Fe 
Revised, &c. by Rev. Charles H. Alde 4 9d ed. . 
. & Lincoln 
d m Catalogue of Books ‘added dinh 1897. ro. 
‘am t. 1840. Atheneum. 
er en; dams. Twining. rh. Addresses delivered at " 
ir Ina on as Pro s of Mia dlebury College. 8vo 
hlet. 1839. C. B. Adams. 
Faits et Observations &ur la Fabrication - - EC gt 


teraves, et sur la Distillation des Mélasses. Par C. 
iieu de Dombalse: - 12mo. felis 1831. Joseph r on 


echanic's M eph cii p lh 
ork : 1827. seco ietitete wo New York le 


b ia: By. an 
E Philadelphia: 1 ctas 
leslongchamps. 


$ 
f 
z 
3 


3 


A Pam. 


aha S BB t 


—— CAL uu 
5 
2B 
o 
B 
Es 
E 23 
a í 
iE 
= 
t 


Simon E. ‘Greene. 
Müriers et Vers à Soie; leur Culture et leur 


E 


or 
at 


Additions to the Library. 521 


A Par M. -Loiseleur Deslongchamps. 8vo. Pamphlet. 


i oc Elemente - Chemistry. B J. Marra 8vo. 2. 
Edinburgh: 1810. Francis Parkm d d i 

- Humboldt. Voyage de Humboldt et dodo Troisiéme Partie. 
Essai Politique sur le Royaume de ainava le Mapegne, 4to. 2. 
Paris: 1811.— Atlas to the same. Folio. 1819. Amos Binney. 

- Salem. East India Marine. Society of Salem; By-Laws, &c. 
8vo. Pamphlet. Socie 

. upplement to tio same. Svo. 1837. Pamphlet. So- 


. ciety. 

i E ibe kr a to E Atomic Theory. By Charles 
Daubeny. 8vo. Oxford: 1831. Author. 

" arteiiens, Mob 4. No. E a Cambridge. N. I. Bow- 


. Irwin. A Los ies of Adwaptuces | in the Course of a Voyage up the 
ve La ea, - By Eyle s Irwin. 4to. London: 1780. DÐ. H: 
ux 


y ie By ‘Bernard O'Reilly. 8vo. 


SD. H.S 
er Cat atalogue of tha Books belonging to the University 
Vermont. 8vo. Pamphlet 

A Jokes ae Walter R. Report o on e Quit of epi Boilers, 


or. 
Lister rney is in the Year 1698.. p Dr. Martin 
r . Lond 99. Edward Tuckerman, 
Ne Fifty-second Annual Report of the Regents of the 
University of New Y o. Pam 889 


- Mangetus.  Bibliothica Anatomica, si sive Kenca in Anatomia In- 
ventorum oe locupletissimus. Daniel Le Clerc et ak 

Mangetu us. Folio. Geneva: 5 eher by W. Lewis, Jr 

- Palermo. Giornale di ro compilato dagl npn all 

Dirizione centrale della Statistica di Sicilia. Vol. 8vo 

Pamphlet. 1836. Compilers . 

- American Philosophical Society, Proceedings of. Vol. 1. Nos. 8, 
J BAS Pamphlets., Philadelphia : erg Society. 

An account of the Cape of Good Hope. By Capt. 


p 


. marks on the supposed Connexion of the 
Stream with Ebodte Curiis on the Coast of the United Sus. 
By William C. Redfield. 8vo. Pamphlet. New York: 
hor. 


Pinkerton eneral Collection of the best and most interesting 
Voyages a and dc all Parts of the World. m Eom - Pink- 
Philadelphia : 1810. Rev. F. Parkm 
Tay. . ico-theological Discourses co € primi 
tive Chaos, general Deluge, and Dissolution of the World. B 
Joh [M London : ard Tuckerman, Jr. 


. A Companion to the Museum, late Sir Ashton Lever's. 
4to. London: 1796. Hon. John Pi ckerin 


a 


3 


E 


. American Turf "pa =o ron ring Maga uu. A 1 to 6, 


Additions to the Library. 


Scuderi. TY e I * 4s nN. a * sai XT" e aae Catania 
del een Salvator Scuderi. 12mo. Pamphlet. Catania: 
1837 hor 

——. se sulle Rotazio sous de Cavaliere Salya- 
tore Seuderi. 12mo. rcm ' Pa ermo: 1835. Author. | 


Abbot. Svo. Pamphlet. 1840. Author. 


. Kalm. Travels pe — America, by Peter Kalm. Translat- 
3. Warrington: 


ed into lish n R. Forster. 8vo. 
770. cates Fa a 


- Schoolcraft. Narrative of an Expedition through the Up 


Hear Re Sch to Stooks Lake, the actual Source of yee jerk" 
hooleraft. Svo. New York: 


* Thénord. Traité de Chimie wage o v théorique et pct. 


Par L. J. Thénard.. 9d ed. 8vo 
erso 


and 11 nu mbers of v to 1836. 
Sim mon 
. Daubenton. Adv se to = "Won and Owners of Flocks. Trans- 
lated from the French of M. Daubenton. 8vo. Boston: 1811. 
Simon E. Greene 


nd Importance of the Na d 


oinsett. iscourse on the Objects a 
tional - Institution het the Herre oe ‘of e gr established at 
Washington. 1840. By Joel € 8vo. 
— ton: 184], od Wyma é 
ssociation for the Kisten of Scien ce, Report 
s London : 18994 1836. Sons of Nathaniel Bowditch. 


ta 5 raire descriptif: ou Description ri 

o gographique, historique, et pittoresque de la France et 
l'Italie. E : 1818. Courti Soci- 

R Doista before ‘the Massachusetts ag < 


ussell 
ety. By John L. Russell 8vo. Pam 
Auth 


Rochon. to Madagascar and the East — y the 
cap freien dre London: 1793. Deposited by wir 


H can Gardener's Magazine. Conducted by C.M. 
Howey A B. mie 2. 1835- 6 ; 


INDEX. 


zog t ders. Shells, 
e Shells, 


Alahda alp pénis, 
Á 
\leédo dle’ 

Alger’s notices of Minerals, 


HE 


J 
£ 
J 
Ammoc ates) concolor, 
Ko Lern dal mp 

J 


—- clypeata, . p : 


? 
—- pom, 3". 
Anculótus carinàtus, . 


CEELELECLÉHHLEBE 


Page. 
318 
332 | ——— 


31 
316 
316 
148 
202 


30 
473 


ostatus, . . 

——— — Kirtl M 4 995 
Ancy'lus fuscus, ; . 329 
Anser imm E; ee eee 
—— —- Hutchínsii, pU D 

hyperbóreus, t 237 
— —- leucóps 240 
T.C on n Anculotus, 394| C 
— ells, 278 
Anthus spinolét, 148 
Apophyl 309 
Ár diea HN à 209 

candidissima P 
i epu coin op 


Arthónia, 
— pinctiformis, 
ia 
Auk, taor billed, a’ 
BATRÀCHIA, us 
Banas s Helices, 


2 | —_—_— 
Cérthia familiari ^ 
1 


Birps or Prey 


9 | Bittern, American, s 
: st, 


ea 
Black-bird, cow, 

crow, 
red-winged, 


Rick wari: 


eG, UU. 
Bombycilla Carolinénsis, 
—————- gárrula, . 
Borréra furfu 


Bunting, seeks throated, it 


———— Dod 
278 | Butcher- bird x 


uzzard, NES 


Cacholon ng 
Cálidris a 


Ciprimülgdé Vir gininus, : 


wae 


at-bird, 
2 peii 'auràolus, A 
Cedar-bird, 


Centrárchus hexacánthus, 3 


Cerithium Em 


nigroeietuin, 


rebrale 


ria, 
Cetraria ciliàris, á 


| AMEN 
t i i h v Y 
| »* 

524 Indez. 

Cetraria glaüca, . . E | Córvus Americànus, . 
Islándica, . 998| istà 
uniperina, 299 | Creeper, black and white, 

unósa, 446 | — brown, 
nivàlis, ., 999 | Cross-bill, — 
aca 445 | ——— te-winged, 

Cóocyzus Americàn 167 | Crótalus fresa . 

I erythrophthilmus, 16 merican, . 

Colléma saturninum, . 392 | Cuckoo, black-billed, . 

llòides, .  . 393 yellow-billed, 

Cóluber, 21 | Curlew, Esquimaux, . 

ame'nus, 28 MG 

—— —- constrictor, 27 small Esqui 

eximius, 30 Colas élegans, . . 
occipito-maculatus, — 33 | Cypselus pelásgius, . 
rdinatus, . 23 

punctatus, . 26 | Darter, black, 

—— —— saurita, 32 

—— sipedon, . 31) Delphinula serpuloides, ; 
irtàlis, 21 | Diver, blac ted, . 

vernà 25 | ——-- grea at nortberii/ « 

Colürmba Carolinénsis, . 192 -- red-throated, . 

mi 192 Mak, c ice 

Chalcedony, pe 315 | Dog-fish of Lake Erie, 

Charadrius Helvéticus, 207 | Dove, Carolina turtle, . 
melodus, 204 | Duck, American 

pluviàlis, . 203 | —— buffel-headed. . 

n s, . 206 | -— canvass-back, . 

vociferus, . 205 | —- dusky, . 

ilsónius, 205 ——— eider, L . 

tterer, waxen, `. 11 ^ . 

CHELÒNIA, .  3|—- n LIN y 10 

ieepbese, i. oM king, . 

Chub, horned, 345 | — — . 

——— two-spot 344 itd, irae 

Cistida Blandingii, 14 j. fe E 

Catolina, . 2\|— piotail, .. » 
cornucopi®, >. ——- ring- 1] * 
digitàta, . 9304 heran n ere. 
fo ià . . 303 scaup, . ^ 

————— grácilis, o o. 909|—-- spirit, $ t 

squa: . 9304 summer, . 

- subulifórmis, * 302 surf, . . * 

Coly mbus us, . . 958|——- velvet, + + 

4 gheilis . . 957 (E, 7 3 

—— ptentrionàlis, . 258 ! 

ci ' . ^. '996| Eagle, bald, A 

os in albus, . . 477 ———-- Iden, « . 

255 | — Washington . 

' double-erested, 955 | — — white-headed, + 
gene CUP NH E Emberiza / An 

iiec —— bi I : Sol | Eye gut 
c 7 . \Emys es yet 
: 200 | 5. vir [deu Sasa - e 


» 


* 


jo. Se * ob 2 


SE, e o P m. co e co^ 
x *A 3M 
l x ue 


> £ r 
; 
- 
Indez. 525 
Page. Page. 
E'mys pícta, "| Fringilla eio. P 163 
x eim serpentina, 10 | — cüta 59 
Endocarpon miniàtum, 283 | —_—— vore E 162 
umbilicatum, 283 | ————— graminea, . . 153 
Ethedatoma blennidides, 348 Fiemalis, . 156 
meena es, . 346 ilaca, | 162 
——— maculata, . 5 om D leucóphrys, x 
variata, `. 974 | —— ——- linaria,. "USE OR 
Ludoviciàna, 163 
Falco albicilla, P 73 mariti 159 
——- borealis. ` i] meadi, . 154 
— asetin App Eus ct palüstr . 159 
——- colambarius, 2. aU Pennsyivánion, .. 153 
Coopèrii, . 78 | ———— pin . 161 
cyàneus, . . 89|—— poire 165 
fülvus, 71 silla, 158 
üscus, K dE: s nna, 155 
árlani, A rn. DI savannarum, 157 
——- hiemólis, . P . $82|—— sociális, . 57 
——- halietus, .  . 75 | ————— tristis, ‘ 160 
- Islándicus, ; 68| Frog, bull, . - * 40 
——- lagopus, ih 79 - Teopait,:, a it ie M 
leucocéphalus,. . 73 -pickerel, . .. 45 
—— lineatus, ; 82 s ma Seay P a 
niger, ; 79 wo ^ 46 
——- @'salon, 83 . ye iod did gren, 42 
- palumbarius, 77 | Fulica American .. 226 
——- Pennsylvánicus, « 52 s aT ay EF a. MM 
——- peregrinus, 83 | ———-- Americana, . 248 
——- Sáncti Johánnis, 7 --clángula, . 251 
——- sparvérius, yes: ferina, . 250 
——- temerarius ; B77 | neces fen, V o o MB 
véloz, . 78|——-—--glaciàlis, |. . 253 
Washingt . NSI — 2 histridnica, . 252 
Falcon, rdi . $68|-—-—— Labradé ; E 
h-le po i (979 | +. marila, . 

Finch, bay- mie Hu : .. 153 | —— —-- molli , 246 
: 161 | ———-- perspicillata, 247 
- purple, $ x 165 -— ribida, 248 
EICONN ` . 159 -— rufitórques, . 251 
JT sharpie . ` e 159| ———- spectabilis, . 247 
Fish-hawk, -75 — Valisnéria, 249 
Flat-head, bleck- headed, 475 P 
ny; catcher, Canada, . . 120 Grewal, . 243 
blue-gray, 190 | GAELINACEOUS Binps, . 195 
RCM great-c 114 Gallinila eee 66, 226 
— ——-— — green-black-cap, 120 | ————— ica, . 60, 226 
— oliveiside 16 | Gallinule, Floris, .. 66, 226 
— small headed, 119 | Gannet, 256 
3 mmm. i 120 Gasterdatets incénstans, 273 

Fringilla Ln i . 154| Geo pon nn of 
uM « WEE L.S! Mess chu hells, 483 
<.. 181| Godwit, Hudodan. 3 221 
émdeosis, . . 157|———- marbled, — . 220 

VOL. Iv. 67 


HIE — NO. 


- 


526 Indez. 
Page. Pago. 
Golden-eye, 951 on night, 190 
ocn American, . 160 ' 83 
Goo : 253 70 
Bike, Wadi; wer te 240 | ——— “tailed 80 
- brant, ov <>. 240 s sd shouldered 82 
Canada, 238 | ——- slate-colored, . Pie. 
bee: í 240 | Hayes’s Notice of Salts, . 979 
ow, 237 | Heliotrope, . . 315 
wk, Amer 77 | Hèlices, Binney’ s, 353, 405 
Gould, on cd Shells of Mas- Hélix alternàta, . . 423 
3|———appréssa, . |. + 996 
Gould's s Monography of Pupa, m - arborea, oh, PEN 
Grakle, rusty, 104 | auriculàta, 394 
Ollnvonou: Biros, .  . 148|——-- cellària ; 42l 
Gràphis cürvul . 282 | ——- chérsina, . 416 
* Grebe, crested, ^ 998 óncava, .  - 372 
orned, ,7998 eléetrima, . . + 493 
pied-billed, . 999 fatigiata, . —. + 988 
—— —— red-necked, v7 999 fralérna, . + . 363 
Grosbeak, ice 3 164 fuliginósa, ; 3x 
rdinal, 163 gularis, ae. 
— pi ni » 165 rsùta ; + * 
————— rose-breasted, 163 ndentata, - 4 
Grous, ioni: 199 nflécta, LOU 
ruffe 197 nornàta, di. 
Guillemot, black, 959 ntérna, > 1 
E wt 259 | ——- intertéxta, e 
breed, 260 | ——- labyrinthica, e «+ * 
E er 261 —— ra, . . d 
Gull, black-backed, 234 | —— limátula, Eb. 
——- Bonapar 231 | ———- lineata, See. 
: mii prid . 932|-—— minüscula, 4 
- herring, 233 | ———- mónodon, . i 
kittiwake, 232 | ——- multidentà ; 
——- silvery, 232 Nuttalliàna, Pee 
ve à 234 palliata, . : am 
winged, ; 233 | ——— perspecti v: (TN 
Giisohera. deista, ir 294 rofunda, ait e 
———— erósa, 295 | ———- pulchélla, * A9 
hirelta, 294 | ———— Sayii, pies 
hy perborea, 297 | ——- séptemvólva, . do 
Muhlenbérgii, . 295|———- solitària, . * 307 
Pennsylvá 296 pb, ss) ae 139 
polyphy lia, 297 striatélla, . + 976, Ü 
robosc 295 suppréssa, . DON en 
spadéchroa, 444 ownsendiàna, . * 329 
tridentàta, . 32 
Hemátopss ostrálegus, — . 203 | Hen-harrier, . i 
—— —— palliatus,. — . 902|-———., night, e 
Bikcró . ]8l | Heron, great-blue, 909 
Hawk, American = n 78 reat-white, T 
——— Cooper's 78 r : . 201 
fish, 75|-——— night,  . ' 609 
—— Ie i 83 | ——_— snowy, .; * eg 
— marsh, . 82 white, . 


Indez. 527 
s 
| deae platirhinos, PT l Killdee, oM Eee ape - H6 
Heulandite . 312 Ki g-b bird, 113 
fi, bled: ecked, . 909| King- “fish belte 181 
Himántopus nigricóllis, — . 202 | Kirtland's s Fishes g Ohio, . SUME 
Hiründ icàn ol , 469 
Ms T . 186| Kouphone-spar, . .  . 307 
uiva, 67, 185 
purpürea, . 181 | Lamprey, . 342 
— — riparia, : . 196 Lits aeptentrionàlis, Supe os 
Hog-fish, blenny-like, 348 róides ie 
common, . 346 | Lark, fowls iar . 148 
ckled, 276 shore, f : ci 
Hum 179 | Larus argentatus, X . 233 
Hydra 977|——- Bonapárüi, — . 231 
Hy'la, Title peeping, . i = 9 rim y 939 
réll : 49 | —- leucópterus 233 
: color E | marinus, 234 
Hylodes Pickeringii, : DUCUNT Pomarinu 67 
tridactylus, 
Ping . «aie onorhy nchus, 232 
éllu us, . . 213| Lecanóra cerina, . 441 
ati yl ad i appensa T eee 
pomi víridis, . 121 |———— ventosa, 2 EMT 
cterus agripénnis, z =. 102 Lecidès pee 286 
A e mo ; 97| ———-- anóm 
101 eográphi 
a pheniceus, . $9|— —- rwn 4 440 
Indigo-bird s AOE, incàna, . 439 
Mil iea Bins, oP | = Gen 440 
muscórum, 985 
Jager, arctic, . . | . 935|———- polftropa, 441 
——- Pomarin ^ 67,935 " i: . 986 
Richardson's, . 987 
Jaminea füsca, 337 Léstris tidie esteri tes, . 9M 
prodicta, parasiticus, + 235 
———- seminida, 7 arinus, . 935 
Jay, blue, ^ 1 dsónii, 935 
Jungermánnia, . Lichenes, .'- . 981, 438 
— — — ——- bicuspidata, 466 e-stuffs, 461. 
—— — bidentàta, |. 46 systematic arrange- 
—— — ——- complanàta, ^ 467 E 449 
— — ——— connivens, . 466|————- uses, -  -  ° 458 
————- cordifolia, . 466|Limne'a jam a 
— — — —- dilatàta, 468 mbilicata, . + 320 
PT HREROR ee a 466 | Limósa fèdoa Tu ae 
GE ce ultifida . 469 — —- Hudsónica, T SUAE 
tno ordsa, 466 Little Co rporal, +: Olak 
RU Cieero i . 469 Lizard, blue-tailed, 19 
—————— platyphylla, 467 Le roorED BIRDS, 226 
~ — platy phylldi- í 957 
. 468 Lphius piecatrius, . 267 
M —- pulehérrima, 468 | Lóxia curvirós i. 166 
— ————- sphágni, . 466 ucé 166 


rs 
tr 


467 Tamias dss eos . 941 
longàtus 


. 339 


528 


Marti : 
Mele ngallopivo, : 
Merganser, hooded, . 

ed-b breasted, 
Mérgus cucullàtus, 
————1n 


ud-eel, ` : 
Mullet of the Lake, 
Muscicapa Acádica, 
—-—— —- atra 


bo rak 
- Canadénsis, : 


Wilsdnii, 


Native Nitrate of Soda, . 
Nephroma aspera, : 
ped bélld; 5 
——-—— párilis 
Night-h wk 
Nuininius borealis, 
udsónieus, 
——-—— iróstris, 
Nüfhateh, a ellied, 
white-b breasted, 


Der AN Birps, 


Oriole, Baltimore, 
lac : 


Owl, Acadian, 


great-horned, . 


— short-ehted, 


ee 


oe $9 @ 


Indez. 
Page. Page. 
181 | Owl, Tengmalm's, m 
195 | —— white-horned, 9 
954 | Oyster-catcher, American, . . 902 
954 
254 | Paludina Cine AM » B 
. 953 | Parmélia aleu . 442 
254 | ————— dés, . A 
83 | ——— crinita, . 443 
313 | ———— diátrypa, . "O9 
124 | ——— Fahlunénsis, 289 
261 VION : 442 
465 | là . 987 
473 | n Pedvedlléaia, 987 
349 speciósa, . 988 
118 stellàris, 443 
115 | ———— ulothri 989 
116 ^ dM. American, . 195 
190 108 
190 | —- Hudsonicus, 109 
116| Passerine Brnps, 148 
114 | Peabody on Birds, 65 
119 | Peltigera ap hthòsa 444 
118|— ydáctyla,. 444 
190 rü oben, 444 
113 | Perch, white, of Ohio, 350 
117 | Pérdix Virginiàna, . 195 
190 | Petrel, wr Mop . 236 
eh ae . 237 
97 ormy ^ 226 
993 Perm zon srgénteus, * 
293 | Pew all, 118 
293 dem . HT 
190 Phalacrócorax Carb, : . 955 
914| —— ———— dilophus, + 999 
213 | —— —— culus, 256 
213 Fodssupe; lores 92r 
Y Lulu Fed . 991 
176| ————— Wilo 225 
Phalarópus Riera . 997 
92 hyper erbór m . 927 
2 P. nii » 
97 | Phæbe, `. "ibo i 
104 | Picus auràtus, . iy 
nus . 
91 erythrocéphalus, — - ui 
"TES, pileatus, . n 
87 - pubéscen : IS 
88 | —- tridáctylus, . n 
87|——-vàrius, -> . "I 
83 villosus, . Td 
90|PicEoN TRIBE, - 109 
88 | Pigeon, pas ger, 45 
85 | Piméphales prómelas, 397 
8 is elevàtus 396 
- virens, 


Pleurótoma plicàta, 
Plover, black- bellied, 


? 
——— rübricóllis, 
Pomótis merelin, 
——— RS a, 


e 


Procellària E.. 


Püpa armifera, : 
— bàdia 


e 
E 
. 


Purple gt pind, 
—— ' papillària, 
colecina, 

Pjrrhula. enit s 


uail, Amer 


Indez. 


Page. 
318 


207 


5 
Salamander, banded, 
E E aas 


Roach, . . 
Robin, aa 
ound, 
Rock-fi ; 
Ru ssell’ s Hepatic Mosses, ^ 


j | Rusticola minor, 


me 
——Ó— Mn oe colored, 
Salamándra,. 


millennne 


0 Seer red- iad, lied, 


| P 
Shoveller, 


Sanderling, 3 . 
Sand-piper ash hoe . 
Sand-piper, ash tad. 


———. Wilsónü, - 
Semótilus biguttàtus, . 
——— —- céphalus, . 
SEHE 

ils of Massachusetts, 


spott 


Shrike, ian gray, 
——ÓÓ erican 
Sila Wilani . r 


». 4 ww.» eee Ww 


Sni DN ati : eee 
- red-breasted, ‘ L 


aiiis. pemipalaiated, % . x59 17 i ona 


Snow-bird, . $5456 


— — ioe 
chip 


DES ov zo 


EE eld, cS 
— fox -colored, . 2 47162 
— savannah, . 155 


song, . = . 154 
swamp, voc ee 


tree, . ~ 157 

ite-crowne ed, 152 

— white-throated, 153 

———— -shouldered, 157 

Sparrow-hawk, American, 69 

Splisies plickot fr rági ile, . 9301 | 
comis : s 

———— coriàcea, 


Squàlus élephas, > 
mària ċlegans, 
————- paste 825, 
Starling, Am . 
Stereocáulon iieu, 
paschàle, i 


Stérna Cayàna, " 


Dougalli 
es 
——— minita, 
Sternothe'rus, ` ' 
—————— T i 
Stickleback, variable, y ‘i 
— eot 
291 
MEL. pu m àcea, F + eee 
"oae UST MM 
Stilbi chos dls 
Storer’ s Reptiles, 1 
upp ment, . à 267 
Strepsilus intérpres, ‘ 207 
Strix Acddica, 90 


——-aretica, . à fxi 


ringed, = 
TE -necked, 27-798 15 
ped, : c 


530 Indez. 
Sitta Canadénsis, . . "17 I àsio, . 
Zarolinénsis, 176 brichy di, 
StwpzR-BILLED gs 176 | ——- cinérea, 
Snake, banded rattle, . 387|——- funérea, 
— chicken, . . 390|—-—- nebulósa, 
—— — black, . 27|——- nyctea, 
gre : . Mg a 0108, 
—— fite | brown, : 2 emen gmálmi, 
— —- red, Ebert AMI i aii 
ub. MS SW a ae 


maculósa 
petéchia, . 


——— pàrus, -> 
———— Philadélphia, 


—— —— pinus, 


Róscoe g xe 
rubricapilla, 
one 


sphagn 
striata, - 
S wainsónii, 
trichas 

tróchilus, 
vermivora, 
virens, -> 


Ta a pail scarlet, 


anagra rubra, . 
Tattler, Bartrain’ 8, 


ry, 
———- spotted, . 
Teal, blue-winged, 
mecum n-winged, 
Tell- 


ioterocéphala, $ 


ec «x ea. £X, ee € 


E 


> 


^ Tellina tenta, 
T 


"fiseidrema. Leach, 
"Thelot z mee 
elo aes e ipit 
' Thrasher, e. : 
Thrush, i dd 
uec crowned, 


Tinis, Ps 
————- Hudson’ s 'Ba 3 
Toad, common ad i 
— — tree 

To ornatélla. panoto. strita, 
Tortoise, alligato 

nati box, 


a mr etter, 


————- wood, 
Tótanus Motiv. 
—— — ghloropý gius, 


— 
A à 
— — platyrhinea, . 


Trichilns cólubris. 
Toglody'tes ve mericàna, 


Tal 531 


“B58 | Tardas cages . d . 196 
'930 


"rers PN gms 


230 «191 
231 msi inus, . 130 
231 — Nov septa . 132 
199 | — — poly gióttos at jr. 
197 | — —- rifus, M 
236 Wilsónii, 132 
236 fimin LP ae 195 
439 | Turnst 207 
125 | Turtle dome “Carolina, . 192 
125 
132 | Urceolaria cinérea, . 284 
131 | ————- scruposa, 284 
f 132| U'ria álle, . 261 
132 | —— Brunnichii, A 260 
130 flle, ‘ «0D 
108| —— tróile, AM IU E 
109 
52 | Variolària, . s: . 488 
48 | ———— —- aspergilla, 284 
323 discóidea, . 984 
$6] aac faginea, . . 284 
]12|-———— velàta, . 984 
16 | Verrucària cinèrea, 283 
7 | ósita, . 438 
4 enteroléuca, . 983 
10|— - epidérmidis, 9:2 
10 | ——— — gemm 282 
6; ———— a 282 
T) | aem netifórmis, 282 
219 | Vireo flàvilrons, . 121 
218 | ——- gilvu « 29 
219 Hcc is Nord Eboracénsis, so JI 
217 olivàc . . 123 
218 | ——— red-ey . 123 
48 | ——— warbling, i. IR 
214|——— white-eyed, .  . 122 
216 — — yellow-throated, 2 0E 
216 
215|Wapine Bikos; ..— .. ©. 909 
215 Warbler, autumnal, .  . 138 
216 — bay breasted, ak 
215 lack- 
214 |a black-throated green. 135 
BET T us = 
214 TUTTI n 1 
179 chestnut-sided, . 136 
146 | —- olden- winged, . MH 
143 emlock, ; ma 
144 rning, 140 
146 | Nashville, . 141 
145 | orange-colored, . 141 
> 438 | ge-th ted, 136 
139 ý 139 


o e 


532 


ets pipe, 


Indez. 


Pac 
13 


+ 


. alain -— ape as. 
—— pin e-swamp, pro -toed, 
prairie 139 | -_——-— yellow’ “bellied, 
———— spotted, i 135 | Wren, fiery- en owne 
———— — S wainson's, 141| ———. air id mes 
worm-eating, deu . 
yellow-crowned, . 133 one ero . 
yellow red-pole, 134 | ——— salt-water math, . 
Warrior, black,- . «ò Sl | a willow; '. : 
Wes-rooreD BIRDS, éa — . 230|.——— winter; . adds 
Whippoorwill . . 189 wood, . 
White-fish of the Lakes, . 477 
idge a ge —— 43 | Yellow-bird, summer, : 
cock; American, ~~ 223 | Yellow-shanks, `. : 
Woodpecker, downy, : . 174| Yellow-throat, Maryland, . 
[3174 -—————- Roscoe's, . 
gold-winged, 2368 
—————- ted, . 470 | ZyeopActyi, . Š . 
— id bellied, IT 
t 
A ^ 
ERRATA. 


217, 5th for ** semipaimuated ” ost « A ated " 
« 934 4th € ber m, for ** caturractes 7? read “cataractes.” 
* 243, 10th «€. .«* ; for ** Gadwile?? read **Guadw ? 
" i, 17th **. * top, for ** cetrerea ” read **cetruria. 
to oU Cte er: n Bonon Teri paimo æ” read **pulmonacea." 
** 467, l6th **  ** top, for ** tridentate ” read“ trid ntata.? 
€ 479 9th « « 
[11 “sé “ [11 


4t b 
« 479, 5th « « 
* 480,&h * 


lotam, * n “u Locher ? read “ ochreous. 
ipiam e deck 


ect? read ** decurrent.”? 
Jus [11 A. ” 


“ Cantrarchus ? read“ Centrarchus. 


AN 


Wi "ur vun 


ap Q 


"e 
1 P 
Several plates of the Helices described in this vol- 
ume have been unavoidably deferred, but they will we, 


probably. be given with the first number of the next $ 
volume. ! X 


)plhüreis coriacea lin r Moore's Lith Bostan 


steus cnconstans. 
2.Etheostoma variata. 


1. Gasteros 


*.Hydrargira limt 


IP Kirtla 
nd del: i GF Storm se: 


Y OL IL, 
PL. Mm. 


Xx a? 


\ 7 
Y Re) 


striata... ADAM: 17 ANCYLUS. fis 
AB PUPA... PZadía..— 
. ADAMS. 19- i 


B 


M. 


i 
Cdd 


—" C COU CC C TEC 


Oa ee ae eee 


í 


‘ty 
L4 

Lr P F 
^ » 4 , *, 


"Jy. 
^. 
wo T 


Helix palliata 


> 
- 


PLY 


. PL.VITL 


Nutting dei StormSe q 


Melia dppressa. sax. 


1. Helier inffecta. sxx. 


9 


pulchellg. LER. 
4 


Storm Se 


a Qe... 


|. Felix meonodom RACKETT 
2 [Paterna BAX 


3 Pursata. 


PL.XI. 


1. Helix gularis. Sax 
2. . spinosa. 


Muttin s deg 3 .o SUppressd, .. Storm Sc 


PL.XIIL, 


Nutting ded Storm Sz 


Helix Nuttalliana GEA. 


PLX N 


StormSe. 


N 7 . 
We Helix Townsendtana, VEA. 


Helix concave, sax. 


FL.XIY. 


~ 


heeded 


Y, 


Helix profunda, sxx. 


PL.XV. 


Sterne 


Pil XYI 


[^ 3 
i "F 3 
Histo = 
a 
"S 


"inci aid 


Helix Sayil BINNEY. 
Storm Sc 


Nutting de? 


PTL.XWVI. 


Helix tridentata. sax. 


Nutting ded Storm Se 


Helix tridentata, sax. 


PL.XVill. 


Storm Sc 


PIL. XIX. 


<a 


1.2 Helix auriculata. SAY 
3. . funguta. 
A . eptemvolva, . 


Mutina del ree Si 


YOL HI, PL XX1. 


i 
3 
E 1 
2 > 
¢ 
LE. 
+ C ^ 
1. Helix interna , SAX. 3, Helix inernata/ , SAY... 
2,.-  limdtula, BINNEY. 4. perspectiva , SAX. 


es D A] Wa ] 
Erie 5. H - striateligr, ANTHONY. See PI. M, F. 2. Varren Se 


6 © 


omm 


WOR tu. 


Helix solitaria: Say: 


PL. XXIIT 


VOL. ILL. 


Puttinu del 


Helix fuligines a, GrutTuh.. 


TURN EREE 
NEN SS ai 


hina 
MNT tats (9 


3» 


XXVIII. 


Pl 


eec 


at RT. 
2, 4, 


Hf [44 
he M á 
ANS 
ae: 


side 
HITTI 
$ n 


eee dU 

Wu E (M HUS 
SERRA 

9T tn K 


j (e) uA 
i EGS 


PUE 
FORCES 


— J7 


EE. 


purgant 


Vol. Tk 


PEXXIX.